#Michael never really knew what his father was up to until SL

[chloesimaginationthings]

FNAF movie Vanessa out traumas Michael Afton

[fuzziemutt]

Oooh, how does the whole family dynamcis work out on the Purp guy and the other guy that's his partner?

Okay so there's like 3 sections to how it worked out as it changes dramatically ! I'm focusing on will and henry since you said him and his partner (this is also written in like one go so i apologize for any nonsense)

First off tho: William and Henry married in my au. This is because I'm a gay trans man and i see will as being a gay man and henry as a gay trans man. I also thought it would be more devastating™ if will killed their shared children than it being his best friend's kid and his own kids personally

Also: Charlie is still Henry's bio daughter but Michael, Chris and Elizabeth are adopted (chris and eli are twins btw)

Also also: Henry isn't going to be an all rainbows and sunshines guy so beware that he does some pretty shitty things as well

Pre Murders and Deaths:

They were very happy ! Prior to everything Willy was actually a decent guy and husband ! Will used to be a more stick-up-the-ass type guy but Henry brought his more humerous and silly side out over the course of knowing and dating each other. Of course they'd sometimes have small petty fights but they were adults and would work it out and such. Pretty healthy of a dynamic and they had great communication skills so Henry knew when Willy was getting frustrated and Willy likewise with Henry. Henry was the more advice dad and dad™ personality such as bringing a bag of everything they'd need whenever they went on trips to the park and dad jokes. Henry was also referred to as 'papa' by the kids! Willy was more of the morals and teachings (yes i know quite ironic) for the kids and was more strict than henry on certain things but he also would play a lot with the kids too even after a long day of work. Will was referred to as 'dad'.

Post Chris death & Pre Murders:

This is when their relationship went from healthy to pretty toxic and abusive. Henry and Will coped with Chris' death in different manners. Henry would start heading out to the bar a lot while Will became more reclusive and hardly left the house as he became severely depressed. Their communication ? Tanked. Will would still insist he was fine no matter what despite everything clearly showing other wise. Henry became more i guess snappish in that he'd fight willy on everything. Like he'd get home and see will playing with the kids, even if it was less enthusiastic than before, and start yelling at him for it. He never physcially harmed will and was nicer to the kids but he def became emotionally abusive. There were times at first soon after the death that henry was still his old self and would help will with his depression and was very loving but as time went on those moments became more rare. Will clings onto those momente which is why he doesn't want to leave and would later desperately believe henry still loves him.

Post Murders and Deaths:

Elizabeth was the 2nd one to die as she was taken by Baby when Will started experimenting with the idea of souls bonding to the suits; Charlie followed the next year as he was testing if personal connection was the reason for the bond. Henry was already sus with Will when Eli "happened" to die via an animatronic and when he found Will's diaries that had all his ramblings about his theories and work he became more sus when noticing the pattern of "child soul" within it. It wasn't until Henry found one of their basement hammers hidden and spotted with black material and blood on one of Will's sweaters after Charlie's death did he realize what Will was doing. He then picks up Michael and a couple items and books it basically while ignoring will's cries to come back. After this Will and Henry stop all communication. Will believes henry left not because of the obvious child killing reason (he doesn't enjoy killing but sees it as a necessary evil for his "science") but rather because Will didn't have solid answers to his "scientific work", so he believes that if he just works hard enough Henry will return. Will does believe, however, that Henry betrayed him in a sense. Henry rightfully doesn't want anything to do with Willy after what happened. Even in my good ending (will doesn't get spring trapped) if henry ever saw will again, he'd have a very volatile reaction. Family wise: Will still keeps a lot of his fatherly instincts, even when he meets Michael again and internally blames him for "ruining" their lives, he still sometimes does father stuff™ subconsciously like stopping mike from crossing the street without looking. He's still a major bastard man tho don't worry ! Think like john mulaney's dad if he was also was like a murderer. Henry, however, became quite neglectful towards Mike and mainly mourns over Charlie's death alone.

Overall: *pats will and henry's head* these two bad boys can fit so much emotional constipation and poorly dealt with grief

They're both shitty and not shitty in their own rights like will arguably treats mike better than hen (ignoring the whole sl incident) but he still y'know is a murderer ???? And general bastard ??? Henry while he didn't kill their kids (or anyone), still became quite abusive towards Will and later towards michael.

