#and ofc 3) the most subtle leaning in moment of ever as he does so...! 🥲 sniffle sniffle

[mecachrome]

2024 MIAMI GP | Post-Race Debrief

[gingyboo]

Mirror Mirror

A/N: Again many thanks to @booglebug

Description- Soulmates existed. People knew that much. Soulmates were rare, a handful in each generation, an unexplainable phenomenon that formed a bond closer than blood and more sacred than marriage.

Bucky finds his soulmate when he needs her most. Little does he know how much she needs him too.

(Soulmate au that slots pretty much in to the MCU but with soulmates. Set after TFATWS.)

Pairing- Bucky Barnes x OFC

Warnings- Mentions of violence and guns, but its mostly fluff, drama and angst.

This is a multi chaptered fic.

Please like, comment, reblog!

prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5

----------------------------------------------------

Chapter 6

The journey to Wakanda passed quietly, Sam and Torres sat in the cockpit whilst Nancy dozed against Bucky’s shoulder. It had been a long 24hrs and the few hours of rest on her sofa hadn’t curbed her exhaustion. She remembered what her doctor had told her about taking things easy, well she certainly hadn’t been doing that, these past few months she’d felt stronger than she had in 5 years. Still she rested. Bucky watched over her silently, absentmindedly twirling a piece of her hair again. Mid way through the trip she woke up and smiled up at Bucky.

“Hey, do you know how much further it is?” She asked stretching out.

“Couple of hours at least.”

“No in flight movie?” She laughed.

“I’m afraid not”

“Sorry, I keep falling asleep on you.” She brushed the creases out of his jacket.

“Keep the habit, I don’t mind.” He swung an arm round her shoulders. “Tell me about your dad.”

“What do you want to know?” She asked.

“I don’t know, what’s he like. You don’t talk about him much.”

“Well…” Nancy told him, told him about Martin Cartwright. The man who’d carried her around on his shoulders when she was little. Who’d locked his work away in his study and never brought it into the home. Who’d chased Kit around the garden on the weekends. Whose marriage had broken down and how hard he’d tried to hide it from her and her brother. Who’d left her alone in London for a job he was dreading only to fall in love with Wakanda, with the people and the culture and Katima. She told him about his frantic phone calls, asking her to help him out by attending a function the next day that he wouldn’t be able to make, that had then become a more common occurrence.

“I think my father stopped coming home because what home was changed for him. He’d rather stay out there, help communications between our countries, he’s not so interested in the politics anymore.”

“And you are?” Bucky asked.

“No, I’m no politician, I’m a distraction. Mr financial secretary is having issues at home, his 13-year-old daughter is going through a difficult stage and he just wishes things could go back to how they used to be, his wife doesn’t look how she did when she was 25 anymore and he knows he doesn’t look the same either. They’re arguing more than they are talking and so he leaps at the chance to escort a young rich socialite to the ballet. He then makes some half-hearted attempts to lobby her for information but inevitably he falls asleep, not before making some obvious attempts to peek down the front of her dress, deciding she knows nothing and there is little behind those green eyes he liked so much and she’s not even worthy of proper conversation. She’s just another pretty face, should make his wife jealous though.”

“You’re more than just a pretty face. So much more.” Bucky stroked his thumb over her cheek bone. He felt an anger within him, a strong regret that he hadn’t thrown the financial secretary out of the box the night before.

“I can play part. Played it for so long I don’t know what I am, my dad tells me nothing of what he’s doing, what his plans for British-Wakanda relations are. All I know is he won’t let my people take advantage of the Wakandans,”

“I’d like to see them try,” Bucky interjected, and Nancy nodded.

“But you see they will try, not the British people per se, but the people at the top, they will always try to exploit for their own gain. My father’s made a lot of people unhappy with his silence on matter.”

“Good, though I’m surprised they let him keep his post so long.”

“They tried to remove him once, the Wakandans wouldn’t allow it, they said they wouldn’t accept a replacement.” Although she’d been pleased her dad’s job was safe, she had taken the brunt of the British displeasure, she’d heard the whispers behind her back at dinners. That her father should be looking out for his own country first, especially after everyone returned from the blip. Some thought earning Nancy’s favour would give then a path to her father. So many insincere friendships had made Nancy feel more alone than ever. And then Bucky had appeared.

Bucky looked thoughtful for a moment. He stared into her eyes and smiled.

