So I was looking for forgotten/ignored ships, and I got freaking confused when it said ‘abandoned cruise ships and liners’ and there were pictures of rotting boats. Smh.
Thank you to everyone so much for being so patient and lovely! All prompts have now been sent out, so f you haven’t received your prompt either here or over email, please message me asap!
Just a few things I'd like to note:
It’d be great for the gifts to all be posted on Boxing day (26th December) but it’s okay if people have to post it earlier!
The final deadline will be 1st January 2017; aka if you miss your deadline then your prompt will be passed onto someone else to fill.
Addressing note 1, if anyone would like to help by being a backup in case there are any issues that come up, please just send me a message!
If you want to ask who you’re gifting to something, please ask through me so we don’t reveal anyone!
Finally, it’d be great if all gifts could be Christmas themed, this is the Christmas exchange after all, or at least wintery since not everyone celebrates! If that doesn't work for your prompt that’s fine!
Please tag your gifts “usukexchange2016” so we can find it and share your awesome gifts with everyone!
Thats all from me, just make sure you have fun with everything!
Sorry I tagged everyone, I just wanted to be sure everyone saw.
Summary: As a student aid, Matthew experiences his first office romance when a certain student comes by on special occasions. (Highschool AU!)
For: Ariana aka gottashipitall on tumblr.
I
Matthew Williams, a senior in high school, did not have a first hour period. So while most students had classes, the lad spent his hour as a student aid in the school’s bookstore. On typical days, the bookstore is stacked with students and teachers coming to and fro for pencils, textbooks, paper, and any other office or school spirited material. Typically, that is all people ever came in for, except today was not a typical day.
As the boy made himself comfortable in his area, a male student barged in exclaiming “Excuse me! I have this major paper due in like 5 minutes and I don’t have any money to print from the library and I really need to use your printer. Could I use it, please?”
Completely new to this type of request, Matthew tried fishing out some sort of answer.
“Oh, I um… Well, I don’t know how often we use this prin… -Err, ahh… I guess you could. I mean, how many papers do you need to print?” He asked rather pathetically.
Due note that Matthew was never given instructions on what to do if students asked to use the printer, and his supervisor was not present to help him. Something in his head told him that the answer should be no, and that the student should have better been prepared. However, Matthew knew he didn’t have it in him to deny helping someone else.
Taking a quiet breath, Matthew smiled at the student.
“Okay, just this once, but you need to be better prepared on your next paper.”
Tearfully, the student flashed him a brilliant smile, “Oh My Gosh, thank you!”
II
Originally when the student came to Matthew begging for help, he assumed it would be a one-time thing, and that he’d probably never see the dude again. It was usually like that for the other students he’s helped, so it shouldn’t be any different now. For instance, when he’s going to class or is in class he might recognize someone he’s helped, however as the unwritten rule goes: they’ve never met and had no need to associate with one another. This guy wasn’t like that whatsoever.
Matthew can’t remember the guy’s name; the student introduced himself the first time they met but Matthew paid no attention believing it didn’t matter. So, three print jobs later and Matthew is feeling extremely guilty for not knowing this dude’s name, more so when the guy can remember his.
‘I wonder if he’s noticed that I stall from using his name?’ Matthew ponders as he moves around his work station, looking for tasks to do, like organizing or making the shelves look nice.
It was only a half hour later that he shows up.
“Hhhiiii Mattieeee, may I possibly be allowed to print from this printer, please?”
A sweet smile.
“Of course you can.”
III
He thinks the student is really cute, like “please let nothing bad happen to this person” cute and “this guy deserves a good life” cute. There is nothing wrong in hoping that this guy gets a rewarding life because he’s too cute to be let down. Matthew would also reason that it’s not solely based on the student’s looks that make him entitled to a good life, he’s learned that this dude is in AP classes and wants to major in business.
Plus, Matthew really thinks this guy is cute but it’s not likely anything will come from this guy needing to use a printer.
“Hello there, we meet again! Printer, please?”
IV
Alfred Jones. Alfred F. Jones. Alfred something with F. Jones. Without even asking, Matthew skillfully learned that the student’s name is Alfred F. Jones. He feels so proud of himself, but he also assures himself that he’s not stalking Alfred nor did he do anything illegal. It was completely coincidental that he learned his name on the job.
During one of Alfred’s printing visits (which should have stopped long ago but Matthew can’t say no to such a cute face), Alfred stated that he also needed to buy highlighters for class. So it was then that Matthew felt triumphant, because in order for students or staff to purchase things in the bookstore, they must show a form of ID.
Matthew really wishes he was friends with Alfred because he needs to be friends with such a cute person. Being friends with a cute person is such an amazing feeling.
‘Being friends with Alfred would be amazing.’
