Tweak

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Tweak says, "You're invited too, Grumpy!"

Seamus Finnigan (openbottle) wrote in finnigans_rpg,
@ 2015-03-04 14:19:00

Entry tags:

character: dean thomas, character: seamus finnigan

Who: Seamus and Dean
What: Camping out at Dean's place
Where: Dean's flat
When: Monday 2nd March, evening
Rating: NSFW - language (probably)

Seamus felt no qualms about leaving Gobstones club in Blaise’s hands - he didn't usually attend anyway, and the bar was suitably staffed. He was easily able to escape from Finnigan's at the end of his shift. First, he filled a shabby rucksack with everything he might need for spending a night away from home - pyjamas, clean socks, toothbrush, clean t-shirt, chocolate, beer. Instead of apparating straight to Dean's flat, though, he made a significant detour via the chippy in Greencastle to pick up two portions of fish and chips.

Apparating all the way to Ireland and back in the span of twenty minutes meant that Seamus's crack of apparation was louder than he'd really like - and set him stumbling a little on his arrival, having misjudged the exact position of the table. He set his hand on it to steady himself, blinking rapidly to make the world come back into focus. "Dean?" he called hopefully. He'd been avoiding the studio even more assiduously than Dean himself, because running into Ophelia would spell good things for nobody. Seamus had already had to bank his anger that Ophelia was having enough of a lasting impact in Dean's life to trigger new nightmares. She had no right! "I come bearing food," he added. If that didn't entice Dean out of hiding then Seamus would have to go looking for him.

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artistdean
2015-03-05 08:45 pm UTC (link)

He very nearly rolled his eyes, but suddenly there was a Seamus-shaped limpet attached to his side and instead he just groaned. "Yes, yes I do," he said, trying to sound put out, but mostly just sounding fond. Since he had a trapped arm he couldn't really return the hug very well, but he did sling his free arm over Seamus' and tilted his head over to rest on his friend's for a moment, taking and releasing a noisy breath. "Fine, you get beer. I'll have lemonade or something. I've got to have potion tonight and I really don't want to mix it no matter how fucking tempting it is," he said, starting to grumble.

When Seamus released him, and he smiled tightly at his mention of two actual meals. "For breakfast, sure. I probably should have come to the pub for lunch because that would have skipped out at least one awkward encounter for the day, and I might have managed to get you to eat as a bonus," he said, starting to almost pace, but it was basically impossible in his tiny kitchen so he basically ended up walking to the fridge and opening and closing it in frustration. In fact Dean might have admitted to the door being slightly slammed. Slightly.

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openbottle
2015-03-06 01:28 pm UTC (link)

It was the mention of alcohol being tempting that tipped Seamus off to Dean's state of mind - even before the slammed fridge door. It wasn't as if his potions were new, so it was definitely the situation that was tempting him. Seamus crossed his arms across his chest as he watched, his own smile fading the more signs Dean showed of stress affecting him.

"You're welcome at the pub for lunch whenever you want," he said, keeping his own voice even. The last thing he wanted to do right now was trigger Dean's anger. It might help him in the moment to shout at someone, and Seamus didn't really mind taking it when he knew it wasn't his fault, but Dean would only feel bad about it after he'd cooled down - and he probably didn't need reminding about the effects of PTSD on his life and relationships, either. "Or for any reason."

Seamus paused to consider his words for a beat longer than he usually would before he added, "You'd only be putting off encounters, though. They're going to keep happening unless one of you leaves the studio, and the more they happen the quicker they'll stop bothering you." Seamus knew that sometimes talking sense to someone who was emotional was not helpful, and if it seemed that way now he'd back off - but he had to at least try.

"You want to go for a fly?" he asked, completely on a whim. It had been a long time since they'd flown together, but maybe something active would help. Seamus would have suggested duelling, but his experience with Susan had reminded him that duelling with someone both angrier and more powerful than you was sure to end badly. "We can put warming charms on the food."

