**This post will be continuously updated. If you see it as a reblog, please check the blog for the most up-to-date version**
This blog automatically posts every* fic in the "Dead Boy Detectives (TV)" tag on ao3 using an RSS feed and a workflow automator (make.com). Posts are queued, so fics may take a while to appear on the blog after being posted to ao3. Only newly published fics will be posted, not updates.
I (the mod) manually add tumblr tags for ship, characters, rating, and archive warnings. Any other tags and warnings will be listed in the "additional tags" section in the body of the post, which is automatically copied from the author's tags on ao3. Please read the tags and use your personal discretion about content you want to read.
All of my fic posts are tagged with #deadboydetectivesao3feed -- good to follow if you want to keep up with fic posts, or to block if you don't want to see me in the main tags 👍 Full tag directory, including content warnings, is under the cut!
If I've mis-tagged something or the blog seems to otherwise not be working correctly, please feel free to send an ask or DM! Asks and DMs not related to this blog and/or its function as an ao3feed will not be responded to.
Hope you enjoy the blog! ✨
*The bot can't pick up fics that are:
locked to ao3 users
backdated (they don't show up at the top of the list on ao3, and so will not register as a new fic to the bot)
posted in unrevealed collections, even once they are revealed (same problem as above)
posted to ao3 before the feed was set up on February 5th, 2025
If the fic has locked comments, it's a coin toss whether the bot will pick it up or not.
If your fic is not posted within a few days of being published on ao3 and you would like it to be posted to the feed, you can contact me via ask or DM and I will post it manually. You will need to do this for every new fic you publish, unless you give me a standing order.
This blog will not post fics stated to be made with generative AI.
Tag Directory (under the cut)
Content Warnings and Ratings
tumblr's native content labels will be applied to posts for fics rated "Mature" or "Explicit" on ao3. In addition, I tag for archive warnings:
#AW: No Archive Warnings Apply
#AW: Creator Chose Not To Warn
#AW: Graphic Depictions of Violence
#AW: Rape/Non-Con
#AW: Underage Sex
#AW: Major Character Death
as well as ratings (using ao3's rating system):
#rating: G
#rating: T
#rating: M
#rating: E
#not rated
Other Categories
*These categories will be continuously updated as more fics are posted
Ships:
#catcrow
#catwin
#charles rowland x original female character(s)
#cricketcrow
#cricketcat / #catland
#cryland
#crystal palace x original male character(s)
#demonland
#edwin payne x simon mould / #blue cap / #hellbound
#edwin payne x original male character(s)
#the cat king x esther finch / #kingfinch / #pussymagic
#montwin
#nightfish
#night nurse x death
#palasaki
#payneland
#shelby kahn x maren
#the cat king x crystal palace
#the cat king x desire of the endless
#the cat king x original characters
also: #gen fic
Poly Ships:
#crylandpayne
#ghostcat
#ghostcrow
x Reader Fic:
#tragic mick x reader
and: #reader-insert
Major Characters:
#charles rowland
#crystal palace / #crystal palace surname von hoverkraft
#david the demon
#edwin payne
#esther finch
#jenny green
#monty finch
#night nurse
#niko sasaki
#the cat king
Side Characters:
#angie the sea monster
#asha (dead boy detectives)
#baby doll spider
#brad (dead boy detectives)
#brandon devlin
#charles rowland's father | Paul Rowland
#charles rowland's mother | Mary Rowland
#crystal palace's mother | Maddy Surname
#crystal palace's father | Seth Von Hoverkraft
#dagfinn
#ghost postman
#hannah devlin
#honda the cat
#hope devlin
#hunter (dead boy detectives)
#iris (dead boy detectvies)
#kashi (dead boy detectives)
#litty and kingham
#maren (dead boy detectives)
#meatball the cat
#maxine (dead boy detectives)
#sa'al
#shelby kahn
#simon mould
#stacey devlin
#the notary
#tragic mick
#twitchy richie
Characters from the wider DBD universe:
#dead patrol boys (Doom Patrol versions of Charles and Edwin)
#death of the endless
#delirium of the endless
#dream of the endless / #morpheus
#desire of the endless
#despair of the endless
#destiny of the endless
#edwin payne's father
#edwin payne's grandparents
#edwin payne's mother
#edwin payne's sibling(s)
#hob gadling
#johanna constantine
#john constantine
#lucifer morningstar
#niko sasaki's father
#niko sasaki's mother
#the corinthian
#the fates (sandman)
and: #crossover fic
Languages (as this blog and most of the fics being posted are mainly in english, english-language fics will not be specifically tagged):
#language: french
#language: mandarin chinese
#language: polish
#language: russian
#language: spanish
#language: ukranian
Other Fanwork Categories:
#fanart
#fanvid
#music/lyrics
#playlist
#podfic
Housekeeping
non-fic posts will be tagged with #mod post, stuff about the rules/running of the blog with #housekeeping, and asks with #asks. Fics I post manually are tagged #manual post.
