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#she's.. i think my first humanoid character after being a furry for 10 years
pimsri · 3 years
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my old girl
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wetalkinboutbooks · 5 years
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Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
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Summary: Each year, eight beautiful girls are chosen as Paper Girls to serve the king. It's the highest honour they could hope for...and the most demeaning. This year, there's a ninth. And instead of paper, she's made of fire.
In this richly developed fantasy, Lei is a member of the Paper caste, the lowest and most persecuted class of people in Ikhara. She lives in a remote village with her father, where the decade-old trauma of watching her mother snatched by royal guards for an unknown fate still haunts her. Now, the guards are back and this time it's Lei they're after -- the girl with the golden eyes whose rumoured beauty has piqued the king's interest.
Over weeks of training in the opulent but oppressive palace, Lei and eight other girls learns the skills and charm that befit a king's consort. There, she does the unthinkable -- she falls in love. Her forbidden romance becomes enmeshed with an explosive plot that threatens her world's entire way of life. Lei, still the wide-eyed country girl at heart, must decide how far she's willing to go for justice and revenge. (Taken from Goodreads).
Our Ratings: 
 → Geena: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 → Kae: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall: We really enjoyed this book!! It was well-written, had both engaging characters and an interesting plot. The world building is well done, the plot twists are WILD, and the romance is wholesome. TW: Assault, but Natasha handles that well. The spoiler-full discussion is below the cut.
The Good:
Lei and Wren
Kae: Okay. So we have Lei, the main character with these ~wonderful~ golden eyes. She is taken from her home on account of her golden eyes and delivered to the King as a gift. This all happens because a guard wants to get back on the Kings good side. Now, our girl is a concubine
Geena: We also meet Wren and we know almost nothing about her other than she’s hot (according to Lei) and cold. In addition, a group of other concubines, one of which... Blue... has it out for Lei.
Kae: Wren! I liked Wren from the start. She captured my attention the way she captured Lei’s. She’s always watching. Always calculating. Always alert. We soon learn that Wren’s cold demeanor is just a facade and she’s secretly a bad bitch. 
Geena: I agree, I also liked that Wren was written aloof, but not like an asshole like Blue was shown to be. Both Blue and Wren were from powerful families, but Wren knew how to act. Also! The development we see from Lei seeing Wren and just thinking she’s hot like every other girl and slowly falling for her was *chefs kiss*. 
Kae: Watching Lei slowly fall in love with Wren was so nice to see. In a lot of YA books, the character meets the love interest in one chapter, then they’re declaring their love two chapters later. So it was refreshing to see them fall for each other the way they did. I liked how the audience knew Lei liked Wren, but LEI DIDN’T KNOW SHE LIKED WREN. Silly girl! Wren also takes her time with Lei and allows Lei to take the lead most of the time. They’re going at Lei’s speed and whenever she isn’t ready for something, Wren backs off like the suave lady she is. 
Geena: Oh my god, you’re so right, I didn’t even notice. Wren is probably the most respectable love interests I’ve seen written in a long time, she didn’t force Lei into doing anything she didn’t want to. And like Kae said, it wasn’t INSTA-LOVE, also I don’t know if I’d classify this as YA? More like New Adult, since it does deal with mature subjects like assault. Also god, every time Lei was like “Wren looked ravishing, and it made me feel a type of way… I wonder why…” I wanted to throw my book, she was clearly infatuated but refused to acknowledge her feelings.
Kae: “NA.” That should be a genre. New Adult. That’d work really well. YA shouldn’t even be “YA”. It should be like, not “YA”. ANYWAY. UNRELATED. Yes. Lei had a BIG OL CRUSH. Like, GIRL. YOU LIKE HER. MAKE A MOOOVE. And then… Wren made the move. UGH POETIC CINEMA. Or... Poetic literature. 
Geena: Overall, Natasha wrote a really sweet wlw pairing, and it was refreshing to read… Especially the fact that it was well written AND the main pairing, and not just a jab at “diversity” a lot of books tend to do. 10/10 Romance.
Worldbuilding
Geena: Time to dive into that furry shit. First off, the author takes inspiration from her Malaysian roots, which is cool and all but GODDAMN there was some furry shit going on. She did explain the class separations and overall history really well, right?
Kae: I 100% agree with you on the furry shit and how well everything is explained and written. So basically, we have the Moon Caste (the full on furries/demons) which are the ruling/upper caste. The Steele caste (humans who have partial animal/demons qualities) aka the middle class. Then last but not least (well, absolutely the least in their case), the paper caste who are humans with no special qualities. Except Lei, who has literal golden eyes. 
Geena: Natasha did a really good job on simplifying the differences between the castes and the history that led to their current states. BUT I wasn’t sure of how her magic system worked? Like can only furries be shaman, how do people become shamans? Are they born with it, or is it Maybelline. ANOTHER THING, it was kind of hard to visualize the demons she described, only because my lizard brain always thought of the animals from Kung Fu Panda. Though one thing that threw me for a loop was the fact that Natasha chose to have a Bull-Form demon as the king, because 99% of the time Lions are used to represent rulers (It was cool ngl). What wasn’t cool was when Lei called the king handsome. 
