bakerstreet | They protecc, they atacc

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They protecc, they atacc

PROTECTOR/PROTECTED
shipping meme

There’s no real push to your actions; you do them as if they were second nature. Perhaps, initially, you were assigned this role, as protector and guardian of this person. Maybe you took it on because there was no one else. A natural guardian or not, good or evil, you caught a shining to them and felt…something. Something hard to explain, but you want to keep them safe and happy - or at the very least, content. No one is as dedicated to them as you. You want them to reach their goals; to help them achieve them, you'll do what you must, even if it means being their gofer or their right hand.

But most of all, you don't want them to end up like you. They're worth more than that.

Yet somehow, along the line, you became more to them, more than just their protector. You protect them anew and you've found a different way to make them happy. It's selfish, too, because you love them in your way and you want them more than anything. You may feel guilty, of course. They don't, though, and that's what matters.

Comment with your character, preferences, and what you'd prefer to play: protector or protected.
Remember, you don't have to be so rigid. A traditionally weak character can "protect" a traditionally strong one in emotional ways.
Reply to others.

Promise ✖ You told them you would take care of their lover, no matter what. You intend to follow through with that.
Close ✖ What are friends for if not taking care of unfinished business?
Debt Owed ✖ Kindness or favor has to be repaid, even if it's an investment in someone else.
Atonement ✖ Whether or not you particularly cared for the person who's gone is irrelevant. You just need to make up for past sins.
No Good ✖ You're taking care of the one left behind, but not out of good intentions. There may be ulterior motives here - no, there are definitely ulterior motives here. Or maybe this is the one good thing you've done in your life.
Guilt ✖ It's your fault that you're here and their significant other isn't. It's a paltry repayment.
Bearer of Bad News ✖ You can't blame them for wanting to shoot the messenger. You are telling them their lover is dead.
Related ✖ In days past, the living partner would be cared for by their dead partner's family. As a sibling or cousin of the deceased, you want to continue that tradition and take care of "family."
Wo/man Up ✖ Actually, their lover isn't dead, they're just dead to you, unable or unwilling to take care of business. You're stepping up.
Friends ✖ You were all friends before, so it's only natural for you to want to look out for them now.
Derisive ✖ ...this is the person they loved so much? This is who you're supposed to protect? Pathetic.
Resentful ✖ You can never forgive them. They're the reason your lover is dead, no matter how they treat you.
What They Saw in You ✖ You're beginning to see why someone would love them, how they'd want to give up their old ways and change. It's almost...nice.
Warming Up ✖ If you didn't get along at first, the claws are being put away now. It's better to at least be civil, isn't it?
Still in Danger ✖ Whatever killed one half of the pair is still out there, and the other half is in danger themselves.
Other Complications ✖ Not only did your mutual acquaintance leave behind a lover, but also children. You find yourself getting closer and closer to them, too, even if they aren't yours.
Compromised ✖ You can't look after them with a level head. You love them.
Can't Love Again ✖ You've lost before. You can't risk losing again, can you?
Out of the Dark ✖ One or both of you find yourselves in a hole. You can barely eat, hardly sleep, and depression has taken hold of you. Together, though, you may find the light and a way out of despair.
First Time ✖ Simply what it says. You two have taken your relationship to the next level.
Changed ✖ Before, you were bitter. Hard. Jaded. Now, helping someone - specifically, helping this person - has brought a new kind of joy into your life. You could get used to it. Easily and dangerously used to it, to be brutally honest. You shouldn't allow it.
Living Together ✖ You can take care of them more throughly if you're in the same place as they are, obviously.
Hidden Jealousy ✖ When their lover was alive, you were jealous of everything they had - including the fact that they had the person you're looking after now. Admitting this may make you feel like the most awful person in the world.
Secrets Revealed ✖ Eventually, your involvement with the death of their beloved will come out, and they will never be able to look at you the same way.
Dependent ✖ Replacing one unhealthy habit with another, you've become utterly dependent on your relationship with your caretaker, your guardian, your lover.
Won't Be a Replacement ✖ You can't help but feel as if you're merely serving as a stand in for what they've lost. It's understandable, yet you still can't allow yourself to be that and only that.
Not Really Gone ✖ What is dead should stay dead, but what if who you thought was gone isn't really out of the picture? Will they be happy with finding someone else so cozy and in love with their special someone?
The Same Mistakes ✖ You're falling into the same patterns that lead to their death. Will you meet the same fate?
Who's Helping Who ✖ You think you're taking care of them and helping them through their loss. Is that the case? But who's never been this happy before in their life?
Move On ✖ It's time to put ghosts to rest and let old demons go. You can't let your life become a graveyard.
Tragedy ✖ The ending is unhappy or even deadly for both of you.
Happy Ending ✖ In contrast to the above, you're both able to live as together as happily as you possibly can, whatever can be allowed.
WILDCARD

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[David leaves his hand where it is, doesn't pull away when he sees what Billy is doing. Just lets Billy take his hand, and he squeezes those fingers. Why did doing the right thing have to be so difficult.]

