rileymorph

[rileymorph]

hi I'm rileymorph and I am a casual enjoyer of the Blue Link & Vio Link dynamic

individual scenes up-close under cut:

[rileymorph]

it’s done! It’s finished! Maybe in 3-5 years I’ll do the whole song.

GIF version of second part :) Song - Fistbump from Sonic Forces [Made by: Douglas Robb • Douglas Robb • Tomoya Ohtani • Tomoya Ohtani • Takahito Eguchi]

[rileymorph]

Where can I get the mangas in person?

And what do I look for when trying to find them

Is there a series to follow?

so there's a few options to read the manga! (I am based in America so just keep that in mind)

to read for free, you can always try checking your local library!

you can purchase it from Barnes & Noble (at my local one, it's in the kids comic/manga section lol)

or you can purchase it secondhand from Ebay (this is where I got my copies) or a secondhand bookstore

there's technically 3 different variants of the Four Swords Manga that you could read in English

there's the original Vizkids translation (separated into 2 parts):

there's the Legendary Edition (my sibling has my copy so I don't have a photo rn lol). but the translation is the same as I'm aware. the only real differences I see is that the first few pages are colored in the Legendary Edition and it combines part 1 & 2 together into one book:

THEN there's the 3rd variant: the Fan Translation. this translation was done before the official English translation was available, and if I'm being totally honest, this is my preferred version

you could probably find online scans by googling "four swords manga online" (or shooting a message to me and I can send the link hehe)

both translations tell the same overall story, but when it comes to the individual characterization, I feel as though the Viz translations butchers some of the characters. (stares at Blue, but also extra hard at Vio and Shadow)

BUT those opinions aside, they are all enjoyable reads, so I'd just read whichever one is the most accessible !!

[rileymorph]

Apparently there's this big drama going on between the lu fans or whatever??? 😭😭😭

I'm an lu fan and I STILL don't know what's going on. I haven't crossed a SINGLE thing, so I'm super confused on why to avoid it too???? but another artist I like was talking abt some lu fans being obnoxious??? Roughly???? I think?????

Idk. Honestly, you're probably very entirely right for avoiding it till it's dead. The comic storyline is going fine, and I know cause I've been keeping up with it, but yeah. I'm pretty sure it's some of the fans going haywire and ruining everything (as some fans do), yk?

Yeah 😭, it's just apparently bruh...or something. Take my words with a handful or so of salt, because I haven't crossed ANY of the drama they're talking about 💀. Just to try filling you in, slightly, I'm sorry about continuing it if you would've rathered the convo abt it go dead ^^"

DON'T APOLOGIZE I mean I DID kinda ask bahahaha

but ohh maan HONESTLY I think any fandom that gets really big is just unfortunately going to be at least a little obnoxious LOL

Passion is an amazing thing, and it does make me happy that LU fans can be so passionate about something together

the issue is just when that passion oversteps into other spaces, and directly or indirectly smothers someone else's passion. so I think in that regard, it's valid for people outside (and even inside) the fandom to get annoyed/upset/angry

I know I have a good amount of followers who are LU fans, and in my personal experience, I just wanna say that everyone has been very respectful so I really appreciate that <3 you guys are awesome, don't let my (or anyone else's) own personal taste abt things hinder your enjoyment of LU !!

[rileymorph]

Hi it's me again

The fic is being written

It's hurt/comfort because i physically cannot write straight fluff there needs to be some pain

Teehee

- 🍐⭐️ anon

Pear Star anon YOUU!!!! YOU!! (I am shaking my fist like a cartoon)

hurt/comfort is my favorite meal... NOW YOU HAVE ME CURIOUS !!

[rileymorph]

Believe me Riley

You do NOT wanna get involved in the LU fandom right now

Shit is escalating and going down at the same time

HUHH this feels so ominous omg

[rileymorph]

BLUE AND VIO !!!!!!!!!!!!

ALL THE LITTLE EXTRA SCENES YOU ADDED ARE SO CUTE AAUAGAA THANK YOU!!! <3 <3!!!

Sure, Blue is rash on occasion. But his passion can power cities and conquer hordes of monsters that would send other knights screaming for the hills. It’s a strength that Vio can’t help but admire, especially in times of trouble.

