A 'found family' trope is quite common. Characters who were alone or estranged in the show form a close - knit family in fanfiction. For instance, Henry might bring together different characters who then become his new family. Also, the 'hurt/comfort' trope, where a character is hurt (physically or emotionally) and another character comforts them, is frequently used in Once upon a Time fanfics.
A prevalent trope is the 'reincarnation' trope. Fans might write about how the characters are reincarnated in different time periods or worlds and how their relationships are rekindled. 'Power - swapping' is another interesting one, where characters exchange their powers and how that affects their relationships and the story. There are also 'secret relationship' tropes, especially for characters who had a lot of chemistry on the show but never got together officially, like Belle and Will Scarlet. Writers create scenarios where they have a secret relationship and all the drama that comes with it.
Family relationships are a big theme. Some fanfics focus on the family dynamics between characters like the Charmings and their descendants. There are also fanfictions that revolve around the theme of identity. Characters in 'Once upon a time' often have complex identities, and fan writers like to dig deeper into how these identities are formed and how they can change over time.
One popular trope is the 'enemies to lovers' trope. Hook starts off as a bit of an anti - hero, so it's common to see stories where he and another character, often Emma, start off on the wrong foot but then gradually fall in love. Another is the 'time - travel' trope. Given the magical nature of the 'Once Upon a Time' universe, it's not unusual for fanfictions to involve characters traveling through time, which can create really interesting plotlines.
One popular trope is the 'forbidden love' trope. In 'Once upon a time', there are so many different storybook characters from different worlds and with different statuses, so a relationship between two characters who are not supposed to be together, like a princess and a villain, is quite common in the fanfiction. Another is the 'reunion' trope. Since many characters have lost their memories or been separated in the show, fanfiction often features them reuniting and falling in love all over again.
One popular trope is the 'destined to be together' for the main characters. It often involves a complex relationship between hunters and supernatural beings. Another is the 'found family' trope, where a group of misfits come together to fight against evil. And the 'hidden power' trope, where a character discovers they have a special ability they didn't know about before.
A common trope is the time - travel trope. Maybe a character from Once Upon a Time travels to the Descendants' world in the future or vice versa. Family reunions are also popular, especially when characters from the two shows discover long - lost family connections. And of course, the 'hidden power' trope, where a character discovers a new and unexpected power when they enter the other show's world, which they then have to learn to control.
Many fanfictions on this archive focus on character relationships. Some might develop a romantic relationship between two characters that had only a platonic connection in the show. For instance, the relationship between Emma and Regina has been explored in numerous fanfictions in ways that add depth and new emotional layers to their interactions.
One popular Once upon a time slash fanfiction could be about Captain Hook and Rumplestiltskin. Some fans like to explore their complex relationship in an alternate romantic or deeply emotional way. Another might be centered around Emma Swan and Regina Mills, imagining a different kind of bond between the two strong female characters.
One popular trope is the 'Enemies to Lovers'. For example, a hero and a villain character from 'Once Upon a Time' might start off hating each other but gradually fall in love. Another is the 'Soulmate' trope, where two characters are fated to be together, which adds a touch of magic and destiny to the story. And of course, the 'Hidden Relationship' trope is also common, as characters may have to keep their relationship a secret due to the circumstances in the 'Once Upon a Time' universe.
The 'hurt/comfort' trope is quite prevalent too. For example, when Hook gets injured and Emma takes care of him, or vice versa. It shows their deepening connection. Also, the 'time - travel' trope can be found, where they might go back in time and experience events that change their relationship in the present. This adds an interesting layer of complexity to their story.