Line #173 Main/BroodingBoyGentleGirl


1	[[quoteright:295:[[Literature/FateZero https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kiri_and_iri.jpg]]]]
2	[[caption-width-right:295:When all you've known is darkness, the light in your life shines ever brighter.]]
3
4	->'''Kikyo:''' I noticed that Inuyasha has changed. His eyes have a certain softness. Long ago, his eyes were much colder and he thought he could afford to place his trust in no-one.
5	->'''Kaede:''' Kagome is a strange child. Little by little, she has been able to heal the wounds of his heart.
6	->'''Kikyo:''' So ''she'' is the one responsible. It was ''she'' who changed Inuyasha. Had I lived, it is ''I'' who would have tended to the wounds in his soul.
7	-->-- ''Manga/{{Inuyasha}}''
8
9	The tendency for the [[ByronicHero brooding, angsty, loner boy]] to end up with a [[TheIngenue sweet, gentle girl]] who will patiently coax him out of his moods.
10
11	While the appeal of the brooding boy probably has something to do with AllGirlsWantBadBoys, the brooding boy isn't necessarily ''bad'', he's just… moody, troubled. At worst, he'll be an AntiHero who's put his bad boy past behind him or at least is trying to. Maybe he has a DarkAndTroubledPast. Maybe he's [[FailureKnight made terrible mistakes]], and [[MyGreatestFailure that weighs on his mind]]. Maybe he simply takes his responsibilities [[SeriousBusiness far more seriously]] than the rest of his teammates. Whatever the case, he's just ''waiting'' for someone to draw him out of his shell, and that person is the gentle girl.
12
13	For her part and unlike her kookier [[SisterTrope sisters]] (the ManicPixieDreamGirl and GenkiGirl), the gentle girl doesn't try to actively shake the brooding boy out of his moodiness. Instead, she patiently and persistently offers kind words, either shy or gentle smiles, hugs, companionship, and hope. Usually ThePowerOfLove will eventually [[LoveRedeems heal]] the brooding boy, and she might learn [[ComingOfAgeStory some things about herself as well]], especially if she ends up [[StepfordSmiler facing her own demons too]]. She may be the LivingEmotionalCrutch for the guy, but it's not necessary.
14
15	Eventually, [[ColourCodedForYourConvenience their appearance will be used to underline their personalities.]] She tends to be [[HairOfGoldHeartOfGold blonde]], while his hair is usually {{dark\|IsNotEvil}}.
16	This dynamic can also show up in a lot of {{Yaoi\|Genre}} and {{Yuri\|Genre}} works. If one of the partners is really cheerful and sweet, [[{{Foil}} the other partner]] is probably an angst-fest waiting to be unleashed.
17
18	This relationship tends to be the focus of a HurtComfortFic. For a related couples trope based on personality dynamics, see SavvyGuyEnergeticGirl, BeastAndBeauty, UglyGuyHotWife, HotGuyUglyWife, LightLiegeDarkDefender. Natural {{blue oni}}s, especially in a FourTemperamentEnsemble that also has a SavvyGuyEnergeticGirl pairing.
19
20	[[noreallife]]
21	----
22	!!Example Subpages:
23	[[index]]
24	* BroodingBoyGentleGirl/AnimeAndManga
25	* BroodingBoyGentleGirl/VideoGames
26	[[/index]]
27
28	!!Other Examples:
29
30	[[foldercontrol]]
31
32	[[folder:Comic Books]]
33	* ''ComicBook/AngelAndFaith'' has the titular characters, especially at the start of Season Nine, where Angel is recovering from having killed Giles.
34	* ComicBook/{{Batman}} and ComicBook/{{Catwoman}}, although Catwoman is downplayed as she's an anti-heroine while Batman plays it straight.
35	* ''ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes'': Brainiac-5 is a brooding genius with no social skills, and his LoveInterest ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} is a cheerful and gentle girl who is one of the few persons able to brighten up his day (and put up with his foul moods for longer than five minutes).
36	* ''ComicBook/{{Nova}}'': Richard Rider is serious and circumspect, and his sometimes-girlfriend Ginger Jaye is cheerful and perky.
37	* ''ComicBook/TheSandman1989'': Dream and Death are this. Ironically, Dream is the brooding one as he is constantly caught up in his responsibilities and the issues that result from them. Death, on the other hand, is a PerkyGoth who is constantly upbeat, kindhearted, and ready to listen to Dream and offer support as his big sister.
38	[[/folder]]
39
40	[[folder:Fan Works]]
41	[[AC:''VideoGame/BackyardSports'']]
42	* ''Fanfic/TheSecretLifeOfTheBackyardKids'': Jorge and Angela. The former is a rich kid with a lot of issues, the latter is a NaiveEverygirl who thinks he's cute. Their conversation in Chapter 7 ''really'' drives it home.
43	* ''Elemental Angels'': Savvy Guy Damien and Energetic Girl Gamey share this.
44	[[AC: ''Anime/CrossAnge'']]
45	* ''Fanfic/CrossAngeTheKnightOfHilda'': Inverted with Rio as the gentle boy to Hilda's brooding girl.
46	[[AC:Crossover]]
47	%%* Gender-flipped non-romantic example from ''Fanfic/TheBridge'' with Monster X and Aria Blaze. While they both brood at times and X has a gruffness to him, it's Aria Blaze who does the most brooding. [[spoiler: The dynamic changes even more when it turns romantic as they help the other through their trauma and become more balanced.]] %%Partial-context example
48	* ''Fanfic/ABridgeOnceBroken'' (Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse & ''WesternAnimation/{{Wakfu}}''): Loki is a brooding, [=PTSD=]-ridden, BrokenAce boy to [[LoveInterest Jahanna's]] gentle, [[LoveRedeems loving]] girl.
49	* ''Fanfic/FateOfTheClans'':
50	** Though Cú Chulainn appears happy, he's actually depressed and hates himself a lot on the inside. His wife, Emer, was basically his emotional support. He even admits that without her, he would have completely snapped.
51	** Mikoto is the brooding boy, constantly struggling to keep the others safe from himself losing control. Tatara is a male example of a gentle girl, the person who helps "tame the beast" inside Mikoto.
52	* ''Fanfic/InfinityTrainBlossomingTrail'' (''WesternAnimation/InfinityTrain'' & ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries''):
53	** Lexi the brooding boy and Chloe the gentle girl. Lexi is a book that can detach his papers to a humanoid form, bitter at how [[TeensAreMonsters Grace and Simon]] tore him apart and left him BuriedAlive within the confines of his car for eight years. Chloe is a ten-year-old girl who has entered the Train in order to reinvent herself and is kind-hearted and gentle and slowly losing her shyness to embrace her likes. As one reader noted, the two of them are supportive of one another as the former is quick to give Chloe a well-needed confidence boost while Chloe is making sure to reign in Lexi's temper against the Apex.
54	** In the same vein, Trip and Ash obtain a relationship like this. Trip is the stoic Unovan Trainer and Ash is the kind AllLovingHero. However as the story goes on, Ash is going through a GuiltComplex over how he failed to be more supportive of Chloe while Trip is the one reeling him in and telling Ash that it's not his fault.
55	* ''Fanfic/MaribatAU'' has the crossover ship of [[WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug Marinette Dupain-Cheng]], the AllLovingHero Ladybug, and [[Franchise/{{Batman}} Damian Wayne]], former child assassin and current Robin.
