“The French silk pie needs to be frozen, right?” Amelia says, looking at the chocolate pie in anticipation.

  “Just because I asked for your help in freezing various things doesn’t mean you get to have some of the pie,” I say, swatting her hand with the wooden spoon.

  “You let me have some of the ice cream pie!”

  “I let you have ice cream.”

  “Same thing.”

  “It’s not.”

  Amelia grumbles to herself as she freezes the pie in question before setting it with the rest of the pies.

  “You do realize we live together, right, and you’ll have first dibs on all the leftovers, right?” I point out as I try some of the stuffing before grabbing the pepper shaker.

  “But I want it now!” She whines. “If you really loved me, you would give me some now and then more later.”

  “I do really love you. Just not enough for you to take a pie slice before everyone else shows up.”

  “So if I call everyone to come over now, I can have pie?” Amelia asks, deciding to only take the bit of the conversation that gets her what she wants.

  In return for her dumb question, I return to stirring various pots and seasoning others.

  Amelia’s been a phenomenal help too. When she’s not stealing food.

  A song I only slightly recognize blares from one of our phones, but I ignore it. Dollars to doughnuts, she decided to listen to music while she cooked, and this is the song selection.

  My theory is proven wrong almost immediately as the song is cut off. “Hi Grandma!” Amelia cheers. “Happy Thanksgiving! Give me a second to set up my camera.”

  I spin around to see Amelia propping her phone on the camera before switching the call to a face time. On the screen is now the familiar face of Amelia’s grandma.

  “Amelia!” she calls, squinting at the phone suspiciously. “I thought you were done with colored contacts after you got pinkeye? And why are you blue?”

  “Hi Mrs. Crest!” I call poking my head into frame to give her a lopsided smile and a wave.

  She pointedly ignores me. “Amelia, where’s that Jason boy you always spend the holidays around?”

  My eyebrow twitches. “Hi Grandma Crest,” I sigh, poking my head once more into frame and giving her a wave.

  “Jason!” she cheers happily, giving me attention now that I’ve greeted her properly. “Why are you wearing sunglasses inside? And why is my granddaughter blue?”

  Amelia and I exchange a glance before having a quick game of rock, paper, scissors as neither of us wants to be the one explaining it.

  “Jason and I ended up turning into supers.” Amelia explains as I gloat from out of frame. “I am blue and got a funky colored eye, and Jason has been hiding his eyes ever since.”

  “You should tell Jason he’s in his own home, so he should feel comfortable being himself,” Grandma Crest says, deciding she’s had enough of my bullshit.

  “It’s just habit. I’m perfectly comfortable in my home.”

  Bianca trundles in, looking up at the counter where the phone is, head tilted to the side.

  “Hi Bianca, want to see grandma?” Amelia says, picking up the small girl and bringing her into frame.

  Bianca and Grandma Crest seem fascinated in seeing one another before Bianca gives a little wave towards the phone before pressing her face into Amelia’s chest to hide.

  “Jason?” Granda Crest asks, deciding for absolutely no reason to single me out.

  “Yes?” I say, accepting my fate as I step into frame.

  “Why did you and Amelia not tell me I had a great-granddaughter?”

  “Because Jason and I are not married?” Amelia says laughing.

  She harrumphs at that one. “Well, if you can, do you think you could help me find a place to stay for Christmas so I can come visit?”

  “Just like that?” Amelia asks, blinking slowly.

  “You told me the past few weeks have been very eventful for you. Between powers and probably a child with powers, I thought you two would like some help.” She says, giving both of us a smile. “Just because you insist on doing it on your own doesn’t mean it’s not okay to lean on family.”

  “Hey Bianca?” I ask gently, running a hand through her hair.

  Bianca slowly peeks her head up.

  “This is Grandma Crest. She’s family. Just like Amelia and I. She’s just a little far away, okay. Not scary, I promise,” I say, holding out a pinky to her.

  Bianca, still clinging to Amelia, lets a wire tendril arc through the air to grasp my pinky.

  “Okay, Grandma, just so you know, Bianca can’t talk, but I’ll sit her on the counter so I can help Jason cook.” Amelia says, explaining her actions. “Okay, B, can you keep a lookout while Mommy and Daddy cook?” She asks, placing a kiss on Bianca’s forehead before handing her the phone.

  Grandma Crest seems thrilled to chat with Bianca, who nods or points at things in response, which eases my heart. It looks like everything is going to be okay over there, at least if things keep staying at the pace they are.

  The oven goes off, and I slip on my oven mitts to take out what’s currently in there so that I can then switch in the next round of things.

