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

[triskehale]

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! ♥]

Comments

[shuck_you]

"It's something," Thomas said, rubbing the back of his neck. He was excited to start working but he was also worried. It'd be his first real job experience and it was doing something that he had no previous training doing. The Glade hadn't been big on customer service and food had been a first come, first serve thing.

"We'll see how exciting it is when I dump something on a person's head and they get mad," Thomas joked though he was actually concerned about that happening. He wasn't afraid of confrontation but he knew it wouldn't really be good in a job like this.

[puckandpie]

"Goodness, I hope that doesn't happen," I say with a laugh. "Both for your sake and that hypothetical person's head. I think Derek said something about you just bussing and running to start with. That should at least mean the chances of dumping food on people isn't as great."

Reaching over, I give his leg a firm pat. "You'll be fine, I know. I'm excited we'll get to work together, too! I can show you some stuff in the kitchen if you'd like."

[shuck_you]

"Yeah, it'll just be starting slow since it'll be the first job I've had that wasn't running or...creating insane death traps for power hungry companies," Thomas said, sounding slightly bitter. He pushed it aside though because today wasn't the day to think about WICKED or let his burdens loose around so many people.

"I don't know if I should be in the kitchen," he joked, shaking his head, "unless I'm handing people stuff and staying out of the way. That might be my limit unless someone needs something heated up in a microwave."

[puckandpie]

"Hey now, everyone has to start from somewhere," I tell him, shifting a little so I can better face him. "I'm not sayin' I'll make you start cooking in there, but maybe you could help with prepping things eventually. And I could always use some help cleaning if you ever have the time between running around everywhere."

Part of me wants to ask a little more about this WICKED stuff and what it is he thinks or knows that he did. I still don't really understand it all. And it's still so, so hard for me to imagine he could've done anything to harm people.

[shuck_you]

"Maybe. We'll see how the easy stuff goes before I think of trying anything harder than that," Thomas replied, nodding. Even with all his words, he didn't honestly think he'd be terrible at something that required listening to instructions and picking things up for Derek or whoever, before transporting them to a different place.

"So, what's been going on with you?" Thomas asked curiously. "I know you haven't spent the entire time since I last saw you baking pies. Your pies are good but I can't see there being that much a need for them. Anything else happening? How's the living situation?"

[puckandpie]

There isn't a doubt in my mind that Thomas will be a great employee, but I can understand being nervous, especially considering this is really his first job. And Derek is a great boss, of course. The whole situation is just perfect.

His question is perfectly innocent but, of course, the second he asks, Simon immediately pops to mind and I feel my cheeks go hot.

"Well," I say, turning my attention to my jeans and trying not to smile. "I'm back in my own apartment. Nights are still hard sometimes, but it's mostly getting a lot better. I've gone back to work and, uhm... well, on Monday I went back to the ice rink finally. With a guy."

[shuck_you]

Thomas decided to take Bitty's news separately because each part deserved a little attention.

"You can always call me if it gets too tough," offered Thomas gently. He assumed that Bitty wanted to prove that he could be on his own, that he didn't need to lean on people constantly but even if Bitty didn't need to use his couch, he still wanted to offer something. "We can talk for a little while until you're good."

With that out of the way, Thomas focused on the other bit of news. Grinning, he asked, "A guy? A guy like when you took me or something different?"

[puckandpie]

His offer is just as genuine as the last time and I glance up at him, smiling softly. "Thank you," I tell him, hoping he can sense my own sincerity in such a trite response. "Really, that means a lot. And you can come over anytime too, of course. You're always more than welcome, especially if you ever get tired of the pizza and need some real food."

I'm teasing him still, of course, and I can barely contain my smile when I nod in answer to his question. "Well, sort of the same," I tell him. "The skating was really just as friends, but uh. I asked him on a date and he actually said yes. To me, can you believe it?"

[shuck_you]

"I can definitely believe it," Thomas said, reaching over and giving Bitty's shoulder a playful shove. "Absolutely! Bitty, that's so cool. You're a lot braver than me."

Thomas was still trying to figure out the whole caring for other people thing and how to navigate those rough waters. There were definitely people in Darrow that he cared about, some more than others, some in different ways than others and it was hard to figure out what to do and what was allowed when it came to certain things and certain emotions. With the fear of the Flare behind him, that was his next project: learning how to be a functional and whole human being.

"Mind if I ask who it is?" Thomas wondered, lowering his voice just in case Bitty didn't want to share it with everyone here.

[puckandpie]

A part of me wants to point out that he would probably never say yes to going on a date with me, but his shove is playful and teasing and reminds me so much of my teammates that I don't even mind. I'm still blushing furiously, I know, but I haven't really had a chance to talk to anyone about Simon aside from my vlog followers and suddenly the opportunity is too good to turn down.

"His name's Simon," I tell him, keeping my own voice low. It's not really a secret at all; I'm not hiding it, but I think maybe I'm a little nervous to let everyone know just yet if only so I won't have to explain my embarrassment to everyone if (when?) Simon decides he doesn't like boys so much after all. Or, worse, decides he just doesn't like me. "He's actually pretty new here, I only just met him a couple weeks ago. But he's about my age and really really nice and he's a wizard. Like, an actual real-life one. Like Harry Potter! He has the accent and everything."

[shuck_you]

"I met Harry Potter when we were in that other city," Thomas said and if this Simon could create the kind of magic that Harry could, Thomas was already a fan. He'd been awestruck by the power, skill and magnitude of what he'd seen Harry do and, even when they'd been in danger, he'd wanted to see more.

"I haven't met Simon though," he continued, shaking his head. He hadn't been doing very well on being social since coming back, unfortunately. Keeping to the people he knew and trusted had been easier. Safer. "What kind of date are you guys gonna have?"

[puckandpie]

It's not the first time I've heard about someone being in that place well after the fact and I feel my stomach plummet a little with worry. I haven't seen Harry Potter in weeks and now all I can do is hope he'd made it out okay. I don't know where he lives here or where he hangs out. I wish I did if only so I could check on him.

"I haven't decided yet," I admit, frowning a little now. "I haven't really been on one since I was trying to be straight and never with another guy before. I don't really wanna do a movie because I'd like to actually get to talk to him, but it's hard to find things to do in the winter. Is dinner too intimate?"

[shuck_you]

Thomas wanted to tell Bitty that he was the last person that should be advising anyone on dates but then Bitty frowned and Thomas couldn't stop himself from trying to help. Maybe he wouldn't give great advice but he'd try because shaking his head and shrugging just wasn't an option.

"I think it might depend on where you go for dinner," Thomas said thoughtfully. "If you go to get like pizza or Chinese, it doesn't strike me as really intimate. If you go somewhere there's...candles and stuff, maybe a little more intimate. I went bowling with Derek once. It wasn't a date or anything but we talked and there was food there that we ate. It wasn't terrible. I suck at bowling but it was still fun."

[puckandpie]

"Oh, bowling is a good idea," I agree, not quite able to stop myself from wondering if Derek taking Thomas had been an attempt at a date even if he hadn't called it that. It's not difficult now to picture Derek letting loose now as often as I've seen it and it's nice to know he could do that around Thomas. Of course, there's still that ache in my chest, that stupid little ball of jealousy centered around the knowledge that Derek would never want that with me, but it's easier to rationalize with Thomas for some reason. It makes complete sense that Derek is attracted to him given that he's the identical twin to the person he fell in love with, and might still be in love with.

I'll never be that. I never could be that. And that's okay, I guess.

"I haven't been bowling myself in years," I continue, trying to shove thoughts of Derek aside. "I wonder if Simon ever has. He might have an advantage what with being a wizard, but it'd still be fun, I think." Either that or he'll accidentally melt the bowling ball. Which might also be funny. "That's a really good idea, thank you! You know, you say you're not good at this sorta stuff, but I think evidence is proving the opposite," I tell him with a teasing wink.

[shuck_you]

Snickering, Thomas said, "I think I got lucky with that because it's pretty much been the only thing, besides skating with you, that I've done that's just for fun. Everything else I've been doing has a reason, an aim. Bowling was just because I saw it one day and dragged Derek along with me."

Derek hadn't been that excited to go but Thomas thought he'd ended up having a good time. He'd loosened up, teased, and laughed so Thomas had considered the trip to the bowling idea a success even if he'd been terrible at the actual act of bowling. He was never going to win any tournaments or trophies.

"And even if you're bad or he's bad, it's still fun to laugh at each other," Thomas shared. "That's what Derek did with me. Just teased me and let me tease him back until we eventually just gave up and had food."

[puckandpie]

It's weird maybe, but there's something about that I like, that Thomas enjoys going skating just for fun, that it doesn't have to be something with any particular goal in mind. Not that goals aren't good to have, but sometimes it's nice just to relax and have fun and I'm so so glad I can be a part of that.

"Derek's never mentioned that you did that," I say, though it's not really any revelation. There's plenty Derek's never told me and it doesn't mean anything. "That sounds really nice though. And fun. For both of you. Have you, uhm." I hesitate a second and it's probably only the two beers I've had that give me the courage to ask, "Have you ever thought of... of something with him? I know you said before that you're not really sure the type of person you like and I'm sorry if I'm being really nosy. You can tell me to shut up, you won't be the first person to say that to me ever. I'm just curious. I think-- I think he could really like you."

[shuck_you]

"Something with Derek?" Thomas repeated, glancing over and finding Derek in the crowd. Thomas had thought about a lot of things when it came to Derek but his feelings were a general mess and he didn't really know what he wanted and how to go about getting it.

"I -- maybe not something but I've noticed him," Thomas said, not sure if that was the right thing to say or even if it was true. Maybe he had thought of something more but just hadn't acted on it because of everything else that took precedence.

"I'm not really someone who should be doing that, though," he insisted with a shake of his head. "I've just stopped thinking I'm gonna die. I wouldn't want to put that on him. I wouldn't want to put that on anyone until I know what I'm doing. I've got some other things I should take care of first."

[puckandpie]

I'm still not really sure how Thomas would describe his sexuality. But even if he's only mostly straight, Derek Hale is the type of pers to make even the straightest guy gay. Maybe I'm biased, but it's difficult for me to imagine anyone not wanting him.

So I'm not surprised by his answer at all. Who doesn't notice Derek?

Ignoring the twist of my stomach, I frown a little, watching Thomas carefully. "Put what on him? And what do you need to take care of?"

[shuck_you]

Thomas started to answer but stopped, fixing Bitty with an appraising look. He hadn't really expected so many questions about Derek especially from Bitty.

"Why does this matter so much, Bitty?" Thomas asked, deciding against saying anything else for the moment. He could have listed any number of things that he wanted to come to grips with before saddling anyone with his myriad of issues and insecurities.

"I'm just not ready to take something like that on with anyone," he said, shaking his head. The closest he'd gotten was with Krem and even that seemed like a memory after their time spent in the other city. "I want to enjoy not dying first."

[puckandpie]

That's not a look I've seen often from Thomas and I immediately feel a sinking weight of guilt. I duck my head against it, frowning down at my hands.

"It doesn't, I guess," I tell him before giving a shrug with one shoulder. "I just. I want to see you both happy. And I know Derek... He's told you about Stiles, right? And you look just like him." It's probably an unfair thing to put on someone and, if I'm perfectly honest, I wish so, so much that maybe I looked like Stiles so I might have a chance. But I don't and I never will and if I can't make Derek happy, then someone should.

But it doesn't have to be Thomas. Especially if it won't make Thomas happy. "Do you think you'll ever really be used to it?" I ask instead, still frowning and wringing my hands a little when I look up at him again. "To not dying, I mean."

[shuck_you]

"He's told me about Stiles. I've seen Stiles," Thomas answered, shaking his head sharply. He didn't know if he really liked what Bitty was trying to imply but he wasn't sure if it was intentional or just born out of a sense of Bitty wanting Derek to be happy.

Still, it rankled slightly and Thomas rubbed the back of his neck, staring down at his feet to try and get his irritation in check.

"Maybe," Thomas said once he thought he could talk without sounding pointed and harsh. "I just learned about it and then I ended up in to that other city, surrounded by reminders of what happens when you get past the Gone. With Newt here, the Flare's still around. It's just not in me."

[puckandpie]

It's obvious I've upset him and I can only assume it's because of what I've said about Derek, like I'm equating him with Stiles when they're obviously two completely different people. I don't even know why I'm pushing it if I'm honest. I want Derek happy and I want Thomas happy too and I guess, somewhere in my head, there's some part of me that thinks they'd be happy together.

That's stupid, though. I can't make assumptions and neither one of them have implied they'd be happy with the other.

So I stay quiet, nodding as he speaks and then staying silent for a long moment before finally nodding. "It's not in you," I repeat, a little firmer. "That means you should be okay, right? Or at least as okay as the rest of us. Do you just think you're not allowed to be happy?"

[shuck_you]

"It's not in me but it's in Newt and I have to make sure I'm around so I can keep him well," Thomas explained quietly, not wanting to let Newt's business out to people he didn't even know. If Newt wanted to share, he could, but Thomas wasn't going to broadcast it to so many people.

"I'm fine with how things are," he continued with a nod. "This is more freedom than I can ever remember having. I'm enjoying just getting used to not having WICKED over my shoulder and not worrying about dying. I'm not gonna try and do that by taking someone else's place, either."

He looked like Stiles but he wasn't Stiles and he wasn't going to pretend to be Stiles.

"I just want to do things on my own time and when I'm ready."

[puckandpie]

Even after having met Newt, I hadn't realized the virus was still in him. He seemed okay when we spoke, definitely in good spirits and I remember him saying what Thomas had done for him, but I suppose I'd been naive in just assuming that'd be the end of it. Given everything else Thomas has told me of his world, not to mention what I've actually seen now, it makes a certain sick sort of sense that this will linger for him. Always.

A growing guilt gnaws at my belly and I nod again, frowning as I look up at him. "I'm sorry," I tell him, fidgeting at the cuffs of his shirt. "It's not good of me to presume what anyone wants and I don't even know why..." I trail off, shaking my head again. "I'm really sorry."

[shuck_you]

"It's fine, it's all right," Thomas said and shook his head. Thomas didn't want to spend the day irritated so he tried to push it down and away so he could deal with it later. Bitty's intentions were good, Thomas knew, and he only wanted Thomas to be happy but it was hard to just completely let it go.

"I'm sure one day I will get to a place where I do want to start exploring something like that," he went on, rubbing his chin. "I just don't know if I'm there yet. You're not the first person to ask me about it and I just -- I don't know. I just want to do it at my pace."