My Biggest Awooga

༘⋆mon's 500 followers special.ᐟ.ᐟ 500-word prompt roulette⟢

🍓┆a taste of jealousy

choi san x gn! reader

│synopsis: the one with the confession

│genre: fluff, friends to lovers

│trigger warnings: mid jealousy

│ prompt 25 + san + strawberry

Another midweek game night with your friends to unwind from your hectic schedules. Tonight, you'd volunteered to prepare snacks for everyone. The soft melody of a lo-fi playlist hummed through the speakers as you moved around the kitchen.

"Need some help with those?" Wooyoung appeared beside you, eyeing the pile of ingredients on the counter with a mischievous grin.

"Thanks," you smiled, sliding a cutting board his way. "These finger foods won't make themselves."

As Wooyoung began chopping vegetables beside you, he leaned in closer than necessary, his shoulder brushing yours. "You know what they say about the way to a man's heart..." he teased, winking at you.

You couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Is that what I'm doing? And here I thought I was just making snacks."

Wooyoung reached across you for the salt, his hand settling briefly on your waist. "Kitchen's small," he explained, "Need to get around you somehow."

"Somehow indeed," you replied with a raised eyebrow, but didn't move away.

"Open up," he said suddenly, plucking a grape from the fruit bowl and holding it to your lips. "Quality control is essential." You laughed again, opening your mouth as he popped the grape in.

What neither of you noticed was San standing in the doorway, his eyes fixed on the intimate scene. The comfortable gray hoodie he wore looked soft against his skin as he shifted his weight, jaw tightening at the sight.

As Wooyoung fed you another grape, his hand still casually resting on your waist, San cleared his throat loudly.

"Sannie!" you called, brightening at his presence. "Perfect timing. We're almost done with the snacks."

But his usual playful smile was missing, "Looks like you two have it handled," he said, voice neutral. "Yunho's setting up the board game." Before you could respond, he turned and disappeared back into the living room.

"What's his problem?" Wooyoung whispered, raising an eyebrow but still not moving his hand from your waist.

"I don't know," you frowned, gently stepping away and wiping your hands on a towel. "He's been weird all week."

Wooyoung leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Well, I'm not sticking around for whatever that was. Take these chips out when you go—and good luck." As Wooyoung slipped away to join the others, you arranged the last snacks on a tray.

When you entered the living room, San was sitting cross-legged on the floor by the coffee table, shuffling a deck of UNO cards with more force than necessary. You set the tray on the coffee table and looked at him, noticing the tense set of his shoulders as he continued to shuffle the cards. The others were engaged in conversation, seemingly oblivious to the tension between you and San. His eyes briefly flickered up to meet yours, and in that fleeting moment, you caught a glimpse of hurt. He quickly looked away, focusing intensely on the cards in his hands as if they held the answers to questions he couldn't bring himself to ask.

"Can we talk?" you finally asked looking attentively at his expression, heart racing as your eyes met. Without answering, San got up and took your hand leading you down the hallway to his bedroom, closing the door behind you both.

"What's going on?" you asked softly, noticing how he couldn't quite meet your eyes.

San ran a hand through his hair, tension rippling across his shoulders. "Can we just be direct with each other?" You nodded in answer, waiting for him to continue. "What's going on with you and Wooyoung?"

"Nothing's going on," you replied honestly, your voice softening. "Wooyoung is just being... Wooyoung. You know how he is."

"He was touching you," San stated plainly, the words hanging heavy between you. A small, conflicted frown crossed your face. This side of San was something new.

"Yes, he was," you admitted, "But he was just being playful," you continued, stepping closer to him. "San, why aren’t you looking at me?" You reached for his hand, intertwining your fingers with his, feeling his reluctant grip tighten around yours.

He let out a heavy sigh, his eyes finally meeting yours. "I..." he started, then shook his head, his grip on your hand tightening. "I can't stand watching him touch you like that," he finally confessed, words tumbling out.

You blinked in surprise, "What are you saying?"

"I didn't mean to—" he started, then stopped, looking almost defeated. "I like you," he blurted out, then immediately backtracked. "No, that's not right. I really, really like you. Have for months now, actually."

