Twins->Iran: not quite requited.
Both it is! And haha, of course it’s okay I was just checking~
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She was beautiful when she was angry.
Cursing at him in a language he didn’t understand, one hand clenching her hastily thrown on headscarf together so it wouldn’t slip, stray, curly locks of hair peeking out from under the brightly coloured fabric, Shirin was a vision from heaven. Alfred had trouble trying to keep himself from being distracted by the pretty blush on her face or the furious spark in her eyes. After all, she wasn’t supposed to see how much she affected him. If she did she would undoubtedly use the weakness against him- after all, he had wronged her and was continuing to wrong her and it was only natural for Shirin to want revenge.
“Are you even listening, you buffoon?” Shirin snarled, and Alfred was broken out of his trance. Her quickly pulled up his façade of frustrated self-righteousness, of belief that he was never in the wrong.
“Of course I’m listening to you, Iran, but all I’m hearing is the same bullshit that you always spew. I’ve told you, I’m sorry, but there are terrorists hiding in your country, and they aren’t just hurting me!” The argument felt old and dry in his mouth, and as usual, Shirin looked ready to explode when she heard it.
“Terrorists! I’ll tell you about,” She began to growl, and then Amelia was there, his baby sister, as usual mediating the argument. She pushed Alfred back, away from the irate Iranian, glowering at him for provoking her, and taking Shirin by the arm to lead her gently inside.
“That’s enough, you two. Alfred, go home, it was a mistake letting you come here after all.” Amelia commanded, barely hiding her annoyance with her brother. She shut the door on his gaping face and led Shirin to the couch, setting her down and beginning the usual ritual. While Shirin ranted angrily about how Alfred was the real terrorist and Shirin wasn’t a villain, she didn’t look the part at all did she, and the stupid American never listened to her and it was always the same argument, Amelia made tea for the both of them, pushing Shirin’s mug firmly into her hands.
“I know, Shirin, I know. Of course you don’t look like a villain. My brother just was was in his ears or something, that’s why he never listens.” The response was automatic, but no less sincere. Amelia sipped her tea and watched Shirin sip her own, still fuming, before going off on another rant about how idiotic Amelia’s brother was. Amelia sighed quietly and let her thoughts wander.
How long was she going to have to play mediator for those two? Alfred always acted like a five year old around Shirin, and he was even worse afterwards, when they were home. Amelia understood how frustrating he found his little crush on Shirin, but still. Honestly, Amelia thought, it wasn’t even a proper crush. Alfred just got a thrill seeing Shirin so angry. Amelia could sort of understand that. After all, Shirin was something like a tiger when aggravated; dangerous but beautifully elegant.
Shirin finished her tea, and with the final sip her boiling anger seemed to finally slip to something just under a simmer. “I’m sorry for ranting to you, Amelia,” the woman apologized, setting down her mug. Amelia set hers down next to Shirin’s; she had barely touched it and it was too cold to be drinkable by this point.
“I don’t mind, you know that, Shirin.” Amelia assured her, smiling brightly. It was true; while Alfred only liked Shirin’s angry side, Amelia had a real, proper crush on the girl, and would do anything possible to help her. She was fine with fulfilling the roles of “best friend” for Shirin, so long as it kept her happy. Amelia knew Shirin didn’t like her in that way back; she knew it was impossible Shirin ever would. But Shirin liked Amelia as a friend, and Amelia was just fine pretending that was enough for her, even if it meant she had to pretend forever. Besides, the point of crushes was that they eventually went away. Eventually she would be able to look at Shirin with just the eyes of a best friend, and then it would be fine because she could fill the role she was supposed to without having to hide what she really wanted. It was all worth it in the end, so long as she could keep Shirin smiling.
