315

Uniform
Posted on February 10, 2014 by David M Willis

315 thoughts on “Uniform”

  1. Opus the Poet

    Dawww!

    1. Leonassan

      And then she admits about the drinking.

      1. Julez

        Wait, when was she drinking, again?

        1. Catullus

          At the end of the Freshman Family Weekend storyline.

          (Oct. 23, 2013) http://www.dumbingofage.com/2013/comic/book-3/04-just-hangin-out-with-my-family/nightnight/

    2. Ocbrad1

      Exact same thought, Opus. Followed closely by yaaaay!

  2. Rez

    THIS IS THE CUTEST THING OVER OMFG

    1. Zynkei

      You have no concept of how much I agree with this statement.

    2. OmegaDez

      Isn’t it?

  3. Dorsilus

    Oh man this is the beginning of a horribly unstable relationship, isn’t it?

    1. Doctor_Who

      The best kind!

    2. LiaHansen

      “Becoming”?

      1. LiaHansen

        Wait, I thought you said becoming. “Beginning”?

        1. Dorsilus

          haha nice.

          I meant it in the traditional dating sense, but I see where you’re going here. These two have had “bad ending” written all over them for a loooooong time now.

        2. BrokenTusk

          It ends with the two of them and Amber going all “Death Proof” on Blaine

        3. Pink Freud

          Hang up the chick habit, hang it up daddy or you’ll never get another fix.

        4. xKiv

          … he’s addicted to chick tracts?

        5. RobJustRob

          Like broken heart bad or murder suicide 3 years down the road bad? Ruth is kind of obsessive.

    3. Yotomoe

      This series most stable relationship is Walky and Dorothy.

      1. LittleMountain

        OH GOD IT’S AS TRUE AS IT IS TERRIFYING
        ONLY CAPS CAN CONVEY THIS REALIZATION

        1. WaveRocker

          GOOD USAGE FINE SIR

      2. Drakkin the alien

        and they are not super serious…

        1. Chest Manly

          That’s what they keep saying to themselves but they seem to be falling quit hard for each other.

        2. That Damn Rat

          But it’s probably that “what happens happens” attitude that is their ward against drama. Because they’re both not overinvesting/overanalysing it. Danny Amber and Ruth could learn from them.

      3. ninjasquirrel

        I swear I see you everywhere.

      4. Heavensrun

        And it’s in the way of my ship, so it MUST GO.

        1. nothri

          That’s why I heartedly recommend threesomes as a ship. Plenty of room for everybody!

      5. BrokenTusk

        there is always Dina, Riley and their never ending love of breakfast cereal

        1. Henry

          DinaxRileyxCereal? I ship it.

    4. Paul Indrome

      Pretty much EVERYTHING in this comic is just an awkward pretext to fucking, “get’n it AUN!” or other various horizontal shenanigans, isn’t it?
      (I think I finally figured it out!)

      1. CRtwenty

        Not everything. Joe for instance just skips the pretext and moves straight to the fucking bit.

        1. LS

          Mike just needs $0.05…

      2. Nentuaby

        Well, of course it is. It’s a college strip.

    5. hoop

      Honestly, this is probably a violation of Ruth’s RA contract.

      1. Quatoria

        Stealing from various rooms? You don’t say!

      2. Tenn

        Ruth is a violation of Ruth’s RA contract.

    6. MrSpkr

      A horribly unstable relationship – BASED ON SEX!!

  4. Sails

    And then a truck comes through the wall, right?

    1. Spectre

      Ruth probably stole the truck in this universe. Which is why she’s still alive.

      1. Yotomoe

        She predicted the truck.

        1. Usayasha

          The truck posted slurs on its Facebook wall.

        2. abstract_reg

          It’s official. Billie has dumps like a truck.

        3. David H.

          She’s not AIMING for the truck!

        4. Jaxx Sentinel

          No , but the truck is aiming for her

        5. Mal

          You make me want to see Ruth and Billie cosplaying as Buzz and Woodie, now.

        6. Tenn

          Ruth turns into the truck.

      2. Kevin

        Aren’t we supposed to avoid major spoilers for Willis’ other works? Not everyone has ready his other comics yet.

        1. CRtwenty

          It’s been over a decade since that story arc, and we even got past it on the rerelease w/ Author commentary site. I think we can safely put Ruth’s adventure with the truck into “Rosebud” territory.

        2. Spectre

          I assumed it was okay given how freely it was discussed in previous comment sections, and how Willis himself spoiled it in several DoA hover-texts.

        3. Kevin

          As far as hover-text comments, “nobody gets hit by a truck” isn’t much of a spoiler for past comics. It at best tells you that a character gets hit by a truck in one of his comics, not who. I hadn’t even put that much thought into it, I assumed “hit by a truck” was a trope on TV Tropes (I was thinking of “Dropped a Bridge on Him”) and thought that comment was metaphorical.

          Well, whatever, damage (however small) has been done. I re-read Willis’ rules and he never said “no spoilers for old comics” so I was in the wrong.

        4. John

          Rosebud was a truck!

    2. Aizat

      And….flashbacks to The Wicker Man had just commenced…well that and the review of it.

