Often, in fanfiction, conflicts play a big role in their relationship development. Maybe there's a new character who is interested in Danny and Sam gets jealous. This jealousy makes her realize her true feelings for Danny. And Danny, in turn, sees how much Sam cares and his feelings for her intensify. It's a common trope that helps to move their relationship forward.
Well, usually they start as friends. They have common interests like fighting ghosts and standing up for what's right. They might share little moments of closeness, like when Sam patches up Danny's wounds after a tough fight. This builds a sense of trust and caring between them.
In the lead - up to the wedding, they would have to work through a lot of issues together. Sam might help Danny come to terms with his role as a half - ghost in a more positive way. And Danny would support Sam in dealing with her family's concerns. This would strengthen their bond and make their relationship more mature and stable for the wedding and beyond.
Perhaps their relationship develops in a way that they become more like partners in crime. They could use the Christmas chaos to their advantage. For example, if there's a mean - spirited Christmas spirit causing trouble in town, they work together to stop it. Danny uses his powers and Sam uses her wits and knowledge, and this shared experience makes their relationship grow in a new and exciting way.
Their relationship could develop as they face challenges together. For example, if a new type of ghost - eating plant appears in town, Sam's knowledge of plants and Danny's ghost - fighting skills would make them a great team. Through working together to deal with this threat, they would grow closer and start to trust each other more deeply.
Their relationship could be portrayed as a partnership in parenting. Sam and Danny work together to teach their kids the values they believe in, whether it's about respecting all living beings (because of Danny's connection to the ghost world) or being true to oneself (which is something Sam has always been about). They also share the responsibilities of taking care of the household and making sure the kids are happy and healthy.
However, there could also be a glimmer of the old relationship. Maybe deep down, Evil Danny still has some feelings for Sam, and she tries to use that to her advantage. But it's a dangerous game, as Evil Danny could easily turn on her. This complex mix of emotions and power dynamics would make their relationship very different from what it was when Danny was good.
It can develop in various ways. It might start as a hostile relationship, with Dash bullying Danny as usual. But as the story progresses, they could find themselves in a situation where they need to cooperate, like when facing a powerful ghost. This shared experience can gradually turn their relationship into one of mutual respect.
The relationship could develop into a more trusting one. After so many dates, they've shared a lot, and there's a stronger bond of trust. For instance, Danny may trust Sam enough to show her a new power he's discovered.
Their relationship might also face some challenges. Maybe in a particular time, Sam's more radical ideas clash with Danny's more cautious approach. For instance, when they travel to a time where there is a strict social hierarchy, Sam wants to immediately start a revolution to change things for the better, but Danny is worried about the consequences this might have on the timeline. However, through these challenges, they could grow to understand each other better.
In fanfiction, after the encounter with the Phantom Stallion, Jake and Sam's relationship may evolve in different ways. If they had a shared experience of helping the stallion, it could bring them closer. They might start to understand each other's perspectives better. For example, if Sam was initially more cautious about approaching the stallion and Jake was more adventurous, they could find a middle ground. This new understanding could lead to a stronger bond, and they could become more like siblings, looking out for each other and sharing their secrets related to the wild horses.