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thelegendof) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
bakerstreet2015-01-30 06:42 pm
thelegendof) wrote in bakerstreet2015-01-30 06:42 pm
Took You In Shipping Meme
The ＴＯＯＫ ＹＯＵ ＩＮ Shipping Meme
They were on your front door, in your yard, or on the street, confused and clearly in no position to fend for themselves; in a worst case scenario, they were bruised and battered, possibly close to death. Bleeding heart or not, you can't just be so cruel as to let them suffer. They need a place to stay, and you'll open your home to them...long enough to get back on their feet, anyway.
Speaking of feet, the shoe could be on the other one. You're worse for the wear - in a new place, possibly injured, certainly not in the best state of mind. You could not even remember how you got here or who you are to get here, for that matter. You may not want to remember. Whether willing or not so willing, you're in no position to turn down help, especially if said helper won't take no for an answer. No matter how dedicated you are to looking after yourself, there's only so much you can do in your position.
The two of you are staying together, at any rate. Only for a while, the plan is. But after said while, even though strength and confidence is returning to the injured, there's something a little different between you two. It could be the close quarters, the kindness shown, or a number of things, but quietly, softly, feelings have grown. Could more confusion and hurt spring from this? What about when it's time to go? Can the temporary resident leave as easily as they intended? You're so close now, perhaps a little while longer can't do any harm...
...until whatever it was that put them in such a perilous position in the first place comes back, and there could be "justice" for anyone who's dared to help.
ＲＵＬＥＳ
- Comment with your character and preferences. Say if you'd rather play the taken in or the person taking them in.
- Reply to others.
- There's no smut option because I'm making a companion smut meme to this for TLH in the next few days, but you can play smut if you really want to!
ＰＲＯＭＰＴＳ
- ғɪɴᴅɪɴɢ — Who's that? They're no ordinary passersby! Were they in an accident? Are they foreign? ...should you approach them?
- ʀᴀɪɴ, ʀᴀɪɴ, ɢᴏ ᴀᴡᴀʏ — The elements make this night no time to sleep out of doors.
- ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇᴀʟᴛʜ — Cuts, broken bones, injuries all of sorts...you have to stitch them back up, then make sure they don't get any
- ɢᴏᴏᴅ ɢᴜᴇsᴛ — It's all you can do to show gratitude to the person who took you in. Fix them a meal, care for their house, whatever you can do once you're able.
- ʙᴀᴅ ɢᴜᴇsᴛ — FUCK THIS PERSON AND FUCK THEIR COUCH. You didn't ask to be brought here. Let them clean up after you, you don't even care.
- ᴡʜᴏ ᴀᴍ ɪ? — How you got into this situation is a mystery. Even more of a mystery is your identity, and why the person you were would be so displaced.
- sᴇʟғʟᴇssɴᴇss —
- ʟᴇᴀʀɴɪɴɢ — If you've been injured badly enough or can't remember all too well, you might have to relearn a good deal. Luckily, you have a helping hand.
- sᴄᴀʀs — Scars from the encounter that lead you here or scars from prior, you don't want them to see either. You still have your secrets to keep.
- sᴛᴜʙʙᴏʀɴ — Ugh, your house guest is so stubborn! They always get up when they should be resting, have the worst habits, and completely disrespect your home! You'll get to them, one way or another. Or you'll throw them out. You don't want to, but you will.
- ᴄᴏᴍғᴏʀᴛ — Bad memories or nightmares wreck you; your host and nurse comes to your side unexpectedly.
- ᴄᴜʟᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴄʟᴀsʜ — The person who's taken you in is from a different culture or lifestyle than you, and adapting is harder than you thought.
- ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ ғᴇᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ — Think learning about a new culture is hard? Try being a different species. Can you keep your little eccentricities at bay for the good of your station?
- ᴊᴇᴀʟᴏᴜsʏ — Now that your emotions towards your caretaker/host/jailer are softening, you're finding yourself unusually jealous of those in their life who were close to them before.
- ɴᴇᴡ ᴀᴄᴛɪᴠɪᴛɪᴇs — You never thought you'd have fun after all that's happened, yet such simple gestures as a picnic or a movie make all the difference.
- ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴢᴀᴛɪᴏɴ — You love them, this person who's taken you in or this person you've found. It's not a pity or a thankfulness, it's love, and you know that now. What you choose to do with this information is
- ʜɪsᴛᴏʀʏ — Suddenly, the person who's been so nice to you finds out that the two of you have a history. You killed their loved ones or caused something terrible. How can they forgive you?