      1. ninja_jesus

        THE TRUCKS! OH GOD NOT THE TRUCKS! NOT THE TRUCKS! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH~

      2. Clare

        I’m just glad I wasn’t the only one who immediately thought of wicker man

      3. Roborat

        The original, or the horrible, horrible remake?

  5. MightionNY

    Oh…. MY.

  6. shadowcell

    sooner or later Ruth will learn to express herself in ways that aren’t prosecutable

    sooner or later

    1. Doctor_Who

      Where’s the fun in that?

    2. OldFart

      Maybe Amber, too.

    3. PlainMarie

      hahaha! This line forced me to sign up so I could tell you I literally laughed out loud at this! SO perfect. I want a universe where I can quote this line in more contexts.

  7. John

    I’m still not entirely sure how Billie’s taking this.

    1. -Sentinel-

      I know, right? Like after last strip, I’m still nervous about what happens next.

      1. Glacirus

        Whatever the result, I fear someone will be decked in the face.

      2. tinfoil theory

        No need to be nervous. Just relax and let it happen.

    2. nothri

      I think she went from this: 0_0

      To this: T_T

  8. Ele

    That’s… unbelievably… sweet…

  9. GoldStarz

    That is the nicest crime anyone has ever committed for another person. This is a fact.

  10. Jay Eff

    OMG Ruth’s a Stealer!
    And she isn’t even from Pittsburgh!

    1. Opus the Poet

      Swiper quit swiping!

    2. SuperActionJackson

      What you did there<——*sees it*

    3. The Cozburger

      She doesn’t even LIKE football!

    4. Jaxx Sentinel

      I don’t get i~ ……ohhhhhhhhhh -gets it-

  11. Sensedog

    Come on…make out. Make out now.

    1. Darwin2500

      They will… over at Slipshine.

      1. TheAstroKing

        Oh you are just the worst.

  12. Blackbird

    Ruth and Billie are my new favourite thing ever.

    1. SuperActionJackson

      Implying they haven’t been your favourite thing since the fire alarm strips?

  13. Dude

    What?

    Does this seem kind of REALLY MESSED UP to anyone else?

    1. Doctor_Who

      Would it be fun to watch if it wasn’t?

      1. Deathjavu

        “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” -Leo Tolstoy

        More simply: Stable is boring.

        (I tried to think of a better short way to say that, but the quote is already pretty short.)

        1. ninja_jesus

          Happy families are a myth. Every family is dysfunctional in some way or another. If not immediate family, then extended family.

    2. Dorsilus

      YES, it is AWFUL. It just screams dysfunctional relationship.

      …and I will read the goddamn shit out of it.

      1. Dakhran

        I think this phrase sums up the entire comic.

        You win the internets.

        1. Ocbrad1

          I absolutely second this!

      2. Karma Aster

        A Winnar Is You!

    3. MM

      In comparison with the Amber-Blaine-Danny mess? No, not especially.

      1. Opus the Poet

        Oh, please compared to that Joyce and Ethan are normal.

    4. LiaHansen

      Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Nononoshhhhhhhhhhhhh

      1. Sensedog

        This. Right here.

    5. Kernanator

      It is, but it’s also kind of adorable.

      Messedorbale.

      1. saltchocolate

        I’ll second that.

        1. MHR

          agreed

    6. Blackbird

      Let’s see, we have a gay guy and his willing beard, a dipshit in a love triangle with a girl and her alter ego that borders on being a split personality, a manwhore and a girl who filmed having sex with him to make a political statement, the English guy diddling his student, and Mike and your mom. Really, I think Ruth/Billie may be the second LEAST messed-up relationship of this whole damn strip (behind Walky/Dorothy).

      1. MM

        Hey, what Mike and your mom have is special!

        1. Blue Dragon

          Only because he paid with a 1926 S Buffalo Nickel.

          Buffalo: a greeting between two nudists.

        2. contradiktion

          This is how beautiful what Mike and your Mom have truly is.

      2. AgentKeen

        I’m not sure I would say that Joe/Roz or Mike/your mom are more messed up than Ruth/Billie?

        The only ‘bad’ thing about Joe/Roz was that she filmed it for a ‘political statement’, except that statement was basically ‘My body is mine, and sex-positive is a good thing.’ The taping was completely ok with Joe (she asked), both were willing, and neither seem to have much in the way of regret of the situation or act.

        On the other hand, we have Ruth/Billie, who, within a week, have gone from ‘act of sexual harassment by slamming one person against the wall and kissing her’ to ‘in a relationship based on helping each other stop[ drinking cause one of them almost died’ to ‘I’m stealing things for you because I can’t show affection except for with violence, rule/law breaking, and abusing my authority.’

        And like MM said, what Mike and your mom have is special; don’t be a prude, man.

        (Sorry, that was way long and a bit hostile sounding, but I’m getting a bit worried by how much ‘aww’ is going around for something that’s so messed up, Not saying I don’t ship it, but it’s just a train wreck right now.)

        1. Blackbird

          Joe/Roz probably doesn’t even really count as a relationship either. I was just piling on to pile on. (And adding Mike and your mom was a joke, but I think everyone got that.)

