#wait 'til you see me joke about thanksgiving turkey

[puddingcatbeans]

on grade school lunchboxes;

a small, square plastic box with a mint green lid - this was the lunch box i used for lunch throughout grade school, all the way into high school.

most days, the little green box would carry a sandwich. two pieces of plain toast, maybe butter, a meat patty of some sort, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, cheese. sometimes an egg, but it would make the sandwich all soggy by the time lunch time rolls around. it would still be the very best sandwich i have ever tasted, because it was made by my ma’s loving hand. 

sometimes, i’d have cold pop tarts or those tiny pizzas. sometimes, i’d have cake. maybe pie. but mostly, it was sandwich, sandwich, sandwich. it was quick and easy and filling. lunch time was for socializing, so a sandwich was fine. 

until one day, a classmate asked me, “how come you always bring a sandwich? don’t you eat rice at home?”

and i looked at her, her blond hair and freckled skin paler than mine, her little pink thermos filled with wonton soup and a neat little serving of fried rice. and i looked back down at my tin-foil wrapped fish sticks and toaster-oven-baked appetizers and i thought, yeah, how come i always have a sandwich?

i went home that day and i asked my ma how come my lunch is always a sandwich. she asked, “did it taste bad?” i said no. she asked, “do you not like sandwiches anymore?” i said no, i like them. she asked, “then what is wrong with a sandwich for lunch?” i said nothing. nothing is wrong, but how come---my classmate, she---isn’t it funny? isn’t it funny that the asian girl has a sandwich for lunch while her white classmates have chinese food for lunch?

the next day, my sandwich didn’t taste very good. i didn’t finish it. but if i brought it back home, my ma would be sad. so i threw it in the trashcan while everyone was putting their lunches away. my stomach hurt all the way home.

over the years, my lunches grew in variety. my dad bought a thermos, see. he’s the head cook in our house now, and he’s been experimenting with online recipes and ah-mah’s recipes. sometimes i twist the thermos open to find japanese curry and rice---my favourite! sometimes it is chicken broth, perfect for cold weather. one time, i had youfan and i worried about the stinkiness of my breath for the rest of the afternoon. but i cleaned out the thermos completely. no one asks about my lunch anymore, because on campus, everyone is too busy to care about your lunchbox.

but sometimes, i miss that little green box. i miss the sandwiches ma used to make, waking up early to fry me an egg before we leave. because even if it is not last night’s leftovers, it still tastes good. it is made with love.

[i-writes-things]

Turkey Time!

Natasha x teen!daughter!reader

Flufffff, and Angsty ending

Request- hi! hehe i made an anonymous account just to request this. if you’re looking for any suggestions, it would be so cute to write something about Thanksgiving with the Avengers!!! with R being Nat’s daughter :)))

Warnings- reader has dyslexia, fluffff

Authors Notes: I thank you for waiting this long, I had no idea how to end it, but I hope you like it!

Extra Pairings::

Avengers x Platonic!reader

Peter Parker x Bestfriends!reader

Barton kids x Cousin!reader

Not my Gifs*

[8:03]

Today was Thanksgiving.

Your whole family would be arriving later that same day

You sat up in bed, sunlight shining through the windows, and blood rushing from you head, for a moment feeling dizzy like when you get up to fast from the ground

"Arrgh, here we go.." You swung yourself out of bed and into the bathroom to go pee and brush your teeth before changing clothes and eventually heading down stairs to the kitchen

-

[8:19]

You walked slowly down the brightly lit hallway passing three of your Uncles bedroom's and towards the elevator, pressing the down button

As you waited for the elevator, Steve came around the corner full of energy, from being up since 4 this morning

"Morning, Y/n!" He said cheerfully

You yawned and turned towards him "Hi, Stevie." You heard the ding of the elevator and got on with Steve

"You seem tired, Y/n, did you just wake up?" He asked you as he fixed his hair in the elevator's many mirror walls

"Yeah, cause I woke up 15 minutes ago. Of course I'm still tired." You said a little annoyed "Why are you wear such nice clothes, no one is even getting here til Lunch time, Steve." You asked him

He hesitated but finished fixing his hair and turned to you "Uh, I just wanted to-" The elevator doors open, and once you both walk out, he continues "I wanted to look nice is all.." He said and smiled to you, before walking off down the hall towards the livingroom

You decide to question him later, as your need to find your mom seemed like a bigger problem

You walk into the Kitchen; opposite the Living room, finding Wanda standing over the sink doing something, and your mother stood facing you, cutting cucumbers and lettuce leaves

"Good morning, Y/n/n.." Natasha says smiling at you

"morning, mama." You gave her a small hug

"Good morning, Y/n!" Wanda says to you happily

"Morning, Wands!" You give her a side hug and looked at the sink disgusted

"Eww, Wanda what is that?" You ask her as you back away

"It's the Turkey.." She looks over at you for a second "Ar- Are you sure?" You are in shock at how gross it looks

"Yes, and it'll look a lot better once it's cooked." She says trying to defend the Turkey

"How did you sleep, Y/n?" Natasha asks you obviously picking up that you didn't want to help with the Turkey or even look at it for that matter

"Good, and I saw Steve on my way down. He meet me on the elevator.." You said going over to Natasha, to watch her cut more food

Natasha perked up at the mention of Steve

"Oh, and I'm guessing he is still in gym clothes?" She asked you jokely

"Nope, had a full tuxedo on actually, weird guy." Natasha smiled to herself and went back to cutting the food

"Didn't Sam say he was going to help us?" Wanda questioned your mom

"Yeah, he said he was coming at around 9:30 or 10 o'clock."

"Uncle Clint told me that, him, Aunt Laura, Lila, Cooper, and Nate were coming by 10!" You said excited to see your cousins

"Good, Fury should be here by Lunch." Natasha adds to the lists of arrivals

--

[9:24]

"When is Sam getting here, again?" You asked Natasha

"9:30." She said as she helped Wanda stuff the Turkey

You were peeling some potatoes over the trash can

"I'm early, ya'll!" Sam says excitedly, taking off his sunglasses and putting his coat down to help any way he could

---

[9:47]

Morgan Stark ran into the room and called out everyone's name, but said hi to you first

"hey, Morgan, how are you today?" She gave you two thumbs up and a big smile

"Well, that is good to hear!" You responded happily, and gave her a high five as Sam walked behind the both of you, putting something in the oven

"Morgan, where is Tony?" Natasha asked her kindly

She thought for a moment and pointed at the door "daddy is having a meeting and I am not allowed in. He says he will be back in a long time." Natasha nods and asks her where Pepper is, while you watch Peter come in with his Aunt May in front of him admiring the Compound

"Hey, Parker!" You wave to him and he waves back shyly

Natasha flashes her eyes between you and the boy, but goes back to Morgan for a second "Y/n, come here please." She insists of you and you walk over to her "I need you to make the seating chart for everyone.." She tells you

"Who all is coming?" You asked her, not even sure yourself how many people there would be

"Honestly. I have no idea, so just write everyone's name down that might remotely come and put the kids together and the adults together, thanks Y/n, and" She starts to add frequently looking iver at Peter and May "ask Peter, I bet he would be more than willing to help you.." Your mom smirks at you

"Hey. Stop. Fine I'll do it but I am not asking for Peter's help." You stare at her, but finally walk away and find a pen and sturdy card stock to write names on....

----

[10:15]

Stevhen Stepe Stephen

"Okay, 12 note cards done." You said as you added Stephen's card to the Adult pile

"Thor. Damn it. How does Thor start, come on.. Th- or- rr" You sounded out and wrote his name over and over

For Tfer Ther Thor

til you could remember how to correctly spell it

"Okay, 13 cards done," You hesitantly put his card in the Adult pile "just- tons more to go.." You groan and heard someone walk up behind you

"What are you up too?" Peter Parker asked, sitting in the seat on your left

"Just writing the name cards for Lunch" You said as you wrote out Laura's name, the wrong way

"It's L A U R A.." Peter told you letter by letter and you grabbed a new card, asking him to repeat it for you "L A U R A." "Thanks, Pete." You gave him a smile

You would always remembered Clint's name, it reminded you of a random gray colored rock, not sure how that helped you remember, but it worked like a charm

"Okay, 15 cards done." Setting both Laura and Clint's cards in the Adult pile

"I could help, if you'd like me too.." Peter suggested to you

"Sure, go ahead and write all the kids, thanks." You gave another smile, this time more sincere

Peter hesitated but asked you "And who are the all kids?" You look up from writing Nick's name and tell him "You, me, Nate, Lila, Cooper, and Morgan." You looked back down and continued to write

"And how many Adults will there be?" He asks curiously

You take a moment to count in your head, but after writing out names and looking over the sheet of paper you respond "20 Adults and 6 kids." You say to him, as he adds the last kids card to the pile...

