*blows the dust off my tumblr*
Been a hot minute since I posted art here, so here, have some Matt/Anna content! Or, as I'm starting to take to calling their ship, MirrorGlasses! ^^
Def need to talk about them more, because second to only Eduarel, they're my second favorite ship. I'm really sad we haven't seen her in later Eddsworld media, but Anna seemed like a neat lil' side character in her and Matt's comic arc, and they seemed like an adorable couple! (Even if it did turn out they were faking for Edd and Tom.)
So, yeah, def in my Eddsworld universe, they started out the same way, Matt hiring Anna to play the role of his girlfriend to prove to the others that he could be in a relationship and pretty sick of the "dating a mirror" jokes. Anna was happy to play the part, because she liked having an extra bit of cash, but also thought the idea of playing a smoopy-woopy girlfriend sounded fun, and a lot easier than her real relationships had been up until then. (I imagine she probably didn't end up in the happiest relationships prior to Matt, which wasn't... great for her self-esteem, which was already pretty poor thanks to her parents.)
However, the more time they spent together, the more it felt natural to them. It stopped being an act after a while, they found the things they did in front of Tom and Edd, like holding hands, giving cute nicknames and compliments, warmly embracing, talking about their lives and hopes and dreams, just generally enjoying being around one another, it... it wasn't something they had to pretend to enjoy. They did those things when no one was watching.
Matt didn't realize at first what was happening, just assuming Anna was a great actress and he was just... y'know, pretty in-deep with the whole thing. Anna, however, got hit with the realization that, "oh no, i've fallen for this cute, silly man aaaaaa"
Maybe later on, after narrowly avoiding a close call with the boys catching them NOT acting all cute, Matt sighs in relief their cover wasn't blown, and commends Anna for her own acting skills, his friends genuinely seem so convinced they're actually in love!
And at that moment, Anna just seems... hurt. She's not upset at Matt since they're not really in a relationship, it's just... she'd honestly forgotten they weren't. She was convinced, or at least convinced herself that after a string of bad relationships, she'd found someone who loves her for her, and that his acting wasn't acting anymore, like her.
But she understands, it's okay. He had no real romantic obligations to her, she knows it's selfish to be upset when they've both made it clear that it's all an act. They're not in a real relationship... Matt could do better than her anyways. He's such a kind, sweet, silly and handsome man, and she's just... well, she doesn't feel she'd actually measure up, anyways.
However, she does ask him after that if they can end the facade, she doesn't really want to keep it up anymore. Matt is taken aback, wondering if it was something he said, and Anna assures him it's not, it's just that even though this has been fun... some of the most fun and wonderful times of her life, really, she doesn't really wanna keep pretending they're in a relationship- keep him in a pretend relationship- if they're not. He deserves to find a real partner, who gives him all the love and joy he deserves. She just doesn't... want to be in the way of that for him.
Matt is just completely shocked and worried, already seeing her low self-esteem show its face and tries to at least figure out if he said something or did something to hurt her, and convince her she's not "in his way," but... doesn't want to keep her in a fake relationship if she's not happy or comfortable. The two agree to end things, and mutually part ways... with both fighting back tears.
Later, similarly to what happened in the actual arc, Matt tells the gang they broke up, but doesn't really take to their attempts to get his mind off of it, just trying to make sense of it to himself. Tom's no good with this mushy stuff, so Edd sits down with a cola for them both to try and talk to him. Matt doesn't reveal it was them fake dating, but does express a lot of his sadness, genuinely asking Edd why it hurts so much, knowing it's over. And Edd, just trying to be a good and supportive friend, is just like, "Well, y'know, it's because you loved her, right?"
That's when it finally hits Matt at a million miles an hour. He... He does love Anna. He really, truly loves her. And she loved him, and... and...
Oh, no, he's made a terrible mistake.
Quickly rushing out the door faster than Edd can ask where he's going, he practically makes a break for Anna's apartment building, determined to try and make things right, to tell her it was all real to him. Once he finally makes it, it hurts to see her open the door, as he's greeted by a pair of sad, puffy eyes that had clearly been crying for hours, and a hoarse, but genuine, "... Hey."
