What about mom? What does she know about Sofia and Griswald, how does she feel about them?
"Oh, I am very proud of them!
"They're extraordinarily different from when I knew them, yet, in many ways, just the same. They're both still just as stubborn, both just as reckless, just as attached to each other as they were the day I... left. But they're far stronger now, and they've grown into themselves, especially Grisly. And, truly, that's all I want. I don't care what they do, as long as they are happy to do it, and it's the right thing for them.”
"Ever since he could walk, Grisly was quite spirited, and he did have a penchant for rough-housing, I'll absolutely admit that. I probably should've stopped it, and I definitely shouldn't have let Berend spend so much time with him. He likely would've learned similar behaviours later on, but... Maybe he would've been less destructive. I know he's done countless unforgivable things as a nation. I know he had little choice. But I also know that he acted violently on his own, with plenty of other choices. He could've gotten rid of the cabin without putting others at risk. He could've brought Sofie home without murdering his aunt. And I believe he always knew that, and knows it now, but he never really learned how to solve his problems without destruction, and it was my job to teach him that. I shouldn't have trusted Berend with teaching Grisly things, just because they were both supposed to be men, or because a part of me hoped beyond hope that maybe spending time with his doting children would cause Berend to adore them just as much as I did. It was selfish, and cruel, and Grisly suffered for it.
"... But, despite everything, even if it was almost eight hundred years later, he's bettered himself. He knows exactly who he is, I think, and I think that's amazing! He’s trying to avoid hurting others, and is trying to make amends, it seems, with everyone else. He’s happy, and I haven’t seen him so happy ever. He might not love himself yet, but I think he’s on the way to that.”
[She gets a little quieter]
“Now, as for Sofie...
“I failed her far more as a mother than I ever did with her brother. To this day, she believes that she killed me, and I just... I wish I could come back, just to squeeze her so tightly, and tell her that I— and apologise. That’s all I want. After I died, it sent Grisly away, and she was left all alone, only to be taken by Gretel. I should never have told Gretel about my babies. Because of me, Sofie was taken and killed, over, and over, and over. She suffered trauma after trauma after trauma, and I think it had the opposite effect on her than it did on Grisly. He became softer, but she’s cocooned herself inside this almost impenetrable exterior. She hasn’t become any kinder, any more open about her struggles. She... She reminds me a lot of myself, honestly. And that’s the biggest disservice I could have ever done to her, was lead by example. I never ever wanted them to suffer as I had, yet, I caused such suffering for them. I hurt them the most, more than anyone else.
“Even though she’s broken down, though, and even though she’s sheltered herself, I’m still quite proud of her... She’s still taken far more things in stride than I ever could, and she’s even adapted somewhat better to change more recently than before. She aims so high every time she has a goal, and she’ll do anything she can to make it. I... I hope she’ll keep improving, and keep setting goals. I’m glad she’s found things to comfort her that aren’t destructive, and has been more social as of late.
“... They’re wonderful. Rough around the edges, yes, but I still love them with my entire heart. Nothing will change that. Not them hating themselves, not them being a different gender, not them being queer. They may frustrate me, but as long as they’re okay, I don’t care.”
ok but sofia and noor teasing diego over his outfit? (i laughed really hard at five’s Batman comment cause i had written noor saying something similar in my first chapter)
oh my god yes!!! but also noor knows that sofia secretly likes it and teases the shit out of her for it!!
Also can I just say, Noor definitely realizes that Sofia and Diego are super into each other and is constantly debating just handcuffing them together until they talk it out because she’s tired of the pining lmao
(I love that!!!! and god I loved that line lmao! I never figured out where to use it but I had a thing written down of Quinn being separated from her sibling and an adult asking what her guardian looks like and she described Diego as “knock off batman with knives and a scar” and it was my favourite thing ever — I wrote one for each sibling but that one was particularly iconic)
who steals french fries off the other’s plate: Sofia
who jokingly moves in for the kiss when someone asks if they’re a couple: Sofia or both of them!
who has to bust or bail the other out of jail: I mean in theory Sofia can talk her way out of jail, but she’s definitely more likely to get arrested?
who gives the other advice/comfort about dating issues: lmao Noor, her advice is “JUST FUCKING TELL HIM ALREADY SOF”
who shamelessly cheats at games by reaching over to cover the other’s eyes: Noor
who immediately calls dibs on the top bunk: Noor
who starts and who wins the pillow fights: Sofia starts them but it’s a mix of who wins when!
who says “your pants would look better on their floor” to the other’s potential crush: Honestly I can see Noor saying it to Diego both to see his reaction and because she’s just so tired of these idiots who won’t talk about their feelings lmao
Guys I’m asexual. That is the title I’m very comfortable with. I’ve “come out” to my friends last Saturday. I legit thought something was wrong with me because I’ve never found anyone physically attractive before. I mean I think everyone is beautiful so that’s not helpful. I’m asexual. There it is. World of the internet, a girl who has never been a relationship before, is asexual. This feels like a big deal. Maybe it is. I think it is. I’m asexual guys
