Hi!! I really love your fanfic AToL, your writing is amazing and the story is super captivating! All the character interactions feel so human and realistic.
Also if it's not too much trouble, I was confused on this part in chapter 54?
"I… I can distract you.” Wilbur answered hating how he stumbled on his own words, he hadn’t felt like this even when he had given his first speech as General, nor the first as President. He reached for the General, hand barely even touching the other’s arm. “I’d do anything for you, my darling, my beloved Wil .”
What did Soot mean by "distracting" him? I would assume it was just comfort by hugging or cuddling or smth but if it was, I don't understand why General would refuse that or say that he didn't want to lose Soot and their friendship. Sorry if this ask is annoying or anything, you don't have to answer, I was just a bit confused ^^
Hey, anon! (First of sorry for the late answer!!!)
Secondly, I'm so very glad to hear you like my fic and my writing this much.
To answer your question... Soot was... kind of proposing Wilbur.
Let me explain the man wasn't thinking clearly, (hence why he didn't think of the laudanum immediately) he was getting more and more frantic in his need of helping his darling General to not have to feel that pain he was feeling, even if just for a while.
And his mind just went there because... he thought 'if he feels the opposite of pain, he wont feel it for a bit', and he felt like simple affection wasn't gonna cut it. (He doesn't have any 'desire' for his General or the similar, he offered that yes, but just as a means to an end, end that was distracting the General from pain even if just for a while)
That's all.
Though Wilbur even with how hazy and not exactly coherent he is because of the pain did got the meaning Soot was going for and refused, hence why he said what he said about not wanting to lose Soot and their friendship.
I hope this answers your question. And don't worry despite this little point, their relationship is meant to be absolutely platonical nothing is gonna happen, and Soot wasn't asking that because he wanted Wil or anything like that but just because he wanted to help.. and you know he doesn't have the best self-worth the poor dear.
Feel free to contact me or to send another ask if something's not clear or you have more questions.