56	* ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13010468/1/Metroid-10 Metroid 10]]'' (''Franchise/Ben10'' & ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}''): This fic gender-inverts the trope, with [[Characters/MetroidSamusAran Samus Aran]] being a Brooding Babe while [[Characters/Ben10BenTennyson Ben Tennyson]] is a Gentle Guy. Samus is fairly stoic, reserved, and cold, with a DarkAndTroubledPast of seeing her ArchEnemy Ridley murder her mother and having her father sacrifice himself in an attempt to kill him, and her losing her [[InterspeciesAdoption Chozo family]] did not help her. By contrast, Ben is an optimistic, compassionate, and friendly AllLovingHero, with a loving family back home and fairly upbeat even after all the fights he's been in. While Ben is definitely attracted to Samus, he also shows her compassion and understanding with her traumatic past, and becomes a close confidant to the bounty hunter, helping her with recurring nightmares of Ridley. It's this [[SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan kindness]] that eventually causes Samus to similarly fall in love with him and become more emotionally vulnerable around him. That being said, they both are rather [[InsecureLoveInterest insecure]] around one another, with Samus worrying that her cold exterior isn't good for Ben, while Ben, due to dealing with a number of girls only interested in his fame than him as a person, wonders if he's good for her.
57	* ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11772125/1/Metroid-Kamen-Rider-Generations-Full-Series Metroid: Kamen Rider Generations]]'' and its sequel ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12213237/1/Metroid-Kamen-Rider-Generations-Vol-2-Ex-Aid-Era-feat-Cross-Ange Metroid: Kamen Rider Generations Vol. 2 - Ex-Aid Era feat. Cross Ange]]'' (''Franchise/KamenRider'' & ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}''): These provide a special case of ''both'' Brooding Boy and Girl in [[Franchise/{{Metroid}} Samus]] and [[Series/KamenRiderGaim Mitsuzane]]. It serves as the purpose that Mitsuzane having recovered from DespairEventHorizon, shows him as an insecure man, spending most of the time living a life of solitude and regret. DependingOnTheWriter, the Gentle part could be either of them.
58	* ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'':
59	** Kyril and Evetta are a {{platonic\|LifePartners}} example. Although he's not moody, Kyril is a [[TheQuietOne quiet]], [[TheStoic stoic]] AntiHero who is [[ShellShockedVeteran shell-shocked]] from his [[DarkAndTroubledPast ordeal in Yharnam]]. Evetta is a [[NiceGirl sweet]] living doll who is just as soft-spoken as he is. She opts to care for her Good Hunter and soothe his sickly spirit, for he bears many burdens. Therefore, it is of no surprise that Kyril finds Evetta to be the one person he could be entirely comfortable with, whether it is [[TheConfidant sharing his pain]] or expressing affection. As a bonus, their hair colours are used to underline this dynamic (Kyril, [[DarkIsNotEvil dark]]; Evetta, [[MysticalWhiteHair white]]).
60	** Celestine and Olga [[DiscussedTrope discuss]] this trope in Chapter 23, the former getting teased by the [[ShipperOnDeck latter]] for earnestly trying to get her LoveInterest Kyril to relax. Indeed, Celestine has been doing that a lot in the story, from how she coaxes Kyril to rest more and wishes the troubled young man to obtain the peace he deserves (preferably with her). On one hand, Kyril appreciates her efforts, admits at one point that she's "highly desirable", and [[spoiler:even obliges Celestine's plea to kiss her]]. On the other hand, [[CelibateHero he]] is reluctant to return her affections or start a relationship with her, making this a {{subverted}} example.
61	* ''Fanfic/ATriangleInTheStars'' (''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'' & ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse''):
62	** Though both boys, Bill is definitely brooding, and Steven is gentle, helping the triangle through his troubles. And sometimes, especially later, it's [[spoiler: swapped and Bill helps back in his own way]].[[labelnote:*]]This is completely platonic.[[/labelnote]]
63	** GenderFlipped and {{Downplayed}} with Steven and Connie, unlike in the show proper. It's especially highlighted in Chapter Forty-Six, where Connie can't even play Citchen Calamity because Bill was sitting right across from her, whereas Steven thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
64	* ''Fanfic/AWaterbendingQuirk'' (''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' and ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia''): [[spoiler: Katara and Shoto have this relationship. As a result of his [[AbusiveParents father's]] draconian methods and obsession with becoming the number one Hero and the effects it had on his family, Shoto is stoic and resentful to his father, while also being very socially awkward around others. Katara, on the other hand, is an AllLovingHero who believes in ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight, doing what it takes to save others and also being far more social. Nevertheless, the two love each other dearly]].
65
66	[[AC:''Franchise/{{Danganronpa}}'']]
67	* ''Fanfic/TheNaekawaProject'' gender-inverts this trope with the relationship between Toko Fukawa and Makoto Naegi. Toko is the Brooding Babe, as a lifetime of parental abuse and bullying in school has [[InsecureLoveInterest wrecked her self-esteem]] [[IAmNotPretty and body image]] and left her with social anxiety and a SerialKiller split-personality. By contrast, Makoto is the Gentle Guy, as a loving family and an upbeat personality makes him a naturally kind, friendly, and loving person who sees the best in people and supports them. Their relationship is shown to cause wonders for Toko's mental state, as she is able to slowly start opening up to her boyfriend, [[spoiler: and eventual husband]], becoming happier as time passes and finding a much better family in the Naegis.
68
69	[[AC:''Manga/DeathNote'']]
70	* In the CrackFic ''Fanfic/ACharmedLife'' Light is angsty and brooding and Ryuk is gentle with him.
71	* This dynamic occurs in the SlashFic ''Fanfic/FeverDreams'' in which L is the brooding one and ''[[VillainProtagonist Light]]'' is the gentle one. While he's still very much a ManipulativeBastard he is [[MoralityPet very careful with how he treats L]] and of the detective's feelings. It's not just because treating L badly would be suspicious either but out of genuine concern for his well-being. [[spoiler:As it turns out Light himself was on the receiving end of a very abusive relationship in the past and he doesn't want to treat L the way he was treated. This dynamic between him and L is turned up to eleven when Light allows his [[LaserGuidedAmnesia Kira memories]] to expire and reverts to the NiceGuy he [[UsedToBeASweetKid used to be.]]]]
72
73	[[AC:FusionFic]]
74	* In ''Fanfic/MyHuntsmanAcademia'' (''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'' & ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}''): Izuku and Blake form a gender-inverted version of this trope. Blake is brooding, anti-social, and paranoid due to her fear of being judged for being a faunus and her DarkAndTroubledPast as a former member of the White Fang. Her belief that she's a coward and a fraud gives her a great deal of self-loathing. Izuku is a gentle and trusting soul who offers her constant companionship and comfort, finding nothing but good things to say about her despite his own HeroicSelfDeprecation. He also gives her an outlet to vent about her frustrations and tell her secrets without fearing reprisal, promising to act as her SecretKeeper for as long as she desires. But some of his attempts to cheer her up end up just embarrassing her, like when he's encouraging her to ask out [[IHaveThisFriend wonderful guy she's apparently interested]] in when it's fairly clear to everyone except Izuku that she's talking about him.
75
76	[[AC:''Franchise/{{Godzilla}}'']]
77	* ''Fanfic/AbraxasHrodvitnon'': [[Characters/AbraxasHrodvitnonTitansAndOtherCreatures Godzilla and Mothra]] have this dynamic with Godzilla as the Brooding Boy and Mothra as the Gentle Girl; showcased in their couple-like interactions near the story's end.
78
79	[[AC:''Franchise/TheKingOfFighters'']]
80	* In this fandom, almost '''any''' het pairing involving [[AntiHero Iori]] [[JerkassWoobie Yagami]] involves the preferred partner [[note]](be a RelationshipSue-like OC or a canon female character made into an OCStandIn)[[/note]] invoking the trope via becoming the "only girl" able to offer him solace, tenderness and rest, "fixing" his massive issues coming from his centuries-long family baggage. Among the canon girls subjected to this, the most common ones are [[GenkiGirl Athena]] [[BadassAdorable Asamiya]] and [[YamatoNadeshiko Chizuru]] [[TeamMom Kagura]]. And it's HilariousInHindsight when one considers the Drama [=CDs=]...
