InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "You'll always be young."

erniedtmac (erniedtmac) wrote in finnigans_rpg,
@ 2014-09-23 20:22:00

Entry tags:

character: dean thomas, character: ernie macmillan, character: justin finch-fletchley, character: seamus finnigan, character: susan bones

Who: Justin, Ernie, and OPEN to Justin's friends (you may presume Ernie has sent them all invites!)
What: A happy badger birthday to Justin - low-key because some people have to work!
Where: Ernie's flat - food & drinks on the patio, couch and big bed available for cuddlepiles.
When: Monday, September 22, later in the evening (backdated)
Status: OPENish / Ongoing

Because Justin's birthday fell on a weekday, Ernie had decided to save the wild clubbing night for an upcoming weekend, and instead had invited some of their friends over to his place for dinner, drinks, and conversation. He loved entertaining at his Muggle-area London flat - there were twinkling fairy lights out on the patio, which he'd furnished magically (and thankfully the spells weren't set to reverse until after midnight), the bed and sofa were full of pillows and blankets for cuddling, and the place was cleaner than the oft messy Ernie tended to keep it (but if he didn't, what would Hannah have to clean when she came to visit?).

Ernie had also decided to do all the cooking himself with a little help from his Mum, who had stayed for the meal before leaving for the night. He knew that not all of their friends could make it, and some couldn't make it until later, but he was glad to have those that were there around.

But more than anything, this was Justin's day and Ernie was just glad to be able to spend it with his best mate. After dinner, he'd brought out a large store-bought cake topped with sparkling candles for Justin to blow out, then had passed around bottles of wine and soda for people to drink.

It was now after dinner, the food mostly cleared away, and Ernie was sat next to Justin and their friends - life was good. He took the opportunity to stand and hold his glass of wine aloft, calling for quiet before he made a toast.

"To Justin Finch-Fletchley, the best mate a man could ever have. Long may your chimney smoke," he began, quoting an old Scottish blessing his father used to say, but then smirked. "And may you smoke many a long chimney."

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Re: Seamus and Open

erniedtmac
2014-09-27 12:50 am UTC (link)

"Not at the moment, but don't worry, I've had a few. But I can't overindulge too much - a good host always makes sure his guests get home safe, right? Plus, I have work in the morning and hangover potions don't always work well enough for my liking."

Ernie chuckled. "I suppose I will, but it would be so much easier to hibernate if my friends would hibernate with me. I've a big enough bed for it."

He took out his wand to accio a glass and a half-full bottle of wine, pouring himself a glass then 'showing' it to Seamus as if to say See? I'm drinking now and it's all your fault. "I think Justin has the right idea," he thought aloud after taking a drink. "Take celebration time to appreciate the people we have in our lives. Things have been so 'normal' these last few years, I sometimes forget there was a war and that we were all part of it. And then something happens to remind me all over again, and I wonder why I didn't come out of it worse off. Do you ever get moments like that?"

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Re: Seamus and Open

openbottle
2014-09-28 09:22 am UTC (link)

Seamus nodded his understanding. "I forget all you people have jobs that start in the morning rather than at 11," he teased. He didn't really forget but it was weird sometimes, feeling he was on a slightly different schedule to everyone else. He didn't mind, he'd never liked getting up early.

"Oh, you have, have you?" Seamus asked, laughing. "And why have I never been invited to try out this big bed of yours, Ernie? I'm hurt." He clasped a hand over his heart as if truly pained not to have been invited to Ernie's bed. "But actually a giant sleep over doesn't sound like a half-bad idea."

As the conversation turned more serious, Seamus sipped at his drink. "I don't ever forget there was a war." There were too many reminders. Not only Battlescars, which he felt responsible for, but Dean and his PTSD that Seamus still worked not to trigger, and his own scar reminding him every morning and night. Maybe that was why, six years on, he still thought a post-war group was needed, even though some would say they should all have moved on by now. "But I'm glad none of us came out of it worse off." They were all managing their various issues, for the most part, and Seamus was grateful they were issues that could be managed.