Your heart fluttered in your chest as his words sank in. "San..." you whispered, moving closer to him.

"I know he's my best friend," he continued, words rushing out now that the dam had broken. "And I know I have no right to be jealous, but I can't help it. Every time he touches you, every time you laugh at his jokes..." His voice trailed off, eyes dropping to where your hands were still intertwined. "I-I know you probably don't feel the same way. I see how you and Wooyoung get along so well, and he's funnier than me anyway, and probably better looking, and—"

"San—" you tried to interrupt, but he was on a roll.

"—and I totally understand if you want him instead. He's my best friend, and he's great, so I get it. I just couldn't keep pretending that I don't feel anything when I'm around you, and I'm sorry if this makes things weird, but—"

"San!" you tried again, louder this time.

"—I promise I won't make it awkward if you reject me. We can just forget this ever happened and go back to—"

You'd had enough. In one swift movement, you grabbed him by his hoodie and pulled him down to your level. "Kiss me and shut up," you commanded. For a moment, San froze, his eyes wide with shock. Your lips pressed against his, but you felt no response—just the stiffness of surprise as he stood there, completely stunned. You pulled back slightly, his mouth hung slightly open, his breathing shallow as he tried to process what had just happened.

"Did you just...?" he whispered, his voice trailing off as his fingertips touched his own lips in disbelief.

"Yes," you replied softly, suddenly feeling vulnerable. "Maybe I should have waited for your permission first," you finished, heart pounding in your chest with uncertainty. For what felt like an eternity but was barely a second, San remained motionless. Then, slowly, his eyes softened as he leaned in. His hands gently found your waist, touch feather-light and hesitant. When his lips finally met yours, it was tentative at first—a whisper of a kiss that asked a question. The sweet taste of your strawberry lip gloss lingered between you as he pulled back slightly, searching your eyes before continuing. His second kiss was more certain but still gentle, a tender exploration filled with relief and longing. You sighed against his lips, your fingers lightly gripping his hoodie as warmth bloomed in your chest.

"You're being ridiculous," you murmured against his lips. "I've never wanted Wooyoung."

San pulled back just enough to look into your eyes, his breathing ragged. "You don't?"

You shook your head, smiling. "How could I want anyone else when you're all I think about?

"Really? You mean it?"

You nodded. "You're the only one I want. The only one." His face softened in a way you'd never seen before, dimples appearing as his smile widened. Gently, he cupped your face with both hands, thumbs brushing over your cheeks as if you were something precious. The tenderness in his eyes made your heart skip a beat as he leaned in to kiss you again, this time with all the certainty in the world.

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tiba-tiba mikirin nasib minggu depan

Minggu Depan, Kamu Berhenti Berharap

Kamu hidup diantara janji-janji yang kamu bisikkan seperti doa. Rasanya seperti meneguk segelas kopi sachet yang kebanyakan air—hangatnya cukup menghibur, namun rasa pahit menetap di mulutmu sampai malam. Setiap pagi kamu mengulangi mantra yang sama; minggu depan kamu akan makan tiga kali sehari. Minggu depan kamu akan memperbaiki kipas tua yang sudah sekarat, namun tetap menghembuskan angin sejuk di kala panas malam ibukota menyerang. Minggu depan kamu akan membeli sepatu yang layak, supaya kamu tidak lagi menggunakan sepatu yang solnya menganga seperti mulut orang-orang yang suka bicara soal harapan.

Minggu depan kamu akan mengirim uang untuk Ibu, sedikit lebih banyak dari biasanya. Cukup banyak sehingga Ibu tidak perlu mengurangi porsi nasi lagi. Cukup banyak untuk membelikan Adik buku baru. Kamu ingin membuktikan kalau kamu kuat; kalau Jakarta tidak membakarmu menjadi abu.

Minggu depan, proyekmu akan selesai. Kamu akhirnya memiliki ruang untuk bernapas, untuk merenggangkan tubuhmu. Bonus akan turun, katanya. Namun meja kerjamu terus membisikan tentang hantu-hantu PHK. Tawa-tawa di kantin karyawan menghilang, digantikan dengan lirikan gelisah dan bisik-bisik. Untuk pertama kalinya, kamu merasakan ilusi aman yang kamu bangun perlahan-lahan mulai runtuh. Lantai yang selama ini menompang meja kerjamu pun mulai retak, seakan-akan siap menjatuhkanmu ke dalam jurang. 

Kamu menambahkan catatan di ponselmu; minggu depan kamu harus mulai mencari perkerjaan baru—untuk berjaga-jaga.

Kamu pun tersadar kalau kamu tidak sendirian. Ketika kamu bertanya kepada Ibu warteg kapan beliau akan masak cumi lagi, beliau tersenyum lelah dan menjawab, “Minggu depan ya, Nak, kalau harganya turun.” 

Ketika kamu duduk di depan minimarket bersama temanmu, meneguk minuman kopi diskon yang rasanya lebih seperti pengingat bahwa kamu tak mampu beli yang lain. “Minggu depan anak gue ulang tahun,” bisik temanmu. Matanya redup. “Semoga gaji nggak ditahan lagi. Gue mau beliin dia kado.” 

Bahkan, tetanggamu yang kamu kira selalu berkecukupan, kini suara seraknya terdengar lewat tembok tipis kontrakan. “Saya usahakan bayar minggu depan ya, Pak.” 

Tapi minggu depan datang seperti ombak yang menenggelamkan harapanmu. Tanpa kabar baik. Tanpa perubahan. Tanpa mukjizat.

Lelahmu tidak dibayarkan, tidak dihargai, hanya dijustifikasi atas nama efisiensi. Harga telur naik lagi. Suara token listrik yang menjerit bersahutan dengan rengekan kipas tua, keduanya mengingatkan bahwa uangmu hampir habis. Tagihan menumpuk seperti doa-doamu yang belum terjamah. Tidak ada balasan dari semua lamaran yang kamu kirimkan. 

“Nggak apa-apa,” ucap Ibu ketika kamu menelepon setelah mengirimkan uang. “Untung makan siang Adik disediakan sekolah, jadi Ibu bisa hemat beras.”

Ibu ingin menguatkanmu, namun kata-kata yang kamu dengar terasa seperti pisau yang menusuk jantungmu.

“Nggak usah pikirin Ibu sama Bapak, simpan uangnya buat kamu di sana.” Suara Ibu pecah, namun bukan karena susah sinyal.

Kamu batal membeli sepatu baru, meskipun sedang turun harga menjadi Rp150.000—diskon yang terasa seperti ejekan. Sebab uang seratus ribu rupiah kini bisa lenyap dalam sekali napas—sekotak nasi, bensin, dan satu liter minyak goreng yang harganya terus menanjak. Kamu pernah menyebutnya sebagai dana darurat, namun sekarang ia hanya lembar tipis yang cepat lusuh, cepat habis, cepat hilang. Sepasang sepatu baru tidak ada artinya jika kamu tidak dapat membeli minyak goreng dan bensin.

Kamu tidak perlu membaca berita maupun membaca grafik untuk tahu bahwa rupiah ambruk, karena kamu ikut rubuh bersamanya. Kamu merasakannya di setiap kali kamu menawar cabai dan bawang bagaikan menawar mimpi, di setiap kali kamu memutuskan untuk tertidur dengan perut kosong. Kamu menyadarinya ketika porsi nasi di warteg jauh lebih banyak daripada lauk.

Kamu mendengar pejabat di televisi menjanjikan bahwa perekonomian negara baik-baik saja, bahwa semuanya terkendali dengan baik. Kamu tertawa hambar, tapi semua orang berhak bermimpi bukan? Bahkan pejabat pun boleh berhalusinasi, bukan?

Biarkan mereka bermimpi. Biarkan mereka tidur di hotel bintang lima dengan anggaran negara. Biarkan mereka berpesta, berbicara tentang pemulihan ekonomi di balik pintu kedap suara.

Sementara kamu harus menerima kenyataan bahwa kamu bisa hancur dan negara tidak peduli. Bahwa kamu bisa mati kelaparan tanpa menguncang statistik mereka. Bahwa kamu hanyalah angka, bukan manusia. 