Kae: GEENA I CACKLED. But yes! Kind of freaked me out that she thought he was a cutie. Also was super interesting to not have the king be a lion. But I guess she was going for something different? It definitely works! Natasha also elaborated on the uh- *ahem* way that they’re all built the same when it comes to certain parts which made me think and I didn’t like my thoughts! First thought: HOW? Second thought: OUCH! Third thought: Size LMAO! But give it up to Natasha for explaining that in the simplest way possible without making me have any more than those three thoughts. Either way, moving on, did we explain that Wren, Lei, and these other girls are his concubines? I think we missed that. Surprise…? The Bull King also goes on to explain how he doesn’t have his own name. I also got a hint of him being a little… off. Off as in kind of crazy. Eh? 
Geena: RIGHT I FORGOT that by the end the so-called ‘handsome’ Bull King goes batshit crazy, and I’m wondering if this was the product of the Sickness (which isn’t really discussed) or him being mad that he’s shooting dust and has no kids. Also, thank you for Natasha for constantly reminding us that he was jacked. BUT ANYWAYS. 
The Bad:
Characters that DIED for NOTHING
Geena: Kenzo and Zelle were two different characters that provided both Wren and Lei with support as they all conspired to be free from the King. Kenzo (Wolf demon) being the King’s advisor and Wren’s training partner, and Zelle lowkey Lei’s confidant (who was also a prostitute). BOTH were passionate and the part of the same cause: Get rid of the King and liberate themselves. But then THEY DIE… FOR WHAT? For that BITCH to still be ALIVE? 
Kae: Kenzo and Zelle. Both very likeable characters and both a little sketchy at the start. Just a little. But yes, as Geena stated, they totes died for nothing and it was such a huge let down to see them fall. Especially Kenzo (at least for me), because I thought he had a chance. In the end, he didn’t make it. You know who SHOULD’VE got murked in the end? Blue’s little annoying ass. 
Geena: I LOVED KENZO. I have this bad habit of getting attached to side characters the inevitably don’t play a big role. It would’ve been cool to see his motivations behind getting rid of the King. Zelle, who was paper caste, had made her motivations clear. But Kenzo? Also, Lei and Wren essentially lost, as Natasha described it, a ‘brotherly’ figure. FOR WHA?. 0/10 character deaths that made sense. Blue should’ve eaten shit for ratting out Lei/Wren.
Kae: EAT SHIT BLUE. 
The Ugly:  
The Demon King 
Kae: Alrighty. The Demon King aka little BITCH.  The Demon King presents himself as somewhat of a decent bull-man at first. He is described as handsome and like Geena said earlier, freakin’ ripped. Suspicion of him not being too good of a dude came to me after he had finished with one of the girls. She came back bruised and beaten and shooketh. Didn’t like that. I assume these girls are a lot smaller than him so I expected him to be… gentler? At least considerate. But, that was just a glimpse. When Lei is finally summoned, she decides that she absolutely does NOT want the Bull-King D and fights the guy off of her. He doesn’t like that… at all. He’s up in arms and ready to fight because he has been denied something he wants. Lei is sent to what’s basically solitary confinement for a week with no food. But she does get a special visitor who brings her food and potential cuddles. The King doesn’t summon Lei for quite some time after that and when he finally does, he takes what he was denied from the start. The scene, thank goodness, is not described. But the after-thats what sucks. Lei is beaten and battered and bruised and has to be carried to her rooms. It’s horrible and I couldn’t imagine how that must’ve been. Especially since he’s a literal animal humanoid. Blegh. 
Geena: KAE SUMMED IT UP SO WELL. The king, who has no name and honestly he doesn’t deserve one, is the embodiment of an entitled piece of shit that deserves to be made into ROCKY MOUNTAIN OYSTERS. The scenes that we get a glimpse of including him and the girls is scarring, he does NOT know the meaning of consent and it’s obvious the way he wrecks Lei that he doesn’t care. That made me unbelievably uncomfortable and like you said, I’m so glad that we weren’t subjected to a description of that. In addition, the King was also manipulative as fuck? The way he made Aoki (another concubine, and Lei’s friend) fall in love with him *cough* Stockholm syndrome *cough*.  We hate his guts, and he should’ve choked on his blood but :/ I guess the fact that we hate him with such a passion is a good indication that he’s a well-written villain. How the hell he only have like 4 scenes but those 4 scenes just emitted the WORST VIBES. The moment lei said he was handsome and jacked I knew this bitch was going to fuck shit up (a handsome bull demon…. Like really,,, if we’re leaning into that furry shit the only handsome demons are tiger and wolf demons). 
Conclusion
Kae: ALRIGHTY Y’ALL. So this concludes our thoughts of Girls of Paper and Fire. I give it a 9/10. I really enjoyed it and it was a good read. The story was very well written as were the characters. I hope we get to see a little more of the magic of this world in the next book. I look forward to what more Natasha has to tell. 
