S T R A Y
shipping meme
Taking in strays is, all in all, an understandable vice. The dips in between their ribs, those large and forlorn eyes, they can help you forget the claws and the teeth and the danger lurking beneath fur. But the habit's a knife edge; your efforts may not be rewarded with kindness (animal instincts aren't discretionary) and you may get bit despite what you've overlooked. A stray doesn't care about pity. All it can know is survival.
These warnings apply to strays of the more human(oid) sort, too.
But what may even more perilous with this type than any drawn blood is what you can get when they grow to trust you. You can earn their undying loyalty...or their love. Either from such a wild thing is a precarious path to go down, if you allow yourself to do it.
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- ғɪɴᴅɪɴɢ — Who's that? They're no ordinary passersby! Were they in an accident? Are they foreign? ...should you approach them?
- ʀᴀɪɴ, ʀᴀɪɴ, ɢᴏ ᴀᴡᴀʏ — The elements make this night no time to sleep out of doors.
- ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇᴀʟᴛʜ — Cuts, broken bones, injuries all of sorts...you have to stitch them back up, then make sure they don't get any
- ɢᴏᴏᴅ ɢᴜᴇsᴛ — It's all you can do to show gratitude to the person who took you in. Fix them a meal, care for their house, whatever you can do once you're able.
- ʙᴀᴅ ɢᴜᴇsᴛ — FUCK THIS PERSON AND FUCK THEIR COUCH. You didn't ask to be brought here. Let them clean up after you, you don't even care.
- ᴡʜᴏ ᴀᴍ ɪ? — How you got into this situation is a mystery. Even more of a mystery is your identity, and why the person you were would be so displaced.
- sᴇʟғʟᴇssɴᴇss —
- ʟᴇᴀʀɴɪɴɢ — If you've been injured badly enough or can't remember all too well, you might have to relearn a good deal. Luckily, you have a helping hand.
- sᴄᴀʀs — Scars from the encounter that lead you here or scars from prior, you don't want them to see either. You still have your secrets to keep.
- sᴛᴜʙʙᴏʀɴ — Ugh, your house guest is so stubborn! They always get up when they should be resting, have the worst habits, and completely disrespect your home! You'll get to them, one way or another. Or you'll throw them out. You don't want to, but you will.
- ᴄᴏᴍғᴏʀᴛ — Bad memories or nightmares wreck you; your host and nurse comes to your side unexpectedly.
- ᴄᴜʟᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴄʟᴀsʜ — The person who's taken you in is from a different culture or lifestyle than you, and adapting is harder than you thought.
- ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ ғᴇᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ — Think learning about a new culture is hard? Try being a different species. Can you keep your little eccentricities at bay for the good of your station?
- ᴊᴇᴀʟᴏᴜsʏ — Now that your emotions towards your caretaker/host/jailer are softening, you're finding yourself unusually jealous of those in their life who were close to them before.
- ɴᴇᴡ ᴀᴄᴛɪᴠɪᴛɪᴇs — You never thought you'd have fun after all that's happened, yet such simple gestures as a picnic or a movie make all the difference.
- ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴢᴀᴛɪᴏɴ — You love them, this person who's taken you in or this person you've found. It's not a pity or a thankfulness, it's love, and you know that now. What you choose to do with this information is
- ʜɪsᴛᴏʀʏ — Suddenly, the person who's been so nice to you finds out that the two of you have a history. You killed their loved ones or caused something terrible. How can they forgive you?
- ᴘʀᴏᴛᴇᴄᴛ — So much has been done for you. The least you can do in return for the one who helped you at your lowest is make sure they never have such a low point.
- ᴅᴀɴɢᴇʀ ᴄᴏᴍᴇs ᴋɴᴏᴄᴋɪɴɢ — Anyone in the way of getting to you will be destroyed, and that includes the person you're staying with.
- ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇᴍ — You've been given a home, maybe which you've never had before. You don't want to leave.
- ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ — Not only are you living with them, but you're starting a proper life with them.
- ʀᴇᴠᴇᴀʟ — All secrets are laid out on the table. You've decided to tell about your past and what lead you here.
- ʀᴇᴠᴜʟsɪᴏɴ — What you've done and who you are is so heinous, they want nothing more to do. You're to leave their home and leave them alone.
- ᴀᴄᴄᴇᴘᴛᴀɴᴄᴇ — It doesn't matter what they've done. You've opened your home and your heart to them, and nothing's changed.
- ᴘᴀʀᴛɪɴɢ — All things must come to an end. No matter what you feel for each other, it's time to leave. Hopefully, you'll see each other again.
