#Esther and Crystal will really get along

[technically-human]

Shop policy.

Esther is here! Port Townsend's very own immortal witch seems to be doing well. She's not that helpful in this case, though.

@i-am-as-normal-as-you-are commissioned this one! Slowly but surely we'll get all the cast reversed

[greyskyflowers]

I'm just such a big fan of Edwin having some permanent issues after a second trip to hell and the final run in with Esther.

I like the idea that he actually has to sleep now. Nowhere near what a living human needs but more then he ever needed before. Maybe sleeping for several hours every few weeks.

Iron wounds take longer to heal, even though Edwin has always had a higher pain tolerance due to his experiences in hell.

When he's really tired, things start to hurt. Tender pain along all his joints, the spots where the demon spider found it was the easiest to tear him apart.

He get bruises under his eyes, headaches, occasionally a little chill, stiffness, and just a general aching all over his body.

It's hard for Edwin to sleep, for several reasons. Nightmares, anxiety, restlessness, and just being stubborn.

The vulnerability of sleep is terrifying.

The idea of leaving Edwin alone somewhere to sleep, even in their office, has Charles skin pickling. Especially knowing Edwin is also reluctant to sleep without him there.

So, Edwin does not sleep alone. Ever. Occasionally he gets left with Niko, and sometimes Crystal, but it's for very brief amounts of time before he's back with Charles.

It should be embarrassing to have these issues now, and it is, but they're even closer after Port Townsend and it's not something Edwin can avoid. He has to sleep now.

Really, it comes down to does he wants to keep it to himself and nap when no one else is around to avoid feeling weak? Or does he want to sleep with the comfort of knowing someone is with him and hell won't take him before he even gets a chance to wake up?

It comes down to how fearful is he of something dragging him off into hell again and the answer is apparently incredibly so.

Also, if he's going to look vulnerable and weak then it might as well be with Charles, who's seen him at his worst.

He tries not to overthink how pleased Charles is each time Edwin seeks him out for a nap or how good it feels to be held, the safest place he can think of is in Charles arms or under his sharp watch.

Charles hovers, and he's aware of it. He can't convince himself to stray too far from Edwin. Part of it's because he's protective, reluctant to leave Edwin in anyone else's hands when he's more vulnerable then before.

Part of it is selfish, he's a little possessive. A sleeping Edwin is not something anyone else needs to see. Edwin in pain is not something anyone else needs to see.

Crystal had recently demanded they have a bed available in the office for when her and Niko stayed over, even though they rarely use it. It's soft, covered in pillows and blankets, and Edwin has taken to hiding away in it when he sleeps. Crystal looks incredibly pleased when it slips that Edwin uses it and Charles is hit with a intense wave of fondness for her.

No one needs to see Edwin like this. Especially not when he loses a lot of his layers and curls up in something more comfortable. It leaves him vulnerable, his throat and wrists bare, and looking smaller without all extra clothing.

Nobody needs to see how he only really lets himself sleep when Charles is in bed with him or close enough in the room to reach out for if needed. He watches Charles do whatever it is he's doing with half lidded eyes, a strip of green that stubbornly stays visible until Charles is closer.

In the beginning they thought it was something temporary. Ghost don't need to sleep, Charles never sleeps. Sometimes he can get himself to relax enough that it's almost like sleeping but it's not anywhere near actual sleep.

They think it's just him trying to make up what Esther took.

But it keeps happening. Again and again.

And it makes them both anxious. Charles is worried about why Edwin suddenly needs to sleep but Edwin is worried about the actual sleeping part.

He does not want to sleep. Sleep means dreaming and nothing good will come from his dreams, he's sure of it.

It's also scary. Sleep is a weakness, it leaves him vulnerable and unaware. He doesn't want to sleep.

In those first few weeks where they all still thought this would pass, exhaustion caught up to him one evening as they were finishing up a long case. Charles was out and he couldn't even think about how wonderful it would be to go to go lay down because Charles was not there.

The office was too quiet. It made him restless and he would have paced but he was feeling especially sore that day. His hands had ached while he was writing and he had to stop frequently to flex them.

He was weak, alone, and rapidly sliding into a decreased mental awareness due to exhaustion. It's not a situation he liked.

They weren't apart for long those days, and still aren't, so Charles is back pretty quickly but it's long enough that Edwin was struggling. He blinked sleepily at Charles, with eyes that itched when they shouldn't have, and he must have looked terrible because Charles straightened up a little bit and his eyes jumped around the room before he relaxed.

He said something, dropped his bag and walked forward until he could put his hands on Edwin and that's it. Edwin leaned forward until he was relying on Charles to hold him up, turned his face into his neck and passed out still standing up.

It doesn't get that bad again. Charles is good about noticing when Edwin starts to slow down, and when it takes him a little longer to string his words together or explain himself. He picks up the way he carries himself different on day where things hurt a little more or how he rubs his temple when he feels a headache coming on.

He herds Edwin to bed like a sheep dog and makes sure everything is locked up so they won't be bothered. Edwin had managed to find a spell that would keep anyone else, living and none, out of their office when activated. It's perfect for extra privacy and security.

Charles hates that Edwin was hurt enough that he needs this now, and he hates seeing him wore down and exhausted... but part of him loves these days.

Edwin sleepy and soft, usually pulling Charles down with him until they're under all the blankets and pillows, tucked on their own little world.

He clings when he sleeps. He buries his face in Charles throat and under his chin like he's trying to hide, presses in as close as he can until they're completely tangled together. Not that Charles has any problem with that. He runs his fingers over skin in soothing gestures and pulls him in close if he starts to show any signs of a nightmare.

He wakes up with hair sticking up and clothes rumpled, blinking at Charles a few times as he tries to wake up enough to remember what's happening. Sometimes, Charles gets lucky and Edwin will stretch out like a cat before readjusting himself to be close again and doze off for a little longer.

It knocks the breath he doesn't need out of his lungs and love sits in his throat until it threatens to choke him.

Sometimes there are nightmares and Edwin shoves himself away desperately with a pained and fearful noise that has Charles cringing. Edwin stares at him from the other side of the bed, eyes big but unfocused in a way that shows he's not actually seeing Charles. He's tight, tense and completely locked up. He couldn't move even if he wanted to. They're both still laying down, and Charles doesn't move even though he wants to. He starts talking, low and soft, keeps doing that until Edwin starts to relax again. It's a slow process and it takes a while before Edwin is relaxed enough that Charles can reach out and coax him back closer. He's exhausted after those little episodes, too tired and his body too sore from being so tense to put up much of a fight as Charles tucks him in close again. Sometimes he's asleep before they're even settled back in, limp with sleep as Charles rearranges him in a way that won't have him aching when he wakes up.

Sometimes Charles is too wired to lay down, even if cuddling is great motivation, and he keeps himself busy while Edwin rests. Sometimes they're in the middle of a case and there's still work that needs to be done, so he does what can while until Edwin is back up and functional.

It's a powerful feeling, having Edwin trust him so much and so openly. Sometimes Charles has to check on him, the quiet and unmoving lump on the bed making him nervous until he looks him over, just to make sure everything is okay. It's hard to tell sometimes since they don't breathe like the living, and Edwin sleeps so quiet. He doesn't even flinch at Charles getting close, nothing triggering those survival instincts gained in hell that would have him awake and moving if it was anyone else this close.

God help anyone stupid enough to try something when they're like this. He'd fight anyone who disturbed them, anyone who woke Edwin up from his much needed rest or threaten to cause them harm. It burns under his skin and it makes his teeth itch.

Nothing would separate them. Nothing could take them away from each other.

