“Joyce thinks she banged you. Is that what the apology sex was for? What did you guys actually do?”
“I showed her how to masturbate. But it was before you and I got back together.”
“Oh. Yeah, that tracks with Joyce thinking you banged. But, uh, if you still feel like you gotta apologize…”
GreedOfGram
Yeah, I can totally imagine him saying that last part after any version of the prior.
Decidedly Orthogonal
“And if it keeps happening, and you need to keep apologizing… well, it’ll be hard, but we can keep coming over and over-coming if you want to keep coming, over and over.”
Steamweed
Walky is such a great friend. So giving!
Tequila Mockingbird
Honestly, I can see this being Walky’s reaction. I get the feeling that in some ways, he would be somewhat jaded to Joyce being weird about such things. It’s not hard to imagine him straight-up taking it in stride.
Lysbeth
And then we get Dorothangst about it. Lots of Dorothangst. And she remembers the time she asked about Joyce watching and her eyes unfocus.
Grimeyville
Why am I the only one who wants Walky to go villain/depressed, withdrawn mode when Joyce and Dorothy get together?!
This comic has taken all my cynics from me! Sarah’s finding stability, Sal is in a happy committed relationship without a power imbalance, Mike is gone.
Damn it guys, I need an embittered Walky. You can have the sapphic romance, just give me Demon Time David™.
Steamweed
Well…it is Spring semester, y’know. That’s when horniness is in the air. (at least, more so than with fall semester) They can all get bitter ‘n’ depressed after they get their horny on. (channeling my not-so-inner amber)
Getes
Mike lives on in my cold, bitter heart.
thejeff
I can certainly see that as Walky’s reaction to that much of the drama, because that’s easy to put off on Joyce’s weird hangups about sex and on Joyce’s crush on Dorothy.
Less clear how easily well he’ll react to finding out Dorothy is seriously crushing on Joyce
Jerach
My hope would be that he has a moment of asking “Does that mean you don’t care about me?” and when Dorothy says “I care about both of you.” Then they’re all uncomfortable but gradually try to figure out what this means with at least some kind of discussion.
Grimeyville
It’s at this point that someone muses aloud if part of Dorothy’s decision to forgo Yale was Joyce, making it even MORE awkward.
thejeff
Would be nice, but I don’t think she’s anywhere near ready for that. Her current take is “It’s just a trauma response. It doesn’t mean anything. Let’s go ‘do laundry'”
Heavensrun
I can’t regard this as plausible simply because it doesn’t involve Dorothy having a panic attack and running away screaming.
“Hey, Jennifer’s friend blurted out something about you and Joyce having sex a week ago. Can I inquire further? Or would you prefer to not talk about it?”
Was Dorothy doing any jillin’? I remember Joyce booted her out so she could finish herself off. But Dorothy didn’t see to be gettin’ anywhere.
BarerMender
Dorothy was trying, afterwords, but the dryer wasn’t doing it for her. She kicked a dent in the machine.
Doopyboop
I’m still surprised that Dorothy doesn’t own a vibrator.
Li
I don’t think we know she doesn’t. Going back to the same place where she was previously with Joyce and wanting to get off the same way Joyce did might have other motivators.
Yumi
True, can’t imagine she goes to the laundry room every time she wants to masturbate.
Heavensrun
Just when she wants to masturbate *with Joyce*.
AlexanderHammil
for what it’s worth, i think she kicked a dent in the machine less because it wasn’t getting her off and more because it represented in that moment all the ways she was subordinating herself to other people. she was in the laundry room because someone had to *actually do the laundry* and joyce had wandered off in a post-orgasmic haze. there was a lot going on in that sequence beyond the homoeroticism!
It’s definitely something but I wouldn’t consider it SEX sex, especially since they held hands for like… a minute, tops? And Dorothy left the room when Joyce actually got off. And even during the ‘mutual’ part, it’s just the both of them sitting on washing machines… I’d say I don’t think Dorothy was even actually trying to masturbate. She was just, like, chillin’ and holding Joyce’s hand while Joyce shuffled and got a bit randy before kicking her out.
