ｶｰﾁｬﾝ「あんたこの構図ばっかり描くわねぇ」

I also have the dialogue graveyard where I put bits of conversations that I've edited out. Sometimes they just keep on talking and imo that's a great sign that the chemistry is working

Aw heck, thanks!

5) Know what dynamic you want to pull off and know why YOU YOURSELF THE AUTHOR like it so much. Focus on showing those things. If you love it, it'll be apparent. Your characters' relationship is your thesis statement on why that dynamic is dope as fuck.

Having a mental sync to your mech is common. Syncing to something sentient is rare (see Pacific Rim Drift Compatibility. Also just see Pacific Rim it's great)My antagonists, Wraithe and Glazer don't sync together, but can coordinate like they are and that makes them dangerous af. AND THEN [spoilers]

4) WORDLESS COMMUNICATION I WILL NEVER STOP BEATING THIS DRUM. A glance, a touch, a nod, a facial expression. If a character can understand another when they can't or won't use their words, that's fuckin peak to me. And having characters who aren't as good at it is fun to navigate.

It's basically the whole book. Endless examples. It makes friendships work, it makes romances absolutely work. I love it. Pry it from my cold dead hands.

3) Forced proximity! Maybe not entirely in a physical sense. What I like to do is give 'em a goal that they need to accomplish together that is absolutely impossible on their own. Make them have to rely on each other. Very fun if you have characters who think they can't trust each other.

2) They gotta like something about each other. Your characters can say "I don't know" about what that is, but as an author, you absolutely should know.
Example: One of the first things Auberon noticed about Elias is how much care he takes with machines. As a machine, he appreciates that.

That'll keep them coming back to find out more. For example, at the start, Elias has a mental list of Weird Things About Kiran and has been trying to piece together the backstory Kiran refuses to talk about. It gives Elias a reason to hang around. What's that weird little twink gonna say next?

Dang, I just wanna repost your answers and say "ditto".

Oh holy moly

Yes it does! And it's delightful.