happilyeverbeginning | were you just being kind / or am i losing my mind (scrooge x magica)

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were you just being kind / or am i losing my mind (scrooge x magica)

Lord Scrooge had been gone for five years, and at last had returned to the fair country even richer than before. Many rumors were buzzing about what transpired overseas, and what prompted his return. No doubt it was because his nephew was at the right time to marry, and he definitely wanted his assets in good hands. A welcome part of sorts was thrown together, despite Scrooge detesting such affairs.

The ball was in full swing by the time Magica and her brother arrived, him jabbering away about nonsense she couldn't care about. Her mind was elsewhere - it felt like an eternity since she'd last seen Lord Scrooge, and she had hoped her burning feelings for him were gone. Yet here she was, dressed to the nines, her heart racing. Would she see him as the adult woman she was now - or still as a child? She could never hope to win his heart. The sooner she moved on, the better.

She told herself she could change her heart, and for a good moment, honestly believed it. There were many eligible bachelors here tonight, many good in coin as they were in manners. But her eyes scoured the room, and the moment she spotted Scrooge from a distance, her chest seized, and all those awful feelings rushed back more intense than ever.

All the confidence she had died instantly - she didn't feel like a woman anymore, but like the little girl she used to be when she first met him...

... Back when she was first learning to play the piano, and detested it. Her patience was growing thin, and she held back a grumble, glaring at the keys, as if it was their fault she played so badly.

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Why did people have to make such a fuss out of his return? When he thought about how much money was spent on such a ball. And the precious time that was wasted. He could be comfortable on his estate now but no, as Lord de Bourgh he had to keep a certain stand.

But one thing was for sure, he would not dance. Especially not with one of those silly giggling chickens buzzing around him. Yes, I am a rich bachelor. He thoughtto himself, but if you seriously think you can get something out of it, you really don't know me very well. He had to be careful not to let his nephew Donald fall for one of these gold diggers. Where was he anyway?

Searching Scrooge looked through the room. He saw his nephew talking excitedly to his best friend. Scrooge sighed inwardly, hoping that this strange figure would have disappeared from his nephew's life by now.
But then his eyes fell on the woman next to Fethry...

Never had a woman managed to get as much as a second look from him. He respected women very much, but he was not interested in them either. But this delicate figure...

Her raven-black hair stood out from the crowd of boring blondes. Her clothes were tastefully chosen and her facial expression revealed that she enjoyed herself as much as he did... Involuntarily he walked a few steps towards her. When the knowledge suddenly struck him like lightning.

This was no unknown beauty...it was the sister of the best friend of his nephew... Lady Magica Bingpan. Immediately he was ashamed of his thoughts from before. This woman was hardly older than his nephew, he knew her, only... he did not recognize her. When had the young girl become such a beautiful woman? That was simply not appropriate.

He felt very miserable. He remembered exactly how he had met her for the first time. When he wanted to pick up his nephew from the estate of the Bingpaps. How he had walked through the corridors and suddenly heard a piano playing. Unfinished, but as a music lover he could immediately recognize the potential of the player in it, all that was missing was a lot of practice and patience and here a true master of art could emerge.

Curiously he had followed the sound.

Magica sighed, and tried again. It went well enough at first, it always did - but then her fingers would slip, and in frustration, she banged the keys. Blasted thing! Why did she have to learn it anyway, when her brother got to learn how to shoot, about finances, history, and here she was, frittering away on a wretched instrument - all for a future husband! What about her happiness?

When she heard footsteps approached, she assumed it was one of her parents, and tensed up. "I am trying!" She insisted, ready to be yelled at again. "I am, I'm sorry! I'm just not as good as..." She trailed off as she looked up, and saw that she wasn't fighting with her parents.

An older man stood there, a stranger, and she blushed, embarrassed. "O-Oh... I..."

He was surprised to see a young girl sitting at the piano, not much older than his nephew. Had expected someone who already had more experience. But as he could see from her words, her parents had no idea how to nurture talent.

Since no one else was around, he could afford to drop his mask a little and smiled at her, even laughing a little as she turned red with embarrassment. He liked the temperament with which she had defended herself until just before. Another adolescent woman who was pushed by the society into a norm she didn't fit into. A pity, if she had been born a man, her musical talent could have taken her far.