-----

[10:43]

You and Peter walk back into the now very populated Kitchen

In addition to Natasha, Sam, Wanda, May and Morgan, there was a bunch more people standing around either talking or helping cook or bake something

Carol, Bucky, Clint and Laura all stood together talking, as the Barton's kids were helping everyone else, cook Lunch

"Y/n, you got everyone?" Your mom asked you, as she walked over towards you and Peter

Nodding you ask her "Where are all the table's at?" Natasha escorts you both to the Living room where Steve, Tony, Pepper and Bruce were talking.

Natasha walked right passed them and so did you, and you were guessing Peter did because Natasha continued to show you the kids table and the adult table

The tables were set in an L shape in the large room. Peter set all the kids names together at the smaller table, while you went around trying to seat people in a way for there to be very few arguments at the adult table

"Y/n, your mom needs ya in the kitchen." Tony said walking over to you and Peter

You look up from the table "Okay, thanks Uncle Tony.." You walked over and gave him a small hug and left, then leaving the rest of the cards with Peter

-----

[10:59]

"Mom," You had to squeeze through the now even larger group of people "mom, hi.." She is pulling something that smelled like heaven out of the oven and walks in passed you towards a waiting Wanda and Sam

"Hey Y/n/n, I need to tell people to go into the Living room," She walks back over to you, cupping your face in her hands and kisses your forehead "please, and thank you." You smile at her and nod in her hands

You now spot the new arrivals, Thor, Stephen, and Wong all talking with various people around the room

You spot Steve just a little ways away and squeeze through a few people to get him

"Hey, Steve, mom wants everyone to go into the Living room, so Wanda and them can cook.."

Steve nods and turns to tell Carol and Bucky where they need to go, and Carol being the responsible person that she sometimes is tells the people around her as Steve does the same, While Bucky just leaves into the next room

Before you know it, it's just Sam, Wanda, Natasha, and Laura all cooking different things

"Y/n!" Lila practically shouts to you and when you turn around she is waving for you to come over and sit with her, Cooper, Nate and Morgan

"Hey, Lie," You said excitedly, sitting down next her on a empty chair, there was many chairs just set out across the room for people to sit in

"How are youu..??" You asked exaggeratedly

"I'm good, and how are youuu??" She said matching your energy

"I'm horrible, no I'm only joking, I'm amazingg!" You said giving her a hug, and she returned it

"Y/n!" "Hiya, Nate, how are you?" You turn to face him and give him a small hug

"I missed seeing you.." He pouts

"I did too, I missed seeing all you guys, except for you morgan.." you say exaggeratedly

"Hey-" "I loveee seeing you.." Morgan smiles and Cooper finally makes himself present

"Yes, I am here too." He says

"Yes, hello Mr. Cooper trooper." You say throwing him a playful look

"How is it living with these crazy people?" He says trying to make conversation

"Good, no no, very chaotic. Like very.."

"The other day, Lightning man punched my daddy through a wall, and Aunt Natty was soooo mad at him" Morgan says loudly giggling making sure everyone heard her story

Lila looked you to make sure, Morgan wasn't just making it up

You nodded "I don't even remember it happening."

"This really happened?" Cooper asked and you nodded again "Yup."

"Y/n, your mommy was so mad at my daddy and Aunty Wanda told me to not laugh, but i was giggling!" She started giggling again

"Well, what happened Y/n/n?" Cooper asked you curiously

"Actually, I wasn't there, I don't even remember hearing about it, but it was probably the night that Pepper was at a meeting and I had to go the meeting for my mom." Lila gave you a questioning look "I'll tell you later.." You said eyeing Nate and Morgan

------

[11:30]

You were laughing with Lila about some inside joke you had, had for years now

"Yo Y/n, Steve wants you and Peter in the other room." Sam says walking over to you in nice clothes

"Looking very fancy, Sam." You give him a approving smile "Come on Peter.." You say pulling him away from his in depth conversation with Cooper about Physics

"I didn't think Coop really liked all that stuff.." You said to Peter as you both walk out

"Well, he seems really into it, and he knows a lot!" Peter says excitedly to you and you nod as you both walk up to Steve

"What up Stevo," You say slapping him on the shoulder "you wanted to see us!" He chuckles at you

"Yeah, just was masking sure the table names are all ready and everything is set up?"

"Yup, got that done like an hour ago, where's mom?" You asked him

He looked around for a moment "She's by the Kid's table with some people she actually wants you to meet" You give him a nod and turn back to Peter "Bye Pete." You walk over to your mom talking with a blonde woman, some tall guy with a beard and a nice looking lady with her dark hair pulled back

"Hey mom!" You said putting your arm around her shoulder

They were all silent, including Natasha

The blonde looked between you both and then stared at Natasha

"Mom..?" She asked in shocked

"Mom, who are they?" You asked her quietly

The blonde stared at you now, looking you over like you were some sort of threat

Natasha moved her hand up to your back and rubbed it slightly

"Everyone, this is my daughter, Y/n." You gave them a weak smile, Natasha looked at you "Y/n, This is my sister, Yelena," Yelena looked at you softer this time "and this is Melina and Alexei my-" Natasha had to think for a moment about what to call them "My parents, your grandparents.." She said slowly looking at you to see how you would react

"Um, okay, nice to meet you all." You looked at them

"Nice to meet you too, but I have to know how?" Melina asked you and you furrowed your brows

"What?" You asked, but Natasha knew exactly what she was asking about

"I adopted her when she was 3 alright, Melina."

"Yes, that did happen." You commented

"Hi, I am Yelena" She grabs your hand and shook it "and your mom is a dork." Yelena said jokely

"Yelena, Don't call your sister names." Alexei said

"what? I was being funny." She countered

"Hey! Do you know Captain- America?" Alexei asked you with a crazy look in his eye

"Yeah, he-" "No. No, Alexei, you said you wouldn't do anything to him if I allowed you to come" Natasha cut in, trying to save Steve's ass

"So just because I want to see you, then I am not allowed to fight to the death with my arch enemy!??" He throws his head back in annoyance

"Yes." Natasha and Yelena both answer him at the same time

-------

[12:15]

Nick Fury walked in, while everyone was making plates, you already sat at the table joined by Lila and Peter with Nate running behind them to find his seat

"Nate, where is your Lunch?" Lila asked him

"Dad has it" He says jumping into his chair

Clint walked in a second later with a small plate of food

"Here you are, Nate.." He says setting down the plate and walking away to go get his own

Peter sits down right next to you

"I like the seating chart.." You told him casually

He smiled slightly

"I just put them out randomly.." He said digging in to his turkey and mashed potatoes

You looked over at the adult table finding your mom standing to hug Nick and show him where the food is "How's your food?" Peter asks you

You are pulled out of observing your moms life and back into your own

"Yeah? Oh it's good, really good! Wanda and them made it perfectly!" You said looking at him

"You haven't eaten any yet, Y/n/n.." Lila points out, and you interally panic

"Oh well, I was just guessing they did amazing, I mean it is Wanda and Sam and Aunt Laura and my mom cooking so.." You said finally starting to eat your food, letting a heavy breath go

--------

[1:17]

"Aha! I am in 2nd, I am coming for you Cooper!" You said enjoying playing Mario kart with your cousins 

"No way Y/n, i would still be in first, if you hadn't thrown a banana peel at me" Lila shouts

"Hate the game, not the players.." You said sarcastically to your cousin Lila

All three of you laughed loudly

Natasha stood outside the doorway listening to you have fun, while Nick walked up beside her

"She's a good kid, Natasha.." He said keeping his voice low

Natasha smiled "She is a pretty amazing kid.." She agreed

"Thanks for inviting me, I have to get back, up to space and you have to tell her Natasha." He said bringing Nat into a hug, which she gladly returned

"So you'll tell her then?" He asked

Natasha looked around and nodded slightly, but wanting to forget about that she speaks

"I see you soon?" She asked hopeful

"We'll see," He said giving her a smile and walked off down the hall

Natasha hesitantly walked into the Livingroom the three of you sat in

"Hey mom" You said eyes glued to the screen

"Hey, can I talk to you outside for a moment." She said more of a statement than a request

"Yeah, just one second.." You said finishing up your round of Mario Kart with Lila and Cooper as Natasha went to wait outside

You didn't know what your mom was wanting with you

Your nerves started to build as she left to wait in the hall for you

"Ok, I'll be right back you guys.." They both murmured a quiet 'okay' as you left

"Hi mom." You said stepping out into the hall

She looked at you and you looking at her, but looked away not wanting to find, what she had to say to you

After a moment of silent tension, she moved, and you stayed still, while she closed the living room door

You got more nervous and turned to face her

"mom.." Natasha's cheeks were pink and you could tell she was biting her the inside of her mouth to stop herself from tearing up

She looked at you and opened her mouth

"He's gone.." Her gazed immediately shifted to the ground

You didn't understand

"what" You said

After a moment of Natasha getting her strength back she responded

"He's gone." Natasha said more firmly this time bring you into a hug

"No" You breathed out as you stared out onto the hallway as your wrapped her arms around you tightly

"I'm sorry Y/n, really.." She held on to you as you just stared, not being able to fully comprehend it

"no.."