          You make an excellent point about the “wall incident” only being a week ago and the context it adds to this gesture.

        2. Heavensrun

          I feel compelled to point out that while the kiss was uninvited and ultimately unwelcome, the slamming against the wall was a response to Billie grabbing her.

        3. Heavensrun

          (not that kissing someone after something like that isn’t still messed up, but well, hey, hello Ruth!)

        4. saltchocolate

          Can you ship a train wreck?? Metaphysical dilemma!

        5. CRtwenty

          Yes, but you need a REALLY big ship.

        6. Aljax

          Train wreck? Wouldn’t this be more of a SHIPwreck?

        7. DudemanJones

          I think that “right now” at the very end of your post is the key to everything. Yeah, shit is fucked right now, but people hold out hope that m maybe these two can help each other overcome their… very significant problems.

      3. Rabid Rabbit

        For some reason I always thought it more likely that the student was diddling the English guy, but either way…

    7. John

      Somewhere Leslie’s dysfunctional lesbian relationship sense is tingling, and she doesn’t know why.

    8. Throng

      Oh, indisputably.

    9. diploducks

      Messed up how?

      You mean how Ruth is making up for the damage done by her earlier emotional lashing-out at Billy by emotionally lashing out at random other people?

      Nah, sounds fine

  14. Plasma Mongoose

    A booze-hound and a klepto, truly a match made in heaven. 😀

    1. KingMabel

      Now they can steal all the booze they want…

      and have sex… eventually…

      1. Aizat

        And by eventually…you mean when Half-Life 3 comes out?

        1. newllend

          I WISH you can do that in Grand theft Auto

        2. DanMan9820

          Half-Life 3 Confirmed

        3. ninja_jesus

          I’ll believe it when I hold the disc in my hands or the game in my Steam account.

      2. gka

        Well, maybe. After all, lechery, sir it provokes and unprovokes; it provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance.

    2. Aizat

      That should be made into an RPG.

      1. Roborat

        A rocket propelled grenade? Why?

    3. nothri

      There have been worse pitches for a buddy cop movie, I’m sure.

  15. Doctor_Who

    Billie, you missed. You are either six inches too low or six inches too high, depending on what you were going for.

    1. hmrc4evr

      Yea DW-if she was aiming for the Land of Milk or the Land of Honey she really shouldn’t have taken that left turn at Ft. Wayne.

  16. Jen Aside

    dangit she DID steal it |=o

    1. Jen Aside

      Also, guess Billie isn’t listening to the “Bigots are fat like you” part? \=’

      1. jamariko

        Yeaaah i kinda got a weird vibe from that comment too…

      2. KevinGriffin3CD

        Nahhhhhhh, Ruth meant it’s not easy to find someone who’s both a bigot AND curvy to steal from.

      3. Heavensrun

        That’s kinda the opposite of what she said. If that was what she was saying, it would’ve been more like “it should fit, the cross section of bigots and girls who are your size is unexpectedly broad.”

        1. Rutee

          Well played, sir.

        2. Robin

          “unexpectedly broad, just like the cross section of your ass.”

  17. Kathleen

    just look at Ruth’s face. she is coveting that hand like nobody’s business.

    yesssss…. finallyyyy… my precious.
    her precious life-heat. in my hands.

  18. Wonder Wig

    Ruth haz a kitty face!

  19. SUGauthor

    I really thought she’d have figured out what happened when she left last time, maybe that’s why Danny’s been so smooth lately he gave it all to her.

  20. Mr. Random

    People are weird.
    Especially their mouths.
    They’re weird.

    1. Aizat

      That’s what makes humans so unique. The weird part….the mouth thing I don’t know about that.

  21. madock345

    Love that last panel, with Billie still in D’awww shock and Ruth in the middle of a hand-holding induced orgasm.

    1. Salmo

      I’m in the middle of a seeing-fictional-people-holding-hands induced emotional orgasm.

      1. madock345

        “Emotional”

        1. Mr. Random

          “”E”motional”

  22. chuckroast

    “I accept this gift if only because it will keep you from committing any more theft in the near future.”

  23. jaimehlers

    How do you know you like someone? When you’re willing to commit crimes for their benefit.

    1. Bill

      I would do anything for love.
      Even that.

      1. Ocbrad1

        Meatloaf would disagree.

  24. brionl

    Stop stealing stuff? That’s just crazy talk!

    1. Aizat

      That’s not crazy talk. This is crazy talk, ahbapsfubweufabdasjfndaweroubandajs;dnurabnsdja sbdufabsbus.

      1. SUGauthor

        kxdijwef\cnur? wsdbhcjbfech ruhcrcim ridjehyncdyrdiehdyn.

        1. Aizat

          aasasa?alsabdsali;efh;bdz.,ndbvausebfdnBZ

        2. SUGauthor

          Swdjmcf3nuh5yue ec2rcrfcnc. Ijmeodc3rfhnujEFVGiuj erfRTGBeofkcqd.

        3. ridtom

          You leave his mother out of this! Ashdkcifjfnfbmeowpq!

        4. Aizat

          He did what with his hand? Asksasnaisfn[asdjlsdznxzl!