Seperti rupiahmu yang tidak bernilai, kamu pun ikut terkikis bersamanya. Namun tidak seperti para pejabat berdasi, kamu merasa malu atas janji-janji yang tak bisa kamu tepati—pada dirimu sendiri, pada Ibu, pada harapan yang sudah terlalu lama kamu cicil dengan air mata.

Dan kamar kontrakanmu menjadi saksi bisu atas semua minggu depan yang kamu tunda. Malam ini kamu berhenti berharap, berhenti membuat janji. Tidak ada lagi minggu depan, tidak ada lagi kamu yang memanjatkan doa. Sebab di negara ini, harapan adalah barang mewah yang tidak bisa kamu cicil lagi harganya.

---

we all know who is this

oh my god, he takes his helmet off when he’s required to wear armor and he’s all sweaty underneath and his hair is sticking to his forehead and the sides of his face and his cheeks are completely red and his eyes still have that spark of wild adrenaline in them, oh my godddddd

---

🐍

Hello! I've been getting more and more tips for writing thanks to your post about character flaws in my FYP. I was wondering, do you have any posts about character strengths/virtues? Thanks!

Rin's Character Strengths Masterpost ✨

Hey there, fellow writer! 💖 So glad my character flaws post found its way to you! You've asked about one of my FAVORITE topics to explore - character strengths and virtues! And guess what? I've been meaning to write this companion piece for ages, so THANK YOU for the nudge!

Let's dive DEEP into character strengths that go beyond the basic "brave protagonist" or "loyal sidekick" tropes we see everywhere in fiction. Because memorable characters need memorable strengths!

Why Character Strengths Matter Just As Much As Flaws

We often focus SO much on giving characters interesting flaws (which, yes, super important!), but their strengths are what make readers root for them and fall in love with their journey. Strengths are what make your character SHINE in those pivotal moments! ✨

The key is making these strengths SPECIFIC, NUANCED, and sometimes even PROBLEMATIC. Yes, strengths can cause problems too - that's where the juicy storytelling happens!

Beyond-Basic Character Strengths for Your Characters

1. CONTEXTUAL COURAGE 🔥

Not just "bravery" but courage that manifests in specific contexts:

Social courage (standing up to peer pressure)

Intellectual courage (questioning deeply held beliefs)

Physical courage despite specific fears

Quiet courage (the kind that doesn't look heroic but IS)

Moral courage (doing the right thing when it costs them personally)

Creative courage (risking failure and ridicule for their art/ideas)

2. RADICAL EMPATHY 💭

Not just "understanding others" but:

The ability to understand even villains' motivations

Cross-cultural empathy that bridges different backgrounds

Empathy that extends to those completely unlike themselves

Empathy that causes them to make difficult choices others wouldn't

Empathy that allows them to anticipate others' needs before they're voiced

Empathy for those society has taught them to fear or distrust

3. ADAPTIVE INTELLIGENCE 🧠

Not just "being smart" but:

Pattern recognition in chaotic situations

Intuitive problem-solving under pressure

Cultural adaptability when thrust into unfamiliar environments

Emotional intelligence that helps navigate complex relationships

Street smarts that complement (or replace) formal education

The ability to translate complex concepts for different audiences

4. CREATIVE RESILIENCE 🌱

Not just "bouncing back" but:

Finding unconventional solutions to setbacks

Using humor as a coping mechanism during dark times

Transforming trauma into strength without romanticizing it

Building community resilience, not just personal

Learning from failures rather than being crushed by them

Maintaining hope in seemingly hopeless situations

5. PRINCIPLED FLEXIBILITY 🌊

Not just "having values" but:

Knowing which principles to bend and which to hold firm

Adapting moral frameworks to new information

Navigating ethical gray areas without losing their core

Growing their values through experience rather than rigidity

Finding compromise without betraying essential beliefs

Recognizing when rules must be broken for a greater good

6. DISRUPTIVE KINDNESS ❤️

Not just "being nice" but:

Kindness that challenges systems of oppression

Unexpected kindness that changes enemies' perspectives

Kindness as a radical choice in brutal environments

Kindness that requires genuine sacrifice

Kindness that sees beyond surface behaviors to underlying needs

Kindness that doesn't expect recognition or reciprocation

7. CONSTRUCTIVE SKEPTICISM 🔍

Not just "questioning things" but:

The ability to discern truth from manipulation

Healthy doubt of authority without cynicism

Critical thinking that leads to solutions, not just criticism

Questioning their own assumptions first

Seeking multiple perspectives before forming judgments

Recognizing patterns of deception or misinformation

8. STRATEGIC VULNERABILITY 💧

Not just "being open" but:

Knowing when vulnerability creates connection

Sharing weaknesses to build trust at critical moments

Using personal stories to help others feel less alone

Admitting mistakes to model growth for others

Asking for help when independence would be destructive

Showing emotion strategically to influence outcomes

The Strength Spectrum: Make It Complex!

Remember that any strength exists on a spectrum! The most interesting characters have strengths that sometimes function as weaknesses depending on the context.

For example:

Loyalty becomes enabling when taken too far

Curiosity becomes recklessness in dangerous situations

Honesty becomes cruelty without empathy

Ambition becomes destructive when ethics are compromised

Compassion becomes self-destruction without boundaries

Independence becomes isolation when connection is needed

Confidence becomes arrogance without self-reflection

Cautiousness becomes paralysis when action is required

Strengths in Character Arcs 📈

The MAGIC happens when you show how strengths evolve throughout your story:

The Dormant Strength - A character doesn't know they possess it until circumstances force it out

The Misused Strength - They have the strength but are applying it in harmful ways

The Costly Strength - Using this strength requires genuine sacrifice

The Transformative Strength - This strength fundamentally changes who they are

The Shared Strength - They teach/inspire this strength in others

The Rediscovered Strength - A strength they lost faith in that returns when most needed

The Evolving Strength - A strength that changes form as the character grows

The Collaborative Strength - A strength that only emerges when combined with another character's abilities

Writing Exercise for You! 📝

Take your protagonist and identify:

One strength they've always had and rely on

One strength they don't know they have yet

One strength that's actually causing problems

One strength they'll need to develop to overcome the main conflict

One strength they admire in someone else

One strength they've lost and need to reclaim

Genre-Crossing Character Strengths

These strengths work across ALL genres:

Perceptive Pattern Recognition - Seeing connections others miss

Adaptive Authenticity - Remaining true to themselves while evolving

Constructive Conflict Navigation - Using disagreement to build stronger relationships

Radical Responsibility - Owning their part in problems without self-flagellation

Generative Listening - Hearing beyond words to underlying meanings

Intentional Impact Awareness - Understanding how their actions affect others

Courageous Vulnerability - Risking rejection for authentic connection

Principled Pragmatism - Finding workable solutions that honor core values

Remember that in ANY genre, your character strengths should connect to their internal journey as much as their external conflicts. The most compelling characters have strengths that are tested, lost, rediscovered, transformed, and ultimately deepened through their story arc. 🌟

The most powerful character strengths aren't superpowers or extraordinary abilities - they're deeply human qualities taken to their most compelling expression. They're the things we recognize in ourselves but rarely develop fully. That's why they resonate so deeply with readers across all genres and age categories.

Hope this helps you craft characters with rich, nuanced strengths! Let me know if you want me to dive deeper into any of these - I could talk character development ALL DAY! 💖

~ Rin. T.

⌕ naruto: team kurenai • akamaru.

♡ like or reblog if you save/use.

Enemies/Friends to Lovers & more Masterpost

Enemies to Lovers (and vice versa)

How to write Enemies to Lovers + Dialogue Prompts

Oblivious Enemies to Lovers Prompts

Enemies to Lovers: Falling for the flirt

Enemies to Lovers: Co-worker Edition Part I

Enemies to Lovers: Co-worker Edition Part II

Enemies to Lovers: Meet Ugly College Edition

Enemies to Lovers: Drama Club Edition

Enemies to Lovers: Apocalypse AU

Enemies to Lovers: Band Edition

Enemies to Lovers: Assassins Edition

Enemies to Lovers: Martial Arts Edition

Enemies to Lovers: Given up on life

Lovers to enemies

Reasons for lovers turning to enemies

Exes to Lovers

Exes to lovers prompts

Exes to lovers dialogue

Friends to Lovers

Reluctant allies to friends to lovers dynamic

Friends to lovers Prompts

Flirty friends to lovers Prompts

Friends with benefits to lovers Prompts

Friends to Lovers Ideas

Best friends to lovers Prompts

Childhood friends to lovers Prompts

Childhood friends to enemies to lovers Prompts

More:

Enemies to friends with benefits Prompts

Enemies to friends Prompts

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Writing a Morally gray character

Think about their backstory, what shaped them into who they are? What do they believe in? And, most importantly, what pushes them to get out of bed every morning and keep going? These characters aren’t simple good or bad. They’re caught in the middle, in that murky, complicated space between black and white. That’s where they get interesting because they’re constantly wrestling with themselves, trying to figure out the right choice, or if the “right” choice even exists for them.

You need to show this internal battle. Imagine your character being torn between what they believe is morally right and what they actually want. This is where the real drama comes in, it’s like watching them juggle their principles with their desires in real-time. They’ll mess up, and they’ll make decisions that are sometimes questionable, but that’s what makes them human and relatable. One way to really highlight their complexity is by putting them in situations where there’s no clear answer. You know, those moments in life where everything’s kind of a mess, and you’re stuck trying to figure out what the hell you’re supposed to do? Your character should face situations like that. These gray areas create tension because readers won’t know which direction the character will go, and honestly, your character might not know either.

And don’t forget, growth is a huge part of writing a morally gray character. People aren’t static, they change based on what happens to them, and your character should too. Maybe they start off with a strong sense of morality but, over time, that starts to shift. Or maybe they start with shaky ethics and slowly become a better person as they learn from their mistakes. Growth can also go the other way, they could spiral downward, giving in to darker impulses. Either way, they need to evolve, just like people do in real life. That’s what keeps the story fresh and unpredictable. The last thing you want is a character that stays the same the whole way through.

Also, please, no stereotypes. A morally gray character doesn’t have to be a brooding anti-hero with a tragic past (unless that’s your vibe, but even then, switch it up). Give them quirks that make them unique. Maybe they have unexpected motivations, like they’re doing something shady for a cause they genuinely believe in, or they’ve got a weird sense of humor that throws people off. Whatever it is, make sure they feel like an individual, not just a copy-paste character we’ve all seen a million times.

Even when your character makes decisions that aren’t exactly clean-cut or heroic, the reader still needs to understand why. Show their vulnerabilities, why they doubt themselves, why they hesitate, and why they ultimately make the choices they do. It’s all about making them relatable, even when they’re walking that fine line between right and wrong. People might not always agree with them, but they should at least be able to see where they’re coming from.

And remember, every choice your character makes should have consequences. They don’t exist in a bubble. Their decisions should ripple out and affect not only them but the people around them. Maybe they make a selfish decision, and it ends up hurting someone they care about, or they try to do the right thing, and it blows up in their face. One last thing, just because your character lives in that gray area doesn’t mean they don’t have any sense of right or wrong. They might have their own personal code they follow, even if it doesn’t line up with society’s morals. Maybe they justify their actions in a way that makes sense to them, even if other people wouldn’t agree. It’s all about exploring that space where they’re not totally good, but not totally bad either. That’s where things get really interesting.

Think about where your character is going. Is their journey going to push them to become a better version of themselves? Will they fall back into old patterns and never really change? Or will they stay stuck in that moral gray zone, constantly torn between doing what’s right and doing what feels right for them?

Wine room, Briarcliff Manor🪻

Hi!, ive encountered a problem i hope you would aid in? ive been trying to write this domestic breakfast scene where one character is still half-asleep trying to uphold a conversation but i can't. Its the "calm before the storm" kind of scene and i want to give my readers time to breathe and relate to the characters.

Writing Notes: Mundane Scenes

How Mundane Scenes can be Important (by editor Richelle Braswell):

Pacing: Mundane scenes can provide a breather from the action-packed scenes and add variation so that readers don’t get bored or worn down.

World-building: Mundane moments such as how characters get dressed in the morning or prepare their food can add realism and details to your world. It gives a sense of depth to characters lives and shows instead of tells how life operates.

