bakerstreet | Bright spot

Bright spot

Bright Spot

The world can sometimes seem like a cold, wicked place, and more than likely, it actually is a cruel place. For days, months, years on end, you never catch a break, everything falling to pieces as soon as you pick it up. Maybe, despite this, you still try your hardest. There has to be a light at the end of the tunnel, doesn't there? The fates don't play favorites, so surely your number is about to come up. Or maybe you've given up and decided to allow yourself to barely float along with only bouts of anger or bitterness to keep you above water. There is no light anywhere, is there?

But there is. There's one bright spot in your life - a person who makes everything worthwhile.

It doesn't really matter how they came to you. What does is that they stay. Whether you admit it or not, you seek comfort from them...and, perhaps, them from you, if you're in the same situation.

So, whether you push them away, treat them right, or go so far as to worship them and put them on a pedestal, you don't want them to go now. You crave being with them, or at least being in their presence. Don't ruin this for yourself. After all, what would you do without your little ray of light? You'll do anything to keep them happy and loved. Anything.

Respond to the meme with your character, canon, preferences, and, if you'd like, what position you're character will be in.
Respond to others.

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[definitely the bright spot... the bright crazy spot]

[Most likely the bright spot.]

[ the bright spot ]

((Some of the potentially darker themes would be fun here, but open to cute vanilla.))

[he needs all the brightness he can get]

[Definitely the bright spot.]

(One little ball of flaming hydrazine at your service.)

[ There's so much still left in this world to fix... but, as far as they go, their major role is done. Now it is just honest work, work that will make them proud as they skirt around Mika's losses and Orga's tension to make it work. Miss Sakura would never turn Mika away, no matter his state, luckily and Orga is more than dedicated to the idea of helping Mika through.

He has no idea what life he wants, but he knows he wants at least Mika in it. That's important, nearly essential to his survival. So he helps, stripped of his nice clothes and back to dirty work pants and sweaty tank tops that keep the dirt off. He's fine with this kind of life, helping Mika along through the fields, following his instructions, letting him plant and pick as he carries him on his back.

For now, it's evening, and on the outside of the supply shed, they're both lounging in a chair. He's got Mika all pulled into him, up against his chest, held up by his arms as they look over the day's work. He keeps his cheek against Mika's head, comfortable, never burned by his weight. ]

I think we'll get a good crop from that corn you're crossbreeding, Mika.

[ Mikazuki had never imagined coming home would be like this, after it was all over. Everything is the same as he remembers — the pale depth of the sky, thrown with wind, the expanse of the farm's fields stretching onwards on the horizon. It's just that now, there's a future in it. Safe and familiar, protected by their efforts. Mikazuki hadn't really arrived here whole, but with time, pieces of him begin to resurface through the settling dust.

It's in the air, the way his good fingers can still touch the cool, damp earth. It's Orga, this time, asking him, "What should I do?" Mikazuki knew the answer this time as Orga walked him through the farmland. "Set me down. Plant here. And here."

Onward, until the sun began to set and the sweat on the back of his neck cooled, and the metallic tang of the machine in his blood subsided, replaced with the swell of Orga's heartbeat pounding away through his back. A sensation he likes even now as he leans against him, secure. ]

Yeah. It was easy, with the new soil.

[ There's a spark in his voice that hadn't previously been there, and Mikazuki, barefoot, taps his good toes against Orga's calf. ]

If this works out, we can try fruit again next time.

[ Orga has smiled so much more these days, enjoying his time with Mika, finally living a life they can be proud of living. It's been so long, so much dragging themselves through the muck and blood of the world. The purity of fresh soil and the pride that comes with bringing food and life into the world is cleansing for the both of them. And, for once, Mika seems content with his life. There's no underlying, irritable energy humming in him when he presses against Orga's chest.

He's never seen Mika so into learning. He's been so dedicated since Kudelia put the power of literacy into his hands. Slowly, he's getting better with words and numbers, better with writing his own thoughts down when he wants to. It's... something Orga's very proud to watch. ]

What kind of fruit do you want to plant? Anything in particular?

Palms.

[ Tucking his head beneath Orga's chin, his answer comes quickly and surely. He's not even being cheeky.

Well, not all the way. ]

Kudelia showed me.

[ It was a long process. It still is, learning to arm himself with words and knowledge rather than the hard angles of a gun, or a cockpit. That had taken the most work, separating him from the machine for good, its design on him so seemingly inescapable. Half of him lost to it, but not all. Orga had been there, though. Orga had been there how Mikazuki has always remembered him being there, all forward movement and potential worth following. Towards home — towards this. He hadn't had to seek it, because it was already with him. ]

They're big trees. I'd want to see them grow out here, taller than all the corn.

