darkest timeline } { of negotiations and winters away

[impetere]

Talia: [Something's off with her son. She's noticed it the past few night she's been home, and the fact that it seems to have coincided with Elena reentering their lives has not gotten past her. While she truly has nothing against the girl, the complications that came with her had cost her family a great deal at the time. But, she has a night off from the summit, and she knows that for once, Cora isn't dragging him all over the city. Laura has dinner plans, now is as good an opportunity as any. So, when Derek does return from whatever he and Cora were up to that day, the kitchen smells like his mother's cooking. Time to see if he'll take the bait] There you are. I was thinking we could have dinner tonight.

Derek: [blinks, because he honestly felt that his mother had more important things to focus on than him. He nods slowly] Sure.

Talia: I had the night off, and I've had enough of the restaurant food. But I made your favorite. [because regardless of the strain on their relationship over the years, she hopes she can still win over his stomach] Everything's almost done if you want to grab something to drink from the fridge.

Derek: Sure. Want me to get you anything? [heads for the fridge]

Talia: I think there's an open bottle of wine in there. That should be fine. [she starts plating the food as she does] How have things been with your sister? She's certainly been keeping you busy.

Derek: [and he returns with a flavored water] She misses me, and I think she's trying to store up the attention to survive her for awhile.

Talia: [nods] It's good you're spending time together, then. Taking advantage of the time while you have it.

Derek: I just wish I had more of it. Peter's either working or at the summit with you, so I haven't gotten any time with him. [he and Stiles talked about being more assertive in telling his mother what he wanted. He wasn't sure where the line was when his mom is also his alpha] And Stiles is a mess, but you already knew that.

Talia: I did. [she's sensing that he's dancing around something, but she can't tell what] I could try and get Cora to attend some of the events. That would free up Peter's time.

Derek: She'd hate that. As it is, she's trying to avoid the young, single alpha sons that are too young for Laura.

Talia: None of us are fond of that. But she would do it for you, if asked. [she sips her wine] We'll just have to make sure to steer her away from the ones that are obnoxious enough for her to want to punch.

Derek: [he licks his lips, then shrugs] That's a tall order.

Talia: She has some restraint. [she hopes. Cora did spend all this time with Peter, after all] And I can't say I would mind the chance to spend some more time with her.

Derek: [okay, he's just going to say it] I don't think that'll really happen until you tell her why you pushed her away.

Talia: [her eyebrows go up] She's the one who wanted to leave. She was upset about your father and practically begged me to let her go with Peter to New York. I didn't push her anywhere.

Derek: It's not how she feels though. She thinks she superfluous since Laura is the heir and I'm the "spare."

Talia: Of course she's not. But I can't do anything about that if she won't spend time with me. [because she knows the avoidance dance her daughter's been doing]

Derek: Well, don't make it some kind of obligation, Mom. Just... show up and be there with her. Bring a few meat lovers pizzas, a cheesy action movie, and dress down like you're having a sleepover.

Talia: I'll take it under advisement. [she doesn't think either method will work, honestly, but it's hard to tell if it's that, or of it she just doesn't have the motivation to change it] I was just bringing up options so you could spend time with Peter.

Derek: I know. But even if I get a day, it's not enough.

Talia: Powerful as I am, Derek, I can't force them to move home.

Derek: [he should just ask. the worse she could say is no. Which he's certain she'll say so he doesn't] Maybe we could visit more? Not just for business?

Talia: If that's what they want, we can. It would take some negotiating with the local alphas.

Derek: Well, it'd be easy if there was a place where they were all gathered looking for form or renew alliances...

Talia: [and there's a small look at that sass] Victor Kirsanov and I have been talking. But my relationship with Alexei Ivanov has never been a positive one. If I start making more appearances, he might take things personally.

Derek: [innocent face] Well, Peter's been handling him alright so far.

Talia: Because Peter is under Victor's protection. Peter is not an alpha in his own right.

Derek: And we are thankful for that every day.

Talia: We are. But ... Beacon Hills is our home, Derek. Not New York. [part of her still hopes that this won't be forever and that her family will return home one day]

Derek: Is that why you keep me there? Because everyone else has left town?

Talia: What?

Derek: You let Cora come to New York. Laura's off at college a few hours away. But it sometimes feels like you're afraid to let me go, even when it's just to help Stiles with stuff locally.

Talia: Laura's coming home. She has a job at the high school. And Cora ... [she's already talked about Cora tonight, and why that happened. she doesn't know how to address the second half. She thinks she knows what he's dancing around asking, and she places her utensils down as she turns to focus more on her son] What are you asking, Derek?

Derek: [sighs, looking at the plate in front of him] Stiles remembers what happened that day with Paige now. He told me what would have happened if they hadn't come to stop it. [he pauses, biting his lip] Is that why you keep me close? That you don't trust me to be on my own making my own choices because of that?

Talia: [sighs. She knew this would come up one day, but she still hoped it never would] No, Derek. I'm not blaming you for something another version of you did. [ she reaches over and takes his hand gently] I'm very proud of the man you are. You remind me so much of your father. But with the rest of your siblings and Peter gone, someone had to stay. I'm sorry that you drew the short straw in that respect.

