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8->''"To repress one's feelings only makes them stronger."''
9-->-- '''Yu Shu Lien''', ''Film/CrouchingTigerHiddenDragon''
10
11Two people are obviously attracted to each other, but some element of the story is keeping them apart. This tension is frequently referred to as '''UST''' in fandom, where it is pronounced "oost" or Yu-Ess-Tee. Also known as "[[FunWithAcronyms Long Unresolved Sexual Tension]]".
12
13BelligerentSexualTension is a way to keep the UST by having the couple fight each other too much to actually get together.
14
15A RelationshipUpgrade is what happens when it gets resolved positively (LiterallyFallingInLove might help). ShippingBedDeath and StrangledByTheRedString are when it gets resolved badly; conversely, TheChrisCarterEffect may result if it goes ''unresolved'' for too long and impatient audiences jump ship.
16
17Compare AllLoveIsUnrequited, WillTheyOrWontThey, JustFriends, MomentKiller (a staple of a UST relationship), MaybeEverAfter (a more uncertain version) and CannotSpitItOut.
18
19Contrast OfficialCouple, when the couple is already together, and FriendsWithBenefits, where the ''primary'' bond in the relationship is sex.
20
21Not to be confused with the University of Santo Tomás (in the Philippines), or the infamous ''Universidad Santo Tomás'' in UsefulNotes/{{Chile}}, or the University of St. Thomas (Missouri, Texas, OR Minnesota).[[note]]Santo Tomás refers to St. Thomas.[[/note]] Or the file type used in Music/{{UTAU}} projects.
22
23----
24!!Example subpages
25[[index]]
26* UnresolvedSexualTension/AnimeAndManga
27* UnresolvedSexualTension/FanWorks
28* UnresolvedSexualTension/{{Literature}}
29* UnresolvedSexualTension/LiveActionTV
30* UnresolvedSexualTension/VideoGames
31* UnresolvedSexualTension/WesternAnimation
32[[/index]]
33
34!!Other examples
35[[foldercontrol]]
36
37[[folder:Comic Books]]
38* ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'':
39** Batman and ComicBook/WonderWoman [[https://www.cbr.com/dc-batman-wonder-woman-almost-romance/ have a great of this]], enough for Catwoman to dislike Diana over it. It helps that in both pre and post Crisis continuites Wondy is one of the few fellow heroes Bruce consistently treats with warmth and respect. Hell ThePowerOfLove Star Sapphire ring flew to Wonder Woman in ''ComicBook/BlackestNight'' when she was thinking of Bruce.
40** The relationship between Dick Grayson (ComicBook/{{Nightwing}}) and Helena Bertinelli (ComicBook/{{Huntress}}) has paradoxically developed into this ''because'' they started off as FriendsWithBenefits.
41** Under some writers Tim Drake (as ComicBook/{{Robin|1993}}) and Cassandra Cain (as ComicBook/{{Batgirl|2000}}) prior to their [[HappilyAdopted becoming siblings]]. WordOfGod from Damian Scott (a penciler of many Batgirl comics) is that the pair "kind of act like they're in love, but just don't know it".
42* ''ComicBook/{{Empowered}}'': Empowered and Thugboy are the official couple, but there is mutual UST between [[OT3 both of them and Ninjette]]. And [[TheImp the Caged Demonwolf]] likes to [[{{Lampshade}} point it out]].
43* ComicBook/IronMan and ComicBook/BlackWidow generally share a lot this and [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSwB9YsZDIH9Xf90pkRXrntkJKG51kkDMLuuKNfKZc5ZUg3JKBqkivvadcU&s=10 they both get very nostalgic]] when [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQaOBE4Z512iDz7UzFMSzqU1bT9IGqtbn1-sD0LU_vFPule5T8m9JHydAGb&s=10 they dance together]], they’ve had multiple liaisons but have never officially been a couple outside ComicBook/UltimateMarvel. A lot of the hesitation comes from Tony simply not fully trusting Nat since she was once his enemy, despite obviously caring for her a great deal.