81
82	[[AC:''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse'']]
83	* In ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse'' x ''WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast'' [=AUs=] that have Luan as Belle and Benny as the Beast, the latter is portrayed as a lonely and self-loathing JerkWithAHeartOfGold while the former is portrayed as a kind and friendly NiceGirl who brings out the best in him.
84
85	[[AC:''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'']]
86	* ''Fanfic/GuysBeingDudes'' has a male-on-male example with Spark, who serves as a softer and more outwardly affectionate counterpart to Arlo's {{Emo}} villain with a troubled past and difficulties showing affection.
87	* ''Fanfic/PokemonResetBloodlines'' has Red and Yellow as this. Red generally acts in a quiet, subdued manner, and he seems very unhappy, mostly by choice. Yellow is the one who does the talking for him, has a more cheerful and friendly attitude, and spends a lot of time and effort trying to get him to come out of his shell. Though their relationship seems more brother-sisterly-like [[spoiler: which is probably a good thing since they're strongly implied to be half-siblings.]]
88	* Downplayed with Steven and Daisy Oak in ''Fanfic/PokemonStrangledRed'' after Miki's death. Their continued relationship is only referred to in passing.
89	* Gliscor (Brooding Boy) and Noivern (Gentle Girl) in Dark Amphithere's ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10536185/ Total Pokémon Redux]]''. [[BrokenBird Gliscor]] initially was uncomfortable around Noivern, because Pidgeot falsely blamed him. [[GenkiGirl Noivern]], on the other hand, helps Gliscor overcome his anxieties and wants him to be okay.
90
91	[[AC:''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'']]
92	* Adam Taurus and Eirian Esna from ''Fanfic/{{AZRE}}''. Adam is a deeply troubled young man who's constantly haunted by the mistakes of his past, feeling embittered by his treatment at the hands of racist humans and no longer believes in the same dream as his family; that Faunus and Humans could live together in peace. Eirian is a happy-go-lucky girl who always looks on the bright side of any situation, even if it negatively impacts her. She constantly tries to bring Adam out of his depressed moods and gives him advice on how to deal with it all, showing great care for her close friend.
93
94	[[AC:''Series/{{Spooks}}'']]
95	* ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/17210705 Demons]]'': This fic has [[DarkAndTroubledPast Lucas]] [[ShellShockedVeteran North]] developing this relationship with an OC named Andi when he stays at her apartment as part of an investigation, though she's not comfortable with him using her home for a stakeout at first. It is especially the case near the end when Andi has to console and calm down Lucas during one of his PTSD nightmares from his imprisonment and torture in Russia and though he tries to tell her he's alright and brushes it off as "just a bad dream", he still accepts her warmth and compassion for him.
96
97	[[AC:''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'']]
98	* One thing that's recently become popular with fans is pairing up the moody and grumpy TeamKiller with a HairTriggerTemper named Scott with the kind and gentle Dawn, who is a FriendToAllLivingThings.
99
100	[[AC:''Franchise/TheWalkingDead'']]
101	* This is almost ubiquitous in any [[Series/TheWalkingDead2010 TV series]]-based fanfiction starring Beth Greene and [[TheLancer Daryl Dixon]] as the power couple, which skyrocketed in popularity (and amazingly has remained the most popular het ship in the fandom on Website/ArchiveOfOurOwn) after "[[Recap/TheWalkingDeadS03E12Clear Still]]". Their canon backstories fit the dynamic to a T. Beth Greene is almost always portrayed as the [[HairOfGoldHeartOfGold sweet blonde]] [[TheIngenue virginal]] [[FarmersDaughter farmgirl]] from a [[UptownGirl slightly higher class]]. Daryl Dixon is the [[CoveredWithScars scarred]] [[ManlyMan manly]] [[HotBlood hot-headed]] [[CelibateHero celibate guy]] with an [[DarkAndTroubledPast abusive past]] who likes wearing [[IconicOutfit an angel wing vest]]. In pretty much all of them, she is the key that opens up Daryl's heart, normally symbolized by him allowing her to see his scars (which he tends to hide in canon). Bonus points if it's complete with at least one ScarSurvey after [[TheirFirstTime he takes her virginity]]. Extra if it's a HurtComfortFic.
102
103	[[AC:Dormant/Dead/Unsorted]]
104	* The ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'' fic ''[[http://leijonvantas.tumblr.com/post/60545620499/armor armor]]'' portrays Karkat and Nepeta as this.
105	-->''"She is compassion in its purest form. She never backs down at the chance to help someone in need, opening her own heart in hopes that they will open theirs. It's what he adores about her the most.\
106	He was stubborn at first. Shying from her love, swatting away her benevolent hands. But she persisted: slowly, patiently, and lovingly. Always lovingly."''
107	%%zce* ''Fanfic/ABedOfThorns'' has Belle and Rumpelstiltskin, for all that Rumpelstiltskin tries to hide it behind (tasteless) jokes.
108	* The ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' fanfiction ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8222340/1/Chasing-the-Moon Chasing the Moon]]'' (and to a certain extent, it's prequel ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6902577/1/Phases-of-the-Moon Phases of the Moon]]'') sets this up with [[spoiler: Yuzu Kurosaki and Byakuya Kuchiki]].
109	* ''Fanfic/ChildOfTheStorm'' has this between Harry and Carol towards the end of the first book and at points in the sequel. However, it's a little unusual in that Carol is a spiky cynic (albeit much kinder than she initially appears, especially to Harry), has many issues of her own, and while she's perfectly happy to listen to Harry and comfort and counsel him when he's suffering from, say, [[ShellShockedVeteran a nasty case of PTSD]] in the sequel, she's also perfectly happy to give him a kick up the arse if he's wallowing. It's also sometimes GenderFlipped, with Carol having plenty of reasons of her own to brood, and Harry being compassionate to a fault and head over heels in CourtlyLove with her [[spoiler: (until chapter 46 when they finally get together)]].
110	* ''Fanfic/HellsisterTrilogy'': Dev-Em is a brooding, surly boy; his girlfriend [[ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} Kara]] is a kind-hearted, sunny girl.
111	* ''Fanfic/HopeForTheHeartless'' (''WesternAnimation/TheBlackCauldron'' fanfic) gives us a non-romantic version in the [[VillainProtagonist Horned]] [[OurLichesAreDifferent King]] and [[OriginalCharacter Avalina]]. The Horned King is a [[MonstrousHumanoid monstrous]] and [[ReallySevenHundredYearsOld centuries old]] warlord who has been [[ResurrectedForAJob half-forced]] on a RedemptionQuest he [[ImpossibleTask doesn't believe he can fulfill]]. [[BeneathTheMask Under]] his cold and scary mask he's [[BeingEvilSucks lonely, desperate and tired]]. His [[WalkingWasteland aura of Death]] causes all living creatures to fear him on instinct and the plant life to die in his presence. [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking Also]], he's [[DeadpanSnarker prone to sarcastic humor]]. [[NiceGirl Avalina]] is a teenaged brush farmer who's [[PurityPersonified as beautiful as she's pure]]. Her [[FertileFeet aura of Life]] is [[HeartIsAnAwesomePower so strong]] that she can bring life to the Horned King's [[{{Mordor}} lands]], [[FriendToAllLivingThings befriend]] a [[GiantFlyer gwythaint]] and a mad-out-of-grief horse of a knight, [[MoralityPet get inside the Horned King's shell]] and [[spoiler:bring his centuries-long dead heart back to life]]. They're also the case of an IntergenerationalFriendship, though the Horned King has shades of being a ParentalSubstitute towards Avalina.
