Want to put down my thoughts of Jamil and Azul because ougggggghhhhhh. They now have 3 duos with each other, Azul's masquerade card, Azul's platinum birthday card and now Jamil's overblot card. I know the overblot cards are duoing with overblotters that came before them, but I love to imagine it as Azul always reaching out to Jamil, but with Jamil's card he's fine with Azul helping him, similar to the main story. *SPOILERS FOR BOOK 7.5*
To Jamil, Azul was being annoying and persistent in trying to get him to join Octavinelle and team up so they could "join forces" and help Jamil "make a name for yourself". Jamil obviously turns him down and since then, his excuse is 1) Azul's annoying and 2) he doesn't need more attention drawn to himself after the Scarabia incident. Yes, he wants to gain recognition by his own merits, but as seen in Book 6, he's still struggling between that want to be fully seen for how talented he is and being used to sticking in the shadows for his formative years. Leona helps him where he understands what he prefers, but he doesn't put it into action until Book 7.5 where we see the aftermath of a Jamil post-dream world who sees just how badly he wants to be praised for his accomplishments. He saw that part of him and fully accepted that it's him, a person who wants to stand above others and see how far he can go, unlocking a new level of freedom.
On the other side, Azul has a faƧade. Even after Book 3, he's still embarrassed about his past. He tries to brush it off and focus on the future, on how he'll be above all the past insults and bullying and make a name for himself, showing everyone how competent and resourceful he is. Yet even after all that, his dream showed how stuck in the past he is. I don't believe he wanted to be a jock or be buddy-buddy with his bullies, he just wants that feeling of having power over others, where he's not "weak". Everyone can see how great he is and no one questions whether he's good enough or not because he so clearly is. In Book 7 and 7.5, we see how he doesn't even want to think about his dream, wants to bury it deep in his mind and never let it see the light of day again.
And this is where the reversal comes in and why I'm so obsessed with these two's relationship. Jamil accepted that voice in him that wants to shine and when he brings up Azul's dream, he's flustered and wants it to be forgotten and how his wish isn't so foolish, but JAMIL, someone who has stated in the past he wants nothing to do with Azul, can't help but see the denial Azul is trying to play, similar to how he was before. So, he asks him why he's so ashamed? There's nothing wrong with him wanting to be liked and popular. That surprises Azul and Jamil goes on to basically affirm Azul that the main aspect of his dream did harbor his wish, twisted and warped, sure, but there was that nugget of truth there. There's no need to feel shame or try to bury that truth when he could embrace it and go forward with that information to become someone truly great. 'Cause they have that in common: wanting to be looked upon with admiration/adoration.
Azul wants to deny it, but Jamil speaks the truth. So, Azul earnestly asks him if he really wants to take over the Asim family and Jamil gives no promises, what he will go for is whatever will help him be more free.
And this heart to heart moment after pieces of interaction we see between them over the years GETS ME. It's so clear that they'd be great friends if pretenses were dropped and SEEING THIS? An interaction where there is genuine advice given between them? JAMIL being the one to reach out and say to Azul it's okay to feel what he's feeling and pursue it? Not being snarky when he sees how troubled Azul actually felt over his dream? GRBAJHKASFBFVAHHRUR
AUGHHHHHHH. THESE BOYSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
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