[lilliloves]

“you say you’ll stop, but then you keep doing it!” 😘

A little Brio Thanksgiving randomness because, why not? Thanks for the prompt

It’s Beth’s first Thanksgiving as an ex-wife so she’s not entirely sure what to make of it. On one hand it’s been a few months now and she’s gotten accustomed to the fact that she’s no longer in a marriage. On the other hand, she can see why the holiday season might feel a bit lonelier this time around.

That’s not to say she’d change anything.

She’s been awake since the sun came up preparing Thanksgiving dinner. The turkey would be done soon and she had herself in pretty good shape with all of the sides and accompaniments. She’s been baking for the last week so desserts are all set.

Annie and Sadie and the Hills are coming over which she decides is a good thing. It certainly helps to make things feel more normal and she hopes the company will distract the kids from remembering that their dad is missing, thereby reminding them of the divorce. They’re slowly adjusting but everyone, Beth included, is still getting used to the new normal.

She takes a deep breath and goes over her mental to-do list. There’s really not much else to do but re-heat before they sit down to eat and that won’t be for over an hour. She expects her guests any minute now and can hear the kids playing with toys and video games in the other room.

Beth pushes a piece of stray hair out of her face - she’d gotten ready earlier but could probably use a refresh.

Just as she convinces herself that she can take a break - the oven timer goes off indicating that the turkey is done. She smiles and grabs two oven mitts off of the counter before turning to remove the meat from the oven.

Beth hears the back door open but it doesn’t register right away. She’s too concerned with not dropping the twenty pound bird she’s pulling from the oven. It’s perfectly golden brown and moist (or, as moist as a turkey can be). She can tell she’s done well and she beams with joy.

“Looks good, ma.” She hears from behind her as she places the pan on the stove. She yelps in surprise and drops the mitts in her hand before spinning around.

“Jesus.” She says loudly, her hand over her heart beating in her chest. Her expression earns a grin from the man across from her. His hands are shoved deep in the pockets of his jeans and a smirk covers his face.

She rolls her eyes and smooths her hair back subconsciously - or maybe not.

“Can you please use the front door like a normal person.” She demands and her tone is impatient but she’s obviously not serious. It’s not the first time she’s said it and it won’t be the last but she doesn’t believe he’ll ever do it.

She’s pretty sure she doesn’t really want him to anyway. She likes how comfortable he feels around here - isn’t sure what exactly it means but she’s getting closer to being ready to find out.

He ignores her request the same way he always does and settles into the stool at the kitchen counter. He leans forward resting his weight on his forearms.

“Got a last minute shipment comin’ in tomorrow. Eight cars.”

“Rio.” She says, trying hard not to let her impatience show. “It’s the day after a holiday.”

“Ain’t a holiday in Canada.”

She bites her tongue and thinks it over before answering. Dean is picking the kids up for the weekend tonight so that’s not the problem - it’s just - she’s been looking forward to taking the day to herself.

“What time?”

“Between 8 and 9.” He replies, tilting his head as if he knows she won’t be satisfied with his answer.

She’s about to ask between which 8 and 9 when he adds:

“In the morning.”

She groans, taking a step towards the counter. Only the island stands between them and she can see the glint in his eyes, can tell he gets some kind of sick enjoyment out of riling her up.

“I’m working my ass off today.” She says, waving her arms around at the food on the counter. “And you want me to be at the dealership before eight in the morning on what was supposed to be my day off?”

“Don’t remember you requestin’ a personal day, sweetheart.”

She rolls her eyes and considers chucking something at his head but thinks better of it. Thinks he’d only find that more amusing. She turns back towards the stove, taking a closer look at the turkey to make sure it’s cooked to the correct internal temperature. When she’s confident it’s done, she turns back around and faces him.

“I’ll be there for the delivery but I’m not doing inventory until Monday.” She concedes, raising her eyebrows, daring him to argue.

“Deal.” He says with a nod, leaning his chin into his hand.

She’s relieved but not surprised. They’ve somehow sorted this partnership out so well that it actually works. She thinks he might even enjoy it sometimes, she knows she does.

Beth turns again, lighting the stovetop in front of her, ready to start her gravy. She can feel his gaze on her back - more likely on her ass - and waits for him to keep talking or stand up to leave or something but he doesn’t. Just continues to burn a hole into her backside until she can’t take the silence anymore.

“You could have called you know. Or texted.” She says, breaking the silence. She looks at him, crossing her arms over her chest.

“You didn’t have to come all the way over here on Thanksgiving.”

He shrugs and picks up a spoon on the counter next to him. “That ain’t as fun, though.”

He eyes the choices in front of him before settling on the stuffing to his left. He sticks his spoon into it and takes a large spoonful, ruining the perfect bowl she’d dished out earlier.

“Seriously?” She asks, annoyed (but not).

He ignores her and sticks his spoon back into the breading to take another bite.

“This shit is good.” He says with a mouthful before meeting her eyes. “Stove top?”

Beth glares and tosses the dish towel next to her at his face. It’s insulting for him to even think for a second that she’d make any sort of stuffing from a box - on Thanksgiving no less. He ducks, missing the towel flying at his head only barely. She only lets him off the hook because the glint in his eyes makes it clear he’s messing with her.

He’s always messing with her.

He reaches forward to take another bite but Beth slaps his hand away. He laughs loudly but tosses the utensil down, holding his arms up in surrender.

She chuckles, lowering her head down before looking back up at him.

“Seriously. Why are you here?”

“Wanted to tell you how thankful I am for you.”

He’s joking, obviously, but a flush appears on her cheeks regardless.

“Very funny.” And then she changes the subject quickly before he can say something crazy like he actually means it.

“What are you doing today?”

“Goin’ to my sister’s but not ‘til three.”

“Where’s Marcus?” She asks even though she’s pretty sure she knows the answer.

“With his ma.” He says confirming her suspicions.

Beth has come to know Rio well - sometimes she thinks he pulls back from her because he realizes just how well. It wasn’t intentional - that much she knows, but one way or another they’ve both wormed their way into the other’s life. Something had changed between them after they’d become partners. An understanding had been met, albeit silently.

She knows that if he did have Marcus today there’s no way he’d be here right now.

She thinks sometimes he uses her as a way to quell his loneliness and she’s okay with it - likes it, if she’s being honest, thinks she’s started to do the same with him since her divorce.

She turns when she hears the broth behind her boiling and spoons a bit of flour, mixing half heartedly. Before he’d appeared her mind had been focused on one thing only - now, she’s distracted.

She should be used to his affect on her by now.

Behind her, Rio quietly picks up the spoon to sneak another bite of stuffing but he’s not quick enough - she twirls around and catches him and he won’t lie - he feels like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

“You say you’ll stop but then you keep doing it!” Beth says with a look not all too different than the one his mother has given him for years. While it may be the same look - it doesn’t result in the same reaction from him. The look from his mother clearly never left him wanting.

He shrugs but dips his spoon in anyway and bites back a smile when she huffs but let’s him get away with it. Same as his ma. It’s his charm - he knows - that gets him off the hook time after time.

He hears little footsteps rush into the kitchen behind him and turns his head to find Jane at his back.

“Mommy, I’m hungry.” She says before turning to Rio.

“Hi Mr. Rio.”

“Hey, kid.”

She smiles at him but turns back to her mother, expectantly.

“Aunt Annie and Aunt Ruby will be here soon with the appetizers.” Beth responds, glancing at the clock. It’s a few minutes after noon, the time she’d told them to arrive.

She’s pleased when Jane doesn’t fight her and turns to run back towards her brothers and sister.

“Annie and Sadie are coming over soon.” Beth says, looking pointedly at Rio. She expects he’ll take it as his cue to leave but he doesn’t budge.

So she adds: “Ruby and her family too.”

He hums in acknowledgement but isn’t phased.

“You know. With her husband. The cop.”

“I like cops.” He says with a smirk that’s akin to a Cheshire Cat. It’s a smirk she’s all too familiar with but not in the mood to indulge.

“Rio.”

He holds his hands up in surrender for the second time since he’s been there and pushes his stool back to stand.

She sighs because she doesn’t want him to go, not exactly, but it’s all so complicated.

Complicated in a way she wishes it wasn’t.

“Do you -“ she starts and then stops, tripping over her words. She pauses for a beat and then -

“Do you want to stay?”

“Told you I was going to my sister’s.” He replies but it’s not a no or a yes.

“We eat early.” She says with a shrug attempting to appear more casual then she feels.

“You can eat with us and then go. If you want.”

He narrows his eyes and she thinks he’s actually considering it when he speaks up again.

“Weren’t you just kickin’ me out?”

“I’m just trying to be nice.” She answers, annoyed. She turns around and stirs her gravy more for something to do than out of necessity.

Beth hears rustling behind her, can sense he’s moving closer, but she wills herself not to turn, not to tense as he approaches. She jumps when she feels his hands hit her waist.

“How ‘bout I come back later?”

