Don't trust me, I might fall in...

so, kerejeandreil. the dynamics of their relationship are based on exceptional trust. each of them has their own story, periodically intersected by the winding paths of fate.

andrew and neil (yeah, i know it’s cliché to start with them, but...)

andreil are far from perfect; they’re normal in the context of their relationship with each other. they probably have their own problems and difficulties. they are both, at their core, victims, and building a healthy relationship with people like that is incredibly difficult. it’s a huge responsibility, and taking it on means being prepared for serious trials and for the fact that the path to mutual understanding will be long and thorny.

andrew has a unique attitude toward personal space, he strongly dislikes being touched by anyone and never admits his feelings (which, i’m sure, he’ll eventually outgrow, allowing him to break out of his shell). neil, on the other hand, after long years of wandering and a constant sense of danger that was literally breathing down his neck, desperately needs displays of affection and love, even though he doesn’t realize this immediately. this is especially important to keep in mind, given that andrew is the first person he has ever had romantic feelings for, which makes the situation even more tense.

however, despite the complexity of their relationship, neil refuses to let andrew completely dominate their (non)relationship; he strives for equality and to become a full-fledged partner, which ultimately brings balance to their emotional interactions.

“the next time someone comes for you, stan down and let me deal with it. do you understand?” “if it means losing you, then no.” neil said.

it’s important that neil doesn’t challenge andrew’s “no” or overstep his boundaries. neil simply accepts andrew for who he is. he’s one of the few people who respects andrew’s boundaries right from the start, doesn’t try to invade his personal space, and doesn’t violate his clearly defined boundaries.

neil reached for him, unwilling to let him leave without a real answer. “no,” andrew said, and neil's hand froze a breath from andrew's arm. andrew went still as well, and they stood for a minute in awful silence. finally andrew looked back at him, but for a moment neil didn't know who he was looking at. In the space of one breath andrew's expression went so dark and distant neil almost retreated. then andrew was back, as calm and uncaring as always, and he caught neil's wrist to push his hand to his side. he dug his fingers in before letting go, not quite hard enough to hurt, and said, “that's why.” neil stopped when andrew told him to. it wasn't much, but it was more than enough. neil managed a nod, too numb to speak, and watched andrew walk away from him.

is that confusing? yes.

andrew wasn’t used to being seen as a person. he had never allowed himself to believe that anyone could truly fall in love with him, and, even more terrifyingly, he didn’t believe in his own ability to reciprocate another person’s feelings. in his mind, love was synonymous with inevitable violence. he doesn’t associate this feeling with anything good. every time andrew tried to get close to someone, it invariably ended in pain and suffering. andrew is terrified that he might be hurt again, but it’s even more terrifying to realize that he himself might be the one to cause the pain.

both partners value personal space and are willing to step back when necessary, which is also a positive trend in their relationship. they are used to solving their own problems, emotional and physical, but over time, they open up to each other. mutual understanding and trust between them gradually strengthen, allowing them to build an even stronger and more harmonious bond.

they strive for security and stability, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence. they understand each other perfectly. neither andrew nor neil needs to say that something is wrong; their partner will understand it without words.

there is more hidden in one of their “i hate you”s than should be said. they are not the epitome of a healthy relationship, but this is the maximum comfort they can offer each other, and it takes a tremendous amount of effort. they learn from each other and grow together, creating a strong and enduring bond that overcomes all trials.

andrew and kevin (and once again, nothing new).

the deal, one way or another, bound them together forever.

after the nest, kevin felt more lost than ever before. he had never been alone, and learning to live all over again without riko’s shadow at his back was incredibly difficult. andrew, in essence, became a substitute for riko. kevin saw strength in him and refused to be separated from him, practically merging into a single entity. just as he was used to. just as he had been taught.

kevin saw something in minyard that minyard hadn’t yet managed to see for himself. behind the monster’s clinging mask, day saw a man with his own fears and interests. he ultimately offered andrew a future in which josten would later appear. kevin promised to give andrew a reason to live.

minyard takes his promise to protect kevin as seriously as he possibly can. they are, in essence, an inseparable duo, after all, neil was right when he said that andrew is practically never far from kevin.