^ this line got me weak, BC YES VIO DOES ADMIRE BLUE'S STRENGTH & PASSION SO MUCH YOU KNOW IT (crying and throwing up every time I think about how much they admire each other)

I’m not smart, cunning, and collected like Vio is. Even if he is stupidly obnoxious, he’s still better than me. 

^ THIS ONE TOO !! BLUE LOOKS UP TO VIO JUST AS MUCH. Blue specifically seeing Vio's "cunning" trait as a positive thing gets to me so much and I think abt it all the time oughh thank you I can write a whole essay about this like don't even get me started

I also love the emphasis of Vio basically following Blue around prior to the blow up, and Blue aggressively trying to ignore him

it makes me think back to the original post, and how I couldn't put it into exact words at the time (even though it's technically implied by the entire post but I can't help over-explain stuff all the time). But I think Blue and Vio would both self-isolate at their lowest point. it's a mix of feeling like they don't deserve to be around other people and also not wanting to hurt other people because of their "harmful behavior"

I think that's something they inherently know about each other. so because of that, when one of them starts to self-isolate, the other is the first to notice + take action (and I think that is beautiful)

@rileymorph hi! I wrote a snippet about your blue and vio comic and i wanted to share it with you! Heads up, this is very very very inspired from your comics, most times word for word, but I started reading the four swords manga because your art/comics of the Links! I gotta write more of these guys, their dynamics are so fun.

— —

Something is wrong with Blue.

Others might’ve ignored Blue’s dismissive behavior, or mistake it as Blue being simply focused. Or maybe people assume that he’s finally gotten over being pissed at every minor inconvenience—which is wrong. Sure, Blue is rash on occasion. But his passion can power cities and conquer hordes of monsters that would send other knights screaming for the hills. It’s a strength that Vio can’t help but admire, especially in times of trouble. Vio has heard the occasional training yard rumor from fellow knights about Blue’s prickly attitude. But all rumors are quickly extinguished by bringing up the countless times that Blue has saved their asses from danger. He’s not rash. He’s straight forward and fierce.

Vio isn’t rash either. He totally doesn’t start overthinking everything Blue does throughout the week. He’s being completely logical and reasonable about this, obviously. Vio notices Blue slouching through their daily activities, barely engaging in conversation and refusing to join in his sibling’s arguments (which is a little insulting, to be honest). Something’s wrong and Vio can’t figure out what. Is he sick? Not eating or sleeping well? 

He can’t get an answer and nobody else has either. Even Zelda tried her best to encourage Blue to open up, only to make him turn defensive and become awfully deceptive.

Vio waits outside of the knight training, leaning against a wall with a smirk that he knows Blue despises. Is it necessary? Perhaps not, but he does it anyway. 

“Hey,” Vio baits, crossing his arms and counting the milliseconds as he expects Blue to react.

“Hey,” Blue returns, barely giving him a glance as he stalks away in silence.

An arrow of gloom pierces Vio’s chest and he metaphorically collapses to his knees. What!? Blue didn’t say anything—I’m not even supposed to be here and he just ignored me?! I feel like such a loser!

Vio huffs, turning back the way he came and looking over his shoulder just in case Blue comes back. He doesn’t. 

Stubborn ass, Vio thinks furiously. Why won’t he talk to anyone?

And why won’t he talk to Vio? Of all the colors, Blue seems to instinctively pick him in most situations. Mostly in arguments, because Vio sure as hell won’t back down from a fight. Vio has long accepted his natural pettiness. So in the moment, there’s a tiny, tiny part inside of Vio that wants to shout, “Fine, Blue! Be like that, then! Hope you’re having fun!”

But Blue is his brother. Beyond the brief moment of frustration, Vio is smart enough to realize something has to be really, really wrong for him to act like this. I have to figure this out.

∆

Vio’s been pestering me all week, and now he’s stalking me? 

Blue has half a mind to storm up to Vio and demand what his problem is. Why the hell did Vio show up after training that he wasn’t supposed to be there for, grinning like the stupid idiot he is, waiting for Blue to finish? Now he’s following him to the gardens, not even trying to be subtle about it! That purple freak is practically asking for a free punch to the face! 

