I think the reason that I like gay or lesbian cliche romantic things but don’t like straight romantic things isn’t because I’m hetreophobic or whatever the fuck, but it’s because gay people don’t have a cliche. We’re so under represented compared to straight people that the few times we do see good queer relationships, (like ballister and ambrosius, Aziraphale and Crowley, Runaan and Ethari)we like them so much because there aren’t to many others. And I mean ‘like’ in a way as in ‘I’m going to explode they’re in love so much’. I feel like I’m onto something.
Please keep in mind I don't know most of the ships/couples in the preliminary round. If you think something doesn't belong in this poll, vote that couple/ship out & please be civil!
I gotta say in Bloodmoon Huntress, I was kind of losing my mind over the Runaari and Rayllum parallels, in that they are similar in their contrasting values. But while Runaari have fully embraced these differing ideals between them and still chose each other, Rayllum haven’t gotten to that point yet (the fight in 3x08, Rayla leaving in TTM). I know that Rayla’s parents’ departure and “deaths” obviously had a huge impact on her decision to leave Callum behind, but I also couldn’t overlook Runaan’s declaration of “We are stronger together, don’t you think?” while glancing at his husband towards the end. This *has* to echo back for Rayllum once they’re reunited, I feel anyway.
Also I need, nay now *require*, an emotional scene in S4 between Callum and Ethari.
Oh right! Rayla is fundamentally unwell in TTM in a lot of ways, and it’s the breaking down of those family bonds and survivor’s guilt that sends her hurtling onwards. On the one hand, we see Ethari’s acceptance of Runaan and his line of work that rings true, partially, of Callum and Rayla’s dynamic. But we also see S1-S3 dismantle the idea of assassins as a necessary evil / or even good, because Rayla chafes against it so utterly and shows the fault lines in both Runaan’s thinking and definitely Ethari’s (even if it’s not fault lines in how they love each other).
The one moment that stood out the most to me, honestly, in Bloodmoon Huntress was Ethari’s “I’m coming with you” when Runaan begins to speak, thinking he may be told he’s staying behind, only for Runaan to respond with “I assumed so” or something along those lines. Which is exactly the lesson Rayla needs to learn, so I think she’ll circle back there eventually.
Particularly bc BH hammers in “a second chance at being a family” which is what Rayla sorely needs in all her relationships right now, herself included. I’ve written so much meta about how all four of her parents and their fallouts / ‘deaths’ / married pairs inform her and it’s... a Lot, but Runaan and Ethari are just as if not more crucial to Rayla and Callum, tbh. Ethari and Callum both not moving on two years later, the pendant transferral, the assassin-craftsman (mage adjacent) stuff... The goodbye kiss. It’s all so much and I’m excited to see each of them reunite and break their cycles
Who Took The Cookie from the Cookie Cookie Jar? - A Ruthari ficlet
"Caught you with your hand in the cookie jar, hmmm?" Runaan's voice slipped past Ethari's ear like cool silk. The assassin's hand gently grasped Ethari's wrist in the deep darkness of the midnight kitchen.
Ethari froze for a moment, but then he chuckled. "Only literally."
Runaan slid his hand up to Ethari's shoulder and squeezed it warmly. "Ethari. You're sneaking cookies in the middle of the night. Literally is the point here."
Ethari stepped back from the counter and lifted an empty cloth with his other hand. "I am sneaking cookies, love. But not the way you think."
Runaan's pale brows lowered in confusion. "...For Rayla? She shouldn't have too many sweets, my heart. Her training is-"
"Not for Rayla. Runaan, I love you, but you're as dense as a brownie sometimes. They're for you!" Ethari reached back into the jar and fetched out a moonberry cookie. He waggled it invitingly and raised an eyebrow before holding it against his husband's lips.
Runaan obediently took a bite and then held onto the cookie, wearing a puzzled expression. "But... you don't bring me cookies... How are they for me?"
Ethari couldn't help himself. He burst into chuckles and hugged his poor confused assassin softly. "I know you've been stressed lately, love. So I've been baking extra cookies for you, because I know you love them. And anytime I see that you've nearly reached the bottom of the cookie jar, I just... sneak downstairs... and put more in for you."
Runaan's eyes widened, darting from the cookie jar to Ethari's face and back.
"...Love?" Ethari prompted, when Runaan couldn't speak.
Runaan launched himself into his husband's arms and hugged him fiercely. "I'm a fool, Ethari, and I don't deserve you."
"So dramatic," Ethari murmured, as he slowly spun with Runaan in his arms. "Do you want a cookie?"
Runaan pulled back until he could look Ethari in the eyes. After a long, soft moment, he murmured, "Yes."
One day Ethari sends out a message stating that he is feeling sick and is taking the day off.
Upon learning this Runaan takes the day off from training and rushes over to see his boyfriend. However, when he gets to Ethari's house he discovers a perfectly healthy Ethari who appears to be setting up for a day of relaxation.
Confused he asks him what he's doing and Ethari tells him that he created this illusion of illness so that the pair of them could spend the day together uninterrupted. He mentions that he came up with this idea after they both complained about the limited time they have to spend together because if their jobs and responsibilities.
He also mentions that this also gives them a second day to spend together as Runaan, the loving and dedicated boyfriend ended up catching Ethari's illness a few days later and would need Ethari to nurse him back to full health.
Needless to say Runaan is very impressed and attracted to this Master Illusionist Ethari and his genius plan and agrees to "nurse Ethari back to health."
Does anyone feel some sort of resemblance between runaan and ethari from The Dragon Prince and Ivan and Fedyor from Shadow and bone? Cause chillllleeeee I definitely do!