bakerstreet | The Opposites Attract Meme

The Opposites Attract Meme

Sure, complimenting personalities bring people together. It's always good to get along with your significant other or friends, so "birds of a feather flock together," as they say. But let's be honest. That doesn't make for good entertainment. Readers and viewers love a good odd couple, where the two are diametrically different. This can be in personality (good girls and bad boys), appearance (Beauty & the Beast, anyone?), species (ALIEN AND HUMAN LOVE IS REAL!!!1), and so on.

This meme is inspired by this concept and a certain song that probably shows your age if you recognize it. According to Wikipedia, "the lyrics are about a couple who love each other despite being different in just about every way possible." And...that pretty much summarizes the meme, too! (Though, it doesn't have to be love. Hate can be an option.)

HOW TO PLAY
- Comment with your character. In the subject, put info & preferences.
- In the comment, describe your character in a few key words. This is so that people who don't know your canon can see if your character would be a good opposite to theirs.

EX: Outspoken, strong-willed, funloving

- Reply to characters who are opposite (interpret that as you will) to yours.
- Enjoy the shippy antics!

PROMPTS
1. Our Friends Are Saying We Ain't Gonna Last: How did you guys get together? Where did you meet? Was their attraction

2. You Like the Movies / And I Like TV: So, you guys' ideas of fun aren't exactly compatible, huh. Well, one of you is a happy magical girl and the other is a murderous psychopath.

3. Who'd a Thought That We Could Be Lovers: I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT, MARK. HOW'S YOUR SEX LIFE?

...but really. How do you guys get on in bed? Surely, your kinks are different, too.

4. Baby, Seems Like We Never, Ever Agree: Oh, the fights. Naturally, with differences come disagreements. Are they passive agressive snarkfests or knock-down-drag-outs?

5. We Come Together: The one good thing about fighting is how you get to make up after. Better remember what gets you on your sweetie's good side.

6. Don't Think We'll Ever Get Our Differences Patched: That's it. You're done. This dance is over. You should both just leave before you lose it. But will either of you let that happen?

7. Don't Really Matter Cuz We're Perfectly Matched: Okay, so you're nothing alike. But you're going to make this work, damn it!

8. How We Lasted This Long: You've defied all odds. Despite your differences, you're still together. Maybe it's not the best (or maybe it is), but it's still something.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Possible Irene Adler exception for crack purposes.

Molly's youthful face hides an intelligent and sensible woman of her early thirties. Hailing from London, she balances her time between looking after Toby her cat, indulging in her guilty pleasure of American television, and working at the St. Bartholomew's morgue. She's compassionate, pleasant, and sometimes meek as a mouse around a bloke she likes. She comes off as a pushover, but really she's just very, very tolerant. She can find her backbone if she's pushed to a point. Also, she may be a tad touchy on her past luck with men. She hasn't got the greatest of taste (see Sherlock, Jim Moriarty, etc).]

[Socially awkward, extremely intelligent, almost inhumanly slim...apparently the pattern continues. He's still a step up from Sherlock.]

I'm sorry to barge in like this, Miss Hooper, but my own equipment wasn't available. [More specifically, it got eaten. Abe's making do the best he can with the testing equipment in her lap, looking over a specimen of leathery skin. He has to tilt his head slightly to look through a microscope designed for a human face.

The microscope also means he doesn't have to look at her. Every time he does his brain flies away in a feathery ball of nerves.]

Oh, n-no, it's fine, Abe, really. [She's actually excited to finally have some company today in the lab, and Abe is far less of an intrusion than Sherlock. And while we may not be looking at her, but she's most definitely looking at him. She's been doing it a lot lately, and she can't figure out if it's simple scientific curiosity, or something a little bit more. She may actually be a little afraid to admit if it's the latter.]

You know you're always welcome here. I-I mean, the lab, not the morgue, b-because that would just be awful.. [She coughs and looks off for a moment, trying to find something less ridiculous to say.] S-So, uh, what's new with you?

[His psychometry works on the nature and pasts of things, but not on people's inward thoughts. It's very unfortunate because he'd really like to know what she's thinking and he's got all the wrong guesses. At least she isn't afraid of him but she couldn't possibly find him attractive...at least not the way he sees her.]

I'm just investigating a new skin sample we found in the sewers. It's really nothing important? [He stands up, hands held close together like little birds huddling for warmth.] And yourself? You seem...you look very nice today. Are you celebrating something?

[Not her birthday, he already knows her birthday, and not a major holiday...or is it his own deluded imagination that says she seems more elegant than usual?]

O-Oh, you noticed? [She smiles, quite pleased at the compliment, clearly. Still, Molly was raised to be humble. But surely he can see she's tickled pink at the attention.] It's nothing, really. Just a new blouse and a bit of lipstick. It's...well, honestly it's actually a day late, but I suppose it is sort of an anniversary.

