#same with the mmc

[rosencatholic]

The continuous hunt for a good fantasy romance book is never ending and I fear I will never find a good one in a very long time

[brooksdavis]

9K MAKE ME CHOOSE:･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ @poonmitpakdee ASKED: Ryan/Esposito or Kate/Lanie?

I'm your partner. That means I'm with you 'til the wheels fall off

[velveteen-vampire]

spent today trying to remember how to draw bass

[i-am-megalodonna]

Someday I will write a romance novel where the love interest is a fat man because I'm sorry but I cannot truly get into books that prattle on and on about rock hard muscles and defined abs and pecs and what have you. Where are the fat men I'm so tired.

[reminiscentbelle]

ughhhhhh once again thinking abt how joshua's character is written soooo badly in group cds UGHHHHH free him from the funny haha scenarios

lije literally the only dearv.o guy thats treated normally is like 2u. and reo i guess. a-tan maybe. like i understand its for teehee reasoms and not serious character studies and interactions but UGHHHHHH IT SUCKS FREE MY MEN!!

[hiemaldesirae]

they are quite literally not even being subtle

[dizziiedaikon]

EOOOGH my friend talking about senator shockwave having a pink lemonade scheme, a paint job for a wedding with pax, shockwave and ramone being similar cuz they love changing their paints

[k-umorebi]

i'm currently subjecting myself to ali hazelwood (i needed a book that's pink for the readathon i'm participating in this month). i'm like 20% in and i've already had it with the size difference.

[cariiad]

sometimes i consider just how much of an impact prince cornelius from thumbelina and dimitri from anastasia had on the collective consciousness of women born in the 90s

[my-names-angel-but-im-not-one]

MC meets their male version!

#1

Something happened with one of the doors in Barbatos's room and. M!MC (male MC) ended up walking in this devildom where's our F!MC/GN!MC is.

Story list

Lucifer: .......so you're saying he basically travelled universe accidentally, because of your mistake.

Barbatos: it wasn't my mistake, the other Barbatos made the mistake

Lucifer: and now you want me to keep him here, with our mc?? Did Diavolo even approved it!?!

Barbatos: he was the one who suggested it, yes.

Lucifer: ...ugh *facepalms*

MC: *looking at M!MC with squinting eyes*

M!MC: *doing the same*

M!MC: ........ask away..

Mc: how big is that peni-

M!MC: that's the first thing you ask? ......Not surprised.

M!MC: I'll tell you , if you tell me your bra siz-

MC: Deal.

M!MC: Deal.

Barbatos:

Lucifer:

Barbatos: .... I'll see if I can fix it up till tomorrow.

Lucifer: please.

[A/N]: this is gonna be a series ......maybe :p

Common tag that used: MMC x MC (use this tag to find more)

Also I'm close to hitting 1k!! Thank you all!! Muwah :3

[unhealthyfanobsession]

The most wild thing about Cassian’s feral and constant defence of anything Rhysand is that it could be such a beautiful pain rather than a confusing annoyance.

Like I love “MMC who only thinks about FMC” as much as the next person but why wasn’t Cassian allowed a SHRED of character development.

What if every time Nesta says something bad about Rhys it’s like a barely healed over scab ripping open beneath her nails. The agony of 50 years, half a century without his brother. The loss barely healed before war comes, the time never enough. Distant, they’ve still been so impossibly distant. In the same room laughing and drinking whiskey but minds entirely occupied with their own personal destruction and salvation, both bearing the name Archeron. They haven’t even had a single good day, a single complete day, where one of them wasnt heartbroken or war wasn’t beating down their door.

And the entire cauldron-damned time he was quelling rebellion in Illyria it was all he heard. Insults for the brother who gave everything to save them. Again and again, his whole life Cassian has had to fight and punch and bloody in defence of his brother. It’s instinct. He didn’t even think, lashing out with words as if his mate was Devlon. And he regretted it. Of course, the second the words left his mouth he regretted them, but … it was true, wasn’t it. In a sense, in a horrible way.

Everyone did hate Nesta.

Not the female herself, he knew, but what she reminded them of. She wore her trauma on her sleeve while they all choked and gargled on the blood still staining their hands and everyone hated her for it. Mor most of all, he guessed. An open wound, refusing to shut. It was why she was here. Why they were both here.

Fuck the money. Fuck the liquor and sex. It was the pain. The empty spot at the dining table, the aching absence in the pictures on the walls. They … well, he and Feyre, really, couldn’t stand her absence but her presence was nothing but a mirror. Reflecting everything still inside of them. Broken and raging and screaming insults at anyone who dared speak ill of his brother.

