potus } { of surprise fathers and social pressures

[impetere]

Sheriff: [after all the hullabaloo has died down from the press on his doorstep, Noah finally makes his way out to the East Coast to get all the details out of his son about this girlfriend. To avoid making it too much of a spectacle, he's not announcing his trip, and just gets a hotel near the airport and takes the subway in to the city and walks around the college campus]

Cora: [and she's walking to her next class, bodyguard in tow behind her]

Sheriff: [and he will see her pass by, and will obviously watch her. But he knows better than to approach someone with a security detail]

Cora: [and she's just chatting with Boyd as they go]

Stiles: [and he's going to jog down the steps of his building and will see Cora and smile, then look past her and his eyes will widen.] Dad?

Sheriff: [will smile and wave at his son]

Cora: [frowns when she glances back over her shoulder] Dad?

Stiles: [sorry, Cora, he's going to run right past you and envelope his father in a huge Stilinski Hug(tm)]

Cora: [that's fine, she'll just stand here and be confused for a second]

Stiles: [and there is a lot of quick what are you doing here and such, and then Stiles is bringing his father over to meet Cora] Dad, this is Cora Hale, my girlfriend. Cora, this is my Dad who didn't tell me he was coming to visit.

Cora: Oh! [and there's a smile] It's nice to meet you.

Sheriff: Nice to finally meet you too, Cora.

Cora: How long are you going to be in town?

Sheriff: Just for the weekend. I was waiting for the hype to die down before coming out to check on my son.

Cora: [a little sheepish] Sorry about that.

Sheriff: That's not something you can help. Though I'm surprised you let this grunt near you in the first place. [nudges his son a bit]

Cora: I have my reasons. [smirks] Maybe we can have dinner while you're here? Ordering to my place would probably be quieter and easier on short notice, but we can probably figure something out otherwise.

Stiles: Well, I don't know how long --

Sheriff: I'd love to do that.

Stiles: I have a bad feeling about this...

Cora: Great! Saturday night work okay? I have a thing with my mom on Friday, so that'll give you guys time to catch up without me.

Sheriff: That would be perfect. I leave Sunday evening so whenever you kids eat dinner will be fine.

Cora: Do you have a food preference?

Sheriff: Preferably meat. You're not a vegetarian, right? I know that's something all the kids are dabbling with these days.

Cora: Definitely not a vegetarian. Meat is definitely something we can work with.

Stiles: Just lean meats. He has a bad heart.

Sheriff: I do not have a bad heart.

Stiles: Mom always made sure you took care of it.

Sheriff: And I do take care of it. That doesn't mean I can't have a burger or steak occasionally.

Cora: I'm sure we'll be able to figure out something. [she glances at her watch] Anyway, I have to get to class, but it was very nice meeting you. I'll check my schedule and let Stiles know a time for Saturday.

Sheriff: I'll be looking forward to it. Do I need to have him send you anything for your guys to run a security check or something?

Boyd: It was already run when we vetted your son. I'll have to double check the file but it should be fine.

Sheriff: Good. I wouldn't expect anything less. [so much respect for your job, Boyd]

Boyd: [small smile and a nod]

Cora: I'll see you Saturday. [and off she will go to do some teaching]

Sheriff: [and he will cup Stiles behind the back of his head and they will go off to bond]

Cora: [and we'll jump to Saturday where Cora will order in from her favorite very expensive place in DC]

Stiles: [and he will wave to Boyd and he and his dad arrive at the apartment and are let in] Cora, we're here.

Cora: In the dining room!

Sheriff: [and Stiles will lead while Noah takes in everything in the place] This is a beautiful place you have here.

Cora: Thanks. It's a little big for just me, but they needed to make sure it would be easy to secure.

Stiles: It's a lot bigger than my place.

Sheriff: Next time I come to visit, maybe I should ask to stay here instead.

Stiles: Or I could stay here and you stay at my place. [looks at his father's look] Or not.

Cora: We have plenty of guest rooms. You'd be more than welcome, we'd just need a little advanced notice.

Stiles: Yeah, advanced notice would be really great. [since he had been planning a weekend of sex with his girlfriend. Not that he doesn't love you, dad.]

Sheriff: I'll make sure you know in advance.