- ᴘʀᴏᴛᴇᴄᴛ — So much has been done for you. The least you can do in return for the one who helped you at your lowest is make sure they never have such a low point.
- ᴅᴀɴɢᴇʀ ᴄᴏᴍᴇs ᴋɴᴏᴄᴋɪɴɢ — Anyone in the way of getting to you will be destroyed, and that includes the person you're staying with.
- ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇᴍ — You've been given a home, maybe which you've never had before. You don't want to leave.
- ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ — Not only are you living with them, but you're starting a proper life with them.
- ʀᴇᴠᴇᴀʟ — All secrets are laid out on the table. You've decided to tell about your past and what lead you here.
- ʀᴇᴠᴜʟsɪᴏɴ — What you've done and who you are is so heinous, they want nothing more to do. You're to leave their home and leave them alone.
- ᴀᴄᴄᴇᴘᴛᴀɴᴄᴇ — It doesn't matter what they've done. You've opened your home and your heart to them, and nothing's changed.
- ᴘᴀʀᴛɪɴɢ — All things must come to an end. No matter what you feel for each other, it's time to leave. Hopefully, you'll see each other again.
- ʜᴀᴘᴘɪʟʏ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ — Come what may, you've decided to stay at your new home with the person you love. Now, it's safe enough to do so.
- ᴡɪʟᴅᴄᴀʀᴅ
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Looks like you were thinking too much about them. [ Since he got a concussion and all. But there's no malice in Heine's tone when he says that, just slight amusement. He goes silent again while considering an answer. ]
Some. They might be better off here, but... [ He shrugs. ] They can take care of themselves.
[ Even though that's not really what Coco was asking, Heine interprets it that way; he'll take practicality over sentiment, always, if only because sentiment is a difficult concept for him. As for the movie (that we are 100% making up so it ok), simple as the motives could be, Heine takes Coco's interpretation as truth because he hasn't thought about them, himself.
Heine watches the movie play silently for a few seconds, as the two protagonists share an emotional moment after blowing up some other building. Well, it's supposed to be emotional. Heine judges their acting abilities critically. ]
You haven't seen many movies, have you?
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Has it been a long time since you've seen them?
[ Travel wasn't exactly easy from this place. Too far from other cities, and too expensive to really save money. Coco wasn't having many problems in the monetary regard so much as finding a place he liked and a place to fit in. The people were a little too jaded to really take up fortune telling, but perhaps a little tea and herbal remedy shop...
Sentiment is clearly something he excels at. At Heine's observation, Coco laughs, a soft little thing. ]
Not really, no. Is it that obvious? Where I used to live, it was a bit secluded. I just had the local stations for news and weather updates. Some cooking shows. Television didn't interest me much. Are you warm enough?
[ The comforter is soaking up his body heat, and he's falling into a cozy state once more, sinking into the couch. He bends his arm to rest his hand under his head on the arm of the couch, trying not to think about how close they were. He's a good deal more fond of Heine than he probably should be, for all his brusque behavior. The other man seemed to be insinuating himself into Coco's space and stealing bits of his warmth, and it was nice. His first friend in this town. ]
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[ He's half-serious about the warning. Heine doesn't think Coco is an airhead, just that he seems too focused on things that can't be attained here sometimes. It's dangerous that way. ]
Just a guess. [ Heine shifts underneath the comforter, pulling it back up over his shoulders when it slips down. Not moving around and being in the rain earlier has made him colder than he realized. The desire to press himself into that gap between Coco's body and the back of the couch is slightly too strong, but he still resists. ] I'm fine. You're the one not wearing a shirt. [ And therefore probably feeling how cool Heine's skin is where it brushes against his. ]
It's, uh, not a very good movie. [ Tipping his head at the screen. ] Just fun to watch.
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If the pain helps me remember them a little better, I'll risk it.
[ He's half-joking in reply, a little laugh sneaking out with his smile. Had he voiced his opinion, though, Heine would've been right in that. Coco was still busy looking back at his past over his shoulder when he should be paying attention to what's in front of him. ]
Maybe you should be the fortune teller instead of me, haha.
I'm also used to camping out. [ The cool brush of skin doesn't escape him; in fact, it only makes him sleepier, wanting nothing more than to drift off to sleep right here with someone else against him and the warmth of the comforter over his body, curled up on the couch. He probably didn't have a concussion. It should be fine. He isn't sure how much longer he can fight it, anyway. ]
No! [ A little abrupt in how quickly he replies, eyes widening to resemble something like "alert". ] No, I'm enjoying it very much. I'm just not sure how much longer I can fend off sleep. The movie's wonderful.
