Fulltime graphic designer who likes to draw. This blog will have a little bit of anything, some fanart, my original art... If you like my art, reblogs and comments are always greatly appreciated. Enjoy your stay!! Sidebar made by me.
For the longest time I thought this was official, but turns out it came from this post on reddit that happens to be a recreation, and it has taken root in my head since.
The fact that Skidad/Lila's husband looks much older in the same picture with Lila as a child only feeds into my belief of him being supernaturally old y'know?
But I had a more sinister thought as to why he seems to de-age or never age more like. I used to think he cares a lot about Skid and Lila so he sacrificed himself or something.
What if instead he has been doing some sketchy ritual over the centuries judging by a very old sepia photo of Skidad (I can't, for the life of me, find that specific photo of Skidad that I'm sure was from the ARG cus where the fuck did people find that to make fanart of it?) and he needs Skid to transfer his soul into his body and maintain himself from ever disappearing?
Even the ARG books talk about bizarre things like vessels of flesh and roots in the ground, six offerings pure of flesh and spirit to reach the divine self, the forest has eyes on tree trunks in the shape of humans, Eyes itself is shaped like a monstrous tree entity...
If Skidad isn't a maniacal loyal follower of Eyes, he might as well be an avatar of it. But that is still a very loose thing to consider.
Do you have an interpretation of Spooky month's lore as of rn? Or Bob's lore on his own maybe?
I'm super curious if yes but no worries if not!!!
Yes I do!! So uh, looong ass text incoming :'D
The town in general seems to be cursed or under the watch of the Eyes of the Universe, and the Cult has somehow been sustained with whatever weird stuff or sacrifices done in its name. That's what I believe, at least. That's usually what goes on in these scenarios: cults are formed to appease a mighty entity in hopes of being granted a "gift" or some benefit, or getting spared from being consumed by it.
With Bob, I like to believe he was just a regular guy, probably like everyone else involved, but a thing cults like to do is entice the vulnerable with promises of success or community.
My personal headcanon is that Bob was struggling to become a successful butcher; it was his passion, but he was running his whole joint alone. He already had some things going on in his head, but was sane enough to control or repress them.
Then Lila's husband likely approached him, enticed him to join the cult, and then trapped him with the promise of boosting his business. And desperate times call for desperate measures, Bob couldn't pass up the opportunity. That's the scary thing about cults, people don't always realize they're getting hooked to one til it's too late. And Lila was one of the few who got out, but not without consequence.
It keeps being hinted that Lila's husband could have been the leader of the cult, while the Mayor (who is definitely in on it too) is just another pawn for him. I'm sure Lila's husband was probably much older than we know. Some supernatural thing is going on. And Skid was likely intended as an heir. That's why Eyes seems to watch over him.
So Lila escapes, and that's why I'm sure the Cult has been trying to get to her. Bob was too far gone; whatever the Cult or Eyes did to scramble his brain dissolved all his inhibitions, turning him into the gluttonous cannibal killer we know. I saw someone theorize that Bob might be something like the Cult's "hitman," which is why he was pursuing Lila and Skid. "I will follow you until you are dead," he says. He had an agenda and wasn't just random.
Or, if he wasn't a hitman, maybe he saw Lila as a traitor, so he had something personal against her. Either outcome sounds fascinating to me.
I stick with the hitman theory because I have a strong belief that the Cult wanted Bob's body for something, as it is hinted in episode 6, where it seems Mort asks if they "moved the body as the Mayor requested," and the most recent body being Bob's, so to me it seems they need it or are gonna do something with it cus what the fUCK do you mean he had a talisman inside his body that was keeping him from dying?? Sounds like something intended to give eternal life or to make him supernaturally resilient. Either the Cult put it inside him, or the big oaf just ate it, lmao.
And... I think that's what I got so far. That town's cooked lol.
OC exploration that was meant to be a short fic I had already finished, but was based on the comics. Then Season 4 came out, and I decided to redo it and add to it.
