BHxF commission from the legendary @marbleboa!! 💪✨
(I asked them to illustrate their favorite scene from their fic
"Achilles Come Down," and they certainly delivered!
It's truly lovely, thank you!!)🙏💕
Damian and Tardif, moving in a linear trajectory at 20 m/h, which one denies attraction for longer?
Or: Damian represses feelings for religious reasons, he's meant to dedicate himself solely to the Light and deny all wordly pleasures. Tardif is a detached loner that isn't above hedonism, but would rather shove needles under his nails than admit he has romantic feelings for a religious fanatic. How do they manage to get together? I imagine it would take a near-death experience or mind-bending situations. Thankfully the Hamlet provides both!
I have a lot of thoughts surrounding these topics but specifically in my interpretation of them, apologies in advance if this is just a big ramble 🙇
Tardif and Damian's relationship was already odd from the moment they met, even if back then they were only just acquaintances. Their relationship got progressively more bizarre the longer they were in each other's company. Both eventually realised they could benefit each other in ways others couldn't and the rest is history ig?
They never officially "get together" cuz their relationship isn't your usual romantic type of dynamic. So, you'll never see me try to label them as that and even they wouldn't attempt to do so (labels are not the be all and end all, guys).
(Tbh, I don't ever really think about my dd ships' "getting together moment" cuz most of my ships don't really have one in my head? It just,, happens? and is a mutual unspoken acknowledgement iykwim?)
Ngl, I also can't see either of them ever audibly voicing their feelings towards one another cuz well,, they simply don't need to? Both are more into showing how they feel primarily through non-verbal communication (eye contact, body language, facial expressions, gestures, etc) on top of their mutually agreed upon dynamic's antics (iykyk).
Plus, Tardif is an extremely taciturn person too, so like,, non-verbal communication is the only way that she communicates with others 99% of the time– I think it's very easy to tell if Tardif likes/cares about someone (well, as best as they can given a headcanon of mine) if you know the signs.
Also, imo, Damian isn't repressed. Sure, Damian is incredibly disciplined but repressed? No, cuz not every religious person is repressed (that's Reynauld's department). And like,, Damian has never really gave me the impression that they are repressed? He knows what he wants and where they want to be. The Light is not Damian's main priority in certain situations, it's more an afterthought 🤷
Especially if we take it's dd1 version and blend it with their dd2 counterpart, which is what I try to do to create my interpretation of Damian cuz I dislike most of dd2 Damian but like some bits.
Damian is what you'd call an "Ascetic Hedonist" (is that even an actual thing? Idfk) which sounds paradoxical cuz Hedonism and Ascetism are on opposite ends of the spectrum but hear me out:
Damian intentionally deprives himself of things by fasting, restriction and discipline to amplify the satisfaction/pleasure they get from x without growing desensitised to it.
For example, Damian turns itself away from the campfire to not feel it's warmth so when he burns himself or is burnt by another, it's like experiencing the sensation for the first time again. Basically, they're edging themself 24/7.
So, technically speaking, Damian and Tardif are both Hedonists, but they participate in it differently ig?
Now, in regards to Tardif's opinion about Damian's religiosity. Imo, Tardif doesn't really care about it much. Actually, my take on Tardif makes her care very little about most things in life unless it interests/benefits them.
So, if anything, Tardif only finds Damian's religiosity bothersome when it doesn't benefit him anymore (e.g: Needing Damian for something but they're unable to join Tardif cuz it's too busy praying at the Abbey).
Anyways, tysm for the BountyFlag/Flaghunter ask. I always enjoy rambling about them :)
