#you guys have fun with them though! some of the ones ive seen are really clever

[thatcatbasil]

happy valentines-day-was-actually-yesterday-and-not-today day take these dorks kissing

these next two are actually from last month but i threw them into my drafts and forgot to actually post them so i'm including them here

[midday-clouds]

Yandere Batfamily x Neglected & "Immortal" Reader 》 III

Part I Part II Part IV Part V

Took me so long to figure out how the rest of the story could go XP Also, I've seen how some of y'all want the reader to become a vigilante/villain :) It is definitely possible but not with the current story idea I have in mind. Maybe one day, I'll make a side story where the reader becomes a vigilante/villain

CW: Violence (Bar Fight), Stalking, Blood, "Death"

It has been a few weeks since you moved into Bludhaven and Nightwing being your nighttime companion

He always comes over to your apartment with a couple of injuries and asks to stay a bit

With Nightwing’s instructions, you learn to bandage injuries to help the hero

Maybe it’s because your mental wounds from your neglectful family are still fresh, but Nightwing quickly started to grow on you.

It just feels nice to have a friend while adjusting to your new life.

It also could be because he actually came to the rescue when you were attacked

This does make you wonder why Batman didn’t save you in Gotham but who knows what that big guy does.

Another thing you wonder about sometimes is who Nightwing is.

You were never really curious about the vigilantes in Gotham, even though four well-known vigilantes resided there.

Ever since you met Nightwing, you tried doing some research on him but you immediately stopped when you saw the words “Richard Grayson” in an article.

While the batfamily would be more than happy to stay in Bluvenon so they can meet you, Gotham needed them. (Also they may overwhelm you)

Because of this, the family (except Dick and Jason) return home where more plans are made.

Jason decided that he will be the next person you meet and he won’t take no for an answer.

There is one problem though, you’ve seen Jason with his Red Hood attire

You may not have connected the dots at the time but you definitely will when you see him again.

After debating with Dick, Jason finally agrees to primarily watch you from a distance

In an attempt to meet more people, you decided to participate in some summer events that your college was hosting

You make a couple of friends and go out together

College classes are just around the corner and your friends suggested going out to a bar

This is a special moment so you decide to go with them

You all made plans on the designated driver and kept an eye out for your drinks

When you go to the bar, it's almost sunset.

This is your first time drinking but you trust your friends to keep you safe. (You ended up hating the taste)

Unknown to you, Jason is watching you from outside of the bar

If it was Dick’s turn to watch over you, he’d drag you back to your apartment.

Jason just allows you to have your fun time with friends, getting lost in how happy and innocent you seem.

This all crashes down when a fight suddenly happens right next to you

You and your friends try to get away from the scene but you're suddenly knocked to the ground

A drunk person slams a glass of alcohol next to you, probably mistaking you for someone else, which gives you a ton of small cuts.

Jason quickly puts on his mask and breaks into the bar. He beats up any drunk person who tries to stop him from reaching you.

Your sober friend tries to pull you away from the fight but is worried about all of your cuts

Red Hood suddenly appears to drag you and your friend away from the fight.

The fight gets worse and some random person seems to have called the ambulance

When the ambulance arrives, your sober friend hands you over to them and Red Hood disappears

You’re given a few bandages before the medic has to focus on another injured individual

In your dizzy state, you manage to slip away to stop the ringing in your ears

Something in you also told you it wasn’t safe to go to the hospital

Walking through an alley, your bandages seem to loosen and you eventually collapse on the ground from blood loss

Red Hood steps away for a second and you suddenly disappear.

He didn't want to be seen by the ambulance so he got onto a nearby rooftop to update Nightwing on the situation.

At least you didn't get far but the blood pooling under you slowly grows. This would be the second time you died

Nightwing appears and finds you wrapped up in a jacket while Red Hood picks you up off the ground.

One of the walls of the alley seems to have gotten a hole from Red Hood punching it out of frustration

Getting closer, Nightwing can see that you were given fresh bandages before being wrapped up in Red Hood’s jacket.

Also, you’re still breathing!

Seeing that you may still be alive, you’re taken to Nightwing’s apartment

Red Hood places you on the bed while Nightwing contacts Batman.

After one final look over and a blanket thrown over your body, Red Hood joins Nightwing in the living room

You slowly wake up in an unknown room and immediately sit up

The first thing you notice is how dark the room is

Squinting a bit, you find a lamp on the nightstand and turn it on

You find yourself in a bedroom with a blue and black color palette

There’s a desk in front of the bed with two computer monitors

You turn on the computer to see the date and immediately recognize a name

Richard Grayson

The name is enough to fill you with annoyance but you try to stay focused

How did you get here? Are you back in Gotham? Back at the manor?

You go to the bedroom door to find a living room instead of a hallway

Maybe you were still in Bludhaven?

This room definitely looks like it belongs to Dick

You never found his room in the manor but you did learn about some of his interests when you tried to befriend him (Alfred had to tell you all this)

As you finish snooping around the bedroom, a sound from the other room makes you freeze up

You quickly turn the light off, lay back on the bed, close your eyes and pretend to be sleeping

There are some voices in the living room but it's hard to hear past the sound of your racing heartbeat

Your heart almost stops when you hear the bedroom door open and the voices get louder.

At least you can actually understand what they’re saying now

They mention Batman, Robin, Demon Spawn, and other things you don't understand.

Maybe this was Dick and his friend talking about vigilantes? Though…one of them sounds familiar….

Your train of thought is cut off by someone putting their wait on the bed and running their hand through your hair

To distract yourself, you try to recognize the voice the best you can. Could it be Nightwing? Does Dick know him?

A kiss is placed on your forehead before the two people leave the bedroom.

After waiting a couple of moments, you open your eyes and confirm that you’re alone.

You slowly slip out of bed to try to listen to hear more of their conversation.

It seems that they called someone because there are new voices but it isn't that clear

The conversation begins to scare you as they talk about you.

Calling you their sibling/daughter and status on how your injuries were healing

Based on what is being said, you figure out that five vigilantes know quite a bit about you…

Deciding that you’ve had enough, you find a way to sneak out of the apartment

Looking out the window, it looks like you're a few floors high.

You carefully open the window as quietly as you can and peek outside to find a fire escape just one window away

You must be lucky because you reach the stairs safely and immediately start going down the stairs

The sun is about to rise and you realize that you don't know where you are

You run around for an unknown amount of time before finding a bus stop

There isn't any money on you so you just pick up a map for the bus route

Looking over the map, you’re able to find a familiar street before finally making it home

It took you a long time to get a new key because you basically had nothing on you but eventually, you were able to finally collapse on your bed

You fall asleep immediately

By the time you wake up, it is night again

Getting up, you start making yourself some food while some research on vigilantes

Focused on finding answers, you’re able to connect the dots on who the vigilantes are based on your information from when you lived in the manor

At some point, a knock is heard from your window

On instinct, you walk over to your window and open your curtains

Seeing Nightwing and his dumb smile fills you with rage. Which you are more than happy to let him know

You close your curtain and can faintly hear Nightwing trying to talk to you from the other side of the window

Well, it seems that you now know their identity

Jason saw and heard you run off. He and Dick were about to follow but Bruce told them to not follow you

The next night, Jason watch you reject Dick as he tried to pretend last night didn’t even happen

But it seems you weren’t having any of it

Dick returns to Jason, dejected

A new plan would have to be made, and Tim knows exactly how to get back on track

[stemmmm]

Billford fic recs!

I was asked a while ago (i believe by @kerink ?) when I shared a list of the currently active fics I was reading if I could do a broader rec list as well, so here it is! not a ton of oneshots since I didn't try to keep good track of fics until very recently. will likely update this over time!

there is ONE non-triangle bill in here, but what he is in that one is vague so maybe he could still be the triangle. schrodingers triangle.

Collections:

Valentines 3K challenge (all explicit)

you know it. you love it. if you haven't read all of them though, you're missing the fuck out

Stan Bros Coffee (G and explicit)

the espresso-Bill AU! there's a bunch of little fics about it and they're all in here!

Oneshots: (most oneshot recs are in the collections)

Eternal Devotion - Illusions of the Heart (explicit)

have you ever read a horror story posing as a love story? are you interested in the most unhinged yet cohesive internal monologue ever crafted? do you wonder why keyhole suddenly became so prominent in the fandom out of nowhere? all of these and more await you in here. click the link-- i am a normal fanfic

touch and go (teen)

it's portal ford, baby! great exploration of what prolonged isolation does to people and has excellent bill being sweeties

Haha He Fucked That...Spider? (explicit)

again, portal ford! he's the master of getting himself in stupid situations, and bill is the master of getting him out of them in the ways ford appreciates the least

Longfics:

Theseus' Guide To Ruining A Perfectly Good Boat (mature) (complete in my heart bc i know what happens)

why are you still following me if you haven't read this yet. y'all know what this is

Then it becomes, it becomes, it becomes a problem (mature) (complete)

how bad do things have to get before bill finally chooses to cut his shit out? the answer may surprise you! during-betrayal fic where bill makes the ingenious decision to bring a third party into the mix as if that would solve anything. breathtaking prose, magnificent character work, and the best fucking bill cipher writing and analysis there is! SO funny, SO raw and emotional. Jan deserves to ascend to godhood at the cost of all of her family and friends. as a treat.

Property of Bill Cipher (explicit) (good as complete)

pre-portal character exploration. the only fic i think ive ever seen that dares to say bill was doing extremely fucked up shit with ford the entire time before things went bad between them, it's just that after the betrayal, ford viewed it all in a different light. handles bill's obsession with the guy so nicely, does not shy away from the scary and unnerving in just the way i love it! it's incomplete, but the story is really just a series of vignettes leading up to and a little after the betrayal, so we all know how this is all going to end anyways. this one is formative billford for me

Creative Solution (unrated, but i'd call it mature) (complete)

what if bill erased ford's memories of the betrayal and weirdmageddon happened? touches on what it's like to be in a relationship where you're both deeply mentally ill and insecure in a way that really, truly hits me. absolute masterwork of digging through bill's fucked up psyche and the ways in which he Can and Will spiral forever

Multiversal Manhunt Moved to Your Backyard (explicit, but only the final chapter) (complete)

set during weirdmageddon, bill and ford make a deal to play a game of sexy scary hide and seek. it's so fun to root for the villain. this author has an amazing grasp on the character voices and tone, this is SUCH a delightful read and despite knowing exactly how it's gonna end, the tension still keeps you at the edge of your seat!

On the Level (mature) (incomplete)

marine biology AU where ford is a researcher on a deep sea base and bill is some sort of eldritch horror at the bottom of the sea. writing is lovely and it's really got the slow, ominous horror vibe down pat. it's tagged for Alien(1979) references so i'm personally waiting for bill to violently murder all of these people <3 also this is the non-triangle fic i was referring to

Take A Chance (explicit) (incomplete)

handyman bill thats very focused on how poorly bill and ford are able to communicate with each other, and boy, theyre bad at it. lots of cute family shenanigans and overall a very lighthearted read!

