#CONFUSION

[haveihitanerve]

Nightwing, Red Hood, Red Robin, Spoiler, Batgirl, all hug their teams after missions, check in, make sure they’re fine, because its what Bruce would do, what Batman did, after a rough patrol, or a difficult mission, he’d crush them close, ensure their safety, check in afterwards because maybe the mission was a little harsher and more trying so Bruce was a little more bitchy and he just wants to check in, make sure they’re good, make sure his kids are okay, that they’re safe, and the League sees this happen and is like “where did crime lord Red Hood learn this?” to just hug his teammates after battle? Weird. And then they all are like- “wait batman doesn't hug yall after battle?” And the League is like “wtf no????” and yeah…

I just want the kids to be the tadest bit oblivious to the fact that their Batman is also their Dad and is not the League’s Batman.

[vanillayoteart]

Gothic Punk 2

You ever finish turning into a vixen with an impeccable sense of style? Something for juniortumblewwd from my weekly streams!

[oldinterneticons]

Confused? Well maybe a little

[bubba-whump-shrimp-co]

thinking about a simple, repeated assessment by caretaker that tracks the rapid decline in whumpee's condition.

"can you tell me your name? do you know where you are? how many fingers am I holding up?"

the first time caretaker asks, they're met with an eyeroll. whumpee rattles off the answers the first few times with ease.

on the third or fourth, they falter; their answer coming after an ever-so-slight hesitation, sarcasm suddenly gone.

by the next, they're pale and blanking on answers, no longer able to hide the effort it takes them to put together a response

eventually, whumpee can hardly hold their gaze with caretaker, eyelids fluttering, only just barely able to remember their own name...

the last time caretaker asks, they aren't sure if whumpee is hearing them at all.

[thatsbelievable]

[dailyjadenep]

[pennink-witch]

Cross stitch social media posts really confuse me. I see a lot of people sharing pictures of the back of their work, going 'oh, I'm so proud I finished but my backs look soooo messy!🙈'.

And I can't help but think,

Who gives a shit??

It's the back! No one's supposed to be looking at it. If someone comes round and, when you show them your latest masterpiece, turns it over and says 'oh, but the back's very messy', that person is not invited again.

My second thought is,

Well, try clipping your fucking ends then. If you don't want a messy back, don't leave two‐inch tails of every thread. Knot it through the work a couple of times and cut the loose off.

[comfortingcatharsis]

When a character is dazed and confused and not quite tracking or processing what's going on around them and can only respond to their companions' reassurances or explanations with a slow, puzzled echo, repeating a single word or phrase that was just said to them but inflected as a question.

[sluggoonthestreet]

If you invite Max to a potluck, he'll be happy to bring the chips.

[kittsyspaw]

✦ ❝ 𝐈 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐫 𝐈'𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 ❞

𝑆YNO ✦ .ᐟ Your friendship with Friend!Vinny Hong is confusing. Breaking off wasn't the easiest and Vinny found himself trying to find you after many alterations.

WARNINGS !¡ SLIGHT YANDERE VINNY, NO NSFW yandere behaviors, if uncomfortable please click off. Heavy? angst, people pleaser reader, Misunderstandings, hating and jealousy, Delusional behavior, possessiveness and obsessiveness, stalking, Getting drunk, usage of alcohol, i don't think ooc Vinny is pathetic ngl

A year and half of Vinny meeting you passed. Everyday, after an argument, he'd catch a glimpse of you on the way to school. Living in this crappy neighborhood wasn't't as bad anymore, not if he gets flashed by your grin and a wave of your hand. Vinny liked every second of it, you recognized him, hitting up casual conversations to check up on how he's doing.

Today, the sun was glaring down at him. Sweat glistening on his forehead as he slung his backpack over his shoulder, his signature resting face planted on and his head floating to another reality. Vinny hated the lava ball in the sky. it made him feel sticky, being cooked up like an egg in a pan in this humid breeze that blurred everything he tried to visualize.

A cold gust blasted his little red hairs away, the unsharpness in his viewpoint became clearer than a crystal. It made shivers bump up on the skin of his naked arms. The fuzzy heat was frozen to a sharp block of ice and Vinny crossed his arms to makeshift a faux blanket, the needle picks at his skin tickling out jitters from his nerves.

