spamalot } { of returning home and muffled senses

[hereditare]

Peter: [is driving up to the house, pulling the car up to make sure Derek was close enough to the house.] Cora and Malia should still be in school, so you'll be spared the football tackle until this afternoon. Give your mother enough time to dote all over you without your sister's interrupting.

Derek: [nods, his eyes hidden behind a pair of sunglasses to kill the brightness] Works for me. Though I feel bad staying here while she's taking care of dad too.

Fiona: Do you honestly think she'll let you stay anywhere else? [Fiona highly doubts it]

Talia: [is sitting out on the porch and she gets to her feet when the car pulls up, making her way down the stairs to meet them at the car]

Derek: No, not really.

Peter: [looks out the window.] Your mom's coming to meet you at the car. Open the door and get out, and she'll get you. [looks at Fiona] I'll bring your bags inside. Stick with them.

Fiona: [nods in agreement, unbuckling her seat belt and inching towards the side of the car closest to the house, opening the door to let Bob run out onto the preserve. He very quickly sets about sniffing at everything that's changed including this new human smell WHAT IS THAT. Fiona just shakes her head at him before turning to Talia with a smile] I'm going to apologize for him now.

Talia: [laughs a bit as she steps back to let Derek open the door] It's fine, really.

Derek: [slips out of the car, sniffing the air but not able to small anything still but the air around him] Mom?

Peter: [is just going to busy himself with the bags. he'll hug his sister later]

Talia: Right here. [she takes a step forward once he's free of the car, sliding her arms around him gently and pulling him close. The hug is possibly a little too tight, but it's been a rough few days for her.]

Derek: [good thing the rest of his body was fine, he didn't mind the tight hug. He buried his nose against his mother's skin, finally able to take in her scent and relaxed] I'm sorry I scared you like that.

Talia: [she tips her head to the side, pressing a kiss to his temple] It's not your fault. I'm just glad you're home.

Derek: Me too. [though he missed the DC home now that he was here. Nowhere near as much as he missed his family, but more than he was expecting.]

Talia: [she holds onto the hug for another moment longer before turning and guiding him towards the stairs] Come on. Let's get you inside.

Fiona: [starts to follow before glancing back to where Bob is sniffing after a squirrel] Is he going to be okay to be in the house?

Talia: [glances to the dog and nods] Just try to keep him on the first floor if you can.

Fiona: [nods before giving a shrill whistle] Bobby! C'mon. [the dog turns at the sound and starts bounding across the land to her side]

Derek: [lets his mom guide him, but once he hits the steps, he doesn't seem like he needs as much guidance. But he doesn't take the shades off when they get inside, instead feeling along the surfaces with his free hand] How's Dad?

Talia: [she nods, letting him find his way around] Doing better. They got all of the cancer, and it's mostly getting through the chemo at this point. Some days are better than others.

Derek: He'll bounce back. It didn't get the first time, and he's too stubborn to let it get him now. [he smiled, his fingers stopping at a chair that was out of place from where he was used to it being]

Talia: [reaches for his elbow gently to guide him safely around it, letting him feel his way as he goes]

Derek: Mom, I got it. [he didn't want to come off completely helpless, but he was more complaining for his ego than not wanting the help]

Talia: [she holds up her hands taking a step back and taking her instinctive urge to mom with her] Alright.

Derek: [and he's going to sigh and turn in the direction he knew she was in] I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that.

Talia: [she sighs softly, placing a hand on his shoulder] It's alright. I just know we've moved a few things around since you were here last.

Derek: Marcus said it's only going to be for a few days. Week at most. I doubt I'll bump into too many things here.

Talia: [amused] Just be careful not to stub your toe.

Derek: So wear some steel toe boots around the house for a week. Got it. [smirks from behind his glasses]

Talia: [smiles] Are you hungry? I can fix you something to eat.

Derek: Yeah, haven't eaten since Peter cooked up some pasta thing on the jet.

