Remember, You’re Strong Now

“They won’t understand,” Persephone said. She laid her deck of tarot cards on the table in front of him. “They didn’t when I came back.”

“Am I different?” he asked. “You were different before,” Persephone replied. “But now they won’t be able to stop noticing.” 

(click for better quality)

Taagnus not as endgame but as meeting your high school sweetheart at the reunion and thinking about what could have been.

Like imagine them falling so completely and utterly in love during the stolen century that when they forget each other its a hole in their chests, raw and stinging when prodded so they leave it alone. Then they meet again and the hole is filled? Probably? I mean, it doesn't hurt quite so much and Magnus's heart glows when Taako makes him chicken soup and Taako's chest feels like it's full of something warm and heavy when he tucks under Magnus's arm to watch the stars but Merle...kind of makes them feel that way too so it must just be having friends for the first time in so long.

And then they remember. And it's like...you were my first love. I forgot you. But I didn't really. I loved someone else but I knew how to love them because of you. And I still love you. But...neither of us is the same person. Julia. Sazed. Raven's Roost. Glamor Springs. It's not even about the fact that Taako has Kravitz now. Its...I don't think I could love you the same way any more, even if I had the energy to try. I think too much has happened. I think too much of me has changed.

Like I just think that Magnus will never be ready to love someone like that again, after Julia. Not even Taako. And it's easier to let him be happy with Kravitz than to untangle this mess.

And I think Taako wants uncomplicated, for once in his life. I think he wants to start over, one last time, and for this time to last, instead of 100 years of wiping the slate clean every year.

And on top of all that, one of them is a human and the other is an elf!! It didn't matter when they died and came back every year, but it does now. It all matters now and--

I think they kiss. Once. I think they gain their memories back and they can't fucking help but squeeze each other tight and kiss each other like they're oxygen. I think they cling to each other, because they forgot, and now they remember and its so good to have you back, I missed you even though you were right there almost but not quite.

I think they kiss. And then they look at each other and realize that this part of their lives is behind them. I think they decide, I can love you, but not like this. I want my best friend back. I thought you'd be the only love I'd ever have but look, I found it again! It hurt to lose you,, but I found love without you. But you... I'll never have you again. So let me have you. As a friend. Different, not less.

Taagnus, not as endgame, but as a memory.

just a pinch of pynch eheh

Gorgugeous Thistlespring and Figueroth Slayeth

My commissions are open btw <3

the raven boys

truly did not expect the response the sketch of this got, I love all of you

Oh so actually, yeah I will defend early day Adam and Blue and the fact that they dated and that it's crucial to both of them. Not just because it shows us what they both needed in a relationship, and why they didn't work with each other for their conflicting needs (though that is an excellent point and one I attribute to their narrative relevance.) but also because... they're really important to each other?

Adam and Blue meet, and it's when Adam is worried about being judged for who he is and Blue wanting to be wanted (and not just useful which is a concept that breaks me because ahhhhh) and they actually challenge that with each other? Blue is drawn to Adam because while he is attractive, he's also something different - she sees a fray in his jacket, and she likes that he isn't the typical Raven Boy. She likes this aspect of Adam he worries about being judged for. And you can say all you do about how Blue describes him in comparison to something dusty or how she compares him to traits of himself he detests, but while Adam dislikes these things Blue likes this about him. I cannot stress that enough. It was not what Adam needed (this is something Gansey, actually, needed) but it was important.

Blue wants to be wanted, to be around someone who sees her as more than just useful. And, yes, Adam does seem to evaluate her based on how useful she will be to the group, but it's important to note that Adam is drawn to Blue because he wants to be around her. He thinks she's funny. He thinks she's pretty. He legitimately likes her as a person. He seeks her out for physical comfort, not just because she's useful but because he likes being around her, he wants her, he wants her company. There is a lot you can say about how Adam equates usefulness with love and affection and he definitely values Blue based on her usefulness in the group but it's more than that. He envies her ease with which she makes friends, the confidence she has in herself. (Adam + Envy is also a prevalent theme with how he experiences attraction.) Adam genuinely admires Blue as a person. He wants to be around her, appreciates her input and her presence. And that was important to Blue at the moment.

And, yes, the ultimate issue comes into their conflicting needs in a relationship, but I think when it comes to Blue and Adam it's such a beautiful exploration of what a short-term romance brings to teenagers. It's common to explore relationships through these awkward fumbles between what you need in the moment and what you need in the long term. They get those awkward, first relationship jitters and anxieties together, they learn what they both need and value going further into their teen years. And it is messy and complex and all over the place and very hormonal. And that is a really precious thing to explore in a shorter relationship, especially with a friend, and with a person you feel understands you. (Something neither of them had gotten.) Also, if they hadn't dated they wouldn't have brought the group together. Poverty twin rizz, guys. They really carried the first book on their backs.

Anyway, my point is that Blue and Adam together are very valuable to the story, their character arcs, and please know you can give them the respect they deserve without detracting from Bluesey or Pynch or detracting from the significance of their friendships. I actually think if they'd been given more time, that platonic dynamic would've been one of the strongest in the series. Because when you share such a valuable milestone (the horrors of teen dating) you bond on a level many don't understand or relate to. Blue and Adam I love you.

This is Jesper's best look fight me

they were real to ME

no one likes a mad woman you made her like that (insp)