The acotar fandom is a weird experience. Never in all my years in fandom culture have I seen a fandom this straight, this rigidly heterosexual.
I was genuinely shocked that Tamcien and Tamsand aren't popular. Like what do you mean? In any other fandom they would be HUGE. They'd be dominating the fandom. And yet I logged on, full of expectation, and ??
Where is the queerness? The exploration of couples that aren't canon?
Tamcien?? I'm sorry, how is this not THE biggest ship in the fandom. I'm biased, sure, but hello? Are we seeing this? Living together for centuries, they basically had to be everything for each other because they only had each other during the worst times of their lives. Desperately loyal to each other? Tamlin saved Lucien and "claimed him as my own"? Lucien calling Tamlin "Tam" constantly, worrying about him when he's gone, losing an EYE for him?? Lucien leaving hurt Tamlin more than Feyre leaving. The betrayal, the yearning. The husband behaviour is so strong with them, it smacked me across the face every single time they are on page together. SJM trying to tell me there's a magic orgy every year and nothing happend between them ever? I don't buy ittt. Lucien can fix Tamlin, I know it.
Second most obvious, Tamsand. I mean... it's all there. EASY. Rhysand cannot stop thinking about Tamlin, ever. That man is always on his mind, truly has a chokehold on him. He can't let him go. Enemies to lovers back to enemies?? Story writes itself. Rhysand teaching Tamlin to fight and how to fuck ("females", sure), gifts him special knives. Killing each other's families?? Toxic breakup cranked up to the max. The angst is off the charts! Centuries later Rhysand is still not over him, constantly busting down his door to torment him when he's already down. Rhysand gives Lucien so much shit for no reason, constantly bringing up Tamlin to piss him off ("Your beloved Tamlin." I SEE YOU, Rhysand). Gotta say, reads like a bitter ex-boyfriend shitting on his ex's new lover. Hmmm dare I say - jealous, Rhysand?
We all know SJM has a fetish for the bat boys... all that masculinity, they work off steam by physically fighting each other... probably all sweaty, rolling around in the dirt. Fucking in the same room?? Are you looking at each other during it, offering comments, applauding?? Like what is happening. There is a very obvious next step here. Sure, they are "family" but we've seen Cassian gift Mor lingerie, so clearly that definition of family is pretty loose. Cassian is just waiting for a sexy command from Rhysand, always so willing to please him. Rhysand, just put him out of his misery and fulfill his wish, please.
Azris. Azriel chocking Eris out, enough to launch a ship. The dynamic of shadowy Azriel and Autumn fire Eris, both having experience with abuse, both operating in the metaphorical or literal shadows, keeping secrets. Keeping constant track of each other... I see you.
Nesta! Prime candidate for a sapphic ship. Spent her whole life being taught her only value is to marry well? Her worth always seen in relation to men? Listen, I don't even have to think about how interesting of a story that would be, if she could unlearn all that with a woman. To make a story about her finally being herself without having to fulfill a man's expectations, to be allowed to step outside these gender roles. Also, Nesta can be mean and sassy and I find that very attractive in a woman. Please, let her kiss a girl.
The potential for queer ships is so high! Yet the majority of the fandom goes feral over canon straight couples only. Never have I seen a fandom hold onto canon text this strongly, only ships that are canon or will become canon are allowed.
Where is the exploration, the imagination? Going wild with crumbs, just for the fun of it. Disregard canon, embrace the flavour, have fun with the source material!! If the canon books are boring and bland and predictable, I'm at least enjoying the parts of fandom that are cool and interesting.
