This is the "will they, won't they" phase. It is fueled by chemistry, but sustained by obstacles. These obstacles fall into three categories:

As AI companions and VR dating enter the chat, relationships and romantic storylines are evolving. We are seeing the rise of narratives where the "happily ever after" is a platonic partnership. We are seeing polyamorous storylines that move beyond the love triangle (which is inherently monogamous) to more complex configurations.