What makes you "ship" a pairing?

[MrOwl]

Is it their chemistry?

Their physical appearance?

They complete each other?

Something else?

Bonus question: What's your favorite fictional pairing, and why?

[ravillera]

It's different from every pairing I ship, but what's common in all of them is that they have undeniable chemistry and they always have each others' backs when one of them is caught in a sticky situation. Example: Destiel from Supernatural, Merthur from Merlin, among many others.

[Possum]

Chemistry usually. I don't really care what someone looks like or if they would be right for each other, usualyl I just wanna see how they interact and bounce off each other and how comfortable they are.

[MrOwl]

what's common in all of them is that they have undeniable chemistry and they always have each others' backs

That's interesting, what's your opinion on enemies-to-lovers?

[HGohwell]

90% of the time chemistry. Especially the "one gets hurt and the other loose it" type or the "would literally sacrifice myself for you" or the "you're an asshole but you're my asshole and heaven help anyone who hurts you" type. Especially especially when it's long built up and we've got years of it. Or just as importantly, the smug hateship where they're constantly at each other's throats but why do they smile so much and look like they're more alive than ever while doing it? I'm so weak for that.

The other 10% it's just because I think there could be something and these are usually the ones who've never spent anytime on screen together but I feel like there could be something if the author would just let them interact. For instance one of my favourites of these is this asshole character's former work partner and his current work partner: they spend a lot of their time pretty much done with him, being tormented by him, both have a strong sense of morality and principals even if not quite aligned both are good guys if not both on the good side and I just think they have the kind of personalities that would bounce off each other well if they'd just meet one screen.

[Jen-Jen]

All of the above. It would be easier to list the reasons I don't ship a pairing. It's just fun. So, if you're looking for advice on how to get your readers to ship your characters, I'd say don't make it painful to.
Long arcs of will they/won't they? Painful.
Tragedy? Painful, but if it's the end of the story, then I won't jump ship.
One side doesn't appreciate the other? Borderline abusive, which is a no-no.
Miscommunication arc? Painful.
You probably want a pro to go with these cons, so...make something special between them. Character A remembers Person B's favorite book and gives it to them for Christmas? I ship it.
Ha, I probably entirely misinterpreted your questions...sorry...

[NickRowler]

It's usually two weirdos who complement each other.

I think a good example of this is Soldier and Zhanna from the TF2 comics.

Tho sometimes I just want to see two characters together and I don't know why.

I made this meme after playing Oracle of Ages because I wanted to ship Link and Ralph.

[Hazumirein]

I have to jump on the "chemistry" bandwagon; the way characters interact and play off of each other is my biggest thing. Semi-related, I also think it's really obvious when a writer is trying to force a romance between characters that don't really work together or haven't been developed enough. It's really jarring when two characters who have barely interacted or were portrayed to have a totally platonic or familial relationship suddenly start making out.

Anyway, most of my favorite pairings are amongst my OCs hahaha. I'm actually not really big into shipping otherwise these days, though I'll casually root for certain pairs sometimes if they seem like they'd work together and that's where the story appears to be taking their relationship.

[SpavVy]

For me it's all of the above

[Zaboem]

I do this thing I call Reverse Shipping. I try to predict which characters will break up ir divorce.

[azzy-m]

I guess kind of the way that the show/book/game decides to frame them together. I've said this on tapas before but I'm a complete dumbass when noticing romantic signs, so when it comes to shipping, the creators literally have to slap me in the face with the teasing or someone has to really convince me why that ship is good. It's kind of hard to explain WHY I ship things, lmao, this is the best way I could put it.

[EmmyPax]

Like others said, chemistry, though I'll add to that the "they complete each other" thing matters to me too, though I don't think I'm looking for "completion" per say. I don't think any other person can complete you, but I like to see partners bring out something positive from the other person. Like, I can get on board with a certain amount of bickering/enemies to lovers, but if there isn't something positive that comes out of the pair being together, then I'm out. Not a fan of unhealthy relationships.

Along with that, I LOVE a well-done enemies to lovers trope, but I HATE a badly done one. By that, I particularly mean situations where there are shades of romanticizing abusive relationships, I'm out. I don't want to see them punch each other or really cut each other up verbally if I'm supposed to root for them to get together. I don't like it when a girl slapping a guy is played off as "cute" one little bit. If they are going to physically beat up on each other at all, there better be an incredibly good reason for why they are able to patch things up eventually. (some forms of soldiers on opposite sides of a war can work, for instance, because the violence is never personal) Essentially, if there is a personal/sexual aspect to any violence in a ship, I NOPE out real fast.

In terms of chemistry, nothing makes me root harder for a pair faster than it being two dorks who love and support each other but just can't admit their feelings for REASONS!!!! Whatever the reasons. There can be so many good reasons. That kind of emotional torture is my game.

[ravillera]

I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers stories. There's just something about two people who despise each other so much suddenly realising that "hmmmm maybe the other person is cute, too". It's the tension between two MCs who supposedly hate each other that makes it shippable (idk if that's a term but im gonna use it anyway).

[Inspector_Spinda]

DIALOGUE. funny dialogue. I love Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler to pieces. They're funny together and the actors clearly have chemistry. They care, they make jobs, they're a great team.

[Rainbow-Mage]

Mostly chemistry. My favorite thing is when the two characters banter with each other. Also I love it when the two genuinely care about each other. This should be obvious but not everyone sees it that way so...

[LadyN]

It’s the amount of screen time the two got together and their chemistry. And it’s hard to chose just one pairing so… skip.

[Flauschwurm]

To me, it's really the chemistry and the credibility. Looks really dont matter. It just has to be a ship that makes sense.

[domisotto]

That I

A. Truly like both
B. See potential for them to make one another happy

Jaimie Brienne is my fav pairing in a long time

[HGohwell]

I don't want to see them punch each other or really cut each other up verbally if I'm supposed to root for them to get together. I don't like it when a girl slapping a guy is played off as "cute" one little bit.

This sorta depends entirely on the setting for me. For instance, in something like a shounen fighting show, you kinda gotta accept these people are gonna have punched each other once or twice and there will have been trash talk. But in a soft fluffy slice of life shoujo, that's way less acceptable. For instance I saw an argument once that a ship was unhealthy because Character A, who's pov the novel was from, thought if Character B wasn't his boss (in the Mafia) and closest friend he would have punched him for pulling whatever particular reckless stunt he just pulled. Even more notable because Character B is a notorious asshole who enjoys winding people up and generally being a shit and almost everyone who's ever interacted with him has had thoughts of punching him. And also that what counts as cutting each other up verbally also varies from character and show. Some characters will just constantly snipe at each other, but are still best friends or lovers, some characters will be perfectly polite, even friendly but can't stand each other.

There's definitely no hard and fast rule for what counts as too far. Like the violent tsundere trope, some people will consider that slapstick comedy, some will consider it abuse, it really depends on how seriously you think you're supposed to take that violence and how actually real it is. For instance, for me a violent tsundere can be ok but only in a decidedly slapstick work. If they're the only violence for comedy character, it's jarring for me.

[disqette]

Banter haha
I love ships that are snarky towards each other

(also if the girl is cute I'll ship her with anyone I just really love cute girls)

also also color contrast !!!