[shaylogic]

Joshua Colley on Monty: Adventures & Mysteries, Friendships, Joys & Fears, Thoughts on Niko, Crystal, and Jenny, and Facing the DBDA World Unburdened by Homophobia

[Transcription of my linked Joshua Colley Cameo]

Hello, Shay! It is me, Josh. Um, thank you so much for getting this Cameo. Thank you so much for supporting me. You said, "Hello <3" Hi! "What are some more mysteries and adventures you would've liked to see Monty go on with the detective agency friends? Which members would he get closer to over time?" Oh my gosh! Well, I think him and Niko would've been *crosses finger in the "tight" gesture* locked in. And I also think him and Charles probably would've been locked in. I know he was kind of--Monty was kind of a hater at the beginning. Um, but towards the end he--he turned it around. So I think they--they would definitely get along. Um, and I don't know, I think I would love to see--in my mind, in, like, another season, or y'know, like, Monty would be like, slowly--he would get turned back into a human, but then he would be slowly turning back into a crow until--like his end transformation would be like, him in human form but he had wings. So I think uncovering that kind of mystery could have been really fun. Um, and just more--just more adventures. I mean, those mysteries were so fun in season one. So, um, that's what I would've loved to explore, but we're just going to have to use our imaginations. Um, you said, "What were his thoughts on Niko, Crystal, and Jenny? Did the butcher shop creep him out after Esther's kitchen and blood magic?" Um, probably. *nods* I think he--I think he loves Niko. Um, I think he was just, like, vibing with Crystal. I think he was scared of Jenny, for sure. Um, but love all of the actors that played those parts. We had a grand old time. Um, "What are some of Monty's biggest joys and fears?" I think his biggest joys are probably just, I think he really liked the romance of it all. And like, just getting to explore his new human body was probably really fun. And his fears were probably his mom. *laughs* I would have to say his mother--and his heartbreak. Um, "It occurs to me that Edwin's life was heavily affected by homophobic society, but Monty was pretty isolated from other people and queer history/culture. How might he have adapted to going out into the dating world on his own?" Ooh, I don't know. I think--you know, in the world of "Dead Boy Detectives"--um, I kind of like the way. . . it wasn't that big a deal that Monty was a queer character. Um, I like the--how natural it felt, and how--um, yeah, I don't know, I just really loved that. And I think, um, I know that's really a big part of Edwin's. . . um, y'know, arc. And so I think it was nice for Monty to be kind of just confident and um, naive, in a way, to that. . . side of--of things, you know what I mean? And I think that's what made him so wonderful and. . .um, sweet. And lovable. I love Monty, and I'm so happy that you loved him, too. "Thanks so much for your work, and your answering these questions." Oh my gosh. Of course, anytime, Shay. Thank you so much for watching "Dead Boy Detectives". Thank you for supporting me again. Um, it seriously means the world. I hope I get to meet you one day, um, and answer more questions, and give you a big hug. But, until then, *gestures between his face and the phone* we're just gonna' have to do it through the screen. Um, but yes, thank you for all the love, um, and, I'll see you soon! *aggressively peck-kisses the phone camera* Bye! *sing-song cutie voice*

Loved this so much! And I still do love Monty <3

Joshua Colley is still on Cameo if you'd like to support him.

[deconstructthesoup]

Looked at my Dead Boy Detectives swap AU, decided that it could be better, and ran with it. So... here ya go.

(For those of you who need a refresher---it's an AU where Crystal and Niko are the ghosts and Charles and Edwin are the alive ones. "Dead Girl Detectives," basically.)

Crystal is pretty much unchanged from the original concept---she died in the 1920's, she was a psychic socialite with absent parents, and she acted like the quintessential spoiled wild-child while secretly being fascinated by detective stories. She died when she got possessed by David the demon, who puppeted her body around for weeks... until she finally managed to wrench back some form of control, threw both of them off of a building, and wound up getting sent to Hell. Now that she's out and living free as a ghost, she's doing her level best to leave her old self behind and be a better person---partly for herself, but also so she can prove that she doesn't deserve eternal punishment if Hell ever comes for her again.

Niko's still an anime geek from the 1990's who was an outcast in life, but her death circumstances are different. Instead of dying from the dandelion sprites, she accepted an invitation to a party in an effort to try and socialize more after her father's death... and she got killed in a prank gone wrong, trapped in an abandoned mansion that used to belong to Crystal's family. She probably would've even moved on if it weren't for Crystal showing up and helping her out, giving Niko a reason to stick around. Niko's doing better now, but she still hasn't really processed her feelings surrounding her death. (Also, her hair's still white---she just dyed it that way, and it's never changed even after she died.)

Charles is also pretty much unchanged from the OG concept---he's still an irresponsible witch who got possessed by David and lost his memories as a result---with the added detail that he's one of many incredibly powerful magical people who David's possessed, wrecked havoc with their powers, and killed, though Charles thankfully survived the ordeal thanks to the Dead Girl Detectives. Also, I'm fairly certain that Charles is not only well aware that he's bisexual and out, but he and David were almost certainly dating. Or at least hooking up.

Edwin's still a socially awkward comics nerd and shut-in, but I decided to just have him get the paranormal parasite as a way for him to get involved with Charles and the Dead Girl Detectives---though, instead of a dandelion sprite that's all about soaking up attention, it's a hornet-themed sprite that feeds on people's insecurities and self-loathing. I think that he still butts heads with Crystal a little bit, but his bookish, studious nature winds up becoming incredibly helpful to the team, and he gets along great with Niko and Charles. Especially Charles.

Now, after thinking about it, I realized that if I was going to do a four-way swap with our main crew, it would probably make sense to do the same with our supporting cast. So:

The Night Nurse---or Minerva Knight, as I've tended to name her in my AUs---is in the place as Port Townsend's resident witch, though her motives are pretty different from Esther's. She has no need for any spells of eternal youth, having stopped aging a while ago, and she considers herself the protector of Port Townsend, keeping the forces of the supernatural at bay from the mundane residents... even if that means occasionally sacrificing a child or two to keep some of the more unsavory beings satisfied. Needless to say, Minerva has a very skewed view of morality, and unlike her canon counterpart, she can't really be swayed to change her mind. She's scary.

Esther, meanwhile, is in the lovely position as the Crow Queen, a charming and campy trickster being who exists to wear fabulous, over-the-top outfits, rule over her little feathered darlings, and to be a menace to everyone she meets. Her whole deal with Crystal isn't exactly flirtatious, but it's enough to give Crystal a gigantic bisexual awakening. And whether or not Esther's really all that interested and is just fucking with her, she's a lot of fun, and she's definitely instrumental in helping Crystal realize more about herself.

Thomas (the Cat King, but we're calling him by his first name) is Charles and Edwin's landlord---the owner of a queer bakery who's having a bit of a quarter-life crisis and is therefore a bit of an asshole to almost everyone he meets. Despite how prickly he is, though, he has an energy about him that makes him automatically endearing to every single misfit teen in a fifty-mile radius, and he's less than enthusiastic about it. Deep down, Thomas doesn't really mind, because he is a pretty lonely individual (not that he'd ever admit it).

And lastly, Jenny is the Night Guard On Duty in the Afterlife Lost & Found Department---overworked, burnt out, and thoroughly cynical when it comes to the affairs of the living. She's convinced that all she really needs is the big case that'll get her a promotion to a much less stressful position, and tracking down the Dead Girl Detectives seems to be just the thing. Of course, she's not as dedicated to her job as she appears to be, and even years of working in the most depressing place in the universe hasn't fully worn her down.

And, uh, other than the fact that I'm gonna have to figure out a stand-in for Monty... that's what I got!