Yumi
I’m not sure where you’re getting “a minute, tops” from– they started holding hands here: https://www.dumbingofage.com/2023/comic/book-13/02-turning-saints-into-the-sea/hand/
And then they continue holding hands until Joyce tells Dorothy to leave– with a strip where they have a conversation (still holding hands) in between– so unless you think Joyce was about a minute away from orgasm and the next strips didn’t include any time lapsing between (which doesn’t seem to fit), than it was longer than a minute.
Doopyboop
1) I was operating from memory.
2) it’s still just a single strip of dialogue. A back and forth conversation doesn’t exactly take 20 minutes.
3) my main point is that it isn’t as if they were holding hands while Joyce’s other hand was knuckles deep into herself. It’s still a matter of mere minutes they were hand holding. I don’t think she’s one minute away from orgasming when she tells Dorothy to leave. I think she just went, I dunno, from slightly horny to super horny? She’s reading smut while sitting on a washing machine, I’d be shocked if that’s all it takes for her to get off.
Yumi
This comes up often, people forgetting how the handholding actually went, which is why I bring it up. 2 does seem to suggest you don’t think there was a time-lapse between strips, which is what I think is inaccurate there. I agree that one conversation didn’t take that long. I do think there was time on either side of it. Joyce rubbing her legs together a bunch is also what’s helping her get close, which is an additional factor to her process of getting off. I’m not sure how much direct touching (assuming that did happen) it actually took after Dorothy left, but I could see it not being a lot– but again, I’m working with the idea that this handholding time was for a while.
Yumi
(The handholding might be an important factor for some in considering it sex; it might not be for others, who might consider it sex in their lives whether there was handholding or not. And then it’s also reasonable to not consider it sex regardless of extended handholding. I just don’t think it needs to be minimized– to me, it’s not an aspect that affects “is it sex” much either way.)
Doopyboop
Frankly, as a virgin and sex repulsed ace person, I’ll admit I’m no authority on sex or masturbation. But I’m beginning to get kinda worried about what the people in this comment section believe to be sex. The hand holding does give what happened intimacy. But intimacy doesn’t mean sex. That’s why I view it as a non-issue. It doesn’t really factor. But that’s also my opinion. It can surely give their laundry thing intimacy.
But it isn’t a sex act.
Li
I… don’t thinks there’s any cause to be worried about what other people consider sex?
We have at least one person in the comments with a partly paralyzed partner whose definition of sex would be unusual for a lot of folks, but certainly not a cause for concern.
Doopyboop
I’m just gonna check out of the comment section for the rest of the week. It’s not worth it to comment here. I didn’t know about that commenter with a paralyzed partner. I don’t really care to get into the minutia of why I think watering down what sex is particularly when it comes to matters of SA and accusations of cheating are a slippery slope. I’m tired. Have fun guys.
thejeff
I’d say a lot of commenters wouldn’t necessarily think it was sex, but Joyce explicitly does and to at least some extent her opinion matters here.
I think it kinda depends on how you look at it. It’s certainly sexual, but whether or not it constitutes sex is pretty much up to the two people involved.
*I* certainly wouldn’t consider it sex, and it’s something I’ve done with girls I *did* have sex with before (I’m a straight cis dude).
Yeah, whether or not it’s Full-On Sex, I’d call it a sexual act, at least in so far as how it ultimately played out, even if it was initiated with the idea it was a life lesson, and with Dorothy’s misguided idea it’d alleviate Joyce’s interest in Joe. Amusingly, it only intensified her desire for him, which, whoops.
To give her a bit of grace, Alice was present for Joyce to say she had sex with her best friend (“according to some definitions”) and the immediate awkward Dorothy moments that followed. That’s about as far as my grace will extend, though, considering that Billie just confirmed right in front of Alice that Walky is dating Dorothy lol. Girl clearly loves drama, though, I’m so here for the trainwreck
We’ve all been so busy sympathizing with her, it never occurred to us to stop and consider that someone who was Jennifer’s high school best friend might actually be a pretty awful person.
Obviously, this is not nearly enough evidence to conclude that might be true, but I have faith.
Well, I mean, I trust Willis’ ability to create terrible characters. And I feel we’re due a queer character who’s just terrible.
Yes, yes, Jennifer, but Jennifer’s a particular sort of terrible. Hmm. Alright, it won’t happen, because having two terrible queer characters be that closely linked would be a bit much.
188 thoughts on “Beeswax”
NGPZ
hahahaha wish granted XD
anon
Smash cut to joyce/dorothy making out in the middle of the protest 8D
lawoot
… with the other protesters wondering why they brought a washing machine …
Lysbeth
Nah, they all know.
Casi
I think they’d more be questioning HOW they brought a washing machine, and a 240v generator
Arianod
Bonus points if it’s a Yoshi and Toad kiss
clif
We can hope.
ZombieKyrik
That’s it Walky; deny everything, and you’ll be fine. Definitely not something you should talk to Dorothy about./s
ZombieKyrik
That being said I’m not sure how he brings the subject up with Dorothy.
Any ideas how he could/should/will handle it?
GreedOfGram
It’s Walky, it won’t be subtle.
Steamweed
“Joyce thinks she banged you. Is that what the apology sex was for? What did you guys actually do?”
“I showed her how to masturbate. But it was before you and I got back together.”
“Oh. Yeah, that tracks with Joyce thinking you banged. But, uh, if you still feel like you gotta apologize…”
GreedOfGram
Yeah, I can totally imagine him saying that last part after any version of the prior.
Decidedly Orthogonal
“And if it keeps happening, and you need to keep apologizing… well, it’ll be hard, but we can keep coming over and over-coming if you want to keep coming, over and over.”
Steamweed
Walky is such a great friend. So giving!
Tequila Mockingbird
Honestly, I can see this being Walky’s reaction. I get the feeling that in some ways, he would be somewhat jaded to Joyce being weird about such things. It’s not hard to imagine him straight-up taking it in stride.
Lysbeth
And then we get Dorothangst about it. Lots of Dorothangst. And she remembers the time she asked about Joyce watching and her eyes unfocus.
Grimeyville
Why am I the only one who wants Walky to go villain/depressed, withdrawn mode when Joyce and Dorothy get together?!
This comic has taken all my cynics from me! Sarah’s finding stability, Sal is in a happy committed relationship without a power imbalance, Mike is gone.
Damn it guys, I need an embittered Walky. You can have the sapphic romance, just give me Demon Time David™.
Steamweed
Well…it is Spring semester, y’know. That’s when horniness is in the air. (at least, more so than with fall semester) They can all get bitter ‘n’ depressed after they get their horny on. (channeling my not-so-inner amber)
Getes
Mike lives on in my cold, bitter heart.
thejeff
I can certainly see that as Walky’s reaction to that much of the drama, because that’s easy to put off on Joyce’s weird hangups about sex and on Joyce’s crush on Dorothy.
Less clear how easily well he’ll react to finding out Dorothy is seriously crushing on Joyce
Jerach
My hope would be that he has a moment of asking “Does that mean you don’t care about me?” and when Dorothy says “I care about both of you.” Then they’re all uncomfortable but gradually try to figure out what this means with at least some kind of discussion.
Grimeyville
It’s at this point that someone muses aloud if part of Dorothy’s decision to forgo Yale was Joyce, making it even MORE awkward.
thejeff
Would be nice, but I don’t think she’s anywhere near ready for that. Her current take is “It’s just a trauma response. It doesn’t mean anything. Let’s go ‘do laundry'”
Heavensrun
I can’t regard this as plausible simply because it doesn’t involve Dorothy having a panic attack and running away screaming.
Wereg
“Hey, Jennifer’s friend blurted out something about you and Joyce having sex a week ago. Can I inquire further? Or would you prefer to not talk about it?”
Nadamás
Love Alice big Goofy grin. Girl want some gossip
Rose by Any other Name
That smile on Alice’s face thou.
