bakerstreet | when the 🦇 loves the 🦋

when the 🦇 loves the 🦋

the ( opposite aesthetic ) AU!

An AU as old as time: prep loves goth, grouchy loves cheery, optimist loves pessimist, or, in this case, pink loves black!

In this traditionally slow-burn AU, people fall in love over time through circumstances, repeated visitations, and the almighty power of love at first sight.

Let it be known that being in either position doesn't dictate your character's personality. After all, there are plenty of grumpy baristas and even more cheerful tattoo artists. All your role dictates in this meme is your job; the rest is up for you to decide!

How to Play
— Leave a top-level comment with which role you'd like for your character, and maybe a few ideas to get the ball rolling.
— Reply to others and decide on a scenario to start.
— Make magic happen!

on the bright side...
🌸💗🎀🍥🩰🦩

... x barista! - The OG, the GOAT, the coffee house AU! You can't get much better than that.

... x florist! - Flowers R Us! Let's hope your other half doesn't have any allergies...

... x musician! - Whether up-and-coming or established, they could always use someone to inspire their next big hit.

... x actor! - Small stage?? Big screen??

... x artist! - Don't mind them doodling their muse on the back of all their notebooks...

... x writer! - A cure for writer's block, mayhaps?

... x bring your own! - Whatever cute job your little AU heart desires!

on the dark side...
💿🖤🕷🕸⛓🌫

... x tattoo artist! - The classic. You know, if it ain't broke...

... x biker! - Who would've thought that the big, tough biker has a soft spot for sunshine?

... x hitman! - Killing for a living makes a daily dose of brightness a necessity.

... x punk / goth! - Okay, this one isn't really a job, but we can't talk about opposite aesthetics without them.

... x mortician! - After dealing with dead bodies all day, you could use a bit of sunshine in your life.

... x gambler! - Big bucks, high roller! Who's placing their bets on love?

... x bring your own! - Whatever spooky, off-the-beaten-path job your little AU heart desires!

all together now!
🌸💿🎀🖤🩰🕷

first encounter - Actor getting a ride from the biker? Hitman stumbling onto the writer's essay portfolio? Set it up!

seconds - You can't get them out of your head, so you've got to come back for more.

routine - The usual. Wake up and start your day by getting served by your favorite barista. Or maybe it's time for your monthly tattoo appointment?

secret relationship - You've been at this for a while, but the two of you still aren't ready to go public for whatever reason.

incompatible - Things seemed like they would work, but there's a reason people prefer to stick with what they know. Who knew that dating a gambler would come with so much risk?

new territory - They're bringing you to a world so far removed from your comfort zone. Naturally, you might feel a little overwhelmed, or maybe you're extraordinarily curious!

bring your own! - The possibilities are endless!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( canon tattoo artist, so that might be a natural fit! but i'm open to other ideas, too. crosscanon, crossmedium, assumed cr, m/f, f/f, s'all good, baby. only stipulation: nobody younger than 18. )

( can't believe it's finally useful to have a style guide. gwen's an upper-class socialite with entertainment industry ties, and thinks casual means you just add a cardigan. m/f, f/f, 30+. )

[Definitely the bright one.]

((barista is probably the most natural fit for him since that's basically canon, but florist is a close canon second and probably the one I'm most interested in if he's bright side. down for any dark side for Akira except punk/goth. an additional option for bright side: dancer! ~~I couldn't think of anything additional for dark side I'm so sorry, but I'm open to additional ideas too~~))

( lmk if this works out for you! )

[Like clockwork every week on a Saturday afternoon, Jinsee steps inside the tiny coffee cafe tucked away in the corner of the street. The door announces her arrival with a soft chime and she hastily hunches her shoulders, ears red as a couple of eyes flicker in her direction. She's already a regular at this little establishment and the workers know her by name; They know that she's a fairly polite young lady, hard to read, and equally just as hard to get any words out of. She rarely spoke at all and only talked when absolutely necessary. The only person who got some sort of emotions out of her was the head barista, Akira.

It was her relationship with the barista that was currently running through her mind as she took a seat in her usual booth. Her eyes flicker over to the male in question who was currently working behind the counter. Her cheeks flush a faint red when the two locks eyes, Jinsee sending him a faint smile. She slips her phone out of her purse and peers at the time. There was a reason that she came to the cafe a little bit later than usual- this was around the time that Akira clocked out of work. A part of her was nervous and slightly embarrassed since this was out of the norm for her. She hoped that she wasn't being too obvious with her attraction towards the boy.]

Oh-.. [She looks vaguely startled as a female worker sets a coffee down for her at her table- it was the drink she usually ordered when she arrived. She peers up, eyebrows furrowed in question but is waved off with a cheery 'on the house!' before the lady resumes her work. One hand curls around the steaming cup which she brings close, letting out a soft sigh of delight at the sweet smell of the drink.]

