canon au } { post-1408: byzantium

[patrols]

Ben: [he drove into town just as the sun rose. He was right on schedule. He stopped at Linds' favorite bakery and got them breakfast and coffee before driving the rest of the way to the loft. He was going to be curious on how much it has changed since they moved in right before he had to go to help Sam and Mikey when Dean was possessed. He'll sneak into the loft and head for the bedroom, trying to be as silent as he could to surprise Linds with breakfast in bed]

Lindsay: [and with a fourteen she will stir slightly when she hears the door, lifting her head and looking towards the other room. And then quietly reaching for the knife under her pillow if the person entering doesn't identify themselves shortly]

Ben: [has no idea she's coiling. Come on, Linds, he's trying to be romantic. But he's going to enter the bedroom with no clue she might throw a knife at him]

Lindsay: [look, just be glad she has slayer night vision and when he does come in the bedroom, it's enough to make his familiar profile] You should know better than to try and sneak up a slayer.

Ben: I'm a risk taker. [and he will go to the bed and sit] I was trying to be romantic and bring breakfast in bed to you.

Lindsay: It still would have been romantic if you identified yourself as you did. [she rolls over and flashes him a smile] Hey. You're early.

Ben: I wanted to be the first thing you saw. [leans in to kiss her] Hi. I wanted to get some time with you before everyone else arrived.

Lindsay: I am not opposed. I've missed you.

Ben: I missed you too.

Lindsay: How're things going at the bunker?

Ben: It's been... interesting.

Lindsay: Fill me in while I eat this breakfast you claim to have brought.

Ben: Hey, I did buy it. [and he will pull out her favorite pastries from the bag]

Lindsay: Oooh. [and she will eagerly reach for one before inching over to give him some room]

Ben: [and he will shift more onto the bed, but his boots are on so he leaves them hanging off the bed] And here's your coffee.

Lindsay: Yummy. [she takes the coffee and settles close] So spill. What's all the hot bunker gossip?

Ben: It actually was a rough couple of days last week. Kinda the other reason I decided to leave early.

Lindsay: [frowns and looks concerned] What happened?

Ben: Jack got sick.

Lindsay: Is he okay?

Ben: Now, we think so. But he was dead for about a day.

Lindsay: Oh my God. [shifts to look at him more] Are you okay?

Ben: Not sure, honestly. I mean, I'm glad he's back, but it happened so fast. And he's just a kid...

Lindsay: Yeah. Something like that is hard on anyone.

Ben: After growing up the way I did, I thought I'd grown numb to it. [shakes his head] I guess I've been here too long.

Lindsay: Hey. That's not a bad thing. [she reaches over to give his hand a squeeze] Those are the kinds of things we should feel.

Ben: [smiles and squeezes back] I guess that means I'm a real boy again.

Lindsay: [she laughs] More or less.

Ben: Had to happen eventually.

Lindsay: Guess it did.

Ben: And you get to reap the rewards for it. [leans in to kiss her again]

Lindsay: [smirks as she kisses him back, setting her coffee aside as she gets comfortable]

Ben: [and he will put the pastries on his bedside table and figure out how to keep kissing her while keeping his feet off the bed]

Lindsay: [and they will do some good kissing before she pulls back] Take off your shoes.

Ben: Yes ma'am. [and he will sit up and untie his boots, pulling them off and dropping them to the floor. He's also going to quickly shrug out of his jacket and toss it across the room before going back to pay attention to her]

Lindsay: [yep, and they will definitely pull off other clothes and get busy because it's been at least weeks if not months and she's missed her boyfriend]

Ben: [oh, he's missed her too. Very much, and he will eagerly match her excitement in removing clothes and getting nice and close]

Lindsay: [plus early morning sex is always good sex. especially when there's pastries involved]

Ben: [just not morning sex with pastries. That'll ruin the bed sheets]

Lindsay: [no, and that will be less fun because that means less time for fun before she has to go to work]

Ben: [and after they are done] Call out.

