#tag thoughts

In the end, they switch. Beshelar leaps in front of and on Maia to bodily protect him from Tethimar’s blade and take the hit himself (defensive move), and Cala strikes Tethimar down by killing him with a revethmaz (offensive move).

It’s so interesting that when it came right down to it they each changed their mode of fulfilling their duty to Maia. I don’t think it was conscious at all either, since it was such a fast thing. But just!!! Cala is willing to kill to defend his emperor (such a stunning thing from a character who has never shown violence before, despite the readers knowing his role is to guard Maia) and Beshelar is willing to lay down his life for his emperor without directly fighting the threat (it is very notable that he leapt in front of Maia instead of trying to attack Tethimar) and ultimately they will both protect Maia to the last breath—whether that breath is theirs or of the one who dares to attempt to hurt him. No matter what it takes.

And *still* some one comes to the latest chapter to complain about me using the the / tag and how I really shouldnt mislead readers, and should use the & tag instead.

Like, hun. With all the love... if you read those tags and proceeded to read the story, and still ended up feeling misled, I dunno what to tell you. I was pretty dang clear.

But it does make me wonder-- why would my PacRim au fic get this kind of feedback, when I can post a post-reveal/rift fic where they actively hate each other, with no sex or romance, tag it supercorp, and not get the same complaint? It's curious, and I want to say it's something akin to ace/aro erasure. Like.... people would rather accept a hate fic into their ranks of / supercorp, but exclude drift compatible soulmates?