Peter: [coming down the stairs from delivering the last bag] And you ate two servings of it, so don't act like it was a hardship. [goes to hug Talia, smiling]

Talia: [returns the hug gratefully, dropping her voice low, but not as low as she would normally have to] Thank you for bringing him home.

Peter: He made the choice himself. But you're welcome. [he kisses her cheek, smiling a lot easier than he had been for a while now] Want me to stay, or should I head home and inspect the damage left behind in my daughter's wake?

Talia: [laughs] She was here most nights, so I'm not sure you'll find much. But go. I'll be fine.

Peter: Come over later if you need a break from babysitting the two men of your life who can't take care of themselves on a regular basis.

Talia: [she nods] If I do, I'll give you a heads up to break out the wine.

Peter: [snaps his fingers] I knew I forgot to get something on my trip. I was going to bring back wine for you from this winery tour we were taking. Maybe next time.

Talia: [she nods] Next time. Go home. I'm sure you want to sleep in your own bed.

Peter: That I do. I haven't really slept since I got the call from Victor, who sends his apologies. [he looks at where Derek is in the living room, feeling his way around to learn the space] but we can talk about that later.

Talia: [nods] Once he's settled, I'll come by. [because they do need to talk about that]

Peter: [he kissed her forehead] Come have dinner with me then, and let the kids take care of themselves and Thomas for the evening.

Talia: Sounds good.

Peter: See you then. [and he goes to say goodbye to Derek, then heads out to leave the family to do family things.]

Derek: [settles into the couch, sighing as he relaxes]

Talia: [walks Peter to the door as Fiona settles next to Derek, slipping her arm in his, before turning back to her son, taking a few steps closer before she speaks] What would you like to eat?

Derek: [his head turns in the direction of the sound] I'm not picky. Though if you think anything with carrots will help with the eyesight coming back, I'm game. [smirks]

Talia: [she laughs softly, before turning and heading towards the kitchen] I'll see what I can drum up.

Fiona: [leans in to rest her head against his shoulder as Talia heads towards the kitchen] How does home feel?

Derek: [snuggles in closer to be able to get her scent] Good. It feels real good. But I miss the townhouse.

Fiona: I know. But it's not for good. It's just for right now. We don't have to make that decision for a while.

Derek: I know. I just.... [he sighs] I miss Nik. I'm used to having him around.

Fiona: He'll be here in a week or so, happy to kick your ass to your heart's content.

Derek: [snorts] I'm sure he'll be happy to have my sisters sit and watch the show too.

Fiona: [she laughs] I wouldn't be surprised at any rate.

Derek: I guess I just never realized that I never wanted a brother until I met him.

Fiona: [she nods a bit, before leaning in to kiss his cheek] You can always call him.

Derek: [turns his head to find her lips and kiss her] Maybe I will. Later.

Fiona: [she helps him find the rest of the way to her, kissing him softly as she does] I think he'd like that.

Derek: [presses his forehead to hers] I guess it's a good sign for long term that I actually miss your family.

Fiona: [she nods a bit with a small smile] I think so too.

Derek: [drops his voice a bit, hoping his mother doesn't overhear] You know, I still mean what I said before all this. About us.

Fiona: [there's a moment where she's glad he can't really see her face because there's guilt there, sitting in the corners of her eyes. He said they were okay and she believes him, but she's not sure she's okay. But that doesn't mean she doesn't want the same thing, she's just feels a little uneasy about it right now] I know.

Derek: I just know it's been a long couple of days. But I haven't changed my mind. [he ran a hand along her cheek]

Fiona: You still have to wait until after the wedding.

Derek: I can wait. I'm a very patient person. [mostly]

Fiona: Mmm-hmmm. I have some experience that says otherwise.

Derek: Well that's a different strain of patience. And you cheat.

Fiona: [there's a mock gasp] I do not cheat.

Derek: You so cheat. You cheat all the time.

Fiona: I am hurt that you imply that I would cheat. [she totally cheats]

Derek: You're even cheating right now. [he laughs]

Fiona: How am I cheating right now?