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artistdean
2015-03-06 09:24 pm UTC (link)

"I know, I know," Dean said, not quite dismissing Seamus' comment but clearly considering it far from his point. "But I didn't think about it, even though I'd already run into her getting coffee," he said, moving into the living area so he could pace in front of the sofa. "It wasn't so bad in the last couple of weeks then I had these new fucking nightmares and just the sight of her drives me fucking crazy!" He threw his hands in the air in frustration.

"I mean it's not your fault, her fault, or even mine in any way I can damn well control, but there she is, in my fucking dreams screaming about my PTSD to the whole of Diagon fucking Alley," Dean ranted, pacing up and down, gesturing emphatically. "You know, because more nightmare variations and more words that are haunting me are exactly what I need," he said. He sat down heavily on the sofa and groaned as he rather deflated.

Then Seamus suggested flying and suddenly it seemed like the best idea in the world. Get him out of his head and he trusted Seamus to not trail him in a way that would make him twitchy when he was already on edge. "Let me get my broom," he said decisively, pushing up again, crossing to squeeze Seamus into a brief but incredibly tight hug.

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openbottle
2015-03-07 04:27 pm UTC (link)

Seamus was only too happy for the opportunity to squeeze Dean back, even if it was only briefly. Dean's nightmares - like much of his PTSD - always left Seamus feeling a little helpless. He could make Dean take his potion, or sleep beside him for a couple of nights but he couldn't make the nightmares go away entirely. He couldn't ensure that Dean would never have to deal with them again. At least today he'd made a suggestion that had seemed to light Dean up a little.

"My broom's at mum's," he said, frowning at the idea of apparating back again. He could probably manage, but it wouldn't be much fun. "On the plus side, there's no better place to fly." He looked up at Dean with his best pleading expression. "Want to side-along your helpless best mate?"

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artistdean
2015-03-08 12:50 am UTC (link)

"Of course it is," Dean said, rolling his eyes and dragging the first vowel out in amusement. Not that it exactly surprised him. London wasn't exactly full of places to fly where Greencastle had not only the wizarding community but also the open space. "You do the warming spell, I'll go get my broom and my boots and then of course I will," he said. He'd happily side-along Seamus to Greencastle. If he was asking he had clearly gone there for the fish and chips already and too much long-distance apparition was a horrible idea.

He made quick work of grabbing his broom from where it lived, leaning against his wardrobe, and switching into a slightly thicker jumper before pulling on his boots and heading back to Seamus in the main room.

Pausing before he held out his arm for Seamus to hang onto he frowned briefly. "Do you mind if I don't come in? I love Mama F, but I'm not sure I'm in the frame of mind to chat today."

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openbottle
2015-03-10 05:23 pm UTC (link)

"Oi!" Seamus objected. "Why would I keep it here when I can barely use it? We should really keep a spare there for you." Actually, that wasn't a bad idea at all... Seamus added it to his mental list of 'potential future presents'. A broomstick cost a bit more than he usually spent on Dean, but maybe he could get Susan or even Jess to go halves. While Dean disappeared into his bedroom, Seamus set about casting a warming charm on the fish and chips so they'd keep until they made it back. He'd considered suggesting they just take it with them, so they could delay the return apparition, until Dean asked about staying outside. "Yeah, it's fine," he said quickly. He loved his mam like anything - but Dean probably didn't need another person in his life to be furious about his ex-girlfriend. Not that Seamus had really mentioned Ophelia to her much, beyond a brief explanation as to why Dean wasn't spending as much time at the pub.

He took Dean's arm, wishing he'd brought gloves. The weather was warming up, slowly, but nights were still cold. He might have to check his bedroom at home to see if he had a pair. "Mama F loves you too," he added before they apparated away. "But since I'm feeding you and making sure you get your exercise there's really no need to face the inquisition." He flashed Dean a grin and then squeezed his eyes shut to indicate he was ready.

