bakerstreet | We're better together

We're better together

Mutual Healing

Healing doesn't come quickly, whether the need comes from physical or mental wounds. But you're trying regain your strength - and yourself.

People, as a general rule, are kind, or at least not outright inflammatory to you, it seems. Still, you just can't connect with them. No matter how nice, how caring, they don't understand. They've never experienced anything like what you've gone through, or they're not like you in a way that lets them see what you still go through; they have no frame of reference. Sure, they have sympathy, but it's not the same. So there's no real connection, despite any friendliness. It's so easy, then, to feel detached...

...until you meet them, in this place of both death and healing.

They may not have been through the exact same struggles, they may not be exactly the same as you, but they know what darkness is light. How they handle this fact may be better or worse than how you do, yet you can see yourself in their actions. And for once? There's connection; more than that, too. Slowly, you can feel yourself opening up towards them, and then, falling for them.

Is this something your used to? Will you fight your feelings, or will you jump at the opportunity to be with someone who can begin to get you? You may have little choice in the matter, as your instincts may just reach out to be with whatever compatible contact you can get. That's better, in the long run, though. Who else could have wounds like yours?

Essentially, it's what it says: a "romance," in the loose definition, or "shipping" meme for characters who have been through the wringer or have hangups.
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[info/prefs in journal]

(ooc | Information. tldr; info.

OTA for gen, 16+ for shipping to be mutual.

Warnings in the journal are relevant to the meme. Ash is very broken in a way that isn't immediately visible. He also doesn't believe he has the right to heal so be prepared for some strong assumed CR or an uphill battle. )

(ooc | Information. tldr; info.

OTA for gen, 16+ for shipping to be mutual.

Warnings in journal; for Nezumi, he's so unable to adjust to a pleasant life that he leaves the only person he loves. His defense is a sharp tongue and distance. Interested to finally getting to a point where he tries to adjust to a normal world. )

( Itsss me again. Did you want to plot some kind of reunion thread? )

(ooc | Absolutely. I can offer two varieties:

1.) a nighttime scene that mirrors their first meeting. it has all the dramatics that Nezumi loves

2.) a normal scene. nezumi just steps in all normal like as if it's nothing. obviously, it'll become something, but. )

( Oh, I'd love a nighttime scene. It'd be super cathartic, esp if it's a few years post-canon. I like to hc that Shion leaves his bedroom window unlocked despite the danger :'3 Just in case a certain rat feels like dropping by... )

(ooc | Sorry for the delay! Had to get time to sit down and find the headspace for an emotional starter. Let me know if you want any adjustments. )

[ Years ago, Nezumi left the man he loved because he knew this world wasn't his. He could thrive in a land full of lawless criminals but blending in with this city was more than he'd be able to handle. It wasn't a decision made lightly even if he hadn't screamed or cried at their parting. But, he'd be another burden Shion would need to carry while also carrying the burden of the city. A simple tap on the shoulder by someone asking a question could activate dangerous survival instincts, and then he'd be murdering someone in the midst of a populated city. Nezumi never voices his reasons, but he hoped Shion was eventually able to understand that he needed something between survival and civilization so that he could be civilized.

Shion was never far from his mind. Where was he? How was he doing? Probably reading a book and ignoring sleep. But his eyes were lighting up when he found a solution, and he'd move just slightly faster as if he were an excited child. In his mind, Shion was doing well. Even when they'd initially parted as children, Nezumi knew more about his day-to-day life than he does now.

When it's finally time, it isn't because Nezumi is magically able to forget about his past, but he's calmed enough that he's ready for the next step: the city.

Each step brings a spark of excitement behind his cool facade. As Nezumi walks through what used to be a gate, there's no hesitation, no sense of urgency, but he's always been good at hiding his emotions. He's missed Shion terribly, and it was like the spark the boy brought had dimmed too much. The hour is late so it would be rude to just go into his house, but Nezumi wasn't good with manners.

The door is unlocked. A smile crosses his face; it's not a coincidence. Shion is waiting.

He doesn't have to wait any longer. ]

Knock knock.

[ Nezumi voices the sound instead of actually knocking as he slides open the balcony door. ]

[ No.6 has changed while Nezumi was gone. It was an inevitability with Shion heading the reconstruction efforts along with the rest of the committee. It's not something that was easily done, as both of them anticipated. Coexistence between West Block and the rest of the city was hard won, and even now there were still hiccups- now and then there would be disagreements or a violent uproar spurred by how things used to be and the aftershocks of that horrible event that still haunted the recesses of the populace's thoughts.

