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Hey all. Welcome to the Sweet Thing Index.
This is going to be an ongoing timeline of the Sweet Thing canon as well as a little ‘cheat sheet’ with some information about key events and characters introduced. Given we’re now over 20 pieces of work into the series, I’m aware that it might get a little hard to keep track of everything, especially if you’re reading other fics or taking your time.
In the interests of transparency, I should explain why I've never directly mentioned specific timeframes such as dates. I try to avoid setting anything in stone so as not to trip myself up with referring to things, it also allows a little flexibility for the stories I’ve told and will tell.
As such, the following timeline will be pinned around my own way of tracking the time elapsed, namely the time that’s passed since the final battle.
I’m aware that the game only takes place over all of two weeks, and is set in July 2023. I don’t believe I've specified anything in particular that would invalidate that, but overall I won’t be touching on the games canon events here, only from the beginning of Sweet Thing. This is listed in order of fic release but for things like Sofa Scenes/Another Day at SDN the separate chapters may skip ahead.
One last thing! Spoilers ahead! Please do not read on if you haven’t started the series yet, and avoid going past whatever fic you’re up to if you don't want plot points spoiled!
In-game Canon Choices -
Kissed Blazer on the Billboard
Cut Coupe/Kept Sonar
Brought Waterboy into Z-Team
Saw a Movie with Invisigal
Defended Invisigal and refused to cut her
Forgave Invisigal and leaned in
Freed Invisigal
Forgave Coupe
Timeline Key:
FB - After Final Battle
O - After becoming Official
Sweet Thing - Takes place immediately after the Final Battle at SDN Torrance
Following Shroud’s defeat and the destruction of SDN Torrance, Robert and Courtney end up back at his apartment to rest, recover, and maybe work out whatever the hell they might be to each other.
Waking up in the soft glow of the morning after with the threats finally gone, they find some much needed peace, and some much deserved love.
Fun Fact - This fic takes its name from a song by The Waterboys which I listened to on repeat while writing this in a sort of fevered trance. The entire series takes it name from it, and it ended up appearing in Having a Thing With You and is now in the Mecha Mix playlist.
Beach Day - Anytime between 1 Week and 3 Weeks FB
Placed on 4 weeks of mandatory medical leave and with Courtney’s apartment temporarily condemned due to damage from the Red Ring, our favourite idiots get to spend some time together. What better place than the beach?
A fun lighthearted day at the beach where both of them get to let loose and live life like normal people, with their favourite chubby dog in tow.
Fun Fact - This one was inspired by a tweet that I immediately lost when Twitter refreshed but the author found it anyway! It was also my first songfic and was the beginning of the heavy presence of music in Sweet Thing.
Making a House a Home - Around 1 Week FB
Free of his quest for vengeance and finally making his peace with the legacy of Mecha Man, Robert enjoys recuperating with Courtney. On a quiet morning on the futon, he realises just how much he’d been a dead man walking before he joined SDN.
What follows is a journey of tremendously domestic proportions. A trip to IKEA, some very inappropriate conduct from Courtney, and the wonders of flatpack furniture. Not to mention when Robert finally asks Courtney to stay with him for the rest of the mandated medical leave.
With all their work done, it seems like Courtney might finally get to see if the real thing is as good as her dreams…
Third Date - A Week and a Half FB
Flirting and heavy petting very nearly lead to them actually sleeping together for the first time until Robert pulls away at the last minute. Courtney’s heartbroken and hurt, until Robert explains himself. With his worries and insecurities laid bare, and a few well earned snippy comments from Courtney, he finally asks her out on that third date.
What follows is a romantic dinner at a cosy restaurant across town in classic Invisimech style, a declaration of love far too soppy for either of their usual fronts, ending in them finally taking the next step.
As they finally do, they both realise just how lucky they both are.
Fun Fact - It was a bit of a coin toss deciding what cuisine their dinner would be. I settled on Italian, which subsequently led to the introduction of two new original characters, as well as being a driving force behind Having a Thing With You.