Impossible Geometries and Biologies (explicit) (incomplete)

the only pregnant bill fic i'll ever read because its carried by so much fun speculative biology. really has you nodding along like okay, okay even if i might not agree, i can see what you're cooking. my continued interest hinges heavily on whether or not they choose to kill bill off but i imagine we won't know if that happens for at least 2 more chapters

[muwapsturniolo]

WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON WITH STURNIOLO TUMBLR, AND HOW DO WE FIX IT?

im actually sick and tired of all the bs on this app and I'm being fr.

there has been sm drama, and trust, I've had my fair share of it and this seems hypocritical but it gets to a point where you get tired of the shit.

im tired of getting into drama, ive told my close friends on here that, I've said it to myself so many times and I've been actively avoiding getting into shit that could get me into drama.

it's fucking draining.

im sure you guys are tired of seeing the drama, and i can understand why. you come on this app to get away from drama, you come on this app to kick your feet and giggle with your friends.

it seems like tumblr has become a cesspool of copying, hate, expose acct, and wild ass anons.

i wanna give my thoughts on all of those.

copying:

i really don't get it. like actually. you have writers on here who work hard, spending days trying to work out a fic/new au, only for someone to copy the idea with no credit, or they flat out copy and paste. its so frustrating and im being fr when i ask, what do you get out of copying like that? do you get off on upsetting people or getting them riled up? do you enjoy when you get attention even though it's negative? it doesn't make sense and i can't wrap my head around it. writing may come easier to some people and for others it doesn't, that does not give you an excuse to act like that. if you like an idea sm, ask the OG writer if its ok for you to write your own version. if you don't want to ask for reasons idk, at least tag our user or just put the link to the fic to give credit. its really not that hard! most of the drama on this app does come from people copying and not giving credit, it gets the writers in a tizzy, the anons get wild, and suddenly the OG writer is the bad guy.

expose accts:

we have all seen these expose accts and had run-ins with them. i truly don't know why they exist because usually they are made to hate on one person. you don't have to like that person, you arent obligated to like anyone. but making a hate acct for her or simply sending in hate to these accts about her and others is actually insane. these accts are so fucking draining and its like a constant back and forth because most of the shit they post about, its shit that has been addressed A LONG TIME AGO or hold no weight for the convo they are attempting to have. with that being said, its also people you will get into with on here, that will make posts about it and suddenly they allow all the hate in the world to be sent to them and they answer it. am i projecting? yeah i am, because this shit makes no sense. you want tumblr to be fun but you're making posts actively hating on me and others? you want tumblr to be fun but you're shading people and threatening to expose these people as if this is middle school? and let me just throw this in here, i really do hate when i have a bad interaction with someone and they post about it and suddenly ALLLLL of tumblr has been scorned by me when in reality idk half of you bitches nor know you by username nor have i had a convo with you. so how have i scorned you? the answer is most of yall havent been scored by me or others, you may just not like us and it's fine. but learn to hate in silence, otherwise drama is all we are going to see.

hate/wild ass anons:

CHILLEEEEEEEE, let me tell yall something. i truly do believe the wild ass anons are the main people starting shit and let me tell you why. anons have the ability to hide behind a damn screen, the drama hungry ones literally get off on going into peoples inbox and sending hate about that person, or other people. they know who will react and who wont. ive had anons come in my inbox saying someone copied me, and then i go check and there is literally nothing there. I've had people come in my inbox saying wild shit to me because they feel like they can cuz they arent saying it with their chest off anon. its crazy because truly, what makes them think they could act that way? it's not ok and it's draining seeing so many people hide behind a screen and hate just because they think its funny. ALSO, THE TYPE OF HATE PEOPLE GET IS CRAZY!!! TWWWWW!!! why are we getting death threats and being told we should slit our wrists and get raped? why are you saying you hope we get tortured and our whole family dies? like fuck, I'm not above telling someone to die, that's something i gotta fix with myself, but I'm never going to outright say disgusting shit like that and wish sexual assault/abuse on you. do fucking better.

BIG BLOG AND MEAN GIRL ENERGY

something that has always annoyed me was when people talk about big blogs is , yall have certain ppl in mind but you don't say who you are talking about when talking shit, but yall make it so obvious and that leads to people going in your inbox talking shit, and then the big blogs get upset and either act out or block, AND THEN YALL GET UPSET FOR GETTING BLOCKED!!! LIKE THIS SHIT IS INSANE!!! ITS ONE BIG LOOP OF STRAIGHT SHIT FROM THE BUTT AND ITS ANNOYING. a block is not that serious and i hate when a big blog blocks somebody, its like fucking presidents day and suddenly its a big deal and everyone HAS TO KNOW, when in reality, no one does! the same way yall block people on insta, twitter, snap, fucking Pinterest, WE CAN DO THAT ON TUMBLR AND IT SHOULDNT BE A FUCKING ISSUE!!! ALSO, im so tired of the clique talk and big blogs being mean shit. i can't speak for other people, but ik I'm not cliqued up and I'm not a mean person. i have made so many friends as of recent on here that i love and hype up constantly, I've always followed ppl back even to the point where i hit the fucking following limit which is 5K PEOPLE!!! i reblog fics all the time, i ask for more parts, i even help people with writing! ik others who do the same so it baffles me when they say we mean girls and cliqued up. we mean cuz we calling ppl out for copying and their bs? we clicked up cuz we're big blogs and talk to each other? im not saying this to be a bitch but it does seem like yall wanna be big blogs as well and you're upset we don't interact with your fics as much as others. and I'm sorry for that and I'm not trying to make excuses but we cant see everything! now to yall points, yeah alot of people stick to the writers they know and hype up the same ones. i will be the first to admit that's not ok and they should branch out and read smaller writers works, ill even be the first say more big blogs should do the same!!! now the big question is,

HOW DO WE FIX IT???

truth be told, there is no perfect solution to anything but this is what i came up with. for copying i want to say, just be original. even if you feel like your writing isn't good which makes you want to copy, KEEP WRITING ORIGINAL SHIT!!! there will be someone out there who fucks with it and will beg for more. if you truly do wanna do your version of someone else's fic, just ask. ik for a fact i will say yes and reblog and hype you up! for expose accts, block them and move on. lets stop entertaining them. they don't deserve our time and they feed off the attention. less attention they get, less of them will pop up. of course ppl will still interact and send them stuff about people, but we gotta learn to just ignore. for hate and anons, same with exposing accts. block and move on. i would tell everyone to turn off anons forever but that wouldn't be fair to the anons that actually act right and they don't deserve to have that taken from them. for big blogs what i can say in regards to big blogs is, lets do better for the other writers on this app. if you don't already, start interacting with smaller writers and hyping them up!!! ik when i was just starting out that their words of encouragement would have helped me a lot! as for the people who dont like the bigger blogs or wish we would do more, you don't have to like us, but don't send hate about us to others. truth be told it makes us not want to interact with anyone but our close friends and that's when drama starts and the community starts dividing.

i want better for this community, and again, i have had my fair share of drama. i can own up to that, but i can understand and see when change needs to happen and I'm ready for that change and I'm ready to get back to being a fun community.

you dont have to like me at all but i do hope what i said in this long ass post can at least be something we mutually agree on.

[surelysilly]

i love your King Of Hell Danny (superphantom) au and i would greatly (very much) appreciate it if you could talk more about it (King Of Hell Danny) i love his (danny) smug cat energy (smug) in all of your drawing for it (hell is under New Management)

i hope you're ready for this some rambling but ask and you shall receive!!! yes i waited to post this for superphantom week i gotta shill for my own event, y'know :9

So. You want to know more about King of Hell Danny, is it?

part 1 / part 2 / part 3 / part 4 / part 5

Well. Well. He's certainly Danny. Or more specifically I've decided as of recent, Dark Danny. I'm waffling on whether he's Dan Dark Danny or just... Phantom sans Plasimus. The latter feels less likely as i try to flesh him out, but you never know with these guys... he does prefer to look like his 14 yr old self though.

But whatever version he is of himself... it's post-TUE, and he hates himself more than anyone is allowed to know.

Not sure exactly how he ended up in the SPNverse (portal probably!), but he'd definitely prefer going back to his own world/dimension in a heavily buried sense of self-flagellation and unreliable narrator-ness.

Everyone is waiting for him there, not here, wherever he is exactly. This implies anyone is left alive, but he never said that. People (Crowley, etc.) just assume so.

and he's the worst lil jerk you could ever meet, at a first, second, and third, glance, anyway.

Smug cat, indeed. He does what he wants, when he wants, how he wants, and taking over Hell felt right. (isn't that where he'd go? he thinks, after learning Hell is actually real.)

he's overpowered for sure, but it also comes from a misconception for what he is. Not a demon, not human, a secret Third Thing: weird ghost.

i like to think most regular ghost counter measures work on him, but no one thinks to try them because that ain't no ghost??? He plays the part really well though, pretending to be a demon (and gets mislabelled a crossroads demon for his red eyes) -- it doesn't bother him to kill people, but he doesn't go out of his way to do it anymore.

KOH!Danny having it out for the Winchesters is a very thoughtless and fun thing, and it would piss him off when they try to summon Crowley, but in all actuality, he'd probably end up begrudgingly working with them or something.

And ultimately betray them.

I also think his goal would be to fuse with Lucifer when he's freed from the Cage. That should give him enough power to bust a hole back to his OG dimension, right?

maybe. Who knows.

You can certainly find him at DIY skateparks across the globe. He's an asshole to anyone and everyone, but god have mercy on anyone looking to cause trouble while he's trying to have a good time (he feels guilty about it, though, having fun -- it's a circle of shame/guilt/fuck it we ball mentality, here for a good time not a long time).

he can 'see' Castiel's wings and if in his presense, will pluck at them because he's annoying like that.

Crowley became his lap dog though, regardless of intial beheadings because... Hell generates a lot of paperwork the way Crowley was running it, and KOH!Danny don't got the time for all of that.

eventually I'm sure someone will figure him out, ghost weaknesses and all, but it's not 1:1 SPNverse ghost: no bones to burn, no records of him being alive ever, etc., but he's definitely solid enough.

i could see a later quest like what the Winchesters did to find Crowley's remains, but they'd spiral down a hole of "where hell did this creature even come from???" and the Men of Letters/Angels/anyone wouldn't know jack about what he even is exactly.

i'm so rusty on SPN though... but those are my cobbled together ideas. I'd place him mid-ish seasons Supernatural (because ive only really seen s4 thru s8...) but i think the 'hijinks' of later seasons could be fun with the seriousness of early, early seasons sprinked in!

[eternalera]

hate when people deny that eve was done dirty in s3. cause she literally was. like i get the "oh but she needs to support mark!" argument and i get that. i love her for that so fucking much. shes understanding to him and shes caring. but compared to the other seasons theres like absolutely nothing to her in this one besides being marks anchor which absolutely sucked. i love eve, i love her character, shes so fun to write and draw and i love her backstory. everything about her is so cool but to just reduce her to marks superhero girlfriend this season is just... it doesnt sit right with me. i think some people say that its better in the comics and that her and mark had a lot more banter when this stuff was taking place which once again... makes me HATE how they wrote her.

she can have her character development, her moments, and STILL be marks supportive girlfriend and everything. ive seen it done SO. MANY. TIMES. so to see invincible fuck it up (a show that has phenomenal writing) just makes it stand out even more.

tsubaki in your lie in april is arimas friend but she pushes him and the story develops her along with him and doesnt just give her that role. some with kaori who is also arima's friend (that he has a crush on) and she supports him but they give her personality while doing it. they make her fiery and expressive. eiji in banana fish is supportive to ash (who has went through a LOT) and he grows with him. he's not just there and honestly they had about as much time in that one season as invincible had in s3 (which is wild when you think about it).

you can have a character support another AND develop them while doing it. its really not all that hard. of course invincible had other things to focus on but they really couldnt give eve one thing besides standing up to her parents? she has her conquest fight and that was AMAZING. her deciding to go get mark gave me chills. then shit happened and then it went from her saving mark to oh watch mark go apeshit because eve (the character who THIS season did nothing but establish as his girlfriend) died. which is reasonable but it feels like such a betrayal cause in seasons 1 and 2 she was so good.

it might just be me though. like i wouldnt put it past lol. anyways lemme know what you guys think

[artuurle]

Hiding behind anon despite the fact ive been non-anon on here hi guys whatsup I have random mostly Grujaja centered things but theres others...............cause....yeah.... -Would be the best at hide and seek, he could just bury himself into the ground and turn the cone until you cant see the face. Would spend hours in one spot because nobody can locate this guy... -Would be that one guy at the party who stands awkwardly in the corner with a red cup. He didnt want to be there but someone else dragged him there and now he has to deal with it. -I feel like Grujaja would wear things like ear mufflers or sunglasses. He wears that cone all the time (as someone who wears headphones alot when you take them off its like getting hit by a truck sometimes.) Would probably also have a moment because the cone gets in the way of his breathing a little. -Hides small things in his cone, basically carrying small items on his head all the time. Things he can just drop whenever he wants them. -P would probably be concerningly good at combat games. P has got some inner demons or something. -Al constantly thinks he is that guy. He is infact not that guy. -Vib is an artist, P is also an artist. The two would probably do art together. -I feel like- whatever Bizzyboys are- they have really strong tails, some of them have tails that can support their bodies weight, kind of like a cool chair. I don't know if youve ever played monster hunter but if you look up the Great Maccao you'll see where im going with this. -They also have good hearing and eyesight too, but its...selective? Its very easy for them to just tune things out or loose focus if they want too. Their emotions/environment probably get in the way of this though. -The Bizzyboys have AT SOME POINT done a Team Rocket type skit.