This takes dialogue directly from the end of Episode 3 and moves on to Episode 4 before Debbie and Nolan's reunion and the Viltrumite War.
Characters: Debbye x Hyde (oc) ft Mark, Oliver, Nolan, Thaedus (No Paul in this universe, sorry)
| Prologue |
Serenity enveloped the Grayson household, with the only sound being the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. Long shadows stretched across the floor as the afternoon sunโs warm colors illuminated the room. Debbie sat at the kitchen island with her elbows resting on its soapstone surface, arms wrapped around herself, seeking comfort in the familiar touch of her own skin. Her thumb was tracing the edge of her sleeve, an insignificant gesture that brought her a sense of calm amid the quietude.
โAt least Oliver seems okay with it,โ Debbieโs voice trailed off. โBut I can understand they are as unsure as I am about moving out...โ
โItโs a tough decision, I know," Hyde said as he moved around, stacking boxes of various pasta shapes in front of Debbie, who immediately pointed at the lasagna in a quiet, synchronized gesture. โBut itโs necessary. For your safety and the safety of your sons.โ
Debbie let out a small, discontented sigh. โSo youโve said.โ
A heavy stillness fell between them, broken only by the sound of dishes clinking and Hydeโs humming as he shuffled toward the sink. Debbieโs eyes roamed over hanging pictures, some old and some recent, displaying happier memories with her sons and a noticeably absent father. Her gaze then drifted to the polished wooden floors, once marred by ash and debris, and the pale walls, so clean that one wouldnโt know there had been thick bloodstains a while ago. She glanced at the wine glass cabinets next to Hyde, where she kept the vice that had helped her cope since the moment her entire world had turned upside down.ย
Time and time again, the GDA had done a decent job of concealing the scars of the past with each reconstruction, creating the illusion of the normal life Debbie now craved more than anything, but was painfully aware that it was way beyond her reach.ย
โI spent twenty years of my life in this house,โ Debbie continued, her voice tinged with emotion. โI raised Mark here. And Oliver. Despite all that has happened, good or bad, this is our homeโโ
The loud crash of a plate tore through the silence, making Debbie gasp.ย
She looked at Hyde, frozen in place with his tense upper back and water still dripping down his forearms.
โHyde? Whatโs wrongโโ
A few incomprehensible sounds came out of Hydeโs throat. Turning off the faucet, he wiped his hands on his shirt and paced towards Debbie, taking her by the shoulders and guiding her to the living room.
โHyde!โ Debbie hissed, snapping away from his grasp. โWhatโs happening?โ
Hyde withdrew his arms, blinked quickly, and remained silent, with his upper lip twitching as if searching for the right answer. After a moment, he closed his eyes and let the words spill loosely without any hesitation.
โโฆItโs Nolanโฆโย
He exhaled deeply, his voice strained, as if the name itself were an omen that brought disaster at the mere mention.
โโฆheโs here.โ
The ambiance shifted. It was like the air got sucked out of the room.
Debbie didnโt even flinch, her shoulders tensing and her fingers clenching into fists with her nails digging into the skin, which turned red from the friction of her fidgeting. Hyde tried to look her in the eyes, but she was not all there, with her lips parted halfway as she turned around and sauntered her way to the couch with her hand on the edge as if keeping herself from collapsing to her knees.
Hyde acted on instinct, settling down right beside her, with one hand draped around her shoulders, in hopes of making his presence feel safe enough for her.
โDonโt play with me like that.โ Her lip trembled.
โNo. No, I would never.โ
โWhere is he?โ
Burning anguish coiled within Hydeโs chest. โOutside, right above the backyard.โ
Creases formed on Debbieโs forehead. She swallowed hard, but the nausea had already taken hold. That familiar, sickening weight in her stomach as memories vividly dragged her back to months of recovery; one after another, she saw her way out vanishing right before her eyes.
