bakerstreet | the i n s o m n i a meme

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the i n s o m n i a meme

the i n s o m n i a meme

It happens to everyone - sometimes, you have nights where you just can't fall asleep, no matter what you do. It could be for a number of reasons, or no reason at all. And this is what's happened now: you've been laying in bed for what feels like hours, just tossing and turning, and nothing seems to help. So what's left to do? Get out of bed and go wake someone else up, of course. If you're not getting any sleep, then why should they?

i n s t r u c t i o n s

• Post with your character (note the name and fandom in the subject).
• Other people reply to you by generating a number from 1 to 10.
• Have fun!

o p t i o n s

01 • FEAR. Maybe you're hearing strange, indeterminable noises; maybe there's a severe storm happening outside; maybe you watched a scary movie before bed? Whatever the reason, you're terrified and it's keeping you awake. You just want to wake someone else up so they can protect you from the monster in your closet.
02 • HUNGER. Your stomach is growling and it just won't stop. Or perhaps your throat is so dry you could cough up a tumbleweed? Well, you've gone to the kitchen to remedy this and hey, that was a pan that just dropped on the floor. It was loud enough to wake the dead! Oops.
03 • PAIN. Your body is completely worn out, be it from exercise, battle, sickness, or what have you. Either way you're in enough pain to keep you from sleeping, so maybe someone else has a home remedy or something, or can at least help you take your mind off of it.
04 • SOLITUDE. For some reason, your bed just feels so empty at the moment. You're feeling terribly lonely and really just want someone to keep you company for a while. Maybe it'd be easier to fall asleep if you're with them...
05 • DISCOMFORT. Your room is an oven. Either that or a freezer. Or maybe this bed is just really uncomfortable? Who knows why you can't get to sleep, it feels like it could be anything. Why even bother trying? Maybe someone else can preoccupy you until you feel tired enough to ignore your discomfort.
06 • PENSIVE. Something's on your mind, and no matter how hard you try to focus elsewhere, it's just not going to work. Your body may be tired, but your mind is incredibly busy and it's virtually impossible to get to sleep. Surely, talking it out with someone else will help?
07 • SADNESS. Something terrible has happened that day, perhaps; or you could just be severely depressed. Either way you're trying your hardest not to cry yourself to sleep, and it's not working at all. Better find a way to get it out of your system somehow; you need a shoulder to cry on.
08 • ANGER. You are just... fuming. Who knows why - that annoying dog is barking again, or maybe the people next door are getting busy and keeping you awake. Whatever the reason for your ire is, you'd better put an end to it so you can get some damn rest already! Go wake up a friend so you can complain to them.
09 • RESTLESS. You're far too energetic to sleep right now. Maybe you're just trying to do so out of necessity - you have to be up early tomorrow! But you just don't think you'll be able to fall asleep for a while now, so why waste the time trying to sleep when you could be doing something else? Namely bothering someone else - you're totally jealous because they're getting more sleep than you.
10 • WILDCARD. Choose one of the options above, or make up your own scenario.

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[ Booker was a little skeptical about those good traits but he'd save the self-deprecating humor for another time. He didn't want to start an argument right now.

When she scooted over he made room for her, adjusting so they'd both be comfortable.

After her comment about falling asleep he adjusted some more so that if she did she'd end up sliding onto him. ] It's fine if you fall asleep. I'll have accomplished my goal helping you relax and actually get some sleep tonight.

[ He wouldn't get much but that was fine. He didn't need much anyway. ]

[Smart man. She'd clearly try to win that argument, and he wouldn't let her. It could become a disturbance.]

[As they both got comfortable, she snuggled down into the couch, trying her best not to just lean into him, yet. She was still one to try and not invade space, even if all the others were very space invaders in all they did. She was still learning that leaning on a person was okay here.]

Yes, but if I fall asleep, your just going to get up and read about salt. I wish I could help you with your late night insomnia as well.

[ After all the time they spent together of course they had very little personal space. Nile was more new than he was. Booker understood it would take time for her to reach that level of comfort.

The best he could do was offer it and let her decide for herself if she wanted to lay her head on his shoulder or not. ]

I had insomnia long before I was immortal and no one could really help me back then either. [ Not his wife. Not his sons. Not his local priest. Sometimes, Booker just... couldn't sleep. It was better than not being able to sleep because of nightmares. ] I won't just read about salt. I'll also drink wine. And get a blanket to tuck you in. It'll be a productive night.