[falling-star-cygnus]

someone really needs to bully me into writing the fics i already have started...

The Cuddlebug {ao3 fic link} SUMMARY: Charles is the agency's people person. Obviously he is- he loved people! And he loved being around people. ...sometimes. Other times.. other times he just wanted to tuck himself between Edwin's ribs and make a new home.

+=+=+

It was one of those days.

Charles noted the signs with a curl of muted displeasure. These days were always the worst. Everything felt... fuzzy, somehow. Like he was looking at things through a dusty lens.

Or one of those- fucked up mirrors. Funhouse mirrors?

Not to mention, his reaction time was always sluggish in this state. And that was dangerous- he couldn't keep Edwin safe like this.

All he did was worry him.

Even now, as their little group traipsed through the streets of London, Edwin held onto his hand to guide him. Which- was bloody ridiculous, because even all mucked up like this he could follow a person. Most... of the time.

It was nice though, he could admit that much. Just to himself.

Couldn't really bring himself to admit it out loud even if he wanted to anyway, could he? Talking- even smiling- felt like a chore.

How was he supposed to keep spirits up like this?

"M'sorry," he mutters still- right into Edwin's shoulder as the girls stop to peer into a shop window- and just quiet enough only his best mate can hear it.

The mashed word tastes like tar and sand on its way out- sticky behind his teeth.

All he gets is that gloved hand kindly squeezing his, "None of that, Charles. You have absolutely nothing to apologize for."

Didn't he? He's gotta be absolute rubbish to be around right now.. all gloomy and quiet like this.

"Truly," Edwin doubles down, just as soft, "It's no different then when you tuck me away in your bag."

No- no, that was so different! It was always nice and quiet in the bag, so it's perfect for when 'Win.. well, you know. When things are too loud 'round the office on the bad days.

Warranted bad days, mind you, because he'd gone through literal Hell! Hell that had a spider thing made of- of bloody babydoll heads.

Meanwhile there was no reason for Charles to- to just shut down like this!

Edwin's thumb strokes along the cut out of his glove, the pressure firm and pleasant.

"Besides," his best mate tacks on, as the girls start forward again, "I suppose you could say it makes me happy- being able to protect you like this."

Protect.. him? But-

Niko gasps from right beside him before he can respond, the intake high and sharp.

It's the kinda gasp that makes Charles' hackles rise instantly, the kind that makes him tighten his grip on Edwin's hand and budge between him and whatever potential danger there-

...might.. be.

It was a small dog.

...alright, maybe he was a little jumpy.

"Oh- sorry, Charles," the bone-haired girl says, though her eyes only glance at him fleetingly- trained as they are on the tiny animal.

Her hands are all bunched up under her chin as she does little hops in place, with the biggest smile he'd seen on her since Esther. And that was... nice, he decides.

Niko deserves to look that happy all the time.

"Cuteness aggression?" Crystal asks drily, as though she already knew the answer, and the bright girl nods so fast that Charles is vaguely concerned her head might fly off.

It loosens up the heavy feeling in his chest, somewhat, though. Like the sun peeking out through the clouds. Except the clouds are.. you know, in his brain.

"Cuteness.. aggression?" Edwin asks him, on instinct, and then turns his questioning gaze to the ladies of their group.

They're still holding hands..

"It's like- when something is so cute you just want to," Niko slowly crushes her palms together for emphasis, "You know? So it will stop being cute."

Slowly, she seems to calm herself down, before-

"Oh, I just want to squeeze him!"

"Yes, I gathered," his best mate nods, but not in his uppity- rude client reserved voice. Or his Crystal reserved voice. This one was just- bafflement that such a term existed in the first place.

Charles opens his arms to Niko, his twitchy hand still gently wrapped up in Edwin’s [he doesn't want to let go, and it's not like hugging really requires much more than his arms] and tries to configure his expression into something inviting.

It’s so much work though.. still, it’s almost worth it when the cloud-haired girl looked absolutely elated.

"Are you sure?" she asks, suddenly serious.

He kinda liked that about her. Granted, anybody that Edwin liked was bound to be brills. But there was something about Niko that just felt good to be around.

Maybe it was the way she took every possible feeling into account, or maybe it was just her accepting nature. Maybe it was just because she was good.

Good in a way Charles could never be.

He swallows down the tar in his throat.

"Can't exactly hurt me by squeezing too hard, now can you?" the ghost cajoles, and shit is that his voice?

Blimey...

play it off with a joke, Charlie

"Unless you've got iron on you in all that pretty jewelery."

...alright- that was.. fine. Not a joke, but maybe she'd like the compliment instead?

The unneeded air gets knocked from his chest as the girl winds herself around him like a vice- or one of those really cool beetles with the pincers. Mn... maybe she wouldn't like being compared to a bug though.

Either way, Niko burrows in. Her hands slip beneath his jacket and around his back, as he carefully tucks his own arms around her shoulders.

This might've been a bad idea- days like this, when his everything was bogged down- he tended to get cold. Colder.

Couldn't be very pleasant for a human. Especially a living, breathing one.

Or- living adjacent. They weren't really sure what Niko was anymore, since dragging her back to their sides.

"You're like an ice cube.." case in point, "Are all ghosts this cold?"

Edwin takes point from where his partner has [mostly accidentally] wrangled him behind the poor, probably freezing, girl by their joined hands.

"Charles is exceptionally cold for a ghost," he informs her, "Most of us don't feel like anything at all."

Unless, of course, you died from a freezing lake.

And because no one could ever accuse Niko of not reading between the lines, she pieces that together in the next instant. Though no one could accuse her of being predictable either.

Instead of pulling away, like he might expect, her hands start rubbing between his shoulder blades. Then his shoulders.

Then down his arms.

Like..

...like she was trying to warm him up..

Something seems to crack almost violently in what's left of his ribcage.

+=+=+

Something is... wrong, with Charles.

Very wrong- in a way Edwin had very scarcely seen in their years together. But he has seen it before, and thus- he can.. help. Hopefully.

God he hoped he could help- Charles always seemed to know how to help him. To not be able to return the favor... if he couldn't return the favor just once, what kind of best friend was he?

A bad one.

So far, holding his hand- leading him gently around their home city- seems to be working. Marginally. He's still unbearably cold, though, his fingers stiff.

And then he doesn't feel like anything at all.

Niko goes straight through him- into Crystal's arms- and that's not like Charles at all. He likes being physical- and touching things he can't feel and hugging, so... so why does he look so completely.. gutted?

"Hey!" Crystal snaps at him, guiding the girl up to standing again, "A little warning before you go all- intangible- maybe!?"

Irritation licks up the Edwardian's spine.

"Clearly he didn't mean to," he snaps back, ever the defender of his best friend's- his partner's good character.

"Is he okay?" Niko interjects before a true fight can brew, "I didn't mean to-"

Didn't mean to what?

Edwin turns on his closest living friend, his expression maybe a little too severe for someone so kind, but she meets him head-on and reads his urgency for what it truly is.

As she always does.

"Well- you said he was 'especially cold' for a ghost," she explains, dark eyes flitting worriedly up and down Charles' catatonic back, "So I thought could maybe-"

And here she pantomimes something- maybe. It's an odd motion, where she rubs the air in front of her very briefly. Like someone trying to throw their hands up in exasperation and losing steam halfway through.

"-maybe warm him up?"

..oh... and what a Niko thing to do. And it might've even worked too, had Charles been in literally any other headspace.

This Charles.. admittedly scared him a little bit, if only because Edwin was so out of his depth in means of helping him. This Charles was quiet, and jumpy, and- and scared looking.

He didn't like it.

Obviously he didn't like it- no one should like when their loved ones were scared.