Lindsay: [sighs] I don't know if I can.

Ben: I can call Jody and beg.

Lindsay: You are welcome to try but I already begged to get the weekend off because that's when I thought you were going to be here.

Ben: Well, I am going to be here for the weekend too. [yawns, because he did drive all night]

Lindsay: [smirks as she kisses his cheek] You nap, and by the time I get back from work, it'll be like I was never gone.

Ben: Mmm, then you can wake me up with dinner and dessert.

Lindsay: Sounds like a plan. [and she'll get up to shower and head out to be bored with her partner because it's not quite hit the holiday craze point yet]

Ben: [and he will at least move the pastries to the kitchen and finish his coffee before going to crash in bed.]

Lindsay: [and hours later she will return with a collection of pizza boxes. One of them may be a cookie pizza. he said bring dessert]

Ben: [he was thinking of her being dessert, but he will take both]

Lindsay: [win-win. And she will announcer herself as she enters] Honey, I'm home.

Ben: [mutters and covers his head with the pillow]

Lindsay: [she laughs as she makes her way in] Oh, come on. I was much happier to see you.

Ben: Imma sleepy.

Lindsay: Fine. Then I guess I'll just eat my cookie pizza all by myself.

Ben: [blinks and pulls his head out] Cookie pizza?

Lindsay: You told me to bring dessert.

Ben: You were supposed to be the dessert.

Lindsay: Then you can have two desserts.

Ben: [and he will just grin and that will get him out of bed]

Lindsay: [success! and she will grab beers and plates for the pizza and be settling on the couch, handing one off to him as he does] How'd you sleep?

Ben: Good. Probably best sleep I've had since spring.

Lindsay: Good. I prefer you well rested.

Ben: I've been better about getting my eight hours.

Lindsay: How often?

Ben: Up to five times a week. Usually don't make it when on hunts, but it's hunts so. [shrugs as he starts eating his slice]

Lindsay: That's good. Honestly better than I was expecting.

Ben: Well, with Dean back, he and Sam are out hunting again, so Mikey and I are running station command.

Lindsay: How's that been for you?

Ben: [shrugs, taking another bite] I'm glad Dean's back. We're talking more. But I'm starting to feel useless.

Lindsay: Useless as in they never let you do anything or useless in that there's nothing for you to do.

Ben: The second. [said around a mouthful of pizza]

Lindsay: So maybe it's time you stick around here for a bit.

Ben: I think I may. At least through the holidays.

Lindsay: Good. I'd love to have you here.

Ben: It'll also be good to start my lessons with Lydia up again so I can get that GED.

Lindsay: Good. I think she's going to be in town for a while too.

Ben: Mikey's been helping me with my reading, and Sam's helping with history. I think I'm getting close to being ready.

Lindsay: Then time to buckle down on that math.

Ben: Yup. I'm pretty sure I'll pass the physical tests for the sheriff's department.

Lindsay: I think hunting prepared you for that well enough.

Ben: It did. Too bad I'm not taller though. Pretty sure I'm going to be the shortest on the force.

Lindsay: It's how you use it that counts.

Ben: So size doesn't matter, huh? [smirks]

Lindsay: I would have thought that much was obvious.

Ben: Just checking.

Lindsay: Mmmm-hmmm.

Ben: Not that I'm small in all departments. [grins]

Lindsay: [laughs] Oh we're going there already.

Ben: Just stating facts.

Lindsay: Whatever you say.

Ben: [grins]

Lindsay: So when do your folks get in?

Ben: Dean gets in Wednesday.

Lindsay: Okay, so that's one room down. I know Olivia and Hal are flying in with Stiles and Cora Wednesday night, but I think they're crashing in a hotel. What about everybody else?

Ben: I think Sam, Bela, Mikey, Molly and her son also get in Wednesday.

Lindsay: Okay. So I'll make sure that there's clean sheets and everything in the rooms for when they get here.