[ The explosions light up the room and he looks sincere about it, even if it's hard for him to stay propped up. His lids go heavy once more, every blink lingering closed longer and longer each time his lashes lower, even with the grand finale coming up so soon. He's beat, he's comfortable, and he's taken care of in someone else's presence. There isn't much more he could ask for in life. ]
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Nor does he believe that Coco is really enjoying the movie. It can't be that good. Heine glances at the screen again, then back at Coco just as his eyes close for a half-second. ]
I guess I'll have to keep you awake somehow.
[ He'll have think of a way to, though. Heine curls his toes under Coco's thigh. ]
Want to... talk or something? [ Talking is hard. For Heine, at least. ]
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You say it like it's dirty, haha. I'm just good at reading people. Not as much soothsaying or communicating with dead relatives or husbands so much as giving some guidelines and bending an ear for them to relay their worries and assure them that everything gets better. I don't take money for it.
[ He can respect if someone doesn't believe in it; his synesthesia goes a long way in helping him in his career choice, coloring the electromagnetic waves he can pick up on. ]
I'm sorry to be such a bother. You really don't have to indulge me so much; I don't think I'm concussed. But if you're offering, I'd like to hear more about you. What do you do?
[ Those toes curl under his leg and he stretches a bit, pulling his shins back in to encase Heine where he sat. It almost seemed too intimate and his cheeks flush with a faint pink, but he keeps watching. The movie's almost over, and they've just taken out the man responsible for the kill orders. It's showing him locked in prison with others who recognize and hate him, ensuring a miserable remainder of his life. ]
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[ He would say that it's more like lying, but Heine's not so malicious as to say that to Coco's face, or that bitter. It's just weird. Or rather, nice and harmless, and therefore weird. ] Do you have another job?
[ Though maybe that's the reason for why Coco camps outside... but he's more well-groomed than the usual hobo. And he smells good, which is one reason for why Heine doesn't try to pull away when he gets framed between Coco's legs. He does shift around a little, pulling his arms closer to himself, but he doesn't try to jump away. He takes a moment to adjust the comforter over them again to put off answering.
He's not ashamed of his work, but it's hard to explain to someone, especially someone he doesn't know that well, so he just omits some parts in his explanation. ]
Security at a bar. Sometimes bartending and other stuff, if they need help.
[ As the movie comes to a close and returns to the title screen, Heine leans off the couch to grab the remote, not looking at Coco. ]
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I had one, for a while. Then I went to fortunetelling for a while, and someone I met inspired me to return to ingredient gathering. That's why I'm here, now, and also why I'm rusty. This area isn't so good for living and working in, but a lot of the herbs around here are very unique, as well as the animals that eat them.
[ He's glad when Heine answers his questions, anyway. With more expansion than his past attempts have garnered. ]
Oh? Which bar? I could come visit and repay the favor, haha.
[ He watches the end credits roll, not recognizing any of the actors' names. His pop culture knowledge is even worse than his film knowledge. ]
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So that's why you can cook, huh. [ Heine is going to eat that pasta probably for lunch tomorrow; he doesn't have enough energy to get around to eating breakfast most days, and sometimes not lunch either.
As for which bar, well. Heine scratches the side of his head lightly. He doesn't have to work there much, honestly, with the old bank account he has from Germany. Still, telling Coco where he works is dangerous. But not telling him would be even more suspicious. ]
It's down on York Corner. [ He's fairly certain that Coco is unfamiliar with the area, so maybe he can avoid an actual meeting there if he doesn't give him any more information. Hopefully. ] You... don't have to visit.
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That and living alone for so long. I do enjoy balanced meals.
[ The hesitation is evident, but he does eventually tell him. Coco isn't familiar with the area but he recognizes the street name vaguely. There were a couple places down there that one could call a "bar", so he may just have to stop into each of them until he bumped into Heine. That... was a little pathetic, to think about. ]
No? Well I enjoy a drink now and then, so I'd rather one where someone I know works, if I have to pick. Do you enjoy it? [ The work, not the bar. ]
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I can't stop you from coming. [ Unless he goes takes some truly drastic measures, but he won't go that far. Heine just hopes that Coco isn't as genuine as he seems and won't come to try and repay him for his kindness, or whatever. ]
It's okay. [ A little shrug under the blanket. ] Interesting. Are you going to do your fortunetelling here?