 “you weren't supposed to leave kevin's side. did you forget?” “i promised to keep him safe,” neil said. “i didn't say i'd hound him every step of the way like you do.”

kevin isn't a fighter by nature, but when the situation calls for his active involvement, he is capable of showing his true character. he has an extraordinary sense of responsibility and a willingness to take risks in order to achieve the desired result.

“three guesses and the first two don't count?” andrew asked. “stop being obnoxious.” “oh, i haven't even started being obnoxious yet. wait a moment and you'll see.” andrew slung his racquet across his shoulders and wagged the butt of it in kevin's general direction. “you know, you could have saved yourself an apoplectic fit or two if you'd listened when i told you i wasn't interested.”

in terms of their relationship, it’s also hard to call them a role model. kevin depends on andrew’s protection; there’s no equality here. andrew is the dominant figure in their relationship, the pillar without which kevin would crumble.

“kevin only tolerates our court under two conditions: alone, or with andrew on it.”

this gives him power over kevin, which is essentially no different from the influence riko had on kevin’s life at the nest. nevertheless, despite their complicated relationship, andrew doesn’t dehumanize kevin, just as kevin doesn’t demonize andrew. and that’s on a whole different level.

“i’m not comparing to neil and i’m not comparing to you,” said kevin. “it would be a lie against everything i am and everything i want.” “i don’t belong to you,” andrew threw his hand to the side, but kevin caught his wrist. “there’s a fundamental difference between being with someone and being someone’s possession,” he said.

and, ultimately, what balances them out what kevin is the one person andrew allows himself to trust. over time, he becomes an indispensable ally to andrew, allowing them to form a strong and successful relationship.

he nudged kevin with his knee and asked in quiet french, “why do you have his drugs?” “i hold onto them when he's adjusting his schedule,” kevin answered. “game nights or nights like tonight when he wants to go into withdrawal, it's better if someone else keeps the bottle. If he has his pills he'll take them. he won't be able to help himself.”

you don't just trust just anyone with things like that.

neil's arrival changes everything for them. he shakes up kevin and andrew's established relationship, nudging each of them in the right direction. kevin becomes andrew's equal when he summons all his strength to face his fears.

kevin only smiled, slow and sure and pleased, and offered andrew a hand. andrew looked at it, then at kevin, and let kevin haul him to his feet. renee was ready when kevin let go and looped her arms around andrew in a fierce hug. it had to be awkward with all the armor andrew was still wearing, but it gave andrew a couple seconds to find his balance. kevin distracted the ravens from andrew's unsteadiness by facing them.

throughout the trilogy, their relationship gradually evens out, reaching a balance. baltimore largely derails the process of them becoming equal partners. at that moment, andrew breaks his promise, hurting kevin; he breaks the deal.

these shards cut deep into the heart. andrew can’t stand lies; kevin doesn’t say everything. kevin opens up, and he’s betrayed again. it’s a vicious cycle of endless suffering. it’s unlikely that what nora said, that it means nothing to them, is true. both kevin and andrew are victims of abuse; they understand that what’s happening between them isn’t normal.

they find their way to an equal relationship through pain and tears. that’s what makes their dynamic so poignant. they know each other’s dark sides; they know just how deeply they can hurt one another. and they have no intention of making any more mistakes.

andrew and jean.

the similarities between these two are trite and appalling, but there’s no point in denying them. both andrew and jean have been subjected to rape more than once. both have been tarnished and devalued as individuals. neither of them denies that they’ve hit rock bottom. essentially, neither of them has anything left to lose.

“oh, points for trying, but save your breath. here's a tip for you, okay? you can't cut down someone who's already in the gutter. you just waste your time and mine.”

no matter how angry andrew is at jean, he knows that it's incredibly difficult to cope with this situation on his own. he's been through this before, and it didn't end well.

the scariest thing is that jean doesn't realize how much the nest has influenced him. he doesn't even understand that every person needs to have personal boundaries; a basic principle that the ravens give up when they join the team.

andrew let go of jean's hand while he was distracted, but it took jean another moment to withdraw it.

violence can have long-term consequences for victims, including psychological trauma and an increased risk of developing mental disorders. after being rescued from evermore, jean is still desperate to return, likely unaware of how distorted his perception of the world has become.

