ℂℍ𝔼ℂ𝕂𝕄𝔸𝕋𝔼

This is a random scenario meme for everyone! You’ll be able to reblog this meme for fourteen days starting today, but feel free to continue answering memes after that if need be. Go wild with them and have a good time! Also feel free to use this for sentence starters or drabbles; the most important thing is to get everyone writing. Hopefully, it’ll spark some new plot ideas and interactions too!

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Taeyong let himself get dragged into a building he’d never noticed and up a flight of stairs. It briefly crossed his mind that this could all be part of some elaborate trap set by Doyoung. But that line of thinking didn’t really make much sense as there was nothing to be gained from tricking Taeyong so he dismissed that thought and focused instead on just getting to the cafe.

As they walked through the doors Taeyong gave the employee a respectful bow and took in his surroundings. He could easily count at least 15 cats and kittens all roaming around or nestled into a cat bed sleeping the day away. Lucky. Taeyong rarely ever got to relax like that. There were a few other people there as well but the atmosphere was calm his shoulders already began to unwind from being so tense before. A small black cat approached him and Taeyong crouched down immediately to get on it’s level. He waved a little and waited for the cat to come closer before petting it and checking it’s name. “Roo. Hello Roo. It’s nice to meet you.” The cat purred and gave a tiny meow as if in response to his greeting. The fact that he had come here accompanied by someone else was completely forgotten as Taeyong tried to avoid melting into a pile of sunshine and warm fuzzies.

Doyoung had never been one for shame. But his apparent lack of shame was even more apparent around felines as observed by his lack of ‘decorum’ around someone he barely knew. Perhaps dropping to his belly to frisk with the felines that were starting to gather around him (he attributes it to the probable scent of catnip still clinging onto his body from playing with Felix this morning) and ‘baby-talking’ to them.

“Aren’t you a feisty one Napoleon,” he cooes in a sickly sweet voice at the Russian Blue nibbling on his finger.

If there’s anything Kim Doyoung’s a sucker for, it would be cats. Though judging from Taeyong’s demure around felines, it would hardly be a problem. Like recognises like. A cat-lover was in their midst!

Taeyong felt goose bumps rise on the back of his neck as the man, Doyoung, snaked an arm around his shoulders. People didn’t touch him, ever. Skinship was not a thing in Taeyong’s life and the sensation was completely and utterly foreign to him. He fought back a shudder, his knee jerk response to people too close to him. A quick pleading glance at his co-workers proved useless as not one of them even attempted to rescue him from this situation. The traitors probably thought Doyoung was an acquaintance of his or something. He threw a frosty glare at them as he was led away from what he had thought was the safety and normalcy of work and out into the street.

He was about point two seconds away from pulling himself out of Doyoung’s grasp when his mind caught up to what Doyoung had actually said. A cat cafe? As in cute, fluffy, soft and adorable cats that you hang out with as you eat? Well…damn it. Now he was conflicted. On the one hand nothing decreased his stress like cuddling up with Haru at home. But on the other, nothing stressed him out more than being in an uncomfortable situation and having lunch with a practical stranger definitely counted as such. But, there would be cats. Unconsciously he pouted when he knew he’d already lost. He sighed in defeat before a stony look came over his face. “I’m only letting you do this, because there will be cats. Don’t go getting any weird ideas. This is a one time thing ok.” He would go, but he would only focus on the cats. Doyoung would have to just deal with being ignored.

If it were possible, the ear-splitting grin on his face grew even wider. Not only did he manage to weasel himself out of what was bound to be an absolute time waster of a lecture from Hyunshit, but he scored himself a date to a cat cafe. Lovely! It’s always more fun when there’s company.

Taeyong being so compliant was pretty nice. He doesn’t come across many SPD employees who let him steamroll them like that. He wonders if it’d be worth sticking around the guy more often. A pushover SPD employee would be quite the find. No way he’d let off an individual like that; If he could... nurture them properly, they could be rather useful in the future. 

“One time. Sure,” he chuckles. 

