Voyeurism

Tropes and genres
Related tropes/genres	Exhibitionism, Kink, Public Sex, UST
Related articles on Fanlore.

Voyeurism is a popular kink which involves one or more persons witnessing one or more others in a sexual act. Sometimes this is done purposefully, and the character is aware of their kink.

It is the reverse of the exhibitionism or public sex kink.

Voyeurism comes in many flavours: consensual or not, deliberate or not, leading to being caught and invited to join, leading to masturbation, a realization of feelings, Unresolved Sexual Tension, etc.

Romantic feelings either before or after the voyeuristic episode are not required, so long as sexual arousal/gratification occurs.

In Sept 2021, 50k works on AO3 used the 'Voyeurism' tag.

Trope Variations

Accidental Voyeurism

A common sub-category known as 'accidental voyeurism' involves unsuspecting characters coming upon a sexual situation.

They typically find themselves unable to leave (e.g., are trapped in a hiding place) and forced to witness the act to its end.

Although both parties are technically involved in a non-con act, this aspect of this setup is often treated lightly in fanworks, and neither the watching nor the watched parties are harmed by the episode beyond some temporary embarrasment.

Consensual Voyeurism

Here, characters are invited or request to watch others. This removes any non-con or dub-con aspect to the kink.

The watching or watched character(s) might already know they enjoy this kink, or discover it in the process.

In some cases, a voyeur might believe the act to be non-consensual, while the person they watch is in fact aware they are being watched and is 'playing to the camera.' This typically leads to UST and misunderstandings.

Forced Voyeurism

In Dark AU versions, characters may be forced to watch others perform sexual acts, perhaps in a fuck or die situation. As voyeurism is often inherently a non-consensual act, this branch-off is not surprising.

Self-Voyeurism

In this variation, voyeurs become aroused by watching themselves having sex -- either thanks to technology (video recordings) or due to magical/science-fiction means such as time travel, doppelgangers, etc.

In some stories, this leads to realizations such as coming out to themselves, or realizing their feelings for a specific character.

Fandoms

The top five fandoms on AO3 with works tagged voyeurism are as follows, as of 02 June, 2020:

• Harry Potter
• Supernatural
• Bangtan Boys
• Marvel Cinematic Universe
• Teen Wolf

However, this might be a result of those fandoms being the most popular on the site, rather than voyeurism being particularly prevalent in them.

Example Fanworks

Examples Wanted: Editors are encouraged to add more examples or a wider variety of examples.

Fanfiction

• Reaching Through The Mirror by ladyfoxxx, podfc by knight_tracer (MCR, 2011): a Time Travel AU in which doppelgangers go back in time and watch themselves have sex.
• A Space to Fill by seascribble (The Eagle, 2012). An OT3 variation in which Cottia asks to watch Marcus and Esca have sex.
• One Day We Won't Have to Be Scared by Paraxdisepink (Steve/Bucky, 2013). Steve and Bucky are at a gay bar in the 30s, and some guy offers them money to take pictures of them as they fuck.
• Lumos by birdsofshorre (Harry Potter, 2016). Harry never expected to spend eighth year listening to Draco Malfoy wanking.
• Open Windows, Open Hearts by Sheisme (The 100, 2017): Clarke comes home after her sophomore year of college to find she has a new neighbor, Lexa. Her interest in Lexa begins to grow. What makes things worse is that Clarke realizes her bedroom window looks directly into Lexa's bedroom window.
• Two Hands and a Map by isozyme. A genderbent Steve/Tony fic set in the Marvel Ultimates universe. (2019)
• transfixed (by you and your sharp pick) by DaughterOfDiana (Supergirl, 2019): Lena returns to campus early after a long winter break. She shows up at Kara's apartment unannounced and stumbles upon something she was never supposed to see.
• Geralt and Jaskier's Brothel Adventures by valdomarx (The Witcher, 2020): Geralt and Jaskier visit a brothel together. Because there's no chance that might awaken anything in either of them, right?

Podfic

• This Never Happened (podfic) by klb (MCR, 2011), in which Frank hides in Gerard's closet as a prank but ends up getting more than he bargained for.
• (Podfic) Filthy Acts by analise010 (MCU, 2012): Bucky discovers Steve was hiding in the wardrobe.
• (podfic) The Watcher by reena_jenkins (Teen Wolf, 2013): Peter’s always been a voyeur.

Resources

• Works tagged 'voyeurism' on AO3, ^{Archived version}
  • Works tagged 'accidental voyeurism' on AO3, ^{Archived version}
  • Works tagged 'non-consensual voyeurism' on AO3, ^{Archived version}