Edwin carefully leans down to examine Charles' face, where those lovely puppy eyes were wide and unseeing. Unfortunately, it made too much sense why he'd shut down like this- so abruptly- in the face of their human friend's kindness.

There were tears beading on his lash line.

"We're going back to the office," he announces, straightening up in an instant. The girls flinch at his sudden volume.

He'll apologize for his rudeness later- when his chest doesn't hurt and when Charles can make light fun of him for holding his hand. For now, the Edwardian simply takes the limp limb again and hurries off to the nearest reflective surface.

"Come along, Charles," he says, much softer now, "We're going home now."

"...'win?" the younger ghosts asks, his voice watery on the edges.

HIs hand is getting watery too- instead of feeling like static-it felt.. damp almost. At least- as damp as a ghost could feel.

This wasn't good. Death states weren't exactly rare for a ghost to enter, but for Charles to be under enough emotional duress... it made something ugly bite at his insides.

"Yes," Edwin nods, desperate to keep his friend responsive, "Do you remember where I put that new book I found?"

For a moment, there's only sticky silence- the kind that clogs up your throat until breathing is almost impossible. Not that he needed to breathe, as a ghost 'n all. But the metaphor stands.

Charles pipes up again only after the older ghost has successfully located a suitable mirror, "On.. your desk, innit?"

Close enough, really, it was on his chair behind the desk.

He'll take it.

"Our desk. We'll check there first then."

Edwin steps through first, making sure to keep a good gentle grip on the shaking hand in his grasp as he pulls him through.

Finally... quiet.

He turns around to better assess the situation.

And he's met with unbelieveably soft curls nudging against his jaw, as Charles buries himself in the Edwardian's shoulder like a puppet with its strings cut.

It's unfair really, how adorable the action is.

Barely a foot away from their mirror, too.. mm. They should really move to somewhere more comfortable- like their couch. But, well... Edwin very carefully settles his hands above his friend's elbows.

Whatever Charles wants, as his mind so often says.

"Will you talk to me? Please?" there's a fairly low shot of his plea working, he knows.

Talking has never quite been their strong suit. Maybe it doesn't have to be, with how well they know each other's comforts and discomforts.

Maybe it could be there new normal- one day.

But for now: "I could read to you, perhaps?"

There's another length of quiet- wehre Edwin simply rocks from his heels to his toes just the slightest bit.

Charles eventually nods without lifting his head.

For now, they'll stick to their old ways. To curling up on the couch in the dim light of their lantern.

To a voice that doesn't need air and a body that's no longer dying.

But maybe they'll add some new things too. Like a blanket over a body that still shivers and a head upon a chest that doesn't beat anymore- save for the one silly boy it fell in love with.

They'll talk, eventually.

But for now, they read.

please leave a comment or reblog if you enjoyed!!!

[trashisstillhere]

Oof… today has just been ton of hard work and chores so I barely got time to at least doodle something.

But at least I got to finish this today before I am bout to drop off to bed-

Ninja cuddle pile!!

Randy with 4 of my dear rc9gn ninja ocs.,, ft. First Ninja.

Yes, even Esther is here lol,, this is more of him in his ‘redemption arc’ (he ain’t evil but he did cause lots of damage thanks to the crystals in his back that he unfortunately haven’t gotten out yet.)

Just like me, they’re very exhausted. They didn’t even feel like taking off their ninja masks and everything, while tired ninja dad mentor watches over them..

Yeah just some fluff I wanted to make real quick hehe,,, plus i really needed it honestly.

Speaking off.. it’s about time I told this big news before it keeps eating me alive which it has for few days now (may be a bit ranty and venty so uh yeah, be prepared for that):

on the beginning of June, I’ll be going on summer vacation with my family. From what I have heard from mom (the one who planned this vacation), we’re probably gonna be out of the country for about like…2 whole months.. yes, 2 months. Meaning both June AND July. Which honestly is too much for me. This isn’t the first time we gotten on a vacation this long either, this has happened before years back. And ever since I got this news just a few days ago, I’ve been feeling not so well, like in a ‘mixed’ mood (both good and bad). I don’t mean to sound like an ungrateful complaining no fun having kind of person but.. I ain’t that excited about it. Why? Like I said, this has happened before and the last time we had this, it… was shitty. Just.. literal shit. and along with a few more vacations shorter than that, it didn’t get any better honestly, still a few ‘complaints’ here and there. THATS why I don’t feel so giddy about it.. plus I am absolutely terrified of airplanes and my fear of heights isn’t really helping with that And this whole thing has made me not quite be able to focus on things i really want to work on rn, such as the next part of the NN AU Fanfic that is still a wip.. egh…

Uh yeah, that is the news. Again, sorry for it being kinda venty and all.. I just really needed to tell this now. Though it would be better to do so now then just before the day comes.

,,,,

Anyyywayyyy,, don’t mind me, just go enjoy this Nina fluffiness while I’m off to bed-

I’ll be fine, no worries. /gen

[read-write-thrive]

Charles Rowland Week Day Two - Chorb/Comfort

After over three decades as ghosts, you would think that Charles and Edwin would have a good grasp on what ghosts can and can’t do, or even what ghosts could or couldn’t feel, so, etc. Like, ghosts can eat, but it tastes awful. Ghosts can’t sleep at all. That sort of thing. Edwin called them “ghost rules”. Charles also called them ghost rules, but he did his best not to talk about them at all unless directly asked. He’d opened up about missing being alive and all that baggage, yeah, but no need to poke at it, alright?

But lately they’d discovered a new ghost “rule” (ability? Function? Who knows) completely on accident. You see, after the entire fiasco with Esther (and the following quest to get Niko back) the boys had been, frankly, exhausted. They’d done a lot in their thirty years but never so much in so little time. It was weird, to say the least.

“Are you guys sure you’re okay? We can stick around—“ Crystal had tried as they all but herded the girls out of the office. It was past midnight and they should’ve left hours ago, but the boys must look especially bad if their looks were anything to go by.

However, this exhaustion was wearing on the boy’s patience (well, Edwin’s, but Charles had to mediate so it was getting to him too) and frankly, they needed a break. Charles was happy to say as much.

“Nope, all good here! In fact, I think we’ve all earned some time off, so maybe take the next few days to rest, yeah? You sure you don’t want us to walk with you to the tube?” Even his face hurt from smiling, which hasn’t happened since long before he died. There was an alarm bell in the back of his head, but he felt too exhausted to have a proper look at it. He just needed a break is all.

The girls shared a look again. Is this how people felt when he and Edwin did that? Charles didn’t realise it was so annoying.

“We’ll be fine. You have my number right? If anything happens?” Crystal pulled on her coat and helped Niko with her accidentally inside-out sleeve, “And you’re sure that ancient landline even works?”

“As I’ve said, the phone was enchanted to work even without electricity. Barring extremely dire circumstances, it works.” Edwin snapped, lighter than his proper angry tone but still on the edge.

“Do you want us to call you before coming back?” Niko asked towards Edwin, but with a significant, pointed glance at Charles. Charles knew there was something in that look, too, but thinking felt a little difficult at the minute. His head kinda felt like the jar of bees. Maybe he should fish it out of the backpack to compare.

Edwin replied to Niko kinder than he’d been with Crystal but not by much. Crystal snapped at him, probably about his tone with Niko, and then those two were arguing again. Charles really should break it up so the girls could get back to their flat.

God, was this a migraine? Could ghosts get migraines? It’d be just his luck, too. Was there ghost paracetamol he could take? He’d have to dry swallow it since the drink would taste like sand—

There was a hand waving in front of his face. Someone grabbed his arm and shook him. Suddenly Edwin grabbed him by the shoulders, staring him down intently. He was saying something, too. Charles moved to smile and nod, even as he had no idea what was going on, but that seemed to make the pain spike again. He flinched against it. He crossed his arms across himself, though he couldn’t say why. Comfort? Warmth? Guess it didn’t matter much, really.

