agree about the Ivan thing! I think too many people mistaken his physical closeness to Till as emotional closeness. It’s clear that the two left a lot unsaid and while Till felt he could seek comfort (according to the art book) and take his anger out on Ivan/air his grievances (like when he gets jealous that Ivan was playing with Mizi), we mainly see Ivan reciprocate violence or initiate it when it comes to feeling attraction (see: the weird blood licking thing and the non-con kiss). We only see him be honest with Sua and thats not so much as an expression of his emotions but because of the differences in their situations despite having similar approaches to love/similar attitudes. Even with Mizi who Ivan held no grudges against Ivan was still holding himself afar from her to the point that they have very different views of their relationship. People are only willing to explore this in context of romantic feelings but it’s very true for many other aspects of Ivan’s life. I think it’d be interesting if people connected this to how the guardians trust him, I think his character has a lot to speculated on since we aren’t fully aware of the social hierarchy in Anakt Garden
ANON YOU GET IT💔
I absolutely agree on the points you made. I think it also connects to something other people have already pointed out about Till actually looking at Ivan and clearly caring for him and Ivan somehow not noticing, and I personally think it's not so much Ivan not noticing, but more so "dismissing" those things and distancing himself (mentally) when Till shows affection or care.
Another thing that made me get this idea was also how(like you mentioned) Ivan mainly initiates or reciprocates violence when it comes to showing attraction and getting Till's attention. But later we see Ivan showing open care and affection and gentleness when Till isn't conscious. To me, that reads a lot a sort of inner conflict between wanting Till to look at him, wanting to be seen, but also a refusal to let Till truly see Ivan love him. He wants to be seen but he hides, he wants Till to love him but he literally avoids any chances of having Till see his feelings.
This stupid little blorbo keeps everyone and himself at a minimum of five emotional kilometers away.
Personally I love when in fanfics where Ivan and Till get saved, authors write Ivan "hiding" or avoiding Till (and Mizi) to avoid confronting what he did for Till, I feel it is a very realistic depiction of how he would act. Like, surviving wasn't even near part of the plan, and I think part of the reason we get the kiss in doubt 6, Ivan's soft smile and, in general, a sacrifice that screams "I love you" is exactly because Ivan could confess everything and then not have to deal with the consequences of it. Living and having to deal with a Till who knows about his feelings, and having to come to terms with the fact that yes, Till does love him, would be scary af for Ivan and the 8 meters tall wall he built around himself<3.
Ivan confirmed to be Kim "fourth wall" "let me die instead of telling people things" Dokja's child.
You mentioned Ivan's relationship with his guardians and aliens in general and it's something I'd also give a leg and kidney to see more of, including Ivan's life in the slums which I'm CONVINCED is a big reason why Ivan acts the way he does.
We know he was sold off through not very legal channels, and I wouldn't be surprised if he lived in an environment where a lot of other kids came and went very often, getting bought/caught and later being sold to highest bidder, so he probably didn't have any "stable" presence until Unsha bought him and even then certainly not a stable human presence until Anakt Garden. I feel in that situation, connecting with any of the other kids there was probably impossible not only because of the awful situation they were in, but because of literally not having the time to do so.
Okay this wasn't coherent in the slightest but anyway. THANK YOU FOR THIS ASK ANON I WISH YOU A PILLOW COLD ON BOTH SIDES AND KEYS THAT GO IN AT THE FIRST TRY (人 •͈ᴗ•͈)
