What is the morally grey love interest trope?

The morally grey love interest — a mercenary, an assassin, a villain's right hand, a demon with a code — is a fixture of dark romance and romantasy. The appeal is a character who is dangerous to everyone except the person they love.

Common variations

  • Villain gets the girl/boy
  • Assassin with a code
  • Demon lover
  • Antihero redemption

What to watch out for

  • Harm to the partner excused as passion

Classic examples