Sometimes, it could begin with a mutual realization after a moment of vulnerability or a realization that they complement each other in ways beyond friendship.
Trust is a key element. They trust each other completely as friends, and this trust forms the foundation for a romantic relationship. For example, they can share their deepest secrets and insecurities without hesitation. When the relationship turns romantic, this trust is already there, making it easier to navigate the new phase. Also, understanding. They know each other's likes and dislikes, which helps when they start a romantic relationship. They can plan dates or gifts based on what they already know about each other.
Well, a frequent theme is the 'unexpected discovery'. They might suddenly see each other in a new light, perhaps after one of them goes through a big change. And there's the 'protective instinct' theme. One friend has always been protective, and then that feeling turns into something more romantic. And of course, the 'conflict - resolution' theme is also common. They face a big fight or misunderstanding but then come back together stronger and in love.
Well, proximity plays a role. If friends spend a lot of time together, like being neighbors or working in the same place, they have more chances to develop deeper feelings. Also, emotional support. When friends are always there for each other during tough times, it can spark love. For example, if one is going through a breakup and the other offers great comfort, it might turn into something more.
The thrill of seeing a relationship evolve from a deep friendship. It's like uncovering hidden feelings that were always there but never noticed before.
A significant theme is the fear of ruining the friendship. In childhood friends fall in love novels, this is a biggie. They are so used to having this great friendship that they're scared that if they admit their feelings and it doesn't work out, they'll lose that precious bond. It adds a lot of tension to the story. Another common theme is the discovery of new aspects of each other. As they get older, they might find out that their friend has talents or dreams that they didn't know about before, which makes them see their friend in a new light, a more romantic light. And of course, there's the theme of familiarity. They feel comfortable around each other, which can be a great foundation for love.
A boy and a girl were best friends at an art school. They would often collaborate on projects and give each other feedback. The girl was really into painting and the boy was more into sculpture. One day, the boy made a small sculpture for the girl as a friendly gesture. When the girl saw it, she was deeply touched. It made her realize how much he cared. This led to a series of deeper conversations between them and eventually they fell head over heels in love.
One common element is a long - standing friendship. They usually have known each other for a long time and have shared many experiences. Another is a moment of realization. There's often a specific moment when they see each other in a new light.
Shared experiences also play a big role. They have a history of going through good and bad times together. This deepens their bond to a point where it can turn into love. Like two friends who supported each other through family losses and then found love in that strong connection.
One typical element is shared experiences. For example, going through tough times together, like preparing for exams or dealing with family issues. Another is mutual understanding. Since they were friends first, they already know each other's likes and dislikes well. Also, a moment of realization often plays a part. It could be a special event or just a simple conversation that makes them see their relationship in a new way.
In many such fanfictions, characters like Harry and Hermione from 'Harry Potter' are often used. Their close friendship in the original series makes it easy to imagine them falling in love in fan - created stories. Another popular pair could be Frodo and Sam from 'The Lord of the Rings', although their relationship is more of a deep platonic bond, but fanfiction writers like to explore the romantic aspect too.