His question takes her by surprise - they’d not gone there yet. Had been circling closer but there had only been innuendo and flirting since that time in the bathroom at the bar. What seemed like ages ago now.

She swallows and turns. His hands stay firmly planted on her hips, gripping her sweater between his fingers. She’s flush against him, can feel his body heat, and it’s enough to make her sweat.

“Later?” She questions even though she’s pretty sure she knows what he means.

“Yeah. Tonight.”

She nods and twists her hands together, unsure where to put them. She knows where she wants to put them. She wants to grip his shoulders and close the distance between them and kiss him, hard.

But she refrains like she’s been doing for months now.

“Dean’s picking the kids up at seven.” She answers quietly because she knows what it means - knows that everything changes if he comes over tonight.

He nods and moves one hand up so that it’s cupping the back of her neck. He squeezes and leans forward but before he can give her what she wants - what they both want - they hear the front door open and the commotion of holiday guests entering the house

He gives her one last squeeze and a wink before he pushes away from her and makes his way towards the back door. He pulls the door open but before he leaves he turns and nods at her.

“Save me some of that stuffin’, yeah?”

[the-blind-assassin-12]

Nothin’ Big

A/N: The 12 Days of Christmas start on Christmas Day and go into the new year. But the 12 Days of Christmas Fics starts RIGHT NOW. Starting the countdown with the sweetest Mafioso that ever lived. This is MM Nick. There’s a “chapter 3″ floating around unfinished, and this little interlude to the main story comes chronologically after it, but luckily non-linear storytelling is a game i like to play, so out of order it is! 

Word Count: 4,097 

Prompt from: @its-my-little-dumpster-fire​

“Just open it.”

“It’s not weird, it’s tradition.”

“I didn’t know what to get you. You’re not exactly easy to shop for.”

It was warmer in your drafty home than it had been since the weather turned. The heat still wasn’t working right, but for once you had all four burners on the stove going, and the tiny oven had been set to 375 all morning. The sweet smell of sugary confections filled the air as you pulled a batch of cookies from the center rack, setting the tray on top of the waiting trivets on the counter. Red, green and blue sprinkles covered the crisp, golden forms of trees, mittens and snowflakes, and you smiled as you slipped the quilted pot holders from your hands and stuck them into the pocket of your apron. Just need to finish the chocolate chip, then I can get dinner in and start cleaning up. You turned and grabbed the second tray, already loaded up with rounded dollops of dough, and placed it in the oven. The timer beeped as you set it for twelve minutes, the microwave chiming in to let you know that your coffee was once again an acceptable temperature. You grabbed your mug, a chipped ceramic snowman that was nearly as old as you were, noting the time as you took a sip of the warm nutty beverage. I’ve got three hours. Perfect.

Setting your coffee down, you started sliding the sugar cookies onto a sheet of tin foil so that they could cool. You’d admittedly gone overboard- one batch of cookies would have been more than enough, but you’d let yourself get carried away by the nostalgia of the beat up old recipe book, the stained apron and festive pot holders, ending up with two dozen each of the sugar cookies, chocolate chip, and oatmeal raisin that you’d made the night before. Gonna be eating cookies for breakfast lunch and dinner. You made a mental note to find the green tins in the closet upstairs so that you could fill them up and bring the leftover sweets in to work with you on Thursday. For tonight though, you’d pulled out the long glass tray etched with little reindeer that had once belonged to your grandmother. You ran your fingers over the design before arranging the cooled cookies, letting your mind wander back to Thanksgiving, and the start of this entire holiday hullabaloo.

..  .. ..  .. .. ..  ..

The wind lashed at the screens, causing them to buckle and knock against the glass panes, the windows shaking in their frames. You nestled deeper into the pile of blankets that you’d disappeared beneath, eyes shut tight as you sighed contentedly, pressing your cheek into the soft green pillowcase. Rain pattered against the roof, adding to the stormy symphony, the clouds contributing to the colorless sky. You loved sleeping through storms, especially on rare days off from work when you didn’t have to pull yourself from your cocoon before you were willing to do so. Normally your alarm would be blaring by 7am, alerting you that it was time to start your day, but turning your face to the clock on your side table, you pried one eye open just enough to see the bright red numbers reading 10:57. A sleepy smile pulled your lips upwards. Still so much time to sleep. You flipped your pillow, relishing the cool side as another strong gust rattled the glass and screens above your head. 

But just as you felt yourself giving in to the waves of slumber that would take you back into dreams, your phone rang. It buzzed and vibrated against the wooden surface of your bedside table, causing you to jolt, nearly falling out of bed in a tangle of sheets and covers. What the- you groaned, slowly realizing that you’d forgotten to turn your phone on silent. You never got calls on your days off, so you didn’t bother to switch the setting before crawling into bed. Glancing at the phone clutched in your hand, you read the caller ID, blinking questioningly at it. Huh? What’s he calling me for? Sudden panic mixed with your sleepy confusion as you swiped your screen to answer.

“Hello?” Your heart pounded three times in the half beat it took him to respond.

He spoke your name in a sigh of relief. “Where are you? Ya good? Ya okay?” His questions tumbled out one after the next, accent thicker than you’d heard it in person.

“Nick? Yeah, of course I’m fine, what are you…what do you mean? What’s going on?” You raised yourself up on your knees and turned to peer through the curtains, nothing to see but a gray sky and a few seagulls swooping through it. “Why are you callin’ me?”

“You’re okay? You’re not…” he let out a heavy breath. “You’re not hurt or…or anythin’?”

His tone was only making you more nervous and unsure. Hurt? Why would he think that? “Nick, calm down. I’m fine. Where are you, what’s going on?” You sat back against your pillows, pulling your knees to your chest.

“I’m…at work. I’m outside, it’s,” you heard the rattle of the door handle as he tried to yank it open. “It’s locked and the lights are out. There’s no cars here. No one’s here and you usually are so…” The door rattled once more as he let it go. “So I wanted to make sure nothin’ happened.”

He was worried about me? You couldn’t really blame him, considering how things had gone only a few weeks before when you’d gone from cashbox girl to getaway driver to…whatever new label your latest antics had earned you. “Nothin’ happened, Nick, everything’s okay.”

He sighed again and you heard a soft thud, imagining him collapsing back against the locked door, that one section of hair falling in his face as he tucked his chin to his chest. “Okay. Okay, good, I… Okay…so where is everyone? No Steve? No Ralph?”

Pfft. I wish no Ralph, ever, that’s the dream. “No, Nick. No Steve, no Ralph, no me. Dockside’s closed today, it’s-“ The adrenaline had cleared the drowsiness from your brain, and it socked you in the gut that he had absolutely no idea why things weren’t operating like business as usual today. “Nick, it’s Thanksgiving. Even we close on Thanksgiving.”

He was silent for a few seconds, just the sound of the waves crashing against the vacant boat slips echoing in the background. The smaller sailboats and scuppers had all been plucked from the water to dry dock inland for the winter the week before, and soon enough the remaining ferries and large fishing boats would don festive lights and evergreen roping to usher in the Christmas season. “Shit,” he finally whispered. “Shit, I forgot about Thanksgivin’…” There was sadness in the silence as his sentence tapered off, and it sent a chill through your chest as the screen banged against the glass above your head. “I’m sorry, I- you probably have holiday plans and…and family an all that an-“

“I don’t.” You cut him off, biting your lip. “I uh…well, my plan was to sleep ‘til noon but some jerk had to call me and wake me up, so,” You gave a nervous laugh, hoping to erase whatever tension or uneasiness he was still feeling. “So I’m up now. Nothing planned but football and beer today if you wanna… I mean if you got nothin’ to do, you could come watch the games with me.” You said you’d be careful with this one. What are you doing inviting him here? You told yourself to shut up while you waited for his response.

He sniffed. “Yeah? You…you sure you don’t mind me crashin’ your party?”

Again that chill swam through your chest. He was trying to joke, but there was something there, something that sounded like loneliness and regret, and it was something you understood. Oh, Nick, of course I’m sure. If you were being completely honest with yourself, you were feeling just as lonely as he sounded, despite telling yourself over and over that you enjoyed the way that you spent your holidays, and company might just be the cure for that misery. “Yeah, I mean, don’t go expecting a turkey and stuffing and all that jazz or anything. I’m pulling out exactly zero stops here,” you paused and the sound of his chuckle chased some of that chill away. “But yeah, you’re welcome to join me. If you want.” You held your phone tightly to your ear, the backs of your earrings digging into the skin behind the lobes as you tried not to get your hopes up too much that he’d say yes.

“Alright,” he said a few hour long seconds later. “Alright, yeah, that’s…”

“Alright? That a yes, Nick?” You flung the sheets from the bed and stood, your free hand combing through your hair as you headed for a shower you wouldn’t have taken if it was just going to be you.