  “You good having Grandma come over for Christmas? Your house,” Amelia says, bumping her hip against mine as she grabs a cookie from the cooling rack.

  “Our home.” I correct her. “And it’s tradition. Thanksgiving is with they who shan’t be named one year while Christmas is with you. And switch it the next year.”

  “Our home.” Amelia echoes in agreement before taking a bite of cookie. “Hot!” She exclaims, snow shooting out of her mouth as she breathes rapidly.

  Amelia chatters with Bianca and Grandma Crest as I continue to cook, working on getting everything ready.

  I nearly slam my head into the ceiling when the knocking on the door causes me to jump.

  “Sorry, Grandma, but it sounds like the guests are getting here. I love you, bye!” Amelia says, grabbing her phone from Bianca but not before letting her wave goodbye.

  “Make sure to spend time with your family, Amelia!” Grandma Crest calls. “Jason, don't spoil them too much!”

  Amelia looks at me, suspicion behind her gaze. “You better not start spoiling me less.”

  “I have exactly zero intention.” I laugh. “Bianca, do you want to help me greet our guests, or do you want to go play with Amelia in the front room?”

  Bianca points to me, so I scoop her up in my arms before heading to the front door.

  I steel myself and get ready for my day of social interaction. It’s going to be a lot, but it’s what matters. I can always run off and hide somewhere later.

  “Come on in!” I say, opening the door to reveal Sasha, Travis and a brunette I don’t recognize. “Cass, it’s nice to meet you in the flesh.” I say, holding my hand out in greeting once all three have made it inside.

  As I’m shaking Cass’s hand, Bianca reaches for the woman, smiling wildly.

  “B, is this your friend Cass?” Amelia coos, looking between the two, which Cass looks sheepish about.

  “Cass has been helping me with the kids’ program, and with her abilities, she is often the one watching Bianca’s group.” Sasha says, doing her best to mediate.

  Cass crouches down to look Bianca in the eye as she shakes her hand. “Hi Bianca, is this your home? Want to show me some toys you’ve drawn?” She asks before looking to me and Amelia. “If that’s okay?”

  “More than okay.” I agree. “What do you say, Bianca? Want to play with Ms. Cass for a bit, huh?”

  Bianca gives me a little nod, and I easily hand her off to Cass, where Bianca quickly directs them away.

  “You’re doing good with her.” Travis says, his eyes following the duo wandering off. “Both of you.”

  I really don’t know if he’s referring to me and Amelia with Bianca or me with Bianca and Sasha with Cass.

  All I know is Cass was really in need of a warm place to be for the holidays, and with her age closer to me and Amelia than Sasha and Travis, they thought it would be a good fit.

  Besides, all young supers need friends to get into dumb ideas with, right?

  Sasha claps her hands together. “It smells delicious, but do you need the two of us to help with anything?”

  “Nah, Jason’s a busybody and is only doing the finishing touches. So let’s get something to drink and chat for a bit while we wait for everyone else. I want to talk to a fellow elementalist,” Amelia says, grabbing the shorter woman by the shoulders and steering her to the dining room table.

  Sasha doesn’t seem like she really wanted to help with how easily she let Amelia drag her off, but who am I to complain.

  I am almost done.

  “You are actually basically done, right?” Travis asks, taking his coat off only to realize I in fact have no convenient place in my apartment to place a coat.

  “Totally, I’m just doing the finishing touches,” I agree.

  “Sunglasses?” Travis asks, pointing at them.

  “Yeah, we have some people who haven’t seen you know what yet, and I want everyone to have a good time,” I say, waving him off.

  “Hard to believe you three went three for three with an appearance change with powers,” Travis chuckles.

  “And you and Sasha are quite lucky not to have any.” I snort. “Now go have a drink, chat with people while I finish everything up and wait for the rest of the gang to arrive.”

  Reyna and Asher arrive at the same time, already engrossed in a discussion about spaceships.

  Reyna immediately rockets off to claim the chair across from Amelia, wanting to chat with her best friend as Asher stares after her, shell-shocked at the speed of everything going on.

  “Go on, get a seat at the table,” I say, gesturing with my head.

  Asher gives a sound of mostly agreement before wandering off.

  The only two yet to be here are Ben and Caleb, and they’ll arrive together, so I close the door once more and begin transferring various dishes onto serving platters. Let it not be said I haven’t learned my lessons from years past.

  Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

  No food is reaching the table until everyone is here so that someone won’t begin eating through it.

  About five minutes later, there’s the final knock at my door, and a small part of me considers not opening it.

