rot with me

rot with me is a short, hand-drawn kinetic visual novel that examines the blurred boundary between rest and decay through the lens of disability. Created by Bird King and Elephant Bird—two developers living with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome—this 20-30 minute experience pairs intimate lesbian romance with genuine horror grounded in chronic illness.

The narrative unfolds across 90+ drawn and collaged images, each contributing to an atmosphere that feels both tender and unsettling. As a kinetic novel, you're a passenger through the story rather than an agent of choice; the only decision point arrives at the very end, lending weight to that final branch. The horror here isn't jump-scares or supernatural dread, but the slow creep of bodily betrayal and the question of whether surrendering to rest means surrendering to something darker. The yuri relationship develops against this deteriorating backdrop, creating moments where intimacy and vulnerability collapse into each other.

Technically, rot with me runs on HTML5 and is available across Windows, macOS, and Linux. The developers recommend downloading rather than playing in-browser for the best experience. Beyond the core narrative, the package includes a free hEDS self-screening tool in the extras—a practical acknowledgment of the game's subject matter and audience. At 4.7k words, this isn't a sprawling epic; it's a focused, deliberately brief meditation that respects your time while refusing to rush its emotional weight.

If you approach adult visual novels seeking stories that integrate sexuality and intimacy with substantive themes rather than treating them as separate elements, rot with me offers something genuinely considered. The collaboration between concept/art and writing creates cohesion that elevates the work beyond a single authorial voice.