[She was getting better about it at least. She never flinched away from affections. She liked hugs. She just wasn't used to a group of people dog piling on each other for comfort.]

[Still, she leaned into his shoulder a bit, for no.]

Still, it's not good to live off a few hours sleep, Book. [something her mother would tell her after she'd get home from two part time jobs and ready to work on a 3rd before catching a few hours sleep. Bless computers for being easy to work from.]

[She gave him a small sigh though. It did sound like a nice night.] But alright, alright. I'll stop fussing so you can read.

[ It was slightly better to live off a few hours of sleep when the physical effects were almost instantly healed. All he felt was more tired. ]

Maybe I'll fall asleep in the middle of reading. You never know. [ He rubbed his hand over her shoulder for a moment. ] Relax. This is a really good book. Let me enjoy it with a friend.

[ He started reading after that, voice low and steady. While the others were pretty much out he didn't want to wake them. Of course, he also changed tone and pitch for different characters. He was going to have a little fun with it. ]

[the perks of being immortal.]

[His hand rubbed over her shoulder and he told her to relax, and oddly enough she tried to. She let her head rest on his shoulder for now.]

If you do, I'll excuse it. [she teased, but turned a soft smile up to him as he asked to enjoy it with a friend. A nod was given and she settled in.]

[As he read, she relaxed a bit more, clearly growing interested in the story. Her hand rested at his side as she relaxed a bit more, clearly his tone was working well. She curled into him a bit more, not realizing she was resting against him so much.]

[ Booker made an excellent pillow. He had broad shoulders so there was plenty of room for Nile to get comfortable.

And he didn’t mind. In fact, he welcomed the contact. After his exile he would almost do anything to feel close to any of them. It was reassuring that she’d rest against him. A show of trust. Of friendship.

Things he really needed.

He did pause at the end of a paragraph and glance down to see if she was still awake. No point in reading to a sleeping woman, after all. ]

Surprised you’re still with me.

[He does have very good shoulders for a head rest. And it's clear she's relaxed. She didn't relax often enough and really should.]

[HIs voice was doing it for her though, and the soft tone he poke in did help her to unwind.]

[When he paused at the end of a chapter, she paused to look up at him, giving him a faint smile.]

Still with you. You're right, it's a very good book. [she said softly, though it was clear she wouldn't be with him long. She actually looked relaxed.] As odd as this sounds, I like the voices you use.

[Or mostly, she was admitting she liked his voice, but the character tones were good.] Read just a bit more, please?

What's a story if you don't use voices? [ He smiled softly at her, glad to see her relaxed. Whatever had kept her up it wouldn't trouble her for the rest of the night.

That he could do this for her was... really important to him. It mattered a lot more than most missions. Not all because they were more aware of the good they did but she mattered more to him than strangers.

Not the most noble thought but the truth. ] Yeah, of course. I wouldn't stop here.

[ Booker started to read again and idly brushed his fingers up and down her arm. He wasn't even aware he did it. It was just another way to help her relax. ]

I whole heartedly agree. [She smiled to that. Her mother used to do voices when she read to her and her brother. It was always the best part of books, hearing the different tones. She didn't think on that though, as that was part of why she couldn't sleep.]

Good. [Was all she said to his not stopping there. Once he started reading again she settled in again, feeling him run his hand up and down her outer arm. It was warm and it did help.]

[She relaxed once more, letting her eyes close more this time. He'd make it a ways through before her head would droop a bit more, sleeping softly. She didn't miss much, and she might stir if he moved, but she had relaxed enough that she could rest.]

[ Booker didn't say anything when he glanced down and saw she was sleeping. He carefully marked the page and set the book down on the coffee table moving slowly so he wouldn't disturb her.

He also realized he had basically stroked her arm for an unknown amount of time. Since she hadn't objected... he shouldn't worry about it but he didn't want to cross a line accidentally.

The biggest problem Booker had at the moment was he couldn't reach his other book. So he tilted his head back to stare at the ceiling and once again started to idly stroke her arm.

He might not sleep but he was content. ]

[She told him he was going to want to go back to reading about Salt! She warned him about this, but did he listen? No. Then again she honestly hadn't thought she would fall asleep ON him.]

[But he was comfortable, and as much as she might say she wasn't a contact kind of person, she really was. She loved hugs and she was growing more used to leaning on the rest of the Guard. It had taken time, but she was getting better at relaxing with them.]