Thag Simmons
Having a lot of fun actually getting to know who Alice is outside of flight/fight mode.
Sirksome
Alice should learn some discretion from Jennifer.
Jon
Real talk, I suspect we’re gonna learn that Alice is exactly as messy as Billie was, possibly even more so.
Tawnee
We can only dream.
Doopyboop
I love Walky’s confidence in panel 5. He’s also 100% right on all counts.
Irreleverent
Maybe I’m just a lesbian, but mutual masturbation while holding hands is pretty sex.
Steamweed
Was Dorothy doing any jillin’? I remember Joyce booted her out so she could finish herself off. But Dorothy didn’t see to be gettin’ anywhere.
BarerMender
Dorothy was trying, afterwords, but the dryer wasn’t doing it for her. She kicked a dent in the machine.
Doopyboop
I’m still surprised that Dorothy doesn’t own a vibrator.
Li
I don’t think we know she doesn’t. Going back to the same place where she was previously with Joyce and wanting to get off the same way Joyce did might have other motivators.
Yumi
True, can’t imagine she goes to the laundry room every time she wants to masturbate.
Heavensrun
Just when she wants to masturbate *with Joyce*.
AlexanderHammil
for what it’s worth, i think she kicked a dent in the machine less because it wasn’t getting her off and more because it represented in that moment all the ways she was subordinating herself to other people. she was in the laundry room because someone had to *actually do the laundry* and joyce had wandered off in a post-orgasmic haze. there was a lot going on in that sequence beyond the homoeroticism!
Doopyboop
It’s definitely something but I wouldn’t consider it SEX sex, especially since they held hands for like… a minute, tops? And Dorothy left the room when Joyce actually got off. And even during the ‘mutual’ part, it’s just the both of them sitting on washing machines… I’d say I don’t think Dorothy was even actually trying to masturbate. She was just, like, chillin’ and holding Joyce’s hand while Joyce shuffled and got a bit randy before kicking her out.
Yumi
I’m not sure where you’re getting “a minute, tops” from– they started holding hands here: https://www.dumbingofage.com/2023/comic/book-13/02-turning-saints-into-the-sea/hand/
And then they continue holding hands until Joyce tells Dorothy to leave– with a strip where they have a conversation (still holding hands) in between– so unless you think Joyce was about a minute away from orgasm and the next strips didn’t include any time lapsing between (which doesn’t seem to fit), than it was longer than a minute.
Doopyboop
1) I was operating from memory.
2) it’s still just a single strip of dialogue. A back and forth conversation doesn’t exactly take 20 minutes.
3) my main point is that it isn’t as if they were holding hands while Joyce’s other hand was knuckles deep into herself. It’s still a matter of mere minutes they were hand holding. I don’t think she’s one minute away from orgasming when she tells Dorothy to leave. I think she just went, I dunno, from slightly horny to super horny? She’s reading smut while sitting on a washing machine, I’d be shocked if that’s all it takes for her to get off.
Yumi
This comes up often, people forgetting how the handholding actually went, which is why I bring it up. 2 does seem to suggest you don’t think there was a time-lapse between strips, which is what I think is inaccurate there. I agree that one conversation didn’t take that long. I do think there was time on either side of it. Joyce rubbing her legs together a bunch is also what’s helping her get close, which is an additional factor to her process of getting off. I’m not sure how much direct touching (assuming that did happen) it actually took after Dorothy left, but I could see it not being a lot– but again, I’m working with the idea that this handholding time was for a while.
Yumi
(The handholding might be an important factor for some in considering it sex; it might not be for others, who might consider it sex in their lives whether there was handholding or not. And then it’s also reasonable to not consider it sex regardless of extended handholding. I just don’t think it needs to be minimized– to me, it’s not an aspect that affects “is it sex” much either way.)
Doopyboop
Frankly, as a virgin and sex repulsed ace person, I’ll admit I’m no authority on sex or masturbation. But I’m beginning to get kinda worried about what the people in this comment section believe to be sex. The hand holding does give what happened intimacy. But intimacy doesn’t mean sex. That’s why I view it as a non-issue. It doesn’t really factor. But that’s also my opinion. It can surely give their laundry thing intimacy.
