3. scrooged
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III. SCROOGED
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DECEMBER 11TH
SUNNY HAD HER hands full the moment Eira left earth to return to her homeworld. If Sunny didn't already have enough to worry about with Jack and his inability to keep his mouth shut no matter what the circumstances were, she also had to be on guard for Blaise and Noel as they might've tried something ━━━ not to harm her or anyone there, but to plot a way to leave or outwit their mother's uncanny magic that prevented them from being further than 25 feet from each other. Eira hadn't intended to leave so soon, but she was needed on her homeworld and she couldn't ignore her duties that befell on her dainty shoulders. Sunny assured her they would all be just fine, but as she listened to the brothers bicker back and forth from inside the living room, she wasn't so sure anymore.
It was as if they were purposely riling the other up, clawing their way under each other's skin in hopes of them being the one to prove to their mother that their punishment was completely pointless.
Nothing could've brought them together.
They were natural born enemies and they didn't mind that. They just wanted their mother to accept it just as they had.
And for the moment, Sunny decided to leave them be. Christmas wasn't too far away and she was hoping to look online to see where the best decorations were so she could decorate the suite as she did for each and every holiday. Since Jack was locked away in his room to focus on his assignments, Sunny decided to use the few minutes she had to check some familiar websites before the feuding escalated. Unbeknownst to her, Lucy was wanting attention and had wandered over to the brothers, tugging on Noel's shoestring in hopes that he would pay attention to her.
"Get back, you vermin," he sneered with an annoyed puff of his cheeks, hoping his tone would make the puppy scamper to someone else.
Blaise snickered under his breath, catching Noel's gaze when the puppy refused to leave him alone. "Think this is funny, do you?"
Blaise nodded in honesty. "'Course I do. Why wouldn't I?" Noel scoffed. He bent down, trying to nudge the puppy away so she would get the hint, but she just came bouncing back with determination. He sidedly glanced towards the kitchen in hopes Sunny would deal with her pet, but she was too focused on her computer and mouthing the words she was reading. "Are you saying you wouldn't find this as humorous as I do if it were the other way around?"
Noel breathed out a short laugh, reaching down and picking up Lucy. He didn't like her in the slightest, but maybe holding her in his lap would stop her from toying with his clean shoes. "I'm not saying anything."
"I think that's the smartest thing you have ever done."
"Shut up, you━━━"
"Would you boys mind joining me for a quick trip?" Sunny suddenly interrupted, briefly smiling when seeing Lucy safely tucked in Noel's arms and him gently petting her absentmindedly.
Blaise uncomfortably shifted, glancing at his folded hands. Noel tightly pursed his lips, glancing towards the windows that had an excellent view of enormous skyscrapers and towers spread all throughout the city. It was obvious neither of them wanted to go, nor be there in the first place.
Sunny let out a little sigh, sitting on the armrest of the couch. "I. . .I know it's hard dealing with siblings ━━━ I have five, so I know a thing or two about getting under each other's skin, but. . .if you go to the store with me, and help me pick out a tree, I'll give you two the keys to your suite so you can get settled before Eira returns; plus you each have your own room so you'll be able to be alone a few times which might be just what you two need."
The brothers shared a brief glance with one another, eyes narrowed into slits and jaws tightly clenched. However, only one thing was on their mind.
"Why do you need help picking out a tree?"
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"So you two really have never heard of Christmas?" Sunny curiously asked, bundled in a fuzzy coat, a gray beanie, and heavy boots as it was beginning to snow and the air was growing chillier by the second. The brothers had borrowed some of Jack's older winter clothes left in the hall closet, Blaise shivering and shuddering through the overcrowded parking lot despite having nearly four coats buttoned around him while Noel was in a simple jacket and a prominent smile on his lips. It was clear that Noel was a winter person and Blaise certainly was not. Jack had stayed behind with Lucy in order to finish all of his assignments, but he pleaded for Sunny not to go overboard with the tree ━━━ again. She'd simply grinned and bid him goodbye without promising such a thing.
Now they'd finally made it to Walmart, Blaise hurrying ahead of Sunny and Noel in order to find some kind of warmth. If he'd had his powers still, he would've used it to increase his body temperature and keep it from decreasing in order to actually tolerate the harsh winter New York was facing; it was usually the only way he could handle visits to places other than his own little world where it was just perfect. Noel snickered, his laugh making Sunny smile as well.
"We've heard of it, but we've never celebrated it," Noel answered after a few minutes, offering Sunny a sideways glance. "We. . .there's a lot of holidays and such in the worlds we regulate, and our mother decided that we weren't to celebrate them as not to show favoritism to certain places during those times as we'd once done a few years ago."
Sunny's face fell, feet stopping near a parked car so she and Noel weren't in the way of the cars carefully passing by to find a spot. "Wait, I-I don't want you two to do this if you don't want to or Christmas isn't something ━━━ I'm sorry, I should've━━━"
"It's okay, Sunny," Noel said with a brief smile. He didn't want to be there, but it was more torturous for Blaise and he was perfectly okay going along with Sunny so long as Blaise was suffering. He lightly chuckled, seeing Blaise standing near the entrance of the store, hands on his hip while impatiently waiting for Noel and Sunny. "And out of all the holidays I've heard about in my lifetime, Christmas has always interested me most. Getting presents without having to work for them? Sounds pretty sweet to me."