Several sets of hands were pushing him somewhere—oh, the sofa, right. That seemed like a good idea. Weren’t the girls going somewhere? Or supposed to be, at least. He assumed they were some of the other hands pushing and pulling him along.

He landed on the sofa with little grace, the bouncing making something pulse in his brain is a not nice way. Edwin was there again, hands on Charles’s cheeks and forehead as if checking for fever. It was silly—surely ghosts couldn’t get fevers, if they didn’t have bodies. Edwin knows that.

They were talking to him again. It sounded like he was underwater, sound carrying but only barely. Oh, right. Ghosts weren’t supposed to have whatever was happening now, either. That would explain Edwin’s furious note taking and fussing. Niko was up and about helping him, which meant Crystal had to be the one next to him. Turning his head felt like a bad idea, so he was glad they only had so many people in the vicinity. Process of elimination and all that.

Pain struck at his abdomen next, dull ache turning stabbing in the matter of minutes. He curled in on himself, bringing his feet up onto the sofa and his knees to his face. Clutching at his stomach, Charles squeezed his eyes shut and pressed his forehead into his knees. Maybe if he just curled up tight enough—

It was like his ears popped and every joint cracked at the same time. Charles was pretty sure it was an audible pop! too. But suddenly everything was peaceful, like he was stretched out and condensed into the best full-body hug at the same time. The world was a warm yellow, bright but comfortable. Sure he couldn’t see his friends anymore, but it was blessed relief from whatever the bloody hell that pain was and Charles was absolutely going to bask in it.

After a minute or two of adjusting, Charles realised he could almost hear what was happening in the office. Crystal and Edwin were fighting again, though now Niko seemed to be— cooing over something? Muttering reassurances? He couldn’t catch all the words, but he was pretty sure that was her “finding a literal creature and/or inanimate object adorable” voice. Who/what was she talking to? Shouldn’t she be splitting up the other two? Actually, weren’t the girls supposed to be heading home?

He wanted to ask all of that, but this blissful state didn’t grant him the power of speech, apparently. Charles’s questions came out as a humming noise instead. Surely this should be worrying him—no sight, no speech, hell he’s pretty sure no body—but it was hard to feel worried, or frustrated, or sad here. He felt so good, why would he ruin it with all that? Besides, taking a step back and being relieved of his headache gave him the chance to carefully consider what had just happened.

And he would do that. Definitely. At some point. Look, this was probably the closest he’d gotten to sleep in over thirty years, you can’t blame him for wanting to bask in it for a while, alright? Just a little bit, so Edwin doesn’t kill Crystal (or Crystal somehow double kills Edwin). A bit of rest then he’d figure out how to go back.

~

When Charles “popped” again, returning to the mortal plane or whatever, it was to a pile of blankets and pillows in the middle of the office, wood burning stove lit and his three best friends circled around him. Thankfully they left him enough room to not pop on top of someone.

The girls were asleep, but Edwin was instantly focused on Charles. He went so far as to scurry forward, kneeling between Charles’s flailed legs to, again nonsensically, press at his face for a fever that wasn’t there.

“Charles, you’re back! Are you alright? Do you know what happened? Lord, I— we were worried.” Edwin admitted, dropping his hands and rocking back on his heals to create a smidge more distance.

Charles, genuinely smiling this time, decided he wasn’t a fan of this embarrassment or shame or whatever it was Edwin was dealing with. So, naturally, he leaned forward and threw his arms around his best mate.

“Oh, mate, it was brills…”

—

Day two of @charles-rowland-week !! I am vvvvv sleepy rn so if there’s mistakes no there isn’t 😌 hope y’all enjoyed!

[chacharealsmooth07]

Blah blah, something about how Edwin chose to be "soft" after hell but what if he didn't?

The toughest thing that one can do in a mean world is to keep being kind. And he chose that. He chose to be kind. He disregarded 70 years of being ripped apart to care for a random dying boy, to keep him company. He is tough.

Blah blah, smth like choices and time being main plot points, but what about the clear struggle between good and bad?

Crystal being good now, doing good now, but coming to remember she did all sorts of (objectively) horrible things.

Charles wondering if he became the very thing he was devoting his whole life and afterlife to protecting people from, when he is (non objectively) way better than those he was comparing himself to (his father, his bullies, the two jock boys)

Edwin wondering if he can ever do enough good to be able to save himself from the torture he thinks he must endure forever? All on a technical error? (After having been back to hell, maybe he was meant to be down there. The grudges he holds have a hold on him. And if you punish yourself everywhere is hell, but if what if that's where you belong?)

Monty wondering if he can choose to be good, if he can BE good when all he ever has known is obeying to the whim of a person who is executing bad acts. Can he ever really be good if doing bad is written into him?

The cat king, and his perspective. Good and evil are the same thing if you look at them from far enough away, if you stop focusing on who you hurt and more on what you want. But sometimes he sees it, and he hates it, and he distances himself again.

Esther, being so corrupt by thinking she is the victim that she is good because she was hurt first, thinking her hurt gives her the right to hurt others. Feelings are always valid, the actions tied to them, killing countless girls, killing Niko? Those were not.

Niko, the kindest, sweetest, easily favorite of the show and fandom, she struggles with the guilt of leaving her mourning mother with nothing but her father's body and memories. She can't even mail a letter back. And when she does, she dies. And her body probably reaches her mother before the letter does.

Something about Charles not finishing stories. Something about how he doesn't read the endings, he makes his own. He gets to look back and make sure Edwin is safe, because he never knew that Orpheus couldn't. He does get out of Hell with the love of his (after)life, because he didn't know Orpheus didn't.

He found the love only myths could write off, and left off the endings. He would have love that didn't hurt, even if he had to hurt more to get to it, even if he had to die and run for it. And he would write his own endings.

Something about how Edwin knows the endings, but he goes along anyways. Because he trusts Charles to change the ending. To change the narrative. They both love each other (maybe not expressly in the same way, but it's still love) and maybe that's enough to change the narrative. Maybe the love is enough.

[pippin-katz]

Some Thoughts About Queer Platonic Relationships In Dead Boy Detectives

So, something that a lot of fans have been talking about is whether or not they think/want Edwin and Charles to be dating, or be queer platonic friends.

Side Note: it’s refreshing to see something like this being talked about by fans in a respectful and chill way. I think it’s because there’s no “loser” or “bad” option out of the two.

It’s been on my mind, and I wanted to share an idea I had! I would personally like to see Edwin and Charles become lovers; I’m just a sucker for pairs that are so devoted to each other like they are. But I wouldn’t have a problem with them being queer platonic friends either, especially since there’s less representation of those in visual media.

That’s when I had the thought!

I’ve been blabbering to my parents and friends who have seen the show that I really want them to bring Monty back if we get a second season. It would be so fun for him to turn back into a human and join the gang permanently now that Esther’s gone, but that’s a separate post.

But the concept of having Monty back opened a whole new door in my brain.

Bring Monty back, and make him and Edwin queer platonic friends!

At first I was like, yeah that would be cute, but then my brain did some more turning. I realized that it’s actually a brilliant, perfect idea for them.

Monty was a crow. He’s inexperienced in the human world aside from what he learned to blend in. Edwin is the first human being he genuinely connected with, in any capacity. Edwin is as much his first friend as he is his first love.