Nevertheless Scrooge wanted to help her to develop her abilities better. He didn't know why, but this young girl sitting so helplessly at the piano touched his heart. She was also pretty, as young as she was, you could see that she would become a beautiful woman. He hoped her future husband would appreciate her...

"I hear that you try it young lady and as a connoisseur I can assure you, you are on the very best way!" He hesitated briefly.

"My name is Scrooge de Bourgh, I am the uncle of Donald, your brother's friend. I suppose you are Magica Bingpap? May I call you by your name?"

Magica's heart skipped a beat. She had yet to become interested in men, mostly jealous of all the opportunities they had. Nor could you trust the adults to ever listen, since they all insisted they knew best. But this was... different? She had yet to learn the words for what his smile was.

Then she heard his name, and her eyes nearly popped out - lord Scrooge! One of the richest, most powerful men in all the land, and she'd made such an embarrassing first impression...! Her mother would have her head for this!

Stumbling a bit, she quickly stood up to curtsy. "O-Of course, Lord Bourgh... you honor me with your praise... but I feel I don't deserve it. You heard how I messed that last note... " With a swallow, she dared to look up. "Please do not give me false flattery." Very few adults would dare tell Scrooge what to do, no less a woman, no less a child!

Scrooge was really impressed, she had even more courage than he had thought before. No one, really no one had ever dared to doubt anything he said. A youthful mischievous grin scurried across his face before his expression became serious again. "In all my life I have never flattered anyone, I don't have to stand for that."

Cheeky he adjusted his glasses and pointed to the place next to her "May I?" On her astonished nod, he took a seat and put his fingers on the keys.

"Your problem is that you play too cheaply. Every single note is important so that them playing together harmonizes perfectly. Give every note the chance to unfold." He began to play the piece she had practiced on, Beethoven's classical Moonlight Sonata.

You could tell that he loved to play the piano. He closed his eyes, did not have to pay attention to the keys to elicit wonderful tones from the instrument.

Magica frowned, confused to what he meant, until he heard her play. It was a world of difference, even though they had been using the same instrument. She watched him with a sense of awe and wonder...

Mother said it was important to learn to play the piano, as all sophisticated ladies learned sophisticated instruments to woo a husband - Magica didn't believe it until now. He was clearly playing with passion and enjoyment... which she lacked.

When he finished, she looked down at her lap. "... Cheaply... I guess I do. I see this as a chore, as something just to get over with so I can make my parents happy... you play it because you like to do it. You don't have to please anyone but yourself. That's the difference."

She looked away, still too young to know that not everything thought should be said. "That makes me really envious of you." Not his money or his power, but that he only needed to make himself happy.

Again, he regretted that women were kept so small. When he looked into the eyes of this girl, he found pride and intelligence that he did not see in some adults. And yet she was doomed to stand in someone's shadow. His smile seemed a little sad.

"Do not envy me, it will only bring you grief in life. You can't change what you were born as and I fear our society won't do that so quickly either..." Lost in thought he turned his head to the big window and looked out.

"You know, a long time ago there lived in India a very wise man who had recognized that only your way of looking at things determines how well you are doing. You will not be able to change what is entrusted to you. But you can learn to change your attitude about it."

Now he looked into her eyes. They were beautiful, all black like bare onyx and full of wonder they looked up to him.

"When I was instructed to learn an instrument I disliked it as much as you did. It was an annoying, complex task, but I was also a child once and had no right to have a say. One day I realized that the piano couldn't help it and decided to see it from now on as a friend who would overcome the hours of learning together with me. As soon as I started to see learning as fun, it became fun and in the meantime I really learned to love it".

It was quite unusual for him to reveal so much of himself, but usually no one listened to him so attentively. Everyone was always only interested in his money, not in his person. This girl next to him was balm for his cold heart.

"Maybe this will help you to carry this burden better, because as I said before, you have talent. It would be a pity not to use this. I would like to listen to you again when you have learned that the piano is not your enemy."

