HELLO CASPER i'm here to haunt you with your past (no pressure if you don't want this haunting). but for the director's commentary... this little scene from ACD haunts me to this day:
āAnything happens, wake me up.ā Tardif says, trying to arrange the two of them comfortably despite the cramped space of the bed. Damian nods, his own body filling the spaces the other man leaves. His voice comes out with just enough energy in it to be audible.
āYouāreā¦a good man, Tardif.ā
At first Tardif has to suppress a snort, but as the other man solemnly stares back the genuineness of Damianās words hits him with an almost painful force. He says nothing, reasoning to himself that the flagellantās state of mind must still be detached from reality for him to say something as laughable as that.
HOOO BOY HOO BOY alright. Had to reread a to get back in the ACD brain but I'll do my best >:D
Rereading this part of the chapter, I feel like I wanted to show two things: Tardif managing to set aside his pride and self-isolating tendencies for Damian's sake, and Damian accepting that in kind.
This part in particular reflects the latter: everything has changed for Damian, the faith that's kept him alive has been shaken in a way it's never been before. Tardif is the only constant he has left to hold onto: a self-proclaimed selfish man Damian's previously scorned and rejected. But he still brought Damian into the closest thing to home he has, tries to take care of him even when he's lived so much of his life hurting people. Tardif still can't reconcile this in himself, but...actions speak more than words. And Damian can't help but acknowledge that.
Despite the circumstances surrounding it, I also did just love the visual of these two bulky tough guys squished together in a tiny bed. I think Tardif ends up becoming a jetpack(gotta hold onto Damian so he doesn't get taken by the Horrors).
Admittedly, it's scenes like this in the most recent chapters I get conflicted on. It's satisfying to finally have some of these walls fall down--but sometimes I feel I softened the edges that made these two initially appealing a bit tooooo much to fit a romantic narrative. But, then again, this is all after nearly 20 chapters of buildup, soooo...hopefully it feels earned? Either way, I'm happy to hear it's a scene that stuck with you. :]
