Collectnel

Collectnel is the friendship between the Collector and Spinel from the The Owl House and Steven Universe fandom.

Canon
Spinel and the Collector have never met in canon and do not exist in the same universe. However, the two characters are similar in many aspects. Besides from being redeemed antagonists, they have similar personalities: small characters who have childish characteristics despite being 1000s of years old, jesterlike beings who like games and take them seriously. They were both innocent to the point where they could trust anyone.

They also have a similar story, both being abandoned for multiple of years and have shown anger towards the person who was responsible. The child of the personal responsible is the reason they break free and escape. After escaping, they start a rampage that put the world in danger (Spinel's machine and the Collector turning everyone into puppets). The people of the same kind as them have tricked them into doing something to get rid of them while they believed it was a game. They both seem to view the people who betrayed them as family and were caused a lot of pain because of them (the Collector being trapped by Papa Titan and Spinel being heartbroken after knowing the truth. When Spinel gets reset, she is shown to be clingy and affectionate towards Steven which is similar to how the Collector treats the titan's son. Steven and King initally wanted to get rid of them but grew to understand them and see them as misunderstood character, however, are still afraid of their capabilities.

They both plot something against Steven and King after believing they were used and betrayed again. But, both end up growing and learning from their mistakes and become closer to them. They leave their new friends to avoid the people they've hurt and decide to stay in space.

The Collector reveals to his new friends how the archivists sent them to the demon realm while they were under the impression that they would be playing a game, which is similar to how Pink Diamond commanded Spinel to stay in the garden while she was under the impression that she was playing a game and how Spinel revealed this to Steven. There is also similarites between the Collector's relationship with Belos to Pink Diamond's relationship with Spinel. Both made them a promise and they ended up waiting centuries for them to do (Pink Diamond promised Spinel to come back one day and while Belos promised The Collector he would set him free as long as they help him on preparing the draining spell). While Pink got away with her crimes and eventually settled down. Belos was murdered and turned into goo.

Fanon
Viewers of Steven Universe and The Owl House have anticipated the Collector having a similar story as Spinel after the events of "King's Tide". After season 3 aired, these predictions were believed to be true and some have noticed the archivists parallel the diamond's in a way. Many thought of Spinel and Pink Diamond when the archivists were mentioned by the collector. However, it has not been confirmed if the similarities between the pairing was intentional or not. But, it still doesn't stop fans from comparing their stories, and sometimes the characters are compared to Darcy.

Shippers of the pairing usually see them being playmates and good friends who understand each other very well because of their similarities and traumatic experiences. Fans also see them bonding over their traumatic experiences which why they believe the pairing would get along. It is rarely shipped romantically and is disliked because of the Collector having the mentality of a child and Spinel being more mature than him.

Fandom

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Trivia

 * They have messed with the minds of characters, Spinel making the gems forget their memories while the Collector turn most people into puppets.
 * The music used for both of the characters is usually jumpy and playful.
 * Both served as a friend and assistant to a leader, Belos and Pink Diamond; however, the friendship was faked on their side.