bakerstreet | Pining

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[meme] shipping

Pining

The Painful Secret Pining Meme

You've been with them for a long time - years, perhaps, maybe even their whole life. More than that, you served as a true friend and supporter. No one could be as dedicated as you are, and you're content to stay in the shadows and let them shine if it just means you can stay by their side a little longer.

But you're not a perfect saint or a martyr of friendship. There are somewhat selfish undertones to your loyalty. You love them.

You feel like you’ve loved them forever, yet while it’s a great affection - no, “great” is probably not enough - in your heart, these feelings are your secret, kept away from everyone…possibly from the object of your desire themself! After all, you couldn’t burden them with anything like that. So, you’ll allow your own emotions to come in second place.

Of course, you haven’t allowed yourself to figure out how this could come back to haunt you in the end, could you? What about when your love moves on to someone who’s “more than a friend?” They won’t need you as much any more. Can you take into account the moment when you snap and can’t hold back the truth any more? And even if you’re really “together,” others won’t know if you keep your relationship under lock and key, and you’ll have to endure others approaching your lover.

Then again, the shoe could be on the other foot. You could be the side being pined after. Will you ever realize your friend’s feelings; if you do, can you return them? After you are certain that you do, will it be too late? Can one burst of passion lead you both to something that changes your relationship forever?

Basically, it’s a meme about (one-sided) love one friend has for another over a long time. Devotion, angst, all that.
Thread out withheld desires, stoic facades, attempts at leaving this all behind, anger, awkwardness, breaking down, confessions, and all that.
Comment with your character and preferences. You might want to include your smut/no smut status.
Mention if you’d like your character to be the pining or the pined for.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ either/or, but it's going to be disturbing as heck either way. ]

[ my jam. either role. ]

[ either! bonus points if the other character is au'd into being june's handler, bodyguard, or teammate.

info + prefs ]

[ either role ]

[As they're twins, I'm happy to do whichever you prefer! And either role is good with me.]

[OOC: OMG I feel like this is perfect for Elrond and Celebrian. Maybe either the end of the Second Age or early Third? Any thoughts?]

[OOC It really is lol Maybe....not long before the Last Alliance? Or just as he's coming back?]

Being left behind while the others went off to war was not as easy as one thought. Oh, she knew she had no business near a battlefield. While she was strong and intelligent as any elf, her gentle nature made her ill-suited for war, and she was well aware of that. Still, it had not been easy, being left behind while the others went away. She supposed after all this time she ought to be used to it. After all, the world had not been a safe and peaceful place for some time and while her parents had done their best to shelter her from it all, she was hardly ignorant of it all. The lands of her childhood had long since fallen, and sometimes she felt that she had yet to find a home as they moved from Eregion to Lorien to Imladris, seeking refugee. She had seen off more armies than she would like in her years, and had dutifully waited for their return, waiting to offer whatever help and support she may.

The waiting, she thought, was the hardest part. Waiting to hear if those she cared for were coming back, or if they had fallen. It always filled her with anxiety, and she never could be at ease until she knew for certain that those she cared for were safe and well. This time, she had eagerly waited for the return of those who went off to war, and had waited rather impatiently, even after word had reached them of the fate of the Last Alliance.

Now, she sought the just returned Lord of Imladris. His return had been hailed with the usual pomp and circumstance, but now she sought a more personal greeting. They had known one another for centuries, and she knew he must be hurting now. How could he not be? And so she wished to offer what comfort and support she could, however she could.

Balancing a tray of tea, she knocked on the door to his study. She knew it was rather ridiculous to be bringing him refreshments in his own house, but she imagined he would not mind. She hoped that catching him alone would give them a chance to talk privately, and what better excuse could there be than bringing him refreshments? And so she waited for permission to enter, hoping she would be welcome.

It had been a long war. Elrond had left knowing it wouldn't be easy, but trusting those he'd left behind to defend Imladris in his stead. There was no choice but to go, even if Gil-Galad hadn't called on him.

Gil-Galad was dead now. Along with so many others. People looked to him, expecting him to take the place of King, but he'd never wanted it. He was content to remain just the Lord of Imladris and give a place of peace and protection to those who needed it.

He kept up appearances during the expected welcome, but retreated to his rooms to wash as soon as he could without insulting anyone. It had been too long since he'd had more than a moment alone to breath, and it weighed on him.

When the knock came, he was back in his study. He almost didn't answer, but he knew there was one fair lady who had stayed patient and safe while he was away, and maybe...maybe she'd come to him? Celebrian had never been very far from his thoughts when not immediately in the midst of battle.

