I'm really interested to hear some opinions and ideas on how you deal with romance between NPCs and PCs.
I have barely any issues with RPing most anything, but approaching the more intimate bits like flirting runs into some mental blocks of mine.
Any input would be appreciated!
Note: Yes, talking to players and establishing expectations, etc. is always the answer. However, I am mainly looking to hear some ideas on how I might change my approach to it, because I'd very much like to be comfortable with all that.
Quite, Everyone is in their 30s. It's really just a hang-up on my end I am trying to figure out how to navigate.
I suppose I'd advise a perspective shift.
While I'm fully aware that's easier said than done, and assuming this is something you do want your table to have some kind of rp access to, you'd need to work on your own ability to tolerate the behavior.
What specifically about the flirting rp bothers you? If you can home in on that, then may be able to establish some boundaries with your table that will both allow them the rp possibilities you're looking for, while also keeping things smooth and comfortable to you.
Well, as I mentioned in other replies, I don't want to avoid my discomfort with it but rather work through it and overcome it.
Someone on mastodon gave me some good advice to frame it all as part of the directed story telling. So using the flirting as a device to move the plot forward. I believe I've seen it more or less as it's own thing for the sake of itself rather than part of the ongoing game. Might be that goes in the same vein as your suggestion of perspective shift.