With a wide mouth, the landscape around Vinny went in slow motion, h/c hairs brushed in his range, giggles pecking his earlobes. It wasn't the weather that shifted but Vinny...who was dunked in a cup of cold water with ice cubes when he made out that it indeed, was you. His hyperfixation.

The urge to chat with you...apologize made him stare like a deer stuck in headlights. Unable to take a step, to build something more than just a norm hit up and greetings. Vinny began scrutinizing the existence of you. An everyday task he never fails to scratch off his list.

White sneakers decorated your feet. a flowy sundress that had knittings of different species of flowers, dancing in the wind and exposing the supple flesh of your knees and molding around your curves. Finally, the rosebud purse that contained your stuff, hopefully Vinny could encourage himself and give you back the carmex lip balm that you've dropped last week.

The fists around the straps of the black bag tightened, it was a reflex as Vinny gawked at your florsence blessing, the light beaming from your form. Mismatched eyes bulged out when you set your gaze on him, with a curl of your glossy lips, your hand raised, shaking it at the taller male who got caught red-handed while soaking up the details about you.

"Y/–"

About to mutter up the title you went by, his words got stuck in his throat after the fog around the other person beside you got swiped away, revealing their confident and muscular posture. "Vinny!" He was trapped behind a spare wall in consideration but a swipe quickly washed the barrier away, his attention back on you.

"Hi.."

It sounded harsher than it was supposed to, defense displaying as a result of his past, he changed...but unable to express anything, his usual habits came back. The muscles of his face twitched too, thin eyebrow raising, staring down at you then love and need stirred in the sparkle of his eye, visible hearts shaping into the pupils.

The other individual took note of the obviousness. Vinny glimpsed at the thing by your side. The ocean blue eyes pinned him like a nail to a wooden board, sizing Vinny up and down. Sensing this, a prominent vein popped on Vinnys jaw while it clenched, knowing that this guy was planning much more than just being your friend.

he was trying to use you.

"Vinny, this is ------ my classmate! He's a foreigner and doesn't understand Korean but I'm helping him out here!"

Vinny could not care less, he didn't even remember what the name of this male was. He was desperate to talk to you again... after all he had a high amount of that to do. But an obstacle was in the way...

Yeah obviously he's a foreigner. Light hair, pale skin that shamed white paint and those knife-edged pupils that could point out your insecurities when they weren't even shown. Vinny was disgusted, it's not like he didn't want you to have friends but why this luxury type...he seemed to be rich...the first thing he could humiliate Vinny in.

"That's...nice. How's School going for you?"

"Ehh i have to get better grades." You stuck your tongue out playfully, scratching your scalp. "Mhm, yeah. I can help you if you want...I wanted to–" the words got stuck in his throat after you gave him a tilt of your head.

With a shallow smile at the idea, and the nod of your head to encourage the tutor thing. "That would be awesome! Thanks Vinny and say hello to your mom for me, I couldn't greet her this morning."

The simple gesture of his neck bopping down was enough as a response. "Who's that, Y/n, you still haven't introduced me." The boys seraphic tone matched the childishness he felt comfortable in. A spark funkled over your head, right, you forgot that your classmate was still here, too lost in the moment with your close friend.

"oh yeah, sorry about that. This is Vinny, we were– a...are close."

Your tone dropped a little from the smug vocals, returning to a polite speaking manner as the language switch gave Vinny whiplash, you were fluent too. The dialect was spoken like your mother tongue, flawlessly explaining and conversing.

Vinny was in a rollercoaster ride that took braking turns, loops that dropped his stomach and caused the acid to flux to his throat...or did he just want to throw up?

He hated the second that foreigner touched you and interrupted your talks so he could get your attention back on him. Vinny got pissed off, the grabby hands at your arm, tugging the fabrics. "Stoppp... i already said we'll go."

Vinnys recognized the annoyance in your way of talking, but it was another language so he had no idea whether you were just joking around. "Y/n.. Is he bothering you?" His eyes narrowed, calculating and mysterious as ever. He didn't want you to help this guy like you used to help him.

"No... it's alright, Vinny. Anyway, it was good to know that you're better. See'ya!"

With a wave, silence dominated again, the conversation being snipped short. Maroon liquid dripped in circles when Vinny clenched his fists at the anger that rose up inside of his chest, his teeth about to snap from the way he grit them together, sharp canines grazing against the flesh inside his mouth.