โWhy now?โ
No one could guess the answer to her question, but Hyde had left out a small detail about what he saw. Nolan hadnโt come alone. Accompanying him was a cyclopean figure with orange skin, likely an Unopan, significantly larger than others of its kind. Hyde imagined it was there to handle important matters. Their visit had serious implications beyond Nolanโs personal concerns.ย
Whatever it was, it did not bring him any comfort, and making Debbie aware of it without concrete explanations would simply make things worse for her at the moment.ย
Instead, he squeezed her absentmindedly, perhaps a little too tightly, not noticing her resistance.ย
โHydeโฆโ Debbie grunted, prying herself away from his side.
โSorry.โ
Hydeโs hand moved subtly away from her back, awkwardly straightening himself with his arms folded at a more respectable distance.
โSoโฆโ he muttered.
โI wonโt let him back into my life if thatโs what he thinks,โ Debbie snapped, a bitter edge crept into her voice. โWhat if he lets himself inside and thenโฆ what? Expect me to receive him with open arms? Pretend a simple โsorryโ can fix everything?โ
Hyde gave Debbie a sidelong glance, then shook his head.
โHe destroyed everything, Hyde. Not just Chicago. Not just those peopleโs lives.โ Her voice wavered but didnโt break. โHe destroyed my life. The life I thought I had. The person I thought I knew.โ
Finally, her eyes flicked toward him.
โI canโt justโฆ let him back in. I wonโt.โ
โYou donโt have to,โ Hyde said quietly. โYouโve got to do what is best for you.โ
Debbie studied Hyde for a moment, sensing uncertainty in the way he averted his gaze as if he wasnโt entirely convinced in his own words.ย
โWhat would you do?โ she asked. โIf it were you?โ
That made something in Hyde falterโnot outwardly, but just enough to show in the slight shift of his expression, swallowing hard as his mouth went dry as cotton.
โI wish I had a proper answer for that,โ he admitted. โI feel for Nolan, but Iโve come to understand it wouldnโt be that simple.โ
Hydeโs voice cracked, and he took a second to clear his throat, facing down, struggling to meet Debbieโs unmoving gaze.
โIโve done things,โ he continued. โThings that I canโt undo. Lives that canโt be brought back. No matter how hard I try to make amends, the weight of my past actions still hangs over my head.โ
He looked back at her.
โEven now that Iโve dedicated my new life to be betterโฆI donโt know what it means to deserve anything after that.โ
โBut youโre still trying,โ Debbie frowned, her words carrying a bitter reluctance to them.
โSome days, that feels like enough. Other days...โ Hyde trailed off.
Time slowed between them as the looming darkness outside seeped through the windows, absorbing their features by the minute until only silhouettes remained, rimmed only by the kitchen lights in the roomโs liminality.
โNo amount of promises or good intentions will erase what he did,โ Hyde continued, โIt doesnโt undo what he took from you.โ
Debbieโs lips pressed together, festering emotions threatening to surface all at once.
โHe has to live with that. And you...โ Hyde cautiously reached out again, clasping Debbieโs hands inside of his with a small, reassuring squeeze. โYouโre allowed to be angry. To let him see what it cost you, and what itโs cost him. And most importantly, youโre allowed to move on.โ
With the weight of years of grief, Debbieโs composure nearly shattered as a single tear slipped down her cheek, which she promptly wiped away. Despite this, she stayed poised, feeling too numb to break down again. Then her expression darkened.
โHow do I know youโre not just saying it to keep me to yourself?โ she said brutally.
โGoodness, Debbieโฆโ Hyde sank with an aggrieved pout, quickly letting go of her hands. โIt has never been my intention. Iโm here to watch over your family, and I have kept my word since. What you and I haveโฆit came as a surprise. But whatever your choice is in the end, I will respect it.โ
Tension faded quickly, and so did Debbieโs defiant glare, her shoulders slumping back down.
โIโmโฆIโm so sorry,โ
โItโs alright.โ
โWith all this Viltrumite bullshit, I canโtโโ
โI know,โ Hyde took a deep breath and held it for a moment. โ...I knowโฆโ he echoed quietly.