“I have a feeling I’m going to like your father. Standing up for what is right even if his country is against him, reminds me of a man I knew. A couple on men actually.” His eyes drifted behind her to the cockpit. As if he sensed his gaze Sam turned around.

“Not long now princess, you might want to come up here and see this.” He called over to her. Nancy carefully removed the straps securing her to the bench and made her way into the cockpit. Torres’s expression matched hers as the giant black panther came into view.

“It’s amazing.”

“I can’t believe you’ve never been here before.” Bucky had silently appeared behind her.

Torres landed the jet expertly and not wanting to wait for steps to be put in, Bucky leapt from the plane lifting Nancy down after him. As soon as her feet hit the ground she was running, seeing her dad across the tarmac. He met her halfway enveloping her in a crushing embrace. He had greying blond hair and Nancy’s green eyes. He was wearing smart tailored suit which looked out of place next to the Wakandans manning their landing strip.

“Angel, thank god you’re safe, I never would’ve forgiven myself-“ He was a few inches shorter than Nancy’s 5’11”.

“I’m okay dad.” She hugged him back just as tight.

“Are you, you’ve been okay, no instances?”

“Dad, I promise you, I’m okay.” Bucky and Sam had stood back giving the pair some space, as Nancy drew away they both came to her side.

“Thank you, all three of you,” he waved at Torres who was still in the cockpit. “I am eternally grateful.”

“That’s what we do.” Sam said extending his hand, which Martin shook whole heartedly.

“Let’s get you inside, I’ve had a room made up for you, I’m sure you need rest, I’ll get some food put together,”

“Dad we need to talk, these people they meant business, I have a right to know what’s going on.” Nancy stood tall, she reached her hand out, reaching for Bucky’s, she needed the strength his touch gave her. Bucky stepped closer to her, breathing deeply and laced their fingers together. It didn’t go unnoticed, Martin Cartwright frowned, but said nothing about it.

“Nancy, you should rest we’ll talk later.”

“No, we’ll talk now.” She stayed firm.

“Okay, okay.” He gave in, leading them inside a large building with walls of windows. Through winding corridors, he led the trio to an empty meeting room. Martin sat on the edge of the table.

“Tell me what happened.” They each explained, Nancy her night at the ballet, Sam and Bucky described the men who had fought them and then followed them through London, they explained staying at the house until Torres could bring them to Wakanda, they spoke of the confrontation at the airfield though Nancy left out the mention of her brother.

“I am immeasurably grateful,” he thanked them again, “I should like to speak to my daughter alone,” Nancy held Bucky fixed by her side whilst Sam was led away by a member of the Dora Milaje.

“Bucky stays.” She said shortly, viewing her dad through narrowed eyes.

“Nancy, what is this?”

“I want you to explain and I want him to hear it to.”

“Explain what?”

“Why? What’s going on that would make someone want to ransom me. This was calculated, planned out, they weren’t giving up. Do you honestly have so much power that they thought it worthy to control you? And who are they? Dad I will stand by you, I trust your choices and judgment, but I can’t do so blindly anymore.” She threw the words at him in one breath.

“And he has to hear all this because?” Martin shot back staring at Bucky who was leaning against the wall, staring straight back.

“Because you put him in danger too.” She said quickly, eyes flicking back to Bucky. He stepped forward resting a hand on her shoulder briefly.

“And because I’m her soulmate.” He said clearly. Martins face changed them, the subtle look of guilt he’d had since their arrival was replaced with sudden fury. He dash forward punching the ex-winter solider back up against the wall, his forearm to his throat. Bucky did nothing to stop him, holding his hands up in surrender.

“Dad!” Nancy shouted.

“You!” He shouted in Bucky’s face, “you gave my daughter nightmares for years, you have haunted our family, don’t think I don’t know who you are!”

“Dad stop, what are you talking about!” She reached out grabbing her father’s shoulders, he turned his head towards her, tears in his eyes.

“You don’t remember, but I do, you were in your ballet class, he appeared, Nancy he tried to shoot you.” Realisation dawned on Bucky’s features.

“It wasn’t me, I don’t even remember that I’m not that person anymore,” Bucky plead. “I’d never hurt her, I couldn’t.”

“I’d never let him.” Nancy stated defiantly. “Please dad, let him go, it cannot be changed, are souls are one, you know this.”