His nostrils flared, muscles in his face twitching and forming a nasty snarl. Vinny wanted to grab the nearest person and punch them until they bruise up just so he could get rid of this venomous toxicity.

The splitting headache came from the unsteady emotions he was enduring. It made no sense to him. Vinny sustained an intense change of view, his dreams and hopes came crashing, it clawed at his heart and tugged at every string keeping it together and pumpy.

Why? Why?

With a sigh, he allowed the negative thoughts to subside and continued his way. Yet overthinking never failed to win, taking upon his brain. Was it just an attraction? Or was it love?

And as they do say, Love is complicated. Relationships don't last long if you two don't click together. Finding the one is hard and almost impossible. His chest ached, the stress causing the male to ruffle his flame color hair, shakily sighing. He fucking hated this perplexity.

Vinny didn't like you for your looks. Yes, sure whatever, you were pretty but he saw something more... something deeper than just your features. His cheeks warmed up every time you picked him out of his ghost state, ignoring the people's flinches or disturbed glances.

Your voice...your sunshine personality. Your will to talk to him. The determination you set on him and encouraging him. When you complimented him. When you did small things for him. When you spotted him a crowd of million people.

No matter where or with who. You managed to clean out all the objects in the way, finding your way openly to the red-head.

Even when he shouted at you...when he used to push you away and try the tough person act on you. Yet...yet still, you weren't scared! You still returned with that stupid fucking grin of yours...!

Vinny hadn't realized the tears that collected at his lashline, falling on the heat of his cheek. His heart was squeezing and swelling up, the thudding was heard plainly as it sped up.

Why weren't you afraid of him? Why didn't you call him a monster like every other normal person did?! Why...why?

The resentment of the actions he did to hurt you made the guilt even worse, suffocating Vinny who regrets and feels the end to apologize over and over again. You've pulled him out of the pit hole. Out the darkness, the void that pressured him into his habits.

He was ascending to his best while you time by time built up before plunging into the shadowy battle with yourself. He already knew that your grades were getting worse, money was even shorter on your end, your family problems.

Even when you faced those things, you decided to help him out with his. Vinny made more friends as you retreated and faded away from his life. Only when the person has withered from your grasp...you go searching for them.

Vinny had already highlighted his mistake. But god you were the most important thing to him. Without you, his world was plain and colorless. It was like a flash in front of him when you two first met.

Jack, the black furball had led you to each other. Vinny held a grumpy face while you stroked the cat that belonged to him. He still remembers when you innocently asked if it was his feline with a dazzling smile.

Anger. It was just a scoff he gave you before snatching the pet from your hands and leaving, flinching when he arrived at his doorstep and you stood right behind him, arms crossed behind your back.

That just pestered him even more. Hissing at you to leave. Calling you vile names and weird insults. It didn't scare you off.

Everyday...you stood at his door waiting for him patiently. And Vinny never failed to get caught by you. Even when he tried sneaking away by the window on the other side.

You somehow found him. Everywhere.

A long... unpleasant year passed until Vinny gave up. Allowing you to enter his personal space, you loved his privacy. Then he got bombarded with the questions that you didn't already know.

Your curious voice was clear and whimsical as you asked for something you wanted to know. It was like that scene was happening in the moment as Vinny experienced a fragment of it.

"what's your favorite color?!"

You had pondered, brighter than the sun as you used all of your braincells to think about it. Vinny had replied with a 'guess' so you did, screaming out something far from what stereotypes would say.

"Hot pink!"

But Vinny hated stereotypes. He'd go against every single one of them if he could just to gain the hate of other people. A smirk spread on his face that time, nodding then chuckling at your outburst of happiness, celebrating something you guessed on first try.

"Yayy! I knew it!!"

The world around him was splashed and spread with colors that day. The unusual paint popping up whenever he saw you. And timely... he started to see it everywhere. A relic of you left behind wherever he went.

But that trophy rusted and putrificated as time made Vinny get distracted. His friends. The girl who had a dilemma with him. The cycling. Losing. Winning. Pressure. Stress. Depression. The accident with his friend and the list went on...

It was too much. Vinny was just an adult barely at the age of 20 too, he was a human. Not a monster or a freak. The constant confusion he swam in made his vision spin and swirl. What the hell was he supposed to do?!

As a result of the changing surroundings, the nature around Vinny casted a shadow. narrowing down to a little bubble of despair.

The world meant Nothing to Vinny without you. Why wouldn't you realize?!