โI donโt even know what Iโd say to him.โ
โItโll come to you. Only you know how you really feel.โ Hyde assured her.
A faint, half-hearted smile tugged at Debbieโs lips, which quickly faded. With pounds of exhaustion slipping out in a single sigh, she sought comfort within Hydeโs chest, who wrapped her protectively in his arms, no less pained than she.ย
Neither of them rushed to fill the silence. Hyde just held Debbie steady, with his hand resting at her back as her breathing slowly evened out against him. The world outside could wait a few seconds longer.
โI can stay,โ he suggested carefully. โIf you want me to.โ
Debbie lingered there, eyes closed, like she was weighing the comfort against the cost. Then she finally pulled back, but it wasnโt abrupt. Her hands remained holding Hydeโs.ย
โโฆIโd rather not.โ Her voice was apologetic. โThis is something I need to face on my own.โ
Hyde studied her for a moment, his expression softening with concern, searching for any crack in that resolve. For all the weariness etched in her features, Debbie remained resilientโsomething he had come to admire from the moment he met her.
Without a reason to insist, he nodded.
โAlright.โ
His thumb brushed lightly beneath her eye, catching an unshed bit of moisture merely clinging beneath her eyelid, and his hand slid to cup her chin briefly as both shared a tender look that would ease the moment.
Then Debbieโs phone rang.
The sound startled them both. She reached for it at once, glanced at the screen, and her expression shifted the moment she saw Markโs name. โMark? Is everything okay?โ
His answer came hesitantly. โYeahโyeah, Iโm with Eve. Iโm okay.โ An awkward beat passed. โIโฆ I thought Iโd tell you that Dadโs here. He wants to see you.โ
Debbie shut her eyes with an exasperated huff, turning to face Hyde, who leaned slightly closer to her to listen to the conversation. โI know.โ
โYou know?โ
โHyde saw him out in the backyard.โ
โOhโฆโ There was a pause on the other end, followed by Markโs uncertain, weary exhale. โOkay. Uh, Mom, thereโs something I need to tell you...โ
The remaining hours of noon light ebbed into the deeper darkness of dusk.
A pan still sat on the stove, ingredients half-preparedโevidence of a night that had been meant to be normal, now interrupted once again by inescapable fate. Hyde moved through the kitchen for a bit, his cane tapping on the linoleum floor as he paced without any real intention, adjusting something here, setting something down there, as Debbie stayed nearby, merely observing, although without really paying attention.ย
โHeโs taking Mark from me to a war out in space,โ she huffed. โHeโs out of his mind! I canโt believe heโs doing this.โ
Hydeโs jaw tightened as he looked away. โThis shouldnโt be his responsibility.โ
Debbie let out a bitter chuckle, more jaded than amused. โWell. Iโm glad weโre on the same page. I was half-expecting you to tell me this was for some noble cause.โ
Hydeโs expression darkened. โYeah, no. I am upset, Debbie.โ
That drew a short, surprised breath of laughter from her, though the anger never left her flushed face.
โGood,โ she muttered. โBecause Iโm furious.โ
Then, right on cue, Hyde stilled slightly, head tilting as if listening to something just beyond the walls.
โIs he still here?โ Debbie rasped without lifting her head.
โโฆHas been, for a few minutes.โ
Debbieโs brow furrowed faintly, more tired than surprised.
โJustโฆstanding on the sidewalk,โ Hyde glanced subtly toward the front door, inching inward to the hallway where he hoped his silhouette wouldn't be visible from the wide window that looked out into the street.ย
That earned a soft, exasperated grumble from Debbie. She rubbed at her temple, shaking her head just a little.
โHeโs definitely rehearsing what heโs going to say.โ
Hyde watched her for a moment, a faint huff slipping through his nose. The disgruntled familiarity in her voice told him enoughโDebbie knew Nolan better than most. A quarter of her life beside him had made sure of that.
It reminded him of something.
