Natasha Z. Abrams X Solf J. Kimblee
Sins of Crimson & Creed
A love/hate trope but that’s still a stretch. Love is not the word to describe their feelings for each other and the hate is only from Natasha’s side. Their relationship is complicated and messy but oh so intimate. I use the term Magnetic Attraction, similar to how opposites attract and these two are just constantly pulled together.
Both have strong convictions which in the end is the reason they cannot be together. Unfortunately this is also a doomed ship. Natasha has fought tooth and nail to stand by her morals to protect as many people as she can after her involvement in the Ishval Civil War. Especially the people who cannot defend themselves or face some form of injustice. Kimblee, on the other hand, is well, Kimblee. He is apathetic to death, enjoying the chaos he creates to continue his Symphony of Destruction, while he acts as an observer to the larger playings at work. Despite these major differences, these two are still intertwined with each other, and often their conflicting world views are what brings them closer together. Their philosophical debates are one of the things Kimblee enjoys the most with Natasha. While Natasha, at one point, risks everything she has for just to see Kimblee again.
Their age difference is only significant to the point where Natasha is Kimblee’s subordinate. She first serves under him when he is a commanding Major during the war where they first meet and Natasha is only 20 years old, fresh out of Military Academy. She then is assigned under him again when he is released from prison to search for Scar, although she does not address him formally and he lacks an official military ranking after his court martial, now being just a Civilian State Alchemist still with the rank equivalent to a Major.
Trust is yet another complicated aspect of their relationship. Natasha doesn’t trust Kimblee because for a long time, he straight up is not telling her crucial information pertaining to government conspiracy and the homunculus’ plans. She also doesn’t trust him to not harm or kill people (including her) which certainly puts a damper on things. However, Natasha does trust Kimblee to be himself (if that makes sense). Once she fully understands him, she is able to predict his behavior and trusts that he will stick to his philosophies. Kimblee trusts Natasha almost completely aside from a very specific time where she lies to him. But in the end, he understands why she lied as she stuck to her own morals, and it makes him even more attracted to her.
Since they don’t fully love each other, jealousy isn’t exactly in their relationship. There is a point jealousy crosses Kimblee’s mind, but this thought is fleeting as he analyses his feelings for her more thoroughly. Natasha has basically zero jealousy when it comes to Kimblee giving other people attention. She is more so jealous on how easy things come to Kimblee, and is envious of his lack of insecurity and self doubt.
If Kimblee had it his way, he would be very clingy. He constantly wants to manhandle Natasha, always wanting to touch her either affectionately or more dominantly. He wants to spend as much quality time as possible with her, enjoying her presence and company especially after being alone for so long in prison. He also openly expresses that he misses her when they go their separate ways. However, due to the Natasha’s preferences and also their work relationship, Kimblee displays a lot of self restraint, not physically touching her when they are in public or when she is uncomfortable with him especially in the beginning of the story. Natasha craves Kimblee’s warmth. When she allows him to touch her, it’s like she’s almost intoxicated, comparing this feeling to a moth drawn to a flame. However, most of the time she likes her independency and to keep formal work appearances. She’s also 99% done with Kimblee’s shit which makes her more withdrawn. When their relationship is at its peak though, she indulges in Kimblee’s clinginess and accepts that she enjoys being with him too.
Kimblee’s alchemic circles are there because I’ve assigned Natasha as the moon and Kimblee is the sun in their relationship.
Extras:
Kimblee doesn’t apologize (red flag).
Kimblee LOVES to spoil Natasha and would do it more if she let him and if they had more time together.
Both Natasha and Kimblee talk a lot with rather impressive communication skills even if they disagree. However, Kimblee is much more chattier and Natasha will go through waves of ignoring him. She also enjoys the comfortable quietness while he is always ready for conversation.
Natasha is more popular but not by much. While a lot of people initially distrust and judge her for being an Ishvalan who killed her own people, she is more friendly and normal than Kimblee who is a bastard with bad first impressions.
Kimblee is a passenger princess and cannot drive.
Natasha is the better caretaker by simply being more parental. There aren’t many times they have to take care of each other, but Kimblee is just actively bad at being a caretaker due to the lack of experience and thoughtfulness for others. He tries to take care of Natasha but that doesn’t work out so well (Spoilers).
Despite wanting to protect people, Natasha does not feel any need to protect Kimblee. Kimblee wants to protect Natasha (in his own twisted way), again it doesn’t always go so well though.
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