ask-impure-vessel

[ask-impure-vessel]

Hello! I just joined the discord and wanted to know if you're still taking asks for the Impure Vessel au.

The story is making my brain go brrrrr.

I took an unannounced break due to stress and mental health. Once I have settled into my new place, I will possibly revive this. I will have internet come next month.

Part of it too was writer's block, which was caused by stress. I am so glad there's someone still interested in this!

[ask-impure-vessel]

In regards to Post+

This blog will not make use of Post+. It's a fan blog and a surefire way to court a lawsuit. Team Cherry has been really understanding of mods and such, but I'm not going to make money off my fan works. Not to mention, Ao3, where I archive this? It would break their terms of service.

That being said, I think that Post+ is a major mistake and the fine print of how they refuse to protect the creators at all they'll profit off of is absolutely disgusting.

[ask-impure-vessel]

100 Followers!

I have had bad health of late and other focuses. I'm slowly working on an ask, though!

Thank you so much for the support!

[ask-impure-vessel]

With all but two of his majesty kids being named after musical terms, I’m starting to think your father has a certain affection towards music. Unexpected as I figured he was much more into science than the arts. What do you think Hallow?

...this one suspects that's the point. That isn't to say father isn't into the arts. He has an appreciation for them; he enjoys Lurien's portraiture as well as the beautiful architecture of the palace and city. These wonders were wrought by many hands, many minds and my father collaborated in the projects that suited his fancy. He is competent, if only due to the amount of practice at the arts he has picked up as diversions.

The vessel carried little Lyre around the castle, rubbing eir back as they walked towards the balcony. There was the sound of a viola floating through the hall, decent playing but not expert. The vessels approached the doorway and exited into the inner courtyard, where the Pale King bowed through the music sheets before him. He finished the piece and set the instrument and bow into its case. He motioned to a servant, who placed the stones onto a cart that they rolled off.

"My children…" He spoke softly, touching their masks with great tenderness, stroking them.

I like this change in him, at least.

He smiled as Lyre began to purr at the attention. Hallow transferred the small vessel to the Pale King. "Ah; thank you, Hallow. Will you be preparing to go out soon to begin your quest to find a way to defeat our enemy?"

[Yes. I am intending to go do research with Quirrel and try to find out some more about her. You aren't strong enough alone. Maybe there's another path. Take care of Lyre, please.] Hallow communed with the Wyrm.

"I intend to. Once you go there, though… you should seek out the cast-off shell. There is something there that can be granted to you that you will need for when I am gone." The Pale King smiled faintly.

[I see. Very well.]

Hallow took their leave and stopped by the armory to pick up armor, donning the repaired ceremonial armor. They set the nail on their back and headed out. The cape on their back was black, with a thick white stripe that took the shape of a spear in outline. They kept a hold of it as they walked out of the castle, hands tight on the hardy silk.

The silk tore as their grip tightened.

It's all my fault. I know it is.

The vessel climbed up to the tram, sliding in and bending over to kneel an empty tram car.

I can't fix it. Father wouldn't let me, even if I could. I don't want him to die, but I can't stop this.

They hit a button blindly and shivered until the tram came to a stop. They crawl out and begin to walk out, fast.

They don't notice until the rumbling that they've gone the wrong direction entirely.

Welcome to Deepnest.

[ask-impure-vessel]

Ever wondered what Hallow's seals look like in this AU? Now you know!

Made in Krita.

[ask-impure-vessel]

Made in Krita!

Lord of Shades and a vessel.

[ask-impure-vessel]

Hallow, once you gain power as the Lord of Shades (If that’s how it works after you gain worshippers and presumably the ability to control the Void itself) maybe it will be possible to pull the void from the Pale King and ease the void poisoning? It seems highly implausible and somewhat risky, especially within the timeframe given, but it’s theoretically possible. Theoretically being the key word.

(Discussion of suicidal ideation and anxiety under the cut)

There's no point.

Father wants to die. This one doesn't know how that can be healed. How can they heal him when he doesn't want to be healed? How do you heal a wound of the soul? This one doesn't know how to do that. This one was only taught how to be a knight.

...father... why... won't you let it help you?

The vessel grew agitated and picked up Lyre, hugging eir.

The little vessel began to purr as Hallow shivered.

[ask-impure-vessel]

Lord of Shades and a vessel.