Geena: I’d give it an 8.5/10, the 0.5 less comes from the fact that the bitchass king survived at the end. Personally, he could’ve died and there could’ve still been another book BUT I DIGRESS. AND I AGREE, it’s a well-written story with likeable characters, and I’m curious to see how Natasha tackles the mystery behind Lei’s golden eyes in the upcoming books.  
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thegameison97 · 6 years
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Former Avenger Turned Actress: Part 10 // The Thanksgiving Blessing
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A/N: Hello! *waves*
So, here’s more of “Former Avenger Turned Actress”! 🎉
NOTE: X-Men related stuff is featured in this chapter. I don’t really know much about X-Men because I haven’t watched any of the movies, so forgive me if anything isn’t accurate. I mean, I have read a bit of X-Men fanfiction and have done a tiny bit of research, but not enough to where I’m an expert. But you do remember that Charles Xavier is Y/N’s adoptive father (look back through part 7), and I thought it was about time for him to make an appearance (along with some other surprise MARVEL characters).
And also, I’m so sorry it’s taken me FOREVER to publish another part for this story. What’s it been? Almost a year? ☺️
Anyway, here’s a bit of a Thanksgiving-ish themed part! 😁 (Perfect timing, right? 😉)
Enjoy! 😘
Former Avenger Turned Actress Master-Post
2 months later, Mark & Sarah’s wedding…
“You happy for your Mummy and Daddy?” Y/N cooed to Mark and Sarah’s eight month old daughter, Isabella, as she held her in her arms. The little girl herself giggled back in response as Y/N tickled underneath her chin while they sat at a table, watching as Mark and Sarah slow danced.
“She is just adorable.” Wanda grinned from where she sat across from Y/N and Isabella.
“Getting any ideas, Wanda?” Gen raised an eyebrow, nudging Wanda in the side as she sat next to her.
“Pft, no.” Wanda rolled her eyes. “My life is way too zaneprázdnený for that.”
“Zanepr– what?” Gen questioned, tilting her head slightly.
“Busy.” She clarified. “Sorry, I slip back into Slovak sometimes without realizing.”
“Oh.” Gen nodded slowly before turning her head slightly to look back at Y/N as she continued to make faces at Isabella. “Someone else might be getting ideas, though.”
“What was that, Gen?” Y/N asked, glancing Gen and Wanda’s way.
“Oh nothing.” Gen quickly waved her off just as Jared, Sebastian and Osric made their way back to the table with drinks in their hands.
“The champagne cavalry has arrived.” Osric announced with a grin, sitting down next to Wanda before handing her one of the glasses of champagne he held.
“Thank you, miláčik (darling).” Wanda smiled at him, pecking him on the cheek.
“Oh, the Osanda feels are too much.” Jared groaned over-dramatically, plopping down in his seat on the other side of Gen before sliding her a glass of champagne.
“Can you really have too much of a good thing, though?” Sebastian questioned, sitting down next to Y/N before shooting a wink at Wanda and making her giggle.
“I don’t know, Balthienna. You tell me.” Jensen said as he walked up to the table, making Y/N laugh at the mention of her and Sebastian’s tv ship name. He then looked and smiled at Y/N as she held Isabella. “Why don’t I take her for a bit?”
“You sure?” Y/N raised an eyebrow as Isabella began reaching for Jensen.
“Yeah.” He waved off as he took Isabella into his arms, smiling at said little girl. “Hey there, sweetheart.”
Y/N smiled at the two before turning back to face where Sebastian was sitting next to her. She took a quick sip of her champagne before setting the glass back down on the table. “Care to dance, Seb?”
“I would love to, darling.” He smirked at her, downing what was left of his champagne before taking Y/N’s hand as they then made their way out to the dance floor where a few other couples were dancing.
“So…” Sebastian began as he gave Y/N a little twirl, her long red and floral print dress twirling with her before Sebastian brought her back towards him and wrapped his arms around her waist as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “We have a few more scenes to shoot come Monday and Tuesday.”
“We do.” Y/N nodded in agreement as one of her hands slid down his arm to grab his hand and intertwine their fingers as they continued to dance. “Then it’s off to New York.”
“Yes, yes.” Sebastian smiled slightly as they swayed a little. “Thanksgiving dinner with superheroes.”
Y/N couldn’t help but laugh.
Back over at the table, Gen watched Y/N throw her head back in laughter as she and Sebastian danced.
Gen sighed as she watched the duo, smiling as she rested her chin in the palm of her hand. “Those two are adorable.”
“Babe, we’re adorable.” Jared defended.
Gen just rolled her eyes playfully. “True, but it’s still nice to admire other people’s adorability from time-to-time.”
“Like this little cutie.” Jensen chuckled as he held Isabella up in the air, making her giggle as he tickled her sides.
“Come on, I want to hold her.” Wanda grinned, motioning for Jensen to hand her the little girl.
“You’re just getting all sorts of attention tonight.” Osric teased as Wanda took Isabella into her arms, said little girl staring in awe as little tendrils of Wanda’s red magic swirled up around her before erupting into tiny little sparkles. Isabella giggled, clapping in response.