Martin Cartwright released Bucky reluctantly.

“How could you keep this from me, you’ve known he was out there, all this time.” Nancy’s face cracked, a tear escaping her eye.

“I knew him for what he is, a murderer.”

“He isn’t anymore, he is pardoned, the winter solider is gone, I am Bucky’s, and he is mine, you accept us both or neither of us.” She stood beside him now, holding tight to his vibranium hand, the black and gold metal stark against her pale fingers.

“Nancy.” Martin warned, the stern voice she hadn’t heard since childhood.

“Together, or not at all.” She said finally. That conversation ended there, Bucky felt Nancy relax as she realised her father was retreating. He ran a hand through his thinning hair.

“Angel, I don’t know what these people want, I promise you.” He started meeting her eye before adding “I am going to try to tell you more, I just worry, I don’t want to burden you.” Nancy nodded, mouthed a thank you and allowed her father to lead her to her room in the ambassador’s apartment. The embassy building they were in consisted of a ground level of conference room, then each floor held apartments for different countries, all together in one place. Martin mostly stayed at Katima house further into the country, finding it quieter than the busy city. Katima was on her way back from Paris having completed her assignment there, Martin explained to Nancy whilst Bucky went in search of Sam. He hoped they could have dinner the following evening.

“Is Bucky invited?” Nancy asked.

“If he must be, if it means you’ll be there.”

“I’ll be there regardless, but I want him there.” her dad nodded in acceptance.

“Here you are, make yourself at home, I’m sorry I can’t send you back to London, not till I know you’ll be safe.” Nancy resisted insisting that as long as she was with Bucky she would be safe, she didn’t need to rub salt in that wound. He kissed her forehead briefly before walking away. Her dad was still so awkward around her, treating her with kid gloves, distancing himself. She made her way into the apartment, it was tastefully if neutrally decorated with blacks and whites and greys everywhere. She threw her hold-all down on the sofa and made her way through to the bathroom. She ran a steaming hot bath and soaked off the grime of travel. Her skin pink and hair damp she dug out her pyjamas, a loose-fitting red vest top and some black cotton shorts. She explored the apartment then, the bedroom had been prepared with crisp clean sheets, the fridge was stocked, and some additional clothes were folded in the draws. Nancy found herself curled up on the sofa answering a frantic text from Samara when there was a knock at the door, the control panel showed Bucky leaning against the door frame. She skipped over letting him in.

“Nancy, I’m so sorry, I didn’t remember, I never want to hurt you.” he cupped her face with both hands.

“Bucky it’s okay, it wasn’t you,” Nancy protested.

“It was though,” he continued. Nancy covered his mouth with her hand.

“Stop it, we can’t change the past, only our future.” Bucky nodded in agreement as Nancy lowered her hand. She saw Bucky’s eyes dance over her face, noticed the goose bumps from earlier had returned. Then she was kissing him, or he was kissing her. Her hand found the pack of his neck and weaved into his hair, he lent forward still cupping her face. he smiled against her lips.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve done that.” he laughed, kissing her again.

[plusultrcs]

Okay so now that i’m done crying about shadow and bone to my friends i want to make a controversial statement. Don’t bite my head off for my opinion bc 1. idc i said what i said and 2. it aint that serious these are fictional characters moving on though. I don’t think the show is bad AT ALL i really enjoyed it and seeing the inclusion of leigh and her books was so fucking cute but i will say i think combining both series into one did a huge disservice to the character development of most, if not ever, character. and i’ll explain why so (obviously) sab spoilers ahead. this also obnoxiously long so if you dont read it thats fine <3 lmao

I know going into it everyone, including leigh pretty much, was saying not to expect it to be like the books. That it was going stray away and be more like a fanfiction than the original works. Which was true, but only for the six of crows characters. The show leaned heavily and relied heavily on the plot of shadow and bone. Which, of course, makes sense but because of the inclusion of a heavy heavy re-worked six of crows plot that didnt fit the plot of shadow and bone at all it left them feeling incredibly displaced. Like on shadow and bones part every single major and sometimes even the minor plot points were followed to the number, but on the six of crows front the only thing closely followed was the nina and matthias backstory. I wont talk about every single character because i anticipate this to already be long, but the ones i noticed the most were done a disservice.

For instance Alina. Despite shadow and bone being followed so closely you dont really get to see the natural progression of alina’s character the way i was hoping we would. And that’s definitely because of the time restraints. They had to find a way to somehow balance the screen time for both separate plots so that they could hold the audiences attention for both. Like when nina and matthias plot wasnt on the screen for i think 2 episodes i almost forgot about them and what they were up to so i understand why they timing had to be so split, especially when you only have 8 hours to cover the characters of 2 over 300 page long books yknow? But that means important moments alina had to herself in the books were completely cut, and so a lot of that growth we got went with it. The the biggest thing i was disappointed to see go was the defeat she felt when she was first captured and collared by the darkling. She was feeling absolutely helpless, mal was in their hold, she had no power to do anything but sit there and let him use her. All the training she did felt pointless to her and she really was at the point of giving up. She went quiet, wouldnt speak,was basically a zombie until that moment in the fold when she saw innocent people suffering when she knew she could stop. And she found a way to break free. There were other moments like this in the book, like moments at the little palace where shelt herself getting further and further from mal and feeling like an outside on her own all over again. They tried to show it in the show but without the time to develop her life on her own at the little palace it definitely fell short.

Speaking of mal: THANK YOU WRITERS FOR FIXING HIS WHINY ASS. And while he was annoyingly whiny in the books, he is not a boring character. Not to me at least, honestly he never was. While i do appreciate them not making him so whiny, I would have appreciated seeing that same dissonance realizing alina was grisha brought about in the books. Its just like alina said, grisha were people they scoffed at and talked about in a joking way. Their lives felt miles and miles away from their own, and then to learn that she had been one the entire time. I know i know, it has nothing to do with, and alina didnt know either. BUT THAT IS STILL HIS BEST FRIEND. And obviously girl he’s in love with even if he wasnt aware of it at the time. it made him question everything he thought about grisha, and more importantly brought both of their biggest fears to light: being torn apart. In the book he doesnt deal with this well at ALL and while leigh bardugo does a great job throughout the series showing him growing to me he never got where he should have been, and the show did place him there but i think they do so prematurely. I definitely wanted him to be as understanding as he was, to take notice of how much healthier and stronger she looks since she’s not withholding her power anymore, but i did still want the tension of him wondering what it means for them, how their lives would change, because just based on laws alone she is a grisha and would typically never be someone he would have the chance to befriend but neither of them would be okay with that.

AND ON THE TOPIC OF MALINA. THEY ARE NOT A BORING SHIP. I think the only person other who would work for alina is nikolai (dont fight me on this im right), and that is who i wanted her to end up with. However, I understand why Mal was the choice. Alina has always been someone who just wanted to belong, to fit in somewhere, AND THAT IS OKAY. IT’S NOT A CRIME TO WANT TO BE ORDINARY. I know shes the main character, and has the prophecy of being the ~chosen one~ but that doesnt mean she suddenly has to alter change and rearrange herself entirely. she never wanted to be a saint, and even by the end of the series she still doesnt. Choosing to let the world believed she died so she could live a quiet life. tHAT’S ALL SHE’S EVER WANTED. And Mal is the perfect person to give her that. People who claim she gave up her life for mal, to me, didn’t understand her character. She bounced around from needing mal by her side, and when she couldnt have him there she still sought acceptance in the only other person willing to give it to her, i.e. the darkling. and then when she couldnt have it from him she’s forced to find it in herself and while she learns she doesnt need him or mal she doesnt need anyone, she still chooses mal bc she wants to be with him. she doesnt feel obligated and even later on in the books makes plenty stands on her own without him but she loves him and they honestly make perfect sense. a softer ship doesnt make it a boring one js.

NOW THE SIX OF CROWS GANG. I hate to say it, i do but they felt reduced to a form comedic relief. they had their serious moments ofc but for the most part whenever they popped up on the screen i knew a joke or gag was soon to follow. i will say kit as jesper? best decision that could have possibly been made he fucking did what he had to DO. Kaz’s development for me felt really really rushed and forced. Like he was saying things to inej he wouldnt have said so quickly and especially not while he wasnt under stress??? it honestly felt like fan service??? which im not mad at because again i dont think the show was bad at all the actors brought really great life to the crows, but it just makes me sad to see all that development and build up go out the window.  i think if they were that set on combining the crows story with the shadow and bone story it would have been so much nicer to get a sort of prequel on the crows. like they should have given them the same treatment they gave nina and matthias. so that we could see their backstories as explained in the book happening in real time like how they all came to ketterdam. i know theres no point in wishing that now since whats done is done and again I DONT THINK ITS BAD. Im just sad about all the character development and strong subtle points lost because leigh bardugo always does such a great job in dropping subtle hints and always bringing them back in the end, and that was sadly lost. STILL A GOOD SHOW STILL LOVE THE BABIES. STILL PRAYING FOR A SEASON TWO.

