popping in from my hiatus to address something
Iām popping in from my little hiatus (which, unfortunately is ongoing because I want to graduate college) to talk about something thatās been on my mind.Ā
I've seen some discourse on TikTok about using our beloved Sevika in dark romance fics (as if writing an antagonist into morally complex fiction is the most vile thing you can do), and unfortunately for the haters, that motivated me further.
So let's talk about this. Fictionāas in, a story that is not real, featuring characters that do not existāhas always been a space for exploring dynamics, feelings, and scenarios we may or may not want in real life, almost as if escapism is the entire point. Dark romance as a genre exists because there's value in exploring intensity and moral complexity from a safe distance. Readers come to it knowingly, and they leave having felt something. Isn't that what any reader wants?
Now, the argument that Sevikaāa character we know relatively little about, who spends most of her screen time as a literal antagonistāwould hate being written into dark romance is a hella interesting take. Mostly because insisting that a fictional character would have opinions about fanfiction is, ironically, treating her more like a real person than I am in my stories. I'm engaging with her as what she is: a character. Morally gray, compelling, and largely uncharted. In my case, it's a gift, because I get to explore her character in different AUs and what that would entail.
Every character in Arcane exists in shades of gray. That's one thing that makes the show so good. Sevika has her soft moments, yesābut softness and complexity don't disqualify a character from dark romance. Claiming that Sevika would never do this and that and die on that hill with what little we know of her character is bold af. Also, I donāt like the shaming that comes with these claims, because for some people, dark romance really hits the spot. No one is claiming a fictional character is this or that, but to attack readers or the author for doing something wrong or immoral for engaging with fiction is where you got me fucked up and feel the need to speak up for my readers.
And with that being said, I want to talk about the claim that dark romance romanticizes abuse: that's a conversation worth having thoughtfully, but stating it as a blanket fact ignores what fiction actually does for people. Storiesāincluding dark onesācan be a safe space to process, explore, and feel things in a way real life doesn't always allow (and shouldnāt be sought after). Assuming readers can't distinguish between a thrilling fictional dynamic and a relationship model they should replicate is, frankly, more condescending than anything.
My work is tagged, it's meant for a mature audience, and the policy is simple: don't like, don't read. No one is being ambushed.
I have so much more to say (about kink shaming specifically), but I've already said enough.
The (AMAZING) readers who have shown up for this fic, the engagement, the hilarious and interesting conversations it's sparked, that's all the proof I need that it's landing with the people it's meant for. So thank you guys for supporting me and my work, even if it means engaging with unfamiliar territory or something thatās right up your alley š«¶š¼ I don't know how I would've done it without your support, and you always crack me up in the comments section. I hope you'll all still be here when I return!
I am forever grateful that I started writing for Sevika. If I hadnāt, I wouldnāt have found the most amazing, important, supportive, breath-taking, perfect human being to grace this planet. Thank you for your support baby, Iām not sure I wouldāve found my way back to writing any time soon if it werenāt for you. šĀ
