women courting

[frayadjacent]

Ever since last year when I read Gail Simone's Wonder Woman run, where Diana tries (and fails) to court a man, I've been craving more stories where a woman really actively pursues a romance (with any gender person). I think this is the root of why I so often fail at shipping: writers are so rarely interested in showing me that a lady character is even interested in the other person, much less actively courting them.

What I'd really love to see is Lady Character pursing the object of her affection awkwardly -- with inappropriate grand gestures, for example. (But not Awkwardly Not Pursuing said object a la early season Willow and Xander, I've got plenty of examples of that.) And I'd love examples where she succeeds and examples where she doesn't.

Where do I find this? I had secretly hoped The Mindy Project would do it, but alas it didn't, not really. I get it occasionally from books (Rowan courted Fletcher in The Outskirters Secret, for example).

Comments

[silverr]

I read a bit of the webcomic Sunstone a few years ago and it was the first thing that sprang to mind when I read your post. ~ I recall that at least the beginning of the relationship was on the sweetly awkward side.

I also wonder if any of the Sarah Waters books might satisfy? (I've got Fingersmith on my kindle but not yet read).

The relationship of Exoristos (lesbian Amazon) and Sir Ystin (transgender man) in Demon Knights was complex and awkward and lovely (and there's been some good fic written about it).

(I do think, hands down, my favorite "female courts male and wins him" is probably Jadzia Dax and Worf from DS9 (but them I adore all things Dax. *g*)... and though she's not really awkward, courting a Klingon male does require fairly grand gestures.

[endeni]

Have you raed A Courtship by nev_longbottom? (Also in podfic form by sisi_rambles. Summary: Loki thinks Sif is going to kill him. Sif thinks Loki understands what she's doing. Thor doesn't get it.
Which is basically Sif courts Loki by slaying beasts for him and defeating his enemies. Plkus, I love the gender role reversal so much! (With Loki practicing magic and not relishing physical fights like a proper Asgardian should and Sif embodying every inch that -usually masculine- warrior role. Sooo interesting.)
(And no, it does not require great prior canon knowledge... *g*)

[goodbyebird]

There's no awkward lady courting in Lost Girl, but Bo (and also Kenzi! eventually!) are ladies that know what they want and pursue it. The first season is super good with Bo and sexuality in general :D

Also a lady character jumps a dude character in Legend of the Seeker, but less courting, more Hi Imma Jump Your Bones Now ;)

hat no there is no theme at all with my suggestions they are random suggestions and in no way relates to anything in particular *ahem* WATCH THESE SHOWSSS

If you take away "awkward", there's Alice on Luther tho.

[calvinahobbes]

Someone above mentioned Sarah Waters, but sadly I don't think any of her novels would fit. AFAIR they're all firmly in the POV of the pursued.

It's maybe not surprising how rare that dynamic is? It doesn't quite fit, but Selfie has some of the dynamic you're describing, but beware the show was cut off prematurely and so the ending isn't very satisfying (but I loved it, everyone should watch it, maybe you did already and I don't remember anything!).

Erm, I guess The L Word kind of does it, but I don't recall any seriously protracted will-she-won't-she courting arcs... Also maybe don't watch TLW, it's pretty awful?

[ghost_lingering]

Miss Piggy?

Other than her ...there is one pairing in Avatar: the Last Airbender that fits, but it's not really explored very much and is only at the edges. Also mostly in the third season. And the inappropriate grand gestures are probably not the ones you're envisioning. And the female character doesn't (outwardly) show much interest in anything, much less the guy she's pursuing. But literal pursuit does play a part of it and he wouldn't try for the relationship himself.

There's a pairing in the later half of Bunheads that has echoes of this, but I don't really like that pairing? That said the fallout at the end almost makes it worth it. (Not sure how far you've seen yet, so I won't name names.)

First season of Nashville, Juliette definitely pursues some men. But ... I wouldn't really recommend Nashville?

I feel like I should be able to name more lesbian pairings with this dynamic! But ... I'm not thinking of many, hmmm. And the ones I can think of are mostly out girl pursues closeted girl and it's less about women wooing and more about coming out.

[alwaystheocean]

Well, I have no actual ideas for this, but I do now have inspiration to write more Diana courting fic, and some ideas for Steerswoman, so that's exciting, thank you. <3

(I will ponder further.)

OH. WAIT. PERSON OF INTEREST. ROOT COURTS SHAW OH MY GOD IT'S BEAUTIFUL. (Like, in their own sociopathic way.) Like, I know you noped out of POI for legit reasons, and I am in sympathy with those, and agree on the rage, but if you felt moved to pick it up again for the Root and Shaw show, I think it'd be worth your time. (Though word on t'internet is it may be headed for short season 5 and then cancellation after that, so you could just hold off and see how they end the Root/Shaw thing.)