Finding the Balance - 4 Weeks FB
With their mandated medical leave nearly over, Robert and Courtney return to SDN for evaluations to return to work. Neither is very comfortable with the impending change, having grown used to spending all day, every day together over the past four weeks. Robert, despite his peace with the legacy of Mecha Man, fears the worst about SDN’s intentions for the suit. Meanwhile, Courtney battles her anxieties and fears about rejection and her own stability, fearful that the one good thing she’s allowed herself to have is about to be ripped away from her.
Over a very messy weekend, they go through the emotional upheaval of processing the change, and what it might mean for them and their relationship, if it even survives. They get through it, but not without some tense moments, and not without risking breaking the fragile foundation they’ve only just started to build. Despite it all, they come out stronger for it.
Go Get Em Tiger - 4 Weeks FB (Immediately after Finding the Balance)
Following on from SDN Head Office’s rather callous proposals around Mecha Man and Robert’s place in SDN, Robert sits down with Mandy to set the record straight.
And of course, Courtney can’t help herself when Robert is in a closed room for a meeting.
Today, Tomorrow, So On - 4 Weeks FB (Starts Immediately after Go Get Em Tiger, Ends approximately 4 to 5 Months FB)
They’ve found their footing after the messy return to work. Robert remains Z-Team’s dispatcher, and Courtney has returned to the field, but there still remains a question. Do they stick to their guns and force some separation in a bid to maintain a bit of healthy balance, or do they allow themselves to fall foul of their own pull towards each other?
At Waterboy’s suggestion, they celebrate their return to work in style with drinks and karaoke, with Robert surprising everyone…
As the weeks go by, they begin to settle into an easier rhythm. It’s not perfect, as things rarely are, but moment by moment and bit by bit, they find that balance so sorely needed and with it, begin to let go of some of the demons of their respective pasts.
Fun Fact - I always wanted to have a karaoke scene, but I mostly did it in this one so I could use MoistCr1tikal’s infamous “Woo Yeah baby” as a line of dialogue for Sonar.
Sofa Scenes -
Food Fight - Anytime between Today, Tomorrow, So on, and Chicken Noodle Soup
On a cold rainy evening, Courtney and Robert find themselves engaged in a debate of great importance. What's the best takeout?
Fun Fact - This fic and the subsequent ‘mini-series’ that Sofa Scenes is came about as a way to use some of my smaller little dialogue ideas without waiting to fit them into the larger fics.
Buzzfeed Quiz - Takes place immediately after The Book of Love
Courtney’s been asking Robert some weirdly specific questions and he’s determined to work out why.
Fun Fact - This was inspired by seeing various fandom people for both Dispatch and Arcane posting their results from ‘Which Character Are You?’ quizzes.
Le Creuset - Takes place anytime after Back in the Saddle and before Home (is where I want to be)
After their third date, Robert and Courtney found themselves embracing the joy of food and cooking for each other. Now that she’s taking home much bigger paychecks, Courtney splurges out on new cookware, but not without her mind rebelling on her at how domestic it all is.
Fun Fact - This is me vicariously living out my desire for a full set of Le Creuset pans through our two favourite idiots. I still don’t own a Le Creuset months on.
Chicken Noodle Soup - Around Five Months FB (Roughly takes place in Winter)
After going a little overboard at poker night with some of the guys, Robert comes down with something. Courtney’s back at her place for the weekend for a gaming tournament with Golem, so no one's there to call Robert out for his stubborn refusal to acknowledge how sick he is, and he insists on his messages and calls to Courtney he’s alright.
Unfortunately, he really isn’t alright, and Monday's shift goes from bad to worse. Making poor decisions and poorer dispatches while barely conscious, Robert struggles through. Courtney comes back from a job to check on him, finding him looking like death. To make matters worse, he passes out, and there’s no cover for the desk.
Stepping up to the dispatch chair, Courtney runs the shift in his place before Chase returns to take over. Eventually she’s able to get him home and start to look after him, but not without chewing his ear off a little for worrying her.
And when she comes down with the same thing and tries to go to work, Robert gets to return the favour.
Fun Fact - This one was inspired by another Invisimech fic, NitroReplay’s Send Message. One chapter had an offhand remark about Courtney dispatching and I thought it was an interesting idea, the sickfic side of this coming about as the way to get her behind the desk for the first time. Nitro asked to use my version of events in Send Message, and you can read his take on this fic in Chapter 16 of Send Message.
