: Re: How can I indicate that a particular relationship between two male characters is purely brotherly (Philia) rather than romantic (Eros)? One of the four forms of love Greek philosophy recognised,

@Kristi637

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There are three frames of reference here: The author's intention, the way the audience receives the characters, and, arguably (but controversially) whatever reality the characters take on in themselves.

Of the three, you're really only responsible for (and fully in control of) the first. Write the characters in whatever way makes sense to you, and seems most true to their own reality as you perceive it, and the story you want to tell. Fans who want to see a relationship between ANY two characters can always build a case to support that, no matter what you do. Part of the issue is that many of the aspects of a strong platonic relationship are similar to that of a romantic relationship, and the ones that are not are the same ones that would be repressed or hidden in a clandestine relationship, or in the case of unwanted feelings. The more you, or your characters, try to deny a romantic side to this relationship, the more convinced people are that it exists. Ironically, the best real-life signal that a relationship is genuinely platonic is a lack of tension or conflict around the topic. When two friends aren't worried or bothered at all by being perceived as a couple, it usually means they aren't one. You can even lampshade this a bit by having the friends joke about how everyone thinks they're secretly involved.

A lot also depends on context. A historical novel, or one placed in a setting where relationships are more often homosocial than homosexual will have less of a challenge in justifying the kind of relationship you want to present.

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