V
Matthew enjoys Alfred’s company whenever he visits the bookstore. However, it’s not like he comes every time he needs to print, but he’s come enough times for Matthew to consider them friend-acquaintances. When he walks to class or lunch and sees Alfred, they’ll greet each other with ease and Alfred would even ask him about his day or his classes. Matthew is so happy that Alfred is interested in asking him questions.
Matthew wonders if Alfred has a girlfriend. Surely a nice, fun, cute guy like Alfred has someone special. How could he not?
VI
They exchanged information. Matthew feels like his heart will burst any second. He’s scored. He’s officially friends with the cute person. Take that world. Cute guy is his friend. Cute guy Alfred is his friend. How much better can this possibly get?
Matthew learns that Alfred likes dogs, space, and that he texts a lot; though most of Alfred’s text revolve around animals and fandom-type conversations. He doesn’t mind though because he also enjoys the same entertainment values as Alfred.
He tells Alfred that he like Polar Bears.
VII
Alfred looked so cute when he found out Matthew is Canadian, more so a transfer student. He asked the Canadian boy so many questions like if he spoke French (« Oui. »), if Canada really used Celsius instead of Fahrenheit, and if transfer students had like a set of rules to follow while abroad (“If I break the law here, minor or major, I’ll be deported back to Canada.”). The American boy looked so giddy learning this new information about his Canadian friend (“So cool, I’m friends with a Canadian!”).
Matthew wonders if he could do anything else to impress Alfred, though at the moment he can’t think of anything so he interrogates the American too.
The cheery boy is happy to talk about himself. He’s a proud Virginian, likes the color red, a true patriot (“Can’t top being born on the 4th of July!”), wants to help the world (‘Cute.’), and all Matthew gets from Alfred’s tangents is the American is too good for this wor—wahh?
‘Did I just here him correctly?’ Matthew thinks. ‘Alfred… is single.’
Maybe. Maybe he… Maybe he could… No, that’s too good to be true. Could he, though? Does he have a chance? It is possible? That Matthew might have the slightest cha—
No.
‘Who am I kidding? That’s wishful thinking.’
…Still, it is a nice wish…
VIII
“So Valentine’s Day is coming pretty fast. Though to be honest, everything in February feels fast when it’s the shortest month in the year.” Alfred stated as he leans on the counter, watching Matthew rearrange the shelves once again.
“So it is, don’t you have class right now?” Matthew responded, wondering if he should arranged the items by size or by color, or both.
“I told Mr. Crankshaw that I needed to go to the bathroom, I have a good 5-7 minutes to talk to you.” Alfred explained. “Anyway, are you planning anything for Valentine’s? I presume you swooned your love with that French Canadian tongue of yours.”
« Une seule langue n'est jamais suffisante. » Matthew taunted. “But I bet you charmed yours from that Southern gentleman routine.”
“Well darling, I do try my best.”
IX
Matthew was a tad bit nervous, well actually he was a lot nervous. Why had Alfred asked him about Valentine’s Day? Had they actually flirted? Was that flirting or teasing? Ever since that conversation, Matthew has been thinking, overthinking, and stressing about it.
‘Alfred, why must you be so hard to get?’ He thinks as he tends to his customers of love-strung students.
February was the month of Valentine goodies in the bookstore and everyone loved the Valentine specials. Especially the Valentine Cards. Lovebirds and friends could buy as many Valentine Cards to be delivered to their special ones. Those cards would later be delivered during homeroom the Friday before Valentine’s and there wasn’t a person in that school who wouldn’t say they didn’t feel loved getting one. And despite that Matthew does get his fair share, he never expected that day to be any different.
Alfred came in as one of the delivery students assigned to Matthew’s homeroom, where the Canadian boy received a bountiful amount of Valentine Cards, a Valentine Polar Bear, and a note stating:
“There’s not enough space in the universe for me to express my feelings to you.”
Signed Your Southern Gentleman
Matthew wants to cry as he turns his head over to Alfred who is simply smiling, holding a paper with his trademark phrase.
“Printer, please?”
A sweet, tearful smile.
“Yes, of course!”
Une seule langue n'est jamais suffisante. — One language is never enough.
Tada! I hope you like your present Ariana!!! I had so much fun writing it!
usuk summer exchange gift for gottashipitall! I actually combined 2 of the prompts which was soulmate au and cardverse: first meeting, hope you enjoy!
More under the cut------- (veryyy rough story plot)
The monarchs of the Spades Kingdom possessed powerful and unique abilities. Only attainable when the King and Queen meet each other for the first time. These powers determine the rulers and fate of the country.
Before King Alfred and Queen Arthur ascended to the throne, the two future royals initially endured a tough life. Arthur was always battered with complaints from his family that he should quit studying up on magic and spell casting and actually do something productive with his life. He had a strong passion for it but everyone else believed it to be a nuisance that got in the way of his potential. Living with constant fear and anxiety that he’ll never be able to support his own, he was still determined to become strong.
