A Very Merry Marvel Thanksgiving

[wasafreak]

Thanksgiving hadn't been something Teddy anticipated celebrating, and even now that he's here, it feels odd. Not just the fact that his jaw is wired shut and he's got a brace on his leg, but the fact that he was invited to Captain America's house and arrived to find the original Cap and Bucky and alternate universe Peggy Carter setting up a pretty impressive Thanksgiving buffet is just so surreal. Steve greets them at the door with a genuine smile and pats Billy on the shoulder and ushers them in to get drinks, and Teddy tells himself he's paranoid and Bucky isn't shooting him and Billy a sideways look warning them off of getting caught making out in any more closets, and then reminds himself that this is real life.

Kind of.

Instead of agonizing over what an appropriate tropical island equivalent of 'nice Holiday sweater' was, he let Billy dress him (also literally, see again: brace) and thinks they made the right call- the house is all warm wood craftsman, and the three heroes already there are dressed casually but nicely, and there are old photos and some pretty incredible drawings hanging up, which distract Teddy and Billy to the point of rudeness, except Steve seems all too glad to tell them stories and answer questions. Bucky chimes in to remind him of details and it's... it's maybe the coolest thing that has ever happened, other than discovering his connection to the Avengers.

It relaxes him, and Teddy types up short phrases and sentences on his iPad when he feels really compelled to contribute, keeps "Happy Thanksgiving" on his clipboard to copy and paste it when new people arrive. It doesn't take more than an hour for a pretty respectable number of people to show up, the chatter growing in volume, and even though it's been a pretty crappy couple of months, and a pretty rough couple of years, Teddy finds himself feeling pretty good.

Comments

[onlyforthedream]

They may be strained, sometimes, and they may invite more trouble than most family holidays already do, but I think it's important to keep us together, to share food, to talk. With a group like this, the sheer amount of food being shared took two days to put together, but in the long run the effort is a worthwhile one.

There's something incredible about having Bucky and Peggy in a room together, talking, just here, let alone prepping food together. People I had thought for so long were relegated to memories. Then we have Avengers, and Young Avengers, and friends... It's good. It's really good, and I'm glad we decided to do it.

[the_wasp]

"Excellent party, Cap," Jan chirps as she sidles up beside him, a glass in hand and a bright smile on her face.

"Here's hoping celebrating is the only excitement we're in for today."

[thebettermen]

"Thank you for the invitation, Captain," says Charles, approaching the evening's host during a rare opening so that he might extend his courtesies. By this point he's got a few glasses of local wine in him, dulling the pain in his shoulder to a manageable degree, though he still stands a bit stiffly. He'll be recovering for some time, but he considers himself lucky to have a chance at recovery whatsoever.

"It was very kind of you to open your home. You did most of the woodwork yourself, yes?"

[notaparker]

Some alternate version of me, maybe me if I'd never come here, or me with a mindwipe, or however that works, some me is on the Ultimates, with some alternate version of Captain America.

I wonder if they hang out? I can't imagine it, since I just wound up accidentally next to him and I still get nervous because it's Captain America. It'd be easier if I was wearing a mask. Sometimes I feel like I'm wearing a mask when I'm not wearing a mask, but it's lessened over the years and never helped as much as the actual mask, anyway.

"Um, hi, Captain America, sir," I say. So smooth. So natural. "Good luck in the election."

[daretodo]

I have manners. I don't actually remember them until my third attempt to duck out unnoticed fails miserably, but I do have them. Taking it for a sign that I haven't been able to get the heck out of dodge already, I decide to face my host with the most before embarking on attempt number four.

"Steve, hey," I say, trying not to sound as squirrelly as I feel. "Thanks for the invite, but I think I'm gonna call it an early night."

[daretodo]

I didn't shave, but I showered and dug out a suit from the back of my closet. Historically speaking, I have spent all but one Thanksgiving on this rock alone. I mean, there've been other people present, sure, but they weren't family. And what's the point of Thanksgiving without family? It's the biggest excuse to eat of the year, but looking around the admittedly expansive spread, I can't figure out why the hell I'm here outside of the fact that I apparently can't say no to Captain America.

I think that's probably why most people showed up, actually. He's a convincing guy. Just maybe not convincing enough to get me to stick around. One look at the Island turkey and I realize I just don't have the appetite to stay. Loosening my tie as I step back from the table, feeling crowded and overheated, I gravitate towards the wall, intent on sneaking out before I'm cornered. Only problem is, I'm too distracted by where I'm going that I don't pay any attention to where I am, and it's only through some latent quick reflexes that I manage to avoid a collision with someone's back.

