#zafttalks

Concept boils down to this: what if Tenna was in a feeder/feedee relationship before but got horribly burned by it? Landing himself alone in one of those bariatric clinics (yes, medical kink shit) and he's a huge heckin' fatass of a TV. (Tenna's a tall mf so I'm thinking 600+ AT LEAST. Bro is over ten feet tall dog.) Meanwhile, Spamton been through two stints at rehab and finally getting his life together and became a nurse because of the benefits. He works under Battat and other pippins and HATES everyone there...however, Tenna is introduced to Spamton and Tenna's really snippy and being a general spoiled princess the whole time and it really, really is getting on Spamton's bad side...yet he still tries to make Tenna somewhat less miserable. Spamton finds one of the TV shows Tenna's been on due to his relationship with his ex-fiance and Spamton's like 'oh fuck I want him' after all that and he ends up sneaking Tenna food and trying to not get his ass fired.

Did I mention there's a whole sneaking Tenna out of the clinic to go on a date with Spamton? THERE IS. It's more cute than sexy but there's still a bit of toxic yaoi going on since there is a huge power imbalance. Just so you know, I'm always going to push the whole "trans spamton' agenda till I perish so there's that element. I am planning to kinda lean into the whole "Tenna's vision is awful" and making his antenna's kind function like an ant's would??? You know smelling around to get the gist of his environment and what kinds of darkners are around??? His hearing is super good to compensate too. (Idk I like the whole "Tenna is disabled" agenda cause fuck yeah representation in the media I love!).

I imagine when the other Mikes are busy, and Battat needs time away from "All things Mike" that Ramb will always be there listening to his ramblings like a good bartender does. Causal stuff, but it becomes routine.

Mike might do Tenna's shock therapy and plain old therapy, but who helps motormouth Mike from losing it even more? Ramb, that's who. Ramb's a beacon of common sense. A reprieve from all the TV Time nonsense.

Ramb's a sane man, horribly depressed yet accepting of being on the sidelines of his own story. Ramb doesn't push a relationship with the dice, not having the motivation. Both because he knows Battat's only interested in companionship, but he knows Battat refuses to commit as long as Tenna's running around. But there's that hope, a hope that Ramb clings to in silence. Despite all evidence pointing to it ending in nothing. He pines by himself, alone. Knowing full well that it will never happen.

Battat? Now, Battat likes Ramb. Ramb is good to him, takes care to make sure he's all together. A shoulder to cry on. The only one outside of the Mike group he finds comfort in...but he wants Tenna. Tenna's the primary goal, as he's become so co-dependant and wrapped up in Tenna's basic routines. Battat stepped into the caretaker role for Tenna, and this nurse is falling in love with the patient. Battat hates this, but also can't remove himself from the situation. So, he prays, hoping maybe Tenna's heart could go to him instead after years of loyal service. Maybe that would make all the trouble worthwhile? Battat clings to a hope, but with more possessiveness. Jealousy of Spamton seeps into his body, like a poison.

But Tenna? Tenna feels Mike misses Spamton too. The newsletter tells us this. (And if you're in Battat/Tenna/Spamton territory, this is even more important). Spamton, he's the elusive one that got away. The traitor, the has-been...the best thing that ever happened in Tenna's little world after getting unplugged. Spamton's hip, he's fresh, he's brand new, he's wanted. Everything Tenna craves to be. Tenna doesn't just want to be with Spamton, he wants to be like Spamton in most regards. They mimic each other. They share motifs. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?

Now, you can debate if Spamton knew Tenna's fate or not, but let's go with the idea that he probably had some inkling Tenna would perish.

Tenna's future in the trash heap, and still tried to help (Tenna's cont ract, however, didn't help him back). He had it in his little heart to try to make things work. Tenna admits to knowing there were consequences to the contract, but I doubt he even considered Spamton's fate being that brutal. Tenna got wrapped up in a whirlwind with Spamton in TV world, and when the dust settled, Tenna got the better ending...for a time.

The prophecy still occurs, but Tenna survives. An act of freedom Spamton tried to do his whole life: defying fate itself.

TLDR: Ramb wants Battat, Battat wants Tenna, and Tenna still wants Spamton.

Ramb -> Battat -> Tenna -> Spamton.

It's a pathetic conga line of darkeners wanting darkeners they can't have. Tenna doesn't get Spamton to stay in the TV world. Ramb never gets Battat away from Tenna's side. Battat never gets Tenna to see him as a romantic option. It's a tragedy on every side.