Habit, instinct, to lash out when one he loved was insulted.

He hated Nesta for hating Rhys. And he hated Rhys for hating Nesta.

Because what, in the almighty fuck, was he supposed to do with that?

When he loved them both so much.

[magerightsmagefights]

I know people tend to forget Wyll a lot in this fandom (I wonder why. What Could Possibly Be Different. Can you spot the difference?/s) but I'm genuinely surprised at the lack of Durge x Wyll content. Especially if you're going Redeemed, there's that inherent flavor of "My lover cannot know the truth, I am horrible and they would hate me, they would be correct to hate me." And with Wyll it's just... so juicy, he's so pure and shining, and Durge is so filled with filth and misery that there's barely a person left underneath.

Idk, as a femme romance reader I've spent so many years reading the "love redeems" arc where a FMC plays beauty to an MMC beast, in every genre, medium, budget, etc. I'm not here to yuck anyone's yum, but beauty and the beast as a story structure has never done it for me.

until it's reversed, apparently, because Wyll as the beauty to Durge's beast needs to be injected directly into my veins like yesterday. All the other companions are good and sweet, don't get me wrong, but their reactions are coded like 'i accept you,' where Wyll to me comes off much more as 'we will heal you.' He doesn't have any funny little quips about you trying to bite him, no innuendos, no "I Will Put You Down" a la Laezel, he's just... so good, and he believes in your inherent goodness, he so easily sees "you" and "your urges" as wholly seperate entities he would step between if he could.

Speaking of which!! The coronation scene, when everyone finds out you're Bhaalspawn? I never see anyone talking about Wyll's reaction compared to other companions getting angry (even Dark Shadowheart will yell at you) because Wyll seems to be the ONLY PERSON who immediately separates you(the person he knows) from you(the person you used to be). Astarion isn't angry, he even appreciates your scheme freeing him from Cazador, but he also kinda falls into the whole "I will talk to you as if you are the exact same person who did these things, this is Your True Nature and I feel positive about it."

Wyll's reaction feels like the only one saying "You WERE that," instead of "You ARE that." It also feels like the only one that kinda-sorta acknowledges Durge's actual amnesia, because he doesn't treat this revelation like a betrayal the way the other "good" companions do. They be saying "The real evil was hiding within our ranks all along" like wym hiding? Durge didn't know either, how tf they supposed to tell you?

Wyll doesn't even blink. Once he knows what you are, his No.1 priority is reassuring YOU about it. The fact you're Bhaalspawn isn't a betrayal; it's a Horrible Burden and he's sorry you have to bear it, but there have been others like you who were good, who overcame, and your blood isn't who you are. His first instinct is to offer hope, to reassure you that there's a way out, he believes so hard that your urges are a defeatable enemy and he's ready to fight them with you.

(I also fall into the Durge And Gortash Fucked camp, and I cannot overstate the tastiness of Durge waltzing into the coronation of their ex, the Worst Man Alive, while bringing along their new boyfriend, the Best Man Alive)

Idk, I've just never engaged in a romance where I played the part of the Beast. As much as people rag on pure, princely archetypes, I don't actually see them that often. I genuinely don't remember the last time I read/saw a male lead behave like Wyll, but I've seen plenty of Astarions, Fenrises, Rhysands, etc. Romance loves a fixable MMC, but so rarely an MMC who wants to do the fixing.

Anyway. Justice for Wyll or whatever. I can only cross my fingers that future DLC will include more romance content, because we all deserve to have a Beauty for our Beast sometimes.

[elainsgirl]

I tried to get myself to like gwyn and azriel but I just couldnt. Ill look at fanarts and stuff but I just cant SEE it.

I fear they would be boring. People call elain and azriel boring and cliche but be fr... thats literally gwyn and az. you can literally see how their story would develop. it would literally give feysand and nessian.... im tired of seeing the same stuff.

Hey anon 🫶

You’re so right. At one point, earlier on in the fandom, I too tried to get myself to see where gwynriels were coming from and what the appeal about Gwyn and Az were. It’s nothing special. There is nothing unique or interesting about Gwynriel.