She lets him in, and the two genuinely do have a heart-to-heart where Matt apologizes for rubbing in the fact that they were fake dating, never meaning to hurt her genuine, real feelings. Anna explains he doesn't need to apologize, she knows full and well he'd never hurt her and it wasn't even really that. She admits that yes, she does have feelings for him, but she knows their relationship wasn't and never was real, and she doesn't want Matt to pretend to like her for others, or for her. He's a wonderful person who'll find an equally wonderful person for him, and she doesn't want to hold him back from that, when she's not close to good enough for him-
Matt stops her right there, refusing to let her talk badly about herself. She has absolutely no idea how amazing she truly is, how beautiful, funny, nerdy, patient and loving she is, and how every moment he's spent with her has been some of the best of his life. He knows he messed it up, but he won't stand by while the woman he loves talks badly about her...
It only just then hits Matt what he said out loud, and Anna, with wide, hopeful, teary eyes asked him to repeat that, and he, a tad sheepish and blushing, gently reaffirms that yeah... he loves her.
Cue her grabbing him by his overcoat collar and bringing him in for their first kiss on the lips, which Matt just absolutely melts into reciprocating.
Edd and Tom are equally confused by the next day, seeing the pair apparently back to dating, only this time, they're more genuine, and not as insistent on acting all lovey dovey around them...
Just kidding, they end up acting even mushier as a genuine couple, genuinely and blissfully in love. All's well that ends well! (Except for Tom, who needs to keep nausea pills on hand anytime Anna's around, or Matt even brings her up, bleh.)
BONUS HEADCANONS THAT I'VE WRITTEN FOR FUNSIES:
I've mentioned this on Twitter, but in case I forgot to mention it here, I headcanon that Anna is the youngest sibling in Mark's family. (They have an oldest sister, Loretta, who's Balloon Head Fred's wife, then Blonzie, then Mark, then finally her.) Mark isn't... pleased with the situation that his beloved little sister is dating his dumbass rival from next door, nor confident in the fact that Matt genuinely loves her for her, and not just playing some cruel joke on him through her. Plus, with all the dangerous shit they get into on a regular basis, Mark doesn't like the idea of Matt putting her in harm's way, especially after how toxic and unloving her previous relationships were, the last thing Mark wants to see is his little sister getting hurt. The two already had a tense relationship before, but after Matt and Anna start dating for real, him and Mark really don't get along. Anna appreciates her older brother's concern for her but doesn't take kindly to him insulting her sweet and loving boyfriend, and assures him she can take care of herself. Similarly, she'll shut down Matt if he says something bad or insulting about her brother, reminding him that Mark is just looking out for her and that's her brother and she loves him. I definitely think as their relationship goes on, Matt and Mark slowly get along better and better, realizing that if they agree on nothing else, they both love Anna, and want her to be happy. Ultimately, Mark decides that if Matt loves Anna, if he makes her happy and feeling like she's loved and worthy of being loved, then that's really all he needs. Guess he stans now lol.
Love the idea that even before they officially start dating, Matt and Anna end up being really close confidantes, and are able to confide things to one another they can't with most people, even the ones they're closest to. I think Matt is a gentle voice of encouragement and support when it comes to Anna's depression and low self-esteem, consistently reminding her of the things he loves about her, and Anna, in turn, is just as gentle with Matt's metal health and self-image, reassuring him he doesn't need to constantly put on a brave or happy face for her, he can be and feel whatever he wants around her. They're just a mutual space of love and understanding for one another.
They absolutely indulge in each other's hobbies and interests, no matter how bad they are at it. Someone once mentioned a headcanon about Anna at least having an interest in rebuilding computers, which I LOVE and am rolling with, she's def a computer technician and could genuinely ramble for hours about it, which Matt loves to hear and engage with. She teaches him the ins and puts of computer systems and parts, he teaches her about hair care (I dun like the EW Fan Movie, but Matt being a hairdresser is a fun idea!) and ABSOLUTELY involves her in his cooking. He doesn't mind that her cooking is the equivalent of rat poison, he lives doing it with her and always encourages and praises her attempts.