This came out really long holy shit; if you want any further delving into anything specific just send another ask !

[renegadesrpg]

Dark Angels:Creation Part 9B: First Contact #SL Crossover with #Rekindled: Part one: First Contact  -- Zav and Truely

Truely: I'd been walking along the beach enjoying the peace before my trip here ended. I had this crazy notion that it was time to get the tattoo I'd envisioned so long ago. My body vibrated with the need to do this now.  So, I wandered towards the buildings I'd seen earlier and looked to see if I might find a tattoo parlor among them. Sure enough, there was one and the open sign had just come on. What luck!

 As I entered the quiet shop, I heard the ding of the bell but my gaze was focused on the man I saw, his dark eyes and hair captured my attention immediately. I had a hard time pulling my focus away and replying when he asked if he could help me.

 Do you have time to do a quick tattoo this morning?" I smiled in hope he had the time as I would not have another chance.

  Zav: --While one part of my brain is telling me I need to pack this stuff up and focus on the mission, the other is slapping me around telling me, Hell, no, you don't let this woman walk out of the shop without being sure. Bryn's giving me "the look" which only she can give. Part ‘What the hell is this?' and part 'focus Zav'. Mentally I tap her brain, telling her 'I need to do this. It won't take long and besides, I needed to cancel appointments for the next few weeks. You can do that for me while I take care of this. My book's in the back.' Her eyebrow shoots higher but she only saunters off through the back curtain without saying a word. Clearing my throat, I practically turn into a damned puddle on the floor as the woman in the doorway smiles at me.—

 Ah... well, we were closing up for a few weeks, but, sure, I've got time to do something small. *gesturing to the table in my work space* Come in and we'll talk about what you want.

 Truely: Are you sure it's no trouble? I mean if you have pressing plans I don't want to interrupt them. It's just...well, I've been meaning to get one for a long time and now just seemed to be the moment.

 *smiles not quite sure why I'm babbling so much*

 Oh, you probably want to know what I'd like. *laughs* Sorry, not sure why I'm babbling but I guess it comes with first tattoo territory. On the inside of my wrist I'd like the word Meraki with a small flower attached at the end. Would that be doable today? If not I totally understand but could you recommend another place as I'm leaving tomorrow and not sure I can muster the courage again.

  Zav: --Let somebody else touch that perfect skin? I feel a growl forming inside me at the thought that I can't explain. Pushing away the thought I smile at her persuasively because I need her to stay—

 Nah, you don't want any hacks working on that perfect skin. I'm the best. I've got time if we do it right now. Have a seat and I'll draw something up to show you. Do you have a font or type of flower in mind?

 --Reaching into my station, I pull out a Surface-Pro.—

 I work by drawing out the basic design here for your approval, but I warn you, once I'm into it, I usually add things.

 -- I sit down on a stool as I gesture to my tattoo chair—

 Have a seat, please.

 --The aura I'd seen around her hadn't disappeared when she'd let the door shut. She still glowed to me. My heart was pounding with the idea she could be the one. She could be my Kalare, my clear, bright light. But I had to be sure. To hide my growing hope, I focus on her tat. –

 Did you want colors or just black ink?

 Truly: *His eyes drew me in and I sat where he asked. There was something magnetic about him but I couldn't explain why.*

 Black please. I'll let you pick the font and flower. I like simple things so it does not have to be fancy.

 *I smile as he looks at his pad typing in things*

 OH! Where are my manners. I didn't introduce myself...sorry. I'm Truely, Truely Goode. Pleasure to meet you- *I stuck out my hand waiting for his reply.*

  Zav: --I have to smile—

 "Truely Goode"? That's a lot of name to live up to. My name's Zav. Adams... Zav Adams

 -- I didn't really have a last name, but when Sin had taken "Adams" to use for business purposes in the human world, it had seemed like a good idea to keep the name in the family. The others had had last names in their human lives but only Sean still used his. Adrian, so far as I knew avoided doing anything that needed one and Bryn was content to be thought of by humans as Sin's and my little sister. Still, giving it doesn't come naturally unless I'm prepared for it. Reaching out to shake her hand, I slip her small soft one in my large calloused hand. And the shock is immediate. It runs through me like lightening as her soul speaks to my grace and I know. I KNOW. My eyes are locked on hers now as I try to keep it normal. She won't know, won't remember. It will take time and I could totally fuck this up and scare her away.—

 Nice to meet you Truely. You mentioned you were leaving tomorrow. I take it you're not from Miami?

  Truely: *His large hand grasps mine and, for an instant, there was a shock that almost caused a gasp to fall from my lips but I held it back.*

 I see you caught the cleverness of my name. *giggles* My parents are rather nerdy and thought it hysterically clever to name me Truely. Plus, they found it a true blessing when they adopted me so they found a couple of meanings for it. And, hey, it's an icebreaker!

 *giggles again at explaining my name. I always have to and never mind doing so but it still makes me giggle*

 Oh, no I'm not from here. I'm from a small town but here for a business conference. It finished this afternoon and I fly out tomorrow morning. That's why getting this tattoo done now is important.

  Zav: --Far enough she has to fly...I'll have to find a way to track her without seeming like a stalker. Smiling back at her, I ask –

 Where do you want your tattoo, so I can get an idea of how to size this?

  Truely: Here on the inside of my wrist, if possible. There's a birthmark there that you can cover up with the tattoo. Well, if that's even doable.

  Zav: --As I release her hand she flips it to show me her wrist and a wave of pain flows through me. Reborn souls who died a violent death in their last lives often carried a birthmark over the fatal wound into their next. I had no doubt that my Kalare had lived many lives since we were both slain, but the death was so brutal, so traumatic that her soul still carried the mark.

 The birthmark was a slightly raised jagged line that ran the width of her wrist. Today's medicine would have called it an oddly shaped hemangioma. But I knew what it was. I'd seen it happen. When Michael's forces had managed to subdue me and slain the rest of the village, he'd dragged Kalare and our son to me. He'd had me on my knees and stood behind me, his fist hauling my head back by my hair with a sword to my throat. Kalare had been fighting, trying to protect our son, but she was six months pregnant with our daughter and had also been trying to protect her. It was a losing battle no matter what. I'd been outnumbered and there was no help coming.

 Michael had held me and I'd watched them yank back my toddler son's head by his long dark curls and slit his throat, throwing him to the ground to let him bleed out. Kalare's screams still echoed in my nightmares. But not my son’s. He could make no sound as he choked on his own blood. No, it was his eyes, beseeching his father to protect him that haunted my dreams. And then it had been Kalare's turn. An angel had taken his sword and made a long, deep cut across her wrist slicing both vein and artery, then thrown her into the dirt in front of me. She'd bled out but it had taken what seemed an eternity.

 I had watched screaming, tears running down my face as she'd grown weaker. She'd managed to crawl to her knees in front of me and, one hand laid across her womb, she'd reached up with the other and caressed my cheek, telling me it wasn't my fault, that we'd meet again. Finally she'd grown so weak she had simply fallen to the ground, curled up and breathed her last. An example, Michael had said. We Grigori were to be an example to other angels about what happened when we disobeyed a "god" that I knew wasn't /my/ god at all. And then he'd slashed his sword across my throat and shoved me to the ground. I'd laid there in the pools of my wife and child's blood, the blue of my grace bleeding out and mixing with the red. And then they had left and the reapers had come.

Others had taken Kalare's and my son's souls as Sin had knelt beside me waiting for my death. It was written by the Fates he'd told me, and he could not interfere, even for an old friend. That had been early in his career, before even the Fates had been swayed by him. But rather than take me to the Great Sleep that awaited angels he offered me the opportunity to join him. Kalena's soul would move on, be reborn, he'd told me, but an angel's grace did not. We would never see each other again. By joining the reapers I could search for her and perhaps have a life with her again. And so I agreed to join my old friend and I'd been looking ever since.

 Until now. Until I finally found her. Inhaling slowly, I turn her wrist from side to side as though inspecting it before answering.—

 I think we can cover that up very well with a heavier font.

 --Releasing her wrist, I pick up the tablet and select an slanted font that hovered between script and print, then typed in "meraki", then added a small daisy off the end of the "i".—

 Is this what you are looking for?

  Truely: Oh, that is perfect. *my excitement evident in my voice* Is it normal to be excited and nervous about a tattoo? Because I am, but I've learned to listen when my inner voice speaks. Maybe you were meant to be the one to do it? *I giggle* You did say you are the best.

