So what I’m saying is, I’m sure they always intended to have Emma and Regina come together to use their magic, but the way the fandom has developed has just added another layer of interpretation to it, because that’s what fandom does.
You’re probably right. I just know that the fandom spins it another way. But that’s fandom spin not authorial intent.
THIS. This is one of the major things that makes me think they’re intended as endgame. If they wanted SF to remain in the past, they’d have written their present day interactions completely differently. And as recently as 306 they were still writing Emma as loving Neal, so I don’t think they’ve changed their original gameplan. There would be no point to them having written that unless they’re intending to have them struggle through and get back together.
Agreed. Emma could have very easily shot down Neal or declared that she had stopped loving him and boom. Done. But no, the episodes repeat the same theme: they still love each other and always will.