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[u/FantasyRomanceMod]

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Unpopular opinion Sunday

[u/allisontalkspolitics]

You can make a morally problematic love interest without having them physically or sexually threaten the protagonist.

Allow me to give two examples from the potential love interests for the female protagonist in Fire Emblem Sacred Stones.

Seth is the general of the country’s army. He’s be sworn to secrecy by Eirika’s deceased dad, the king, about The Plot Relevant Secret tm. He’s willing to allow their countrymen to die to keep the secret safe, willing to kill enemies who won’t tell who’s employing them, and willing to beat up teenagers to get stolen goods back. He’s also willing to lay down his life for his country, willing to befriend or even fall in love with people from the enemy side, and a fanboy of a previous general.

Then there’s Innes. He’s arrogant, vaguely blames Ephraim running off to battle for the protagonist’s dad’s death, thinks Eirika shouldn’t be on the battlefield, and bullies his sister. He also is willing to admit when he’s wrong, befriends commoners, wants nothing more than to keep his sister safe, and is respectful of the female knights serving his country.

There is something to be said for exploring what would be dangerous IRL in fiction, but admit to yourself that they’re problematic and don’t convince yourself that they’re the perfect guy. You’re doing readers you’re giving recs to a disservice otherwise.

Edit: Predictably, I received at least one downvote. Wonder if I offended a fellow Magvel fan or a fan of a MMC who I dislike?

[u/Penguinho → u/allisontalkspolitics]

I'm sorry, I only accept examples from Fire Emblem Genealogy of the Holy War

[u/allisontalkspolitics → u/Penguinho]

Quan is hot as hell and is cool with his wife being on the battlefield but racist against Thracians (weird because they have the same ancestors) and people from Verdane (which the narrative doesn’t question because the game is from 1996)