laukisimp

[laukisimp]

I don't know why, but they always give me the impression that they've been happily married for at least 5 years :)

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That she trusts him so much that she asks him to stay with her and help her, and that he does it without a single hesitation, even though they both know that they might not get out of that factory alive.😭

[laukisimp]

How Lauki’s Story Might End

I’ve been thinking a lot about Lauki these days, including how their story might end. I remember a few years ago Eph said that no one had come close to guessing the ending of PH. That was a while back, but even now, I still can’t imagine exactly how it will wrap up, and we still have a while before the story ends. The only thing I feel certain about is that Lauki won’t stay together by the end (please don't kill me for saying this). Maybe they don't separate forever, but after everything that’s happened, it’s hard to picture a "they lived happily ever after" for them. After the fall of the Phantom Scythe, how would they even function as a couple in ordinary life? Their relationship was born out of extraordinary circumstances, and both still carry wounds that will take a long time to heal.

Kieran, for one, won’t stay in Ardhalis. I can't see that happening. Even if people don’t know his identity as the Purple Hyacinth—or if only a handful do—it still wouldn’t be safe for him (and for Lauren). And beyond safety, he needs space to heal. His journey feels like one of self-forgiveness and redemption, and I don’t think he’ll find that in the same city where he spilled so much blood. I can see him faking his death in the end—symbolically “killing” the Purple Hyacinth so he can finally live as Kieran White. To the world, it would look like he’s gone, but Lauren would know the truth. She’d carry the knowledge that he escaped and is alive somewhere, but he's unreachable. This is bittersweet and it's so fitting for Lauki to be honest. In fact, I can imagine her helping him stage it—maybe she’s the one who “kills” the Purple Hyacinth. That would tie back to the prologue imagery: the gunshot (Lauren) and the bloodied hyacinths (the death of the Purple Hyacinth). My theory is that those panels represent Lauren helping Kieran to fake his death (or it's the fall of the monarchy because purple hyacinths are the royal crest, but that's a theory for another time).

Meanwhile, I don't think Lauren would leave Ardhalis. Ever since the Greychapel episodes when Kieran called out privilege and the state of the south shore, I feel like it has opened Lauren's eyes. Whether or not she stays a detective, I think she’d be deeply involved in rebuilding the city and fighting for its most vulnerable. Like Kieran, she has guilt to work through, but it’s different. Kieran has literal blood on his hands, the hundreds of lives taken as an assassin. They both have healing to do. Lauren’s burden is heavy too, but it’s not the same, and once she learns the truth about Dylan's death she will start to move on (I'm sure we'll finally get the Dylan reveal in s3 part 2). In my opinion her role seems to be about creating something new out of the wreckage, while his is about finding redemption away from it.

That’s the bittersweet beauty of Lauki: they’ve been helping each other heal, but their paths might ultimately diverge—Lauren staying to rebuild, Kieran leaving to forgive himself. Still, I can’t see the story ending without them reuniting somehow. Maybe it’s years later, maybe it’s an open ending where they find each other but we’re left wondering if they get back together. I like the thought of Kieran sending Lauren a letter when he plans on coming back, one that uses a phrase only she would recognize. Or maybe they meet again on the bridge where it all began, where they first made their deal. Their story would come full circle, with them meeting again not as two broken souls scarred by trauma and loss, but as people who have finally begun to heal. They'd meet as lighter, freer versions of themselves, no longer defined by their past.

That’s how I’d love for it to end. I know this is more a headcanon than theory, but it's one I can completely picture. Either way, I'm pretty sure the ending of PH will be bittersweet.

