bakerstreet | Subtle love is still real love

Entry tags:

[meme] shipping

Subtle love is still real love

—subtle love ♡

A meme for the small, subtle attractions, pull between persons, enjoying each other's company, long looks across crowded rooms, "what ifs," subdued acknowledgements, and never-becoming-what-could-be-s. Or perhaps, more tragically, never-realizing-what's-there-s.

You might just want a shy love instead of grand romance.

— character name, info, prefs, etc.
— reply to others.
— play.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Because season 4 premiered last weekend over here and I'm completely unspoilt, thankfully.]

Edited 2018-03-17 11:31 (UTC)

[m/f. cross-canon and cast mates]

{ my kingdom for: Beryl, Rei/Mars, other shitennou. Past life, Dark Kingdom, and post-canon are all fine! }

One thing Beryl still isn't used to, is mingling among so many people again, the bustle of a city instead of the closed-off quiet of an all-but-abandoned castle. Luckily, there's a small bakery that doesn't seem to have many customers right at the moment, so she heads there intending to buy a few pastries or sweets. The door signals her entry with the light sound of a bell, and she heads towards the counter.

For someone his age, part-time jobs are a way to make money and build character while going to school. This part-time, though, is almost like a break from his daily life.

Jadeite - or Hanako, publicly (that had been a weird difference to get used to) - has discovered she likes baking. More than that, she's not half-bad at it. And this little shop is quiet when she works: in the mornings before classes, and sometimes in the evenings before close, after the rush of students. Not that she minds the customers, when they come in. Baking doesn't really have anything to do with what she's studying for, but that's alright.

"Welcome!" she calls, before lifting her head to see who just entered. She recognizes that red head of curls, and not because the customer was a regular.

For a moment, she freezes, not entirely sure what to say. She smiles then with a suddenness as though being prod into action by an unseen force. "It's- been a while," Hanako bumbles. It's not really been that long. In fact, for a city of so many people, the regularity with which they see each other is kind of bizarre.

Jadeite doesn't mind.

It's definitely just coincidence that this woman is named Beryl and happens to look like the Beryl they knew. (Even so, he hasn't mentioned to anyone that they've met.)

Edited (oh god don't look at me THIS IS CANON IN PGSM OK. CANON I SAY. FOR LIKE ONE EPISODE.) 2018-03-17 20:34 (UTC)

It's definitely just coincidence that Beryl happens to frequent this bakery, and that she comes here even more often now that she's met the part-timer. It must be because the baking is better here now. It certainly isn't because, in all her existence, Beryl has only known one person who seemed to genuinely care for her, and it isn't because the part-timer 'reminds her of' that person.

It just feels nice to be greeted with that broad smile that makes her smile in return because she can't help it. (This girl definitely makes Beryl feel like that person.)

"If you missed me, invite me in and offer me a pastry," she says, a little coyly - and then she's left to wonder why she's treating this girl a little like she'd treat that person. And she seems to see nothing wrong with shamelessly demanding special favors and treatment from Hanako.

[OOC: I'd like to helpfully point out 'Hanako' exists for a few scenes in a spinoff movie. FEEL NO SHAME!]

It's definitely unprofessional to be too personal with customers, isn't it? Hanako can't imagine her boss would be pleased, and she's certainly a dutiful employee but—

There's not really any denying the current pink cast to the apples of her cheeks, or the smile that is wider than pure courtesy.

Hanako finds a happy medium though, as she recalls something. "We're trying a new flavor of melonpan," she says, almost excitedly. "Would you like a sample of it?"

She's even like Beryl, a little (a lot) in the way she carries herself, the curve of her smile- but this isn't her. Definitely.

"I would like to try it," Beryl says, somehow managing to sound as if she's doing Hanako the favor. This Beryl, whoever she really may be, definitely has an air of confidence. There's even that almost regal nod of her head...

Hanako doesn't seem to mind. If anything, it's somehow an endearing trait, to her. That regal sort of air about her that Hanako wouldn't mind following...

Her cheeks might be a shade brighter now- or maybe it's just the lighting, but Hanako busies herself selecting a bit of melonpan, carefully and neatly cut, and sets it into a frilled paper a bit like a cupcake liner. "It has chocolate, and whipped cream in the center," she points out as she offers it across the counter. "It's sweeter, but I thought you might like it."

"I like sweets." Or, you know, sweet little things like the bakery shop worker.

Which is very odd. She's never quite felt that way for a woman. Actually, she only ever really pursued one person, and that was a man. And that person who made her feel cherished was also a man.

No, that's not the odd part, though. What's odd is that she's comparing someone - anyone - to those two people. (Really, comparing someone to one of them.)

"I would like to meet you after your shift." she says almost without thinking, as she takes the melonpan.

Well, to her, that much is obvious- that Beryl likes sweets, at least. When she and the boss had been discussing this recipe, Hanako might have thought of Beryl, and whether she might like it. So she smiles, pleased with that.

At least, until what Beryl says after finally registers. "Ha...?" Surprise writes itself plain across her face, eyes wide. "Ah- I mean-" She quietens her voice, though can't help a bit of a stammer: "I'd- I'd like that!"

That embarrassment and shyness only makes Hanako seem even cuter.

Beryl's a little surprised at herself, and her reactions, but... Who knows better than Beryl that you have to seize opportunity when it comes because it can vanish in an instant? Besides, in a very distant life, she spent so much time waiting and watching and hoping her most fervent desire would come to her.

And it didn't. So she's learned that she has to grab on to everything she can get.

She smiles now, truly pleased. "What time?"

"Ah-" Hanako turns to look at the clock behind her quickly. "A little over an hour." She fidgets slightly, holding one finger in her other hand. "That's not too long, I hope?"

"Forty-five minutes." Either she managed to completely misunderstand Hanako's shift end time (unlikely) or Beryl is still accustomed to making impossible demands.

Or, a part of her knows, she wants to see what Hanako will do - what Hanako will do in order to ~~be with~~ spend time with her.

As much as she'd like to go that soon (or even right now), Hanako can't be that irresponsible. Fretfully she looks back at the clock. "I have duties before I can leave," she explains, "But, I'll hurry."

Beryl only smiles, which might mean she's being agreeable, until she says, "Don't make me wait."

Which means Hanako either leaves early, works fast, or tells Beryl to her face that this won't be happening.

Most people probably wouldn't deal with that sort of attitude right away, but it doesn't seem to bother Hanako. Instead, she gives a bright grin, and nods.

— She recalls, then, that she'd given Beryl a sample of the new sweet. "Ah- was... the melonpan alright?"

Actually, she finds it rather amusing - cute, even - that Hanako does tolerate that attitude. But really, what she's asking for is harmless... right? So far, at least.

"It was delicious," she says, although she's only eaten a bite or two while she's been teasing Hanako.