[the_wasp]

"Oh!" He's quick and there's no crash, but Jan turns at the same time as the man moves out of the way, and it looks like close enough of a call to startle her. Reflexively she sticks her hand out, reaching for his arm to steady him and to steady herself, and offers him a warm smile.

"It wouldn't be the holidays without some bumps and spills, would it? You okay?" She means to ask whether he's spilled something on himself that she can't see, but after taking a full second to look him in the face, Jan wonders if the more general inquiry works better.

[shieldsupernanny]

Phil's reflexes had never been superhuman, but they're good enough to make sure that collision never happened. Looking over at the other man, he couldn't stop the surprise from showing on his face. "Are you always to light on your feet, Mr. Parker?"

[onlyapassenger]

He's gone more years without celebrating Thanksgiving than he cares to remember, but there are a lot of things from his past that Bucky tries his best to push back to get through the day. For every person in attendance, there's another missing he'd kill to see, but he's not one to dwell on what he can't change. The Island's still a mystery and two years later he's still here, and he's damn lucky there are familiar faces to see at all.

His smiles come slowly, but they're there -- for Steve's sake, if no one else's. It's because of him that this whole thing came together, and with the year they've had, it's not hard to feel grateful for any scrap of home. Beer in hand, he waits for everyone else to take their portion before grabbing his own, tucking in with gusto.

[the_wasp]

"Was that a strategy?" Jan leans in closer over the table, her own plate half done but far from empty.

"Wait until everyone else has gone so they don't notice how much you take? That's sneaky. I approve, but if I go for a second slice of pie later and it's completely gone, I'll know who to blame."

[howmanylives]

It never fails to feel voyeuristic, attending these events... Even with the invite. Far away from Gilligan's Island, X-Factor and the X-Men rarely crossed paths, let alone the Avengers. We're from different castes. Which I'd argue shouldn't be the case, yet there it is. But this place has always made for some strange bedfellows. It's just a matter of getting used to it.

Jamie had been taking advantage of the drinks, on his third already, though between the food and a worryingly high tolerance, he wasn't feeling much in the way of effects. An incomplete cast list of A Christmas Carol tucked under his arm, he wandered through the gathering between courses, figuring it couldn't hurt to try recruiting while he was there. If there was one thing these people all had in common, it was a certain drive for always working.

[the_wasp]

Ever since Jan first laid eyes on Mr. Jamie Madrox to sign up for the reading, her curiosity about his tattoo has been nagging at her. She needs to know what it's all about, and Thanksgiving gives her a perfect excuse to get to know him better.

"Whacha doing?" Jan asks with no lead in, catching him verbally the second he wanders near. "It's Thanksgiving. Don't you know you're supposed to slip into a food coma when you aren't actively eating?"

[the_wasp]

What's Jan grateful for? The simple fact that someone else could be relied upon to put together a proper Thanksgiving holiday feast. She can manage the simple -- like peanut butter cookies and snickerdoodles, which sit ready to be eaten whenever someone wants them, dessert or not -- but when it comes to big affairs, she's a delegator. And, all appearances to the contrary, she's really not comfortable enough with this group of heroes to start bossing them around.

Besides, you don't push aside Captain America to organize the greatest American holiday.

So she gets dressed up and comes armed with cookies and a smile, secretly needing this more than she wants to admit. Life's hard enough. There's plenty in the way of danger and difficulties to keep them all busy. What she really needs is to connect with the people who look so familiar to her but are so different inside.

[wasafreak]

It's The Wasp. The Wasp. He's had her action figures and posters and so, so many trading cards. He's loved her since he was little, her sharp, cool uniforms, her sunny, confident smile. She' one of the originals, and that means a lot, and Teddy realizes he's staring at her before he has the good sense to duck his head and avert his eyes.

[prodigaljaybird]

Jason's concession to the holiday is a shirt with buttons, though he leaves the top three undone in the heat, and doesn't think of going anywhere without the knife and gun he's carried with him since Halloween. He's been here long enough to understand the usual whims of the place - people's fears aren't likely to return for a while, but Jason trusts that the island's just a big enough dick to surprise him.

He keeps largely to himself, communing with the food - desserts in particular - more than the people, but is in a decent enough mood when he feels someone sit down beside him.

[onlyapassenger]

"You should try some of the bird," says Bucky, edging the platter closer to Jason's plate once he eases down beside him. "That much sugar's not good for you."

The same can probably be said for their friendship, but there's only so many times he can apologize before the point becomes moot.

[halfscarlet]

It's still really weird, being invited to parties and holiday celebrations with the other Avengers and X-Men, but they're enough of a weird disjointed family that Billy finds himself at ease during dinner. It helps that he just about spends all his time by Teddy's side, the same as he has for the past few weeks.