I don't know what's best, Billy. I'm just trying to not be stupid here. And you make me want to be stupid.

Yeah. I think that might be my real power. I tend to inspire people to do a lot of stupid stuff.

[He offers a faint smile and opens his eyes again.]

I don't want to make you feel these things.

We're young, Billy. That inspires people to make stupid choices. The part of the brain that makes decisions doesn't finish maturing and getting to full potential until your twenties. This stupid stuff?

All me. Remember? Not exactly my first rodeo with being stupid about where my heart goes. No one can control that. I bet you'd find, if you really worked at it, even chaos magic can't control the human heart. It's already too chaotic to be manipulated. My decisions, Billy, are my own. Like this.

[His free hand curls around Billy's cheek, lifting Billy's face just enough for a kiss. Brief, of course, because the last thing he really needs is to give in to anything more than that.]

My heart was yours before the idea of it even occurred to you, so stop trying to pretend I lack any agency in it. And start respecting that my agency needs me to not be here now that I know you'll be safe. Because otherwise I might find myself trying to offer the body to go with the heart and soul of me that are already bound to you.

[The second kiss, that's entirely weakness and lack of self-restraint. Which is, of course, his point.]

[Oh- Billy's so caught up in the words he almost doesn't see the kiss coming until it's over, cheeks gone pink. ]

...Whatever you need.

[He makes the promise easily but it's not so convincing when his lips are pressed back against David's a moment later.]

[David doesn't get the chance to respond to that. Doesn't even get a chance to pull back from the kiss of his own accord. Because there's just time to register an angry sound and then he's across the room, Tommy standing between him and where Billy's still sitting on a bed.]

What the actual fuck, David? Ever hear of taking advantage of someone? Because that was definitely what that is. Fuck this, fuck whatever plan you have, this so isn't happening.

Tommy, it wasn't what it looked like.

Nnn-

[Oh no. Billy hurries to right himself, moving to his brother's side with a panicked expression.]

Tommy- no- I'm sorry- I- it's not- it's fine- we weren't-

Kissing? Because that was definitely kissing. I know what that looks like, Billy. [He grabs David's collar and pushes him up against the wall, which David doesn't bother protesting. Not like Tommy's going to believe him.] Your boyfriend not even three days dead and he's already making a move. That's sick, David.

I don't have to explain myself to you, Tommy. And I'm leaving tonight anyway. So just let me go so I can get things taken care of. Just think for once. Stop reacting and think about what you're doing. If that was what I was up to, I'd be smart enough not to go after him while you're in the next room.

He- [Billy winces and tries to pull Tommy off of him.]

He was saying good bye.

Tommy, please-

If he was, then why would he kiss you? That isn't a goodbye for friends, B.

[With Tommy distracted it's no effort for David to grab Tommy's thumb and bend it back just enough to have Tommy wincing and jerking away. Then David takes a breath and sighs.]

Thirty minutes? I need to write a letter. That you need to take to Montreal, Tommy. It and Billy to Northstar. Trust me, a speedster coming into his city, he'll find you. Tell him I sent you both. The letter will explain the rest.

Because-...it's complicated, and stupid. And I know- we know- please- it's my fault, don't-

[He winces when Tommy winces, and releases him.]

Please don't fight.

We're not fighting. You've never seen us fight.

He might.

[David rolls his eyes and moves to the bed he'd been sleeping on after dragging his bag up on it.]

Can you go get some food, Tommy? I swear that I won't put a hand on your brother.

[That gets Tommy to sigh and shake his head before he's out through the door.]

Well, that's poor timing, if I've ever had it. Sorry. But I guess that makes some decisions for me.

[Billy sighs, scrubbing a hand frustratedly over his eyes. This isn't how he wanted any of this to go.]

This is like something out of a soap opera.

Yeah, my life does that sometimes. Hopefully it will happen a little less with me slipping out, right?

[He does offer Billy a smile, as if it's a funny joke. But the smile doesn't last.]

You... weren't wrong to say it was a goodbye, though. I think my tenure with the Young Avengers might need to come to an end. This is just a bit much for me. Too much involvement with your group. Not that you guys can't call on me when you need support, and I know we'll end up working together again, if only because of the Demiurge. But, well, it really would be easier with less emotional drama.