But Blue thinks better of it. He can’t risk another rumor about his unstable behavior, especially on castle grounds. In a few hours, Blue can confidently prove that yes, he can go an entire day without overreacting. He only shouted a few times, but he’s kept his frustration in his head for the most part. Except for when that trainee nearly sliced her own hand off—Blue had to lecture her. His anger was for her safety—why can’t people understand that? He wasn’t a monster for yelling, he needed her to understand how dangerous she acted! Plus, he’s made so much progress from when he was younger!

But Vio, Green, and Red have made so much more progress than I have. People love them as heroes, but I…I’m not a diplomatic leader like Green. I don’t understand a thing about Red’s emotional intelligence that people praise him for. I’m not smart, cunning, and collected like Vio is. Even if he is stupidly obnoxious, he’s still better than me. 

They’re all better than me, and everybody knows it. 

Blue pounds his feet into the gravel path, instantly regretting his decision to calm down by walking around very breakable pots. He should honestly go home but he doesn’t want to be angry there either. He hasn’t pissed Green off all week and coming home with pent-up, misplaced frustration is exactly what an immature brat would do.

“He’s a ticking time bomb.”

“He’s scary!”

“Scary? He’s just a brat!”

“He lets all that hero stuff get to his head.”

“He’s too old to be throwing tantrums. He needs to grow up, learn some discipline.”

“Gods, it’s hard to believe that he’s Link. Link never acted out like he does.”

Blue Link isn’t like the others

Am I even a hero at all?

“Blue! Hey, wait up!”

Vio decides now is the time to pretend like he hasn’t been following Blue and dashes to his side, propping a hand on his hip. “What are you doing out here anyways? Red’s making your favorite curry tonight, and you’ve got to be hungry after training.”

“Uh, no, I’m fine. Why are you here?”

Vio frowns. “It’s dinnertime and instead of coming home, you’re being shady and kicking rocks like they’ve personally offended you.”

“I’m not kicking rocks,” Blue fights to keep his voice at an acceptable volume. “I’m walking.”

“I can see your footprints in the ground.”

“It’s muddy.”

“It can’t be muddy because this is gravel, not dirt. And it rained three days ago. It’s completely dry. You’re the one stomping all over the place—”

“I don’t ‘stomp all over the place’! I’m walking!”

Come on, Blue! Pull yourself together. Be like Green. This fight isn’t worth it.

Vio’s eye twitches. “Stop clenching your jaw, Blue.”

“Shut up,” Blue immediately fires back.

Vio looks ready with another sarcastic point, but his expression changes from annoyance into something that looks more Red’s face. He sighs. “I’m worried about you.”

“Worry about yourself,” Blue retorts, grinding his teeth extra loud for his brother’s enjoyment. 

“Bah!” Vio huffs. He points a finger to Blue’s chest, tapping on it to emphasize each insult. “You are the most stubborn, thick-headed person I know. You do nothing but infuriate me! You’re being weird and you know it!”

“I infuriate you?” Blue replies. 

Of course you do, the rumors whisper. You infuriate everybody.

“I know something is bothering you,” Vio continues, “so quit your tough guy act and tell me what your problem is!”

“Fine!” Blue snaps. “You wanna know what my problem is? It’s you, Vio! You’re the damn problem! You don’t think that I notice that you intentionally try to piss me off? Goddesses. You act so like you’re smarter than the rest of us, that you know better. You’re the reason why all the other knights think I’m so messed up!”

“Watch what you say around him. He’s a little unstable.”

“You’re such a prick!” Blue seethes. “And I hate you for it!”

“Have you seen the way he talks to other knights? It’s unsightly!”

“You bring out the worst in me!”

“Immature.”

“This might shock you, but I’m not stupid! I hear the things people say about me. About how I’ve got anger issues, that I need to keep my behavior in check—”

“Untamed.”

“--l-like I’m just some animal! But dammit, I’m trying! I’m trying to keep my shit together, I’m trying to…to be–!”

The bubble in Blue’s throat burns as his voice cuts off, hot tears racing down his cheeks while he takes a step back. To his horror, Blue is sobbing—about what, anymore? About the rumors? About Vio? Goddesses, he can’t go a single day without lashing out! 

Vio only stares and somehow that’s even more awkward. Blue can feel his body trembling from where he stands, his shoulders shaking as he tries to finish his own goddamn sentence, but he can’t make himself speak anymore. Blue scowls. He’s just proved exactly why the rumors exist in the first place! He’s the problem, it’s—!