44* ''ComicBook/TheLegendOfZelda'': Link and Zelda have this in the Creator/ValiantComics series based on the [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaI original]] [[VideoGame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink two]] ''Zelda'' games. It's only unresolved because she doesn't want to admit she returns his feelings; if it were up to him, they'd probably be married already. At the end of the ''Magazine/NintendoPower'' series based on ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'', Zelda tells Link that the link between them was so strong while she was in Ganon's clutches, but now Link is so distant and she is alone. She will never forget the time they were together in their dreams...
45* ''ComicBook/TheLifeAndTimesOfScroogeMcDuck'': Scrooge [=McDuck=] and Glittering Goldie.
46* ''ComicBook/ScottPilgrim'': The series has a ''massive'' amount of UST between Scott and his [[ChildhoodFriendRomance Unlucky Childhood Friend]] Lisa. There's also some between Scott and Kim, although that does get (more or less) resolved.
47* ''ComicBook/{{Seconds}}'': After a quiet breakup, Max moved on but Katie still has feelings for him.
48* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': Spider-Man and ComicBook/MsMarvel when written by Brian Reed (later picked up by other writers, including Kelly Sue [=DeConnick=] in an arc of ''ComicBook/AvengingSpiderMan''). The Web crawler's relationship with Silver Sable have shades of that too, especially in their first interactions.
49* ''ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}'': Supergirl and ''[[ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes Brainiac 5]]'''s "will they or won't they?" lasted 24 years. Then, when it looked like they were finally right for getting together officially, Kara Zor-El was killed off in the ''ComicBook/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths''. [[ComicBook/Supergirl2005 Post-Crisis versions of both characters]] have this kind of relationship, too.
50* ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'':
51** Superman and ComicBook/LoisLane had a good 55 year run of this in the comics (although, their Earth 2 counterparts tied the knot decades ago, they got together in the movies, and they had even started dating in the comics current continuity about 6 years prior). Superman was either too Super for an earth woman or too alien or he had to stay dedicated to his mission. ComicBook/PostCrisis, it was more that he wanted Lois to love him as Clark since he considered that to be his TrueSelf.
52** Superman and Franchise/WonderWoman. Supes has always had Lois, but Diana has gone for long stretches without a steady boyfriend (poor Steve Trevor kept getting written in and out of continuity). {{Elseworld}}s stories sometimes depict them getting together after Lois and Steve have died, since Clark and Diana may be [[TheAgeless ageless.]]
53** Post-Flashpoint, Clark and Lois were back again to be attracted to each other but not in a relationship, and Superman dated Wonder Woman for a while until that particular version of the character died at the end of ''ComicBook/TheFinalDaysOfSuperman'' and was replaced by the Post-Crisis Superman who is still happily married to Lois.
54* ''ComicBook/XMen'':
55** Quite a bit between [[Characters/MarvelComicsGambit Gambit]] and [[Characters/MarvelComicsStorm Storm]], despite the former's romance with Rogue. Tellingly, their friendship soured a bit after the latter's marriage to Black Panther.
56** Prior to the marriage, this was the basis of ComicBook/BlackPanther and Storm's relationship as well. The two had been very close friends as children and were obviously in love, but their responsibilities (ruling Wakanda and being a member of the ComicBook/XMen, respectively) made it impossible for them to start a relationship.
57** There's also the ComicBook/{{Cyclops}}[=/=]ComicBook/JeanGrey[=/=]ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} love triangle, which was seemingly resolved with Cyclops and Phoenix [[OfficialCouple getting married]]… then got complicated again with Jean dying several more times and Scott moving onto to Emma Frost with Wolverine still pining hard over Jean. ''ComicBook/XMenTheKrakoanAge'' thankfully just puts all this UST to bed with Jean sleeping with [[{{Polyamory}} both Scott and Logan]] with no complaint about the situation from either (Jean’s love is one very few things they actively bond over).
58[[/folder]]
59
60[[folder:Comic Strips]]
61* ''ComicStrip/FlashGordon'': The main character and [[FemmeFatale Princess Aura]]. It never happens though, and that's for the best. She marries Prince Barin, Flash stays with Dale, and they all manage to remain friends.