112	* In ''Fanfic/{{Jessica}}'', Cameron's online girlfriend "S" helps him through the period after his mother's death.
113	* The ''Series/{{Arrow}}'' fic ''Fanfic/{{Legacy\|Series}}'' is set twenty-five years in the future, but Oliver still has a tendency to brood. Fortunately, both Felicity and their daughter have a knack for smoothing away his grumpiness.
114	* In ''Fanfic/OffTheLine'', Vincent and Rainstorm have this dynamic, especially when the latter is in his female form.
115	* In ''Fanfic/PrisonIslandBreak'', this is the dynamic shared by Shadow and Amy. Shadow is infatuated with her because of how kind and understanding she is, being the only person who tries to reach out and see the good in him. [[spoiler: It's also the reason he starts falling for Sonia, whose gentle approach [[DefrostingIceQueen slowly thaws his cold exterior.]]]]
116	* [[https://www.fanfiction.net/u/2740971/Izzyaro Izzyaro's]] ''[[Franchise/HarryPotter Tales of the Founders]]'' explores this dynamic with Salazar Slytherin -- a BrokenBird who briefly studied the Dark Arts to become stronger after the death of his family -- and Helga Hufflepuff -- a compassionate healer whose life he saved.
117	[[/folder]]
118
119	[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
120	* Franchise/{{Disney\|AnimatedCanon}}'s ''WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast'', though it only started resembling the trope after Beast did something ''else'' than brooding and yelling at Belle (read: [[RescueRomance saved her from a pack of wild wolves]]). From then on Belle realized that there was ''more'' to Beast than [[{{Jerkass}} cruelty]], [[AfterActionPatchUp tended to his wounds]], and started helping him to become a better man… well, man-beast.
121	* ''WesternAnimation/CaptainUnderpantsTheFirstEpicMovie'' has grumpy and [[HairTriggerTemper temperamental]] DeanBitterman Mr. Krupp and kind and gentle ShrinkingViolet Edith.
122	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Hercules}}'' has a [[InvertedTrope gender-flipped]] version with [[FemmeFatale Megara]] (Brooding Girl) and [[AllLovingHero Hercules]] (Gentle Boy). Megara was hurting ''badly'' after she made a DealWithTheDevil with Hades and that backfired badly on her, so she was set as a HoneyTrap of sorts for the super-strong KindHeartedSimpleton Hercules… but Herc's cheerful approach to life and genuine care for people made Megara ''actually'' fall InLoveWithTheMark.
123	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Trolls}}'': Branch and Poppy respectively. Poppy being the upbeat optimistic Cutie she is, with Branch being the moody grump of the Troll species. Though Branch does have a FreudianExcuse for his attitude, because [[spoiler:his singing got his grandmother eaten when he was a child.]]
124	* In ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'', this is GenderInverted. Ming is very high-strung and repressing decades of mommy issues. Jin is patient, sweet, and supportive.
125	* ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'': Gender-flipped with Felix and Calhoun. Felix is the overly friendly, pacifistic Gentle Boy to Calhoun's emotionally and psychologically scarred Brooding Girl who has "been programmed with the most tragic backstory ever".
126	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Zootopia}}'': Judy's emotional support and faith in Nick inspires him to believe in himself again [[spoiler:and become the first fox police officer]]. This soon gets deconstructed pretty hard; while Judy is optimistic, idealistic, and supportive of Nick, she isn't perfect and her own flaws bring trouble to their relationship. [[spoiler:Her subconscious bias regarding predators flares up during a public interview that almost ruins their friendship and causes considerable hardship in the eponymous city.]]
127	[[/folder]]
128
129	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
130	* ''Film/{{Ajnabee}}'': Raj is quiet and reserved compared to Priya's upbeat and bubbly personality. This is GenderInverted for Vicky and Sonia, with him being fun-loving and loud while she's calm and reserved which is why Vicky later proposes they do a "wife swap".
131	* In ''Film/TheBadSleepWell'', Koichi and Yoshiko Nishi take on these respective roles. Koichi is quiet but full of emotional turmoil, and Yoshiko is a gentle, physically disabled [[TheIngenue ingenue]] whom he falls in love with after marrying her.
132	* ''Film/BasnOLudziachStad'' has a brooding, angsty, loner ''girl'' [[GenderInvertedTrope end up]] with a boy who aimed for adorkable and overshot by a couple hundred metres.
133	* ''Film/BeautyAndTheBeast2017'': Unlike the animated original, the much more intelligent Beast fits this trope immediately, and it's his intelligence and education that woo Belle over.
134	* ''Film/{{The Crow\|1994}}'': Eric is a more serious, dark, angsty guy while Shelly is a light, cheerful lady.
135	* ''Film/GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters2019'' has a {{Kaiju}} version of this trope in Godzilla and Mothra--Godzilla is as grumpy and aggressive as ever, but he shows a sweeter side around Mothra, who is depicted as the MartialPacifist TeamMom of the Kaiju and is especially loyal and kind to Godzilla himself.
136	* ''Film/{{Inception}}'' has [[TheNotLoveInterest Dom and Ariadne]]. The former is a fugitive who is still haunted by the memories of his dead wife, while the latter is the NaiveNewcomer whose more optimistic views help him get through the job and eventually get over his issues.
137	* ''Film/{{Maleficent}}'' has a non-romantic, gender-flipped version, a bit understated by their frequent {{Snark to Snark Combat}}s. Maleficent is the brooding, bitter, angst-ridden ByronicHeroine and Diaval is the gentle NiceGuy offering her emotional support. [[spoiler: While he is not the one to prompt her full HeelFaceTurn, he does encourage her helping Aurora and bonding with her, which leads to Maleficent turning good again.]]
138	* In ''Film/PannaANetvor'', a Czech adaptation of ''Literature/BeautyAndTheBeast'', Netvor (the Beast) is a bird-like AnimalisticAbomination who broods about being neither human nor monster but is increasingly moved by Julie's (the Beauty) kindness and innocence.
139	* ''Film/TopGunMaverick'': Though Maverick hardly spends all his time brooding and Penny certainly does her fair share of lively teasing, she's also a steady, comforting presence for him in his darkest moments, including when [[spoiler:Cyclone grounds him permanently and takes over training the rest of the pilots]]; she reassures him that he ''does'' have what it takes to train them well, and her faith in him gives him a second wind and helps get him back in the game.
140	[[/folder]]
141
142	[[folder:Literature]]
143	* ''Literature/The10000Dawns'': Robert Brick can get moody at times, in contrast to his more cheerful girlfriend, Sasha Billie.
144
145	* ''Literature/TheChaosCycle:'' Kai is an angsty loner and werewolf who falls in love with, and starts a romance with friendly NiceGirl Miyu.
146	* Rodion and Sonya from ''Literature/CrimeAndPunishment'', with Rodion as the broody protagonist and Sonya as the downtrodden but nonetheless gentle prostitute.
147	%%zce* The backstory of Michael and Julia in Vikram Seth's novel ''Literature/AnEqualMusic'' ended with a tragic version of this.
148	* Eventually it seems to be [[spoiler: Rolf Carlé and Eva]]'s dynamics in ''Literature/EvaLuna''. Not that she has not lived her woes, but he's the one most traumatized after going through Hell in UsefulNotes/WorldWarII. One of their most iconic scenes has [[spoiler: Rolf explaining said WWII woes as well as how his mentally-handicapped sister died in a psych ward, and Eva turns the sad story into a more hopeful one to re-write the circumstances and offer him solace.]]