Cora: [and she'll gesture to the table] Have a seat. I wasn't sure what you favored beyond "meat," so I grabbed a few dishes I really loved and figured we could share.

Sheriff: You ordered in?

Stiles: It's DC, dad. No one cooks.

Cora: I cook but it's really nothing special. I wanted to make a good impression.

Sheriff: You put up with my son. I think that earns you sainthood.

Stiles: Ha. ha.

Cora: He's not so bad. Or maybe he's just an acquired taste.

Stiles: [wants to make a comment about his taste SO BADLY]

Sheriff: He just grows on you after awhile.

Cora: Anyway, sit! Eat! Are you a wine or a beer person?

Sheriff: Beer, please.

Cora: Okay. We have fancy beer that a friend of mine drinks, and then we have the regular stuff that my brother drinks. I am not a beer person, so I'm not actually sure if one is really better than the other.

Stiles: Just the regular stuff. That fancy stuff doesn't taste good.

Cora: Yeah, that sounds like Elijah. Beer, Stiles?

Stiles: Sure. Can I help you with anything?

Cora: No, I'm good. You guys just settle. [she doesn't have guests often but she's watched her mom do it so many times she's a pro. She pulls out two of Derek's beers, and places them on the table before going to pour herself a glass of wine]

Sheriff: [and when she is back at the table] So, Cora, I've been interested in learning about you. All I hear has been from the rose-tinted glasses of my son.

Cora: Well, ask away. What do you want to know?

Sheriff: Everything, honestly. Why don't you start about where you grew up before your mom became president?

Cora: California, but I don't really remember much of it. I mean, I spent most of my childhood in Sacramento when she was governor, and then high school was boarding school while she was prepping and campaigning for her first run, so DC's the first home that's really been mine.

Sheriff: I was wondering, because I know that most of the land that made up Beacon Hills was owned by the Hale family. Do you know if there was any relation?

Cora: You would have to ask my Uncle Peter. He's the family historian.

Sheriff: Well, we can save my meeting your family for another trip.

Cora: Yeah, that would take a lot more than just advanced notice.

Sheriff: I'm sure.

Stiles: That or a paparazzi fiasco.

Cora: And let's not do that again.

Stiles: I'm down for this plan.

Sheriff: Same here. It was a bit crazy, even in my small town.

Cora: I'm really sorry about that. That was unacceptable, you had nothing to do with any of that.

Sheriff: No, but they wanted all the juicy details about Stiles. And then once they were gone, the town wanted all the details on you.

Cora: [grimaces] I'm sure they did.

Sheriff: Of course, I didn't tell them anything since i didn't know anything myself.

Cora: Not that I thought you would tell them if you did.

Sheriff: Of course not.

Cora: I'm hoping that once my mother's not the president anymore, they will be far less of an issue.

Stiles: Same here.

Cora: I just have to not cause a massive scandal before then.

Sheriff: [looks at Stiles]

Stiles: What?

Cora: ... Stiles is not who I'm worried about.

Stiles & Sheriff: Who are you worried about?

Cora: ... The assholes who I have to forcibly mingle with on a regular basis?

Stiles: The people at school aren't that bad.

Cora: Not school. Politicians.

Sheriff: Ah yes. Every few years I have to deal with them, especially when it comes time to be reelected myself.

Cora: [she nods] Their children are not much better.

Sheriff: I don't know, you seem to have turned out pretty well.

Cora: [she gives a small shrug because she doesn't really want to get into how many handsy senators' sons she's had to push off her. or have met the wrong end of Klaus' fist for not leaving her alone]

Sheriff: Are your siblings as well behaved as you? I mean, I know a bit about your brother Derek.

Cora: Derek's spent most of his time overseas but he's marrying Gerard Argent's granddaughter, and my sister Laura .... is a psychologist in New York.

Stiles: He knows about Derek being my commanding officer over in the Middle East.

Cora: Oh, then you've probably heard most of the good stuff.

Sheriff: I've heard about how he yells a lot and enjoyed making Stiles clean latrines.

Stiles: [totally interested in his plate]

Cora: Yeah, that sounds like him. Don't get me wrong, I love my brother, but he can really be a dick when he wants to be.

Sheriff: [laughs] I'm sure Stiles earned most of it.

