sweetestsurrender | { The AU meme }

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{ The AU meme }

Ever played out something and then later wondered "What if?" Ever wondered what it'd be like to play your character a different way, but didn't feel like making a full thing dedicated to it? Now's your chance to play it out!

Using RNG you'll roll 1-3 for the level of the change, and 1-6 for the change itself, or if you want, pick your own based on what you wanted to do.

1)  Small Change: The flap of a butterfly's wings can cause tsunami's on the other side of the world.

-1: "A minute too late"- What if you missed something by a minute, or more? You missed the big meeting, the girl, helping that person, all because you were too late, what happens next?
-2: "The nick of time"- Just like the first, only that instead of missing something you got, that if you got something you missed because you were either too late, or just messed up? Congratulations! Let's just hope it's what you really wanted.
-3: "A little too early"- One more, what if you showed up early? It's suppose to be a good thing, is it this time?
-4: "The other choice"- You had two choices, left or right, heads or tails, Coke or Pepsi, now you get to see what would have happened with the other choice.
-5: "Oops!"- You slipped up, and made a mistake. Is it bad, or a blessing in disguise?
-6: Wild card/Pick your own- Thought of a slight change that'd make all the difference, or had one you wanted to play? Here's your chance.

2)  Medium Change: Didn't really see that coming, did you?

-1: Turning point change- That one thing that would have turned things in your favor went against you, and vice versa. How will you handle this critical change?
-2: "A Razor's edge"- That one moment that could have went either way has gone the opposite way of before. Is this a good thing, or a bad thing?
-3: Crossroads- You reached a point in your life where you had several choices before you, now's the time to go down another road and see where it leads.
-4: The Road less traveled- "Two roads diverged in the woods, and I took the one less traveled" Will it make all the difference?
-5: Interference- Something blocked you from getting something you were going for. What do you do once the moment is gone?
-6: Wild Card/Pick your own-Thought of a medium change that'd make all the difference, or had one you wanted to play? Here's your chance.

3)  Large Change: Why do all the people here have goatee's?

-1: Good/Evil- Use to be a good guy? Welcome to the dark side, here's your cookie. Former bad guy? Hand over the cookie tray and join the side of good. How will the change of moral compass change you?
-2: A different person- You're now a completely different person, literally. Are you taller? Shorter? A robot? A pony? Powers? No powers? Your call.
-3: The other sex- Rule!63 is in effect. Now how does this effect your relationships with the other?
-4: A change in history- Something that happened in the past now has completely change or is now gone. One domino toppling the rest. Now that you've changed your past, how will it effect your future?
-5: Giving up- You walked away from something important to you? Do you regret it? Are you happy?
-6: Wild Card/Pick your own- Thought of a large change that'd make all the difference, or had one you wanted to play? Here's your chance.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"If you guys wanna knock down aphrodisiacs more power to you. You come near me with an oyster and I'm kickin the shins out from under you!" Duo didn't know what kind of aphrodisiacs Quatre was talking about but he did give the little shit a dirty look for bringing it up. Not cool, Quat. Not cool.

"Don't worry about it." He turned his attention to Wufei, his smile warm. "We can hit the dessert stalls instead."

Quatre laughed, flashing Duo a little grin. "What, you don't like chocolate?" he teased, perching his chin atop Trowa's head. He wasn't often in a position where he was taller than his lover, so he was taking full advantage.

With a warm hum, Wufei stirred her drink with the straw, then plucked up the pineapple chunk and took a bite. "That sounds lovely," she decided lightly. "And you don't actually believe those things work, do you?" she asked, glancing in Duo's direction with more than a little amusement.

Trowa was perfectly happy with Quatre being above him. He continued running his hand slowly up and down his arm though. But in the end his hand found Quatre's and threaded with those long, pale fingers to hold it.

"Chocolate is an aphrodisiac? Learned somethin new I guess! Uhh nah, I don't think they work." Duo grinned merrily. "I just hate oysters. Tried one a few years back, came right up again. Did it for a dare. I lost." And he was glad he'd lost. They'd been nasty.

"I don't think I'd like oysters, either," Wufei admitted. "I prefer my meat to be cooked."

"Well, that rules out the tartare," Quatre laughed, fingers tangling with Trowa's as a happy warmth settled in him. It was hard not to feel that way, with so much happiness in the room. "Shall we go? The market should be opening soon."

Wufei hummed, downing the rest of her drink and offering Duo the rest of the pineapple chunk. "I ate the part that tasted like coconut," she promised him.

"Got something else in common!" Duo answered cheerfully. He wasn't even that keen on sushi, but it was a bit more edible than oysters. Then he was offered Wufei's slice of pineapple and he gave a broad grin and took it and happily placed the juicy piece of fruit into his mouth. Even if it had coconut flavour he would have accepted it since Wufei had offered it. "Mm, pretty good!"

"Now I'm ready!" Duo, having finished the pineapple, got himself to his feet. Naturally he then held his hand out to Wufei, his smile knowing. He was fully aware of what he was doing. Without her hand in his, it was starting to feel strange.

Trowa tilted his head up to smile warmly at Quatre. Having him so close, he couldn't help himself. He reached up a hand to slide behind his head and pulled him down toward him just that extra inch to press a kiss to his lips. "... Now we can go."

She smiled warmly as she took Duo's hand, getting to her feet and stepping close. Everything had changed so much and so quickly, but the feeling of her hand in his made her feel stable and anchored, reassured her that all these changes really were for the better.

Quatre returned Trowa's kiss with a soft smile, letting himself melt a little more into the gesture and grinning when the kiss broke. "See, when you do that, it's like you're trying to convince me to stay," he teased, but pulled away enough that Trowa could get up. "The night market is close enough for us to walk, if you don't mind. It'll cool down pretty quickly once the sun sets."

"Just taste for later." Trowa assured, his smile widening just a little, a mischievous sparkle in his eyes that was just for Quatre alone. He got to his feet when he was free to do so and finished off the last of his drink before stepping away from the table and up take his place beside Quatre.

"Walking's fine with me." Duo agreed easily. "Lead the way." They'd have to follow since they had no idea where this night market was, but Duo didn't mind talking a walk with Wufei. Especially if things would be cooling down soon. Feeling like he was about to melt into his boots wasn't the nicest of sensations.

A little shiver ran down Quatre's spine as he cracked a grin. "That'd better be a promise," he replied lightly, and gestured with his free hand for Duo and Wufei to follow, heading off across the garden. It was more of a courtyard, and they reentered the estate on the other side of it, passing straight through to step outside again onto a sidewalk. It wasn't exactly empty, but it wasn't crowded either.

At Duo's side, Wufei kept pace easily, letting her gaze wander as they made their way to the market and hummed happily when she saw the banner that marked the entrance to the car-free alley. There were already lights turned on, strung between awnings that covered little booths selling everything you could imagine. And wouldn't you know, not ten paces in there was a stall selling those big, floppy straw hats.

"Of course." It was always a promise. Trowa contentedly followed beside Quatre while Duo and Wufei brought up the rear.

Like Wufei, Duo couldn't help look around. He had visited a few places around the area but he hadn't been to a night market yet. He had, however, been to a morning one. The night one seemed more his style though. And as they approached it, the lights, the sounds, and one of the first stalls being the one they wanted the most, Duo realised this was the best of ideas.

Immediately he approached, letting go of Wufei's hand he reached for one of the hats and turned to place it atop her head and grinned. "Knew it! Suits you, Wu."

Edited 2022-02-16 23:40 (UTC)

Wufei grinned as she saw the stall, and laughed as he dropped the hat onto her head. "It fits perfectly," she agreed lightly, holding onto the brim with one hand and doing a little twirl for him. "I love it," she decided, catching a glimpse of herself in a mirror. She almost didn't recognize herself, but in an entirely pleasant way.

While Duo and Wufei were busy with hats, Quatre kept close to Trowa, lingering a short distance away. Close enough that they wouldn't get separated, but far enough to give them a little privacy. "Well?" he asked softly. "What's your read on them?" Quatre was an empath, but Trowa was an expert in behavior.