“Yeah,” he said, and you couldn’t help but grin at your reflection as you passed the long mirror hanging on your closet door. “Yeah, it’s a yes. Text me your address…I’ll see you for the games.” You were about to wrap up the conversation  before hurrying to make yourself and your place presentable when he spoke your name, solidly, like it mattered. “Thank you. For doin’ this.”  

..  .. ..  .. .. ..   .. .. 

By the time you’d finished in the kitchen, plating everything on the festive dishware that hadn’t gotten any use in over a decade and cleaning up the inevitable mess that your cooking space became every time you made a foray into the culinary arts, it was nearly 3pm. You hung the apron you’d been wearing all morning and afternoon on the hook next to the fridge, and ran upstairs to change and freshen up, the steps creaking beneath your socked feet as you took them two at a time, the framed photos that lined the staircase blurring by the corners of your eyes.

You exchanged your oversized tee shirt and dark green flannel pajama pants for a bright red cable knit sweater that fell off your right shoulder and a pair of black jeans that clung to your hips and thighs. Smoothing your hands down over the material of your top and picking off a few stray pieces of lint, you looked yourself over in the mirror. Your hair had been pulled up and clipped in place, soft tendrils falling around your face, and you’d dug your green and silver droplet earrings out from the bottom of your jewelry box. They sparkled, light bouncing off of the emerald facets, but you opted not to do your makeup. This is still just… we’re just friends. This is just two people spending a holiday together, so they don’t have to do it alone. No need to… I don’t need lipstick for that.

The fact was that it had been becoming increasingly difficult to see Nick as just a friend, and impossible to see him as simply a co-worker. Whatever had changed that night when you’d helped him pull off his inaugural job for Steve had deepened at Thanksgiving, when he’d shown up at your door with two turkey subs and a side of mashed potatoes from Wawa. He’s such a good guy. How’d he ever get caught up in all’a this? You’d laughed as he brandished the bag and a grin, opening the door for him and wondering if he questioned the same about you.

..  .. ..  .. .. ..

You were on your third beer and Nick his fourth, empty, crumpled wrappers and a few shreds of lettuce all that remained of your holiday meal, when the second game of the day cut away to the halftime show. Both of you had gotten comfortable on your well-worn couches, you curled up in the corner where the two sides formed an L shaped angle, and Nick sprawled out on the reclining portion, shoeless feet propped up on the extended foot rest. “S’a nice place,” he said, looking around the room while the game was on hold.

You laughed, a warm fuzzy tickle in your brain from the beer, and it yanked the corners of his mouth up into a smile that wrinkled the skin on the bridge of his nose. “No it’s not. It’s drafty and old and creaky. The pipes freeze, the heat’s toast, and –“

“Yeah,” he said, draping one arm over the back of the couch. “Maybe all that’s true. But it’s yours. And it’s,” he looked around at the few decorations and knick-knacks that defined the space, some old, some new, all of them having some kind of meaning. “It’s cozy. I dunno, feels,” he shrugged. “Feels homey.”

“That’s because it’s the only home I ever had,” you explained plainly, blinking at the eyelet lace that lined the curtains. You sighed, facing him with a small smile. “This is where I grew up. Pretty much everything you see has been here longer than…well longer than I have, actually.” The tickle in your brain faded and you felt a tug behind your ribs, reminding you of memories made and teasing you about the ones that would never come to fruition. Time for another round. You stood then, grabbing the deli wrappers and the empty potato container. 

“Lemme help ya” he stood, swinging his legs over the side of the recliner and leaving it extended. In just half a step he was right next to you, so close that you could smell his cologne mixing with the beer on his breath. You could feel the warmth coming off his body, his socked feet only a few centimeters from your own, the heavily worn orange carpet tufting up in the space between. He bent down to reach for the wrappers, knuckles nearly brushing yours.

You turned, the paper and container in one hand and four empty bottles between the fingers of the other, to face him. “Nah, sit, I got this.” You looked up into his dark brown eyes, wondering if the chocolate in them was bittersweet. He tried to protest, swiping his hand over his hair as he opened his mouth, but you cut him off. “I said sit, Nick, guests don’t help.” And I need to pull myself together, here. “I’ll grab you a beer, ‘kay?” 

He nodded, a sideways smile lifting one rounded cheek into his eye, lips twitching beneath the scruffy stubble. “‘Kay,” he did as he was told and sank back into his seat while you ducked into the kitchen. “Hey what’s this shelf up here for?” He called as you stuffed the trash into the can under the sink. “S’empty.” 

You sucked in a breath as you reached for two more brown bottles in the fridge and thought about how to answer. The shelf in question ran the length of the wall above the couch from corner to corner, held up by carved maple brackets stained a rich amber color. “Uh, yeah.” You let the refrigerator door swing closed with a soft smack, and returned to the living room. Handing him his drink, you followed his eyes up to the one item on the shelf- a small snow globe depicting the lighthouses of the Outer Banks, the base sculpted to look like the crashing waves of the Atlantic. 

Using the neck of your bottle, you pointed up to the lone trinket. “Used to be more of those…” you took a sip, the hoppy IPA doing nothing to dislodge the knot that unexpectedly formed at the memory of that shelf when it was full. “A lot more.” You finished, punctuating your thought with another swig. 

You hadn’t turned around, but you could feel his intense eyes on you. “What happened to ‘em?” 

Short answer? “They broke.” You blinked twice and gave a minute shake of your head to clear the images of shattered glass, your father’s desperate, tear stained face, the heartbreak in the vibrations of his vocal chords as he threw each one to the ground. 

“All these goddamn perfect moments!” He grabbed two more pieces of your mother’s collection and hurled them downward, glittery liquid splashing over the floorboards. “All these perfect fuckin moments of hers and what good are they now?!”

You’d gotten him to stop in time to save the last one, a memento from a family vacation from a decade past- from before she’d gotten sick and lived vicariously through the memories trapped inside the crystal globes. It was all you had left that meant anything to you. You turned back to face Nick, wiping at your eyes with the back of your hand before you did. “But what can you do, right? Things break.” 

His forehead wrinkled as his brows gathered together. “Yeah,” he cleared his throat. “Things break.” 

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 

At 3pm on the dot you heard his knuckles rap against the borders of your screen door. He’s here. Setting the last bowl on the table, you tugged at the sleeves of your sweater and headed for the door. He was standing on your front step, vapor puffing from his mouth as he let out a breath in the frosty winter air. As usual, he was dressed all in black, a stark contrast to the white sky, frozen blanket of crusty snow and unlit decorations all around him. He turned as he heard you opening the door, a smile on his face. “Merry Christmas Eve, Nick,” you greeted him, welcoming him in from the cold. 

“Merry Christmas Eve to you too,” he responded, scraping his boots against the doorframe before entering your home. You let the screen swing closed and bolted the front door against the chill. When you turned back, he was looking at you with a shine in his dark eyes. “You look…” he gestured up and down your height. “You look nice. Real festive.” 

You felt your cheeks flush and rolled your eyes inwardly at yourself. “Oh, thanks,” you mumbled through a smirk. 

Nick looked around your living room, taking in the tree, lights, and other decorations before landing on the table in the dining room, laden with trays, dishes and serving bowls. “And all this is... “ He grinned with a small shake of his head. 

“Go big or go home.” You shrugged and winked, reaching for the coat he’d just removed. The top lines of the ink on his neck peeked over the collar of his shirt, and you swallowed the flush before it made it to your cheeks this time. Stop it, will you? You can’t...he can’t… It was only after you’d hung his coat and you were about to offer him a glass of eggnog or a hot cider when you realized he was holding a small gift bag. “Nick,” you tilted your head as he extended his arm out to hand it to you. “What did you...you didn’t have to-” 

He stepped closer and you curled your fingers around the gold ribbon handles, the contents of the bag shifting and feeling heavier than you assumed as he let go. “Just open it.” He cocked his head over towards the couch before taking a seat himself. You followed, sitting down beside him, leaving enough space between your thigh and his. “It’s nothin’ big or anythin’, just…” 

You reached in, digging through the crumpled tissue paper. When your fingertips found a smooth, round surface, your heart skipped off rhythm. Is that..? Closing your grip around the round object, you pulled it from the gift bag. Oh, Nick. You turned the object over in your hands, the white glitter floating magically through the clear liquid and falling down around a bright green Christmas tree topped with a shiny gold star and surrounded by colorful gifts. “Nick…” you whispered his name, staring at the globe in your hands before lifting your eyes to his. “Nick, it’s…” He smiled and you couldn’t keep one from your own face, from your own heart. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.” 

He shrugged. “Ah, your welcome, like I said, it’s nothin’ big, just...ya know,” he pointed to the shelf above where you sat. “Figured you’d wanna fill that back up.” 

It’s huge, Nick. You don’t know how big that is to me. You stood on the couch cushion and placed his gift next to the lighthouse globe, catching a flush leaving his cheeks as you came back down. “Well, Tortano, you figured right.” You fixed the pillows, smacking a holiday throw as you stood back up. “And I actually…” you toyed with your earring before your hand fell behind your neck. “I did something for you, too.” 