- ʜᴀᴘᴘɪʟʏ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ — Come what may, you've decided to stay at your new home with the person you love. Now, it's safe enough to do so.
- ᴡɪʟᴅᴄᴀʀᴅ
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pippilongsockings) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
bakerstreet2021-01-06 09:22 pm
no subject
But today Aether gets caught in a terrible storm. Maybe he ran out of luck, because the local inn is full and it's late in the night, so the boy doesn't have any place to stay. Helplessly, he decides to hide under the nearest roof and hope that the rain would pass soon.
It's normal for him to stay outside even in this kind of weather but obviously, it would be so much nicer to sleep in a warm bed than being drenched and cold.]
no subject
Not unlike a certain traveler, he's weathered worse storms. That doesn't mean he's going to dally about in the rain, even with a comfortable amount of wine warming him. The tuft fur on his shoulder holds water, soaking it up worse than the rest of his clothes. His hair hangs heavy and wet, his boots muddy by the time he makes it back.
Imagine his surprise to find a familiar head of blond nearly at his doorstep. ]
Well now, I wasn't expecting guests tonight...
[ He stops under the overhang of the roof, dripping wet himself, but wearing no less of a curious smile. ]
Something happen at inn?
sorry for the wait!
[The traveler perks up slightly seeing the other. His wet hair are sticking to his face, but he doesn't seem to mind that much.]
They're full at the inn, so I didn't want to just stand around there and cause trouble.
[He was dripping water all over the place, much to the dismay of the innkeeper, so Aether decided that it would be for the best to go somewhere else.]
you're golden! my own hours are wild
Kaeya's hand fusses with his own hair, a hand smoothing the mess of the length of his hair, soaking wet and dripping. While he typically enjoys his evenings alone, he wouldn't turn away their little honorary knight into the cold rain.
He pulls the door they're loitering in front of open, casting Aether another smile. ]
Don't be modest on my account. Come inside.
it's all good!
If you're sure...
[Before entering he tries to get rid of some more water from his hair and cape, so he wouldn't drip all over Kaeya's floor, then he enters the building. He never goes too far inside, patiently waiting for the other to join him.
He can still feel the cold, as his wet clothes and hair stick to his skin, but at least he doesn't have to get any more drenched than this.]
Thanks.
no subject
He pulls the door closed, closing out a gust of chilly night wind and rain. It’s a small place, one dusty and barely used when Kaeya spends many more of his nights in the Knights headquarters. ]
I don’t bite, you know, [ he teases, settling a hand on Aether’s back to guide him in further, already aimed towards the unlit fireplace. Kaeya leaves him to fuss with just that, bending down to add a few old logs in. ]
I believe there are some towels in the bathroom if you’d like to get dry.
no subject
When the towels are mentioned, the boy quickly nods.]
I'll be right back.
[And without asking for anything else, he goes on to explore the house. It's not a long trip and Aether quickly finds what he's looking for. He even brings an extra towel and offers it to Kaeya before he starts drying himself.]
no subject
By the time he’s returned, Kaeya has managed to get the kindling lit and the chilly room is already a touch warmer for it. Brighter, less dreary. He takes the offered towel with a pleased hum, even if he’s perfectly in his element chilled.
A little less being so wet.
He towels at his hair, pulled loose from its hair band.]
Should I get us something warm to drink?
no subject
The fire feels nice, so he stands closer to it enjoying the warmth, before he resumes what he was doing before.
A few attempts to dry his hair as is cause some strands to stick even more in all directions so he undoes the braid and lets his hair down to dry it properly. As his working on it, he looks to Kaeya.]
That would be great actually. Thanks.
no subject
He does slip out of his jacket as he meanders toward the two-person wooden table tucked aside and cupboards of the small open kitchen area. His coat ends up hung on the edge of one of the chairs. ]
Ahh. What a shame, [ he teases as he pours himself a glass of wine, glancing jokingly over it towards the traveler. Teasing aside, he puts hot cocoa to warming for Aether. ]
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The moment he sees the other pouring himself wine with that comment, Aether almost wants to reply that nobody sees him now, so he would absolutely drink that.
But instead he pouts a little and responds with a:]
Sorry that I'm not allowed to drink.
[He'll be good and follow the rules.]
no subject
Towel still draped around his own shoulders, Kaeya steps closer and with an amused smile, holds out the cup of wine. ]
Perhaps you should have just a little. To warm you up.
[And, undoubtedly, Kaeya's sure Aether has had some before, here or there. ]
no subject
...Is that really okay?
[In all honestly, it's not like Aether actually likes alcohol, it's more of his natural curiosity to try everything.]
J-just so you know, I wouldn't drink much even if I was allowed.
