"I was good. I was really good."

He held onto the fringe theory for so long, but even then it was a delusion to him. And he eventually had to move on. But no matter what he believes now, as long as the case is closed, Gps's memory will always be tainted for him.

No longer his friend, no longer the high school sweetheart. No longer his partner. Just someone he loved who was probably a murderer.

Someone he once knew whose pictures on the wall are now replaced.

It's not a question if Tophat ever moved on. It's a question of if he still trusts his memory of Gps, or if he should think fondly of someone who, as far as he knows, caused so much damage.

I think Gps knew that. Or they realized it, in that final second, seeing Tophat look so scared (of them). That part hurts, too, I think. He will never get the chance to prove his innocence. Their name will never be cleared.

And the memory of dancing with him in the school gymnasium is all that it is—a memory. One that Gps got to cherish so fondly one last time, that Tophat will look back on and wonder, what changed? How much of it was real? And maybe looking back on those memories hurts too much to think about. Maybe it's necessary to put the old photos away. Close that chapter for good.

Is it selfish to say I can't live without you?

hey rim, here's that thing I said I'd make for you

This scene comes from Chapter 8 of Before I Sleep, a lovely rottmnt apocalypse fic with loads of angst and an extra heavy doze of PLOT for those who partake.

It didn't exactly turn out as planned?? A little more chaotic compositionally than I wanted and yeah, Leo is totally missing his prosthetic arm and I totally am not fixing it 🙂‍↔️ but rendering the ninpo was very fun

@rim-shot-archetypes