I promise this is related to my poimt. Lately, there’s this discourse going on about the decline in individuality and quality of books. After 2020, people have started to notice that recent books are no longer as intricate as books once were. Every book within a genre feels the same. The plots, characters, dynamics, tropes etc - are all mirrors of each other. There isn’t individuality anymore when it comes to books within a set genre. Now, a genre that rlly increased in popularity was romantasy. Over the last few years, which trope has become increasingly more prominent? Enemies to lovers. Which fmc character type is more favoured? The sassy, “I can do it all”, powerful warrior who is the best at everything and is great at wielding a sword type. Almost every single book thats comes out will be advertised as enemies to lovers. The fmcs themselves have all become similar. Another point I would like to add in: when it comes to these sort of books, there will be lots of banter between the couple and the fmc always proving the mmc wrong - sometimes even challenging him. Aside from acotar: many of us are also readers who consume other genres and books/series. I think its fair enough to say, many of us consume all types of “popular” books. I can guarantee that many of us have read enemies to lovers books or even have it as a favourite trope. When you are constantly consuming a specific type of media, as a reader, you will want more of whatever you are consuming, limiting your mind to other possibilities. As an example, if you constantly are reading enemies to lovers books’ -> you won’t really like anything that is not enemies to lovers. Obviously, we all have our favourite genres and tropes we love to consume BUT we should always be open minded to try new things. Ok, slightly of course but back to my point:

Gwynriel fits in the checklist for your standard couple: in a fantasy, “enemies to lovers”, book. . Girlboss FMC that can do it all and shoves it to do the dark, broody MMC.

. “Banter”. The couple “challenging” each other

. MMC’s dark trauma and past that only the FMC can help him to heal

you get my point. People love gwynriel and it is so popular due to its lack of originality. They are such cardboard copies of a typical EtL book + we have literally gotten not much scenes on them -> it is so easy for their stans to self-insert and virtually put on any HC they want onto gwynriel.

Now compare that too elriel? There are not many “soft”, “feminine” fmcs. The recent one I can think of is “Evangeline Fox” from once upon a broken heart. So you already have Elain Archeron that stands out as an fmc from the norm - people aren’t used to her character type therefore view her as weak and boring. Elriel is far from enemies to lovers. They do not banter. They’re not the type of characters to draw attention to themselves or their relationship. Their dynamic is more mature instead of fun and childish. They have more dangerous stakes then anything gwynriel can have. Their story is more unique -> people aren’t used to that as it isn’t often potrayed in books anymore therefore they are disliked and people find them uninteresting.

Gwynriel is popular as it lacks originality. Elriel is hated due to their unique dynamic.

When I see gwynriel fanarts, the concept is lovely but knowing that Gwyn and Az don’t even like each other romantically and Az was ready to beg for another woman, it usually puts me off. I can’t view them as a couple since the books do not potray them as potential LIs.

[starrylightseeker]

This might be a hot take, especially on this site, but some of u are getting on my nerves.

Atp I don't think some of you realize how entitled and ridiculous you sound🧍‍♀️demanding and whining that there is no male mc and it's wild to me, and hear me out, if u wanna imagine it w a male mc go ahead no one is gonna stop you. But ure going "not only women play this," "it's about inclusivity"

Here's the thing. Imagine if someone goes into a BL space or a space made specifically for mlm as the target audience, and then women come on and start demanding and whining about adding a female mc because of inclusivity and that "not only guys play this." Or going into a wlw space and demanding a mmc.

Do y'all not see how stupid that sounds????? It's the same thing because the target of those is wlw and mlm...

(I know lots of women enjoy BL/mlm and I've NEVER seen them try to force themselves into the story by demanding a fmc)

I even saw someone with this horrible ass take: "if there is space for skin tones, there is space for lgbtq" and that..... there are so many issues in that sentence. For starters, women of color exist, being able to change the mc's skin color in a game like this SHOULD BE THE STANDARD🧍‍♀️comparing that to including an mmc and/or sexualities in a game made for women attracted to men is not the fucking same and the person who said that is just gross and the main reason I'm writing this.

You CAN be here in this space. You CAN play the game even if you're nb or a guy or a lesbian. You are welcome to play, the game is awesome!! Just also respect the fact that the main target audience is women cause some of you are getting so fucking infuriating w the things you say.

You came into the game knowing who the target audience was. Pls learn the difference between otomes and dating sims.... they're not the same.

[acourtofthought]

"Az didn't demonstrate mate behavior when Gwyn was taken into the Rite."

Ok......so where was Az's mate behavior for Elain when she was forced into then dumped out of the Cauldron? Where was Az's mate behavior as the guards were looking at her in a see through nightdress? (pssst....he was too busy snarling at the king because of Mor then holding Mor's hand).

Where was Az's mate behavior when Elain was not eating or sleeping? When she was wasting away for weeks?

Where was Az's mate behavior when he drew straws to avoid having to stay and guard Elain?

How is someone going to pick apart Az's behavior towards Gwyn while not realizing that Az did not give a shit about Elain during the worst time of her life but insisting that E/riel is the true love story?

