I have some notions in this front.

First, I think heartwarming doesn’t pursue emotional arc instead of things-happening. Rather, the only way to do what you are trying to do is through affirmation, bonding, honesty.

Second, small stakes. Smaller. In IIEE terms (blast from the past!) you need to be hung up more on the first I than anything else: “do I do this?” Not “will I succeed?”

That’s for starts.