“take me back to evermore,” jean said. “i won’t stay here with you.”

jean takes all the abuse in the nest in stride. he has come to terms with the fact that he is being treated like an object, and he doesn’t want to change anything. instead of fighting back, he prefers to stay in the shadows, avoiding unnecessary attention, and simply adapt to his circumstances, no matter how humiliating they may be.

“no one did this to me,” he said. “i was injured in scrimmages.”

that's where andrew can help. unlike moreau, he has pretty strict boundaries.

andrew is the solution like a pickaxe is the solution. he’s a sharp tool to clear a path and warn off wolves and cut whoever is clumsy enough to mishandle him.

after all, who else could explain that living in such conditions is abnormal, if not someone who is just as much a victim as jean himself? the ravens destroyed jean. the system destroyed andrew. there are so many parallels in their fates.

“who said 'please' that made you hate the word so much?” andrew gazed at him in silence for a minute. “i did.” neil didn't know what answer he'd been expecting but this wasn't it. he felt it like a pop to his chest, sharp and startling. he opened his mouth to say something, anything, but what could he possibly say to something like that? andrew tolerated his blank stare for only a couple seconds before waving this all off as inconsequential and uninteresting. “he said he would stop if i said it.” “you believed him,” neil guessed. “i was seven,” andrew said. “I believed him.”

and:

“normally i would say something about how everyone is free to experiment,” jeremy said, “or some tried and true nonsense about consenting adults doing what they like. but jean, you’re nineteen. if i’m doing the math right, you were sixteen when you joined the line. that’s statutory rape anyway you look at it. they never should have said yes when you asked.” “i didn’t ask.” it was out before he knew it was coming, ragged with an anger that left his throat aching. jean’s hand went up like he could somehow snatch the words back. jeremy started to grab at him before thinking better of it and carding his fingers through his own hair instead. jean put space between them immediately, getting out of jeremy’s reach as fast as he could. “no,” he said. “don’t say anything.” “jean, you—what—” jean pointed a warning finger at him. “i did not say it. you did not hear it.”

andrew can show, through his own example, that it is possible to survive multiple rapes; that it is possible to regain control of your life, your mind, and your body after experiencing violence.

what's more, even nora doesn't deny that they might have gotten along if jean had stayed in palmetto a little longer.

jean & neil are too much alike; if jean had stuck around long enough andrew would have gotten on pretty well with him.

it's impossible not to realize just how much they actually have in common. they both understand how terrifyingly real their ghosts from the past seem, and knowing that they're not alone makes it much easier to fight them.

jeremy and kevin.

we don't know much about jeremy, but it's clear that kevin respects him as a person, and it turns out they've known each other for about four years. it's obvious that he was the first person who came to kevin's mind when he thinking about a new team for jean, because four years is a long time.

jean asked, “how long have you known kevin?” “uhhh?” jeremy blinked, thrown. “three years, give or take? no, closer to four. he and riko weren’t on the team yet, but they attended our semifinals match with the ravens my freshman year. they came by the bench to say hello afterward. why?”

one thing is certain: jeremy is someone special to kevin. this is clearly evident in the way kevin treats the trojans, and knox himself, too. his time in california and jeremy’s arrival are among the few things that make kevin happy, truly happy.

not even kevin had something to say to that, but that might have been because kevin was too busy soaking in the joy of being back on trojan territory. his contented expression was at complete odds with the nerves and dread evident on his teammates' faces. neil wanted to tell him to tone it down, but he couldn't remember the last time he'd seen kevin in a good mood.

day trusts jeremy enough to tell him a lot of what was going on at the nest. does that mean a lot? absolutely. in fact, all this information puts his life in great danger. by telling jeremy about the horrors of evermore, he’s really saying, “yes, i trust you.”

it’s also important to note that Jeremy will likely serve as a go-between for jean and kevin for a while, and this is bound to have an impact on their relationship. one way or another, they’ll have to get much closer than they had anticipated.