He didn't mean to lash out at you when you tried to tell him that day...your expression tested him, your fidgeting and the stuttering. It was the last time you two spoke before parting ways into your neighborhood, you tried coming back days later, at the wrong time where things still hadn't calmed.

the rage you caused made you shelter yourself in your shell again. Staying away from your friend who you decided to just greet everyday...checking in.

And fuck did it hurt when he saw you again, a light spreading around and scorching off the gloominess. Vinny wants to apologize. He hopes you didn't find anyone else. someone who would steal his position. Someone who would have a future with you.

Vinny was a billion percent sure that he should be your lover while you were his. He was confident of it. You are supposed to be his. You are meant to be with him.

Right? Right...?

While walking around the streets, his body taking him on a familiar one, the street where you lived. Through the frail curtains, he could see the bedroom that matched your personality. But the softness in his expression faltered when Vinny caught you laughing and joking with the classmate.

So you were draining your energy for another person again? Just to be left on a low battery and discarded without getting charged.

Vinny was somehow gonna win you back. He needed you. Not because he was in a bad situation and pathetic again...yeah...not because you still pleased others even after they hurt you.

There...was nothing better than staying away for a while, right? Then you could recover from your problems and Vinny wouldn't be there as a limitation.

That night, Vinny had visited a...not so normal place. It was one of his least favorites. A club. The neon lights that stung your eyes, the loud music that deafened your hearing senses and the creeps left and right trying to drug you and traffic...

The redhead could practically feel the beats in his body as the Signals glided and made the floor buzz. He ignored everyone. He ignored everything. Just sitting at the bar with the delmonico glass that held in fuzzy substances. It wasn't an exemplary action...no. but it caused his nerves to ease off.

Sooner or later, without registration, one glass after the other burned down Vinny's throat, gulping all of them until he was dizzy. His face was flushed, hearing and seeing everything twice or triple of the norm.

The boy stood up with wobbling legs, away from the reaching hands, long nails that stroked up his biceps or abs, kisses being thrown in his direction and the weird people. The redhead tumbled into some walls, rested at some windows until he apprehended the local vicinity.

Knock. Knock.

His knuckles thumped onto the wood, to notify the person inside. That person was you. In your nightwear, just about to go to sleep. There was a nervousness that was built inside of you. Who was it? And at this time? The clock read out a clear '2AM'.

Opening the door slightly, you peeked with your eye which sent shocks through your body after seeing Vinny in his state, leaning against the doorframe with a pained expression. "Y/n..please" he hopelessly mewled out your name, one of his large hands settling on the wood for support, pushing his shoulder from the relaxed position.

"open... please?"

His words were slurred. And your heart raced.

What the hell was he doing? Worry raced and won against your frozen state as you quickly pulled him inside, the taller and obviously more buff boy fell on top of you, making you stumble your way over to the couch, losing your balance.

Vinny rested right above you, locking you into a caging hug as he rubbed his face against your shoulder, like a cat. The boy sniffed the nectar of your perfume, his eyes almost rolling back as he melted like putty into your comfort.

Finally. Your touch. He wanted more of it. He wanted you to touch him and feel him up everywhere.

"I'm so sorry...I'm so in love with you, Y/n."

Your eye twitched, signaling the fury and sudden blow you had to take. "Don't you fuckin' dare say that! You're drunk!" You squirmed, trying to buckle away from the arms wrapped around you like a blanket. Vinny had winced at your tone, it boomed inside his head and gave a pulse of a splitting headache.

"noo...i swear. I'm not. I love you. I'm... not drunk. I love you. I love you."

Vinny mumbled out, his eyelashes fluttering close while enjoying the warmth your body gifted his colder temperature. The need for you was being satisfied, finally. Vinny couldn't stay away.

He just can't do it. He demanded to have you back. He wants you. He just has to have you.

You were his.

Closing your own eyes, your upper lip scrunched and brows narrowed. Why was he doing this? He didn't actually mean it, did he? He was just not sober at the moment and tomorrow he'll be regretting everything.

Tears streamed from you, landing on Vinnys cheek. "Mhm...don't cry, Y/n. I'm sorry–...my fault? I didn't want to yell at you. I just love you so much it hurt when you cut me off. Please Y/n..."

"please don't ever leave me. Please..."

The pathetic desperation in his tone made you sob even more, his voice breaking along your crys. "You stupid dummy. There's no way I'm forgetting what you did."

