History Webcomic / StickyDillyBuns

The title character of the comic is the (very, very) CampGay aspiring actor Dillon O'Brien ([[Creator/DylanOBrien no relation]]), and many of the strips concern his romantic life, and especially his new relationship with his neighbor Jerzy. However, much of the drama involves the second lead character, his room-mate and fellow actor, the [[BleachedUnderpants ex-porn star]] Amber Larose, and especially the unexpected appearance of her younger sister Ruby, who moves into their apartment while searching for a job in the city. As they don't have a spare room, Ruby initially shares Amber's room, threatening to put a crimp in Amber's hope for a love life, which is already complicated by [[SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan her difficulty in getting to know men outside of the porn business]]. A bigger issue soon turns out to be Ruby's personality, which can make her difficult to live with -- and the history which explains this, and which occasionally makes the relationship between the two sisters quite [[SoapOpera soap-operatic]]. (Ruby certainly isn't going to treat Amber as a CoolBigSis if she can help it.) Dillon sets out to make friends with Ruby, although [[WithFriendsLikeThese this gets a little weird a lot of the time]], leading Ruby to develop her capacity for snarkiness; they each end up learning something from the other.

* EasilyOverheardConversation: Ruby and Dillon manage to eavesdrop a crucial conversation between Angel and Jerzy, without being noticed and while discussing what the other two say between themselves.

** [[ Ruby claims that Amber is their parents' favorite.]] However, Amber denies this, and it's possible that Ruby exaggerates the problem, because she knows about Amber's porn career but this is a secret from their parents, making the contrast between what their parents say and the truth as Ruby knows it glaring and painful.

* ShownTheirWork: When Ramona's intersex condition becomes a topic of discussion in the story, [[https://pixietrixcomix.com/sticky-dilly-buns/fend-for-myself she and Angel have a brief exchange that demonstrates that the writers have some grasp of the technicalities.]] It also shows that Angel has done the reading in-setting, out of a desire to help Ramona. The {{nerd}}y Ruby digs out more such information via Google [[https://pixietrixcomix.com/sticky-dilly-buns/what-is-best-for-her during the same conversation.]]

* AdultsAreUseless: Appears to be the case with Amber and Ruby's parents, if only for [[PlayedForLaughs comedy purposes]]. According to a line in ''Webcomic/MenageA3'', they're wealthy doctors, but... Aside from their failure to bring up daughters able to handle adult life competently (one went into the sex industry, the other is screamingly neurotic), and the fact that they've never even heard that their older daughter has become a fairly famous porn star, they also failed to notice that Ruby felt that they favored Amber (a problem admittedly probably exacerbated by Ruby knowing Amber's secret). Nor did they point out to Ruby that the [[DangerouslyShortSkirt very short skirts]] that she wore [[spoiler:(thanks to some malevolently bad advice from a teacher)]] were hardly appropriate for someone seeking a serious graduate-level job in business. Finally, they sent Ruby to live with Amber, only telling Amber she was coming by e-mail, despite the fact that, according to Ruby, she ''told'' her mother that Amber never checks her e-mails. They seem to suffer from acute ParentalObliviousness.

The title character of the comic is the (very, very) CampGay aspiring actor Dillon O'Brien, and many of the strips concern his romantic life, and especially his new relationship with his neighbor Jerzy. However, much of the drama involves the second lead character, his room-mate and fellow actor, the [[BleachedUnderpants ex-porn star]] Amber Larose, and especially the unexpected appearance of her younger sister Ruby, who moves into their apartment while searching for a job in the city. As they don't have a spare room, Ruby initially shares Amber's room, threatening to put a crimp in Amber's hope for a love life, which is already complicated by [[SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan her difficulty in getting to know men outside of the porn business]]. A bigger issue soon turns out to be Ruby's personality, which can make her difficult to live with -- and the history which explains this, and which occasionally makes the relationship between the two sisters quite [[SoapOpera soap-operatic]]. (Ruby certainly isn't going to treat Amber as a CoolBigSis if she can help it.) Dillon sets out to make friends with Ruby, although [[WithFriendsLikeThese this gets a little weird a lot of the time]], leading Ruby to develop her capacity for snarkiness; they each end up learning something from the other.

** The comic isn't full-on yaoi, but it can be considered a lightweight western version, with Dillon and his crush of the moment as the YaoiGuys.

* AManIsAlwaysEager mostly applies, this being that sort of SexComedy — but that means that Andy’s aversion of the trope makes him look downright freakish. Ruby, who starts out cynically assuming the worst of men but works round to the idea that she’d quite like to try sex, finds him confusing and frustrating. It turns out that he’s borderline {{asexual|ity}}, making him exaggerate his natural obliviousness, but fortunately they’re able to talk things through to a satisfactory conclusion.

* MasculineGirlFeminineBoy: Ruby and Andy grow into something like this pattern. Andy may be a well-muscled professional lifeguard, but people respond more to his looks than his personality in a way that would look classically sexist if he was a girl, and turns out to be borderline {{asexual}}, while Ruby, despite being something of an introvert, is more proactive (eventually being the one to initiate a sexual relationship), can look aggressive because of her insecurities and touchiness, and usually dresses in a relatively plain but smart style (once she's over her early bad choice). In the end, although they have genuine mutual affection, she's using him for stress relief while he just wants her to be happy.