        5. SUGauthor

          Sorry sorry! I meant to say ekotojffok6f5tf4drf3 not ec2rcrfcnc.

      2. Carlos

        I’m just…… gonna go now….. you guys have…. fun? [Backs away slowly before breaking into a dead sprint]

      3. HMRC4EVR

        Darmok and Jilad at Tennarga! Shaka when the walls fell!

        (sorry for using Darmok again but so rare to use it in a conversation)

  25. fbihop

    This is why “SQUEEEEEE!!!!!” was invetned, I’m pretty sure.

  26. Mattyos

    JUST F*CK ALREADY!

  27. Plasma Mongoose

    I’m a tad disturbed by Ruth’s face in the last panel.

    1. rachel

      last panel of http://achewood.com/index.php?date=09072007 is the first thing I thought of

    2. saltchocolate

      Her FAAAAAAAAAACE!

  28. UnspeakableAnger

    Oh, no… I like them together, that’s great, and yay for the future Billy and Ruth perform a sex, ok, yippee.

    That being said, kind of needy on Ruth’s part, and I’m hoping Billy sets her straight, and -throwing hands up in air in frustration-

    I dunno.

    I just don’t want these two particular kids getting hurt from each other. I like ’em.

    1. MrMyerst

      But perhaps they both have compatible kinda issues?

      It’s almost inevitable they’re gonna hurt each-other, just a little bit.
      I mean, they both have hella issues, guilt/fear/anger/self loathing etc.

      But, Ruth needs a “friend”, and Billie needs to be needed.
      They’re both one step away from crazy cat lady mode, and…

      *Insert obvious pun*

      So long as they get they get the argument out the way right now, it could kinda be a trust building thing.

      1. Nono

        I like how what you just said could essentially be applied to the Joyce/Ethan relationship.

        1. MrMyerst

          I did not intend that, but yeah it works really well :-/

          That said, Ethan/Joyce are mostly together to relieve perceived pressure from outside the relationship.

          What happens When/If, they realize/start to feel, that nobody (worth listening to) gives a crap about their choice in partner is anyone’s guess.

          With Billie/Ruth the problems are decidedly internal.

          *Insert less obvious pun*

          (P.s Sorry for confusing grammar, hard thought to type out :P)

  29. MM

    Well, it’s not quite chucking a toy at Billie’s head, but I guess it’ll do.

  30. LograyX

    Well, that’s mother f*cking adorable.

  31. Phil

    Now KISS

  32. Nick J.

    Oh god, that last panel. Ruth has it so bad for Billie. Like, ‘nearly as bad as Walky when he likes a girl’ bad. If they don’t kiss soon, I think she might just pop.

  33. AgentKeen

    Oh no…

    -goes and hides from the figurative truck that’s about to hit-

  34. Aizat

    Is that a toothy grin on Ruth’s face? It’s cute….which is not the word I would usually associate with Ruth.

    1. GoogerGeiger

      Toothless.

      1. Aizat

        Unless Ruth shoots plasma from her mouth(which would be pretty awesome), Toothless she ain’t.

      2. HMRC4EVR

        If she’s Toothless, that makes Billie her Hiccup.

        Make your own training/riding jokes…

    2. Rabid Rabbit

      She’s Canadian. It is a beaver grin.

      I leave it to you to make the various filthy extrapolation from that thought.

  35. merp

    FANGIRL TO HUSTON WE HAVE VISUAL CONFIRMATION OF THE SHIP. I REPEAT WE HAVE VISUAL CONFIRMATION OF THE SHIP.

  36. GoogerGeiger

    Ruth is TRYING and it is WORKING

  37. GoogerGeiger

    Ruth is TRYING and it is WORKING

  38. Equuizzicals

    Which has a nicer ring to it? Billie performa a sex or ruth performs a sex? I prefer the later.

    I’m just being optimistic before the inevitable sad turn of events.

    1. nerdyjuan

      billie preforma a sex is best

      1. nerdyjuan

        *preforma a sexa

  39. Chronos

    That’s sweet in a terrible, terrible way.

  40. Giant Speck

    THIS IS SO SWEET I HAVE DIABETES NOW.

    1. Opus the Poet

      And Sick Walky is the perfect avatar for that comment.

  41. Baker

    Like her heart

  42. Yotomoe

    Billie performs a sex? Billie performs a sex.

  43. Tacdud2

    Ruths face has made my weekend.

  44. Ace

    This is my favourite strip in the entire comic. Up until now I can’t say I had a favourite at all, no one strip stood out to me, but this one. Oh my. Ruth is absolutely adorable. Slightly crazy, but only in the most adorable way possible.

    1. Ace

      Also, although I prefer Shortpacked! and the Walkyverse in general over Dumbing of Age, Ruth being alive in this universe is a huge point in its favour. Enough Ruth comics and I might forget my sadness over the coming conclusion of Shortpacked!

  45. mrmudkip

    Second porn comic idea: billy and Ruth do the do

  46. licoricepencil

    Awww they’re so dysfunctional! Really Dotty and Walky have the only healthy relationship comic, but hopefully Danny and Amber look like they’re going to get there someday now that Danny is fully aware of Amber’s situation and Amber maybe will get some help.

