I’ve seen a few Slim posts around, so I decided to contribute some random headcanons of my own! I have grown to love Slim just from planning to write about him. I threw some BBQTacos in here because I’ve sort of started shipping him with US Sans even though I haven’t properly delved into their relationship yet.
I’d also like to preface this by saying that I am in no way trying to hate on anyone else’s depiction of Slim. In fact, I actually really enjoy a lot of other headcanons for him; he’s a very interesting character to pick apart! These are just my interpretations of some of his traits, or ideas that I think would suit my own writing style best.
(Below the cut because I literally cannot shut up.)
So, my version of Slim is a bit of a mix between the usual depiction of him (quiet, shy boi, protect him), and the way most people portray Cash (who I don’t really have any clear cut headcanons for yet, but more easy-going and confident (bit of a dick too)). Basically, half the time he’s a nervous, awkward baby; very quiet and reserved – the other half, he’s a suave, laid-back smooth-talker. Yes, these two characterisations are very different – but I’ve somehow conjured up a version of Slim in my head who is a mixture of both.
What I like to headcanon, is that he’s his confident, smooth-talking self when he’s around the Papyri. He understands them. He feels relaxed around them because essentially, they’re him, and he (for the most part) knows what’s going on inside their heads. He doesn’t feel off-guard around them. He even gets a bit flirty with them (mostly just when he wants to piss them off). He almost competes with them in a way (though it’s a very tame competitiveness, mostly for the sake of entertaining himself especially when it comes to Edge). He still errs on the quiet side when he’s around them, but generally, he emanates a cocky sort of smugness. At the end of the day though, he sort of prefers being around the Sanses.
But, when he is around the Sanses, he immediately closes off and becomes meek and shy (even a little timid). He speaks very quietly, and is likely very submissive to them (quick to try and please them, always jumping up at their command). Naturally, this is because of his brother. Razz is certainly emotionally abusive (though, no doubt he has his own issues, but that’s a different story entirely), to the point that Slim is almost programmed to act completely subservient to any Sans, simply due to the ingrained fear of making them snap (despite the fact that 50% of the Sanses are pretty chill).
Now, it might seem kind of weird that Slim actually favours being around the Sanses to the Papyruses when their presence makes him a little skittish, but in reality, he’s actually more comfortable this way. It’s a little pitiful perhaps, but he’s been conditioned (by his brother) to fall into a more timid, submissive role. It’s familiar, and he knows what he’s doing. It makes him feel safe. (Though I think he’d spend time around the Papy’s if he wanted to blow off some steam, or if he was feeling particularly pent up).
This more subdued attitude is reflected in his behaviour around all of the Sanses – but especially around Blue, who bears the greatest resemblance to his own brother. Blue has a similar energy to Razz, though his is directed in a slightly less aggressive manner. Even so, I think Slim would be very jumpy around Blue at first; hesitant to speak to him, slouching more than normal, curling in on himself – the way he often does around his brother so as not to provoke him.
But then, over time, Slim begins to trust Blue – even grows fond of him – almost seeing him as what Razz could have been if he’d grown up in a kinder universe. And from Blue’s perspective (although I haven’t given this as much thought), perhaps he sees Slim as a demure little version of his brother, which tugs on his heartstrings a bit. And with his unlimited supply of empathy, Blue is very eager to latch onto Slim and pamper him until his more confident side comes out.
I kind of prefer them as a platonic couple. At most, romantic, but I’m not really that invested in them being involved sexually. This all being said, I haven’t actually written anything for them, or anything for SF Papyrus at all (yet), so for all I know, these headcanons might change over time.
Sorry, this went on forever. SF Papy is a very complex little egg, and I felt like I needed to elaborate to make my ideas on him clear.
I also kind of feel like I was a bit harsh on Razz in this – I actually think he’s a pretty damaged interesting character! Maybe I’ll do a headcanon thing on him later as an act of redemption.
But. Uh. Thank you for listening to my babbling. Hopefully I find the motivation to actually put this in my writing at some point!
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