[She fiddles with some paperwork nearby for a moment before gently closing the folder.] I realized this morning that I've been working here for six months. I-It's probably not a big deal to a lot of people, but I'm...I'm actually really happy. Knowing you - er, a-and knowing everyone else here, of course - I guess I just felt like dressing up a little to sort of...privately celebrate.

[She shrugs with a nervous chuckle] S'pose it sounds silly to you.

No, it's lovely! I think that's a lovely thing to celebrate. It doesn't sound silly at all. [He wrings his hands nervously.] It's very nice to work at a place where people appreciate your work and your efforts, especially given what valuable work you perform.

[He's going to start babbling on again, he just knows it. Abe puts a hand over his mouth to mute himself and pretends to be studying his notes.] Are you, um. Are you doing anything nice? Party, dinner, that sort of thing?

[The praising of her work certainly perks Molly up, a smile brightening her face.] Thank you!

Oh, uh....no, I hadn't thought of it. Heh, b-besides, it's too short notice, anyway. I'd never find anyone. Nah, it'll probably just be another night in for me and Toby. [Her beloved cat and the one male in her life who wasn't a strange choice. Well, except for the fact that he sometimes behaves more like a dog than a cat, but Molly doesn't mind.]

Um...what're your plans for the evening? While we're on the subject, I mean.

I hadn't really had any...I don't usually...

[He usually went home and read his books, or occasionally sat with Hellboy to watch some banal television show. Abe looked down, still fidgeting.]

If you really do want to celebrate, we could, um. Something. We could do something. Dinner? [And when he looks up he's got more terror in his wide-expression than he'd have when facing down a raging manticore.]

Abe, are you--? [Molly tilted her head slightly. Was he asking her out? He looked a little more terrified than someone who was simply asking to platonically spend time together. She halted herself from continuing her question. What if he was asking her out? Or worse, what if he wasn't. Oh hell she'd really just thought that, hadn't she...]

I'd love to.

[Abe had been bracing himself for rejection, and now that she'd said yes he really had no idea what to do. His gills flared and he rested one hand on the tabletop to calm its motions.]

Oh. Well. I think the cafeteria's closed...we might be able to order out? [He gestured to himself.] I'm afraid I won't be acceptable for most restaurants, you'll get stared at, but perhaps we could have a small meal together?

[She slowly nodded - she was still adjusting to the fact that this was a conversation that was actually occurring. They were going to have dinner. Well that was fine, wasn't it? Two adults, two colleagues, they could do those sorts of things - it didn't have to be a date.] That's fine, I-I don't really feel like going to a restaurant anyway. Ordering take-away's just fine with me.

[She smiled, brushing a stray hair behind her ear.] So, um, what're you in the mood for?

[The smile makes his heart beat faster. So intelligent and charming, and such a sweet soft voice...he wishes he knew how to be good enough for her.]

I do enjoy thai food. [He looks around at the equipment.] I suppose we can't eat in the lab, perhaps we could go to somewhere private? [His mind jumps ahead, seeking out utilitarian notions before the socially acceptable ones. Couldn't eat in the lab and the BPRD HQ was far away and the paperwork would be a hassle...]

Your apartment?

Thai sounds delicious. I haven't had it ages!

O-Oh! Um... [Blimey, that was a little fast, wasn't it? Though he certainly had a point in terms of logic, she still felt a little nervous at the prospect of him seeing where she lived. It felt...personal.]

S....Sure. It's just...are you going to be okay around my cat? I-I mean, I can probably lock him in my bedroom for a bit if need be, I just don't know how he'll react to...someone new. [For the most part, Toby did fine with strangers, sniffing them out suspiciously but eventually warming up to them. But Abe wasn't exactly like anyone else Molly would have brought home before.]

[She doesn't sound sure, and Abe flinches when he hears it. This feels like walking a tightrope over a pit of knives and crushed dreams.]

Hellboy has a whole collection of cats, I'm quite used to them. [Then again once a cat's used to Hellboy Abe seems like a minor aberration. His fingers press together, flexing against each other.] Um. If it is all right, I just need to finish up here...

Oh, yes, yes, of course! By all means! D-Don't let me get in your way, your work comes first! [Oh hell she's been a terrible distraction to him, babbling about anniversaries and dinner and things.] No rush, really! I-I'll just...be over here. [Filing things away and being not-a-distraction and trying to remember where the nearest Thai food place is.]

I won't be long, I promise! [He turns back to his work, hunched over and tense. Is he doing it all right? Hellboy's so much better at this than him...he's generally better at just not caring, which seems to be about the same thing as social competence. Still, as he works he peeks at her when she's turned away.

Dinner was a first step. What came in step two?]