149	* ''Literature/FiftyShadesOfGrey'' has [[DarkAndTroubledPast broody and troubled]] Christian Grey and [[LoveMartyr sweet, submissive Anastasia]].
150	* ''Literature/FindingSnowflakes'': Subverted. The guy, who is usually stoic and reserved, has a relatively positive outlook towards life whereas the resident GenkiGirl is actually really a closet cynic.
151	* ''Literature/{{Forbidden}}'': Maya and Lochan have this dynamic. They share the burden of taking care of their family (which is the [[BrotherSisterIncest same family]]) and so they're both somewhat brooding, but Lochan has the additional burden of social anxiety, and Maya helps ease that.
152	* Ashley and Melanie in ''Literature/GoneWithTheWind''. Ashley, although respected by his community, is not quite one of them--he's more bookish and intellectual and less inclined towards the hunting and carousing his friends and neighbors enjoy. Then, after the horrors of the Civil War, he becomes even more withdrawn and brooding. He describes the sweet, kind Melanie as the "gentlest of dreams".
153	* A rare platonic version between Carly Beth and Steve in the ''Literature/{{Goosebumps}}'' book ''Literature/TheHauntedMask'' as well as its sequel. Steve is a [[TheBully bully]] [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold with a heart of gold]] who loves to play tricks on Carly Beth (Brooding Boy) while Carly Beth is a ShrinkingViolet who gets scared easily (Gentle Girl). In the TV series, Steve admits that he only teases Carly Beth because he likes her.
154	* While in most contexts it's a bit of a stretch to call [[FieryRedhead Ginny]] "gentle", she and [[Characters/HarryPotterHarryJamesPotter Harry]] very clearly have this dynamic starting in ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix'' when Harry is brooding and moody over the aftermath of Cedric's death, almost no one believing him about Voldemort's return, and being terrified over the possibility of Voldemort being able to possess him. Ginny manages to give him some comfort by having him actually talk about his fears, which helps him, somewhat. This continues in the [[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheHalfBloodPrince next book]] when Ginny offers him a comforting shoulder after Professor Dumbledore's [[spoiler:death]].
155	* Same-gender example in ''Literature/TheHeroesOfOlympus'' and ''Literature/TheTrialsOfApollo''. Nico is the son of Hades, the god of the underworld, and has had a [[TraumaCongaLine fittingly troubled life]]. He's a black-haired, brooding loner who tends to drive people away with his general aura of death. Will, on the other hand, is the son of Apollo, the god of music, healing, and the sun. He's blond, optimistic, an accomplished healer, and one of the few people who can get Nico out of his shell.
156	%%zce* [[GenderInvertedTrope Gender-inverted]] in ''Literature/TheHungerGames'', with Katniss as the troubled one and Peeta as the gentle, compassionate one. Played straight, however, with Snow (a pessimist who believes HobbesWasRight) and Lucy Gray (an optimist who thinks RousseauWasRight) in ''The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes''.
157	* ''Literature/LoveLettersToTheDead'': It looks like this will be the case with Sky and Laurel, with Sky being mysterious and Laurel being shy and sweet. However, these roles are flipped when it becomes apparent that Laurel is far more troubled than she first appears, and Sky tries his best to help her through her emotional turmoil.
158	* ''Literature/MaraDaughterOfTheNile'': Thutmose and Inanni would be this if Thutmose was the least bit interested in going through with their ArrangedMarriage. Inanni even has an InternalMonologue about how she "would be a good wife to him and comfort him when he headached" (She has been led to believe that severe headaches are the reason he is a MoodSwinger.)
159	%%zce* Jace and Clary in ''Literature/TheMortalInstruments''.
160	* Caederyn and Allene in ''Literature/{{Spitfire}}''. Caederyn is trying desperately to be TheWisePrince and live up to [[Main/WellDoneSonGuy his father's legacy]]; he's constantly conscious of [[TheChainsOfCommanding wanting to ''deserve'' the authority he's been endowed with by birth]]. Allene, though no less thoughtful and intelligent than Caederyn, has a much sunnier disposition and is [[{{Socialite}} far more social]].
161	* In ''Literature/TheSunneInSplendour'' the brooding, introverted [[UsefulNotes/RichardIII Richard of Gloucester]] falls in love with his good-hearted cousin, Anne Neville. Initially betrothed, their families' feud tears them apart for a time. But when her first husband dies and she's in danger of having her fortune stolen, Richard swoops in and saves her. They are happily married...for a time.
162	* Angsty social outcast Haru and cheerful optimist Nami in ''{{Literature/Tadgifauna}}''. [[spoiler: Though Nami gets a hell of a lot less cheerful after learning Haru cheated on her.]]
163	* The ''Literature/TairenSoul'' protagonists are this before CharacterDevelopment kicks in. Rain is a centuries-old warrior who scorched the world, and Elysetta is the young, [[spoiler:seemingly]] human woman who gives him catharsis and finds it difficult to adjust to Fey politics. One of the ways Rain courts her is by playing with her little sisters.
164	* ''Literature/Twilight2005'': Edward "[[BishieSparkle This is the skin]] [[{{Wangst}} of a KILLER!]]" Cullen and Bella. In ''Literature/NewMoon'', however, [[GenderInvertedTrope gender-flipping]] this is what kicks off the Jacob/Bella relationship, with him being the gentle guy to Bella's [[{{Wangst}} "My boyfriend dumped me so my life is over"]] brooding.
165	%%zce* ''Literature/WarriorCats'':
166	%%zce** Leafpool and Crowfeather are this; as is Crowfeather's first relationship with Feathertail.
167	%%zce** Jayfeather and [[spoiler: Half Moon]] are worth a mention, even though they have limited interaction in the books since they [[spoiler: don'teven live in the same time]].
168	* In ''Literature/{{Wellness}}'', this is what Jack and Elizabeth start out believing their relationship will be like, but [[spoiler:ends up being an [[InvertedTrope Inverted Trope]]. While they still curate these personas outwardly, Elizabeth is much more of a brooding personality and Jack is straightforward and optimistic.]]
169	* Subverted in ''Literature/WutheringHeights'': Cathy is far from gentle, but instead just as fierce and rugged at heart as the brooding Heathcliff himself. Though she's not evil like him, she's also definitely morally gray, being selfish, abusive, capricious and very much a {{jerkass}}. Isabella Linton thinks she's evoking this trope when she marries Heathcliff, but her delusion is [[DomesticAbuse brutally deconstructed]].
170	[[/folder]]
171
172	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
173	* ''Series/{{Angel}}'':
174	** Fred played "Gentle Girl" to both Gunn and Wesley. Well, when Gunn and Fred began expressing interest in each other, neither was particularly broody. [[HeartbrokenBadass Wesley]], on the other hand...
175	** Connor and [[spoiler:Not-Cordelia]]. With a twist in that the Gentle Girl is evil, is only gentle while he's watching, and is manipulating him into serving as her [[TheDragon Dragon.]]
176	* ''Series/{{Arrow}}'' has adorkable [[PlayfulHacker I.T girl]] [[HairOfGoldHeartOfGold Felicity]] and [[ByronicHero broody vigilante]] [[BrokenBird Oliver]]. An ongoing theme throughout the series is Felicity helping him to open up about his tragic past and trust people again. Given the TraumaCongaLine he's gone through, it's not surprising he needs a little help in learning to be happy again.
177	* John Sheridan and Delenn on ''Series/BabylonFive''--he doesn't want to burden her with his problems and thinks he has to do it all himself. She disabuses him of that notion rather quickly.
178	%%zce* Dylan and Brenda fit this from ''Series/BeverlyHills90210''.