Charles has planned out the perfect day for their first date - but the supernatural world of London has other ideas...
Words: 5592, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English
Series: Part 1 of Painland Week 2026
Fandoms: Dead Boy Detectives (TV)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: M/M
Characters: Charles Rowland (DCU), Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Crystal Palace (DCU), Niko Sasaki, some OCs - Character
Relationships: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne/Charles Rowland
Additional Tags: First Dates, Light Angst, Picnic Dates, London, Implied Murder, Implied Past Violence, Implied Horror (I guess?), how do i tag this??, i'm not sure, Kissing, Boys Kissing, the title sort of says it all?
Edwin has come a long way from the first time Charles materialized his coat; Edwin didn’t know what to make of his pins and patches, like they were a secret code he had to decipher. To know Edwin heard the term “rude boy” and not only thought of him, but needed to bring it to his attention immediately, near giddy, warms Charles enough to feel alive.
The love of music in the life and afterlife of Charles Rowland.
Words: 4414, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English
Fandoms: Dead Boy Detectives (TV)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: M/M
Characters: Charles Rowland (DCU), Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne
Relationships: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne & Charles Rowland, Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne/Charles Rowland
Additional Tags: Music, Ska, Fluff and Humor, Character Study, Post-Canon, Minor Character Death, the author's gratuitous love of ska
Charles Rowland wakes up in a strange world with the only desire to get back to his friends - until he finds out that he is dying for a second time. And that one of his options now is reincarnation, meaning a new chance at being alive. Something he has always wished for since being a ghost.
And while reflecting his past, Charles must decide- Give up his new life and everyone he loves or give up his biggest secret wish, he didn't think would be an option for him.
Words: 5729, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English
Fandoms: Dead Boy Detectives (TV)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Categories: M/M
Characters: Charles Rowland (DCU), Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Kashi (Dead Boy Detectives), Crystal Palace (DCU), Niko Sasaki
Relationships: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne/Charles Rowland, Crystal Palace & Charles Rowland (DCU), Charles Rowland & Niko Sasaki
Additional Tags: Afterlife, Reincarnation, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Death, Soulmates, Self-Reflection, Memories, Friendship, Dead Boy Detectives (TV) Spoilers, Canon Character of Color, Mentioned Paul Rowland | Charles Rowland's Father, Ghosts, Reunions
The full weight of the situation bore down on him at once.
His father was dead. Charles could feel the sting of knuckles across his cheek, his father's chunky, dated wedding band tearing at the sensitive skin of his upper lip on its way down, at the same time as he felt a warm hand patting him on the shoulder out of pride for a game well-played. He felt every ridge permanently etched into his back and his sides sting. He felt fingers tousling his curls in jest.
He felt like he was dying all over again.
------
Years after the events of Port Townsend, Charles is faced with the news that his father has passed away.
Words: 6574, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English
Fandoms: Dead Boy Detectives (TV)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Categories: M/M
Characters: Charles Rowland (DCU), Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Paul Rowland | Charles Rowland's Father, Mary Rowland | Charles Rowland's Mother, Crystal Palace (DCU), Niko Sasaki, Death of the Endless
Relationships: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne/Charles Rowland
Additional Tags: Established Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne/Charles Rowland, Found Family, Canon Compliant, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Complex Grief, Bad Parent Paul Rowland | Charles Rowland's Father, Protective Death of the Endless, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Charles Rowland is so loved by so many people in so many ways
Father Payne is the young but incredibly old fashioned Priest for a sleepy American town, surely nothing can shake his faith.
