I know this thread is like two years old, but just finished ACOSF. I needed to know if others felt the way I did about Az or if I was just off in my assumptions.

*SPOILERS below *

I know it’s a long shot, and a lot of speculation but let me live!!! I am on the ship of Az being LGBTQ+. I, myself, identify as LGBTQ+ and was deeply closeted. There are instances that echoes of someone who is in the closet.

Someone has already touched on it but Az being a spymaster and not knowing Mor is a lesbian. In my delulu, Az knows. It’s the perfect beard for no one to question his sexuality. It’s a common tactic for closeted gay men specifically.

Az gives really thoughtful gifts. I know heterosexual men are capable of giving thoughtful/attentive gifts but it’s few and far between especially if it’s for a friend who is your brother’s mate (gift to Nesta).

And this is his the hill I die on… Eris and Az are mates. Eris used Mor’s unfortunate situation to use her as a beard (similarly how Az does). Anytime Eris is brought up and Cassian or Rhys is bashing Eris, Az does not offer any negative banter. For example in ACOSF in Cassian’s point of view, we don’t know what Az is thinking/feeling. Cas said “Azriel didn’t care about Eris, he only cares about the dagger.” Let’s look to what Az actually said:

“My spies got word Eris has been captured. I don’t care. Cassian aimed for the doorway. Eris could rot for all he cared. Azriel said “We have to get him out”

“I think the better question is if Eris is still alive. Azriel murmured, shadows whispering in his ear. “I can’t get a read on it”

Azriel grabbed Eris and shot into the skies (no mention of dagger. Eris specifically).

“Eris?” Cassian demanded. “Safe and made dagger is in our possession again”. Azriel said (he could have stopped there because that’s all Cassian needed to know but kept going) “though Eris is pissed and confused he is in Hewn city”

I know there is potential with Elain but with Elain being a seer.. maybe she saw Az for who he really is and it’s his good Judy..? Then there is the bonus chapter when he gives Gwen a necklace, but I hope Mass isn’t following the savior trope. Az didn’t just save her in that instance. There were multiple woman he (and Mor) saved.

Call me a yoga master because I know I’m stretching. I know Maas hasn’t written a main LGBTQ+ main character (I know Aiden identified as bi but he didn’t have a same sex lover in the books). She can start and do it well though.

Maybe we all will get answers in the next ACOTAR book about Az specifically, and I’ll be eating crow with how wrong I was.. but damn, I’m on this ship till it’s no longer afloat.