came across a post of yours about the makima-barem-you evil throuple and its made me very curious. literally nightmare blunt rotation scenario (except you're the blunt?) but it does beg the question what sort of person would end up in a position like that and not wind up killed by either of them in under a month. it would need to be someone either pleasant or interesting enough for makima to keep around that can somehow either avoid barem's wrath for essentially cucking him... or endear themselves to him, which would be arguably worse
well well!
I shall have you know that I stewed on this ask for multiple days trying to articulate my thoughts. Hopefully this does it justice:
what kind of person would attract makima's attention? is the relationship one of equal terms or is it a master-pet dynamic?
Before I clarify the potential terms of your and Makima's relationship, let it be known that Barem doesn't take you seriously*. You're a frivolous plaything in his eyes.
*I think he would be more threatened by a man who has Makima’s heart, so to speak. Lots more resentment there since that’s really driving home the cuck themes and such. However, a woman being the one to capture Makima’s eye is a little different. Barem reads to me as a benevolent misogynist (? Or just plain misogynist at times. Who knows). Point is, he doesn’t take a relationship between women too seriously and is more willing to be partial towards you. Best case scenario is that he considers you a potential third.
To be fair, he isn't exactly wrong. Everyone has their higher-ups, and if they sniff out that the head of experimental division 4 is being partial to one employee... well, Makima's access to you hinges on the success of this experimental division and how well she plays along with Public Safety.
Of course, her one true love that is destined in this world is Pochita, and while she figures out how to free him from his flesh prison known as "Denji", you're a good companion. No substitute, of course. Makima desires connection, so a shared interest and agreeable temperament might be what draws her to you. That is, don't be like Denji.
(But also, don't be so serious that you remind her of those managers of hers).
Where Barem fits into all of this... there isn't much about their relationship in the manga other than Barem feels as though Makima still owns his heart. Whether he even meant this romantically, who knows. Makima might have been more partial to Barem over the other hybrids*, she probably wasn't cozying up to him or revealing her true feelings.
*I have a long-standing headcanon that her favorite among the hybrids was Katana Man, only because he also hated Denji for mostly the same reasons she did. hee hee hee.
I don't think there's ever a true throuple, just Barem third-wheeling occasionally and Makima allowing it. She trusts him to spend time with you. He squeezes himself in where he can, and he (kind of) tries to see what she sees in you once he realizes that you won't be going away anytime soon. He can't understand why Makima would pick you (human) as her confidant over him (devil). Shouldn't there already be that mutual trust and built-in connection with him and Makima?
Barem fundamentally misunderstands Makima; therefore, he misunderstands your relationship with her. He can insert himself on outings that you two take; he can "help" you watch the dogs whenever Makima goes on a business trip, and he can also shoo you away when he's trying to get some alone time with Makima.
Whether Barem sees you as a roadblock or a bonus depends on a lot of factors. He does try to be amicable, just to not look bad in front of Makima (and so maybe you'll put a good word in for him). When he thinks about it, perhaps having you stick around isn't that bad. You guys can be like a family: a husband, his wife, and their pet-human-third-thing. Besides, you don't shed fur or bark and growl at him every time he comes by. Much better than those dogs.
I will say he is more receptive to someone more submissive taking the role of the family pet. He's not above "helping" you learn your place (when Makima isn't around), but, you know.
Post-Makima death.
There is a non-zero chance that you're handed off to Barem anyway. I stand by the notion that PS and the Chainsaw Man Church were in kahoots and that Barem was still working with them this whole time. Besides, what else are they going to do with you? Your handler (Makima) is gone, and you probably know too much for them to let you go on your merry way.
Sure, you could go "live a normal life," but PS would always have their eyes on you. Besides, Barem's a good worker. They trust him enough with you; one less assignment on their desk.
Without Makima there as a buffer, Barem's free to do whatever he wants with you. Ranges from being a halfway decent boyfriend, projecting Makima onto you, possibly blaming you for her death, dressing you up in her clothes, etc.
If you, somehow, are able to convince Barem that you really do like him, he'll go easy on you. In his mind, it's still a one-sided relationship where you're hopelessly reliant on him and not one where he's clinging to whatever's left of Makima.
If you were helping Barem heal his wounds, and he needed blood to heal. If you were offering your arm to him, he’d say: “Nono, sweetheart… you’re not a hybrid, hmm?” After insisting, he finally sighs… but he was planning to accept from the beginning obviously. As he gently grabs your arm, he watches your reaction as you tense when his teeth sink into your skin.
Of course, sooner or later, he’s got you on his lap. “Shh, shh… I just need a bit more. It’s okay sweetie, yeah?” He would say, before his teeth are digging into your neck.
barem would make sure to leave stains on your clothes after he fucks you in his office, makes sure you’re still confused and dazed and so light headed that everybody knows shit just went down.