But it isn’t a sex act.
Li
I… don’t thinks there’s any cause to be worried about what other people consider sex?
We have at least one person in the comments with a partly paralyzed partner whose definition of sex would be unusual for a lot of folks, but certainly not a cause for concern.
Doopyboop
I’m just gonna check out of the comment section for the rest of the week. It’s not worth it to comment here. I didn’t know about that commenter with a paralyzed partner. I don’t really care to get into the minutia of why I think watering down what sex is particularly when it comes to matters of SA and accusations of cheating are a slippery slope. I’m tired. Have fun guys.
thejeff
I’d say a lot of commenters wouldn’t necessarily think it was sex, but Joyce explicitly does and to at least some extent her opinion matters here.
brionl
It is certainly sex adjacent.
DanMan9820
I think it kinda depends on how you look at it. It’s certainly sexual, but whether or not it constitutes sex is pretty much up to the two people involved.
*I* certainly wouldn’t consider it sex, and it’s something I’ve done with girls I *did* have sex with before (I’m a straight cis dude).
Bash
Walky never outright said they didn’t have sex, just that Joyce’s definition is probably pretty broad.
DailyBrad
Yeah, whether or not it’s Full-On Sex, I’d call it a sexual act, at least in so far as how it ultimately played out, even if it was initiated with the idea it was a life lesson, and with Dorothy’s misguided idea it’d alleviate Joyce’s interest in Joe. Amusingly, it only intensified her desire for him, which, whoops.
thejeff
As far as he goes, he’s 100% right, but he’s missing the whole “Dorothy wishes she’s had sex with Joyce” part of the big picture.
Thag Simmons
Alice managing to out-Billie Jennifer! I can see why they got on so famously.
StClair
right up until the drama had personal consequences for her.
Sirksome
Someone likes storm watching more than she let on.
Yumi
Fingers crossed this works it way back to Dorothy via Walky bringing up this conversation later.
Nono
I like how it’s “none of Walky’s business”, not “none of Alice’s business”.
apricot
To give her a bit of grace, Alice was present for Joyce to say she had sex with her best friend (“according to some definitions”) and the immediate awkward Dorothy moments that followed. That’s about as far as my grace will extend, though, considering that Billie just confirmed right in front of Alice that Walky is dating Dorothy lol. Girl clearly loves drama, though, I’m so here for the trainwreck
Gwen
Welcome to the Sickos, Alice.
Steamweed
We are the loud majority.
Taffy
The Paladins can shut the hell up and let us have this, for once.
Florence
Sickos! Sickos! Sickos!
Casi
I’m a sicko and i’m proud of it!
HAHAHA YES!
Dr. T
Alice has even fewer filters than even Carla, right?
Rabid Rabbit
We’ve all been so busy sympathizing with her, it never occurred to us to stop and consider that someone who was Jennifer’s high school best friend might actually be a pretty awful person.
Obviously, this is not nearly enough evidence to conclude that might be true, but I have faith.
Well, I mean, I trust Willis’ ability to create terrible characters. And I feel we’re due a queer character who’s just terrible.
Yes, yes, Jennifer, but Jennifer’s a particular sort of terrible. Hmm. Alright, it won’t happen, because having two terrible queer characters be that closely linked would be a bit much.
Jamie
Yeah, that sums it up for me. Her entire presence before this was “anger that appeared pretty justified” but now I’m backing way the fuck up.
Nadamás
More Alice for me then!
Thag Simmons
Her trauma doesn’t make her a saint, but I don’t think her flaws are going to make her irredeemably awful either.
John Campbell
Mike was queer. So is Replacement Mike.
Anyway, whatchoo talkin’ about, Alice is awesome. Just vorpal blade all that lack of communication bullshit.
Nadamás
And Makaya, everyone complains about them everytime they show up.
John Campbell
Robin’s gotten better, but “member of the American Fascist Party stalking her Les Bean crush” doesn’t leave much room to go anywhere but up.