Danilo Thann and Arilyn Moonblade (Forgotten Realms)

As much as some people may hate romance being added to stories like adventures, there are ways to minimize the interference.  Let’s dive right into it.

1. Remember that the romance is a subplot.  It isn’t the main story, so it shouldn’t steal the spotlight for more than part of a chapter every now and then.  Once you begin paying more attention to the love story instead of the established story, you will lose audience members.  That isn’t what they picked the book up for since this isn’t a romance book.
2. If your story is an adventure, you can’t force regular relationship events.  Imagine being on a quest to save the world and stopping to go on a fancy date.  This connects to the first tip in that the characters need to make sure their priorities are correct.  If they put their romance above their quest then it will cause the audience to drift away.  After all, why would a reader care about the fate of the world if the heroes no longer do?
3. Romance can be done with small gestures and occasional words.  There doesn’t always have to be big gifts and heavy make-out sessions.  You can maintain the presence of this relationship without making it invasive.  For example, simply noting that the characters are sharing a bed, give a kiss goodnight, say they love each other, or anything that reveals emotions without being over-the-top.
4. Plot events can open the door for the romance characters to do some ‘normal’ stuff, but it shouldn’t be forced.  Biggest example is them having to go to a party for some reason, which allows them to dress up.  There will be dancing and compliments and what one would expect from a date.  It’s still part of the major adventure and will focus on that, but it gives the romance characters a chance to strengthen their bond.
5. Even if you’re adding a romance to make it a tragedy and create heartache later, you need to put effort into it.  Just like going too far can derail the story, not going far enough can make the tragedy fall flat.  So, you need to find that middle ground of having them act and grow like a couple, but not so much that it becomes the focal point of every chapter.
6. A key component of every relationship is communication.  So, the characters have to discuss things like the feelings, the future, and their general relationship.  This establishes a strong and realistic bond.  It also takes time away from the adventure, which is where you can run into problems.  Find lulls in the action where every character has downtime to have these events take place.  For example, staying at an inn for the night after pushing through the wilderness.  Another option is them healing up after a big battle and having nothing else to do.
7. Do NOT always listen to the loudest voices in the room when it comes to the romance subplots.  People will want you to junk it for a variety of reasons.  Others will feel a different relationship will work better and push for that.  Some will want you to go further with attention to the romance.  You are the author and know where the story is going.  Control this volatile subplot and don’t let others push you into making it explode by accident.