So he pushed away from the window looking outside. "Come," he bade.

She was glad when he answered, as for a brief moment she thought perhaps he might prefer to be alone. Of course, she would have respected his wishes and understood his reasoning, but she would have been rather disappointed if she had not been permitted to enter.

Balancing the tray on one hand, she pushed open the doors and entered, offering him her warmest smile as she did. She was always glad to see the Lord of Imladris, whatever the circumstances.

"Good evening, Lord Elrond." She greeted with a polite incline of her head, shifting the tray again to close the door behind her. "I thought perhaps you might like some refreshments."

It was a simply gesture, yet a kind and well-intended one. He could have, of course, sent for tea on his own if he so desired it, but she thought perhaps he might not think of such things.

"And," she admitted, crossing the room to set the tray down, "it gave me an excuse to come and bid you a less formal welcome home."

Which was, of course, the real reason for her visit. She knew he would see through the formal excuse, and so she saw no reason to pretend her intentions had been otherwise. She had wanted to see him. It was as plain and simple as that.

"I am glad you are back."

Almost. But he had responsibilities here, just as everywhere. He couldn't justify to himself ignoring a knock on the door if it was important, even after just getting back home. Perhaps especially then.

Strain eased from his shoulders upon seeing her though, and his answering smile held warmth in return as he inclined his head back at her. "My Lady Celebrian. A mind-reader just as well as I remember."

She was right. He wouldn't have thought to call for refreshments. He'd grown too used to getting what he needed when he had the chance. But he was home again, and things were different.

"Ah," his smile turned amused, but still pleased as he moved to the more comfortable chairs before the fireplace, a hand gently indicating the small table for such a tray. "So I see. Then you would not mind sitting with me a while and enjoying what you have brought?" Meaning he wouldn't turn her away.

"I am glad to be home. And that the Enemy is defeated."

Chuckling softly, she set the tray down and poured them each a cup. Fortunately, she had the foresight to bring two cups, for she had been hoping for such an invitation.

"I am no mind reader." She replied, handing him his tea as he sat before sitting herself to join him. "I fear you are confusing me with her mother, and I am certainly not her."

She was teasing, though there was certainly much truth in her statement. Celebrian was very much her own person, with her own way of seeing the world, and she always had been. She always sought to find the very best in people, and loved nothing more than to bring comfort and joy to others. Oh, she could be stubborn and mischievous at times, but she had an inherent sweetness that put those around her at ease. She hoped that her natural talents would bring some comfort now.

"I am glad you are home as well. I fear I made quite the pest of myself seeking news while you were away." She admitted. "Though I am sorry for those who shall not be returning."

There'd been so little reason for joy until so recently that her chuckle serves to put him even more at ease. "Then perhaps you simply know me well enough to have guessed." And he didn't mind at all.

"Oh no, I could never confuse you with your mother, my lady." Two different and remarkable women. He raised his cup of tea to her in thanks, leaning back in his chair.

A brow raised at her admission and he didn't really attempt to restrain his amusement. "I sent what news there was as often as possible." Which, admittedly enough, hadn't been all that often. His mirth faded though and he inclined his head. "There were a great many losses. But, we must all continue and do what we can to keep hope alive."

"Hope seems to be very much alive and well." Celebrian replied, thinking about how things seemed changed since the end of the war.

In an act of tenderness she gently laid her hand on his for a moment, silently acknowledging his change in mood and offering her support.

"They did not fall in vain. The world seems a lighter place now, does it not?" She gave him a little smile, knowing that if she felt it, he had to have noticed it too. She always knew the Lord of Imladris to be a perceptive individual, after all.

"It is a good time for new beginnings."

The kind touch drew him from darker thoughts and he managed a slight smile for her, turning his hand over to gently squeeze hers in thanks.

"You are very kind, my lady. And you are correct. There is much less shadow in our world." They'd all worked very hard to reach such an end. "Those who fell will not be forgotten."

Elrond sometimes needed a reminder that not all was lost. He wasn't perfect, much as he tried to give that impression for others.

"And I am very glad you are here."

She returned his slight smile, and while she knew she ought to perhaps move her hand away now, she did not. There was something rather natural about the contact between them, and her hand in his felt very right.

"I am happy to be here." She replied. "I fear I have been of little use, and if I can be of any help I am pleased to hear it."

Intelligent and thoughtful as she was, she had never had a mind for war or strategy. She had always been a gentle soul, and so she had been left safely behind to wait and tend the home front, so to speak.