#lightbroch

Everlark:

I picked Katniss and Peeta (Everlark) because they just wrecked me emotionally back in my teenage days. Like, I lived in that ship! And Merida × Ian kind of mirror that energy to me. The idea that two wildly different people get thrown together by fate and slowly learn how to love each other deeply and selflessly just cuts so deep for me. 🥺 Katniss is intense, guarded, and fierce like Merida, and Peeta is so gentle, loyal, and emotionally aware, just like Ian.

They both fight their own battles, but together they become something softer.and stronger. The whole “star-crossed lovers” thing? It's true even though it was fabricated to survive the Games. They wouldn’t have bonded without their world pulling them together. And that’s exactly how I see Mirrorverse giving Merida and Ian a chance to connect. The stars literally collided and the Mirrorverse pulled them together.

Simon x Doric:

I love Simon × Doric from D&D: Honor Among Thieves because Simon is basically Disney Mirrorverse Ian Lightfoot down to a T! They both doubt themselves and their magic even though they’ve got real potential, and Simon being half-elf just seals the parallel. His crush on Doric is adorable! He's shy, awkward, just trying his best, and a total cinnamon roll. I imagine Ian behaving the same way with Merida.

Merida would probably rebuff Ian at first, because of his insecurity and lack of confidence, but later take real interest once they develop a friendship, just like Doric did with Simon. Doric’s whole vibe/aesthetic is so Merida-coded lol. Redhead, wears green, defies authority, independent, and protective. And her slingshot arm definitely reminded me of Merida's archery skills.

Simon × Doric absolutely helped me define how I imagine Merida and Ian working as a slow-burn, mutual growth kind of ship.

Momokarun:

I love Momokarun as an inspiration because oh my God—they are so freaking adorable! Ian might be shy, but I can totally see him and Merida butting heads just like Momo and Okarun did in the early stages of their relationship. They’d start out clashing over views, but eventually they’d geek out over each other’s hobbies, talking for hours and getting wrapped up in shared interests. Their clashes are a sign of their growing bond and comfort with each other. They learn to be open and honest, and always make up afterward—often with Merida apologizing for making Ian feel misunderstood, just like Momo did with Okarun.

Merida is bold, assertive, quick-tempered, protective, and charismatic, which mirrors Momo so well. And Ian is introverted, and socially awkward (at first), but he’s also loyal, protective and incredibly sweet, like Okarun.

The way Momo and Okarun care for each other has me in an emotional chokehold, and the way their loyalty and protectiveness grow over time shows how strong their bond truly is—it’s honestly everything to me 🥺 I want that arc for Merida and Ian so bad. 😭

Spideychelle:

Spideychelle was one of my earliest modern ship inspirations. Ian and Peter both stumble socially. They’re nervous, fumbly, and constantly second-guessing themselves—but that’s part of their charm. They try to do the right thing and be brave, even when they’re terrified or unsure. They're so alike it’s uncanny! They're even played by the same actor. ;3

Neither of them hides their feelings very well and care a lot of what others think. Ian wants to be a great wizard like Mickey and help his fellow guardians. Peter wants to impress Tony and protect people. They’re not edgy. They’re both sweet and make choices based on compassion.

Ian feels the pressure of living up to his magical legacy as Mickey's apprentice and Peter is under the shadow of Tony Stark and wants to prove he’s worthy of being more than just “the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.” They both carry a huge emotional weight, fearing they’ll let their loved ones down. Ian doesn’t want to disappoint Mickey and Peter doesn’t want to mess up what Tony entrusted him with. Their self-worth is tied to how well they support others.

MJ and Merida can both be playful, snarky, confident, and watchful. I think MJ sees Peter like Merida would see Ian—someone full of heart, and someone worth believing in. MJ doesn’t fall for Peter because he’s Spider-Man—she falls for him because he’s sincere, awkward, and quietly brave. Peter, in turn, admires MJ’s intellect, wit, and ability to keep him from spiraling. She challenges him, calls him out, but never undermines him. Peter gives MJ someone she can depend on—someone who chooses her, even when the world demands everything else from him.

Ian, like Peter, starts off unsure of himself—intelligent, kind, but lacking self-belief. Merida, like MJ, is brave, bold, and emotionally perceptive. She sees through Ian’s hesitation and helps him believe in who he is, not just his magic. Merida respects Ian’s heart just as MJ respects Peter’s. Just as MJ grounds Peter, Merida would ground Ian. She’d tease him, push him to be braver, and remind him he doesn’t need to change to be worthy of love or respect.

Wendip:

Okay, before whoever’s reading this starts throwing stones at me—I like Wendip as an inspiration for the subtlety. Yes, I’m very aware of the three-year age gap, but Dipper and Wendy’s friendship chemistry is just so grounded and genuine. I really believe their friendship could evolve into romance once they’re both in their 20s.

