bakerstreet | a meme full of tropes

a meme full of tropes

A Meme Full of Tropes

trope noun \ˈtrōp\
Definition of TROPE
1
a : a word or expression used in a figurative sense : figure of speech
b : a common or overused theme or device : cliché

This meme is a collection of random fanfic and roleplay tropes. Here’s how to play:

1) Post with your character, listing any preferences you have, or tropes you don't want to play.
2) Other people will tag, either using Ye Olde RNG to select a trope, or just picking one from the list.
3) Play out the tropes to your heart’s content!

1: Accidental Baby Acquisition: One of the characters in your story, by means other than pregnancy or adoption, acquires a child. This could be because his or her parent was killed, or someone leaves the child on the doorstep, or any other plotline. The main idea is that the main characters have to band together to raise the child, even if it is only temporary.

2: Alpha/Beta/Omega: Alpha/Beta/Omega or Alpha/Omega (occasionally Alpha/Beta) is a kink trope where some or all people have defined biological roles based on a hierarchical system, with the terms originating from animal behaviour research. There may be werewolf, knotting, or other animalistic elements involved, or the characters may be otherwise purely human.

3: Animal Transformation: Animal transformation is a fanfic trope in which one or more characters are transformed into an animal, or else an Alternate Universe story wherein the characters are cast as animals.

4: Bodyswap: Bodyswap is a plot device or story trope involving two (or more) characters switching their physical bodies by magical, scientific, mystical or unspecified means. The device is used in canon and fanfiction alike, and fanfic may expand upon canonical instances of bodyswap.

5: Cross-dressing: Crossdressing refers to characters dressing as members of the "opposite" sex or gender. It is used comedically, as a plot device and as a kink, both sexualized and not, in fanworks and in canon.

6: De-aged: De-Aging is a story trope where adult characters are turned back into children or younger adults. The transformation can be fully physical and mental. It can also be a physical transformation that leaves the adult mind in a younger body; or the opposite, where the mind is reverted to a child-like state, but the body remains as is.

7: Handcuffed/Bound Together: Bound Together is a bonding trope in which two characters are chained together, psychically or physically, either through magical or technological means. The usual result (in ship fic) of all this one-on-one "bonding" time is that the characters either fall in love or realize they were in love all along.

8: Huddled for Warmth: Huddling for warmth or blanket fic is a trope that is generally found in both het and slash pairing-oriented fanfiction, and occasionally in some gen Hurt/Comfort. It is mainly used in order to maneuver two characters into a First Time. The advantages of putting your OTP into a "huddling for warmth" scenario are legion. The two characters are trapped in one place with no distractions, alone, and so their attention is focused entirely on each other. The tone of the story can range from fluffy to angsty.

9: Mind Control: Mind control is a very popular trope in fanworks (and many canons). In slash or ship fic that uses the trope, one part of the pairing is usually under the mental control of the other -- or is unable to resist orders from anyone, such as in Ella Enchanted AUs or fusions or "obedience curse" fics -- and the other part of the pairing figures this out and either helps the mindcontrolled character resist the urge to obey or takes advantage of them.

10: Road Trip: The characters must go on a long-distance trip in close proximity. There are any number of reasons for this, including a quest, mechanical failure of their original transport, or one of the characters (e.g. Tony Stark) thinks it will be a "good idea" or "fun." This then results in shenanigans or sex or both.

11: Sex Pollen: Sex Pollen is a common fanfiction trope used to bring two characters together in a sexual encounter. It involves one or several characters becoming infected with a pollen of some alien or magical plant, or they might be influenced in some other way (magic, alien technology, mind control, etc.) that causes them to lose inhibitions and/or revs up libido, usually resulting in non-con sex, which may lead to dramatic guilt and misunderstandings, or a resolution of UST.

12: Soul Bonding: In fanfiction and sometimes canon, a soulbond is a mystic or psychic bond between (usually) two people, who feel drawn to become devoted friends, or (more often) lovers. The bond may be something that brings them together, or something that results from their being together. It is usually portrayed as unbreakable and irresistible, a force that unites two people in a unique way. A soulbond can persist after the death of one or both partners, and through numerous reincarnations. It can be very similar to soulmates, which are two (or more) people who are always meant to be together.

13: Telepathy: A story in which one (or more) of the characters develops the ability to read thoughts. This ability could be limited to their love interest, or it could be more general. Mindmeld is a more specific form, in which both characters can read one another's thoughts. Depending on the needs of the story, it could require a physical link, and it could be temporary. It is named after the Vulcan Mind Meld in the Star Trek universe.

14: Wingfic: Wingfic is a fanfiction genre in which one or more human characters sprouts a pair of wings. Fanfic written for a fandom in which the character canonically has wings (e.g. Good Omens) is usually not considered wingfic. However, as a response to a surge of wingfic, a Good Omens writer came up with wingless fic, wherein canonically winged characters suddenly and inexplicably lose them. Wingfic can be whimsical, but it can also be much darker in tone.