62[[/folder]]
63
64[[folder:Culture]]
65* The Yaghan people of South America actually had a ''word'' for this trope. It's 'Mamihlapinatapai' and roughly translated, it means, "A [[LongingLook look]] [[HeldGaze shared by two people]] with each wishing that the other will initiate something that both desire but which neither one wants to start."
66[[/folder]]
67
68[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
69* There is a lot of it between Newland and Ellen throughout most of the 1993 film of ''Literature/TheAgeOfInnocence'', particularly when Newland unlaces Ellen's glove and kisses her hand while they are in May's carriage on the way to Ellen's grandmother, and when Ellen taps Newland's knee with her fan.
70* ''Film/AllThisAndHeavenToo'' is all about the doomed romance between Theo the married duke and Henriette, governess to his children. There are longing looks aplenty and passionate speeches, but they never get farther than Theo kissing Henriette's hands, before Theo kills his wife in a fit of rage.
71* Riker and Troi from ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration''. They eventually get married in the last TNG movie.
72** Picard and Crusher-Never resolved in the films. They get over themselves in one of the novels, though, and the last episode of the series reveals that they married and then divorced.
73* ''Film/RepoTheGeneticOpera'' has [[BrotherSisterIncest Amber Sweet and Luigi]]. It's particularly evident at the beginning of "Mark It Up".
74** A bit squicky, but Graverobber for Shilo in "Needle Through a Bug". When asked by a fan if "smack it" was meant to be a sexual innuendo, Terrance Zdunich said everything in the entire ''song'' was sexual.
75* In ''L.627'', a French film directed by Bertrand Tavernier, narcotics cop "Lulu" Marguet is in love with HIV-positive prostitute Cecile, but they are kept apart by the disease.
76* ''Film/InTheMoodForLove'' is entirely about UST. The leads are two neighbors who form a bond after learning that their respective spouses are having an affair with each other. The leads agree ''not'' to have an affair themselves out of a sense of moral superiority. They hang out, eat noodles, role play scenes from their spouses' affair as they imagine it, and collaborate on a martial arts serial. The looks are sidelong, the music is achingly longing, but they nonetheless staunchly keep their hands to themselves. Worried their landlords will think they're having an affair, they go so far as to ''rent a love nest'' where they go to have their not-affair without being seen -- and ''still'' keep their hands to themselves while they're there!
77* ''Film/TheAvengers1998'', between Steed and Mrs. Peel. They flirt throughout the movie, but can't get together because (as in the original series) Mrs. Peel's husband is missing (and presumed dead), so he could show up at any time.
78* ''Franchise/StarWars'': For the first [[Film/ANewHope two]] [[Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack films,]] Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia. In light of, ah, [[LongLostSibling later revelations,]] it is a ''[[{{Squick}} very]]'' [[AbandonShipping good thing that nothing comes of this]].
79* In the first ''[[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'' movie, Raphael develops a crush on April some time after he rescues her from the Foot; he's noticeably bashful when she thanks him for rescuing her and she returns the favor by staying by his side when he's put into a coma to make sure he doesn't get killed. But the tension between them is not brought throughout the rest of the movie or any of the sequels.
80* ''Cairo Time''. Unresolved sexual tension is the plot of the movie. Seriously, nothing happens ''but'' sexual tension. Absolutely nothing. And yet it's lovely. In that ''Brief Encounter'' sort of way.
81* In the film ''Film/IKnowWhereImGoing'' there's a bunch of UST between our main characters, Joan and Torquil. To add to it, Torquil recites a Scottish folk song to Joan.
82-->'''Torquil''': That's a fine song: Ho ro my nut-brown maiden, Hee ree my nut-brown maiden, Ho ro ro maiden, ''(looks directly at Joan)'' You're the maid for me.
83* ''Film/DrinkingBuddies'' explores UST between two old friends who also happen to be in relationships with other people.
84* ''Film/LostInTranslation'': The entire movie is about Bob and Charlotte's sexual tension and them trying to resolve it despite both of them being married.
85* ''Film/{{Frantic}}'', the 1988 thriller by Creator/RomanPolanski. There's loads of unspoken sexual tension between Creator/HarrisonFord's character and French smuggler Michelle, but as Ford is desperately searching for his kidnapped wife nothing happens.
86* The sexual tension between Mia and Vincent in ''Film/PulpFiction'' causes Vincent quite a bit of alarm, given that he believes her husband threw a man off a second-story building just for giving her a foot massage. He even has a MirrorMonologue to give himself the strength to leave her home without screwing her. Ultimately her [[spoiler:overdose kills the mood anyway]].
87* The Creator/AudreyHepburn film ''Film/TheNunsStory'' has UST between Sister Luke (Hepburn) and the doctor she works for, Dr. Fortunati (Peter Finch), while she is in the Congo.
88* ''Film/StarTrekIVTheVoyageHome'', between Kirk and Dr. Gillian Taylor (Catherine Hicks). "Like they say in your century, I don't even have your telephone number."
89* In the InUniverse books in ''Film/AmericanDreamer'', Rebecca and Dimitri have this, despite Dimitri being gay.
90* There was a lot of lesbian sexual tension in the film ''Film/BlackWidow1987'' between Alex and Catherine. Given that one is a serial killer and the other a federal agent trying to catch her, it also counts as FoeRomanceSubtext.
91* Film/JamesBond's UST with [[SexySecretary Moneypenny]] is one of the staples of the series, though theirs is more lighthearted than most examples.
92* One of the many things ''Film/TheSearchers'' is famous for is the completely silent interactions between Ethan and his sister-in-law, which most people interpret as an unspoken form of this trope.
93* Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse
94** Thor and Sif of ''{{Film/Thor}}''. Intentionally done by the writers, since the people who worked on the film wanted to be able to have the option of writing [[ChildhoodFriendRomance Thor/Sif]] into the sequels, should they later want to.
95--->'''Jaimie Alexander:''' (about Thor and Sif) But there is a reason that we sort of subtly hinted to it in the first film. Just so that there is a door. If we want to go through that door, we can. They like to cover all their bases at {{Creator/Marvel}}.
96** During an [[http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Chris-Hemsworth-Talks-Brotherly-Love-Loki-More-Set-Thor-Dark-World-38862-p2.html interview]], Chris Hemsworth referenced this when speaking about their relationship in the sequel, as well as what it was throughout the first movie.
97--->'''Creator/ChrisHemsworth:''' In the comic books there's obviously an attraction with Thor and Sif, or what have you. And there was little peppering of that, I think, in the first one. Little hints at it. There (in the sequel) may be… might be more indication…
98** ''Film/IronMan'': Tony and Pepper. For ''years''. It's implied that the only reason Pepper stuck around for so long was because she was in love with Tony. That being said, they never had a romantic relationship because of Tony's commitment issues and less-than-stellar personality. They finally became a couple in ''Film/IronMan2''.
99** ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger'': While it's unclear how far their relationship went, Steve and Peggy definitely had some between them in the beginning. Whether they resolved it or not is ultimately rendered moot thanks to Steve's [[ForegoneConclusion inevitable]] [[HumanPopsicle fate]].
100** ''Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar'': Steve and Sharon Carter. ''The Winter Soldier'' indicates there was an attraction even before Steve knew she was a SHIELD agent, let alone Peggy's grandniece, and ''Civil War'' suggests that there's something between them. [[spoiler:It's partially resolved with a kiss, though whether they can have a lasting relationship is yet to be seen]].
101** ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy2014'': In the first movie, Star-Lord meets and is smitten by Gamora, evidenced by how he was willing to give his mask to keep her alive while exposed to the vacuum of space. In ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'', which is six months later in-universe, Peter keeps mentioning the "unspoken thing" between them, citing ''Series/{{Cheers}}'' and Sam & Diane as an example. Gamora, obviously, doesn't have any idea what ''Cheers'' is.
102** ''Film/SpiderManFarFromHome'': When Peter has to go to Berlin to tell Nick Fury about Mysterio, he changes into his suit in front of MJ. Embarrassed, he tells her to turn around but she can't resist turning back to look at him shirtless.