Ben: I'll help, of course. I can help clean too while you're at work if you want.

Lindsay: That would be good. We should also probably make a grocery run because I have food, but I do not have Dean levels of food.

Ben: Lucky for you, Mary taught me how to grocery shop for a small army while on a budget.

Lindsay: She is a smart, savvy woman.

Ben: She is a kickass grandma.

Lindsay: She is. I'm glad you're getting to know her.

Ben: Me too. It feels like this piece of my life finally getting some healing.

Lindsay: Good. And I'm glad you and Dean are getting along better too.

Ben: We are. [thinks as he reaches for another slice] Though I actually started to feel jealous about Dean and Jack for awhile there. He and Sam finally admitted that Jack was their kid.

Lindsay: Well that's good for Jack, but I can see how it would be complicated for you.

Ben: Just my lot in life, I guess.

Lindsay: Have you talked to him about it?

Ben: Jack died and came back to life a few days ago. Didn't think it was the best time.

Lindsay: [nods] Well, speaking as someone who went through the oldest child jealousy phase, it passes.

Ben: I figured. I've never had a sibling before, since I felt Mikey and Liv were my kids.

Lindsay: As far as siblings go, Jack's not a bad one to have.

Ben: No, he's not. He's a real good kid.

Lindsay: So don't worry. And if it's still bothering you after the shock of everything Jack's been through passes, then talk to Dean like the adults you're supposed to be.

Ben: Yes ma'am.

Lindsay: Good. Any other interpersonal conflicts I can help with before they get here? [and before her family comes into the mix because once they get engaged ... that's going to happen probably]

Ben: No, not any that I can think of at the moment.

Lindsay: Okay. Then let's finish up with this pizza, and then we can get to dessert. [smirks as she leans in to kiss him]

Ben: [hums happily and kisses her back]

Lindsay: [and they will enjoy their various desserts and we can time skip?]

Ben: [yup]

Lindsay: [Winchesters arriving or shall we jump to the dinner as a whole?]

Ben: [dinner as a whole]

Buffy: [the hall is decked out with scattered round tables this year, the kind that encourage people to mingle. The big open space between tables features the buffet line, with the various foods for people to sample and choose from. Buffy and Jody have been there since very early so once all the food is out they will pick a table and try not to fall asleep at it, but they are all very happy to see everyone]

Derek: [and while he may not be much help, he knew Dawn would want to help her sister. So they arrived before the guests and he focused on keeping their daughter entertained]

Joy: Daddy is it time for turkey yet?

Derek: Almost. Do you want anything with your turkey?

Joy: Mashed 'tatoes. And pie.

Derek: [laughs] Well, the pie is for later. You need to have a vegetable though.

Joy: [her nose wrinkles] Do I have to?

Derek: Yes you do. But you can choose which one. There's peas, corn, carrots, and brussel sprouts.

Joy: [makes a big face as she looks them over] Not brussel sprouts.

Derek: Okay, no brussels.

Joy: I guess I'll have the carrots. If I have to.

Derek: Good girl. And if you eat them all, I'll make sure you get ice cream with your pie.

Joy: [ice cream too?!?!?!] Okay!

Derek: [kisses the top of her head] Go sit at the kid's table and I'll bring you your plate.

Joy: [darts off to go hang out with Amelia]

Dawn: [swings over and rests a hand on his shoulder] She doing okay?

Derek: Yeah. She's just ready to eat.

Dawn: [smirks] She clearly has the Hale appetite.

Derek: Yes. So I'm going to make her a plate of turkey, potatos, and carrots.

Dawn: Sounds good. Hear from Cora about when she and Stiles got in?

Derek: She texted me late last night when she got to the Sheriff's place.

Dawn: Good. So the Sheriff will herd them all in eventually.

Derek: Yeah. [stands and nuzzles her cheek] How you doing?

Dawn: Tired. I've hit the point where I've become the obedient robot Buffy wants me to be.