“Okay, that was pretty cool.” Jared admitted, both his and Gen’s eyes slightly wide.
Osric grinned. “That’s my girl.”
Later that evening…
“Thank you so much for coming.” Sarah smiled, hugging Y/N as they stood out front where people saying goodbye before heading home.
“It was no problem. We had a great time.” Y/N smiled back as they pulled away from each other. “And again, congratulations.”
“Thank you.” Sarah giggled, not being able to wipe the smile off her face.
“Ready to go, darling?” Sebastian enquired, walking up to them after having said goodbye to Mark.
“I think so.” Y/N nodded, looking inside her clutch purse to be sure she hadn’t forgotten her phone before looking back up. “Be sure to tell Mark I said bye and we’ll see him again when he gets back up to Vancouver for filming.”
“Of course.” Sarah smiled with a bod, waving goodbye to the couple as they walked off towards their car.
“Wanda and Osric seemed to run out of there pretty quickly.” Sebastian stated as they both got in the car, Sebastian starting it up.
“Yeah.” Y/N nodded as she buckled her seatbelt before they began driving down the road. “Wanda pulled me aside and said something came up and she had to get back to New York tonight.”
“Hope everything’s alright.” He commented as he put on the turn signal.
“Classified mission stuff I shouldn’t really talk about.” Y/N shrugged. “I don’t really even know much of it myself.”
Sebastian just nodded slowly. “Well, we’ll be seeing all of them again soon enough anyway.”
Y/N nodded, smiling. “You know, this’ll be the first actual holiday where you yourself will get to see how it actually goes with the team.”
“Can’t wait.” He chuckled, as they turned on to the street where his house was.
“Oh, I wouldn’t speak so soon, mon amour (my love).” Y/N winked at Sebastian as he pulled into the driveway. “Hopefully this year no one will have to watch Clint actually shoot the turkey with an arrow.”
“What?” He asked, surprised as turned the car off before turning to look at Y/N.
“Yeah, holidays with the team can get weird.” Y/N nodded as she opened the car door. “Sometime I’ll have to tell the story of Loki and the incident with the dancing Christmas trees.”
With that Y/N got out of the car, shutting the door behind her and leaving Sebastian to sit there and wonder about what she just said.
“…What have I gotten myself into?” He muttered to himself after a moment before just shaking his head, taking the keys out of the ignition and getting out of the car himself to join Y/N as she waited for him at the front door.
*****
5 Days later, Thanksgiving, New York City, New York, Avengers Tower…
“Do you ever get tired of people only talking to you when they need your help?” Sebastian question as he, Y/N and Balthazar all stood in the elevator as they headed up to the main lounge floor of Avengers Tower.
“No, Mr. Roché.” JARVIS replied, answering what seemed to be Sebastian’s 100th question since he and Y/N had entered the elevator, their furry Golden Retriever in tow.
“Are you sure?” Sebastian tilted his head slightly.
“I aim to serve, Mr. Roché.” The AI responded.
Y/N giggled, shaking her head at the interaction.
“What do you think, Balthazar?” Y/N asked, reaching down slightly and scratching behind one of the dog’s ears. “Do you think Sebby’s asking too many questions?”
“Ruff!” The dog barked in response, his tail thumping against the floor of the elevator.
Sebastian just rolled his eyes at the two just before the elevator doors slid open, letting them walk out into the hallway that lead to the main lounge area.
“I am Groot.”
A tiny voice sounded from behind them, making them spin around only to be met the sight of a tiny little baby tree humanoid creature as it stood alone in the middle of the hallway.
Y/N gasped before squealing in excitement. “Groot!”
“I am Groot!” The little creature shouted back just as excited before running at Y/N and latching onto her leg.
“What… in the hell… is that?” Sebastian questioned slowly, eyes wide as he stared down at the little creature as it climbed its way up Y/N’s body to perch on her shoulder.
“Seb, this is Groot.” Y/N introduced with a grin on her face. “He’s part of the Guardians of the Galaxy.”
Sebastian squinted in confusion. “The Who of the What?”
“They’re an intergalactic crime fighting team.” Y/N clarified. “They don’t come to Earth much. In fact, they haven’t been to Earth in a few years. Not a lot of people keep up with what they do, so that’s why they’re not talked about a whole bunch. I mean, come on, they work in space. A place very few people have ventured.”
“Okay, fair enough.” He nodded slowly.
“I am Groot.” The little creature extended his little hand out, the branch like structure extending itself towards Sebastian.
“I’m Sebastian.” Sebastian cautiously stuck one finger out at Groot, the little creature wrapping a few tiny little branches around his outstretched finger and shaking it.
“I am Groot.” The little tree creature nodded once before retracting his branched hand and hopping down off of Y/N’s shoulder and onto the floor before taking off running down the hallway with Balthazar running and barking after him.
“Groot doesn’t talk much.” Y/N explained, looping her arm through Sebastian’s as they began walking down the hallway. “And ‘I am Groot.’ is pretty much all he says.”
“How did you people even meet a group like them?” Sebastian wondered out loud.