This time his smile was really warm and sympathetic.

Magica watched him in a strange sort of disbelief. Any other adult would have merely talked down to her, to dismiss her whining as the cries of a child. But Scrooge talked to her as an equal, listening to her complaints and giving her advice.

She felt a squeeze in her chest, like something was being tightly held. Why couldn't all adults be like this man? She sincerely doubted even her own brother could turn into someone like this.

She swallowed, hesitating, and then gently reached for the keys. She wouldn't suddenly improve right now - this wasn't some fairy tale - but now she did want to try. To have someone believe in her was... amazing.

Slowly, she began to play again, feeling his eyes on her. "If... If you do come back again... I'll play for you. But... in exchange, I want to hear more about your travels."

Places like India and all over, where he learned these wise things - places she could never dream to see. If she couldn't be there herself, she could at least hear the tales from someone else.

Approving, he watched her play for a while. Yes, her facial expression had changed. She was as smart as he had guessed. Now practicing would be much easier for her.

She was also the first to ever ask about his travels. How did it come that a person of such a tender age was better company than all the old and rich bunglers he otherwise met? With a wink he reached out his hand to her.

"Then I would say we have a deal, Magica."

It was the first time he really called her by her name. It suited her, there was something really magical about her. "But you're welcome to say if you get tired of my company. I can imagine that a girl your age can imagine better than listening to the stories of an elder man."

Too bad that they had been born in different generations. If he were a little younger, or if she was a little older...

But he decided to follow his own advice. He could not change anything about the situation, but be content with what was offered to him. And as different as they might be, he had the feeling that a wonderful friendship was born out of which both parties could only bring profit.

And profit he really liked.

She shook his hand with a smile of her own. Having a friend like this would be unusual, for sure, and she could imagine her brother and his dumb friends teasing her about it. Well, what did they know? She'd be learning new things and becoming smarter, while they stayed the same. This was advantageous for her.

"I'd say hearing about the world outside the mansion is much more interesting than the right silverware to use and the proper dance steps... but if you get tired of my company, then you have the choice too." A small smirk.

Together, they played a while, as he taught her the better ways to flow through notes and not worry about making mistakes. But - originally Scrooge had come here to pick up his nephew, didn't he? The rest of the family was beginning to wonder where he'd gone off to.

Magica's mother poked her head from the corner. "Ah, Lord de Bourgh! We all thought you pulled a vanishing act..." She trailed off, frowning at her daughter. "Magica, you weren't bothering him, were you?"

Magica pulled her hands back. "No, mother. He was... teaching me how to play." Sort of the truth.

"Oh! How kind of you, dear sir. I'm afraid our dear Magica needs all the help she can get." A little laugh, ignoring how it hurt Magica.

Scrooge didn't bother hiding his snide facial expression. It wasn't his role to pretend to be benevolent to others, he was the one to win their favor.

"On the contrary, it was a great joy to me. Besides, a teacher must always pick up his student where he stands, not everyone can be taught the same. But I guess you can' t follow me..."

In her mother's blind spot he winked at Magica once more and nodded his head with assurances. He was already looking forward to his next visit. "Unfortunately it is really time that we set off, also my nephew still has tasks to fulfil and my own business doesn't wait either. I have the honour".

He nodded to the mother only briefly and as punishment for her words against her daughter, he grabbed Magica's hand and said goodbye to her in all form of politeness with a kiss on the hand. "Until the next time my lady and much success."

Ignoring Madame Bingpap's unfavourable open mouth, he strolled nonchalantly out of the room to get his nephew. A liberated grin lay on his face.

This day had gone very well.

Magica watched him leave, that painful, warm feeling still in her chest. Would he really come see her again? Once Scrooge was gone, she quietly asked her mother why Scrooge hadn't married yet, but mother ignored the question, musing to herself. "Maybe you've found yourself a new uncle to dote on you, dear."

An uncle? ... Yes, she supposed that's what he would be to her. It would be beneficial to the family, and that's all that mattered. Yet... she found it difficult to think of him as "Uncle" Scrooge.