* RealityEnsues: [[https://pixietrixcomix.com/sticky-dilly-buns/you-can-handle-that Dillon offers Ruby a job as his PA,]] almost accidentally and on a whim. In the next strip, [[https://pixietrixcomix.com/sticky-dilly-buns/a-little-left-out Amber points out to Dillon that PAs don't come cheap, just as Ruby is looking up the going rate on the Web.]]

* OvercomeWithDesire: The trope is present in its mildest form in the flashback to the Ramona and Jung's [[TheirFirstTime first time]], but the crucial consequences turn out to have been comprehensively averted. The sudden passion kicked in in the privacy of Ramona's own home, and Jung, having anticipated the possibility, was [[CrazyPrepared well prepared]]; he may have been studying ''The Joy of Sex'' in advance, certainly understood Ramona’s turn-ons very well, and managed to get a condom on without Ramona even noticing. In any case, they subsequently realized that the condom wasn't required, as they were both previously virgins and Ramona, being [[{{Transgender}} intersex]], is infertile.

[[quoteright:280:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/50732320_sx0_sy0_0.jpg]]

[[quoteright:244:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dillon_and_amber_3105.png]]
[[caption-width-right:244:Their names aren't Andrea or Richard, and he's gay.]]

* KissingUnderTheInfluence: Booze leads Jerzy to bad decisions [[https://pixietrixcomix.com/sticky-dilly-buns/i-am-whoever-you-want-me-to-be here.]]

** Ruby is physically attracted to Dillon and for that matter Jerzy, but is sane enough to ignore that. She also lets Andy become her boyfriend, ultimately quite happily despite some initial resistance.

* ButLiquorIsQuicker: Booze leads Jerzy to bad decisions [[https://pixietrixcomix.com/sticky-dilly-buns/i-am-whoever-you-want-me-to-be here.]]

** The waiter in [[https://pixietrixcomix.com/sticky-dilly-buns/your-reward-date the restaurant where Angel and Richie go on their platonic date]] appears to be Franchise/{{Archie|Comics}} Andrews, displaying his well-known clumsiness (but possibly speaking with a French accent). Well, Giz is certainly an Archie fan who's done a bit of art work for Franchise/ArchieComics. This might be considered only a ShoutOut, though, as the cameo is unacknowledged and unofficial.

** The first time between Jung and Ramona is seen only in a partial flashback, but it's very clear that Jung's [[CrazyPrepared preparation]] (he may have been reading ''The Joy of Sex'' beforehand, and is certainly deft with a condom) and thoughtfulness (he knows Ramona’s turn-ons well) make the sex about as good as it could get for Ramona (and presumably for him, too).
** And when Ruby thinks that Andy is proposing sex, she is initially nervous, but talking to friends and thinking about the best way to handle things calms her nerves, and is evidently a good approach, whatever subsequently happens. (Ruby has only recently acquired this many friends, and now they can help her.) Unfortunately, the whole thing arises from a comedy misunderstanding at this point, and ''actually'' negotiating a first time for the pair of them proves complicated, but ultimately very successful.[[note]]Andy really needs a lover who understands him, and Ruby is all about analysing and understanding things. For her part, she is well-prepared by the time it happens, and hence is relaxed and comfortable.[[/note]]

* BiTheWay: Bisexuality is very common among more sexually active characters in the ''Webcomic/MenageA3'' universe, to the point of almost being the norm.
** It was established in ''Webcomic/MenageA3'' that Amber has had and enjoyed some bisexual experiences in the past, and she has casual sex with Zii (who is herself bisexual) in that comic -- although she seems determined to find herself a (less casual) boyfriend.
** Details of Chanelle's sexuality are actually unclear, but she's certainly described herself as "not picky", and she does what her porn work requires.
** Jerzy initially says that [[https://pixietrixcomix.com/sticky-dilly-buns/if-it-will-ease-your-mind bisexuality was a transitional phase for him,]] but he's entirely gay now. His relationship with Angel more than calls that into question, however.
** Although Angel presents variously as a heterosexual woman and a gay man (implying having sex only with men, either way), hints of possible bisexuality are revealed in a flashback to an embarrassing and disastrous incident (''Webcomic/MenageA3'', strip #862, March 13, 2014, NSFW):
--->'''Angel:''' Zii! How ''could you?!'' That's my ''boyfriend!''\\
'''Zii:''' ''R-really?'' I-I thought you werRre only in-into ''[[TheImmodestOrgasm girrRRrlluUUhh!!]]''
** Ray starts out identifying as straight, but soon discovers some bisexual tendencies. Although he initially finds this disturbing, he soon adjusts fairly well... in a confused sort of way.
** Nathan prefers to call himself [[TransparentCloset a straight man who likes "going on the down low"]]; he has a wife and children, and an affair with Amber -- but he also regularly has anal sex with male subordinates.

* SexAsRiteOfPassage: A minor theme/sub-plot emerging late in the comic's run, when [[http://www.ma3comic.com/strips-ma3/sdb-ready-willing-and-able/ Julian feels slightly embarrassed by his virginity and eager to get a boyfriend, and Ruby, having acknowledged to her friends that she's willing to have sex with Andy, is mortified to have to admit that it hasn't yet happened.]]

