triskehale | thanksgiving is, after all, a word of action [set on 11/26]

thanksgiving is, after all, a word of action [set on 11/26]

Thanksgivings in the Hale house used to be quite the big deal. Feeding over a dozen werewolves, many of them teenagers was no easy feat. Derek loved all the chaos, and he helped out in the kitchen since he was old enough to stand on a step stool and reach the counter.

The first year after everyone died, he and Laura each got a rotisserie chicken and some biscuits, trying to hang on to some semblance of tradition, but the food tasted like ash. Laura went to bed early, and Derek pretended not to hear her cry. They stopped trying to do anything for the holiday after that.

It's been almost a decade since that disastrous attempt, and a few months ago Derek decided that he wanted to try again. While Laura and the rest of his family will always be the cause of this gnawing ache in his heart, Derek has a new family here in Darrow. He has so many people that matter to him, and care about him. It's more than Derek deserves, or ever thought that he would get, but he's grateful. He's thankful.

So he decides that he's going to do his best to put on a Thanksgiving of his own, and invite his new ragtag sort of pack. His new family.

The invitations go out and on the big day, Derek arrives at Semele's just after dawn. He puts two giant turkeys in the oven and quickly sets up the long table and chairs in the middle of the bar. With each chair he places, Derek marvels over just how many people he has in his life. It's astounding to him, and it's the perfect day to show his gratitude.

And then, all that's left to do is cook. And cook, and cook some more. If he's lucky, he'll have time to go shower and put on something nice before all his guests arrive.

[Hale pack Thanksgiving! Treat this as a gathering post. Tag in, tag around, give thanks! ♥]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

My eyes widen at the implication in his words and the question is right on the tip of my tongue before he waves the discussion away. It shouldn't surprise me so much, I know. After all, I'm friends with someone who's an actual ghost and I don't understand how Kili could've died back home and not be a ghost here, but I suppose there are still many, many things I don't understand about Darrow. And maybe I never will.

Lips twitching into a smile again, I let out a laugh. "Have you actually knocked someone out at Semele's before? Why? What'd they do?"

Somehow, it's not a difficult thing to imagine even if Kili has been nothing but kind since the day we met. A person can be nice, have an immense appreciation for baked goods, and still know how to fight. It's been obvious from the start that Kili is just that sort of person.

Luke nods, scratching his beard thoughtfully. "It's hard enough to lose someone like that, but then to have their son arrive..." He trails off and shakes his head. He can't even begin to imagine how difficult that must be, seeing that little boy every day and trying so hard to be a good mother to him, all the while knowing back in New York she wouldn't be doing it alone.

"I've offered to do what I can," he says. "But there's only so much anyone can really do in a situation like this."

"Not at Semele's, in Durin's name, no. I'd be a rather terrible patron and an even worse friend if I were to allow that to happen." Briefly, Kili's attention is caught by the turkey leg that'd gone forgotten in his hand, and he takes a rather satisfying bite before looking back at Bitty to continue his story. "This was before Derek became owner of Semele's, I was in another pub talking with Doctor Newt when a man saw fit to mock me for what I am."

That would have been deserving of a punch on its own but what had truly gotten Kili off his feet had been the insult directed toward his mother, which he simply could never have allowed to go unpunished.

"As it turns out, the man was not alone so when I went at him, the coward called for his friends to fight, as well. Mind, I could have taken care of them all myself, it just would have taken a bit more time. I suppose it did turn out in my favor, though, I had more than a few other friends come to my aid, including Derek, though I just barely escaped being taken away by the police." He grins cheekily. "It was a very fun evening, my brother and I used to get into scrapes at the tavern at home all the time."

"Nah, it's okay," I tell him, a little surprised to hear his reaction. What I usually get is a bit of sympathy and a whole lot of pity, the latter of which always rubs me the wrong way. Yes, it sucked, yes, it still sucks, but I don't need people to feel sorry for me. Mom and I got over it.

"He said he didn't love mom anymore." Simple as that. (Hah. As if love is ever that simple.) "And the dog was really his best friend, so we weren't surprised when he took him along when he moved out. That was a while ago, though."

"Still kind of a crappy thing for him to do," he said, making a face. Thomas could understand not loving someone and not wanting to pretend like you did because it really wouldn't be good for anyone in the long run. Feelings would inevitably be hurt and you'd probably lose out on other amazing experiences because you thought you'd found the person you wanted to be with.

"The last thing I remember about my parents is that my dad was sick," he said, rubbing the side of his neck thoughtfully. "A lot of people in my world were and he was just unlucky. It made him angry and mean. I try to convince myself that he wasn't really like that and it was just the disease making him say those things."

"Well, he's not twelve," Kate shoots back, although she doesn't know exactly how old Eric is, he's old enough to be working in a bar. He does look pretty young, though, but she figures that's just one tiny detail that doesn't actually matter in the grand scheme of things. People are going to think whatever they want to think about whoever they want to think it about.