“What? C’mon you didn’t have ta get me nothin’, it’s nice enough you invited me over and-“ 

“Relax,” you laughed and held up your hands, palms facing him. “It’s not… it’s not a gift really. Not that you can open anyway. I still don’t know you that well, so I didn’t know what to get you. You’re not exactly easy to shop for.”

It was true, and it was by design. You and Nick shared very few personal details with one another. He knew you were estranged from your father but didn’t know why. You knew he had a brother but didn’t know where. Mostly, you kept things light, which was what both of you needed. But with each week that passed you felt things take on more and more weight. Like when he’d told you how much he’d miss spending Christmas Eve with his family this year; how he’d miss his cousins and brother, his aunts and his Nonna, all the food and the laughter. It would be the first one that he’d missed, and though he tried to shrug it off you could tell that it hurt him more than he was letting on. 

.. .. .. .. .. .. 

“Does your family do the six fishes thing?” You’d asked, trying to learn what you could about the man you’d just spent Thanksgiving with. “I always thought that was weird, but hey who’m I to judge?” 

He’d been turning a bottle cap over in his long fingers, and he tossed it at you breaking into a grin. “It’s not weird, it’s tradition,” he protested. You laughed, swatting the small metal projectile away from your face. “And it’s seven, not six.” 

.. .. .. .. .. .. 

“So, yeah,” you gestured toward the dining room table and the array of seafood that sat atop the holly patterned tablecloth. Nick gripped the back of one of the chairs, staring at the spread. “It’s not much, but,” You’d stopped at the Fishery in Keyport and picked up two or three each of shrimp, crab legs, scallops, and mussels, as well as a filet of flounder and one of salmon. “I know it’s not like your family’s cooking but… traditions are important.” 

He turned to you, mouth open and eyes wide. “You…” you watched him swallow the words that he couldn’t get out, then shake his head before dragging one hand down over his mouth, letting out a stunned burst of air. “This is amazing,” He finally said, not taking his eyes off of yours. A spark ignited in them as a slow, mischievous grin spread up his face. Here it comes. You’d been waiting for this moment, knowing it would make him laugh. “But I’m only countin’ six here.” 

“Count again, Tortano,” you smirked, watching him scan the table, and knowing exactly when he’d found the seventh “fish” by the twitch of his lip and the crinkle near his eye. Between a pot of penne and a dish of green beans sat a small snack bowl full of goldfish crackers. You grabbed a small handful, tossing one at his chest and popping the rest in your mouth. “Seven fishes.” 

In a moment that happened too quickly for either of you to stop it, he wrapped his arms around you, one behind your waist and the other draped over your shoulder. He pulled you tight against himself, so close that you had no choice but to lean your cheek against his chest. You found it easy to slip your arms around his torso and reciprocate the embrace. Too easy. “Merry Christmas”, you felt more than heard him say the words, and before you could respond he released you, his watch sliding back down his arm as it fell to his side. 

Way too easy. “Merry Christmas, Nick.”

.

.

.

@something-tofightfor​ @its-my-little-dumpster-fire​ @suchatinyinfinity​ @lexxierave​ @songtoyou​ @poindexted​ @thesumofmychoices​ @gollyderek​ @zaffrenotes​ @traeumerinwitzhelden​ @breanime​ @roses-in-your-country-house

[devon--reynolds]

Where Do We Go From Here | Self - Para

Dev took a deep breath as he sat outside of Kalani’s house, gripping his steering wheel, trying to rehearse everything he was going to say in his head. It was partly for his 12 steps and partly because he really wanted this Thanksgiving to be the best one yet. With a sigh he got out of the car, her favorite donuts in a small box in his hands as he climbed the steps to her door, smoothing his hair down once before he pressed the doorbell. He knew she didn’t have a shift til later, that she’d be upset he didn’t call first but he was hopeful they’d get past that to have a real conversation. 

“Dev I..” Kalani started as she opened the door and saw him there, smoothing down her hair, wishing she had decided to take a shower earlier. She didn’t know why she cared at this point, knowing he had seen her in all sorts of ways but the man she was looking at now seemed so..different than the person she had known all those years ago. She supposed she hadn’t really known Devon in a long time, but she still believed that she knew him better than anyone. Stubbornly so. 

“Hey Kal, I-I’m sorry to just show up like this. I just..I was hoping we could talk. I brought donuts,” he told her and held up the bag, taking a step towards the door as she opened it wider, but not before snatching the donut bag and walking back into the kitchen. There hadn’t been many moments since he had gotten out that it was just the two of them alone and Dev was realizing that as he stood in her kitchen, feeling more nervous than he had originally intended. “I wanted to know if you were gonna come to Thanksgiving dinner today. Reagan told me you hadn’t made up your mind and I just..I wanted you to know I really want you there.” He cleared his throat and stood up straighter, wanting to get his words out before it was too late and she talked him out of it. “I know..that you’re still upset with but, it would mean a lot if for tonight we could just...come together as a family, you know? Especially for the kids..I’d like them to have one good Thanksgiving memory, you know? Of all of us being together and I, I’d like to spend some time with you, you know? If that’s..if that’s not too much to ask.”

She kept her eyes on the donuts as she pulled them out, grabbing a knife to cut them into smaller pieces if only to have something to do instead of look at him as he spoke. She hadn’t made up her mind about Thanksgiving, though when she woke up this morning she was leaning more towards staying home, watching the Macy’s parade as she waited for Jax to bring her some leftovers. Even in her head it seemed pathetic but she wasn’t sure she could muster the strength to sit with Devon and his family, to watch him enjoy himself, to accept him being home as something that was normal, something that she was used to. She looked at him and felt..pain, sadness, so much joy to just..be there with him and yet she couldn’t even let herself be happy about it, still incredibly pissed every time she looked at him. “I don't know Dev, I’m still..thinking about it.” It wasn’t a lie and she took a moment to eat half of one of the donuts before turning back towards him. “And I’m not..trying to get defensive but the kids have had good Thanksgivings, okay? I-I’ve cooked and I’ve..stuffed a fucking turkey, me, a turkey.” She didn’t have to say anything else, Devon knowing that Kalani wasn’t exactly a pro in the kitchen, she just got by. 

“I-I wasn’t trying to-”

Kalani held up her hand and shook her head. “It’s sweet, that you came here and brought me donuts and made that whole speech about family. And I get that everyone wants to celebrate you being home and act like one big happy family. Devon I’m happy you’re home but I’m also fucking...angry that it took so long and angry that all of our friends are now looking at me like Im the bad guy because I won’t let you back in my life. But look I..I get it, you’re the good guy now but you fucking..left me, Dev, to raise these kids, you could’ve fought harder, you could have made better choices. And maybe I’m fucking living in the past but every time I look at you I, see the night before you were gone. When you told me that we’d have everything. And I believed you..so deeply and I just,” she took a deep breath and shook her head, refusing to cry more tears over him, “Not having you around fucked me up. And now you’re here and it’s like..I’m supposed to just..forgive everything, I know I didn’t help but you were...unreachable months before you even got locked up. I want you to get better but I can’t..just trust that you’ve changed, I can’t, I’m sorry.”

Devon swallowed thickly, understanding what she was saying, knowing that all those years ago he had promised her time and time again to get his shit together and he never did. But things were different now, he was different now and he just wanted her to see that, wanted her to know that despite it all they could still salvage some kind of friendship, some kind of substantial place in each others lives. He loved her, that much would always be true but he knew that together they were sometimes too intense, and completely blind to how much of a bad influence they could be to each other. “I-I’m sorry, I..I am. I know I-”

“I don’t...want you to apologize, I just want you to..give me more time, okay? I just..I need more time,” she admitted, her expression softened just the slightest as she looked a him. Fuck, those beautiful eyes of him always got her. “I’ve..missed you, okay? That much I can admit but it’s..hard, seeing you, it’s hard just..adjusting. Maybe..maybe I’ll feel different at Christmas.” She didn’t want to give him too much hope but she also didn’t plan on punishing him forever, just until she felt like she wasn’t so angry and there was no telling when that would be. 

He took a deep breath and nodded, grabbing onto a little bit of hope, trying to see the positive in all of this. “I’ve missed you too,” he admitted, resting the urge to take a step closer to her. “I mean, it’s fucking crazy, i know and we’re so..old,” he joked, smiling as she let out a laugh and flipped him off. “I can give you all the time you need, I’ll be here, okay? I just..really want us to be okay.”

She nodded and reached for a napkin to wipe the glaze from the donut off her fingers. She looked at him for a second longer before taking a few steps towards him and wrapped him up in a hug before she could change her mind. She almost laugh at how he stiffened then wrapped his arms around her and she had to press her face into his chest to hide the way she had automatically started tearing up. She had love him for so long but beyond that he had been her best friend, the person she had wanted to tell everything to, the person who made her feel like she had a home whenever she wanted to run away from hers. And she had lost him, never quite able to bring herself to see him behind bars time and time again. Maybe that made her a terrible person but she was only doing what felt best. So she let him hold her, taking in his scent, the way his shoulders had broadened and his biceps had grown, the hair on his face tickling her forehead. For a moment she was 16 again, curled up in the back of his truck, trying to ignore the way her heart was beating as she looked up at him, affectionately calling him and idiot before she kissed him. The thought was a sobering one and she took a breath and pulled back, reaching a hand up to brush it across his cheek gently. “I like the beard,” she mumbled, before forcing herself to pull away, going back to the donut on the counter. “Happy Thanksgiving, Dev, I..I hope you and the kids have fun.”

