#gwenathan

[junabeecovey]

Those videos on Instagram which say “if I guess your favourite couple, you’re out” will never get me because there’s two people on this Earth who like and really know about Gwenathan and I’m the only content creator, so unless someone draws them and puts them in a video, I am forever immune

[junabeecovey]

hello hello! hope you're doing well ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶

i want to know your opinion about gwen and jonathan's first impressions of each other 🧐

i said it in a comment on one of your ao3 posts, but i'll say it again: i can't believe they haven't even met (in screen) so far in the webtoon! not even because bea and gwen are roommies! i do think they'd get along fine as they're both geeks and majoring in stem, ship aside.

anyways, yeah, let me know your thoughts and ideas pls 🙏 because i have some of my own but i'm totally biased and projecting myself waaaaay to much.

YES YES YES 👏👏👏 GWENATHAN ASKS ARE MY FAVOURITE

Gwen doesn’t gaf about Jonathan at first. She understands his role as “hot campus guy,” but she doesn’t find him particularly attractive. I think they meet in her dorm while he’s waiting for Beatrice, and that’s how she registers him as a person.

Jonathan has definitely noticed Gwen before, because she’s usually the only disinterested person in the room. That being said, she’s not super important/it’s not love at first sight. He starts seeing her more when she moves in with Beatrice, but they don’t actually speak for a while, on a miraculous day where he reaches out, and she’s feeling extroverted enough to bite.

I think Gwen would actually start to enjoy his presence when their common interests are brought to light. Beatrice or someone mentions Overwatch (or Underwatch ig), and it’s like a sharp light going off in Gwen’s mind. Then they kind of geek out about games. As for STEM, I can see them talking about some work (he’s an upperclassman, so I can see him giving her a hand)

Jonathan never dislikes Gwen off the bat, and probably has a decent first impression of her. She doesn’t hate him either, but he’s more like a decorative lamp to her comparatively. Once they actually have a conversation, I’m tempted to say that he would consider her an acquaintance, and after a few meetings, maybe a distant-ish friend.

Yeah, I’m also surprised Carmen hasn’t introduced them. Honestly, with how obnoxious I am about Gwenathan, she probably had a prophetic dream that foretold how annoying I would be if they were friends.

But I hope this was good :)))

[junabeecovey]

My strong love for Gwen x Jonathan actually comes from my discontent with the source material, which sounds awful and negative, and that’s exactly what it is, I’m not going to lie to you.

This whole post is controversial, and I definitely expect to be losing some people to this, but I really have nothing to lose, so here we go.

So Not My Type is a web comic based on the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types, and the characters are caricatures of the common traits and stereotypes that come with each type. It’s a light-hearted series which is not meant to be taken seriously at all, but even with that in mind, it can still be grating at times—despite my grievances, it’s an overall decent series. I have my qualms with it, and I wouldn’t consider myself a fan, but I do like the characters and their potential.

One of the things that bothers me the most is how people treat the personality types, and assign a fixed character to each type, (outside of the comic) which is problematic because obviously people who fall under the same cognitive umbrella can be different, and giving a certain label to an entire, arguably unrelated population otherwise—it’s bound to not fit.

I especially am at odds with how they portray the INTP personality. The INTP personality is often made out to be stoic and nonchalant, uninterested in intimate relationships, and by extension, incompatible with romance. As an aromantic person, I do believe society does put a strong emphasis on amatonormativity, and people should not centre their lives and self-worth on those kinds of relationships, but trying to assign a romantic or sexual orientation to someone based on a very loose, shallow understanding of who they are as a person is just wrong.

This overlying stereotype reeks in Gwen's character, and overall how some of the fans treat her. I understand the series is meant to be based off silly tropes—MBTI is a pseudoscience, and should not be taken super seriously, but it exposes people's weird treatment of aromanticism, and how they believe you can only be aromantic if you are introverted, anti-social, and indifferent. I despise it, because it depicts an entire marginalised group as one uniform thing, which is dehumanising and robs people of their individuality. This weird treatment people have towards Gwen, was probably what unconsciously pushed me to eventually remove her from that "incompatible with romance" label.

Similarly with the ENFJ personality type, it is often referred to as the hero, and in the MBTI "fandom," I call it a fandom because they are often boiled down to characters instead of an actual discussion on how this typing system works in a real world application/psychologically. This ENFJ hero stereotype robs Jonathan of a lot of complex, negative emotions. Jonathan is a good guy, I like that about him, and yes, he is based off that "actually good guy" stereotype, but you can be a good person while also having negative traits, doing regrettable things, (let's face it, everyone does not-good things) etc. Which is why I paired him, the most shipped character arguably in canon, with the person who isn't shipped by the fandom at all!