"Ugh, simmering," she says, making a face at the very prospect. She sort of gets it, because before Newt she had been pretty content with the idea of never dating again since everyone she did date turned out to not be the right person for her or she did stupid shit like trying to sleep with Harley. But at the same time, she totally doesn't get it. They could both disappear tomorrow and she hates the idea that they might regret not having done something.

"I just don't get it," she says with another sigh. "Insisting that you're not good enough for someone. They should both know that anyone should be totally lucky to hook up with them. I swear to Christ, I would totally punch Stiles in the face if he was still here. Super hard." She had liked him, too, but whatever had gone down with Derek hadn't been good, obviously, and she hates that.

Kili takes a big bite of his turkey leg, chewing as he tells his story and I stare, wide-eyed, trying to picture it all. As often as Derek's told me how he took over Semele's, it's still hard to imagine a time when it wasn't his, but it's a lot easier to imagine Kili getting into a fight over someone dishonoring him.

"I'm almost sad I missed it," I tell him, unable to fight my grin. "Though I think if I ever saw a fight break out, I'd run and hide in the kitchen. To be honest, I'm pretty happy to stay back there most of the time for that very reason. I'd be useless in a fight."

The topic reminds me of the discussion of learning self-defense I'd had with Thomas the other week and I perk up a little. "Actually, how are you at teaching that sort of thing? Maybe... maybe not fighting so much, but self-defense."

"No, these are all natural," Derek assures her, batting his eyelashes a few times before he feels too ridiculous and stops. He nods along as she speaks, and then shrugs a shoulder. "Yeah, I get that. We'll do something to celebrate, no matter what you decide to do."

"I'm very proud of you," Derek teases, taking the keys away and opening the door for him. Once they're inside, Derek pulls on his jacket and heads for the kitchen. The leather is soft and warm, and the interior smells like Bitty and caramelized sugar.

He takes a glass from the cupboard and fills it with water before returning to the living room and holding it out to Bitty. "Drink all of this before you go to bed."

Derek sort of considers everyone here pack, in some way or another, but he knows for most it isn't mutual. They all consider Derek a good friend, sure. But not pack.

He laughs and slings an arm around Allison's shoulders, turning her until he spots Bitty chatting with Kate at the bar. "That's Bitty. Well, Eric. Most people call him Bitty. He made all the pies."

Derek rolls his lips into his mouth for a moment before continuing. "We were stuck in that other Darrow together. So was Neil, who is the other one."

He gestures at Neil, who is sitting across from Dean, and smiles a little. "Just those two."

"So do I," Derek tells her, "in either form."

He laughs a little and gives her a charming smile. "So if you see a black wolf cross your path, don't turn your bow on it."

"That's just nature at work," Derek tells her with an amused glint in his eye. "How do you think I got all these turkeys?"

He waits for a beat, just to see her reaction, and then laughs. "I'm kidding. I got them from the store."

"Uh huh," Derek replies, letting out an amused laugh. His expression softens into something fond as Newt keeps speaking, heart stuttering a bit over the words. They mean a lot to him, even with how flippantly they were said, and Derek nods. "As long as you don't tell anyone I feel the same way."

"I can't even imagine," Derek says, shaking his head a bit. "It must be hard, but I'm sure that he brings her joy too."

He looks up at Luke with a warm smile. He's what an alpha should be, even if he doesn't like to wear the title. "She's lucky to have you as a friend. We're not all that close, but I'll do whatever I can too."

I'm not sure whether to feel insulted or grateful when Derek takes the keys from my hand and unlocks my door for me. I really don't feel that terribly drunk, but maybe I'm one of those drunks who denies their drunkenness while they're busy falling all over themselves.

Goodness, I probably am. Derek's probably so embarrassed for me.

Not that he's showing it, of course. He's too nice for that. I watch as he fills up a glass of water for me and then hands it to me. "I will," I tell him, glancing down at the clear liquid for a moment. "I've been on the other side of this a few times. Thanks for walking me home. And for inviting me and entrusting me with the pies. It, uh... it really means a lot."

"What does marriage have to do with anything?" I snorted, loading up my own plate with macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes.

"Just watch it. You're getting older, you might lose your figure."

Hild considered this with a tilt of her head. She pressed her lips together, both to show dissatisfaction and to hide the smile that wanted to grow.

"Beard would help," she admitted. "But, maybe, if you grow your hair long." Hild pulled lightly at the hair about his temples, his sideburns, pulling the strands forward. "Yes, maybe this is less painful. Not so pretty then."

Kili's idea of fun when it comes to a good pub fight is vastly different from most, he thinks, but it's as good as a favored pastime at this point. In truth, he and Fili both had been surprised it'd taken them that long to come to blows with anyone in the first place. Now that he thinks about it, the time does seem just about appropriate to find himself in another, though he certainly wouldn't go looking for one.