    1. licoricepencil

      There should be an “in there” between relationship and comic. I blame lack of sleep.

  47. Kernanator

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJccxKyWwJg

    This is basically my reaction.

    1. Aizat

      My reaction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEtm_Q2LK9g

      1. GoSpeedRumpist

        My reaction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTCmu2oofRw

  48. Tom Speelman

    *Recognizes that there is a horribly unstable relationship in play here*

    *Deep breath* KISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSsss

  49. AddictionFiction

    Well after in-depth analysis I have only now realized the toothy grin wasn’t because of Ruth’s delightful angle of observation

  50. Darwin

    This is so adorbs I might plotz.

  51. Doc Harleen

    Eeeee. I love twisted but loving pairings. Mega OTP.

  52. nothri

    Cruelest of ironies, this is exactly the situation in which Billie could use a drink to calm her nerves.

  53. Kladeos

    Ruth… Such a romantic.

  54. Opus the Poet

    So is this ship the Rullie, or the Bith?

    1. Aizat

      Rullie. Bith sounds like a Star Wars alien.

      1. John

        Many Biths died to bring you this cheerleader uniform.

      2. Van Dyne

        Rullie sounds like Scooby Doo’s talking.

        1. saltchocolate

          My laugh came out as a bark. Unexpected!

      3. someguywithakatana

        Bith IS a star wars alien. They’re the dudes playing the space-clarinets in the Mos Eisley Cantina

    2. Robin

      I’m going for Rubi. Not the way it usually works, I know, but it sounds that much better than the alternatives.

    3. Amazi-Stool

      This ship is so aruthabillie!

    4. BlackIo

      Seeing as their relationship is defined by loveable but messed-up people continuously engaging in criminal/ethically dubious behavior, I’d personally go with “Bluth Co”.

  55. Fluffy

    Ruth…. you’ve done a good thing. And for that you are redeemed.

  56. newllend

    Well thats sweet in a…Blackmailing, thieving, delinquent sort of way

  57. Jon P

    Ruth will keep stealing things until she steals Billie’s heart.

  58. Felin

    Oh god.
    Oh god no.
    She’s going to admit to still drinking.
    Nyooooooooooo

  59. Pyr05

    Yay for blackmail!

  60. Megatron

    HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!

    Ruth is my new favorite character!

  61. Miao

    Now… KISS!

  62. Regalli

    That SMILE!

    It’s only going to go downhill from here, but that smile! (Also: RUTH I LOVE YOU.)

  63. ridtom

    Oh….oh Ruth….I think you need help. Because I’m pretty sure this is how 90% of horror movies start.

  64. Fuzzydaemon

    Oh, but it’s so sweet!

  65. Andrew

    “keep stealing stuff till you do.”

    *singing* If that aint love, then I don’t know what love is

    1. someguywithakatana

      NA NA NA! NANA! NANA!

  66. Rosicrucian

    Ruth is a cat at heart. She’s going to keep leaving mice until her efforts are appreciated.

    1. NoHeart

      That is the most true thing i’ve heard all day

    2. Fran

      I demand this on Ruth’s character profile!

    3. timemonkey

      If she were a cat she’d be forcing her butt into Billie’s face.

      1. Rabid Rabbit

        There’s still time.

  67. Vash

    omfg this is so cute

  68. Stephen

    Put a smile on my face. Adorable.

  69. JijiBunny

    Now kiss.

  70. Idon'tcarenomore

    Ruth loves Billie, started it out horribly by shoving Billie up against the wall and forcing a kiss on her. Billie backed her down on that. Ruth eased off and tried to drink herself to death. Billie stepped in to help her. End of line.

    Billie may be sorry but I think she is about to fall. How can you resist someone who’d steal a cheerleaders outfit you can never show in public, just for you? Guess it’s the thought that counts. But, damn, they are cute.

    As said many times here, probably the best relationship here after Walky and Dorothy.

  71. insomniac

    AwwwwwRuthisasociopath

  72. Jack Finch

    I haz feels

  73. Jackson

    Billie really needs to come clean NOW.

    1. saltchocolate

      ^ This.

    2. timemonkey

      No, she can shower later.

    3. Blue Dragon

      ^ Not this.

      I can put myself in Billie’s shoes and imagine a wide spectrum of responses. Nowhere on that spectrum would I feel motivated to confess to violating the alcohol-free pact in response to Ruth’s behavior. The closest I might come is to ask if this means breaking rules is okay, and then hide behind that if I was caught, later.

      (On the uniform issue, at my most high-road response, I’d not accept stolen stuff; at my more passive-aggressive-evil than Ruth response, I’d not accept it just to see how far she’d go. At points between, the uniform might be retained, as seems to be happening here.)

      I’m not saying she doesn’t need to come clean. But not NOW. In response to THIS stuff? Anytime but now.

      1. Jackson

        I don’t know… The ethics of how the uniform was obtained aside, if Billie accepts the gift without confessing, it feels like she’s almost tricking Ruth. On the other hand, if she comes clean and says, “The reason I turned your other gift aside is because I don’t feel like I deserve it since I cheated on the drinking,” they can go forward from a place of honesty. If Billie maintains the lie much longer, it’s gonna be a lot harder to salvage whatever sort of relationship they have.

