my thoughts towards rpf/shipping real ppl in hockey r complicated. i used to be vehemently against it (specifically labeling players as non-straight) because i felt it violated their privacy and i'm always cautious of a parasocial relationship and idolization to the point of -

- not holding rl ppl accountable for their actions. i've been in hockey fandom since 2014 and i saw the direct results of idolization: people defending pk*ne when rape allegations, assault charges and blackface pics were brought to light. the fantasy and reality did not align.

so because of that i often looked down on ppl posting fics and imagines and pretty captionless interview gifs bc i didn't want something like that to happen again or have any friends fall in the same trap

but as i talked and engaged w other hockey fans, i understood the appeal of rpf and fanart and participated in it privately. it was important to me that i separate the fantasy and reality of the person, and to keep it private or untagged (after all, ek*rlsson DID have a tumblr)

anyways. end of thread. You're allowed to express fantasy thru any way you'd like. Just don't make your fave a golden calf lmfao