If your leads are angst-heavy, let the side couple be purely comedic or "sweet".
While Jim and Pam were the central focus, the bizarre, dysfunctional, and background-heavy relationship between Kelly and Ryan provided consistent, hilarious world-building. little teeny sex extra quality
And yet.
Show how dating works in your specific setting (e.g., how soldiers find love on a battlefield or how magic users court one another). If your leads are angst-heavy, let the side
“The romance is secondary to the main plot... it kind of hits the reader the same way it does [the character] when it finally happens.” Reddit · r/YAlit · 3 years ago Key Storyline Features to Look For Show how dating works in your specific setting (e
While the heroes are fighting the big bad, two side characters might be sharing a single, charged look over a campfire. It creates a sense of intimacy that feels earned rather than forced.