Devon nodded, trying still to calm his breathing after she had been so close to him, after she had unearthed all the feelings of her had buried so deep down. He had been talking about the situation with her like it was casual, like he had fallen out of love with her ages ago. But five minutes with her and all of those feelings hit him like a wave and he felt like he was drowning slightly as he looked at her, conflicted with the original goal he had when he had come in there. But when she turned back around, he took a deep breath and stepped back, nodding as she spoke. “Happy Thanksgiving, Kal,”he replied, hesitating as he got to the door, waiting and hoping that she’d look back a him, but eventually realizing she wouldn’t. So he turned around and went for the door, his heart still racing as he went back to his car. 

Kalani waited to hear the door shut before she turned back around, having had to use all her will power to not stop him and make him stay longer, to not give into the impulses that had gotten her into this situation in the first place. He had promised her so many times that he would get better that she had to keep her distance, had to not drag herself back down into hoping. But despite al of that, despite knowing that she also wanted to make better choices, some of what he had said had gotten to her, stuck with her and she remembered her daughters face when she had asked her the night before about dinner. So she wiped off her hands and went back to her room, opened up her closet to find a good dress, a hot dress, something that would make Devon do a double take, despite her insistence to herself that she didn’t care whether he looked or not. But at least she’d be there and the look on her kids faces would be worth it all and at the very least, at least she’d get some free food. 

[leisurelypanda]

Life is Good chapter 16

http://archiveofourown.org/works/11676360/chapters/27430023

Thanksgiving Day was, blessedly, uncomplicated. Beyond the actual cooking itself (Craig handled the turkeys), preparing for the family to arrive was actually quite easy. Andrew made Amanda’s favorite cherry pie without catching fire even once (they were all very impressed). The only tricky thing was what to do with Carl Jr. He was about 9 months old now and big enough to pose a threat to any food left on the counter top. They were trying to train that out of him, but as yet, they had not managed to eradicate the behavior entirely. The simplest solution would be to keep him in the basement and close the doors to the laundry room and the workout room so he couldn’t get into too much trouble.

“I think it’s cruel that Carl Jr. isn’t getting any turkey while the rest of us stuff our faces,” Amanda said after they had closed the door.

“You’re right,” Andrew replied. “It’s not fair. It’s also not fair to leave entire turkeys up where a puppy can get to and choke on a bone.”

“Fair point.” She said. “It’s for your own good, boy.”

“You’re not allowed to go back to college,” he said, hugging her. “I miss having you around too much.”

“Ugh, dad, feelings,” she replied. “As much as I’d love to stay and befriend our first dog, I got pictures to take, things to steal, establishments to break. You know, normal college stuff.”

“That’s my girl,” he said. “Now help me set up the tables.”

Smashley was the first to arrive, naturally. She came through the door with a store bought pumpkin pie, set it on the counter, and was immediately attacked by her twin daughters. Andrew immediately thought that it was going to be awkward seeing her again, especially since he was very seriously dating Craig now, but she just gave him one of her bear hugs that was half hug, half tackle, and half the reason for her unfortunate nickname.

“Andrew! Dude! How ya been, man?” she nearly shouted at him. “You never write, you don’t call, honestly I feel forgotten.”

“Hey Smashley, good to see you again,” he said with a bit of a nervous chuckle. They settled into a bit of a tense catching up session, her talking about her life and what she was up to these days, and him talking about what happened after they all graduated from college. Eventually she looped her arm around his.

“Can I talk to you? Alone?” she asked. Andrew looked at Craig who just smiled and waved them off.

“Sure, I guess,” he said. Please don’t kill me please don’t kill me please don’t kill me please don’t kill me.

They went outside, which at this point in Maine meant that it was cold as hell. Their breath made puffy clouds and there was a light layer of snow on the ground, good for stomping around in, but not good for making snowmen yet. It was peaceful, serene even. Across the way, Andrew could see Damien’s garden, which was beautiful and vibrant lie barren for the season. Damien had sold dozens of bouquets to the local flower shops before they all ended up dying. It was exactly the sort of relaxing atmosphere for too friends to catch up.

Or for a murder to happen, he thought to himself.

“Relax, champ, I’m not going to beat you up,” Smashley chided playfully. “I just want to know how it’s going between you two.”

Andrew swallowed, not yet reassured. “Things are great. Couldn’t be happier.”

“Good,” she said. “He certainly seems more relaxed than I’ve seen him in years. Every time he drops the girls off, he seems less like a lost puppy than he used to, though I doubt he’ll ever be okay with being away from them.”

“You should have seen him when he sent them to that sports camp over the summer,” he said. “A full week without them, he was inconsolable the first couple days.”

She threw her head back and laughed. “That sounds exactly like him. But seriously, ever since you two got together, he’s been better. Grounded.” She turned to face him fully, her face very serious. “Thank you.”

Andrew blinked. “For what?”

“For doing what I never could,” she replied. “I was actually afraid that he would run himself into the ground. I don’t know how you did it, but thank you.”

Andrew was honestly touched. He released a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. “You’re welcome,” he said. They hugged again, gentler this time, like two friends who had been apart for a long time reuniting. ****************************************************************************************************

Finally everyone had arrived and the meal was ready. Andrew was most worried about his daughter. Amanda had made friends with Craig’s mother, Brooke, who was now teaching her how to play poker over turkey and fixings. A lesson, which Andrew, Craig, his sister, and her husband all got roped into at the table in the living room, angled so that Brooke could simultaneously keep track of the football game. Together the two of them took all comers and soundly thumped them all. Fortunately they only played with poker chips and not actual money, otherwise Andrew would be completely broke.

“Good thing we aren’t playing strip poker, eh, boy?” Brooke teased. “You’d be buck ass nude and then I couldn’t teach your daughter a damn thing.”

“Ugh, Gramms!” Amanda protested. “Thanks for that image.”

“Leave him be, mom,” Craig said. “At least we know that he won’t blow our life savings.”

“Mm-hmm,” she replied drinking her beer. “You’re just happy we weren’t playing strip poker cause by now you’d be all hot and bothered.”

Craig’s face turned bright red. “Mooom! I’d at least try to be decent around the family,” he protested.

“Why?” she asked downing what was left of her drink. “I don’t.” As if to emphasize her point, she rose up and slammed her drink down to the table. Her team was losing. “What the fuck was that play? What the fuck were you thinking, you half brained jackasses! I could play better with both hands tied behind my back!”

Andrew leaned over to Craig. “Bro, is your mom always like this at Thanksgiving?”

Craig nodded solemnly. “She thinks that nothing in the English language is off limits as long as it’s said well. Which usually comes out when football’s on.”

“How did I miss this when we were younger?”

“I think we were usually a mile high or drunk or in a food coma or a combination of the three,” he said. “I mean, you practically lived with us for a while, bro. It’s amazing that you didn’t know.”

Since the poker game was interrupted by poor football prospects, Amanda made her way over to their side of the table.

“Yo Pops, my new Grandma is the bomb,” she said. “Can we keep her?”

“I don’t think the freezer downstairs is big enough, Manda Panda” he joked. Craig snorted into his drink.

“Daaaaad, she can just sleep on the couch and we can get a rocking chair so she can sit out on the lawn and yell at rowdy teenagers, it’ll be fun!” she said.

“Much as I would like to keep my mother around as a constant corrupting influence on my young daughters,” Craig said, “I’m the youngest, so I’m the last in line to have to take care of her.”

His sister, Rose, heard that from the other end of the table. “What was that, little brother, I’m first in line?” she asked. “No no, as the most successful of us, you’re the first one up for taking care of her in her old age.”

“Who are you calling old?” their mother demanded.

“You mom, you’re 65,” she said.

“None of you are allowed to call me old ‘til I’m on my deathbed!” she declared. “So you’re all gonna be waiting a long damn time!”

Amanda laughed loudly. “See, we have to keep her!” ****************************************************************************************************

Later that evening, as Craig and Andrew were lying down on their bed, Craig turned to his bro and said, “I love you. Happy Thanksgiving, bro.”

Andrew smiled back. “Happy Thanksgiving, bro. I’m so grateful to be with you.” ****************************************************************************************************

Black Friday was spent, oddly enough, not at the office, as Andrew half expected. Rather, when he awoke in the morning and wandered out into the living room, he found Craig trying to teach River how to walk. He held her arms up gently with her feet set on the floor in front of him. She was making hesitant steps as Craig cheered her on.

