#so it is hella sus to defend this sort of romance

[sarafangirlart]

I wonder if villain romances becoming a big thing on booktok isn't much to do with the villain, and more with the idea of being seduce by them to the dark side. The fantasy of a villain backing you up against the wall and kissing your neck whilst you succumb to him, as a way of showing he loves you and that you can be together - the idea that seduction equals love. But this isn't just a bad boy - this is a person who regularly treats other people horrifically. If you do join a horrible man's side just because he made out with you one time, it imo only shows that you had a desire to flaunt your power over others and hurt them, you just needed a push. It's no wonder that mainly cis white women fantasise about villain romances.

They’ll get you for this take lol

[kill-me-with-a-spoon]

I think a big effect is also th "A hero would sacrifice you for the world. A villain would sacrifice the world for you." view. Regardless of what you think about it, I can see why people find that appealing.

Superman wouldn't(or shouldn’t) burn the world to cure your sickness forexample but Lex Luther would. He might make you sick again afterwards in a sadistic power play just to prove he is god or something... Yeah I still don't see the appeal

I wonder if villain romances becoming a big thing on booktok isn't much to do with the villain, and more with the idea of being seduce by them to the dark side. The fantasy of a villain backing you up against the wall and kissing your neck whilst you succumb to him, as a way of showing he loves you and that you can be together - the idea that seduction equals love. But this isn't just a bad boy - this is a person who regularly treats other people horrifically. If you do join a horrible man's side just because he made out with you one time, it imo only shows that you had a desire to flaunt your power over others and hurt them, you just needed a push. It's no wonder that mainly cis white women fantasise about villain romances.

They’ll get you for this take lol