jeremy & kevin talk more than jean & kevin do that first year, bc if jean & kevin want to talk they’ll have to start w riko and neither one is ready for that.

kevin and jean.

their story goes all the way back to evermore, and there’s clearly no room for a healthy relationship there. they’re both victims, but the extent of their trauma differs. while kevin had a purpose, he was practically considered part of the family, jean was a prisoner. he was sold like a commodity, and he was angry at the whole world.

kevin, having certain privileges at his disposal, tried to create the illusion of a normal life. jean, on the other hand, had to learn to survive amid constant fear and humiliation.

kevin had a destiny. kevin had a purpose. kevin was part of the plan and tetsuji had wanted to acquire him. kevin & riko were meant to be ravens, were meant to be legends, were meant to be the future of exy. jean was property, was less than property, was a thing with no rights.

it was with kevin that jean found at least some connection at the nest. he became his best friend; his rock; and probably his first love. jean was literally willing to do anything for kevin, no matter how dangerous it might be, and this often worked in kevin’s favor.

at the same time, kevin also has mixed feelings about jean. god, it's so obvious. he'd bring him postcards, magnets, and all sorts of other stuff from his travels, and jean treasured them all like the apple of his eye. it's as if jean was always the first thing on kevin's mind, you know?

kevin personally found a team for jean where he would feel more comfortable, but he still had a separate conversation with jeremy; with jeremy, whom he admires; with jeremy, around whom he sometimes can’t even get a word in.

as soon as kevin realizes just how uncomfortable this might be for jean, he immediately warns jeremy, you know.

“be careful with it,” kevin said. “be careful with him.” “i’m trying,” jeremy promised, and kevin hung up.

they literally embody the phrase “the right people, the wrong time.” perhaps, in a different version of events, they might have managed to preserve their unique relationship. it was precisely within the canonical relationship that kevin’s escape became a point of no return for them.

kevin’s gaze moved over jean in a slow sweep, taking stock of his injuries. jean knew better than to look for anger in his stare; the best kevin could manage was bottomless guilt.

or:

once upon a time he would have done anything for this stupid man and kevin knew it. he’d used it against jean in the end, begging jean to distract riko while he grieved his broken hand.

it will take more than a day to get them to see eye to eye, and, oh yes, they’ll certainly need some mediators.

jean and neil.

their relationship was based from the very beginning on the fact that nathaniel was originally supposed to be the fourth number and jean’s partner in the nest; a soulmate who would go through all the nightmares with him. until mary escape, jean was certain that this boy was bound to him forever. in essence, by taking her son with her, mary robbed jean of all hope. he was forced to survive in evermore without a partner, like a black sheep.

however, as soon as nathaniel arrives in evermore for his ill-fated christmas break, jean immediately takes responsibility for him. he’s also forced to do so, since no one asks him. in essence, he’s getting back a partner who was taken away from him long ago, with the caveat that it’s not permanent.

nathaniel causes trouble. nathaniel fights back and snaps at people, and jean surely sees himself in him. no matter how badly he gets scolded for his mistakes, he still can’t help but wonder, “what if he’d stayed?” yes, because it’s easier to bleed out together.

his brief reassignment to nathaniel over christmas break had been a muchneeded salve for his sanity.

for jean, it was incredibly important that nathaniel ended up coming in fourth, even if he didn't want to. it allowed him to feel, for a little while, that he wasn't alone. especially considering the price they both paid to get that damn number.

looking at kevin was still easier than facing nathaniel, because there were burns where nathaniel’s number should have been. after everything that fucking tattoo had cost jean, he felt numb all over, then cold, and his stomach twisted so hard he was sure it ripped to pieces inside him. the urge to tear nathaniel’s face open was so fierce he could barely breathe.

in fact, it’s very telling that jean feels safe around him. the confidence and stability that neil exudes allow him to feel comfortable showing his vulnerability. neil is someone who knows how to respect personal space. neil is someone who is fully aware of what the nest was capable of, and who understands jean unconditionally.