Az not only didn't show mate behavior towards Elain, he didn't even act like he cared about her as a person during her trauma. Not until Rhys and Feyre began asking him to help (take her to the garden at Lucien's suggestion, "what does it mean?" in regards to her riddles). And if you're going to say it took Az some time to come around towards wanting to protect Elain then Gwynriel's are free to say the same.

Clearly Az is an idiot at times and hasn't demonstrated true mate behavior towards anyone but Mor at this point which makes sense because he's spent centuries convincing himself they were supposed to be mates.

Rowan didn't show mate behavior towards Aelin for quite a bit either.

Sometimes Sarah writes her mated MMCs as a bit thick in the head but they eventually come around.

Not everyone can have a bond snap in such a spectacular fashion as Elucien.

[writers-potion]

when writing enemies to lovers, how to I avoid the trope of “hes mean to me but it’s okay because he likes me” and make the mmc redeemable after being mean, because so far all I have is have her be just as bad 😭 (I don’t know if I worded that right)

Redeeming The Bad Boy Character

Drop Subtle Hints of Redeemability

Okay. Rule Number 1 for romance heroes: They need to be LOVABLE. Full stop. 

Before you start coming up with possible justifications, place the actions of your bad boy on the emotional balancing scale of your girl. Do his real feelings shine through the meanness on the surface?

What readers usually DON’T want to see redeemed is:

Outright lying/manipulating the girl 

Being obsessive and controlling 

Physical/emotional bullying (i.e. stuff that real bullies would do)

“Crossing the line”: This will depend on character - like insulting a disabled sister the girl character feels super protective towards (like NO PLEASE NO)

Even if the “enemy” phase of your romance is meant to be intense, your bad boy needs to display “goodness of heart”. This is easy if you’re switching POVs or 3rd person omniscient where you can show him secretly beating himself in regret, trying to make up with her behind her back although she doesn’t know, etc. 

Even if you’re doing the girl’s 1st person POV, drop subtle hints that the guy character isn’t as mean as the girl is made to believe:

Him having the reputation with friends/teachers/neighbors for being kind 

Him being awarded in school for good deeds

The girl’s friend telling her stories about how the guy actually seems nice. If this is a YA setting, you can even get away with explicit comments like, “maybe you’re judging him too hard”, etc. 

A good example is Bryce  in <Flipped>:

Bryce is an innately shy middle schooler who finds himself inadvertently influenced by his toxic dad, who looks down on the girl (Juli) and her family. 

By flipping over to Bryce’s POV, his reluctance for the “mean” things he’s done is revealed (he’s kinda scared of his dad + he’s never been taught better)

Eventually, Bryce grows up and learns to treat Juli better. 

If you’re going to use family history/backstory as justification, remember:

The backstory doesn’t justify anything by just existing. That’s called an excuse. 

The bad boy needs to have a point of realization and grow up, moving away from his dark past into the light, towards the love interest. 

Misunderstanding

Another way to redeem a bad boy character is to shift some blame on the female character too. In fact, every story has two sides - the girl has her own goals and biases. 

For example:

Academic or workplace rivals: since the girl has to compete with him, she will tend to take offhand comments offensively, etc. 

A third person badmouthing the buy deliberately to the girl

The girl overhearing the guy saying something bad about her (which wasn’t in fact the case) and being determined to not like anything he does after

Make Him Suffer 

If you want to give your girl some backbone, just make her fight back! “Fighting back” can be in different forms:

Ignoring the guy outright

Just giving her another potential love interest who treats her better 

She literally correcting him with awesome logic and maturity that make him shut up

She crying (either out of madness or sadness), then proceeding to avoid him actively

Write about how your bad boy will eventually realize his mistakes and come around after he takes a real blow. Think about why your bad boy is being mean in the first place: it’s to get her attention. Tit-for-tat can work for female characters who have some teeth, but doing the same things he does would mean that she IS giving him attention, which ironically fulfills his initial motives. 

Personally, I think the best way to “fight back” is to no longer give him the attention, hinting that the girl wishes to move on from this unhelpful relationship status. This will set off warning signs in the MMC’s head that if he doesn’t change his ways, she would be gone for good. 

The point is, if your girl cannot tolerate something, you can’t make her sit around. If your boy is mean and immature, she needs to be the one to take the mature step - and walk away.

Apologizing in the Other Character’s Style

What the MMC will need to do to gain the girl’s attention back will depend on what she thinks, but this will often involve:

Explaining his true motivations/resolving the misunderstanding

A genuine apology 

Spending some time apart during which he can reflect and make up to her 

Undoing the damage, if this is possible

If she’s been just as bad as him on occasions, make her reciprocate the apology! Re-establish healthy boundaries that didn’t exist before, and show how they stick to it.