#only more casually

My path into any fictional ship

1. Likes the story and the main character(s)
2. The main character has a strong, plot important relationship with someone, be they a friend, mentor, rival or enemy.
3. Starts reading fanfiction focused on that relationship with the same dynamic as in canon
4. Runs out of such content
5. Sees that romantic content for the characters is prevalent and popular
6. Reads amazing fic

I now ship these characters