#marimandan

I don't think you're crazy, no. I do think both sides have the potential to be let down, though.

Marius & Lestat: this is a relationship I've been wanting to revisit. When I read TVL, I was grieving the recent back-to losses of my mother & my dog, so I came to Marius in a similar state as Lestat lol. I remember taking his words to heart and them truly helping me through the darkest time of my life, when I'd given up on the world and any beliefs I thought I had. (For the record, I was also engaged in an extremely Lestat-centric reading as Armand didn't win me over until QotD, and I took a lot of the philosophy of mortality & existence personally. still do.).

I feel as if Marius's show "introductions" paint him in a different light so far. He has an ominous presence for non-book readers; they only know him from his creepy painting in Dubai & Armand's somber reflection to Louis. It's not exactly laying the groundwork TVL did where Marius's presence & appearance are (to my recollection) comforting, something Lestat seeks out to ground himself and find answers. Season 3 has a lot of work to do in that regard and I think that's where part of my displeasure with the "donations" stems from. They've already done Armand's backstory dirty by having his parents seemingly sell him off -- even going so far as deceiving him about it? to my understanding -- as opposed to the family from the books that loves and misses him! That's already woobifying Armand territory imo. It's also why I have to raise an eyebrow at the "donations" angle -- how much is true? How much is purposeful mis- or redirection, whether from a character or the writers? How much is the new (show) canon? I look forward to what answers we'll get. It's a stretch, but Daniel could dig these facts up (for Armand?) in research, perhaps? I have no idea but I feel it's important Armand knows his family both loved and longed for him. Reconciliation with Ivan & Armand's return to Kiev is one of my highlights of TVA.

However, I do [my best to] understand this approach, and it rings true to the show adaptation's theme of highlighting memory as a monster, how reflection paints our present perspectives, how trauma is foundational, etc.

Exactly as you say: these characters are all more than their flaws & darkest moments, same as they're more than their kindest. Neither side outshines or overshadows the other -- that's the whole point.

Eric & Assad's takes on Marius also lead me to believe what you do. I'm desperate for show!Daniel to tear into Marius though, it's going to be good. fucking. food.

I hope they include, at the very least, some aspect of Daniel & Marius's relationship from Blood and Gold. I'm hoping Daniel's hedonism with Lestat in s3!TVL reflects his own madness from the book, that his indulgences turn him a little vampy coo-coo-cachoo. Maybe Marius can be a grounding figure at the end of that?

Marimandan fic where old relationships are reignited, past is revisited and human and vampiric passions are fused together

Exposure Therapy (7932 words) by ProfessorBonca

Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Armand/Daniel Molloy/Marius de Romanus, Armand/Marius de Romanus, Daniel Molloy/Marius de Romanus, Armand/Daniel Molloy Characters: Armand (Vampire Chronicles), Daniel Molloy, Marius de Romanus Additional Tags: Post-Canon, Established Relationship, Plot What Plot/Porn Without Plot, Threesome - M/M/M, Fareed Bhansali's Vampire Sex Serum, Hand Jobs, multiple orgasms mention, Roughness, Oral Sex, Pinching, Light Cock & Ball Torture, Intergluteal Sex, Anal Sex, Face-Sitting, Rimming, Dirty Talk, Breast Play, Ripping Out The IV Needle, Blood Drinking, Hair-pulling, Blood Sharing, No orgasm, Fluff Summary: In attempt to help Armand and Marius warm their relationship Daniel convinces them to take Fareed up on his offer of the vampire hormone injections. While initially reluctant, Armand soon decides to give the intimate experiment a chance.

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