Thank you for your wall. eats it. i drew stuffs for this and also talked about my own headcanons a little bit

the point about breathing being hard in the cone was an actual concern i had for him during the edge of milldread fight. its hot there he's gonna get heatstroke <:[ I also hc him bringing sensory headphones for when life gets too loud post game.

Patty gamer rage is so real and true in my heart. shes so sweety until you boot up mortal combat or guilty gear and then she immediately goes feral. fight those demons girl its scary in here.

Al is that guy to me even if he isn't that guy <3

I headcanon each of the bizzyboys we see as one form of artist or another! they all seem to have artistic tendencies! all were seen drawing in buzzhuzz, even Grujaja, he drew on his cone! Capo included as well. that mans art is cooking to me. Fun fact: on king posters posted to the limbolane account theres graffiti in red with a small Al drawn in the corner implying Al can draw <3

I dont think they can balance on their tails due to the thickness not being enough to support a whole body upright like a Great Maccao, but i do subscribe to their tails being strong enough to support their weight similar to how people portray possums hanging by their tails (though that isnt something possums can actually really do) It's common to pick up young drainfolk by their tail like this in my heart.... or adult ones if you're tall enough and have a death wish! Bonus: I also headcanon young drainfolk climbing onto adults when spooked or upset. (usually parents, though Grujaja Didn't have those anymore so...)

I agree on this one, though i'm biased because i'm the same way. I've had to be physically grabbed sometimes while reading books to get my attention and even still sometimes that didnt work.

[ginnsbaker]

fic: if i bleed (you'll be the last to know) (5/?)

Part summary: With Leigh, it feels like for every step forward, you end up taking two steps back.

Pairing: Leigh Shaw x Fem!Reader | Word count for this part: 5.600+ | Warnings Some angst, het stuff | A/N: Texts in italic indicate they happened in the past. We get an insight about R's past with Matt and a little surprise at the end.

Masterlist | Part I Part II | Part III | Part IV | Next part

-

You'd hardly expect to meet a decent guy on the street nowadays.

Though, to be fair, it's less about meeting him and more about running straight into him. At the moment, you don't give it much thought. You distinctly remember wincing from the impact, feeling solid muscle and jutting bones, and a surge of irritation bubbles up inside you because you're not exactly having the best day. But then, the man you ran into looks up, and his face is all apologies. 

He looks like he might cry if you don't forgive him, so you do. As you stand there, trying to process the situation, he notices the coffee spilled all over the floor—your coffee, which has now created a sad, dark puddle around your feet.

“Can I buy you another coffee?”

Despite the kind gesture, you find yourself shaking your head, more keen on changing out of your coffee-stained coat than sticking around any longer.

From a few steps away, his impatient friend calls out, “Are you coming, Matt?”

“Yeah, just wait a sec,” Matt responds, his attention still on you. You usually don’t trust men running into you without an agenda, but there’s something about him that tells you he didn’t mean to, and that he’s more than willing to make up for it.

“No, thanks. I got it…”

He looks unnecessarily worried as he leans in a bit closer. “You sure about that?” he asks. 

His brown eyes are the friendliest pair you’ve seen in a while. And being essentially alone in this new town, they pull you in like gravity.

“Y-Yes. Just watch where you’re going next time,” you stammer, attempting to stabilize your shaky legs.

“Matt!”

Matt nods hesitantly, then mumbles, “Sorry, I have to go. Again, I'm really sorry,” before his gaze releases you, and you feel its force that held you in a vice-like grip easing away. 

As you're walking away, you keep having to tell yourself not to look over your shoulder, even though every part of you kind of wants to.

You guess you must be really lonely, to cling onto the first bit of kindness someone throws your way.

-

Your deliberate attempts to bump into Leigh finally pay off one brisk Friday morning. But it’s not in the way you’ve imagined it would go.

The town is just waking up, the chill in the air biting at your cheeks as you take your routine jog through the quiet streets. You've discovered that running suits you better than yoga, mainly because it's something you can do solo, and you've always leaned towards activities where you can be by yourself. You’re tired, but you try to lift your knees higher with every stride, keeping your cadence in check.

Turning a corner, a sudden commotion catches your attention. A group of rowdy teenagers barrel down the sidewalk, loud and oblivious to anything but their own world. One of them, a bit too caught up in the fun, nearly crashes into you, forcing you to swerve unexpectedly.

In your effort to dodge, you step right into the path of Leigh Shaw. 

It all happens too fast; there's no chance for either of you to do anything else. You crash into each other, the impact sending a jolt through your bodies. You tumble sideways, your arm shooting out instinctively, breaking your fall and softening the impact as you land. Leigh lets out a sharp yelp as she staggers forward from the force of the collision, a look of shock quickly spreading across her face. As she falls, her knee scrapes against the rough concrete, and when she finally sits up, there's a noticeable gash, bleeding freely.

“Oh my god, I am so, so sorry,” you blurt out, horrified at the sight. “Are you okay? Can you stand?”

She grimaces, glancing at her knee, then back at you. “Well, I've definitely been better,” she says, trying to keep her voice light despite the pain. You give her a hand up, and as she leans on you for support, you can't help but notice she's dressed in denim shorts, a blue parka, and flip-flops—not exactly the attire for a morning jog. The sun's just starting to show its face, and you're left wondering where she's headed so early, if she's not out for a run or something.

Looking around, you notice the roll-up shutters of nearby establishments are still down, indicating they won't be opening anytime soon. It’s apparent that there's nowhere immediate to find help or a first-aid kit. You scratch the back of your neck, an awkward idea coming to you.

“I don’t think there’s nowhere we can ask for help,” you start, trying not to sound too anxious about what you’re about to suggest. “I've got a first-aid kit at my place, though. It's not far. We could fix you up there, if you're okay with it?”

Leigh takes a beat, and then gives you a nod. “I guess that's my best option right now. Lead the way.”

As you start walking, Leigh instinctively grabs your arm for support. Your foot have barely hit the pavement when she suddenly grips tighter, fingers clawing into your arm as she lets out a hiss of pain. The wound must have stretched as she bent her knee to take a step, and with the way she's limping, you realize making her walk is a bad call.

“Shit, I'm really sorry,” you apologize again, the situation dawning on you. This isn't at all how you wanted to run into Leigh again, especially after trying to find a way to reconnect since the dinner in her car. “Let me get an Uber.”

Leigh starts to object, but you're already pulling out your phone. The last thing you wanted was for your attempt to help to end up hurting her more.

-

“So, where were you headed earlier?” you ask casually, hoping not to pry too much. “Doesn't seem like you were out for a run like I was.”

Leigh’s injury is more severe than you first thought; after hitting a rough patch on the pavement, her knee took the brunt of the fall. The skin is scraped away in several places, revealing angry, reddened flesh beneath. 

“Grocery, or something,” Leigh mumbles, distracted and wincing a bit as you ready another dab of antiseptic for her knee. The moment the cotton touches the wound, she can't help but jerk away slightly.

“Sorry, sorry,” you murmur, soothingly, noticing she's struggling to stay still. To help steady her, you gently hold onto her calf, and that's when you feel your cheeks start to warm up. “I'll be as quick as I can,” you promise, trying to sound more confident than you feel.

“I’m okay. You're doing...fine,” Leigh sighs between clenched teeth, obviously trying to downplay her discomfort. 

You know you're not fine, certainly not in the way Leigh means. All you can hear is yours and Leigh’s breathing, and your heart stuttering in your chest, because despite barely seeing Leigh in recent weeks, this annoying little crush won’t go away. It’s weird enough that she’s Matt’s wife, and you can't shake the feeling that you’re probably the last person she’d ever look at that way. Not to mention, you're not even sure if she's into women.

Once you’re done cleaning her wound, you carefully wrap a bandage around her knee. Then, you head to the fridge to grab some ice, noticing Leigh's puzzled look when you return.

“What’s that for?” she asks, tilting her head slightly.

“I have a feeling you're going to have a bone bruise after that fall,” you explain, handing her the ice wrapped in a cloth. “This should help with the pain and keep the swelling down.”

She accepts it, a small smile of gratitude on her face as she says, “Thanks.”

“No problem, it's my fault anyway.”

“It was an accident,” Leigh points out.

An accident that, if I'm being honest with myself, I was somewhat hoping for, you reflect with regret.

Leigh looks relieved as she presses the ice against her knee, eyes closing for a moment. With the immediate pain taken care of, you can't help but wonder again where she was headed earlier as you start pulling ingredients out of the fridge to whip up some breakfast.

“Hope you're hungry,” you say, flashing a smile as you fire up the stove.

“I'm fine, really,” she says, but the moment the bacon starts sizzling, she caves. “Actually, I could eat.”

With your back to her, you could smirk all you want at her change of heart. After frying up the bacon and eggs, you pull out some leftover rice and begin chopping garlic.

“What are you making?” Leigh asks suddenly from behind you.

“This is something I picked up on my travels through Southeast Asia,” you share as you cook. “Can't do bacon and eggs without it anymore. But I'll get some toast going for you.”

Leigh's face lights up, almost childlike. “Toast sounds great.”

You and Leigh settle into your meal, you with your plate of garlic rice, bacon, and eggs, and Leigh with her toast done just right alongside her bacon and eggs. She surprises you by complimenting how you cooked the eggs, noticing they're slightly burnt to a crisp around the edges.

“I've never had my eggs quite like this before,” she says.

“Oh, that?” you chuckle. “Learned the technique by accident some time ago. Got distracted and ended up leaving them on the heat a bit too long.”

She laughs too, and soon enough, you're both just talking like old friends, the conversation breezy and effortless. You begin to get a real sense of Leigh's sense of humor and it complements yours in the best way. Leigh loops back to when you mentioned visiting Southeast Asia, and you're more than happy to share your experiences, considering she's never left the country.

“...I’m pretty sure Hawaii counts, right? With the weather and everything, plus it’s really far—”

You’re still cracking up over some joke she made moments ago, and now you’re wondering if you’ll ever stop. 

“No way, Leigh, it doesn’t work like that!” you get out between laughs, holding onto your stomach as you shake with laughter.

The more you talk, the more Leigh hangs on every word, making you feel surprisingly at ease. Sharing stories about places you've been and things you've seen becomes less about bragging and more about just sharing your adventures with someone who’s really listening. It's kind of refreshing, actually, feeling this free to dive into your memories with someone so interested.

That is until the topic eventually shifts to your fitness routine. It's then that Leigh offhandedly mentions, “You'll probably see more progress with the new instructor next week. I heard she’s got a certificate and all.”

You pause, fork paused mid-air. “New instructor? You’re not leading the class next week?”

Leigh simply shakes her head no.

“Then, when are you coming back?”

Leigh takes a breath before saying, “I actually quit.”

Hearing her say she’s left the studio nearly makes you spit out your breakfast. You're halfway through a bite, trying to wrap your head around the news, when suddenly, Leigh checks her phone. Before you can even dive into a million questions about why she quit, she's saying she needs to head home.

Your thoughts are spinning, but you don’t miss the opportunity to offer her a ride.

“You drive?” Leigh looks surprised. 

“Yeah, just got the car this weekend,” you manage to say, still reeling from the shock that Leigh won't be at Beautiful Beast anymore.

“Are you sure? I can just call a cab,” Leigh mutters, probably noticing you're a bit out of it. 

“No, really, I insist,” you say. Making her walk on that knee seems like the last thing you should do. 

Leigh tries to brush it off once more, “Again, an accident.”

You ignore her, grabbing your keys from a dusty fishbowl. “Doesn't mean I won't be kicking myself over it.”

She lets out a sigh, and you can't quite tell if she's resigned or just annoyed. 

