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#so I'm happy to see that some have chosen to visit our yard
bailey-reaper ยท 2 years
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Okay hear me out, what if childhood friends to lovers but it's TABOO ๐Ÿ‘€ like s/o is a commoner(?) that Barok maybe befriended accompanying Klint around in London once and Klint was honestly just happy that his little brother made a friend so he was supportive. S/o eventually makes a name for themself by excelling in their chosen career (maybe detective?) But otherwise don't have any status or such?
The feelings are mutual but s/o is nervous to say anything because they're aware that they lack the status to be a "worthy"/acceptable partner, so eventually Barok caves and confesses instead? Perhaps with some encouragement from Klint? (I'm feeling like.... 18-20 year old Barok here?) Maybe Klint is cool with it because-at least at this point- he's the head of the family and has a wife so he's not too worried about Barok marrying someone with status as long as they make him happy?
Idk I'm a big sucker for "forbidden romance but it works out anyway" lol thanks!
Headcanons (Forbidden Fruit)
Notes: You're very valid for enjoying forbidden romance, friend! There's something so compelling about it (and it's especially good when things work out!).
S/O is gender neutral (they/them pronouns). Barok refers to them using petnames.
Content Warnings: societal expectations; questioning self-value / worth; class politics
Barok met them, on Ludgate Hill, on his way home from watching Klint in court. He was fascinated by the chalk patterns they were drawing on the pavement and trotted ahead of Klint to ask them what they were doing.
"Going to play hopscotch!" they replied with a big smile, "Want to play too?" upon Barok nodding, they taught him how to play and the two set about hopping from square to square as the game proscribed. Klint hung back to watch as his brother immersed himself in a moment of play that was sweet to observe.
Eventually Barok realised he'd been keeping his brother waiting, "O-Oh! I'm sorry brother... I ... got a bit carried away."
"Nonsense, Barok! It's nice to see you with a friend, are you going to introduce me?"
"Oh!" It dawned on Barok that he hadn't even introduced himself to his new friend, but thanks to Klint introductions were made.
"Everyone calls me 'Trouble'," they said, almost proudly, "Nice to meet you, Barok, Mister Klint."
"M-Mister Klint?" suddenly he felt very old, despite only being in his twenties... Still, it was lovely to see Barok interacting with someone his own age: usually his little brother didn't have much opportunity for being a child, so this was a nice opportunity for him, "... Anyway... perhaps you'd like to come to our house for dinner one day, 'Trouble'?"
"Yea that sounds good! I'm usually here, playing hopscotch or marbles or somethin'! So just come find me, ok Barok?" the younger brother nodded, and promised he would come back to visit his new friend.
Gradually Barok and Trouble would become thick as thieves, playing games together and going on adventures. They were easily his best friend, and Klint was more than happy to let the friendship blossom.
As the two grow older, Barok started to notice just how fond he was of his friend while they became increasingly aware of the class divide between them โ€“โ€“ Barok was of noble blood, even they'd heard of the van Zieks family. There were a few people telling them that their friendship with the younger son was unusual indeed, but why was that? Barok was just a kid, like anyone else...
The years leaf by and despite the odds their friendship remained strong, even when Barok left to attend university โ€“โ€“ he would regularly write to his friend, Trouble, who had joined Scotland Yard as an apprentice.
When they meet again, as young adults, there's definitely an attraction between them but Trouble is unwilling to acknowledge it or act upon it. Their time in the Yard has taught them even more about the class divide, and they're pretty sure that eventually Barok is going to tell them that he cannot be seen associating with them because they're a lowly commoner.
It stings to think about that conversation, but surely one day it has to come? One day he'll have to put his status before his friendship, and they're dreading it...
From Barok's perspective, he's struggling with his ever-growing feelings toward his friend and the feeling that things are strained between them. Is that his fault? Is he making it awkward for them? Of course, Barok's also concerned about harbouring such fondness for them because he doubts he'd be allowed to pursue such a relationship โ€“โ€“ though he would very much like to
Thus, for a while, the two quietly agonise over their respective feelings / positions, and it becomes clear to Klint that something is weighing heavily on his brother's mind and so, in true Klint fashion, he takes his brother out (probably to a pub) to ask him directly what's troubling him so.
After quite a bit of cajoling (and a few drinks), Barok fesses up about what's going on in his head and his heart: he's had fond feelings toward his childhood friend for a while now, and those feelings have only grown stronger, and not only does his friend seem to be growing distant (he fears because he makes them awkward) but he also feels despondent because it's not something he can act upon, being of 'noble' blood.
Klint pats Barok's shoulder and says, "Well, all you need is the blessing of the master of the family, don't you?" to which his younger brother nods, "Well, you have it, Barok. Your happiness means far much more to me than the standing of your beloved. I don't care if they're a commoner or a member of royalty, so long as they make you happy. I can handle the politics, alright?"
That gives Barok the confidence to, in his own awkward yet adorable way, confess to his beloved friend that he has feelings for them and he'd like to be with them โ€“โ€“ if they'll have him.
Barok's confession startles them, because when he said 'I need to talk to you' they'd wholly expected the conversation they've long been dreading: the 'you're a commoner, so I cannot be seen to associate with you anymore' talk. To hear that he had feelings for them and wanted to be with them was unbelievable. "This... isn't a joke, right?" they ask, tentatively.
"It's not a joke," he assures them, "I... have been in love with you for quite some time but I had no idea how to broach the subject. I fear that made me more distant of late and I'd like to apologise for my lack of communication."
"....." all this time they'd thought Barok was plagued with concern for his noble standing, when in reality his feelings toward them had only seemed to grow deeper โ€“โ€“ as had their own toward him, but they'd told themself that such thoughts only belonged in fairy stories and dreams, "... Barok I... I... but..." yet doubts still lingered in their mind, "What about your standing? You're a noble, I'm just a commoner..."
"Don't worry about that, my brother has given his blessing to me... we can make this work, if you'll have me... that is."
"Oh..." and now it really does feel like a fairy story, but it's not fiction: it's reality, Barok loves them and wants to be with them and Klint has given his blessing to him being with someone like them. They throw themself into his arms and cuddle him, "Of course I'll have you! I wouldn't want anyone else!"
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