  Opening the door, I see Ben and Caleb being all sickeningly sweet cuddled up waiting, their noses almost touching, and I smile.

  I’m glad that things are going well for them.

  “Hey.” I say with a nod. “Come on in and find a seat at the table. I’ll get everything set up momentarily,” I relay as Ben pulls away blushing, heading to the table to presumably grab both him and his boyfriend a seat.

  Caleb, however, pauses.

  “You good?” I ask quietly.

  “Yeah just. You’re sure everyone’s going to be safe?” He asks, fiddling with the zipper on his jacket.

  “I’m not rehashing this. This is my home. And the home of my family. Everyone’s going to be safe, and I want people to feel comfortable here. As long as you don’t start anything, it’ll be okay.” I say sharply before returning to my kitchen to carry everything to the table.

  Once the table is set and I’m in my seat, situated between Amelia and Travis, everyone glances to me as if I am going to make some kind of speech.

  “I don’t have much to say.” I say, picking out what I want to say next. “But it’s a family tradition to spend Thanksgiving with the family we choose instead of the family we’re born with, even if there’s a large overlap. And I choose all of you.” I say with a smile.

  “So dig in!” Amelia cheers, breaking the awkward silence before grabbing a fork and spearing herself some of the turkey.

  With that, it’s barely a breath longer until everyone is serving themselves and chatting amongst themselves, and the enjoyable chaos spreads throughout the room.

  Even if part of me is waiting for the other shoe to drop, I still push myself to enjoy the moment. Even if the only time I actually talk is whenever Amelia or Travis drag me into their conversations.

  Amelia leans over. “I’m thankful for you coming to save me. You kept your promise.” She whispers.

  “Even if hell freezes over.” I whisper back before returning my attention to the food and finishing my first plate.

  Bianca points at the potatoes, giving a pleading look at Caleb, who glances at her before continuing his conversation with Asher on some physics thing that I don’t have a clue on. But in an effort to not warp the metal of my silverware, I quickly set it down before hiding my hands under the table, flexing them to try and get my irritation out.

  Bianca points again, letting out a small whine.

  Caleb looks at her. “You have to use your words Bianca I don’t know what you’re asking for.” Caleb says.

  My mouth snaps shut with a click as I quickly run through my options on how best to get Caleb out of here and no longer bothering my family.

  Bianca reaches both hands up, staring at the potatoes before azure light flashes through the air as wires shoot out of her hands, stretching towards Caleb before taking a sharp turn and wrapping around the bowl of potatoes.

  “The fuck!” Caleb screeches, jumping away from the table, his chair clattering to the ground behind him.

  “It’s okay, sweetie, let’s get you some potatoes, huh? They’re really yummy.” Amelia says, taking the bowl from Bianca’s wires and serving her another portion.

  I gingerly extricate myself from my seat, fixing both Travis and Sasha with a look that hopefully means I've got this.

  As I walk, I take my sunglasses off, setting them down on the table.

  “Caleb. Exactly what is your problem?” I ask, having made the half circle to be standing next to him, red-faced and staring at Bianca as if she killed his puppy.

  Which she wouldn’t have done.

  “She used her powers someone could have been hurt!” Caleb says, turning towards me before instantly shirking back when he comes to my void eyes.

  “Were you hurt?”

  “No, but I could have been.”

  “You do realize Amelia would have hit you for blatantly ignoring her.” I point out, raising an eyebrow.

  “Your brat of a daughter needs to communicate clearly.”

  “You do realize how fucking moronic you sound, right, chucklefuck? The child with no memories and scars on her throat needs to use her words?” I say, stepping closer while also firmly putting myself between him and the rest of the table.

  “None of the rest of you are using your powers, so why should she be the exception? This is supposed to be a safe dinner.” Caleb says quickly, backing up from me.

  “She’s in her home. Where else do you expect her to feel safe to use her ability?” I say, crossing my arms.

  “You have been wearing sunglasses this whole time! Amelia bothered to cover up! You invited guests over, so you should make your bad decisions—”

  “Get out!” I roar, thrusting a finger at the door. “Get out of my home now.”

  Caleb looks at me, blinking slowly, as if the idea that I was going to kick him out never once crossed his mind.

  “You have two minutes. Get out.”

  “What are you saying?” Caleb says, stepping forward.

  “That you’re the problem. If my family can’t feel safe in our home, what exactly is the point of it being our home?” I say glad I don’t have any vision-based abilities; otherwise, I would be boring a hole in his skull.

  “You can’t do this to me. I haven’t done anything! That little girl used her powers on a civilian!” Caleb is so ?deep in denial that he’s yet to realize that the only thing he’s doing with his shovel is burying himself.