-

As you pull up in front of Leigh's house for the first time, you're immediately taken in by its typical three-bedroom layout. The lawn, however, looks like it hasn't seen a mower in quite some time, giving the place a lived-in, somewhat neglected feel. You quickly get out of the car to help Leigh to the front step.

Then, out of nowhere, Leigh curses, patting down her pockets in a panic. “Fuck, I forgot my keys.”

“But someone should be home, right?” you ask.

Leigh rings the doorbell, her expression turning sour. “Yeah, my sister,” she mutters, clearly not thrilled at the prospect.

You're taken aback when, a few seconds later, it's Jules from the studio who opens the door. The sharp look they exchange isn't lost on you; it's clear there's more to the story than just Leigh coming home without her keys. You're gearing up to say goodbye, assuming Leigh will head inside, but instead, she turns to you and says, “Wait right here.”

You do as she says, glancing at the ground, shuffling your feet back and forth.

“Hi, I'm Jules, Leigh's sister. I've seen you around at Beautiful Beast. You're one of Leigh's clients?” Jules smiles at you, politely offering a hand for you to shake. You accept it and introduce yourself in return. Watching her face, you see the moment she puts it all together. 

“Oh, you're the vet who Matt had—I'm sorry. It's just, I wasn't expecting to see you here, helping Leigh home.”

You knew where that first sentence was going, but you're silently thankful Jules decided to pull back and not finish it. You force a smile as you explain how you got here. “She was out for groceries, and I kind of ran into her, leading to a bit of a fall, and now—”

“No, she wasn’t,” Jules cuts in sharply. 

“Sorry?”

“Leigh didn't come home last night,” she says. But before you have a chance to process this new information, Leigh returns, clutching a fifty-dollar bill.

“For the trouble,” she tells you, getting in front of Jules.

You attempt to wave it off. “Hey, you don't have to do that—”

But Leigh isn't taking no for an answer, she presses the bill into your hand. You never see it coming what happens next: she plants a quick peck on your cheek, effectively shutting down any further protests. The spot where her lips brushed against your skin tingles, and it’s all you can think about for a moment. Without waiting for you to react properly, Leigh starts herding Jules back inside the house, throwing over her shoulder a quick, “Thanks again, Y/N. Bye.”

You're left there, holding the bill in one hand, touching your cheek with the other, and staring at the closed door, suddenly very aware of how little you actually know about what's going on in Leigh's life.

-

Suzie shoots you that knowing look again as you head out of the clinic decked out in your active gear.

This time, a blush creeps up on your cheeks, memories of your chat with her about someone “making those sweat sessions worth it” floating back, and you try your best not to let your thoughts drift to Leigh. But then it hits you that she won't be there. Despite your dedication, the sheer excitement of going to the studio isn't quite what it used to be without her as your instructor.

Just as Suzie is about to lock up, the door bursts open. A man rushes in, cradling a small dog in his arms, panic written all over his face. He explains, breathless, that his pet is struggling with labor.

Suzie looks back at you. “I could call Foreman for this,” she says, already reaching for her phone. You stand there for a second, deliberating. Leigh won't be at the class; she's no longer at the Beautiful Beast. 

Then, making up your mind, you hold out a hand to stop Suzie. “No, there’s no need. I've got this.”

-

It feels like you've just walked into one of those old-timey romantic movies, where chivalry isn’t dead and everything turns out way better than you could've ever hoped. In hindsight, it’s better. Because it’s real, and you're right in the middle of it, living a dream you didn't even know you had, with the kind of guy you thought only existed in those movies.

The night air is cool and light, brushing against your skin as the car slows to a stop in front of your apartment. To say the least, it's been an unexpected evening for a first date, and easily one of the best.

As Matt pulls up to your building, he turns to you, a sheepish grin lighting up his face. “Well, here we are,” he says, as if surprised you've arrived so soon. 

You don’t want to say goodbye. Not yet. So you stay put in the passenger seat, doing your best to draw out the last strands of the evening.

“So, Nick was the mastermind behind all this?” you tease, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between you two. 

Matt chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, about that... I had no clue he asked for your number until he handed it to me and said, ‘You owe me one’.”

“He’s the perfect wingman, then?”

“I guess you could say that,” Matt agrees, smiling. “I didn't tell him about my interest in you, but Nick knew anyway. He's good at reading people, always has been.”

“I see,” you say, your gaze following the contours of his cheeks, which carry a soft pink blush. It could be from the red wine you both enjoyed at dinner, or, you find yourself hoping, it might be because of you. “Well, he has my thanks. I really thought he was the one interested in me though.”

Matt laughs, a sound that rumbles deep in his chest. “No, it was always me. Since the moment I, uh, ran into you.”

There’s a moment where you both just stare at each other, tacitly acknowledging the serendipity of it all—the accidental meeting that could've ended with a simple apology and nothing more. 

Yet here you are.

“You know, I'm glad it was you,” you profess, feeling a boldness that usually isn't there. 

Matt breaks into a huge grin, but it's really in his eyes where you can see just how happy your remark has made him.

“Would you... maybe want to do this again? Without the running into each other part, I mean,” he says softly.

You laugh, nodding. “I'd like that. Just maybe start with coffee next time. And no spilling.”

“Deal,” he says, his grin infectious.

As you step out of the car, a proposition forms in your mind and you backtrack.

“Would you like to get that coffee now?”

-

Sometimes, you find yourself dreaming about your memories with Matt, particularly the part Leigh interrogated you about. Even though you stuck to the facts, you couldn't shake off the feeling that you were somehow deceiving her.

You wonder if this is why you haven't been able to sleep for days. That, coupled with the fact that you've been handling emergencies yourself instead of calling Foreman as you used to. Suzie has mentioned that since you're taking on all the emergency cases, you might be overcompensating your intern. You don’t tell Suzie though that your work has become a welcome distraction from the realization that your new hobby no longer holds your interest, leaving you with extra hours to fill before returning to the solitude of your apartment.

And without seeing Leigh, there’s only your own head to get your fill of her. You find yourself thinking about her now and then, about what she's been doing, wondering if she's found a new job after leaving her yoga instructor position. She crosses your mind at the most random hours of the day, take right now, for example—staring at this little 8-day-old Shih Tzu puppy in the incubator, its fur somehow has you thinking of Leigh's hair color.

The puppy was part of a litter brought in for a C-section. Tragically, its mother didn't survive, and the owner, possibly overwhelmed by the situation and the impending bills, abandoned them. Out of four puppies, this one, the runt of the litter, was the sole survivor.

“What are we going to do with you, huh?” you muse aloud, the puppy blinking back with innocent eyes. “I can't take you for myself; you'd just end up living here in the clinic with me. And let's be honest, living in a hospital can't be much fun, right? It’s not safe either, exposes you to diseases.”

You sigh, brushing its length with your forefinger. “The other choice is to send you to a shelter. I'm sure someone would fall head over heels for you and adopt you in no time. But,” you sigh, your heart heavy, “I can't guarantee that'll happen quickly, as much as we both might want it to.”

“Finding where you fit in this big world isn't easy, you know? It's like searching for that one place, or that one person, where you could simply just… belong to. But I guess when you finally find it, it feels like winning the lottery, right?”

The puppy makes a noise, automatically bringing a smile to your lips. You wonder if Leigh has ever thought of the same thing—about searching for where she belongs after losing her home and everything familiar when Matt passed away. Perhaps it's even scarier for her. The thought of finding that one thing that's uniquely ours, only to lose it forever. What if we're only given one thing that's truly meant for us?

And once it's gone, what does that leave us with?

-

One sleepless night, after deciding to bring the puppy home for a more personal touch in its care, a thought crosses your mind. What if you could restore some of what was inadvertently taken from Leigh? Maybe bring back a piece of home and purpose that seemed to have slipped through her fingers when her world turned upside down?

It’s true, the puppy's late-night energy partly nudged the thought your way, but deep down, you believe Leigh will be perfect for him. You're sure she'll adore him, and he's bound to love her just as much.

Just as you're settling back to attempt sleep again, your phone starts ringing. You blink at the screen, disbelief washing over you as you see it's Leigh calling—the same woman you've recently realized you have feelings for, and who's been on your mind just moments ago. A part of you wonders if she dialed the wrong number by mistake, but it keeps ringing, compelling you to answer.

“Leigh?” you answer, the name almost a question in itself.

On the other end, you hear her take a deep breath—an ironic move given how the call exudes a vibe of urgency. Then, she speaks, her voice clear yet carrying an undercurrent of something you can't quite place. 

“Y/N Are you available to talk right now?”

“Yeah, I am. What's going on—”

“No, not on the phone. Can you meet me right now?”

You glance down at yourself, noting your sleep shorts and tee. You're so comfortable and cozy in bed, and the puppy had just gotten to sleep. It's tempting to reschedule this some other time. But the thought of Leigh Shaw on the other end of the line, coupled with the worrying nature of her request, tilts the balance. The idea of saying no, only to find out something bad happened to her, is something you know you wouldn’t forgive yourself for.

“Yes, I can meet you,” you say, hurrying your movements and snatching your jacket from the cabinet. “Where?”

-

The date doesn't end with just late-night coffee.

Matt's hand is on your ass, fingers digging in like he owns the place. You’re gripping his tie, pulling him in, again and again. Both of you are still wearing all your clothes, but they're starting to feel like barriers as you both lean into each other, striving to get as close as humanly possible.

The invitation for a nightcap, decaffeinated per his request, had both of you sitting a bit too close on the couch, sharing silly smiles over steaming cups as if you were already lost in love. When the cups were drained, conversation drifted dangerously towards the topic of sex, and that's when you caught yourself staring at Matt's lips. Before he had a chance to react, you were going for it, giving into weeks of pent-up sexual tension.

Matt's lips find their way to your neck, sending a shiver down your spine. Encouraged by the heat of the moment, your fingers start to work on the buttons of Matt's shirt, eager to explore further. 

But then his hands caught yours.

“W-Wait…”

You’re stunned, pulling back almost reflexively, feeling a bit embarrassed as you tried to figure out if you crossed a line.

“Did I... do something wrong?” you ask.

Matt shakes his head and then kisses you on the forehead. He further reassures you by saying, “No, no, it's not you. I just think we might be rushing things a bit. I really like you, and I want us to be sure about this, you know?”

Inside, you’re a mess of wants and needs, but as much as you want him tonight, you realize you want him even more tomorrow, and the day after. You won't rush this, especially if he's not ready. So, you nod, squashing down the throbbing between your legs as you try to concentrate on anything but his half-open shirt. 

“I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable or anything,” he adds, wearing that apologetic look on his face that got you the first time.

In response, you hold Matt's face gently, giving him a quick, soft kiss on the lips. “I really like you too,” you say, despite feeling like those words pale in comparison to what you truly feel for him.

Standing up, you figure he'll say his goodbyes and head out. But instead, Matt looks up at you, a sheepish grin spreading across his face.

“I don't want to rush things,” he repeats. “But, I also don't really want to leave just yet. Would it be okay if I stayed the night?”

The request takes you by surprise, a warm fluttering sensation bubbling up inside you at the thought of him wanting to stay. “Of course, you can stay,” you whisper, a smile tugging at your lips. “But I hope you're okay with the couch.”

Matt laughs and starts pulling off his socks. “There's nowhere else I'd rather be.”

-

Ever since Leigh asked to meet at a gas station on the sketchier side of town, your anxiety hasn't settled. It's a part of town known for trouble, somewhere you'd rather not be, especially in the dead of night. It doesn’t matter, because you’re hopelessly driven by concern and an unspoken affection that won't let you say no to her, no matter the time or place.

You walk up to the convenience store next to the gas station, its fluorescent lights flickering ominously, almost like you've just stepped into the opening scene of a horror movie. It's dead silent, aside from a radio playing inside the store, turned up by the person manning it in a feeble attempt to fill the silence or maybe to keep company. Leigh is inside, visible through the large, pane-glass window, nursing a coffee, alone. The way she's standing, something's off. 

You make your way towards her, hands buried deep in the comfort of your hoodie's pockets. 

“Hey—”

She's like a coiled spring at the sound of your voice. That should’ve been your first clue.