Nothing human at least.
Or
Edwin is a Priest and the Cat King is not a demon, but he sure looks like one
Words: 5253, Chapters: 3/?, Language: English
Fandoms: Dead Boy Detectives (TV)
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: M/M
Characters: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Cat King (Dead Boy Detectives), Charles Rowland (DCU), Monty (Dead Boy Detectives), Esther Finch
Relationships: Cat King/Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne
Additional Tags: Cat King is Called Thomas (Dead Boy Detectives), Cat King Being Cat King (Dead Boy Detectives), Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Priest! Edwin Payne, Everyone is Alive, Religious Guilt, Internalized Homophobia, Homophobia, Dubious Consent, Self-Harm, Religious Imagery & Symbolism, Gay Catholic Guilt, Edwin Payne is Repressed, Sleep Deprivation, Improper Use of Rosary
It was starting to get cold in the basement at night, now in October.
The chill was slowly creeping into Charles' bones as he sat on his bed. It would have been so easy to just get under the covers, but Charles couldn't seem to bring himself to unfurl his body from its huddled position quite yet, his knees drawn up to his chest and his arms slung around his legs. It wasn't exactly comfortable with him hurting all over, but there was something comforting about it nonetheless. And it did help a little with keeping himself warm.
A series of snapshots following Charles through the final months of his life.
Words: 3629, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English
Fandoms: Dead Boy Detectives (TV)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Categories: Gen
Characters: Charles Rowland (DCU), Charles Rowland's Mother, Paul Rowland | Charles Rowland's Father, (mentioned), Original Male Character(s)
Additional Tags: Charles Rowland-centric (DCU), Pre-Canon, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Minor Injuries, Hurt/a little comfort, Bad Parent Paul Rowland | Charles Rowland's Father, Ear Piercings, Homophobia, Racism, mentions of bullying, Charles thinking about his future when I dodged the MCD archive warning by about 24 hours...
“And you are sure that you will be alright staying here alone?” Edwin asks, looking between Charles and the rippling mirror he’s got one hand rested on. His eyebrows knit together as he concentrates on his destination.
Charles should know which library he mentioned running off to for an old manuscript—maybe in Egypt, or was it Ethiopia—something beginning with an e, Charles thinks. Honestly, he’s had too much buzzing around in his mind lately to properly follow a conversation with Edwin, which feels awfully rude seeing as what’s got his mind in a chokehold has got everything to do with Edwin.
a.k.a. Charles Rowland's carefully planned proposal vs. a pixie with no regard for personal property
Words: 3911, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English
Fandoms: Dead Boy Detectives (TV)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: M/M
Characters: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Charles Rowland (DCU), Niko Sasaki, Crystal Palace (DCU)
Relationships: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne/Charles Rowland
Additional Tags: Marriage Proposal, Established Relationship, a sprinkle of angst, Canon Universe, Fluff, Humor, pre-relationship crystal palace/niko sasaki
Charles's last week alive started just like any other week. He had no way of knowing that while it started in the kitchen of his family home, it would end in a cold dark attic.
Words: 3800, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English
Series: Part 1 of Weeks
Fandoms: Dead Boy Detectives (TV)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Characters: Charles Rowland (DCU), Paul Rowland | Charles Rowland's Father, Mary Rowland | Charles Rowland's Mother, Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne
Edwin Payne knew from a young age that he did not come to happiness naturally.
Words: 1201, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English
Fandoms: Dead Boy Detectives (TV)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: M/M
Characters: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Charles Rowland (DCU)
Relationships: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne/Charles Rowland
Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Autistic Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Charles Rowland Has ADHD (DCU), Character Study, Introspection
It hadn’t been till Charles saw himself in Hell, that he realized he forgot what he looked like.
