bakerstreet | isn't that right, darling?

Entry tags:

[meme] shipping

isn't that right, darling?

Public displays of affection make people very uncomfortable.

The Fake Relationship Meme

You're not together. But you need to make people think you are. Because of reasons.

Maybe you secretly can't stand each other. Maybe you like each other, just not like that. (Or do you?) Maybe this is the only way you'll ever get to be with your crush. Maybe you just need to give off that couple vibe in public, or maybe you're going to be forced to engage in some hot'n'heavy fakeout makeouts. For reasons, okay?

You know the drill. Post, tag, profit.

Home For The Holidays ⇢ You need to prove to your parents that you do so have a significant other. Just until they're gone.
No Singles Need Apply ⇢ The place is perfect, but the landlady will only rent it to a nice, respectable couple.
It's Not Safe For A (Wo)man Alone ⇢ One of you is vulnerable in this big, bad world without a partner to protect you.
Public Relations ⇢ There's only one way to stop these pesky rumors: start your own.
Undercover Mission ⇢ They'll never suspect a couple of lovey-dovey honeymooners of... whatever it is you're actually up to.
Marriage Of Convenience ⇢ It's good for both your families. Or your finances. Or your hetero street cred. Whatever: might as well make the best of it.
Well That Escalated Quickly ⇢ It's common knowledge that you're together, except you're the last to know. Is it worth correcting people?
Free Space ⇢ Bring your own ~~bottle~~ scenario.

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Normally, I'd feel like warning a date that they need to be on guard at these events. But right now, I just feel kinda bad that you might be able to know what those predatory looks you're getting are really thinking. Just so you know, I wouldn't judge if you wanted to give 'em a few headaches.

[He'd hated that when he'd taken Anne to a few events, even though she'd been capable of handling herself.]

Or we could eat their heads entirely

No, there'll be no eating of heads. C'mon, man. Let's schmooze. Schmooze away.

[‘It’s better than them fearing me,’ she thinks to herself and is glad neither Eddie nor Venom can hear her. Eddie is probably only the third person that knows what she can do (to some extent) and isn’t afraid of her. It probably helps that he’s been through similar things with Venom.

Her arm loops through his as they move through the room. She keeps her head up, but she doesn’t say much. She’s just trying to blend in and hope no one notices her. It helps that she doesn’t have a big X across her chest.

Eventually they manage to get to the end, and she has a barely touched glass of wine in hand. She places it on the table before looking at him and then the back hall. There’s no one down it now, and she can make sure no one wants to head that way.]

C’mon, I think it’s a good time.

[He's used to sneaking around on his own, but at a gig like this, it was probably a good idea for them to sneak off together. Particularly if they wanted to try to lessen the chance of anything happening. It was easier to pass off 'couple looking for a place to be naughty' if they wanted to.

He moves to start tugging her as if he's being playful, just in case someone was peeking their way. He hoped she picked up that intention and could play along with it.]

Yes, ma'am. You pick up where any activity's going on?

[She manages to not flinch when he touches her, knowing it’s for the rouse. Jean can play along, looping her arm in his. It’s been awhile since anyone has touched her, and for a moment she feels a pang of guilt for Scott. She has to tell herself it’s better this way.

Once in the hall she nods and heads down it.]

They use this place as a sort of museum for all the work they’re doing off site. The director’s office is in the back.

[Suddenly she can feel the kitchen staff coming. It’s better to press herself against him before telling the waiter he doesn’t seem them. He continues down the hall like the two of them aren’t even there.]

[There was a surprised flicker across his face when he was suddenly against the wall, but he heard a voice in his head telling him that there was someone coming. Venom's voice was familiar by now and didn't have him freaking out anymore. Thank god.

He looked off to the side, since she was suddenly very close and yes, he was aware that she was attractive and apparently had curves in places that fit nicely against his and-]

We should invite her for a victory mating after this is done.

[His face turned red as he thought violently aggressive thoughts at the symbiote inside him that no, they were not going to be victory mating with anyone.]

Coast clear?

[Ignore the internal argument, Jean.]

[She’s become very aware of how well she fits next to him. He’s broader and taller than her, and she feels like she’s just noticed parts of him she hasn’t, yet. It’s hard to not turn a little red when she hears the two of them talking. Without saying a word, she lets Venom know psychically that she can hear him.

Flicking back a piece of hair, she gives Eddie one of those awkward smiles before stepping back and angling her head for them to continue.]

No one’s in his office. [They turn down another hall and are almost stopped by a door that has a key code on it. Her hand outstretches before a soft red orange glow appears. It helps when you can manipulate any matter to bend to your will.]

[Eddie isn't aware of that little notification, but he's very aware of Venom's reply.

We would be honored to partake of a human mating with you.]

You really need to just shut the hell up with the whole mating thing, buddy. Jesus.

[He had a feeling he was going to have to have a lengthier talk later on that night with Venom. Or maybe rub one out and get him off his back.

But back to the task at hand. She did something that he certainly couldn't do, and there was a quiet click as the door unlocked. He darted a glance around, then opened the door and ushered her through it.]

In, in.

It’s— it’s fine. [She’s flustered of course, a little flattered. It’s just not something she’s used to. She only ever got attention for what she could do. People were in awe or feared her, never attracted to her. Other than Scott.

Jean just doesn’t want Eddie to think she thinks less of him for it when it’s Venom who clearly doesn’t understand human courting.