** And [[https://pixietrixcomix.com/sticky-dilly-buns/you-did-not-hear-it-from-me Amber has little trouble hearing what Ruby and Andy are up to in the borrowed room at the movie atudio.]]

* TheirFirstTime: The conventional TV view of first-time sex as working best with the least preparation is {{averted|Trope}} in this comic, twice. (It may be relevant that the couples involved aren't naive teens.)
** The first time between Jung and Ramona is seen only in a partial flashback, but it's very clear that Jung's [[CrazyPrepared preparation]] (he may have been teading ''The Joy of Sex'' beforehand, and is certainly deft with a condom) and thoughtfulness (he knows Ramona’s turn-ons well) make the sex about as good as it could get for Ramona (and probably for him, too).
** And when Ruby thinks that Andy is proposing sex, she is initially nervous, but talking to friends and thinking about the best way to handle things calms her nerves, and is evidently a good approach, whatever subsequently happens. Ruby has only recently acquired this many friends, and now they can help her. Unfortunately, the whole thing arises from a misunderstanding, and actually negotiating a first time for the pair of them proves even more complicated (but ultimately successful).[[note]]Andy really needs a lover who understands him, and Ruby is all about analysing and understanding things.[[/note]]

* RecurringExtra: A cross-comics example; there is a French-speaking mother and daughter pair who are apparently also seen in ''Webcomic/SandraOnTheRocks'' [[https://pixietrixcomix.com/sandra-on-the-rocks/la-fee-des-pains in Paris,]] and in ''Webcomic/MenageA3''; the young daughter has a talent for [[https://pixietrixcomix.com/sticky-dilly-buns/between-two-men seeing or hearing embarrassing incidents,]] leading to similar verbal exchanges each time.

* RecurringExtra: A cross-comics example; there is a French-speaking mother and daughter pair who are apparently also seen in ''Webcomic/SandraOnTheRocks'' in Paris, and in ''Webcomic/MenageA3''; the young daughter has a talent for [[https://pixietrixcomix.com/sticky-dilly-buns/between-two-men seeing or hearing embarrassing incidents,]] leading to similar verbal exchanges each time.

Like the parent comic, this is constructed as a very traditional four-panel strip (the western equivalent of a {{Yonkoma}}); there are always four panels, or occasionally some double panels, but as the print collections are printed in a [=2x2=] layout, these are always located in positions 1 and 2 or 3 and 4. Also, the great majority of strips end with some kind of comedy punchline, despite the fact that there is a continuing story.

** Jerzy initially says that [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/if_it_will_ease_your_mind bisexuality was a transitional phase for him,]] but he's entirely gay now. His relationship with Angel more than calls that into question, however.

** In [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/awesome_leading_man the very first strip,]] Amber says to herself, "Dilly... never change". In [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/can_we_snuggle the last strip of that volume,]] Ruby thinks to herself "Something's gotta change here".
** In [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/i_like_someone_else strip #151,]] Ruby and Dillon are platonically in bed together, and Ruby grabs Dillon in his sleep, so he complains that he can't breathe. In [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/breathless_with_anticipation strip #300,]] Dillon ends up in bed with Jerzy, and the sex leaves him breathless. Note that volume 2 is eventually defined to incorporate the later wrap-up strips, spoiling this symmetry.

** [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/what_kind_of_boyfriend_are_you "Rudy" saves "Dilla" from an attempted chat-up with a "Get lost. I saw her first."]] The twist there is of course that both are DisguisedInDrag (Dillon as "Dilla," Ruby as "Rudy"). Note that Ruby bluffs down a guy who's larger than herself to help someone she doesn't even like very much.
** Later, [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/i_am_envious Dillon is saved again, by Ray,]] who pretends to be his boyfriend [[SorryImGay to get rid of a girl who's making moves on Dillon]] despite Dillon's visible lack of interest. The twist this time is of course that Ray is straight, and doesn't know that Dillon is actually gay.
* ButLiquorIsQuicker: Booze leads Jerzy to bad decisions [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/i_am_whoever_you_want_me_to_be here.]]

** And for a long-term callback -- when Ruby first arrives in the apartment, [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/Found_it_in_our_bedsheets she's disgusted to encounter Amber's "love egg" (vibrator).]] Towards the end of the comic's run, [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/having-a-secret-or-two Ruby mentions now owning a love egg herself, and admits that she got the idea from Amber.]]

** In an unusual cameo by a pair of {{Recurring Extra}}s, a mother-and-daughter pair who are regulars in Pierre's shop in ''Webcomic/SandraOnTheRocks'', where they are periodically shocked by Sandra's behavior, appear [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/between_two_men in Richie's pet shop,]] where they are shocked by Ruby's accidental outburst. (They have also shown up in ''Webcomic/MenageA3''.) Well, they seem to be the same people, although the two shops are on different continents...
** The waiter in [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/your_reward_date the restaurant where Angel and Richie go on their platonic date]] appears to be Franchise/{{Archie|Comics}} Andrews, displaying his well-known clumsiness (but possibly speaking with a French accent). Well, Giz is certainly an Archie fan who's done a bit of art work for Franchise/ArchieComics. This might be considered only a ShoutOut, though, as the cameo is unacknowledged and unofficial.

* CentipedesDilemma: Dillon uses the psychology behind this trope to demonstrate a point to Ruby [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/walking_like_a_duck here.]]

