Thinking about "cliche" het romances I don't hate

[alias_sqbr]

Cliche in the sense of the asshole dominant dude and sweet innocent woman etc.

The dynamic I don't like:

Her: Sure, he's hot, but what an asshole!
Him: Sure, she's nice, but so plain!
Him: I'm warming up to her...but cannot admit it!
Everyone: Naturally! Because she is the perfect woman.
Her: I'm warming up to him...but cannot admit it!
Everyone: Naturally! Because he is the perfect man.
Them: You're right! Let's get married ^_^

The dynamic I do:

Her: Sure, he's hot, but what an asshole!
Him: Sure, she's nice, but so plain!
Him: I'm warming up to her...but cannot admit it!
Everyone: Makes sense: she's nice enough, and doesn't seem cowed by your crap.
Him: ACTUALLY SHE SUCKS (actually she is perfect ;_;)
Her: I'm warming up to him...but cannot admit it!
Everyone: WTF. NO. HE IS AN ASSHOLE. GO DATE THIS NICER DUDE.
Her: I KNOW. IT MAKES NO SENSE. AND YET.

I'm not saying this dynamic is good or feminist, and there's others I like more. But it's surprisingly enjoyable considering how much I hate the first dynamic.

Current example, which I read in a block when I had insomnia last night but in the light of day am having to finish in small chunks so I can take a break from the ridiculousness: Midnight Secretary, a manga about a secretary to a vampire who selfishly gives women amazing orgasms because it makes their blood taste better. Which is a pretty clever excuse for sexy dubcon blood drinking that DOESN'T MEAN HE LIKES HER HE JUST GOT HUNGRY OK, congratulations Ohmi Tomu.

Previous examples: the manga (also an anime) Wolf Girl and Black Prince, Jane Eyre.

Comments

[lilacsigil]

In the second one, there's an assumption of the woman's agency! She can be attracted and yet also recognise the pros and cons of that attraction, rather than going "OH YES I HAVE MET THE CORRECT MALE!" Then she usually gets to either investigate why he is being an asshole, or decide what level of assholery she will find acceptable. And, if you're Jane Eyre, you're really lucky and meet TWO asshole dudes!

[alias_sqbr]

Right, it feels like she has jumped into the abyss with both eyes open :)

[skygiants]

The second is a very kdrama dynamic! I think it makes me twitch less than the first because I feel much better knowing that, ah, yes, the author/creators at least realize he's an asshole.

[alias_sqbr]

Right! And since I do have a soft spot for terrible fictional characters I wouldn't like in real life I can deal with that.