#writing requests

Since there was no specific theme given, I'll just give a few random headcanons I have!

Funerals in Desert Bluffs are similar to New Orleans style funerals

There is grieving, of course, but they ultimately end in celebration. That is, if the funeral even happens in between the busy work schedules.

There is unique social etiquette on when it is okay to have a more 'false' looking smile rather than a 'genuine' one

We all know smiling is important to Desert Bluffs citizens, but the etiquette behind it is just as important! 'False' / 'forced' smiles are more expected in common interactions, as 'genuine' smiles are seen as an intimate gesture, often reserved for families, romantic partners, and close friends.

It's deemed inappropriate to have a more 'genuine' smile in day to day interactions.

Conformity is prized only in certain dynamics

While in most spaces conformity to any and all social expectations is the primary goal of a polished community like Desert Bluffs, there are a few exceptions. Primarily, in families, especially among children as they explore their career interests.

After all, a powerful workforce demands variety, smothering it too heavily at such a young age cripples the strength of it in the future.

Frown Night originated from a failed rebellion

This may not make much sense, but to me, Frown Night always seemed out of place. The way my mind justifies it is that it is a mockery of a group which tried to defy the status quo. The night is treated as a horror, but also a sort of joke. As if further — albeit subconsciously — driving it in that at the end of the day, you'll live your life smiling; that there is no escape from it.

Emotional regulation is required in Desert Bluffs society

While some of it is enforced by medication and many other various means, it is also a requirement in schooling. Children in Desert Bluffs are taught from a very young age that their emotions — especially 'unpleasant' or 'unseemly' ones — are incorrect, and at times, shameful. This is obviously not healthy, but it is so ingrained in their culture at this point, that everyone in the town has forgotten what it means to feel sorrow without shame and guilt.

In some cases, citizens may pray for forgiveness, as if their own emotions are sin.

Fandom: Welcome to Night Vale

If I was meeting anyone else today, I would be nervous about finding them in a crowd this big, but not Guy. As soon as my eyes scan over to the left side of the room, I see him sticking out clear as day.

How could I not? He stands taller than most people which makes his brightly dyed hair even easier to see. His usual piercings are all in place, and he's wearing a full black outfit even in the middle of a heat wave. Everyone else in the room seems to not get too close to him, but I walk straight forward with a smile on my face.

"Hey, Guy! Have you been waiting long?"

"Finally… I was waiting eons for you! I'm not sure how much longer I could stand here by myself. I was afraid you wouldn't show up, and then I'd have to take very drastic actions." Guy gives me a pout as if I hadn't shown up fifteen minutes early myself.

"I'm here now, so stop thinking weird things."

"I just don't understand why you didn't let me drive you."

I give him an incredulous look since we've talked many times already about what a horrible driver he is. If I ever get into his car, I'd have to prepare for it to be the last thing I do.

"Anyways…" I change the topic. "We should probably scan our tickets and head to concessions before the trailers start."

"I got two tickets for the best seats in the house right here!" Guy holds up the flimsy paper with a lopsided smile but moves his hand away before I can grab one. "And I'll give both of them to the attendant."

“Fine, fine. Whatever you say.” I probably shouldn’t humor him as much as I do. 

He was the one who bought the tickets, so I guess it makes sense if he holds on to them. Though I don’t know why he cares that much.

“Can I see your tickets?” An exhausted worker stands casually at the stand.

Without a word, Guy hands them over. He looks up at the ceiling impatiently, and I can already sense his irritation at the worker’s slow pace. I gently place my hand on the crook of his elbow to catch his attention.

“So, you mentioned something about the director’s other movies earlier?” 

Guy doesn’t say anything for a second, only looking into my eyes with a hard to read expression. When he finally moves his gaze down to where my hand makes contact with him, his face relaxes into a small smile.

“I did mention something, but it’s completely left my mind now. I’m more curious how you’re feeling about the movie. Are you nervous, my dearest?”

“Oh. Um… not really? Should I be?” I’m not totally unfamiliar with horror movies, but I don’t know much about this one. 

“No, I don’t think you need to worry. This director isn’t known for any extreme jumpscares or gore, sadly. If you need me to cover your eyes for you though, just let me know.” Guy places his hand over my own, and his touch is freezing.

“Theater 7 is on your right.” After fiddling with the scanner for a minute, the worker finally returns our tickets.

Guy mutters out a quick thanks and pulls me along to the concessions. Finally being inside the theater lobby proper seems to brighten his mood, that is until he spots the long lines for the food.

“I can’t stand lines…” He whispers it under his breath. “We’ll miss all the trailers at this point.”

“If you want, I can grab the snacks for both of us. That way you can head straight in and catch the trailers.”

Guy gives me an offended look, like I just said something completely unbelievable. “You’re asking me to leave you all by yourself?”

I can only give him a blank stare. “Yes? For just a moment.”

“The whole point of spending the afternoon together is to actually be together. And how do you expect to carry everything by yourself?” He huffs incredulously.

“Oh. I’m sure I could figure it out. I just wanted to help is all…”

“I want to watch the trailers with you, so don’t worry about trying to do anything by yourself.” Guy bends down to rest his head against my shoulder. It’s hard to understand what he wants sometimes.

