Throughout ACOSF, SJM takes care to build out both Azriel and Gwyn's characters... and show that this pair has a lot of key similarities that could lead to a friends-to-lovers story for the ages.
First off, both Gwyn and Azriel are shown to be extremely competitive. We see this highlighted for Gwyn in chapter 60 of ACOSF, when Azriel becomes "the new ribbon" (624) and she pushes Emerie and Nesta to be the first to complete the Blood Rite qualifier (also on page 624). As for Azriel, Cassian describes his "vicious competitive streak," which is "quiet and cruel and utterly lethal" (254).
What's interesting to me is that while they both have this trait in common, they express it in different ways. Azriel is quiet, while Gwyn is the one who announces, "We look forward to proving you wrong," when he expresses doubts about her capability to complete the obstacle course (253). It's purposefully not a neat alignment, which sets up a more compelling story.
Beyond their competitive streak, Azriel and Gwyn are both nerds. When Cassian describes a model of their world and the stars beyond it in Rhys' office, he says that while he was bored and mystified by it, "Az, of course, had been fascinated" (37). Meanwhile, we have a lot of instances of Gwyn being a nerd, but my favorite is on page 407, where we have this delightful conversation between Nesta and Gwyn:
Gwyn playfully smacked her on the shoulder. "Learning is my job, you know."
"You'd have memorized this information anyway."
"Fair enough," Gwyn laughed.
Not only are these two nerds, but everyone who loves them knows it. I can't wait to see what kind of conversations they have, because you know they're pulling out reference texts. It's also interesting to me that while Azriel is fascinated by the model of their world, Gwyn is the one to introduce the theory of many worlds (154). Subtle nod that Gwyn is going to expand Azriel's life or outlook in interesting ways? Another connection between these two hot nerds? Who knows for certain, but I can say that I'm definitely intrigued.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly for the plot, Gwyn is shown to have the potential to be a great spy. In addition to her physical abilities -- she's the first one to cut the ribbon, #neverforget -- Gwyn saves Emerie and Nesta during the Blood Rite when she unleashes the beasts on their tormenters. How does she manage this? She "watched the beasts," "learned where the beasts sleep during the day... and that they get very angry when awoken" (682).
Maybe that doesn't sound like spycraft to you, but, as luck would have it, only six pages later, Azriel and Cassian have a conversation about spycraft that's pretty illuminating:
Azriel sharpened Truth-Teller. The black blade absorbed the dim sunlight trickling through the forest canopy above. "It seems you've forgotten how much of spying is waiting for the right moment. People don't engage in their evil deeds when it's convenient for you."
Cassian rolled his eyes. "I stopped spying because it bored me to death. I don't know how you put up with this all the time."
Spying is waiting for the right moment, watching carefully, and making a plan. It's what we've seen Azriel do since ACOMAF, and it's telling that on Gwyn's first "mission" as a spy, she's totally successful in her aims. He has the experience and skills. She has the raw talent. What happens when those two things combine?
As a bonus, because I've addressed it before, we see that as soon as Gwyn and Azriel start talking, they have great banter -- "I can't sleep without my favorite dagger." / "A comfort to every growing child." #neverforget -- but when they get to know each other better and realize how much they have in common, all the things that fascinate both of them? It's going to be a very long conversation, and I'm 1000% here for it.
Call it subtle if you like, but SJM could have developed these two characters any way she liked. She chose to link Gwyn and Azriel through shared yet complementary traits, woven throughout ACOSF. She's definitely setting something up, and in my opinion, that "something" is Gwynriel.