  Zav: --smiling at her—

 Yes, I am. I believe I was meant to do this, to be here when you were ready.

 --Taking her upturned wrist again in my hand, I can't resist letting my thumb slide across the birthmark in a gentle caress, silently promising her that badge of trauma will be obliterated from her skin and soul.—

 This is a pretty simple tattoo, but it's your first, so being excited is normal. --laughs-- I don't normally do newbees. Generally I'm by appointment only and my clientele is pretty select. So you might say walking into my shop today was fated.

 --Reluctantly I release her wrist and hit send on my pad, releasing it to be printed on transfer paper. The printer on the counter behind me hummed to life and spat out the design. –

 And this... --reaching for the print out--will transfer on your skin. Then I'll work from that.

  Truely: That's amazing. So, you don't normally do newbies? I'm honored that you are doing mine then. *I smile* My employees never thought I'd actually get one. I've talked about it for so long but the time just never felt right, until now. Sorry, babbling again. *I chuckle*

  Zav: You're not babbling at all. --smiling as I get out the antibacterial soap to begin prepping the skin-- I'm interested. What kind of shop do you have?

  Truely: *I sit up a little straighter as you start disinfecting my skin* I own a bakery. Best variety of sweet rolls in the country. *smiles*

  Zav: A bakery, huh?

 --Kalare was always a great cook and she'd loved baking breads. I can only imagine what she'd have done with modern ovens and spices. Intently I watch her wrist as I position the transfer paper –

 So where might I find these sweet rolls --looking up at her and smiling. -- I ride, and once in a while I get an urge to just take off across country. I might stop in and sample some.

  Truely: I own Truely Goode Sweet Treats in Pascoe, Oregon. It's a small town but very pretty and peaceful. And yes, the bakery name was my choice. Figured I might as well make good use of my parents’ cleverness. *laughs hard* Oh that will look great! *I say as I see the placement of the parchment paper* Really, thank you for taking the time to do this for me. *I touch your hand as it fiddles with the paper* I appreciate it.

  Zav: --Electricity flows through me again at her touch. All I want to do is grab her and hold her against me, I'm so damned grateful to have found her again, but that's a sure way to convince this mortal I'm crazy. Instead, I put an iron grip on myself and answer her in an easy voice as I peel away the paper—

 I'd say it was a smart marketing tool. Pascoe... Is that near the coast?

 --sitting back on my stool as I discard the transfer paper—

 Take a look and make sure I got it right.

  Truely: Perfect! *I'm so excited I can barely sit still. This was such the right time to do this*

 Oh, Pascoe is about 30 minutes from the coast. Close enough for us to visit often and, also, to bring the tourists our way. I hope you get to make it there, I think you'd like it. So, what's next?

  Zav: --Her enthusiasm and sunny nature would make her hard to resist even if our souls weren't mated. I smile at her as I stand—

 Now comes the hard part. I'm going to raise the arm on the chair to a comfortable height for me as I sit on the stool. You need to lay your wrist on and hold it completely still. The needle gun will make a low buzzing sound. It's going to sting and it will probably bleed a little bit. There are a lot of blood vessels in that area. But as a baker I'm betting you've burned yourself on a hot oven a time or two and it won't hurt nearly as much as that. I'm going to put some ink in one of these cups. If you ever get another tattoo,

 --and she will be doing it with someone else over my cold, dead body—

 make sure they don't dip right in the ink and that they use a fresh cup and fresh needle for you for each color they use. Tattoos are safe if your artist follows protocols but you there are always sleazes who don't.

 --turning my back to block your sight, I lay out a small ink cup. Before pouring ink in, I use a fresh needle to prick my finger and squeeze out several drops of my iridescent blue grace. As I begin to mix it I get a strange feeling... it's earth magick, mixed with Sean's touch on my mind. Pausing, I look up for a moment and reach out to him. He laughs and informs me we are now part of a pack. Mentally I laugh. I'm not sure how Sin will take this but Bryn will be delighted. Taking his assurance that this is a good thing, I focus back on mixing the ink with my grace until the brilliant blue fades into it. When I’m finally satisfied, I smile. This will be part of her skin and there will be nowhere on any plane that I cannot find her. Turning back to her I set the cup down on the small tray beside my stool that holds my needle gun. Raising the arm of the chair I secure it firmly and position her wrist carefully.—

 Ready to do this?

