I Have Two Very Serious Characters And I Want To Let Their Guards Down So They Can Flirt, How Can I Make

I have two very serious characters and I want to let their guards down so they can flirt, how can I make it not sound forced? And how do I make it not sound like fanfiction?

I'm here to help! Hopefully I can actually be of service.

Since they're both serious, they'll probably keep the flirting low-key at first. They'll start out with subtle gestures, like a wink or a lingering handshake, then move onto braver things, such as verbal flirting or more physical touch.

As for letting their guards down, they'll probably try to deny it all at first, claiming they just want to be close to one another. Then they'll think about it more and more, and finally, accept it. They'll feel fluttery and awkward around each other, and think everyone else notices them, but really, not many know (unless they have very observant people around them).

Remember, it won't be overnight. It will take awhile for both of them to let loose and flirt. If they're in a work environment, they probably keep it a secret because of the stereotypes of relationships between co-workers.

One person will probably open up before the other, signaling they're okay with flirtatious actions. It just takes one to be braver/more open to the idea than the other. Usually, if one does it, the other will follow.

The main thing is time. As I said, it won't be quick, and it will be subtle at first. It won't be a major outburst of flirting and feelings like most fanfictions portray it. One character may flirt more than the other, one may not like PDA, or they become fearful of judgement. There can be lots of anxiety around making a relationship public, so it may be something they have a conversation about.

Additionally, if they're not already in a relationship, they may assume that the other is into them. It's simply human nature. Sometimes we notice someone being nicer to us than others, and quickly assume that they are trying to flirt. Let your character make a fool of themselves because they assumed someone had a crush on them. Not only can it help us see how the character reacts to embarrassment, but it can give the audience something to relate to!

I figured I could give some of my experience as a reserved person who has flirted and dated before. I always waited a bit, to get really close to the other person. They usually started it first, and I followed. I was scared to embarrass them, or make them uncomfortable. It started in private at first, then expanded to every once in awhile in public. It was also never extravagant; just extra compliments, or non-physical things like winks and smirks. I'm not one who likes physical PDA, and your characters may not, either. (And, I'm not from a fanfiction, so hopefully this can give you some real life examples/tips to work off of, haha.)

And, finally, try to think about instances where you've been attracted to someone and flirted with them, if you're into dating. If not, consult your favorite romance novel, or movie. Visualising your writing as a movie can make it a lot easier, honestly. Always remember to have fun! Happy writing! And followers, feel free to chime in on this question if you have any additional advice!