Favorite Non-Romantic Character Relationships (Ft. Plenty of Platonic Goodness)

When someone mentions relationships in a book, a lot of readers immediately go to romance . . . and okay, fair enough. But as an asexual, I would like to counter that there’s more to relationships than just romance!

Am I maybe biased in this opinion? Okay, yeah, sure, probably. But do I have a point? Pfft, of course. A solid duo can just as easily be best friends, siblings, parent/child, etc. And since most of us will have waaaay more of those sorts of relationships than romantic relationships (I mean . . . I assume, though that may be presumptuous of me), then I’d argue that they’re the most important sorts of relationships. Hence, I’ve decided to focus on that today.

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is all about our favorite character relationships. As I said, I am an absolute sucker for platonic relationships: family bonds, sibling bonds, friend bonds. It’s all fair game, and it’s all good.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy romance. More and more lately, in fact. But I feel like sometimes the other ways characters can be connected are overlooked in favor of the romantic aspect, and that’s a shame. Because there are lots of great platonic relationships. Without further ado, let’s get to some of my favorites!

Nimona and Lord Blackheart

Relationship Type: Sidekick/Supervillain

There is no truer relationship than that of a sidekick to their supervillain, is there? Of course not. Then again, Lord Blackheart isn’t a super great villain, if I’m honest. Nimona does up his game quite a bit, as any good sidekick would. Don’t think this relationship is one-sided, though. Lord Blackheart obviously cares a good deal for his young ward . . . not that he would openly admit it, of course. He’s got an image to uphold, after all.

The relationship between these two isn’t always solid. There’s some disagreements and tumult, as you do. But at the end of the day, they’ve always got each other’s backs, and at the end of the day, there’s something beautiful in that.

Silas and Nathaniel Thorn

Relationship Type: Demon/Master

Okay, I can hear you judging me through your computer. After all, how can a demon/master relationship actually truly be equitable in any way, shape, or form? Especially when it’s basically forced servitude, right? WRONG! Okay, technically sort of right. But there’s more to it than that! Silas has served the Thorns for generations, with the caveat that he has the bonus of being able to eat their souls, which I guess is a perk? I mean, I’m not entirely sure what souls taste like, but I bet I’d be allergic to them, like I am with every other food.

The key here is that the relationship between Silas and Nathaniel is different. Oh, sure, Silas is still quick to remind everyone that he’s a demon and demons can’t be trusted and blah, blah, blah. But it’s obvious that he still very much cares for Nathaniel, in his own way. And Silas is about the only real family Nathaniel has, for better or worse. Look, I never said all of these platonic relationships were going to be healthy, just that I loved them. Honestly, it’s your fault for assuming.

Jimmy Kudo and Harley Hartwell

Relationship Type: Rivals

Honestly, I think calling Jimmy and Harley rivals is a bit misleading. It conjures up images of hate and spite and underhanded, and that is not what’s happening here. At all. Jimmy and Harley are rivals in the truest sense of the word. They’re both super smart, talented, and driven detectives who happen to have stubborn streaks and absolutely love competing with each other. Much one-upmanship to be had all around, which is fun for everyone.

The part I love the most about this relationship is the way they can go from sniping at each other and bantering one minute to absolutely freaking fierce defense of each other the next. As much as they bicker, they’d drop everything to have each other’s backs when it matters the most.

Teagan Frost and the Chop Shop Crew

Relationship Type: Squad

The unique thing about this squad is that it’s not a squad by choice. It’s not like everyone came together for an ultimate purpose. No, the Chop Shop exists for a paycheck, and even then, several members have basically been forced onto the team with ultimatums due to previous less-than-legal behavior on their part. Teagan is only there because she’s basically a prisoner. So not exactly the type of condition you’d think would be conducive to any form of positive relationship . . . but it kind of is? I mean, if you ignore the fact that the first book literally involves one of them throwing another out a high-rise window. (But, to be fair, she also there herself out that window).

When you meet the characters, this does not feel like a particularly close or successful squad. Some days, it’s amazing that they manage to function together at all (spoiler alert: they don’t always). But you know what? At the end of the day, they’re all in a really crappy situation, and the only consistent things in any of their lives are each other. The only people they can trust (mostly because they have to) are each other. Sometimes. The closeness that develops between this group, especially when they least expect it (or even want it) is just *chef’s kiss*.

Pahua Moua and Miv

Relationship Type: I dunno . . . haunting?

Miv isn’t technically a ghost, I don’t think? But he’s also not really a familiar. He’s a mysterious not-cat that has attached itself to Pahua in an almost parasitic way, but I also think it’s not really fair to call him a parasite. Even if it might technically be true.

I’m honestly not entirely sure what Miv is (and neither is Pahua) other than obviously her best friend. And it does not say anything specific about her at all that she has a not-cat best friend in lieu of human friends. I mean, who wouldn’t choose that option over people? Pffft. Less squishy, more sarcastic. All-around a better choice.

