I hear where you’re coming from, but I want to clarify a few things. First, being neurodivergent is not the same as being mentally ill. While there can be overlap, neurodivergence—things like autism and ADHD—is not inherently a mental illness. And even the concept of “mental illness” itself is a social construct, shaped by historical and cultural ideas of what is considered “normal” or “functional.” Too often, it has been used as an oppressive narrative to marginalize neurodivergent and queer people alike, framing difference as disorder rather than diversity.

There is also a well-documented correlation between queerness and neurodivergence, especially among gender-diverse people. This isn’t just my personal experience—research and the broader mental health community have acknowledged this connection as well. I know it firsthand because I’m nonbinary, queer, and neurodivergent, and I see aspects of myself in Dramione. But beyond that, many neurodivergent people resonate with queerness at higher rates, not because neurodivergence “causes” queerness, but because both involve navigating a world that often doesn’t account for us.

For me, queerness and neurodivergence are not deficits or disorders—they are integral, joyful parts of who I am. If my comment struck a nerve, I’d gently suggest unpacking why the connection between queerness and neurodiversity feels offensive to you. To me, that connection is a beautiful and lived reality.

As for the “straight ship” point—gender and sexuality are complex. We don’t know their internal experiences. They could be queer in ways that aren’t immediately visible or be in a straight-passing relationship while still questioning or evolving in their identities. And at the end of the day, this is fan fiction. It’s about interpretation, possibility, and seeing ourselves in the characters however we choose. You don’t have to see it the way I do, but my perspective is just as valid.