179	%%zce* Series/{{Buffy\|The Vampire Slayer}} would play this role to Angel, then Cordelia, and finally Faith would step up after the events in the comic series.
180	* ''Series/{{CSINY}}'' has Mac and Christine. He's the serious, brooding, widowed detective whose whole life is his job; she's the [[HairOfGoldHeartOfGold blonde]] sweetheart who coaxes him out of his moods and is, in his own words, "...everything that's ''good'' in [his] life".
181	* Clare and Eli from ''Series/DegrassiTheNextGeneration''. Clare is a sweet, mostly innocent Christian girl, and Eli drives a hearse.
182	* Rose and the Ninth Doctor from ''Series/DoctorWho'' are a pretty archetypical example. Later, Clara Oswald has this effect on both the Eleventh Doctor (when an incarnation of Clara coaxes a brooding Eleven out of self-imposed retirement) and the Twelfth (where Clara "prime" becomes his MoralityChain and TheHeart of their relationship).
183	* Jagger and Karen on ''Series/GeneralHospital''. Repeated a few years later with Stone and Robin, then a year after that with Jason and Robin (brain damage left him unable to express ''any'' emotion, so her getting him to laugh/cry/show love was a huge feat.
184	* ''Series/GilmoreGirls'''s season has Jess and Rory. Jess is the cynical brooding boy who falls for the town princess Rory after he discovers she has a passion for books and music similar to his own. Bonus points that both teens were a product of TeenPregnancy but with two wildly different upbringings. [[note]] Rory's mother Lorelai considered Rory to be the best thing that ever happened to her, established a stable upbringing despite money issues, encouraged Rory to be anything she wanted to be, and supported her long-held dream to go to Harvard and become a journalist. Meanwhile, Jess's mom Liz raised him in what was implied to be poor conditions in New York, struggled with drug and alcohol issues, filled his childhood with a revolving round of horrible boyfriends and husbands, eventually kicked him out altogether, and left him with a ton of self-esteem issues. [[/note]] A recurring theme is Rory believing that Jess can do more than everyone - including him - expects and that it doesn't have to be him against the world. Although they eventually break up due to Jess's issues, he later returns having got his life together, lost the brooding aspect, and acknowledged he couldn't have done so without Rory believing in him.
185	* On ''Series/{{NCIS}}'', Agent Jacqueline "Jack" Sloane is slipping into the Gentle Girl role to Gibbs' Brooding Boy. As a fellow ShellShockedVeteran with her own [[TraumaButton demons]] to contend with, she understands him in ways very few people ever can, and he ''knows'' she understands him. Her inherent gentleness, compassion, and lack of judgment mean she can coax him out of his dark moods when no one else can, and he will [[TheConfidant turn to her]] when he wouldn't turn to anyone else.
186	* In ''Series/{{Riverdale}}'', Jughead is a very moody, [[TallDarkAndSnarky sardonic]] and intense boy from the [[WrongSideOfTheTracks South Side of town]] who has teamed up with [[ChildhoodFriends Betty]], the [[NiceGirl kind]], compassionate GirlNextDoor in order to solve the murder of a local teen. They work very closely together [[spoiler: and eventually develop feelings for each other, becoming a couple midway into season 1.]]
187	* In ''Series/{{Smallville}}'', Clark's female companions/love interests tend to play this role to his brooding boy on his bad days: Lana Lang, Chloe Sullivan, and Lois Lane have all played this role at various times, and Lois ends up being the one who helps him move out of his formerly brooding ways completely by the end.
188	* ''Series/PowerRangersRPM'': Summer/RPM Yellow is a caring ActionGirl, who doesn't take crap from anyone. This naturally leaves her in charge of Dillon/RPM Black, wisecracking JerkWithAHeartOfGold.
189	* ''Series/TheVampireDiaries'':
190	** Stefan and Elena. Stefan is the mysterious, brooding vampire who falls in love with Elena, the sweet, cheerful girl next door, who often makes Stefan crack a smile.
191	** When Damon takes a break from being the DeadpanSnarker to rival his brother for the brooding championship, Elena plays this to him as well.
192	** Anna and Jeremy definitely fit here. While she is more of an AbhorrentAdmirer at first, their eventual dynamic, [[spoiler: especially after her [[ISeeDeadPeople death]]]] fits this trope down to a T.
193	* ''Series/VeronicaMars'' had [[TroubledButCute Logan]] and [[TheIngenue Hannah]] during season 2.
194	* Not explicitly romantic, but there's plenty of ShipTease between [[ByronicHero Daryl]] [[PragmaticHero Dixon]] and his MoralityPet [[TheIngenue Beth]] [[TheHeart Greene]] in ''Series/TheWalkingDead2010''.
195	* ''Series/TheWhiteQueen'': Richard III and Elizabeth of York. His temperament becomes increasingly saturnine after he becomes king, and when a schism forms between Richard and his wife Anne Neville, the only person who can reach past his gloomy exterior is the kind Elizabeth.
196	[[/folder]]
197
198	[[folder:Music]]
199	* In CountryMusic, songs about this trope could practically form a subgenre. If the male narrator in a song refers to himself melancholically as a “{{cowboy}}” and applies [[IncorruptiblePurePureness spiritually charged]] language to the object of his affection, it’s probably this Trope. Bonus points are awarded for implying that the [[LoveRedeems woman’s love saved him]] from a dangerous path in life. These songs can either [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools apply a lot of emotional weight in a short time]] by relating to concepts already present in the fandom’s psyche or degenerate into a bad StrictlyFormula piece.
200	* Tsukiko Amano’s song [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQAjzNTyhu4 Bodaiju]] can be seen ''very'' easily as being written from the POV of a Gentle Girl and directed to a Brooding Boy.
201	-->''You come closer and then move away again, and the temperature of your body drops\
202	How much strength do I need?\
203	When the tips of your dreams pierce your chest even deeper, I’ll be here, I’ll always be by your side\
204	Don’t hesitate anymore, I’ll pull the blunt thorn out of you and cover the wound until the day you smile''
205	* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk3Zk8SqmiA “Say What You Will”]] by Music/EricClapton clearly depicts a man who has seen plenty of trouble and struggles with insecurity, but he has a caring woman and appreciates her deeply.
206	* In Music/FranzLiszt’s “A Faust Symphony,” this well describes the relation between the first two movements, “Faust” and “Gretchen.” The former has all the brooding and passion of a ByronicHero, while the latter is gently melodious and intimately scored.
207	* Music/PeterGabriel and Music/KateBush’s duet, “Don’t Give Up” could be seen as this trope. Gabriel’s character is a serially unemployed man and ex-soldier whose home has been [[DoomedHometown destroyed]] (WordOfGod says it’s set during the Dust Bowl/Depression-era), edging towards suicide, and Bush sings wispy, gentle words of encouragement. It’s set to a vaguely African, vaguely synth-pop beat. (It’s also SugarWiki/BetterThanItSounds.)
208	[[/folder]]
209
210	[[folder:Mythology & Religion]]
211	* [[Myth/HinduMythology Shiva]] and Parvati/Sati are usually portrayed as this trope. Shiva is a god of destruction who spent his whole life meditating up on a mountain, never acknowledging anyone's presence, never interacting with the world, and Parvati is the one whose undying love and devotion spurred him to actually take part in life.
212	-->''[[http://www.sanatansociety.org/hindu_gods_and_goddesses/shiva.htm#.WCfvlTHJPIU When Shiva does his destructive Tandava dance, Parvati is said to complement him with a slow, creative step of her own, calming him with her soft glances.]]''
213	* Myth/ClassicalMythology: Persephone, daughter of Demeter and Zeus, is the goddess of flowers. She's also the wife of Hades and thus queen of the Underworld. What makes them special is that they have probably the only happy and loving marriage in the Greek pantheon.
