As you said it is fiction and I treat it as such.
Like with many movies, books and other fictional works, they should not always be taken as examples of reality.
Of course I am almost certain that none of the people who like BL would actually support what happens in the stories in real life.
I've made this argument before but...I usually treat BL as I would a horror movie. It is fiction that gives me a rush of emotion. Nothing more, nothing less.
Here’s the thing, you can definitely speak for yourself, but you can’t speak for the entirety of BL fans.
Besides, OP is directing this at the comments that either dismiss or pretend the rape scene didn’t happen. Just brushing it under rug. It is not a direct attack on your character.
Rape is wrong, people will agree. Oh wait, but what if the rapist had a tragic backstory? What if they couldn’t control themselves because they love this person too much? And look! The person themselves forgave the rapist, so the sexual assault isn’t as bad as it could have been.
No, it’s still wrong.
And not everyone will excuse or normalize it. It’s just the comments I’ve read below have me feel the same way OP does.
Fiction is a powerful tool that can shape and change the minds of many.
It is very true that I cannot speak for all BL fans and that fiction can help shape the mindset of people.
That being said, we must also give people some credit. Everyone knows rape is horribly wrong and I think the majority of BL fans will agree that while we may enjoy it as part of a fictional story, it should never be implemented in reality.
But I do agree with both you and OP. Of course it should not be excused or normalized.
PREACH
so who’s gonna tell people that you can still read this while not dismissing the fact that there was rape? you guys have been too comfortable towards rape in bl that it has become normalized? YOU CAN READ IT BUT YOU CAN’T IGNORE THE FACT THAT IT’S RAPE. the way you lose your morals over fiction is beyond me.