#foldbell

Fireafy: I like this one because and despite the dream island fiasco. The way they yearned for each other yet couldn't communicate that well to save their life was imperfect in an interesting way(it was also very frustrating, especially with post-split, but I respect the message that arc's conclusion was going for so it is forgiven). Since the fan content also captures this well, Fireafy is one of my favorite ships.

Leafpin: When this art was new, I hated this ship with a PASSION. But it doesn't enrage me anymore so I can calmly say it's unbelievable. I don't buy them being childhood friends. I don't buy Leafy putting up with Pin in BFDIA cause 'she's a tsundere'. I don't buy either of them caring about each other in BFB. I see some interesting parallels, but that isn't enough to get me on board for this ship. Doesn't help that some Leafpin fans act like their ship is better and healthier than Fireafy when its baggage never even got acknowledged, let alone resolved.

Icelety: This one's here because fanon depictions usually just romanticize one of my least favorite tropes: the famous person x their biggest fan. This trope annoys me because the fan's relationship with their "crush" is parasocial, and instead of exploring why and having character B see character A as a real person, they just frame that obsession as cute and make the ship happen as a reward for B. That's what Icelety does. It frames a creepy parasocial relationship as 'wholesome lesbian fluff', and to be frank I hate that shit.

9 Ball x Shopping Cart: This is the closest thing to projection I can think of cause I probably just made up their dynamic. I don't even know if they've talked to each other. I just thought of a human design for 9 Ball, then thought 'what if they were a wheelchair user? What if Shopping Cart used one too? What if they were dating?' And that's seriously all there is to it.

Stapliy: I adore Stapliy because it happened against all odds. When BFB 2 revealed they had a very low opinion of each other, then they were trapped together in a stagnant environment for years with some baggage on top, NO ONE expected their relationship to get better. But despite that fair assumption, it did. They had positive moments, it's implied they worked on a plan to escape together, and by TPOT 9 they were happy to be in the same group. The forced proximity actually brought them closer! And this development happening in the background makes it interesting to me because there's an endless list of ways it could've happened(which is why it kills me this is a rarepair, how does no one else want to see this why am I the only one-). It's not garden-variety enemies to lovers, it's a story of characters that formed a real connection despite their rocky past. One where they decided the baggage from said past was worth putting aside for an alliance, then let go of completely since they formed a genuine friendship, one with good chemistry at that. This doesn't even touch on TPOT 19, there's a lot of good angst potential there...I need to end this before it turns into an essay, Stapliy's great the end.

Foldbell: My love for this pair mostly comes down to soft yuri, but there's more to it than that. Both of them are mistreated in ways that aren't taken seriously(Foldy's deaths and Bell's string), they probably vent about that to each other. They got a fresh start in TPOT, then Foldy was booted out second, there's some angst potential on both ends since Bell showed some interest in being friends with Foldy before TPOT and Foldy got separated from her friends again. There's some more things but the point is these two are cute together and have a friendship with some weight in retrospect.

Bomby & Naily: Platonic goals! Their friendship is pretty memorable despite a lack of screentime, and it's nice to see girl-boy duos without a hint of romance. Also, platonic size differences.

Flowby: From what I've seen the appeal of this one is Ruby calling Flower beautiful, which is a nice sentiment since she cares about her image and most of the cast called her ugly as a joke...but it just feels forced. Later on we find out Ruby's compliment was really shallow and none of their scenes had remarkable chemistry. Don't hate Flowby, it's just kinda whatever to me.

Liymote: No strong feelings on this one either, I just don't get the appeal. I know it exists because the ship had fans in pre-split, but I couldn't tell you what it is.

Gelafirey: I like it in BFDIA cause they're fun and stupid together. They aren't endgame but I like to think they dated for a bit in that era.