Monty was going along with Esther’s plan after he thought Edwin didn’t care, but as soon as Edwin says that he genuinely does and that he is his friend, he crumbles. Monty can’t do it.

Look at me, making my own GIFs with a little watermark and everything :3

He’s willing to directly betray Esther by getting Edwin out of the forest. Even if the Cat King hadn’t shown up, he was screwed. There’s no way she wouldn’t have found out if he had literally helped them escape her plan rather than complete it. It took Monty only a few seconds to decide, and his decision was a death sentence. He knew that, and still tried to get him to safety.

Monty then betrays Esther a second time after she kidnaps Edwin and Charles. He hears Edwin’s screams, sees Charles struggling, and chooses to help. Who knows how long it would’ve taken Charles to get his backpack by himself?

Since Crystal apparently couldn’t just fucking hand it to him, but that’s also a separate post.

All this being said, Monty does care about the squad. When he confronts Esther, he says, "You didn't tell me that mushroom thing was gonna completely eradicate them."

Key word: them. He could've said "him", referring to Edwin since he's the one Monty's in love with, but he says "them", as in both Edwin and Charles. He doesn't want to see that happen to either of them. He also asks Esther about her plans for Crystal after she's gotten the ghosts, showing thoughtfulness rather than ignoring her fate entirely. So, he would make a believable addition to the group outside of his crush on Edwin.

Speaking of his crush on Edwin, Monty knows that Edwin is in love with Charles. He knows that he and Edwin aren't going to happen. He knew that even while he tried to get Edwin to safety, but only brought it up when Edwin accused him of pretending to care. He's freaking out and terrified, but it doesn't feel like he brings up Charles out of malice. He seems genuine about it, almost as if he's trying to help Edwin realize it. Monty knows that he's struggling with his feelings; that's what they talked about on the swing set.

Honestly, I think he only runs away because Edwin lashes out and calls him a crow, like an insult, like just being a crow is unforgivable rather than him being Esther's crow. I don't think Edwin actually cares about him being a crow since he's not literally a crow after being turned human. If Monty had gotten to talk to him again after the forest before he was turned back, I think he would've forgiven him. Plus, he's fine with the Cat King and his ability to shift between the two forms, and with Tragic Mick, who once, was a mighty walrus, king of the deep- sorry, couldn't resist.

That all being said, Edwin is the first human being he's truly connected with. He really likes him and enjoys spending time with him. He also knows his romantic feelings are one-sided, but that doesn't stop him from being his friend (after he gets his hurt feelings out of the way).

I think it would be incredibly sweet if Monty got turned back into a person, and now that he's free of Esther's control, join the group, and be besties with Edwin. This little crow-boy who's new to humanity and freedom, truly getting to learn and experience the world, with the help and guidance of the first person he ever connected with?

Tell me that's not the sweetest thing ever! That would be the my preferred QPR 🥹

(ko-fi)

[spookystree]

Arcane/DBDA swap au?

Viktor swaps with Edwin, Jayce and Charles, Crystal and Ekko and then Niko and jinx

Viktor and Edwin I don't have much reason for tbh

Jayce and Charles cause I think Charles would think the hammer is very cool

Ekko and Crystal because magic and also because I think they'd look cool in each other's outfits and I think they'd get along

Jinx and Niko really only for timebomb's sake but also cause I think Kingham and Litty as Silco and Sevika would be fucking hilarious

Mel and Monty perhaps because of the relationship with Ambessa and the relationship with Esther remind me of each other

I have zero clue who would be caitvi

[whimsymosaic]

Just wanted to ask what Eswin in your swap au if you don't mind, so first I was wondering, are Edwin and Niko still really close? Like, does he show her modern books and detective shows and have a really sweet bonding moment in the light house leepers episode. Also, does Edwin get along with Crystal more, or do they not like each other here? Also, does Edwin still have that curse that makes almost every man fall for him? And is Edwin more shy and closed off, or is he not because he is still friends with Charles? Also, I love your art it's so cute, and the story is amazing!!!

Thank you so much!

And yes Edwin and Niko are still very close, they might be swapping roles but not personality’s if that makes sense? Edwin most definitely watches scooby doo and Poire and he loves watching Niko reacting to all the plot twists for the first time. He’s convinced her to read Sherlock Holmes’s and she’s convinced him to watch great mouse detective.

Edwin and Crystal do get on more! Edwin isn’t as cold due to not going to hell and going to hell for Crystal somehow made her a better person? (Still traumatising though and she could have improved herself without going to hell. Hell wasn’t an inherently “good” thing) but yeah they get on a lot better bonding over their stupid stupid partners that are too good for them.

Lmao a curse. The crow king is crazy for him but I’m not sure about Thomas. See he swapped with Monty and is tragic micks familiar (tragic kick swapped with Esther) and because of this he should be trying to get close to Niko or Crystal. Maybe Crystal just becomes friends with Thomas due to their gossiping and Crystal is jealous idk.

And yeah this Edwin is a lot more open and chill. Still very much Edwin but a lot less traumatised and willing to make friends. He fills Nikos role of having beef with no one unless you mess with their friends

[greyskyflowers]

Niko would absolutely make a weekly blanket fort sleepover and insisted that everyone join her. Extravagant forts with little fairy lights strung up with the sheets, a mattress or two shoved together, huge pillows and blankets to curl up in, snacks and the TV playing Scooby-Doo and her favorite anime

Jenny refuses to come but Niko always makes sure to let her know when they start and on what episode. She knows Jenny watches it by herself, following along so she can be a part of it without being there in person and wildly out of her comfort zone. She told Niko that, and then followed it with smirk and a 'no one will believe you.' And she was tight because they don't.

After the first few times, they even got Edwin to start wearing more comfortable clothing.

He had refused for awhile, back straight and unwilling to discuss it. Charles had stepped in, waving the girls off and saying he'd take care of it.

Neither he or Charles said anything specifically about Hell but there's a certain look in their eyes whenever something comes up in relation to it.

Eventually Edwin does start to change onto more comfy clothes. Always something dark, never light colors.

And it's definitely a Hell thing with the way Charles is barely a half step behind him when he looks like this, extra vulnerable without his usual clothing, and how he occasionally look at Charles like he's just making sure he's still there.

It's easy to sink into quiet. It feels safe, far way. They're a little space all their own here.

Crystal and Charles take the outer edges, half because Niko and Edwin like to be next to each other and half something unspoken passing between them, a fierce protective feeling as they watch Niko and Edwin happily tilt their heads at the show, the soft lights casting their skin in flickering colors, and honestly just looking painfully... beautiful.

Kingham and Litty's muffled, vulgar critiques of the shows are hardly audible but occasionally clear enough that it has them smothering a laugh.

Ghosts don't really need to sleep. Edwin has reminded them of this numerous times and it seems pretty accurate but there are always exceptions.

No one has said anything out loud yet but Edwin seems to need more rest after his second trip to hell and everything with Esther.

Charles can stay up all night if he doesn't get distracted by Edwin. He'll lay down next to him and watch the lights over his skin, the shadows on his face, sometimes stroking his face or running his hand through his hair.

It's disgustingly cute and no matter how many times it happens, Niko always starts vibrating from happiness when she notices.

Charles loves these nights. All of his favorite people safe, happy and in one place. He gets affection from everyone and it soothes the caretaker in him.

Crystal drinks enough coffee that her sleep cycle isn't very regular so it usually ends up just her and Charles awake in the very early hours of the morning.

She doesn't mind. Niko is a warm weight against her hip and her little snores make Crystal smile. Sometimes she wakes Niko up when she goes to lay down and there's some angry grumbling before the little snores start again.

Sometimes, one of them will have a nightmare. It could be any of them really, they've all got enough issues. A lot of the times it's Niko or Edwin though, especially since Crystal and Charles don't usually really fall asleep.