“Why did you lie?” Leigh asks point-blank.

“Leigh, I—What do you mean?”

Leigh's face twists into a grimace that chills you to the bone, a clear sign that tonight's going down one of two paths: either you both find a way through this mess, or she cuts you out for good. But you're lost, genuinely clueless about any lie she's accusing you of. You've been straight with her, at least you think you have.

Her nostrils flare, her eyes burning holes into you as she waits for some sort of confession. But all you can give her is a dumbfounded look.

After a while, Leigh's patience wears thin. “We're not doing this here,” she growls, glaring at the lone store clerk, who seems amused and makes no attempt to hide his interest in eavesdropping on the conversation.

“Leigh, I seriously don't know what you're talking about.”

“Just come with me,” she snaps, ushering you back outside, pulling at your arm with a grip that leaves no room for argument. It's painful, the way her nails dig into your skin, but you suppose you deserve it, whatever it might be. If it helps her release her anger, you're willing to bear it.

Leigh stops, plants her hands on her hips, and just looks at you, like she's waiting for something to click in your head. “Leigh, please—” you start, but you're cut off not by her anger this time, but by the sight of her eyes glistening, fighting back tears.

“You're really going to make me say it?” she manages to choke out, before giving a humorless laugh and running a frustrated hand over her face. Before you can protest again, she thrusts a phone into your hand. It's lit up, a text conversation open and waiting. As you scroll through the messages, your mouth opens in shock. They're from Matt. 

Skimming through the texts, your jaw nearly hits the ground. He's recounting your first date, detailing how the night ended with him at your place. He admits nothing happened, but not for a lack of desire. Instead, he confesses he held back because he's still wrestling with the fact that he's married to Leigh. He mentions wanting to make sure when he jumps in with you, he's not dragging any “chains” along.

He goes on, saying he felt you were on the same page, ready to go further, and implies the only reason things didn't heat up was because he had self-control. Reading this, you can't decide if Matt's just showing off or if he's trying to justify his half-steps to whoever's reading this on the other end.

“Whose phone is this?” you blurt out, the only question that registers in your brain. It turns out to be the wrong thing to say, though, as it’s precisely the spark that ignites Leigh's fury, sending it cascading over the edge.

“Don’t fucking change the subject!”

You press your lips into a thin line, your own frustration simmering. “I didn't lie to you, Leigh.” You wave the phone with Matt’s messages like some kind of proof, arguing, “He even says here nothing happened!”

“It's not just about what did or didn't happen!” she fires back, her eyes blazing. “You wanted it to happen. You were ready to go there with him. You wanted more, and you're still not owning up to it.”

At this point, keeping your emotions under wraps isn't an option anymore. 

“Yes! Of course, I wanted to go there with him,” you explode, your hands coming up in the air in surrender. “I found him attractive, thought he was a great guy, and—single, Leigh! I thought he was single when I was falling for him, okay? Are you happy now?”

Leigh's response is to laugh, but it's not a happy sound. It's bitter, mocking, and it just keeps going. 

You're standing there, breathing hard, your breath visible in the chilly air, when it hits you why she’s so upset: When you were telling her the details of your affair, you made it sound as if what happened—or almost happened—was just a casual fling. And Leigh, she just soaked up that version. In doing so, she somehow managed to forgive Matt, forgive you for your role in it, and even toy with the idea of being friends with you.

You made her believe it didn’t mean anything more than what she meant to him. It ripped off the bandage and thrust a knife back into her wound.

After Leigh's laughter fizzles out, the cold seems to bite a little harder, and you notice her shivering—whether from the cold or the tumult of emotions, you can't tell. She's just in shorts and a thin shirt, unprepared for the temperature drop.

Seeing her like this, vulnerable and cold, you feel the urge to just hug her and make her feel a fraction of how badly you regret deceiving her all along. Because saying “I'm sorry” feels way too small for the giant mess of feelings you're dealing with, especially the ones about her that you didn't even realize were piling up until now.

“Leigh,” you whisper, bargaining for something you don’t know.

She meets your gaze, a bit more peace in her eyes now, but that doesn't stop the tears from finally rolling down her cheeks. She's about to speak when suddenly a car pulls up in front of you, its headlights flashing across your faces, momentarily blinding you both.

A man steps out of the car, and Leigh recognizes him immediately. You do too, although it takes you a second longer to realize. Before either of you could react, he's already launching into a tirade. “Leigh, what the hell? Leaving in the middle of the night, stealing my phone—”

“Not now, Danny.”

You freeze, every fiber of your being locking onto the newcomer—because you're almost certain Leigh misspoke. 

His name is not Danny.

It’s Nick.

[dark-night-hero]

「Thru these tears」 Getou Suguru

↳ In which In the end, you're gonna be alright. But it might take a hundred sleepless nights to make memories of him disappear but right now, you can't see nothing through these tears.

It was one of those days, rare days where he was not by that annoying Gojo Satoru's side. Probably has something to do with him and his love aka your best friend currently walking side by side in front of the two of you and Geto. Nevertheless you could only sigh and roll your eyes, trying not to pay attention to the guy right beside you, looking equally bored as you as you mindlessly follow the leading pair.

"Hey. Wanna stray away from them?" "And leave my bestfriend with that guy?" "Well I can't see why not, they're enjoying." He shrugs acting like the four of you were adults in this Gion Matsuri festival when you were just a bunch of 15 year old teenagers sent on a joint mission with the Tokyo branch to survey the ongoing festival. A mission in which your best friend with his fiance made as their date, catching up with each other as if they have not seen each other for a very long time in which you really doubt.

"Come on, let them be." "But-" "I saw some interesting stalls back there, wanna check them with me?" "..." Looking back and forth between your friend looking safe and side right beside Gojo and his guy right beside you, you sigh. Putting your full attention to him, "What's your name?" You did not fail to notice the way he seems to be taken a back by your question. "Geto, Geto Suguru." "So it's you." "You've heard about me?" "About you and Gojo Satoru over there actually. I'm (Lastname)(First name). It's a pleasure to meet you." You introduce yourself, holding up a hand for a handshake. "I've heard a lot of stories about you too, actually." He replied, taking your hand as the two of you shook hands before letting go, walking on the opposite direction of where the other two was heading. "I hope it's a good news not a bad news." "I could say the same thing about me and Satoru..."

That night was nothing new. The mission came to an end that same night as there was no suspicious person nor special grade curses lurking that night like the report says. Probably because you and your friend have already taken care of things right before the actual joint mission due to your friend wanting to spend more time with Gojo. Looking back of it now, all the stress of that was now gone as you end up experiencing a different thing from what you expected off which is third wheeling from your friend and their fiancee.

"I had fun." You mumble under your breath as the two of you, you and Geto-san is currently waiting at the meet up spot the four of you have agreed to meet upon. Glancing at the man beside you who was quiet, one phone in hand, the other on his pocket. You ended up looking as soon as he glance back at your direction, earning a chuckle. "I had fun today." "Me too." "Though it's quite a shame since there was no curse in sight like the report says" "Ehem. I wonder about what too." "You do?" Once again he looked at you and your eyes end up meeting. Though this time, you end up rolling your eyes at him because he was looking at you like he knows very well why there was no curse in sight. "They're here." You spoke, spotting the couple from distance when you felt a tap on your shoulder. "What's the matter Geto-san?" You asked, looking at him only to find him... quite flustered? "If it's okay with you, can I have your number?"

Your head was throbbing and damn you do not know if it was because of the memories or has something to do with the bandages on your head. It hurts every step you take. Nevertheless that did not stop you from going where you want to go. With a bandage all over your head, dry throat and bleeding hand due to the harsh removal of the IV drop. You navigate your way to see the man you really needed to see right now. Gojo fucking Satoru. The man that could only answer your questions right now, the only one you would listen to right now.

And there after knowing for what is like forever to you walking down this hallway of who knows where. You spotted him, heads down as he dumped into you and damn, never have you ever seen him looking so damn pissed off right now, almost scaring you but you did not dare backdown. "Look where you're goi- oh. It's you." And now by the tone of his voice, the way he was looking at you. He looks more pissed than before yet you did not miss the way those blue iris of his looks at you in embarrassment and pity. Why?

Why do they kept looking at you like that? All while avoiding where in the fucking hell is Suguru was? Despite your throbbing head, you took a hold of Gojo that was about to walk away from you. "Where is Suguru?" You asked, gripping on his wirst. But he did not answer, nor he tried to pull away from your hold. He just stood there, unable to look at you in the face as he if was contemplating to even talk about it. And you are having none of it. "Gojo Satoru. Where is Suguru?" "... know." "What?" "I said I don't know!" With his sudden outburst, you were taken a back, a sudden force between the two of you caused you to let go of him and almost hitting the wall beside if it was not for the person who grabbed you and pull you towards them.

"Satoru!" It was the sound of your best friend, though it was quite different from the last time you have heard of it. "You knew better than to lash out at them!" "Well I'm sorry! They just kept on pissing me off-fuck!" You have never seem him like that. The way the Gojo Saturu looking all distress and angry at the same time. You have never seem him like that causing a bad feeling on your chest. It made you unconsciously cling into your bestfriend's arms that was warped around you giving you some sort of comfort. "Suguru..." You utter your lover's name, looking up to your friend for some sort of answer. "Where is Suguru?"

But just like any other, your friend looked away from you. And if felt like something broke inside you. "Why are you looking away?" Your head is throbbing like shit. "Why can't you- anyone answer me?" Your eyes were bloodshot. "Why won't you say a damn thing?!-" "Because we don't know where he went!" "Do you think that's making any sense-?" You could not helo but to pause for a moment as your head throbbed painfully, awfully painful as some memories came into mind. "Come to think of it..." You look at Gojo, "You're supposed to be dead aren't you? Didn't Toji-? That bastard from zenin clan killed you? Why are you here? How come you're alive?? Also- right, He went after Suguru right? Where is he-?" "That was three years ago, (First name)." What?

"You've been in coma for three years." Your friend explained as gently as they could. "And well... So much have changed all those years ago, (First name)." Your friend then looks away from you and turn to look at Gojo, all you did was to follow your friend's gaze as Gojo looks at them before turning his back at the two of you as if he already leave the explanation in the hands of your friend. And they did, all those things that happened the moment you were in coma, the fall out of the two strongest, the way they started walking into different path. Your condition over the past few years which seems to put more toll not only to your friend but also for your lover. The death of their kohai and lastly. "Last night, it was reported that Geto Suguru killed... murdered 112 villigers and is now a fugitive, someone who is to be kill on sight."

You felt like your entire world was falling apart. It felt like someone ripped ot your lungs from your chest, you could not breathe. Your head could not stop throbbing, it feels like someone kept bashing a hammer in it over and over again. And yet all the words your friend have said was clear. It was so damn clear. "Geto Suguru is now considered as a curse user." Your ears were ringing. You could not help but to gasp, holding on into your head as you curl up forward if it was not for your friend holding you in their arms but you cannot feel it. It hurts. Why? Why why why why why? Why would he do something like that? Why? Just fucking why? Holding on into every bit of sanity you have, you gripped in the arms of your friend and was about to say something when everything went black.

"I know it was out of the blue but I think I like you a lot." Just like he said, it was out of the blue. Very random in the middle of the way you are having right not. Not so far away from you two was the couple who seems to have been spending every bit of time in their life right now. Something you would never understand, yet to understand. Not until the following years. "Quit being silly, Geto-san." You chuckle. Nudging him by his side. It was such a peaceful day, it was also the last day of the joint exercise from both schools. Meaning you would not be meeting again for the mean time.

As soon as you said that, he stopped walking, looking all serious causing your smile to fade away as you too stop walking. "Are you serious?" You asked, dumbfounded. Ever since the joint mission between the four of you, you and Geto have been in contact which each other taking about trivial matters, often talking over the phone with some random stuffs, mostly talking about Gojo and your best friend. Laughing over some matter and openly flirting with each other, something you thought was platonic did really end up having a meaning behind it after denying everything to your bestfriend.