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Kieran

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"i can't do this alone, i need you" then proceeds to call her a pet 2 seconds later like sir she's still pointing a gun at your head 😂

[laukisimp]

Thoughts on Lauki's relationship and the possibility of a fugitive arc

Someone on reddit asked this question earlier this week: what is Lauki's current relationship status? And it sent me into brainrot mode, so this is what I responded to it:

I definitely think they’re more than just friends at this point. Before Lauren was kidnapped, there were already several moments that had romantic undertones, like the cheek caress in episode 151, or when Lauren placed his hands over her heart to reassure him in episode 153. The way Lauren seeks comfort in Kieran when Kym got poisoned, or how she reacts to his affections and compliments when she got promoted to a detective again. Kieran’s feelings are pretty obvious by now, but Lauren’s are more subtle. To me, it seems like she’s trying to suppress or ignore them. As long as she doesn’t know the full truth about what happened to Dylan, she can’t fully move on or allow herself to focus on anything else—including her feelings for Kieran. But I think we’re reaching a turning point in the story. Once Lauren learns the truth about Dylan—and I believe that’s coming soon—things will start to shift. While she’s being held captive, I’m certain she’ll be thinking about Kieran. She knows the PS will use her as leverage against him, and that will worry her. We’re getting closer to a moment where Lauren will be forced to confront what Kieran truly means to her. Remember how she almost cried when she begged him to wake up after the factory explosion? I think we’re getting that kind of reaction from her again but a lot more intense. They've grown closer in season 3 and I'm sure Lauren is already in love with him too. The emotional connection and trust between them is beautiful to witness, and it's a great foundation for the Lauki as lovers era that we'll get eventually. That said, I expect a lot of angst before anything romantic actually happens between them. Kieran’s guilt and self-loathing will only get worse after the kidnapping, I think he's going to be in really bad shape (both emotionally and physically), so I don’t see him making any romantic moves anytime soon. If anything, I think it will be Lauren who eventually takes the initiative and pushes their relationship into something more than just a partnership.

My friend then replied to my response and she said it's also the thought of falling in love with Kieran would add so much complications in Lauren's life and that’s why she cannot afford to pay attention to or acknowledge it. And it’s true.

It’s not just Lauren's obsession with Dylan that’s probably stopping her from really thinking about her feelings for Kieran. She's avoiding it because subconsciously she knows reflecting on those feelings would mean facing everything that comes with them. And it’s a lot. Kieran is still the PH. What would that mean for Lauren’s life and the people in it? How would she even begin to deal with that? And then there’s the danger. Lauren risks losing someone else she cares deeply about. Again. Kieran has a huge target on his back—and it’s not just the PS. If his identity ever gets compromised (and honestly, the chances of that happening in S3 Part 2 feel really high, especially with Redcliff’s ball coming up—it’s a pretty popular theory that Kieran will be used as a pawn in whatever Redcliff is planning), then the consequences will be terrible.

I do think that once she learns about Kieran’s past and finally finds out the truth about Dylan, she’ll end up choosing to follow her heart and stand by him. But right now? There’s so much happening that it’s no surprise she can’t bring herself to think about her relationship with Kieran. I love this so much, though. The angst is delicious. Lauki is not just enemies to lovers, but also kind of a forbidden love dynamic. They know they shouldn’t. It’s dangerous. Messy. Complicated. But they also can’t stay away from each other. They won’t be able to resist or deny their feelings forever. Sooner or later, they’ll give in.

I would love a fugitive Lauki arc—where they’ve finally crossed that line and become lovers, running away from everything and everyone, figuring things out between them while still trying to take down the PS. All while knowing there’s a massive target on their backs. I need it. I think the possibility of getting a fugitive Lauki arc is pretty high to be honest, especially if Kieran's identity will be in danger after what goes down at the ball, or if they're exposed as Lune. There's no way Lauki will be able to continue their mission like they used to.

[laukisimp]

We don’t talk about Lauren’s guilt enough. The focus is usually on Kieran’s, and understandably so, given everything he’s been through. But I think both of them feel like they’re dragging each other down. Not to mention Lauren considers herself a liability to Kieran. Now, with Lauren’s kidnapping, it won’t just be Kieran blaming himself—Lauren will carry that guilt too, knowing the PS will use her to get to him. Their guilt goes back to Dylan’s death—though for Kieran, it’s compounded by the weight of all the lives he’s taken as the PH. They both need to confront their pasts and open up about it if they ever hope to move forward and begin to heal. That’s also when romance could finally develop between them. I’m especially looking forward to seeing more of Lauren’s inner thoughts in S3 part 2—about her guilt towards Kieran and what he truly means to her.

there's worse people to die with.

when i first read this chapter, i interpreted this look in lauren's eyes as her realizing she's scared to die. despite fighting her hardest, this would be her end and she failed to find the truth once again. kieran, on the other hand, has faced death many times before and i doubt he was scared to go, so instead he comforted her. it's heartwarming but heartbreaking at the same time :( i still interpret this scene in that way but i also love the interpretation that she felt guilty he was stuck there with her, it could even be a combination of the two.