* ComingOutStory: A minor instance appears when [[OldFriend Ray]] re-enters Dillon's life, and Dillon, under moral pressure from his own conscience and from [[TheConscience Ruby]], has to come out to him despite some worries about how he'll react. (As Ruby comments, everyone else in the comic has long since noticed that Dillon is [[CampGay gay]].) However, [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/a_lot_alot it turns out to be a fairly straightforward process]]; Ray is a little startled, but not hostile.
* ContinuityNod: The pictures of Gary by Dillon's bedside, the references and flashbacks to Dillon's "bastard ex-boyfriend" Matt, and Amber's accidental PornStash, tie this comic back to ''Webcomic/MenageA3''. Also, [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/they_lied Dillon's reference to some straight men being "on the down low"]] is actually a nod to [[http://www.ma3comic.com/strips-ma3/oprah_never_lies a much earlier strip in the other comic]], as is then made explicit in [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/oprah_never_lies the next strip]] (all of which also establishes that Dillon's source is ''far'' from trustworthy). The two comics also actually CrossOver at least once.
* CoolCar: Jerzy's pickup truck. At least [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/attraction_to_shiny_buttons according to Dillon.]]

** Learning about things like {{Yaoi}} quickly puts a strain on her initially conventional, sheltered morality, and eventually causes her to start manipulating men into yaoi-style situations for her own amusement. It also turns out that [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/things_i_could_give wearing a masculine disguise helps her develop emotional tactics for dealing with Dillon.]]
** In fact, she has a gift for being "corrupted" on her own terms; once she develops a taste for yaoi, she not only adopts it as a hobby, she turns it into a business opportunity, while Zii (the character who is most consciously trying to "corrupt" her) finds that [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/just_what_i_like_to_hear this business focus makes Ruby oblivious to an attempted lesbian pass.]]
** She's also quicker to assume that her relationship with Andy might progress to sex than the somewhat dimmer cutie Andy seems to be himself. In fact, [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/to_the_next_level Ruby might be said to end up accidentally "corrupting" Andy.]]
* CoverInnocentEyesAndEars: A mother covers her child's ears [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/between_two_men here]].
* CPRCleanPrettyReliable: When Ruby gets into trouble in the swimming pool (due to confusion caused by Dillon's antics) and is promptly fished out, [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/juicy_man_lips Andy the swimming instructor immediately announces that she needs "CPR".]] So far as one can tell from subsequent strips, this actually means a little bit of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, rather than even Hollywood CPR, let alone anything realistic.

* CryIntoChest: Parodied somewhat in [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/i_have_my_teddy the last panel here]]. (It's happened before with these two, but this is the most detail-twisting case to date.) Dillon (disguised as "Dilla") insists on crying into the chest of Ruby (disguised as "Rudy"). As Dillon is taller than Ruby (even without heels), the pose comes out wrong for the usual effect -- and Ruby really, really doesn't want to play a "motherly" role. Given that Dillon's crying verges on InelegantBlubbering, any heartwarming is ruthlessly averted.
* CutenessProximity: Ruby [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/three_hundred is distracted by a kitten]]. [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/essential_supplements A few strips later,]] [[ImTakingHerHomeWithMe she buys it]], ensuring that she'll have [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/pet_the_kitty many more such moments]] with "Minew."

** Zii's habit of taking pictures of naked gay pairs without asking their permission first [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/Grabbing_a_show is called out]].
* DidIJustSayThatOutLoud: Comedy characters should never [[ThinkingOutLoud think out loud]] just because they think they are alone, because they ''never are''. Ruby discovers this [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/i_am_a_modern_woman here]], although she suffers an even worse case [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/still_assimilating_this here,]] complete with a classic {{stock phrase|s}}.
* DirtyOldWoman: [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/makes_me_look_professional Dillon suggests,]] painfully plausibly, that this was the true nature of Professor Conried, Ruby's favourite teacher, who had an unfortunate influence on Ruby's wardrobe choices. Actually, he initially suggests that Professor Conried was a DirtyOldMan, until Ruby corrects him as to the Professor's sex. But as he points out, in this setting, that doesn't make much difference.

* DramaticIrony: Used for comedy effect [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/that-thing-you-do here,]] in a small but effective joke. Ramona comments that she doesn't think that the customers in the comics shop have much sexual experience. The customer visible in the background when she says this is ''Gary''. Readers of [[Webcomic/MenageA3 the parent comic]] will be very aware just how wrong she is.
* DrivesLikeCrazy: Demonstrated briefly [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/your_ringtone_is_on_to_us here]] by Dillon, for reasons that he explains.

* TheEasyWayOrTheHardWay: Dillon thinks that Julian has come to seduce him into sex, which for various reasons squicks him out. It then turns out that Julian was just looking for kissing lessons -- but [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/teach_me_even_more if sex is on offer, he'll take it]] ... leading to some VerbalBackpedaling. Dillon does [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/understood end up being persuaded to kiss Julian]], which [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/our_secret he actually enjoys for a moment]] before the whole situation [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/very_passionate traumatizes him]].

* FeeFiFauxPas: Andy, who doesn't seem to be very bright and who certainly doesn't get out much, lands a date with Ruby. Unfortunately, due to a misunderstanding, a colleague then convinces him that Ruby is a porn star, leaving him unsure how to act. First, he gives Ruby a cock ring as a gift at the start of the date, but fortunately she doesn't recognise it; then, trying to find something to talk about, [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/i_am_curious_about_her_work he drops this verbal faux pas.]]