  Truely: Absolutely. *I steady my breathing, my nerves ebbing a bit at his secure, confident touch* Let's do this!

 Zav: --I lay my left hand on her arm to help steady her wrist as I begin. It's always a jolt at first, especially for a tattoo virgin. Intently, I focus on the transfer as the gun buzzes, making sure to follow the outlines and pausing occasionally to wipe away blood. –

 Meraki... so tell me Truely Goode, do you put a bit of your soul into your sweet rolls?

 --I'd recognized the ancient Greek word and smiled internally when she'd told me. It was so like the soul I had known so long ago.—

 If you do, I can believe they are the best in the country.

 Truely: *I smile wide* You know the word? I found it in a book many years ago and it's been a favorite ever since. And yes, I put a bit of my heart and soul into my treats. I don't think there is any other way to do something you love than to put a bit of yourself into it. I'm sure you are the same with your art, your tattoos. If you weren't, you wouldn't be the best...right?

 Zav: --laughing softly to myself, because I /am/ truly putting a part of myself in Truely—

 Yes, I do. It's part of who I am. Whether following my vocation or my avocation, I do put myself into it.

 --I was so focused on doing the tattoo that I'd let that slip accidentally. Of course, she had no way of knowing that being a tattoo artist wasn't my true work. She'd assume it was my vocation. If she asked what my avocation was, I'd have to come up with something but I really don't want to lie to her. It doesn't feel right. But neither does saying 'I'm an ancient supernatural entity that just happened to be married to your soul 35,000 years or so ago.' She'd run out of here screaming.—

 Doing ok there? We're almost done.

  Truely: Oh yes, it's a bit like a bee sting so not bad at all. How long does it take to heal usually? Aside from riding what do you do to have fun? *I didn't want him to stop talking. His voice was soothing.

 Zav: What do I do to have fun?

 --I echo her question because, I'm not really sure. Reaping is normally busy and lately....it's been consuming. The tat shop was my creative outlet and riding my emotional one. –

 I like the beach. I've got a friend who surfs and has been after me to try it but I've been too busy lately. Once in a while I'll have a few drinks with a friend but I'm not into bar scenes.

 --laughing a little, because I like biker bars—

 Well, not your touristy pick-up bar scenes. If I'm going to have a beer I usually pick someplace gritter. More guy focused.

 --turning off the tattoo gun, I lay it down and wipe away some blood.—

 This will be a little red and swollen for a day or two. It's probably going to bleed for a couple of hours so I'm going to wrap it in saranwrap. After that it’s safe to take off. It will itch and scab. DON'T scratch it. Put A&D or Aquaphor on it two or three times a day. You can get it wet in the shower but no pools, lakes or oceans until the scabbing is completely gone. About 10 days should do it. Keep it out of the sun, so it's good it's your last day here. No sunbathing today and I hear it rains a lot in Oregon so it shouldn't be too hard to keep it out of the sun. If the redness doesn't go away in a couple of days, or it gets hot or has a discharge go to a doctor, ok?

 --It will never happen. With my grace in the ink it will be healed before she steps on a plane but she needs to hear the normal spiel about aftercare.—

 Take a look and tell me what you think.

  Truely: It's beautiful! Exactly how I pictured it. Thank you so much. *I whisper as I stare at his work* I promise, no major amounts of sun. Totally doable since I'm always in my shop and not big on sunbathing. See, my maternal grandfather had a lot of skin cancer issues from his farming days. And even though I'm not genetically able to get it, I don't wanna chance it either. It was hard watching it grow on him and be cut off over and over.

  Zav: That must have been very hard to see as a child. And you’re smart, because most skin cancers are caused by sun damage.

 --Unable to resist it, I raise my hand to lightly run the back of my fingers along her jawline, murmuring—

 And you do have very lovely, fair skin. It would pain me for something like that to happen to you....

 --suddenly aware I'd been leaning in, I pull back and drop my hand. In that moment I had almost forgotten...—

 Here, let me wrap that for you.