I also do this in favour of the INFJ character, Beatrice, because her character is very introverted, but she's very sweet, has been in love with Jonathan for a very long time. For context, Jonathan is head-over-heels for the INFP Fiona, who is crushing on ENTP Sven. I think Beatrice deserves a lot more than to be the lovelorn pretty girl stuck pining, and putting Jonathan with an unconventional choice, would probably ring a few bells, that Bea is amazing and she is a darling—there's nothing wrong with her, she doesn't have to wait, because she's been friends with him, and he's not attracted to her. That shouldn't change because Fiona is suddenly unavailable or whatever. If Jonathan was the right one for her, he would've noticed Bea already, and putting this delusion that "if you wait long enough for someone to notice, things will be okay," is stupid.

I dislike Fiona, I also dislike the INFP portrayal in general, because it often boils that personality to "soft sensitive crying uwu baby gremlin whatever," and Fiona is exactly that. Her getting together with Jonathan, I can't see that being compelling for either of their characters. Again, reinforcing the whole "wait long enough, they'll notice and come back to you," which again, is stupid. I'm not trying to ick anybody's yum, but seriously? I think I'm too much of a realist for this, but that almost never works out. Time and breath is wasted, and no one is happy. I genuinely want to put Fiona with the mean cheerleader character, ENTJ, because that feels infinitely more entertaining than having her with Jonathan.

So how did I start shipping Jonathan and Gwen? Originally, it was a throwaway comment I made, but I eventually got a fever, and wrote a fanfiction, and kind of ran with it. It was really just meant to be a novelty ship, where it was out of frustration. I do want aromantic representation, I just don't want it to be out of a stereotype. Thinking about it more, I like the idea of breaking out of the love square, potentially hurting Fiona's feelings (as she is slowly disillusioned by Sven,) and also allowing Beatrice to realise that Jonathan will never reciprocate her feelings, so she can move on. For Gwen, I want to explore her emotional depth, and a more complicated relationship, because this aspect of her identity is either avoided or played off as a joke. We know very little about her because she's very private, and having someone who is welcoming and warm like Jonathan would be interesting to me. How Gwen feels about people is set to be plain, nonchalant, but I want to see MORE.

For Jonathan, I wanted to put him with someone who is really different, someone who outside of one absurd circumstance, he would probably never end up being close to. Gwen is just insanely different from Fiona and Bea, so that's probably why I picked Gwen. I do not have any valid reasons to ship Jonathan and Gwen besides vibes, and spite. I run off of vibes and spite, so that's why. Holy yap, but shh.

Edit: Actually, I think the comic does have some good potential aro rep in the ESFJ character, Alec. Alec is sociable, loving, and overall an outgoing guy, but never has romance as a topic on mind, and he makes his platonic relationships his priority. The important part is breaking stereotypes of marginalised group, which is why I consider Alec the aro rep instead of Gwen.

[junabeecovey]

hello juna I am here to ask abt gwenathan 🫡

since I know nothing of the individuals, tell me their dynamic and why are they good together as a pairing 😋

THANK YOU NIC FOR ASKING I LOVE THESE TWOOOO

So they don't have a canon dynamic because they've never interacted, but that leaves more space to be delusional, and come up with it myself!

Jonathan's kind of the cool guy, he's popular, he's like if you mixed Elio, Jamie, and Percy altogether, and got one guy. He's got all the charm/popularity status of Jamie, the sunny/kind personality from Elio, and obviously the looks from Percy.

IT'S MY DAD GUYSSS

Don't let his innocent looks fool you, he's had 23 failed relationships.

Gwen is the typical loner INTP stereotype, and I kind of love her and hate her for that, because she logically has the most rational thought of thinking always. A lot of people hc her has aromantic, but I think that has more to do with people's problematic stereotypes of aromanticism than actually being aromantic.

My mother is almost never given flattering angles because of said stereotype.

Their Dynamic:

I've said this multiple times, these two as a concept together was a throwaway comment I made a few years ago, and then one day, I had a really vivid fever dream, and wrote the most cinematic piece of literature I have ever made. Ever since then, I just rode with it, but there actually is a reason as to why I ship them beyond shits and giggles. I have a post somewhere about that.

As a couple, they're very much grumpy/sunshine or sunshine/nonchalant. He's a lot more outgoing than she is, and he will drag her outside to get some topical Vitamin D. They're both video game lovers, they both major in STEM, so they have quite a bit of middle ground in terms of their hobbies.

Their mindsets together are an intriguing thing to think about given that their functions in the typology setting is almost completely opposite. Given they share so much middle ground in interest, I think they would bond over the different perspectives/discoveries of said hobbies.

Why They're Good as a Pairing:

I've said this before, this is a ship born from spite, but raised with love. You can be pretty creative with them given that there's literally no canon to follow. I just think they're neat, that's all.

The fact that they're born from spite makes it so appealing to me, because what do you mean I hated this aspect of canon so much that I literally made these two the second-most popular relationship tag in this fandom on AO3

[junabeecovey]

Heyllooooo Juna I hope ur doing fine and staying hydrated🫵🫵🥤🥤

It's GWENATHAN ask time and I would really like to hear your opininon on 💕,🖤,💍 aaand 👀

Tyy in advance!!