“A story for a different day, my dear.” Y/N grinned. “Now, I should warn you: the Guardians… they’re a bit… different. And only one of them is human.”
“Darling, I just spoke with a little talking tree.” Sebastian chuckled. “I think I’ll be okay.”
“If you say so.” Y/N giggled.
Lounge…
“I do not understand the phrase ‘Gobble till you wobble.’.” Drax stated as he stood next to the kitchen counter, Natasha, Steve and Peter Quill all preparing the turkey to go into the oven. “Why would anyone put themselves through the misery of eating too much?”
“Drax, if you don’t stop, I will put this Turkey over your head.” Peter sighed.
“Why would you do that? That does–”
“You know what? Forget it.” Peter said, cutting Drax off just as Groot came running into the room with a Golden Retriever chasing after him as it barked while wagging its tail.
“Balthazar?” Wanda mumbled as her eyes followed the dog and Groot as they ran around the large couch Tony, Pepper, Bruce and Bucky were all sitting on.
“Who’s dog is that?” Gamora questioned from where she sat next to Wanda at the dining table.
“If he’s here, then that means…” Wanda trailed off just as a pair of familiar people entered the room.
“Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!” Y/N exclaimed happily.
“Y/N/N!” Pepper grinned as she stood up from the couch.
“Peps, I didn’t know you were gonna be here.” Y/N smiled as she met Pepper halfway before giving her a hug.
“Plans with my sister fell through. So, I’m here.” She explained, smiling back as they pulled away from each other. She then turned her attention towards Sebastian, giving him a kind smile. “And you must be the Sebastian I’ve been hearing so much about. I’m Pepper, Tony’s girlfriend.”
“Pleasure to meet you.” Sebastian returned the smile, shaking her hand.
She nodded. “Likewise.”
“Um, excuse me.” Peter’s voice sounded.
Leaving Sebastian to talk with with Pepper, said woman bringing him over to the couch to converse with Tony, Bruce and Bucky, Y/N turned her head and grinned before rushing over and throwing her arms around Peter’s neck. “Peter ‘Star-Lord’ Quill! Oh, it’s so good to see you. God, it’s been forever.”
He chuckled, pulling away from her. “It really has been too long. Everyone’s been filling us in on stuff that’s happened since we’ve been gone. I’m sorry to hear about you losing your powers.”
“Nothing to worry about.” Y/N waved him off. “It hasn’t been that bad. Hard to adjust to at first, but I’ve managed.”
“I’ve heard, Miss TV Star.” He smirked before nodding his head, indicating to where he saw Sebastian talking with Tony and everyone over by the sofa. “That your boyfriend over there?”
“Obviously.” She grinned, glancing over at Sebastian before looking back to Peter. “Where’s Rocket?”
“Fur-ball’s shooting arrows with Clint a few floors down.” He rolled his eyes. “Oh, and I think Pietro is their moving target they’re trying hit.”
“Well, that can’t go badly at all.” Y/N rolled her eyes playfully before looking to the dining table. “Gamora!”
Gamora smiled, standing up as Y/N walked over to where she and Wanda were.
“It’s good to finally see you again, friend.” Gamora said with sincerity as she hugged Y/N tightly.
“It’s good to see you, too. Really.” Y/N replied as they pulled away from each other. “Mantis isn’t with you guys?”
“No.” Gamora shook her head. “She decided to stay on Xandar for a while.”
“Oh, well, hopefully I can see her again sometime. Sooner rather than later.” Y/N responded before glancing around and then turning her attention to Wanda. “Where are Thor and Loki?”
“Thor is spending Thanksgiving with Jane and her family.” She replied. “And Loki decided to go up to Asgard and spend the day with Odin and Frigga.”
“Aww, and he thinks he doesn’t have a heart.” Y/N smirked at the thought of Loki spending the day with his parents. She then turned her head towards Gamora again. “I’m gonna go say hi to Drax, Nat and Steve. You should definitely go say hi to my boyfriend, Gamora. He hasn’t actually met extraterrestrials before. Well, at least not until Groot greeted us in the hall. I’m sure Seb will love you and all your green gorgeousness.”
“Oh.” Gamora nodded before a wide grin spread across her face. “Ooh, then this’ll be fun.”
“Go get him, girl.” Y/N grinned at her before turning back around and making her way over into where the kitchen was. “Drax. Nat. Steve.”
“Y/N!” Drax smiled wide before wrapping Y/N up in his arms and almost crushing her in a hug. “It has been too long.”
“Definitely too long, big guy.” She mumbled as she tapped him on the shoulder, signaling for him to set her back on the floor. Thankfully he did, letting her regain full oxygen to her lungs. “Is there anything I can help with? Thanksgiving isn’t exactly a small feat.”
“You could start with the pies.” Nat chimed in, her arm almost elbow deep inside the turkey. “All the stuff is already laid out.”
“Yes, boss.” Y/N gave her a mock salute before walking past her and touching Steve on the arm in greeting as she passed him. She glanced up for a moment to peek into the main part of the lounge and saw something kinda odd. It looked like Tony, Bruce, Pepper, Bucky and Sebastian were all kinda huddled together talking in hushed tones. And before Y/N could question anything, Bucky parted from them and walked over to where Steve was.
