Fanfiction Tropes
From slow burn romances to enemies-to-lovers, explore the themes and tropes that make fanfiction so compelling.
Alternate Universe (AU)
Stories set in a different universe or setting than canon, from coffee shops to space operas.
Angst
Stories focused on emotional pain, drama, and intense feelings.
Hurt/Comfort
One character is hurt (physically or emotionally) and another provides comfort and care.
Slow Burn
A romance that develops gradually over time, with tension building across chapters or the entire story.
Fluff
Light, happy, feel-good stories focused on sweet moments and happiness.
Friends to Lovers
Best friends who realize their feelings run deeper than friendship.
Enemies to Lovers
Characters who start as adversaries and gradually develop romantic feelings for each other.
Pining
Unrequited or unspoken longing for someone, often with lots of internal anguish.
Fix-It
Stories that 'fix' canon events that fans found unsatisfying, usually character deaths or relationship outcomes.
Modern AU
Characters from historical or fantasy settings are placed in contemporary times with modern technology, jobs, and social situations. Classic dynamics in fresh contexts.
Secret Relationship
Characters are in a romantic relationship they must keep hidden from others for various reasons. The secrecy adds tension and stakes to their romance.
Protective
One character goes to great lengths to protect another from physical, emotional, or other harm. Protection can be obvious or secretive.
Forbidden Love
Romance between characters whose relationship is prohibited by society, law, family, or circumstances. Love persists despite impossible odds.
Mutual Pining
Both characters are in love with each other but believe their feelings are unrequited. Readers can see the truth while characters remain oblivious.
Only One Bed
Two characters are forced to share a bed due to circumstances beyond their control. The proximity and intimacy of the situation often leads to romantic tension or confessions.
Love Triangle
One character is torn between two potential romantic interests, creating tension and forcing difficult choices. Drama ensues as feelings are sorted out.
High School AU
Characters are reimagined as high school students dealing with teenage drama, first love, and coming-of-age experiences. Classic teen romance tropes apply.
Jealousy
Characters experience jealousy over real or perceived romantic rivals. The green-eyed monster drives conflict, realizations, and sometimes confessions.
Established Relationship
Characters are already in a romantic relationship at the story's start. Focus is on maintaining, deepening, or navigating challenges within existing love.
Childhood Friends
Characters who knew each other as children and have a deep, long-standing bond. Romance may develop as they grow up or reunite later in life.
College AU
Characters are college students or set in a university environment. Romance develops amid academic pressure, newfound freedom, and self-discovery.
Domestic
Characters in everyday, intimate domestic situations like cooking together, sharing household chores, or quiet moments at home. Romance in ordinary life.
Soulmates
Stories featuring soulmate mechanics - marks, strings of fate, first words, etc.
Arranged Marriage
Characters enter a marriage arranged by others, often for political, financial, or family reasons. Romance may develop despite or because of the circumstances.
Vampire AU
Characters exist in a world where vampires are real, with at least one character being a vampire. Romance often explores immortality, bloodlust, and supernatural bonds.
Reunited
Characters who were separated by circumstances, time, or misunderstandings are brought back together. Old feelings resurface and new dynamics emerge.
Identity Reveal
A character's secret identity is revealed, whether they're a superhero, villain, supernatural being, or hiding their true self. Relationships are tested and transformed.
Second Chances
Former lovers or missed connections get another opportunity at romance. Past mistakes are confronted and love gets a chance to bloom again.
Werewolf AU
Characters exist in a world with werewolves, pack dynamics, and shapeshifting. Romance often involves mates, pack politics, or acceptance of one's dual nature.
Possessive
One character displays possessive behavior toward another, ranging from protective to controlling. Often explores themes of ownership, devotion, and boundaries.
Found Family
Characters forming family bonds with people they're not related to by blood.
Coffee Shop AU
Characters meet and develop relationships in the cozy setting of a coffee shop. One might be a barista, regular customer, or both just happen to frequent the same place.
Time Travel
Characters travel through time, either to change events, escape danger, or by accident. Romance may span different time periods or involve changing the past.
Touch Starved
A character has been deprived of physical affection and desperately craves touch. Simple gestures become incredibly meaningful and powerful.
Royalty AU
Characters are placed in a royal or aristocratic setting with kings, queens, princes, and nobles. Romance often crosses class boundaries or involves political intrigue.
Historical AU
Characters are placed in a specific historical period, often with period-appropriate clothing, customs, and social restrictions. Romance navigates historical constraints.
Accidental Marriage
Characters find themselves legally married through misunderstandings, drunken mistakes, or unusual circumstances. They must decide whether to annul or make it work.
Fake Dating
Characters pretending to be in a relationship, usually developing real feelings along the way.
Amnesia
One character loses their memory, creating angst and opportunities for relationships to be rebuilt from scratch. Past connections are rediscovered or reimagined.
Mistaken Identity
One character is mistaken for someone else, leading to comedic or dramatic situations. Romance may develop based on false assumptions that must eventually be addressed.
Body Swap
Characters magically or scientifically switch bodies, leading to comedy, self-discovery, and deeper understanding of each other. Romance may develop from new perspectives.
De-aging
Characters are transformed back into children or teenagers, either physically, mentally, or both. Leads to protective dynamics and unique relationship challenges.
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