A little gift for @iceb0x of their OC, Day the goat god girl.  Who, I admittedly don’t actually know very well so this could be hella ooc.  But look!

((Putting this under read more cause it might get long. A bunch of headcanons for Steven and Malachi (platonic and romantic) from Iceb0x’s comic (and ocs) Atonement Day.

I love these two so much. 

((These can be seen as Platonic or Romantic, whichever, they’re subtley enough to be both))

((I Don’t know Why I love this Headcanon I have for them))

1. Before the rapture/Apocalypse, Steven and Malachi would hang out and after scouts meeting, they’d stop at the convenience store and get slushies (Steven’s blue and Malachi’s red). Then they’d sit on the stone wall at the public park, talking about anything, drinking their slushies. Anything from casual conversations to more heavier topics. That was their place to hang out, and this carried over until they were teenagers (until the apocalypse). 

-Malachi hates slushies (Steven enjoys them), he always complains that they’re gross and he drinks them too fast, giving him massive brain freeze. But because Steven likes them, and Malachi enjoys these peaceful moments, he tolerates the slushed diabetes. And if he gets really annoyed, he just gives Steven the rest.

-Steven usually gets a slushy and a half every time.

2. One time, Steven joined Malachi at a group youth event (a meet and greet). They were surrounded by other kids, and parents (including Malachi’s father). Somehow, whether by accident, or intentional, Malachi managed to insult one of the girls he was chatting up and she threw her cup of punch in his face, staining his white dress shirt. Other kids started laughing, pointing, causing the adults to look over. When Malachi’s father saw him, the look on his face was one that meant Malachi was going to be severely punished for embarrassing him. Malachi was holding back tears at the look.

-Steven, who had been successfully flirting with a girl by the punch bowl, witnessing the scene, and noticing Malachi’s father expression, immediately turned to the girl, muttered an apology, and then insulted her so badly, that she dumped the whole punch bowl over his head. Everyone’s attention was averted from Malachi to Steven who was dripping from head to toe, glasses and shirt stained red. 

-One of the other pastors told Malachi and Steven they could find spare clothes in another room and that they should get changed quickly. They ran off, and only once they were safe in the hall, did Malachi finally start smiling again. No, actually he was laughing, tears of mirth in his eyes as he teased Steven profusely. Steven rolled his eyes, calling him an asshole, but he was glad to see Malachi smiling again. Even if he couldn’t prevent Malachi’s father’s rage, he was hoping to take the other boy’s mind off it, for awhile.

-Somehow, though, due to Steven’s more embarrassing humiliation, Malachi’s father didn’t punish Malachi. Just a stern lecture, and telling Malachi he could never invite Steven to another youth group event. Both were more than okay with that compromise.

3. Steven would be very passive aggressive about Malachi replacing Steven as a friend, and putting his feelings of Abel over their own history. I like to believe that he’d be slightly jealous of Abel, how he’s known Malachi longer, but Malachi has never treated him with nearly the same kindness he gives Abel, a kid he barely met. He’d be like:

Steven: Oh, why don’t you sit next to Malachi, Abel, since you two are such good buddies now? (gets up and starts walking to the other side)

Malachi: Oh would you stop! Come back here Steven!

Steven: Nooooo, don’t let me stop you two love birds! Go ahead Abel, you’re Malachi’s best friend now.

Malachi: Oh my gosh!

Abel: (I’m uncomfortable)

-((I think Canonly, more likely though)) That Steven would still be passive aggressive, but only to Malachi, since Abel didn’t really do anything and it’s really not his fault that Malachi is a shitty friend. So he’d still be friendly to Abel, but just be all angry and sassy to Malachi ((who honestly deserves it a little for being so cruel to Steven’s feelings))

Steven: So should I just leave you two alone? Am I being a 3rd wheel?

Malachi: Why are you being so difficult? You’re such a toddler!

Steven: At least I’m not a terrible friend

Malachi: UGH!

4. During Christmas, during the times Malachi’s father doesn’t even show up or call, Steven goes over to Malachi’s house, with a present, homemade cookies and a bunch of movies. He spends the night with Malachi, eating cookies (and popcorn) while they binge Christmas movies (or just whatever movie marathon Malachi wants). 

-If Malachi passes out on Steven’s shoulder, or even his lap halfway through, Steven doesn’t complain or try and move him. Tis the season for a little extra kindness.

5. Malachi’s dad hates Steven. It’s the only thing that he can agree with the man on: he hates him too. It’s mutual. It makes Steven angrier thinking that if Malachi’s dad could have been a little nicer, even just 20% nicer, maybe Malachi would have better confidence, better self esteem, and would be able to handle relationships (romantic or platonic) a lot better than he does.

-At least Malachi came to him when his father was being particularly shitty, and Steven much rather have that than Malachi close him off and deal with it alone (which Malachi has tried to do a few times). But Steven would like it far more if Malachi didn’t have to come to him for comfort, or space from his father, or, god forbid the really bad moments, when he had to help patch and clean up Malachi. Steven really, really hates Malachi’s dad. He doesn’t wish hell on people ever...but he thinks there’s a special place for Malachi’s father.

