Peter x Rumi knowing that Elainaās behind the faƧade makes it a million times better. I have a Lot of thoughts on it. Iām struggling to articulate them, so bear with me.
Like, Sqlumi originally felt like a manic pixie dream girl x mediocre guy, which sort of worked because of the PCās excellent characterizations, but definitely raised a bunch of red flags, because it was hard to pinpoint why Rumi liked Peter. Peter didnāt have any of the things that were āperfectā that Rumi actually tried to emulate in himself, and if Rumi acted like Peter heād be horrified with himself, so it had this weird double standard that made it feel like Rumi either liked the dynamic created by being with someone who should and does feel beyond lucky to have you, or. You know. Manic pixie dream girl gets with mediocre guy to reward the guy for all his character growth. Or maybe to feel good about lifting someone up, what with that sort of condescending savior complex he had going on. I got the vibe that Rumiās attraction was more about the role Peter played rather than Peter himself, and anything built on that couldnāt last.
But then with Elaina to recontextualize everything, I can totally see them falling in love with Peter from just the visions alone. Peter started out super insecure and conventionally unattractive and utterly helpless and just. Peter. Literally everything that Elaina could conceivably not like about themself. And then Peter got everything he ever wanted, got to be happy, not by changing but by growing and learning to love himself and his best qualities, and gets to ascend to greatness and glory with all of his flaws still in tact. I can see Elaina seeing themself in Peter and not even resenting the reminder because they know from the start that heāll be loved in spite of his flaws. He gets everything Elaina wants but is too scared to reach for. Literally perfect. Peter still stays attractive for the role he fills, but it feels less exploitative and demeaning. Elaina loves him because heās better, not lesser.
I can see Elaina mentally squealing and kicking his feet when he meets Peter because heās excited to be a part of his story, to live vicariously through him whether he consciously is aware of it or not, because thatās their comfort character! And then as he talks to him more and actually get to know him his affection gets less and less superficial, and more and more warm fuzzies fondness for Peter just as Peter, not as the āElaina projection character.ā He can love the things in Peter that he doesnāt like in himself, and now that double standard can be a thing that challenges his self loathing! And then Peter still falls hook, line, and sinker for Rumi, which is great now because itās not just Rumi twirling for somebody just for them to tell him heās amazing and fuel his ego, itās Elaina basically trying to impress his idol, and itās working!
Like, Elainaās an artist impressing her celebrity crush with this lovingly crafted magnum opus, and Peterās going āoh my gosh heās so prettyā and then turns to look Elaina in the eyes and say āand so are you!ā I can see why she swoons so hard.
I just kind of wish we got to see more of Peter interacting with Elaina, because Elainaās finally come down to his level and we barely have time to explore that. Now Peter can maybe see himself in Elaina, too, and relate to their insecurities and flaws in a way he couldnāt with Rumi because Rumi simply refused to show any, and clearly it works out for them! I want to see that! So bad! But I love what we got so, so much!