Derek: Do you want to tag out and watch Joy and I'll go be your sister's slave for awhile?

Dawn: I would very much appreciate it but are you sure you want to take the risk?

Derek: I've faced the alpha pack and Kate Argent. I think I can handle Thanksgiving Buffy by now.

Dawn: Then good luck and godspeed.

Derek: [he will kiss her quickly and head off to find Buffy and Jody]

Jody: [they are in the kitchen, and Jody is closer to the door, arranging things to be brought out while Buffy is going to town on another batch of mashed potatoes] Are you here to transport?

Derek: Yes. You've broken Dawn, so I'm covering for her.

Buffy: Wimp.

Jody: [sigh] She'll be better once we get all the food out. Here. [and Derek will get handed a dish of sweet potatoes] Melissa should be out there arranging so just pass them off to her and come back for the next thing.

Derek: Will do. [and hey, werewolf speed can get things done faster, right?]

Jody: [one can only hope. And thus, an efficient assembly line is born, until Derek comes back and Jody looks up with an actual smile] All that's left is the turkey.

Derek: Doesn't Buffy like to take that one out for the flourish?

Jody: Yep. So you're free, if you want to go grab a seat. Is everyone here?

Derek: Pretty much.

Jody: Great. Then let's go eat.

Derek: [and he will hold out his arm to escort her]

Jody: [and she will take it, and scan the room for her family as she goes. the Stilinski-Mills family probably claimed a table as their own somewhere, right?]

Stiles: [Oh yes, not far from the Hale-Summers table]

Jody: [and she will have Derek drop her off on the way, and she will make a beeline for Stiles for a hug since she likely didn't see him last night as she was sleeping] Hey, you. Have a good flight?

Stiles: [and he will hug her back] Yeah, it was just fine. Managed to even get some sleep.

Jody: Good. And everything in Boston is good?

Stiles: Same old same old.

Jody: Good. [and she will release him to take her seat next to the sheriff] And they didn't give you too much trouble getting here?

Alex: We're right here.

Claire: [snacking on appetizers] Literally five feet away.

Stiles: Oh, they were completely horrible. That's why I like them.

Claire: I thought we were very efficient.

Sheriff: Trust me, I know people who can be horrible and efficient. [looking at his son who just grins]

Jody: [shakes her head] Oh, I'm sure all three of them are quite skilled at multitasking that way.

Sheriff: Cora is probably the most innocent one of the bunch.

Alex: That's because she's the in-law. She wants to stay on your good side.

Cora: I've never denied that about me.

Stiles: If I haven't rubbed off on her yet, I'm not going to.

Jody: And we love and appreciate this about her. It means we have to worry less about wrangling one of you.

Stiles: I've been very well behaved, thank you.

Cora: You have, it's true.

Jody: Because you may not be rubbing off on your girlfriend, but your girlfriend is rubbing off on you.

Stiles: [is about to say something about Cora and rubbing but closes his mouth. See, good!]

Jody: [that's exactly what she means] So how long are you three going to be in town?

Claire: [shrugs] I might stick around for a bit. Dean mentioned something about possibly having a lead on Michael so I figured I'd be on call just in case.

Sheriff: I'm sure he'll appreciate it, since I heard Ben will be staying up here through the holidays.

Claire: [she nods] And I know Liv's got the new job in Boston.

Stiles: I don't remember the Winchesters being big fans of Christmas anyway.

Cora: Sam's coming to Boston to meet Hal's parents, though.

Alex: ... That's going to be interesting.

Stiles: I'm pretty sure Sam and Mr. Mason will dissolve into nerd talk five minutes after arriving.

Cora: So do I. And he's bringing Bela, not Dean.

Claire: Smart.

Stiles: Makes me wonder if Hal's planning something.

Claire: [squints] Like what?

Stiles: Well, most couples usually let the parents meet each other in romance movies when there's impending engagements.

Claire: Oh. [shrugs] Good for them?

Stiles: I think so.

Jody: What's Liv's new job?

