My toxic trait is that I truly believe I could win a fight against anybody if I was mad enough. You might have strength and size but I have pure, unfiltered rage.
You guys all realize that Ichigo was only able to win against Grimmjow using his hollow mask bc Orihime finally stopped being afraid of his hollowfication and accepted him, right? Even though she could feel how the hollow inside of him had made him unstable and unsure of himself and his power, Ichigo needed her acceptance of his complete self, even the bad and scary parts to master the most primal version of his power (at the time of this fight) bc they are literally soulmates, and he couldn't fight at his full power without her reassurance that it wouldnt change the way she saw him if he gave into his inner hollow, Tite Kubo go off I guess
We are starting off with my newest and favorite one, which is t4t Thorfinn and Canute. Both of them being transmascs in the Viking Age just makes so much sense and is wonderful. I also love writing about queer characters, as there is not enough representation in the media. Canute is not cisgender. Let's just be honest with ourselves. I go more in depth about it in this post, if you would like to go read that.
We have Witch Thorfinn and Christian Canute. Canute being Christian is canon, and War Arc Thorfinn is enough of a little gremlin to be a witch. (Bjorn taught him all about witchcraft, by the way. He enchants his berserker mushrooms.) Canute is absolutely appalled at how Thorfinn ends up being a witch and is supposed to be protecting him. He always carries a cross necklace around his neck and holy water under his royal cape. He hides behind Ragnar anytime Thorfinn is near because he fears what may happen.
To be fair, Thorfinn has threatened to curse Canute a number of times, so it is a given at this point. Although he never would because Askeladd would never allow him a witch's duel to honor his father's passing into the beyond.
We have flirty Canute and flustered Thorfinn. This would be more along the lines of when they are in Season 2 because Season 1 Canute would not have the gall to flirt with S1 Thorfinn. (Thorfinn would probably punch him.) However, Season 2 Canute, with his new status as the king of two kingdoms, would definitely have the willingness to flirt with Thorfinn. Thorfinn is kind of clueless the entire time and is confused by the fluttering of his stomach and the pounding of his heart.
Early War Arc naive Canute and guardian Thorfinn will always be one of the most amusing to me. Canute just has to deal with this dude who hates him while simultaneously being attracted to him. Canute doesn't have the confidence to speak with him and is unable to protect himself. So Thorfinn always has to make sure he doesn't fall over himself and act like a fool. 'Anything for a duel with Askeladd' is just an excuse Thorfinn uses. It's more of 'anything to pretend that I'm not attracted to that stupid princess.'
Askeladd notices how Thorfinn is always around the prince, despite claiming his hatred for the young noble. 'Ah, young love, just like Bjorn and I.' Askeladd thinks.
Slave Arc, King Canute, and slave Thorfinn are when you see the tables flipped. Suddenly, Thorfinn is lost amidst the seas of his trauma. (In this au, we are just going to say that Canute is keeping Thorfinn as a slave. One of his servants.) Canute is torn, as he is unable to stand how defeated and sad Thorfinn looks. What happened to his fiery and angry kitty boy?
Eventually, Canute slips from his duties and tries to make amends with Thorfinn. It helps Thorfinn a little, as he is plagued with Asleladd's spirit and constantly tormented. He rolls around in his sleep and has blood-curdling nightmares. It's only when Canute sneaks into his chambers and speaks sweet nothings that Thorfinn is finally able to be lulled into a peaceful sleep.
It becomes normal for Canute to end up in Thorfinn's chambers just so he can sleep. Thorfinn is healed, and his warm spirit comes back to him. Canute declines any possible suitors, as he sees Thorfinn getting better. One day, that man will rule along with him and be his king.
In a modern high school, we have nerd Canute and Emo Thorfinn. (This one is separate from my other modern au. They aren't related, and Canute is whatever gender they want to be.) Canute is top of his class, class president, and neurodivergent. He does drag in his free time, and his father hates him in general. Oh yes, modern au Canute has worse daddy issues than canon Canute.
Thorfinn is someone who is more alternative than emo, but Askeladd just calls him 'emo bitch.' He is a guitarist and the main singer of his band, Vinland Rockers. He is working towards becoming a tattoo artist and illegally tattoos kids at the school as a side gig. He makes a ton of cash from it, and Askeladd (his adopted father) doesn't care as long as he doesn't get arrested.
Thorfinn ends up getting Canute into detention, and they have an entire enemies-to-lovers arc. Canute comes out of the closet and happily does their drag as Thorfinn gets tutored by Canute.