  “I didn’t realize you were a bowl of mashed potatoes. Guess we need you to go get registered as a super like the rest of us. Maybe that’ll solve whatever makes you think a child is going to kill you because you were bullying her.”

  Caleb’s face contorts in rage as I insinuate that he’s turning into a super.

  I can see the hand coming for me. It’s not even moving fast. Even before powers and training, if I had to put money on it, I would say that I could have dodged easily enough.

  I don’t bother to.

  Caleb’s hand stays against my cheek, his meager strength not even enough for me to move my head.

  I pin Caleb to the wall, holding him by the throat. “You’re going to leave. And you’re never going to return to bother my family again, is that understood?”

  “I thought you were one of the good ones. You’re just like them.” Caleb spits.

  I lean in, my voice dropping. “I am exactly like them. This is my home. Where you were invited. And you decided to make my family and my friends feel unsafe. Nobody threatened you. Nobody talked down. And yet you couldn’t keep your mouth shut.”

  Caleb scrambles at my hand trying to pull me away.

  His efforts are akin to a child.

  Bianca is stronger than him.

  “You were invited out of my kindness. You were aware of the rules. And you didn’t follow. Run away. Tell people whatever you want; it doesn’t matter to me. I won’t stand here and let you hurt the people I choose to love.”

  “You’re a monster.” Caleb snarls.

  “No, I’m exactly the same as ?I was before. I will stand next to my friends no matter what. You should know that by now.” I say, pressing harder. “But you aren’t even worth my time.” I admit dropping him to the ground.

  I glance behind me to see how everyone’s taking it.

  Amelia is purposefully showing Bianca snow figurines to keep her distracted, which I love her dearly for.

  Sasha has a hand on Cass, seeming to be physically holding her back as she’s staring daggers at Caleb, her hair glowing with rage.

  Travis gives me a small nod in acknowledgement.

  Reyna gives me a thumbs up.

  As for Ben, he’s looking towards his boyfriend with an expression on his face that I’m not going to bother trying to figure out.

  I turn back to Caleb, who has still yet to get off of my floor.

  “Fifty-nine.” I say, not moving.

  Caleb looks at me bewildered for a second. Hopefully, he’s smart enough to figure out what exactly is going on within the next few seconds.

  “Fifty-eight.”

  It takes five more seconds before Caleb has scrambled for his things and has run out the door, not even bothering to give so much as a goodbye, which is probably for the best.

  Considering what he’s managed to say so far, I bet it would not have gone particularly well for him.

  “Ben,” I say, not looking at him.

  I have no problem being the monster towards Caleb. But I really don’t want to do that to Ben, who’s been nothing but nice to me.

  So I refuse to look at him because at the moment the only expressions I can come up with are the dark ones. Though as a compromise, I extend my awareness to blanket the room so I can at least be aware of where he’s looking.

  “Do you want me to leave?” He asks, his voice not quite breaking.

  “It’s harder than that. But I need you to choose.” I say, keeping my voice neutral.

  “Choose?”

  “You’re my friend. You’re part of my family. But I will not and can not associate with Caleb. And I will not willingly associate with people who deal with him.” I say, shrugging my shoulders.

  “Are you…”

  “Yup. You can choose. Your boyfriend and whatever comfort he offers. Or the family I choose.” I nod, finally turning to face him with my expression at least mostly back under my control.

  “I—”

  “Ben, I might think you’re ridiculous for choosing him, but I won’t hate you for it. Everyone has their hangups. Caleb can’t see supers as anything more than walking monsters. Considering myself and my family, I can’t do that. Not anymore, and I can’t lie to myself either. But you’re not super.”

  “Can I have some time to think?” Ben asks, standing up and grabbing his coat.

  “Of course you can.” I say with a laugh. “Just whichever you choose, keep me posted either way. I do want to know.” I say, walking to my door and gently opening it to reveal an empty hallway.

  “I’m really sorry about all of this. He wanted to come. Said it wouldn’t be a problem.” Ben says in a hurry, chasing after me and quickly entering the hallway.

  “Not your fault; it’s mine. And he’s going to need comforting, especially with what’s about to happen.” I say, extending my mind map farther to figure out where the bastard is.

  “Jason.” Ben says, placing a hand on my chest. “Don’t do it, please. Even if we never talk again, please don’t become his nightmares.”

  I mentally weigh the options, and I really want to just blow past Ben and make sure Caleb knows just what will happen next time, but I can concede it’s a stupid idea.

  “Just go and take your time to figure everything out.” I said before returning to my apartment, closing the door quickly.