* FreudianCouch: Improvised by Dillon and Ruby [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/tell-me-about-the-man here,]] as they play at patient and therapist for their own various reasons.

** At one point, the comic features a [[CrossOver guest appearance]] by Matt from ''Webcomic/MenageA3'', where he'd previously been established as being very adequately endowed. [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/just_take_your_sweet_time That's then used for a joke.]][[note]]Note that the other character there is actually Ruby in disguise.[[/note]]
** And when Ruby and Andy [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/a-little-more-prepared get naked together for the first time, Ruby is... quite impressed and actually surprisingly enthusiastic.]] Of course, she's a virgin and Andy is responding to stimulation, but she's seen plenty of {{yaoi}} and a couple of other naked men at this point, so she's likely got some comparative references.

* GoodAngelBadAngel: In [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/what-would-amber-do one strip,]] Dillon’s angel takes the form of Amber (dressed notably sexily for an angel, but she ''is'' a former porn actress), representing his good sense and restraint, whereas his devil looks like himself, as it represents his old bad habits of thought. To confuse the issue further, Ruby (who might under many circumstances represent his conscience) shows up as an angel-devil, representing {{Yaoi}} addiction (or, perhaps, his amoral libido).

** Ruby evidently feels this way after seeing Dillon and Jerzy together, despite her repressed nature. When Dillon asks if she found Jerzy handsome (which she's previously accidentally hinted she did), she [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/tell_me_your_type suffers a flashback to the scene.]] She subsequently shows every sign of fascination with guy-on-guy action, despite being massively in denial, [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/poor_misguided_angel she keeps telling herself that she's actually seeking to ''stop'' the men involved from misbehaving.]] At one point, she apparently accepts the truth enough to tell herself that [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/i_am_a_modern_woman a modern woman is entitled to look at men if she wants]], but she subsequently remains in denial -- although it becomes increasingly obvious and untenable. Her discovery of {{yaoi}] ultimately renders her denial futile.

** It's seen in {{parody}} or maybe just plain weird form with Jacob [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/my_golden_locks_are_satiny_soft here.]] However, Jacob, possibly a DeliberatelyCuteChild, may just be trying to manipulate Dillon there.

** It's all off-screen, but both Jung and Ramona and [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/you-did-not-hear-it-from-me Ruby and Andy]] manage really good first times, given that they're all virgins. Benefits of good preparation...

** Dillon's good looks also tend to attract the attention of women who don't know that he is gay, a problem [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/i_like_someone_else that first emerged in his school days]]; it was revealed in one ''Webcomic/MenageA3'' strip that, at a later date at school, he had an experimental and totally unsuccessful threesome with two (very willing) women. In the comic's present, he has to deal with [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/i_am_envious minor character Clara]] at work.

** Seen (in a frankly rather forced example) [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/very_very_wrong here.]]
** And a [[BiggerIsBetterInBed poorly timed one]] [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/a_little_something here]].

** [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/can_never_get_enough_of_this_show Ruby turns out to be a fan]] of ''Series/ThreesCompany'', which is an obvious precursor to ''Webcomic/MenageA3'' and to this comic. [[GenreBlindness She seems blissfully unaware that its recurrent theme of room-mates making life difficult for each other is highly relevant to what she's doing to Amber]]; Amber, on the other hand, clearly sees the painful {{irony}}.
** When Ruby sneaks a look at Dillon's yaoi collection, [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/i_should_not_be_reading she is seen]] reading ''Embracing Love'', the English translation of ''Manga/HaruWoDaiteita'' -- whose story of gay porn actors trying to break into mainstream acting is reflected in Amber and Dillon's situations.
* IntimateHealing: The comic plays with some implications of this trope when Ruby, unconscious after nearly drowning in a swimming pool, is revived by [[CleanPrettyReliable mouth-to-mouth resuscitation]] from lifeguard Andy -- and [[{{Jerkass}} Dillon]] not only tells her about this, but [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/i_got_distracted produces a video recording.]] She is subsequently confused and stressed about the incident, believing that she's just had her first kiss while unconscious; Amber has to try and reassure her that [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/now_pucker_up "mouth-to-mouth isn't exactly a kiss".]]
* IResembleThatRemark: The trope is demonstrated in the classic form by Ruby when [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/pet_the_kitty Amber says that she's uptight.]]
* IThinkYouBrokeHer: Angel explains some sexual practicalities to Ruby, and then comments [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/now_is_good "I may have broken her."]]
* KidsAreCruel: [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/low_on_funds A flashback]] shows that [[FriendlessBackground Ruby was casually bullied at school]].

* MagicalQueer: Andy apparently attempts to evoke the trope [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/how_to_be_suave in this strip,]] and Jerzy promptly and sarcastically averts it.

* MaleRestroomEtiquette: The disguised and naive Ruby shows her ignorance [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/just_take_your_sweet_time here.]] Fortunately, the other guy present is [[CrossOver Matt]] from ''Webcomic/MenageA3'', who proves as smooth as ever. This incident also provides the current image on the trope page.