following was easy, and every slow step jean took after nathaniel eased a little of the hollow in his chest. ravens weren’t meant to be alone, and with nathaniel here now he could feel just how worn away he was despite the foxes’ attempt to always keep another body in the house with him. nathaniel was different; he always would be. he wasn’t a raven, but he was, same as jean. he was jean’s misplaced forever partner, an unfulfilled promise jean had stopped believing in years ago.

the very realization that they protect each other means a great deal. deep down, they’re certain they’ll come to each other’s aid. it’s like an invisible thread that has bound their fates together from the very first moment they met. without jean, neil wouldn’t have survived in the nest, and jean wouldn’t have been able to adapt to the world beyond evermore without nathaniel.

riko raised his racquet with lethal intent, and jean reached for the screen like he could somehow pull nathaniel away.

or:

“lock your door tonight if it will help, but grayson will never bother you again.”

even if they wanted to have nothing to do with each other, they wouldn’t be able to. once partners, always partners. even if this bond is tainted by the rules of evermore, there’s no escaping it.

there were drafts where n&j had casual make-outs at evermore, yes, before i figured out neil was ace like me.

it’s a relationship based on circumstances beyond their control. it’s the fear of losing what bound them together. it’s about people who had no choice, but who became everything to each other.

that's “jean, andrew taught me the importance of give and take and of repaying one’s debts, so i’m going to give you something in exchange for keeping me alive long enough to come home. we’re going to beat riko tonight.”

that's “neil, it was a good game.”

kevin and neil.

to begin with, let’s recall that kevin and neil have known each other since childhood. they know each other well enough to be able to read even the slightest emotion. their bond, like an invisible thread, has stretched through the years, forming a unique mutual understanding. they’ve shared joys and sorrows, highs and lows, and each of these moments has left its mark on their relationship. now, when they look at each other, they see not just faces, but an entire story written over time.

the very fact that kevin turned against riko as soon as neil appeared speaks volumes. neil literally became the starting point of his resistance. like a catalyst, he set off a chain reaction, causing kevin to doubt the invincibility of his nightmare. kevin was subconsciously looking for a reason to rebel, and neil became that reason. josten’s arrival disrupted the usual order of things, forcing kevin to reevaluate his beliefs and finally dare to stand up to riko. it was not merely an act of defiance, but the beginning of a journey toward freedom from years of oppression. neil unwittingly became the key to his freedom.

he reached for neil, but kevin caught his arm to stop him. riko slammed his elbow back into kevin's face without missing a beat.

for neil, kevin was certainly not just a teammate, but rather… a symbol of the stability that neil had been deprived of for so long. amid the chaos of his life, filled with flight and fear, kevin became a beacon, pointing toward the chance to belong to something greater than mere survival. both of them, broken and scarred, sought comfort in each other.

neil agreed to play with him on the same court while he was on the run, isn't that telling?

he looked at kevin again. kevin didn't recognize him, but maybe some part of him remembered the boy he'd met so many years ago. neil's past was locked in kevin's memories. it was proof he existed, same as this game they both played. kevin was proof neil was real. maybe kevin was also the best chance neil had at knowing when to leave again. if he lived, practiced, and played with kevin, he'd know when kevin started to get suspicious.

kevin saw in neil a reflection of his own struggle, albeit in a completely different form. he saw fear, but also incredible determination; a willingness to fight for his place in the world. perhaps that was what he admired most of all, an unyielding will to live, despite all obstacles. he did not turn his back on him, even after learning josten’s true identity.

kevin was silent for an endless minute, then said, “you should be court.” it was barely a whisper, but it cut neil to the bone. it was a resentful goodbye to the bright future kevin had wanted for neil. kevin recruited neil because he believed in neil's potential. he brought him to the foxes intending to make a star athlete out of him. despite his condescending attitude and his dismissals of neil's best efforts kevin honestly expected neil to make the national team after graduation. now kevin knew it was all for naught; neil would be dead by may. “will you still teach me?” neil asked. kevin was quiet again, but not for long this time. “every night.”

they accept each other just as they are; they don't try to change each other, but simply encourage each other when necessary.

jean and jeremy.

jeremy is, quite literally, jean’s guide to a new life. outside evermore, he is one of those who helps jean see the world in a whole new light. jeremy is even learning another language for his sake.

