A less common but still present trope is the 'memory lane' trope. The bully and the victim might recall past incidents, but now with a new perspective because of the bully's feelings. For example, the bully might remember a time when they were especially cruel to the victim and feel remorseful, and the victim might remember small acts of kindness from the bully that they didn't notice before. This trope helps to further develop their relationship and the overall story.
They are not extremely common. One example could be in a school setting. The bully, who might initially pick on someone out of their own insecurities or need for control, starts to see the victim's kindness and strength. As they interact more, the bully realizes their feelings are changing. Maybe they start to protect the victim from other bullies and gradually fall in love.
One common theme is redemption. The bully has a chance to make up for their wrongdoings through their love for the victim. Another is transformation, as the bully's character changes from being mean to loving. And also, there's often the theme of forgiveness, as the victim may have to forgive the bully's past actions for the relationship to develop.
One way it can be compelling is through character development. The bully realizes the error of their ways due to falling in love. For example, they might start to protect the victim from other bullies, which shows a complete turnaround in their character. This change can draw readers in as they see the bully transform into a more empathetic and loving person.
One implication is guilt. The bully has to deal with the fact that they have previously hurt the person they now love. There's also self - discovery. They might realize that their bullying behavior was a mask for their own insecurities or unhappiness. For the victim, there could be a sense of confusion. They have to decide if they can forgive the bully and if they can trust these new - found feelings from someone who once caused them pain.
This type of fanfiction can be quite complex. Often, it explores the idea of unexpected love. The bully's character might have some underlying issues that lead them to act the way they do initially, and the victim's reaction to the bully's new - found love can vary. It could be a story of redemption for the bully as they try to make amends for their past actions while wooing the victim.
In a bully victim love story, a typical element is the presence of an outsider. This could be the person who falls in love with the victim. They are not part of the bullying group. Then, there's the theme of redemption. The love can redeem the victim from the low self - esteem caused by bullying. And there is often a growth aspect. Both characters grow as they experience this unique kind of love. They become more empathetic and stronger together.
Well, often you'll find intense power dynamics and a lot of internal conflict. The tyrant might struggle to balance their feelings with their usual authoritative nature.
One challenge is trust. The victim has been hurt by the bully, so it's hard to trust them again. Another is the social perception. People around them might not understand how they could fall in love. Also, the bully may have a hard time shaking off their old habits completely.
One common element is determination. Victims who succeed are determined not to let the bullying break them. For instance, like the ones in previous stories, they focus on their goals, be it academics, art or sports.
Yes, there are. For example, in some stories, the bully might realize their wrongdoings after a while. And the victim, with a big heart, forgives them. Over time, they get to know each other better and fall in love. It shows that love can transcend the past pain and lead to a beautiful relationship.