* ModestyTowel: Ray [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/Truly_important shows up with just a skimpy towel round his waist]] the morning after his first night with Amber. It's a little distracting for both Ruby and Dillon, even before the StrippingSnag.

* NoPeriodsPeriod: The trope is present in full force here as in other comics set in the same universe, as the often sexually hyperactive cast are never inconvenienced by the issue. It's been established that menstruation ''exists'', because in [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/Hello_new_neighbor one strip,]] Amber asks Dillon to fetch her some tampons from the store -- but [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/Maneuver_four he gets his brain scrambled,]] and the subject is never mentioned again.

** When Ruby is bounced into buying dinner for Andy the lifeguard as a thank-you for saving her after she got into trouble in the swimming pool, [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/pretty_for_your_date she tries to insist that it's not a date.]] However, Amber and Dillon persuade her that it's only polite to at least dress up a little, and she subsequently admits that [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/it_is_complex she doesn't really know if she wants it to be a date or not.]]
** Later, when she wants to celebrate getting a job, she agrees to go out for another meal with Andy; [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/celebrating_with_a_friend she again says that it's not quite a "date" date,]] but [[FriendlessBackground she's short of friends]] with whom to socialize.
* NotWhatItLooksLike: For various reasons, Ruby's double date with Andy, in company with Dillon and Jerzy, [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/what_is_with_her is mistaken for her dating]] ''all three'' by various bystanders, much to her embarrassment.
* OcularGushers: The {{Animesque}}, waterfall-of-tears, take is notably displayed by Dillon [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/dreamboat_in_a_baseball_tee in the second strip]], and by Ruby when [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/low_on_funds Zii calls her]] "[[FriendlessBackground friend]]".

* OperationJealousy: Angel attempts this tactic [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/i_am_not_jealous here.]] Jerzy demonstrates how an OnlySaneMan counters it.

* PaintedOnPants: Dillon takes Ruby clothes shopping (in his best GayBestFriend style), and buys her a pair of designer jeans as a gift, showing any readers who'd somehow missed the fact previously that she has an excellent figure. It then turns out that [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/rock_these_designer_jeans he has his own reasons for this...]]
* ParallelPornTitles: ''[[Film/TheSisterhoodOfTheTravelingPants The Sisterhood]] [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/time_to_bond_with_my_sister In Each... Other's... Pants]]''.

** Jacob's mother (Richie's stepmother) [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/well_see_ya_around won't allow Richie to fire Jacob from his job in the pet shop,]] without even asking about Richie's side of the story.
* PervertedDrooling: Demonstrated by Zii (along with WingdingEyes) [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/improve_our_club here.]]
* PornNames: Amber previously worked as Amber-Amber, though she and Dillon both seem to regard that as a symbol of her past life, and discourage others from using it. Chanelle is [[PunnyName Chanelle Numberfine]], and [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/old_friends_in_the_business this strip]] mentions Maxx Deep and Humpy Nastee. ("[[NonIndicativeName They're really nice!]]")

* PornStash: Amber's was essentially the result of an accident (and its existence actually represents a callback to [[http://www.ma3comic.com/strips-ma3/all_of_them an earlier incident in the parent comic]]). It still caused [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/time_to_bond_with_my_sister an uncomfortable moment,]] though.
* ProfessionalsDoItOnDesks: Well, on tables in the workplace, at least; it turns out, late in the comic’s run, that [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/you-guys-are-serious Jung and Ramona have been making use of the backroom in the comics shop.]] (It’s a table which has seen some action, in fact; Zii and Amber made their own use of that same room in ''Webcomic/MenageA3''.) And a few strips later, when [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/you-attracted-to-me Ruby tries to proposition Andy,]] they end up using a table in a borrowed or rented room at the movie studio where Amber and Dillon work.
* PronounTrouble: A slightly unusual instance; faced with the problem of how to refer to the gender-flexible Angel, Dillon turns up the gender-neutral pronoun "zie". [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/zie However, because someone named "Zii" already features in the comic, this just leads to more confusion.]] As ever, Ruby resorts to Website/{{Google}}.

* RealityEnsues: [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/you_can_handle_that Dillon offers Ruby a job as his PA,]] almost accidentally and on a whim. In the next strip, [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/a_little_left_out Amber points out to Dillon that PAs don't come cheap, just as Ruby is looking up the going rate on the Web.]]

* RecurringExtra: A cross-comics example; there is a French-speaking mother and daughter pair who are apparently also seen in ''Webcomic/SandraOnTheRocks'' in Paris, and in ''Webcomic/MenageA3''; the young daughter has a talent for [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/between_two_men seeing or hearing embarrassing incidents,]] leading to similar verbal exchanges each time.

* RightBehindMe: Ruby suffers a classic instance [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/gotta-keep-fit here,]] but is insufficiently GenreSavvy to guess what's happening. Actually, she's rarely shy about insulting Amber, but she usually does so in ways that go over Amber's head; this time, she's being blunt about what annoys her.

** A minor variant [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/about_four_more_seconds here]] -- right through the apartment front door, in this case.

** Ruby also [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/you_can_really_feel_the_attraction complains about the sounds that Amber and Ray make together,]] though it actually happens between strips. Ruby is inherently doomed to suffer from this sort of thing a lot.
** The thinness of the apartment's walls is actually [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/you_are_the_target_audience mentioned in the next strip,]] to Ruby's momentary trepidation, as she's just been discussing topics that she finds embarrassing.
** And [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/you-did-not-hear-it-from-me Amber has little trouble hearing what Ruby and Andy are up to in the borrowed room at the movie atudio.]]