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The plan was simple, or seemed simple enough over instant ramen in their apartment/secret work space. Sugawara and Sawamura had worked tirelessly to build their cover identities as interested business associates who wanted to partner with Seijoh Research. The con had worked, and the two of them were easily invited to come to a business party at the CEO's gigantic estate. An estate which, by all their estimations and research, hid all of the information regarding illegal actions and research taken by the company. All they had to do was attend the party, mingle for a short time, until they could slip away to the secured offices in the second floor of the house, find the files, and escape. They had pulled off similar plans before, Sawamura and Sugawara had been working together for years now on every mission imaginable, going undercover in embassies, traveling across the globe to track down dangerous criminals, stopping attacks on the innocent public, you name it. They've done it. So what could be so bad about a little party?

Turns out, a lot.

Not long after they arrived (necessary tools and weaponry hidden away from security under sharp black suits, of course), one of the high ranking Seijoh officials found them, asking to join him to talk with their CEO for a private matter in the other room. It was unusual, but they agreed, figuring they might get a chance to get their hands on the information without having to breaking into anything. Instead, the pair was met with a face full of chloroform the second they entered the room, and all Sawamura could hear before he passed out was the CEO laughing, something about "How could Ukai think he could send his little spies in here to get my info?"

He has no idea how much time has passed when he finally comes to. What he does know is that one, the room is dark, cold, possibly a storage shed or a basement. Two, his clothes are disheveled and his weapons are missing. Three, his hands are tiled to a pole, and when he reaches out he can feel Sugawara's hand beside him (thank god).

"Sugawara?" He whispers, trying to lean back closer to this partner. "Hey, are you up?"

There's a beat of silence after the question. Then, a response comes in the form of a soft groan.

"Sawamura," he murmurs, his voice raspy. Sugawara gives a small cough, and then tries again, stronger this time: "I'm here."

There's relief in his tone from hearing Sawamura's voice so close to him, but also concern. It'd be hard not to be concerned right now. His head is pounding from the chloroform, and he's grateful for how dark it is, even if it means it's harder to get his bearings.

There's a soft rustling as he tests the ropes that hold them, and the fleeting press of his arms brushing against Sawamura's as he moves. His mind races to pick up the bits of pieces of memory as they float back to him, and the more he remembers the more he frowns.

He'd double- and triple-checked the plan before they'd gone in. There was no sign that they'd been discovered during their long set-up, but even then...

"I should have known better than to accept Oikawa's private meeting. It was such an obvious trap..." he murmurs, dropping his head back against the pole with a soft thunk and glaring up at the ceiling. "Sorry."

The place they're in is cold and smells damp. They're probably underground. "Basement?" he whispers to Daichi. His eyes dart back and forth; "I don't see any cameras, but that..." doesn't mean we're not being watched, he doesn't finish.

Sugawara sighs. The ropes are too tight around his wrists, and he wiggles his fingers, trying to regain some feeling. His voice is lighter-hearted as he says, "Well, if I had to be tied to a pole with someone, you'd be my top pick. In fact, you've been my top pick the past few times now."

Daichi laughs, soft and raspy, moving his arms slightly in hopes to give both of them some much needed relief from the ropes and the stiffness in their bones.

"It's not your fault, we both agreed to go. We just didn't think we'd end up in his secret basement so fast."

Even as his eyes adjust to the darkness, there's nothing really to see in the room. The walls have a few shelves, but are otherwise bare, and he can't find signs of a door or a staircase anywhere. At least there are definitely no other people - the only breathing he can hear is his own and Sugawara's. It's not like they'd really need guards inside when they can just block the exit, where ever it is.

He sort of wishes he could see Sugawara, see if he had any injuries, but they're more back to back than shoulder to shoulder, and unless one of them could magically snap this rope in two, there wasn't going to be a lot of chance for moving around now. Sugawara at least sounded like he was alright, or as alright as one can be tied to a pole in a basement.

"That should be my line - you have a way better escape record than I do."

The ropes loosen when Daichi moves his arms, and Suga breathes a sigh of relief, nudging their shoulders together in silent thanks.

"I guess you're right," he says. "I overestimated Oikawa, though." His voice is quiet, determined. "It won't happen again."

As much as he loves the excitement and glamour of their job, in moments like these—when he's exhausted and his body hurts, when he's cold and his suit is probably ruined with dirt—Suga can't help but long for their small apartment. He misses its state of perpetual mess, the late nights talking over coffee, the fact he can call his partner Daichi there without fear of blowing their cover or appearing unprofessional.

For a moment he allows himself to think of their shared space, drawing strength from the memory; and then he takes a deep breath and opens his eyes. He has to get them both back there. That's his goal now, more than salvaging the mission, more than getting the data. All he wants now is for the two of them to get home.

His chuckle is tired when he hears Daichi's joke. "Yeah, and I'd like to keep it that way," he replies. "I'll think of something to get us out of this. Just...give me a minute."

Edited (icon misfire) 2014-11-18 07:11 (UTC)

"No, it won't."