But she heads through down another smaller hall. There are less rooms back here, and she’s scanning the doors quickly. They won’t have a lot of time likely. Her breaking and entering shouldn’t have caused anything to go off, but it’s not like her mutation is in technological telepathy. So once she gets to the right door, she’s opening it up and immediately going to the desk.]

Try and find any information on camps. There’s on in El Paso that’s confirmed already, but we need locations and names.

[Considering that he was aware she could probably turn him into a drooling zombie, the last thing he wanted to do was offend her or piss her off. Well, not without intent, anyway. Venom hamhandedly trying to get them both laid was going to wind up getting them both killed, and he was trying to make sure that the symbiote understood that.

That and that you just don't run around asking women to mate with you. They weren't birds or dogs in heat. No meant no. At least the symbiote got that part.

He shook his head and muttered threats mentally to his partner while he moved over to a bookshelf, looking for any signs of a safe or hidden cache that might lead to something a bunch of bad guys would want to hide that might not be so obvious as a file in a desk. Which might be there anyway. Who knows?]

El Paso? Color me not surprised. Wouldn't be surprised if most of the border towns had locations. Easy to hide them under immigration facilities. Like those places aren't shady enough.

[Jean certainly could do a lot, but she liked Eddie. He’s unconventional, but he’s never pushed too much or feared her. They had an unsaid understanding of each other, and she didn’t feel so alone, both as someone carrying around something powerful inside of her and having only been in this city for a few weeks now.

She’s looking through the calendar, going over notes. The laptop is gone so that’s a bust, but there has to be a list of doctors or facilities around here somewhere. She tries the drawer.]

That’s what some of the underground is saying. They throw them up wherever they can.

I mean, if you look at it, immigration detention centers are probably their best bets. Lots of traffic moving in and out, basically zero accountability, media blackouts... I mean, call me crazy, but if I were some evil mastermind looking for a place to do illegal experimentation on mutants, that'd be a prime spot. Either in them or under one of them. They don't call it the underground for nothing, right?

[He'd been pulling on books, but a black tendril left his shoulder and snaked out to slip between the back panel and a section of the shelf. There was a quiet click, and then a portion of the shelving opened up to show a recess with folders inside.]

Hey, look at that. Jackpot.

[She stops and looks up, seeing Venom reach out and open the secret compartment. Her smile is bright as she rushes toward them to see what’s inside. It’s definitely useful having him around.]

What’s it say? [She presses into his arm to read over his shoulder, scanning for any pertinent information she can give back to the mutant underground.]

El Paso, Candelaria, Langtry, Laredo, Falcon Mesa... there's a few border towns here. And a couple bases that they might be outfitting... Jesus. I think that's a body count. About half going out as in.

[She pulls out her phone and starts taking quick pictures.]

We better get out of here. I have to send this to one of my contacts.

[Then she flashes him a smile.]

Good work.

Right. You wanna head out the front door or...

[Please don't say the window.

Pussy.]

I could fly us, but you don’t seem a fan.

[Jean is mentally grinning at Venom on that one.]

We just have to move quickly. [She’s already on the app, getting their car ready. Pocketing it, she quickly does a scan of anyone else around them. She’s not as strong as Xavier, yet, but it doesn’t appear there is anyone around. But she doesn’t want to chance it.]

Let’s go.

[When he got home, he was going to have a chat with Venom about what did and didn't make them look bad. Hands up when guns were on them, no. Calling him a pussy when a powerful mind-reader was around, yes.

But for now, he followed after her, Venom's senses also expanded to listen for anyone coming and ready to engage in a fight. Venom was all but salivating for one. Eddie just wanted to get out in one piece without having to live with knowing he was probably picking body parts out of his teeth.]

[She’s bounding down the hallway, back in mission mode. Twice she’s had to stop abruptly, almost knocking into him. But he seems to be just as in tune as she is. She’s not looking for a fight either. Not yet. That will come when they start freeing mutant children.

It doesn’t take long until they’re back in the main hall, one of the servers giving them a look like he thinks he knows what they’ve both been up to— slightly out of breath and not as put together as they once were.]

The car is two blocks away.

This party sucks anyway. Who serves fois gras for an appetizer? Liver paste? Disgusting. I'll take a pizza any day.

[She looks back and smiles at him, agreeing whole heartedly. She may fit in well enough at one of these functions, but Jean grew up a fairly average girl until she was 9.]

I could go for a pizza. [Even if she’s all dressed up. Jean didn’t care. She’s in a pretty good mood now anyway.

Once outside the car is just about pulling up. The valet tries to approach them, but their ride is here, and the sixteen year old kid doesn’t seem to care too much anyway when they head for it.]

[Whatever got them out of there in one piece without him having to pull out the big guns worked for him.

He opened the door for her to get in, following in after and relaxing against the back of the seat.]

Yeah, sure, pizza.

[She gives another smile when he opens the door and she slides in the back. Their driver says his hellos before she’s sitting back next to him in the back of the car.]

My treat. Since that went over a lot easier than expected. [She’s already sending off the pictures.]

Sure, your treat. Then you get to pick the place.

[He closed his eyes, letting go of that bunch of adrenaline he'd been ready to use if push came to shove. There was always a rush to doing what you weren't supposed to. That was part of what drew him to doing what he did. But sometimes it was a little tiring.]

[She picks a place she knows, though there aren’t many of them. She’s pretty pleased with how things went, managing to be in good spirits for the first time since this all started. It feels good to actually do something worthwhile, and her and Eddie made a good team.]

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isn't that right, darling?

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Figure we can wrap up here since we have the other thread going

Works for me