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artistdean
2015-03-18 11:13 pm UTC (link)

Dean shrugged, he saw that keeping his own broom in Greencastle would actually be logical most of the time since he didn't really have anywhere else to fly and he didn't go very often, but right now he was rather thankful he hadn't left it there.

"Glad to hear it," he said, knowing Mrs Finnigan had always treated him basically like family. Family was really not what he wanted today though, and he was pleased Seamus was going to oblige him.

Taking a breath Dean made sure Seamus was hanging on tight and Apparted them neatly to a couple of houses down from Seamus' parents, just outside the back gate. It was easily still in the wizarding area of the town and he was far less likely to be dragged into the kitchen.

"I'm going to head to the field, you can catch me up," he said, referencing the place they'd been flying in Greencastle ever since the first time Dean had visited. To tell the truth Dean was now itching to get into the air and just concentrate on something that wasn't Ophelia, his new nightmare or the whole awkward mess just for a little while.

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openbottle
2015-03-19 05:13 pm UTC (link)

Being apparated by someone else was always a little more sickening than doing it yourself and with the two previous trips, Seamus had to sag against Dean for a moment on their arrival to catch his breath. He righted himself quickly, smiling and waving a hand before Dean could even think to check he was okay. "You go," he agreed. "I'll be two minutes."

In actual fact, greeting his mum, finding gloves and carefully not explaining why Dean hadn't come in all took rather longer than the promised two minutes. By the time Seamus reached the field, Dean was already up in the air. There were a few kids milling about, mostly on toy brooms, obviously too young to go to Hogwarts or be trusted on the real thing. Seamus listened to them talk - each proclaiming themselves a different Quidditch pro in turn - while he checked his broom over to make sure it was in decent nick. Finally, he mounted and kicked up off the ground, searching the sky for Dean's familiar figure.

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artistdean
2015-03-20 12:22 am UTC (link)

Long familiar with the route to the flying field Dean made quick work of the trip to the well-warded area, and ignored the few kids who were hanging around, even as a couple of them turned towards him. He slung his leg over his broom and pushed off, soaring far above even those with full-sized broomsticks.

He hadn't got any real purpose in mind and even though being off the ground was lightening his heart a little, cutting through his anger, so he just flew lazy, random patterns. Mostly he kept to one level, occasionally swooping or rising slightly, but never doing tricks or picking up huge amounts of speed. Eventually he saw another broom approaching his height and immediately recognised Seamus and turning to him, and flying in his general direction with more purpose. He wasn't sure what to say, what to suggest.

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openbottle
2015-03-20 02:14 pm UTC (link)

Seamus had no such restraint - he corkscrewed up from the ground fast enough to be glad he'd remembered to tuck his t-shirt in under the jumper. Dean had chosen to fly high, but Seamus quickly reached him, bringing his broom to a lazy halt in front of him. Seamus had always been a reckless flier - probably why he hadn't made the Gryffindor team. He'd stop when he was too old and too frail to control a broom. Maybe.

He didn't need to tell Dean which way they should fly if they wanted to avoid being spotted by the muggles in the village, so he just headed off in that direction, occasionally looping-the-loop with a laugh. He hadn't flown in ages, had forgotten how much of a rush it could be. It was one of the few forms of magic that still felt magic for Seamus, who'd grown up seeing household charms and apparition as merely normal parts of life.

Eventually, when they were a distance from the practice field, Seamus paused and turned his broom in a tight corner to face Dean. "Good so far?"

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artistdean
2015-03-21 01:07 am UTC (link)

Dean took off after Seamus, not quite having left the vestiges of his anger and frustration behind him he flew hard, ducking and weaving now he had someone nearby. At one point he took a steep dive towards a random tree, flipping to pull up in a corkscrew well before he reached it, but giving into the urge to just yell wordlessly at the sky for several seconds as he climbed. Flying made his senses become something approaching as alert as he was at his absolute worst hypervigilant moments but in a much more controlled way, and he actually appreciated now the need to keep a check of where everything and everyone around him was.