103* Between Wu Luan and Wan in ''Film/LegendOfTheBlackScorpion''. This tends to come out in their InsistentTerminology behind her relation to him as his stepmother in order to maintain the necessary distance between them.
104* Molly and Nomi of ''{{Film/Showgirls}}''. The two constantly cast longing glaces, become inexplicably close friends almost immediately, lounge around in their underwear and intimate that they have masturbated together. This is parodied in the off-Broadway parody "Showgirls: The Musical!", in a song called "Best Friend Song". Lyrics include: "Men don't know how to write female intimacy/unless we are finger-banging or scissoring/So let's hang out in our underwear, let's hang out in our towels/We'll spend all night masturbating because we are best pals!"; and "We're best friends now, we probably should have sex/'Cause that's what best friends do when the writers are men!"
105* Nell and Theo of ''Film/TheHaunting1963''. In [[Film/TheHaunting1963 the remake]], this is more overt, as Theo becomes explicitly bisexual, whereas in the original, it was only implied.
106%%* Riddick and Fry in ''Film/PitchBlack''.
107%%** Riddick and Kyra in ''Film/TheChroniclesOfRiddick''.
108* In the German/Australian film ''Lore'' the eponymous protagonist after losing her Nazi parents ( her father is implied to be a war criminal) is traveling with all her siblings through divided Germany to reunite with her grandma. The only one who will help those helpless children is Thomas, a boy few years older than Lore with a MysteriousPast. The boy is after them because traveling around with children could provide him food but sure his attraction to Lore is one of the other reasons. Lore herself is quite attracted (and it's her first time) but treats Thomas with contempt most of the time because he is Jewish internee from Buchenwald ([[spoiler: or maybe he's posing as one to escape the Americans]]) and she's taught to hate Jews. [[spoiler: Because of few misunderstandings and prejudices they never resolve their UST but is also thanks to him thar her arc actually consist in to learn what her beloved Führer did and realizing that the world as she was told by her parents is a huge lie.]]
109* Adrian and Jack from ''Film/ApartmentZero'' have an unspoken, but mutual attraction that lasts throughout the movie.
110* ''Film/ThePrincessDiaries'': Queen Clarisse and her head of security, Joe. It's implied that they've been in love with each other for years, but Clarisse's marriage to King Rupert and devotion to Genovia stayed their hand. Judging by certain comments made in the sequel, this fact is not a secret to anyone in court or even most of Genovia -- [[spoiler:when Clarisse and Joe get married at the end, even the archbishop mutters "finally"]].
111* Very prevalent in both the film ''Film/{{Once}}'' and its stage adaptation. The two unnamed protagonists, both estranged from their significant others, form a deep connection through writing and recording music together. Initially, their goal is to make money to send the Guy on a plane to America to reunite with his ex. However, Guy and Girl find themselves developing feelings for each other in the few days they've spent together. The Girl even confesses her love to him -- [[TeasingFromBehindTheLanguageBarrier just in Czech, which Guy doesn't understand.]] [[spoiler:Ultimately though, the two go their separate ways, choosing to get back with their exes. But before he leaves, the Guy buys the Girl a new piano.]]
112* ''Film/HappyTogether'': There are strong hints that Lai and Chang are deeply attracted to each other but they ultimately never act on their feelings.
113* Ethan Hunt and Ilsa Faust in the ''Film/MissionImpossible'' films. Their attraction to each other is instant and obvious and she is referenced in ''Fallout'' as one of only two women he has ever had serious feelings for[[note]]the other is his [[AmicableExes now ex-wife]] Julia[[/note]], but as secret agents their missions [[GoodVersusGood regularly conflict]] despite her being a genuinely good person.
114* ''Film/LovingAnnabelle'': The entire movie up until the climax and prompt ending has this by Annabelle with Ms. Bradley.
115* ''Film/TheLover''. The unnamed Chinaman falls in LoveAtFirstSight with a fifteen-year old French girl he sees at a car ferry, so offers her a lift to Saigon in his limousine, where they go from touching fingers to HoldingHands to IntertwinedFingers, and by the time they get to their destination they're both covered in sweat and his hand has reached her upper thigh. They spend the rest of the movie resolving that tension, [[StarCrossedLovers if not their other issues.]]