[The arm rubs helped, a lot, and she seemed oddly comfortable on him. Content. She'll feel bad for keeping him up to do nothing, when she does wake, but for now, she actually got some rest. Sorry Booker, but thank you.]

[ He's not doing nothing. There's a lot of thinking going on. Luckily his thoughts weren't spiraling down dangerous paths as they were prone to do.

He was mostly thinking about books he had read previously and reciting poetry in his head. There were a lot of them rattling in around in his head. Some half remembered. He needed to refresh his memory on plenty.

It was... a really relaxing evening. Or early morning depending on how they looked at it. ]

[If she were honest with herself, this might have been the best sleep she'd gotten in a while. She tended to nod off with the rest of them at night, but half the time she was getting up before Joe and Nicky, and only sometimes before Booker.]

[This morning had brought more than sleep but a relaxed sleep. Rested.]

[Things were still for some time, and it wasn't until the morning did come that she blinked her eyes open. Not moving jut that second, but staring. Staring at his knee for a moment, trying to remember why she was there.]

[Booker, red her to sleep. She smiled, and very slowly moved to tilt her head up, not anting to wake him if he was asleep. If she knew him at all though, she knew he didn't sleep.]

[Her voice was soft, questioning. In case he was asleep, he might not hear it.]

Were you up the entire night?

I dozed.

[ Booker had his head back still looking at the ceiling. If he had slept Booker didn't remember it. He knew he drifted at some point. There were bits of the night that were rather fuzzy in his memory.

Mostly, there was her warmth pressed against him and the comforting sound of her gently breathing. Later, that was the real memory that would stay with him.

His neck cracked when he looked down at her. Honestly, he should take better care of his posture even though he could heal. ]

It's early enough we could be the first to visit the street market. If you want to go do something with the morning, that is.

[Dozed. She snorted softly at that, and started to pull away, her hand had stayed curled to his chest, and it only drifted away now as she streatched her arms high above her head, sitting up almost reluctantly.]

[At least she didn't drool on him.]

[Rested was a nice feeling though. He had been so warm and cozy.]

It's absolutely unfair of me to sleep on you and you simply doze. Just so you know. [She stated, dropping her arms and moving to look over at him. She liked his idea. She knew Joe and Nicky would head for the Market place later, but it seemed like a nice idea for the morning.]

That sounds nice. You feeling up to it?

Next time we'll switch. I'll sleep on you. [ Booker would never impose like that. Not just because she was still adjusting to the touchy ways of the group but also because as mostly muscle he was heavy.

No one needed his weight trapping them against a couch or bed. That was how he thought of it, at least. ]

I want coffee and fresh bread. [ He sat up and stretched his arms above his head, shirt riding up a little before he relaxed. He ran a hand through his hair, mostly messing it instead of fixing it. ] And maybe some fruit. We'll see when we get there.

I'll hold you to that. [She said seriously, reaching the flat of her fist out to give him a tiny bop on the shoulder.] Someday I'm going to watch that you get some sleep. [a pause, and she frowned, brow raising at him.]

Though I didn't mean that in a creepy way. [She chuckled, smiling at him as he stretched.]

[she hummed at the sound of Coffee the most. She loved her some coffee. That was one thing that got her attention for sure.] Mmm that sounds amazing. I'm not even going to change. Just let me grab a jacket and I'll be ready to go.

[She reluctantly moved away from him, pushing to stand and stretch her back again. Maybe sleeping on the couch sitting up was a bad idea, but he was so cozy.]

I'm sure you didn't. [ But her word choice made him chuckle anyway. It did sound almost like a threat as well but Booker knew she meant well. Her worry was touching. ] Usually you're asleep when I'm sleeping. Makes it difficult.

[ He pushed off the couch and cracked his back which felt deeply satisfying. ] Go ahead. I'm going to leave a note for Nicky and Joe just in case they get up.

[ Booker went to the kitchen for scrap paper and a pen. It was a simple note about going to the market with Nile and left it where Nicky, usually up first, would see it right away.

Then he grabbed a gun, tucked it into the small of his back, and made sure it was hidden fairly well under his t-shirt. They weren't in a really dangerous part of the world but better to be safe than sorry.

