The above is what I generally RP AND do in RL.
Right now for RP, my main and her friend are practically inseparable. They've got a closeness that simply being friends can't describe, but there aren't any romantic feelings attached. We didn't start out the backstories that way, but the other player and I have been OOC friends for a while, so we quickly tweaked our char's stories to essentially share a backstory - They're a duo and honestly my most fulfilling RP thing at the moment.
As for RP romance-y stuff; When it happens, it happens. It's never the focus, but when it does happen, generally it's because someone managed to beat someone else in a fight. Not so much for sappy, more for tsundere stuff. Ha!
IRL, I'm a huge sap. I tend to be more comfortable with small gestures, rather than over the top professions of adoration. I'm pretty plain when it comes to feelings, and honestly would prefer close bromance than romance.