Originally Posted by Every
I'm just wondering, no negativity. Why are you so eager to have different facial expressions only in AA's way and only in his kisses? Then it's unfair to the other “dark romances” as has been said earlier in this thread.
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Who would even add such a thing to the game? Love and consent > Horror

I've already said as much in other threads, I feel like, but the difference is that the other romances don't seem to be exploring the themes AA's is. That is a whole another can of worms, though.

As for your last line, I strongly strongly disagree with the sentiment that everything needs to be self-indulgent and Tav always has to win and feel good. Yes, romances usually are self-indulgent. Yes, it's not a problem if they are, that's absolutely fine. But also, they don't need to be, and that's also not a problem, and can be an interesting thing, which is often what I come looking for in stories. I'd much rather they explore the character you're romancing further than just go for the standard thing you think of when you think of "romances".
Negative emotions or stories being explored through fiction are not a problem or an undesirable result, and I find merit in stories who manage to do that /and/ successfully make me feel sad, or angry, or whatnot. Because it's not real, and it's a safe environment, so to me they just did a really good job of evoking an emotion, it's not the same as that literally happening to me IRL.
When a character I like, say, dies in a game, I don't feel as though a real friend of mine has died, I think "wow. That was really sad, and powerful. What a good job this game has done at conveying this!"

In that same vein I'd like to tackle another thing I've seen popping up on this thread, which is the idea that the people who want a less favourable outcome for their Tavs want so for sexual reasons, or just in general because this is in some way self-indulgent for them. I think this stems from the sentiment I was commenting above where people conceive romances or certain stories as exclusively, obligatorily self-indulgent in nature. I have already explained why I disagree, and, similarly, I have no pleasure to derive from the storyline being explored. I just think it's interesting, compelling and consistent, simple as. I can't speak for others, and I'm sure other people who like the whole dead dove thing exist (and that's also fine!) but I'd also wager I'm not alone in my approach.
Similarly, I can't say I'm not uncomfortable with being associated with sexually enjoying those scenes just for wanting a more negative outcome, even though I think it's fine if others are legit into it.