(no subject)

[sunsetsinthewes.livejournal.com]

And, here we are, the first of the prompts I've been given. This one is for mshepley, who wanted to see Aunt Agatha cast in a more sympathetic light. Her intentions are well-meaning, but her actions are a bit off the mark.

Title: Untitled, I think
Summary: Aunt Agatha reflects on her now-orphaned nephew.
Rating: G
Words: 289
Disclaimer: Utterly not mine.

***

The day her elder brother and his wife are declared dead, Agatha finds her young nephew alone in the gardens. She nearly announces her presence before being overcome by the strongest urge to simply watch the boy, unknown.

He plays with a wooden train, pushing it through the grass, quietly acting out some crude pantomime. Not for the first time she's struck by how young he is-- young and alone, save herself and a few other relatives. A sensitive, optimistic child from the start, the boy's never been quite like his cousins, choosing instead to focus on the happiness of those around him rather than his own. It's obvious to anyone who sees him and it's clearly a fault passed down through his mother's side.

At that thought, Agatha's eyes briefly close. He's alone, she reminds herself, taking a deep breath to focus. The little blighter's in your care now, and it'll be up to you to prepare him for life. He's your responsibility.

Resolved, she barks out, "Bertram!"

Eager the boy jumps up, abandoning his toy as he rushes toward her. As usual, as it is every morning and every night, there's an overwhelming expression of hope flooding his features. "Are they home?" When she doesn't answer, he simply replies with the utmost confidence, "Tomorrow then. They'll be home tomorrow."

The world is a cruel place and he's not ready for it. Before she can stop herself, Agatha snaps, "Don't be intentionally dim, Bertram. It's been three months and it's time your head came out of the clouds. Your parents have passed."

Turning away to avoid the look in his eyes, she's steels herself with the repeated thought, He needs you to prepare him. He needs you, now.

***

And, finally-- I have an enormous backlog of fics waiting to be posted. I'm kind of worried it would be annoying to just start posting them all and slamming them at you. Would it be better to post things separately, or maybe all in one clumped post?

Comments

[violetjimjams.livejournal.com]

*pelts you with Internewts and Cookies*

You rawk like Pink Floyd crossed with Queen, you do. That is so perfect. And so true! He never did grow out of his naivety, did he? Your Scary Auntie loves you, Bertie! *weep*

If they are short fics, just plop 'em all down at once. If they're longer than drabbles, separate.

[sunsetsinthewes.livejournal.com]

You rawk like Pink Floyd crossed with Queen, you do.

Well, hell, I. I think is the best think I've ever been told.

[random-nexus.livejournal.com]

Oh, you amazing thing!
I must sniffle at you now.
*sniffle snurfle*

RE: posts - make them separate, by all means, unless they're related or drabbles. You won't be the first to spam the place and, really, more fic to read is what we're all after, ne?

I say, go for it! \o/

EDIT: But try very hard to remember how to spell, not like me.

[violetjimjams.livejournal.com]

I was going for naivety and ended up with Nativity. XD

[mxdp.livejournal.com]

Perfection. Maybe Aunt A really is like that. Bertie sure is...

Do spam! ::D

[cee-em.livejournal.com]

Wow







Lovely =)

[charie-caphine.livejournal.com]

Little Bertie is wonderful. Seems like Aunt Agatha got too much into the spirit of this 'preparation' eventually.
I'd rather read drabbles in a combined post.

[justliketetris.livejournal.com]

Oh thats just heartbreaking. She isnt all that evil (:
poor little Bertie.

[janeturenne.livejournal.com]

I can't believe that you wrote an Aunt Agatha fic that made me go "awww, that's sweet!" I believe it slightly more as it was really an "awww, that's sweet, in a man-eating kind of way!" Well done!

[sunsetsinthewes.livejournal.com]

High praise indeed! Thank you.

[hazeltea.livejournal.com]

Very good job of keeping her tough on the outside!

[jmparrot.livejournal.com]

I like this, and I like the idea of Agatha having at least something of a heart. It's obvious that she really thing all of her nephew crushing will help them in the long run, and you did good with both Bertie's endless optimism and Agatha's cold exterior.

[pyrocrastinator.livejournal.com]

*melts a little and has a sudden urge to watch an episode with Agatha in it*

*changes mind about that last bit swiftly*

Aw. That was wonderful and sad.

[reginaldrobot.livejournal.com]

This is brilliant, such a heartfelt and reasonable explanation for Aunt A, to be so harsh, VERY well written.

[niektete.livejournal.com]

OMG! That's the first time I've ever seen aunt Agatha as anything but a heartless dragon. You're good!

[triedunture.livejournal.com]

Ohhhh I like this look at Aunt A. It actually makes her MORE scary, because we see her make a choice to be so mean.

[toodlepipsigner.livejournal.com]

*cries*
Th-th...
*cries some more*
That was... *sob* lovely.
I need to go... c-cry somemore... n-now...
*sniffle* Great job. Truly.

[storyfan.livejournal.com]

Good show! I'd say if they're drabbles, combine them in one post.

[emeraldreeve.livejournal.com]

A very interesting look at A. Agatha.

I don't care how you post; I'm just happy to read.

[ironicbees.livejournal.com]

Nice! I don't think Aunt A is quite as evil as she's often made out to be; and that she does care for Bertie, way deep down inside, but she's terrible at showing it. Good for you for showing a more sympathetic side to her. :)

[feanix.livejournal.com]

*feeds you cupcakes...And Little Bertie, too*

[pro-prodigy.livejournal.com]

BERTIE NEEDS A HUG!!

Very nice little ficlet. I have a soft spot for orphan Bertie stuff. I do also like the "nice" justification for Aunt Agatha's mean-ness.

[sunsetsinthewes.livejournal.com]

Oh, I don't know what it is, but I will gladly read orphan!Bertie things until kingdom come. There's something about it that sucks me in.

Thanks!

[iambic5.livejournal.com]

Oh. Oh no, tiny!Bertie, you need about sixty hugs. And a kitten. And poor Aunt A, not knowing what to do with him!

Re the drabbleposting, I'd say, if you have a couple done at the same time, post them in the same post, but I don't think we mind terribly being spammed with neat little fics.