Stiles: I'm sitting right here.

Cora: Still, I think they've worked most of it out now?

Stiles: Oh yeah. I mean, he was just doing his job. And he's not trying to stop us dating, so I have no beef with him.

Cora: Yeah. So it's all good.

Sheriff: That's good. I think I read in the paper that he's getting married?

Cora: Yep. To Allison Argent. They're stupidly happy.

Stiles: Like you look at them and get cavities happy.

Sheriff: Well, that's good. Everyone deserves that kind of happiness.

Cora: Agreed. But this is going to be a circus of a wedding.

Sheriff: I take it they don't want to wait until your mother finishes her term.

Cora: And run the risk of Allison actually talking him into eloping? Not a chance.

Sheriff: Well, God bless them. At least they will know if they can survive this, nothing else they will have to deal with in their marriage will compare.

Cora: [she nods] And fortunately my mom is pretty supportive in giving them what they want. Peter, less so but he's thinking about it more from a political standpoint than a personal one.

Sheriff: I'm sure that's not helping the urge to elope.

Cora: Nope. Fortunately Mom is on his side, so she's basically giving them whatever he wants. According to her, Peter's never been married, so he doesn't understand how it sticks with you.

Sheriff: That's good. I'm sure they will be fine.

Cora: If they can survive Allison's grandfather, they can survive anything.

Sheriff: I take it he objects to the marriage?

Cora: He objects to Derek in general.

Sheriff: Any reason?

Cora: He's my mother's son?

Sheriff: He's making their relationship political?

Cora: Everyone's making their relationship political if given the opportunity.

Stiles: Yeah. At least you won't have to worry about that with me.

Cora: Part of the reason why I like you.

Stiles: One of the many benefits I bring to the table.

Sheriff: [chuckles and eats a bit]

Cora: [smiles at him] Anyway, I think that's enough about my brother for one evening.

Sheriff: So I've heard a bit about your relationship from Stiles. I guess I'm curious how you two are handling the attention now?

Cora: Mostly the same way we were before. The news cycle is what it is, but as long as we don't make too much of a splash they'll leave us alone.

Sheriff: Well, I will hope for the best. [looking at his son because he knows him]

Cora: [brow furrows curiously]

Stiles: Dad, I'm on my best behavior. I promise. I haven't been screwing around like I used to in high school.

Sheriff: I know. I joke to Melissa that the military straightened you out, but I do worry about you falling into bad habits again.

Cora: Us getting caught before wasn't Stiles' fault. It was just ... bad luck.

Sheriff: Oh, that I believe. However, my son had a habit of bringing trouble down on him when he was in high school.

Cora: Don't most teenagers that don't have a secret service detail?

Sheriff: [looks at Stiles] Did you tell her yet about how you and Scott would try to sneak along on my cases to find dead bodies?

Stiles: Dad, come on... [starting to blush]

Cora: [her head tips to the side] Seriously?

Stiles: [sighs] Yeah. We were bored and it was fun.

Sheriff: Until you tripped and fell onto the body, contaminating the crime scene and screaming your head off.

Cora: [cringes] Actually, I'm kind of jealous. Not over finding the body, obviously, but ... having the freedom to even make those choices. When I was in high school, my mother was gearing up for a presidential run.

Stiles: I was playing lacrosse. Well, more sitting on the bench watching the team play lacrosse.

Sheriff: And spending every other week in detention at least once.

Stiles: Hey, it wasn't my fault the chem teacher hated me because he had a beef with you, if you forgot.

Cora: [her eyebrows go up at that as she glances to the sheriff]

Sheriff: He was a suspect in an arson. He didn't appreciate it.

Cora: Ah. For me, I was the only kid still at home, so I had to kind of be the perfect example. [a lot of it wasn't fair in the way - Derek was already a shadow of an example without even trying, just based on being overseas, and Laura was far enough out of mind and old enough that her antics weren't of any interest]

Sheriff: You'd think that the son of the elected sheriff would have that same mentality. [all his teasing is said with love.]

Cora: [she shrugs] People take to it different ways.

Stiles: And you can't deny that I didn't help you some of the time by making you look at cases from a different angle.

Cora: Did he?

Sheriff: Yes. He actually is really good at putting together a murder board.