Derek: That teasing in your voice, trying to imply you're innocent.

Fiona: I think that's your hearing still being screwy.

Derek: Uh huh. Sure. That's thing cheaters say. [teasing grin as he kisses her jaw]

Fiona: [she closes her eyes at the touch before shoving at him] Your mom.

Derek: [sighs, but leans back after whispering in her ear] Later then. [and he is a picture of innocence]

Fiona: [she grins a bit at that as Talia comes back into the room, pretending to not have heard that]

Talia: Here you go. [it's his favorite meal. She may have been prepared]

Derek: [he takes from the shift in her position, his mom is back and he moves to sit up. When the plate is close enough for him to smell, he smiled and tilted his head] I love you, Mom. [he reached up to take off the shades finally, his eyes closed still but he didn't want them falling off when he leaned over]

Talia: [leans forward and presses a kiss to his forehead] Enjoy.

Derek: [and he's going to lean close and get his eyes to at least be able to see the plate and take in the smells as he worked on eating his food. After that, he's probably going to lay back and rest]

Cora: [and while he's resting the door to the house will fly open and there's the pound of footsteps as his sisters arrive at the house. Laura stays quiet and keeps her distance, but Cora's just going to make her way over and throw her arms around his shoulders. Granted, she moves a lot slower than she normally would but still. Lapful of sister.]

Derek: [and he wakes up with an "oof" and a jump because sudden sister was sudden.] Hey pup. Was wondering where you were.

Cora: School. [she burrows her face in his shoulder, taking a deep breath, glad that he's here and you know alive.] Mom wouldn't let me skip.

Derek: School's important. [he held her close, taking in her scent too. He had no idea Laura was there] Makes you feel better, I'm here until January. I got a medical excuse to skip school.

Cora: Mmmmm. I'm glad you're okay.

Derek: Me too. I'm sorry I worried you.

Cora: [she nods as she shifts back to tuck into his side]

Laura: [had a silent conversation with Fiona to find out juuuuuuuust where the edge of his field of vision is and hangs out there. She just smirks and waits and staaaaaaaaaares to see if he can figure it out. Because she's evil.]

Derek: [well, he's just going to snuggle with his little sister and lavish all his attention on her since you're being a meanie, Laura] So what have I missed?

Cora: [smirk a bit as she watches her sister] Not much. Business as usual.

Derek: You and Stiles still doing good?

Cora: [she nods a bit] Yeah. We're really good.

Derek: That's good. I'm glad he's making you happy.

Cora: He is. Really happy.

Derek: [he kisses Cora's forehead] Good. So, you talk to your sister at all? Is she coming over anytime soon?

Cora: [she smirks a bit, doing her best not to laugh as Laura is still ... staring at him] Yeah, I'm pretty sure she'll be here.

Derek: Good. I really missed you both. [nope, completely clueless. Anyone with a crossbow would have an easy time taking Derek out]

Cora: We missed you too. It's been a long couple months. [trying SO HARD not to laugh at how useless he is right now]

Derek: Yeah, I know. But it was nice there. If I go back in the spring, you should come and see the school. It's really nice.

Cora: [she nods a bit] Yeah, sure. Sounds like fun. I think I'm gonna go to CalState though.

Derek: [his eyebrows go up] Really? To do what? [totally interested]

Cora: [glances up at him a bit before smirking] Robotics.

Derek: Huh. That's actually kinda awesome. It sounds fun.

Cora: Yeah. Me and mom went a couple weeks ago and the campus is really cool. But I have to get in first. I applied there and Berkeley and Stanford to be sure, but I'm really hoping I get into CalState.

Derek: You're a good student, Cora. I'm sure you'll get in. [he hugged her] I'm so happy for you finding something you're interested in studying.

Cora: [she grins a bit at that before nodding] Yeah, me too.

Derek: So had Laura been dragging you around with wedding stuff yet? [because she's not here and they can talk shit about her, right?]

