bakerstreet | More than just a job

More than just a job

MORE THAN JUST A JOB

It's only business, nothing personal...at least, that's how it started. You were pegged as the right one for a job that involves this person; your task could be positive, such as protecting them with their consent or without it, guiding them from point a to point b, and the like - or, as seedier transactions tend to go, it could be negative. You have to take them back to a place they really don't want to return to, you have to be a jailor, or you even have to be their assassin. At the very least, helping or hurting, you'll be compensated generously (by money or, you know, by not being killed off). And that was all that mattered.

Until they mattered.

They could have shown you something you never knew existed in the world or in yourself. They could have done any number of things, yet they've won you and your feelings over. Your priorities just may shift because of this, but will their view of you do the same as soon as they learn why you were around them in the first place? For your own gain? Will they be able to forgive you?

Even if they can, will they be able to see you the way you see them?

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[ Brandon had been playing body guard for the princess for awhile. How he even ended up with the job he really didnt know, though he wasn't from her land he didn't mind the job at all.

He was sitting quietly checking over his guns once more. He always expected trouble to come at peaceful times. Reasons why he always double checked his weapons.]

[Azula certainly needed the guard. After her fall from grace and her time in an insane asylum, public sentiment was against her very strongly. And she needed a guard for more than just that.

She still suffered occasional hallucinations and outbursts. When one of those happened, her guard became everyone's guard, restraining her until she calmed.

At first, she'd resented him as the living embodiment of her fall from grace. That gave way to tolerance, as she knew he gave her a kind of freedom by giving her supervision.

But lately she had been staying inside, avoiding going out. She had been thinking, and it was finally time to act on it.]

Brandon, your guns are fine, stop obsessing over checking them and put them away.

[She walked straight towards where he sat on one of the couches in her suite of rooms.]

[ One thing that paid for being a peasent from a bad place, he could handle her outbursts, and never judged her for it. Maybe now and then she might catch a glare shot her way but he never stayed upset. It just wasn't in him. He wanted to protect her, and that was why he bloodied his own hands to make sure anyone who tried to hurt her got the same punishment.

Even when she resented him he stayed vigelient and tried to keep her safe while trying to make sure she could have the thing he always dreamed of himself, freedom. He just wasn't the type of man who would ever really understand what freedom was. Not with the ways he choose to live.

He found it strange how she was staying indoors lately, but again, it could be one of her passing moods. The winds could change and so could she at any given time. So when she approched and spoke he popped the chambers back in place and slipped both pistols back into the holsters on his shoulders under his suit jacket. He didn't like people outside of her seeing his weapons but they were always there. He wasn't graced with the powers of those around him so he made himself powerful in other ways.

Fixing the button of his jacket he looked to her, his amber eyes as calm as ever, crossing his arms over his chest.]

Good afternoon, Your grace, I was simply checking. You know at any time any of your enemies could come.

They won't come all the way into the palace. It's fine.

[She walked up to him and put her hands on his shoulders.]

I've been wondering about you, recently. Why did you take this job? You...know that most of the rumours about me are well founded.

[Why didn't he hate her? Why had he stayed with her so long? He was being paid to be her guard, but... He was so much more than that. He was like an anchor, holding her down to reality. And he was the closest thing she'd ever had to a friend since the war.]

Are you planning to stay in again, your majesty?

[ He inquired honestly, it shouldn't worry him, but it did just a bit. When her hands were on his shoulder's the tall man looked up at her. Those eyes of his seemed to be confused a moment before he settled on the right words.]

To protect you. [ It came out simply.] You and me are alike in a way, we both want freedom, and cant have it. Yes, I know of the rumors, and I don't care, Azula. [ He so rarely used her name, he wasn't worthy of it. But this was one of those rare times he choose to speak to her like an equal. Usually reserved for trying to snap her out of one of her fits.] I took this job to protect you, to be a shield so that you could have something close to the freedom you deserve. I don't do what I do for myself, I do it for you, to protect you, to many people have betrayed you, I never will.

You're so selfless... But I don't understand why.

[Normally, this line of questioning would indicate the beginnings of a paranoia fit. But her tone is different today, it's gentle rather than accusing. She leans forward towards him, studying his face.]

What have I done that you...care...so much? Isn't this just a job to you?

[ It was so rare to see him really smile. Usually it was awkward and forced, but she got an honest smile out of him.]

I do it because we are friends. Isn't that what I said when we met? That I would protect you, that I protect my friends? It it my job, but just because I am paid but because we are family. Maybe not in the way you know family, but in the way that people like me who are unknown to the world gain family. Through trust and hard times.

