Line #65 Main/AlmostHoldingHands


1	%% Image selected via Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1642501635058188800
2	%% Please don't change or remove without starting a new thread.
3	%%
4	[[quoteright:300:[[Manga/WhisperedWords https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_sasameki_koto_hand_6531_290.jpg]]]]
5	%%
6	A character considers [[HoldingHands taking the hand]] of a crush, sometimes reaching out, but decides not to. Standard way to show there is some attraction between the characters, at least one way, and usually it's a case of UnresolvedSexualTension.
7
8	There are many ways this trope can come about. Perhaps the characters were interrupted by a ringing phone, a knock on the door or a thunderstorm. Perhaps the character is unsure how the other will react, and perhaps they are confused and unsure of their own feelings. Perhaps they remembered their deceased beloved one whom they had promised never to forget, or the thought of a RelationshipUpgrade became just too frightening.
9
10	Whatever is the reason, it's without a doubt connected to StatusQuoIsGod, just like an AlmostKiss. Compare/contrast TakeMyHand, TheUnHug.
11
12	A BodyLanguage trope.
13	----
14	!!Examples:
15	[[foldercontrol]]
16
17	[[folder: Anime & Manga]]
18	* In the opening for ''Anime/RevolutionaryGirlUtena'', Anthy and Utena's hands reach to grab each other but slip away, a few seconds after an AlmostKiss. This symbolizes the unresolved romantic tension that lingers between the two for most of the series and also foreshadows a future point where [[spoiler: Anthy is hanging off a cliff as Utena tries to save her.]]
19	* Chapter 142 of ''Manga/KaguyaSamaLoveIsWar'' has Kaguya trying to get Shirogane to hold her hand [[spoiler:the day after their FirstKiss]], but he completely misinterprets the very unsubtle signals she's sending him. The fact that she's acting wildly out of character (combined with him suffering from a severe lack of sleep) didn't help matters.
20	[[/folder]]
21
22	[[folder: Films -- Animated]]
23	* An element of WALL•E's crush on the robot EVE in ''WesternAnimation/WallE''. He considers grabbing her hand but doesn't.
24	* In ''WesternAnimation/TheLegoMovie'', Emmet often comes close to holding/grabbing Wyldstyle's hand (who is the object of his affection), but circumstances keep intervening to cause them not to hold hands.
25	[[/folder]]
26
27	[[folder: Films -- Live-Action]]
28	* In ''Film/SweeneyToddTheDemonBarberOfFleetStreet'', Mr. Todd almost holds hands with Mrs. Lovett but doesn't.
29	* In the film version of ''Literature/HarryPotterAndThePrisonerOfAzkaban'', Hermione and Ron touch hands in fear when first introduced to Buckbeak, but soon pull apart.
30	* ''Film/{{Secretary}}'': After E. Edward Grey first [[KinkySpanking spanks]] his typist Lee for a typo in her letter, he puts his hand close to hers on a desk, and she briefly touches his fingers.
31	[[/folder]]
32
33	[[folder: Literature]]
34	* In ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix'', when Harry is on a date with Cho, he spends a long time working up the courage to hold her hand, but when he finally moves to do it, she pulls her hand away.
35	[[/folder]]
36
37	[[folder: Live-Action TV]]
38	* In an episode of ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'', William Riker and Deanna Troi (who used to be a couple) almost hold hands when it looks like their ship ''Enterprise'' is about to be fired upon.
39	* ''Series/SexEducation'': One recurring visual hint that Eric and [[spoiler:his bully Adam]] are catching feelings for each other is their hands reaching out and touching, but without holding hands.
40	* ''Series/{{CSINY}}'': "[[Recap/CSINYS05E09 The Box]]", in which Lindsey tells Danny she's pregnant, ends with the camera focusing on their hands, the backs of which are not quite touching each other as they stand side by side watching a pair of grandparents meeting their infant grandson for the first time.
41	[[/folder]]
42
43	[[folder:Music]]
44	* "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by Music/TheBeatles: The upbeat melody implies the singer will touch his crush's hand and they will hold hands eventually.
45	* Music/HoneyWorks's "[[Music/ConfessionExecutiveCommittee Tokyo Summer Session]]" has [[TwiceShy Mio and Haruki]] go on a date, and both express their desire to hold the other's hand, but because they are too shy to even do that, Mio hides her hands behind her back, while Haruki hides his in his pockets.
46	[[/folder]]
47
48	[[folder: Visual Novels]]
49	* Can happen several times in ''VisualNovel/DoubleHomework'' if the protagonist chickens out of taking a girl’s hand. Each time, it gives him an excellent chance of getting friendzoned.
50	[[/folder]]
51
52	[[folder:Webcomics]]
53	* ''Webcomic/BatmanWayneFamilyAdventures'': Tim and Bernard's hands brush, leading Tim to panic over whether he's reading romantic signals correctly. He later feels embarrassed about his reaction and actually asks Bernard if he wants to hold hands on their next date.
54	* ''Webcomic/{{Boyfriends}}'': Prep tries to hold Jock's hand when the two go to a coffee shop, but the latter jerks away when he hears that their orders are ready, not knowing that Prep had ever reached for his hand:
55	-->'''Prep (to himself):''' Dammit! What is this, a fuckin' cliche romance manhwa? I just wanna hold his hand, dammit!
56	* ''Webcomic/TheLessThanEpicAdventuresOfTJAndAmal'': TJ starts reaching for Amal's hand at the graduation, then looks at their surroundings and pulls his hand back since he realizes they probably will never see each other again after the ceremony. Amal doesn't notice this.
57	[[/folder]]
58
59	[[folder: Web Original]]
60	* ''WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic'': The Nostalgia Critic tries to hold The Nostalgia Chick's hand in their awkward date, but chickens out and looks as if he's about to cry.
61	* In the ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'' "Altercation at the Auspicious Auction", there's a rare double case of this when [[Characters/RWBYBlakeBelladonna Blake Belladonna]] and [[Characters/RWBYYangXiaoLong Yang Xiao Long]] reach for each other's hand and then pull back just barely out of sync. [[ShipperOnDeck Weiss]], walking behind them, notices and approves. [[spoiler:It also serves as foreshadowing that they're ready for a RelationshipUpgrade, which happens a few episodes later.]]
62	[[/folder]]
63
64	[[folder: Western Animation]]
65	* ''WesternAnimation/TheDragonPrince'': [[Characters/TheDragonPrinceCallum Callum]] arranges his hand, watching the shadows, so that he appears to be holding that of his crush, Claudia. She looks at him, and he quickly moves his hand away.
66	[[/folder]]

Context Main / AlmostHoldingHands