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Re: Seamus and Open

erniedtmac
2014-09-28 07:05 pm UTC (link)

Ernie smirked, thinking of his nice big bed and having a sleepover. "It would definitely be fun. Lots of rom to cuddle, I've a fully stocked icebox, and lots of pretty lights all over. But hey, if you ever want to come over for a night, you're always welcome."

Ernie nodded, looking contrite. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything. This is a party, after all. It just got me thinking, is all. Here, you want me to get you another drink? Some crisps? Did you get some cake?" Ernie babbled.

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Re: Seamus and Open

openbottle
2014-09-29 08:59 am UTC (link)

Seamus laughed at Ernie's invitation. "You tell me this now as opposed to during my year-long drought?" he complained - though he didn't really mind. He wasn't sure he'd have taken Ernie up on his offer, then or now. Sex with new people was always... awkward. Even people who'd seen the scar before. Seamus basically didn't have a great track record. Justin was really the only person it had ever seemed to work with, and they'd always been quite clear that there was no romantic attachment. Just two friends seeing to a need.

He laid a hand on Ernie's shoulder. "It's fine, Ernie. I'm used to talking about it." Some people still weren't - Dominic, for example, had refused to come to Battlescars no matter how many times Seamus had invited him. He wanted to move on from the war, to put it as far out of his mind as possible. Seamus couldn't do that, but in a way that meant he was more at ease with it. He had less fear of talking about it. In his opinion, it was like saying Voldemort's name. Being afraid of it just gave it more power. Still, his eyes lit up at the mention of food. "There's cake?"

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Re: Seamus and Open

erniedtmac
2014-09-30 10:56 am UTC (link)

"Hey, it's better late than never, right? And it's never the wrong time for a good cuddle." He took a sip of his wine and made a quick glance around the patio. Everyone was well, had a drink in their hand, and appeared happy. That's all he could have asked for.

Even though Seamus said it was fine, Ernie felt guilty. He of all people should know better, but despite how he joked otherwise, he wasn't perfect. He tried to be, though, and usually would beat himself up if he wasn't. He did grin when Seamus lit up. "Of course, it's a birthday. I think we did the candles thing before you got here. There's still plenty left, even for your appetite," he teased.

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Re: Seamus and Open

openbottle
2014-09-30 01:53 pm UTC (link)

"Truer words were never spoken," Seamus agreed, stepping in and giving Ernie a one-armed squeeze. It had been too long since they'd hugged, that was what Seamus was taking from this conversation and he was always open to fixing that. "We should get on that sleepover idea, though. Maybe a Christmas thing before we all head off to our families? We can exchange presents or do secret santa..." Sure, Christmas was still a long way away but Seamus was used to planning in advance now. He had to in order to get drinks and food in on time, and to give Dominic enough time to make seasonal changes.

When Ernie put it like that, it did seem obvious there would be cake... Somehow Seamus's mind had gone to 'drinks' before 'food'. Too much time spent at work, probably. "Lead me to the cake and I will love you forever."

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Re: Seamus and Open

erniedtmac
2014-09-30 10:02 pm UTC (link)

Ernie hugged Seamus back, loving the fact that his friends were so affectionate. He didn't know what he'd do if they weren't - maybe he'd be reduced to going to an escort for cuddles! He tried not to wince when Seamus mentioned Christmas, which had once been his favourite holiday until his father had decided he didn't want to talk to his gay son. Now, Ernie showed up for his Mum, who then tried to mediate between two men who barely acknowledged each other. "I know I'll definitely need a sleepover near Christmas." He put on a brave smile, not wanting to bring Seamus down - his friend had heard it all already from the occasional venting session.

"That's no fair, you already love me forever. Come on, it's over here," he said as he led the way.

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Re: Seamus and Open

openbottle
2014-09-30 11:11 pm UTC (link)

Seeing the flicker of Ernie's smile, Seamus brought his other arm around him as well as hugged him properly. He knew he'd been lucky, his family and friends had all been accepting of his sexuality - even if his brother would rather not have to think about it too hard. "We'll put our heads together and come up with something awesome," he said. "Stockings and a fireplace and a Christmas tree, the whole nine yards. I think I'd look very sexy in a white beard and fake stomach handing out presents."

He followed Ernie to the cake, cutting himself a large, chocolatey slice and grinning. "Just what the Healer ordered."

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