With everything that's gone on recently, Billy knows he can be thankful for just being alive. And for the food he's currently piling high on his plate.

[the_wasp]

"I wish I were a growing boy," Jan murmurs wistfully as she stares at the mounds of food on Billy's plate -- which keep growing.

"I don't think I'm even physically capable of eating that much. It really makes me kind of sad."

[ihadfaith]

Peggy didn't have much experience with American holidays; she knew of them from being among men celebrating on war fronts, or from being with Steve. It left her with a yearning to go back to her own roots, but until then, she was happy enough to celebrate something as simple as giving thanks for what she had.

[the_wasp]

"For a non-American, you have really got a handle on this holiday," Jan says appreciatively. She finds Peggy a little bit after the first wave of eating, happily stuffed herself and sipping on island brew.

"But a party is a party no matter where it started, huh?"

[manwithoutfear]

I wonder if this is a test.

It's a pervasive thought. One that's been nagging at me since the coast cleared when the clock struck midnight, and New York disappeared anew, Mysterio with it. Weeks later and I still wake up wondering if I'm drugged. If any of this is real when there's so much to suggest it isn't. But there's no way out. No trap door to open or set to walk off. The only remnants of that day are the odd assortment of injuries: broken ribs and bruised muscles. The ache of a good, honest fight with none of the satisfaction that comes from winning.

Because I don't know if I won. I don't know that this is any more real than New York. I've had my doubts about the Island from the get-go, but now I can't stop obsessing. Questioning. The room is full of familiar voices, but I doubt any of them are able to give me the answers I need.

So I fake it. Everyone expects lawyers to lie, and I can play the hand well when it suits my purposes. I'm clinging to the edges of sanity, the anxiety of uncertainty making my skin itch worse than any holiday sweater, but my smile feels genuine enough. Doing my best not to bump into anyone -- a tall order, given the space -- I keep quiet and enjoy the meal.

[onlyforthedream]

"Matt," I say as I approach, taking a moment to look the other man over.

"I'm glad you came. How are you?"

[un_gloved]

Rogue half wished she was curled up in a hole drunk out of her mind somewhere, or at least in a drag down rough and tumble touch football match, but she could settle for good conversation and good food.

And a few good, stiff drinks.

She absently reached out to tap her glass against whoever was wandering nearest and said, "Happy Thanksgiving, sugar," and offered them a wink.

[starchilde_lost]

"And a happy Thanksgiving to you too." Rachel smiled, returning the wink with one of her own and a short salute. She was in a good mood, there was an air of family about and that always made her feel at ease.

"Almost like one of the Professor's annual spreads, isn't it?"

[havenoplans]

They do not celebrate this Feast of Thanks in Asgard, but so long as there is drink to dull his pain and food to fill his belly, Thor will partake in the celebration, such as it is. He had thought himself accustomed to the weaknesses of his new mortal body, but in that belief he was mistaken. The ale does better work at helping him manage the aches that plague him weeks later than the 'medicines' the healers would force down his gullet.

Seated at the middle of the table with a plate laden with enough food to serve three grown men, his spirits are more subdued than at gatherings past, his thoughts on this day with Jane and Midgard. He misses her more than he would have ever anticipated, and though he knows he ought to be grateful for the company of warriors brave and wise, his sadness over his disappearance is clear behind his eyes.

[the_wasp]

A sad Thor might be the most tragic thing that Jan's ever seen, and it's not as if she hasn't seen a bunch of sad things in her life. She wants to wrap him up in a hug -- as much as she is capable of -- but it's not her Thor.

It sucks.

She sits down at the table beside him anyway, looking tiny as ever next to his massive frame, and nudges him with her elbow. "I'm guessing there's no Thanksgiving in Asgard," she says. "You got anything similar?"

[notawastedlife]

"I'm thankful for..." Tony muttered to himself, wandering through the centre of the party. The fringes might have suited his mood more, but he'd never been much for wandering around on the outskirts of events.

"I'm thankful for the drinks table," he concluded, attempting to find it.

[havenoplans]

"Aye," Thor agrees, not certain if Tony means to address him, but finding no fault in the statement. There is a fine selection of Midgardian drinks available, and he has already had a taste of every last one.

"Try the spiced rum," he suggests, lifting his injured arm to show his half-filled glass. "It's delicious."

[notaparker]

There was a time when I figured I probably wouldn't have a Thanksgiving in company. That it was for other, normal people. I guess I should have figured there's no such thing as normal.

But there is, you know, average, which I am pretty far from. In the non-stuck up sense. In the 'grown in a jar' sense. I'm just saying, I somehow landed with enough friends and acquaintances that are sort of genuinely mine that I have places to be on Thanksgiving.

