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

[triskehale]

He laughs when she raises an eyebrow, and then shrugs and takes the bite for himself. "More pie for me, then."

After a few more bites, he sets his fork down and looks over at her with a fond expression, leaning into her a bit. "Thanks for all your help today, even if you spent half the time snickering at us men in the kitchen."

[light_of_the_world]

Hild might have pouted, but it was a slight, momentary thing that disappeared quickly, more for show than an expression of any true feelings.

When Derek abandoned his fork, she moved her hand under the table, subtly creeping closer to grab it for herself. She bobbed her head in a gracious nod, happy to have helped.

She leaned closer, her head resting on the back of the booth, nearly on his shoulder. "Thank you," she murmured, words whisper soft. "For this."

[triskehale]

Derek notices her hand creeping over and he smiles, nudging the plate closer to her as she leans against him. He curls his arm around her, brushing her hair back to tuck it behind her ear as he leans down to press a soft kiss to her forehead. "Anytime."

[light_of_the_world]

She smirked when he pushed the plate closer, but tilted her head up to offer him a grateful smile. She could be silly and stubborn, at times, but he still cared for her.

Snuggling into the crook of his arm, her body pressing against his warmth, she helped herself to a small bite of pie with a contented sigh.