    4. Marisa Mockery

      Or Billie could stop drinking, right now. Problem solved!

  74. motorfirebox

    Man, this is about to go really well or really, REALLY badly.

  75. Rabid Rabbit

    This is rather appallingly sweet. But I do like how Ruth still manages to call Billie fat in the first panel, at the same time as she castigates bigots.

  76. Myrcella's Ear

    My desire for their lips meet only increases with each panel. But, yes, please stop stealing things, Ruth.

  77. Sandbridge Kid

    This has to be one of tufts sweetest things I have ever seen. You can just feel, subtly, Billie’s heart starting to melt and break at the same time. Bravo Willis. Bravo Willis

  78. Sandbridge Kid

    Bloody Fookin Autoconnect

  79. Heavensrun

    I’m a little disturbed by how many people seem to genuinely think this is a sweet gesture. I mean, if we look at this from the outside in, Ruth has stolen somebody’s property, broken into another person’s room, and pinned it to the wall. Upon returning to the room, Billie sees the thing, and then Ruth is -there-, behind her, lending context to it. Like she was lurking and waiting.

    This is kinda stalker behavior, guys. The fact that Billie seems to appreciate it (which doesn’t quite make sense to me, but people are weird) is well and good, and basically a dodged bullet for Ruth, but if someone pulled this and then had the cops called on them,you can bet your bippy the restraining order would be well justified.

    Breaking and entering is not more okay because you want to be lesbians with someone than it is when you want to steal their most prized possession and torment them with it, and stealing doesn’t become okay just ’cause the person is a bongo.

    That said, the last panel is still full of feels and I ship this so hard.

    But really, guys. Boundaries.

    1. Darwin2500

      LOTS of things are stalker behavior if they’re unwanted and clearly rejected beforehand. While they’ve had a complicated relationship, as of their last encounter, Billie hadn’t told Ruth to leave her alone and never speak to her again. They’ve already crossed more boundaries than this in their relationship up to this point, without any serious objections, and this doesn’t seem out of line by the standard of their complicated interactions so far.

      The theft thing is another issue, it’s clearly being handwaved by saying the victim was a bigot, which isn’t really a good answer. But it’s largely independent of their relationship.

    2. Rutee

      Yeah, and what’s his face was disturbing the peace when he held up that boombox in 16 Candles.

      If Billie didn’t want this it’d damn well be stalking and you’re 100% correct that a restraining order would be an acceptable response, but come on – the rest is just meh. Illegal, sure, but getting this out of whack because whoamg theft of something minor is just nitpicking.

    3. Kevin

      As much as I want them to bone like a dinosaur exhibit, I am not convinced from Billie’s expression that she’s appreciating it (although the hand gesture seems to indicate so, I wonder if she’s so off-balance she’s just clutching for the nearest thing).

      Eh, I’m terrible at reading people.

      1. Andiemus

        I’m hoping she’s reaching back to find out where Ruth is so she knows where to throw the mother of all bongo slaps.

      2. Heavensrun

        I get the impression she’s moved by the gesture, but also feels horribly guilty about cheating on their sobriety pact.

    4. Kevin

      That said, it’s a comic, sometimes we have relatively minor criminal behavior played for laughs in romantic stories. Of course there are romantic gestures that are sweet in fiction and would be disturbing in real life. Willis writes extremely colorful characters, many with their own foibles, flaws, and quirks. Ruth wouldn’t be Ruth without the criminal behavior – it would be too much of a turn-around. And there’s always possible the criminal acts will become a serious matter later, but for now the drinking and emotional damage are the focus of serious drama for Ruth.

    5. BlackIo

      Yeah, even as a big fan of the pairing, this felt a little… off. Not so much because it confirms Ruth’s moral compass as completely batshit – past behavior towards Billie makes it pretty clear she sees “punishing” people by hurting them/taking their stuff as perfectly justifiable.

      I’m more thrown on account of reading Ruth’s attitude after the Big Kiss as “I like her, it doesn’t seem to be mutual, and I completely fucked things up/acted hugely unprofessionally, so I’m going to do the right thing, take a step back, and focus on getting myself to a less messed-up place.” Which, you know, is reasonable.

      So I expected her reaction to Billie’s first rejection to be a despondent “nice going Ruth, you fucked up yet again” as opposed to this aggressive/weirdly needy “GODDAMN IT I WILL MAKE THINGS RIGHT WITH YOU EVEN IF I HAVE TO COMMIT A CAMPUS-WIDE BURGLARY SPREE.”

      That it actually works as a cute relationship moment is a testament to how perfectly their horrendously messed-up emotional states and needs feed into one another, but it also feels like they’re backsliding into rather more unhealthy territory here.

  80. Louu

    aaaaaaAAAA BILLIE SAY SOMETHING (maybe something about you drinking and not covering this over because you got a nice present please please pleasee)

  81. TaintedSpud

    Something terrible is going to happen. I can feel it.

  82. Darwin2500

    So, is Willis now just accelerating the romantic arcs of all the couples he wants to draw over at Slipshine?

    Because if so, I approve wholeheartedly and unequivocally.