“maybe i can find a tutor from marseille.” “no one will take you seriously if you learn french with a southern accent.” “does that really matter?” jeremy asked, studying jean with a stare that felt prying. “i’m not learning french for anyone but you.”

actually, considering that jeremy knew almost nothing about the ravens’ rampage, he handled the task quite well. yes, he sometimes went too far, but, as they say, it was a process of trial and error. he’s far from perfect, either.

jean, accustomed to solitude and secrecy, is gradually learning to trust people and open up to them. jeremy, for his part, is learning to navigate jean’s rough edges, not to pressure him, and to support him in difficult times. their partnership, though it began spontaneously, is growing stronger and stronger.

they’re both willing to stand up for each other, and that means a lot. jeremy understands that behind jean’s tough exterior lies a vulnerable soul in need of support, while jean sees in jeremy not only the captain of the sunshine court, but also a person who needs help just as much as he does.

“you are jean moreau. your place is here with me, with us. i’m your captain. you’re my partner. we’re supposed to be doing this together, aren’t we? stop leaving me behind. look at me.”

and:

“i am your partner. it is my place to assess and handle threats against you, not hers. let me go.”

their relationship isn't without its challenges. jean resists attempts to help her. jeremy can be too pushy, not always taking jean's past into account. but they're learning to compromise, listen to each other, and overcome obstacles together.

andreil and jeremy (it's hard to divide them into separate relationship because we don't have enough information, so we're working with what we have).

it's very difficult to glean anything about them from their canonical relationships, but let's try to do so.

andrew and jeremy are both prone to self-destructive behavior: for andrew, this manifests as classic self-harm, while for jeremy, it takes the form of casual sexual relationships in which he allows himself to be hurt, justifying it by saying it doesn't mean anything. for andrew, it was an attempt to regain control through physical contact. for jeremy, it’s a way to feel something, anything, when the emotional emptiness becomes unbearable. he lets others use him like a puppet, just so he doesn’t feel completely alone.

and besides, they both understand perfectly well what it means to protect everyone at the expense of themselves.

by the way, neil used roughly the same line of reasoning to justify the beatings he received from his mother. he, too, preferred to believe that he had deserved mary’s anger, just as jeremy is now convincing himself that no one is doing anything wrong to him.

perhaps they could find common ground on this issue. and together, they might realize that there's nothing normal about it.

here's the situation: each of the guys is perfectly capable of communicating with their other partners, and that's a good thing, it's the norm in polyamory. they made a conscious choice to enter into this kind of relationship, which requires constant self-improvement.

Tips for Writing Detectives!!

˙⋆✮ A boring detective “figures things out.” A good detective has a specific kind of attention. Maybe she notices people’s hands because she grew up around liars. Maybe he notices money because he used to be broke. Maybe they notice what is missing instead of what is present. The way they investigate should come from who they are, not just from the plot needing someone to find a clue.

˙⋆✮ Everybody hiding something is fun, but it only works if the writer knows what each secret does. One secret should protect the killer. One secret should mislead the detective. One secret should reveal character. One secret should make the reader rethink an earlier scene. Random secrets are just fog. Useful secrets are architecture.

˙⋆✮ Your suspects should not all be hiding the murder. This is huge. Most people in a mystery should be lying for completely different reasons. Someone is hiding an affair. Someone is hiding debt. Someone is hiding shame. Someone is hiding that they hated the victim but didn’t kill them. Someone is hiding something kind. That’s what makes interrogation scenes interesting. The detective keeps pulling on threads and not every thread belongs to the same sweater.

˙⋆✮ The dead person should have relationships, habits, contradictions, enemies, debts, secrets, routines, a public version and a private version. The mystery becomes deeper when solving the murder also means discovering who the victim actually was. People should disagree about them. One person says they were generous. Another says they were cruel. Both might be right, and dead characters can still have presence if everyone left alive is reacting to a different version of them.

˙⋆✮ A clue should feel obvious only after the reveal. The reader should not feel cheated, but they also should not solve everything instantly. A good clue is one the reader saw but misunderstood. The muddy shoes mattered, but not because of where the suspect walked. The broken watch mattered, but not because of the time. The missing photo mattered because of who wasn’t in it. The best reveal makes the reader go, “oh my god, it was right there,” not “where did that come from?”