He let go of the hat and watched with a warm smile as she twirled and checked herself out. While she wasn't looking he'd already gone and bought the damn thing. She loved it, it was all he needed to know. It looked good, amazing even, and it was just what they'd said they wanted. Duo approached and stood behind her, looking over her shoulder into the mirror and grinned. "It looks real good. Exactly what we wanted!" He lifted a hand and gave the brim a gentle flick of his finger.

"If I didn't know any better," Trowa started, his gaze moving from Quatre's upturned face to the two not far from them, a small smile curved his lips. "I would have said they were very much in love. But they're holding back." For what reason Trowa couldn't guess. But having watched them it was easy to see that there was something very pure between them, but also a barrier stopping them from being too intimate. It could just be shyness around others. Maybe their level of intimacy was a more private affair. Trowa didn't think so though.

She laughed when he flicked the brim of the hat, grinning at him in the mirror. "Now all I need is a camera hanging around my neck to look like a proper Chinese tourist," she said lightly, turning to put her arms around his. "But I think I can make do with a Duo. What do you think?" she asked.

Quatre hummed softly in agreement. "Whatever it is, it's something that gives her nightmares and fills him with rage," and that made the list of possibilities very short. "But it's none of our business," he said firmly, as if it was Trowa who needed to be reminded not to go prying instead of himself. It was a terrible habit, and terribly hard to break.

"I think a Duo is all you need." Duo agreed cheerfully. Though she also did have a point and suddenly he really wished they had a camera so they could take pictures of all of this. Of her looking so damn beautiful... He wanted to remember every little thing. And pictures were the best way to do that.

Next time. Next time he'd ask Quatre to borrow one. Duo was sure he had them!

"Whatever it is, my love." Trowa soothed, reaching to place a hand gently upon Quatre's shoulder. "It is something they are clearly working through. She's at ease the second she sees him. And he gravitates toward her when he sees her. The details aren't our business, but the results? As their friends, we can be happy for them ad support them." Without interfering. However... things like taking them to the night market to give the new couple more chances to enjoy their time together wasn't the bad kind of interfering, was it?

Wufei giggled warmly up at him, pulling one arm down to go fishing for her wallet because she had, indeed, missed him paying for the hat.

"Yeah," Quatre agreed, leaning into the touch a little. "Yeah, I think they are. They're so good together, I can't believe I didn't see it before, even with all of her secrets," he shook his head a little, smiling up at Trowa. "Be happy, support them, maybe spoil them a little?" he suggested hopefully. "What good is all our money if we can't throw it at our friends once in a while, after all?"

Duo casually reached over to stop her hand and then grinned. "My treat. You can buy me a sweet thing instead." A compromise, he figured. He wanted to spoil her but also didn't want to go overboard. And this hat was something he'd really wanted to see her in. It was strange just how much. It was like he'd had this image in his head and it had needed to be complete, and now it was. Now he was happy. Wufei looked happy too and that was all that mattered.

"Because they weren't ready to be seen." Trowa pointed out gently. "The time wasn't right." Neither were ready for it. Duo had kept on running. Wufei hiding. It had taken something dramatic to bring them both to a stop and out into the light and for the both of them to make that realisation. Only then could the rest of the world see it too.

"My heart, that's just what they don't want." He chuckled. "Unless they give you an opening." And then all bets were off.

She flushed, but her smile didn't waver a bit. "Alright, then. Let's see if we can find something that beats that chocolate cake," she suggested lightly, and leaned up to give him a quick peck on the lips.

Quatre sighed out a chuckle. "Who said you could be the voice of reason again?" he asked with a shake of his head. "I'm glad they've finally come around. I was starting to worry about them both," he admitted. Now there was only Heero left for him to worry over.

"You'd have a tough time doin that, but lets try, huh?" He grinned, the grin widening when when he was kissed. Then he was laughing and started walking with her again, looking at easy of the stalls and the strange things that were being sold. Of course there were plenty that wasn't strange, but mainly the food was what baffled Duo. Baffled him more how delicious most of it looked!

"I'm your cricket." Trowa teased. "No reason to worry now. We can help them enjoy their happiness."

She laughed in reply, keeping her hand in his as they walked. "I've never shied away from a good challenge," she said cheerfully, and the first sweet looking thing she led him to was certainly interesting. Bourbon infused dates, stuffed with just a little bit of goat cheese to cut through all the richness with a little tang. She got a little boat with four in it, and held it up for him to grab one as she made her way closer to Trowa and Quatre.

"If you're the cricket, who's Mushu?" Quatre asked lightly, and grinned when he saw what Wufei was bringing over.

No she never had. It was one of the many things he admired about her. Her tenacity and determination. And he trusted her. So when she stopped by a stall and bought some strange little things, Duo took one when offered and eyed it suspiciously. He was just thinking about popping it into his mouth when they came within earshot of Quatre and Trowa and started laughing.

Trowa arched a brow questioningly. "I don't remember a 'Mushu' in Pinocchio?"

"What the hell conversation have we walked in on?" Duo asked, still laughing.

Wufei offered them each a date as she plucked the third up for herself and popped it into her mouth with a happy hum. It was definitely weird, definitely not as good as the cake, but not bad. "I do believe that was a Mulan reference," she said lightly. "Disney version."

"Exactly!" Quatre laughed, accepting a date. "Trowa was just saying he was my cricket, being the little voice of reason on my shoulder," he grinned as he popped the boozy fruit into his mouth.

"Like Jiminy Cricket?" Duo asked before he finally ate the date. It was... odd. The goats cheese was a really strange flavour, but it wasn't offensive so he didn't mind it.

"Exactly." Trowa echoed his lover with a smile, then nodded to Duo. "He understands me. Thank you, Wufei." He took the last date offered to him and bit it in half.

Duo was just laughing at them all. "More Mulan references. I'm gonna have to see this movie for myself aren't I?"

"It's a surprisingly faithful adaptation," Wufei agreed with a nod, licking her fingers as she dropped the empty container into the trash.

"And apparently I need to rewatch Pinocchio," Quatre shook his head a little. "Shall we continue? There are more sweets stalls up ahead, and I think one of the better clothing stalls just beyond that."

"Maybe we can watch it together then?" Duo asked hopefully. Wufei would be able to explain things to him if they watched it together. Again he reached for her hand once she was finished licking them clean and followed Quatre and Trowa. "Better clothing stalls, huh? Nothing better than straw hats surely?"

"Yes, you do. And no, there isn't. The hat is the best." Trowa chuckled and once again fell into step besides Quatre as they continued down the street to check out the rest of the stalls.

Wufei hummed in agreement. "That sounds like a lovely way to spend an afternoon," she agreed, and laughed warmly at Trowa's assessment of the hat. "It is the best." She felt lighter than she could ever remember, like the world was finally just letting her have a good, solid, unmitigated win. "But there might be skirts with pockets, and those are a pretty close second."

"I don't know, if you're giving up men's pants entirely, you should probably get a purse," Quatre laughed. "From what I hear pockets are tiny or nonexistent on women's clothing." They passed by a stall full of fragrant spices, right next to one with every knockoff electronic part you could think of, across from a stall making something that smelled like every spice known to man had been sprinkled in. A man selling good luck charms, and a place that only sold hot tea, and then they were at the desserts.

Sponge cakes, balls of sweet, sticky rice, baklava being hand made behind a plexiglass barrier... and someone making massive flowers out of cotton candy, right next to a sugar sculptor. There was no shortage of sugar.

"Am I chopped liver?" Duo asked with a wide grin. "I've pockets." And to prove it, the hand he had holding Wufei's he lifted and shoved into his jacket pocket to keep it warm. He looked oddly proud of himself for this, or maybe he was just in a silly mood? Duo was happy. He was relaxed. He was in a very good mood and nothing could bring him down.

It was why he split off and bought one of those good luck charms. At another stall he bought several little bags of tea that he and Wufei could try. But it was that cotton candy guy that he eventually gravitated toward and watched with awe. "Hey, Wu? You want one?"

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