literally nothing is even half as compelling as Sai's character arc, from start to where it is now and where it will hopefully go. there is just so much to be said for the flow of it and how cathartic it became with time. I have very little to critique and I want to keep it that way. it's no shock that married life and parenthood look so good on him now. you may initially think that it's bizarre and beyond belief that he could end up there but, really, it always felt fitting. someone with such a tender heart and desire for bonds. it's not that he was emotionless as much as unable to process feelings in the way most people do, tamping a lot of them down very well and having to adjust to doing a lot less of that when it was no longer required. sometimes he still stumbles on various specific feelings but goddamn he's doing ana amazing job overall. I literally NEVER have to worry about how he treat his family or friends. I so not have to lay awake at night stressing over how safe and supported Inojin might be because there is no better place to grow up than that household and a lot of that can be pinned to his dad's brand of parenting, especially in combination with his mom's. they fit so we'll together and treat life as something to be tackled anything but alone. no one is home alone worrying if they're enough for the other, if their partner might be missing out because they're tethered to each other, that any kids (Inojin, Team 25, Ino-Shika-Cho, or otherwise) are at any sort of risk in their care, or ANYTHING of that nature. all conflicts are not marital strife, are not majorly different ideas on how to raise a child, are not bitter and petty things they hold over each other's heads out of spite.
I could go on and on AND ON about this subject because it sparks endless PASSION and INTENSITY in me. It's so compelling and healthy and supportive and fascinating. Seeing it be added at the tail end of part 2 wasn't even a problem. You fall in love at your own speed. It doesn't mean you're loves any less because it hasn't been built up for hundreds of installments in the story.
Glaux almighty, this shit gets me so much.