Other than having a confusing existence, Miv is generally always there for Pahua. Perhaps not in the way she needs, as in the please-save-my-butt-right-now sort of way, but hey, there’s only so much a not-cat can do. He’s there in the ways it matters (you know, emotionally and supportively), despite everything. That has to count for something.

Nick Bell and Aaron Bell

Relationship Type: Parental

Honestly, this is probably one of my favorite examples of parent/child relationships in a young adult book, because oh my freaking gosh it’s so wholesome. Aaron Bell is a single parent since Nick’s mother passed years ago, and being a single parent to Nick Freaking Bell is not a walk in the park. But Aaron is crushing it anyway.

Not only is Aaron there physically and emotionally for his son at a moment’s notice, but he goes above and beyond the call as Nick gets his first boyfriend and enters new territory. Obviously, it’s mortifying for Nick to have to sit through the sex talk with his father as an older teen, but you know what? Good on Aaron for having the hard conversations.

I don’t want to characterize this as all sunshine and rainbows, though, because it’s not. Aaron is still a human, and humans make mistakes. Part of what I love so much about their relationship is that Nick has the chance to see his father make mistakes and fix them and grow as a human being. Not only that, but Nick helps him through it, too. The love and support between father and son is palpable, and I am here for it!

Scarlett McCain and Albert Browne

Relationship Type: Unwilling Partnership

Scarlett and Albert are like . . . peanut butter and cheese. On the surface, it sounds like these two things obviously wouldn’t go together, but once you give it a chance, you realize it’s exactly what you were wanting. You’ve got a badass thief like Scarlett who holds her own and takes no crap from the world, and a soft, introverted boy with a dangerous secret like Albert. They didn’t choose to be partners. Life just sort of threw them together, and they’re doing the best to make the most of it.

Still, they do make quite the team. Scarlett’s just strong enough to keep the both of them alive, and Albert is just soft (and optimistic) enough to make them want to keep going. It’s a beautiful combination that works just right. They’re not the partner either one of them wanted, but they’re the partners they needed, which is even more important.

Jeremiah and J6

Relationship Type: Man’s best friend

This list wouldn’t be complete without at least one animal sidekick, would it? So I chose Jeremiah and man’s best friend, J6, who is obviously a . . . pig. Not just any pig, though! J6 is the pig that could very well save Jeremiah’s life with a much-needed heart transplant. Of course, neither of them know that. They just think they’re meant to be each other’s best friends, and they go about doing that very well.

What I love so much about this relationship is just the general heartwarming, good-natured, pureness of it. It’s not the sort of relationship you see often in books outside of middle grade. Jeremiah and J6 genuinely care for each other and go out of their way to help each other through the difficulties in their lives. Because yes, even a pig faces unique challenges, okay? Being a pig isn’t as easy as you may think. It’s just such a sweet, uplifting friendship that it brings a smile to my face every time!

Artemisia and the Revenant

Relationship Type: Possession

To be fair, this isn’t technically a possession. It’s only, like, halfway there. Maybe a quarter of the way. Mostly, the revenant is some weird parasite-kidnappee being held against its will. It’s complicated. Anyway, the revanant is much as you might expect: centuries-old sarcastic, mostly malevolent spirit, sealed away for the good of humanity. You know, like you do. Then you’ve got Artemisia, who believes wholeheartedly in the good of humanity and saving others and unwittingly ties the revenant to herself. Not ideal, but she makes it work for her.

Obviously, it’s a bit of a chaotic relationship, but it’s fun. The revenant is just rebellious enough to protect Artemisia (and, by extension, itself) in times of need, but Artemisia is hopeful and positive enough to keep the revenant from destroying humanity. Mostly. And when they actually work together? Phew, look out world!

Jim and Jack

Relationship Type: Parental

I know we already had a parental relationship on this list, but this one’s slightly different. In fact, the relationship between the two men is somewhat strained. Jack has followed in his father’s footsteps and become an officer, but his dreams are much bigger than the small town they both live in. Except Jack has convinced himself that his father can’t function without him and that he needs to be there to have his father’s back.

Jim is a more quiet parent. He’s been a single parent since Jack’s mother passed, and he doesn’t always know the right thing to do or say. His daughter is a drug addict who has stolen from him and is rarely in touch, but he’s always there at a moment’s notice, always believes what she says, always gives her the benefit of the doubt. Because no matter how old your kids are, they can always come home. Jim embodies a quiet, fierce sort of love that is kind and patient and unassuming.

What I love most about this relationship is the way it develops over the story. There are a lot of misunderstandings between Jim and Jack. It takes some soul-searching and hard conversations, but Jack finally realizes that he may have misjudged his father, and Jim quietly supports him on this journey of self-discovery.

What are some of your favorite platonic relationships? Do we have any in common?