You're a pop star, or a royal, or maybe even the last of your kind who will bring about the Earth's redemption. Whatever the case may be, you're in a position that may be a bit dicey if you attract the wrong kind of attention.
And you're a bodyguard, a soldier, a knight - a protector. Somehow, you've been roped into protecting this person. You'll be rewarded, of course. The work may be cut out for you, but just do your job, keep your head down, and it'll go smooth.
Except for when the two of you break the bounds of professionalism and feelings begin to flourish. Being in such close quarters may get you to see the other in a different light, and saving someone's life just may be the ultimate form of intimacy.
Could this be the real danger? To feel so strongly for the one you've sworn to protect...are you compromised?
How to Play
1. Comment with your character and preferences, being sure to put if you want to play the guard, the guarded, or either. Also, you may want to put if you prefer fluffy, angsty, or smutty interaction - or have no preference.
2. Comment to others.
3. There are no prompts, because there are so many potential options there could be a hundred. Feel free to play anything: the beginnings of the relationship, just meeting, getting used to each other/not getting along at first, the obligatory first time, a threat on the protected's life and how their protector responds, how the feelings between the two has changed the protection, etc. Your only limit is you. |
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cutenonny) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
bakerstreet2014-08-07 11:56 pm
^^ No problem! And sorry it's so long.
Thank you for your business and I'll have the part delivered within the next week.
[With a sigh, he hangs up the phone and leans back in the seat, his eyes going to the clock. He still had a bit of time before he was off...
The shop was quiet enough that he could think as he worked, putting up inventory. Koujaku would be by today and brown eyes seemed to continue flickering to the clock, anxious for quitting time to come around. He liked his job, he did, he just liked what was coming after even better.
When the door opens, he idly wonders if Koujaku was just a bit early since they got few customers in person. The smile is already in place when he notes it was just another customer.]
Can I he-
Yeah, I'm looking for the, uh, the guy on the phone?
[Another inward sigh. This didn't happen terribly often but it did happen. The sigh becomes annoyance when his move to go back behind the counter is cut off.]
Yeah, that was me. Your or-
[Again, his words are cut off. For a man that had come in for his voice, he wasn't letting him talk very much.] It's you? I thought so. You sound a little different over the phone but you still have a pretty nice voice.
[Why hadn't quitting time come before this man did?]
never apologize for long tags!!! i live and breathe for them
While he was practically bursting at the seams to announce to the world that he was in love, he understood that part of his job was appearing to be desirable. While he had toned down his charm considerably, he knew he needed to protect Aoba from his rabid fanbase. He knew full well how unreasonable his fans could become when scorned.
As he closed up shop and packed up his tools, Koujaku found a small smile creeping to his lips at the thought of Aoba. His Aoba. He barely knew how to get through the day without running over to Heibon during every free moment he had, though he knew how ridiculous the sentiment was. To Koujaku, it was a miracle that he had even made it this far without even sending Aoba a message on his Coil, and it was at least a half hour until he got off work. Never before had Koujaku truly appreciated the luxury of making his own hours, as it afforded him the ability to drop in on Aoba while he was working.
Perhaps it would have been more accurate for Koujaku to say that he was Aoba's, considering how ridiculous he was being.
Warm, fond thoughts continued to pervade his mind as he walked to Heibon, a winning smile plastered on his face as he passed others on the street. As he neared Heibon, however, said smile slid from his features as quickly as it had materialized, his eyes focusing upon the occupants of the shop through the store window.
It wasn't so much the fact that a customer was talking to Aoba that bothered Koujaku; lovesick as he was, he wasn't petty. It was the expression that Aoba wore, one that Koujaku knew well, that told him everything he needed to know about the man speaking to him. While it looked as if Aoba was putting up a gallant display of being polite, there was a certain, nearly imperceptible edge to his expression, one that communicated his irritation with the man before him. ]
Not this again. [ Koujaku clicked his tongue as he pushed open the door to the store, striding inside. He knew that his presence was likely enough to intimidate the man into leaving; if all else failed, he'd speak up. In the meantime, he flashed Aoba a look before sliding his gaze back to the customer, folding his arms across his chest. ]
Then I shall try to ...provide you with...oxygen. I tried
Now that he had something to compare it to. Going from friends to lovers had probably been the single most embarrassing thing he'd ever done but there wasn't a moment he regretted it, no matter what he told the bigger man when he wouldn't stop saying those things.
So, the man before him is especially annoying. The shop wasn't exactly thriving and he was a paying customer that could cancel his order so he was doing his best but the man wasn't making it easy.
The door again catches his attention, the edged smile turning into something different, something almost tinged with relief. He could handle this guy, clock out, and finally be with him.
If Koujaku ever developed mind reading abilities, Aoba was pretty sure they would have to date over e-mail.]
