How columbaceous

November illustration from an Osamu Tezuka themed calendar, featuring his characters finding The Loch Ness monster. (1976)

Hi, I found a rad QPR partner and a potential solution to my biggest problems all at once through my writing??? Care to help me with actually getting over there? I even made this whole-ass animatic to argue my case for me. XD

GoFundMe is here!

Ko-Fi art commissions are here!

(English is not my first language so sorry for any grammar mistakes)

Viktor hates Mordecai, of course.

That two-faced, little, arrogant fucker kneecapped him, betrayed him, betrayed the Lackadaisy, left them in their hour of need for his own selfishness, he threw away everything he and Viktor had built as in the partnership, the trust the understanding the never spoken about deep affection-

So, if his ex partner was ever to be seen again, Viktor has vowed to kill him on sight.

The problem is, the night that such opportunity comes, that the disgusting little traitor is standing there, in front of him, outside his door, bleeding profusely, he doesn't act immediately. In fact, he remains still, just staring, long enough for the monster to speak in a faint voice:

"... I didn't know where else to go..."

Just a few words, that mean so many things.

"You (still) make me feel safe "

"I (still) need you"

"You're (still) my partner"

Viktor doesn't always understand what the demon says very well, never did, with all those fancy and nonsensical words... but those words, whispered in that pained voice, he understand so deeply he could almost feel them carve themselves in his brain.

And so, he lets the monster in.

He helps him patch up his wounds, gives him something to eat (some leftovers from mrs Bapka's cooking), lets him rest and hide in his appartment from whatever it is he is escaping from. The demon has said something about a fight with his new "partners", his investigation... Viktor hasn't really paid attention, his brain is still trying to make sense of all the voices in his head, all with very different opinions on what he should do with the other feline in his home; and god does he hate himself for the surge of anger that he has to surpress as he hears the other refer to someone else as his "partner".

Viktor lets him stay the night, tho the tuxedo doesn't sleep, too anxious and paranoid (nice to see some things never change, at least). The slovack wants to ignore him, to shake him, to scream at him or even better to kick him out with a nice punch, what he should've done from the start.

But the sweet taste of nostalgia is too strong on his tongue, and said tongue starts to move, asking the traitor questions, or telling him about whatever comes to mind.

The questions are not about his new job or what got him here, he knows the other won't answer those, so he asks questions regarding Mordecai the man and not Mordecai the violent weapon. Viktor asks if he has come around to read that book with the long name he had wanted so much, if he has actually tried to remake his mother's jewish dish, if he has received any news about his family; and to his surprise, he does actually receive answers.

He wishes he hadn't.

Because now that they are talking, he can't help but slowly see the image of the heartless, disgusting monster break at the seems to leave out Mordecai Heller, his ex partner, the one he trusts with his Life, the one with whom he's able to comunicate with only a look, the one he has loved and yearned for years, despite neither of them ever saying the word; and he should hate himself for this weakness, but in this moment he just wants to relish in Mordecai's presence, be content, for a while after a long time.

Then Mordecai wants to leave.

He puts his jacket back on, his hat too, and talks about how "it's been nice converse with him again", his voice monotone as usual, but his eyes so gentle...

No.

No no no no. Viktor can't have that. Can't have him walk away, out that door, leaving behind everything they are for each other, just like he did that day... No. Viktor Is done with people he loves so desperately leaving his life, he is done with his heart being ripped out of his chest.

So, he doesn't let him. Just grips his wrist.

Mordecai struggles, and pushes and snarls at him, but he doesn't budge. The tuxedo is starting to get angry and truly violent, demanding Viktor lets him go. He doesn't believe Viktor would genuinely get aggressive to keep him there, not after how their last conversation about this very topic ended (honestly he is surprised Viktor even let him in...) But then, Viktor does.

Once he Is able to get out of Viktor's grip, the older cat grabs him again and pushes him back against the wall, away from the door. Mordecai could easily win this fight usually, because of Viktor's knee and all, but not without a weapon and when he has multiple deep and fresh wounds.

And also, Mordecai can read Viktor well too; and while he would be fighting to escape and go back to the shittiest life he has created for himself... Viktor is a lonely man who would be fighting to keep the last bits of deep connection and true love he has left in his life from slipping away once again. Mordecai doesn't think he could win such a fight.

So Viktor keeps him there. In his appartment. Safe, and protected. Not that Mordecai needs it really, but the certainty is what makes the bobcat feel better. Is Viktor slowly going insane? Getting more possessive? More clingy? Wanting to mark and guard and posses every part of Mordecai? ...Yes...

Truly concerning. But he has Mordecai back, so his mind can't find a single fuck to give.

And Mordecai hates it, of course.

Because Viktor Is a crazy bastard who has basically kidnapped him, and he is creepy and touchy and possessive... and yet... it feels so good to be with him again, to talk to him again, to banter with him again; and he would lie if he said the new additions, like sleeping toghether, were not of his liking. And oh, being so throughtfully wanted feels so good...

This came out wayyyyyy longer than I intended, I let myself go a bit too much lol. Anyway, I'm just happy I was finally able to get this idea outta my head!!

Do I want to turn this into an angsty, sad but also kind of sweet and very smutty fanfic? Yes.

Am I also super busy? Yes.

I discussed previously with @xvince-heliotropex about how the kneecapping was BOTH a selfish and selfless act for Mordecai, trying to spare himself from his fear of Viktor being killed, or worse being ordered to kill him by Marigold and not being able to do it, but also cutting himself off from the only person left in St Louis post-Atlas that he cares about (likely more deeply than he wants to admit) and leaving himself all alone

But Mordecai may have assumed that Viktor once forcefully retired would get in touch with that daughter of his, or at least have Ivy or Elsa to lean on.

He probably isn't prepared to see Viktor in such a state, not just because he currently has no idea how bad his physical health is due to how little detail Mitzi went into at the lunch meeting, but also how depressed and lonely the big guy is. Considering how close to breaking he is himself that could be what pushes him over the edge

And it's not like he can immediately go check up on Viktor to at least just know. Mordecai really prefers needs to Know Things. But he has to be so, so careful in these circumstances. Imagine the stress. Someone you care for is reported to have been almost-killed and it's probably your fault. You can't show too much curiosity and concern. You can't find out how bad it is because you're uh, a bit tied up at the moment, with yet more things that are arguably your fault. The wrong people find out you care about this sitting duck and it's so over...