[ask-impure-vessel]

I wanted to do SOMETHING Hollow Knight related for the con, and I’ve also been itching to do something with inks, so An attempt was made I’m extremely rusty with ink and wasn’t that good at it to BEGIN with, so this needed an absolute ton of digital editing in post before it looked anything like decent, and I’m STILL PROBABLY NOT DONE, but I had to stop somewhere. It was a good experiment either way

[ask-impure-vessel]

What do you do for fun? Surely you have to do something to stave off boredom.

The thing about interests and answers is that they change.

A few weeks have passed since they were injured, spending that time healing and learning how to write, how to sign and watching the tiny vessels rescued from the Abyss open up with care and consideration. The Pale King may be their parent, but he cannot raise them, not with the ticking clock over his head. Creches were formed with the Pale King spending as much time as he could between them, but two were… having more trouble than the rest with adjusting to ordinary life, if for very different reasons.

Hallow sat in and set Lyre's instrument gently into eir lap. E slowly took it and slid a hand through the loop and began to slowly play random but clear sounds.

The taller vessel sighed as they rubbed the smaller's back. The little one purred but didn't otherwise react as e continued to play. They listened to the sound of Lyre playing evolve from simple plucking to more complex melodies.

[There you are. Enjoy your music, Lyre. This one always likes listening to you play.]

This one has rather enjoyed playing with Ghost and listening to Lyre's playing. They hope e can come out of eir shell someday.

Hallow listened until Lyre rested eir hands and stopped playing. They put the instrument back and picked the little vessel back up, shouldering them. Both purred as the tall knight made their way through the palace. The cloak on their shoulder was softer than the armor that had been repaired; custom armor made new took considerably longer to commission than the sort of repairs the fight with the Mantis Lords had required-and pale ore enough for the new armor would be difficult to source in any case.

Music is a source of comfort, one that they find shared with their small siblings and parents, as is caring for the little siblings.

[ask-impure-vessel]

[A fan comic from another awesome creator to hold folks over while I deal with body crud.]

In the deepest darkness, there are beasts who wear faces stolen from your memories and pluck at the strings in your heart.

Know yourself, and stay strong.

This is the first comic I’m actually uploading, so I’m slightly nervous. It’s somewhat rushed, but I still like it. I had a lot of fun making it, so future ones are expected.

Hope you liked it ;)

[ask-impure-vessel]

With Mother & Father’s day coming up, please remember you are not required to be grateful to abusive parents. Please remember,

Don’t break no-contact.

Don’t let family guilt you into breaking no-contact.

Don’t feel guilty for living w/ them as an adult, you’re doing your best.

Don’t feel you’re betraying yourself if you have to give ‘appeasement gifts.’

DO put your mental & physical wellbeing first, as we know they won’t.

Maybe get yourself something, so many of us had to be our own parent anyway.

[ask-impure-vessel]

Well Hollow, that’s quite the number of siblings you now have. What are their names? Have/will they named themselves or will you and your father name them? What about the rest of the kingdom knowing you and your siblings exist as your parents’ children? Sounds like the pale king and lady root have a lot of work to do.

The Pale King left the knight to sleep, heading back to the infirmary. "Where's the knight?" Quirrel asked, sounding worried.

"Resting in their quarters, they've been through quite a bit the last few days and I know that I am responsible for some of that. I appreciate you being there for my child when I could not. I cannot easily repay such a thing, especially as you seemed prepared to help them be on the run." He smiled faintly. "Am I wrong?"

"I won't confirm or deny plans to break the law, your highness." Quirrel spoke cheerfully. 

"You're quite intelligent, young scholar." The glowing monarch remarked evenly. "You wish well for my child and I appreciate that. I will not get in the way of a friendship between the two of you." He fished in the pocket of his robes and pulled out a charm. "This will grant you free passage in and out of the castle whenever you please. The amount of people who've ever gotten one of these that weren't knights can be counted on one hand." It was almost plain save for the delicate lines that formed an ornate version of the kingdom's seal, something that would be difficult to copy. He handed it to Quirrel, who was surprised to find that it was legitimately an actual charm. "We tend to reclaim these once they are no longer the sorts to seek court or if they perish from one cause or another. Charms are typically not reproducible and the few made were the closest I ever got to doing such." 

"You researched charms?" Quirrel looked surprised.

