but oh what a year

[patrols]

Comments

[acdc_rules]

He knows enough.

[There's a lot, and a lot he doesn't know how to explain.]

There's a lot I'm still figuring out, so he can't know everything.

[matriarchate]

He doesn't need to. It's your choice what to tell him and where to go from there. Most of us are in the life at this point, so there's nothing to keep from them.

( Well, except things that don't involved them. Personal things. )

[acdc_rules]

Yeah.

[It's not that Ben doesn't want to tell him, it's just that trauma is hard for him to talk about and he doesn't know if Dickerson will be able to just sit and listen.]

I'll get there eventually. And I'm okay, really. Got an in the know therapist and everything.

[matriarchate]

I would say that's half the battle.

( But she's not in therapy. )

Also, there's no time table on anything. Yours or his.

[acdc_rules]

I know.

[Doesn't always feel that way, but he does know that. It's part of what he's going to be trying to convince Dean of later. Would be helpful if he remembered it too.]

I'll figure it out.

[matriarchate]

Sam's a little easier to talk to, but, if you ever need a Winchester break, I know Elena or me are available. Have you seen the bunker yet?

( That will be as step, too. )

[acdc_rules]

[He shakes his head.]

Dean's mostly been in Battlecreek, and then everything with Elena happened. I'll probably get out there eventually. I just have to make it work with my job.

[Downside of having a normal one.]

[matriarchate]

Where do you work?

( Now this feels less like gossip and more like getting to know Dean's son. )

[acdc_rules]

I'm a mechanic. I work at a garage in town.

[Yes, his is a much more comfortable area of conversation.]

I've worked there since I got out of trade school and will probably take it over after my boss retires.

[matriarchate]

He would probably give you some time off?

( She doesn't know the man, or that he's Dickerson's father, but who wouldn't give them time off. )

[acdc_rules]

Oh, yeah. But there has to be a certain amount of notice, and I only get so many days. I gotta wait for the year to roll over.

[Normal jobs have rules. They're boring that way.]

I'm also ... waiting for Dean to do the inviting? No offense.

[Part of their issues have always been Dean letting him be part of his world, so he needs Dean to keep making those offers.]

[matriarchate]

No offense taken. I'm sure Dean isn't far off.

( He knows Dean's trying every way not to screw this up. And in doing so, he will eventually screw up. But, that's also parenting. Thank you, Chris Argent. And, from what she's heard, John and Mary Winchester at points. )

I have never had a... job like that. Closest thing is probably gymnastics when I was a kid? I did go to school in France to go to school, but I didn't finish.

[acdc_rules]

Nothing wrong with that. So long as you're doing what you love, right?

[And before Allison can respond to that, Elena the Christmas Fairy slides over, two gifts in her hand. Dawn has wandered off, with Cordy at this point. She flashes them both a smile, before handing a wrapped package off to Allison and a gift bag to Ben.

"Merry Christmas!"]

Ben gapes briefly, before narrowing his eyes.]

Were we supposed to do gifts?

["No," Elena replies with a smile. "I'm just incorrigible."]

[matriarchate]

She had a lot of time on her hands, before. And she's very giving.

( She accepts the gift and makes a mental note that she'll have to get her back. Even so, she sighs and sits back, undoing her wrapping and box top. )

[braveandstupid]

[Inside, is some slick new archery gear - a new sight for her compound bow and, as well as some new gloves.]

Sam helped me figure out what you need, and I think he asked your dad? If I didn't get the right stuff, let me know and we can swap it for the right stuff.

[Ben, on the other side of her, pulls out the screen print t-shirt, and when he reads what's on it ("My life was ruined by the supernatural and all I got was this stupid t-shirt"), he laughs, before shaking his head. "Clever. You know I can't weart this anywhere, right?"

Elena grins.]

Yeah, but we're still getting to know each other, so I went for the easy joke.

[matriarchate]

No, this should all work real nicely.

( It's very her. Tactical and functional. She looks up, grinning. )

Thank you, Elena.

( She looks over at Ben's shirt. )

You could always sleep in it. Or save it for the mornings. Or, when you get home from work. Is it soft? It looks soft.

[braveandstupid]

["It is soft," he admits with a nod. "Thank you."]

You are very welcome. And I'm really glad both of you came.

[But especially Ben. This is good for everyone all around.]

[matriarchate]

It kind of came with the girlfriend territory, but, me, too, Elena. And you, Ben. We're all happy you made it.

( What it must be like to be the topic of conversation across the party, she doesn't know. She's never been that special, and never tried to be. )

[acdc_rules]

I'm glad I was invited.

[Which is really all it takes. To be wanted, at the end of the day.]

And I'm going to go get some more food. But I'll see you both later?

[Elena nods. "Make sure you get some of the lasagna before it's gone. It is Stefan's specialty for a reason."]

[matriarchate]

I know where I'm going next.

( She closes the box, holding it to herself, as she stands. )

Have you eaten, or just dropped gifts off?

[braveandstupid]

I've nibbled. And I do have more gifts to distribute.

[She smiles and gives her shoulder a squeeze.]

I'll catch up with you guys in the kitchen later.

[matriarchate]

Promise me you'll do more than nibble?

( OK? )

OK. I'm holding you to that. And I will send Bonnie after you if I don't see a full plate, or any plate.

[braveandstupid]

I promise. In fact, I will send you a picture of it.

[And if it helps, she also hasn't really been drinking (yet) so she's doing okay.]