Another Day at SDN Torrance -
The Demon and the Dork - Starts anytime after Today, Tomorrow, So On
Malevola finds herself stuck listening to Sonar's ramblings about his e-portfolio. Seeking any escape, she spies Waterboy, but when she catches up to him she notices just how tense he seems. Not to mention that he’s hiding a few shiners.
What starts as her just trying to help with his injuries leads to her making a concerted effort to be a little nicer and a little more encouraging to Waterboy. Eventually, much to her own shock, she realises that he’s actually a pretty cool guy and that she sees him as a genuine friend.
What shocks her more, is that she begins to see him as something a little more than a friend.
Fun Fact - This was my first piece not focused on Invisimech, though they do appear in a cameo. I didn’t want to commit to Waterboy/Malevola hence why I give them an ‘out’ at the end, but as of Home (is where I want to be), they’re sitting as friends with benefits though Prism’s showing some interest. This is also where I first started to hint at leadership for Mal, something that would become a pivotal plot point in Green’s not your colour.
The Ballet Dancer from Hell - Takes place just after Beach Day and concurrently to Making a House a Home
Coupe tortured Robert at the behest of Shroud. She led the Red Ring on a destructive path throughout Torrance and L.A. She fought against former colleagues, former friends, and a former lover. She tried to kill both Mecha Man and Blonde Blazer.
And yet she was forgiven.
Welcomed back with cautiously open arms to SDN Torrance and Z-Team, she can’t shake the feeling it’s all some big joke about to come crashing down. How can all these people look her in her eyes after what she did?
What follows is soul searching with those she loved, some honest conversation with those she hurt, and a determination to not waste this second chance.
Fun Fact - This came about when a comment asked what canon ‘route’ my series took place after and why Coupe seemed to not have been forgiven. It was also meant to set up a future Punch-up/Coupe relationship, but as yet I haven’t committed to it.
The HR Meeting - Takes place anytime between Today, Tomorrow, So On, and Back in the Saddle
No one looks forward to Tuesdays. At least, Robert, Courtney, and Mandy don’t, but that’s because Tuesdays is the corporate mandated HR meeting that Mandy has to host as Robert’s direct superior.
To make matters worse, it’s been delayed for around three weeks, and neither Robert nor Courtney have been particularly subtle both in and out of the field.
The Book of Love (I Love It When You Sing To Me) - Around 6 Months FB
Robert realises that it’s nearly been 6 months since they shared a movie together, the beginning of what has become the best thing to ever happen to him, even if they didn’t realise it.
He decides to go all out to surprise Courtney, planning a dinner with the help of helpful locals The Lucata’s, who own an Italian deli in the nearby market.
A delicious three course meal, based around the dinner they’d shared on their third date, some beautiful music on the speaker, and heartfelt honest emotion follows.
But Courtney wasn’t going to let Robert have all the fun. Knowing something was up, she figured out the date, and managed to get the same wine as their Third Date, leading to a very happy coincidence.
A beautiful evening of love and intimacy, filled with deeper realisations for the both of them.
Fun Fact - The Lucata’s originally were just going to be one-time nameless shopkeepers where Robert got ingredients, but I loved the interactions and decided to flesh them out. They’ve now become recurring characters. They’re also named after an Italian deli/supermarket I used to live near that did incredible arancini. I miss those.
It also takes its name from a beautiful piece of music by The Magnetic Fields and is part of the Mecha Mix.
That’s what Friends are for, Right? - 7 Months FB
Robert and Courtney come to the rescue of Mandy after she ends up on a bad date. In the aftermath they look after their friend as best they can, but everything isn’t quite as it seems.
Despite her bright smile and positive attitude, Mandy is struggling and to make matters worse, has a few secrets she’s kept from the couple.
Courtney has to navigate the situation with her newfound emotional maturity, even as old habits resurface and threaten to undo all her progress.
Fun Fact - This started at a 1k Sofa Scene piece without all the emotion. Originally Mandy just got drunk and that’s how she ended up asleep on Robert.
Back In The Saddle - 7 Months FB (Roughly takes place in Spring)
The time has finally come for Mecha Man to return to the streets and skies of L.A.