[ A breeze rolls over the landscape, catching on him. He breathes in. ]

You should pick one too, Orga.

[ He snorts. He asked a stupid question. He shuts his eyes, washed in a cool relief by the sound of such a normal answer. ]

Ha. Of course.

[ He nods against his head, giving him a small squeeze about his middle as he leans their weight into the wide-backed chair. ]

I think she likes teaching you better than doing her daily work. I can't blame her. Must be tired now and again.

[ He was. Sometimes, he still is. Tekkadan is always on his mind. He's just not in that heavy role anymore. It's easier to let it blossom in a business of honesty under the hands of someone more capable with business. ]

What? A fruit? ... Ah, I don't know. What would grow here besides palms, Mika? Any suggestions?

[ Mikazuki feels that, the warm, contented pressure of Orga's arm against the flat of his left side. He can't let his weight sink into it anymore than it has, his inert side and limbs doing that for him, but when he exhales, he feels the space between them continue to disappear. ]

She looks tired, but she also looks happy when I see her.

[ That was her promise, back then. That she wanted to make all of them happy. Now, they're here. ]

Apricots. Or apples. On Earth, there are places called orchards. All the fruit grows on trees.

[ He can see it, if he looks out to the fields. Someday. ]

[ Orga lets his eyes trail out into the rolling field of life before them. ]

That young lady, she works really hard. She's been worth betting so much on, though, so I'm glad to see her still dedicated.

[ She's why they can sit here. She's why Mika can read and improve the crops of this place. She's why both of them can contribute to the city in a way they didn't think they could.

Food is the most valuable, honest thing to break their backs over. He didn't realize it would fulfill him. The first time Atra had cooked for them with the food they'd grown, though, he knew better. ]

Trees would take a while to grow, wouldn't they?

[ When their eyes fall in the same direction and see the same things, Mikazuki feels... right. ]

It's because she comes out here too that she still works hard.

[ There had been the mines, of course. Her office nestled in the streets of Chryse where he'd grown up, less littered with garbage, with children. Corners he'd slept in slowly losing their darkness thanks to her. But he thinks — you can see it out here too, the difference they'd turned with their own hands, covered in dirt.

It's just that they chose it, this time. ]

Yeah, they would. But that's okay now.

[ actual ray of sunshine here ]

[ she chooses to see the beauty in this world. ]

( probably the bright spot, but I can do either. )

Edited 2017-02-14 03:11 (UTC)

[ The camp isn't so bad, not really. It's hard to forget that there are a thousand things Carolina misses about her own world but she falls into life there bit by bit. The guards still aren't happy that a woman is in their ranks but she's an outsider so they just wave it off as madness from wherever they were pulled from. Especially since all the outsider women seemed to be more than a little mad. Too many wanting to run into battle. It's not perfect but it's good enough for now.

Maybe the reason why it's so good is that she's gotten back something she never expected to ever have again. Maine and York are both alive and she plans to keep them that way. She definitely never expected to fall so easily into things with York again after how things ended. It's selfish of her to enjoy it but that doesn't change the fact that she wouldn't give this up for anything.

Not a second time.

After a long guard shift the Barrayaran winter's cold has sunk into every inch of her even through the thick coat she's been wearing. Her implant only makes it worse, the metal picking up the chill and letting it seep into her skin and not even a scarf can protect it completely. It's a relief to be done and have a chance to warm up. It's on her way back to the tent she spots York and without thinking she changes course to come up behind him and wrap her arms around him. ]

It's official, I'm never going to be warm again.

[ Though he'd never say it out loud, York misses the Cetagandan base. While he'd known they had it good there he didn't realize just how bad it was for the Barrayarans -- the cold and hunger become overwhelming at times and only two weeks in he desperately wants an actual shower. But it's worth it. He doesn't regret a thing and he'd give it all up again and more to have what he has now. Carolina comes up behind him and presses herself to his back, arms slipping beneath his to encircle him, and nothing else matters.

York smiles, glancing over his shoulder at the top of her head, the red hair peeking from underneath her scarf and hood. He still wears the Cetagandan cold weather gear because the Barrayarans didn't have enough to spare, and thinks that even though it's lighter it might well be warmer than Carolina's woolen coat. Maybe they should switch... at least when she's got guard duty. ]

They keep saying winter will end. I'm not sure I believe them.