That had been so long ago. Now, at this ridiculous party, they were both adults, and Magica couldn't tear her eyes away from him. Did he still see her as that stumbling child in front of the piano? She quietly made her way towards him, ignoring all the other men who were trying to ask for a dance.

He was the guest of honor, after all. It would only be natural to greet him.

"Lord Scrooge de Bourgh." She curtsied formally. "It's an honor and a privilege to see you again. Our fair lands just didn't feel the same without you here." Her heart raced but she managed to appear calm and elegant.

When Magica suddenly stood in front of him and made a perfectly shaped curtsey, his knees became very soft and his heart raced noticeably. How much he had been looking forward to seeing his young friend again. Of course 5 years at that age was a long time but... he had not expected such a change. She had become really unusually beautiful.

To his annoyance he felt that he became red. In his whole life he had never been red except with anger and now? Stupid old fool, he scolded himself. Yes, the little girl has become a woman, but you yourself have just grown older. Do not imagine anything, it is already a miracle that she still talks to you after the long time.

Despite his inner struggle he smiled warmly at Magica. Even if she just triggered feelings in him that were completely unknown to him so far, she was still his confidante from before. The one person with whom he had always felt comfortable and understood, despite her tender age.
Pleased, he seized her hand and kissed her politely, looking directly into her eyes, which still shone as vividly as before.

"The joy is all mine Mylady, I must admit I missed our meetings very much on my travels." For a moment his eyes flickered all along her body to look at her. The sight of her made him feel strangely dull. Not sure what he was allowed to say without hesitation, he looked at her slightly embarrassed.

"I hardly recognized you... may I tell you that you..." He swallowed hard once. Heavens, he was no small boy anymore. "... have grown into a very beautiful young woman..."

Cursed be his hot cheeks, he blamed it on the heat in the hall...

Here she thought she could simply erase her feelings and only think of him as an older companion, a guide for her life - but up close, here and now, with his lips gently brushing her knuckles... her longing only grew stronger. It was foolish, she knew, but she couldn't control it. How she wished the entire room would vanish except for the two of them.

"You flatter me, Lord Bourgh." She tried to keep herself overly formal and polite, not the silly little girl who fawned over him. Her eyes flew to his hand and thankfully saw that he hadn't married or been engaged during his years away - that didn't mean he didn't have a lover, but that was a subject to approach very carefully. "Yet you've hardly changed at all. You're still the same regal, refined man you were when you left."

Her heart ached. Did he really see her as a woman, or was he merely being polite? Even if he was telling the truth, their age gap was a difficult obstacle. Outsiders watching the two of them merely saw it as an old man doting on his not-niece, how quaint.

"I've missed your lessons, and your tales of the world... and I imagine you've only brought more stories with you since then."

He laughed a little liberated. He had wondered if she had changed much, so polite as she behaved. But her statement showed him that it was only a show for the public. She still had a thirst for knowledge.

Tenderly he smiled at her and wondered if she had found the one most important person for herself in the meantime. She didn't seem to be married, there was no ring on her hand. He felt his relief and reminded himself of reason. She sees you as nothing more than a kind of teacher, someone who could give her insight into the world out there, which she probably would never see herself.

"Stories are not the only thing I brought with me, I have a gift for you but... I'm not sure if it's appropriate to present it to you. Maybe it could bother your beloved if you accept the gift of another man..."

Smooth Scrooge, completely inconspicuous... had he become an idiot in the five years or did only the other visitors to the ball rub off on him?

"...No matter how old he may be..." He added with slight regret.

Her heart skipped at the thought of a gift from him - the idea itself was amazing. After all, Scrooge was very frugal, and seemed to detest the thought of wasting a single coin. So to casually use his wealth for her... why, she'd rarely seen him do anything like that for his own family! She couldn't stop smiling.

"Alas, I'm afraid I've yet to find any man of worth. As the only daughter of my family, I can no do less than attach myself to the best." She'd been draping herself over Donald as of late, but there had been only one reason for that.

"Besides... if my lover were the type to be so jealous that I couldn't accept a gift from my dearest companion, why, I'd leave him in the blink of an eye. I don't have time for such pettiness."