(Plus, Sonic the Hedgehog is 15 and Amy Rose is 12—that’s the exact same age gap, yet no one bats an eye! It's funny how Sonamy gets so much love when Wendip gets labeled as problematic. Why the double standard? 👀)

The reason they inspire me so much is because both Dipper and Ian are intelligent, curious, and emotionally sensitive, but they often struggle with confidence. They have a quiet determination to prove themselves—whether through mastering magic (Ian) or solving mysteries (Dipper). Both are a bit awkward, a bit overthinking, and tends to take life very seriously compared to their more carefree sibling.

Barley Lightfoot (Ian’s older brother) and Mabel Pines (Dipper’s twin) are both fun-loving, chaotic, and expressive—the total opposite of their siblings' reserved energy. Barley and Mabel tease and push their brothers outside their comfort zones, but with deep love and unwavering loyalty. Ian and Dipper sometimes get exasperated or embarrassed by their siblings' antics, but they also know they couldn’t do half of what they do without them. Ian and Dipper learn to lean into their sibling’s love, and that’s what allows them to truly grow into themselves.

Dipper sees Wendy in a way most people in her life don’t. He notices how chill she is on the outside but how thoughtful and quietly brave she is underneath. He doesn't treat her like just "the cool older girl”—he genuinely admires her for being emotionally grounded, kind, and loyal.

And even though he has a massive crush on her, he never reduces her to just a love interest. He listens to her, cares about what she says, and respects her space. He makes her laugh, challenges her, and gives her someone who actually wants to know who she is, not just party with her or slack off like her usual friend group.

Honestly, Dipper brings a kind of emotional intimacy to Wendy’s life that she rarely gets—he's earnest, brave, and genuinely good-hearted. He did pretend to be someone he’s not just to impress her a couple of times but it was short-lived. He’s not great at faking it, and Wendy sees right through him anyway. What mattered was that he didn’t need to be someone else to matter to her. And the fact that Wendy never mocked him for trying—that she let him stumble, grow, and just be—is such a quiet but powerful show of respect. Merida wouldn’t need Ian to be fearless—she’d want him to be real.

Merida and Wendy are both rebellious, strong, and a little mischievous/playful. Also, I can’t ignore the parallels that Wendy’s a redhead, wears green flannel, wrangles three younger brothers, and has a big burly dad. Wendy grounds Dipper. She gives him space to be himself without judgment, and that means everything to a kid like him who’s constantly trying to prove he's mature or capable. She doesn’t tease or belittle him like others do—she treats him like an equal, even though he’s younger, and that quietly boosts his confidence in a way few others ever could.

She’s also his gateway to loosen up. Wendy encourages Dipper to take breaks from overthinking, watch horror movies, have fun, and embrace his weirdness instead of constantly trying to “be mature.” She shows him that being laid-back doesn’t mean it's being careless—it means trusting yourself and being in the moment. That rubs off on him in subtle and important ways.

Wendy listens, she jokes, she remembers the things he says—and that helps Dipper feel seen. She might not have romantic feelings for him in canon, but her respect and emotional generosity create the kind of bond that feels deeply foundational to me. She still values him as a close friend, and their dynamic stays wholesome and supportive. That’s the same energy Merida could bring to Ian: not someone who changes him, but someone who believes in the best version of him and helps him grow into it.

Hicstrid:

Hicstrid snuck up on me! I wasn’t a big fan of them at first, but once I started building/developing Merida and Ian’s relationship in my head, I realized how much of their dynamic overlapped and now I'm a die-hard Hicstrid fan!

Astrid’s journey from who she was in HTTYD 1 to who she becomes in 2 and 3 is what I absolutely adore! She’s still tough and capable, but also knows when to soften and support Hiccup emotionally. That shift is exactly what I imagine for Merida: not losing her fire, but learning how to let someone in. Ian isn’t Hiccup 1.0 exactly, but he’s got that same “proving himself” arc, and together, they could bring out the best in each other. Hicstrid definitely shaped how I write Merida × Ian in my headcanon/fanfiction.

Both Ian and Hiccup are curious thinkers. Hiccup is a tinkerer and dragon whisperer, and Ian is a shy magic-user with potential just waiting to bloom.

Hiccup feels like he’s not Viking enough and Ian fears he’s not magical or brave enough. They both carry invisible expectations and the pressure to prove themselves. Both feel like they have something to live up to—and it shapes the way they approach responsibility and risk.

Merida and Astrid are warrior women with wild hearts! 🏹🪓

Bow and axe aside, they’re both bold, tactical, openly opinionated, and never afraid to leap into action. Their physical confidence contrasts beautifully with their love interests’ more softer and quieter strengths~

Both value their freedom and don’t give it up lightly—not for tradition, expectations, or romance. Their affection is earned through trust, not flattery. Astrid learns to comfort, encourage, and emotionally support Hiccup while still staying true to her Viking roots. And Merida would absolutely do the same for Ian—not by changing who she is, but by learning how to open her heart to him without losing her fire.

Astrid is Hiccup’s grounding force—she believes in him when he doubts himself. Merida is Ian’s anchor, pushing him to believe in himself without demanding perfection. Both girls tease and challenge their boys—but never mock them. It’s encouragement and playful banter, not belittlement.

Hiccup and Astrid don't start as soulmates—they grow into each other through respect and trust. Ian and Merida follow this same slow-burn path.

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