Xaden Riorson’s actions in Fourth Wing and Iron Flame both make more sense and become infinitely funnier when you remember that the man is 22-23 years old.
This man is AT BEST a first year grad student trying to finish compulsory military service in an active war zone while running the family business (ruling a legit kingdom) and taking on extracurriculars (leading a rebellion) as side hustles. On top of that there’s a literal plague of evil descending, institutional racism is against him, and his Situationship (calling Violet that cuz a lot happens there over two books and I’m trying to cover all the relationship levels) never seems to settle out for more than a month at a time.
Like, of course the decision making is not always on point. The man doesn’t even have a fully developed pre-frontal cortex yet and he hasn’t slept the recommended amount in 6 years.