˙⋆✮ Interrogation is pressure. People do not reveal truth because the detective asks nicely in chapter eight. They reveal truth because something becomes harder to hide than to say. Maybe the detective corners them with evidence. Maybe their guilt shows in one tiny contradiction. Maybe they confess the smaller secret to avoid the bigger one. Maybe they lie so badly that the lie becomes more revealing than the truth.

˙⋆✮ Professional detectives need limits too. A badge does not mean they can magically know everything. There are warrants, bosses, paperwork, politics, tired witnesses, messy evidence, mistakes, pressure from media, pressure from families, pressure from their own assumptions. Even if you don’t write full police procedure, the detective should feel like they work inside a system, not above reality!!

˙⋆✮ The detective’s flaw should affect the investigation. If she is arrogant, she misses the quiet suspect. If he is lonely, he trusts the person who gives him warmth. If they hate rich people, they misread a poor suspect as innocent. If they want justice too badly, they push someone until they break.

˙⋆✮ Motive is usually more interesting when it is emotionally specific. “Money” is a motive, yes, but it’s often more powerful when money means something personal. Money as freedom. Money as revenge. Money as escape. Money as proof they were never loved. Same with jealousy, fear, ambition, inheritance, blackmail. The motive should make sense inside the killer’s private world. Murder is extreme, so the emotional math has to be sharp.

˙⋆✮ Timelines are your best friend and your worst enemy. Mysteries live and die by timing. Who was where? When did they leave? When did they lie? When did the victim last speak to someone? When could the body have been moved? You, the writer, need a clean timeline even if the reader only sees a messy one. If you don’t know the timeline, the mystery will start leaking. And readers notice leaks. They are annoying like that.

˙⋆✮ Setting should create investigative problems. A murder in a boarding school is different from a murder on a spaceship, in a small town, at a royal court, during a music festival, in a rich family’s mansion, or in a fantasy city where magic exists. The place should affect evidence, access, gossip, surveillance, escape routes, power dynamics, and who can lie safely.

˙⋆✮ Do not make the detective solve everything through vibes. “Something about him felt off” is fine as a starting instinct, not as proof. The reader needs evidence. A contradiction. A physical detail. A repeated phrase. A missing object. A behavior that changes. Intuition is interesting when it leads the detective to investigate. It becomes lazy when it replaces investigation. Vibes may start the car, but evidence has to drive.

˙⋆✮ A writer must know the difference between suspense and mystery. Mystery asks: what happened? Suspense asks: what will happen? You can use both. The detective finding a hidden letter is mystery. The killer watching them find it is suspense. The reader knowing someone is lying while the detective does not is suspense. The reader not knowing what the lie means is mystery.

Intimacy isn't always just the spicy stuff! Here's a few ways to show it through your characters in a few, simple ways...

Kissing their S/O's hand, knuckles, wrist...bonus points for eye contact!

Speaking of which...eyes. Glances across the room, prolonged eye contact, staring at each other

Tending to the other's wounds/ injuries

Knowing the other's tiny habits

Reaching out to the other when in pain, trouble, ect

Whispering jokes to each other

Carefully wiping off a stain from their clothes or face

Taking care of each other when sick or hurt

Hand over the heart/ ear over the heart just to hear it beat

Pressing their thumb over the pulse point for the same thing

Tracing scars, tattoos, birth marks, freckles

Giving the other something tiny that means a lot, a picture, a shiny rock, a flower

In fantasy settings, helping the other put on/ take off armor...trusting the other to know where daggers, knives, poisons are hidden

Telling each other secrets/ thoughts they've told nobody before

Tucking back the other's hair

Putting a piece of jewelry on the other or letting them borrow clothes

Keeping each other warm in the cold

In cases with chronic illness, letting the other care for/ know symptoms

Brushing, braiding hair, applying skincare, etc.

Nightmare comfort

Wiping away tears

Proximity- sitting near each other, sticking close, standing beside each other while doing a task such as cooking, laundry, painting...