Thank YOU, you’re a godsend 🙏🙏🙏 Yapping about Gwenathan is my favourite hobby!!!

💕: I can’t really give a solid timeline for this because canon doesn’t have a month-by-month I can really go by, but it’s a process for both of them. Gwen gets to the conclusion a lot faster, but is in denial for twice the time. Jonathan figures it out later, but kind of lets it sink in, doesn’t really try to deny it, but hides it. I think I’ve said this before, but there’s no big boom: I love her, it’s more like, he opens his eyes and then starts noticing things he didn’t before. For Gwen, it’s the startling realisation that she wants him close, that her life is better with him, and that… that scares her.

🖤: In the overall “canon” (or as canon as possible for this ship), there’s not a lot of “dark” things. I guess there’s breaking Beatrice’s heart. But I did have this one-shot where Jonathan was very much crushing while dating Beatrice. No cheating, because Gwen just keeps herself away, they’re friends, but that’s it, because she’s not a home wrecker. Nothing told, but they definitely both know. Beatrice kind of figures this out by herself, but not to the extent of how bad it is.

💍: Yes(?) but it takes a long time. Gwen would probably grapple with first: being in a romantic relationship, as she’s been previously avoidant/negatively opinionated of them, and then marriage. Jonathan has definitely considered/wanted to get married, but he’s always understood and accepted that she might never want to. She brings it up, maybe during someone else’s wedding, and they thoroughly have to discuss it, and it’s not a laissez-faire thing. The proposal is more of an agreement, that for better or for worse, they'll stay together, and then it kind of concludes then that marriage is a step both parties are willing to take.

👀: Jonathan, and it's not even close. Something Gwen had to come to terms with, even before they started dating, is that half of Montario wants to get into his pants, and they will bother her sometimes about their relationship, but regardless, she's very secure. She's mature enough to accept that Jonathan is autonomous, he has earned her trust, and that she's confident in herself regardless of what happens. Jonathan is the living embodiment of a golden retriever boyfriend, so I think that says a lot.

THANK YOU FOR ASKING!! OMFG I LOVE GWENATHAN SO MUCH!!

[junabeecovey]

The Gwenathan Playlist

Am I the only person? Yes. But for anyone curious, this is their playlist.

BY THE WAY THEIR ABSOLUTE ANTHEM IS SWEET BY CIGARETTES AFTER SEX, AND SHOW ME HOW IS A CLOSE SECOND

[junabeecovey]

speak your truth on gwenathan!!!!!

This is just a bunch of headcanons, because the analysis as to WHY Gwenathan exists, and why I created it in the first place is a nasty can of worms, so have the literal bible! Thank you for asking Vee!!! <3

Development headcanons:

They play Overwatch together, and Gwen is better at it.

He's surprisingly competent during team matches

The stuff about Beatrice and Fiona never gets fully resolved

Gwenathan is the conclusion of the love square

Realistically, there's genuinely no big confession scene

There's just a shift in energy one day

But I can totally see some number of days/weeks after that day

He asks "are we dating?"

And Gwen just shrugs, but it's the look in her eyes that says it all

This sort of a thematic thing because Jonathan has always been a hopeless romantic

So I think ironically, having a very 'uneventful' romance would be kind of resonant of growing up

Not every great love has that fireworks moment

Not every great love feels like falling from a balcony

Sometimes it's the little things that sing a poem of her

Dynamic headcanons:

Golden retriever/black cat energy

Gwen really likes leaning on him, using him as a chair

Not big on kissing/very physically charged

Gwen is actually the yapper because Jonathan knows how to ask the right questions

Praise comes more easily to him, but it can feel ingenuine to her at first

But physical touch is something that takes a long time

So quality time is the most immediately sign of affection

If Gwen doesn't like someone, she'll make herself disappear

Which is why her showing up is so important

Jonathan is actually shy to be physically affectionate with her at first

Because he's not sure if that's something she's okay with, jitters, etc.

So Gwen's actually the one who initiates the start of that contact

And it kind of remains that way

Realisation Headcanons:

Gwen doesn't take it well

She's always been "I don't care for romance"

But there comes a point where she realises that she doesn't feel the same way about Jonathan as she does Alec or Sven

And she kind of has to grapple with that

It's very queerplatonic on her side, because it's less about romance, it's more about the fact that it's very close

Because Gwen is a very guarded and isolated person

And letting Jonathan that close is already soulmate behaviour

Jonathan doesn't get that cinematic moment

It's just

"She's pretty"

And then it kind of segueways into how he starts seeing why

Like no single moment like he does with Fiona

It's a process

He kind of lets himself, but he struggles with falling out of love with Fiona

And then there's the stuff with Beatrice, which I'm not getting into

[junabeecovey]

What do you guys feel about me posting all my Gwenathan fics on here? Cause like those are my babies. I made the tag. I’m so proud of them. But I know no one’s gonna read them 😭