Claire: [nods to Stiles] She's working with him at the FBI. Apparently his boss invited her.

Stiles: She's a consultant on all things supernatural.

Jody: Good for her.

Sheriff: She can fill in the gaps you don't know about.

Stiles: And I'm completely fine with it. I like having her work with me.

Jody: That's good. When it comes to Winchesters, they could always use a little bit of normal.

Sheriff: Ain't that the truth.

Jody: I think we're going to have Ben joining us on the force here soon too.

Stiles: Lydia told me she's been tutoring him. How are you guys going to get around the whole no real identity here part?

Jody: I've got friends in places.

Sheriff: I'm still going to believe it when I see his application. He won't able to drop everything and run to help Dean and Sam on a case when he has a real job.

Jody: He knows that. And he won't. But I don't think it's you necessarily he's making the commitment to.

Sheriff: Yeah, I know. [looks over at the Winchester table to see Ben and Linds talking with the others]

Jody: [follows his eyes and nods] It'll be good for him.

Sheriff: And to think, he was the one we were most worried about all those years ago when they appeared.

Jody: Oh, I'm still worried about him. But I worry about all of them.

Stiles: Well, they were your first adopted kids.

Jody: They were, it's true. The idjits that started it all.

Sheriff: And look where it got you. [wrapping his arm around her shoulder and leaning in to kiss her cheek]

Jody: [smiles] Well, I never said I was complaining.

Sheriff: Better not.

Jody: [smirks as she leans in to kiss him] Now, I don't know about you all, but I'm starving. [and as she says that, Buffy emerges with the bird, ready to carve]

Sheriff: [and there is thunderous applause because how freaken many people are attending this thing these days?!]

Jody: [so many. And with that the tables will start cycling through to grab their plates and fill up on the good stuff]

Derek: [with the parents getting plates for the kids first before they storm the table]

Joy: [and she will push up on her knees while she's waiting] Uncle Stiles, Aunt Cora, did Rocky come this year?

Cora: Not this year, sweetie. He's staying with our friend Etta.

Stiles: Yeah, kiddo. Rocky doesn't like flying so much.

Joy: [pouts] Oh. Okay. Will you tell him I miss him?

Stiles: Of course!

Joy: Okay. [she seems satisfied with that, for now] Maybe you could drive next year, so Rocky doesn't have to fly?

Stiles: We'll think about it. And maybe you can convince your mommy and daddy to come visit us.

Joy: [immediately looks at her father as he comes back with a plate] Can we?

Derek: Can we what? [he heard and is looking at his sister with a how do I answer this look]

Joy: Go visit Rocky. [Cora shrugs behind Joy's back because she doesn't mind if you come out to visit her]

Derek: We could. Maybe next summer when school is on break and mommy isn't busy all the time.

Joy: Okay! [totally excited now. yay adventure!]

Derek: [and she will probably forget about it by Christmas] Here's your plate. Turkey, potatoes, and carrots as requested.

Joy: [making a face because he's making her eat the carrots, but she will go right for the mashed potatoes]

Cora: [smirks] So how've things been in Beacon Hills?

Derek: Doing well. I think we have finally hit one hundred days without a supernatural incident.

Cora: Have you gotten one of those dry-erase signs?

Derek: It hangs in Dawn's office.

Cora: Nice. I'd say we should have one of those in Boston, but it wouldn't stay above zero for very long.

Derek: I'm amazed we finally made it into triple digits.

Cora: It's really an achievement. You should be proud.

Derek: How's Boston been treating you?

Cora: It's been good. I like it there a lot.

Derek: What have you been working on to occupy your time?

Cora: I've been working at a local shelter. Sometimes I still go out to the farm, but the shelter is closer in case I have to babysit Etta at a moment's notice.

Derek: I'm still surprised you two didn't move closer to the farm.

Cora: With the hours that Stiles gets called in sometimes, the closer he is to Harvard the better.

Stiles: [hearing his name] What about Harvard?

