So, there’s been quite a bit of slander in the fan fiction community, specifically on tiktok. I don’t know what it is about tiktok’s algorithm where it basically reads your mind and gives you what you didn’t know you needed, but my for you page has been flooded with content calling out the problems you have depending on your favorite troupe. Soulmates? You are a hopeless romantic and waiting for “the one”. Hurt and comfort? You just straight up need therapy. And enemies to lovers? You want to be loved by someone who will accept you and your toxic traits because you think you’re unlovable…. and you need therapy.
Like okay I get it I need therapy, jeez.
(if you want to see me get read to filth watch this: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMetpHMnJ/ )
…Anyway, I feel like I continue to defend my love of the enemies to lovers troupe in my head, so why not defend on my substack where other people can see what I’m thinking and join in on the conversation.
Here's the thing. As humans we all crave the feeling of love and how it feels not only to love someone but more importantly, that someone actually loves you back. And I mean someone sees your flaws, your vulnerability, and still decides they want to stick by your side and love you. Enemies to lovers is entirely about someone hating everything about you and then falling in love with what they see once they stop hating and start observing. That whole basis is why I love the dramione (Hermione Granger x Draco Malfoy) ship so much.
Okay, I will admit it’s quite toxic and the way some writers choose to characterize them is very, very toxic (although still extremely enticing to read!), but the vibe is the same. Draco is literally raised to hate Hermione because her parents are Muggles, and Hermione hates Draco because well… he’s kind of a dick. But I seriously thrive off of these fan fiction writers characterizing Draco as more than a pompous coward that he is in canon and Hermione as more than just the big brains of the Golden Trio.
Maybe it’s because I’m a Libra and by default a hopeless romantic when it comes to love, but I think it’s romantic that someone can see your flaws and decide that they will live with it because they love that part of you too. At the end of the day, part of the foundation that goes into a healthy, long-lasting relationship is accepting the flaws of your partner and working with them. I have yet to experience that and I have accepted that I love the idea and thought of love much more than I’ve enjoyed living it. And that’s why I find romantic fulfillment through shipping fictional characters. I have no shame. Well, maybe just a little bit.
Made it this far? Here’s a list of some of my favorite dramione fan fiction, a short and sweet round up so you can dabble in a slightly toxic, but entertaining ship:
The Right Thing To Do by LovesBitca8
Isolation by Bex-chan
The Muddy Princess by Colubrina
Presque Toujours Pur by ShayaLonnie
Lady of the Lake by Colubrina
Dancing In Circles With Greeks by RZZMG
The Seduction by senlinyu
That’s it for me today. Tune in next time for more passionate, useless commentary on The Tiny Report :)
Follow me on twitter @jessicakuma_ for shorter bits of useless commentary or to tell me what you thought about this issue!