“Morning workout seems a bit different this morning,” Andrew quipped.

“Tiny bro has her regimen, too, dude,” Craig said without looking up.

“Does this mean I get a rest day?” he asked.

“Just for that I’m gonna push you even harder today.” He teased. He let River go to let her stand for a while.

“Nice knowing ya, Popsicle,” Amanda said from the couch.

“Make sure to say something nice at the funeral,” he replied. “Something poetical. Something with imagery.”

“I’ll write a haiku,” Amanda promised.

Just then River fell to the ground and began crying. Craig knelt down and began encouraging her and helping her get back into a standing position. She sniffled, but let him help her go through some clumsy steps. Just then Carl Jr. trotted into the room wagging his tail slightly as he sniffed River. River smiled and let go of Craig’s fingers and reached out and grabbed Carl’s fur, using him to cruise around. Carl didn’t seem to mind and walked around slowly as he supported her tiny body. Amanda took out her phone and began taking a video of the two of them as Andrew and Craig heaped gobs of praise on both the baby and the dog.

The effect was eventually ruined by River falling down on her butt. She started crying in frustration, but Carl Jr lay down behind her and began to lick her face. Her crying stopped and she began giggling. The lesson officially ended as River began playing with Carl’s fur and ears.

“Amanda,” Craig said. “Can you watch them? I’m gonna kill your dad.”

“I’m not even dressed yet!” he protested.

“You have a t-shirt and pajama pants. Just throw some shoes on, what more do you need?”

“Have fun!” she cheered as Craig dragged Andrew down to the basement. ****************************************************************************************************

True to his word, Andrew felt like he was dying. By the time Craig announced he was done, his entire upper body felt like it was about to disintegrate. Craig, on the other hand, looked great, even if he himself had gone as hard as he had pushed his bro. His biceps were pumped, his chest was heaving, and his shirt was so sweaty it clung to his body and Andrew found it difficult to be cross with his bro while he looking so sexy.

Be that as it may, even if Craig were in the mood, he didn’t think he had the energy to have sex with him. He also just wanted to get in a shower and wash himself off.

“Hey bro,” Craig said, bumping his shoulder with his fist. “You did good today, I’m really impressed with how far you’ve come.”

Andrew blushed despite himself. “Thanks, I couldn’t have done it without you,” he replied.

Craig gave that toothy grin. Dammit I’m supposed to be angry and he’s being cute. “Aw bro, you’re gonna make me blush.”

Andrew gave in and grinned. “Much as I enjoy complimenting each other, I’d love to wash off. I feel gross.”

“Wanna save water?” Craig asked.

Andrew grinned and his dick expressed interest. Maybe I do have a little energy left over after all. ****************************************************************************************************

Amanda was trying really, really hard not to think about how long her dad and Craig had been in the shower and focus on introducing the twins to one of her favorite shows: Warehouse 13. She was, after all, 18 and knew that there was a limited number of things people did in the shower. So far, Briar had declared that Artie was her favorite character and Hazel threw her lot in with Myka. River wasn’t paying much attention, as she had curled up on the floor with Carl Jr and fallen asleep and Carl lay his head protectively in her lap. Amanda had gotten lots of great pictures that she fully intended to frame and put on a wall somewhere in the house.

Just then Andrew and Craig walked out of their room, clean and refreshed. Their eyes took in everything that was happening. The show, the twins captivated by the show and River and Carl sleeping together on the floor.

“Please tell me that you got pictures of that,” Craig stage whispered. “This is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”

“Hell yeah, dude,” Amanda replied in like fashion, holding up her camera. “I couldn’t pass up an opportunity like this!”

Craig walked over to her to give her a fist bump, but his plans were ruined. Amanda got up and hugged him. Craig was a bit surprised but returned it gently.

“I love being part of this family,” she said.

Craig smiled. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his bro wipe his eye. “Me too, Amanda. Me too.”

[randoreviews]

ON THE WAY TO THANKSGIVING

“Oh, fuck you, truck!” “Dear, the children.” “We already heard all of em, ma!”  “And you wonder where your children get it.” “Not now, Jean! NOT... NOW.” “Ma, why don’t we just stay home for this stupid racist feast?” “Honey, there’s nothing racist about Thanksgiving.” “Oh, sure there is! It was right before the Pilgrims massacred the Indians. You can’t forget that!”  “Hey, stop making so much noise back there, I’m trying to drive in VERY heavy... Oh, fuck you, fuck you, fuck you.”  “PLEASE... DEAR.” “All of these people can go straight to hell.” “Haha, oh, man. Becky should take her headphones off, she’s toootally missin out!” “You think it’s funny? You think it’s funny? Just wait til you’re old enough to start payin your rent, paying taxes, payin for your OWN DAMN CLOTHES.” “Dad, you’re a hell of a guy. Hell of a guy.”  “You think it’s a joke. He thinks it’s a joke. Just wait. Juuuust wait.” “But honey, Thanksgiving is in the spirit of... community... of peace and giving.” “I swear if Aunt Carol tries to kiss me on the lips I’m gonna punch her boob.”  “You see what you teach them? You SEE the kind of behavior you teach them?” “Ma, she gets wasted on peach schnapps before she even takes her coat off.” “Your aunt has a very serious social anxiety problem.” “Ma, she’s a pervy old drunk.” “Oh, for heaven’s sake... Your Aunt Carol loves you very much, and... you should be more sympathetic to her state.” “I’m just sayin, it could be my knee-jerk reaction.” “Well, no, mister, it’s NOT your knee-jerk reaction if you’re already telling me.” “I’m just sayin it could be.” “Well you make sure it’s NOT.” “Don’t do that... Don’t do that!” “Why’s Dad having a cow?” “Becky, your father is doing his best to drive in these really tough holiday conditions.” “Cool.” “It IS cool, young lady.” “Whatever.” “No, not whatever. Cool.” “Yeah... right.” “Just remember I was young once too, young lady, and I can say cool too. So cool.”  “Would you please stop talking nonsense while I’m trying to drive? For god’s sake, Jean.” “Oh, Jean!” “You will not call your mother by her first name! Or I will turn this car around!” “So you’re sayin if I call Mom by her first name you’ll really turn the car around? And we can go home?” “You will not call your mother by her first name like that!” “Stop being a loser.” “Oh, sorry, I didn’t think you could hear us through your slutty Ariana Grande music.” “Mom!” “Zachary, you will not refer to women like that.” “GOD. So many rules and restrictions.” “You wanna go, granny! You wanna fucking go!” “Mom, Dad’s trying to run an old lady off the road.” “She’ll kill us all!” “Dear, please, just let her get in front of us.” “Oh my god, that woman’s SUPER old. How is she beating you, Dad?” “Zachary, please.” “Can Paul come over tonight?” “Young lady, this is a day to be with your family. And I’m sure Paul’s family wants him to be with them too.”  “I already told him he could.” “And a-a-a-a... ya got me walkin side to side.” “Shut up, jerk!” “Excuse me, miss, you will not call your brother a jerk.” “And if you ever even THINK about punching my boob I will kill you in your sleep.” “Mo-o-om!” “Becky, don’t threaten your brother! Zachary, stop antagonizing your sister.”  “Dad, what do you think of Paul?” “Uchh... You’re such a little jerk.” “Paul? Seems like a complete waste of space.” “Mom! This is totally unfair!” “Why would you say that about your daughter’s boyfriend?” “Guy has the personality of a telephone pole.” “Haha. Classic.” “Da-a-ad! Oh my god, this is so unfair!” “Face it, Becky, your boyfriend’s a goober... Ow! Mom! Becky just clawed my hand!”  “Becky!” “I hope Aunt Carol makes out with you.” “Gro-o-oss.” “Becky, really. Your Aunt Carol is just a little lonely.”  “And she’s afraid of being in small spaces and she has athlete’s foot, we know, ma.” “She does not have athlete’s foot, mister smarty.” “Ooo, mister smarty... I like that. Becky, you have to start calling me mister smarty.” “You’re a loser.” “This damn red Prius is driving like a bat outta hell!” “Gene, just let him go by you.” “Damn it, Jean, WILL YOU NOT TELL ME HOW TO DRIVE! Please? Thank you!”  “Remember how loud grandma was snoring on the couch after dinner last year? Haha, oh, man.” “Honey, it’s because there’s something in turkey that makes you very sleepy.” “She was sawing logs! She sounded like Dad!” “What? Huh?” “Honey, she’s eighty-seven. When you get to be eighty-seven, I’m sure you’ll enjoy a nice after-dinner nap yourself.” “Nah, I’m gonna be out hoopin. Just like that, Becky. Right in your face.” “Don’t touch me.” “Give your sister her space, please.” “What do you think Paul’s doing right now? Gelling his hair?” “Shut up.” “Please, you two, let’s just try to be nice to each other on this family holiday.” “Like the Pilgrims were nice to the Indians?” “Yes, exactly.” “Before they killed them?”  “COCKSUCKING PRIUS ASSHOLE!”