What does "slow burn" mean?

[schneefink]

In the last posted chapter of DD's MDZS WIP, the main characters (spoiler!) finally kiss! After more than 100k, but less than a month actually passed in the story. So we talked about the term "slow burn" and decided that similar to game speedrunning categories, there should be categories for "slow burn."

Poll #25610 Slow burn

This poll is closed.
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 55

View Respondents

"Slow burn" means the relationship develops slowly from the point of view...

View Answers

of the characters
2 (3.6%)

of the reader
5 (9.1%)

both
12 (21.8%)

either/or
3 (5.5%)

mostly the characters, but not too fast for the reader either
3 (5.5%)

mostly the reader, but not too fast for the characters either
27 (49.1%)

idk it's just a gut feeling
3 (5.5%)

other (please comment)
0 (0.0%)

Comments

[schneefink]

Every time I seek out established relationship fic I feel like there's not enough of it by far. (Granted I often think this when looking for one particular trope, but this one in particular.)

[starshipfox]

I've always been more interested in how relationships develop over time, and the ways in which couples deal with emotional and external challenges. I've never really understood fandom's obsession with "getting together" fic -- but it's certainly the vast majority of fic.