The king purred. "I research many things. Magic, charms, mechanics, engineering, botany, biology; despite being a god who wields magic, I appreciate science, it's reproducible, it's predictable, anyone can learn and do it even if some grasp it easier than others." The Pale King enthuses. "My specialty however is when science and magic intermingle. My hope is that it can be done to bring Hallownest into a new era." 

"Truly?" The scholar laughed a bit; it reminded him a bit about Monomon's absolute focus on her particular interests. She could talk for hours and made work to do just that, earning her title. A pang went through Quirrel's chest. "Madam trusts your word and judgment a great deal, your highness. To the point she was willing to ignore evidence right in front of her eyes. I do not know what to think of you or that. Or the sacrifices you made of your children." Quirrel spoke quietly.

The pale being looked up into Quirrel's eyes. "Good on you for thinking about such things. Many see my light and are dazzled. I appreciate those who see it and ask questions instead. As for, well. My progeny, I am going to do my best for the vessels left that have arrived. Just fifteen left." He touched the one who resembled Hallow closely. "You look like your sibling's ghost."

The vessel looked up at the king and grabbed his robe, feeling the fabric between fingers. "It seems the little one likes that name. Little Ghost?" Quirrel called. The vessel turned at being called. "Well, that's one name down of fifteen!" 

The king sighed and went about the more calm ones, stroking a mask or patting between horns. "It'll take time to name them all." 

He stopped by one vessel who stared vacantly ahead without moving and had been since being set there by other vessels. This one had horns very much like his own, though one in the center, rather than the four symmetrical horns visible in front. He moved their head to and fro gently to check for any obvious damage. Stroked their back, checking for their mental state with a glowing hand. He sensed… the barest of things. Not thoughts, not emotions-but melodies, the faintest of songs echoing through the child's mind instead. Taking and echoing the tones of speech into all sorts of arrangements. He sang to the child, going through the basic tones of Hallownest music. The other vessels crowded around him. He peered forward and saw the child with a particular instrument in their hands, no longer a listless presence. "Your name is Lyre." He named the vessel as music blossomed in their mind.

Names slowly followed. Along with Ghost and Lyre came Forte, Bell, Rondo, Alto, Bass, Acceso, Reed, Tempo, Sharp, Grace, Clef, Key and Allegro. The siblings had names, even if they hadn't yet decided what they would become.

Hallow had no idea what to make of finding their father bundled with those children, with each having a neat little tag under a simple painting of their heads with horn shapes on the wall. 

I admit, I wasn't expecting that. Or the paint on father's fingers. I do not think the Lady Root can leave where she is anymore. A message could be sent to her knight, Dryya to find what her state is, but I don't think it is a good idea for her to have anything to do with the smaller vessels.

[Sibling?] Ghost rose from the pile of vessels.

<Do you feel safe with our father?> Hallow asked the smaller vessel.

[I do. He made sounds for the quietest of our siblings, hearing their mind's silent song. He didn't understand but he gave our sibling more mind to think.] Ghost spoke up.

<That is good.> Hallow settled down before the pile and lay down with them to share in the affection.

They'd be covered in rambunctious siblings soon enough.

[ask-impure-vessel]

You can think.

I don't want to sound harsh and i know it's hard to let go of old habits, but you should express yourself, what you think, what you feel, what you want. You proved already you're capable of taking decisions on your own, you have every right to be called a person and be treated as such.

I know it's hard and the past can't be changed, but i know too that you're more than what you believe.

Hallow felt completely wrung out, with everything the past day or so that had happened to them. As the voice echoed in their mind, they put hands to their head and sighed.

It's not that simple. This one… knows that they are… an individual. That they have will. This is not a desirable thing. It is a vessel and not intended to think, to feel, to have personhood. These things are luxuries that could not be afforded to a sacrifice intended to hold the burning light. You can tell this one these things, I just. Don't know what to do with that yet. I am not a person. I am a broken tool that cannot even do what I was made to do.

The king led the knight to their quarters, laying them down on the bed, throwing a sheet over them. "Rest. You seem like you could use time. We have two years, my child. You don't have to save the kingdom in a single day." He brushed a hand between the knight's horns to comfort them. "We shall figure this out. The seal won't work, but perhaps something else will. Your proposal has merit and I will go with it.

<Father, I… can you sing for me?> The vessel asked shyly.

