BASKEIEORIRIE PAYJAY CRUMB. WE’RE SOO BACKKKKK!!!
I have so much hope for remaster payjay. I want them to be portrayed in such a specific odd way but I have FAITH that ae will deliver…
Like. I want them to be a little gayer. Just a LITTLE gayer. 15.97% gayer.
Because like. One of the reasons why I love their relationship so much is because it was founded on their friendship and the way they connected and sorta just. Clicked. They’re not perfect, of course; no relationship, be it platonic or romantic, ever is, and we even see one of those disagreements in S1 itself (the whole ‘OJ being empty of orange juice’ thing, which was resolved relatively quickly and healthily anyway).
But the point is that their alliance in S1 allows them to establish that connection, through their shared experiences of being ‘betrayed’ in one way or another (although, ironically, it was kind of both of their faults; Paper voting for Knife, OJ thinking he was just ‘smarter’ than Bomb and deserved to win DDD more) and that comfort they provided each other of finally having someone to actually rely on.
To Paper, OJ was someone who appreciated and cared for him amidst all the chaos and previous isolation in his life. Someone who cared enough to listen to him and what he had to say (even if he was an oblivious, selfish dumbass at times), and just let Paper be himself, never viewing him as a burden or a hassle to handle. Throughout the season, beneath his egocentric actions and views, it’s shown to us in those little moments; ‘You don’t understand, he may be injured! Paper, wake up!’ ‘No! I can’t believe Paper didn’t make it this far!’ ‘Paper deserved this more than you, and I’m gonna win for him!’ Plus his entire little speech about friendship after he won the season. Again, it’s not perfect, and OJ’s character still has a long way to go in recognising his own faults, but the point is that it’s clear he cares. It’s clear that Paper has made an impact on him, and he appreciates the bond that formed from it more than anything.
To OJ, Paper was the person who did truly stick by his side ‘no matter what!’ and supported him throughout all his hardships and troubles in the season. He was willing to be there for Paper when he needed it, and in return Paper was there for him too - to him, something that was integral to friendship that he felt he lacked with his past alliances (even though it was moreso his fault that they crashed and burnt down around him). He admires Paper’s patience, and recognises his true strength and compassion. Paper is willing to make up for his mistakes, and willing to help OJ recognise his own and grow as a person. Before Paper, he saw most other contestants as irrational or idiotic, and used that as a basis to place himself above others. Based on his experiences with Taco, Pickle, Balloon and Bomb, he believed that those around him could and would turn on him at any moment. He thought that he wouldn’t find people who saw his worth beyond what he could bring to the game. But Paper did. Paper showed him that ‘just because not everyone could be trusted, didn’t mean I couldn’t trust anyone.’
They found comfort, loyalty, patience and validation in each other, and that’s why they became such close friends and stuck by each other’s side after the competition ended. Their relationship didn’t and doesn’t define them as people, as they each have their own interests, flaws, strengths, friendships, and quirks that are unique to them individually, but it helped them grow and gave them a reason to keep pushing themselves to be better and better. Their relationship didn’t just come out of nowhere; they weren’t suddenly head over heels for one another. Their trust and intimacy had to be earned, slowly, throughout the time they spent together. They proved to themselves that despite their rough moments, they really did just work. And I don’t want that gradual buildup to be lost in the remaster; S1 payjay and its portrayal of them is a huge reason why I love payjay so much.
That being said… a little more interest could never hurt, right? Brighter smiles, a more emotional tone to their lines, some cute tweaks to expressions here and there… maybe a veery subtle, light blush when OJ literally picks Paper up in Tile Divide… I wouldn’t mind seeing those kinds of more innocent, sweet moments between them that give us an even deeper insight into their emotions and relationship. Moments that show us the extent of just how much they mean to each other, and prove to the world that I’m Not Crazy for loving these two.
So yeah. 15.97% gayer payjay, please.
pixelskylines
romaincrisis
germansingergirl