Cora: [trying really hard not to laugh again] There hasn't really needed to be a whole lot of dragging. But I'm sure she'll tell you all about it when she gets here.

Derek: I'm sure. But what do you think, as the day gets closer - she going to turn into a bridezilla?

Cora: [her eyes flicker to Laura and she's straightening, crossing her arms in front of her chest and now the glaring is intensifying] I think she's gonna be fine. I mean, there arent' going to be a whole lot of moving parts.

Derek: [not so much fun now, huh Laura?] Yeah, but you know how she gets in wanting to make sure everything is perfect sometimes.

Cora: She's not that bad. [please stop talking Derek, she might kill you.]

Derek: [and Cora saying that is a clue and he opens his eyes to let the cloudy hazel eyes try and focus on her face a moment, then he snorts] She's standing behind me, isn't she?

Cora: [gives him a sympathetic smile] In front of you, actually.

Laura: Bridezilla? Really?

Derek: And you didn't warn me? [he can barely hear you, Laura, but he looks up in your general direction] Speak up, I can't hear you berating me.

Laura: [glares at him for a moment before reaching over and smacking him upside the head]

Cora: [an innocent shrug] I don't know, it was kind of entertaining.

Derek: [and he jumps at that] Ow! Fuck, Laura!

Laura: Shut up, you deserved it. [she says as she goes to perch on the arm of the couch next to him]

Derek: I deserve it? I'm the injured one here. You took advantage of my disability to spy on me. [he's the victim here, right?]

Laura: I wasn't spying on you. I was mocking you. There's a difference, and it's not my fault you couldn't figure it out.

Derek: Spying, mocking - you still took advantage of it. [pouting now, looking at Cora] And you, teaming up against me and not warning me.

Cora: You were gone a long time. We bonded. You knew this was a risk.

Derek: Yeah, but I don't like this whole double teaming thing against me thing.

Laura: [she gives a bit of a shrug as she gently rubs where she smacked him] Welcome to my world.

Derek: [leans into her hand] Your world sucks.

Laura: Oh, don't worry. You're back now. As soon as you're better it will go back to being my world again.

Derek: [he shifts a bit to lean his head against her leg while still holding Cora close] We'll see.

Cora: [curls into his shoulder and Fiona has retreated quietly to the kitchen with Talia to give them some sibling time]

Laura: [runs her fingers through his hair as she sits with him] It's good to have you back.

Derek: [takes in her scent and closes his eyes, just feeling them around him makes him feel better] I missed you both too. And it's good to be home.

Laura: Good. [there's a beat] And if Mom is too much, you can blindly stumble your way over to the house and you can see how little furniture we have. [it's said fondly, they're in the process of picking things. It's mostly just a bed and a couch and a kitchen table but it's home]

Derek: Oh good, less for me to trip over.

Laura: [she smirks a bit at that, keeping the touch of her hand nice and steady] Mmm-hmmm. Maybe you can help us pick some stuff.

Derek: Maybe. Though Peter was always better at that than I was.

Laura: Well, I don't want Peter's opinion. I want yours since it's more likely that you are going to be the one hiding there when you piss off your girlfriend.

Derek: So does that mean I get a "Derek is in the doghouse" room in your house?

Laura: That's the idea.

Derek: [smiles at that] Best sisters ever.

Laura: [she smiles a bit] See? Do you regret cursing my name now?

Derek: Only a little. Because I know you have just as much reason to do it back to me at a later time.

Laura: Mmm-hmmm. [she glances up as her mom comes back in]

Talia: He's recently fed, but you know how long that lasts. I'm going over to Peter's for dinner. Malia -

Cora: Is going out with Isaac. [or possibly staying in, she knows what she and Isaac did this weekend, but she's not going to tell her mom that]

Talia: - you don't have to worry about. There's plenty of food in the fridge, and one of you take something up to your dad a little later, alright?

Laura: [nods] Got it.

Derek: [snorts at the "recently been fed" comment in good humor] Have fun with Peter. He's had a stressful few days.