 --the blood had already almost stopped oozing, but I dabbed it with sterile gauze anyway before wrapping it gently in clear plastic wrap. –

 Just a couple of hours for that. And here... --grabbing some Aquaphor samples out of a drawer-- This will keep you until you get home. I don't know if your luggage is all carryon, but airlines have gotten so tough on the sizes of liquids they let you put in one. This way you won't have to buy any until you get home.

 Truely: *His touch was so loving and gentle. I leaned into it before realizing he had pulled it away*

 Thank you for the samples. I can put them in my suitcase.

 *I watch him as he wipes and wraps my wrist. Not wanting his touch to stop but not fully understanding why. I just know I could sit there forever with his hand on me. I clear my throat forcing the thoughts to leave* How much?

  Zav: --I know what I'd like to ask for. Just the brush of her lips on mine. But it’s too soon for that. Instead, I just say—

 How about a dozen of those sweet rolls when I make it to Pascoe? And dinner out while I'm there. We'll call it square.

  Truely: *I get up to go, slowly* Oh really? I mean you took time out of your schedule and everything to do this for me. You don't want more than sweet rolls and dinner?

  Zav: --standing as she gets up, I finally can't resist any longer. I gently take her chin between thumb and forefinger and tilt it up. Leaning down, I brush my lips across hers. More a promise than a kiss.—

 That’s all I want Truely. That and to see you again. It's all I need.

  Truely: *His kiss is unexpected and too quick. It needed to last. I smile and just stare into his eyes. The drive to stay is strong and I'm not sure why but I'm thrilled he wants to see me again.* I want to see you again too Zav. Do you have a favorite fruit?

  Zav: Hmmm.... a fruit?

 --right now my favorite taste is her lips. They're sweetly cinnamony and her fragrance reminds of me of apple orchards in the fall –

 Apples. I like apples. --teasing her a little-- Are you already planning something special?

  Truely: *I smile* Yes, I am. *I take a deep breath* Well, I guess I should probably go. Let you get back to what you were doing before I interrupted. *Why did it hurt to say that?* Thank you again Zav, I love it. You are very talented. *I touch his cheek briefly then give him a peck before forcing myself out the door.*

  Zav: --My hand goes to my cheek as my eyes follow her out the door and I regret not getting a telephone number but how hard can it be finding a telephone number for Truely Goode Sweet Treats in Pascoe Oregon? It might be a while before I can actually bike up there and just misting into town without my bike would raise questions. And besides, I don't want to bring trouble to her doorstep. I need to get this crap with the Horseman settled and demons off my back. –

 Goodbye Truely Goode. --my voice follows her out the door-- You'll be hearing from me soon.

[adobe-outdesign]

A Metric Fuckton of Michael Afton Headcanons

Both pre and post-SL, because why the hell not.

Warning for general gore/body horror/general depressing things.

Pre-SL

William never intended to have him. He had too much pride to abandon the kid, but Michael’s always been able to tell that he was never wanted.

William basically raised him to repress and control his emotions. He becomes very cold and calculated when angry, very rarely shows any signs of fear, and always takes a few minutes to recompose if he’s getting upset over something. He does slip up from time to time however, which causes him a good amount of shame.

William also very rarely showed any sort of true affection for the kid. Michael’s always been desperate to make him proud of him somehow.

While he took care of the Sister when needed, he didn’t form that strong of a bond with her due to their major age gap and William’s obvious preference for her.

Despite his father’s neglect, he holds him in very high respect and views him as an amazing man (which only fuels his need to impress him).

This isn’t helped by how similar they look and sound. Michael’s extremely used to being mistaken for his father, and correcting people is basically second nature by this point.

While he doesn’t know everything, he knows that his father did the murders, and is aware that William knows that he knows. He can’t bring himself to tell anyone. He just figures that his father always has a reason behind things that justifies his actions.

While the Immortal and the Restless is by far his favorite, he’s a soap opera junkie in general. He also enjoys historical fiction and psychological thrillers.

He has a strong sense of pride, and can be arrogant at times when he’s doing something he knows he’s good at.

He doesn’t know much about robotics, despite watching his father working multiple times. He does have an interest in AI technology however.

He’s pretty good at chess, but doesn’t really enjoy playing it.

While he does his best, one can tell that he lacks a lot of the charm and charisma that his father has. He’s still pretty likeable overall despite this, and has made a lot of “friends” in the neighborhood thanks to his father’s popularity.

