Midnight Mates

Thanksgiving Special

A/N: Like the Halloween Special, the Thanksgiving Special is separate from the events in the actual story. Enjoy~

~~~

"I just can't believe we all made it here for the big day," I said, leaning against the wall. Daren, sleeves rolled up, wrists deep into one of many pies, snorted.

"How is it hard to believe? We don't hang out with anyone except for each other. That's why we're always at each other's throats." Viola, who was busy checking on the food and supplying Daren with the ingredients he needed for the pies, tuned into the conversation and smacked him on the shoulder.

"We are not always at each other's throats, you and Xander are always at each other's throats." Daren's cheeks flushed and I smirked as he grumbled under his breath.

"Well regardless, I'm glad you're helping Vee out with the cooking." He chuckled.

"Are you kidding? I love baking pies. I saw this new recipe on pinterest..." He caught me smiling softly at him, then blushed and cleared his throat.

"Anyway, Violin desperately needs my help." Viola, disregarding the potatoes she was peeling, jumped to her feet and chased Daren around the kitchen.

"Now you know damn well--" I laughed as I watched the commotion and heard Garrett walking up behind me.

"Are they always like this?" I asked. He shoved his hands in his jeans pocket and smiled fondly.

"Not always. Not when, y'know we're dealing with the usual shitstorm. But when we're just relaxing... yeah. Pretty much." I nodded, excusing myself as Viola stopped chasing after Daren and swooped in to kiss Garrett.

I heard laughter from the living room and peeked around the corner. Alex was standing in front of a bowl of festive holiday nog.

Gabriel's face was already flushed with alcohol and Luke was giggling uncontrollably. Aries was adamantly refusing any of the mystery nog, and Naomi was inspecting it, barely affected by the alcohol. Xander, David, Verity, and Kat were on the couch watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Kat crossed her arms and scoffed.

"Of course they're only just now realizing your worth, Rudolph! They're fake and they're no good for you!" Xander looked at her weirdly.

"Sis... it's just a movie..."

"Just a movie that's teaching the kids horrible life lessons. Hey David?" David perked up at the mention of his name.

"Yes?"

"What have you learned from Rudolph?"

"Uh... that Santa's actually kind of lazy? He just kinda sits there and let's everyone else do the work." Kat sighed.

"Well I mean... that's just... it's not--"

"Can't argue with that," Xander said, cracking a smile and taking a sip of Alex's nog. He grimaced.

"Yo Alex!"

"Yes?"

"What the hell did you put in this nog?" Alex looked at the empty bottle of vanilla flavored vodka and the cracked bottle of rum on the counter.

"Uhhh y'know, a little of this, a little of that. Cinnamon stick?" He asked, distracting Xander with a stick of cinnamon. Unable to contain myself I burst out laughing. Steven, Kory, and Isaac suddenly burst through the door. Steven, his trademark sunglasses slightly fogged because of the temperature change, looked over at me.

"Hey Ren. What's so funny?" I shook my head, still grinning.

"Nevermind that. Why are you guys so late?" I asked. Steven held up a bag of cans and Isaac held up a dead bird.