Talia: He isn't the only one. [she gives his hand a squeeze before turning and heading across the preserve to Peter's]

Peter: [is in the kitchen, nice and relaxed and working in the kitchen to cook dinner. Music is flowing out of the living room, and there is already wine decanted on the table ready for them]

Talia: [lets herself in the back door by the kitchen and flashes him a small smile] You're in a good mood, all things considered.

Peter: [smiles over at her] It's amazing what a long shower and a few hours sleep will do. [plus other things that he may or may not bring up, depending on the conversation] How are the kids?

Talia: Happily piled together on the couch. I doubt they'll be moving for a while.

Peter: Poor Fiona.

Talia: I think she'll live. He's still just as hung up on her as he was when he left, if not more.

Peter: He is. She's got some things to work through in her own head.

Talia: Things I should be worried about?

Peter: [goes to pour the wine while the food sautés a bit] She killed the hunter that took Derek.

Talia: [there's a part of her that wants to say "good" but she knows that isn't the point here] It's a hard thing to deal with.

Peter: As I'm well aware, and I told her such. Derek was there too, from what I gather, conscious. How much he remembers and how he remembers it is yet to be seen.

Talia: [she sighs softly] I'm sure they'll be fine. She got him through this with the nematon, I'm sure he'll get her through this.

Peter: There's nothing stronger than the love and faith of a mate in times like that. And she knows she can talk to us too.

Talia: Good. As far as he's concerned they're ... very happy. [as indicated by the display on her couch]

Peter: He reminds me of me when Virginia and I were in those months before I asked her to marry me. [it's a sad smile, but the heart-wrenching pain that came was absent for probably the first time... ever. The sting was there, but not the pain.] You should be happy to have kids who are respectful of the house when it comes to their adult relationships.

Talia: I don't think you have anything to worry about with yours. She might be sneaking in her window more often but she'll respect the house.

Peter: Oh, I know she will. And even if she does... [he took a sip of the wine as he handed her the other glass] I know she's going to be responsible. [pause] We had the talk before I left on the trip.

Talia: And it didn't end in "If any boy touches you I'll rip off their arms and ground you until you're fifty." [she's teasing. Probably. Mostly.]

Peter: [laughs] No, it didn't. Probably because it was Isaac and I trust Isaac to respect her.

Talia: He will. I think as far as first boyfriends go he was a very good choice.

Peter: He was. It's a shame how the boy came into our lives, but I think us finding him gave him a better life than he would have gotten anywhere else.

Talia: I agree. He's turned into quite the young man.

Peter: [he turns back to the food, stirring it a bit] Everything else going well while I was gone?

Talia: Mmmm-hmmm. Did you enjoy yourself for a little while, at least?

Peter: I did, actually. We got through her list of business and wedding things to work out, and then had some great meals and museum tours.

Talia: Good, I'm glad. You deserve a break every once in a while.

Peter: You were right. And I think I'm going to take them more often.

Talia: Good. [there's a pause as she rubs his shoulder for a moment before looking over the food] So what did you think of Victor Kirsanov?

Peter: [he licked his lips] I think he's an honorable man who takes his promises very seriously.

Talia: Always a good thing to look for in an ally.

Peter: [he scoops the food onto two plates, nodding for her to head to the table] Your son has imprinted on the pack. I think from the amount of time he spent with Nadia and Nik, he's come to trust them almost like family.

Talia: I've met Nadia, but what do you think of Nik?

Peter: Very protective, strong. He's basically Victor's muscle for his business, and all things considered, he did an amazing job teaching Derek.

Talia: So good allies all around. I suppose we'll have to see now things go at the wedding.

Peter: [nods] So, I do have to tell you the full story still. Would you rather me do it now, or after we eat?

Talia: Now is fine. How much am I not going to like it?

Peter: [deep breath] Basically, the pack had one more member. Greg. Who also happened to be Fiona's ex-boyfriend. [he took a bite of the food, letting that piece sink in] What did you know of Fiona's reasoning for being in California?