116* ''Film/AFewGoodMen'': Kaffee and Galloway become attracted to each other as they work on the trial together. However, other than Galloway asking Kaffee out on a date, nothing comes of it, and the ending implies that they'll go their separate ways now that the trial is over.
117* ''Film/EscapeRoomTournamentOfChampions'': Zoey and Ben have become FireForgedFriends because of their shared survival in the previous film, but haven't had a RelationshipUpgrade. The sequel does hint that they're attracted to each other, especially in the motel scene.
118* ''Film/CarryOnAbroad'': Rob and Nicholas have a rather... close relationship. Rob seems to be crushing on him, but Nicholas is too busy with Lily to notice. [[note]]The DVDCommentary (which includes actors Creator/JohnClive and Creator/DavidKernan) reveals that their relationship was intended to be exactly that, but the censors of the day wouldn't allow it, explaining why that aspect of the plot never goes anywhere.[[/note]]
119[[/folder]]
120
121[[folder:Music]]
122* The music video for Wham!'s ''Club Tropicana'' provides a twist on this, when George and Andrew are revealed to be airline pilots, and backing vocalists Dee and Shirlie are flight attendants.
123* Happens between Haruki and Mio in ''Music/ConfessionExecutiveCommitteeLoveSeries''. The two liked each other, and they go out together so often that their friends think they are already dating, but both are [[TwiceShy too shy to confess to each other]], and in the end, neither ''did'' confess until they both graduated high school and moved on from each other.
124[[/folder]]
125
126[[folder:Theatre]]
127* Creator/WilliamShakespeare. [[SlapSlapKiss Benedick and Beatrice]], [[StarCrossedLovers Romeo and Juliet]] in their first scenes, [[WholesomeCrossdresser Viola and Orsino]], [[SweetOnPollyOliver Viola/Cesario and Olivia]]... this is a staple of his comedies. In his tragedies, sex seems to fall by the wayside (Hamlet notwithstanding). This is rather tricky of him to pull off, considering the women were played by boys probably half the age of the men's actors, since in his age only men were allowed to be actors.
128* In Creator/CirqueDuSoleil's ''Theatre/{{KOOZA}}'', sparks fly between the Trickster and trapeze artist, but she plays hard to get. In some shows, however, it is reported they ''did'' kiss.
129[[/folder]]
130
131[[folder:Visual Novels]]
132* Quite a bit of it between Mal and Natara in ''VisualNovel/CauseOfDeath''. Not really helped by a powerful case of EveryoneCanSeeIt (especially with Mal). [[spoiler: It finally gets resolved at the end of 10-8...[[MomentKiller only for Sálazar goons to kidnap Mal]].]]
133* Except in the True Ending for ''VisualNovel/KaraNoShoujo,'' Toko and Reiji have immense amounts of UST that is picked up on by the rest of the cast, who come to the conclusion that they must be sleeping together.
134[[/folder]]
135
136[[folder:Webcomics]]
137* ''Webcomic/PleasureBonBon'', plenty of it between William/Wilson and Mary, the former of whom is posing as gay to keep a job as a butler for the latter's overprotective father, and the former of whom .....''really wants some tube steak in her''
138* Gallons of this between Gil and Agatha in ''Webcomic/GirlGenius''. Almost to the point of parody.
139** There's also tension between Agatha and Tarvek. It's not for nothing that one of the images for the Webcomic/GirlGenius website's main page has one of Agatha's clanks running off with her diary, shedding love letters to both Gil ''and'' Tarvek.
140** Many fans think there is some between Gil and Tarvek as well.
141* Parodied in ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'' with Agents Cranium and Wolf who in the words of the author: [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2009-10-26 They have, they will again, and they utterly fail at hiding it.]] Pay attention to the picture underneath Wolf's FBI card. It's a picture of Cranium.
142* The early ''Webcomic/QuestionableContent'' strips had this entirely between Faye and Marten, later some appeared between Marten and Dora as well as a particularly fierce example between Faye and Angus. All three got resolved to an extent, though not without leaving a few question marks.