He takes her hands from his chest and lifts them higher, pressing a kiss to her fingers through the knit gloves. When he speaks his breath warms them as much as it can. ]

How should we warm you up?

[ Part of him almost expects her to say she wants to train. ]

[ It's easy to let herself relax against him, her forehead pressed against the space between York's shoulder blades. The cold is almost enough to make her miss the Chorus's sometimes oppressive heat but little things like a pair of hands wrapping around hers and lips brushing her fingers through a layer of fabric make up for the chill. She smiles and and squeezes him with her arms since he still has her hands. ]

I was thinking I'd go back to the tent, maybe warm up while it's still quiet.

[ Which is a rare thing but she's been around long enough to know when the tent is most likely to be empty. And solitude is something worth a lot to her these days when it means she can maybe spend that alone time with someone else. ]

You're welcome to come along. [ Carolina pauses for a moment, a smile clear in her voice. ] Unless you'd rather go run laps with Tucker and Wash?

[ Her body against his back blocks the wind, warming him from the outside as much as the hug does from the inside. ]

I think I'd rather join you in the tent. Tucker's kind of a whiner.

[ They've already run laps early that morning, and he likes the guy, but geez. Maybe he wouldn't get so out of breath if he stopped complaining about the exercise.

More than that, though, he just wants to spend time with Carolina. As much time as he can, before they have to go home. He squeezes her hands once more and then turns in her arms, wrapping his around her and leaning down to press their foreheads together. Being so close means he can lower his voice, murmur to her just over the wind. ]

How quiet is quiet?

[ The comment about Tucker makes her laugh quietly. He's a good soldier when he puts his mind to it but he spends half his time being contrary just to spite Wash.

As York turns in her arms and moves even closer Carolina is well aware that she'll pay for this moment later, she knows it. Lakshmi will find out and once again mention marriage but for now she's willing to bear with it. There's no telling how much time they'll have and she doesn't plan to waste it.

He's close enough that he can see the curve of a smirk on her lips. She's kept an eye on the tent and everyone in it and knows their time window. ]

If we're lucky we'd have an hour before anyone else comes back. You coming?

You're amazing. Yes.

[ In one sense, anyway -- the other is up to her. A quick peck of a kiss and he's pulling back so they can actually walk to the tent, which if you ask York is in desperate need of some kind of sock on the doorknob system. He definitely appreciates Carolina's monitoring of the schedule, though.

Sure enough, the tent is empty, if not much warmer than outside. He pushes his hood down anyway, picking his way through the other outsiders' bedding to where their blankets lay. At the very least they're going to get some cuddles in -- York pulls his coat off and lays it on top of the pile, then steps out of his boots and crawls underneath, holding the corner up for Carolina to join him. ]

Come on. You can put your hands wherever you want, even.

You might regret saying that.

[ After all, her hands are still pretty cold. She leaves her own coat and boots with his before slipping under the covers. They fit together nicely, her legs entwined with his as she curls up with him. The beds are too small to stretch out properly. Of course she doesn't mind curling up with York like this, laying half on top just enjoying the simple intimacy.

Not that she doesn't have other intentions.

True to her word her fingertips are still points of cold as she cups his face and kisses him as if they have all the time in the world instead of an hour that's already starting to tick away. ]

[ York just laughs; he knows what he's offering and fully expects cold hands against his stomach at some point. Anything to warm her up, though. When she lays down he wraps both arms around her and pulls her in close, enjoying the press of her weight against him.

It's always a pleasant surprise when Carolina kisses him, even in a case like this where it was more or less guaranteed to happen, just because he's waited so long for it. He savors it, kissing her back slow and deep, warmth rising in his chest. When they break apart to breathe he nuzzles her cheek, breath hot and stubble rough against her skin as he kisses up her jaw towards her ear -- it's hard to maintain his usual grooming in camp but hopefully she doesn't mind. ]

[ Heat pools in Carolina's stomach, spreading out slowly through her body as the kiss ends and York moves his attentions elsewhere. These little stolen moments when they can get even a short amount of time alone are something she savors. The feeling of want is still novel, something she'd nearly forgotten in the time since leaving Freelancer.

