#kusaka couldve beaten norman over the head over these issues

[theviolenttomboy]

I have less hate for Norman as a character than most because while I absolutely see him as a shitty dad whose absolutely atrocious lack of communication skills did indeed mess Ruby’s head a whoooooole lot, I don’t see him as a physically abusive one. (And Zinnia and the Association take a bigger chunk of the blame for head messing too.)

Abuse in general is all about control, and Norman is absolutely not interested in dictating Ruby’s life. He acknowledged early on that Ruby formed a new goal in the years spent without him, one that he’ll never understand or can bond over but one he can still support. (TELL HIM THAT YOU IDIOT)(okay, he missed his first chance but the SECOND TIME)(YOU COULD’VE STILL SENT HIM LETTERS WHILE YOU WERE GONE) Ruby was the one who (logically, fine, here’s to that lack of communication) assumed Norman wanted him to continue battling.

(And goddammit Ruby, you should’ve left a note for your mom)

And while Norman threw the first punch and the ensuing battle was brutal as hell (and understandably triggering to some), well, Ruby was never afraid of getting beaten to a pulp. He understood that the battle was Norman testing his resolve rather than asserting dominance and was more that willing to fight back. Duels decided everything in this world after all, and power dynamics are less of an issue in a relationship when both of parties involved have super powered animals they’re more than capable of commandeering in battle.

And again, Ruby’s never afraid of his dad physically beating him (he’ll just fight back in the ever unlikely case if it ever came down to it again), and Norman makes it clear Ruby can live his own life separate without him. Ruby, however, does seem afraid of his dad disapproving other aspects of his character like the same lack of communication skills he inherited from him.