u/TotallyTired247

I’m so tired of people misunderstanding people’s interpretation of the un-mate quote. I’ve seen so many people on tiktok say the quote can’t be about Nessian because sjm called them perfect mates so they’re obviously endgame.

Like that’s not the point? Saying the quote is about a certain couple doesn’t mean they will definitely break up forever or actually un-mate. It’s about tension and friction in their relationship, not a definitive action.

I think the quote is about Nessian but that doesn’t mean that I think they will break up by the end of the books? Since when does a teaser quote mean it will 100% happen? Teaser quotes are to create suspense for the book release.

Like with HOFAS >!there was a quote that suggested Azriel and Nesta might be dead. Now did that mean they actually died in the book? Of course not. That would’ve been a huge spoiler to give away in a teaser and it was obviously just to create discourse and suspense leading up to the release!<

So why am I being called dumb or illiterate for saying it could be about Nessian?

There’s been so many times that people have told me that I shouldn’t ship Elucien because we should all respect Elains choice so we should ship her with Azriel because she has shown interest in him. I’ve been called disgusting/misogynistic for forcing Elain to be with someone she doesn’t want. I have a few issues with this line of thinking.

Firstly, we’re talking about fictional characters, not real life people. I feel like sometimes people forget that. Elain is not real. Saying we like Elain with Lucien is not taking away her agency or forcing her. Characters don’t have choices, they have arcs. And some people see Elains arc being that she’ll become a spy, “defy fate”, and end up with Azriel. Others see her arc being that she’ll become social again (like an emissary), leave the night court and end up falling in love with Lucien. These are two valid options to argue for, but it’s important to remember that neither takes away her agency or choice. Because no matter what arc Elain is going to get, she’s gonna “chose” to go that way. If she’s ending up with Azriel, it’s because she chose to. If she’s ending up with Lucien, it’s because she chose to. It’s that simple.

Secondly, I’ve been wondering whether it has ever truly been about respecting Elains wishes. Because the same people that say we should respects Elains wishes when it comes to the mating bond, are the same people that are really excited for a potential blood dual between Lucien and Azriel. The amount of people I’ve seen the last few weeks that are gushing about the blood dual between Lucien and Azriel is insane. Especially when we consider that Elain has specifically stated that she’s not a child to be fought over. So why do we (eluciens) have to respect Elains choice when it comes to a mating bond, but elriels can completely disregard her choice when it comes to a blood dual?

Besides the fact that Elain has said she’s not a child to be fought over, there’s nothing that strips away Elains choice more than a blood dual. IF a blood dual were to happen, that would mean that Elain isnt choosing who she wants to be with. It means Azriel and Lucien will fight to the death and the winner will “get” Elain. Why would you want that? Besides the fact that a blood dual is completely the opposite of what both Lucien and Elain stand for (it would be a complete 180 of Lucien’s character to demand a blood dual and a complete 180 of Elains character to be fine with it), it seems like a very unsatisfying way to determine Elains endgame.

It’s completely fine if you ship Elriel, but please think twice before commenting on eluciens not respecting Elains choice when many many elriels don’t respect Elains choice either.

I don’t think that a lot of people understand what I mean when I say I hate 3 brothers 3 sisters. It’s not necessarily that I’m against it because it’s cliche. I mean we’re talking about a fated mates series, of course there’s gonna be cliches. The issue is that one of the people involved (Azriel) uses it as an argument for why he should be with Elain (not even mentioning that it’s his only argument)

If 3 brothers 3 sisters happened organically, I would have no issue with it. But the fact that Azriel named it, acknowledged it and used it as a reason for why he should be with Elain is what makes it unappealing.

For example I’m a Gwynriel. I love the idea of the shadowsinger and the lightsinger (if Gwyn turns out to be one) together. One might also say that’s cliche, but again, since it appears to happen organically, I don’t see the problem with it. It would turn into a problem, however, if Azriel said: “Gwyn is a lightsinger and I’m a shadowsinger so of course we should be mates”. It would be an issue if Nesta or Rhys asked why he’s interested in Gwyn and that would be his answer.

The fact that Azriel uses 3 brothers and sisters as his (only) argument for wanting Elain, is exactly why it’s lost all its appeal to me and why I don’t think it will happen. To me it’s a clear red herring.

First of all it’s fine if you don’t ship Gwynriel. This post isn’t meant to necessarily change your mind, just to show some hypocrisy in anti Gwynriel arguments.

1. “If Gwyn and Azriel end up together she’ll be his third choice!”.

If you feel like this, fine, but then why do you ship other couples? Like Vassien? Vassa would be Lucien’s third choice too. First Jasminda, then Elain and then suddenly Vassa? Why is it only an issue when it’s Gwynriel? Most SJM endgame couples aren’t together from the start and explore other options. That doesn’t mean you’re “second choice”. Plus, Elain would be Azriels second choice after Mor. Or Azriel would be Elains second choice after Grayson.

2. “Azriel lusts after Elain even after he met Gwyn. If they were mates or endgame, he wouldn’t want another woman”

Then why ship Elriel? Because in acofas, after Azriel knew Elain for a long time, he still looked at Mor with so much heat Feyre had to look away. He was sexually attracted to Mor while knowing Elain. Does that mean they can’t be endgame too? Tog spoiler: >!and Lorcan was annoyed at Elide for cockblocking him. He was sexually attracted to another woman while knowing Elide!< and they still ended up together too. Same again for Vassien. Why is this only a dealbreaker for Gwynriel but not these other couples?

3. “Gwyn hasn’t shown romantic interest in Azriel so we shouldn’t ship them”

Then why ship Vassien? Neither Lucien or Vassa has shown anything but friendship and fondly for the other. Or why ship Bryceriel then? Bryce hasn’t shown romantic interest in Azriel either. Just because someone hasn’t shown romantic interest yet, doesn’t mean the foreshadowing isn’t there. That’s literally what foreshadowing it for.