Chapter summaries Any Way the Wind Blows Rainbow Rowell

Chapter 32: Baz Reassures Simon After the Lamb Date

⚠️ 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

Baz finds Simon pacing his living room, wings spread and tail lashing. Simon refuses to let Baz use magic to alter his face for the upcoming Smith-Richards meeting. Baz threatens to go alone; Simon objects, referencing the failed Las Vegas mission. Their argument escalates to Simon's jealousy over Baz's ice-cream outing with Lamb in America. Baz physically pulls Simon's tail, drawing him close. He firmly reassures Simon that he never considered staying with Lamb. Simon admits that Baz's kindness feels unnerving, like being touched too lightly. Baz promises to touch him less gently but still love him kindly. They kiss, and Simon internally surrenders, thinking, "Be the death of me."

Key Events

  • Simon refuses to let Baz change his face with a spell for the Smith-Richards meeting.
  • Baz offers to attend alone; Simon objects, citing previous mission failures.
  • Simon confronts Baz about the ice-cream date with Lamb, expressing jealousy.
  • Baz pulls Simon's tail and pulls him close, initiating an intimate conversation.
  • Baz explicitly states he never considered staying in America, not even for a second.
  • Simon confesses that Baz's gentle kindness makes him feel "mental" and like he needs to escape.
  • Baz vows to be less gentle with his touch but never less kind with his love.
  • Simon relaxes, and they share a kiss.
  • Simon's internal monologue reveals his surrender: he lets Baz have him completely.

Character Development

Tyrannus "Baz" Pitch
Baz demonstrates newfound patience and emotional intelligence. He uses physical touch—specifically pulling and massaging Simon's tail—as a means of grounding and reassurance. He refuses to let Simon's insecurity push him away, insisting on love and kindness even when Simon asks for less. This chapter shows Baz maturing into a partner who offers stability and verbal affirmation.

Simon Snow
Simon's vulnerability is on full display. His jealousy over Lamb reveals deep-seated fears of abandonment. His admission that kindness makes him uncomfortable shows how unaccustomed he is to being cared for gently. Despite his bristling, he allows himself to be soothed by Baz, yielding physically and emotionally. His final thought, "Be the death of me," captures his reluctant but complete trust.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Trust and Surrender
Simon's jealousy and anxiety test their relationship. Baz's consistent reassurance—both verbal and physical—builds a foundation of trust. Simon's final internal surrender is a major thematic beat: he chooses to let Baz in despite his fear.

Physical Touch as Communication
Baz uses Simon's tail as an anchor, tugging and massaging it to convey firmness and care. Simon's tail becomes a symbol of his vulnerability; allowing Baz to hold it signifies his emotional openness. The chapter contrasts light, unsettling touch with firm, reassuring contact.

Kindness vs. Harshness
Simon struggles with Baz's kindness, equating it with fragility. Baz's promise to "touch less gently" but "love no less kindly" redefines strength in their relationship. Kindness is not weakness; it's a deliberate choice that Simon must learn to accept.

Why This Chapter Matters

This is a pivotal emotional turning point in the novel. After the tension of the Lamb date and Simon's lingering jealousy, Baz and Simon finally articulate their needs and boundaries. The chapter moves them past the trauma of Las Vegas and solidifies their commitment. Simon's internal shift from resistance to surrender marks a crucial character milestone. It also showcases Baz's growth from a guarded, sarcastic figure into a patient, devoted partner willing to navigate Simon's complexities.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Simon refuse to let Baz use magic to change his face?
Simon is deeply distrustful of any spell affecting his body, especially after the wing-magic incident. He wants no more magical interference, seeing it as a violation of his autonomy.

2. What is the significance of Baz pulling Simon's tail in this scene?
Pulling Simon's tail is both a physical assertion of control and an intimate gesture. It forces Simon to stop pacing and face Baz directly. The tail becomes a means of connection: Baz uses it to ground Simon, and Simon's willingness to let Baz hold it signals his emotional vulnerability.

3. How does Simon's view of kindness differ from Baz's in this chapter?
Simon finds kindness disorienting—it feels like being "touched too lightly" and makes him want to flee. Baz sees kindness as an essential part of love and refuses to withdraw it. Their negotiation—less gentle touch, no less kindness—highlights different love languages and the need for compromise.