  After a breath to steady myself, I run a hand over my face trying to force the expression I want to be on my face to begin taking shape.

  “Sorry about all of that.” I say, pushing false cheer into my voice as I step back into view of everyone else. “Do people still want the we pretend it’s healthy food? Or is the mood suitably soured that only bringing out the dessert could bring everyone joy?” I ask, moving towards the pies before anyone can begin making a response.

  Bianca points to the pie, a big smile on her face.

  Reyna takes another bite of the stuffing, looking at me in suspicion as she eats. “Food.” She monotones great wisdom disguised in the word.

  Everyone seems pretty split on it all, which isn’t helpful for me, but there’s only one person who’s really looking rattled about all of it, and the smouldering hair is sort of a dead giveaway.

  “Sorry about that, Cass.” I say, sitting back down, though I bring a slice of pie for Bianca, who has entirely forgotten about her plate of food.

  She glances at Bianca, Sasha and finally at her hands. “That guy just rubbed me the wrong way.”

  “Next one you can handle.” I say hopefully in a light tone.

  “You did good. Sorry you lost a friend.” She says, refusing to look at me.

  “Meh, I gained five new and important people in my life at the cost of one and a half.” I say, waving at the door. “I am a person who prefers quality over quantity, so if I’m gaining five in ?a few months, I must have pulled diamonds.”

  Cass looks up at me, surprised, the embers in her hair going out.

  “I’m glad I don’t have mood hair. Can you imagine how all of my dastardly schemes would fail if everyone could tell what I was thinking?” Amelia quips.

  Cass looks down at her cheeks flushed.

  “Amelia,” Travis says, looking at her. “Literally everyone can tell what you’re thinking without it.”

  “Oh, yeah!” Amelia says as it clicks in my head what she’s trying to do. “What am I thinking about right now? If I’m so easy to read.”

  Bianca points at the pie.

  “How you’re jealous that Jason brought Bianca pie but not you.” Travis says flatly.

  “How you want pie.” Sasha says at the same time.

  “The revenge you’re going to plot on Jason for him daring to not bring you pie,” Reyna adds on, deciding to pile on.

  “Just because all of you are right doesn’t mean I’m that easy to read,” Amelia complains, crossing her arms and leaning against me.

  “Amelia, if you’re fluttering your eyes at me, I can’t see it while you’re leaning against my shoulder,” I say, pushing my plate away and scooting away from the table for what comes next.

  Amelia flops her head into my lap, batting her eyes at me innocently. “Jason, my eternal favorite besides my other favorites, would you get me a few slices of pie?”

  I run a hand through her hair as I think about how much work I feel like doing.

  “Everyone else, you also ready for pie?” I ask, glancing around at everyone else.

  I get a chorus of nods, which is really all the reason I need, but the lack of my sunglasses is beginning to annoy me.

  “Amelia, could I please have my sunglasses back?” I ask, glancing down at her.

  “Well, I was thinking about that. And no, you can’t have them. We’re home. So you should be comfortable enough to be yourself.”

  “Let me clear the table, and then I’m going to bring the pies out.” I say, phasing and letting Amelia’s head fall.

  As I only have two arms, I bring the pies two at a time to the table. “Alright, we have; Almond Chess, French Silk, Peppermint Ice cream, Apple, and Blueberry.” I say, gesturing to each pie?.

  Asher, Travis, Cass, Sasha, and Bianca all look at me in confusion. Four of them, because they clearly haven’t been to friendsgiving at my household before, and Bianca probably because she wants more pie even if she’s not done with the slice she has.

  They continue to look at me, but I just go about placing the usual suspects on folks’ plates since I know what Reyna and Amelia are going to want.

  “Pumpkin?” Travis finally asks quietly.

  “What about pumpkins?” I ask being purposefully difficult.

  “No pumpkin pie?”

  “Never had it at Thanksgiving before, so I don’t know why I would make it.” I reply.

  “I call bullshit.” Asher accuses.

  Amelia shakes her head as she accepts her plate with three slices on it. “Nope. It’s either the longest con his family started when meeting me or they genuinely don’t do pumpkin pie. Just everything else.”

  There’s a little bit of grumbling, but after everyone tries some of the various pies, the complaints die quickly.

  My weakness to puppy dog eyes remains constant, and I give Bianca a slice of almond pie before I finally sit down with my own plate.

  Even sweeter than all the sugar in the dish is having the people to enjoy it with.

  If I could, I would extend this moment so we don’t have to go back to fighting, but it’s impossible, I’m sure.

  Whatever comes, I'll protect them.

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