#it’s a very messy and loaded type even outside the bd aspect of it

[old-archivist]

RE: the Bull and romance post: i really enjoyed your additions to that post! It's more in line with how I understand him, too. I just like that trope sometimes, you know? Lol. But yeah, with the Kadan title and tooth having potential romantic significance, I'd say there's a less likely possibility that he's completely ignorant of love and romance in the South, and I agree that he probably just doesn't recognize it when directed at himself. Not in a self-loathing way, but genuine bafflement, maybe? Or maybe a sort of detached disinterest at first. Since he's never *experienced* it, I can see him not recognizing it at first until someone actually goes "Hey, I like you for more than a good tumble". (Reminds me of me, kinda.)

Anyway, I'd love to hear more of your thoughts, if you have any! I love Iron Bull!

Yeah, I like the concept a lot. Really any conversation about Iron Bull deeper aspects of his character or romance is something I like to see! I definitely agree that it isn’t a “i can’t have romance because of self loathing” it’s just a thought that never crossed his mind. Especially since this is technically his job and he does maintain a distance with those outside of his inner circle of Chargers. Tumbles are for fun, there is by default no strings attached or he expectation for more or even a repeat after one night for any extended period of time.

As for my thoughts on Bull, they are many and probably I should talk about them more since they’ve gotten more solid the more I dig into lore and things. If you want thoughts on any particular thing feel free to ask!

But for this, I was trying to think of some non-romance tied things but most of my other thoughts on Bull are pretty heavy topics so we’ll stick with romance for this (Which is admittedly still heavy considering one of the possible scenarios of the Inquisitor/Bull relationship). This is ignoring the limitations of the game and the general overall open-ended writing style that allows you to fill in the blanks.

I think an under written part of the Iron Bull romance by people is that he tells you the truth up front from the beginning. He tells you he is a spy, he tells you that he was ordered to get close to those in charge, he tells you his purpose for joining the Inquisition. (More under the cut cause it’s long.)

Which, considering how main game Inquisition lasts only a year, it’s a bit hard to forget that piece of information I think. Especially when the Inquisitor would have constant reminders about his loyalties with his Ben-Hassrath reports up until he potentially becomes tal-vashoth. Regardless of the bond forged from fighting together, his loyalties to the Qun when he has them is not something forgotten even by the other companions.

But, I rarely see either the Inquisitor or their companions question the relationship. In the early stages or when the companion finds out. Especially if he is loyal to the Qun. Which I think can be a missed opportunity of not only showing the evolution of the romance but also how the companions approach it would reflect their relationship with the Inquisitor. Is it more concern over the impact it will have on the Inquisition? The security? Or is it about whether he will break their heart, if they are caught up in their emotions that they’re being reckless?

It’s something I don’t see written about in a lot of fics or even when people talk of their OCs in a relationship with him. But it sits in my mind a lot, after all the first thing Bull does is tell you the truth and exactly what he’s been ordered to do. He then allows you to decide what to do with that information and seemingly it is never really broached again. Not even after the first night or even touched upon again if he stays loyal to the Qun after the personal quest. A missed opportunity really in both fic and the game.

Mostly because I think it would be an interesting dynamic, especially since his relationship comes down to caring, meeting, and providing for the Inquisitor’s needs. But Bull, despite how good he is, he isn’t a mind reader. He won’t know when the Inquisitor is questioning the authenticity of their relationship unless it’s spoken. And while it would be angsty and could lead to some classic tropes and concerns on the Inquisitor’s side. I think from Bull’s side it would also be interesting.

If this relationship starts before Demands of the Qun, he’s struggling deep inside with his loyalties. He’s loyal and it’s easy to be when the Qun is out of sight and out of mind. He’s just writing letters back home, Leliana is monitoring them, things are structured and separate but his feelings are a mess when Demands of the Qun comes around because then they aren’t separate. There could be mutual stresses, anxiety, questions. The topic could be brought up, explored between the two, or be left unasked and unanswered. Inquisition only lasts a year and Bull wasn’t there for the entirety of it. So really, how strong is the trust in under a year? This is personally why I like saying main game takes four years in my personal canon because aside from traveling, healing, and the logistics of how fast news can travel; I’m a bit sketched out with the bared souls in under a year concept with Inquisition romances.

I think it would be great to see it more explored. I love to explore that aspect of the romance in my own writing. Coupled with how it could be a really slow burn or the electrifyingly fast relationship. I think about it a lot. How the Inquisitor’s own trauma, anxieties, or personality can impact how much of an issue him telling them he was ordered to get close to them.