kaleidoscope of tropes #3: we were fucked up but you still made sure i slept on my side

Hello, friends!

This series has been a ride so far and this is probably the most “out of the box” one I share yet, but hopefully y’all will still enjoy it.

WHAT IS A TROPE?

In storytelling, a trope is just that — a conceptual figure of speech, a storytelling shorthand for a concept that the audience will recognize and understand instantly. Above all, a trope is a convention. It can be a plot trick, a setup, a narrative structure, a character type, a linguistic idiom… you know it when you see it. (source)

Our trope for today will be:

WE WERE FUCKED UP BUT YOU STILL MADE SURE I SLEPT ON MY SIDE

I don’t know how else to describe it, hence why I got a music lyric from one of my favorite bands – Wallows – to illustrate it.

This trope is basically the one where two people who are normally self-destructive, become yet incredibly protective of their love interest. They are not able to take care of themselves, but are eager to take care of the other one regardless.

It’s definitely not the healthiest of the tropes, but I’m still weak for it nonetheless.

EXHIBIT #A: KAZ AND INEJ, FROM SIX OF CROWS

I think Kaz & Inej are a very good representation of this trope. These characters are both facing their own individual demons and past traumas, but are working their hardest to overcome that in order to be what the other person needs.

I wouldn’t say Kaz is self-destructive, in fact, I think he has a really big sense of self-preservation. But that’s nothing compared to how much he’s willing to protect Inej, while still recognizing her as the badass girl that she is that doesn’t need anyone to take care of her.

But still, when Kaz said: “I’d have come for you. And if I couldn’t walk, I’d crawl to you, and no matter how broken we were, we’d fight together“, I think he said enough. These characters are not in their bests, that’s for sure, but they’re willing to do their bests to save each other.

EXHIBIT #B: JAKE AND AUGUST, FROM THE WICKER KING

I feel like if you’re into this trope, then you’d really like this book, but otherwise, I would not recommend it across the board. I know a lot of people who loved The Wicker King, but I still recognize some of its problematic elements.

In this book, we’re following two childhood best friends, as one of them begins to have hallucinations. These characters are definitely not prepared to deal with it, but are doing their best, no matter what. They don’t have much support outside of each other, and it’s incredibly heart-wrenching to follow their journey to preservation.

August is so desperate to protect Jack and help him through it all, even though he himself has a lot of issues to work on as well. These two characters couldn’t be more flawed, but I appreciate a lot how they strive to be what the other one needs.

EXHIBIT #A: WAYNE AND DEL, FROM WAYNE

Wayne is such an underrated TV show that I wish more people talked about. It’s a YouTube Original with surprisingly great acting, and has the same energy as The End of the F***ing World, so if any of those ring a bell, go watch it!

These two characters are pretty fucked up. Wayne has a really serious problem with violence, Del is escaping her troubled household, and they end up going on a roadtrip together to retrieve Wayne’s dad’s car.

I love how even though Wayne seems apathetic, especially to violence, it doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have feelings, moreover for Del. And even though Del comes from a place where feelings like comfort and kindness are basically non-existent, she still takes care of Wayne really well.

It’s really interesting seing a relationship blossom between these two characters, especially under such unsettling circumstances.

EXHIBIT #B: CHUCK AND BLAIR, FROM GOSSIP GIRL

This one is a CLASSIC, obviously.

Now, I’m definitely not claiming this couple is perfect, because they’re not, and I understand people who would find them problematic these days. But I still have a really big soft spot for them, as they were one of my #1 OTP’s.

Chuck is one of the most self-destructive characters I know, and I actually find really interesting how, unlike the ones I previously mentioned, this behaviour does affect badly his relationship with Blair, so his journey to a healthier relationship with her, has to begin with a self-love journey too.

I think the most self-destructive behaviors that Blair had was dating Chuck, lol. He was definitely no good for her for most of the series, but as Selena Gomez once said, the heart wants what it wants, am I right?

Alright, friends! Now, it’s your turn: if my examples were clear enough to describe this invented trope, let me know in the comments if you have any other to add to the list and how you feel about this dynamic – is it too borderline problematic for you? Do you prefer your couples healthy and sane, like God intended? (No judging, btw!) Let’s chat in the comments!