"I like you..." He stated, a meter away from you. "A lot." He added, those black iris of his seems to be searching something from your (eye color) ones. With out mouth opening and closing. "More than Gojo Satoru?" "What?" "What?" Looking dumbfounded at each other, you could not help but to let out a laugh in which he too follows. "What kind of question is that?" He chuckle. "Of course I like you more than Satoru. He's my best friend but you are something else." "That's surprising." You did it again, eyes wide open as you hold up a hand to your lips, ruining the mood but he still laughs at it. "So if it's okay with you, would you like to go out with me?"

"Yeah, sure. Let's date." You replied. And for a moment, as the sunset within the horizon. It's golden like sunlight illuminate his face, causing your eyes to widen as a genuine, by far the happiness smile makes its way on his lips, brushing back his black hair that was still growing like he said he had plan to keep his hair long. He smiles at you and hold up a hand. "I'll make sure you won't regret that." "We'll see about that, Geto-san." You smile back at him, taking his hand. "Call me Suguru." "When I get used to it." "(First name)." It was the first time he called you by your name as it has always been your surname.

You blink, then you look away from him as you felt your cheeks burning. Nevertheless as the two of you continue to walk hand in hand within the same path your bestfriend and their fiance that now seems to have vanished from your sigh was going through, it was peaceful.

"So this is where you've been." You did not look at your friend, who have come by your side as you focused on the cigarette in your hand, right beside you was a countless bottle of beer. You were hoping to get drunk. A few years ago you would not even dare of doing such thing, you were still underage after all and yet here you are. In a blink of an eye you are adult now, very well drinking wishing the next day would never come. There was nothing to look forward into anyway.

Instead of replying to your friend, you just puff out a cloud of smoke before trashing your cigarette on the ground. Reaching out for another on inside the pack only to realize it is now empty. "Fuck." You curse, reaching out for another bottle of beer only to realize there was nothing left but empty bottles for you to throw away. "Fuck." This time you sound even more annoyed than you already are. Bloodshot eyes, dark circles under your eyes, messy hair, clothes you barely manage to put on. "(First name), let's go home."

"I don't understand." You states, brushing your friend suggestion off. "It was just like yesterday... Everything was so fine, we were still students, going on into missions once in while... and now we're adults." "(First name)..." "Everything was fine damn it. I have you, I have Suguru and a huge bright future a head of us. What happened?" "... So much happened..." Your friend replied and you shake your head. "I know that already... I know that already... But for me it was just like yesterday where everything was fine and now..."

Looking around in the same spot where you and Suguru used to go to alot. Hoping, wishing to at least see him in here. But he's not, nor does he ever show any signs of showing up right in front of you, something he had given the chance to Gojo and Shoko.

"Everyone was expecting me to just shrug it off." You chuckle. "They're expecting me to not give a damn about it and trust me, I'm trying." You look down at your shaking hands as your vision starts to get blurry. "But the more I am left off with myself, I kept thinking, why? Why would he do such a thing? I know Suguru, I know he would never do such a thing unless there was a reason behind it." It was just an endless unanswered thoughts of whys. "Why... why would he leave me all alone?" This time, you look at your friend who ended up pulling you in their arms, whispering endless apologies. It was none of their fault anyways.

"It's going to be okay? Alright?" Your best friend caresses your back. "It will be tough, but I'll get you through this- we'll help you through this- okay?" "No... No... You don't understand it. Suguru is the only one I have... Without him... I can't... I just can't." You smile despite the tears rolling down your cheeks. "I don't understand... How did we come into this?" You were late, years too late.

"Stop." "Stop what?" He smiles as you shove your hands on his face. "Stop staring at me like that, I'm embarrassed." "You look like you were enjoying it tho." As you glare at him, you hears a gagging noise right in front of you causing you to roll your eyes at the white haired guy currently playing with the star plasma vessel within the shore. "Don't be like that Satoru, we didn't say a thing whenever you and your fiance kept sucking each other's face right in front of us."

Loving Geto Suguru was fun, a one of a kind love you would never trade for something else. It was the kind of love you never thought you were looking for. He was kind, caring, spoiling you every now and then, and even despite being in the same case of being a special grade sorcerer, he knows how to make you feel protected. With Suguru by your side, you felt sheltered and protected, almost away from the complicated jujutsu world that you live in. Suguru was home.

"Maybe we should go on a trip." "Hmm? All of a sudden? We're still in the middle of this mission you know." You replied to your lover of two years before looking at the still messing around Gojo and Riko within the shore. "Isn't he overworking himself? His infinity is still on." "I know, I was just about to talk to him about it." Suguru sigh causing you to give him a gentle pat in the back. "He has you and me here, there is nothing he should over work himself for. It's quite a shame my bestfriend is currently assigned overseas right now." Strange timing to be honest. "So about that trip you are talking about, what about it?" "Nothing, just you and me on a beach. What do you think? Right after this mission." He asked and of course, with the brightest smile on your face, you agreed.

"Should I cut my hair soon?" As you were about to stand up underneath the huge parasol shielding you and your lover away from the sun, you look back at him, topless and grabbing the end of his hair. "Should you? I think you look good in long hair." "It's quite annoying to maintain it." He huff causing you to laugh and flick his forehead before making your way into the shore where the two troublemakers where still playing at but not before looking back at Suguru before saying, "Hair holds memories you know, it's been two years since your last haircut, but if you do find it annoying. I'll go to the barbers with you."

You cannot sleep. More like you refuse to sleep. You are tired, constantly being sent into missions. Just drowning yourself into endless mission so you would not be having that much time to think about stuffs, to think about him but in the very end he still appears in your dream with memories you long to forget. So here you are, standing still wearing baggy clothes, your feet bringing you into the only place you find some sort of comfort with.

Usually you would stay there for a moment, at least when you finish a pack of cigarette you manage to buy from the nearest convenient store where you have left your car parked when you happened to come across a very familiar looking back. Though the hair that used to be shoulder length tied up in a bun was now let loose, it was not that long, but sure long enough to make you realize it had grown a little long just like how times have passed by while you were in a coma.

"Suguru." His name flowed out of your mouth before you knew it, a name you have not called for so long yet still vivid in your mind. It feels like everything just happened yesterday. And the man upon hearing his name, you saw him flinch, you did not miss the way he does as you took a step towards him but eventually stops. He did not look back nor he did not reply. He just stood there, a couple of steps right in front of you, looking forward into the city light as the two of you would often state at.

"Suguru." Once again you called out his name, this time, sounding a little, perhaps a bit desperate. "Suguru please talk to me." "You aren't supposed to be in here, (First name)." It made you flinch, not because of his words, but by the tone of his voice you are not familiar with. It sounds the same, but you knew it is not the same. "You knew better than to go in here and not expecting to meet me in the process." "That's true... maybe I was ho... I just couldn't go to sleep tonight." "What was that?" There was no reply.

This was not the scene you were expecting when you see him again. Not when the two of you looked quite tired, although his back was turned into you, you could see it by his posture. He was tired. And as much as you want to pull that man into your arms and tell him it was going to be alright. Something side was telling you that this person right in front of you was not the same guy you used to love, that this person right in front of you is someone who is now considered to be one of the most dangerous person within the world or sorcery and curses. But he was still the person you used to love, still love.

As you stand there on your guard, he turn around, causing you to unconsciously took a step back and for a moment, just for a moment you asked yourself if it was the right thing to do as you saw a glint of sadness within those black iris before it vanished like it was never there. "Let's not see each other again, (First name)."

You hate it. You fucking hate him. He was the one who left you with saying a thing, not even a note. So why does he sound like he would never see you again? Why does he sound so fucking sad and hurt when he said that was if he was tying to convince himself when he said that? Glaring at him as he casually walked passed you. You felt your eyes sting as you quickly turn around. "So this is it? Not even hi, hello, goodbye. Just straight up let's not see each other again? Really? Suguru?"

He did not turn around nor did he reply was he just kept walking away from you with in a very calm phase, as if it was intentional, as if he was really showing off the fact that he was walking away from you. "Suguru." He did not stop. "Suguru." This time you sound like you were commanding him. "Suguru." And this time was desperate. "Are you really going to walk away without even explaining yourself to me?" Fuck, fuck these fucking tears that makes your vision all blurry, making you wipe away the tears on your face. Then he spoke, "Nanako and Mimiko often wake up at night, I need to go."

You knew those names from report, the two girls that was causing trouble in that very same village that was murdered by this man right in front of you. You have always thought the two were killed alongside the villagers. And thinking about it now. You could not help but to chuckle despite the tears that was rolling down your cheeks this whole time. It make sense, at the same time it does not make anysense to you why he could easily abandon you over them. Because if he ask you to come with him, you would. You would fucking go with him.

You want to scream, you want to laugh, you want to cry as if you are not already doing that. You felt like you were going inside as you tried to blink away the tears in your eyes. You want to see him, you want to imprint this memory in mind while you can, this memory of him walking away from you in mind as you said your last final words to him. "Walk away and we're done, Geto Suguru." You were so confident when you stated that, so confident that he would, in fact walk away from you and in that, you would finally be able to leave everything about him behind as you finally know the reason why he did such thing.

Except he did not. As soon as you said that, you watch him halt. What the heck? "I said walk away and we're done, Suguru." You look at his back like he was insane as he stay in place. "I said walk away and we're done! What are you doing?!" You are mad, you are starting to go mad. "Are you fucking kidding me?! Are you trying to screw over my feelings? Huh!? Answer me Geto Suguru!" Funny how he chooses them, how he chooses his new ideals over you and when you are finally letting him call it quits. He just could not.

"Fuck!" You screamed, wanting to pull your hair out of frustration and madness as you continue to glare at that back of his. But you knew very well why. He just loved you so much, so much that your accident left a huge scar over him. A guilt of not being there by your side when you almost died. Geto Suguru might have chosen this path but he just could not let you go. And you knew that, you knew that. Those stares you were feeling whenever you went out to finish some dangerous missions. Those anonymous help you kept receiving during critical situations. Just as much as you could not let him go, he could not let you go too. And you hate him for that. You fucking hate him for that.

As tears roll down your cheeks, as painful sobs escape your lips. "I hate you." You sob. "I fucking hate you, Suguru." You knew that he loves you despite of everything. So why does it hurts? "I hate that I love you so fucking much." You do not want to love him anymore. For the sake of both parties, one must step away of you are both doomed. "Goodbye, Suguru."

You hate that at the very end of the way, it was you who decided to walk away. Walking passed his figure, purposely bumping into his shoulder in a very gentle manner. You did not look back, you do not want to look back. For only doing so would make you waiver. Walking back into your car, you started it and never look back, driving away from that place and never to come back. But half way through the drive. You stopped, hitting the breaks before pulling it to the side of the road.

It was clear to you what you both had and who the two of you before and now. But right now, as you curl up in your seat, one hand covering your mouth as you try to cover up your ugly sobs, the other clenching on your chest when your phone rings. But you did not play attention to it because aside from the undescribeable pain you are feeling right now, you cannot see anything else thru these tears. Why does to be in the very end, had to be you who walks away with so much memories between the two of you.

[ⓒdark-night-hero] 2024°

: Might or may not make a part two in Geto's POV cuz why not but also might not because this might end up as a ff book series if I had more time in the future. Inspired by Thru these tears by Lany.

[pigeons-with-jello]

Psst dude dude you need to tell me about ur bachelor guy from your random posts ive seen he looks silly as hell. I dont play video game so you are now my oracle for telling me whats up with the sad looking man

i cast ask pigeons to infodump, please?