Niko just opens her eyes and sits up, a hand often at her chest while she looks over each of them. Her dreams are more sad than they are violent.

Edwin will wake up with a sharp inhale and hard twist of his body before he goes completely quiet and still. Charles handles those too.

There's the sounds of the blankets moving as they readjust, the low sound of Charles talking for a little bit before things get quiet again. They always end up even more tangled up together than they were previously.

🌙🪐🌙🪐🌙🪐🌙🪐

[melefim]

Swearing in Dead Boy Detectives: God

Overview:

God was said 69 times, by 10 characters, and in all 8 episodes.

Uses Per Episode:

Episode 1: 4

Episode 2: 8

Episode 3: 7

Episode 4: 1

Episode 5: 17

Episode 6: 7

Episode 7: 10

Episode 8: 15

Uses Per Character:

Charles: 5

Crystal: 32

Jenny: 1

Niko: 8

Esther: 8

The Cat King: 4

Litty: 2

Kingham: 2

Maxine: 2

Maren: 4

Percent of Total:

God is said 69 times, which is 21.4% of all cursing in the show.

Variations:

There are 5 variations of the word God used in the show, with the most popular being God, which was used 30 times.

God: 30

Oh My God: 23

Oh God: 13

Thank God: 2

OMG: 1

Rankings:

Total Uses: God comes in 2nd place for total uses, being said 69 times.

Number of Episodes: God is one of only four words to be said in every episode, along with Fuck, Shit, and Ass.

Most Uses of a Word in a Single Episide: Fuck holds 4 of the top 11 spots.

Total Characters: 11 different characters say God, landing it in 2nd place.

Favorite Word: God is tied with shit for Crystal’s favorite word- she says them 32 times each.

It is also the favorite (and only) curse word for both Niko (8) and Maxine (2), as well as the favorite for Esther (8) and Maren (4).

Curse Word Variations: With 5 variations, God settled in at 4th place.

Lines:

Episode 1:

Crystal: Oh my god, why can't I remember?

Crystal: God! I just need a second, okay?

Crystal: God, I just want to take their heads and just crush them together, I am so mad!

Crystal: Oh my god, I never even thought about the fact that they could still be alive.

Episode 2:

Charles: Oh my god, here we go.

Crystal: Oh my god, holy shit! (Niko collapses)

Crystal: God, I feel lonely too.

Crystal: Oh my God! Holy shit, how does today keep getting more disgusting?

Crystal: God (After Edwin asks 'And were there any graves or decaying bodies near her in the woods?')

Crystal: Oh my god, Charles back me up.

Crystal: Oh my god, Niko! (Niko starts seizing)

Niko: Oh my god. Are these your friends?

Episode 3:

Crystal: I just heard some people talking about it in the um, God, it was the… malt shop and it sounded super crazy.

Niko: Oh my god, he is so in to you!

Kingham: God! (Niko throws sweater over jar)

Kingham: God! I hate you!

Crystal: Thank god, there he is.

Crystal: Oh my god. Son of a bitch owned an electronics store.

Charles: God, that must have been mental.

Episode 4:

Crystal: God, it's driving me crazy

Episode 5:

Niko: OMG it's…(Jenny's secret admirer)

Litty: Oh my god (Niko comes in room)

Litty: Oh my god!

Crystal: Oh god. Cash and condoms. Thanks.

Maren: Brad was my boyfriend. God, I miss him so much.

Maren: God, I shouldn't have left.

Crystal: Oh, no it's porn, it's all just porn. Oh my god.

Maren: And oh God, they, they… ugh, they humiliated him any chance they got.

Maren: Oh god I… I almost did it to you.

Charles: I've got some heavy shit that I need to sort out. I get it. Just… God, I really wanted them to be good guys

Maxine: God, I've always done this.

Maxine: Like… like what your pillow smells like. Oh god, I can't wait to smell it for myself.

Niko: What's happening? Oh. Oh my god.

Charles: God, you knobs really don't get it.

Charles: Oh god, I'm worried that maybe I'm like Brad and Hunter.

Crystal: I can't keep him out of my head. God, he just keeps coming, I don't… I don't know how to stop him. God, what if I can't?

Episode 6:

Crystal: God, I just want to be normal.

Esther: Oh, God, well without her precious little dead boys she'll be snake food in no time.

Esther: God! You're not going gaga for the uptight boy?

Crystal: God, I feel totally useless.

The Cat King: Oh God, the handsome face, the little kiss, bullshit astrology.

Esther: God, I love final moments.

Crystal: Oh my God, are you guys OK?

Episode 7:

Esther: Oh, god.

The Cat King: Oh god, they say that I'm a pussy.

The Cat King: Oh God.

The Cat King: God, I am such a romantic, I hate it.

Crystal: God, Edwin is my friend too, whether he likes it or not.

Crystal: God, if you really won't let me go, then I'll find my own way to Hell.

Crystal: God, that's fucking insane.

Niko: Oh my God! You're both still dead, and didn't get trapped in hell forever!

Niko: Oh, thank god.

Crystal: God, I gotta figure out what I'm going to tell her.

Episode 8:

Crystal: God, it's like being punched in the face and the stomach.

Esther: God, you're nosy.

Crystal: Mom? Oh my God. Mom is that--

Girl in Crystal’s Memory 3: Oh my God, did you guys hear? James got hit by a car.

Crystal: Oh, my God. Oh, I'm a fucking awful person. Oh, God, I'm the worst.

Crystal: God, I was a bad person before him.

Crystal: Because if you did, God, you'd hate me

Crystal: Oh my God, Jenny are you OK?

Niko: Oh my God. Am I dead?

Niko: Oh my God. Is that where the magic eight ball kept saying "outlook not so good"?

Esther: Oh, God! Oh, God, no, my face… Is fine.

Esther: Oh my God, my own sacrificial knife? I'm impressed. But I'm not fucking around that you're also gonna patch that wall before you die too.

Jenny: God, that sounds so fucking procedural.

Notes:

Goddamn was said six times throughout the show. These have been included in the count for Damn, which can be found here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More Dead Boy Detectives Swearing Posts:

Masterlist

Swearing by Episode

Swearing by Character

Swearing by Word

All Swearing Posts

And if you like lists of things like I do, you can check out my other Dead Boy Detectives ones here!

When Charles’ Shirt Colors Change

George Rextrew’s Edwin comic inspo board

Full soundtrack with timestamps

Moves, Incidents, and Cases Masterlist

First pass at finding where the songs in the score are used- full post with timestamps in progress

[deconstructthesoup]

Of course I can't just drop an idea into the void and then scamper off for other people to do something with it---I have to do it myself. So, feast your eyes on the DBD fantasy AU:

Edwin is a bookish prince with a love of mysteries and a keen sense of justice, which is a useful trait to have when your kingdom has a habit of letting people fall between the cracks. However, his habit of sneaking out into the kingdom to "assist" the royal guards with cases has gotten him into trouble... specifically, the accidentally-got-captured-by-a-demon-and-was-stuck-in-the-demon-realm-for-a-bit kind of trouble. Because of this, he's been assigned his own personal knight to stick with him at all times---but thankfully, Edwin's new shadow might be more rebellious than he seems...

Charles has only recently been knighted, and got assigned to Edwin due to the fact that they're similar in age and Edwin doesn't have a lot of friends. He got put on the path to knighthood because his father thought it'd be a good way for him to "man up," but surprisingly enough, he actually enjoys being a sword-fighting protector of the realm, even if the other knights have a tendency to be pricks. And Charles is more than happy to help Edwin do some clandestine detective work---hey, as long as he's sticking by him and making sure he doesn't get hurt, he's fulfilling his duties.

