#thraxuilin

Every smile she draws out of him feels like he’s stealing from Kanami’s throne of love. So when he has Xiulin in his arms, he can't help but think to himself: "For everytime I hold you, do I also risk exposing Kanami to the cold I swore I'd protect her from?" BECAUSE THRAX'S PROBLEM IS THAT HE'S NOT SUPPOSED TO "DIVIDE" HIS LOVE. Kanami and Kai aren't a thing yet for this post but at this point, KANAMI SEES ANY RELATIONSHIPS OUTSIDE OF THE HIVE AS A THREAT AND BETRAYAL because Hachika has Lexi and Bakari and Sting has convinced Kanami that such outside loyalties have "blinded" Hachika from the love the Hive could offer. But that's the beauty of Thrax and Xiulin because she teaches him that love can exist in parallel to duty, not in competition with it.

BUT UGH, I JUST LOVE THE IDEA OF THRAX'S GUILT SHOWING IN HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH XIULIN:

- Like he'll refer to her affection as "permission" where he'll just tell her: "I am more than happy to permit you a kiss." Or if he's all: "I, uh, I permit you to cuddle me...should you so choose." BECAUSE IT MAKES HIM FEEL DISCIPLINED, NOT INDULGENT...even if he wants to indulge, bask, and die in her affection.

- He overcompensates around Kanami after being with her. Pushes himself harder in drills, being more feverently devoted than usual, and trying to "make up" the love that he gave to Xiulin instead of Kanami. But more importantly, he always keeps a memento of the Hive on him when he's with Xiulin, either a ring with Kanami's royal insignia—something he can use as a shield and a shackle that he refuses to move because it's his silent way of saying: "I love you...but my little sister needs me and I already failed her once."

For example, Sting approves of Xiulin and Thrax because I'm sure Xiulin has picked up on Sting's more manipulative/protective side when it comes to his siblings. Even before they announced that they were official, Sting cornering Xiulin at the compound and being all: "I know about you and Thrax...I'm gonna be honest, I'm surprised that he's your type." and Xiulin blushes and giggles as she's all: "Well, he's a good man. Very sweet and considerate, I've never felt this way before...And don't worry, I have no intentions of trying to take him away from the Hive, I know that's where he belongs~" and Sting grins as he's all: "Ah, so you know what this is about? Good, means I can skip over the whole cryptic threat thing. But I'm still not going to trust your word for it, if Thrax begins to get distracted or starts having any ideas on leaving the Hive, I will find you. After all, he may love you, but I'm his brother." and Xiulin just raises an eyebrow and grins: "Duly noted, General Sting." and Sting just responding: "Lovely. You do have a way of calming his temper, so I'm glad you don't pose a threat...and surely you understand this conversation stays between us, correct?" and Xiulin goes: "What conversation?~"

And it makes Sting smile because, yeah, Xiulin is his favorite so far.

When it comes Kanami and her friendship with Daito and her relationship to Kai, he allows them to be apart of her life because he sees how susceptible Daito is to manipulation through his ego, but Kai is a different story and a completely different threat. He lets Kanami hang out with them, especially in instances where he needs Kanami to be away from the Hive for something, and because they do make her happy. He is a bit irritated if Kanami gets upset she can't hang out with them or if she's upset and they're the only ones that can cheer her up but it's fine, he knows she's just a teenager. He teases Daito but he feels like how could easily dispatch him but he also does respect Daito because even if he originally was trying to manipulate Kanami, he is going against that which Sting can respect.

However, him and Kai have a tense relationship with each other, especially after he starts dating Kanami. Kai HATES people like Sting who aren't ever direct or honest, he understands that there's nuance, but he feels like Sting doesn't give Kanami enough agency and when Sting tries to manipulate him, Kai is all: "What exactly is the difference between you and SAKIYAKU?" And Sting just frowns for once and he's all: "I love Kanami and my family. SAKIYAKU only wants to weaponize us." and Kai is all: "You don't lie to people you love. I'll keep my thoughts to myself because I respect that your family has...their own ways...but I won't lie to Kanami or help lie to Kanami. She's stronger than you know and you're more foolish than you think."

And Xiulin sees how awkward and upset he is so she's all: "I don't have to call you "Thrax", though...How about 'Beloved'?" and Thrax perks up and his face is all red but he lovingly smiles down at her as he's all: "B-Beloved, huh? That doesn't sound too...terrible." SO IMAGINE XIULIN DOESN'T EVEN CALL HIM "THRAX" bexause she knows it's his SAKIYAKU name so she calls him "Beloved". WHILE MOST MEN WOULD GROAN OR GRUMBLE OR BE EMBARASSED ABOUT THEIR LOVER CALLING THEM SUCH A SOFT NAME—Thrax honestly takes so much pride in being labeled as her "Beloved". Like, she'll call him "Thrax" when they're in front of Kanami and his brothers so they don't know about their relationship. BUT WHEN THEY'RE ALONE, WHEN SHE CALLS HIM "BELOVED", he straightens his back proudly. Or like, he just reverently takes her hand and kisses it gently. But also, when he talks about fighting Hachika and stuff, him just laying his head on her lap and he gets sad because he hates fighting his sister and I DON'T KNOW IF XIULIN IS WITH THE WHOLE HIVE UNITY IDEA OR IF SHE'D BE AGAINST IT but her just threading her hands through his hair as he says: "...I don't like fighting her. I get worried the more we do it, the more she forgets how much I love her."