“Dude, come here for a second.” He whispered to Steve, said man setting down the whisk he had been holding before following after his best friend as they made their way back to the small gathering by the sofa.
Y/N tilted her head for a moment as she examined the curious scene but then shrugged and went back to making the pie crust. However, she didn’t get very far before a blue and silver blur rushed into the room and swept her off her feet.
“Pietro!” Y/N squealed before erupting into laughter as the speedster ran the two of them around the edges of the room. Groot and Balthazar started chasing after them, Groot riding atop Balthazar’s head.
“It is so good to see you again, Princessa!” Pietro grinned as he finally came to a stop back right where he had swept Y/N off her feet, Balthazar and Groot skidding to a stop right behind them.
Y/N giggled as Pietro set her back down on the floor right next to where the beginnings of the pie were. “Thanks, Piet. That’s quite the greeting, I will admit.”
“Always the best for you, Princessa.” Pietro winked st her before speeding over to where everyone was talking by the sofa.
Y/N just sighed, smiling as she shook her head before going back to making the pie crust.
“I am Groot.”
Y/N glanced down and saw Groot and Balthazar sitting on the floor by her feet. “Sorry, guys. Not until later.”
“I am Groot.” The little tree creature nodded once before he patted the top of Balthazar’s head, said dog turning back around before racing out of the room to run down the hall.
“Happy Thanksgiving, Y/N/N.” Clint greeted as he entered the room.
“What he said.” Rocket chimed in, said raccoon following behind Clint.
“Clint. Rocket.” Y/N nodded at them in greeting before turning her attention back to making the pies.
As Rocket hopped up onto the counter to observe Y/N’s work, Clint then went and made his way over to the group of people chatting by the sofa. “Hey, guys. What’s going on? This looks kinda weird.”
“Yeah, we know.” Tony replied quietly, rolling his eyes before clapping Sebastian on the shoulder. “We gotta take this guy on a little trip.”
“Where?” Clint squinted his eyes in confusion. “And why are we whispering?”
“Westchester.” Pietro told him. “And we are whispering because we do not want Y/N to hear.”
“Why?” Clint questioned.
“Oh, just shut up.” Bucky rolled his eyes before looking to Sebastian and Tony. “Pepper, Bruce, Steve, the Guardians and I will all stay here so as not to draw too much attention.”
“Sounds good.” Tony nodded. “Come on then, Speedy, Hawk and Sebastian. Looks like we’re going on a little outing.”
Putting the pumpkin pie filling into the crust as she and Natasha continued to work over in the kitchen area, Y/N just shook her head as Rocket was throwing cranberries at Peter while Drax was laughing at him.
Y/N then glanced over when she heard a slight commotion.
“We’ll be back later!” Tony announced as he basically shoved Sebastian ahead of him.
“Where the hell are you guys going?” Natasha tilted her head as she watched the men.
“We’ll be back in like two… three hours, tops.” Clint told her as he and Pietro followed after Tony and Sebastian.
Y/N opened up her mouth to say something but didn’t get the chance to talk before the four men were already out of the room.
“What the hell was that about?” Gamora muttered to Wanda, said woman shrugging like she had no idea.
“That was weird.” Y/N commented, staring at the doorway through which they had left the room before turning back to work on the pie again. “Then again, they’ve always been kinda weird. I’m sure the won’t hurt Sebastian too badly… Probably.”
*****
Hangar Bay…
“We can’t take more than three hours or else she’ll really get suspicious more than she probably already is.” Tony said as he, Sebastian, Clint and Pietro entered the hangar bay where they kept the Quinjet.
“We get to ride in that?” Sebastian enquired, pointing to the semi-small aircraft as it sat there, waiting to be flown.
“Yep.” Clint nodded in confirmation as pressed a button, the Quinjet’s ramp lowering. “And if you’re really nice, I might even let you help steer the thing.”
“Is that even legal?” Sebastian questioned as they all walked up the ramp. “It’s not like I know how to fly one of these things.”
“Don’t think so.” Clint shrugged as he sat down in one of the pilot seats. “But It sure is fun.”
“Well, color me intrigued.” Sebastian commented, gazing over all the controls and buttons up front.
“Take a seat.” Tony motioned for Sebastian to sit down in the other pilot seat next to Clint. “It’ll only take us maybe fifteen minutes by Quinjet to get there.”
“Maybe I’ll get a rematch with that knockoff Quicksilver.” Pietro crossed his arms as he sat down across from Tony. “I mean, I can understand having the same last name. Lots of people meet someone with the same last name as theirs. But the same superhero alias? That’s just a copycat.”
“Oh, let’s not start this again.” Clint groaned, raising the ramp as he started up the Quinjet.
“What exactly is he talking about?” Sebastian questioned before his eyes went slightly wide as Clint took off into the Manhattan skyline. “Woah.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty cool for your first time.” Clint admitted as he began to steer the jet up into the sky. “And Pietro was just talking about another speedster just like him. They kinda have a rivalry going on. Don’t even ask how it started. We’ll be here all day.”