So, obviously. Reason to give thanks right there, even if there's a few more battered faces -- and hearts -- around the place than I'd like.

[daretodo]

I don't know why I'm surprised to see Jessica here. She's been invited to these things before. It should be normal by now, except that nothing about her's normal, even two years later. Still, she catches my eye on my way out, and I can't help but stop by to ask under my breath, "Hey, you're not gonna punch Youngneto again, are you?"

[exweapon]

It's not my Thanksgiving, technically, but I've spent enough time in America that I'm used to it. It's when the X-Men celebrated it, anyway. Usually more fights or sports, but I'm not really ready for either.

Safer, probably, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. I'd still enjoy it more than sitting here awkwardly cutting up a piece of turkey with hands that are still healing.

Hell, used to be I didn't even need to use a knife. But popping the claws is what got me into this mess.

[starchilde_lost]

"So do we think we're going to be mobile enough after we eat to wrangle everyone for a football game afterwards?" Rachel sat herself down next to her favorite Canadian and stole a small piece of turkey off his plate. She was in a happy mood and there was nothing Logan could do that was going to deter her from trying to spread as much holiday cheer as she could. Thanksgiving was a big deal back home, maybe even her favorite if one didn't factor in Christmas' presents.

[shieldsupernanny]

This was proving to be an interesting and educational gathering. He'd been a bachelor for so long, that large family-style gatherings happened infrequently, usually only when he was seeing someone who had a family that he'd be taken out to meet. And this family, well, it was certainly an interesting one. He wasn't sure how many different worlds were represented, but there were a great many names that he didn't know at all, or knew only through water-cooler gossip and classified briefings.

He's not entirely sure how he ended up on the invite list, but he wasn't going to turn down an invitation from Captain America himself, even if he did intend to spend most of the evening observing instead of interacting. Which was what he was doing, drink in hand, but not being drunk.

[onlyforthedream]

I spot Phil easily enough, and gently touch Jan's shoulder to let her know I'm passing behind her to slip through a handful of standing, chatting people until I'm at his elbow.

"Phil, I'm glad you came."

[triggered_x]

I do not belong here, that much I am sure of. I do not understand the reason for keeping a holiday that does not have significance on this island. They day we are marking is based on a poorly-documented event that supposedly took place in a country that many of us do not originate from. There is no harvest season to mark the end of in a tropical climate.

Even so, I do not mind the food.

I have already filled a plate with food before I begin to search the table for something spicy to add to my dinner.

[notaparker]

"Oh, man, what looks good," I say, plate in hands as I come up beside Laura at the glorious table o' food. Good side to the island, I suppose: food is free, and really good. Way less microwave meals and junkfood than I used to live on. "Aside from... everything."

[butterflyfactor]

Layla had been tempted to go full Wednesday Addams on the Thanksgiving gathering, but in the end, there was something about jokingly appropriating the jokingly appropriated cultural dressings of a group of people that had been symptomatically assaulted that made her tattoo itch, so she'd opted for a white tank top and jeans.

She'd tasted some of pretty much everything and landed on pie and a spiced rum beverage, and had found a good perch to watch the gathering from. She had to give it to Captain America, his place just screamed Americana, all warm and wood and hand hewn. Not bad at all.

[howmanylives]

"The female-to-male ratio at these things has gotten pretty miserable," remarked Jamie as he claimed a place at Layla's side. He'd already made his way through drinks and dessert, leaving him empty-handed save for his clipboard boasting the names of people he'd gotten to sign up for next month's reading.

[bannered]

Bruce hasn't made many appearances in public since his arrival, but now, for some reason, feels like the time to make one exception. Coming in celebration seems a little inappropriate, considering the last couple of weeks, but he can stick to the corner and have a drink or two - no more than that, never more than that given his self-imposed limits - and risk the chance of conversation if it occurs.

He's not about to wear any kind of holiday sweater, though - even if all the clothes box continues to give him are shirts in purplish and green jewel tones. With his sleeves rolled up and his glasses still perched on his nose, he looks half-out of the lab at this point - which, coincidentally, he is.

He takes a sip from his glass, realizes the drink desperately needs ice to water it down, and starts looking around for that very thing.

[havenoplans]

"Banner," says Thor, giving the man a nod as he approaches the drinks table for another glass of spiced rum. He has not seen his fellow Avenger even in passing in some time, but it is good to note that this realm did not whisk him away like it has done of so many others these past few months.

"I'm glad to see you are still with us," he adds, looking down at Banner's glass to see what he has chosen to drink. "Is that the rum?"