"I'll make it up to you...promise."

"promise?"

Vinny instantly sat up, his body weight being removed allowing you to breathe again. His hand was in front of your face, holding up his pinky finger.

Vinnys mismatched pupils glowed under the light, softened and...for a second...it didn't feel like he was drunk at all. His heart was light and skipping beats at your touch, Vinnys cheeks going pinkish while he had his eyes on you.

You cloaked your smaller pinky around his and so, his gaze directed at the little connection you two made, a genuine, honey-like smile showing on his features and he tapped your thumbs against each other to seal the important promise.

"i swear I'll never hurt you again..."

Followed by a sloppy kiss planted right beside your lips before his head went limp on your chest, soft snores escaping him. And a loud sigh left you...was it real? What he said? Or was Vinny playing you? Either way... you felt too guilty.

Your hands found themselves in his locks, playing with his scalp. While chewing on your bottom lip, liquid that matched his hair color dripped out of the injury and you simply licked it away, tasting the metallic flavor to make sure you weren't dreaming. This wasn't your imagination.

Too guilty to not accept him. It was impossible for you to say no...

ARGH. The ending was good but rushed wtv

I HOPE you liked this and sorry for any mistakes.

Lyrics taken by the neighbourhood, Song: Softcore

[spop-gifs]

Animated stickers from the official She-Ra and the Princesses of Power sticker app

[mochinek0]

Drama-Bomb: Part 2

1

As Damian entered the Manor, everyone was waiting for him. He could tell everyone was on edge.

"Talia was here." Bruce stated.

"Yes." Damian spoke, setting multiple bags down.

"Why?" Jason questioned.

"Mother came to visit and make sure Father was adequate to parent me." Damian explained.

"And if not?" Dick asked, after an eerie silence.

Damain huffed, "She said her door is open, if I choose to return. She will not force me; it is my choice. "

They all sighed in relief. They had already decided to go all out on patrol and keep every communication point open, in case they spotted her.

"So," Tim questioned, "What exactly did you two talk about?"

Bruce's phone beeped, gaining their attention.

He glared, "Why is there an $8000 charge to my card?"

Damian tossed it to him, "Mother and I ate dinner and went shopping. We were in public and there was no mention of the League. She was questioning my studies and social skills. Mother expresses her gratitude."

Bruce just groaned in response.

"Hey, Damian." Tim called, amused.

"What?" he asked, annoyed.

Tim turned his phone around and showed them a girl with Damian on the home surveillance, "Who's the chick?"

'I should have scrubbed the security footage before I left.'

Dick grabbed the phone out of his hands. There was no audio but he had seen Damian walk over and grab her hands.

'Awwww.'

Jason looked over as she left, right before Talia and Damian.

He looked up at him, "Brat, she's still alive, right?"

Damian rolled his eyes and picked up his bags, "Of course she is."

"Did you get confessed to?" his eldest brother asked, excitedly, as Damian walked up the steps.

"Why would my girlfriend need to confess?" the youngest retaliated.

"Girlfriend?" they all shouted.

"Since when?" Tim demanded.

Damian gave a far off look and shrugged, "A few years now."

Tim sputtered. Dick was freaking out about how he hadn't known while Jason was questioning the end of the world. Bruce looked at his son confused.

"So much for the World's Greatest Detective, Father." Damian declared, "Mother has taken a shine to her. We're having dinner here, tomorrow, at the manor."

"We as in who?" Bruce asked, already feeling low.

"My girlfriend, myself and Mother." Damian declared, "Mother wished to speak to her. You're invited to attend. Be on your best behavior; none of those fake facades from your gatherings, either. I'd ask them not to act like children, but what's the point?"

Damian continued up the stairs. He had bought some fabric for his girlfriend and he couldn't wait to show her the pictures. 

[user-boxer]

This user is...a...person?

Requested by: @confusedpinktobluefox

[aventurineswife]

“I'd do whatever I could do”

Summary: Aventurine undergoes a bizarre transformation, reverting to his child form due to an inexplicable force. In this new, vulnerable state, he is found by Boothill, and you, who instinctively offers comfort and protection. Together, you three form an unlikely family, as Kakavasha, now a child, grapples with his new reality, experiencing innocence and care for the first time. Amid the chaos of the universe, they find brief solace in their newfound bond.

