I’m relieved that Aerion got out relatively unscathed besides a few cuts and bruises, and the emotional scarring post-Bittersteal is going to be bad enough for the poor guy, but what if his injuries from the whole thing had been a lot worse? How do you think everyone would’ve reacted? …probably a stupid question because they all would’ve just collectively lost their minds like they’re going to do anyway, but let’s here the specifics 😂
I think it’s safe to say the best (?) outcome happened because I do dread to think the reactions of Aerion was hurt more…
say Aerion really was hurt, the worst outcome, broken, beaten, his body taken from him, the outcome would be devastating
Maekar is obviously the first who comes to mind. The grief and rage he’d feel probably would never heal. He’s already had such an adverse reaction to anyone being near Aerion, his protection of him runs so deep, he wouldn’t be the same again. The fact he wouldn’t be able to kill Bittersteel himself would rack him with guilt too…
Baelor would break. I think he’d become colder to others. He’d slaughter any and all rebels, no trial, nothing just. He’d be overly careful with Aerion, he’d have to deal with the love of his life crying each night, broken. I think he’d lose himself too.
and Valarr. He’d be so strong for Aerion. But I think he believe he’s failed him. He’d probably worry about touching him, hurting him, their relationship would be tense. He’d never forgive himself too, he’s failed as an alpha, as a would be mate. The one thing he said he’d promise to do, protect Aerion, and he can’t even do that. At least he could kill Bittersteel
Aerion would be broken. Everything he hated would have come true. He would hate his body, his desire, anything that comes from touch. He would never want children. I had imagined, in an older edit, that Bittersteel would try to force Aerion to sleep with him and Aerion was going to drink wildfire to stop the seed from getting him pregnant (the details weren’t worked out and I dropped it bc he’d die but I imagined him basically destroying his own womb as the one act he could do himself) but that was quite dark…
it would have been a hugely different fic had I taken the route and although I thought a lot about it, we’d be having a lot more angsty chapters… and I dont know if Aerion would have actually recovered and the Valaerion relationship may have died… he would just want his father and that would be all…
sad Monday vibes, anon…