This is arguably the most popular trope in modern fiction. It provides built-in tension and a satisfying "thaw" as characters realize their preconceptions were wrong.

When a storyline forces characters to confront their insecurities—like fear of abandonment or emotional unavailability—the romance becomes a vehicle for profound individual growth. The tension shifts from "Will they get together?" to "Are they mature enough to stay together?" Subverting Traditional Dynamics

Ultimately, are not about the perfect kiss in the rain. They are about the imperfect person who brings you soup when you are sick and doesn't expect thanks. They are about the argument you have at 2 AM that ends not with a resolution, but with a truce and a hand on a back.