Tags: Aventurine x Reader x Boothill, Platonic, Transformation, Family, Unexpected Bonds, Comfort, Childlike Innocence, Humor, Surreal, Reader is called Mother but not implied female. @lavenderlovekakavasha

Warnings: Transformation (age regression), confusion, mild existential themes, emotional tension.

A/N: I'm half asleep while writing this so plz ignore any mistakes 😪

The warm glow of the sunset outside the IPC headquarters bathed the sterile interior in a soft, amber light. Aventurine leaned back in his chair, his fingers tracing the edges of the holographic charts laid out before him. The evening had been unusually quiet—until the unexpected wave of dizziness hit him.

"Not again..." Aventurine muttered under his breath, rubbing his temples as his vision blurred momentarily. He had always been one to trust his luck, but this felt… different. A strange sensation, something he couldn’t place, rolled through him like a tide. His body stiffened, a soft jolt running through his spine.

Before he could even register what was happening, the world around him began to warp. The walls seemed to shift, colors blending, and the floor seemed to fall away from beneath him. He gasped, feeling an overwhelming pull, and in a split second, his adult form began to shrink, his limbs dwindling down to a child’s size. His once confident stance faltered, replaced by a wobbly, unsteady posture.

Aventurine, now no longer the calculated and sophisticated man he had been moments ago, stood frozen in the middle of the room. His attire—elegant, composed—hung awkwardly around his much smaller frame, the fine materials pooling like a blanket on the floor. His golden-rimmed glasses fell from his face, and his typically calm and collected features now bore the unguarded innocence of a child.

The air was thick with confusion. Aventurine’s eyes—now large and wide—darted around in panic. His small hands trembled as he reached up to touch his now-short(?) hair. “What…?” he squeaked in a voice that was much higher than he had ever remembered it being.

Before he could further process what had happened, the door to his office slammed open, and in strode Boothill. The cyborg cowboy, tall and imposing, paused at the threshold when he saw what was unfolding before him. His mechanical eye whirred, analyzing the situation, his black pupils narrowing in confusion.

"Well, ain’t this somethin’," Boothill muttered, taking a step forward. His usual bravado faltered just a little as he looked down at the small, confused child now standing where Aventurine had once been. "Ain't no way I’m seein’ things right now..."

Aventurine—no, Baby Kakavasha—looked up at the towering cowboy. The child’s eyes were wide with fear, but there was also a glimmer of recognition. His lips parted as he searched for words, but none came.

Boothill stared at him for a long moment, his gloved hands hovering near his holstered guns as if unsure what to do next. “What in the galaxy is goin’ on here, kid?”

The air felt thick with tension. Baby Kakavasha took a hesitant step forward, his small voice trembling. “I—I don’t know,” he stammered, struggling with the unfamiliarity of his child’s body. “I didn’t do this. It wasn’t me.”

Boothill scratched his head, his mechanical parts creaking as he did so. “Kid, I ain't got the faintest clue what’s happenin', but one thing’s clear—you ain't lookin' like yourself. You a shape-shifter, or is this some kinda joke?”

“Please,” Kakavasha’s voice was softer now, more fragile than the usual sharp tone he carried as Aventurine. “Can you help me?”

Boothill exhaled slowly, his harsh features softening just a fraction. He wasn’t the sentimental type, but seeing this child—this version of Kakavasha—made his heart tug with an unfamiliar feeling. He took a step forward, crouching down to meet the small child’s gaze. “Alright, kid,” he said with a sigh. “Guess I’m gonna have to step up. I ain't got no clue how this happened, but you're not alone in this.”

Just then, the door to the room slid open again, and you stepped in. Your instincts kicked in immediately, and your brow furrowed at the sight before you. Aventurine, or rather, Baby Kakavasha, looked up at you with wide, uncertain eyes, his small body trembling in confusion.

Without hesitation, you approached him, kneeling beside the child. There was no explanation for why, but an overwhelming urge to protect him, to care for him, surged through you.

“Don’t worry,” you said gently, extending your arms to comfort him. “You’re safe now. I’ll take care of you.”

Boothill, watching the scene unfold, couldn't help but feel a sense of protectiveness welling up in his chest. “Guess that makes me your dad then,” he remarked dryly, scratching his head. “Ain't no way this is normal, but looks like we’re a family now.”