Once comfortably armed he went to the door to wait for Nile. ]

Yeah, yeah. Technicalities. [she said, brushing off his comment about her being asleep when he's sleeping. His whole, what? 2, maybe 4 hours a night? Or so she guessed.]

[Still, she wandered off to grab her white black coat, pulling it on over her tank top and fitted jeans. A piece was also tucked carefully into the back of her pants, shirt and coat covering it and keeping it safe.]

[Honestly, she had grown so used to having it placed there that it felt weird when it wasn't.]

[Sure, they weren't in a bad place in the world, a easy place to lay low for a while, but it was more a comfort to have it. And no one would know too.]

[She made sure her shoes were laced tight and headed for the door.]

Alright. Let's get some coffee. [She said with a hum. The best part of the morning ~~besides waking up beside Booker~~ would be a hot cup of coffee in the crisp morning. Sure, there was a coffee maker in the house, but that didn't matter right now.]

Edited (html fail) 2020-10-03 02:02 (UTC)

[ Booker got the door for her out of habit and let her lead the way from the safe house. They're tucked in a back corner of the neighborhood. It was hard to find unless you knew where to go down a few twisting streets. ]

Now, you said you liked the story but did you think it was better than Harry Potter? [ He put himself at her left shoulder walking slightly behind. That was where he always tended to position himself in the group. He was left handed and it made sense for him to cover the left.

It wouldn't be a long walk to the market. They might even beat some of the vendors at this rate which practically guaranteed them the best coffee, freshest bread, and anything they wanted really. ]

[She nodded her head in thanks to him holding the door, waited for him to close it, then they fell into line, Booker at her shoulder, just back a step. She didn't even think anything about it. It's just how they'd worked out over the years.]

[It might have bothered her at first, for a short period of time, but now it was old hat. It's just how they moved.]

Ah, I can't tell you that yet, you haven't finished this story. [she said, lifting a finger and pointing at him, smiling faintly.] Once you finish it, I will give you that information, but as a general feel? Yes, it's coming off as much better.

[she stuffed her hands into her pockets, walking the short distance there. She didn't always get to go to the market, so this felt nice.]

Maybe I'll see if I can get you to read more tonight when I inevitably get up again?

Oh, bullshit. [ He chuckled even as he glared at her. ] The story and world building is already miles better than Potter. It's not just rehashed British boarding school.

[ Booker was always a fan of the market wherever they went but that had more to do with his upbringing than anything else. No supermarkets in his day. ]

If you're up two nights in a row I'm going to make you talk about it. [ Booker made his tone gentle but insistent. It was a bad sign when she couldn't sleep. He was a mess when it came to a sleep schedule.

He didn't have one.

But Nile usually slept fairly well most nights. If she had that much trouble, they'd have to talk. He was the only one who understood her pain in a very real, very recent way. ]

[She smiled more as he called Bullshit. It was always interesting to see how he reacted to his books. She reached over to poke his side lightly, giving him that smile a moment longer.]

You may be right, but I want to hear the rest of the story before I decide! [Honestly, she was loving it, a lot.]

[Ah, then her smile faded as he mentioned talking about it. She tried to keep it in place, but it was clearly just put on now.]

[She shrugged, hands pushing down in her pockets a bit as they walked, the market in view.]

There's nothing to talk about. I'll get over it sooner or later. I always do. [She said, feeling that tightness in her chest again. Out of all of them, Booker would understand. But she also didn't want to burden him with it. To bring back those memories for him too.]

[It's not like her mother or brother's deaths were fresh. After all this time, after Booker managing his long time away, she had figured it out on herself, the hurt, the loneliness. It wasn't fresh, just reoccurring.]

[She definitely shouldn't have kept a check on social media about relatives. Her brothers daughters. None of it.]

[The smile was gone now, her eyes on the ground.] I'll sleep fine tomorrow.

[ It would always come back around. Booker still carried the wound but it didn't bleed as constantly as it used to. And he would reopen it if it helped her. He was the only one she could really talk about it. ]

Nile. [ He reached out and squeezed the back of her neck in his hand, meant to comfort and reassure all in one. ] We can talk about it. You're not going to break me if we talk about family.

[ Since his exile he actually talked about them a little more. The good times, not the bad ones that haunted him. It hurt in the way loss would always hurt. ] We talk and then we read and maybe this time we both sleep.

[ Emotional exhaustion was one way to get Booker to sleep. He needed it to recover from the heavier conversations. ]

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