8755/Happy Thanksgiving, