#daniil is the most insufferable

[fennelwasp]

Fighting plauges is hard work

[katherinakaina]

"Daniil talks too much!"

Danill says almost nothing in comparison with the people he's talking to. Player's dialogue options are always limited while the character you are talking to is going on and on without interruption. When you talk to him as Artemy or Clara he doesn't speak more that anyone else. He doesn't mansplain more than others either. Every character gives you some exposition, that's how you get information in the game.

Why do people love flawed characters like Maria or Aglaya or Stamatins, praising how interesting they are? The same people will tell you that Daniil is insufferable annoying talks too much somehow explains things how dares he and so on and so forth. How comes Maria is fine but Daniil isn't?

One theory is that because you are in control of Daniil you think about his lines more and also feel extra responsibility for him. You feel second hand embarrassment if you think he's being cringe while other characters are not you so them you can just enjoy without guilt by association.

Second theory is that it's just group think. You've heard that Daniil is supposed to be bad before you've even seen the game so now this knowledge colours your experience. And most people can't reevaluate their priors, so that's the situation we are having.

[meirimerens]

HI BESTIE HI BESSSSTTTIIIEEEEEEE. HELLLOO. Are We Talking About Religion Over Here. Hi.

anyway full agree with your Thoughts about Dankovsky. very interesting to see what saint you picked for my boy over here. i also love the idea that like. Orthodoxy is even very Picky about religious art because of any perceived connection to old Slavic pagan religious art. love the idea of Daniil “Grew Up Staring At The Icon Corner With An Inexplicable Feeling Of Dread” Dankovsky arriving in town and being like. whuh. huh. what do you mean they paint their bodies in beautiful complicated sigils and dance as a religious ceremony. what do you MEAN their tits are out while doing it.

i did my dissertation on orthodox portrayals of Mary so as you can tell im. insufferable. sorry ❤️

^ you get it!

i think his mom specifically is really big into her theotokos frames, she has her favorites (the ones where the shadow painted over the brow makes it look like a unibrow, she would never admit that is because she feels mary looks like her like this, but she does think it).

^ this one for ex. i think she'd love it they so so have the icons corner at home.

it is the catholics who are like almost recklessly horny due to how much emphasis catholicism puts on self-punishment, repentance, self-restraint to unhealthy degree (hence this)

but [most?] christian denomination have like. their fetish for asceticism, self-restraint, self-punishment almost, silence and denigration of the flesh and starvation [...] so i think dankovsky who quickly realized he. wanted None of that. + had Desires beyond what the church allowed (as in. gay) truly quickly felt it Very Hard to navigate an upbringing under these symbols and also this like. hunger. really.

i also think he had a bunch of "❓" moment like what do you mean i'm supposed to kneel under this man's shawl and confess. doesn't god know already. why does this man want to know. [really quickly feels The Sin creeping on [it's not a sin it's just him. being gay]]

tldr... yeah....... in a world that values a sense of satiation (even if you have to lie about it to save face) dankovsky's Hunger quickly felt like a cumbersome animal he couldn't quite tame.

christianity also has the confusing veneration of the flesh (the wounds of christ, the entire body of work around his dessecated, dying body [in the catholic faith]) paired with the denigration of it [asceticism, the covering of the women,...] so dankovsky had to navigate that, While having Desires for the flesh that were not very leviticus 18:22 of him which i think. that alone would have made him atheist. and coming from that and stumbling into 1) a culture in which women waltz and dance and run and prance hair unbound and dresses torn to smithereens with devotional violence, in which the body is adorned with sigils and drawings and is the direct conductor for divinity 2) a. relationship in which touching and being touched feels as close to divinity as he has been able to reach in almost 30 years of being alive i think it feels like putting his fingers in an electrical outlet it does. it does but he loves it and it's good for him.

[fancifulplaguerat]

Telefony fic ft. unhinged Daniil on hold until I write Victor and Daniil being horribly touch starved while having THE most insufferable human soul nft defeating death fleshwise conversation for as many words as I can physically stand it

[emma-radfemcanu]

My posts about how I think Jannik Sinner is overhyped didn't age well seeing as he won the Australian Open today 😬 although tbf they were accurate at the time I wrote them. There was this one tournament in China last year where he threw up in a bin lol and afterwards became an entirely new player so I think now he is appropriately rated

(putting the rest under the link bc I know no one cares, I just wanted to rant)

I am BITTER about it though. The main reason I dislike him is because of how obnoxious a lot of his fans are, it's not him personally, he actually seems very nice. A lot of them really hate Stef though and he is my absolute favourite so I take it very personally. We've already had enough 'Stef is finished and may as well retire immediately' and that is only going to get worse

But it's the crowing 'Stef loves Australia and Jannik still won it first!!!' that is getting to me, because it's true. I want Stef to win a slam so so bad, it's probably the thing I want most in the whole world (truly, if I met a genie who offered me 3 wishes it would be the first thing I'd ask for). And I'm trying to make my peace with the fact that it will probably never happen while having to listen to Sinner's already insufferable fans gloating about how wonderful he is

He did play really well (and honestly was the only top seed who didn't play like shit lol) and beating Djokovic in particular is no mean feat. But if he'd had to play the Djok who Stef had in the final last year, would he have won? No way. But no, he got lucky with the draw and managed to win the whole thing, which does happen. I'm just frustrated bc last year's Stef with this year's draw would have had no trouble at all

Of the two of them Stef is far more consistent in Australia: he's made the semis 4 times in the last 6 years, he beat Jannik twice in a row last year and the year before, meanwhile Jannik had never made it past the quarters. And which of them got their hands on the trophy first? The one I absolutely cannot stand because of his horrendous fanbase. And it especially stings because Stef loves Australia, he always say it feels like home since there's a huge Greek population

I know it isn't really unfair, it's just the way it goes sometimes, and you can only play who's in front of you. But it feels so unfair :( the one thing that makes me feel better is that Stef is coming off an injury and didn't stand a chance this year so it's not like it's a huge wasted opportunity, but at the same time I keep thinking 'what if?'

I'll get over it, and I know this is completely irrational and just me being very bitter. And I wish I didn't care this much but I do. You think of all the great players who never won slams and my faves are most likely going that way, meanwhile someone I can't bear got their hands on one first 😞 boo. Daniil Medvedev you will pay for your crimes (although ngl I do feel bad for him, the AO is truly cursed for him)

[fancifulplaguerat]

I hope you won’t mind if I get into a little rant here, but. I admit I never really got the “Artemy dad” thing, and maybe it’s because I’m not really interested in Patho 2 and it seems that’s where most of this characterisation comes from. I think Artemy is protective, and is motivated by family, but he isn’t particularly ‘fatherly.’ He has a few lines expressing worry for Mishka and others, but overall I don’t get the impression that he’s kinder or better with children than Daniil or even Clara honestly. Daniil is often nice to the kids, and that’s not to say I think Daniil is more fatherly because absolutely not. Like Artemy, Daniil threatens corporal punishment at times, often when he’s angry at kids for not minding their safety; the instances I remember Artemy doing it are often because children are being impudent to him, like when he tells Kaspar “I’d love to teach you some good manners...” when Kaspar tells him to fuck off about the Kains’ business. Neither motivation is “better” because they’re both threatening children with violence, but it’s instances like these that turn me away from the depiction of Artemy as some nurturing father figure. 

And Daniil can be kind of playful with the kids, like when Notkin says “If you see a big grey cat around here, call him Artist,” and Daniil can say “I will—if he called me Bachelor.” Or when he expresses interest in a story one of the town girls tells him, or plays along with what kids are saying even when he thinks it’s bullshit, or showing concern as when Grace says her head hurts (“Oh dear... let me have a look”). A quasi side note: I hate how the game disincentivizes Daniil/the player from being kind to Grace sometimes. If you choose the above line, the dialogue ends; and there’s another instance where I believe she’ll only give you lockpicks if you get angry with her first, and she’s trying to make you not mad anymore, which I absolutely fucking hate it is so rancid that the game makes you do that. 

Which. I have to say this because this post seems like a safe space for unpopular opinions but I actually hate Daniil’s character in Patho 2. The fact that he’s so mean to children feels like a cheap “Daniil is the Bad One he’s so shitty he bullies literal kids !!” It turned me off immediately. Daniil can be a cunt in Patho Classic, but tbh the misogyny and racism that people point to him expressing are consistent within the game’s text. Artemy also has lines that are racist towards the Kin, calling them animals or deriding their medical knowledge, and demeaning towards women. I think it’s important to scrutinize that rather than just writing it off as oh Classic Daniil, Being An Asshole. And while I’m here. In Patho Classic, Daniil’s arrogance seems less like “I’m inherently better” but “I know better”—there are at least three dialogues where people will laud him and he’ll say “I’m not that special, I’m not that smart” but he comes off as arrogant because he’s so sure that he knows what’s best and gets frustrated fast when everyone doesn’t immediately fall in line. Patho 2 Daniil feels like a caricature of him, the way he says things like “I just have a naturally high intelligence.” It’s so over-the-top insufferable, like he’s just being a dick with no real rhyme or reason. 

Anyway. I also agree I do not see Artemy as a doting or worried lover at all. I mean the Haruspex Route is almost comical to me, how Daniil is “come see me, come talk to me, let’s help each other, you helped me, now I’ll help you” and Artemy is just. “Okay,” and often begrudgingly at that. (Though not always, of course.) I don’t see him as the fussy one either, especially when Capella literally tells Artemy that Daniil “fawns upon you a lot.” That said, I think Artemy is capable of being very genuine and kind, especially how he comforts Daniil when he learns that he’s a doll, but excluding such moments, he comes off as a pretty reserved person to me. Also what you said about self-sufficiency—he is very independent and likes working alone, and seemingly treats others with this mindset, i.e. talking to the kids as people who can handle themselves

The thing about Artemy is. He's got that "my heart is too soft" line and he very obviously cares but in the game he's not like. A fluffy soft boy? Ykwim? At least not all of the time. He can be brash and rude. He's got a morbid sense of humour - he's hunted down for murder and he makes jokes about it (roaring at Eva, "that's my perfume") or uses it to threaten people (I definitely remember seeing dialogue options in the vein of "yeah I'm the Ripper so better don't stand in my way"). Let him be threatening or tactless sometimes!

And then also. He can be mean to kids, and even though the relationships develop anyway (because it's pathologic and your dialogue choices don't really affect how NPCs feel about you for the rest of the game or whether they associate with you or not, beyond the immediate choice of doing a quest or not, and boy is it especially striking in p2), at his most dad he's not like... Especially doting? Sticky and Murky straight up just move in with him by themselves and of course he cares about their wellbeing and will defend them with his life, but by god he's glad these kids are so self sufficient because. I think he's not that far from Peter, one day into adopting Grace, being like "don't touch her or I'll bite but also I haven't given her food yet because I don't know what kids eat". And like sure in the game he also has more pressing concerns, but especially in classic (where he doesn't even really adopt any kids, just makes sure they're alive and leaves them to their own devices) I didn't get the impression he's like, fussing over them. He's not fussing over his adult friends either and pardon an unpopular opinion but I don't see him fussing over his lovers too, in the way it's sometimes depicted in fanon. You know. Fussing over Daniil in this very parental way, nagging at him to wear warmer gloves and eat more for breakfast. Bit of a He Would Not Say That to me. Not saying he wouldn't be worried for his health if something serious happened or that he wouldn't ever do a tender gesture of like throwing a blanket over his boyfriend's shoulders when he fell asleep at his desk again, but you know, it's a question of proportion and overall vibes, and "doting parent to everyone around him, kids and adults alike" as his whole personality is to me not only flattening his character but also a bit ooc. Trying hard not to be too confrontational and like enjoy your fics whatever but that's not the guy I know from the game that's his doppelganger from the dream dad dimension and I don't want him to entirely take over the whole perception of the character you know. I'd like to see more of him fumbling at being a family man and just once I want to see him make a baby cry by being a little too menacing while playing peek-a-boo

[loquaciouslore]

Daniil is easy to hate on because he’s just insufferable, but out of all the healers he has the most potential for a redemptive story. I really hope his new route explores this idea; if Artemy got two endings exploring different aspects of his character, why not the bachelor?

Think about it: in one ending maybe he clings to the utopian ideals of man surpassing its limits by sacrificing the comfort and safety of the masses, but in another... maybe he realizes just how wrong it all is, and goes the other way?

All I’m saying is that id be really proud of dankovsky if he ever came to the conclusion that the polyhedron needed to be destroyed on his own. It would reflect his ability to choose another healer’s ending like in Patho HD

[girldraki]

we’re literally at our fundamental core a collective insufferable little bitch the sleep deprivation just takes down most of the filter. it is taking immense effort to not talk like daniil fucking dankovsky right now :/

[silenthillmutual]

Inquisitor: Events have taken an unexpected turn, Dankovsky. We have a lot ot discuss and a lot to do. I’ll be brief. All this time someone has been trying to a) kill you, b) deceive you. And c) use your authority and passion for the truth to achieve criminal goals. Would you like to know more?

Bachelor: Very much so.

Inquisitor: You came here on your own accord, didn’t you? Thanatica is in ruins. Your last hope was to draw publicity, to get a sensation. Find something shocking. An ostensive proof of your theory. Correct me if I’m wrong, this is all just my interpretation...

Bachelor: You are correct so far.

Inquisitor: Then you come across this - allegedly coincidental - letter from Isidor Burakh; and here you are. So timely! Isn’t it? And, as luck would have it, the only medic dies. He didn’t die of the disease, did he? That’s what I’ve been told. He was murdered. But luck is on the side of the public! You are in this remote area, and so you are ordered to come back with the shield, so to speak. Victory is the only option that’s been left for you. [...] You have been sent to fight an adversary that inherently cannot be beaten - in foolish hopes that a miracle would happen and your outstanding mind would stumble upon that one-in-a-million chance. And just so that you wouldn’t give up, they kept insisting that the adversary must be destroy. Do you see how insidious the Powers That Be are?

Bachelor: But who’s the carrier t hen?

Inquisitor: The source, you mean? All the ventures up until now had one firm, yet criminal and idiotic, goal in mind - to make you look anywhere but the one place t hey were afraid you would find something! Why are you so sure that the source is a living person?

Bachelor: It’s in my reports. Everything adds up to confirm that hypothesis. 

Inquisitor: They did everything they could to make you think so. They’d throw  you pieces of information to that effect, even the most ridiculous of them, while concealing anything that would point to the contrary. And all that, mind you, with a genuine desire to stop the epidemic and preserve this whole...utopia.

Bachelor: What does t his have to do with the Powers That Be? I gathered information from the locals. I discovered my own arguments.

Inquisitor: And where did the locals get the information? You think it wasn’t from the Executors?

Bachelor: Executors? What do those corpse carriers have to do with anything?

Inquisitor: Indeed. All this time there have been several watchers active in the town. At least three are known. They kept numbers, wrote down their observations. Visited homes unbeknownst to the town’s rulers, disguised as corpse carriers. It was they - one of them - who sent you daily letters.

horrifying if true!

haha, no...but all jokes aside this is actually fucking terrifying. i think, before, i’d said i wasn’t sure if i was comfortable calling what happens to Daniil in the game ‘gaslighting’....but no, actually,  yeah. he’s stated several times by now that he feels like he’s going insane, and i think that’s part of the point. even if the audience (player) has picked up on the manipulation, Daniil hasn’t. he has a rather snarky attitude and depressing outlook on life, but the further you get in the game - for me, at least - the harder it gets to blame him for any of that. 

you’re never given any reason as to why he’s being subjected to this level of persecution. you know that the Powers That Be don’t like him, but you’re not really sure why. he’s pretentious and some of his dialogue makes him come across very insufferable with regards to his own set of beliefs, but despite what people are starting to parrot back at him in terms of opinions i don’t get the impression that he just doesn’t care about others. he cares, for example, at least a little about Rubin, a great deal about (the now-dead) Eva, expressed a lot of concern about Clara and her fate in talking to the Inquisitor, and as early as day 2 in Haruspex route people are indicating he cares a lot about Artemiy’s personal wellbeing. but he’s being manipulated and pushed in many different directions with the only real goal in mind is making sure he ends up dead - or wishing that he was.

[9th-nueves]

Oh. Ohh god this conversation really was absolutely insane huh. Scratch that, the entire quest! A fucking mess indeed. There is quite a few opportunities to be a mysoginistic asshole towards women in this game ("man's share is harder" yadda yadda) that i started glossing over them with barely a wince of acknowledgment that yes, this is very much a game written almost 20 years ago. When that quest came i merely rolled my eyes at the prompt to be an asshole and went for the gentle and polite route i pretty much always took... just to be met with this and the dialogue box closing in my face. At this point i was already side-eyeing Aspity, but i wasnt too surprised: she's absolutely insufferable to Daniil in his route, and i thought the whole thing ended at that. With a sigh, i reloaded my quick save and went through the convo again while trying to dodge the most bitchiest responses (didnt want to kill Willow). (Because how could i not, i ended up pointing a gun at a herb bride. So much for not wanting to kill an innocent woman, i guess! Worst part of it all? Because of Rubin's quest the day before, you can start this day at 20 rep, which can and WILL fuck you over... making the whole femicide bit actually attractive in gameplay terms. Insane shit.) In hindsight, this interpretation of events fits Aspity's character completely, and im not joking at all. Like her calling Artemy Daniil's boy toy is not even OOC, she has some really fucking weird issues regarding Daniil and sexuality. Like. Check this tree out:

Girl got some things to work through.

a thing that haunts me is how the “prickly prick who’ll bury us all” quote specifically comes from an encounter with aspity that artemy has where he has to be… like exaggeratedly, toxically masculine with her to progress the quest and if he’s honest and polite then she kinda accuses him of being the bachelor’s boy toy. like he’s been emasculated by his alliance with dankovsky. this context is underdiscussed in fandom, people use the quote like it’s completely unbiased and not like extremely charged and downright psychosexual

[emeraldembers]

Fic: Habits, Old and New (Artemy/Daniil, NC17)

Title: Habits, Old and New

Fandom: Мор. Утопия / Pathologic

Pairing: Artemy/Daniil (mention of past Daniil/Others)

Summary: In which Daniil hasn't had the healthiest relationship with sex in the past, and Artemy tries to help him fix that.