“Fair enough.” Sebastian chuckled before directing his gaze to look out the window at all the passing buildings as they made their way out of the city and towards none other than Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. Or in other words…
The X-Mansion.
*****
Inside, X-Mansion, Corridor…
“Where are Raven and Hank?” Erik asked, having just arrived for the impending Thanksgiving feast.
“They’re in the kitchen.” Charles answered as he and Erik walked down the corridor. “Raven kicked me out of the kitchen because I kept trying taste everything. So now she’s recruited Hank to help her.”
Erik nodded, not being able to help the slight smirk that crossed his face. His and Charles’s attention was then brought to the large window they were walking past. It let you see out onto the large manicured lawn of the X-Mansion. But, that was not what caught their eye. What got their attention was the not-so inconspicuous Avengers Quinjet that was landing in the center of the lawn. “What are they doing here? Do you think Y/N decided to drop in for a visit.”
“No. Y/N isn’t with them.” Charles shook his head as he stepped up to the window, using his Telepathy to try and discern what the impromptu visit was for. “However, someone else is.”
“Who?” Erik asked, tilting his head slightly as he stepped up next to Charles.
Charles closed his eyes for a moment, trying to focus. It was only a moment more before a small smile came over his features and he turned to Erik. “If you’ll excuse me, I believe I have a visitor.”
Erik stood there for a moment, watching his good friend walk down the corridor and disappear around the corner before he himself then just shook his head and turned the opposite direction and continued on the way he had been going with Charles.
*****
Outside, Lawn…
“Now, don’t let him scare you.” Clint chimed in as he, Sebastian, Tony and Pietro walked down the ramp of the Quinjet and onto the lawn of the X-Men. “'Cause you you know, he can be good at that.”
“I think I’ll be okay… Probably.” Sebastian responded indeed as he took a step forward towards the giant X-Mansion.
It was kinda just now occurring to Sebastian that this was the place Y/N had grown up most of her life. In other words, her childhood home.
“Now or never.” Sebastian muttered to himself before he began walking towards the mansion again just as a set of doors opened, revealing Charles Xavier to be standing there like he had been waiting for Sebastian to arrive.
“Sebastian.” Charles gave him a kind smile in greeting. “It’s good to finally meet you in person.”
“Likewise.” Sebastian nodded, shaking Charles’s outstretched hand. “Suppose it is better than the couple of times I’ve seen Y/N speak to you over Skype.”
“It is.” Charles agreed before motioning for Sebastian to walk inside. “Walk with me?”
“Of course.” Sebastian nodded before following Charles inside.
“So, what do you think?” Tony questioned, crossing his arms while he and Clint stood by the Quinjet as they watched the doors that Charles and Sebastian had walked through close.
“…I think it’ll be good.” Clint said, nodding to himself. “Sebastian’s a good man.”
“Yes, yes, that is all very nice.” Pietro rushed up in between Tony and Clint, putting his arms around their shoulders. “Now, I’m gonna go find that younger, less good looking version of me.”
“Play nice!” Tony called after Pietro, said speedster already all the way across the grounds to go and no doubt cause trouble. “Yeah, like that’ll happen.”
*****
Inside, X-Mansion, Corridor…
“Really, it is quite good that you’re here.” Charles spoke as he and Sebastian walked side-by-side along the corridor. “I’ve been trying to get Y/N to bring you here so I could meet you.”
“Yes, life has been particularly busy as of late.” Sebastian replied as he and Charles came upon a set of wooden double doors.
“So I’ve seen.” Charles nodded in understanding as he pushed the doors to his study open. “Why don’t you tell me what brings you here, Sebastian.”
“Shouldn’t you already know?” Sebastian questioned as Charles rounded the large mahogany desk in the bookshelf-lined room.
“I might be a Telepath, but it is more fun for me to watch people tell me things for themselves.” He replied, motioning for Sebastian to sit down across from him. “Please, sit.”
“I guess I can understand that sentiment.” Sebastian shrugged as he took a seat on the other side of Charles’s desk.
“Yes, well, it does get somewhat quiet around here during the holidays. So, I take the opportunity when I can get it.” Charles told him as he sat across from Sebastian. “Now, to what do I owe the pleasure of your unexpected visit?”
“Well…” Sebastian trailed off, trying to pick out the right words. “I suppose, to put it as simply as I can, I’d like to know if you’re okay with me asking Y/N to marry me.”
Charles smiled slightly before he picked up a picture frame from his desk and turned it around to show Sebastian. “This was Y/N when she was eighteen, right before she went off to university. I hated taking this picture because it would be a reminder that she wasn’t my little girl anymore.”
Sebastian peered closer at the picture, examining Y/N from when she was younger. Her long (H/C) was cascading in waves down her back as she grinned at the camera while she sat on top of one of her packed suitcases.
“Y/N has been in my life since she was seven years old.” Charles’s voice broke Sebastian out of his own thoughts. “I never married, so Y/N was my top priority. She always will be.”
