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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
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.
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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?
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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—?
no subject
When Heine speaks up, though, he glances up, somewhat wide-eyed. It'd been sudden and his attention had been deep into the weather updates. ]
Hm? Oh, no, not really. I don't mind cleaning up! I made the mess, after all. [ "Mess", as if there's more than just their plates and the egg pan left. He'd done dishes as he went. ] If you need to be somewhere, though, I can go. My only plans were for more location hunting. Eventually I'll stop living in a hotel and have a little shop, haha. Unless you have some suggestions for a two-story shop for sale.
Ideally with a kitchen, but that wouldn't be hard to add, I'm sure. [ A place he could live above, even more specifically. ]
no subject
[ As for a two-story shop, Heine has to think about it for a minute. He busies himself with rinsing the plates off as he tries to recall a faint memory. ]
There was a bookstore, on the corner of East and 3rd. I think they're closed down now. Don't know the address, but it's probably still up for sale.
[ Heine shrugs slightly, turning off the water and drying his hands on a kitchen towel. ]
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[ But the sound of running water is relaxing; and this? He misses this. Being around someone else, even just doing dumb little domestic things. It's been a while. If Heine turns around when he speaks, Coco will have his eyes closed with a small smile playing on his lips before his lashes flutter and he looks up again, seeming to consider that. A bookstore. It sounds nice, honestly. ]
I'll have to look into that, thank you. It sounds promising. Well, since you've taken the last thing I had in mind to do, I should probably get going. Thank you again, Heine, for all you've done for me. It was incredibly kind of you to take me in and keep an eye on me, and I can't even begin to repay that kindness. Oh— here's my number; I hope we'll be able to keep in touch!
[ And he'll find something to write on and something else to write with, jotting down his cell number with his name and handing it to him with a heartfelt smile, bracing Heine's hand when he takes the slip of paper.
Heine will have his flat to himself after that, with nothing but the pasta in his fridge and a fresh-baked loaf of bread on his table to even hint that Coco had been there. The bed is made back up, the sweats disappearing with him to launder before returning, and he'd otherwise cleaned up the rest of his mess from breakfast.
It's nearly a week later when Coco finds the right bar, having asked around a couple other tries and being directed here. When he'd mentioned a security guard or bouncer, though, people had looked at him funny. "Well, there's a guy that looks like that, but I don't think he's the bouncer..." That was ominous enough.
When he takes a seat at the bar and tries to hide his embarrassment from being in a strip club, it fails miserably as soon as Heine walks onto the stage and one dusted hand takes hold of the pole down the short walkway. There's no mistaking that white hair and dour expression, even as he seems to lose himself in dancing. Throwing his slight weight around, twirling and stretching and grinding.
To say that Coco's captivated would be an understatement. It takes him a while to work up the courage to approach the stage, finding one of the empty tables around his stage to seat himself at, a blazer thrown over his usual attire and lacking the suppressive green wraps but for the ones around his waist. Amber eyes follow him closely, evaluating the stiffness in his movements that appears whenever he becomes aware of his surroundings, slowly melting away as he seems to focus on himself rather than those watching him.
There were rough points, but... He's good. The club seemed to have a mix of dancers, more men than women, but he had specifically come to see Heine. ]
no subject
He goes to work that night, serves drinks and takes information. There's a hit going down the next weekend; he doesn't have to be involved, but he could be. The music makes his head pound, but it's preferable to silence, and it at least drowns out the insidious whisper of memories.
And the next time he's on the pole, it's the same. Physical action gets him out of his own head long enough to be a relief. He finishes his set without incident. It's only as he's moving to go backstage when he sees a familiar frame in the audience.
Well, fuck. Heine turns away as casually as he can, pretending he hasn't noticed yet. One of the other dancers wishes him a good night as he signs out and heads home, but Heine's response is distracted at best. There's no hope of avoiding Coco's notice; he couldn't exactly be mistaken for anyone else. He's wearing different clothes, sure, and a light dusting of makeup, but Coco's definitely seen him.
With no better option, Heine moves out from where he's been basically hiding under the stage and out onto the floor. He gets a few tips, some people offering for a lap dance, but he brushes them off as nicely as possible. He has to talk to Coco and do some damage control.
He comes to a stop next to Coco's table, crossing his arms. The bar is dimly lit enough that he knows he looks slightly more modest than he actually is in what remains of his outfit, and if he's a little pink in the face, it's impossible to tell. ]
So. [ Uh. ] Hey.
no subject
So he's quite relieved when Heine emerges some time later, Coco having had to turn down a few of the girls asking if he'd care for a lap dance with a polite and gentlemanly excuse, something along the lines of not being ready for such beauty yet, and that's he's sure other men were more worthy of their attentions. He's no stranger to casinos and bars, and realizes he probably shouldn't have taken a seat at the stage if he'd had no plans other than watching Heine.
Coco remains in his seat, casual, indicating one of the other chairs in polite offering. ]
Hey. It's good to see you again; I apologize for dropping by like this. I hope it's all right. I just wanted to return your sweats and invite you to the bookstore you'd recommended. I bought it as soon as I'd walked through the door and wanted to show my gratitude. A meal, or a few drinks— anything at all.
[ He won't say a word or treat him any differently once he'd seen his "job". It really wasn't so big a deal. ]