He was very well aware that there was a high chance he would die by trying to save the Sister, but he was willing to accept that in order to please his father and to repent for “allowing“ her to die by not staying with her like William asked him to.

Likewise, this is also why he didn’t make an attempt to dodge the Scooper. He was told to put her back together, and he knew that that was the perfect way to do that.

He doesn’t blame the Sister for what she did. He figures he’d to the same thing in her situation, and understands that she was only trying to fix herself.

That doesn’t mean he still doesn’t regret his not-death, however. He spends a lot of time wondering if he could’ve had things turn out better and wondering what his life would be like if he didn’t “die“ back there.

Post-SL

He was (thankfully) mostly unconscious while Ennard was using him. There were a few moments where he started to come to, only to rest again when the Sister told him to.

If anyone asks why he was acting so bizarrely during the few weeks after SL, he just looks them dead in the eyes and says “I guess I wasn’t feeling like myself.“

After “waking up“, he tried to off himself properly with a knife. Nothing happened, aside from drawing some blood. He hasn’t tried anything since then.

Still bleeds if injured, but the blood seeps from the skin itself and is completely unneeded.

Likewise, he doesn’t feel true pain anymore, but can sometimes feel phantom pain if he’s been injured and knows it should’ve hurt.

Considers being able to still watch the Immortal and the Restless to be literally the only good thing about his situation. He still catches all of the new episodes.

The only other benefit (as far as he’s concerned) is that he’s abnormally strong, and has even picked up speed significantly due to not being retrained by physical factors like breathing.

His skin is clammy and somewhat lukewarm.

He can see and hear fine, but he has no sense of smell and almost no sense of touch, similar to being numb all over.

The lack of feeling is a problem. There’s been more than one occasion where he’s suddenly found that he’s ripped out a nail or lost several teeth at one point or another.

His jaw permanently hangs open in a “smile”, having been nearly ripped apart by Ennard. He can close it, but only if he makes a conscious effort.

Moves rather unnaturally - movements are very smooth and seem almost weightless, and he tends to twist and bend intentionally in ways a normal person couldn’t due to having no organs or bones.

He also spends a lot of time reading, especially when it comes to his father’s old work documents. He hopes to find some sort of explanation or something than can help in his studies.

Enjoys talking with people over the phone, as it allows him to communicate comfortably without having to worry about anyone finding out what he actually looks like.

Puts forth an attempt to clean his skin often (with a washcloth - he can’t take baths/showers due to the giant hole in his torso) to prevent further rotting, but is often to depressed to bother.

(He does make a very conscious effort to keep parasites off of him, however. Things are bad enough as is.)

His fridge is full of rotting food. He keeps telling himself he should clean it, but he can’t bring himself to exert the effort.

All the mirrors in his house are covered with towels. Looking at his reflection just makes him feel disgusted and scared of how he looks.

The day he decided to finally cover them was when he caught site of his “eyes“ in the mirror and started wondering if he was staring into his own soul. The idea freaked him out so much that he covered them all the same day.

He goes through a lot of existential crises. He constantly questions what’s wrong with him and wonders if God’s abandoned him completely due to what a terrible person he feels he is.

He also thinks a lot about the future and what will happen after his body decays away entirely, or how much injury it could sustain until he died or lost conciseness. Those thoughts scare him more than anything.

If he is forced to go outside during the day, he bundles up like it’s winter and wears sunglasses. This gets him some weird looks given that they’re in Utah.

He tries not to touch anyone, as he’s pretty certain he’s carrying several diseases.

His body still retains the vague shape of a person, but the skin noticeably sags in places where it shouldn’t.

Holding himself upright takes energy (not in a physical sense, but a spiritual one) due to his lack of any internal support. There’s been a few times where he’s overexerted himself and collapsed, unable to move.

(He was wondering if death was finally catching up to him the first time that that happened. It wasn’t.)

He has a complicated relationship with death. On the one hand, he knows he should be dead, he was prepared to die, and he knows everyone would be better off that way. On the other hand, he’s convinced he’s going straight to hell when he does die, and he’s not sure he’ll be able to move on at all in the first place.

One of the first things he’d have to do in order to properly die and pass on would be to realize his father’s a terrible person who’s done nothing but abuse and neglect him. Unfortunately, it’s a hard thing for him to come to terms with.