Not without a few ales in him first, at least.

"Not to worry, Mister Bitty, if you were to run into the kitchen to provide us with a hearty meal after a fight, your contribution would be just as great. Likely even more important, and I'm not just speaking from my stomach."

The question of teaching self-defense is a new one, though, and it catches him so off-guard at first that he sputters for an answer. "You'd want to learn from me?" he asks, his hand with the turkey leg dropping to dangle at his side in his surprise. "I've never taught much of anything before, I was very nearly always the youngest of those I spent most of my time with so my education was a continuing one." His eyes narrow thoughtfully then. "Although, I do suppose I could give it a go, assuming you're as patient as you seem."

This is getting way to sugary sweet for him, so Newt just rolls his eyes and turns in the direction of the pies. "Come on, dude, watch me indulge in what your ginger friend made. Just gotta say, that's definitely the kind of pal you want to hold onto, who just makes ten trillion pies for a Thanksgiving party he's not even hosting? I will tell you this right now so you don't set yourself up for disappointment in the future, I am not that kind of pal."

If Derek needs a favor returned and asks Newt to bring him a goddamn $12.99 shovel or some shit to dig a grave, sure, will do. Pies, he'd be less inclined to supply. Mostly because he's pretty sure he'd just eat himself into his own coma.

"You don't get it because you're mouthy," Newt counters, stuffing his mouth with a piece of pie before holding up a finger to signal she should wait before taking that as an insult. "In a good way, obviously. You say what's on your mind, no filter, no nothing, and that works for you. Hell, it works for both of us, I'm pretty sure it doesn't even surprise people that we're married once they meet us."

Maybe they don't seem like the most clear-cut couple of all time, but he thinks that just makes them more awesome. They're not the most predictable people, but they're also not complete assholes. No, they're only assholes some of the time and even then, they don't seem to lose any friends over it. They're just being honest, after all.

"I'm totally on-board with the Stiles punching, though, just don't tell Thomas because awkward. Or maybe you already told him, which pretty much supports everything I've just said. Anyway, point is, Derek's one of those strong, silent types and this Eric guy seems like the shy, silent type. Just a whole bunch of silence, y'know? I mean, maybe I've got the guy pegged all wrong, you'd know better than I do. I just think that if someone wants to get themselves a committed Derek Hale, they're going to have to try a little harder than just talking to him about it. Grand gesture, that kind of thing."

"I don't wanna grow my hair long," Thomas said petulantly. He kept his hair short because it was easier to manage and it had been practical back in his world. There weren't any convenient places to get haircuts and longer hair met Cranks could grab for it easier, have just one more handhold to keep you near them.

"Short hair's easier to deal with on a daily basis for me," he went on, shaking his head. "I wouldn't know how to manage long hair. It'd just be a mess and I'd get frustrated and cut it off with a knife or something. Short hair's fine. I think you're just jealous of how I look so pretty."

"A shame, I am sure you would make a good meal," she said, flashing him an almost feral smile before she patted his arm reassuringly. "I assure you, while I stalk the predators of the woods at times I do not slay them. They have the same right to kill and feed themselves as the rest of us do."

I have a feeling I'll never really stop liking the way he calls me Mister Bitty. I'm not even sure why except that no one's ever called me that before and, from him, it sounds like an honor, not condescending in the slightest. Also, if Kili isn't speaking from his stomach, I'd like to ask him what he is speaking from and I almost do just that before he suddenly gets all flustered.

"Oh, you don't have to if it at all makes you uncomfortable," I rush to tell him. "I just thought I could pay you in baked goods if you'd like. Not that I won't be more than happy to give you any number of pies or cookies your heart desires, of course. There's no pressure at all. It's just that, after what happened a few weeks ago, I feel like it might be good for me to learn some things. I'm not gonna be able to rely on Derek all the time and if I'm gonna live here on my own, I should... I should be able to hold my own, you know? It's a big city. And you're a warrior, so I thought... I don't know. Is it a stupid idea?"

"Maybe," I shrugged. I didn't want to make promises, but it didn't sound like a terrible idea.

"I've never done Thanksgiving with more than just me and Mom," I admitted, for some fucking reason. "Sometimes one of her boyfriends would come around, but it was usually just us."

It was crappy. No doubt about that. But I'm lucky, I know, because though I can't help questioning if my dad loves his dog more than his own daughter, at least I still have him around. Even though I can't talk to him now any more than I can talk to mom.

"That sounds absolutely terrible," I tell Thomas. The more I hear about where he came from, the more I'm glad he's here now. "Was like a pandemic? You didn't get sick?"

Edited 2015-12-16 02:16 (UTC)

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 16 of 18

thanksgiving is, after all, a word of action [set on 11/26]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject