History Main / FriendsWithBenefits

** [[BlackMagicianGirl Morrigan]] and [[AnythingThatMoves Zevran]] both view a relationship with the [[PlayerCharacter Warden]] in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' to be this at first, though in both cases it evolves into something deeper if you pursue it. In Morrigan's case, it might actually be a subversion: she says that she wants this type of relationship but if you look like you might be inclined to fool around with someone else, [[MemeticMutation she disapproves]].

* This sums up the relationship between [[AnythingThatMoves Telia]] and [[{{Tsundere}} the Wanderer]] in ''VideoGame/VisionsAndVoices'', at least in the BackStory. Their in-game relationship follows the standard BelligerentSexualTension pattern, except for the minor detail that they're already screwing like rabbits before love and romance even become an issue.

* ''Dragon Pink'': Pias is [[OurElvesAreDifferent an elven]] [[LadyOfBlackMagic sorceress]], who [[DeusSexMachina has to absorb mana through sex]] to sustain her power. So she sleeps with [[GentleGiant Bobo]], usually whenever their travelling party stops at an inn. It's understood that their arrangement is strictly business; not that Bobo's complaining. Eventually {{subverted}} by chapter 11 of the manga version, when Pias [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome learns that she's pregnant]] with Bobo's child[[note]]which was thought to be impossible, since the mages of her Clan are usually barren[[/note]]. They take the news well and retire as a couple, by chapter 24, after she gives birth to their son.

* In the comedy ''Film/NoStringsAttached'', Creator/AshtonKutcher and Creator/NataliePortman star as a pair of these. You can really tell because (a) They're both getting redressed on the movie poster and (b) It actually says on the poster [[TitleDrop "Friendship has its benefits"]].

* ''Series/DarkMatter'': Two and Three in "Episode 5". After Two and One start hooking up in "Episode 7" onwards, Two insists it's this but One is clearly interested in more and Two's denial of emotional attachment rings hollow.

** Shortly after escaping the reptilian vessel, they end up in Lemuria, where she [[spoiler: [[CoitusEnsues bangs him while they're at the hot springs]]]].

%%* In the one-volume manga version of ''Anime/HeatGuyJ'' Clair has a HotScientist around that is implied to be this.

Some people draw a distinction between "Friends with Benefits" and "Fuck Buddies". In this view, fuck buddies are couplings with ''no'' emotional relationship, just great sex ("Kink Buddy" is a related term if their activities are BDSM- or fetish-related). [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Friends with benefits]], by contrast, are actually friends outside the bedroom, doing things together and providing emotional support just like platonic friends would.

* The female Shepard's relationship with Garrus in ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'' at the beginning fits this to a T. Initially, there is nothing romantic whatsoever about their get-together: Shepard just offers to sleep with Garrus in the middle of a conversation and Garrus replies [[IfItsYouItsOkay "Well, why the hell not?"]]. The dialogue that ensues is initially all about reconciling the fact that it's an InterspeciesRomance but the focus rapidly and subtly shifts to Garrus revealing [[TheWoobie how lost and lonely he really is, how he's filled to the brim with self-doubt]] and how Shepard is the only person in the galaxy who can give him even a moment's solace. [[RelationshipUpgrade At which point it stops being this trope]].

* This sums up the relationship between [[AnythingThatMoves Telia]] and [[{{Tsundere}} the Wanderer]] in ''VideoGame/VisionsAndVoices'', at least in the BackStory. Their in-game relationship follows the standard BelligerentSexualTension pattern, except for the minor detail that they're already screwing like rabbits before love and romance even become an issue.

** In ''VideoGame/TheSims4'', the relationship status of WooHoo Partner was added in July 2022, which is a platonic relationship that has access to WooHoo. This status was designed to compliment the addition of sexual orientation to the game, where it is possible to make a Sim who’s sexual attraction is not the same as their romantic attraction, making WooHoo Partner the status needed to perform the act with the relevant gender(s).
* In ''VideoGame/Borderlands2'', one of the loading screen tips notes "Shields are like friends. [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything The best ones come with additional benefits]]."
* In ''VideoGame/TheWitcher3WildHunt'', it is possible to romance [[spoiler:Keira Metz]]. It never really gets serious, but you do get one of those infamous ''The Witcher'' sex scenes. Oh, and guess what the achievement name for doing this is?
* In ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' series' backstory, the LostOrphanedRoyalty and future Queen of Morrowind, Barenziah, had such a relationship with the Nord stableboy, Straw, who helped her to escape from her foster family. Straw wanted it to be more, but Barenziah had no interest.

In fiction, such relationships are a convenient starting point for romantic angst. Even though this kind of friendship in real life can last a lifetime and they might continue to fool around despite marriages or long-term relationships (hopefully with the partners' blessing), per the RuleOfDrama, fiction would have you believe the setup isn't at all sustainable, as one or the other will eventually decide [[RomanceEnsues they want a romantic relationship]] after all. This results in either a RelationshipUpgrade (possibly signified by IGotYouADrawer) or a [[MakeUpOrBreakUp breakup]].

{{Alice and Bob}} enjoy getting together for sex. [[{{Lust}} Wild]], [[AllWomenAreLustful rampant]], [[AllMenArePerverts unrestrained]] [[DidTheEarthMoveForYouToo bed-shaking]], [[TheImmodestOrgasm so-loud]][[RightThroughTheWall -it-annoys-the-neighbors]] IdealizedSex. With this much enthusiasm going on, you can just ''tell'' that they're perfect soulmates, bonded for life.

