*steps on soapbox*
What the actual FUCK is with all this sudden hatred of Troy Barrett and people literally making shit up about him and how Shane feels about him?!
Some quick facts:
1. Troy made ONE (1. One. Singular.) comment that was targeted toward Shane (and Ilya too) in Tough Guy. And Shane wasnโt even around to hear it, it was behind his back. Which doesnโt make it okay, but itโs wild to see lots of people claiming Troy โtargeted Shane for yearsโ and that Shane is aware of this. NOWHERE IS THIS EVER SAID OR EVEN IMPLIED
2. Never in canon is it ever said that Troy has used racial slurs. All we know is that he used homophobic slurs, and acted dickish in general. Does that mean heโs definitely never said anything racist? Of course not! Who knows what he or any character has said off page? Does it mean he has never canonically said anything racist despite many people wrongly insisting he has? YUP!
3. Troy has never claimed to want or even think he deserves forgiveness for his past actions. Heโs tried to be better, heโs apologized to some people heโs hurt. But he never has expressed an expectation of forgiveness.
4. On Shaneโs end, heโs never expressed feeling like Troy has ever personally attacked him or been racist toward him. He just is vaguely surprised that Ilya ends up being friends with him, and then expresses some brief jealousy because Troy is attractive and in close proximity to Ilyaโฆ and thatโs it.
5. The ONLY direct interaction we have seen between Shane and Ilya comes near the end of TLG. Troy speaks kindly to Shane, hugging him and saying he hopes they can be friends. Shane is surprised by this, but not unpleasantly so, and even says โDefinitely,โ in response to Troy sharing his desire to be friends. And thatโs it. No racial slur from Troy (since everyone seems to think he is going to start casually throwing those around when he speaks to Shane) and no anger or bad feelings from Shane.
Iโm just trying to wrap my head around where all the vitriol toward Troy is coming from? It all sounds based on things that people are making up as headcanons but nothing from the actual source material.
Itโs really fascinating to see how people can fall down a weird hate rabbit hole based onโฆ *checks notes* Literally nothing from canon?
Fuckinโ wild, man.

