I genuinely- seriously- do not cry often. But this is the type of thing that hits really personally.
To outsiders, a forced kiss may seem like a mild offense. But in the context of everything…
Atlas has been forced into a role of servitude, of emotional labor, and some sort of pseudo partner for Marco’s self-centered interests.
Atlas has spent their entire “relationship” as nothing but a character in Marco’s own private narrative. A narrative no one can edit or touch because he won’t listen. He is self absorbed.
And it’s understandable why- he has been socially stunted from birth.
But all of my pity died for Marco when he made the choice to make Atlas kiss him. He could have asked for anything else. He could have even forced him to voice his true thoughts and feelings about Marco, but Marco didn’t want Atlas’s opinion. He instead stated it for him. “You hate me.”
And then… “Kiss me.”
Putting it simply, it makes me sick.
Delving in deeper, it comforts me to see someone react like Atlas has here- complying in one instance and volatile the next… and then forcing an emotional shutdown to keep moving. It’s not easy to talk about it. It’s not pleasant to relive it in conversation.
And as a victim of these indiscrepancies myself, I can say from my perspective… you just cant put it into words well enough. How can you flesh out your own violation in words good enough to be *sure* it’ll get across? And how can you do that in the moment right after it’s happened?
Because it wasn’t just a kiss and it’s not just because Marco is the prince and it’s not just because Atlas is a satyr and it’s not just because he has been used as a therapist and it’s not just because of Marco’s weird, cloying, desperate crush.
It’s all of that at once and more. Anything else Atlas was feeling. His own crush, his work, his exhaustion, the social pressure, the dinner, the long day.
Maybe I’m projecting too much of myself here, but I wanted to get out my thoughts the best I can.
When Atlas says “I hate them all” and then suddenly shuts down and says he was only reprimanded… i feel that deep in my chest.
This is by far the most shocking twist for me personally. I didn’t expect Emin to kiss Marco, that took me for a loop. I didn’t expect him to kiss back. But I did NOT expect Marco to force Atlas to kiss him.
And regret isn’t enough for how far he has fallen. And his delusion only makes his power more terrifying.
I hope he learns. I hope he gets better. I hope he affords Atlas more autonomy and respect.
If you’re gonna drag some guy around and force him to be your therapist, at least listen to his advice.
But it was never about advice. Marco has never really wanted someone to do more than comfort him and confirm his own narrative.
That kind of person is one of the hardest to reason with.
Closing thoughts… I can’t wait to see what happens and I already found this narrative deeply compelling and believable. Atlas resonates with me. I hope he turns out okay.
Thank you SO much for this comment, hearing stuff like this is like YES… THIS IS WHY I MAKE COMICS..!!! It’s so satisfying to know the deeper character things I’m trying to convey are coming across :’) also so happy to see Atlas get some love and sympathy haha <3 my special tortured boy..
7 thoughts on “Sparks 791”
SalmonBug
Atlas you gotta talk to Philo
Gracklenaught
Ahhhh this comic is so good!! i just binged it all today!!!
Revel
Omg thank you!! Impressive hehe <3
Senri
the hands over the face u_u
Montero Thorne
Oooh xoxoxoxo the angst
citruscarnival
I genuinely- seriously- do not cry often. But this is the type of thing that hits really personally.
To outsiders, a forced kiss may seem like a mild offense. But in the context of everything…
Atlas has been forced into a role of servitude, of emotional labor, and some sort of pseudo partner for Marco’s self-centered interests.
Atlas has spent their entire “relationship” as nothing but a character in Marco’s own private narrative. A narrative no one can edit or touch because he won’t listen. He is self absorbed.
And it’s understandable why- he has been socially stunted from birth.
But all of my pity died for Marco when he made the choice to make Atlas kiss him. He could have asked for anything else. He could have even forced him to voice his true thoughts and feelings about Marco, but Marco didn’t want Atlas’s opinion. He instead stated it for him. “You hate me.”
And then… “Kiss me.”
Putting it simply, it makes me sick.
Delving in deeper, it comforts me to see someone react like Atlas has here- complying in one instance and volatile the next… and then forcing an emotional shutdown to keep moving. It’s not easy to talk about it. It’s not pleasant to relive it in conversation.
And as a victim of these indiscrepancies myself, I can say from my perspective… you just cant put it into words well enough. How can you flesh out your own violation in words good enough to be *sure* it’ll get across? And how can you do that in the moment right after it’s happened?
Because it wasn’t just a kiss and it’s not just because Marco is the prince and it’s not just because Atlas is a satyr and it’s not just because he has been used as a therapist and it’s not just because of Marco’s weird, cloying, desperate crush.
It’s all of that at once and more. Anything else Atlas was feeling. His own crush, his work, his exhaustion, the social pressure, the dinner, the long day.
Maybe I’m projecting too much of myself here, but I wanted to get out my thoughts the best I can.
When Atlas says “I hate them all” and then suddenly shuts down and says he was only reprimanded… i feel that deep in my chest.
This is by far the most shocking twist for me personally. I didn’t expect Emin to kiss Marco, that took me for a loop. I didn’t expect him to kiss back. But I did NOT expect Marco to force Atlas to kiss him.
And regret isn’t enough for how far he has fallen. And his delusion only makes his power more terrifying.
I hope he learns. I hope he gets better. I hope he affords Atlas more autonomy and respect.
If you’re gonna drag some guy around and force him to be your therapist, at least listen to his advice.
But it was never about advice. Marco has never really wanted someone to do more than comfort him and confirm his own narrative.
That kind of person is one of the hardest to reason with.
Closing thoughts… I can’t wait to see what happens and I already found this narrative deeply compelling and believable. Atlas resonates with me. I hope he turns out okay.
Revel
Thank you SO much for this comment, hearing stuff like this is like YES… THIS IS WHY I MAKE COMICS..!!! It’s so satisfying to know the deeper character things I’m trying to convey are coming across :’) also so happy to see Atlas get some love and sympathy haha <3 my special tortured boy..