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English
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Published:
2025-10-09
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1/1
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35
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This isn’t Goodbye

Summary:

Had to make a little art for this scene that has me in a chokehold.

It’s obvious these two care for each other deeply.

Notes:

Book 7 spoilers

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Katia loves Carl, more than familial love. That seems obvious. I think there was a time early in that she thought something might happen between them, before she purposfully put space between them. Why did she put space? Maybe it was only because she wanted to go find the scattered Daughters before Eva got to them, but she kept getting pulled into other quests with Carl and Donut. Maybe because "she hurts the ones she loves" and didn't wanna hurt Carl and Donut. Maybe she thought it was necessary since something was happening between her and Bautista.

Speaking of Daniel, I think they both needed someone to be soft with. Daniel is reeling from losing his family. Katia wanted more connection. That was impossible with Carl bc he's absolutely not in that headspace so she found someone that was possible with. Afterall, Carl is on a mission and shrugs off most things that complicate that mission.

But Katia tells Carl multiple times that she loves him. She tells Carl she loves him and Donut more than she loves Daniel. That she loves him and Donut as much as she loves herself and Annie. She's willing to die to protect Donut by giving her the Orchid, if all the royal line of Nagas can't be killed. She doesn't say it back when Daniel tells her he loves her. Carl and Katia press their foreheads together and hold hands. She wants Carl to be the father of her child. To me, all this is indicative of more than platonic love.

The Dungeon isn't the place for romance. It would be twisted against them since so much spotlight is on Carl. And Carl is healing from his previous relationship and FULLY COMMITTED to his mission above all else. His love and commitment to Katia is evident in his actions even if he never says it back. He basically liquefies himself to protect her. He's fine with dying as long as Katia and Donut live. Is that all motivated by just platonic love? Maybe. But i think it's that and more. I think he is an unreliable narrator when it comes to deep or unpleasant feelings.

When he gets his sleepy time potion as part of the treatment he sees a glowing halo around Katia's head. The potion leaves him uninhibited, and his first reaction is to reach out to her and hold her hand, despite all logic that this would disrupt the treatment process. I believe experiencing the dream together helped him acknowledge the depth and nature of his feelings for her.

Platonic, romantic, or something in between, the trust, understanding, and love between these two is powerful and I hope it endures. Carl seemed so contented when he acknowledged that Katia was now a member of their team in book 3. He seemed to enjoy the concept of the personal space being special place, just for "the three of us."

I hope we get more Katia. I hope Katia, Donut, and Carl get to pick up the pieces together.

No matter what I think we can both agree that these two have a beautiful bond of found family either way, and ultimately isn't it just great that we love this amazing series?

Work Text:

Carl and Katia no textCarl and Katia