Niko is the princess of the neighboring kingdom, and she and Edwin are set to be married when they turn twenty-one---which both of them are fairly fine with, because despite the fact that they're both gay, they've been best friends since they were kids and know full well that it could very well be worse. Ever since her father died, she's been fairly withdrawn and lost, and has retreated even further into her love of books to keep her distracted. But even her newfound isolationist tendencies didn't keep her from briefly contracting a curse when she came into contact with an old magical artifact... a curse that was thankfully broken by her own personal bodyguard-slash-attendant.

Crystal is a recent graduate of a prestigious wizarding academy, and until her final year, she mostly skated by on average grades and the money of her noble parents. However, the summer before her final year, she summoned a demon on a dare, fell for him, and allowed him to possess her... and the experience not only briefly left her with holes in her memory, but was generally a wake-up call to how reckless she was with her magic. Over the following months, she applied herself to her wizardly studies, and got good to the point where she was called in to help cure Niko of a mysterious, multicolored curse that was afflicting her---and once Crystal succeeded, she was immediately handed a position as the junior court mage and Niko's primary attendant. Luckily, the two of them actually wound up getting along pretty fast.

My ideas for the others aren't as thought out, but I'll give you the basics:

Jenny works as the head cook in Niko's palace, and pretty much everybody knows not to mess with her. She's the person who Niko usually goes to for advice, despite the fact that she's really trying to not give off "mom friend" vibes.

The Night Nurse is the royal advisor to Edwin's parents, and is the one who's in charge of the majority of his schooling and general upbringing. While she's incredibly strict, she's still much more present than his actual parents are, and she's kind of unintentionally become his adoptive mom. She'll deny this if you ask her.

Esther is still a scheming witch who's pretty much always up to no good---maybe she's living in a village, maybe she's actually living in the palace as Crystal's mentor, I haven't decided yet---but Monty is her actual son and apprentice who simply has the ability to transform into a crow. And he... needs help.

The Cat King is a fey who Edwin met on a case. They meet up when they can and make out sometimes, though it's strictly a friends-with-benefits situation. He gives Edwin terrible advice on how to talk to boys.

[many-gay-magpies]

WIP Word Train <3

Thank you @babyseraphim for the tag!! Tag games are SO fun, and this one in particular I love—likewise, I’ve been hoping to see it come around again!! I have a LOT of WIPs geared up, so this’ll be fun >:3

Rules: tagger gives a word, then for each letter of that word you share a sentence/excerpt from your wips that start with that letter. The word I got was ARCANE

A - from my casefic, The Case of the Clashing Carpet

At once Edwin’s limbs locked up. He was still aware of his surroundings, but possessed only a detached relation to them. He felt himself passing through Crystal, and heard both she and Charles shout his name—but he had no power to react to them, nor any desire to. His distress over the situation—his anxiety at being completely under Melody’s control; his budding horror at the realization that her level of power over ghosts was far greater than either he or Charles had anticipated—was muted, as if several layers of felt had been placed between he and his emotions.

R - from For Hell Here is Safe in My Mouth, in which Edwin gets rescued from a kidnapping and comfort happens about it

Really, Charles wagers Esther Finch is to blame—‘cause Edwin had been through hell already, and this has never been a problem before, not in the thirty-some years since the agency started doing business. Maybe something about them getting rid of a witch that had been terrorizing a town since the colonial times got them on the radar in a way they hadn’t been before. Or maybe word got out somehow that Edwin survived hours of torture that would demolish any normal ghost in seconds.

C - from For Hell Here is Safe in My Mouth

Charles stops briefly at Edwin’s head, lifting a hand to cup Edwin’s cheek before he can put much thought into it. It’s only, he doesn’t wager Edwin has had much friendly touch in the past twenty-four hours, is all. Edwin’s breath hitches a bit, then his eyes flutter shut and he’s leaning just so into Charles’s palm.

Charles’s chest warms at the feeling. He strokes his thumb along the dry skin of Edwin’s cheek, then steps back and swings his backpack around to fish out his lock picks.

“Let’s see about getting you out of these, yeah?”

A - from The Case of the Clashing Carpet

“And I get it from the other end, too,” Crystal said. She laughed, or at least that’s what she did if all meaning of joy could be drained from the word. “I would have—god, I’d have killed to have my parents fight as hard to get me back as you’ve been fighting for Lilah. I like to think they’d care if I died, but the truth is, I don’t know. I don’t know if I’ll ever be anything other than a—a trophy to them.”

N - from a currently-unnamed sub Charles drabble/oneshot in the To be so Known series

Now, this is the tricky part. They’ve been working up to it, bit by bit—and Edwin had his softer voice on just then, so Charles knows it’s alright if he can’t manage it—but he wants to try. He wants to make Edwin proud, doesn’t he?

So he sighs, and swallows, and shuts his eyes—and then he opens them right back up again, ‘cuz it’s easier to focus when he’s got Edwin’s green eyes above him to focus on.

E - from How I’m Imagining You, a prequel oneshot to Honey, it’s Easier

Edwin has not quite become accustomed to the fact that he can partake in kissing Charles whenever he pleases. It is a novelty of the most thrilling kind, that no longer must he swallow his urges when they are sat together at the desk; that he can simply reach up and hook a finger under Charles’s gold chain to draw him down, and Charles will fall in against his lips with the most dazzling of grins.

—

For this I’ll once again be tagging @wordsinhaled, @shadowquill17, @blusandbirds, and anyone who wants to do it! And as usual, no pressure to participate if you don’t want ^^. The word I’m giving is: FRAME

[ghostinthelibrarywrites]

for the fanfic writer ask -

the question that, when reading the post for the first time, you were the most excited to answer c:

Thank you for the ask, anon! I couldn't choose so I had my husband give me a number between 1 and 20 and he chose 8!

8. Is there a story idea you have that you would love if it could appear fully realized but that you don't think you'll ever write yourself?

So, so many! (This is why I love participating in Fandom Trumps Hate every year, so I can unload my plot bunnies on the unsuspecting.)

One that's near and dear to my heart is an AU where Esther doesn't return from getting pulled into another dimension by Teethface for about a year, well after Edwin, Charles, and Crystal return to London. When they realize she's back and is out for revenge, Niko, Jenny, and the Cat King (who I imagine is brought along under extreme duress) go to London to warn the boys.

Crystal hasn't talked to anyone else since returning to London, as she's been hiding away, stuck between the shitty old life she remembers and the new life she won't let herself have. She's reluctantly drawn back into the DBDA when Esther comes to London to get revenge on her and the boys.

So you have Charles and Niko, who are both hurt that they haven't heard from Crystal in a year (Edwin and Jenny too, though they'd both rather swallow an iron nail than admit it.) You've got Charles and Edwin, who have some tension between them for undisclosed reasons. (Did Charles choose a bad moment to confess his love and Edwin didn't really believe him? Who can say?) You have the Cat King, who is causing problems on purpose. And you have the Night Nurse and Jenny, who despise each other and definitely don't have any sexual tension, of course not.

Anyway, I don't have any details about what happens next, except I love the idea of Esther tearing her way through London's magical community and making herself a nuisance as she stalks Charles, Edwin, and the rest. Maybe Monty shows up at some point to help? Maybe Charles confesses his love again, at an even worse moment than last time? Maybe the Cat King begins a torrid affair with the local cat royalty that ends with the gang having to save him from being murdered? Anyway, it definitely ends with Niko and Jenny staying in London and becoming part of the DBDA along with Crystal (with varying levels of enthusiasm.)

Fanfic writer asks