Stiles: See, I helped. So stop bringing up the whole tripped over a corpse story.

Cora: Seems like you're heading in the right direction with the FBI then.

Stiles: Thanks.

Cora: [and they'll keep chatting and eventually Stiles and the sheriff will be getting ready to head home?]

Sheriff: [well, he's staying at the airport hotel so Stiles will see him off to the metro, and then will text Cora] You asleep yet?

Cora: [smirks and texts him back] No, not yet.

Stiles: I just sent my dad back to his hotel on the metro, but I'm not tired yet. Want to go get some dessert?

Cora: Sure. Where'd you have in mind?

Stiles: The little Italian coffeehouse that's two blocks from your place.

Cora: Let me run it by Boyd.

Stiles: I'll just wait down here then. 😊

Cora: [and after some back and forth and pleading looks with her security:] I'll be there in fifteen minutes.

Stiles: Alright!

Cora: [and as promised, fifteen minutes later she appears]

Stiles: [and he will grin and take her hands, pulling her in for a kiss] Hi.

Cora: [smiles as she kisses him back] Hi.

Stiles: So everything my father said was a complete lie. [grinning though]

Cora: [she laughs] Why do I have a hard time believing that?

Stiles: [laughs as well]

Cora: It's okay. There was nothing in there that was too objectionable.

Stiles: Yeah, I'm sure he will save that for my kids.

Cora: [smirks] So are we going to have dessert or what?

Stiles: Yup. [and he will lead the way and they can have coffee and pastries and just chat and be cute]

Cora: [yep, up until a familiar blond asshole walks into the shop and Cora tenses, but that's the only outward sign of discomfort that she shows]

Stiles: [but he knows her well enough by now to see that and his eyes narrow a bit] What?

Cora: [shakes her head as her attention goes back to him] Nothing. It's fine.

Stiles: [he knows better, but he won't bring anything up. He will, however, reach across the table to put his hand on top of hers, giving her a small smile] Do you want to just get out of here then? I can walk you home.

Cora: [she doesn't say anything, just nods her head and starts to get to her feet]

Stiles: [and he will get to his feet as well, putting down money for the bill and tip and then taking her hand]

Cora: [and they almost make it to the door before ...]

Darrien: Cora! I thought that was you. [he's already being condescending, this is a great sign]

Cora: [she pinches her lips together, and turns to him with a small, practiced smile] Darrien. Nice to see you.

Stiles: [and he is going to slide up behind her] Hi. [and that's a very inquisative Marine look he's wearing. Something between wanting to know who you are and why he shouldn't kill him on sight]

Darrien: [does not seem threatened] Sorry, Darrien Laughlin.

Cora: Darrien is Senator Laughlin's son. Darrien, this is Stiles Stilinski.

Darrien: I noticed. Think I saw you on the news.

Stiles: Probably. That was a slow news day from what I have heard. [He reached around Cora to hold out his hand to the senator's son.] Nice to meet you. [ and he might just squeeze that hand a bit]

Darrien: Well, it's good to see that you're both still keeping up appearances. Cora's numbers are great right now.

Cora: Okay, we were just leaving, so it was nice seeing you. [and she's going to try steering Stiles out]

Stiles: Catch you another time. [and yup, he is willing to be led away]

Darrien: Oh, c'mon now ... [and his hand reaches out to grab Cora by the wrist and she snatches her hand away, probably a little faster than she should, and two seconds later, there's Boyd to get between them]

Boyd: Ma'am?

Cora: I'm fine. Let's just go. [and out the door she goes, onto the sidewalk]

Stiles: Alright, so who is that asshole?

Cora: Darrien Laughlin. Senator Laughlin's son. [and she just keeps walking because they probably shouldn't talk about this in the open]

Stiles: [nods, setting his lips together in that way where he will start inventing a backstory if she doesn't tell him more soon]

Cora: [well hopefully it's not a good backstory because once they open the door and get into the house, her shoulders crumple, she buries her face in her hands and tries to breathe slowly]

Stiles: [sighs and steps around her, pulling her into his arms] Shh, it's ok. We're safe here.

Cora: [sighs as she leans into him, taking her time, but eventually she looks up with sigh] So you remember that first night I asked to come over, and Freya asked you to let me stay the weekend?

