HELP
It's frustrating to sift through The Vampire Diaries fanfictions only to find so many stories that feel like they're forcing LGBTQ+ dynamics or relying on tired tropes, especially when it comes to male OCs being unrealistically obsessed with canon male characters. It takes away from the creative potential of exploring new, nuanced plots that stay true to the characters and the world of TVD. Not every story has to be about romance or obsession; there's so much room for narratives about survival, power struggles, and meaningful interactions that don't lean on these clichés. While I'm generally not a fan of female protagonists, I can appreciate them when they're done well—like Clary Fray from The Shadowhunters Chronicles (though I prefer her book counterpart). But even when I give female protagonists a chance, I often run into the same problems: forced dynamics, shallow development, or repeated, overdone formulas. Add to that the toxic and often outright disturbing trends in fanfiction communities—such as glorifying unhealthy relationships, older men with younger girls, older women with younger boys, or even "waiting" for minors to turn 18, as if that somehow makes it better. That kind of "spawn camping" is disgusting and doesn't belong in stories. If anyone has recommendations for fics that avoid these tired and problematic tropes—ones that focus on compelling original characters or fresh, balanced storytelling—I'd genuinely love to hear them.