A character's sexuality is the least of my concerns when you're trying to write an entertaining and fascinating character. I get why many others might be drawn into a new work of fiction based on that, but it just isn't a factor for me. There are so many other factors of characterization that I care much more about, plus their role in the work's storyline. Whether they're straight, gay, or whether or not they end up being an item with another character at all, I take an entirely neutral stance on that. I'll like it if I think the character is ultimately just well-written, and I'll like the romance if I think it makes sense, and also, again, if it's simply, well-written. That's all that matters to me.
And as for shipping in fanbases, in general...To be blunt, I hate shipping, now. You can blame the final season of Star vs. the Forces of Evil for that.