“Hey…” Vio says slowly. 

“Stop,” Blue interrupts whatever Vio has planned to say next. “Just leave, okay? I want…I want to be by myself.”

Blue turns, furiously scrubbing at his eyes that can’t seem to stop crying and sits a few feet away. Blue can sense Vio still somewhere nearby, that little prick. He knows, okay? He knows he’s been so, so stupid–Vio doesn’t have to rub it in!

“Alright,” Vio eventually mutters. There’s footsteps, and then briefly, complete silence, aside from Blue sniffling as he attempts to wipe away all evidence of his breakdown. He shuts his eyes—this always happens, it’s like a fucking cycle that I can’t get out of!--until he hears shuffling noise close by. Too close.

“Wh-why are you still here!?” Blue demands as Vio crouches besides him, knees pulled to his chest as he stares at the ground with his typical blank, slightly bored resting face. 

“Because, technically,” Vio starts. “I am you, and you are me. So you are still, technically, by yourself.”

“Are you fucking joking right now?”

“I am 100% serious.”

“You little—”

“Blue, listen to me,” Vio interrupts. He scoots closer, eyebrows pinched together in concern. “Nobody thinks that stuff about you.”

“Don’t lie to me,” Blue grumbles, wiping away another stray tear.

“I’m not,” Vio defends.

Blue snorts, but it only sounds like a broken garble of laughter. “I’ve heard what they say with my own ears. Don’t think about telling me otherwise.”

Vio purses his lips, hesitating for a moment before deflating with a sigh. He stares at the ground again. “Okay, fine. You’re the most abrasive, short-fused person I’ve met in my whole life. And yeah, I’ve heard people mention it too. But you’re also the most loyal, strong-willed, and passionate person I know, and I’ve heard people say those things just as often, if not more.”

Blue pulls his knees closer to his chest, keeping his gaze downwards as Vio continues.

“I think,” Vio whispers, “a lot of what you said is…what you’ve been telling yourself.”

Blue jumps to his feet, instantly ready to reply, “so what? It’s all true! I see the way you, Green, and Red have changed. But I can’t! How–how am I supposed to call myself a proper hero when I keep acting like some kind of…brute?”

“Sometimes you need that in a hero.”

Blue blinks, taken aback by Vio’s words. The violet hero holds Blue’s glare, refusing to let go until he’s gotten his point across.

Vio crosses his arms. “Remember when we had to fight dad?” 

Where exactly is he going with this? “Y-yeah…?”

“I couldn’t do it,” Vio confesses. “Neither could Red. And honestly, I doubt Green would've done it in the end. But you, Blue, you’re the toughest one out of all of us. And I’m confident that with you and the rest of us, we can get through anything. It’s that fire of yours that makes you a hero.”

Blue blinks, left utterly speechless. Vio really just…counteracted everything Blue had been telling himself for months in less than a minute. And Vio knows he's right. His smug but earnest smile says plenty. 

“And that’s exactly why I go out of my way to piss you off on purpose,” Vio finishes with his cat-like smirk. “Gotta keep that fire burning!”

“What the fuck,” Blue states. “You really waste no time getting back to status quo, huh.” “Like I said,” Vio grins, “gotta keep the fire going!”

“You suck.”

Vio laughs, slinging an arm around Blue’s shoulders. “But seriously. Don’t forget anything I said, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” Blue waves a hand, letting Vio guide him back inside. Two smiles meet each other. “...Thanks, Vio.”

[rileymorph]

Heyy!! Wanted to share some fanart cause I needed something to draw :D

(The background and inspo is from pinterest)

Just a simple question for fun: What's your or a funny/favorite scene you like in Four Swords? Have a good day!

