Hello Darlings!
Today let’s talk about LOVE! I know that Valentines day was last month but why would I need a special ocassion to ask you what makes two (or more) characters shippable?
What’s so great about them that you could watch them fall in love again and again?
What’s so wonderful abou their love to make you addicted?
Let’s get to it then!

banter
I mean, if they can’t have fun, what’s the point?
I need some snark. Some humour. Some clever back and forth.
If they’re not so annoyed to be in love with this other dumbass and can’t stop getting into the dumbest disagreements just for the sake of it then how do you even tell they’re in love? I want them to go from ‘excuse me, who do you think you are??‘ to ‘no, it’s cereal first and THEN milk‘ and back again if the other party messes up.
sexual tension
Not every romantic relationship has to be sexual, yes. But it’s still something I love so it’s high up on the list.
I want some eyes drifting to the silver of the skin visible when the other party streaches and then angrily ignoring the thought. Some intense eye contact. Having to control their breath when they are forced to close proximity.
You know it.
mutual pining
There’s nothing better than two (or more) dumbasses thinking they’re in a hopeles one-sided love.
What can I say, I love to suffer.
Just let me see their want and it’s even better if it’s oblivious for everyone but them, because of course.
passion
The passion between them but also let them be passionate about something. It’s always more compelling to see characters that want something and care about something.
And if their wants clash with other desires? Well…
hunger
Give me those touch starved fools. Those idiots starved for love. Every touch is a bliss.
…and then they find each other and ahh…
opposites attracts
Stoic and a jokester. Red and blue. Goth girl and a pastel princess. Sun and Moon…
Name it I’ll take it.
I’m a huge fan of seeing the clashes in my ships, I guess. No idea how this works out in real life but it makes for a good plot.
…but still have a common ground
While I love characters on the opposite ends of the spectrum paired together there must me something that will make them stay together.
Common values. Common goals. Something that will make them think ‘maybe we’re not so different after all…‘
complicated
Don’t let them have it too easy though!!
I want to see them work for it and suffer, and suffer, and suffer. There must be a thousand things keeping them apart. I want to think they’re finally about to get there and have my tiny heart crushed!!
Make them work for it.
they’re still able to maintain other relationships
One of the things I hate is romance being the only relationship. If you only talk to one person how do I compare and make my judgement? How do I know it’s not some ‘I don’t have anyone else in my life so this may as well happen’ bs???
Give them some friends/family/whatever and have them maintain those relationships. Please.
but it could be only you for me
But in the end nobody fits so well with me like you do, baby…
They could live apart, they are competent human beings, but would it be truly living? Wouldn’t it be loneliness and emptiness and always always something missing?
- What makes characters shippable for you?
- What are your favourite ships?

I’m a “banter and mutual pining” girl. What a fun look at love ❤️
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Oh, yes!! Those are very high on my hierarchy of needs as well! ❤
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I love this post so much! I’m with you on all counts. Especially the opposites attract – like obviously there’s going to be some common ground, but if they’re too similar it’s just like…why are you dating yourself? 😂
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Thank you!! Right?? It’s exciting to find someone who’s vibing with you EXACTLY but after the initial wow what do you do? Just stare and nod at each other because your thoughts are exactly the same so the conversation is no longer needed? That would make for an extremely boring story! Where’s that conflict?!
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Reblogged this on Notes From A Paper Plane Nomad and commented:
Loved this post!
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Yes to all of this! Especially the maintaining other relationships. I have to like both characters in the couple too – even if they’ve got loads of chemistry and are really well suited, if I can’t warm to one of them I can’t get invested.
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Oh! That’s important too! If one of them is annoying me that kills it for me even with the best tropes
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Yes yes yes to every one of them! I’m just a sucker for romance, so it wasn’t really a surprised. Loved this! 🙂
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Thank you, Jas! I feel like I need more romance right now to have some fluffy happy thoughts 😀
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I think it’s hard to say. Sometimes a couple will have all the elements of a great ship but they just won’t ignite. Other times you’ll ship a couple even though some of your usual “must haves” are missing. I usually call whatever the mysterious element is, “chemistry” but I really use that term as a placeholder.
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Oh, chemistry is a big thing for sure! It’s not enough to just throw in some tropes if the characters are flat and their interactions are stiff! You’re absolutely right!! Thank you for visiting ❤
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Aaah I adore banter between characters there’s nothing better then watching them go back and forth with sass, petty disagreements and watch them slowly realise they like one another. Mutual pining is also fun though it’s also frustrating because dammit I just want them to get together already xD Love this post ❤
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Right?? I love the petty and I love the sassy and banter serves that ❤ I'll take three servings and then you will catch me with a spoon in the container at 2 am!!
Oh, you're absolutely right! Mutual pining needs some more reasoning than 'this could be fixed with one conversation' for me as well!
Thank you so much! ❤
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Yes! I definitely appreciate all of these qualities between the two people in the my ship. Banter, passion, and tension probably rank the highest, but I always have a soft spot for mutual pining.
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Oh, banter is recently in high demand for me and my serotonin intake! 😀 But some pining and tension to make me wait for it will not be frowned upon as well!
Thank you so much for the visit! Have a lovely day 🙂
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i’m LIVING for this post!!! the gifs are 100% on point oh my god!!! i have seen or at least know of most of them, only what is the gif from the “complicated” section from? i need to know for Reasons! 😄
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Thank you, Silvia!! The ‘complicated’ gif is clexa from The 100! Though if you want to watch this I must advise you that one of them dies… There’s like 3 h long mash of all of their scenes on youtube though? And lots of fanfics 😀
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OH okay I’ve never watched that but i know that there’s a bury your lesbians so i wasn’t planning on watching! but the 3 hours compilation sounds nice eheh maybe i’ll give it a go. thank you!
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Banter is big for me. Love it! I also agree that the couple has to have room in their lives for other people.
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Banter is essential for enjoyment! Yes, it’s so weird when they only have one person in their lives! People do not work like that
Thank you for commenting 🙂
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