I don’t read fics, so I never understood why Octavia and Vinyl got shipped. Still loathe it with a passion, but whatever. Nothing I can do about that.

^ Liking a cute ship doesn’t mean you can’t like other cute ships, even ones involving the same characters. Some may take it that way, and religiously guard their own OTP. I’ve also seen artists just drawing whatever ship they feel like,
 
Fluttermac is one of the most popular straight ships. It’s been around since mid-season one, so it’s established and had the time to gain a large following. It’s also an obvious connection: a shy, adorable girl finding love in a patient, polite Gentle Giant stallion. And yes, it is cute, their color palates look pleasing together, and most artist’s styles only enhance cuteness.
 
But it’s wrong to say that liking Fluttermac steals from other cute pairings. Why not blame all the other ships as well, as every other shipping fanwork is by default not about your one ship? Fluttermac hardly has a monopoly on cute shipping art and stories.
 
And yes, some ships are more popular than others. Like I said, establishment. Many of the most popular ships are also old and involve characters with an established canon (or agreed-upon fanon) characterization. All major ships need their own establishment in the community as well. I remember a time when Vinyltavia literally didn’t exist until Allegrezza became popular mid-summer 2011. You can’t just have a pairing that you think looks cute, you need to have something that can convince a lot of other bronies that it’s cute, and it usually takes (several) popular fanfics to achieve any following. That’s why no one else agrees with me why Pokey Pierce is obviously Pinkie Pie’s soulmate.

Fair points, any kind of relationship is valid. What bugs me though is that that doesn’t really carry out in the fandom. Fluttermac is one of the most popular ships in the fandom, and it’s mostly because it’s cute. So a lot of ships that could have some support don’t have it because they are not as cute as this one.

^^^ Two introverts getting together relies on mutual attraction and one or both overcoming their shyness long enough to actually court the other, and that person reciprocating their feelings. Shipfics often provide an impetus for them getting together (Winoa’s sick! Rarity discovers Shy’s lust for Mac!). I’m sorry that things didn’t work out for you, but remember that all relationships require effort, which introverts have trouble finding enough courage to make anything serious.
 
^ I’m not saying those relationships that generate conflict are bad, I’m saying it’s foolish to think that only those kinds of relationships are worth pursuing. How “intersting” a relationship is shouldn’t matter. True love is just any kind of relationship where the feelings of love persist, even during hardship, conflict, or dull normalcy.

True love doesn’t have to be “boring”. Every relationship has varying degrees of passion, as in, any way in which they express their love for each other. That’s what make some fictional relationships exciting/interesting, conflict just makes stories longer.
 
And even if some relationships are harder to maintain than others in real life, Equestria is a fictional world where its inhabitants are far more tolerating and loving, these “doomed conflicting couples” arguments are kinda useless here.

I don’t condone the ship though… I’m just saying I don’t get it.

Maybe it’s because I’m an introvert and yet I’ve been single all my life. I’ve met other introverts in my life and they’ve never worked out.
 
The problem with this is Fluttershy is too shy and Mac doesn’t really talk. Someone has to speak up.

What Poptard said. Some people don’t seem to understand that not all relationships have to rely on conflict and relationships aren’t made to entertain you. True love is boring but it is true.

That was meant for BG Pony 2.

^ Also, you seem to have movie romantic relationships and actual romantic relationships confused.
 
In every work of media, there has to be some conflict to drive the plot. If it’s a romance story, there has to be something that makes the characters fight over whatever. If there’s not, people complain everything but the romance is uninteresting. Even in works where a quiet, happy couple exists, they’re relegated to the sidelines, because they’re considered boring.
 
However, in real life, couples that love each other, have similar personality traits, and enjoy a quiet existence don’t care that people think they’re “boring.” It’s perfectly possible, and they’re often more stable then the confict-driven, “exciting” romances the movies idealize.

They are bonding over Winona! I read a fic like that once…

@2 BG pony: sorry, but the “opposites attach” is BS in real life, my parents are have opposites personalities and ended up divorced.

it is inherently funnier whenever a smaller female character glomps a much larger male character. If it’s a Fluttermac pic, it is also inherently adorable.

It’s 2 introverts though. That doesn’t really work in a relationship. You have to have some type of opposites.
 
Though, they were both together in the background of Spike at Your Service.

That’s why Fluttermac is so popular. Even the people who don’t like it think it’s freaking adorable.

what is this ? Card Captors Sakura manga ending?  
 
hmmmm, yes it is…

Fluttermac is ridiculous, but this is pretty cute.