[ This is Heine trying to follow the Rules of Conversation 101 by making Coco the subject of the discussion again. ]
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Well, I'm glad you enjoy it. As for fortune-telling, I don't think it'd work well here. I was thinking more along the lines of opening a little tea and herb shop. I could mix up some medicinal things on the side if anyone wanted natural solutions to simple ailments. Upset stomachs, arthritis, headaches; things like that.
You won't be able to keep me awake all night, you know. Are you worried about a concussion? [ His senses have been returning to something resembling normal again, able to discern the wavery quality of "worry" in his aura. However faint it may have been. ] I think it's fine, something like that shouldn't have been able to affect me that greatly.
[ It's playful, the way he teased, but he yawns wide and covers his mouth politely as he does so, sinking back into the couch after a little stretch. Vertebrae along his spine crack pleasantly but he looks a little sheepish as they do. Heine is doing a good job following those rules, but talking about himself doesn't keep his interest!! ]
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You could make something for your own... [ He makes a motion at Coco's head wound. Though it's stopped bleeding, he's still not sure if sleeping is a good idea for him. ]
Could've caused a subdural hemorrhage. [ Having doctors for adoptive parents, you pick up a thing or two. Mostly bad things, but Heine really is concerned about that. That said, it's long past the time at which a real hemorrhage would have caused death, and Coco hadn't passed out at the time of injury, which are all good signs.
After hesitating for another moment, Heine gives up and just turns off the TV. ]
You should take the bed. [ And to forestall any protests: ] You definitely won't fit on the couch and you have a head injury. So just take it.
AUS ARE HARD HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO INCORPORATE COCO'S CRAZY SHIT I'VE ALREADY MENTIONED...
He could probably bust out some weed by request, Heine. >:T Imagine those pot brownies mmmm gurl divine as hale.At the suggestion, Coco only gives a crooked little smile, something wistful and sad. He doesn't want to divulge too much about his abilities, but... ]
I would if I could, but my body's a little unique. As it is now, I don't think it could take much more of anything.
[ The slightest disturbance to his balance could throw everything into chaos; poisons, chemicals, acids— all sloshing around and volatile. It's taking a lot of effort as it is to re-establish harmony. Even the slightest vitamin or mineral change could skew things and he's a little scared of that, having watered down his tea until it was vaguely green-tasting hot water. That is solely why scientists have looked for him, nearly dissected him, trapped him in secluded facilities and conducted all kinds of tests as a kid. Once the wooziness passed it should be fine. Once he's rested. He'll have a grasp on his system once more. ]
It sounds like you'd know more about that than me, haha. You're sure you only work security?
[ The TV turns off and Heine's offering his bed, and Coco looks affronted even after he's put a damper on his protests. How could he possibly take someone else's bed? ]
Heine... While I appreciate the offer, I couldn't possibly. There's no need for me to fit on anything; I can sleep just like this. [ Curled up, comfortably warm. This would be more than plenty. ]
JUST PRETEND EVERYTHING IS NORMAL
Yeah. Mostly. [ He shrugs, not willing to divulge so much about his past—about his adoptive parents, his childhood, all the fights he got into and how he'd patched himself up after every one. ]
Seriously, just sleep on the bed. [ He crosses his arms, moving his legs to pull down the comforter and expose them both to the cooler air. ] I don't sleep much anyway.
everything is normal and nothing hurts - the exact opposite of the toriko story
Well, either way I appreciate it. I won't put up a fight and be an ornery guest. Thank you for your hospitality.
[ And when Heine tugs the comforter, Coco takes it as a hint to get moving and he moves to get up, legs unfurling and slipping off the sofa to slowly push himself up off the sofa. ]
It's in the back, I take it? To the left of the bathroom?
same with dogs tbh... so much emotional turmoil
After a pause, he nods in response to Coco's question. ] You can move stuff off the bed.
[ The proper thing to say would be something like "make yourself at home", but Heine can't manage that level of manners. He just gestures vaguely at the hallway, balling up the comforter with his arms.
His bedroom is untidy but not dirty; some clothes are hung over the back of a chair, but nothing is left on the floor. There are also probably too many blankets on the bed. Heine gives Coco a few minutes alone to make himself comfortable before sidling over to see how he's situated. ]
every animanga series ever
He doesn't even flick the light on. It's easier to see in the dark, for him. When he does move things off the bed, they're carefully folded and set aside on the catch-all chair before he strips a couple blanket layers off, also folded neatly, and he seems to consider for a moment before he flips the pillow over and climbs into the bed.