Cora: Derek's asking why we didn't move out closer to the farm.

Stiles: Oh. Yeah, I'm not big on farm life. Allergies and all.

Cora: Yeah. I don't mind driving out there for the dogs though. And it's good to let Rocky run around.

Derek: Maybe you could show us around the farm too when we come out.

Cora: Yeah, definitely. You want to meet all the puppies, Joy?

Joy: [lights up like that's the BEST SUGGESTION EVER] Yes!!!

Derek: [and he'll talk to Damn about it, and maybe Joy will get her own puppy from the farm next summer]

Joy: [BEST TRIP EVER]

Derek: [and he should probably go get himself a plate, as well as Dawn since she's still exhausted at her seat]

Dawn: [best husband ever]

Derek: [and he will rub her shoulders after he puts their plates down] You did a great job.

Dawn: Thank you. [and she will tip up to kiss him] And thank you for the plate.

Derek: You're welcome. [and he will slide to sit next to her] Just so you know, we're going to Boston next summer while you're on break.

Dawn: Oh, fun!

Derek: Cora's going to take Joy to the puppy farm.

Dawn: Do we want Cora to take Joy to the puppy farm?

Derek: It could maybe give us a day off to see the city, but it would also mean we're probably coming home with a puppy.

Dawn: That's more what I was referring to. Do we want to come home with a puppy?

Derek: I think it’d be nice for her to have a pet to grow up with. And it'll give us seven months to prepare for this.

Dawn: Okay. Then we'll come home with a puppy. We better take the jet.

Derek: We just won't tell Joy. Let it be a surprised.

Dawn: Got it. My lips are sealed. [makes a zipping motion with her hand]

Derek: [and he will lean in, 'unzip' her lips, kiss her, and rezip them]

Dawn: [smirks as she kisses him back] So how's Christmas looking? Are Cora and Stiles staying all the way through?

Derek: I didn't get there yet.

Dawn: [nods] Gotcha. It'd be nice to have them around for a while.

Derek: It will. I do miss my baby sister.

Dawn: Maybe we should go out to Boston more often. She comes here for Christmas and Thanksgiving, maybe we should go out for Easter as well as the summer.

Derek: That would be nice. I didn't get to spend any time there when I lived on that coast with Laura.

Dawn: Good. New traditions are always good.

Derek: Good. [and sorry Dawn, he's hungry so he's going to start eating]

Dawn: [nope, eating is good, she will do the same. yum yum good food]

Hal: [yeah this is great. I mean, his mom can cook, but these Thanksgivings here are awesome]

Buffy: [she is glad you think so, Hal. she works very hard.]

Liv: [settles in next to him with a plate full of good stuff] I love Thanksgiving.

Hal: Same here. Buffy puts on a good spread.

Liv: That she does. [smiles] And is this starting to get better now that you know more people?

Hal: Oh yeah. I think I can keep up with half the conversations now.

Liv: Good. Hopefully that'll just keep getting better.

Hal: how about you? glad to be home with everyone?

Liv: Yeah. It's nice to have this, you know? Just a little time to catch up with everyone.

Hal: It's a family reunion, holiday, and reality tv all in one night.

Liv: And then we don't have to all be in one place again for another year. Unless the world ends.

Hal: No ending the world.

Liv: We don't do it on purpose.

Hal: Uh huh. You maybe.

Liv: ... Actually, that's fair.

Hal: Plus, I'd prefer to have a long life without the world ending too soon.

Liv: So would I.

Hal: Kinda hope you'd hang out with me for most of it.

Liv: Well that is the plan, currently.

Hal: Good. [grins and nudges her knee with his as they start eating]

Liv: [smiles and continues to dig in to her plate before nudging her brother] Pass the gravy.

Michael: [does so without even looking]

Molly: [and she, being the new girl, is being very quiet and just looking at... everything]

Michael: [glances over to her] You okay?

Molly: It's just a lot of people.

