When you move past and done with the "honeymoon phase" of the confession and into the actual bone and body of the relationship, fluff and angst diverge in how they handle friction. For me, in my opinion In fluff, conflict is considered a hiccup; in angst, it’s more or less a fault line.
So for the "ups and downs" and how they would look in both styles, I may look at it this way:
1. Arguments & Conflicts
The main difference here is the intention and what's at stakes behind the disagreement.
In Fluff Stakes are usually low, High on Care is expected:
The Source for the stakes: Usually misunderstandings, external "annoyances" (like a rainy day ruining a date or mundane every day stress and tension, maybe at school, college or even work), or minor personality clashes (e.g., one person is messy, the other is a neat freak).
The Argument: It rarely involves "low blows." Even when they’re annoyed, there is a clear sense that they still like each other. The focus is on communication. How they communicate in the arguments often plays an important role as well.
The Resolution: Quick and usually involves a compromise or a "make-up" gesture. The conflict actually serves to show how well they can navigate life together. Intimacy usually plays a big part in this as well, at least in my opinion
In Angst High Stakes usually, Deep Wounds are expected:
The Source: Fundamental issues like secrets, past trauma, clashing values, or "the world is against us" scenarios. Hidden secrets exposed or threat. The conflict often feels existential—like the relationship might not survive it.
The Argument: Intense and emotionally draining, like very draining. Words might be used as weapons, or there might be a "cold war" of silence. The characters' deepest insecurities are usually front and center.
The Resolution: It requires a significant emotional "breakthrough" or a sacrifice. It’s not just about saying "sorry"; it’s about rebuilding shattered trust or overcoming a massive hurdle.