OH MY GOD IT'S THEM!!!!! BLUE LINK AND VIO LINK I LOVE THEEMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU FOR SHOWING ME THIS !! <3 <3

as for my favorite scene it's hard to pick one LOL. I've talked about some of my favorite Green moments and Blue & Vio moments that fuel my brain decay

BUUUUT this is a little silly scene that I love because of how everyone just ignores the fuck out of Vio, like that's hilarious BAHAHAHA

[rileymorph]

is it bad of me to say i'm happy you don't like LU? like. don't get me wrong, i'm an LU fan. but sometimes i just...want to see Four Swords content without LU being involved.

no, yeah that's exactly it!! unfortunately I have developed a bias against LU because it's kinda dominated like half of the Four Swords space (looking at ao3 especially), and I can't seem to get away from it even if I try to block tags </3

and if I may be permitted to rant a little: this is why I never refer to the FS Links as "the colors"—bc to my understanding FS Manga Link is a completely different character than LU Four Link(?)

I will always refer my FS Links as "the four" (NOT to be confused with "Four") or "the Links"—idk, anything that isn't "the colors" LOL. to me, "the colors" is LU specific and I want to keep that very separate from my FS Links

[rileymorph]

have you seen all the linked universe evils? if so what are your thoughts on them thanks :3

actually I've never read Linked Universe

itssss just not for me. idk anything about LU and I'm OK with keeping it that way LOL

[rileymorph]

WAITWAIT I ALMOST MISSED THIS

Charlie you are so correct and right and true about this

sometimes I think about the Missing Green & Vio Scene in Chapter 9 (missing scene in my head). like as they're traveling back to the shrine, Vio notices the way Green winces with certain movements. he realizes it's because he fucking destroyed Green's insides during their duel, and Green hasn't fully recovered from it (because if the hit was strong enough to knock Green unconscious that's gotta be like insane levels of pain, right??)

I think Vio would feel extremely bad and guilty about it. when they finally get a chance, he pulls Green aside, in private, to personally apologize. (Green obvi doesn't blame him for it OFC.) this leads to them opening up and talking about their duel, and how scary it was for the both of them. I think that would be suuuuch a good Green & Vio bonding moment

It is genuinely surprising that no one gives a shit about Green and Vio as a duo considering the fact that they canonically had a fight to the death and get paired together in many other circumstances (Vio asking Green if he's losing confidence in himself at the start of their journey, Vio pretending that Green is with him in the Temple of Darkness, the Big Poe's lie about killing them together, Vio being cautious about Green's plan to destroy their father at the Tower of Winds, Green following the fake Vio at the Palace of Winds).

[rileymorph]

in that one comic you made a bit ago with the Kool aid, I noticed green and vio have 1 blue earring on each ear, but blue has a blue AND a purple earring ! wanted to hear your thoughts on this because I thought it was very cute

surprised by how many comments I got about that BAHAHAHA

yess Blue is the only one out of all of them that has an extra earring. this is from something stupid he (and Vio) did during their teen years (the era where the stupidest decisions are typically made)

buuut all answers will be revealed as it's going to be a future comic one day (I have all the panels thumbnailed already so it WILL actually happen)

[rileymorph]

*one of the links says something legitimately fucked up and mean but apologizes*

Blue: hey it's chill i get it lets get some icecream together (is fine instantaneously)

*One of the links moves stuff around his bedroom without telling him*

Blue: THATS SO FUCKED UP HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO ME (will be fine in 2 days)

[rileymorph]

IM UHHHHHHHBAAA !!!!!!?!

i am literally speechless.......

NONOYOU ARE ALL ACTUALLY WAY TOO NICE TO ME WHAGBAHAHAHA (?????_)

I am so so appreciative for all the kind words </3 </3 </3 </3

it will always be surreal to me that so many people enjoy my self-indulgent art and doodles like HUHH?? tbh when I first made this blog I rlly didn't expect more than like 20 ppl or smth on average to engage (WHICH WOULD NOT HAVE BE A NEGATIVE THING BTW). i was like “if I can get at least 3 people to indulge in my insanity then I'll be happy” AHAHAH

anyway everyone is so awesome thank you for all the support and kindness thank youuu :"""D

[rileymorph]

holy fuck a four swords fan

I have found my people

hi !! :D

yess welcome to my stupid four swords hell pit blog LOL

you could say I'm a casual fan of Four Swords

[rileymorph]

my Vio hc is he'll actively go out of his way to bother Blue with stupid shit. like opening a new jar of peanut butter despite being fully capable of doing it himself. but training injury on his dominant arm? nah he'll take care of it himself even if he struggles the entire time

(either way Blue is yelling at him LOL)

[rileymorph]

how Blue and Vio's interactions would go down from this post