214	[[/folder]]
215
216	[[folder:Roleplay]]
217	* In ''Roleplay/DawnOfANewAgeOldportBlues'', [[{{Flashforward}} glimpses of the future]] have shown the moody, anti-social Simon in a relationship with Mirielle, a gentle baker's girl. Though said relationship falls apart when Simon leans too much towards the dark side, subjugating and detaining Mirielle's superpowered friends. In the present, it's shown that Simon has taken an interest in Mirielle's oddly cheerful personality.
218	[[/folder]]
219
220	[[folder:Theatre]]
221	* Hamlet and Ophelia from ''Theatre/{{Hamlet}}'' could be seen as a {{deconstruct\|edTrope}}ion of the pairing. It is suggested that they were quite close and affectionate before Hamlet's father died. Then, when Hamlet's stress of seeing the ghost of his father gets to him, poor Ophelia is stunned and has no idea how to help him. From then on he's acting mad, and his next scene with her has him denying their relationship ever happened. Then she [[TheOphelia goes crazy]] for other reasons…
222	* Sam and Rose in ''Theatre/StreetScene''.
223	-->'''Sam''': What's the good of having brains, if nobody ever looks at you--if nobody knows you exist?\
224	'''Rose''' (gently): I know you exist, Sam.
225	* ''Theatre/TheGrinningMan'': Dea is the Gentle Girl to Grinpayne's Brooding Boy
226	* ''Theatre/JasperInDeadland'': Jasper is downcast and reserved as a result of his hard life, whereas Agnes is gentle and optimistic in an attempt to convince him [[spoiler:and herself]] that his life can still be fulfilling.
227	[[/folder]]
228
229	[[folder:Visual Novels]]
230	* ''VisualNovel/{{Clannad}}'': Tomoya and Nagisa.
231	** His father Naoyuki and Asuko in ''Clannad: The past path''.
232	* ''Franchise/{{Danganronpa}}'':
233	** Makoto Naegi and Kyouko Kirigiri in ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc'' are a Genderflipped version. After Kirigiri spends the majority of the game unable to trust anyone and feeling she has to take on the mystery alone, Naegi tells her YouAreNotAlone and she just slightly begins to open up to him by the end of the third chapter. After he goes so far as to take the fall for her in the fifth chapter, she decides to trust him completely as TrueCompanions. Finally, [[spoiler:when she seemed closest to the edge of a DespairEventHorizon in the final trial, [[HopeBringer he saves her from that despair]], leading to the remaining students finally escaping]].
234	** Hajime Hinata and Chiaki Nanami in ''VisualNovel/Danganronpa2GoodbyeDespair'' play it straight. Hajime's a rather cynical, withdrawn, and snarky guy brooding over the mystery of his forgotten talent, and Chiaki's a sweet, sleepy, and mellow girl whom he grows to trust in and confide the most. [[spoiler:Her execution in the fifth trial for an AccidentalMurder throws him into a HeroicBSOD, and he's left floundering emotionally, spiraling deeper and deeper into despair until [[HopeBringer her ghost appears to lift him up in the sixth trial]].]]
235	* In ''VisualNovel/DaughterForDessert'', the jaded protagonist who is weighed down by secrets can be paired with Lily, a free spirit who is never blunt.
236	* In ''VisualNovel/DoubleHomework'', the protagonist is perpetually guilty over a big incident he caused, while Johanna is positive and encouraging.
237	* Almost all the ''VisualNovel/KatawaShoujo'' routes have elements of this [[spoiler: and will bring up [[RuleOfThree three]] big-ass ''{{deconstruction}}s'' of the concept]]:
238	** Hisao/Lilly: He broods because he has just found out that he has a severe heart condition and has just arrived to a totally different world, she's gentle and an OneeSama despite her blindness. [[spoiler:Their relationship helps Hisao open up and become happier, but doesn't do the same for Lilly. This, and Hisao's overdependence on her, nearly destroys their relationship--he will be reluctant to voice his objections to her leaving for Scotland despite how it will make both of them unhappy and she ''really'' doesn't want to leave, and "trusting Lilly's judgement" on it [[StarCrossedLovers will tear them apart]].]]
239	** Hisao/Hanako: A gender-flipped example, where Hisao tries to support Hanako since she not only is a ShrinkingViolet but has ''very'' serious self-image issues due to being CoveredInScars. [[spoiler:If Hisao goes overboard, he'll go from Gentle Guy to "white knight", and since Hanako ''also'' [[DontYouDarePityMe has issues with being pitied]] she will end up screaming at him in their Bad Ending, calling him out on what she views as Hisao "using" her to make himself look good.]]
240	** Hisao/Rin: Another gender-flipped example, with Hisao playing the part of the CloudCuckooLandersMinder to Rin's {{Cloudcuckoolander}}[=/=]MadArtist. [[spoiler: Taking care of a person with serious emotional and mental issues, and one who's under ''heavy'' pressure as well, can be incredibly draining; one small mistake can either make the "caretaker" give up after the first fight or not be able to stop the other person from destroying themself.]]
241	* ''VisualNovel/{{Melody}}'' gives the option of pairing the protagonist with Becca - a relationship that fits this dynamic.
242	* Can potentially happen in ''VisualNovel/ShallWeDateNinjaShadow '', if the PluckyGirl PlayerCharacter hooks up with guys like Eduard (the local AmnesiacLover), Asagi (who turns out to have quite the HiddenDepths), Kagura ([[spoiler: who has a very troubled SplitPersonality]]), or Soushirou (a StepfordSmiler who's dealing with [[spoiler:his [[YourDaysAreNumbered soon to come death]]]]).
243	* Inverted in the Kaori Route of ''VisualNovel/TokimekiMemorial 2'': the main protagonist there is the Gentle Boy who patiently loves and supports [[BrokenBird Kaori]], the Brooding Girl. The same can be said in the {{Novelization}} of that Route, ''Anata o Shinjiteru'', although Shunta Torigoe (who takes the place of the main protagonist there), while having the same dynamic with her, is more energetic.
244	* Surprisingly, the PlayerCharacter from ''VisualNovel/TrueLoveJunaiMonogatari'' can become the Gentle Guy to more than one of his love interests, nevermind [[AllMenArePerverts his stupidly high libido]]. The more striking examples are [[spoiler: Mayumi Kamijou (who hides huge self-esteem problems under her GoodBadGirl facade and later goes through a very traumatic AttemptedRape)]] and [[spoiler: Ryouko Shimazaki (an IdolSinger who hates the turn her career is taking but feels she cannot do anything to change it since her manager is [[PromotionToParent her brother AND caretaker]])]].
245	[[/folder]]
246
247	[[folder:Webcomics]]
248	* Subverted in ''Webcomic/{{Crepuscule}}'' with [[DefrostingIceQueen Setz]] and [[ShrinkingViolet Carne]]. They certainly look the part, but as time goes on, it becomes evident that though Setz has his issues, he's at least trying to cope; once Carne's problems come to light, she's far more unstable. It doesn't take too long before their positions are swapped: Setz is the one who has to reassure the mentally ill Carne [[spoiler:and ultimately try to save her when she goes insane. It doesn't end well.]]
249	* GenderInverted in ''Webcomic/EverBlue'', when Ten, a [[ThePollyanna guy who's not dispirited]] upon his boat breaking in a couple of pieces [[spoiler:or fazed when attacked by what may-or-may-not be ''the Grim Reaper'']] meets Luna, a quiet, nervous and lonely young woman with quite a couple of secrets. They get on like a house on fire.
250	* Spoofed in [[http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2011/2/28/ this Penny Arcade strip]].