The king knelt by the mat, holding onto the knight's hand. He began to sing wordlessly, though not very skillfully; it didn't matter. Hallow appreciated being one of very few people to hear their parent sing. The Pale King pulled pillows from various places around the teenager, tucking them here and there, rubbing a hand on his own face, then over Hallow's in buried instinct. My child, these motions said. My nest.

I can't just put aside everything I've known overnight.

No, not really.

They began to drift away into sleep.

But I am beginning to think I could be.

[ask-impure-vessel]

I don't know if this will reach you at the right moment in time Vessel but, peace friend, The Wyrm has already shown he cares for you greatly and you have done him no disservice or wrong. This may simply a matter too important to discuss elsewhere and His Majesty may be too caught up in his own troubles to understand the affect he has on you.

[Note: Frank discussion of anatomy, anxiety/panic attacks, unreality, post-traumatic stress, past abuse, suicide, disordered eating, self-harm, stuff about the Abyss with all that entails and other such unpleasantries. Strap in, folks!]

The vessel felt like their body was somewhere a few steps to the right and back of them. Their father said nothing as he led them down to the workshop.

You don’t understand. You don’t-

There’s a distant panic in Vessel’s voice. They still keep walking, they must. The order was given. Despite what happened in the Abyss, control still belongs to the Pale King.

It was as if nothing had changed at all.

For the first time, they begin to resent that. The workshop is the last place they want to be, for multiple reasons besides the temple that was to become their agonizing grave. This is not a place that holds any good memories for them, not a single one. 

They arrive in that darkened place, the birthplace of moulds, all thousand of them-700 kingsmoulds, 300 wingsmoulds-where Wyrm's research led to the vessels that rested in the infirmary and that walked into the room. The king shrugged off his silken robe, leaving on a shirt that still covered what was considered a decent amount in Hallownest, showing off the truth of his form; it had been a while and Vessel Hallow was shocked by the changes to his father's form.

He was a being of pure white carapace, plates with softer flesh between, especially around the joints; his skin was sunken, his belly not just thin but almost concave instead of convex. He looked a bit muscular, but mostly because he appeared to be starving. He was dull in color, the white often not as bright as it could be, looking almost dirty with a lack of nutrients to look glossy and nice. 

Wyrm could subsist on soul like a vessel, but that didn't mean it was pleasant for him to do so. He was much like other bugs in physicality, fueled by food, water and having to use the toilet to flush out what his body didn't use of those things. His genitals were internal, just like any bug, his shirt covered where that was hidden. 

His secondary set of arms were more visible now, as was the lower half he usually ambled upon: multiple legs and a long tail that terminated in a pointed end. His tail was thin, almost collapsed with the lack of care.

What was more alarming were the splotches of black. His hands were absolutely covered in it, just beyond the wrists but the lines that raced upwards were far more concerning. Void taint was a part of Hallow's body but for a pale being, such a sight promised long, lingering agony. The absolute rigid calm their father practiced suddenly became a lot more impressive.

It left Hallow in minor shock.

Father, are you dying? Have you already assured your death? Was it on purpose that you inflicted starvation and void poisoning upon yourself? I can think of few less painful, lingering deaths.

"Come. Please kneel so that I can more easily examine you and the changes to you." He activated the door seals and waited in a clear space.

<Father, I-> The vessel walked and knelt, words cutting off with anxiety.

Wyrm activated and checked on the seal on Hallow's mask. "Interesting, joining with the Lord of Shades didn't disengage this? I hadn't expected that. It must have been greatly weakened over the course of my rule and being forgotten. I had thought them already dead." He muttered and began to ghost fingers over the notches Hallow had. "Where did the Kingsoul go?"

That had been a question Hallow had been dreading.

A hand touched upon Hallow's chest. "There it is, if changed greatly at your breast. It became your core? Brace."

It was more warning than Hallow usually got; sharp pain radiated through their being, as something touched their heart.

<Father, it. It hurts.> The vessel gasped out. They were not words sufficient, but they were descriptive enough for their use.

"Please bear it a little longer. This is a very beautiful charm that has become your heart even if it is taboo to my being." 

The pain grew to shocking agony, then to a fading sensation, Hallow felt like their body was a distant, cut off thing.

<Father, please. Stop!> The vessel spoke in growing horror, fear and concern.