Alfred’s side of the story wasn’t too bright either.. Being dominated by the stronger and tougher neighborhood teens, he too possessed a strong determination for picking himself up and defending other underhanded civilians in the Spades Kingdom. A strong sense of justice became embedded in him after all those harsh endeavors of his early years.
Sometime during their teens, both became involved with “protecting the community.” This group kept a night watch on various parts of the kingdom. You could either work as an individual or part of a group. Alfred and Arthur chose the former.
One night, they were both stationed in the same area but on opposite ends for maximum coverage. The two have never met each other before.. Each would have a sort of communication device powered by weak magic, so that they can assist each other if needed. Conversations would be short and to the point. For example, “Good on your side?” To which the other replied, “Yeah.”
Patrollers did not have an official uniform and thus had the advantage of blending in with ordinary civilians. The only way to comfirm if they were one was to show the communication device (usually hanging on their belts) and/or concealed ID.
Alfred was casually strolling through his hemisphere of the town, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. He then hears harsh whispers coming from a dark corner which causes him to inch closer towards the sounds in order to figure out the situation.
He can make out the sounds of small child and a male adult. “Kidnapper?” he thought to himself. The child struggles to leave and Alfred immediately contacts Arthur for backup. After doing so, he confronted the two. “Is there a problem here, sir?”
“Damn it,” the man pushed the little girl to the ground and rushed out of the scene. Alfred was now stuck witha dilemma, “Do I stay here and make sure this little girl is safe or do I chase after that guy??” She was badly injured and seems that she’s been beaten around a lot. He looks around and sees a clinic that the runner just passed and figures that he’ll drop off the little girl there then continue his pursuit of the offender.
On his way over whilst carrying the girl, he bumps into a scrawny blonde with caterpiller eyebrows, around his age running his way. “That’s has to be him I guess,” the other blonde thought to himself. Alfred’s legs fumble and he lands on his back, luckily the girl fell on top of him and he broke her fall. Alfred stares at the other guy and assumed that he was the backup based on the device hanging from the waist. Alfred hands the little girl over to him, “Bring her to the clinic.” He says while breathing quickly. Alfred runs off to chase the man while the other blonde, holding the girl stands there dumbfounded for a few seconds. “Right then, better get you healed I guess. Nice to meet you, I’m Arthur.” Giving the girl a reassuring smile, he hurries off to the doctor’s.
“Why don’t you let us handle that instead?” someone says behind Arthur. “Uh.. Sorry but she needs professional- WHAAAAAAAAAAAT.” Arthur turns around to see a small old man (like a garden gnome almost), a fairy, and a little mint colored bunny with wings! “W-what’s this......” He says to himself. “Just hand us the girl!” The old man orders him. “LIKE HELL I WILL.”
With Alfred chasing the man still, he tries to devise a plan that will slow him down. But how? He didn’t have any weapons worth throwing so he looked around, and he just noticed that he was in a flower field! All the objects around him were useless, or so he thought.. Alfred became frustrated and ripped up some flowers from the ground and threw them at the other man. The flower stems sharped into daggers and punctured the man, immobilizing him. Alfred was shocked but he took this opportunity to capture him. While restraining the man, Alfred thought that his grip has gotten much more tight but figured it must have be the adrenaline. He took the criminal to the real authorities and decided to go back and check on the girl.
Alfred walked in the clinic where he told that eyebrow guy to go and saw the little girl through one of the gaps of the doors. He went in and saw eyebrows sitting next to the girl who was sleeping on a bed. “Uhh.. oh it’s you..,” Arthur said. “Yeah..” Alfred sat down on a chair next to the girl as well.
“I suppose that your return means that your capture was successful?” Arthur asks. Alfred perks up and replies, “Yup! And this she looks real healthy right now! Nice job getting her here!”
“Tch.. You did most of the work,” he looks away from him. “If you’re going to thank someone, thank the people who healed her.”
“Alright then, where are they?” Alfred asks.
“What? You mean you can’t see them?”
“Who now?”
“Err...” A silence followed. Arthur had suspicions about those spirits suddenly appearing right after he met Alfred.. but he had to be sure.
“Say did anything strange happen when you were chasing that guy?”
“Uh now that you mention it.. yeah. These flowers turned as hard as swords and I got way stronger I think?”
Arthur’s face became very red.
Strength Manipulation: The user of this super ability is able to manipulate the strength of other people. This can be used to turn a weakling into a very strong person and vice versa. This power can also be able to manipulate material strength, and can make other objects weaker or stronger.
Spirit Magic: User is able to use spirit magic, that revolves around channeling, summoning or using the power of spirits to achieve their goals. They can summon spirits, use spiritual weapons, or channel a spirit into their body to gain physical enhancements or gain completely new abilities.