251	-->"I should warn you. My shit is ''way'' tormented."\
252	"I still love you. Even though you're so cool and rad."
253	* Played with in ''Webcomic/{{Matchu}}''. Matchu and Amber fit the bill personality-wise but are also StarCrossedLovers who can't interact without something bad happening to either of them.
254	* ''Webcomic/PixieAndBrutus'': Brutus presumably saw a lot of nasty things in his military career and continues to be fairly dark and gruff. Pixie is [[CuteKitten a sweet little kitten]] who tries to make friends with everybody, happily offers to share her bed with Brutus, and apologizes for pouncing (which she's apparently unaware is too minor to hurt).
255	* ''Webcomic/TilDebtDoUsPart'': The stoic, rich, and traumatized Yejun marries the cheerful and kind Subin, who not only draws him out of his shell but does the same for his similarly closed-off family.
256	[[/folder]]
257
258	[[folder:Web Original]]
259	* This is the dynamic between Jester and Caleb in season 2 of ''WebVideo/CriticalRole'', with Liam (Caleb) even noting on a Talk Machina episode that the Sad one is soft for the sunshine one.
260	* Downplayed in ''Blog/OffThePageAndIntoLife''. Most of the time, Gail is willing to gently talk Henry out of one of his moods… but if that doesn't work, she's just as happy to use shouting and snarkiness, too.
261	* Gender flipped in ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'' with Blake Belladonna and Sun Wukong. Blake has a very DarkAndTroubledPast and feels she alone has to fight against the world's problems and frequently suffers from {{Heroic BSOD}}s over her various issues. Whenever Sun sees Blake in distress, he often tries to cheer her up, usually to be ignored or coldly dismissed by her. The duet, "Like Morning Follows Night", from their perspectives, delves into this dynamic. Blake questions whether Sun understands what she's been through, and feels like she only causes suffering and tragedy to her loved ones, which is why she tries to keep everybody at a distance. Meanwhile, Sun tries to convince Blake to let go of her past and forgive herself for her mistakes.
262	[[/folder]]
263
264	[[folder:Western Animation]]
265	* [[OfficialCouple Terry and Dana]] from ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' have this dynamic in the first season, though with a teasing slant on Dana's end before Dana got [[{{Flanderization}} Flanderized]] into TheObstructiveLoveInterest and DemotedToExtra later on. It's back in full force in [[FullyAbsorbedFinale "Epilogue"]].
266	* Silverbolt and Blackarachnia in the ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'''s SequelSeries ''WesternAnimation/BeastMachines''. This is a reversal of how their relationship started: he was a painfully earnest KnightInShiningArmor, she was a snarky DarkActionGirl. In the sequel series, however, he gets brainwashed into being a sadistic villain and is pretty traumatized by it when he's finally freed. He doesn't act like his old self again until the GrandFinale.
267	* [[DeconstructedTrope Deconstructed]] by ''WesternAnimation/BojackHorseman'' with [[TragicHero BoJack's]] relationship with Wanda, a peppy owl, in Season Two. Bojack finds it too difficult to change, Wanda has a hard time enjoying his negativity, and the relationship falls apart.
268	* From ''WesternAnimation/GarfieldAndFriends'', GenderFlipped version, [[NiceGuy Orson Pig]] and [[BrokenBird Lanolin Sheep]] in the U.S.Acres segments. Orson has given her a lot of kindness, so [[BecauseYouWereNiceToMe Lanolin at times, tries to show kindness back to him.]]
269	* Gender-flipped and {{zig zagged}} with Arnold and Helga in ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold''. Helga is a BrokenBird who acts as a bully to hide her insecurities and vulnerable side; Arnold is an AllLovingHero who gives emotional advice and support to others (including Helga) when they are in some personal crisis. However, because the former acts as if she hates the latter, they hardly make any development in their relationship resulting in more friction.
270	* ''WesternAnimation/TheMagicSchoolBus'': Arnold and Phoebe in the episode "[[Recap/TheMagicSchoolBusS4E6GoesCellular Goes Cellular]]". Arnold was understandably moody and angsty, as he was orange on the night he was accepting a big geology award. Phoebe, on the other hand, stayed optimistic and even tried to help mask his orange skin… with flour.
271	-->'''Phoebe''': There. You don't look nearly so orange now. ''(giggles)''
272	-->'''Arnold''': Phoebe, I can't go out there covered in flour! I look like a pumpkin pie!
273	* [[DeconstructedTrope Deconstructed]] with Eric Cartman and Heidi Turner in ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark''. The two form a romantic relationship in Season 20 after quitting Twitter. However, the [[NiceGirl sweet and compassionate Heidi]] doesn't realize that Cartman isn't the misunderstood JerkWithAHeartOfGold he led her to believe but a notoriously [[ManipulativeBastard manipulative]] [[TheSociopath sociopath]] and by the next season, their relationship progressively deteriorates with Cartman constantly lashing out at her for the state of their relationship and decides to make her more like him by feeding her junk food and sharing his bigoted views. They become BirdsOfAFeather for a while only for Heidi to [[HeelRealization realize]] what Cartman's negativity has turned her into and decides to leave him for the sake of her well-being.
274	* Entrapta and [[spoiler:Hordak]] in ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'', with the former often encouraging the latter to see that his [[ArcWords imperfections are beautiful.]] Their relationship often crosses over with SavvyGuyEnergeticGirl.
275	* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' has Lars as the grumpy and extremely insecure Brooding Boy to Sadie's friendly and nurturing Gentle Girl.
276	* Lance and Ilana from ''WesternAnimation/SymBionicTitan'', although their relationship is more familial and platonic than romantic.
277	* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans2003'':
278	** Robin is far more serious and moody than his not-girlfriend Starfire, particularly whenever Robin gets laser-focused on stopping Slade. It's generally up to her to brighten his day with her cheer or give him a gentle and well-meaning WhatTheHellHero.
279	** [[FunPersonified Kid Flash]] and [[{{Goth}} Jinx]] are a GenderFlipped version because she is gloomy over being [[BadPowersBadPeople walking-bad-luck]] and focused on her VillainCred while he is very patient in his attempts at her HeelFaceTurn (and making her teammates look like idiots with his antics).
280	** Beast Boy and Raven are another gender flip. Even though they never have an official relationship on the show, Raven's troubled backstory mixed with [[MustMakeHerLaugh Beast Boy's attempts at making her smile and laugh]] make them appear as such.
281	* ''WesternAnimation/WinxClub'': Resident gentle girl Flora's romantic interest who only appears in the comics is Karel, a brooding and mysterious werewolf.
282	* Superboy and M'gann in ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice2010'' have this dynamic through the first season, with M'gann frequently being the one to coax him out of angry outbursts or sullen moods. Over the course of the season, however, it became more and more apparent that many aspects of M'gann's "gentle girl" persona were cultivated as part of her StepfordSmiler act (and that she was deliberately modelling at least parts of her and Conner's relationship on a relationship she watched on a sitcom). Over time, as M'gann grew more accepting of her true self, the more overt "gentle girl" traits faded into the background, while Conner developed more self-control over his temper and became better at regulating his own emotions. By season three, they've moved past this dynamic altogether, just in time to hand it off to newcomers [[TroubledButCute Brion]] and [[TheIngenue Violet]], although Violet, while possessing a female body, does not strictly consider herself to be a girl (but seems okay with female pronouns).
283	* Platonic version between Duncan and Zoey during the fifth season of ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama''. Duncan is a delinquent with a HairTriggerTemper and HiddenHeartOfGold, while Zoey is a NiceGirl who tries to see the best in everyone.
284	[[/folder]]

Context Main / BroodingBoyGentleGirl