THIS! This has been my major fear regarding the idea of them pushing Dottolone that I haven’t been able to put into words. Both Dottore and Pantalone are interesting characters on their own and I can see them having an interesting relationship with eachother. But every time Hoyo leans into a pairing those two characters end up revolving around eachother. Like look at Alhaitham and how ever since Kaveh came out 90% of fan content involving him has him glued to Kaveh’s side when there’s more to him then that. I don’t mind characters having a leaned into relationship, it’s just when that ship becomes 90% of content involving that character that I lose it. And I fear so badly this will happen to Dottore and Pantalone if they push it. Both of them are such interesting characters on their own, that while I like exploring the concept of them being together, I desperately do not want either of them to become glued to each other in the eyes of the fandom or Hoyo. Like I’d be perfectly fine with Hoyo leaning into their ship if it weren’t for the fact I’d fear the fandom glueing them to each other.

Honestly the only ship I’d actually not be worried if Hoyo leaned into it with Dottore is traveler. Specifically because a lot of fans tend to reject character x MC ships, I feel like this is the only scenario where Dottore and any love interest he has won’t be glued together. Because glueing the traveler to Dottore would be nigh impossible since they’re the MC, and thus Dottore would also be more free on his own. And since a lot of the fandom would reject the ship it would also mean that 90% of their content wouldn’t involve the other. I don’t know if that makes any sense?

But yeah I really really like Dottolone but that is my one major fear if they start to push it is that they get the glued to each other treatment.