“I can understand that.” Sebastian nodded as he watched Charles place the picture frame back where it had been before standing up from the desk and walking to a set of glass doors that opened up onto a balcony that overlooked the massive lawn of the X-Mansion.
“When Y/N contacted me and told me about losing her powers last year, I was worried for her.” Charles continued as Sebastian stood up from the desk to come and join him out on the balcony. “I told her that maybe she should come back here and stay with me again for a while. Do you know what she told me?”
“What did she tell you?” Sebastian asked curiously before looking back out at the lawn and watching as both Quicksilvers raced around.
“She wanted to make her own way in life.” Charles answered. “I mean, after she had gone off to be with the Avengers, it’s like she had gained something she never could’ve had here with the X-Men. That’s not to say she completely rejected us. Not at all. She just found a better outlet for herself. A better way to use the ability that had been forced upon her years beforehand. Anyway, after that had been taken away from her, she wanted to try something new. She wanted to figure it out for herself. That opportunity arose when she met your friend Jared. And now I get to see her be happy while fighting fake monsters on tv.”
“It is a unique experience.” Sebastian admitted, wondering if Charles was going to answer his question.
Charles smirked internally, knowing just exactly what him not answering the question was doing to Sebastian. He didn’t need Telepathy for that.
“You know, after I brought Y/N to live with me, and to make everything legal, her last name was changed to Xavier for a while. But then she changed it back to Y/L/N after she turned eighteen.” Charles informed him. “That was fine. I didn’t mind. If I had been her, I probably would’ve done the same. She’ll always be my Y/N. I mean, she is the most important person in my life to me. And… I believe you are becoming that for hers.”
“That really means a lot to hear.” Sebastian told Charles, glancing at him. “Truly.”
“I’m glad.” Charles nodded, glancing at Sebastian. “That’s why my answer is yes. And I appreciate you asking me.”
“You’re welcome.” He nodded, shaking Charles hand once more before both of them turned back towards the lawn just in time to see Peter Maximoff stop and extend his leg and trip Pietro, making Clint and Tony burst out laughing as they watched.
“Cheater!” Pietro shouted.
Charles rolled his eyes before looking back to Sebastian. “Shall I show you out? I could introduce you to a few friends on our way.”
“Lead the way.” Sebastian nodded, motioning for Charles to go first.
*****
New York City, New York, Inside, Avengers Tower, Lounge…
“How’s it coming?” Natasha asked as Y/N was bent over, looking into the oven.
“Looks good.” Y/N replied, standing back up straight and closing the oven door. “Pies should be done in like ten minutes. Seems like the last thing to come out of the oven will be the turkey.”
“I feel bad for Jane and her family.” Peter Quill commented from where he sat at the dining table by Wanda, Gamora, Rocket and Drax. “They’d have to get like three turkeys. One for them and two for Thor.”
“I wish I could object.” Steve chuckled as he stirred the mashed potatoes. “But that’s actually pretty accurate.”
“What’s accurate?” Clint asked as he entered the room.
“Thor eating two turkeys every Thanksgiving.” Bucky responded as he brought out the pumpkin pie from the fridge to set it on the kitchen island.
“He gives a whole new meaning to the term 'Goldie Locks’.” Tony pointed out as he and Sebastian entered the lounge, Pietro rushing right past them before swiping the pumpkin pie off the kitchen island and bringing it to place on the dining table in front of Drax and Rocket. Little Groot emerged from behind the giant bowl of cranberry sauce to stare in awe at the yummy looking pie.
“Ruff!” Balthazar barked from where he sat under the table on top of Wanda’s feet.
“Don’t worry, buddy. I made you a blueberry and unseasoned turkey pie.” Y/N called to her dog from where she stood in the kitchens “There’s no sugar, so it’s good for you.”
Sebastian chuckled as he walked over to stand next to Y/N, kissing her on the temple before peering over her shoulder at the dressing/stuffing she was making. “Everything smells delicious, ma chérie.”
Y/N couldn’t help but grin at the close proximity Sebastian was standing next to her. Even after almost a year of dating, he still managed to make her feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside.
It wasn’t until a while later as everyone was sitting around the dining table; Balthazar enjoying his dog-safe blueberry and unseasoned turkey pie, and little Groot walking across the table and taking a tiny bite of something off everyone’s plates, that Sebastian realized just exactly how much he was sure of what he wanted to ask Y/N in the next month or so.
“Happy Thanksgiving, mon amour.” Y/N whispered as she leaned over, pecking Sebastian on the cheek before she was drawn into another conversation with Bruce and Tony.
Sebastian smiled at her before turning back to his plate that little Groot has just grabbed a cranberry from.
Yeah, he was definitely sure.
A/N: There ya go! 😁
This didn’t turn out exactly how I had originally planned, and I’m sorry if it wasn’t that great. BUT, I still hope you enjoyed it a little. 🙂
I’m really happy that Sebastian is wanting to marry Y/N. 💕 I hope you are, too! ❤️
Anyway, I hope to work on the next chapter soon. But, you all know what today it is.
So…
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 🦃
Until next time! 😘
💋 Love always, ~Maddy
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