Abraham Kuznetsov (feat. Levi)

Another one of our rat gang leaders from our comic Ratterrock. Abe is a bit...unstable. But damn...he does make it look good...

Happy Pride fellow vermin! Go forth and be gay!

Human Ratterrock!

MORE ABE AND LEVI RELATIONSHIP FACTS

Baji is the ultimate authority on Abe, so here’s what they said when I asked them:

Abe likes to see his treasures and lavishly spoil his partners - anyone on his arm never lacks for fine things or comfort.

The catch is you are dealing with a highly unstable individual. Displease him or piss him off in a small way and it doesn't matter how sweetly he favored you. You’re gone, or worse. So most stay far away and clear. The risk is not worth the reward with Abe.

But I think Abe (maybe unhealthily) prefers that his partners be prepared for danger and sudden change.

He considers himself a simple shallow rat, but at the end of the day I think Abe (like many) is filling his eyes with gilded gold so he does not face the horror of life.

Or the pain in himself.

Going off of this, this is why Levi is such a good guy for him. He loves to be pampered and shown off, to have a place of pride on the arm of his partner, so Abe’s preferences already align with his. They’re both hedonists as well - life is for living and as creatures of sensation, why not have a fine time seeking out the best of the best?

Levi’s also just a naturally chill and easy going fellow - he likes to have a good time, but he likes it even more when his company is enjoying themselves too. So he’s predisposed to making sure Abe is happy and comfortable.

But along with all of this, Levi is incredibly people smart - he swiftly senses when a mood is in danger of going sour and knows how to pivot onto something sweeter in a very smart but also very sincere way. Abe smells bullshit a mile away, so Levi being genuine when he soothes him is important.

There’s also the fact that because of his time on the streets, Levi is very prepared and capable in the face of danger. He doesn’t like it, but he can easily take care of himself if things get messy. Abe certainly appreciates that his ruby knows how to handle himself.

I think that makes Levi so different from Abe’s other lovers is that along with his hedonism, he gets so much pleasure out of simple joys - a good meal, a lovely sunset, practicing a card trick…he loves life and all the pleasures it has to offer, the staggering and the simple. Abe finds that very refreshing, and I could see him getting almost protective of Levi’s, well, innocence.

They’re also both Jewish, and that is very important to the both of them. It’s tough when you’re supposed to have a community, but you do something that community condemns (being a sex worker, being a gang leader). So…they have each other.

We (Suzie and Baji) fucking LOVE Chappell Roan, this is a WONDERFUL question!

Hands down “Casual” would fit Abe and Levi. “Coffee” is very much Pads and Sage, and “After Midnight” is a very Rilla song.

Fun fact, a certain Chappell song inspired a certain artwork that Baji is working on…