Hi there. I have two characters that are yet to meet in my book. First there's the MC's daughter, a somewhat elitist skeleton wizard who values intelligence and is in her path to become a better person by the end of the book. Then there's a travelling warrior in a sacred quest to find something unique (Doesn't know what yet, he has to travel the world until he finds something) that he could bring back to his people (A viking inspired culture). So she's kind of a self centered nerd, while he's a brutish and religious man with a faith crisis (He's taking too long to complete his objective). As mentioned, she's a skeleton, so no sexual attraction to be found, it would need to be a matter of sexless romanticism. He will first see her as the goal of his sacred quest, because in his culture there's no one like her, and that means she could be his ticket back home if they go back together. That's his reason to join the group, at least. A significant burden, though, is that they're both secondary characters, and this would be a mere subplot, so I don't want to burden the reader with an unconventional romance that takes too much space. Any advice on how could I convey love brewing during their travels?. On the other hand, would it make more sense to leave it at "they just care for each other" and leave romantic love out of the equation?.
Was she always a skeleton, or became one after shedding skin and all? If she used to be full(?), she could visit him in his dreams as who her physical self was and he could get to know her on a different level.
If they’re secondary characters, I think that’s actually a good thing. I think you can get away with leaving some of the romance off-screen. I think your best bet would just be... like... Show two or three romantic moments. Sow the seeds of a deeper relationship. Establish that yes, they did get together. An onscreen kiss, a passing mention. It doesn’t need to go farther than that. When I’m stuck on romantic scenes, I will often just sit down and make a list of things I find romantic. I’ll think about shows and books where I liked the couple, and try to figure out why, and what made them appeal to me. For me—it boils down to trust, emotional intimacy, and partnership. So I’d show these characters slowly developing a close friendship, rescuing and helping each other during dire moments, relying on each other... and then becoming vulnerable and honest with each other. Sharing a secret. Helping each other for no reason. Buying each other things just to make each other smile. And I’d show them struggling a little with the whole “skeleton” thing, probably. EDIT: just a random idea. He wants to bring her home to fulfill his quest, and she’s a little self-centered, but becoming a better person. Right? So what if she initially refuses to help him? And then by the end of the book, she’s not only become a better person, she’s gotten really fond of him and admires him... and she gives in and helps him. Just a thought.
That sounds about right. It's gonna be tragic, though. Her character arc actually ends with her sacrifice (For a greater cause, of course), BUT, she could tell him that she agrees to go with him before the sacrifice part happens. So yeah, I'll think about that; include some intimate moments on the path to the first properly romantic scene. I'm thinkinh the first one's going to be with the group walking, and these two are by themselves while the MC and his friend talk about their own matters.
