Smth I want to note about shipping for those unfamiliar w it: shipping does NOT mean โI want this to be canonโ, it is โI view this relationship this wayโ. Things becoming canon is a bonus, not an expectation. Just FYI. (Queer shippers most notably used to never being canon lol)
I've always had the idea of Derek being closeted gay. Like yeah throughout his life he never liked any girls, but it's not because he doesn't like girls it's because he hasn't found one he likes. And them when he got hit with the infinite knowledge and saw Avery in the midst