Sunny softly chuckled, her breath swirling around in the air until it disappeared as she and Noel resumed walking. "It's not just about the presents, though," she said with something hidden in her tone, a smile lighting up her face as she stared across at Noel's uncertain expression. "It's about being with your friends, your family ━━━ the people you care about."
Noel didn't respond. He just kindly nodded, walking alongside her. Sunny left it at that, not wanting to push him or Blaise anymore than she already had simply by bringing them to the store with her.
Blaise was impatiently standing by the doors, grumbling under his breath and watching his breaths disappear in the chilly wind. "Bloody hell," he muttered, clenching his eyes shut and rubbing his gloved hands over his arms in a feeble attempt to generate some more warmth. "How does Noel stand this?"
"Quite easily, dear brother," Noel cheerfully replied, smugly smirking as he walked past the redhead.
Blaise let out a ragged breath, trailing after his brother and Sunny. "If you keep that smirk on your face, I'll have to━━━"
"Boys," Sunny sternly interjected, turning on her heels to fully face them. She'd grabbed a cart and placed her purse where a toddler often sat, a firm look on her features, "I may not have powers, but I do happen to know some people who do."
Blaise and Noel rolled their eyes, muttering out apologies that didn't feel very genuine. Sunny still accepted them and made her way towards the back of the store where Christmas trees and decorations were often put on display. Blaise and Noel nudged one another almost the whole way, occasionally leaving the other alone in order to examine the expansive and noisy store along with those who were shopping there as well.
All kinds of people fluttered through the narrow aisles, many nearly colliding with one of the Miser boys which only increased their festering irritation. Sunny almost felt pity for them, but they must've done something incredibly horrible for their mother to send them there, and without their powers to aid them. She was told it was important they interacted with each other, but she wasn't sure that would go as their mother had hoped when they couldn't stop bickering for even just a few seconds.
Finally, they reached the back of the store and were surrounded by all kinds of Christmas decorations. Sunny nervously bit her lip, briefly glancing towards the brothers. Christmas was the time for taking risks, and that's what she was going to do.
They couldn't grow if she didn't give them room for it.
So, she cleared her throat as she went down an empty aisle that was filled with beautiful snow globes of all shapes, colors, and designs. "If. . .if I leave you two in this aisle, and I mean this aisle and no wandering off, for just a few moments, will you two behave?"
"Do you take us for children, ma'am?" Blaise firmly questioned, voice slightly clipped but still trying to be respectful.
"Blaise should be considered one," Noel snorted, adjusting his jacket. The store was starting to become a bit too warm for his liking. "I can handle anything."
"Cleary not since you couldn't stop me from continuing the heatwave throughout the midwest last━━━"
"Yes, and I believe Mother was the one who━━━"
"This isn't proving either of your points. I hope you're both aware of that," Sunny snapped in annoyance, hands on her hips. "Now, you two are acting like whiny children who don't realize just how good they have it and I won't help you if you won't even try to act like civilized. . .beings, or whatever you two are. I. . .I don't expect you two to become best friends, and I don't think Eira or your mother might either, but for right now, you two will stand right here and be good while I go and grab some lights before they're all gone like they were last year. I have faith in you two."
Sunny then stormed off to find some decent Christamas lights, taking the cart with her and shooting them one last look before disappearing around the corner.
Noel slowly whistled once she was out of sight, shaking his head in thought. He casually moved across the aisle, examining one of the snow globes that'd suddenly caught his eye. Inside the glass was a small family all grinning in their front yard while an enormous Christmas tree was off to the side and covered in bright lights, dozens of presents littered underneath with specs of snow painted on them.
"What exactly are you supposed to do with these?" Blaise asked in genuine confusion, curiously picking up one of the snow globes. Inside that one was a tall snowman standing tall in a mound of pure white fluff, a cheerful expression on his face.
"I believe it's called a snow globe," Noel timidly answered, picking up the one he'd been staring at with great interest. "I don't know why."
Blaise slightly tilted the snow globe, eyes widening when seeing the snow from the bottom filter to the side like raindrops evaporating into the clouds right before a storm. A small gasp left his lips, grip loosening in surprise. He staggered back as it slipped from his hand and crashed to the floor, the delicate glass shattering in tiny pieces and splashing around their feet.
Noel instinctively shuffled away, lips parted in pure shock. His gaze slowly lifted, catching Blaise's dark eye. "Don't," Blaise instantly warned, pointing a cautious finger towards his younger brother; if it was the other way around, he wouldn't waste any time in poking fun at Noel.
"Just couldn't hold back from melting something, could you?"
"I didn't do anything to it and you know that. "Blaise glowered, stepping over the glass and towards his brother. "Like you're so perfect, anyways."