Talia: [she sighs softly] I asked, she said she was looking for a change. I didn't really push. I assume it has something to do with him?

Peter: I don't know the full details, but it was enough to Greg was not allowed to be around her unsupervised. From what I gather, the timeline goes that he accompanied Victor to DC for work, stayed under the same roof, during a sparring session Greg joined and in it Derek's eyes flashed. And Greg had an opportunity to take the new boyfriend out of the picture and with no one knowing, hired a hunter who wasn't in popular circles to take Derek out.

Talia: [yeah, she's not happy. but she doesn't think that they would have let Peter bring Derek home if things weren’t settled.] Fiona killed the hunter. What happened to the wolf?

Peter: Victor had to deal with the local hunters, and he withdrew his protection from Greg and gave them leave to take him out. [he sipped his wine] Which that alone I think says more about Victor's dedication to Derek and his safety than anything else.

Talia: It does. At least it's done.

Peter: It is. There's still a concern on if the hunters may still want more answers that they don't want to get from Victor, or if this hunter told others of his plans and Derek's eyes.

Talia: Which will impact whether or not Derek goes back, I assume.

Peter: Two months away may help ease that for his benefit. He... he actually had a hard time leaving.

Talia: [she nods as she looks down at her food] He made a home there.

Peter: He did. I don't think he was expecting to, but when you see him around them, you can see that they've all bonded. [he reaches over to rub her knee] But he came home because he missed his family. It's just going to be something he will learn to adapt to because it's Fiona's family and as long as they are together, he will need to be bicoastal.

Talia: [she nods] And I think he intends to be with her for a long time.

Peter: Good. They are good for each other

Talia: They are. Hopefully it stays that way.

Peter: [he licks his lips, debating on telling his sister about Nadia, then decided it was better she knew] And Derek isn't the only one who has made some attachments with the Krisanov family.

Talia: [ahhhhhh she was wondering about that. She smirks a bit as she leans back with her wine] I take it things with Nadia are going very well.

Peter: [he sees that smirk and it has him blushing a bit as he distracts himself with his food] We are going to take it slow. I'm not ready to jump into another relationship head-first. But she understands. [and he takes his bite] And she knows. About my problem.

Talia: Did she have any suggestions?

Peter: No, not really. But she was trying to help me calm down in a plane a few thousand feet in the air so it was mostly being calming and supportive.

Talia: I'm glad she could help.

Peter: Me too. I'd rather not get thrown out of a plane. [smirks]

Talia: [she chuckles softly] As would I.

Peter: As far as I know, I don't think I can shift into a bird at will.

Talia: Best not to risk it.

Peter: [there is a moment] I want to learn how to do it, Talia. To shift into that form, like you do.

Talia: [her eyebrows rise slightly] You want to stay a coyote?

Peter: I actually had a breakthrough on that. Give me a moment. [he goes towards the library, and returns a moment later with a book he had picked up recently in his research] Cora described to me what I looked like in that form, and I think I've finally identified the right species. [he opens the page to show her the Red Wolf page] Was this what I looked like?

Talia: [she leans forward to look at it before nodding]

Peter: It's a hybrid. [there's a smile] Part wolf, part coyote. People often mistake it for one or the other but it's a bit of both.

Talia: Ah. [she leans back and drums her fingers against the table] I can't promise it'll be easy.

Peter: When has anything ever been easy for me? [smirks] But I shouldn't have been able to shift into this if it wasn't something in my genetic code to do that. And while Laura’s friend can try and figure out the reason behind why I turned into this and not a normal wolf, the fact I have the capability to do it is different. And for all the confusion and fear I remember feeling while I was trapped... I remember the freedom too. And I want to feel that again.

Talia: [she nods] Let me talk to Deaton as well. I want to make sure this isn't going to hurt you. [because it is a little unprecedented, as far as she knows]

Peter: I understand. I also still need to tell Malia about all of this.

Talia: [she nods] Of course.