Weird ideas. Pity his head is constantly filled with ‘weird’ ideas; Life would be so boring otherwise. Looks like Taeyong is fresh out of luck. Taeyong-ssi over here, reeked of ‘pushover’. It’s unfortunate that Doyoung liked toying with easily provoked people. 

“Anyways, here we are,” he exclaims, pushing pass the glass door and he dragged the other male up the narrow stairwell leading up to the second floor of the quaint building overlooking the busy street. 

After working non stop for hours Taeyong was looking forward to a break and some good food. What he did not expect was a certain alleyway ruffian’s voice to call out to him while he was at work. He immediately stiffened, unsure what to make of this. Did the guy follow him? Was it just coincidence that he was here now? No, Taeyong highly doubted there wasn’t a reason for the other being at the SPD Head Precinct. 

Slowly he turned around, his curiosity getting the better of him. His eyes widened a bit as he confirmed that yes, it was indeed the same guy from the alley. Shaking his head he began back tracking as the guy made his way towards him. “Look, I don’t even know your name ok. What are you even doing here? Wait no, don’t answer. I don’t want to know. Anyway sorry but I already have plans.” He hastily made his way to the door hoping that the other would take the hint and leave him be. Already the fact that he was here was screwing with his mental schedule and stress levels.

The man backtracking didn’t phase him the slightest. In fact, the sight only bolsters him and has him picking up the pace as he strides forward with determination, pointedly ignoring the noises of disapproval coming from Hyunshit. 

Not that there was much out there that phased Doyoung when he put his mind into it.

“It’s Doyoung, nice meeting you again Taeyong-ssi,” he replies anyway, "And I was invited over by your superior over there Officer Hyunsh—woo,” he jerks a thumb towards the grumbling man behind him, “to go over his stupid theories. Again. But no matter. Lunch.”

Pretending not to have heard the man. He strides over to the hastily retreating man, casually sliding an arm around the man’s shoulder as he passively-aggressively takes the led. At this point, he was just steamrolling over the unfortunate soul without so much as a second thought. 

At the insinuation that the spread of food laid out before him is anything less than perfect, Hansol is quick to raise both of his hands and shake his head in denial. “No, really. This is perfect Mrs. Kim,” he’s assures, relaying every bit of sincerity he can with his words as he trails behind the pair. “I haven’t had a home cooked meal in…” he tilts his head in exaggerated thought before finishing a tad sheepishly, “well, since the last time you had me over.” 

He’s certain that Mrs. Kim missed that last bit with how she and Doyoung are playfully swatting at each other in the kitchen, but he doesn’t mind. He enjoys being a part of these moments, enjoys the Kim family’s banter and the warmth in their eyes as they rough house. 

Dinners at his house had been a much different sort of affair. There had been place settings and polished silver and pressed linens and maids to handle all of the cooking. On the rare occasion that the family actually sat together for a meal, his mother insisted they wear nothing less than their Sunday best. Even something as simple as a meal had been more of a performance where his parents were concerned. 

After washing up, Hansol drifts back towards the dinner table, hovering as he waits for Mrs. Kim so that he can help her into her chair before taking his own beside Doyoung. 

He jabs his elbow into Doyoung’s ribs lightly in silent reprimand for giving his mother a hard time, if only for show’s sake. “I can’t take you anywhere,” he laments with a sigh. 

“What the fu—” Doyoung catches himself in time, eyes flicking in a sheepish (silent) apology to his mother, “—I mean, what the hell are you talking about? You only go ‘anywhere’ because of me. If you didn’t know me, you’d only know two places. Home, and school. I’m a firecracker baby!”

Taeyong listened carefully as the other outlined his views on this SPD, the city and himself as a rookie. While he couldn’t deny that the points were mostly valid he couldn’t exactly agree with them either. Yes rookies could be less corrupt but there was something to be said about experience and the knowledge that came with that. Taeyong wouldn’t be in his position without the mentors and teachers who helped him along the way. But that was hardly something he expected someone else to understand.