"I'm not the idiot who just broke something," Noel pointedly countered, breathing out an amused laugh due to his brother's misfortunes. He stepped away from his brother, smugly smirking. To try and prove he was more capable than Blaise, he swiftly tossed the snow globe he'd been holding into the air, but unfortunately, it slipped right through his icy fingers and crashed into the ground near Blaise's mess. He jumped in surprise, a heavy pant escaping his lips.
Blaise couldn't contain his amused laughter, not fazed by the people who'd wandered over to see what was going on after a second shattering sound echoed from the same aisle. "Who's the idiot now?"
A raging fire ignited deep within Noel's stomach at his brother's remark and due to the immense frustration he felt towards himself, he made a move. He hurried over the broken glass and roughly shoved Blaise into the shelves behind him. He grunted at the force, multiple snowglobes slipping from the shelves and crashing into the ground and sounding like icicles cracking as Blaise tried to stop as many as he could. Noel slowly blinked as the sound resonated in his ears, taking a small step back.
He let out a shaky breath, narrowing his eyes at Blaise. "It's still you."
Blaise sneered, shoving Noel in return. Noel whacked Blaise's arm away before he could move too far, but he stumbled into an opposite shelf when Blaise did it again, and with much more force. Dozens more snow globes crashed to the slippery floor, causing the bystanders to gasp in surprise and horror. The brothers paid no attention to them, though, too caught up in their little bubble to fully process the situation they'd found themselves in.
Noel took a harsh swing at Blaise, but the older of the two swiftly dodged it just in time. Blaise went to counter it, but Noel was able to dodge the blow just before a fist could collide with his jaw. Blaise's anger started to boil over the edge, his punches becoming more reckless and colliding with the snow globes and racking up an incredibly high bill that someone would have to pay if they wanted to avoid any charges being pressed against the brothers.
A little ways down the many, many aisles stood an oblivious Sunny.
Her dark brown eyes were carefully skimming over all of the lights, the vibrant colors lighting up her eyes as some were used in the store to add to the holiday cheer. How was it so difficult to pick just a few for her home? She didn't have an entire house to decorate, but she needed some for the tree and the kitchen. . .and a majority of the suite if she were being completely honest.
She didn't hear the sound of anything breaking in the distance, her gaze falling on some LED lights that were tucked behind some forgotten skeleton light bulbs that were left from Halloween. She couldn't use the LED's on the tree, but it might've been easier to do in the rooms as they could've been left up all year long and used for any occasion. With a relieved smile, she grabbed five boxes and lightly tossed them into the cart. The cords were already pretty long, but she was never the best when it came to measuring and figured she'd rather be safe than sorry; and she also wasn't sure if she'd be able to take another trip to the store.
What caught her attention next was not the sound of all the glass breaking, but her phone ringing inside her purse.
"Hello?" She greeted them, pausing as she spotted Christmas trees on the other side of the room, eyes lighting up at the wide range of options.
"Hey Sunny D," an all too familiar voice greeted her.
"Tony?" Sunny asked in disbelief, halting in her tracks. Sunny had never thought she'd be friends with Tony Stark, AKA Iron Man, but once her life became intertwined with that of Bruce Banner, meeting Tony Stark was almost inevitable; she didn't mind though. "Why're you calling me?"
Tony breathed out a short laugh, a few chimes echoing after as if he was tapping away at a computer. "It's nice to talk to you, too."
Sunny chuckled, shaking her head. "I'm sorry I didn't mean it like that," she assured the man. "It's good to hear your voice, Tony."
"Aw, thanks. I'm glad someone thinks that ━━━ is it alright if I tell Lana you said that?"
Sunny chuckled, rolling her eyes at the man when he mentioned his longtime girlfriend. "Sure, but don't let that comment go to your head. Lord knows you've already got a big enough ego as it is."
"Wow, and here I thought we were going to have a nice, civilized conversation like adults."
"That's a pretty high expectation even for yourself."
"Ha ha, very funny," Tony said with a fake laugh. "Say, the two boys you mentioned babysitting. . .they wouldn't happen to be. . .adults, would they?"
Sunny's face instantly fell. "Why do you ask?"
"Abby had to make a pit stop to Walmart for Lan and she mentioned she saw you with two weird men and was worried, so she called me to check in. She was gonna talk to you herself, but I told her I'd handle it."
Sunny internally groaned, the shattering and shouting finally coming to her ears and ushering her forward with the cart long forgotten. "No, no, no, no," she helplessly muttered, doing her best to carefully nudge her way through the nosy crowd that blocked her from seeing down the aisle. Someone finally stepped out of her way and allowed her to get to the front, giving her the perfect view of Blaise and Noel fighting and knocking everything out of their way. "Yes, that's them."
Sunny let out a tired sigh, shaking her head.
She certainly was in for a very eventful Christmas.
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Here is chapter three y'all! I don't have much to say about this one, but Abby and Lana are two of my own characters (Abby is Tony's daughter and is the main oc in Glitter and Gold and Lana is the oc in Carpe Diem!!) You don't have to read their stories or anything (plus I think this is the only time they're included/mentioned!!
Anyways, please don't forget to leave your feedback in the comments and i hope y'all enjoyed!
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