I don't have much of a horse in the Elriel vs. Elucien race (or at least, not a strong one)
But whenever the Elriel side is going on about how "weird" people are being for wanting Elucien together even though Elain doesn't like him right now and is uncomfortable it's like ....... no one shipping Elucien wants it to STAY that way?
Why are we acting like Elucien shippers are like "I'll take them JUST LIKE THAT! It'll be so awesome when Elain dislikes him and they're together :) I don't expect or want her to grow to like him in any capacity! They should just stay as they are and be together :)))"
OBVIOUSLY the desire is that they have an arc over 1-2 books where that is ... no longer how she feels, right? Like do people need to explicitly spell that out? Can we not assume that is what they're imagining in their end-goal ship outcome?
"WOW THEY HATE ELAIN BECAUSE THEY WANT HER IN A RELATIONSHIP WHERE SHE DISLIKES HER PARTNER"
Like ..... no.... actually, they want their feelings to develop to a place where she DOES like him when they get together. Again..... OBVIOUSLY???
It just feels like the mostttttt disingenuous take.
If SJM wants to keep Elain on her "I dislike Lucien" track and that's the end of it, whatever. Then sure, they won't get together. But when people are hoping for an Elucien arc.. bundled into that arc is her LIKING HIM lol.
Thank you - Unfortunately, critical thinking isn't their strong suit. They forget these are just characters being used to tell a story, and the story many of us want to read is how two mates overcome their fears, baggage, and challenges before finally falling in love despite their hesitation. That's where the tension, growth, and payoff come from. It's just a damn story, lol. Some of us simply find that journey far more compelling than instant love or getting together the second two characters meet. The obstacles are the point. The struggle is the point. Without it, there's no story to tell.
Also Feyre like actively hated Rhysand when they first met. It took a while before their relationship changed. Sarah doesn’t really create relationships where they get along perfectly when they first meet