Kakavasha blinked at Boothill, still overwhelmed by the bizarre circumstances. “Father?” he echoed, testing the word on his lips. His expression was a mix of confusion and surprise, but also... curiosity. “You’re... my dad?”

“Yeah, you heard me right. I’m your old man now,” Boothill said with a smirk, though there was a softness in his voice that he didn’t usually show. "Ain't that somethin’, kid?"

Kakavasha took a moment to absorb the idea, his little mind scrambling to make sense of the situation. His usual sharp wit was clouded by the childlike innocence that had taken over his demeanor. “So, uh... does this mean I can have cookies for breakfast now?” he asked, his small voice high-pitched but filled with a strange, hopeful tone.

Boothill blinked. "Well, uh... sure, kid. Why not?" He shook his head in bemusement. "You're supposed to be some kinda stone-cold strategist, and now you're askin' about cookies."

Kakavasha grinned widely, the simplicity of the question almost making the chaos around them feel a little more manageable. “Maybe... maybe we can even get ice cream after dinner!” he added, his face lighting up at the thought.

Boothill snorted, leaning back on his heels. “This whole thing’s a mess, kid, but sure. Ice cream it is.” He shot a glance at you. “You’re okay with that, right? I mean, we're a family now... I think?”

You chuckled softly at the absurdity of it all. "Sure, ice cream sounds good. After all, you’ve got to ease into being a kid again, right?"

Kakavasha looked up at both of you, his expression shifting from bewilderment to something softer, warmer. Despite the situation being entirely out of his control, there was a sense of comfort slowly building in him. Maybe, just maybe, this odd, unexpected family would be able to piece together a bit of stability, even if only for a moment.

“Thank you,” Kakavasha whispered, his voice now tinged with gratitude. “I... I don’t know what happened, but... I feel like I’m not alone anymore.”

Boothill’s face softened, just a little, as he placed a hand on Kakavasha’s small shoulder. “You’re not alone, kid. No matter what happens, we’ve got each other.”

The improbable new family stood there for a moment, in the midst of the swirling chaos, unsure of how or why this all came to be. But for now, Kakavasha was no longer a vengeful adult filled with hatred. He was simply a child, embraced by a new, unlikely mother and a cyborg cowboy who, in this strange turn of fate, had somehow become his father.

And for a brief, fleeting moment, the chaos of the universe outside seemed to fade away as they stood together, a family of three, with Kakavasha’s small hand resting gently in Boothill’s rough palm. The game of life had thrown them a curveball, but for now, they would face it as one.

The dawn would come for them eventually. But for now, they had each other. And cookies. And ice cream.

Very lazily written and not edited lol

Art by @Senlly_2507 on X

[contract-crawdad]

Look Outside Pacifism Concepts: Part 2

Continuing right along with the Teeth Family and Edwin’s victims roommates!

Toothlings and the Teratoma

That’d be a great name for a band, right? Toothlings and the Teratoma. No? Just me?

If you eat any sugary food in the same room as them, the shrink back in fear, running away instead of chasing after you from that point onwards.

Food items that trigger this interaction are cola, orange drink, lemon drink, hard candy, chocky bars, gummi bears, and bocky.

Managing to interact with a toothling at this stage prompts the text:

The clump of teeth and gums chatters nervously and cringes. Do they really hate sugar that much?.

After you assert your dominance over the Teratoma in this manner, it can be given toothpaste. In exchange, you get a Wisdom Tooth: a Joel-exclusive accessory that decreases the amount of damage he deals to himself from using his teething skill and increases the amount of turns that pass before he naturally loses teeth.

Madison

If you have Benjamin’s teeth pendant equipped, Madison’s addled mind will mistake you for Benjamin instead of Baby Teeth.

She’ll admonish ‘Benjamin’ for being out of bed before the doctor arrives to have a look at what’s wrong, but she is glad to see that ‘Benjamin’ seems to be doing so much better!

She will, however, insist on giving you a hug before sending you back to ‘your’ room… and I mean you CAN turn her down, but would you? That’s right. Didn’t think so.

You take five rounds of minor damage from her mouths digging into you, having a small chance to proc a bleed each time.

Baby Teeth

While you cannot actually kill Baby Teeth in the base game, it would be a cop out on my part to leave her unchanged!

A less-violent manner of pacifying her once combat is engaged is to toss her Madison’s handbag! I sure hope you picked that up.