{{Alice and Bob}} enjoy [[GoodPeopleHaveGoodSex getting together for sex]]. [[{{Lust}} Wild]], [[AllWomenAreLustful rampant]], [[AllMenArePerverts unrestrained]] [[DidTheEarthMoveForYouToo bed-shaking]], [[TheImmodestOrgasm so-loud]][[RightThroughTheWall -it-annoys-the-neighbors]] IdealizedSex. With this much enthusiasm going on, you can just ''tell'' that they're perfect soulmates, bonded for life.

* Franchise/TheSims

* In ''VideoGame/TheSims3'', it's possible to make your Sims be friends with benefits, and will react slightly differently after [[UnusualEuphemism woohooing]]. In fact, unless they choose to go steady, they can have sex without actually considering themselves in a romantic relationship. This is quite different from ''VideoGame/TheSims2'', where just chatting each other up can result in them basically making it official, and you need a GameMod for them to ever have sex outside of a relationship.

* In ''Literature/OneFlewOverTheCuckoosNest'', Candy Starr is a HookerWithAHeartOfGold, she is a friend of Randle [=McMurphy=] and shows sympathy towards the other interns. She and Randle are true friends and had sex multiple times but aren't a couple and have no problems with the others sleeping with different partners.

* "Urgent" by Music/{{Foreigner}}. The speaker seems to want a RelationshipUpgrade, even though he tells himself he just wants sex.

* ''Webcomic/PixieTrixComix'', a sequel to ''Webcomic/MenageA3'' (above), also features a number of relationships that look more like friendships-with-benefits than deep romances; examples would include Aaron's fling with Nikki and any sexual relationship involving Sharon that ascends to the level even of friendship. However, a specific example might be [[spoiler:Aaron's relationship with Tess. To begin with, she clearly finds him irritating much of the time, but he makes himself useful, and she starts to use him as a source of ideas and amusing company. Then faced with a possible committed relationship with Dora, she decides that she wants a [[LastHetRomance last heterosexual fling]], and Aaron is nearby]]...

* ''Webcomic/PixieTrixComix'', a sequel to ''Webcomic/MenageA3'' (above), also features a number of relationships that look more like friendships-with-benefits than deep romances; examples would include Aaron's fling with Nikki and any sexual relationship involving Sharon that ascends to the level even of friendship. However, a specific example might be [[spoiler:Aaron's relationship with Tess. To begin with, she clearly finds him irritating much of the time, but he makes himself useful, and she starts to use him as a source of ideas and amusing company. Then faced with a possible committed relationship with Dora, she decides that she wants a [[LastHetRomance last heterosexual fling, and Aaron is nearby]]...

** Peggy calls on Gary for stress relief. Surprisingly, although she's using him as an outlet for her pegging fetish despite his (initial) discomfort with that, their subsequent conversation is not only friendly but unusually thoughtful and constructive. They develop a pegging-with-benefits relationship that remains highly amicable. (So [[spoiler:although the eventual RelationshipUpgrade takes some effort, it feels entirely plausible]].)

As it turns out, their interest in each other doesn't go outside the bedroom. Maybe their personalities clash, or perhaps neither of them wants a long-term relationship, or one or both are UsefulNotes/{{Aromantic}}. When they're not doing the [[UnusualEuphemism horizontal mambo]], they could be JustFriends, indifferent, or even [[BelligerentSexualTension confrontational]]. If they're on good terms, they might do their best to [[ShipperOnDeck help each other find true love]]. But until that happens, they'll get together to knock boots every Saturday, [[RuleOfFun just for fun.]]

* A lot of characters in the ''[[Literature/HeraldsOfValdemar]]'' series see nothing wrong with an affectionate fling, including the titular Heralds. Their borderline-EthicalSlut ways are justified since they're all gods-verified Good People in a job so dangerous that dying young is a definite posibility.

{{Alice and Bob}} enjoy [[GoodPeopleHaveGoodSex getting together for sex]]. [[{{Lust}} Wild]], [[AllWomenAreLustful rampant]], [[AllMenArePerverts unrestrained]] [[DidTheEarthMoveForYouToo bed-shaking]], [[TheImmodestOrgasm so-loud]][[RightThroughTheWall -it-annoys-the-neighbors]] IdealizedSex. With this much enthusiasm going on, you can just ''tell'' that these two are perfect soulmates, bonded for life.

As it turns out, their intense attraction for each other ends outside of the bedroom. Maybe their personalities clash, or perhaps neither of them wants a long-term relationship, or one or both are UsefulNotes/{{Aromantic}}. When they're not doing the [[UnusualEuphemism horizontal mambo]], they could be JustFriends, indifferent, or even [[BelligerentSexualTension argumentative]]. If they're on good terms, they might share relationship advice to [[ShipperOnDeck help each other find true love]].

But until that happens, they'll get together to knock boots every Saturday. [[RuleOfFun Just for the fun of it.]] It is likely, but far from necessary, that they are both {{Ethical Slut}}s.

Often happens in a relationship with a HookerWithAHeartOfGold.

* The titular Fire and her childhood friend Archer from Kristin Cashore's ''[[Literature/{{Graceling}} Fire]]''.