Please, have you met me? Secret twin is the soap opera staple.

[He jokes to try and keep the hurt from his voice, but can't quite hide it from his face.]

I'm sorry I keep getting you caught up in these things.

Please don't apologize. You really don't owe me one. Tommy pulled me into it the first time. This time it was for you. And I've been repaid already.

[He actually smiles this time, warm and grateful.]

I learned to move on from heartbreak. I think I'll manage it this time too. I'll be in touch, with updates on the Teddy thing. Be careful, alright? And you know how I told you once that if things didn't work out between you and him, I'd be there for him, so be careful? Just go ahead and reverse that. If things don't work out between you and him, be careful, because I might come find you.

[He finds his eyes tearing up a bit, but he smiles, nodding with a small laugh.]

I remember kind of hating you for that. [He notes fondly.]

I know, Billy. But given all we'd been through, after all you'd put Teddy through, I felt like it needed said.

[He digs around in his bag for a bit before taking out a sealed envelope with the name 'Jean-Paul' on it. Then he gets up, throwing the bag over his shoulder. Apparently a lot more of this was accounted for in his plans than he was going to talk about. Too many contingencies. Too damn many of them. He moves to Billy and leans down to rest his forehead against Billy's. They've got time. Even with fast food Tommy's going to take at least ten minutes to get back.]

He'll keep you safe. But it's your job too, to make sure you don't give up. Because if you do, you'll leave me disappointed. Don't disappoint me, Billy. You're too strong for that.

It did.

[He tenses for a moment, but decides to let himself have this, taking a moment just to enjoy the closeness.]

...Only if you promise the same thing. You're important to me. I won't be able to live with myself if I let you leave and you-

I have a fate, Billy, and I'll make sure I see myself to it. It's what I can't outrun.

[He should move away now. He should do something other than stand here and just breathe Billy in. But he wants to remember Billy like this, remember Billy wanting him, even if it isn't real.]

I should get out of here, before Tommy gets back and realizes I tricked him. Sorry that your trip to Montreal is going to be a little less comfortable than you'd really prefer. I intended to see you there myself. It was where we were going to part ways, though. I guess a few hours less isn't all that much of a loss.

[David's stalling, and he knows it. He doesn't want to go, no more than Billy doesn't want him to. Because in these brief moments, quiet and stolen, he can pretend. He can just give himself a moment of believing this is real, and it could be something, rather than just being the thing he was jealous of Teddy and Billy for having.]

Call me, when you're safe again. I'm sure you'll find a way to get the number.

He's not going to be happy with either of us...

[He wants to kiss him again, but holds himself back, thinking it would be unfair to David, another way of influencing him to stay when he's made his intention to leave so clear. But he still makes no move to pull away.]

...You're sure you have to go?

We already told Tommy I’m going to. If I don’t at this point, he will carry me away from you. To protect you. Because he isn’t wrong. You’re grieving. Your emotions are compromised. And I am clearly the one that is supposed to make the smart, adult choices.

[Speaking is smart choices, he is not making one now, with the way his hand has settled on Billy’s hip, thumb tracing small circles on Billy’s shirt.]

[Billy's breath catches, wetting his lips, and it's hard to remember in that moment why he shouldn't surrender to this feeling. His own fingers shift, hovering just shy of lighting on David.]

...I can make my own choices.

Yes you can, but the way the human brain works after trauma does color those choices. A lot. Typically after death humans seek out one of a few things. Privacy to grieve. Food and drink to glut themselves. Sex, to feel alive. You haven’t been able to get the first and so you’re sort of subconsciously heading for the third.

You’re emotionally vulnerable. Tommy was not wrong to drag me away. He wasn’t wrong.

[And still he isn’t pulling back.]

[His fingers trace lightly over David's ribs, closing that small distance he's left, though there's a guilty look on his face.

Everything he says makes sense, but...if they both want this- how can it be so wrong?]

Please- [He moves without thinking, stealing another kiss, more demanding this time, a need behind it he can't articulate.]

[Tommy was going to kill him when he got back. He shuddered against the light fingers at his side and the second their lips met David was moving. Sure, he meets the intensity of Billy’s kiss with just as much. But he needs to do more, which in this case means pushing Billy back, back, back until he has Billy presses against a wall. And even that isn’t enough. His free hand finds Billy’s other hip and grips it for just a moment before both hands slide down Billy’s legs just enough to get a grip on his thighs and then he’s lifting Billy up. He’s definitely strong, because he has no problem at all lifting Billy, not even needing the wall to support any of his weight.]

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