The appeal lies in their complex relationship. They were once comrades in Overwatch, and now they're on opposite sides. Fanfictions can explore how they might still have some loyalty or feelings for each other.
Well, there are quite a few out there. 'The Redemption of Reaper' is a fanfic where Soldier 76 plays a crucial role in helping Reaper find his way back from the dark path he's on. It shows their complex dynamic really well. There's also 'Side by Side', which is about them working together against a common enemy, and in the process, they rekindle their old friendship.
Another theme is the power dynamic. Reaper has his dark and powerful abilities, while Mercy is a healer. Fanfictions often play with how these two different power sets interact, whether it's Reaper protecting Mercy in his own way or Mercy using her healing to save Reaper from his self - destructive tendencies.
One common theme is redemption. Geno, often having a troubled past, may find redemption through his relationship with Reaper. Another theme is the exploration of good and evil, as Geno and Reaper seem to be on different sides of some sort of moral spectrum. Also, the theme of acceptance is prevalent, as they accept each other despite their differences.
Well, power dynamics is a common theme. Given their different positions or powers, how they interact in terms of power - who has more influence over the other. The theme of mystery also pops up a lot. Reaper is often portrayed as a mysterious character, and Geno might be intrigued by that mystery. And of course, the theme of survival can be there too. They might face challenges together that test their ability to survive, which in turn strengthens their bond.
One common theme is redemption. Since Reaper has this dark, brooding nature, many fanfictions explore Mercy's attempts to redeem him. Another theme is forbidden love. Given their different allegiances in the game lore, their relationship is often seen as something that goes against the norm.
A lot of these fanfictions have a theme of protection. Reaper, despite his menacing appearance, protecting the reader from various threats in the Overwatch universe. There's also the theme of discovery, where the reader gets to discover the real person behind Reaper's intimidating facade, and as they do, a relationship begins to form between them. It's often about peeling back the layers of his character.
Love - hate relationships are also quite prevalent. They are on opposite sides in the Overwatch lore, so fanfictions often play with the dynamic of them having strong feelings for each other that are a mix of love and animosity. There are also stories that focus on their powers and how they interact in unique ways, for example, how Tracer's time - jumping ability could be related to Reaper's wraith - like form.
One great place to start looking for Reaper x Mercy fanfiction is Archive of Our Own (AO3). There are numerous well - written stories there. Some might focus on their complex relationship within the Overwatch universe, exploring the dynamic between the dark and brooding Reaper and the kind - hearted Mercy.