You have faces and framing. Use close-ups sparingly—they are the emotional exclamation point. Use proxemics (how close characters stand) to track intimacy. A couple that begins a scene six feet apart and ends it at two feet has told an entire arc without a word.
Two centuries later, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy remain the gold standard. Why? Because their conflict is entirely internal. Her "prejudice" against his pride is not a misunderstanding; it is a logical conclusion based on her values. His pride is not villainy; it is a defense mechanism. The famous "Hunsford proposal" is a masterclass in romantic horror—he lists every reason not to love her while proposing. Their evolution is slow, painful, and earned. By the end, she has learned to see past performance, and he has learned humility. That is extra quality. wwwworldsexc extra quality
Swap the genders, ages, or personalities of your two leads. Does the story still work? If the romance only functions with a specific gender dynamic, it is likely relying on stereotypes, not character. You have faces and framing