His heart jumped with joy that she hadn't found a man yet. Then he immediately felt ashamed of his thoughts. He wished her all the happiness in this world. Then why not the arms of a worthy lover?

Because no man will ever be worthy of her... said a small voice in his head. Nobody appreciates her cunning and her fire as much as... NO, don't even think about it, Scrooge. Don't be ridiculous. Look at her. Every man would be wax in her fingers, she can have anybody.
Then why should she even give you one look? He got a headache from this inner monologue. Be content, she calls you her dearest confidant, you will never get more from this woman.

Never...

He grimly banished the thoughts from his head and gave Magica his full attention again.

"Do you want to go out on the balcony for a moment? It is so loud and stuffy in here that you can hardly talk." He pointed towards the balcony and gently touched her at the shoulder.

He was shocked that this innocent touch was like a small electric shock. What was wrong with him? Did he get sick?

"I was thinking the same thing. Come, let's be off."

Her fingers trembled - she wanted to hold his arm as they walked, like a pair of lovers. But just one wrong touch could destroy their friendship - the last thing she wanted was for him to see her as some harlot, throwing herself at him with abandon. Yet she could never be his equal - if he hadn't shown an interest in women now, why should anything have changed?

It hurt to be with him, yet she knew it would also hurt to be away. She was merely setting herself up for heartbreak.

The balcony gave them a perfect view of the gardens below, and the twilight of night in the distance. When they arrived, she raised her eyes to him, hoping they weren't giving off years of desire. "It's a beautiful night."

He would have preferred to hold her arm or hand as he led her to the balcony. But he didn't want to frighten her. She shouldn't believe that he wanted to take advantage of her. He would rather chop off an arm.

No, those strange feelings for her that germinated in him had to be suppressed. He had no chance and did not want to risk this wonderful friendship.

Why was she different from all the other women he had met? Among them were also true beauties and not every one was stupid but... none, not a single one had ever triggered anything in him.

Except Magica... and that from her youngest childhood on... he was pathetic.

Relieved he breathed in the cool night air for a moment and looked up into the stars.

Truly a wonderful night. The stars remind me of my time in Alaska, there the sky was infinitely lucid and the stars could be seen as clearly as if they were only a few meters away...".

He turned his head towards her and regretted it at the same moment. Her eyes were intensely on him, the light of the stars was reflected in them and the moonlight gave a soft shimmer to her delicate figure.

His heart was almost painfully contracted by her beauty. Then he remembered why they were out here. From his inside pocket he took out a small box and opened it so that Magica could see inside. In it lay a delicate gold chain with a black stone hanging in the middle. Surrounded by a filigree, ornate setting.

"This is an onyx." He explained. "This stone stands for self-confidence and assertiveness. I had thought you could wear it when you grow up I... I didn't expect it to happen so fast..."

Even if he was embarrassed, he looked deeply into her eyes. Scrooge de Bourgh was no coward. "Besides, the color matches your eyes and hair, which are of the same beautiful, shimmering black..."

He had to be careful not to give too much away but he also wanted her to know how he saw her.

A hint of a smile graced her face. Alaska - no doubt one of many places he'd seen across the world. She wanted to hear more of his adventures, of the business ventures he'd dared to take and new cultures he learned of. His was a free life - one anyone could envy. What was it like, to do whatever you pleased without having to worry about society and starvation?

The gift itself was stunning, and took her breath away. Slowly, delicately, she reached out to run her fingers over the ornate stone. It was one of the most gorgeous things she ever saw in her life... and it was hers. As if a part of him would be with her forever.

She tried to cover up her astonishment with a small chuckle. "And to think... when I was younger, the boys would tease me about my hair, calling me a witch. It's so rare to see such dark shades in this side of the country... I'd like to think my beauty is my revenge on those days."

She carefully held the necklace in her hands, wanting to gaze at it more. "... I don't have the words to express my gratitude for such a gift. I hardly feel worthy of it." And of him.

A mischievous grin spread across his face as he heard her words. "I'm glad you don't belong to the kind of woman who denies her own beauty. False modesty is just another form of lying..."

He couldn't resist brushing a few strands of her silky hair from her face. He stroked her cheek slightly and even that seemed like the most forbidden of all touches.