YES IM EO HAPPY first off it is an honor to be your guide on this totally not cult tour!!! youre getting so so much info chat i cant promise tuis shit isnt gonna spoil the game and the other characters as well (btw this took forever bc i got this right before school lmao i got no downtime til lunch and i had my phone taken away)

roughly, pathologic os a game about curing the plague. you play as three different doctors in the town for various reasons, including the bachelor or daniil dankovsky (the only one were gonna discuss in depth), artemy burakh or the haruspex, and clara no-last-name-i-think or the changling. they hall have different reasons to be in the town but they all want to fivht the oncoming plague

so the bachelor or daniil dankovsky if you will is a doctor (A BACHELOR OF MEDICINE HES NOT SINGLE AND READY TO MINGLE) who is specifically interested in defeating death. he runs a lab in the capital (its only referesd to as the capital) trying to do that exact thing, but the powers that be (literally no clue?? i think its god) threaten to shut down his lab for lack of any actual result despite them going at it for years. its around this time that dankovsky receives a letter from an old aquatence or mentor or something named isador burakh, and he is reaching out to tell dankovsky about an old ass dude in his town believed to be immortal. dankovsky immediately packs his bag and is on his way to this town that as far as i can tell doesnt get a name besides a general reference to the river its based next to.

thats basically why dankovsky is at the town bc hes the only one of three playable characters that is an outsider, so bc dankovsky and therefore you have to learn about the town (and also the functions of the game) hes the first person most people play as.

okay so dankovskys ACTUAL character i think thats what youre asking abt soup

hes a little bag of shit shaped like a proper member of society rlly posh right, hes got ties in the high society at least as far as the town goes bc hes basically in w most the town leaders and the only playable character that everyone doesnt want to kill on spot. he is pretentous and most of the dialogue options when he talks to literally anyone revolve around what he specifcally is trying to do and what he is trying to get and him in general. its really fun seeing him only care for himself but literally as soon as. like. anyone asks he is suddenly all for being the town errand boy and will absolutely dump all his worldly possessions into like two causes.

i think my favorite part of his character though his how hes actually like super determined?? like hes just fucking crazy. his two biggest goals in life is to defeat death and also just stand for the truth. its rlly cool seeing this come through in his character bc in dialogue with some of his most trusted allies theyll say something that daniil will know is a lie or isnt the entire truth and he really just picks and picks at it, like its so cool how he might even ruin relationships standing up for little things like that. also he basically poisons himself MULTIPLE TIMES and actively commits crimes and puts his reputation and health on the line (bc sometimes ppl just come up and stab you) LITERALLY JUST BECAUSE he THINKS he can do it better than someone, and that theyll die but he wont bc hes just better that way. YOU DONT EVEN UNDERSTAND

im partially so obsessed w him because ive never seen such an absolute humanitarian like dankovsky (because he is he cares so much about everyone else and keeping them safe and health like gauhhfhs) ALSO BE SUCH A POMPOUS ASS. like OH my GOD its GREAT.

this is mostly abt the first game bc thats the one i have, but another great thing about his character is that hes super bipolar and suicidal. this sounds like a bit but geniunely hes one of my favorite suicidal characters ive ever seen and i know i know its so cliche but chat i feel represented. like i look at him and im like??? same??? oh my god??? we?? me?? you??? and it is so fun. also in the third game its literally a game mechanic that if you dont attend to dankovskys stats right he literally just kills himself???

i dont like that as much but its so goofy

i think thats it besides like major spoilers??? idk theres some shit abt how me and him think alike by the way of mortality and power and such, but hes just so fucking,,, its adicting hes a stupid mother fucker.

also this is a headcanon but he wears high heels and stomps on peoples feet and slaps people oooo fserih hes so cool

also hes canonically rlly short its so fun

[froot-batty]

Ozzie's most terrible employees!

Ive decided that "less important" characters are gonna get these smaller refs, so I can save some sanity. Most will get the fancy ones, but I've gotta start getting through some of these LMAO

Anyway. These two don't have very much in the way of lore, but I'll throw down some fun facts

-I based this Victor HEAVILY off of the Gotham version, because that's the only Batman media where I've seen it be interesting at all. He is a killer (hehe) assassin and all-around weird guy

-Also as you can see I have changed up Pyg a LOT too. She's a gal now because I'm a sucker for fucked up women. She definitely didn't kill her family and her apron is definitely not human leather I promise you can come close to her I swear

-If you've ever seen Gotham, that one thing that Victor does to Butch is basically what Pyg does to people. She "reprograms" them, or at the very least tortures the hell out of them so they learn their lessons (or until they die). Oz kind of lets her run free as long as she deals with whichever person he sends her way and doesn't get too crazy

-Pyg's name is shortened to just Pyg in this version, not Professor Pyg. She has really no license to dig around in people. Her name was just a mean nickname given to her by the press/other criminals when she started out, because everyone thought she was dumb and piggish. Much like Oz, though, she made it her brand. (Also, Pyg's real name is Leslie Valentine :] )

-Victor has alopecia. Yes this does mean they wear falsies

-Oswald takes blood pressure medication solely because of these two (I'm only half joking)

[hey-heigo]

oh yeah i saw your reblog of togami fun fact and i think i followed you because you chew on him so well. do you have posts of your thoughts on togami's backstory? (you can answer privately btw)

i straight up don't remember if i've ever posted in length about my byakuya backstory headcanons (if i ever did they'd be catalogued under '#my thoughts' probably, that's the tag i use for my fandom posts) but! just for you i will list a few that i have off of the top of my head

i liked the concept of the togami novel and ended up perceiving the heir struggle as like. not a necessarily organized competition (what with heir prospectives trying to assassinate each other or otherwise blackmail, threaten, or force each other out of the running) but more a survival challenge with occasional tests of cleverness, strength, etc. and byakuya managed to win by manipulation and sheer force of will, and doing things that might be considered 'underhanded' or 'shameful' (see: polaris p polanski) -> testament to ambition

byakuya says something cringe in thh like 'im perfect in every way. wits, ability, and body' which always pissed me off but as a result i ended up seeing him as like. above average in athletics, maybe good agility and reaction time? and capable of self-defense, but definitely nowhere near professional levels, and not in a way that's obvious from looking at him

re: physical ability and 'perfection', i don't think he's an 'ultimate' anything aside from 'ultimate progeny'. like he's not the ultimate stock-broker or the ultimate viola-player, but he can do both things pretty well. more of a jack-of-all-trades master-of-none kind of talent. maybe that eats at him a little, the fact that he won't ever be truly outstanding in one single field until he becomes togami head

also re: physical ability, he gets his blue eyes from his mother's side, so he's more sensitive to light. but his mild near-sightedness and need for corrective lenses is from his father's side. he doesn't know this though, so he blames his mother's genetic for all of it

he was planning to get lasik after becoming head of the family but. well. lol

he's half-french. his mother is french. i dont think ive ever posted about mamagami but ive definitely made mention of her in my fic, though at this point she's more of an oc than anything since there's like, no canon info about her at all. but she's a french sculptor who did not want a child and does not want any relation to the togami family other than having them as like. art clients. a cool lady very dedicated to her profession and could have been the ultimate sculptor, but kind of a emotionally neglectful mother ngl

there probably is some more canon info on papagami , aka kijo togami's character but i haven't really bothered looking for it. instead i made him into a sad little man who kind of hates his role as togami head and would've preferred a more mundane life (like as an architect - i actually did make a post about this somewhere), but he won his generation's heir competition because he felt like he had to, not because he necessarily wanted to. for reasons yet unsaid

byakuya spent the first part of his vulnerable youth being emotionally neglected at his mother's villa/art studio in france (hence the bilingualism hinted in the canon). when he left to join the heir competition after one too many assassination attempts he got one of his mom's business partners and former exes (a guy named 'polanski') to shelter him

byakuya's impressions of his parents: his mom sucks (fair i suppose) and his dad lacks real ambition and isn't suited to his role. or at least, he could be surpassed very easily. byakuya plans to make himself the greatest heir ever seen because of his shit parent combo

byakuya's known pennyworth the butler since birth. i have this idea that each togami kid gets just one togami family servant to help shape them into their roles. pennyworth happens to be the oldest of the roster but also the most experienced, and is kind of a shifty old man (i.e: very cunning and more loyal to the family than the child he's been assigned to, though that changes as byakuya gets older)

byakuya's also probably a girl and bisexual but he''s trying to take over the world through his shitty family's conglomerate and then survive a murder game apocalypse so she doesn't really care about that rn

[dreamsy990]

my condolences for your robot Dreamsy. That sucks really bad that people are like that. Make sure you take care of yourself

shrug im not as upset about murderbot being in the polls as everyone else. there just was a lot of aphobia going around in the notes. so im using this ask as a place to ramble because self care to me is being a hater <3 /SILLY but i am gonna be sounding so pissed probably so be aware anon none of this is directed at you and you seem quite lovely so ty <333

the amount of allos in the notes saying things like "its not invalidating to think an asexual is sexy" just kind of bothers me. allos dont get to make the decision of whats okay to say about aces. i understand that its a fictional character, of course, but what people say DOES affect real people. when people are objectifying and invalidating towards an aroace character they normalize that for real people.

fandom en masse ignores asexual (and aromantic but the poll drama WAS about sexuality so ill keep the aro part quiet, but most of this applies to aros too) identities and brushes off criticism from actual aces so they can have their fun. and its like, if the character was anything else we would consider that disgusting. if, for example, you said even half the invalidating things that people say about ace characters about a character who was trans instead? people would hate you. but its alright when its aces.

when it comes to aphobia, i think a lot of allos tend not to realize what theyre saying is fucked up. to them asexuality isnt its own experience, its the lack of one. asexuality doesnt hold any value to them and so its not something worth caring about the representation of. so why are asexuals getting so mad over how they treat ace characters? theyre just having fun?

you can see a lot of that sentiment in the notes of that poll after aces came out being more genuinely upset. plenty of allos were acting like we were making too big of a deal about it. "free murderbot was a joke" one said. and yknow what, as one of the first people saying that, ill say it was a joke! at first. i wasnt that upset about it, because at first it was just a silly poll and murderbot fans relatively universally were laughing about it and chanting "free murderbot!". but then the polls went on, murderbot won via voter fraud, and then on the next poll people were far more blatantly saying invalidating and sexualizing things. thats when it started being genuine.

and of course what im saying isnt a blanket statement about how everyone involved in the free murderbot campaign felt or even how asexuals feel about sexualizing ace characters. some aces wont care about ace characters being treated poorly, some aces are fine with being sexualized, some just dont give a shit about any of this at all. but when it comes to sexualizing a character who is violently sex repulsed, and saying things like "haha i want to fuck the robot!" and "im voting for it out of spite because it would hate to be seen that way" (<- real things i saw in the notes), i can only see those and think that they probably wouldnt care all that much if it wasnt just a character.

nothing against the pollrunner, of course. the guy running it handled the issue well, apologized for murderbots involvement, and redid the poll because of the voter fraud. they probably didnt even know murderbot was asexual, considering that they dont even know its pronouns (used they/them in their apology). ive got no malice towards them or basically anyone else involved in the poll, unless they were being blatantly aphobic.

im doing alright though, thanks :> this isnt that big of a deal to me its just emblematic of a larger issue in fandom

[biggie-chcese]

ranking rain code lets plays on how much i enjoy/would recommend them

hi did you know i am incredibly autistic about this game and have watched, in full, several lets plays of it? and im still going? haha yeah im normal. anyway here goes... all lets plays ive watched from best to worst:

#1 Highest recommendation: JustOneGamr. ESPECIALLY for people who are going in blind. im so serious. it's the best way to experience as much of the game as possible without playing it yourself. They go through all of the content, side quests, gumshoe gabs, profiles, DLC, and even most of the flavor text. it's also a no commentary run, which i personally see as a massive boon because they aren't influencing your opinions of the game

#2: Pixel Partners. they've got real good vibes and they actually do the side quests. it's also fun to listen to their theories and see their reactions. they're one of the few who dont spend their time complaining and give more valid constructive criticisms than others. they also have the funniest reaction to the chapter 5 reveal

#3: JohnAwesome. his humor sometimes isn't particularly for me but boy is his lets play enjoyable. also has lots of positive vibes and is generally pretty entertaining. i dont remember if he does side quests but im pretty sure he does. he will easily make chapter 4 even more gut wrenching thanks to a very specific kind of incompetence on his part, which in hindsight is really funny

#4: NyanCave. they're pretty fun and also have great vibes! i like their chemistry a lot. they have some pretty good theories and good jokes, but they will spend a lot of time on responding to chat donations. this is fine like get that bag kings but if you're impatient like me it might get annoying after a while lol. it's especially bad in chapter 5, where the tension dies because of their waifu fight donations

#5: NicoB. I was never really a NicoB fan because he's a bit too loud and high energy for me, but his rain code lets play is still pretty good! he seems to have fun playing the game and even has a few good jokes. i think he does the side quests which is a plus but i could be misremembering. i still quote "and now back to yuma crackhead" to this day so there's that

#6: Faz Faz. This another no commentary run but for people who are in a rush. they go through the game as quickly as possible. frankly, i think these kinds of lets plays are not as good as the ones that go through the sidequests, but hey, it's there if you just want the main plot and gumshoe gabs

#7: Save Data. I don't recommend this one to people experiencing rain code for the first time because they will talk over the cutscenes and dialogue and that will get annoying. they also complain quite a bit about the same things over and over which can also get tiresome (im sorry guys i do Not care about graphics as much as you do). however, they're really funny and it's good for a second or third experience of the game. "this city..." is a highly prevalent vocal stim for me thanks to them. they will shit on on the game often though, so if you really love rain code and dont want to hear that, then avoid this one lol. but you do get to see my art at the end of their vids! that's pretty cool!