Of Nolan, years agoโa young teen under his tutelage, quietly mouthing his words before speaking, rehearsing them under his breath so that when his turn came, not a single stutter or flicker of hesitation would make it past his lips. And nowโฆ he wondered if the man standing outside was doing the same.
But even if Nolan had the right things to say and the perfect posture, nothing guaranteed the outcome would favor him. It was one of the harsher lessons for a Viltrumite to learnโthat no amount of proficient manipulation and discipline could always secure what he wanted.
Even less so if it wasnโt deserved.
Hyde stepped back toward Debbie.
โWill you be alright?โ he asked firmly.
Debbie held his gaze, and for a second, something softer and more secure flickered there.
โI will.โ
That was enough for him. He smiled.
Hyde pulled her into a hug, firmer this time yet not with the intent to protect. His chin rested briefly against the top of her head while she naturally nuzzled his chest with her arms comfortably wrapped around his waist.
โIโll give you some space,โ he murmured. โI uhโฆ could take a flight around the city or something.โ
Debbie chuckled.
โHow about you get some ingredients for dinner?โ
โSo, no lasagna tonight?โ
โNah,โ Debbie leaned back just enough to look at him again, her lips found a way to form a small smile through her fatigue. โI was thinking, we could have something different. Ever had homemade Korean food before?โ
โHuh. Donโt think I haveโฆโ Hydeโs whisker tugged upward from only one side. โIโll get the best stuff then.โ
They lingered there for a moment.
Then Hyde stepped away, the cane in his hand faded upward into thin lines of smoke.
At the back door, his hand rested briefly on the frame as he glanced over his shoulder, meeting Debbieโs eyes one last time. Without another word, he stepped outside, and he was goneโlifting into the night with a controlled, quiet burst, disappearing past the rooftops instead of tearing through the sky.
Down on the street and out of sight, a figure stood still. Nolan had been there for several minutes already, with his gaze fixed on the house. His attention shifted upward as Hyde rose into the air, tracking his silhouette without urgency as he disappeared into the darkness. It had only confirmed what he had seen earlier when their eyes met.
A flustered ire bubbled in Nolanโs core. But more pressing matters required his attention.
He took a deep breath in. Then he quickly let the air out.
Slowly, at last, he lumbered toward the main door.
OC exploration that was meant to be a short fic I had already finished, but was based on the comics. Then Season 4 came out, and I decided to redo it and add to it.
This takes dialogue directly from the end of Episode 3 and moves on to Episode 4 before Debbie and Nolan's reunion and the Viltrumite War.
Characters: Debbye x Hyde (oc) ft Mark, Oliver, Nolan, Thaedus (No Paul in this universe, sorry)
| Chapter 1 |
โAs Iโm sure youโve noticedโฆโ Debbie stood in the living room, hands clasped together. โHyde and I have become very close over the last six monthsโฆโ
Mark sat stiffly on the couch, aloof but still listening, his gaze lost, unfocused on the ceiling, arms crossed, while next to him, Oliver sprawled on the other side in his usual restless way.
โWe saw you making out!โ Oliver teased.
โOliver, please.โ Debbie closed her eyes briefly, exhaling through her nose. She smiled, bright though falsely hopeful. โWeโve been talking a lot, and he wants to stay close to the family. Soโฆ he suggested, and we agreed to buy a house together. And sell this one.โ
The words seemed to land unevenly, snapping Mark out of his dazed trance.
โYouโre selling the house?โย
โYou canโt sell the house, Mom!โ Oliver whined. โWhere am I gonna live?โ
โYouโll both live with usโas long as you want.โ
Oliver hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. โI mean, I like Hyde. But why move out? Canโt he just move in with us?โ
โHe says itโs for our safety. WhichโฆI agree,โ Debbie held her hands close to her chest.ย
โWhen is this happening?โ Mark pushed off the couch, moving toward her. โDid you already list the house?โ
โNo. Of course not.โ Debbie chuckled with unease. โI wanted to tell you both first.โ
Mark exhaled impatiently, pressing the bridge of his nose. โI canโt believe this right nowโฆ Itโs just odd for him to decide that.โ
โWe decided it.โ
โYeah, but who came up with the idea first? You? Or him?โ
Oliver shifted uncomfortably in his seat, now just a passive observer in the confrontation between his mother and brother. His gaze moved quickly around the room, finally settling on Debbie, whose shoulders sagged with hurt etched on her face.