Stiles: Yeah. You showed up in that red dress that hugged your body like it was skin.

Cora: Well, Darrien was at that party and he was very drunk, and he's literally been trying to get in my pants since I turned twenty-one, but I'm not interested because ... well, you've met him. Anyway, I stepped out to get some air, and he followed me without me realizing it, and ... [she shakes her head] Thankfully, Klaus was also following me and knocked him out cold before anything happened, but some photographer got the punch on film and it just turned into a complete circus and that's why I asked to come hide with you.

Stiles: [and his jaw is set, anger in his eyes. The Marine is showing, plotting how to take the guy out with his sniper rifle]

Cora: [and now she regrets opening her mouth] Stiles ...

Stiles: He is never going to touch you again, or I will rip his arm off and shove it where the sun doesn't shine.

Cora: Stiles.

Stiles: What, you expect me to brush this off, Cora? I want to throw Klaus a fricken parade.

Cora: I want you to be smart about this and not forget the fact that he's a senator's son and a powerful one! Klaus punching him is one thing, he's got the clout to make it go away, but it doesn't matter what he's done - if you make an enemy of him, he'll destroy you. No FBI. No any kind of real job. Possibly jail time. I've seen him do a lot worse to people for a lot less.

Stiles: I'm not stupid, Cora. I'm not going to hunt trouble that risks you or our relationship. Even if I want to. You're more important to me than that. But if he even tries to instigate or touch you again... I'm not playing nice.

Cora: Well, don’t worry. I don't let him get that close.

Stiles: Good.

Cora: [shakes her head as she steps away a little] I need a drink.

Stiles: Me too. Come on, I'll mix you something strong.

Cora: [nods and goes to sit on the couch near the liquor cabinet]

Stiles: [and he is going to make them two rum and cokes and goes to sit on the couch next to her]

Cora: [she takes a long sip of it, hesitant for a moment, before shifting to curl into him if he'll let her]

Stiles: [he will. He's angry at the Senator's asshat son, not her]

Cora: [and she relaxes soon after] Its just ... there are a lot of men I have to deal with who are like that. Not as forward, necessarily, but you have to learn how not to let the comments get to you.

Stiles: I don't think I'll ever truly understand this world you live in.

Cora: I don't like it either. But it's only a couple more years. [then she's free and never has to see any of them again. She can sell her house, move to Boston and never have to deal with politics ever again]

Stiles: Well, you have me now. I can stay at your side and rescue you from conversations.

Cora: Are you sure you really want to do that?

Stiles: If it means I get to play your knight in shining armor, rescuing you from evil political dragons? Of course.

Cora: You'll have to be careful. Not to piss them off or offend them.

Stiles: I'm sure between you and Derek, you guys can totally Princess Diaries me.

Cora: [she shrugs. she kind of likes having something she doesn't have to share] I'll think about it.

Stiles: Okay. I just want to be there for you. You know that, right?

Cora: I do. But ... [she takes a breath and shifts up so that she's facing him more] You're the one part of my life that's not an act. Everywhere else I go I have to be someone else and I like just ... having this. And it's kind of selfish, but I don't really want those things to mix.

Stiles: [he thinks a moment, then nods] Yeah, I get it. And it's not selfish. But Cora, eventually that is going to happen. Especially if we aim for a long term relationship. People will expect you to bring me, won't they?

Cora: Maybe if it's a more social occasion, where I'm being invited as me for one of my causes, but not if it's more focused on my mother.

Stiles: Okay.

Cora: [there's a beat] I also worry sometimes that you might not like the person I have to be.

Stiles: I worry about the same when I'm trying not to get angry.

Cora: I guess we'll have to see how that goes.

Stiles: I guess. [he finishes his drink] So I was thinking... You still have the clothes I left here last time you wanted to dry clean?

Cora: ... Yeah?

Stiles: Well, I could stay tonight and put that on in the morning. Then my Dad won't be any the wiser when I go to see him off tomorrow. And it is Columbus Day so there's no classes...

Cora: [smirks] You are always welcome to stay.

