The full official art btw

to think that nikolai was lonely, ostracised from the fractured family he shared a name with, looked down for heredity that wasn't his fault, and forced to carry a heavy burden before he was even born to the point of overcompensating, losing his closest friend to the war, then lived a double life for a one-sided love with his country. then came hope, arriving in the shape of a girl who could summon the sun. suddenly, his desire to save ravka didn't sound improbable or hopeless anymore. an alliance was born. but that tactical alliance quickly softened into friendship through every trust they gave and every understanding they shared. and then, just as suddenly, he fell for her. maybe it was the sheer thrill of her company, or the profound connection they found despite their opposite backgrounds. or perhaps it was simply the relief of finding such a fresh perspective from someone who wore her heart on her sleeve in a sea of performative fakers and court performances.

I think Genya and David have at least one heart shaped rock in their room

using the lack of clear details that would confirm if the darkling always intended to use genya this way or was it just recklessness on his part, to twist it into your own version of events so you can absolve him completely of any blame at all is so incredibly disingenuous. this is why transformational fandoms stop being fun at one point. the refusal to engage with the text because people have developed a parasocial relationship with a character and so the need to ignore canon or just straight up invent shit completely overtakes any objectivity. like i am sorry but author's intent means something and sometimes it really is what it is. darkling might not have included the possibility of the king raping genya when he initially planned to give her to the queen but his reaction when she confides in him is ample evidence that he participated in her abuse!