The Pale King was faced with a decision then-and let go of the charm. Sensation slowly returned and the vessel gasped on the floor, curling in on themself on the floor as mind and body reconnected. It was painful as the disruption the Pale King had inflicted and the vessel would have gagged if they could on the feelings of revulsion they now felt.

They instead wept on the floor, black tears falling onto the ground as they shivered and their mind turned to things they did there, the pale Wyrm unheeding to a child's pain in the terrible silence; the screams that echoed only through the void, the vessel capable only of displaying stiff trembling to their master. 

They recall the efforts to ensure they could learn magic. The painful process of 'installation' over being taught the theory that took place here. The studies that involved dying here and their shade. When the various seals were made on their shell and mask, the burning magic that had kept burning on their mask for days from them. They had done nothing but suffer in this room and this day had proven no different.

"Vessel, I. I'm sorry, that went too far." The king stroked their mask, making a soothing sound, a purr that Hallow hadn't heard before.

Hallow felt the dam burst and sat as they cried, for all the things they'd wanted and had never had. That Wyrm was holding them now, comforting them now, touching with loving intention rather than with cold intent of science or with violence. The feelings were somewhat positive, but many were bitter, some even bordered on hate and disgust that they didn't know what to do with. They had so many things to say, for themself, for the things that had been done to them and the things they'd missed out on. For the way their father had run away the moment their emotions had become known like a damnable coward. That had been a choice Hallow had been denied, they couldn't say no-yet this day, for the first time, they had asked for their father to stop.

And he had listened.

The Pale King let Hallow get out everything they'd needed to, to calm down and recover from… whatever it was that he'd been doing to them. <This one doesn't want to be experimented on again, or studied. This place, it brings back bad memories for it.> Hallow spoke, in a shaking mental voice. <It is painful for this vessel to be here.>

"Oh, Vessel. I had no idea it was that upsetting. Let's go to my study, then so you don't have to be here. You never have to come in here again." The King promised and led the shaking knight from that terrible place.

They settled down in a chair this time, the king likewise going seated. "I will apologize. That was too far, I needed to explain what I was doing and why-to ask for your permission. It's not easy to break old habits. I noticed you dropped first-person pronouns in your stress." He spoke frankly with sadness.

<This one supposes not. It felt like it was… dying.> Hallow shuddered. <Did you pull this vessel away to speak, or was it to satisfy that curiosity?> They asked tiredly.

"A bit of both, admittedly. To ask you how you're feeling, but that's… obvious, right now and is very much my doing." He sighed and leaned forward. "I'll have to be invasive one more time, I'm afraid but perhaps not this day, to let you recover. I need to set you free and I intend to."

<You'll… free this one from its bondage?> Hallow rephrased in mild disbelief. 

"Yes. As my final order in that bondage, for the rest of your life should something happen and I am unable to undo that binding-I order you to act of your own free will and feelings, as you see fit and judge is right. I relinquish control over your will and mind. There will need to be magic done to completely remove the binding, but it will no longer function."

<It will thank you, father once this one is wholly free.> Hallow spoke diplomatically. They couldn't exactly forgive him entirely yet if the harm was still there.

"I understand. You are a higher being now, truly. While you could read the language of the gods and make things function that are for gods, you didn't have a few aspects that would elevate you from a child of higher beings to purely one yourself. However, you do not have worshippers and as much distaste as I have for the god that was, that will need to change for your own health."

<That must be why the Lord of Shades said they were very, very starved. Speaking of, father. Why are you starved?> The vessel spoke pointedly. <This one believes they can ask some pointed questions and get answers in return. You owe it at least that much.>

"I. Eating is a currently disgusting endeavor to me. Certainly, I did like it once and ate but. Since the vessel project started, my. My enjoyment became nil." He replied honestly. "My shame steals the joy out of anything I do."

<You regret the choices you made?> 

"I do not regret having you for a child. I regret that I killed so many and the crimes committed against the siblings who didn't make it. I regret how I've treated you. I don't know if I could make it up to the survivors but I will at the least try for the time I have and make sure your siblings do not go through the struggles you did." The king chose his words carefully. "I believed I had no other recourse. No other choice that wouldn't see my people dead or entirely enslaved to the Old Light-but I do not think I deserve forgiveness for being a kinslayer, for my mistreatment of you. I have been something to you for sixteen years. Would have been that for two years more, so you could have your final moulting and complete your training. I would have nailed that armor to your carapace and left you to her tender mercies. In that, I was wrong. I intended to kill myself once I was sure my people were safe and could carry on in my absence."