[Akira casts a look off to the side - and smiles as he confirms that the coffee has safely ended up in its intended spot. Now to finish up these dishes... and that should take up the last minutes of his shift.

He has to admit, it's a surprise to see Jinsee here this time of day. It's not an unpleasant one, though - it's far later than her regular timing, enough that he might be able to talk with her a bit outside of work for once.

Akira lets himself soak in that pleasantness, and not much disturbs it - except for when some of his coworkers come by and start raising their eyebrows or teasingly whispering about "his regular". He frowns a bit but doesn't say a word.

Eventually, though, it's time to go. Apron off, punch out, grab his things and remind the remaining baristas to call him if there's an emergency - and Akira's all done. He hikes his bag a little higher on his shoulder as he makes his way over to that certain table, steadfastly ignoring any too-nosy looks he might be getting behind his back.

He sees the mug still there, but with considerably less liquid in it, and Akira smiles warmly.]

Jinsee-san. [He keeps his voice soft, an invitation for her to do the same if she wishes.] Was the coffee to your liking today?

[The sound of her name has her lifting her head up, eyes widening a little as Akira makes his way closer. Her eyes flicker over to his coworkers staring from behind the counter; It was annoying that they didn't even bother to be subtle about their noisiness, some of them even giggling. They were just doing it blatantly out in the open. Her lips purse tightly, Jinsee holding back the urge to scowl. This is not a KDRAMA.. Stop looking this way and get back to work! She huffs out a sigh as they do just that. She was pretty sure it was a combination of her glare and the line of customers waiting to be served that had them eventually returning to work.

She straightens up from her slouched position, tucking some loose strands of hair behind her ear nervously as she returns her attention back to Akira.] ..Mhm. [The smile sent her way is returned back, although hers was just a tad bit smaller and shyer in comparison.]

..s'good. [This is mumbled in a soft voice, Jinsee taking a sip of her drink afterward. The warmth of the drink settles into her bones and made her tense shoulders relax. Jinsee clears her throat, peering up to lock eyes despite how nervous she was feeling.] D-Do you.. want to sit down? [Oh god why did this have to be so awkward? She was so obvious that she wanted to shrivel up on the spot. The color on her face darkens, Jinsee breaking eye contact as she fumbles to pull her phone out of the bag slung over her shoulder. She was too shy to really speak anything more, so her phone's text-to-speech app would help her communicate for today.] If that's okay with you, I mean. I know you just got off from work so you must be tired..

[But Akira's smile is already widening as he shakes his head and pulls up the chair across from her.]

It won't tire me out to sit down, right? [A look from the corner of his eye and- yep. Akira doesn't laugh, but that look sure did send them running back to work.] I'll be fine. I don't always have a chance to talk with you like this, so I shouldn't let it go to waste.

[The look he casts about the second time is more wary; if anyone comes by that gives her strange looks for using her phone, they won't get a kind look back. But there's nothing amiss so far, simply people passing by and placing their orders, so he continues talking like there's nothing that's changed. For Akira, there isn't. He's just talking to Jinsee, no matter what form that takes.]

I'm glad you enjoyed it, though... I'm surprised you wanted a cup so late today, though. Anything special happening?

I don't normally get the chance to talk to you all too often either. So I figured coming a little bit later when you were done with work would be okay. [There is a pause as her fingers fiddle with her phone, Jinsee sending Akira a shy look. She normally was pretty hard to read but right now, shifting on her seat and looking flushed- she was the definition of a blushing schoolgirl. She takes the courage to let out a sigh, locking eyes with him for just a moment.

Eye contact was not something she did normally either, and it was pretty overwhelming to do just that. It made the hair on the nape of her neck stand up and she interlocks her legs to stop them from jittering under the table.] I was wondering if you wanted to hang out? We can do something.

Like.. together. [This was incredibly embarassing, more so than she ever thought it would be. This was brand new territory for her and Jinsee flushes as she finally breaks eye contact, bringing her cup of coffee to take a drink. The warmth of it soothes her frazzled nerves, hands brushing some hair away from her face. The crush she had on Akira was also strange and exciting. It was unfortunate that she had no idea if he even felt attracted to her the way she was with him. They've gotten to know each other through her visits to the cafe but this was the first time she's talked with him when he was clocked out of work.] I don't mind if it's not today. We can always plan it out for another time! I've been meaning to ask for your phone number anyways.

Edited 2023-02-20 04:47 (UTC)

...Together, huh?

[He can't help fiddling with his hair just a little bit. The wording and blushing doesn't leave a lot to the imagination at all, does it?

Akira's always thought Jinsee was cute, but what he enjoyed most was the feeling of peace that their conversations always brought him. A warm contentment and the ability to drop a few more masks than he did with any other customer.

He just had never considered that maybe she felt some of that, too.]

I'd like that a lot. To spend more time together, to know each other a little better... [Akira nods and smiles as if he's come to a decision.] The planetarium might be nice during the day, but for now... I'd be happy to go with you somewhere, if there's anywhere special you had in mind.