I get the fixation on enemies to lovers in fandom in general, I really do, but nothing is as finger licking good to me as friends-to-lovers, and particularly childhood friends-to-lovers
I can give like. Examples. I think the best ones off the top of my head are maybe Scott and Stiles, Scott and Isaac, Lancelot and Merlin, umm I swear there’s more. OH niche but tennis boyfs from Diary of a Future President.
“I went with you to your mother’s funeral. I was there to comfort you after your dad left. I carry an inhaler everywhere, even after you Turned. You trust everyone so I trust no one. If you do this, then I guess you’re just going to have to take me with you. You’ve still got me.”
“You showed me kindness, even when I wasn’t thinking of showing it to you. I don’t want you getting hurt. I’m asking your advice, because I trust you.“
I don’t remember a whole lot about Merlin or DOAFP, but the implicit trust between Merlin and Lancelot, that Lancelot would keep his secret, and the slow burn young love thing between Bobby and Liam were all good. I mean all of these things are so saccharine, but I think my fav thing about friends to lovers is trust.
I can show you my weak points because you’ve seen them all. I’ve seen you at your ugliest and your least developed, learning, growing self, and I love you more for it. The textile, the fabric of my life, or a facet of it, is woven with you in it. You are inextricable from me. I’ve catalogued all your tells, you’ve had them since we were five.
It’s the devotion and the yearning and the longing and the companionship and the 🤌🏽