* SayingTooMuch: Ruby initially [[SourPrude doesn't want to admit that she has a libido]] (and the stress of the denial pretty clearly gets to her), but Dillon manages to draw her into discussion of the book of {{yaoi}} manga which she recently gave him. [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/you_can_really_feel_the_attraction She soon lets slip enough to show that she has been reading it]].
* ScifiGhetto: Well, "Comics Ghetto" -- invoked in-universe by [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/real_books Ruby's comments here]] ("Books shouldn't have pictures!") Note that this is a panicky defensive gambit, not a serious critical opinion; Ruby definitely ''likes'' certain graphic novels, and while she's embarrassed by her taste for erotica, she doesn't really seem to think of comics art as inherently inferior or childish.
* SecurityCling: Played for laughs -- even within the comic -- [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/an_excuse_to_get_close here.]]

** When Zii encounters Ruby for the first time in years, having last seen her as a child, she remarks that Ruby has [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/real_books "grown into a very fine young woman."]] While the bisexual Zii shows no signs of active sexual attraction to Ruby in the ensuing conversation, she's happy to talk to her as a sexual being -- and later, she does venture a pass (unsuccessfully).
** The teenage Dillon used to babysit a little boy named Julian. When Julian turns up to visit in the present, [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/he_was_an_angel he turns out to have grown impressively;]] Dillon's first response is "Oh, my!". As it turns out though, Dillon can't forget his image of Julian as a child.

* ShoutOut: The coupling of "Matt" and "Dillon" is [[Series/{{Gunsmoke}} a rather arbitrary shout-out]] carried over from [[Webcomic/MenageA3 the parent comic]]. However, nobody in the setting ever seems to notice the coincidence until Ruby, who seems to have a fondness for old television, [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/magnet_bringing_us_closer lampshades it instantly.]]
* ShowerOfAwkward: A variant of this trope appears [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/my_weekly_ritual here,]] as characters who are used to sharing a shower blunder in on someone who isn't, assuming too much about why the shower should be running. It is, incidentally, a measure of how quickly Ruby is adapting to life in the apartment that she is merely angry at this, rather than incoherent with embarrassment. She's less brittle than she initially appeared.

* ShownTheirWork: When Ramona's intersex condition becomes a topic of discussion in the story, [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/fend_for_myself she and Angel have a brief exchange that demonstrates that the writers have some grasp of the technicalities.]] It also shows that Angel has done the reading in-setting, out of a desire to help Ramona. The {{nerd}}y Ruby digs out more such information via Google [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/what_is_best_for_her during the same conversation.]]

** Amber -- blonde, bisexually active, extrovert, long since left home -- is contrasted with Ruby -- dark, virginal, cerebral, emotionally tied to their parents. [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/your_expectations_of_me Ruby herself makes a point of emphasizing how different they are.]] They have trouble getting on.

* {{Slapstick}}: The comic has moments of blunt physical comedy; see, for example, [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/all_scrunched_up this bit of bumbling from Andy.]]

* SmashCut: Used in [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/put_it_on_my_calendar three]] [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/celebrating_with_a_friend successive]] [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/make_things_right_between_us strips]] when Ruby finds tenuous excuses to get assorted attractive men to appear in her HoYay-laden calendar shoot. Apparently, she's mastered startling powers of persuasion.

* SpeechBubbles: The comic plays occasional games with speech bubble design. Notably, on at least [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/that_was_uncalled_for two]] [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/28_is_lucky occasions]] when characters get coldly angry, their speech bubbles start dripping icicles.

* StrippingSnag: The slightly ditzy Ray [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/Totally_at_ease_around_any_man suffers an accident]] with his skimpy ModestyTowel, to distracting effect for both Ruby and Dillon.
* SuperDeformed: The comic occasionally shows its manga influences by featuring "chibi" versions of its cast in fantastical or very comedic panels -- [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/it_is_all_your_fault as here, for example.]]

* TalkAboutThatThing: Dillon [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/This_is_an_emergency declares that he and Ruby both have to go feed Minew in the kitchen]] when he needs to explain his situation with the recently-reappeared Ray to her.
* TemptingFate: Jerzy, desperate to cheer [[{{Emo}} Angel]] up, says that Zii's band aren't much good. [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/one_person_cares As they're standing in the middle of an audience which is already going wild for that band,]] this isn't so much tempting fate as sheer desperation.

* TitleDrop: The meaning of the strip's title (which had previously seemed a bit of a {{Word Salad|Title}}) was finally made clear in [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/just_what_i_like_to_hear a strip three-quarters of the way through volume 2.]]

** Unfortunately, [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/convince_him_i_could_pass_as_gay Nathan does succeed in bamboozling Ray.]]
* TwoDecadesBehind: Pretty Boyz with Electric Toyz appears to be made up of twenty-something musicians, but their primary stylistic reference seems to to be '70s GlamRock. Perhaps they just have slightly retro tastes. Then there's Ruby, who's in her early 20s -- but whose [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/can_never_get_enough_of_this_show television]] [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/i_can_wear_any_disguise references]] are things like ''Series/ThreesCompany'', ''Series/MagnumPI'', ''Series/{{Columbo}}'', and ''Series/{{Kojak}}''. Okay, she doesn't get out much in the evenings, but stays home watching reruns -- but still... One might guess that the writers may be older than their characters.

