Ones I love:

Brave, unassuming cinnamon roll who is actually very capable and sensible beneath their insuppressible, optimistic attitude.

Powerful, intelligent, charismatic character who feels faulty and has half a dozen complexes beneath their ultra-cool, "nothing bothers me" veneer.

Repressed control freaks who reject society and socially normative behaviors as a self-defense mechanism, and have convinced themselves they're impervious to being emotionally hurt.

Public servant types who don't know who they are outside of their ability to help others and serve the public good. They are unassuming and self-sacrificing, without any sense of their own value, and with a poor understanding of their own fears and desires. They don't feel virtuous; they usually believe they don't do anything that other people wouldn't do in their position.

Ice-cold, sharp-minded, untouchable types who don't trust anyone (usually for good reason), are constantly playing 4D chess in their heads, and will cut a bitch to shreds if threatened. (But deep down they just want to feel safe and read books all day.)


Ones that usually don't work for me are most often ones that feel shallow and basic while playing into heteronormative stereotypes. Brooding, protective bad boy; spunky, headstrong 'every-girl', etc.