#8: Rat Attack. i straight up don't recommend this one. it's easily the worst one i've seen and that's sad because i really love their pngtuber avatars. they're not finished with the game yet and that's probably because they spend so much time ranting and yapping about everything else, or just concocting the most baffling theories known to man and spending wayyy too much time on them. you will also hear a lot of unfunny halara gender jokes sorry. sometimes they are funny in other ways but it's honestly not worth it unless you're like me and keep watching out of obsession for the game.

that's all the ones ive watched in full (so far)! here's a couple others i haven't seen in full but have seen small parts of:

Weeby Newz - she's got some fun reactions from what ive seen and is pretty funny too. i have only really watched her play chapters 4 and 5 though, so i cant give a full opinion. i dont care for yakou fathero as a concept though and she seems pretty heavy on that, but if you like that you may enjoy her let's play. i may go back and finish it soon!

CurtStreamy - genuinely very funny from what ive seen though in chapter 5 his whole crew has a pretty fundamental misunderstanding of makoto's character, which can be a little irritating. either way, most of it is great but his live chat sucks. i still need to watch the rest in full to form a full opinion

CrystAAHHL - ohhh she did Not like this game lmao. she is a based makoto enjoyer though. i only watched the highlight reel though i think watching her full streams would just make me tired. i personally dont like watching lets plays if the person playing isnt having any fun

JazzyGuns - unfinished but she is really funny and has good vibes. if you can cope with her probably never finishing the game then go for it

khee chu - im still in the process of watching this one in full but it's fun so far. i will say CHECK OUT KHEE'S MERCH AND SHINIGAMI X JUNKO ART!!! THE ART IS RLY CUTE!!!!

and that's everything! there's other lesser known ones out there but im just one guy i cant watch em all despite how determined i am to do so </3 above all else i want people to get the game but like, yknow, some folks dont got $60 to spend on a game lol. anyway have fun and happy watching!

[sp1resong]

whatever. im bored. go my deltar rune

MORDRED PRESENTS: a crackpot reach of a "theory" but honestly compared to the other things ive seen this fandom come up with it's not actually that bad

(or: "thing i like has some things in common with other thing i like. i am very smart")

anyways. whatever. thought i may as well get this out there before chapters 3 and 4 release and stomp my concepts into a million tiny pieces and make me glue them back together in an even more nonsensical "it totally fits guys" than before.

as you may know, i am presently hyperfixated on dante's inferno. you may be able to see where this is going

it was a few months ago that i first drew the connection, but was too self-conscious to do anything with it. i did write the beginning of a script, but gave up on it. now, though... well, this is the community that came up with woody theory, nothing i say can be more batshit than what's already been said, and deltarune does already have quite a lot of christian imagery. here i will paste what i had written at the time:

"I would like to state, before anyone comes in with the 'erm, ackshually,' that the point of this isn’t to be 'right' so much as letting my brain make various associations and following them through to see if they go anywhere. Making comparisons and coming up with ideas I thought were interesting or fun enough to share, y'know.  This isn’t a theory, this is good old-fashioned death-of-the-author analysis. I find that some interesting comparisons can be drawn between the individual Dark Worlds we’ve seen so far, and the Nine Circles of Hell detailed by Dante. Am I reaching? Oh, absolutely. We’ve established that already. But, y’know, a bit of a reach can be fun here and there. Ralsei’s Dark World / Limbo The first circle of Hell is Limbo, where unbaptized or non-Christian but otherwise virtuous souls are sent. They are not subjected to direct punishment, instead being left to live in relative comfort within the walls of a great castle, albeit burdened by the knowledge that they will never see Heaven. There are a number of parallels one could draw between this and Ralsei’s Dark World. There, all sorts of Darkners live within Castle Town after being recruited by Kris, happy and comfortable – yet confined to the lands of this single fountain, and unable to follow the Lightners into the Light World. This is perhaps the most direct and obvious parallel out of the bunch,"

...as you can see, it isn't much, and i even left off in the middle of a sentence. however, what i did write is kind of the basis for this whole Thing.

Castle Town as limbo is, in honesty, the strongest connection there is - i don't think i have to explain further, really.

This does, however, lead into another interesting idea...

Ralsei as Virgil

In the Inferno (and Purgatorio, I believe, however i do not have copies of the other two parts of the Divine Comedy and so have not read them. Alas), Virgil is a soul from Limbo who acts as Dante's guide through the underworld, allegorically representing human reason. Ralsei fills a similar role in Deltarune, leaving Castle Town to act as Kris and Susie's guide through the Dark Worlds, knowing much more about the workings of things than they do. He shows a particular fondness for Kris, seemingly explaining things to them while the Player is not watching. I... honestly do not have much more to say here; the connection seems relatively simple to me.

The Other Dark Worlds / The Secret Bosses

I do not believe the other Dark Worlds thus far can be clearly mapped onto any one circle, however the connection between Dark Worlds and hell overall is somewhat well established:

SOON, THE "QUEEN" RETURNS, AND HELL'S ROAR BUBBLES FROM THE DEPTHS…

(Jevil, on being defeated via fighting)

When I first came up with these connections, I briefly had the idea of the secret bosses going through the circles of hell backwards (i.e. Jevil representing treachery, Spamton representing fraud, and so forth), but discarded it - however, i cannot for the life of me remember why i discarded it, as, frankly, it makes more sense than some of the other stuff i came up with at the time.

By this logic, chapter three's secret boss would represent violence, and chapter four's would represent heresy - and, with the new trailer, chapter four seems to take place in the church, so that would make some sense! Much to consider.

Snowgrave, The Abyss, and Treachery

In the Inferno, the lowest circle of hell is Treachery, a great icy lake where traitors are punished by freezing for all eternity. Likewise, in Chapter Two's 'weird' route, aka the Snowgrave route, we manipulate Kris' childhood friend into freezing her own friend to death - we betray Noelle by making her betray Berdly.

Furthermore, the ocean, or a large body of water, is a subtle but recurring theme in Deltarune - the sound effect that plays when we first enter the closet's Dark World is called ocean.ogg, the opening 'gonermaker' segment uses a photo of the ocean for its background, Onionsan hears a song coming from the deep water, and Darkness itself seems to be some sort of liquid, metaphorically if not literally - the Dark Worlds are quite literally created by fountains, after all. I believe I have seen the theory floating around that perhaps, beneath the Dark Worlds, there is a great sea of that darkness, a reservoir from which the fountains flow forth.

Perhaps we will tap into that reservoir. Perhaps our [Angel] will freeze it over.

Conclusion

Yeah that is about all I have. Do I think this is what Toby intended? Maybe, maybe not! Probably not! But the point of analysis isn't to be right, it is to view the story through different lenses, from different perspectives, and at that I believe I have succeeded.

...Apologies, I am kind of awful at conclusions. Uh... bye?

[katkalis-the-horror-fanartist]

Is there anything exclusive for the steam version of tnmn?

Some games have platform specific content so I was wondering if the steam version was just a more available option or not (feel free to ignore this if you want. Ik I should just look it up… but in case you needed an excuse to talk about something added in an update or whatever…)

Honestly I've debated asking for some tnmn asks now that the steam ver. brought us back together and revived my interest in it! So I'll tell you only what I have noticed. Anything else you can try to look up!

I've noticed:

-spotting differences is a bit easier. I swear like, especially in nightmare mode, little differences such as the swirls in Drugia's head hands, seem to be no longer a thing that can change?

-i also could just be unlucky and getting a lot of obvious differences in normal mode.

-comparing the documents to the officla info is SO much easier because you can hold the neighbor's papers right beside their official entry in the building's document folder. Their ID number is also 3 digits shorter and I do believe text and images are a tiny bit bigger?

-you are required to complete the checklist to proceed. It also grades you on how correctly you check the boxes. I myself am not really a huge fan of this part. Then once you complete it, THEN you're able to allow or deny the resident entry. Denying them can lead to them potentially going missing, denying a doppel has a chance to trigger the redhanded events, and I do think declining doppels in general instead of calling the DDD on them negatively impacts your score if you care about it. Also once you complete the checklist and activate the door controls, you cant turn back. You're locked in on making a choice.

-you dont have to dial the DDD manually. You just press the button!

-documents handed to you now have an extra security measure: a stamp of approval.

-all doppels in the modes that arent nightmare mode can now be caught redhanded. Some people couldn't be caught redhanded before.

-ive seen new dialogue I've never seen before, ex. Robertsky covered in blood insisting its peach juice and that he loves peaches. Also doppels no longer say FUCK! As its instead censored. Not a fan of this either. It's much funnier being able to read their curses directly.

-nightmares threaten to rip your eyes out if you ask them about their ID. They basically say your eyes are bad. They also in other interrogation dialogues talk about how they knew humans were stupid and how you'll regret declining them entry. A few of em threaten to find you and make you pay.

-you click the neighbor directly to ask questions. They can now leave their hats at home and you're able to confirm by calling the other resident if they're there.

-you can play the Unlikely card game whenever you want after you play it once in campaign mode

-theres a new custom mode where you can design custom neighbors, put them in apartment rooms, and play with them.

-theres a tutorial now when you start the game for the first time

-you get a newspaper at the start of every day. It will tell you who is missing if you cause them to go missing, it shows Keppler's face, and there are various articles of lesser importance you can read. Usually silly stuff.

-if that clown mask guy gives you the paper about the clown during a campaign day, you are guaranteed to play it before the next day. Losing doesn't ruin your entire campaign though. You just continue on like normal.

-in nightmare mode, this lady wearing a mask will hand you a paper about that one muzzled ghost lady and how you cant let her approach the window. If you see her coming up, you need to be quick and press the emergency button before she stops at the window.

-new doppels that are just oh so silly

-a wanted posters section! You have chances to encounter special doppels in campaign mode and when you do, you unlock their wanted poster. Fun to try and run into them all!

-denying every neighbor somehow still grants you a diploma of success.

-you get a diploma for both completing the tutorial and getting perfect on campaign mode. Or again, for denying everyone for whatever reason. But that's not fun. Also these papers you can get put your steam name in there and you can save them as pngs on your desktop! I love that part! (If you're offline itll say "could not get steam username) and that's pretty funny too.

-the conspirator ending is different. You arent in a body bag surrounded by afton and DDD employees. You simply get a paper saying afton is re-instated and they assume you made a mistake and didnt do it on purpose. (I was disappointed in this, yet someone mentioned that after that, it feels like the DDD are watching you and that's kinda cool. And scary.)

-you can type numbers in instead of use the phone if you enable it in settings but idk if that's a new thing or not.

-henry is shown as missing at the end of the conspirator ending, evident on papers in the background.

-i saw new dialogue with bloody Francis where instead of saying its "scarlet milk", he instead says something along the lines of: "dont worry, it's not yours. Consider yourself lucky." BUT idk if that's new or not. I still think it's cool enough to mention here though!

I'm sure I missed at least a few things but talking about these was definitely fun! Hope this helps you decide whether or not you want it. Its defintely cheap. I personally love having the custom mode there for whenever and I love the new doppels and dialogues. Apparently at some point Nacho may add "challenge rooms" involving nightmare characters and I'm excited for that too!