EDIT: IT ALSO MADE ME SAD TO SEE THEM LOSE SO MANY TIMES??? ESPECIALLY AFTER SOC WHERE THEY ALWAYS MANAGED TO WIN?? Like ofc it made perfect sense for them to be unable to capture the damn sun summoner !!! but kaz and all of the crows are meant to be the best of the best when it comes to criminals top tier and they were bested by a ball of light and a jog???? and them going home basically empty handed was kinda :// like i got it but also where did alina get that necklace lmao so yeah once again still great still love it questions had to be asked 

[chaoticspacefam]

Saarai for love headcanons?

The other twin and my unashamed new favourite, I could talk about her all day tbh! Thank you for asking! :D

From this ask game: [x]

Trigger warning: brief mention of past trauma/assault (I guess, I’m never sure what to tag it as but I think thats the best thing to call it), emotional manipulation and gaslighting in the fourth and third-from-bottom question(s) - regarding past relationships and effect on current ones. Nothing is described in detail but it is mentioned, so if this is triggering or otherwise upsetting to you please skip that part or this ask/answer entirely. I won’t be offended, and because of this I’m gonna toss the text under a read more just as an extra precaution, stay safe! <3

Everything else is pure unadulterated fluff to make up for everything else bad I’ve/they’ve done to her tho :’3

When they discover they’re got a crush: Fully embraces it and rolls with it, she’s a romantic at heart (and also needs to go to horny jail a fair bit of the time), crushes are a wonderful, exciting thing to her. Daydreams a lot. Will give it a go and test the waters nearly immediately (depending on some factors ofc), but backs off equally as quickly if they seem uncomfortable or otherwise uninterested by her advances.

How they confess/hint: Makes quite the nuisance of herself, always popping up to check on them, wanting to sit near/be around them, chatters about anything and everything she can think of, plenty of flirting including anything from more chaste compliments on things she likes about them, to subtle and/or not-so-subtle innuendo at times, depending on what they’re most receptive to.

Big gestures of love: Cuddles (she can be the clingiest lover known to the galaxy and her octopus arms are inescapable XD) and/or kisses, even if it doesn’t lead to the bedroom, long walks together, picnics in the wilderness, listening to each other and talking things out (whether to do with their relationship or something else that either one is struggling with and needs support for, and this goes both ways), sitting quietly when they don’t feel like talking “just so she knows they’re there”, falling asleep together

Little gestures of love: Flirty banter, inside jokes, pet names, stroking or playing with her hair (she purrs and leans into it like a cat, her partners like to joke that she’s a “Cathar trapped in a Pureblood’s body” because of this), silly “arguments” over whose turn it is to do the chores (though she sulks when she loses and her partner insists on doing said chore(s) instead of letting her do them XD), tucking their head under her chin when they cuddle

How to win their heart: Be honest, respect for boundaries, communication, communication, communication, including calling her out on her shit if she says or does something that upsets/bothers them and be clear about what (so she can fix it and hopefully not repeat whatever it was a second time)

How to break their heart: Lie to her, or try to manipulate her for your own gain. No respect for boundaries she tries to set and trying to push her into something she doesn’t want, or even letting her do that to you because you weren’t brave enough to say something - she wants you to tell her these things, she’ll never be angry if you tell her “no”, no matter what or when, but she will be heartbroken if she finds out she did something that hurt you because she didn’t pick it up and you didn’t tell her it was hurtful.