But still, the wall came down. The rubble was cleared. West Block was no less a part of the city that was No.6 than any other area now. Shion keeps busy, checking in with several groups as needed, making sure the people's needs are being met, making notes on things to run by the committee next time they talk. Whatever needs doing to keep himself occupied.

All the while Nezumi is never far from his mind- he was in his thoughts every time he passed the former gate or visited the park that now covered where the Correctional Facility stood. Tsukiyo was an ever present reminder, though by now he's aged past being able to carry messages and going off on adventures (He'd made friends with a new mouse for that). Even the rain or a good book brought thoughts of him to mind. It's a bittersweet kind of pain, but it means that Nezumi is still with him somehow. Or that's what he tells himself.

And so he keeps waiting.

The air feels different tonight in a way he's not sure how to describe. Like the wind itself was heralding Nezumi's arrival. He'd gone to sleep without locking the door to the balcony as usual, though tonight he found it harder to sleep with the promise of something happening in the back of his mind. Tsukiyo was the first to notice Nezumi's arrival, of course, hopping from his spot curled on Shion's chest to greet his original caretaker at the door by scrambling up his clothes and onto his shoulder.

For Shion's part, it was a lot harder to come to terms with what he was seeing. The sound of Nezumi's voice brought with it a sense of longing and comfort that hadn't been quite the same since his departure. As though his heart had been with Nezumi this whole time and is only now returning.

And he smiles, how can he not? He smiles with tears in his eyes as he rises to greet Nezumi. There is no hesitation-- he's been waiting. He waited this whole time. ]

Welcome home.

[ And he's not talking about No.6 or their bunker in West Block or even this general area that used to house his people. Wherever they are together is home.

Shion's tears spill, rolling down his cheeks. He looks much the same as Nezumi left him, his youthful face barely changing despite the years that passed. A hand extends to catch Nezumi's sleeve loosely. As though to confirm he's real. To keep him from running off on him again. ]

I missed you... what have you been up to?

[ There's been so much to miss about Shion. Those intelligent eyes and that gentle smile seemed unique to a boy who'd leave his window in hopes that tonight, Nezumi would come home. If not, tomorrow, he'd probably leave it open again just in case that night would be the one. Many times, Nezumi called him an idiot, but he always knew that naive was the better word, and in the end, he wished he could have protected that innocence. Shion is still Shion, at least. Nothing could break who the boy was at its core.

It's almost as if time froze. Nezumi, too, looks the same if with slightly longer hair. His eyes still hide so much of his emotions as if always a mirror that can only reflect back.

His free hand reaches up to wipe at the tears that run down Shion's cheek. ]

I'm home.

[ I'm back. ]

I haven't done anything worth talking about. It was a lot of walking.

[ A lot of self-reflection. It wasn't safe outside of what was once walls, but it was safer than the Western District had been. Nezumi needed to become somebody who could accept the city before he could settle down inside with Shion.

Will he tell him about meeting his father? Possibly. Maybe he'll talk to Karan first. She knew him better than Shion had through no fault of Shion. But, their reunion isn't the time to mention 'oh yeah, I ran into your dad. he was kind of a sleaze.' ]

Maybe I shouldn't admit that to somebody who's been hard at work.

(ooc | Information. tldr; info.

OTA for gen, 16+ for shipping to be mutual. By default, I play a post-canon AU that can be found here. This allows him to be more playable. Other canon points can be found here if you'd prefer.

As above, warnings in journal, but I can give you a preview by saying Ayase is from a somewhat hardcore stereotypical manga series. You know what I mean. The issues caused by his circumstances are never dealt with so it would be fun to play with Ayase trying to help someone else heal and not realizing he needs healing, too. I'm open to other ideas though! Please note that in spite of his small size, he's completely comfortable comforting girls and bigger men, too. )

(ooc | Information. tldr; info.

OTA for gen, 21+ for shipping to be mutual.

Last one! Warnings still in journal. Fai is the stepford smiler type of broken. Due to his childhood, he hides a lot behind his smile, and I'm always interested in exploring a relationship that encourages him to be more earnest in his expressions. )