* WallOfText: Mostly, this comic avoids large speech balloons; it's driven more by the art than by intense use of dialogue. Hence, Ruby's unleashing of a wall-of-text speech bubbles [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/it_is_complex here]] and [[http://www.ma3comic.com/strips-ma3/sdb-need-to-talk-to-somebody/ here]] works as a deliberate bit of comedy and characterization. (Neither rates as a WallOfBlather because the speech bubbles aren’t interrupted or overlaid by others, but are fully readable. The implication is presumably that Ruby speaks too loud and fast for others too get a word in.)

* WigDressAccent: Used somewhat {{parod|y}}ically by Ruby when Dillon inveigles her into a scheme that requires she be disguised in front of some people who know her. Given that she doesn't seem likely to have much talent for acting, she's probably wise to adopt [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/our_friendship_is_strong a heavy prop-based disguise.]]
* WildTeenParty: Alluded to somewhat by Ruby [[spoiler:when she mentions how she first found out about Amber's porn career. As this involved [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/no_interference a bunch of teenage boys showing what turned out to be one of Amber's films,]] ]]this wasn't the most enjoyable of parties from Ruby's point of view. WordOfGod is that [[http://www.pixietrixcomix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=13780&start=45#p459890 this happened when she was about 14.]]

** Ruby suffers a classic attack of [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/grabbing_a_show dollar signs]] (with added IdeaBulb) when she suddenly remembers her business training in the middle of a conversation about {{Yaoi}} and morality.
** Zii suffers an attack of hearts (with a little added PervertedDrooling) [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/improve_our_club when confronted with a stack of photographic {{Yaoi}}.

* WordSaladTitle: From the start, fans usually assumed "Sticky Dilly Buns" to refer to Dillon's butt in some way, but nobody knew for sure; it seemed to verge on a WordPureeTitle. However, [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/what_is_the_password one strip some way into the second volume]] featured a partial TitleDrop, confirming that "sticky buns" can indeed refer to buttocks (or to patisserie), and [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/just_what_i_like_to_hear another shortly afterwards]] finally gave the title a meaning (as the name of Ruby's commercial {{Yaoi}} fan club, when it could recruit Dillon as its mascot).

** The concept is also invoked within the comic [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/i_do_not_speak_japanese here,]] and Ruby goes on to develop an overt interest in yaoi (starting by sneaking a look at Dillon's collection), despite some feeble attempts at denial.
* YouAreGrounded: {{Parod|y}}ically invoked by Ruby [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/is_saying_that_too_quick here,]] when she gets annoyed by something Amber does and flips into [[TheComicallySerious pseudo-parental mode]].
* YouAreNotAlone: Ruby is upset, confused about her relationship with Andy, and sexually frustrated, and has burned a bunch of bridges with Dillon and Amber. She has gone looking for someone to talk to, and ends up in the comics shop -- one of the few places in town where she's previously found any kind of moral support -- despite not thinking that she'll find anyone there. [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/need-to-talk-to-somebody When Jung approaches her,]] she snaps at him and then embarrasses herself with a WallOfText apology. But then, Jung goes away -- and fetches Ramona, [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/that-thing-you-do who provides Ruby with the sympathetic ear that she needs.]] It seems that Ruby has gone from her FriendlessBackground to having a circle of friends who can help her.

* AssuranceBackfire: Ruby makes the mistake of seeking reassurance about her sexual attractiveness from a gay man. [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/started-to-heat-up Dillon is ineffective for the purpose.]] Actually, it turns out that he's joking there, but given Ruby's fragile state of mind, that's not very tactful of him.
* AutoErotica: Dillon and Jerzy have [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/attraction_to_shiny_buttons their first serious make-out session in the latter's pickup truck]], which [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/standing-ovation also reappears in the final strip.]]

* BeAWhoreToGetYourMan: This is the sort of tactic that works pretty well for most characters such as Amber (and for that matter for Dillon), but it ends up being averted in the case of Ruby. When she decides that she'd like to go to bed with Andy, Ruby attempts [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/gotta-keep-fit a series of increasingly blatant hints and offers]] (including borrowing Amber's quite respectable but pretty darned brazen LittleBlackDress), but everything bounces off Andy. When she finally insists on discussing the matter, it turns out that Andy is nervous and slightly unsure of his sexuality, but prepared to be ''talked'' rationally into going ahead.

* BiggerIsBetterInBed: The virginal Ruby clearly instinctively assumes this; [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/a-little-more-prepared the first time she sees Andy's (apparently impressive) erection,]] she accelerates rapidly through trepidation to enthusiasm.

* BigYes: Ruby manages to embarrass herself with [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/neither_can_i an overly flamboyant Big Yes]] even when ''she's alone in the house,'' for reasons related to her recent discovery of her YaoiFangirl nature.
* BishieSparkle: Dillon's interest seems to generate this effect when he first sees an attractive man. See [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/hello_new_neighbor here with Jerzy,]] more noticeably [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/caught_off_guard here with Richie]] -- or [[http://www.stickydillybuns.com/strips-sdb/try_committing_to_him here with Gary]].