Michael: Yes it is. But you don't have to talk to all of them.

Molly: Are you related to them all?

Michael: Nope. Just Mary, Dean, my parents, and these two. [nods to Ben and Liv]

Molly: So how do you know all of them?

Michael: Well, Dawn is the reason that the three of us got pulled out of the timeline from Hell. Buffy is her sister and she's married to Derek. Derek's uncle Peter is also Buffy's partner, and Buffy and Dawn are old friends of my folks. Derek has two sisters, Laura and Cora, Parrish is Laura's partner and Stiles is Cora's. Then there's Jody who is a longtime friend of my dad, and she married Sheriff Stilinski. She's got two girls, Claire and Alex. And then everyone else is the McCall pack, who we know through Derek.

Liv: And the slayers.

Michael: Right, the slayers work with Buffy.

Molly: If this is what Thanksgiving is like, I can only imagine how big the Christmas Tree is.

Michael: Oh, we don't really do Christmas. But Derek's got a big new house this year in the woods so there's probably going to be a tree there.

Molly: That sounds nice. Would they bring it inside or just decorate one in the forest?

Michael: Don't know. You'd have to ask them. We don't really see them then.

Molly: [nods, continuing to look around] It's nice seeing a big family like this again.

Michael: [glances over, because he remembers how things ended with hers] Well, you're welcome any time.

Molly: [looks over where Kyle is with the other kids, talking away like they're all best friends] I might have to. Kyle's making friends.

Michael: [smirks] I knew he would come in handy. [teasing]

Molly: You better be careful or he's going to start calling you Daddy.

Michael: [awkwardly looks away] Noted.

Molly: [and she bites her lip, because that was the wrong thing to say. So she is going to look at her plate] You know, these sweet potatoes are really good...

Michael: [it wasn't. it just caught him off guard, and his sister smacks him on the shoulder as she gets up] Ow.

Liv: Want me to get you a refill, Molly?

Molly: Oh, yes, please.

Liv: Coming up.

Michael: [and he'll give her an apologetic look and hopefully they can talk about it later when a million people aren't around]

Molly: [she'll nod, and reach over to rub his knee under the table]

Michael: [and he'll lean in to give her a kiss on the cheek before turning to his cousin] So how long are you going to stick around in Beacon Hills?

Ben: At least through Christmas. I'm almost ready to take the GED, and then I can take the California police exam.

Michael: Nice. Good luck.

Ben: Thanks, Mikey. What about you? You heading to Boston with your folks to meet Hal's folks?

Michael: [shakes his head] Nope. Not yet, anyway. I think Liv decided to let the parents dip their toes in first. Let the Masons take it slow. [glances over] No offense, Hal.

Hal: None taken. It's probably going to be interesting enough when our dads meet.

Michael: Sam's been prepped I think. And Bela fortunately is good at people.

Molly: Your parents are lovely. I don't see how something could go wrong with that.

Lindsay: I don't think it's them Liv is worried about. I think it's the outside world crashing Christmas.

Ben: Well, yeah, the world does have a tendency to do that. Not just on Christmas.

Liv: What on Christmas? [as she returns with refills for her and Molly]

Molly: Thank you, Liv.

Ben: How the outside world doesn't care for personal holidays when it wants to crash.

Liv: I swear to God if Krampus resurrects just to ruin Christmas I will shoot him in the face.

Hal & Molly: Wait, Krampus is real?

Michael: Sam and Dean took him out in oh-eight? I think?

Ben: Something like that. I was nine at the time.

Hal: [whispers to Liv] have you told him yet about Ben Squared at my house?

Liv: [shakes her head as she makes a face] He's supposed to be dead, but the world is a lawless place so who knows.

Hal: We should warn your Dad and Bela. In case he happens to stop in.

Liv: ... Yeah, you're probably right. I'll do that.

Hal: [sighs. of all the friends his brother had to make] So what kind of gossip have I missed over the year?

Molly: Oh, there's gossip to share. I want in!

