A thing I should add to my general fic likes list ... maybe

[sholio]

I've been noticing lately how much I love physical gestures of affection that aren't sexually charged in particular, between two characters who *are* romantically interested in each other (or whose status is "maybe") - hair petting, forehead kisses, that kind of thing. I knew I liked the inverse (normally romantic gestures and touches, or tropes like arranged marriage, between two people who genuinely aren't interested in each other that way), but I have only really been noticing the other one recently. And I mean ... obviously it can be sexual/romantic in nature? Like, there's a lot of middle ground there, and I think it might be the weirdness/ambiguity/slipperiness of the middle ground that really gets to me. Anyway, it's a thing I really like, which I am now finding weirdly difficult to describe, but I find myself putting it in fic more often these days.

(I strongly suspect that if this explanation doesn't make sense, or needs a bunch of clarification of the edge cases, or if you want to argue with me about what it really means, this probably isn't a thing you're into, and that's fine; however, if you see this and go "OOH", then perhaps it is.)

Comments

[definitely_not_an_alb]

I am in fact going extremely OHHH over both of these, and also thank you for putting into words why so much arranged marriage! and marriage of (in/)convenience!fic does not work for me, or stops working two to three chapters in when the (romantic) Feelingz(TM) start coming in. Genuinely thank you, because I just couldn't figure it out!

[sholio]

YAY, I knew I wasn't the only one! I really wish there was more platonic arranged marriage fic out there. I know it's the opposite of what most people want from the trope, and I do really like the other thing too, but I'm also just really, really into situations that push characters into close proximity, and that's a great one for it.

[philomytha]

Oh, yes, I like this too. As you say, the ambiguity is lovely, and also the fact that it's sort of free? It's not necessarily leading to something more or intended as a prelude to more sexual interactions - it could be, but it doesn't have to be, it stands on its own. IDK, I'm finding it hard to articulate too, but I agree.

[sholio]

Yesssss, I think that's a big part of it for me, too. It is really hard to articulate exactly what it is that works so well about it, but yeah, I think it's the feeling that it's not meant to lead to anything else, it's just a gesture of love and affection all on its own. I love it.

[sheron]

Yes, this exactly! There's no expectation of anything in return, it's just kindness and affection and wanting to touch and/or comfort the other person.

I absolutely love it!

[trobadora]

Oh, yes, I know exactly what you mean!

[sholio]

I knew some people would! (And there's a reason why a lot of our tastes are so compatible. :D)

[sophia_sol]

YES, I love this! Letting the gesture be meaningful in itself!

[sholio]

Yes!! Actually I realized after I wrote the above that it's not just the gesture itself - although, yes, that too - but also, it's those gestures being significant within the narrative, as well: not necessarily in a major plot way, but clearly important to the characters.

[sophia_sol]

yeah!!!!

[sartorias]

Gestures of tenderness? (I LOVE those.)

[sholio]

Yesssssss.

[sheron]

I have been aware of this for some time and I'm definitely OOOH about it. `Non-sexual intimacy` has always been one of my favourite prompts & tags.

[sholio]

Yesssss. *has feelings*

[lyr]

Yes! I do like non-sexual physical intimacy (or not-yet-sexual physical intimacy.) I think the most intimate thing people can do together is literally sleep together, and I am all over that in fiction. And as someone in a queerplatonic relationship, I also like seeing that sort of bonding centered sometimes. Not every marriage needs to be romantic to be real!

[sholio]

Oh yessss, characters sleeping together is one of my favorite things. <3

I just like seeing more variety in different ways for characters to demonstrate affection for each other, and different constructions for fictional relationships - as you point out, there's a huge variety in real life, so it would be nice to see more of that variety in fiction as well!

[ellenmillion]

I LOVE these.

[sholio]

They're so wonderful!

[black_bentley]

I know exactly what you mean. Non-sexual intimacy is glorious and there should definitely be more of it in fic.

[sholio]

Yes!! It's excellent. :D