f a m i l i a r i t y. - [fierrochase]

eleven ☀️

MAGNUS ;

      Magnus was torn between many things. He didn't know whether he wanted to buy strawberries or apples, he didn't know whether to celebrate Christmas or not. He was an atheist, he doesn't believe in anything at all, but then again the thought of Christmas did settle in his mind as something pleasant.

He remembered the days his mom would go up to him and give him some presents, cook him meals—back when he believed in things that were much more pleasant than the things he believed in today. Back when the fairy tails seemed like realities, when all that came to mind were things that can be real—that can exist. After his mom died, he didn't know what to believe in. He didn't know what to live by, what beliefs to have, any other thing to call reality. He's been homeless, then took in by a relative, had to work his ass off just to get out of the household, and now here he was. He was happy being alone—being independent. He was happy being free.

"Yeah, Blitz. I know Hearth doesn't approve with apples but these apples look sexy." He said through the phone as Blitzen ranted on and on about the fruits. Hearthstone and Blitzen were out of town—which they didn't want. Blitz had a project to work on with some collaborations with other fine designers in New York. Hearthstone needed to be there because he was assigned to animate some new Christmas mini-series. They usually had invited Magnus on holidays to eat with them, but on this pleasant holidays when the two of them were out, Blitzen had to make Magnus go grocery shopping so he wouldn't starve himself to death on Christmas Eve.

"Hearth said strawberries would be better in a cake." Blitz said on the other line. Magnus had pushed on the shopping cart, with a bag of flour and other baking stuff were in there. "He said if you wanted to buy apples, you could make pies with them. But you're an idiot—oh wait, but you're not good at baking and making pies. So you'll have to settle with cakes since you're familiar with the methods."

"Gee, thanks." He said and grabbed a pack of strawberries. "Why couldn't I just order a cake like everyone else?" He complained to the guy on the other line of the call. Blitzen groaned, a guttural noise metaphorically eloping with Magnus' sense of hearing. Magnus only rolled his eyes.

Christmas Eve was a whole week away, but since Blitzen and Hearthstone worried (and plotted some FIERROCHASE to happen) about Magnus being alone and not having to enjoy the festive season. So why not leave some list of ingredients and make him cook just to feel the seasonal shit.

"And not ask Alex to bake with you? Kid, I know you have a thing for Fierro. Ask the guy to bake with you."

"Actually, she's a she today. I don't really know if she settles with 'guy' as something regarding her." He says as he recollected the memory he had earlier. He walked to his kitchen counter as he made coffee for himself, picking up the paper Hearthstone had scribbled on a list of ingredients for a chocoberry cake. He looked past the windowsill and saw Alex Fierro there, her hands were stained with pink and green paint as she rinsed the colors off, she hummed with a smile plastered on her face—and by only looking Magnus knew she was, in fact, a she.

     "Okay then, mister." Magnus smiled at the imaginary image of Blitzen rolling his eyes. Just like the old times Magnus would correct him and make a point regarding their topic. Those memories when he had nowhere to go to where very much distant, yet was so close and felt as if it was the most recent experience. Those were the days he was reevaluating his whole personality, his plans for his tomorrow—and now here he is, on his independent way of making it a reality.

     "Okay, Blitz. I'll call you later, I'm gonna have to pay for these." Blitzen said his goodbyes and Magnus ended the call. He walked over to the cashier and waited in line, a long, boring line of strangers with their groceries or something. The shop was designed with glittery Christmas decor—the place was a whole glittery mess. The shelves were designed with red and green streamers (were those streamers?) and the cashier's booths were colored with red glittery vine-y things that consisted of little Santas, and to just clear things up—it was hella festive.

Magnus waited until it was his turn, he quickly paid for the groceries and scurried home. He carried the bags and settled it in his bicycle's basket. Yeah, he owned a bicycle, a thrifty and more convenient way to travel if he says so for himself. He pedaled on across streets with the winter air caressing his cheeks, the civilians were all about and scattered across the city—shopping for last minute Christmas presents.

CHRISTMAS FUCKING PRESENTS! He thought. He thought about being an atheist, and how ironic this is for him—to care and actually prepare for an event contradicting his beliefs. But then again, he still respected people's beliefs. He respected the way people would believe things like that exists and events such as those obscured history, even when he didn't believe so himself.

And now, he was a already thinking of a certain someone to buy a present for. Gee, Magnus. He thought, Maybe try asking yourself—oh wait! You're awkward as fuck! How would you know what Alex wants? And before he could slap himself with the pack of strawberries he bought, he withdrew his bicycle to the parking lot just in front of the apartment building. The brick wall was as sturdy as some newly constructed building, he hurried picked up the packs of grocery and ingredients and walked to the front entrance—just as Alex was about to go out from it.

"Uh." He said awkwardly. "Hi?"

Alex laughed at him, getting some of the bags from his hands. "Need help? Yes. Now let's get to your place, I wanna tell you something."