When Seamus finally turned around he managed a smile which came far more easily than it had in his flat. "Yeah. Good. It helps. You know? Just getting away. Out of my head for a bit."

He bit his lip, almost ready to let fourth more words about his nightmares, but then shook his head, glancing around for a likely looking target or two. "Race? That tree, that tree and back to the field?" he suggested, pointing at two trees in turn, both ahead of where they were flying now, but to either side. They were different types and by the end both he and Seamus should have two different leaves clutched in their hands as proof they'd actually reached the relevant trees.

Dean didn't wait for a response, he flattened himself to his broom and shot off in the direction of the first tree. He'd pretty much only trust Seamus, or perhaps Susan, to chase him like this these days.

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openbottle
2015-03-23 02:24 pm UTC (link)

Grinning, Seamus whooped and clapped at Dean's steep dive - and even more so as he pulled himself out of it. They were high enough up that the sound shouldn't carry, and as well as the evening growing dim they had a little bit of cloud cover. "Course it helps," he replied, when Dean returned to something like a sensible pace. "I suggested it. I'm the brains in this operation." He gave Dean an exaggerated wink, though even that was probably hard to make out from this distance.

At the word 'race', Seamus's eyes lit and his grin grew even broader. It had been a long while since they'd done this. There had been a time, after the war, when Seamus hadn't been sure they ever would again - Dean had been so wary of his back, even more so than he was now, and they both knew Seamus wasn't fast enough to reliably outpace him without a head start. It was a good reminder - especially now, with Dean's new nightmares preying on both their minds - that things could and did get better.

Seamus was still swivelling on his broom to sight the second tree when Dean streaked past him. "Cheat!" Seamus yelled as he pushed his broom down, hoping a diagonal path to the tree could cut some of the distance. "Dirty, rotten -" The rest of his words were lost to the wind and his own sharp inhale as the sudden proximity of tree trunk forced him to come up short. He turned a tight circle around it and for one dizzying moment the broom seemed to move without him until his thighs tightened on the wood and he centred himself just in time to attempt to grasp the leaves.

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artistdean
2015-03-23 03:53 pm UTC (link)

Dean snorted a laugh and shook his head at Seamus' declaration that of course flying would help. He knew it was at least partly bravado, but he appreciated it all the same.

There was no way he was going to waste his breath responding to that particular accusation, just letting the smile spread across his face. He knew he was technically cheating, but frankly that was half expected in this particular type of race. His heart was thumping hard as he pushed his broom to do as much as he could. He banked steeply rounding the top of the tree at a tight enough angle to grab at the leaves while he made sure to hold tight with one hand to his broom. He dodged up vertically as a taller tree suddenly blocked his view, stomach in his throat as he gripped with everything he had. "Fuuu-" he yelped.

Reaching the top of the tree he managed to straighten out again somewhat clumsily and headed for the other tree, massively aware that Seamus would have made up ground during that little exploit. It was so long since he'd really tried to go all out like this in anything more than a straight line or simple circles that he could feel the lack of practice dulling his reaction times and making him fight for every metre.

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openbottle
2015-03-24 02:23 pm UTC (link)

"Fuck," Seamus swore, as his fingers brushed through and past the leaves without taking proper hold. The gloves he wore weren't designed for flight and the smooth pads seemed to slip past everything. He swung himself back around for a second try and caught a blur of upward movement out of the corner of his eye. This time, he successfully yanked a handful of leaves from their branch and tried to stuff them in the pocket of his jeans while leaning forward to race towards the next tree.

Looking down, he watched two of the leaves float towards the ground, and hoped at least one was caught safely in the denim. It didn't matter, he wasn't going back. Somehow, he was ahead as he angled up towards the branches of the taller tree, scraping his knee and the toecap of his trainers against the bark as he slowed. "Yes!" he shouted triumphantly as he managed to pull several large leaves from the tree with ease. He kept them grasped in his hand now that he didn't have to do any fancy turning or holding-on-for-dear-life and looked around for Dean to check where he was before heading to the finishing point.