Following months of back and forth with SDN Head Office, it’s finally been agreed Robert can remain as Z-Teams dispatcher but still use the suit when needed. Unfortunately, they also have some new ideas of what they expect from Z-Team now they count Mecha Man amongst their ranks, and the team isn't particularly happy about it.
Now Robert has to navigate returning to the suit while protecting his team from corporate backhanded dealings, all the while trying to support Mandy through her own corporate related struggles.
The good news is, he has Courtney in his corner, and she’s determined to help him.
Fun Fact - The entire Blazerification of Z-Teams uniforms came about as a way to explore more of how Mandy feels about herself and the fact she still hasn’t got her amulet. I did feel bad putting her through it again for the second fic in a row though.
Rain Check - Anytime after Today, Tomorrow, So On
When Robert sends a last minute message postponing their date for an important work matter, Courtney gets a little obsessed with working out just what that might be. Especially when she’d got some great news she wanted to share with him.
Scouring the office for any sign of what might be up, even as the staff leave for the day, she finally concedes defeat. However, when she’s walking to the locker room to get ready to leave, she finally discovers just what's keeping him busy.
What she sees melts her heart, and she decides Robert deserves to be treated to something nice.
Future Thoughts - Between 10 and 11 Months FB
A quiet day in the apartment leads them both to think of the future that lies ahead. Without realising it, they both daydream of the future they want, and neither knows how close they are to the other.
Having A Thing With You - Chapters 1 & 2 7 Months FB, Chapter 3 onwards 1 Year O (Timeline now switches to O)
In the wake of a new threat in Torrance and the subsequent weeks of investigating and crimefighting, both Robert and Courtney are feeling the exhaustion of months of non-stop hero work. After Courtney is rescued by Malevola from a job gone wrong, Robert decides it’s finally time to let himself have time off.
It takes a while but eventually they’ve booked their first ever holiday together, a summer trip to Italy. While out in Milan they experience the wonders of Italian football, the rich history of the area, and fall that little bit more in love with each other, especially when their anniversary comes round.
And when they finally have to face reality and come home, it turns out that Robert’s made a big decision…
Fun Fact - The holiday portion of this is pretty much entirely based on a holiday I took with an ex-partner (with the exception of the anniversary part) to Milan. Taking these two to Italy for their holiday felt like the natural conclusion to the small things scattered before such as the third date and the Lucata’s, though it was entirely accidental that it matched my own holiday so much I could use it as inspiration.
Home (Is Where I Want To Be) - 1 Year and 1 Month O
Shortly after returning home from their holiday, Robert begins to feel uneasy at home. It’s nothing he or Courtney have done, and nothing has changed in the apartment, but even so he begins to shrink into himself.
Courtney refuses to let him shut her out and pushes him to open with her and the answer sets them onto their next step of their journey together. Robert finally, officially, asks her to move in, and not just to join him on the apartment lease, but to find their own place that can be theirs.
But nothing's ever easy, and between an obliging if eccentric English estate agent, the manic presence of corporate sponsors, and prospective sellers getting cold feet, it begins to drag and they wonder if they will ever find their home…
Fun Fact - This fic takes it’s title from the Talking Heads song Naive Melody (This must be the place), which coincidentally is my favourite song of all time. Go figure.
This work is currently unfinished and this description will be updated when the third and final chapter is released.
When Did It Become Normal to Love? - Immediately following Chapter 2 of Home (Is Where I Want To Be)
Amidst the busy stress of furnishing and setting up their new home, Courtney reflects on how much she’s changed since meeting Robert. How she has gone from the villain who needed no one but herself, to sitting on a sofa in her own home, with the man she loves falling asleep against her trying to assemble furniture.
This piece was released for Day 2 of Invisimonth 2026 - Domestic/Home
New Tradition - 1 Year and 2 Month O
Sitting together in their home, lay in each others arms, at attempt at a nice moment by Robert leads them to realise how much they changed each other for the better, and how much they make a meal out of telling the other. It’s silly and a bit over the top, but it’s a new tradition they’re more than happy to keep going.