Warnings: The references to Daniil’s past mention alcohol abuse, dubious consent, and bad BDSM practice.

Author’s Notes: Originally written for the prompt “During his university days, Daniil made reckless choices out of desperation and self-hatred. Either he's fallen into old patterns in the Town-on-Gorkhon, or he's with someone who breaks them, and he's reflecting on it. Lots of introspection, please!“ over on the Pathologic kink meme.

Comments loved and encouraged!

AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/24252691

* * *

The Broken Heart's twyrine tasted awful, and Daniil had enjoyed bonding over its awfulness with friends old and new when the atmosphere changed and the pit of his stomach dropped out. He could see how Artemy was looking at him. He could see the laughter in Andrey's eyes, recognising that look.

Artemy wanted to fuck him.

Daniil figured he might as well get the hassle of sex over and done with, downed the contents of his glass in one go before pulling on his coat, and waited for Artemy to join him for the walk back to the Stillwater.

"I enjoyed tonight," Artemy said as they left the Broken Heart, and Daniil forced a smile, knowing the script off by heart.

"Will you walk me home?"

Artemy looked at him for a moment before taking his wrists, tracing his thumbs over Daniil's pulse points and waiting for something Daniil couldn't guess at. After an awkward pause, Daniil cleared his throat, if only to break the silent.

"Another time," Artemy said before letting go and walking off in the direction of his own home, looking back over his shoulder just once before disappearing into the night.

Daniil wasn't sure whether to be offended or relieved. Mostly, he was just confused.

Sex in the Capital was a simple affair. Andrey had introduced him to the process at university, once assured that Daniil had lost his virginity the 'natural' way - blind drunk with a stranger at a party. Andrey would talk their way into clubhouses where Daniil would strike conversations up with other men, wait for them to stop pretending to listen to him, and drink whatever they offered before he would be taken into a back room and fucked.

Sometimes they only wanted his hands or his mouth, but more often than not they wanted him bent over. For a few hours he would hear his praises sung for being small, soft-voiced, and pretty, and there seemed no shortage of men willing to provide that service, just as Andrey had promised him on his first venture into that world.

"You're a born entertainer, my friend. Anyone would love you for an evening."

Another night, Artemy invited Daniil to come with him on a herb picking walk. Daniil knew by now to wear boots and warm clothes when leaving town for the steppe, and Artemy was similarly well-wrapped up for the occasion.

Cold air and marshland weren't exactly known for their erotic potential, and once he found somewhere he could stand on without his boots sinking into mud, Daniil asked, "What am I doing here?"

Even in the dark, Daniil could see Artemy's frown. "I've given you plenty of reasons to be scared of me. I want to fix that, before anything else changes."

Daniil sneered. "And you thought taking me for a walk in the dark, in the middle of nowhere, would help?"

"If I bring you home safely, yes."

As fundamentally flawed as that logic was, Daniil could understand it. "I have a gun, you idiot."

"I don't want you to need it if I kiss you."

Daniil was struck by the image of holding a gun to Artemy's head while kissing him, and laughed despite himself. "No, I suppose you wouldn't."

Artemy's frown softened, and Daniil felt something inside himself soften with it.

Daniil didn't remember losing his virginity. He remembered the man he'd lost it to, if only just - a tall and slim figure with mousy brown hair, and a long but attractive enough face. Daniil had drunk too much to remember the night's events, but the evidence of them had dried on his stomach, and remained dried under his clothes as he was briskly shown out of the stranger's home.

The few friends who knew Daniil's preferences cheered for him when they found out, but it was hard to feel proud of something he didn't remember.

The news spread quickly, Andrey and others teasing Daniil for no longer being forbidden fruit, and Daniil soon found he could have his pick of men as long as he didn't ask too many questions.

He could save being clever for university. If he wanted company in his free time, that demanded a different kind of clever mouth.

"You don't have to fuck me if you don't want to," Daniil said, once he was sure the children were out of earshot.

"Boleesh!" Artemy snapped, setting down his tools. "Oynon, Daniil, you're not ready. I'm not ready. I don't want to hurt you."

"Why should it matter if it hurts? It's just sex, if we just get it over with and go back to being friends -"

"Of course it matters!" Artemy shouted, and Daniil's blood ran cold, froze him in place. Artemy's face fell. "Of course it matters," he repeated, softer.

"Don't touch me," Daniil spat.