Lindsay: [and she will fill them in on all things Beacon Hills because this is what she knows, but she expects you all to contribute with your various locations]

Ben: [which pretty much is just a rehash of the last crappy six months between Prom Dress!Dean and then Jack stuff]

Liv: [and there will be a few Boston stories, including that time she and Stiles got kidnapped by a shapeshifter which got her the job in the Fringe division.]

Molly: [and she is literally chin hands-ing to everything, occasionally taking a bite of food]

Michael: [smirks as he watches her, contributing when it's stories he bore witness to]

Ban: [and yeah, this whole little second generation from another dimension have all grown into their new world and lives.]

Liv: [yep, they're pretty much settled. definitely not going home now]

Ben: [speaking of settling into home, Ben will get up at one point while everyone is hitting the dessert and coffee, excusing himself to walk over to Sam. Sam reaches into his jacket and hands something off to Ben, who then goes to get two beers and head back to the table. He's going to take a deep breath and stay standing] So, if y'all don't mind, I'd like to say something before everyone thinks about heading out.

Lindsay: [looks up and over at him in surprise, then squints because what're you doing]

Ben: So, um, yeah. In case anyone's been counting, Mikey, Liv and I've been here about five years now. The world hasn't exploded yet, so that's a good thing, right? Anyway, I know I was a pain in the ass to pretty much everyone in this room back then. Sorry bout that.

But when I was all ready to burn the world down to go home, there was one person here that gave me a reason to like this place. She found me, brought me home, and eventually gave me a reason to stay. These days, I can't imagine a world without her. [and he is going to smile and hold his hand out to you, Lindsey.]

Lindsay: ... Oh do I have to get up?

Ben: Get up here. [and he's going to playfully pull her up]

Lindsay: [sighs as she gets to her feet, giving him a look like "what are you doing?"]

Ben: Linds, I've spent most of my life dealing with death and darkness. I didn't think I was worth much beyond protecting and raising my cousins. Then you came into my life, putting light into my life, and kicking my ass to figure out who I wanted to be.

We've talked about this on and off, but this world is never going to give us a chance to settle down properly. So, I'm making a choice again on where I want to be, and I can't see that path without you at my side.

]and yup, getting down on his knee because this is what the internet says people do at this point. Then he'll pull the box Sam slipped him out and he will open it and hold it up to her, the ring sparkling up at her.]

Lindsay Miller, will you marry me?

Lindsay: ... Holy shit. [sorry Ben, she was not expecting a real proposal, give her a second for her brain to reboot]

Ben: [and he will, but when it goes too long...] Don't leave me hanging here, babe.

Lindsay: Oh, shit, sorry. Yes!

Ben: [and he will stand up and pull her close, kissing her while holding her tightly. He's all smiles against her lips]

Sam: [has been secretly taking pictures]

Stiles: [lost his bet and hands Scott ten bucks]

Sheriff: [and he's going to start clapping because FINALLY]

Lindsay: [leans in to kiss him as well, staying close and is very happy. and then she realizes something and she groans] Oh God, I'm going to have to tell my parents.

Ben: [laughs] Probably a good idea to do before the wedding. [and he's going to slide the ring on her finger while staying close to her]

Lindsay: That'll be fun. [and then she'll also look up at him with a smirk] I love you.

Ben: I love you too. [and he's going to kiss her again, because yup, it's just them right now in their own little world, the rest faded out for the moment]

Dean: [yep, until Dean predictably ruins it] Guys. I'm happy for you but you're blocking the path to the pie.

Ben: [groans and pulls back to reality] My father, everyone.

Lindsay: [shakes her head] But are we surprised though?

Ben: Nope, not really. [but he'll guide her back to her seat and sit beside her, holding up his beer] To our future.

Lindsay: [holds up her beer and taps it to his] Cheers.

Ben: [and later that night, there will be a private engagement celebration in their bedroom. Sorry guests]

Lindsay: [nope. no one else allowed]