143* ''Webcomic/SequentialArt'', most obvious example [[http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=404 being]] [[http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=405 here]], complete with SheIsNotMyGirlfriend and Vanity trying to play TheMatchmaker. It seems to be gradually cracking [[http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=568 later]]. It even appears [[http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=748 obvious]] to others what is happening.
144* This has been simmering awkwardly between Bob and Voluptua since the beginning of ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob,'' despite his relationship with Jean. Eventually ends up in the open, though it caused a big LoveTriangle [[https://bobadventures.thecomicseries.com/comics/429/ mess.]]
145* Emily and Ash from ''Webcomic/{{Misfile}}''. Twelve books, over 1200 strips, and three kisses, only one of which was actually consensual. Not to mention extremely awkward.
146* In ''[[Webcomic/RoomiesItsWalkyJoyceAndWalky It's Walky!]]'', to such an extent between Joyce and Walky that when it was finally resolved, it nicely mimicked the effects of a small thermonuclear device. The collateral damages were... significant.
147* There's a good bit of this in ''Webcomic/TheSpaceBetween'', between the protagonist Jack and his [[JustFriends childhood friend]], Sam. It starts to come out when Jack and C.J. hook up at their house party.
148* The three protagonists in ''Webcomic/PlatinumGrit'' are swimming in unresolved sexual tension. Jeremy is too repressed to admit to anyone that he fantasizes about Nils. Kate is too embarrassed to admit to anyone that she's developing a major crush on Jeremy. And Nils is too defensive to admit to ''herself'' that she's falling for Jeremy.
149* ''Webcomic/AnsemRetort'': There is possibly-unintended tension between Zexion and Namine. Namine was impressed when Zexion sold territory to Mexico for a new name, Zexion knew immediately who had swapped his cyanide pills with Mentos, he detoured from his booty call with Belle to brag to Namine, and Namine has developed a psychic "Zexion-sense" alerting her that he was in trouble ([[{{Tsundere}} though she didn't feel the need to DO anything about it]]). They claim to hate each other but spend a lot of time together anyway, and it's been noted that Zexion likes his women "blonde, dumb, and not totally dead inside"-- Namine fits two out of three (after Zexion, she's probably the smartest cast member, despite being introduced as a CloudCuckooLander). Eventually, Zexion threatens to have sex with everything Namine loves... and Namine retorts that she loves ''herself''. The next time we see them, they've... resolved their tension.
150* UST in ''Webcomic/ErrantStory'' persisted for literally years between Jon and Sarine, until there came a deliciously ironic subversion/twist: it finally got, one would say, resolved ... but things became so uncomfortable afterward that Sarine [[spoiler: used some mind magic to ''de-''resolve it.]] And then it was back to more years of UST, which was still there as the story approached its end.
151* From ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'':
152** There's some of this between [[spoiler:Dirk and Jake.]] But while [[spoiler:Dirk]] is definitely seriously about wanting to go ahead with it, [[spoiler:Jake]] has doubts, and isn't sure whether his feelings are actually strong enough. There was also some between [[spoiler:Jake and Jane]], but when [[spoiler:Jane]] claimed she didn't actually have a thing for him, he admitted he was actually kinda relieved they could just be friends.
153** Karkat and Terezi. Their complicated dance of attraction, friendship, romance and enmity defies human comprehension, especially since ''both'' of them have had ShipTease with at least two other people.
154* ''Webcomic/MagickChicks'':
155** There's plenty between Tiffany and Faith, who's [[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/official_girlfriend repeatedly]] [[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/enjoying_the_perks made her feelings clear]] on the subject. Tiff has [[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/omigawd shown signs]] of [[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/forces_of_darkness possibly reciprocating]], but still thinks of Faith [[FoeRomanceSubtext as]] [[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/clandestine_meeting her enemy.]] Only time will tell [[WillTheyOrWontThey if anything comes of it, or not.]]
156** '''Update''': The comic was cut short, leaving several plot points [[LeftHanging unresolved.]] That includes Tiff and Faith's tentative relationship. They're last seen jogging together, but the official status of their relationship is [[MaybeEverAfter left ambiguous.]]
