u/Repulsive-Act-7090

Consider this artistic interpretation that I wanted to share. Jonathan’s “Marie Antoinette syndrome” is already a dramatic representation of his emotional scar from the events of the novel, and I have seen fan-art and fan-fiction depict the white hair as permanent.

But my head canon is that his hair grows back to its natural shade overtime, representing his trauma healing with time and acceptance. I imagine his hair being brown with some remaining streaks of white by the time he writes the epilogue seven years later, because of course his trauma isn’t gone, but it doesn’t hold power over him anymore.

What do you think?

This a burning question about shipping that has been on my mind lately. It’s not meant to insult people and their preferences, it’s just a curiosity of mine because I want to know what goes on in people’s heads.

I’m involved in multiple fandoms, and I have experience with how certain people will express their love on the internet, shipping being one of them. One thing I have noticed is that some fans will be really stuck on the idea that two characters have to have a specifically romantic relationship in order for them to be satisfied (this usually happens in a same-sex context, but I have seen it happen with heterosexual ships). Mind you, there’s nothing wrong with a head-canon or an idea that will inspire a fan fiction. But the odd thing is that these types of fans will not settle with a platonic relationship between their OTP, even if that friendship is sweet on its own. The characters in question could still have a healthy understanding, a strong narrative bond, and interesting interactions between each other, but their shippers will demand change from the writers if they aren’t kissing, getting married, or getting it on, implied or otherwise.

I’ve seen this happen with Sherlock Holmes and John Watson across multiple Holmes interpretations and fandoms. I’ve seen this happen in the Loki fandom with Loki and Mobius. And even when Will and Mike ended with a note of understanding and acceptance on Stranger Things, I witnessed a comment from a fan that was crushed that they didn’t get together.

Again, there’s nothing wrong with shipping (unless the ship in question is morally disgusting, of course). It just baffles me. In my eyes, a strong friendship can be just as enjoyable and sweet as a romantic relationship. Friendship can be the basis for great character building and growth. In my eyes, Holmes and Watson love each other like brothers, Mobius was the father figure Loki never had, and Will respecting Mike’s autonomy and feelings is much healthier than if Mike agreed to be his boyfriend out of guilt. But to these types of fans, friendship isn’t enough. And it makes me wonder why that is, and what their personal views on relationships are. I wonder if it’s the societal fear of “friend-zoning” or something like that.

Does anyone have any insight or idea into the reason for this thinking? Again, I don’t want to insult these people, I just want to understand.

TLDR: Why are some fans unsatisfied if their OTP aren’t romantic, even if the platonic friendship is just as sweet?