Enemies to lovers

[sholio]

I ended up nominating a few things for Enemies to Lovers (hush, I'm using it as a bribe for finishing my other assignments xD) and this made me spend some time thinking about which of my ships actually qualify - I had some trouble coming up with a third fandom, and trying to figure out where exactly I'd draw the line. (Like, I wouldn't call Sam/Bucky E2L - more like people who mildly antagonize each other to friends/lovers. But some might!)

So I got to wondering how other people define it. I selected check boxes since some people might have more than one answer. I mean, *I'm* not even sure where I fall in all of this!

Poll #33342

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 59

View Respondents

How would you define Enemies to Lovers? (or Enemies to Friends, if you're not a shipper)

View Answers

Must try to kill each other (or at least want to), or be on opposite sides of a conflict with life-or-death stakes
21 (35.6%)

Rivalries like sports rivalries are fine, but there needs to be a strong personal element and/or unhealthy fixation on each other (not just regular sports team conflict)
26 (44.1%)

Any kind of rivalry or antagonism will do
12 (20.3%)

For me it's about the Vibe™ - from distrust/antagonism to trust, whatever form that takes
26 (44.1%)

I do not accept it as proper E2L if there's any softening at all - they must remain antagonists
0 (0.0%)

I know it when I see it but don't get too fussed about definitions
9 (15.3%)

My thoughts are too complex for your ticky boxes (answer in comments)
2 (3.4%)

Not my trope so I don't care, but I want to click something.
3 (5.1%)

Comments

[helen_keeble]

(this isn’t really a spoiler but Rot13 anyway)

Gur znva cnvevat vf zs, naq nyy gur znva srznyr punenpgref ner fubja gb rawbl ybbxvat ng ubg thlf. Gurer’f ab bafperra dhrre ercerfragngvba (ng yrnfg gung V, n pvfurg jbzna, cvpxrq hc ba) - gubhtu bs pbhefr gurer’f nyernql n ybg bs snaneg naq snasvp erpgvslvat gung!

[sholio]

I appreciate the rot13, btw - I'm taking your warning to heart, of knowing absolutely nothing going in, and I want to remain in my current unspoiled state until I watch it! Which probably will happen as soon as I manage to escape the Murderbot vortex in which I am currently dwelling.

[liz_mo]

Thank you! Ahh, shame. If it‘s not m/m (or something that can turned into it via fanfic) then my interest is zero…