-He can tell when Malachi is trying to lie to him. Usually Malachi is meticulous about his texting, very professional, no grammar mistakes, no spelling mistakes, no emojis. Steven teases him for being a grandpa, but if Steven ever sees that Malachi’s texts have way more misspellings than typical auto-correct, or he tries to throws in a single emoji, Steven knows something is wrong. He’ll immediately text Malachi that he’s on his way, despite Malachi’s protest. Usually when he gets there, hugs and snack foods at the ready, Malachi is a lot more appreciative.

6. When they were very little, Steven helped Malachi make a lanyard since Malachi was struggling a lot and Steven was very good at making lanyards. He did most of the work, but Malachi finished the last part ((this would be when they were very young, so Malachi’s not a dick yet, he’s just not good at making lanyards)). When it was finished, he gave the completed lanyard to Steven, saying it was a present to thank him for helping him, and it was a symbol of their friendship. Steven said he would treasure it forever. The Lanyard is yellow and white and light blue.

-Malachi believes he lost it long ago. Honestly, it’s a vague memory, so he doesn’t even remember it that much anyway.

-Steven still has it. It’s tucked into his wallet. Sometimes looking at it reminds him that Malachi is more than just the person he is now.

-((I don’t know where the story is going to go, but if somehow, Steven ends up dying or gets killed off)) While searching through Steven’s backpack for supplies to keep moving on, he goes through his wallet, tipping it upside down and the lanyard falls out. He picks it up, at first confused why Steven had such a useless trinket. Then he remembers. And after he remembers... he doesn’t take seeing the lanyard well.

((These headcanons would be if they were in a universe where they were dating))

1. Steven and Malachi have such a old married couple relationship. They argue and bicker so much, constantly throwing insults so harsh, that often people wonder if they even like each other.

-When people ask if they even like the other, the two will simultaneously say, no hesitation “Not even a little!” This confuses people more, wondering why they’re dating if they can’t stand each other.

-But it’s obvious that they’re lying. Because, they can insult each other til the cows come home, but if someone (not closely related to them) insults one of them in the other’s presence, they best be ready for the tirade of insults their way. 

Example:

Steven: Malachi’s a dick!

Someone: Hahaha yeah he is! God I wish brats like him would just drop dead. The world would be so much better without his preachy whining.

Steven: Oh, I’m sorry? Did I ask for your shitty opinion? No, I don’t believe I did, so shove it back up your ass where it belongs.

And

Malachi: Steven is the absolute worse. The worst underling a guy could ask for! I can’t stand him!

Someone: What did you expect from a nerdy, loser? He’s so annoying to be around.

Malachi: Actually, I did think of one good quality. I enjoy his company far more than yours. : )

-Another reason they insult each other, is because it’s their own secret way to show endearment. Because Malachi’s father would never have accepted their relationship (for many reasons), they had to find a way to be show affection without warning suspicion. Thus, they came up with their insult dialogue. Because whatever they said, would mean the opposite of what they meant. And to Malachi’s dad it would just seem like boys being boys (and because of their mutual dislike of each other, having Malachi insult Steven made his father a little proud, thinking that his son was getting the upper hand and that maybe one day they would stop being friends for good). 

-It’s become second nature to them now. Even though they don’t have to be rude with each other anymore, they still do it around others, because they feel more comfortable that way. Only when they’re in private or can’t be overheard do they actually show genuine concern and worry ((like the scene in the rain of the comic)). 

2. When they first tried kissing (or making out) Steven and Malachi both had braces. Their braces ended up getting stuck, and Malachi panicked, not wanting to get caught in this situation. He yanked so hard, he not only snapped the wiring off his front braces, but he pushed Steven with enough force that Steven’s braces managed to slice Malachi’s bottom lip open. Malachi started freaking out more, having a panic attack when he tried to think of what he was going to tell his father to even explain this.

Malachi: I can’t get caught! He’ll kill me Steven! Or he’ll send me away! Or he’ll never let me see you anymore! I’m scared! Shit, what do I do?

Steven, trying to calm him down, and not wanting those scenarios to happen either, especially Malachi getting hurt or punished at his expense (considering he somehow managed not to damage his own braces), said:

Steven: I have an idea, but you have to trust me.

Malachi: O-okay?

Steven: Punch me, as hard as you can!

Malachi: What! WHY? I’M NOT GOING TO PUNCH YOU! WHY WOULD YOU WANT THAT!

Steven: If we make it look like we got into a big fight, your dad might still be pissed, but he’ll be far less angry than finding out the truth. And if he knows it was me you got in a fight with, he might be even more lenient.

Malachi: I don’t want to lie...

Steven: So you wanna tell him we were kissing?

Malachi does more damage to his knuckles than he thinks he did to Steven’s nose.

-By the time he sees his dad, he looks like he’s been in a real fight. Black eye, split lip trying to heal, bruised knuckles. His dad demands to know what he was up to. Before Malachi can answer, there’s a knock at the door. It’s revealed to be Steven and his mother ((if she’s still alive)). Steven just looks as messed up as Malachi. Steven then had to apologize to Malachi and his father for instigating a fight with Malachi (he told his mom he started the fight, knowing full well she would make him come over and apologize). Malachi’s father just huffs, acknowledging the apology. Though Steven notices he looks a little surprised (and pleased) at Malachi for the first time in a long time. Steven feels much better, even though his face still hurts so bad.