  83. Reynard-Miri

    This is so incredibly creepy.

  84. Rutee

    This is so adorable! I also look forward tow atching the next bit of dysfunction (I feel it’s a little early for Billie to admit to Ruth that she’s cheating with Jack).

    Still, I am feeling pretty happy! It’s Adorbs and great to watch. And where’s the fun without the drama? 😀

  85. Glacirus

    The ‘i’ve still been drinking’ bomb is gonna be dropped…probably this week…probably in the final panel of whichever comic its in…and for the impending cliffhanger, here is a pre-emptive: DAMN YOU WILLIS!

  86. thelastnerd

    Well. This seems like the makings of a healthy relationship.

  87. nothri

    To Billie’s credit it seems like she WAS sticking to the schedule before Family Day, which t be fair was the day all the shits hit all the fans.

    http://www.dumbingofage.com/2013/comic/book-3/04-just-hangin-out-with-my-family/removed/

  88. SaveTheKakapo

    Willis, you’re doing this to sell us more porn aren’t you? AREN’T YOU?

    WELL WHERE IS IT?!

  89. someguywithakatana

    Stay on target…

    1. GoSpeedRumpist

      It’s no good, they can’t maneuver!

      1. ninja_jesus

        Stay on target…

  90. pendrake

    Another great “D’Aww…” strip. Who knew Ruth had it in her?

  91. Kevin

    Geeze, creeper expression there Ruth…

  92. Osaru Sensei

    4th panel Ruth: pretty much my expression whenever I have physical contact with my girlfriend.

    (doesn’t even have to be of the sexual kind lol)

  93. Erichermit

    Um…

    Kind of blown away that everybody in here seems to think this is cute or something. Am I the only one who is noticing that Billie is obviously scared and uncomfortable right now?

    1. BlackIo

      We’ll see what tomorrow brings (there’s about a solid week’s worth of strips before the new storyline begins and IU is overrun with hoodie dresses), but right now, I’m not getting the same read.

      A lot of Billie’s personality seems to be driven by a lack of parental affection/attention, and what we’ve seen of her high school life sounds like she spent most of her time plugging that hole with friends, boys (and possibly girls), activities, and social standing – basically, anything that gets people to like, need, and validate her.

      Problem is that all that evaporated after the big DUI fiasco, and her subsequent efforts to make herself Queen Bee at IU have been kind of a disaster. So she’s trying to make herself feel needed in other ways: dispensing romantic advice to Walky, fixing up Joyce’s wardrobe, playing substitute RA, and (yes) taking care of Ruth.

      Thing is, much as she seems to get validation from having people rely on her, these have all been pretty one-sided relationships. Ruth’s gesture, messed up as it is, is also the first time anybody’s gone out of their way to do something nice for Billie in return (and feeds directly into those deeper emotional needs). There’s some complicated feelings at work in panels 3 and 4, but I think she’s more overwhelmed than scared here. The hand-holding is also kind of a giveaway.

      1. Fran

        I really like your point of view!

    2. Andiemus

      No, you’re not. This is creepy as hell.

    3. Suzushiiro

      I don’t think she’d have put her hand on Ruth’s if what Ruth did was making her scared or uncomfortable.

    4. nothri

      I think it matters less if it is fucked up (cause stealing shit and giving it to your crush as a gift IS pretty fucked up, let’s not mince words) and more if this brand of fucked up compliments Billie’s brand of being fucked up. Which seems to be the case, if that hand holding is any indication.

  94. CianM1301

    Aww….

    1. Plasma Mongoose

      …YEAH!

  95. Kirby

    My brain’s about to explode because I really have no way of processing this comic.

  96. NIghtsbridge

    This pairing is going in all sorts of bad directions but I want it to work out.

  97. snark

    I just

    I

    http://imageshack.com/a/img534/8359/8hp5.png

    1. AdInfinitumSpero

      Just…

      Fantastic.

    2. Axel

      *applauds*

    3. Marisa Mockery

      I would end up doing that XD

  98. Gargamel

    Aww Ruth is broken in the cutest way evah. ^-^

  99. Doulos

    Is Billie even sure that she wants a lesbian relationship? She seems to like Ruth when they don’t want to kill each other, but does she like like Ruth?

    1. Nightsbridge

      She returned Ruth’s first kiss pretty enthusiastically until she realized she was kissing RUTH, and when Joyce asked about whether she thought of girls romantically Billie said ‘EVERYONE does at some point.’

      Which sounds like a safer way of saying ‘I have.’

      1. Doulos

        Right, but does she want a romantic or even physical relationship with Ruth. One kiss does not lead to a relationship or even sex. Billie seems largely into guys ripping her clothes off and with the exception of maybe Ruth, she largely wants to keep her clothes on around the ladies. I wonder if Ruth might find herself in the friendzone, because even all women will not be attracted to a woman at all times.

  100. Phoenix

    Why can I see there being an arc with the original owner of the uniform finding out she has it and coming after her for revenge under the mistaken belief that she stole it?

    1. John

      And then Billie and Ruth break her.

      1. xKiv

        Break her down, or break her in?
        …
        Breakout!