[ He didn't even try to touch her, or pull away. He could read her mood for the post part. He knew she wasn't going to go for his eyes or anything.]

Friends... No, Brandon, I don't think I see you as a friend.

[She leaned forward a bit more, and pressed her lips to his. One of her hands slid up to the side of his neck, but she didn't push it any more than that. She wanted to see if he'd kiss back, if he'd accept her invitation.]

...Princess...

[ He started before her lips were on him. He didn't pull away, and at first he didn't move but after a second he finally kissed her back. He knew they could execute him for this, but sometimes to protect means to give the person you care about what they want. Even when you know its a bad idea. So he kissed her back, those strong hands moving up to rest on her sides. ]

[She kissed him until she had to pull away to breathe, but even then she stayed close. She panted softly, sliding her arms around his shoulders to hold him close.]

You've been...so much more than a friend to me...

[It worried her, though, that he might be doing this because he feels he has no right to say no. She nuzzled against him, closing her eyes.]

Do...you feel the same? Tell me the truth, not what you think I want to hear... You know I couldn't bear it if you lied to me.

[ He shifted so that she could lean on him a little move, his hands moved off his side as he tried to regain his breath. It's clear he wasn't very experienced in the kissing department. To much teeth. One of his arms slid around her to keep her in a more stable place. A gentle reminder that he hasn't gone anywhere.

This was when he returned to his normal silence. He was always so careful with his words. Never wanting to give a wrong impression. His eyes spoke for him. Worry and confirmation. He felt the same but he knew the dangers. Usually he was that danger to anyone to close to her, but he also knew he was expendable.]

Have I ever lied to you? [ he asked as soft as he always speaks.] I am not as experienced as most men would be with these things. I care deeply for you, Azula. I just worry the dangers this could bring us both.

I don't care about that. You and I have faced greater dangers before. Whatever comes next... We'll face together.

[She moved forward, settling herself in his lap. She'd been in his arms before, but before it had always been as he pulled her away from an attacker or held her back from taking a swing at something that wasn't there. Now, it was for an entirely different reason that she was pressed up against his body. And it felt good.]

You've been with me for two years now... You've seen how many suitors I have.

[A grand total of zero. Her brother had set her up on a blind date once, but as soon as the man in question saw who was there, he'd bolted. She had refused being set up again.]

And now I understand why. Because you've been right in front of my face the whole time...

[ Half of why they worked so well as a team was her problems gave him something to focus on so he didn't wallow in his own self loathing. She was a bright spot to keep him from becoming biter with life, so what if he blooded his own hands, he was keeping someone safe who didn't have much of anyone.

He felt bad for both her and Zuko that day. It took everything in him not to find the por suitor and beat the snot out of him for hurting her.

It was strange for him, having her in his lap, sure, he's held her against his chest before to keep her from attacking things and people her mind conjured but this was different. He relaxed after a moment and held her more easily.]

You're right, between us we can make it work if your sure you want to take this path. I will always remain at your side, no matter what.

I'm sure. I've...been thinking about it for the past few days.

[That was why she'd been staying in, and why she'd spent most of that time staring at him.]

I'll talk to Zuko about it. I know that this is going to cause a scandal, but... I'm sure about this. And if anyone will understand and help protect us from the fallout, it'll be him.

[It was well known that, despite their early lives, the royal siblings were close. After Azula's fall from grace, Zuko had realised that she was just as broken and battered by Ozai as he was. He'd made it his business to make sure his sister got better. She'd stayed in the mental hospital for a while, but eventually Zuko brought her to the palace to recover. It had taken a while for the bad blood between them to clear, but in the end the experience did bring them together.]

Because... I don't want to keep this a secret. I'm not ashamed of you, peasant or not. You've been the greatest thing that's happened to me since my brother rescued me...

That explains a lot.

[ He let a chuckle escape, he could tell she had been looking at him but he had no idea it was any thoughts like these. He hugged her close, the dogtag around his neck jingled when he hugged her close. He always wore it from the day they met. It was his treasure as he calls it. A gift from his friends before they were killed.

He moved his hands up off of her and unclasp the necklace from under his long black hair and moved the metal from his neck, and slipped it around hers. A token of affection seemed important at the moment she was a princess after all. ]

Zuko will surely be understanding above anyone else. And remember, I don't care what people say about me. You are what is important. No matter what we are or will be, I will always be an extension of yourself. I will continue to protect you to my dying day.

[She took a deep breath when he put the necklace on her. She knew how important it was to him--she'd threatened to melt it in the midst of a fit once. And so the simple scrap of common metal was suddenly worth more than gold to her.]