Baby Teeth will spend the first turn ‘gurgling eagerly’ if you have it. If you don’t give her the handbag on that turn, she flies into a tantrum earlier in the fight than normal, which generally makes the already difficult encounter even harder.

If you give it to her before the second turn starts, she’ll tear into the bag excitedly.

The massive infant’s teeth shred through the bag as if it were made of paper, revealing it’s contents: it’s full to the brim with various rubber items, chew toys, and pacifiers.

Though Baby Teeth’s razor sharp chompers shred the items in short order, doing so seems to provide her with just enough relief to sink back below the floorboards with a relieved sigh.

Clint

I didn’t do those out of order, there’s a reason Clint’s last! Trust my vision.

Hey, did you know, in the base game, killing Clint isn’t required to enter the tooth family home or to recruit Joel? Just thought that was interesting : ).

Encountering Clint with Joel in your party will make Clint come to his senses after he lands an attack on his son.

In Clint’s fleeting moment of lucidity, he recognizes that it would be a tremendously bad idea for Joel to stay any longer. He gives the okay for Joel to “Sleepover with the neighbor, okay? Just for a few bites- NIGHTS, a few nights, that’s all.”

It’s very clear he’s lying, but Joel believes him wholeheartedly. From that point on, the door to the tooth family’s apartment is repaired and barricaded from the inside.

Confusion

Dealing piercing damage to Confusion through any means will cause one of their eyes to burst and for them to exclaim “YEEEeeeEEES!! More, moremoremore!”

Obliging their request and dealing more instances of piecing damage will eventually burst all of their eyes and get them to calm down completely. Thrown weapons are a useful way to accomplish this in the event that you’re overleveled and deal too much damage with regular attacks.

They can be found later at Mutt’s Fish n Chips.

“You know, it’s funny! I went to head back to my apartment, but I just couldn’t remember which one I live in! Or if I even live in this building. Or what my name is. Haha!!… I guess it’s not that funny. I do remember something about an ‘Edgar’ though! Edward? Eddy? Something like that. I think I was looking for them! If you see him, give him my best, will you? I’d look for him myself, but hey, look what happened to me the first time I went searching! Nooooo thank you, I don’t remember what I used to look like, but it definitely wasn’t this.”

Stretchface

Using duct tape during Stretchface’s second phase will wrap up their face, compressing their head-halves together while also covering their eyes… which they consider a very acceptable tradeoff.

“…Oh? Oh! Oh man that’s way better. What a relief. It’s great to think again!”

Later in Eugene’s shop, he will mention that some invisible guy bought all of his duct tape. One square in the corner of the room is occupied by Stretchface, who cannot speak or be seen in the light, but repay you for your earlier help by handing you some store credit they’ve built up, which will allow you to take one of Eugene’s items for free.

Spine

I am of the opinion that it is completely moral to kill Spine to death.

However. I could hardly exclude him due to personal bias! He wasn't in the previous version of this post due to him getting added to the game literal hours after it went up. Pain.

Anywho! Playing out the battle as normal, Spine will speak up once more when he's brought to low health.

"A-Ah, Sam, I... I see. This is too sudden for you. Too rushed. I understand. If... hhhhhahhh... if you'd like, you could head back home... w-we could... take things... wheeeeeze... a little slower. I'll be right there beside you until you're... g-ghhhah... ready to take the n-next step."

At this point, Spine can be fled from at a 100% success rate and will no reengage. You are free to leave the way you came and will continue to receive messages about invisible touches while in your apartment.

Stargazer/Edwin

Edwin’s a tricky one! Because he’s simultaneously really dangerous, while also thinking that what he’s doing to people is a good thing. There isn’t any real potential to calm him down or appease him, because he’s actually very calm, and the only thing that would appease him is grinding you into a fleshy paste. For your own good, of course.

But!

My thought was that, should you manage to evade him with the lights off all the way through his apartment, you can bait him over towards the telescope! Provided it’s pointed outside and the lights are off, Edwin will crash into it and the lens will be absorbed into his body, kicking off one last growth that expands his form even further.

The creature remains stationary, even though you have no doubt it could still chase you. Sometimes, it looks like it’s about to, but it keeps getting distracted every couple of seconds with something new to stare at.

You’re still able to Crete the Void Disk thanks to Edwin’s body still functioning as a telescope.

————————————————————————

That does it for this round!! Next time we'll cover the hypothermia crew and the taxidermy gang!

Part 1

Part 3