  101. nikofintikis

    this is my otp

  102. SilverArrowArtemis

    Don’t like the Billie/Ruth ship? WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU? THAT’S NO GOOD.

  103. TrueVCU

    THE SEDUCTION IS COMPLETE

    1. Volkai

      It’s not complete ’til there’s a special on Slipshine.

      1. TrueVCU

        I said the seduction, not the consummation

  104. Volkai

    D’awwww.

  105. Bill

    Go to Willis’ “It’s Walky” Tumblr page.
    Right-click the page, then click on “view background image”.
    Compare that picture to Ruth in panel #4.
    Big eyes?  Check.
    Freckles?  Check.
    Hair color?  Check.
    Weird smile?  Check.
    Prominent ears?  Welllll… maybe a half a check…..
    Frightening, isn’t it?

  106. Arkadi

    “That’s the most beautiful thing anyone’s ever said to me. TwT ”

    Those two simply deserve each other.

  107. WikiDreamer

    This gave me a happy that I didn’t even know I needed today. ^-^

  108. Just Here

    My thinking is that all of Billie’s emotional relationships up to this point have been relatively shallow. Wanna guess how fast her ‘friends’ ditched her after the DUI and her getting kicked off the cheerleading squad? So someone who’s genuinely concerned with her happiness is a new experience for her. She’s not sure how to react. Plus there’s the mental baarrier of “She’s a girl and she likes me.” I have had a person of my own gender express a romantic interest in me, and I’ll admit I freaked out a bit. Processed it in the end, decided I wasn’t interested, and we managed to stay friends.

    So I read Billie’s expression in the last panel as “I don’t know what to think about this” on so many levels.

    1. Arkadi

      Don’t forget the guilt. That’s the cherry on the cake.

  109. Gamaran Sepudomyn

    That face…it’s like that weird smiley face thing dogs do, but usually a person’s tongue isn’t tooth-colored. That’s what makes it seem creepy to me. Not the actions, which are quite adorable when you consider the characters, but the facial expression.

  110. Lee Sacco

    Because breaking into student’s rooms and stealing things to blackmail them into completing some red tape paperwork is wrong, but breaking into student’s rooms and stealing things because they posted something you disagree with on the internet is heroic.

    1. The Candyman

      Protagonist Syndrome.

      1. Gargamel

        That’s how a lot of people think.
        The vast majority of people like to think of as the hero of their own story but chances are they aren’t.

        1. Gargamel

          That’s how a lot of people think.
          The vast majority of people like to think of themselves as the hero of their own story but chances are they aren’t.

    2. Lel

      Willis confirmed SJW.

      1. Alex Stritar

        Did we even need this comic to confirm that?

      2. Fit-to-freak

        wha

  111. Aurora

    I feel like Ruth i trying to be quirkily endearing, like in a romantic comedy, and she hasn’t quite realized that real life doesn’t work that way.

  112. Peter

    Okay… away with the overanalysis. Let’s just enjoy the moment.

    I sure as hell do.

  113. Plasma Mongoose

    In the future, I can see Amber and Ruth ending up in the same prison cell.

    1. Rutee

      Nah, this is really more the province of jail.

  114. Tenn

    Ruth’s adorable face enables me to temporarily disregard the fact that she is being creepy and dysfunctional. Ruth’s adorable face for president!

  115. JQuire

    Yeah, that face mean Billie’s about to tell Ruth off or say somethin’ that means not all is fluffy flying hearts. I know. I feel it. in my water.

  116. OldFart

    People seem to object more to Ruth’s theft than to Amber’s attempted murder and Danny’s aiding and abetting.

    1. Fit-to-freak

      Ehh, I don’t think Blaine’s going to die, unless I seriously misinterpreted the state he was left in. Not mention Blaine has a history of physical abuse, and was behaving in a threatening manner. It wouldn’t be the world’s strongest case, but you could argue Amber attacked Blaine to defend herself and Danny.

    2. Clif

      Well, yeah. Theft is wrong. Killing Blain, not so much.

    3. Bill

      I think it’s because it is unrepentent theft.  “If you still don’t like it I’ll keep stealing stuff until I find something you do.”

      Amber, on the other hand, has indicated that she regrets her rage against Blaine.  Maybe not for the best of reasons, but it’s something.

  117. Fit-to-freak

    Like many, people, I’m not quite sure how I feel about his yet. On one hand, I feel like straight couples get to have all sorts of romances- and Ruth is not behaving anymore outrageously than a the leading guy in a romantic comedy. On the other hand, I have problems with certain rom-coms for that very reason. A part of me really relishes the fun/messed up relationships, and I enjoy seeing a queer couple fill that role for once, even if I don’t think its a realistic model for a healthy relationship.

    1. TheOtherDibbler

      Well, it’s not a healthy relationship. It’s a messed up relationship between two messed-up people who are trying to find some happiness and connection with another person, but who don’t currently have the ability to form healthy relationships.

  118. SilverArrowArtemis

    Ruth’s body is ready. *wink wink*

  119. Clif

    I’m going to call this as Billie being touched and horrified on several levels all at the same time.

  120. TheOtherDibbler

    Oh panel two… So many people in this comic need to go to counselling.

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