Tiny little turn-ons: subtle little touches like a hand on her knee under the table, flirty banter again,  sideways glances and holding eye contact for a moment before looking away and pretending it was accidental, tracing patterns across her knuckles or the back of her hand while she holds theirs, dancing closer together than is necessary just to have as much contact between them as possible

Big turn-ons: Husky voices, even if you’re only saying her name, fingertips or kisses brushed along her jaw spurs (if she’ll let you touch them), nips/nibbles between kisses, whispered or purred words against her skin, leaning in for a kiss only to pull away at the last second and make her go to them instead

Things that make their heart flutter: Standing up for yourself, even if it means yelling at her when she’s being stupid (and sometimes especially then), coming to her defence when you think she needs it, seeing someone she cares about genuinely happy and enjoying themselves for whatever reason, excitement when talking/telling her about their favourite thing

Their type: Shorter than her, reserved and soft-spoken but also able to hold their own when it’s necessary. Playful and open to joking around and bantering (without being hurtful about it)

Ideal date: Anything at all. She’s not fussed as long as she’s with someone she loves. It can literally be “sit on the sofa and eat takeout”, as long as they’re together it’s perfect. For something lighthearted and “fun” while still going out, a karaoke bar will always be a hit. ;)

Past relationships:

Ty’s father, Tsâhis: In both verses/renditions, though not her first experience with a man, he was her last physically intimate one, and her first experience with a long-term relationship. Unfortunately it was not a good one. Without going into too much detail about it: he was emotionally manipulative, pushy, gaslit her constantly and  essentially blackmailed her to keep her in the relationship so he could trick as much information as he wanted out of her, he didn’t care about her at all, only about what she could give to him and about the fact he could boast that he had a pretty lady on his arm that would do whatever he asked her to do. It ended very badly when she finally realized that wasn’t what real love was and tried to leave him and he tried to kill her so she couldn’t leave and . She fought back and survived (obviously), but it’s left her with a lot of emotional (and physical - most of the scars on her body and the main one on her lip come from that struggle) scarring.

Xerid Ferral: exclusive to the Zephyrverse AU, as they wouldn’t cross paths in Subterfugeverse. Xerid was the alternate Wrath for that verse/timeline and Saarai’s only other long-term relationship (other than Tsâhis) before Sash. While it wasn’t toxic like Tsâhis was, it was certainly unhealthy due to being fairly one-sided. Saarai loved Xerid but, although she was loyal to Saarai because of her family name and her connection to D’leah, the feelings were not reciprocated and Xerid viewed the relationship very much as “I’m protecting you because I swore an oath to do that but the sex is just a bonus and there aren’t any emotional feelings attached”. Xerid later dies to protect Saarai and Vano during a fight so that ends the relationship and after grieving for a while she starts getting closer to Sash and eventually ends up with her, although if Xerid had lived they would have again gone their separate ways (though more amicably) once Saarai and Sash met, because Sash is able to give Rai the kind of relationship she wants and Xerid wouldn’t have held that against her either.

Various other one-night stands, all women, and none particularly worth mentioning. She never trusted any of the others enough to stick with them longer than needed to scratch an itch.

How they might affect current relationships: Tsâhis in particular has had quite an effect on her relationships, because of the things that happened on that night, she just can’t be intimate with men, it’s not something she’s comfortable ever doing again after that. In fact it takes her a long time to trust men as anything other than an acquaintance, much less romantically; Koth becomes an exception to this as thanks to his easygoing and empathetic nature and the fact that he never pushes her into anything she doesn’t agree to, she does end up trusting him and developing quite a deep emotional bond with him. It took her a long time (and in fact the party in the cantina at the end of KOTFE is the first time she really starts to properly relax around him and the first time she’s comfortable doing typical “couple-y” things with him like holding hands or cuddling up with him)  and although they’re never physical in that way, in some ways she’s a lot closer to Koth than she is to Lana because he’s just easier to talk to about those sorts of things.

It affected her relationship with Sash in the Zephyrverse AU too, though not quite as extensively because Sash is a woman, but there were a lot of times early on in their relationship where Saarai overreacted to simple little gestures or touches because of a flashback and they both had to learn to adapt to that; Sash had to learn what was and wasn’t okay, Rai had to learn to trust Sash and realise that she wasn’t trying to hurt her. They do eventually get through it together, but it was a big challenge for them in the beginning <3

‘Goals’ in a relationship (marriage, kids, a house, etc): Marriage is a nice end goal, but what’s most important to Saarai is a healthy relationship built on mutual trust (both when together & apart, she’ll worry and she understands they will worry about her too, but there shouldn’t be unhealthy levels of suspicion or distrust) and regular communication.

Any other love headcanons: Always says “I love you” to her partner(s) before they a) separate for different missions or b) go into battle, just in case she or they don’t come back and it’s the last thing they ever remember her saying to them.