Give weight to events: Mundane activities such as resting or tending to injuries can give weight to previous plot points such as a battle or reveal. We sit with the consequences, and thus the events feel like they have greater importance and space in the narrative.

Synthesize information: Characters can review things like whodunit clues or what they know so far over a meal or while traveling. Meanwhile, the reader can process events up until that point. These scenes are best used during the midpoint of a book or right before the climax.

Build tension: These much slower moments like chatting and weeding the garden can add tension to stories by sitting with the unknown. Readers will sense when things are too quiet and feel a building anticipation.

Develop character arcs: Slow moments such as shopping or washing-up can be important touchpoints to depict gradual character growth. If there is nonstop action, then there isn’t a chance for characters to stop and reflect and give the readers some insight into any changed thought processes and dilemmas.

Develop romance: Mundane moments are some of the best places to give characters space to make the bed together and fold laundry. Their romance and dynamic can be developed here but note that it is most effective when used sparingly and when the reader does not lose a sense of narrative drive.

Decisions as a challenge: Choices have gravity in a narrative when there is space for the main characters to struggle with doing the right thing. It can add further drama if they aren’t making tough decisions while dodging flying arrows or being chased, but while sweeping their floors or organizing their bookshelf. The reader experiences the weight of the choice since it can be carefully considered before it leads to a hero’s triumph or tragedy.

Whatever you do with a mundane scene, the idea to keep in mind is how it contributes to the whole.

some related literary tropes

"Slice of Life" Trope

Life, observed and examined.

A cast of characters go about their daily lives, making observations and being themselves.

There is an emphasis on the very moment, with the intent of focusing the audience on that moment rather than using that moment as part of a narrative.

"Calm before the Storm" Trope

Characterized by a sense of anticipation, perhaps tension, even dread of what is to come.

It allows the characters a moment of respite prior to everything going to hell.

Maybe they make final preparations.

Maybe they go bid farewell.

Maybe they go tie up loose ends or bury hatchets.

They might decide now's the time to finally spend the night with that special someone.

Or maybe they just meditate to still their minds and/or calm their nerves.

Or they may decide to throw a party while they still can.

This scene allows us a quiet moment to just be with the characters, especially if it winds up being the end of the line for some of them.

Great clouds lit from within by lightning gather on the horizon, an army can be seen assembling, or the Final Battle is just around the corner. Everyone knows it is inevitable.

Tomorrow the silence will be broken. Tomorrow there will be chaos. But for now, all is quiet.

"Action Film, Quiet Drama Scene" Trope

An action film trope that you can also incorporate in your writing.

In this kind of scene, there are no expensive visuals or frenetic action, just usually two characters talking about what they believe in, what they care about, their deepest pains, or anything that relates to the stakes of the situation.

This is not the same as the purely exposition scene in that there is something deeper displayed here.

In these scenes, you can understand the plot, grasp its theme, or develop a rapport with the characters to make the big scenes matter to your readers.

When it really works, it can make the action sequences all the more compelling, because the quiet scenes have allowed you to emotionally invest in the characters and care about their fate.

Examples

In The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, after a long time fleeing through the giant death trap of the Capitol and suffering several losses, Cressida leads the squad to a friend's house. Their time in the basement covers a lot of ground, from mourning their losses to Katniss' guilt to the Love Triangle.

Inception: In the climax, we finally see whether or not Fischer reconciles with the memory of his father.

The Lord of the Rings: The scene between Aragorn and Arwen on the bridge in The Fellowship of the Ring. It introduces depth to Aragorn's character and reveals his backstory; the scenes of the Shire at peace in The Fellowship of the Ring (especially in the Directors Cut), filled with laughter, friendship and happy children (what a warrior lays down his life to protect) is what makes us actually care whether or not Frodo and the Fellowship defeat Sauron or not.

Sources: 1 2 3 4 ⚜ More: References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

Here are some information and related tropes to keep in mind as you write your scene. Use the tropes as inspiration, and alter as needed/desired to better fit your story. Reading how other authors have done this as well, especially in your favourite stories, is one way to know how you would execute it in your own story. You can find more details and examples in the links above. Hope this helps with your writing!