But I'll talk to him later. Right now, I want to spend the day with you.

[She leaned in to kiss him again, sliding her fingers through his hair as her lips moved against his. Her body temperature flared a little bit, flooding with the warmth of excitement, only magnified because of her bending.]

[ He didn't own much, and he knew she'd not want those guns. The necklace had been around his neck since he was at least sixteen. It was even warm from his skin when he put it around her neck. The day she threatened the scrap of metal was one of the only times he ever raised his voice at her. for as low as he talks he had a powerful voice when he had a reason to stand up. Surely a commoner couldn't speak to a princess like he had that day, but as often as he had pulled her out of fits it was surely overlooked by whoever's actually paying him.

His arms went back around her as he held her close, He was pretty much a normal human. Stronger than most, but still he didn't have the powers of those around him. So when her tempature rose he expected flames but he didn't tense he just kissed her back, moving a hand up into her hair. Word's were unnecessary, he let his actions speak for him. A bit of fumble but he kissed her with the passion buried under years of guilt and anger. His last name makes more sense when people realize there's a fire burning under that ice.]

Edited 2016-04-28 18:32 (UTC)

[She hadn't realised it until now, but this was everything she'd ever wanted. She purred softly, nuzzling against him for a moment, then she suddenly pulled back. She unbuttoned his jacket, then started on his shirt next.]

Brandon... I love you...

[She left taking off his holster to himself, since she had no idea how it worked, and the guns would need put away properly rather than just discarded to the floor. But for the moment, she just wanted to get her hands on his skin, to press herself against his body and feel his nearness.]

I...want you...

[ he reached out stopping her hands, no real strength or malice in the touch. Those amber eyes locked on her with a strange intensity.]

I love you as well, Azula. [ The words had no questioning to them, but he held her hands. Yes there was a nice build under the suit shirt, but holsters were not in her way yet just his hands.]

I need time. [ he was always honest with her.] I've never done this... I'd rather us speak to Zuko before we take such an important step... Please don't take it as rejection, this is just how I am.

[ He had strange ideas of how things should be but, it was likely from being a foreigner. He still bowed to everyone in greeting and asked premission to sit with her half the time. Though, to admit he was a virgin to her, that took more strength than he realized he had.]

I've...never done this either...

[ But she pulled back, biting her lip nervously. Maybe he's right, they shouldn't rush into it. They have all the time in the world. So why did it feel so hard to pull back? ]

I want my first time to be with you.

[ She slid her arms around his waist instead, leaning forward against him to hide her face in the side of his neck. ]

I want to always be with you...

Better to wait.

[ When she leaned into his chest he held her close. He didn't try to pull his shirt back closed or anything. He had no shame of his body. It was just the idea of being intimate so soon that had him going cold feet. He knew all about sex, Harry was such a man ho back when they were younger, he used to guard doors do no one would catch Harry and whatever girl slip in with him. Listened to his friends tales but it never interested him until today.

He had scars though, just under his heart there was a bullet scar, and under his sleeves was another across his upper bicep.]

You will, and I promise it will be better than just here on the couch and now. We have the rest of our lives, no need to rush. [ This time he leaned his head down, kissing the top of her head.]

[She nuzzled against him and smiled, holding him tightly. She was certain that this was right. It felt perfect, and she didn't want it to end.]

Are you going to surprise me one day? We're going to come back from an outing to find my room filled with chrysanthemums?

[Chrysanthemums were the official flowers of the Fire Nation royalty. It was actually illegal (though one of those kooky old laws that nobody enforced) for anyone to cut them and bring them indoors unless it was into the palace for the royal family.]

You don't need to do anything special. Just be with me. That's all I need...

[ He moved both arms around her holding her close to him, not that she could get much closer but there was always something about a man having his arms around the woman who had his heart in his hands. Maybe it was just how long they had been spending every day together but he couldn't imagine his life without her now. He chuckled a bit.]

Maybe I will, you'll just have to see.

[ The only time he could really get the time to do such a thing would be while she was in the bath or somewhere with Zuko where he couldn't go. He was still a commoner even if he was her personal guard. He always had that edge that says he lived less than honest before he gave himself to her service. He didn't even seem bothered by the idea of breaking the law to cover her bed in the flowers of her family.]

I will, just not today. [ He kissed the top of her head.] How about on our wedding night if Zuko approves? [ he really was old fashioned.]

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Azula | Avatar: The Last Airbender

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see icon for the way he looked at her with that necklace. Heh.

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Rey | SW:TFA | OTA