[Disney might say KISS THE GIRL but let's not go ripping too many pages from their book just yet. She rifles through papers, filing them away diligently, though one file which she'll notice in a few days will happen to be backwards. At least it's no longer an active case.

Still, the strange silence between them now filled the room with an unusual air. Molly almost felt like eyes were upon her, but she knew that was ridiculous - it was only her and Abe here, and they were both working! Still, she rubbed at the back of her neck nervously, trying to think of something to ease the silence without distracting him.]

So...do you eat Thai a lot?

Not as a habit. It's sort of a special occasion thing. [He's finishing up his notes now, handwriting an unreadable scrawl that's half in Latin.] Which I suppose this is?

[He finishes up and stands beside her expectant and nervous. Abe just wants her to know she is appreciated...the rest is irrelevant and unachievable.]

I...guess you could say that. Heh. [She shrugs, fiddling with the key to the file cabinet until he's standing next to her. She looks up with a nervous half-smile.] So, uh, ready to go, then?

By the way, um, I hope you won't be put-off by the state of my flat...wasn't exactly expecting guests anytime soon so it's a tad messy. [Of course Molly's idea of 'messy' still looks relatively well-kept compared to most.]

Oh, I'm sure it can't be any worse than Hellboy's room. [He gives a nervous laugh as he shrugs on his coat and attaches his breathing apparatus around his throat.] I really don't mind, it's got you in it and that's really the interesting part for me.

[Did that sound weird? That sounded weird. Abe tries to distract from the situation by walking very quickly toward the parking lot.]

[That comment makes Molly blink and look over at him as she tugs her coat on. She's not sure exactly how to take that...and since he's hurrying out towards the parking lot, she slings her purse over her shoulder and quickly picking up her pace to catch up with him.

Her car beeps as she unlocks it when they approach.] Feel free to adjust the seat if you need to. Haven't had a passenger in a while, heh.

[He feels like such an awkward, gangly fool besides her. She seems to coast through society so easily and he's back here with his microscopes and his breathing apparatus and his government secrets. Abe wishes he could be here. Or at least be near her enough to soak up what she has.]

Thank you. Sorry, I'm a bit... [The man who has an entire library of poetry and occult texts finds him at a loss to describe his own lanky legs. He folds himself into the car, resting his bag on his lap.] I'm usually not in the front seat either. It's very rare I get a night out on my own, so I appreciate this.

[Oh, Abe, you're only getting half the picture. There are humans who get along much easier in society than Molly Hooper. But she hides whatever troubles she has behind a smile, because she's that sort of girl. Part of the reason she loves lab work is that it's a world where she can be in control. The fact that she's been making such good company there is a bonus.

She does slide rather easily into the driver's seat, though - after five years of ownership she's certainly used to it. She looks over at him after she shuts her door.]

What? Oh, no, no, I should be thanking you! I mean, you're the one helping me celebrate, after all. [A half-smile curves the corner of her mouth as she puts the key in the ignition.]

Hang on a tic - have you got your seatbelt on, mister?

Oh! Um, yes, just a moment... [He fumbles for the straps, privately thinking that they seem a bit flimsy and lacking in a quick-release mechanism should the car be attacked by a monster. Abe snaps the belt on and then fumbles for his phone.]

I'll call in the order. Do you have a preference? I believe you had pad see ew last time. [Of course he knows what she eats.]

Good. Rule number one in my car, everyone wears a seatbelt.

[Molly begins to pull out of the car park, glancing behind her as she pulls out.] Blimey, you remember that?

[Abe held up his hand, fingers spread.] I, ah. Checked. [He looks down again to dial, slightly embarrassed for having looked. He could see her past written in her skin every time their hands had a chance encounter on the lab table. His colleagues were used to it but it tended to scare a lot of outsiders.

Abe wasn't sure whether Molly still counted as an outsider.]

Oh, right. Of course. I, heh, forgot about that talent of yours. [She blushes a little; it wasn't completely true that she'd forgotten. She remembered once in a while when they bumped hands in the lab, which was a normal instance of work, but she was never sure if he ever read anything from her instantaneously or if he had to be actively looking for it. And she'd certainly been too shy to ask about it.]

I suppose that comes in handy, yeah? Er...pardon the pun.

Haha! Yes, it does. [The laugh couldn't sound more forced if he tried. Abe folds his hands back in his lap again and briefly falls silent.]

Does it bother you, what I can do? It feels natural to me but some people have told me it makes them uncomfortable. I would hate to have that happen with you. [Especially with her.] I could stop if you wanted.

Bother me? [Molly actually has to think about that, gently biting her lip as she curves the car to turn the corner.]

No, I... wouldn't say it bothers me. I mean, it's part of who you are, right? I wouldn't feel right asking you to stop being you.