Stiles: Good. Because I think we both could use some comforting tonight. [smirks right back]

Cora: [smiles as she finishes her drink before leaning in to kiss him softly]

Stiles: [and he will kiss her back, leaning into the couch more so that she can shift on top of him]

Cora: [and she will follow him shifting so that she's straddling his lap]

Stiles: [and he will kiss her again, and then lean back] Hi.

Cora: Hi. I love you.

Stiles: I love you too.

Cora: Are we okay?

Stiles: We're good. Even better if we... you know. [smirks]

Cora: [she laughs, shaking her head before leaning in to kiss him again]

Stiles: [and eventually they will kiss their way to the bedroom and remove some clothing]

Cora: [lots of clothing, and sink in to bed to just lose themselves in each other for a little while]
AlisonSky10/08/2018
Stiles: [ and hopefully someone set an alarm so he can wake up in time to shower and meet his dad]

Cora: [she will do that, because she probably has to get up early to go do something. maybe meet Peter for breakfast]

Stiles: [yay then he won't be taking his dad to the airport looking like he just rolled out of bed]

Cora: [thank your girlfriend's active social life]

Stiles: [and he will kiss her goodbye, promising to grab his dirty clothes at a later time]

Cora: [smiles and once he's gone, she showers and gets ready to go to her meeting]

Peter: [and once all the people doing the Columbus Day celebrations are off on their errands, he will head down to the cafe they had planned to meet]

Cora: [and she'll be waiting at their table, mulling over the menu while she does]

Peter: [and he will stroll up and smile at seeing her, nodding his head to Boyd before leaning down to kiss his niece's cheek] You look beautiful, as always.

Cora: [glances up to him with a smile] Thanks. How're things for you?

Peter: Busy as always. Mid term elections are coming up and it's always stressful with people wanting your mother's attention.

Cora: I remember the last time. How's she doing with all of this?

Peter: Delicate and graceful as always. Plus your brother is accompanying her on a trip this weekend so she is probably talking about wedding things.

Cora: Her favorite. Honestly, Derek proposing to Allison had perfect timing because she could use the avenue to distract herself with.

Peter: That is true. I think, in some way, she's putting more into your brother's wedding because she had been hoping to have it with Laura. I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Cora: [she shrugs] I don't know if Laura knows what she wants right now.

Peter: She'll figure it out one day. Especially when she sees both her younger siblings happy in a committed relationship.

Cora: Maybe. But I don't think she'll ever go for a wedding.

Peter: You never know. People change. And speaking of weddings, how are you and Mr. Stilinski fairing?

Cora: [that's kind of the reason why. Laura is always about change and never restricting her ability to grow - she wouldn't willingly put herself in a relationship that she would have a hard time extricating herself from if she needed to. That doesn't necessarily rule out a long term partner, but likely not a marriage. but she will take the subject change to move on] Well. Aside from the fact that we ran into Darrien Laughlin last night and I had to explain ... all of that.

Peter: Oh really. And how did he handle that situation?

Cora: He was not happy about it, but he at least waited for me to explain until we were home, so we avoided Darrien getting punched in the face.

Peter: That's a shame, but it was good for him to hold his temper. He has real potential.

Cora: He's also volunteered to come with me to events to ... act as a buffer.

Peter: He has? How do you feel about that?

Cora: [she considers for a moment before shrugging, only pausing as the waitress comes over to take their order before she continues] I worry that being faced with it in the moment versus hearing about him after the fact he might not hold in his temper as well. And I also know that ... I'm not exactly me at those events and I don't know if he'd like that person.

Peter: And you'd prefer he stay that safe spot.

Cora: A little, yeah. And I told him that, but he also brought up the fact that if we keep going it will be a little weird if I didn't bring my serious boyfriend to events with me.

Peter: And not only that, but even when your mother is no longer president, you will have moments where you will have to play in this world. If you'd like, I could set up a lunch with you and Chelsea Clinton to discuss what to expect.

Cora: Maybe. [she's just worried that she'd lose him if he saw how much she isn't herself in these situations, especially since it's so much not being herself and saying how she really feels about things]

Peter: [reaches across to put his hand on top of hers] If he's truly in love with you, he will understand the facade side. Trust me.

Cora: I hope so. Because I really don't want to lose him for all of that.

Peter: If he left you over something like that, then he isn't worth your time.

Cora: It'd still suck, though.