When she murmurs his name it's almost half a sigh, her breath ghosting over his ear. Her hands which have thankfully begun to warm up enough that when she slides one under his shirt to trace the outline of muscles and the shape of familiar scars it isn't quite as mean as it would have been a little earlier. ]

[ Want is something York never forgot, just pushed down and tried to ignore as he wondered if he even deserved those things. But now his breath catches and his muscles tense beneath her fingertips as he's touched, helpless to even the slightest affection. He sucks her earlobe into his mouth and lets his teeth scrape against her skin, feels it warm up against his tongue. ]

No tickling. [ He jokes into her ear, pulling back to see her face. Although he's smiling there's something fragile in his expression, like he doesn't really believe this is happening or like it could all fall apart at any moment. ]

[ Her hands keep exploring his chest, sliding up further when he doesn't object. The look in York's eyes makes her heart ache with the knowledge that she's the one who put it there. She'd do anything to try and make that worry go away. That vulnerability helps her make a decision, one she's been wrestling with for a while.

When Carolina kisses him again it's different than the last one. She's warmed up in more than one sense and it shows in the way she shifts her body against his. It's with reluctance she pulls back slightly, breath coming heavier now. As nice as kissing York is, she can't let herself get distracted. ]

York... [ She looks unsure for a moment before she pushes her worries down. It's now or never. She looks into his eyes and Carolina takes a deep breath. Without giving herself a chance for second thoughts she takes the plunge. ] I love you.

[ York chases after the kiss at first, her enthusiasm leading him to tangle their legs and pull her closer, one still-cool hand finding its way under the hem of her shirt to caress her back. He's eager, he always is, but there's something about the way she says his name that makes him lean back to listen, realizing that she wants to say something important. Still, his fingertips stroke along her spine and his smile is warm and happy as he waits for her to continue.

And then she says something he absolutely didn't expect, something that honestly he wasn't even hoping for, wasn't even fantasizing about because it seemed so out of reach. So far from where they'd been before now.

The curve of his mouth slackens, lips parting in surprise, his hand stilling and eyes widening just slightly. Did he just hear what he thought he heard? His free hand rises between them, touching her face with awe like he did when they were first reunited. Needing to convince himself that she's real. There's a long moment where that's all he does, just presses his hand to her cheek and gazes into her eyes and breathes shakily, until he realizes that he needs to actually respond. She's not in his head, doesn't know just how affected he is and how much it means that she'd say such a thing. To know that she feels it. ]

I love you too.

[ It's just above a whisper, a sentiment he's felt for so long but never said for a multitude of reasons. She knows the fact itself, of course she knows, everyone does, but actually spitting it out is something else entirely. The easiest thing he's ever done but at the same time the most frightening. ]

[ Funny how it was less terrifying to jump off a collapsing building than it is to say those three words. As York's silence stretches on she starts to wonder if maybe it was the wrong choice. He'd loved her once but that was before everything had gone wrong. It almost gets to the point where she takes it back, makes excuses to get out so she doesn't have to feel like an idiot and then-

He says it back. And the tension that had been building in her unravels all at once. She smiles and leans into his hand, her expression unsure because this is brand new territory and she has no idea how to navigate it. ]

I was starting to wonder if I said the wrong thing.

[ It had taken a long time to get to the point where she could even admit she loved him to herself. She had spent so long missing him that it was hard to know how much was actually love and how much was regret and nostalgia built into something more. Except every time she ends up in York's arms it feels right. Saying it out loud just makes it real. No take backs, no running away. ]

It was the right thing. You just caught me off guard.

[ The shock has faded from his expression now, though, leaving him just looking happy and grateful. Because she has to trust him, too, to say that -- there's more involved than just love. His hand slides back into her hair and pulls her forward for another kiss, this one slow and sweet.

He chooses not to think about anything else, the time they'd wasted or obstacles they have yet to face. There's just this moment, Carolina in his arms warm and solid and brave, confessing. ]

[ She returns the kiss with enthusiasm, a smile on her lips as she presses closer. Soon enough there's hardly any space between their bodies at all. It's more than she could have ever hoped for. Ending up on Barrayar isn't what she ever intended but getting this chance to say the right thing at the right time is more than enough.

The world still exists outside the tent but right now Carolina couldn't care less. When their kiss finally ends she rests her forehead against his, pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth.

And then she digs her fingers into a spot on his side she knows is ticklish. ]

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Bright spot

Rikku | Final Fantasy X

Jyushimatsu Matsuno | Osomatsu-san | ota

Rey | Star Wars

beth greene ( the walking dead )

Sherlock Holmes || Sherlock BBC || m/m

Enno Diederich | OC

Eiri Yuki | Gravitation | m/m

Kara Danvers • Supergirl

Prompto Argentum | FFXV

Mark Watney | The Martian | OTA

mikazuki augus | gundam ibo

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lux crownguard | league of legends

dolores | westworld

lioriley | original | ota

Nike Lemercier ~ The World Is Still Beautiful

Agent York | Red vs Blue | OTA

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