He pulled his hand away as if he'd burned himself. To distract himself, he carefully took the necklace out of her hand.

"May I?" His heart beat faster at the thought that she would wear his gift publicly, as if a part of him was always with her.

Magica inhaled sharply as he touched her face. It was taking all of her strength not to throw herself into his arms! She thought she was so strong, but all it took was one touch to make her weak in the knees. Damn him...! How much more could she take before she broke?

"Y-Yes, of course..." She murmured, turning her head away, hoping she hadn't given anything away. But his fingers on her neck and skin... she had to hold her breath so she wouldn't melt under him. She felt at her lowest point - even if he'd just take her as a mistress, she'd accept it! Only he could reduce her to such a pathetic state.

Scrooge tried to touch her as little as possible when he put the necklace on her. It took all his willpower, her delicate white neck looked so seductive.

He would have loved to hold her in his arms. He, who had never cared for physical inclination. He didn't even embrace his nephew when he was little. Although he actually loved him.

When he was so close to her, he also noticed that she smelled very good, like lavender blossoms.

Something had to happen or he would burst because of these new feelings. Maybe if he didn't have to suppress every touch, if there was a natural way to touch her without it being inappropriate.

As ashamed as he was, he was no fool. The realization that his Magica was now a woman, a desirable woman, had turned a switch in him.

At that time, many years ago, he felt connected to her. But since she was a child, his body did not react to her.

But now, familiarity and beauty came together and he had fallen victim to her. Without him being able to do anything about it.

He had probably fallen in love for the first time in his life...

And if he did not want to lose himself completely and in the end did something he would regret, he had to take what was allowed.

Again he looked at her. "I knew it would look good on you..." He mumbled almost as if to himself as the chain nestled perfectly to her cleavage.

"Magica...would you do me the honor of a dance? Just... once.."

His gaze did not wander from her eyes for a moment as he spoke. He lost himself deep inside them.

Magica's heart was beating so loudly she was amazed no one else could hear it. Even with the smallest of touches, her body felt on fire. She closed her eyes, losing herself to fantasy...

She imagined him kissing her neck, his hands unable to resist her, clinging to her dress, capturing her, ravishing her, fulfilling her worst desires since they'd first awakened...

His words snapped her back to reality, and she held back a gasp. How long could she survive this night? Her face felt hot, she'd have to make some sort of excuse if he asked. "R-right... everyone's probably wondering where the guest of honor is. Yes, it'd be my honor to be your first dance partner of the night." Maybe it was for the best that they returned to the public eye. She hoped it would keep her body sane, that it would remind her of their status and what she couldn't have.

No one seemed to have even noticed they left, however briefly. The song played now was slow and sweet, and Magica waited until they were back inside to carefully take his fingers with her own. She was afraid to even look at him now, or else she'd lose her mind.

Edited 2019-02-17 19:18 (UTC)

It gave him a little sting that she didn't even look at him when they entered the hall again and she took his hand.

So she was really uncomfortable, as he had feared. Probably she was embarrassed to dance with a man of stately age like him. It was selfish of him to ask her. Surely she had only consented for the sake of their old friendship.

But... he was too weak, too selfish. The idea of holding her while dancing was just too tempting.

He comforted himself that his status would at least give her recognition. The honourable guest's first dance belonged only to her.

The first, and also the only one, he thought to himself. Because he would dance with none other than Magica. Never more.

He embraced her hand more tightly and pulled her gently towards him. One arm slightly wrapped around her hip. Now she was so close to him that he could feel her warmth. It almost drove him crazy.

Carefully he took care that their bodies were not too close to each other, he would hardly have endured that.

He closed his eyes briefly to concentrate. He wanted to enjoy the moment with her and not instead think about what he could never obtain...

When he opened his eyes again he smiled lovingly at her. She was so enchanting, she deserved so much more than him...

But for this one dance he wanted to forget the fate that made it unthinkable for him to ever love her.

He skillfully began to lead them in dance.
He loved dancing just like playing the piano, it kept him fit and healthy. In fact he was in much better shape than his much younger nephew.
His personality kept him young.

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