Hey, that's rude! I'm the one talking to you. Some pretty boy doesn't change that.
[His attention is drawn back to the man. It seems this man doesn't seem to care someone else is there.] Of course. Like I said, if you have a question about your order, I just processed it on the phone so it's n-
I told ya, I'm not here about the part!
[Damn it, if he kept interrupting him... ]
So, how about it? Are you going to meet me later or not? [Aoba can't help the way his back straightens when the guy moves closer. Did he want a fight?]
and you did well! seriously though, no pressure, i tend to tl;dr into oblivion
It was because he took to it so easily that he strode forward, jaw set tight, placing a hand upon the pushy customer's shoulder from behind, forcing him to turn to face him. His eyes briefly met Aoba's, and Koujaku managed a tight smirk in his direction before turning his dispassionate gaze upon the customer's face. ]
Oi. [ The syllable was hard, Koujaku's voice dipping low and dangerous. ] You mustn't be all that popular with the ladies. There's something extremely unattractive about a guy that can't take a hint.
[ Koujaku's glare intensified as he regarded the man, disgust and a quiet rage bubbling just beneath the surface of his expression. The thought of this man haranguing Aoba of all people set Koujaku's blood boiling, and his grip upon the customer's shoulder was tight enough to insinuate that he wasn't completely opposed to dislocating it. ]
You'll negotiate your order, and then you will leave. [ Koujaku's grip only tightened, his voice surprisingly even in spite of the ferocity in his voice. ] You'll be in a world of pain if I hear you talking about anything other than said order.
Go for it! Hope it's okay I made him a creep to keep the bodyguard theme going.
Just annoyed.
Said man's eyes stare up at the taller man - though he was only shorter by roughly an inch - but not with fear. Something about them seemed a little too jittery but not quiet worried. Thinking, debating.]
I get it, I get it. This here's your boyfriend, huh? [Though he seems to be speaking to Aoba, his eyes stay on the man who's hand seems ready to crush his bones.] Big guy like this, he's probably used to getting exactly what he wants. [Instead of afraid, he actually seems angry.] Don't worry, Pretty Boy, I'll go now but remember, I know where he w-
[Aoba is fast in moving, in trying his best to get their attention and get the man out of the store. The "customer" didn't seem to be shutting up and his boyfriend was all too used to Aoba needing help, thanks to childhood and everything that had happened in Platinum Jail.
A hand on Koujaku's back urges him toward the door, hoping his friend gets the hint to do the same for the customer. They'd, as gently as possible, physically remove him.]
There's no need to come back, since we have your address on file. If you need to modify your order, I have your reference number so a phone call will work well.
of course <3 it works best that way!
As a matter of fact, I am, but I understand that the world doesn't work that way. [ He leaned in towards the customer's ear then, his grip on the man's shoulder never once slackening. ] Which is fortunate for you, as I want nothing more than to bash your face in.
[ Stepping closer to the door, Koujaku yanked it open and all but shoved the man out into the street, affixing a winning smile to his face as the man turned back to face him and Aoba. ] Heibon thanks you for your patronage. Please come back anytime.
[ His eyes narrowed as he moved to shut the door, his smile gaining a perceptible edge. ] I'll be waiting.
<3
'Me too.']
He wasn't here long. [It seems best to clarify this, to downplay it. Or, rather, to make sure it doesn't get taken more seriously than it was. He got people like that sometimes, almost always men, and they occasionally got weird but it had never been anything he couldn't handle. He wanted the rest of the night to be fun, not something colored by this encounter.
His gaze finally went fully to Koujaku. Did his own eyes look like those that the girls had when they saw him? He liked to think he kept more composure than that but he was also sure what he felt was stronger. Maybe that was why words only made it harder for him; he was sure everything he needed to say was written clearly on his face.]
I'll let him know it's time for me to get off and we can go.
[Maybe if he didn't give Koujaku an opening, they wouldn't have to mention it.]
sorry this took me forever!! i totally didn't see the notif...
[ Koujaku had made it a very sharp point not to see any of his former flings outside of a professional capacity, knowing full well that it would have been disrespectful to Aoba and their relationship if he had continued his playboy ways. Besides, all of his desire to sleep around had died the instant he and Aoba had become "official," which suited him just fine.
Perhaps it was because Koujaku himself had such a difficult time putting his own feelings into words, but he managed a soft smile at Aoba's expression. He understood what the other man was getting at, and he closed the distance between the two of them with a few short strides. ]
Wait. [ Gently reaching forward and taking Aoba's hand, Koujaku leveled his gaze with the shorter man's. ] I'm sorry if I overreacted back there.
[ He gave a sight, averting his gaze. ] It's just that... the thought of someone doing that to you...
[ He trailed off, looking equal parts sheepish and frustrated. ]
No worries! I know longer posts take longer so I just assumed rl was keeping you busy.
No, he's new, just called in an order a couple of hours ago. [Since the Oval tower, he no longer got the headaches but he wished he'd gotten full control over his powers, too.]
I could've handled him. [But he understands Koujaku. This man has been through his own pain, knew what it was like to hurt and he didn't want him to have to go through anything of the same. Besides, Aoba's history of needing saving was longer than he'd liked. Without Koujaku, the bullying would have never stopped, he might even have his own painful reminder of a tattoo right about now, if his friend hadn't shown up.
Maybe that was why Platinum Jail had made him so prickly. Somewhere along the line, he'd probably started taking that help for granted. Ignoring the years he was gone, Koujaku was just always there when he needed him so when it suddenly seemed like he'd abandoned him, he hadn't taken it well.
But all of it did shake him out of that mindset. Koujaku was here, he wanted him here, he wanted a man who's hand over his could make him feel strongly enough that he got embarrassed at himself.]
So don't worry so much, okay? He's just another weird person I had to talk to over the phone, he won't be back. Even if he is, I can handle him.
thanks for being understanding <3
I know you can. But that doesn't mean you have to. I'd be a useless lover if I couldn't even stave off your admirers, now, wouldn't I? [ His tone is light and teasing, though there's a certain edge of seriousness to it; he knows full well that Aoba has grown into his own now, but old habits died hard. As children, he'd always been Aoba's protector. It was as natural to Koujaku as breathing. To not protect Koujaku now of all times wasn't even a possibility.
Koujaku would always want Aoba by his side, healthy and happy. Even if he knew that Aoba's kicks could break a man's jaw fairly easily, Koujaku would make sure that he'd always defend him when able. ]
You can't tell me not to worry. [ Though he smiled as he said it. ] But we can discuss this over dinner. Go and let Haga-san know that we're heading out.
<3 LIfe happens and I'm good with backtagging as long as you're still interested
If we're protecting each other from admirers now, I should just become your assistant. That would just be a full time job, with as many as you have.
[Around the counter, he was still talking.] I'll be right back.
[Really, he had to wonder if it was weird having to touch somebody who was flirting with you, who obviously wanted more. He know Koujaku kept it professional now and he trusted him, but it didn't decrease the fact that some of his customers came for potential other benefits, too. Having to touch them while they were crudely forward felt a little uncomfortable for him. Then again, Koujaku was the only one h-
Agh! He couldn't just be thinking thoughts like that when nothing was even happening. What had his mind turned into?
Aoba would disappear into the back, only to reemerge with Haga a couple of minutes later, the older man thanking him for today's work while Aoba wished him good luck with the rest of the day. With his backpack on and Ren tucked inside, he came back around to Koujaku.]
I'm officially off and starving.
i'm the queen of backtagging and i'll always be interested!
Perhaps you should. [ He grins, folding his arms across his chest. ] That way I could keep an eye on you and I'd have someone to sweep up hair off of the ground for me.
[ As Koujaku watches Aoba retreat into the back of the store, the expression on his face softens. Of course his clients wanted more; it was partially his fault, as he had made them accustomed to getting more. It was a miracle Koujaku was still getting business, what with how huffy some of his regulars got now that he had begun to turn them down.
Blame it on love, he supposed.
Flashing a winning smile in Haga-san's direction, Koujaku briefly exchanged pleasantries with the shop's owner before gracefully striding to the door, holding it open for Aoba. ]
Well, the world is our oyster. I was thinking maybe we could knock back a few drinks before heading back to my place for a night of debauchery, but I'm open to suggestions.
<3 Great!
So, the other man shouldn't have to do extra favors to get customers, though he knew he hadn't lowered himself to doing that in the first place, that he was the kind of guy with a genuine interest. It had been a little surprising to find Koujaku had decided to stop when they got together, even if that was how it usually worked.]
Don't just plan stuff like that. [Unsure rather to mumble or sigh, his sigh is perhaps a second too late.] You have a place in mind? I don't care what we drink as long as they serve food, too. Granny made a lunch but work was busy. [So, he'd burned it all off.] We'll...save the rest of that stuff for later.
[He'd had sex so why can't he talk about sex?]
<3
There's a nice bar across the way. Their food is pretty decent.
no subject
[The thought of Koujaku actively planning it might be too much for his mind to handle. Thinking about it, yeah, he understood that. He thought about it, too, even when he was by himself, even when his friend turned lover was nowhere around. But planning was deeper thought, it was preparation, it was a goal, it was...
Enough to make him not answer the latter question. He wasn't too picky about food - his Granny's was great but when he ate out, he couldn't expect the same quality - so he'd go wherever Koujaku wanted, anyway.]