[He doesn't know why he feels the need to explain that part. He's definitely not like Venti, after all! And not like Kaeya. He can smell that the other drunk something before.]
no subject
And it's entirely charming how quick Aether is to defend himself. Kaeya doesn't bother tamping down on his amused smile, reaching out to playfully flick a wild lock of Aether's hair back into place. ]
I hardly think drinking a little is bad. It's when it's excessive that it becomes a problem.
[ For adults and minors alike.
It makes a decent sleep aid, though, as well some kind of means of drowning troubles. He trails back to the table, picking up another glass of wine before plucking away the two chairs to draw them closer to the fire. He sits down, one leg cross over the other at the knee. ] It's a little cramped, but you're more than welcome to sleep here tonight.
no subject
Still, he accepts the glass, then follows the other closer to the fire, taking a seat beside him. As he does that, he realizes that his clothes are still unpleasantly wet, so he removes his cape, scarf and gloves and hangs them on the back of the chair. That's the best he can do now.]
It really isn't that cramped to me. [Kaeya's place seems perfectly nice in comparison to many other places Aether has slept in so far.
He smiles a little.]
So thanks. I'll try not to be in the way.
[He's absolutely intending to sleep on the floor.
Aether looks down at the wine in his hand and slowly brings it up to his face, first sniffing at it a little, before trying to taste it. Of course the face he makes afterwards absolutely betrays that he's not used to the taste of alcohol.]
no subject
He doesn't begin to stifle his chuckle at the sour expression Aether makes immediately following a sip. He can hardly remember if he made such a face himself when he tasted wine for the first time. ]
I suppose, it's an acquired taste.
[He smiles around the brim of his own glass, taking a hearty sip as an example. And, to him, it's pleasant. ]
no subject
Sadly, the wine's taste doesn't change that much. It's not like Aether thought that it magically would change. He sighs a bit to himself and decides to just stare at the fire in silence.
At least he actually does feel somewhat warmer.]
no subject
If you're interested, I can certainly lend you some clothes.
[He need not mention how heinous the sizing would be. Warm, certainly. Kaeya gets up, moving to set aside the empty glass and snuff the small fire warming the cocoa. He pours the steamy drink in a mug, bringing it back to Aether. ] Should I fetch you something?
just so you know, I love this so much xD
The offer is kind though.]
I could definitely use that. Thanks... and sorry.
[It would be nice to sit in dry clothing instead of wet.
As he receives the mug of the cocoa from Kaeya, he holds it in both his hands for a moment, enjoying the warmth before carefully taking a sip. It's a bit too hot to drink right away, but it certainly is nice.
...He feels like such a child now.]
sorry for the wait ;; but yes, this is such a cute wholesome little thread
Nonsense, there's nothing to apologize for. Do you have any idea how tedious it is in this drab little place alone?
[ He shares another smile with the traveler before he tells Aether to give him a moment, Kaeya slipping into the bedroom. He takes the time to change into something considerably dryer himself and then chases down a shirt and leggings for Aether. Undoubtedly, the shirt will be oversized and the leggings will be entirely too long. He'll be warm and comfortable, though.
He returns, hair down and a little more dry, all with a bundle of clothes under his arm for Aether. ]
At the very least, you'll be dry. [ He jests, offering the clothes up. ]
no need to apologize! And yes ;w;
And now he feels like he's home.
He's not sure if it's Kaeya's presence that makes him feel this way or is it because everybody in Mondstadt have been so kind to him. He doesn't dwell on this too long though.
He finishes his cocoa in silence, waiting for Kaeya to return.]
Thanks. [He says standing up, still smiling. Then he puts the empty cup away and takes the clothes.] I'm really grateful for everything.
[He knows the clothes will be too big for him, but it doesn't matter that much. There's still a peaceful, warm smile on his face, even when he asks where to go to change his clothes.]
no subject
Half of Mondstadt or more would have done the same if they’d seen you there.
[ This little place is like that. Taking care of the ones without anyone to, there are quite a few examples of that running around. He isn’t about to admit that Aether’s smile warms the chilliest corners of his heart, instead shooing him off to the bathroom.
With him out of sight, Kaeya picks back up the wine glass he’d stolen back from Aether to sip on while he waits in the warmth radiating off the fireplace. ]
no subject
[He mutters with a smile before vanishing in the bathroom.
The change of clothing feels great, even though he had to roll the leggings a bit as they were too long. The shirt is also too big, but he rolls the sleeves up as well to more or less solve the issue.
The shirt still somehow hangs on his body, making him seem even smaller. Aether frowns to himself, but eventually decides that he doesn't care that much. He feels warm, that's all what matters.
He leaves the bathroom, then joins Kaeya once again sitting on the chair near the fire.]