"I won't," Artemy said, sitting down, and Daniil willed his body to do anything but cry in response to the small relief of Artemy removing the threat imposed by his height.

"I don't know what you want from me."

"Neither do I."

"I'm so fucking lonely. I wanted - I thought -" Daniil grit his teeth, pained by the admission. "I thought you actually liked talking to me."

"I do." Artemy had the decency to look somewhat abashed when Daniil narrowed his eyes. "Most of the time. When you aren't being insufferably pretentious."

Daniil snorted, figuring he probably deserved that. "I don't want you to tire of me."

"I haven't tired of you yet. What makes you so sure I'd tire of you now?"

Artemy held up his hands and Daniil stared at them a moment before remembering that strange night at the Broken Heart, placed his wrists into them so that Artemy could trace his pulse points again.

Daniil let himself relax, finally understanding what Artemy had been searching for that night. After a few minutes of calm Artemy stood up, chest to chest with him, close enough that Daniil could feel his warmth. Close enough that Daniil could feel the rise and fall of every breath he took.

Daniil wanted him, and closed his eyes to memorise that feeling.

As irony would have it, the problem with fucking strangers was that it got so repetitive after a while. People still wanted him - he was still young enough and still pretty enough - but their desire had grown as mind-numbing as alcohol. Besides, Daniil had seen men who'd aged out of the role he filled, some plastered with makeup to try and hide their lost beauty, and the thought of that as his future made him feel ill.

Andrey always knew where there were boundaries to be broken, and introduced Daniil to new friends and new experiences; mixing pain and pleasure was the order of the day in these clubs, and Daniil's skin, which had always bruised like a peach, was the perfect canvas for so many artists.

They taught him new words for "no" and "stop", and he did all that he could not to use them. He wanted the admiration of those testing his limits, he wanted to prove to himself he had nothing to fear.

When Daniil woke with a blinding headache, bruised throat, and someone with a knife cutting him free from the ropes that had choked him, he knew he had grown addicted to danger.

But that danger made him feel something, and the addiction to adrenaline kept bringing him back.

The air had felt heavy from the moment Artemy put Sticky and Murky to bed, heavier still when Artemy took him by the hand and led him to his own bedroom, leaving Daniil lightheaded. He wondered if he had felt this sort of excitement back when he lost his virginity, or if the alcohol would have dulled the experience, then decided it was better not to dwell. He had lost that memory; he had a chance to create a new one now.

Artemy closed the door, locked it, and led Daniil to the bed to lie down.

"We don't have to do anything," Artemy said, and Daniil, tired of waiting, kissed him.

Artemy's lips were softer than he had imagined, giving way easily as Daniil nudged them open, wanting the heat of his mouth.

It was the permission Artemy had needed to touch him in return, grabbing at Daniil's sides with those warm, rough, beautiful hands, searing everywhere he touched. Daniil slipped a hand under his sweater, over his stomach, marvelled at the heat of him. It was like a furnace burned inside him, and Daniil thrilled at the thought of stoking that fire.

Daniil knew they didn't have to rush things, but the temptation just to know got the better of him as he reached down, feeling the shape of Artemy's cock through his pants, and that earlier lightheadedness returned with a vengeance when he found it hard.

"Don't let me ruin you," Daniil said, "God, please, don't let me ruin you."

Artemy rolled on top of him, kissed him again with those soft lips, framed his face with those warm hands. "You won't."

Daniil could barely breathe, a knot tight in his throat, and Artemy's eyes widened with recognition.

"You aren't spoiled."

Daniil thought about hitting him, biting him, kicking him, doing something to prove him wrong, but Artemy's hands held him steady. His eyes, so sure, so unwaveringly certain, kept Daniil pinned, and Artemy stroked through his hair, blunt nails scraping blissfully against his scalp.

Daniil wanted to believe him.

"Can we just sleep?" Daniil asked, and Artemy nodded, shifting down the bed to rest his head on Daniil's chest.

Artemy fell asleep quickly, or at least feigned it well, and with the weight and warmth of Artemy covering him, it wasn't hard for Daniil to follow suit.

The first time Daniil had a panic attack during sex, the man fucking him had left.

He just got up, dressed quickly, and left.

Daniil still remembered the exact sound the door had made when it slammed shut.

Daniil woke up underneath Artemy, unsure how long he had slept for. Artemy's head was still a heavy, almost uncomfortable weight on his chest, and he wore an endearingly determined frown as he slept, as if his dreams required concentration.

Daniil reached down to press his thumb between Artemy's eyebrows, stroking away the frown, and smiled when Artemy stirred at the touch.

The smile turned into a laugh when Artemy sat up, and Daniil could see the indents his shirt buttons had left on half of Artemy's face.

