[turkey day, nov 21]

[youfeelluckypunk]

They've graciously been invited to Derek's Thanksgiving celebration on the actual day itself, but Reid had gotten to thinking after Luke had told him of the invitation that it would be nice to throw a small get-together of their own. Halloween at the bookstore had been a success, after all, and in spite of the fact that they'd been sent to a hellish version of Darrow for the next ten days, Reid had really enjoyed planning and decorating for the holiday with his boyfriend. In a way, it also serves as a bit of a housewarming, even if nobody else needs to know that. They've been officially living together for a week now, though the only real difference is that he's handed over his keys to the Dimera apartment back to the landlord.

Still, being able to call this apartment home, knowing that he gets to spend every night with the man he loves, it means something special to him, and he wants to share that sense of home with the rest of the people he cares about.

So he sends out texts to Alec and Magnus, Peter and Jason and Hild, telling them all to save the date for the twenty-first so they can have an early Thanksgiving celebration. Others are welcome, of course, and Reid suspects they'll have more than enough food because he'd made arrangements for one restaurant in particular (one that he visits often and had already been promoting take-out for Thanksgiving Day) to set him up with a turkey dinner early. There are all the expected fixings, though he'd ordered four turkeys because Luke still needs to eat more to make up for all the weight he'd lost in the alternate version of Darrow, plus a couple pumpkin pies and various other desserts strewn out across the table. The wine Peter had given to him on Halloween is out, available for consumption to those who want it, but Reid will be sticking to water tonight.

If anyone asks, he's been slaving away in the kitchen all day long, brewing coffee after coffee as he and Luke make sure everything looks nice and neat for their first Thanksgiving dinner together. The food is set out over the counter in the kitchen, china and utensils and glassware placed at the very end so people can take what they want and find a place to eat in the living room, where they've placed extra chairs, and it isn't until they hear the first knock at the door that Reid finally decides he's satisfied with the way everything looks.

Every single person who will be here tonight has been through so much, seen more than one person ever should, but tonight, Reid is just grateful that they're all still here.

Comments

[paper_courage]

Seeing Jason so ecstatic in the wake of their kiss sends Peter's stomach into a gymnastic routine, full of flips and possible jazz hands. He's gripping Jason's hand so tightly, feeling his love grip back, and what's more, Jason's thanked him for doing it. That's certainly not what happened at the rave or Ivy's party or, or, or.... the list of aborted stolen kisses was endless. Not anymore. The consistently replenishing supply of love has replaced its preceding bottomless well of doubt and confusion. Not for the first time in that day alone, he feels divinity touch his life as his loved ones touch his heart.

"Thank you for letting me do it," he vollies back, meeting Jason's eyes and then he's laughing. What a polite exchange over something they'd been told would turn them to heathens. Come to think of it, his little same-sex relationship is the least vicious relationship he's ever seen in his life. He rests his head on Jason's shoulder, taking in the scene around him like they're the audience watching a slice-of-life play take place around them. Spencer and Luke playing house. Magnus being utterly fabulous as he gravitates toward Alec. All of the new faces of the people that were friends yet to be made. Thanksgiving with his boyfriend. Maybe prayers really do get answered.

When his drink has been consumed, he comes around from his position as a spectator considering the holiday dream he's been allowed. People seem to be beginning to fill their plates and Peter's stomach reminds him that they came here with a purpose. "Want to get some food?" Peter's pretty sure that if he's hungry, Jason is. That boy's teenage metabolism is a force to be reckoned with.

[no_voice]

Peter's holding his hand so tightly, it almost hurts. But Jason doesn't care; the almost-pain is so worth it for the expression on Peter's face. The brightness in his eyes, and the way his own soul seems to soar from the aftermath of that kiss and the way their hands still fit perfectly together after all of this time. This is the opposite of so many stolen moments at Saint Cecilia's. This is lightness and love and openness. And while all of that still intimidates Jason in some ways, he finds that, mostly, he has yet another reason to be especially grateful this Thanksgiving.

Peter thanks him too, and then he's giggling. Jason snorts, almost rolls his eyes out of sheer fondness, and then he's giggling too. It is a little absurd, the politeness of thanking someone for a kiss. But Jason knows Peter deserves to hear such thanks. He owes so much more gratitude to Peter, he knows. Peter rests his head on Jason's shoulder, and Jason, in turn, presses his head against his, following Peter's gaze to the room around them. It's hard to believe that could have ever found such a warm environment full of open people accepting of who they are. It's so goddamn wonderful.

Jason's stomach answers Peter's inquiry for him with a loud and rumbly growl. Jason blushes, ducking his head a bit. "My stomach says hell yes," he says, grinning.

[paper_courage]

God, Jason is just too, irresistibly adorable. Even after jackets have been shed, he's still got a few layers on to combat the cold, but his shape is still clearly discernible underneath the fabric. The lights seem to bend around his hair, sort of curly and sort of perfect. A combination of cold and the extreme opposite from the kiss has his skin a little flushed to begin with, and now he's blushing and--

Peter shakes his head. Goddamnit, he thinks. He never stood a chance in resisting this man. Peter wonders, sometimes, if he wished Jason into being. He hopes that if that had been so, he'd have chosen better parents for his fantasy soulmate.

Illustrating that inability to resist, Peter kisses him once more, only able to contain his smile for the duration of that quick, nearly natural-feeling little kiss. Peter's stomach flips again. "I'm gonna get some wine first, so I'll meet you at the table." He squeezes Jason's hand before letting go and turns back to ask, "you want some too, right?"

[no_voice]

"Penny for your thoughts, sir?" Jason teases, leaning in close to nuzzle against Peter's flushed, freckled cheek as he shakes his head. Peter is still so precious and wonderfully dorky even after everything that's happened to them. Jason cannot help but feel amazed by his boyfriend's utter goodness. Especially as he still feels so imperfect and awkwardly settling into his new life, himself.

Jason grins at the second kiss; he reaches out to grab Peter's chin and elongate said kiss, unable to help himself. His eyes glisten when they part at last.

"Wine sounds great," he says, squeezing Peter's hand in return. "I'll try to leave some turkey for the rest of the party."