Gathering of friends

[survivesitall]

It had taken a lot to convince Clayton this was a good idea. He didn't like having people around his home he didn't need to, and liked crowds even less. But Elena had insisted, some of the people invited as close to Pack as they'd have here, and others hopefully trusted friends. He'd even coughed up a name or two when she pushed, something that made her happy. She found she had a lot of leverage since she'd agreed to start trying for children, even if that was something that scared her no matter how much Jeremy had told them of their future.

The setup was simple enough. They'd opened up the doors to the barn and set tables around in front of it. Clay had set up a spit with a deer, and it was likely better if no one asked how they'd caught it. There was a regular grill sizzling with sausages and for whatever people brought, and a bowls of salads for anyone who wanted them. Elena wsn't sure of how much others ate, but she knew she and Clay could pack away enough for three humans. There were pies inside the house for later, once they'd all eaten their fill of everything else.

There might have been a chill on the air, but that just made the day more special to Elena. There were only a few more weekends they could do this before it got too cold for most.

Comments

[survivesitall]

Elena is excited that Malia came, unsure if the girl would. Her sleeves are rolled up past her elbows as she tends the spits, the plaid shirt and jeans she's wearing comfortable before anthing else. "It does, doesn't it? Honestly, waiting for it to cook is the hardest part."

If she were a wolf right now, she wouldn't care. But as a human she still likes her food to be cooked through. "Clay got it."

[rulesofthewild]

"Can I have some?" she asks eagerly, looking up at Elena. Her eyes flash blue again out of hunger. She forces it down. "Sorry, sorry, I just— it's been a long time since I've had deer." It always feels like a long time between meals when it comes to deer.

[survivesitall]

There are little things that give away Mylia's lack of control, and others that make her think of Clayton. Elena doesn't mind either of them, when it comes down to it, and why should she? She's married to a man who's sometimes more wolf than human, and she loves him entirely after a ten-year rocky start. "Give it another twenty minutes and it'll be ready. C'mon, lets get you a drink."

[rulesofthewild]

She nods eagerly. Anything to make the time pass faster. "What do you have for drinks?" she asks. She can't get drunk, but she can always have soda or something, enjoy the flavor. "Do you have any snacks?" She sniffs, trying to track something down, but all she can smell is the roasting deer.

[survivesitall]

"Sure," Elena says laughing, leading Malia away from the spit and closer to the house. There's a cooler filled with beer and soda there, and a table with chips and nuts and dips and all the other things that people generally put out at an event like this. "Help yourself. It's all for sharing."

She grabs a soda for herself, popping the top and leaning against the trestle table. "How'd your hunt for roomates go?"

[rulesofthewild]

"Better than I thought it would," she admits. "I found two, which'll make it way easier to afford than if only one person answered the ad." She looks pleased, maybe a little proud. "It's this guy named Zuko, and this girl named Dany."

[survivesitall]

"Good. You're not far, you know." Elena says it as if it's the first time she's thought of it, though she's considered it before. "Any time you want to come here you can."

[rulesofthewild]

There's a part of Malia that she hasn't realized has been starving for friendship since coming to Darrow. Yes, she's had Coraline, and she's spent time with Stiles and America, and run into Elena more than a few times. But it isn't like Beacon Hills, where she'd spent maybe a quarter of her time alone, ever. Here, it's more like she spends less than half of her time with people, and she doesn't know if that's because she's chosen that, or if it's just happened that way. But there's something about the way Elena says it — not for the first time, and no real difference in tone — that really hits Malia, right in the stomach.

And abruptly, she turns and hugs her, tightly.

[survivesitall]

It may be abrupt, but it's welcome too. Elena hugs back, fairly sure she understands. She grew up in foster homes, and the Pack had been her family - a real family, no matter how complicated things got with her and Clayton.

[rulesofthewild]

After a moment, Malia tenses and eases away. She looks shy, more than uncomfortable. "Sorry," she mumbles.

[survivesitall]

"It's okay," Elena says, touching Malia's arm and smiling warmly. She still isn't entirely sure the life that she had before this place, but she knows what it's like to feel distant from people. "Now how about we see if the deer is ready?"