He even takes up as little room as possible, in case Heine changes his mind and wants to sleep in his own bed. When he hears Heine stepping in a few minutes later, he turns his head a fraction to murmur over his shoulder: ]
Thank you, again. For all of this. Good night, Heine.
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Sure. No problem.
[ He clears his throat, a little awkwardly, and backs out of the situation before closing the door on it. It's a while before he goes to sleep; Heine usually doesn't go to bed at any time approaching healthy. It's hard to sleep. He puts away some clutter, then settles in on the couch to watch another movie, then messes around on his phone, gets a drink of water... it's very late by the time he finally manages to force himself to sleep.
In the morning, Heine is still fast asleep, curled up under the comforter on the couch. Only something above the noise of the news channel still playing on TV will wake him. ]
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He lets Heine sleep in as much as possible, but come 9, he can't justify hanging around any longer. He'll start shuffling around the kitchen to prepare a breakfast, meager though it may be with Heine's foodstock. Perhaps the smell will wake him, some mystery meat he found in the freezer that's something like pork and eggs and a small loaf of bread baking he'd thrown together. No yeast or anything of the like to make it fluffy when all he had at his disposal was flour and eggs and a few other things, but still a warm little something to slather butter on or toast up. His hands are still a bit dusty and dry from kneading the dough, and he can't escape running water any longer if he wants to clean up and make some room to actually serve breakfast. ]
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He sits up first, rubbing his eyes as he tries to ascertain why the hell he smells food in his apartment at the ungodly hour of 9:12AM.
Coco. Right. Heine extricates himself from the comforter on the couch, tossing a nearly unintelligible "good morning" at his houseguest before sloping off to wash his face. He returns in the same clothes, though, t-shirt and sweatpants that are sliding off his hips until he pulls the drawstring tight in an absent motion. ]
You made breakfast. [ Heine says, half to himself. ] Are you baking?
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It isn't something he'll forget, no matter how incredulous he may have sounded. ]
It's the most important meal, after all. Food is converted to energy, so it only makes sense you'd eat after waking up.
[ To answer the question, he opens the oven door for a peek, judging his timing was right, and then goes for some towels to remove the loaf of bread. Yes, he was baking. ]
Do you have a preference for how you like your eggs?
[ A noncommittal answer will leave him to his own fancy devices, of course. Probably mini souffles or frittatas— god forbid he's ever given full run on ingredients because sudden death may occur. ]
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It does smell good, though, and he's not going to argue. ]
Uh... scrambled is fine. [ Heine yawns again, turning on the coffee machine. There's tea, too, but he needs more caffeine than that in the morning. He'll eat basically anything. ] You're going to eat too, right?
[ Because he does not want to have a repeat of last night. And Coco's the one saying that it's the most important meal of the day, or whatever, so he'd better sit down once he's done with those eggs. ]
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If it's all right with you, I can.
[ Which is to say he wasn't planning on it. He was going to make something for Heine and leave, quite bluntly. He's feeling a good deal more spry with some sleep, his body having had the chance to sort itself out even if his head still throbs a bit at the temple. He should be able to return to location-hunting for the little business he planned on opening up, where he'll eventually get around to living above.
And scrambled it is! It doesn't take him long from that point to get the eggs done up, fluffy and soft with just enough pepper to be pretty, and served alongside whatever pork-like meat he'd found, tasted, and seasoned until it tasted like bacon. Salt would be on the table to taste. When he brings their plates over in hand with another balanced on his forearm with the bread and butter dish, he's careful to set them down with Heine's first, bread second, and his own last. The way he takes his seat is nearly dainty with how well-poised he was, polite and gentle and motions fluid as he pulls his chair in against the table to the perfect distance. There may have been clothes on the table before, but now it looks as it should— made up for meals and clean. ]
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In contrast to Coco's poise, Heine slouches back in his chair, sipping from a mug of coffee with plenty of sugar and cream. He'd made tea, too, though probably not as well as Coco had, and offered it as they settled in.
The bread is good. So are the eggs and breakfast meat. Heine eats—not much, but enough. Once he's done eating, he just sits with his phone, still yawning as he checks messages and updates quickly. He has work tonight behind the bar, which means he'll probably have work of the other variety the next night—the beginning of the weekend. That settled, he glances up to see if his houseguest is done eating. ]
I can clean up. Do you have to be somewhere—?
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