[laukisimp]

parallels

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PH summer reread update

Hey everyone

First off, I just want to say how amazing it’s been to see all the excitement around the idea of a summer reread! It genuinely made me so happy to know others were as into it as I was.

That said, I wanted to give an update—I’ve had some unexpected work stuff come up and it’s gotten a lot busier and hectic than I anticipated (a colleague of mine left so it means my workload will increase until they found someone to replace her). I’m realizing I won’t be able to give the reread the time and energy it deserves right now 😔 I don't want to start the reread and then give up after a week. This has been an ongoing issue for me. I start a lot of rereads, but never actually finish them due to a lack of motivation, time and energy.

But! Since our beloved comic is still on hiatus, I was thinking it might actually be better to hold off and plan the reread closer to the return date. That way we can all refresh our memories together and build up hype for the comeback. I think a lot of people are waiting for an actual return date before they decide to engage in the community again and find the motivation to do a reread.

If you want to reread by yourself and post about it, feel free to do so of course! You don't have to wait until we do a collective reread.

Thanks so much for understanding—and for being such a lovely community. I’ll definitely keep everyone posted when the timing feels right again. 💜

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Thank you everyone who replied and showed interest !!! I think we have enough people who would like to join. I will figure out a schedule and post the announcement either tomorrow or Saturday 💜

PH summer reread

I realized today that it's been a whole year since I last did a complete reread of Purple Hyacinth (and for me that's a long time lmao 🫠).

I always reread it during the summer months. We did a summer reread event with the Fandom Scythe discord server last year, but I was wondering if you guys would be interested in doing one for the tumblr community only? We could use a schedule to read a specific batch of episodes each week, and post about it using a hashtag.

Let me know if you're interested in joining! I can organize something if there's enough interest.

[laukisimp]

PH summer reread

I realized today that it's been a whole year since I last did a complete reread of Purple Hyacinth (and for me that's a long time lmao 🫠).

I always reread it during the summer months. We did a summer reread event with the Fandom Scythe discord server last year, but I was wondering if you guys would be interested in doing one for the tumblr community only? We could use a schedule to read a specific batch of episodes each week, and post about it using a hashtag.

Let me know if you're interested in joining! I can organize something if there's enough interest.

[laukisimp]

I don't think the identity of Kieran's protectee is meant to be a big twist. To me it's been pretty obvious since S1 that it has to be Dylan. The real mystery, in my opinion, is how did he and Kieran meet, how did they get taken and what happened during their time together in the PS, and—most importantly—how he died.

I'm genuinely so excited for the reveal that Dylan was Kieran’s protectee, and to finally see their tragic dynamic unfold.

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Kieran was insane for dropping these innuendos. Eph and Soph really dug their own grave, though... At some point we’re going to need answers: just how long can Kieran last 😏

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HE WAS SO OVERWHELMED BY HIS FEELINGS FOR HER 😭 I will always love this moment.

I always wonder how much he must be in love with her that he can, even for a moment and timidly, overcome the fear and anxiety and insecurity and self-hatred and the rational awareness that feelings kill you, and touch her. Not in the way they usually do, but to touch her face, in a movement that is absolutely and unequivocally intimate. How much courage he mustered for that and how long he had dreamed of doing it

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We took it as foreshadowing for a Kym injury but it really was just Kym feeling like she was dying because she was worrying over Lauren huh

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Their constant mutual need to take the other's worries away for at least a moment and put a smile on their face :)

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Kieran, whenever he compiles information for Lauren and she's pleasantly surprised and impressed with him:

THANK YOU @annamlynska for the thought fodder that Kieran presented the lead for Chow's case and Redcliff's file to Lauren "in the same way that other men give flowers or small gifts to girls they like. If he could, he would tie a bow on them for Lauren and put them in a fancy box. :D" I LOVE YOUR BRAIN