Derek: [he nods, squeezing her hand a bit] Don't get me wrong, Mom. I'm happy being with you. It's just that there's nothing really in Beacon Hills for me beyond you. And sometimes that just makes me feel trapped. And now with Stiles living here, it's lonely.

Talia: [squeezes his hand back and exhales slowly] So what do you propose?

Derek: I don't know. I can't be in two places at once.

Talia: No, you can't. But your sister is done with school now and coming home.

Derek: [thinks] If Laura is home with you, could I maybe try to stay with Peter and Cora for a bit. Just to live a bit before Laura needs me back?

Talia: [she's quiet because she's still not sure. There's a part of her that's afraid that if he gets a taste of New York, he'll never return. But she recognizes that she can't be unreasonable about this, and she truly doesn't want him to be miserable] How long?

Derek: [and he looks up at her and blinks, his eyes wide. She's actually considering it] Um, maybe for the winter? All we do in Beacon Hills is stay inside because of the snow, so you don't have to listen to me whine about not being able to go outside.

Talia: [deep breath] Make sure your sister is on board, but ... if that's what you want.

Derek: Really? [his face just brightens like someone told him Santa was real]

Talia: Really. [she reaches over and brushes a hand against his face] It's never been my goal to make you miserable. You know that, right?

Derek: I know. [leans into her hand]

Talia: [sighs as she glances down at dinner] I should clean up the kitchen. And you need to talk to your sister, and Peter. Make sure he has the space to keep you.

Derek: [and he'll get up and hug her. He hasn't felt this happy or hopeful for awhile now] I will. Thanks, Mom. For understanding.

Talia: [she hugs him back, closing her eyes into it, before nodding] Of course.

Derek: [and he'll hold her tight just a minute longer, then let go] Can I go track Peter down? I know the way now.

Talia: [she nods] Yeah, go ahead. Just let me know if you're not coming back tonight.

Derek: I will. [and he'll grab his leather jacket and head out, using his tracker instinct to get him to the apartment on his own]

Malia: [and Peter is not home at the moment, but Cora and maybe Hal are, hanging out with Malia while Peter does whatever he's doing. She didn't ask. When Derek knocks on the door, Malia darts up and rushes the door to see who it is. And when she sees Derek, she beams back at him] What are you doing here?

Derek: I came to see your dad. Is he here? [and he'll hold his arms out for a hug]

Malia: [will totally give a hug before she shakes her head] He said there was someone he had to see. Cora's here though.

Cora: [pokes her head over when she hears her brother's voice] Hey, you. What are you doing here?

Derek: [and yeah, he's going to just hug her and pick her up, setting her easily on his hip] I came over to talk to Peter about something. I, um, I think I convinced Mom to let me stay here through the winter if Laura stays with her in Beacon Hills.

Cora: What?! [Cora's shocked, but in the best way, because that's exactly what she wanted. well, not exactly because she wants to keep him for longer, but it's a start] ... That was easy.

Derek: We talked and I mentioned about how much i miss being with you and Peter, and how now that Stiles is out here, there's really nothing for me to do. So she said that she can't be alone, but if Laura was willing to stay while I was out here, and if Peter had room to keep me, she'd let me stay for awhile.

Cora: Of course we have room to keep you. That's what the guest room is for. [Cora is not Peter but she doubts Peter will say no] And Laura and I were prepared to twist her arm with Laura being home as leverage, so I'm sure she'll say that's fine.

Derek: You guys were going to do that for me?

Cora: Yeah, of course. Stiles was in on it too.

Derek: [laughs] Of course he was. [and he'll notice Hal at this point] I'm not disturbing you guys or something, right? I can go and come back tomorrow.

Malia: We're watching Lilo and Stitch.

Cora: [they're babysitting, Derek, nothing was happening] Again. But no, you should come meet Hal. [and she'll gesture] Hal, this is my brother Derek.

Hal: [and he'll wave from over the couch] 'Sup?

Derek: [amused grin] I take it you're the "boyfriend"?

Hal: That'd be me.

Cora: We'll be breaking up soon. It's going to be very tragic. [she teases before glancing at the time on her phone] Peter didn't say when he'd be back, but you can hang out with us to wait if you want. We have popcorn and beer?

Derek: Do you need me to break his face when you do? [also teasing as he heads over to sit on the floor with Malia's pile of pillows] Popcorn and beer works.

Cora: No, it's such a nice face. We should probably spare it. [but she will go and grab him a beer and Malia will move the popcorn within reach]

Hal: I wouldn't be opposed to a small scar. Chicks dig scars.

Cora: Probably better ways of getting those than my brother punching you in the face. [returns to give Derek the beer and resettles next to Hal]

Hal: True.

Derek: If you still want me too... [takes the beer with a nod]

Hal: Nah, I'm good.

Cora: Good. Let's just enjoy the movie, shall we?

Hal: Lets.

Derek: [And he's just going to sit back and watch. He's not seen this movie yet.]