"I branded you in my sleep," Daniil teased, and Artemy rubbed his cheek before looking down at Daniil's shirt and groaning.

"That's enough of that," Artemy grumbled, starting to unbutton Daniil's shirt to prevent any further 'branding'.

It was only when Artemy's fingers brushed over Daniil's stomach that a spike of arousal shot through him. Daniil's morning erection, previously disregarded, twitched with purpose, and when Artemy finished opening his shirt, Daniil took Artemy's hand and pressed it between his legs. Even through cloth, the strength of that hand felt good.

Artemy didn't ask any questions, palming Daniil roughly before unbuckling his pants, Daniil arching his hips to let Artemy pull them down just enough.

He could have cried when he heard a knock at the door, but Artemy didn't take his eyes off him, or his hands.

"Give me ten minutes," he shouted, the rough skin of his palms making Daniil shiver, and Daniil almost, almost forgot to bite his tongue when Artemy bent to take him in his mouth.

It was the sight of him as much as anything else that made Daniil's pulse race, even if Artemy was still fully clothed; Daniil loved the breadth of his shoulders, the width of his arms, and the way his long dark eyelashes fanned against hollowed cheeks.

Any other time he would have wanted to last longer, but the threat of further interruptions meant there was little point in trying, and the rough skin of Artemy's hands and wet heat of Artemy's mouth felt so good. He tugged on Artemy's hair to warn him, but Artemy only took the warning as a cue to suck harder, to gently squeeze his balls, and Daniil spilled into his mouth with a harsh gasp.

Daniil wished he could read Artemy's face better, but he seemed satisfied enough as he pulled away with red, wet lips, tucking Daniil back into his pants and buttoning his shirt up enough to be decent. "Come on. Sticky will get cranky if we miss breakfast."

Daniil sat up and rested a hand on Artemy's thigh, feeling pleasantly drained. "I haven't done anything for you, yet."

Artemy shook his head, pressed a kiss to Daniil's shoulder. "You're wrong about that," Artemy said, squeezing Daniil's hand before removing it from his thigh, getting up, and unlocking the door, leaving it open for Daniil as he left.

Daniil sat a moment longer, taking in the room's modest furnishings, the smell of sweat and coffee, the knowledge he was welcome to stay. He could get used to this lifestyle, if he tried. Artemy clearly wanted him to.

Artemy's world was so much smaller than the Capital's.

But Daniil hoped it was one he would never tire of.

[thescrapbookingscientist]

Biweekly Media Roundup

- Death On The Nile (Movie) - Welp, This sure was a movie.

- Hilda and the Mountain King (Movie) - This was more of a season finale than a movie in of itself, but I do really like Hilda. The color pallet and designs are all unique and lovely, the worldbuilding is consistent and unique, and it’s super refreshing to see a kids adventure series where the child protagonist has a good relationship with their parent. The movie itself was...okay. It was a fine enough plot but it felt like it could have been a regular length episode if they just cut out some fat, as a lot of the cast weren’t given much to do.

- Spiderman No Way Home (Movie) - This was a lot of fun! Lots of great comedic beats, it was nice to see all the spidermen and villains together and their interactions were all great. I love casual banter between villains and hero’s so this really hit, and I appreciate how unashamedly wholesome this version of spiderman tends to be, it has a lot of heart. I’d like to do a rewatch at some point when I don’t have to pay like $20 for it. Also, love the post credit scene where Eddie and Venom where just having a nice vacation the whole time. Good for them. Like most people I am really feeling the marvel burnout, so I wasn’t in a hurry to see this, but I am really glad I did, the Spiderman franchise just has straight up winners nonstop.

- All Saints Street (Web Series) - Again super cute series, I’m excited for Crystal to show up in the anime as she’s super fun in the webcomic.

- The Magnus Archives (Podcast) - Goodnight Sweet Prince, you were a wonderful hyper fixation while you lasted, and you will be missed.

- Pathologic (Video Games) - Oh boy, this has been the biggest media I’ve been into lately, after watching a few long video essays, I’ve been making my way through all 3 routes in the classic version and plan to get to Patho 2 next. I’ll hold off on most of my thoughts until I can complete one of the games in full, but as far as first impressions go, I love Daniil and how much of a little bitch he is, Artemy surprised me in his characterization, he’s simultaneously big hearted and extremely brutal (reminds me of Tsukishima from Golden Kamuy), the music is pretty baller, love the design of the polyhedron, both love and hate the ugly brown color palate (so great for fitting the mood, so hard to look at), I am getting a headache trying to figure out what anyone is saying at any point, and I love Daniil and Artemy’s voice lines and how many of them are basically just “I’m tired and I want to die”. Big mood.