โ...Markโฆโ she said, her voice small.
Mark let out a single huff to ease himself.ย
โIโm sorry,โ he softened his tone. โYou know how I feel about Hyde. But maybe he really seems to care about us. I want to think he does.โ
โI truly believe he means well,โ Debbie replied. โThings have been a little easier with him around. Still, we never know what or who else might target us here again, and that worries him. And me.โย
โYeahโฆtrue.โ Mark nodded slowly, like he was convincing himself as much as agreeing. โAnd I have to admit that I feel a weight off my shoulders knowing heโs been looking out for you while Iโm not around. Youโฆ do seem happier lately.โ A pause followed as the thought settled. โMaybe a new start at a new house wonโt be so bad.โ
Debbieโs eyebrows raised a little as her whole face brightened.ย
โThank you,โ she smiled.
Oliver shot upward, hovering over the couch. โI get to pick my new room first!โ
A sharp click of the door, followed by a soft thud as it shut, drew everyoneโs attention to the mudroom, where Hyde emerged, humming a cheerful tune accompanied by the light tapping of his cane.
โAlright,โ he said, presenting a grocery bag hanging between two fingers. โI managed to find the sauce youโโย
Hyde blinked once, lowering the bag awkwardly to his side. Oliver and Debbie smiled upon his arrival. But Mark remained stiff, only averting his gaze, but it lacked his usual brooding glare beforehand; his body shrinking in place with quiet resignation gave Hyde no less curiosity as to what could be going through the boyโs mind. But he certainly sensed the shift.ย
โHey, Hyde!โย Oliver said quickly, holding out a fist as he glided close.
A small smile tugged at Hydeโs face despite his confusion, and he bumped it gently with his own. โHello, Oliver.โ
โIโm gonna head out for a bit, Mom. Iโll see ya later.โ Oliver glanced toward Hyde and hurried off before anyone could stop him, the front door shutting again not long after.
Mark cleared his throat, still avoiding Hydeโs eyes.
โIโm going to my room,โ he muttered. โHad a long day.โ
โโฆMark.โ Hyde took a small step.
Mark paused on his way at the base of the staircase without turning his head even a little, his hand gripping the rail tightly.
The words never made it out past Hydeโs lips. He knew better than to press the boy with questions. He just hummed deeply.
โItโs good to see you.โ He prodded politely.
Mark glanced back briefly, smiling faintly with a quick flash of guilt across his face. โYeah. You too.โ
ย It was a small gesture, but it brought Hyde relief as Mark disappeared upstairs. His eyes then found Debbie, who returned his smile as if she understood what had just happened. The tension in the room eased the moment he looked at her.
Debbie rested a hand against his chest as they shared a light kiss, warm and unhurried despite the lingering tension around them. When they parted, Hyde stayed close with his forehead pressed on hers, studying her face carefully.
โYou alright?โ he whispered.
โI am now.โ
โDid something happen while I was gone?โ
Debbie rolled her eyes with raised eyebrows, letting out a little huff.
โI told the boys about what you and I discussed earlierโฆ about the house.โ
Of all the holidays of the year, Valentine's Day happens to be Zane's least favorite. Bob wants to cheer him up by planning a pleasant hangout. However, a sinister call demands his presence to handle a critical situation that same night. Torn between his loyalty to the Cult of Eyes and trying not to ruin the special evening, Bob must navigate the volatile balance of keeping his true identity hidden while dealing with his newfound feelings for Zane, risking everything to protect his secret and the only meaningful relationship he's ever had.