[She darts a glance back over to him.] Sure, it's...a bit strange to me, but also from a scientific standpoint it's really fascinating and I...I wouldn't mind learning more about it.

Maybe you could teach me about it? O-Over dinner?

[His fingers curl. He'd never thought of that way, in terms of his own identity rather then the comfort of others.] I could try. It's not something completely understood, probably a facet of my unique biology...though in your position I'm sure you're smart enough to understand it.

[Abe's seen just enough of her past to know she doesn't value herself as much as she should.]

[This is very true, hence why Molly gives a flattered -though slightly doubting- chuckle.] Well, here's hoping, otherwise my job's in trouble!

[She turned another corner and began to decrease the speed of the vehicle.] Aaaand we're almost there...

[When Abe gets out of the car he's got his coat pulled up around his neck and his hat down to hide his face. They're legal now, the boss won't come down on them for daring to show their faces to the light, but Abe retains his caution. A flood of gawkers would completely ruin their evening. Abe huddles by the door and waits to be let in.]

[Molly, of course, notices how cautious he's being and feels guilty; she opens the front door to the building for him, but when they get to the door to her apartment, she nervously fumbles and drops her keys.] Oop, sorry! Hang on, just a mo'...

[She picks them up, face pink and flustered as she jingles them into the lock, the door opening with a click. She gets to her feet, holding out her arm to let Abe enter first.] Well, uh, here we are! Nothing too special, but it's home.

[The apartment was a cozy one bedroom, one bathroom type; the front door opened into a small hallway, which led to the kitchen and subsequently into the living/dining area. As Molly turned on the light and put down her bag, a fluffy cat strolled into the kitchen area.] Oh, Toby, helloooo, baby!

[It's small but tidy, very economic. Abe thinks it fits her. When Toby wanders in Abe immediately snaps into cat-introduction protocol. He takes his glove off and extends his hand to the cat, fingers facing down. He holds still and awaits sniffing.]

Hello, there. [Please let the cat like him. If the cat doesn't like him he'll probably be asked to leave.]

[Toby sniffs the extended fingers curiously, once, and then twice, and then a curious little lick of his tongue against a fingertip finally seems to satisfy him, and he rubs his cheek against the stranger's hand.]

Aw, good boy, Toby. [Molly leans over to rub her furry friend's head] Toby's got great taste in people. [Well, except that one time he approved of a serial killer in a disguise, but Molly doesn't hold that against him. Besides, it's not like she knew that Moriarty had doused his hand for good effect.]

So, uh, shall I hang up your coat?

Animals have a way of doing that. [Abe crouches and very delicately strokes Toby's head and back.] I told you Hellboy kept a collection of them, so their presence doesn't bother me at all. [And tried to pretend he wasn't cuddling them them, it was quite sweet. At her question Abe leaves off petting Toby and shrugs off both his coat and breathing apparatus. The latter seems a little...bulky and unattractive. And even if he is absolutely hideous he'd like to pretend he's making an effort.]

Good, I'm glad! It'd be an awkward dinner if my boys didn't get along. [She tensed for a second. Did she really just SAY that? Molly tries to swallow her awkward with a smile, gently taking his things] There we go, now I can see your face proper.

[She carefully hung his coat up in her hall closet, and then gently tucked his breathing apparatus on the shelf where Toby wouldn't get at it] Would you like a drink or anything?

Just water, thank you. [He had as much tolerance for alcohol as he did high concentrations of LSD. At looked at the floor, then at the cat, one hand clutching his elbow. His face? Oh, my.]

No problem. I'm going to put a kettle on, so let me know if you want tea. [She got his glass of water first, of course, before she set the kettle on the stove]

Come on in, sit down. You don't need to stand there.

Stubborn, impulsive, outspoken, insecure, brave, clever, indecisive, kind and accepting.

Brash, brave, clever, thoughtful, loyal, dedicated.

Brilliant, socially awkward, yearning for affection.

Warm, friendly, affectionate, motherly, cheerful, steadfast, passionate

Arrogant, music-loving, flamboyant, supervillainous.

Awkward, eager to please, intellectual, bookish, smells faintly of salt water.

Snarky, direct, occasionally violent, cynical, history of trauma, mild tendency to go wandering off in her own head.

[Manipulative, tricky, laid back, untrusting, and somewhat careful. He is probably the man your mother warned you about.]

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The Opposites Attract Meme

Molly Hooper // BBC Sherlock / Het

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awkward-cute city here

i love it so

he is like sherlock but a fish instead of a jerk

poor baby

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Claire Bennet | Heroes | OTA

Sif | Marvel Cinematic Universe

Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler | The Big Bang Theory

Spain | Axis Powers Hetalia (Nyotalia)

Music Meister | Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Abe Sapien | Hellboy

Alice Liddell | Alice: Madness Returns

Twisted Fate | League of Legends | OTA