“We could always watch any trailers we missed together, after the movie. I'm sure it's not too hard to look them up.”

Guy instantly perks up at the thought of spending more time together. Maybe this is exactly what he wanted after all…

We spend the rest of the time waiting in line talking about the other movies coming out this month, and in the blink of an eye we reach the concession counter. Guy debates getting nearly one of everything on the menu but settles for nachos and a rootbeer. He, unsurprisingly, ends up paying for my stuff too.

“I could have paid.” I give him my best earnest smile, but I know how this conversation ends.

“No, these movie theater prices are outrageous nowadays. You shouldn’t have to worry about it. Consider it my treat!”

With arms full of snacks, we head into the large theater on the right. The sign above the door reads “Bloody Pines - 4:30 Seating Now”. It seems like we are right on time as a new trailer has just started.

Guy insisted on getting seats closer to the back, a little out of the way while still getting a fully clear view of the screen. He never likes being in the center of any crowded room.

As I settle into the velvet red seat, horrific screams echo out from the surrounding speakers. The trailer is for another horror movie coming out later this year in October, and Guy immediately seems interested.

"God, that looks so ridiculous but I love a good zombie movie. Have you seen the previous ones?" He leans over, a little closer than necessary, and whispers straight into my ear with a deep voice.

I just turn to look over at him and shake my head. I'm not even totally sure what franchise this is specifically.

"I got them all on DVD back at my place." He gives me another one of his lopsided smiles before focusing back on the screen.

It's hard to tell how serious he is about anything, even after knowing him all this time. Was it just a statement or was he really suggesting I come over? I'm always a little nervous at the thought of going to his place after one too many 'I've redecorated the basement just for you' jokes.

He just has an old sense of humor is all... At least that's what I keep telling myself.

The lights go completely dark and the music slowly builds up as the opening credits begin to roll. A few familiar production company logos appear before an unsteady camera focuses on an old wooden sign. In dark red, it read 'Bloody Pines'. Then a sudden smash cut to a car full of young adults on an old mountain road.

I think I can already tell where things are going, but I feel a bit on edge nonetheless. Peeking over to Guy, he seems entirely engrossed into the movie already. I knew he liked horror a lot, but this is my first time seeing him so relaxed.

It takes about half an hour for the suspense to really pick up. The first kill is pretty brutal, and I feel like Guy slightly understated how bloody this movie would be. And with a few surprising twists in the plot, I feel my fear building more than I expected.

Looking for a distraction, I turn back to Guy who is still completely focused on the movie. It takes me another second to notice, but he seems to be shivering slightly. There's no way he's scared so… he must be cold?

The temperature is pretty chilly in here even with a few dozen people in the room. This movie theater always ends up feeling like a fridge during the summertime, and Guy has easily gotten cold in the past. His black t-shirt and ripped jeans really don't seem to be helping much.

An idea suddenly pops into my head, and before I can rethink it my arm is already moving. I quickly stretch out until my hand is on his far shoulder and my arm is around his body. I try to keep my touch gentle, but I feel him flinch slightly at the contact. Guy quickly relaxes and turns to meet my gaze.

He gives me a shocked look as if to say 'Why?' and I lean into him further to whisper into his ear.

"You seemed cold. Were you?" 

He gives me a quick nod before hesitantly looking back towards the screen. Despite how freezing Guy felt earlier, a warm blush slowly blooms across his face. It doesn't take long for his shivering to stop, but he never pulls away. In fact, it seems he moves even closer as the movie goes on.

I feel like I can't pull back now, and his presence is comforting during the more extreme scenes. The movie seems a lot less intense now. Before I know it, the final girl is standing in front of the killer and strikes him down with his own fire axe. The credits roll as a heavy rock song starts to play.

"Wow. That was surprisingly good." I turn to Guy who is now refocused back on me since the movie has finished. "What did you think?"

"I think it was the best I've seen in a while. Could have used a few more kills though." He gives a wistful sigh. I wonder just what kind of horror he is used to at this point…

More and more people leave the theater as the lights slowly turn back on. I start to pull away to sit up, but Guy stops me.

"Hey, where are you going?" He gives me another pout.

"I'm… leaving? The movie is over and the credits are almost done."

"Can't we stay just a little longer? Just to give respect to all the amazing people who worked on this movie, of course." Guy now fully wraps his arms around my shoulders into a tight hug. It's very clear he doesn't actually care about the credits.

Yeah, I should have seen this coming. His needy behavior always ramps up at the end of our hang outs. Though…

"How about we get some dinner? Plus, we still need to watch those trailers we missed at the start. I don't want to hold the workers up." I give him a placating smile and am only met with a sigh as he finally relents his hold.

We both stand up, gathering what is left of our snacks and drinks, and move down to the bottom of the theater stairs to exit. The same tired worker is there to wave us out, and soon we are back in the crowded lobby.

"Here. I don't want to lose you." I hold out my hand to Guy.

He instantly jumps forward, almost running into me, to grab my hand. It really doesn't take much to make this guy happy, huh?

He looks completely giddy, as if on cloud nine, as we walk outside into the blazing summer heat. Guy perks up looking around, but I quickly stop him.

"No, you are not driving us to dinner."

Guy suddenly appears completely heartbroken and rejected yet again.

~ END ~