He raised an eyebrow at the apology. Sincere or not Taeyong suspected that was about as good as he was going to get at this point. He’d take it for now but at the moment there were more pressing matters to attend to. He spotted the officer, one he hadn’t met yet and was about to address him until his, what exactly was he supposed to call the other person who’d been assaulted by the goon on the ground? They’d only just met and yet here he was saying his name like he’d known Taeyong for years. Hindsight was 20/20 and now Taeyong regretted revealing his full real name.

“Hey wait-,” He was about to say something about that as well but within minutes the other guy told his story and was out of the alley, the officer holding a card and looking beyond perplexed as he quickly wrote down the information that was given to him. “…A second.” His hand droppped to his side. He hadn’t even noticed he’d reached out as if to grab the guy before he could go. The officer looked at him expectantly as he dragged the perpetrator into  the back seat of the patrol car.

“Sir I’m going to need your statement and information as well.”

Taeyong didn’t hesitate to pull out his ID and show the officer. “CSI Lee Taeyong. Let’s make this quick alright? I have a cat at home that’s expecting me and groceries I need to put away.” He glanced one last time in the direction the stranger left in before getting to his own statement. This was by far the weirdest night Taeyong had experienced in a very long time.

 Sicheng feels something shift inside of him when Doyoung speaks, a downward shift, a deflation. He can’t even put a finger on why exactly.

 He still manages a smirk, and a scoff, though.

 “Seen it a million times, Doyoung, you’re not exactly shy. Let’s just say it’s uh…lost its glamour.”

  It takes a surprising amount of effort to rise to the other man

 He kisses his teeth, and gives a laugh when Doyoung gives his jeans a saucy twirl, and he’s struck by a strange combination of emotion. He really did miss Doyoung, unspeakably so, he’d craved these moments, Doyoung’s attitude, the challenging look in his eyes, and yet there’s a hollowness to it now, like neither of them is really here, like they’re just performing some questionably written play with half-heart. Sicheng at first questions if he’s imagining it, but realises that they’ve both been through the wringer tonight, as strange and distant as it’s almost immediately become for Sicheng. How is it that it’s been an hour, but it feels like another lifetime? Like him and Doyoung have been sat in this room for as far back as he can recall?

Once Doyoung, really starts to strip down to get into the shower, Sicheng retreats to the bed, although that’s not very far, the room they’re in wasn’t exactly designed to provide its occupants with boatloads of privacy or personal space, quite the opposite in fact. He sits on the mattress’s edge and pulls his knees up to his chest, resting his chin on them, and closing his eyes. 

 He can’t keep them closed long; his own thoughts aren’t pretty. 

 So instead he gives the room a good study, really taking in the decor, although he can’t help but let his eyes rest on Doyoung’s pale form, half-obscured by the steam of the shower, every couple minutes, trying not to let the worry eat at him too much. They can’t afford to get him any help tonight. 

 Doyoung eventually moves into the bath to have a soak, and a silence falls over them for a bit. Sicheng wants to speak, but simply can’t think of what to say.

"The glamour is only lost if you let it," he fires back teasingly, his words tinged with a touch of earnestness despite the cocky smirk that adorned his face. "Am I no longer as attractive to you as I was once led to believe?"

“Well some of us can certainly speak for ourselves.” He glanced back at the other starting to feel slightly annoyed at all the opinions being flung at him. It’s not like Taeyong had any control over how things were ran at the SPD or how the rest of the city viewed them. He had a job to do and he did it. That was it. There wasn’t really any point in thinking about apathy and the city breathing it or whatever.

He furrowed his brow at the word cute and whatever impression Taeyong had of this person initially, he now decided that it was void. In it’s place that initial annoyance grew and so his desire to leave. “Whether I’m a rookie or not is hardly of any consequence nor is it your business. And if you must know my name is Lee Taeyong. Not that it matters. You and I are going to get our statements taken and then part ways and that will probably be the end of all this.”

