When writing, I don't plot out each major, minor, or underlying theme and plot that takes place. I just...write. I mean, I know the main theme and idea I'm trying to convey, who the characters are, their personalities, etc. But outside of that, I'm just as surprised as everyone else when connections are made that I didn't notice before.
For example, in Anywhere, one of the main characters, Gen Parker, is in college to become a civil engineer so he can help build bridges later on. Throughout the story, you can see and get the sense of bridges being built all over the place.
Mika going from severe abuse to love and family.
Gen going from solitude and isolation to a solid relationship with Mika and his friends.
The connection between Mika's late father and his abusive stepfather.
To name a few, of course...
The subtext in I'll Destroy Hell for You came surprisingly in the title itself. Yes, Hawk will literally destroy an entire Realm to keep his soulmate safe, but it became more apparent later on, that it also references the Hell within themselves.
Hawk facing his past and the demon within him.
Hero's past relationship that sent him spiraling into depression.
Persephone's own ego and narcissism.
The deep trauma Hero experiences later on that both men have to confront.
When I sat down to write these two novels (and the subsequent 3 books that have been added to I'll Destroy Hell for You to create a series), I just wanted to tell a story that I would enjoy, if only on a surface level. What I got was something so much more real and deep than I expected.
My question for you is, what hidden subtext does your story have that you either did, or even better did not, intend to have? Please share!!