Chapter 17: Reunion and Raw Honesty
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Simon Snow returns to Baz’s aunt’s house after abruptly leaving the hospital where he was supposed to have his dragon wings removed. He and Baz immediately kiss, holding each other tightly. Simon notices Baz smells terrible—like sweat and raw meat—but doesn’t mind because it proves Baz is alive. Baz worries he gave Simon rat blood when they kissed; Simon brushes it off. Simon explains that his wings are still there because he “chickened out” (though privately he admits he felt an urgent need to talk to Baz). Baz examines the wings, which are folded tightly, stained orange with Betadine disinfectant. He gently kisses the wings, startling Simon. They end the scene by agreeing to take showers together.
Key Events
- Simon arrives at Baz’s location and they kiss passionately.
- Simon tastes rat blood from Baz’s mouth; Baz fears he gave Simon the plague.
- Simon explains he left his wing-removal surgery before it began.
- Baz inspects Simon’s folded wings, noting the Betadine stain and the origami-like compression.
- Baz kisses Simon’s wings, causing Simon to shudder.
- The two agree to shower, with Simon asking if Baz’s aunt’s place has a shower.
Character Development
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Simon Snow: Shows clear vulnerability and emotional need. He prioritizes talking to Baz over undergoing a painful transformation. His physical discomfort with his wings—both the pain and his shame about their appearance—reveals his ongoing struggle with his dragon heritage. He also shows a new level of intimacy, accepting Baz’s smell without disgust.
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Baz Pitch: Displays tenderness and caution. He stops kissing when he realizes he has rat blood on his mouth, then carefully examines Simon’s wings. His gesture of kissing the wings demonstrates acceptance of Simon’s magical nature. Baz’s earlier ordeal at Oxford (implied by needing a shower) remains unspoken, but his physical state underscores his recent hardships.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
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Intimacy Beyond the Physical: The chapter portrays closeness that transcends cleanliness or disgust. Simon doesn’t mind Baz’s rank smell because it reminds him Baz is alive. Similarly, Baz kisses the Betadine-stained wings, a symbol of his willingness to embrace every part of Simon, even the monstrous.
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Transformation and Hesitation: Simon’s decision to leave the surgery before removing his wings reflects his ambivalence about changing who he is. The wings are a burden but also part of his identity; he clings to them (literally folding them tight) while simultaneously seeking pain relief.
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The Body as Evidence: Both characters read each other’s bodies: Baz smells rank, Simon’s wings are sticky with disinfectant, and Simon tastes rat blood. These sensory details ground their reunion in physical reality, confirming survival and presence.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 17 is the first private, physical reunion between Simon and Baz after the dramatic events of the previous books. It solidifies their emotional bond by showing them handling vulnerability—Simon’s aborted surgery and Baz’s grimy state—without judgment. The scene also deepens the wing metaphor: Simon’s decision to delay removal suggests he may ultimately choose to keep his wings, a major plot point for the remainder of the novel. The chapter sets up the ongoing negotiations of identity, sacrifice, and partnership that define their relationship.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Simon say he left the surgery, and what does he admit to himself?
Simon tells Baz he “chickened out,” but privately acknowledges that he felt a pressing need to talk to Baz, as if a window was closing. He also worried he might need his wings to reach Baz, revealing that his instinct to protect Baz outweighed his desire to be rid of the wings. -
How does Baz react when he discovers he got rat blood on Simon?
Baz immediately turns away, covers his mouth, and exclaims “That’s rat blood.” He apologizes and expresses fear about giving Simon the plague. His reaction shows his strong protective instincts and his disgust with his own vampire habits. -
What does Baz’s kiss on Simon’s wings signify?
Baz kisses the wings slowly and deliberately, an act that startles Simon because it feels intimate in an unexpected way. The kiss symbolizes Baz’s acceptance of Simon’s dragon nature and suggests that their relationship can include the magical and grotesque without revulsion.