157* ''Webcomic/CobwebAndStripes'': The attraction between the two leads starts to become palpable near the end of chapter 14.
158* ''{{Webcomic/Snarlbear}}'' has Flint and Narcissico, who start out [[BelligerentSexualTension argumentative]], but after facing a motal enemy together and being given a chance to talk about their feelings, they turn into this trope.
159* Subverted in ''Webcomic/TheHeroesOfCrash'' when Belt Boy and Titanium Maiden [[http://theheroesofcrash.com/2008Strip07-24.htm start dating]].
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162[[folder:Web Animation]]
163* Discussed in ''Webanimation/TerribleWritingAdvice'' where J.P. Beaubien recommends to use this trope as long as possible, even recommending MomentKiller if the couple is too close being together.
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166[[folder:Web Original]]
167* ''WebVideo/ClassicAlice'': SO MUCH TENSION. Especially through the ENTIRETY of books 1-7 season - the long looks, the accidental touching, the SHOE EPISODE. Every time Alice & Andrew are in a room together it feels like one or the other is desperate to touch the other person. They're clearly in love, but they just can't see it.
168* SexySecretary Sandra Telfer and SadClown Raimi Matthews in ''WebAnimation/BrokenSaints'', which unfortunately, [[spoiler: stays unresolved due to untimely demise.]]
169* [[WebVideo/TheAngryJoeShow Angry Joe's]] Hotel Awesome series suggests that there's some of this between him and WebVideo/TheNostalgiaChick.
170* ''WebVideo/EchoChamber'' features an entire episode dedicated to UST, in which Dana [[LettingHerHairDown lets her hair down]] and Tom voices his approval. [[spoiler: He gets flat out rejected, but TheStinger indicates that that rejection may have been a front.]]
171* ''Literature/ThaliasMusings'' has this between Thalia, the Muse of Comedy, and Apollo, Governor of the Muses.
172%%* Sasha Hunter and Hashimoto Daichi from ''Literature/GreekNinja''.
173* ''WebVideo/TheAutobiographyOfJaneEyre'': There is strong UST between Jane Eyre and her older boss E.D. Rochester. In episode 11, their hands keep getting really close and they are almost touching. In episode 13, Mr Rochester is visibly smitten with Jane, and grateful to her for her gentle care when she takes broken pieces from his wound and bandages his bleeding arm. Jane probably likes him too already, but her feelings are more mixed because he has a kid, is her boss and is obviously troubled with something serious. It's based on ''Literature/JaneEyre'', so the resolution might be guessed.
174* [[WebAnimation/{{RWBY}} Team JNPR]], having two sets of [[WillTheyOrWontThey potential]] couples, gets a lot of this. Fans have actually nicknamed them 'the double date team.' (One side's got dorky Jaune and [[TheAce Pyrrha]], the other has [[PatientChildhoodLoveInterest Nora]] and [[CloudcuckoolandersMinder Ren]].) [[RuleOfDrama Oh, and the four share a room.]] [[spoiler: Sadly Arkos has been [[ShipSinking sunk]] with the death of Pyrrha]] but [[spoiler: Sloth is [[RelationshipUpgrade going strong]].]]
175* ''Dark Souls Misadventures'' has this between [[JerkAss Lautrec]] and the [[DeadpanSnarker Darkmoon Knightess]]. As of 2016, this has yet to be resolved thanks to the [[ScheduleSlip third episode still not airing]]. Though they do have their share of ShipTease moments, particularly in the "Waltz for the Moon" and 2014 Christmas Special episodes.
176** Also from the 2014 Christmas Special, Artorias and Ciaran seem to have something going on, but it's ambiguous whether they're JustFriends, already dating, or exes who still pine for each other.
177* Website/TalesFromDevNull in [[https://www.4eye-labs.net/devnulltales/content/mobileapp/ A Torrid Martian Night]] [[spoiler: It's a joke. And not the only one.]]
178* ''WebVideo/{{Kontrola}}'': The series teases all throughout whether Natalia will end up with Majka. [[spoiler:Even at the end [[MaybeEverAfter it isn't certain, though implied they do]].]]
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