SPEAKING OF COOKING, I like to think Matt, the first time he visited her apartment, noticed a lot of takeout bags and cups and boxes in the trash, and not a lot of dishes in general. Anna jokes it's just because she can't cook for shit anyways, but it's also because she's just generally too depressed to make the effort most days, something Matt recognizes without her needing to say it. He decides right there on the spot that no, this won't do, and cooks her dinner right then and there so she has something a bit more substantial. She insists that he didn't have to go to that trouble, but... she might sniffle a bit and genuinely thanks him, for doing that for her, it means a lot that he's looking out for her. (Also she realizes he's a fucking AWESOME chef girl you gotchu a catch aaaa)
I think that Anna is kinda the type of person who copes with her depression with humor, and tends to make a lot of dark jokes at her own expense. She always found it easier to do with friends, her siblings would always get really concerned and she didn't wanna worry them, and after all her experience with her parents, bad friendships and probably previous relationships, she figured no one else cared enough to point it out. Matt, however, is VERY quick to get worried the more she talks down about herself, and it's not long before he brings it up directly and gently, but genuinely asks her to stop, taking her by the hands and looking far more serious than normal. He thinks she's perfect in every way, and her insulting herself or insinuating the world is better off without her isn't funny at all, he can't bear to imagine a world without her, and he doesn't want her to do the same. she's definitely taken by surprise, unused to anyone aside from her siblings trying to cut that out, and unused to being told the world is a better place with her in it. she probably laughs a little, before softly crying for a bit in Matt's arms, since she feels safe doing that with him.
Matt definitely helps encourage her in the best and most gentle ways to help handle her depression. He's not overbearing about it at all, but genuinely wants to help if he can. He'll take her to outside areas for dates so she can get some sunshine and fresh air, probably invites her to go jogging or practicing yoga with him, teach her different, easy recipes to make herself dinner and definitely takes on making it himself if she needs, and always reminds her how beautiful, wonderful and loved she is. (Maybe anytime he stays over at her apartment, he'll do cute little things like fold her laundry and make her lunch, all the while hiding little notes for her like Easter Eggs with things about her he loves and wants to remind her of. Peak boyfriend material there aaaa)
Anna, meanwhile, I genuinely do believe is encouraged by Matt's love and help, and tries to do better and be more self-reliant thanks to his support. Her self-esteem challenges are definitely a fight, but she knows she's not doing it alone, which makes everyday a little easier. Likewise, I think she's constantly doing the same for him, giving him organization tactics to help with his hording problem, reminding him, as well, every chance she gets what she loves about him, supporting him in all his hyperfixations, and will throw some verbal hands at anyone who dares try and even imply he's not smart. ("Idiot, huh? Awful big words for someone who blew up half of London because he hated Christmas, isn't it, Thomas?")
I like to imagine their ideas for genuine dates are pretty different, like Matt, even when he's not pretending to be "couply-wouply" with Anna, loves big, romantic dates like fancy dinner, dancing, walks on the beach under the moon, basically he's a hopeless romantic kinda guy. Anna, meanwhile, will gladly go along with it, especially when they were trying to sell the idea of them being a couple, but actually appreciates smaller scale dates, like picnics, going on walks through the neighborhood, and just ordering pizza and watching a bad movie together. I think Anna gets better as their relationship progresses communicating this to Matt, who ofc doesn't want her to do anything she's not comfortable with, and they def end up more balanced with their date ideas, and come to genuinely enjoy eachother's date types as much as their own. (Matt had always planned to propose to Anna with some big, romantic date and gesture, but ultimately, he ended up asking her while they were just cuddled on the couch together. qwq)
They eventually have kids! These are my designs for the little half-vampire ankle biters lol:
