Literally Bawling - Tumblr Posts
God Winter is one of the characters of all time and the fact that a good chunk of the fandom basically tosses him around like a wet sock and screams about how he's "toxic" and "edgy" with no good reason saddens me.
When you read MR, Winter is seen as an antagonistic character. He snaps at Moon, accuses her of setting up the whole bomb thing, and generally we aren't given too many reasons to like him. It sets his character up as one that's mean, cold, and generally uncooperative. He is very nationalistic and haughty, going on and on about how the IceWings are superior. He's a not so great person.
However...he's not that. If you merely glance at his book, you know that. It's a persona that he's crafted and put on in order to even survive in the Ice Kingdom. He was forced by his parents to put on a cold demeanor and be extremely aggressive and rude because the very thought of showing emotional vulnerability is seen as a weakness.
To the IceWings, you are weak if you try to make bonds and connections on a deeper level than just "you are another guard in my platoon and I must do everything to protect each other because we must work together to be strong". You aren't allowed to be kind. Having friends only means that you're getting too attached to others and will be rendered semi-useless while you're grieving when they eventually die.
Winter always had the soul of a kind, caring, and intensely loyal dragon. He is the core idea of what an IceWing should be. He is willing to give up his life and stand up for his values and what is right. He protects those closest to him and sticks by them in times of peril. What is he labeled as? Weak. Pathetic. Why? Because he can't help himself but be kind and wanting a deeper connection. He's shamed for not being as jaded and cold. He's ridiculed and bullied for quietly wanting to be friends. The only dragon who was kind and equally as nice as him was his brother, Hailstorm, and then he was captured by the SkyWings, something Winter blames himself for. He failed Hailstorm. He failed his family for killing a first-circle dragon. He failed because he was just too attached.
So, what does he do? Well, he gives in. Fine. Put on a mask. Walk around like everyone else. Snap and bite and hiss when anybody gets too close. It's not like he cares. They are meaningless. They are worth nothing. At least that's what everyone tells him. He is alone. That's good though, right? Alone is good. Alone means your strong. Alone means that you don't have anybody to rely on. Alone means that you're better than those with emotions and feelings. Those fools who get attached. Alone is...good... It's what he wants, right?
"Mara. I brought a flower for you."
SOBBING I LOVE HIMMMM
liebe ist für alle da 🏳️⚧️