Words: 1300, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English
Fandoms: Dead Boy Detectives (TV)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: Gen
Characters: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Charles Rowland (DCU)
Relationships: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne/Charles Rowland
Additional Tags: POV Charles Rowland (DCU), Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne Loves Charles Rowland, Charles Rowland Loves Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, talking about hell, Hurt/Comfort, Charles still figuring it out but he loves Edwin regarless of if its romantic or platonic, Autistic Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Character Study, Introspection
“Crystal,” Lucy says nervously. “It’s nice to see you again, but there is a Type Three right next to you. He’s very upset at the moment and could attack at any moment.” That comment makes Edwin's eyes roll more than anything. “Let me and Lockwood take care of him–”
“Absolutely not! I might not be his biggest fan, but you are not ‘taking care’ of Edwin.” Crystal air quotes her words and gives her old friend a nasty look, which definitely gets the point across for her own anger. “Can you please tell us what you did to Charles? The ghost your partner stabbed with his skinny sword.”
“It’s a rapier,” Edwin corrects through gritted teeth.
or . . . it's a Dead Boy Detectives X Lockwood & Co Crossover Fic
Words: 9285, Chapters: 2/2, Language: English
Fandoms: Dead Boy Detectives (TV), Lockwood & Co. (TV)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Categories: M/M
Characters: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Charles Rowland (DCU), Anthony Lockwood, Lucy Carlyle, George Cubbins | George Karim, Crystal Palace (DCU)
Relationships: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne/Charles Rowland
Additional Tags: Crossover, Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne Loves Charles Rowland, Charles Rowland Loves Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Protective Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne Needs a Hug, Charles Rowland Disappears, but then comes back, Curious Anthony Lockwood, Protective Lucy Carlyle, Good Friend George Cubbins | George Karim, Crystal Palace is So Done (DCU), Misunderstandings, Alliances, Rivalry, Haunted theater, ghost haunting, Two Agencies Alike in Dignity
"Meatball, I am only trying to help," Edwin finally snaps; his patience has been growing thinner and thinner, and this is certainly not helping matters.
"Babe, there are treats in treats under the—stop screaming Edwin, it's just me—under the sink," Thomas voice calls. Edwin swears (profusely), a rare occurrence that hasn't been quite so rare ever since he stepped foot in the damned flat. He's thumped the back of his neck against the couch in his hurry to get up, terrified at the sound of a slightly buzzy voice, before scowling at himself, and the spot smarts a bit.
Obviously, Edwin's has got to turn and look around, but he already knows Thomas' voice is coming from some kind of electronic device.
"Did you stalk me through a bloody nanny cam?!" he demands, offended, searching for some random out of place plushie.
---
Thomas' and Edwin's relationship is progressing, and they are facing the first obstacle in their relationship, in the form of a stupid, fat cat.
Words: 6626, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English
Series: Part 1 of The MeatballVerse (where you'd think Catwin is the main event, but Meatball was actually the MC all along)
Fandoms: Dead Boy Detectives (TV)
Rating: Mature
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: M/M
Characters: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Cat King (Dead Boy Detectives), Meatball (Dead Boy Detectives)
Relationships: Cat King/Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne & Meatball (Dead Boy Detectives)
Additional Tags: POV Alternating, Established Relationship, beginning of relationship, Catwin - Freeform, Cat King is Called Thomas (Dead Boy Detectives), Cat King Loves Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Smitten Cat King (Dead Boy Detectives), Autistic Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne Loves Cat King, Honey, stupid ass cat, Phone Sex Mentioned, pet-cam, Fluff and Angst, Light Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending
Edwin Payne has spent twenty-one years living a life that was never truly his.
Thomas has always believed that people, much like cats, should be free to choose where they belong.
When Edwin steps into the Cat King Café on a rainy afternoon, neither of them knows they're standing at the beginning of something that will change both of their lives.
Words: 1152, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English
Fandoms: Dead Boy Detectives (TV)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Categories: M/M
Characters: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Cat King (Dead Boy Detectives), Edwin Paine's Mother | Edwin Payne's Mother, Edwin Paine's Father | Edwin Payne's Father
Relationships: Cat King/Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne
Additional Tags: Cat King is Called Thomas (Dead Boy Detectives), Alternate Universe - Human, Cat Cafés, Slow Burn, Flirting, Mutual Pining, Friends to Lovers, closeted Edwin Payne, Emotional Repression, controlling parents, Protective Cat King (Dead Boy Detectives), soft cat king, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff and Angst, Cats, Alternate Universe - Coffee Shops & Cafés