Peter: I know.

Cora: [she shrugs] I don't honestly think he will. What I'm more worried about is him losing his temper and doing something he can't take back.

Peter: He has anger issues? [eyebrow up]

Cora: He threatened to rip Darrien's arm off and shove it where the sun don't shine.

Peter: [and he can't help it and he laughs out loud]

Cora: [yep, basically]

Peter: He sounds more like a Marine than someone to worry about having to worry about angry impulsiveness.

Cora: He was a Marine. But I've also been on the receiving end of Darrien far more than you have.

Peter: Yes, but if he is anything like his father, once is more than enough.

Cora: Klaus did knock him out for a reason.

Peter: I know, and I made sure he didn't face any repercussions on the passionate disagreement between two opposing viewpoints.

Cora: Mmmm. [because yeah. That's totally what it was about]

Peter: Come on, let's just enjoy breakfast between us, and leave the talk about relationships behind us. Unless we're poking fun at your brother.

Cora: Do you have any good wedding prep stories?

Peter: Beyond how I think trying to organize a seating plan is like a game of Risk?

Cora: Do you want help?

Peter: How good are you at Tetris?

Cora: I'm an engineer. I'm great at Tetris.

Peter: Alright. Come by my office sometime this week and you can see the battleground map.

Cora: You got it.

Peter: Wonderful.

Cora: [and they'll wander off into small talk and staying away from their own relationships for a while, but eventually it'll come back around to:] How are things going with Freya, by the way?

Peter: They are going. We tend to not have a lot of time together. [and when they do, they pretty much crash into each other]

Cora: Maybe you could arrange for a vacation or something?

Peter: It probably won't be until this summer when your mom takes her two weeks at Camp David.

Cora: Freya probably needs to work out her schedule, so you could start planning now.

Peter: We have talked about it.

Cora: So ... do it.

Peter: [raises an eyebrow] You're very interested in my personal life.

Cora: I'm interested in you being happy because Mom only has two years left in her second term, and I worry that once she's out of office, you may have a mental breakdown from having nothing to do. [that's both an exaggeration but not at the same time] And you've seemed ... relaxed, since you and Freya started doing whatever you were doing. Also, I'm worried that you'll turn yourself on Malia and scare her away if you don't have another leg to lean on.

Peter: Turn myself on Malia?

Cora: [she shrugs] I don't know. You're kind of terrifying when you don't know what to do with yourself. You're kind of like a shark, if you can't keep swimming, you may die.

Peter: [and his other eyebrow goes up] I'm not that bad.

Cora: When was the last time you took time off and did zero work?

Peter: The last time your mother did.

Cora: So when I was fifteen.

Peter: Sounds about right.

Cora: [she nods, before reaching forward and placing her hand on his this time] Look, this isn't to say I'm not grateful that Mom has had you. Or that I have had you. [and she means that. she's pretty sure if she hadn't had her uncle to protect her, things would have been a lot worse for her] But when her term is over, you get your life back. Maybe you should start thinking about what you want to be in it. [she certainly is]

Peter: I have. I'm thinking a small cabin in the woods on a lake. With no phones.

Cora: [she smirks] Fair enough.

Peter: What about you? What are your thoughts as you reach freedom and can be an adult in peace?

Cora: MIT.

Peter: Doctorate?

Cora: [she nods] Or just to teach. It'd be a good place to work out of, academically speaking.

Peter: You'll be a great teacher.

Cora: I really like the TA-ing I've been doing, so yeah. I think it's definitely where I want to go.

Peter: That's good. I'm glad you've got plans.

Cora: Yep. [she just hopes that if they're still together, Stiles is willing or able to work with those plans]

Peter: [and of course, that is when his phone will vibrate on the table, and he will sigh]

Cora: Back to work?

Peter: Seems as such. But it was good to do this. I miss having breakfast with you when you lived in the house.

Cora: Maybe we should make it a regular thing.

Peter: We should. I'll look at my calendar and find a time for next month.

Cora: Good. [and she is pleased]

Peter: [and he will pull out enough money to cover the bill and tip] You stay and finish. I will see you soon. [and as he kisses her cheek he will grab his phone]

Cora: [nods and off he goes, and she will finish up and head to class herself]