Flaws in Fiction: ⚡️Relationship Edition⚡️

Originally posted to Tumblr.

People all on their own are complicated. What happens when you throw two complicated beings together??? COMPLICATIONS.

A lot of this can relate back to the Character Edition, but it's important to also note that human interactions can be just as flawed as the individuals involved.

[ABSOLUTELY AMAZING Danni Thoughts below the cut]

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Now, onto the nonsense amazingness.

It is important to remember that: not every situation has a villain and a victim. People who screw up are not bad people. People who occasionally clash, or bicker, do not necessarily have "toxic" relationship. We all get annoyed with the people we love. We all annoy the people we love. That's okay!

Listen: I love a toxic relationship. In fiction, that is. But I don't want my options limited to the "right" way or the "wrong" way.

There are many stories out there where Ron and Hermione are Ultra Supportive of everything Harry does. And if they don't, they're terrible friends. I don't see near enough of them squabbling! (Not that it doesn't exist; more I've seen an excess of "perfect friends" or "character bashing.")

The people we love are going to screw up. They're going to hurt our feelings. They're not going to agree with everything we say and do. That is the consequence of being different people!

Let's say Gabrielle borrows/steals Fleur's favorite dress. Not good. Should definitely ask before using people's belongings. But do we write Gabrielle off? Is she a bad person and bad sister for one infraction? No! Family relationships are rough and weird.

Molly nags and pries. She does it with love, but she should probably lay off. Molly is not a saint, but "not a saint" doesn't equate to "demon woman."

Ron and Hermione breakup. It doesn't have to be because of cheating or abuse. Maybe they love each other, but their goals don't align. Ron is family-oriented and Hermione is career-focused. Maybe it just doesn't work. Neither of them needs to be at fault for it. Or maybe they stay together when they shouldn't. Which leads to fights that break them up, or worse...they stay together however sour the relationship turns. Because of love and stubbornness. Or expectation. How does being war heroes and public figures impact their relationship?

Or, perhaps, Harry takes up with an unlikely suitor. (If you know me, you know who I mean!) Those closest to him don't understand, let alone approve. They worry. And they have their own issues with his partner. They aren't bad people or bad friends for not jumping on the "everything Harry does and wants is right and good" bandwagon.

Maybe they disagree. Maybe they argue. Both sides are upset because they don't understand each other. Maybe, in the heat of the moment, someone says something hurtful. It's wrong, of course. But does one bad action make the whole person bad? Make the whole friendship toxic and destined for the dumpster?

Better yet: we can acknowledge the flaws in our loved ones, and still love them. And those flaws can drive us batty without killing our love.

Ron can be careless and tactless. Hermione can be bossy and critical. They know that about each other. They aren't blind to it. Ron might occasionally have hearts in his eyes when Hermione starts fussing. Other times he snaps back. Those little flaws aren't what breaks them. It's the bigger picture.

They try to be friends after, but it's rough going. Even worse when it coincides with Harry's new (scandalous) romance. Ron and Hermione are skeptical of his boyfriend. Harry sets boundaries with them. Everyone gets upset and they take time apart. They go on with life and make new friends. And, eventually, they apologize and move on together. All friends again. The Golden Trio once more.

Tiffs with friends don't signal the end.

People breakup and makeup. They go from friends to lovers to exes to friends. They squabble with their siblings. They gripe about their mothers. They have bad days and are unpleasant to be around.

And much as I love some good angst and drama, as much as I love toxic relationships and all manner of depravity...I want more of that middle ground. More of those everyday issues. Seeing people upset with one another without villainizing each other.

No more fests!

 I DID IT. I SUBMITTED MY FIC FOR HOGGYWARTYXMAS. 

Yesterday. I did that yesterday. But I'm still stoked about it! Now I can focus on...whatever I feel like! No more weight on my shoulders. No more looming deadlines. No more obligation or expectation (at least in theory.) No more fests for me! (I say that. I'm probably lying. But as of this moment, I mean it!) 

Right now I'm a bit tired of making words. Maybe I'll take a little writing break and catch up on reading instead. 

The feeling of "I need to be writing!" is still there, but it's quieter now. Easier to ignore. Goodness knows I need that voice to shut up, at least for a little while. 


In other news, one of my friends was close to taking a fandom hiatus due to writer's block. The moment she dropped all of her fests she started writing again! I've been reminding her not to stress out about it. To celebrate what writing she manages, and not to push herself too hard. Advice I should probably take myself. But at least we can (try to) hold each other accountable in not signing up for more fests. Fun as they are...we are both way too stressed out!