<It knows. It realized that when it went down into the Abyss before becoming the Shade Lord.> The vessel spoke, voice thick with pain. <You're dying, aren't you father. That's why you don't mind sacrificing yourself to the Grimm Troupe either. You are dying and you want to die.>

"I've done too much to live or to allow myself the pleasures in living. The situation in Hallownest is my fault. Your pain is my fault. The many, many broken masks in the Abyss are my fault. I am a kinslayer, who committed infanticide of his own children. Even a god doesn't get forgiveness for those kinds of horrible actions. I deserve the suffering you children experienced. I deserve the deaths I visited upon the children I deemed not good enough. Yes. I am suffering void poisoning, it is an agony I bear constantly. My light holds it at bay enough that I can live five more years without drastic actions." He spoke bluntly.

<Did you poison yourself deliberately?>

"Exposure to void with proper protections isn't deadly. A bug can be scarred by void without dying, in fact the exposure can have beneficial effects such as on the ageless mask maker. Void poisoning in mild cases caught early enough is treatable. So I suppose yes. I did that to myself deliberately." He spoke numbly. "It's… actually a relief to admit that. I wasn't expecting that."

<It's not treatable now. You're dying. How long do you have left?> Hallow felt like the ground was opening beneath their feet.

"No, even I will succumb to a case this severe having gone on this long. Five to seven years, depending." Wyrm spoke clinically. "Your mother doesn't know, but she's not very curious and finds my company odious these days. I don't want her to know."

<You aren't the only one. Would you die as a member of the Grimm Troupe?> Hallow pondered.

"No, time is frozen in a sense for a member of the Troupe. As a sacrifice, my original body would likely be immolated, the presence of void cast out as anathema to it as well. It's not got a will of its own so expelling it for the Nightmare Heart would be doable. It's just not for me between having a corpus much closer to mortal form and my diminishment as a god." 

Hallow rubbed a hand over their chest. <Father, please free this vessel today. Now.> It was firm. <This vessel just wants to love you as themself. Not as your property, as your child. Whatever you have done, it does not know if it can forgive, but love. Love is something this vessel has always been able to give.>

The first time Hallow had ever demanded anything for themself and only themself.

Tears came from the king's eyes. "As you wish, Lord of Shades my child."

The bindings lit up as the king touched, claws digging into the mask with a strange sensation that felt like it should hurt but didn't. The light burned, the mark burned. But the claws were quick, chanting even and fast. Soul pooled around the king's hands. 

The chains broke and Hallow felt a weight come off, something they hadn't realized had been there for a very long time. The remnants would be there, like an invisible scar until they moulted, but then-then it would be gone.

It would take time for them to understand what they'd gained and lost at once. <Today I learned that this one's father is not brave. Please. Please live. Even if your crimes are too much for your heart to bear. Stop running away. Please. Face what you have done, face us who you have wronged. It's not too late.>

 "...I can try. I love you, my child." He touched foreheads with Hallow, a familial kiss. "For all you vessels, I will try. I don't know how anymore, but I can still learn."

Hallow is not an adult. They are, however, now free of their father's chains.

[ask-impure-vessel]

Vessel, have you ever fell in love before? (P.s. I ship Pure Vessel and Dryya)

[Admin Time!]

I’m not the shipping police, I wish you all the enjoyment and happiness in your ship! Not my ship, personally but if it brings you happiness, ship away! I am never going to tell people what they can or cannot ship.

However, I feel like it’s important to state right now that romantic relationships and the way Vessel is in the story don’t mix. Firstly, they expected to be subjected to a living death. While feelings can happen, they were specifically trying not to feel.

Secondly, there are constraints on Hallow’s will that makes consent... a very sticky thing for them. They have been raised to not say no. They have been raised to be a perfectly obedient soldier, even if you take away the supernatural element. Add it back on...

Hallow couldn’t possibly consent to any relationship. Does that mean one can’t happen? No, one could happen-but not any time soon. Their life is just... not in a great place for relationships right now. They aren’t even sure they can fall in love or be a lover to someone. They’re just trying to deal with being a person to begin with.

I am sorry if that is not what you wanted to hear right now.

I am not saying “don’t ship” - I am saying right now, it’s just not happening in this story.

[ask-impure-vessel]

<Father, please...>