His lips quirk into a small smile, hearing that soft determination in Suga's voice. After all the strange situations they've been stuck together in (some far less literal than their current predicament), fewer things put Daichi more at ease than his partner's confidence. It was different than the over obnoxious bravado that Oikawa had when he asked them to join him for a private meeting, the same kind of mask that he's seen so many spies and operatives wear to hide any other emotions and true identities. Suga's strength seemed to always come from somewhere more natural, never too forced, always able to make people believe anything he told them, taking on new identities and roles as easy as changing clothes. Seeing it in action in their first few missions left Daichi so impressed he ended up asking for advice.

For now, he stretches his legs out in front of him, letting their shoulders remain touching, taking any little comfort he can get. They've been down here long enough for real soreness to settle in, and it wasn't going to get any better from here.

"Take your time." Daichi figures they'll be kept down here until the guests leave, which gives them an hour, maybe even two or three more to do something. "They took all my tools, so I don't think I can be much help anyway."

Hearing Daichi's acknowledgement eases the nervy tightness in his chest. His partner's belief in him and steady support is something that Suga has always used as a touchstone. Even at low points like this. Suga has his own skillset but Daichi is the partner he's always dreamed of, able to find the holes in his plans and follow his cues with amazing efficiency and skill.

After all the dirt they've dug up on Seijoh Research, Suga has a fairly good idea of what's in store for them if they can't get out of here fast enough. From how his body is aching, they probably gave them a taste of what's to come already. What a nice guy, that Oikawa.

They left them rumpled but fully dressed, though. "I wonder..." Suga murmurs. His arms are tied behind his back, and he starts to squirm so he can pull them to the side. It's not the first time he's been grateful for his flexibility; he's the one who moves through crawlspaces and vents when needed, while Daichi guards him from below.

His fingers search along his waistline until he feels a familiar bump underneath his belt, and he laughs. It sounds crow-like from how sore his throat is, but Suga hardly notices. "Daichi, can you reach my belt? Here, where I'm—" he scoots backwards as far as he can. "They left my picks, but I can't—I need a hand."

He cranes his neck over his shoulder, trying to watch what Suga was doing. There was definitely a lot of squirming, and Daichi had to move his arms around with Suga to help him move and search for whatever he was trying to find.

"They left your picks?" Daichi laughs while he talks, because holy shit, talk about luck. Seijoh wasn't a small time operation by any means, he figured that they would've checked everywhere for picks and taken Suga's, but they must've been left in some inexperienced hands. That probably explains how sore they are too - newbies are usually terrible at carrying unconscious bodies and tying them up.

He leans forward, bending his arms back the best he can until he can run his fingers under Suga's belt until he finds the set, trying not to bump his knuckles too much against his partner's skin. "Alright, here we go--" It takes a moment, but he gets the picks out from the belt without too much fuss.

"Got it." He holds out the picks in his fingers for Suga to take.

Suga grins at the sound of Daichi's laugh. He feels like everything's going to be okay after he hears that.

"They left my belt," Suga replies, his voice a little reproachful. Even though it's good fortune for them, he feels like he has to point out their sloppiness on principle. "And our shoes! It's like they weren't even trying." An ordinary pat-down wouldn't normally feel his picks, either—that's why he carries them the way he does, after all.

Suga wriggles closer to try and make it easier for his partner. He bites his lip when he feels Daichi's fingers brush against his bare skin. When he hears that Daichi's got it, Suga misses the fleeting touch, but also grins because they're basically out of here.

"Thanks," he says, plucking the picks from Daichi's fingers.

They're bound by ropes, so at first it might seem like the pick set won't be useful. But Suga feels his way through them, the movements causing the picks to jangle against each other on the keychain, until he finds what he wants—a small knife.

Suga flicks it open with a well-practiced gesture and makes quick work of the ropes around him. He pauses to shake feeling back into his shoulders and wrists, and then turns back to Daichi to cut his hands free.

"I'm glad that worked," he murmurs, close enough that his partner will hear it anyway. "I didn't want to have to do anything more drastic."

As soon as the ropes are off he lets out a small sigh of relief, stretching his arms to get some feeling back in them. This really could have gone a lot worse. Daichi smirks just thinking about it, remembering one time in Cape Town where he had to dislocate his own shoulder to give the chance to escape. It was not pleasant.

"I wouldn't count on nothing drastic yet. We still have to get out of here."

The chances of this basement having more than one exit was slim to none, and there would certainly be guards. So many fucking guards.

He turns around and gets his first good look at Sugawara since they were tied up. Suga is a mess, his shirt half untucked, tie missing, and his belt slightly twisted around. Not like Daichi looks much better, but his smile softens to something more genuine knowing that his partner hasn't been too smacked up through all this.

The fact that whatever idiot who tied them up decided to leave their shoes on was another small blessing - Daichi always kept a small switchblade in the heel. It was useless down there with their hands tied up, sure, but now it could come in handy. He pops the knife out and holds it's tiny weight in his hand.

"I know we were sent in here to get those files, but if they knew we were coming, something tells me there's no way we're getting our hands on them now."

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a meme full of tropes

if you want me to change anything i shall

I love your tag so much

♥

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lazarus.jpg

omggg its christmas all over again

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