- Schitt’s Creek (TV) - Background Series my sister started while I work my desk job. It’s pretty good so far, not laugh out loud funny but has a pleasant atmosphere and humorous set up. I wish I liked the characters a bit more, as they kind of occupy this space of purposely not being good, lovable people, but not really being terrible enough to be funny a la IASiP style. Like, they’re decent enough people that I’m rooting for them not to fail but also insufferable enough to not understand why so much of the supporting cast put up with them. But hey, I’m sure I’ll get more attached over time.

- Arcane (TV) - Have my family watching this right now. Trying to pick up on all the parallels and foreshadowing I missed the first time. Still really impressed by the visuals and tight writing. Also we got to the episode where Cat and Vi met and my sister was like “I hope they can become good friends :)”. Which. Yeah they sure are “good friends” alright lol. Gal Pals you could say.

- Golden Kamuy (Manga) - Apparently there’s only like 2 or 3 chapters left until it ends?? Huh? Not sure how it’ll get wrapped up in that time but looking forward to finding out.

Listening to: Hypnotic by Zella Day, Sway by Michael Buble, Be Kind by Halsey, Losing My Religion cover by Bellsaint, Moana OST, Shivers by Ed Sheeran, Black Magic by Little Mix, Two Evils by Bastille, Pathologic OST, Cat’s in the Cradle by Harry Chapin, Curses by The Crane Wives, Brandy by Looking Glass

[ranboo5]

#first of all top ten posts that make u wanna rewatch the hbomberguy video but second of all absolUTELY i see the vision #im assuming the general vibes would be drm artemy wilbur daniil ranboo clara? #can you fucking imagine the enderwalk arc/the stress it put on c!ranboo's sense of self except he's regularly running into the 'other #version' of himself. #you better hope he no clips to the playground as soon as possible that sounds like top ten ways to make him worse #but also im crying laughing abt wilbur daniil. the Original insufferable prick. vintage even #he Would do the cow burning thing #OH WAIT WAIT AND THE OBSESSION W IMMORTALITY. THATS LIKE BARELY ONE STEPPED REMOVE FROM LEGACY. THE VISION!! #and also doesn't [Artemy] have the child murder quest. drm already did that in canon for way worse reasons its all coming together #i do really really like the idea of a ranboo who becomes aware its all fictional but outwardly changes extremely little. cause all the #ppl + stakes are still equally important to him now he just has a more specific enemy than the uncaring universe #i think its too presumptuous to say it would fix him or water his crops or w/e #but it would tessalate him a lil bit. rotate that guy around #also sorry but drm having to break wilbur out of jail. DRM LEGITIMATELY PREPARING FOR THE 'JUMP IN A HOLE AND DIE' MISSION IN RANBOO'S ROUT #i can't stop thinking about angles noonethinkslikethisyouareabrokenpersontrio is truly the gift that keeps on giving

I think it's a little more complicated bc the immortality thing also could definitely b Dreamcore and while he's connected 2 the earth and generally regarded with the animosity of a serial killer he doesn't have the interpersonal swag. Artemy is not Dreamcoded he doesn't deserve this. We have to do surgery on the healers

I think Ranboo and Wilbur r both roughly equal parts Clara and Daniil the duality thing is kind of a given (tho it does have to be a Specific Read of Clara+mirror Clara) but like in terms of the methodical Ranboo is definitely the most Facts And Logic out of the three of them... Like in my brain Wilbur has Clara's gloves and hat but Daniil's coat etc. I'm Warring over the way the Map Changes 4 all of them I feel like this will unlock the key points of who gets what Arcs here but I'm kinda stuck on unpicking it... I think tho that Artemy's final map makes the most sense for Ranboo Daniil's for Wilbur and Clara's for Dream and this is something I have to rotate in my brain a while longer I can't do it rn but I think this is the Theme Keys

And I'M SRSLY OBSESSED WITH UR SUGGESTION ABT THE WHOLE FICTIONALITY AND RANBOO THING LIKE YOU'RE SOOOO RIGHT THEY WOULD B MOST CONCERNED ABT THEIR OWN ONTOLOGICAL LAYER AND IT WOULD TESSELATE HIM IT WOULD LIKE WE ALREADY SEE IN CANON HOW HE REACTS 2 SURVEILLANCE AND IT'S ARGUABLY BETTER THAN EITHER DEDICATED STAGE PLAYER IN WILBUR AND DREAM AND AGAHDGBSCDHDHCHDHFBDB

Noonethinkslikethisyoureabrokenpersontrio (Dream+Ranboo+Wilbur) Pathologic AU.