The Reveal Prompts Romance: Difference between revisions

{{quote|''"You know, if I ''was'' [[Iron Man]], I'd have this girlfriend who knows my [[Secret Identity]] and is always worried that something bad is going to happen to me--but at the same time is so proud that I'm out there saving the world. She's conflicted and that only makes her crazier about me."''|'''Tony Stark''', ''[[Iron Man (Filmfilm)|Iron Man]]''}}

People can react in all sorts of odd ways to unexpected news, but [['''The Reveal Prompts Romance]]''' stands out as one of the more outrageous ways that a character can respond to something that should, realistically, make him or her feel alienated from the person who made [[The Reveal]]. The reason for this is most likely that such a disclosure immediately creates a sense of intimacy between the two people. The person receiving the disclosure may also suddenly feel special and connected to the one disclosing for having been chosen. Sometimes it makes sense, but more often, it's one of those things that brings out the [[Fridge Logic]], especially if the couple in question weren't in a relationship with each other before the revelation.

[['''The Reveal Prompts Romance]]''' is most often used between the male [[The Hero|hero]] (who is doing the reveal) and female (who is responding with romance) [[Love Interest|lead]] of a story, right before or right after the climax. Who initiates the "romance" after the reveal varies, but it's never non-consensual.

[[Coitus Ensues|Sex is not always involved]], nor even necessarily a make-out session, but there's always some sort of "[[They Do]]" moment. This trope is one means by which writers may achieve [[Strangled Byby the Red String|red-string strangulation,]] or a [[Last -Minute Hookup]]. A reveal that involves displaying a physiological abnormality may prompt [[But Your Wings Are Beautiful]].

* The 1989 ''[[Batman (Filmfilm)|Batman]]'' film had an exchange like this between Bruce Wayne and Vicki Vale towards the end, when Vale is shown into the Batcave.

* The 1986 ''[[Highlander (Film)|Highlander]]'' film set one of these up between the secretly-immortal Connor MacLeod and his [[Love Interest]]. Made more remarkable by the fact that Connor made his reveal by [[Immortal Life Is Cheap|stabbing himself in the chest.]]

* Dave in the film version of ''[[Kick-Ass (Filmfilm)|Kick-Ass]]'' does this to Katie. In fact, it's two reveals in one - one should have shocked her, the other angered. As per the trope, neither are her reaction.

{{quote| '''Katie''': Dave? What the fuck are you doing? Why are you dressed as Kick-Ass?<br />

'''Dave''': Because I am Kick-Ass!<br />

'''Katie''': What are you talking about?<br />

'''Dave''': I'm also not gay!<br />

* Astrid in the film of ''[[How to Train Your Dragon (Filmanimation)|How to Train Your Dragon]]''. Not directly after the reveal, but halfway back to town Toothless grabs her and she's forced to take a flight with Hiccup and Toothless. By the end of that flight she's definitely showing a great deal of affection for Hiccup, including a peck on the cheek. Quite the turnaround from contempt/anger/hatred.

* As seen in the page quote, this is [[Lampshade Hanging|Lampshaded]] in ''[[Iron Man (Filmfilm)|Iron Man]]''. Averted in the actual story, however.

* Played straight and then inverted by the final strips of ''[[Bite Me! (Webcomicwebcomic)||Bite Me]]'' when Claire finally reveals her [[Parody Sue|full backstory]] to Lucien. Claire has been flirting with him for the entire comic, but Lucien doesn't really reciprocate until after she's done explaining herself. He starts to indicate a hesitant attraction to her... and then she jumps on him.