Hello, hello readers and welcome to the end of another week. We hope you continue to practice self care during these long wintry months and part of my self care is to lose myself in a good fictional universe once in a while. What draws you back to a story, over and over? For myself and many of us here at Sword and Silk, we love a good character arc, and even more so, we love a good coupling. If romance is your thing, or even partially your thing, then you might also enjoy rooting for the One True Pairing, two characters who beat all the odds to be together. So, welcome to another episode of talking heads as we continue in the spirit of our Romantic February edition and explore Sword and Silk's favorite fictional couples.
Sword & Silk's Favorite Fictional Couples
Nicole
As a self-proclaimed superfan of The Witcher books and video games, my favorite OTP is definitely Geralt and Yennefer. I love the dynamic between the two characters, the depth to their history, and how they always seem to come through for one another no matter the situation, even though they can both be stubborn about their feelings for one another. It's an imperfect kind of relationship that doesn't always get shown in books and media; Yennefer is powerful in her own ways, while Geralt can be soft in some of his--even if he might deny it.
Justine
Magnus and Alec from The Mortal Instruments, Kaz and Inej from Six of Crows. Oh! And Derek and Chloe from The Darkest Powers series. The thing I loved most about Derek and Chloe was the fact that Derek wasn’t a conventional lead. He was grumbly and at the height of puberty’s awfulness. He’s a little too sweaty and acne-covered. But once he realizes she’s an ally, not an enemy, he’s caring and protective. And Chloe sees through all of his crap, just like he sees through her impulsive decisions.
Jennia
At first glance, it may appear that Gomez and Morticia Addams have simply turned a lust-filled daydream into their enviable reality. But underneath the endearments and almost uncontrollable physical affection, there is undeniable mutual respect. Their shared values, compatible ideology, and undying loyalty to one another make it seem as if their very souls are intertwined.
Amelia
I LOVE the Lockwood and Co. creepy ghosthunting series by Jonathan Stroud. Lucy and Lockwood are so perfect for each other, but the amount of AWKWARD that happens throughout the series made me worry sometimes that it would never happen. Very slow burn, but I finally got some satisfaction in books #4 and #5.
I LOVE the slow burn and impossibility of the living relationship between Jena and Gogu (her frog familiar, not Baby Yoda) in Juliet Marillier 's Wildwood Dancing, a retelling/mashup of the dancing princesses and the princess and the frog set in Romania. But, never fear...the slow burn pain/ecstasy is finally rewarded. One of my favorites!
A more recent favorite is the great YA book: A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey. Lila misses Miami and her old boyfriend, even while British teashop boy, Orion is showing her the sights around Winchester, England. You know I was rooting for Lila and Orion the whole time.
Lastly Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant by Tony Cliff. Notorious assasin and outlaw Delilah Dirk hoists mild-mannered, tea-drinking Erdemoglu Selim out of his work related problems (and certain death) when she tangles with his boss in the Turkish Janissary Guards. Reluctant to venture far from home, Mr. Selim is like a Hobbit of the 18th century Mediterranean, while Delilah Dirk is a beautiful, impulsive adventurer. Their friendship is sometimes awkward and definitely slow burn but is so lovely. And I'm rooting for Mr. Selim and Delilah.
Kristin
One of my absolute favorite OTP has to be Howl and Sophie Hatter from Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. Sophie spends a great deal of the book as a curmudgeon, but the relationship between them unfurls with such sweet little organic notes. They are two people who accept one another's faults and make each other better people in the process of their relationship.
I am also a big fan of Derek and Chloe from Darkest Powers for many of the same reasons Justine but I would be remiss if I didn't highlight one of my other favorites being October and Tybalt from the October Daye Series by Seanan McGuire. Lord does this one make my heart swoon. October is our very troubled half fae MC and Tybalt is the King of the Cat Sidhe and the very best boi. These two have a slow burn through the first few books of the series and when they finally happen, I love the way their relationship evolves through trials and tribulations. With books still coming out, I have my fingers crossed this pairing goes the distance to the series finale. DON'T BREAK MY HEART MCGUIRE!
