the wolves all cry

Derek sent Kate a message yesterday on her actual birthday to let her know that her present would be a day late, and that it was a surprise and he won't tell her what it is so don't even try. He wanted to wait until after her actual birthday because his gift will require privacy and her full attention, so he wanted to wait.

He finds the small, ornate box that Magnus had gifted him with so long ago tucked safely into his closet and extracts one of the small vials, looking down at the precious few he has remaining. They'll go to Barry, most likely, but maybe Magnus will make him more.

Kate is worth it, in any case.

With the vial tucked safely into his pocket, he heads towards Kate's place. There's a small bit of guilt nagging at him for not including Newt, but there might be time for that later. Today is for Kate. And for Derek a little, too.

He knocks on the door and grins when Kate answers, hands tucked into the pockets of his jeans. There isn't a gift bag in sight. "Hey. Did you clear your schedule for the afternoon?"

"Look, I know you're mad that I haven't been home much," Derek says, sputtering a bit when he gets whacked in the face with a bunch of fur. "But this isn't helping anything."

Jinx settles herself more firmly on her perch on Derek's shoulder by digging her claws into his skin, and he winces slightly. Derek has been incredibly busy lately, what with the truck and getting Semele's ready, along with out running around the streets at night in case anyone needs help. It leaves him tired, and also leaves him with a very clingy cat. She meows and butts her head against Derek's temple, wrapping her fluffy tail around the back of his neck as she sits on his shoulder. "Are you a cat or a parrot?"

Jinx meows and looks down at the stove, sniffing and pawing at Derek's face. "Yeah, you'd think you'd get some of my bacon, but you'd be wrong." She lets out a low reow and headbutts him again. "Okay, you'll probably get some of my bacon."

The puff starts chirping and bouncing in its cage, and Derek rolls his eyes. "Fine, everyone gets bacon."

While the bacon cooks, Derek goes over to undo the latch on the puff's cage. He lifts it out and sets in on the floor, growling in warning when Jinx goes tense and sticks her tail straight out. "Remember what I said? We don't kill pack members."

She lets out a little mewl and Derek rolls his eyes, but she doesn't abandon her post on his shoulder, swaying easily when he moves. Derek would deny how many one-sided conversations he has with his pets until his dying day, but the truth is that they help. For all he likes the cabin being so secluded, it's incredibly lonely. Derek has friends, but he's lacking in true companionship. In pack. Jinx helps with that. She keeps him company and cheers him up, and he can always get a read on her moods. He's glad that she chose him that day, and he turns his head to give her a nuzzle before transferring the bacon to a paper towel and turning off the stove.

Just as he's getting ready to assemble his lunch, he stiffens because he hears someone approaching the cabin. They're still a little ways off, but they aren't trying to keep their arrival a secret. Derek frowns, because he doesn't often get visitors, and then he wipes his hands on a rag before going to open the door with Jinx still on his shoulder. She's as fearless as ever, and part of that is because she knows that she's under Derek's protection.

"Kate," Derek says in vague surprise, cocking his head as she comes up onto the porch. Jinx flicks her tail irritably and wraps it more solidly around Derek's neck, regarding Kate with cool golden eyes. "You're just in time for lunch. Come on in."