God. I’ve seen so many people wish they could do this— go back in time and give that kid self a hug— seeing this on page is making me cry. This is so powerful and so, so important.
And Al feels the opposite. He (using this until the character indicates preferred pronouns) feels that he wasted his life being the imperfect version of himself – not realizing what he truly is.
So here’s Sulla, presumably, a representation of Al’s squandered potential made real; and Al, the original template she feels she could never be worthy of.
The problem is, when the yardstick that you judge yourself by is a completely different person, you’re never going to measure up.
Oh my. After getting nothing but support from Sulla all the way through, Al manages the least closed off kind of response. Exactly what Al them(?)self never got from a parental figure. That is moving indeed.
This comic is like undiluted trans catharsis and I *cannot* handle it ahaha. I’m practically sobbing after every page.
Poor Sulla. God. What a gut punch this must be for Al – a version of themselves who had the opportunity to be who she truly is, yet doesn’t feel real, or feels like a broken version of who she thinks she *should* have been, despite it. No one can understand Sulla’s self hate the way Al can. I’m so glad they have each other now.
I think it’s Brendan being startled because Al is moving in Sulla’s direction, possibly rather quickly, and he wants to make sure nothing bad is going to happen.
And i’m the one sitting here thinking about how Brendan must feel in this moment. Sulla and Al(Allie? Allison?) NEEDED this, yes.
Brendan, on the other hand, learns that
A: his lover’s TG
B: His attempt to remake that lover turned out far closer to the mark than anybody expected and was the one to bring back Al in the first place.
Poor guy’s probably going through emotional overload at this point.
This page beought me to the berge of tears, to be honest. It might be just my nind fishing for stuff, but even as they are different individuals I see the embrace on this page as both an exchange of kindness, and a caring gesture towards their own selves. It feels a bit as forgiveness, as well. As someone that hasn’t loved myself since I was around 12, this page really hit me in the gut.
The self-love… Al knows what it’s like to need a hug as a confused kid with a fucked-up family. Of course that’s the first move. Not just to comfort Sulla but to do something for little kid Al.
This is the fourth time I’ve reread this part in the span of 3 days. Every time, it brings me to tears, for slightly different reasons. It’s raw and powerful and nuanced and essentially perfect. Watching Sulla and Al find themselves in each other has been cathartic in ways I can only begin to explain.
This comic is something special. I look forward to rereading it and cherishing it over and over.
Probably the best and most necessary response. Proud of Al right now. <3
I’m very glad that Al went the second of the two paths of people with abusive parents – becoming a good parent in response.
Al is best parent.
Hey, I’m going to cry
I’ll second that. Gosh.
Well said, vancho1. :)
This might be the most important page of the entire story, I think.
(Shortly before the “I’M NOT A MAN” page.)
God. I’ve seen so many people wish they could do this— go back in time and give that kid self a hug— seeing this on page is making me cry. This is so powerful and so, so important.
A hug followed by a coffee and some advise on the difference between “surviving” and “living” for a lot of folks, I imagine.
Yeah that’s alright who doesn’t want to sob on a Monday morning.
This is amazing and I love it.
This is Precious.
But also begs which “her” is being faced, Al or Sulla?
I! LOVE THEM!
Give them just a moment, little robot (his name is escaping me just now.)
Messy tears.
And Al feels the opposite. He (using this until the character indicates preferred pronouns) feels that he wasted his life being the imperfect version of himself – not realizing what he truly is.
So here’s Sulla, presumably, a representation of Al’s squandered potential made real; and Al, the original template she feels she could never be worthy of.
The problem is, when the yardstick that you judge yourself by is a completely different person, you’re never going to measure up.
“The problem is, when the yardstick that you judge yourself by is a completely different person, you’re never going to measure up.”
just wanted to say this is excellent. thanks
I don’t think I have ever seen a story with this particular emotional dynamic. I’m so proud of both of them. ;_;
In these hard times, this story is helpful.
Thank you, Blue, for telling it.
Oh my. After getting nothing but support from Sulla all the way through, Al manages the least closed off kind of response. Exactly what Al them(?)self never got from a parental figure. That is moving indeed.
Beautiful! <3
If anybody knows how Sulla feels it’s probably Al. And if anybody knows how Al feels, it’s probably Sulla.
This comic is like undiluted trans catharsis and I *cannot* handle it ahaha. I’m practically sobbing after every page.
Poor Sulla. God. What a gut punch this must be for Al – a version of themselves who had the opportunity to be who she truly is, yet doesn’t feel real, or feels like a broken version of who she thinks she *should* have been, despite it. No one can understand Sulla’s self hate the way Al can. I’m so glad they have each other now.
Maybe the little robot wants to hug someone?
It makes me very happy to see that Al has the impulse to comfort Sulla … hopefully he can show her that she’s NOT defective.
Also — I am not sure what expression is on Brendan’s face in panel 3.
I think it’s Brendan being startled because Al is moving in Sulla’s direction, possibly rather quickly, and he wants to make sure nothing bad is going to happen.
And i’m the one sitting here thinking about how Brendan must feel in this moment. Sulla and Al(Allie? Allison?) NEEDED this, yes.
Brendan, on the other hand, learns that
A: his lover’s TG
B: His attempt to remake that lover turned out far closer to the mark than anybody expected and was the one to bring back Al in the first place.
Poor guy’s probably going through emotional overload at this point.
This page beought me to the berge of tears, to be honest. It might be just my nind fishing for stuff, but even as they are different individuals I see the embrace on this page as both an exchange of kindness, and a caring gesture towards their own selves. It feels a bit as forgiveness, as well. As someone that hasn’t loved myself since I was around 12, this page really hit me in the gut.
They good
This is wonderful.
End of message and out. 🙂
This was exactly what my sad trans girl heart needed today. Thank you, truly.
The self-love… Al knows what it’s like to need a hug as a confused kid with a fucked-up family. Of course that’s the first move. Not just to comfort Sulla but to do something for little kid Al.
This is the fourth time I’ve reread this part in the span of 3 days. Every time, it brings me to tears, for slightly different reasons. It’s raw and powerful and nuanced and essentially perfect. Watching Sulla and Al find themselves in each other has been cathartic in ways I can only begin to explain.
This comic is something special. I look forward to rereading it and cherishing it over and over.