It was starting to grate on him, how chummy this guy was trying to be with him. They didn’t know each other so and they clearly had different ideas about the SPD and how to handle the criminals in this city. He felt the tension in his shoulders getting worse and had to pull back before he got too upset. He softened his glare and stared at the ground embarrassed by his own behavior. “Sorry, I don’t really do well with, other people. I apologize if I might have offended you.” No matter how angry he was it never changed the fact that he was SPD and whatever he did reflected on them.

In order to avoid the other he went back to the entrance of the alley and grabbed his groceries, thankful that they hadn’t been stolen or trampled or kicked over.

It's not like Doyoung hadn't expected the somewhat hostile reception of his opinions on the city's state and the SPD. After all, who in their right mind would be receptive to a stranger questioning one's efficiency on the job? Still, he finds it amusing. But then again, he finds pushing the buttons of any SPD employee very, very amusing. There's still a whole chunk of juvenile immaturity in Doyoung that finds frivolous excitement and glee at giving authority the middle finger, albeit on the down low. 

Taeyong rolled his eyes a bit but still couldn’t help but smile just a little. He loved his job but it wasn’t really like how it was portrayed on tv. “I wouldn’t get too excited. It’s not actually like that. It’s kind of gross and the hours are brutal and things happen a lot more slowly in real CSI work than on tv. For example it takes a lot more than a few hours to identify a DNA sample.”

He took out his phone and started taking pictures of everything from the guy still on the ground unconscious to the entrance of the alley way. He even turned on the selfie cam and took several shots of his own neck which was going to be sporting some ugly bruises after a while.

Taeyong felt a slight blush creep up his neck in embarrassment when the other brings up his lack of physical skill. He turns away to hide it and focuses on making sure everything is documented as thoroughly as possible before muttering a response. “I’ve, had training. I just, don’t really have to use it…ever.”

He didn’t even bother commenting on how commendable his actions had been. They weren’t commendable. They were stupid and reckless and irresponsible. But at the same time he hadn’t expected things to escalate so quickly. That’s just the risk he ran and he paid for it.

He held back a flinch as the other dropped down beside him into his personal space. People didn’t normally get that close to him, for any reason unless they knew him and this guy definitely did not. He frowned when he realized what the other was getting at. “In all likelihood yes, you probably will get charged with assault if you knock him out again. In terms of the law it’s about whether or not excessive force was used. And if we have the chance to run or get help and you knock him out first, you lose any chance of claiming self defense.” 

“SPD doesn’t have refresher courses the deal with that? Sounds like a lack of foresight if you ask me,” he remarks as he eyes the man, observing his every move – very CSI-esque, he notes mentally. It was certainly fascinating to see procedure play out right before him, and Doyoung can’t help drawing parallels to what he’s seen playing out on television. 

To which he instantly (mentally) smacks himself over the head for. 

The man had already called him out on his supposed misconceptions about the job. And Doyoung himself knows that what’s on screen is rarely every true to life. It’s childish and pretty darn cringe worthy to romanticise a job, even if the only audience is himself. 

CSI man seemed like a decent fellow – maybe too nice for his own good, but decent nonetheless. In fact, he’s so decent that Doyoung finds it necessary to lament the man’s lack of moral flexibility. 

“And that,” he snaps his fingers sassily, “Is exactly why nobody trusts the cops in this city. The SPD has got it’s head so deep in the book they can’t think for themselves. We live in a city, and cities breathe apathy. There’s no help to be found in the streets – looked how many people bothered to step in – and do you honestly think this guy would’ve let anyone off so easily?”

Snickering, he pinches the nose of the semi-conscious man stirring below him, “It’s cute though, your optimism and strong moral backbone. Very refreshing. You a rookie?” 

Doyoung thinks of Hyunwoo, and practically every other veteran SPD who’s fallen into ambiguous partnerships with him. Most have long lost their bright-eyed idealism, getting jaded as time wore on. Some of them were good men, some not. Most were well intentioned. It’s ironic how so many of them had come to uphold the law, by twisting the law. 

“Don’t mind me, I’m just a jaded old man.”

Giving the CSI a light pat on the shoulder, he reassures him, ”Don’t worry I won’t do anything unless you tell me to.”