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artistdean
2015-03-26 08:21 pm UTC (link)

Dean adjusted his flight, leaves still clutched in one hand against his broom. Seamus had managed to get ahead of him during his little mishap with the tree and the string of swearing that ran through his head was impressive and would have caused his Mum to cuff him around the ear. He slowed slightly as he steered a course around the near side of the second tree, reaching out his opposite hand and grasping a handful of leaves before carefully slapping his hand back on the handle of his broom so he didn't drop all of his leaves. He thought he saw part of one flutter away but he could still feel at least one trapped between his hand and the polished wood.

Adjusting to head back for the field Dean eased his stomach down and his knees up as tight to the broom as he could get, gripping hard with his thighs as he streamlined himself as much as possible. Neither he nor Seamus were wearing quite the right clothing for it so wind was catching in places, but he ducked his head down and shot as arrow-like as possible behind Seamus, who was clearly trying to press his advantage. "I will catch you," he muttered, eyes flicking between Seamus and the field.

He pushed as hard as he could, lowering the angle he was flying at until he was almost skimming the tallest of the trees with his boots. And as they reached a place where they could dive down to the field they were neck and neck, both pushing hard. Thankfully the centre of the field was clear and Dean dived hard.

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openbottle
2015-03-27 01:49 pm UTC (link)

'Don't look back,' Graeme's voice chanted in Seamus's head as his momentary pause revealed Dean gaining on him fast. He did his best to flatten himself to his broom, but Dean was close enough that Seamus could hear him muttering. "Like hell you will," he called back, stretching his arms out until his hands were clasped so close to the edge of his broom that he actually felt unbalanced by it. He held his muscles tight as they both flew hard, neither able to pull away nor willing to lose ground. Seamus could see the field, his way to the finishing point clear, and for an instant he was ahead once more!

Then Dean dove, flashing past Seamus like polished lightning. Seamus felt his stomach do a somersault as he pushed his own broom downwards in hot pursuit. He wasn't ready. His position made him top-heavy and his broom wobbled. Cursing, he pulled his hands back without loosening his grip, earning him a splinter in the meat of his palm.

His knuckles were white as he tried to pull up and he threw his weight back as the tip of his broom just skimmed the grass before he landed with a painful thump and rolled to one side. Adrenaline coursed through him and he was up again like a spring, holding one hand up in triumph while he sucked hard on the other, trying to pull the splinter out with teeth and suction. Dean had won - he was already on the ground, and Seamus's leaf was shredded against his broom. He had lost - but he hadn't broken anything and that was reason enough for celebration.

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artistdean
2015-03-27 06:04 pm UTC (link)

He wasn't thinking too hard about Seamus, just the goal of the field, concentrating on trying to win. It was a silly competition, but he had always been competitive, and in a low-stakes environment like this he still could be in a way that he really enjoyed. He took a careful breath, hoping to Godric that he wasn't going to crash into the field too badly. He was pretty sure he was going to crash, purely because of how hard he was pushing his broom, but if he managed to not fly off the end he'd be pleased.

As he came within throwing distance of the ground he raised up again pulling up hard to flatten out and slow himself down. He bumped hard into the ground, holding tight so he didn't smack his face onto his broom. Still, he jerked as he skidded a dozen feet or more, leaning back and gripping hard with a cry of "Fuuuuuck!" He scraped to a halt and promptly fell sideways off his broom.

He was basically splayed on his back in the end and lifted his head to see that Seamus had clearly landed a few seconds behind him, just coming to a halt. He held his hands up, leaves sticking slightly by virtue of pressure, sweat and a little luck.

"You okay there?" he called. "Nothing broken?" He knew he was going to ache like hell tomorrow, but for the way he was feeling right now it was worth it. He hadn't thought about Ophelia or his nightmares pretty much since he got on his broom. Although it would probably come crashing back before too long.

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