This piece was released for Day 3 of Invisimonth 2026 - Comfort
Up On The Roof - 1 Year and 3 Months O
Following their move, it quickly becomes apparent that the local public transport is rather lacking compared to their previous home. Increasingly late arrivals at work and ever later arrivals home, along with threats of disciplinary action, finally lead them to bite the bullet and buy a car.
Unfortunately, an incident involving a fellow Z-Teamer sends their car out of action, and Robert and Courtney back on the bus. To make matters worse, Courtney gets pulled from Z-Team to cover night shift rotation for a couple of weeks, sending her mood from bad to worse.
Despite Robert insisting he can fix the car, the repairs drag out, even with the help of friends, and combined with the opposite shifts, neither him or Courtney see the other much at all, passing like ships in the night.
So Robert takes it upon himself to plan them a date night and takes them up on the roof for a night to themselves.
Fun Fact - This fic takes its title from the R&B classic Up on the Roof, which so far is the only song mentioned in the works or used for a title without appearing in the Mecha Mix.
This piece was released for Day 7 of Invisimonth 2026 - Sunrise/Sunset
The World According to Beef - Anytime after Having A Thing With You
Beef’s been with Robert long before he met Courtney, Mandy, or Z-Team and he’s been very used to the apartment. So it’s a bit of an adjustment when he’s suddenly at a new office building full of new people.
But Beef can adapt, and finds he quite likes this new life he and his owner lead.
This piece was released for Day 8 of Invisimonth 2026 - Beef
Green’s Not Your Colour - 1 Year and 5 Months O
There’s a new starter, Evelyn, at SDN Torrance and with the usual senior staff member off ill, Mandy tasks Robert with training them for the first couple of weeks, assigning Courtney to cover dispatching Z-Team in the meantime.
What follows is a progressive mess, as Courtney finds herself feeling increasingly jealous of the new starter, who she feels is trying it on with Robert. Between Robert’s attempts to assure her and the intervention of Malevola, Courtney’s jealousy gets worse and worse. Between the lack of contact with Robert at work and the bubbly bright persona of Evelyn who seems oddly like Blazer, she gets more twisted up.
That is until she actually speaks to the poor girl and realises what a fool she’s been.
Fun Fact - The name of the new starter is a reference to a character mentioned in NitroReplay’s Send Message, from a small arc I help with.
This piece was released for Day 15 of Invisimonth 2026 - Jealousy
Characters:
As I have introduced a few original characters over the 20+ fics that currently make up Sweet Thing, I thought it’d be prudent to include a little bio for each here so people can refer back if they’re a little lost reading a piece. This isn’t every character i’ve created, but those that will have an ongoing presence in the series.
The Lucata’s:
Mr Giovanni Lucata and Mrs Sofia Lucata own a small Italian deli in a market in Torrance. Courtney has been going to the store since her villain days and has struck up a rapport with the two middle aged Italian-Americans, who have done their best to look out for her over the years, including slipping more food than paid for into her orders and ‘accidentally’ making too much dinner and offering her the 'leftovers'.
She introduced Robert to the store shortly after they began dating and now their fridge is full of meats and cheeses from their store. The Lucata’s are happy to see Courtney doing so well for herself and glad to see her so happy with Robert.
They play a pivotal role in Robert’s surprise dinner date, with Giovanni helping him with ingredients and advice, and Sofia providing dessert.
Over the months they become a steady presence in Robert and Courtney's life, often providing more grounded advice for the couple, especially compared to their meta-human friends, and by the time Robert and Courtney are looking to buy their own house, the Lucata’s are there again to help.
Raymond ‘Ray’ Campbell:
Raymond Campbell is the former owner of the building Robert and Courtney now own as their home, and still runs a small parts store underneath their apartment. A friend of the Lucata’s, he helps Robert in repairing his damaged car, and is always around to help the couple whenever the car is concerned.
Evelyn Baxter:
Evelyn Baxter joins SDN as a part of the administrative team after Z-Team rescued her from an incident. Determined to do some good with what she feels is a second chance, she initially runs afoul of Courtney who feels she’s out to steal Robert away. Eventually though, she manages to settle into a quiet acquaintanceship with Courtney and the rest of Z-Team, which may well blossom into friendship in the future.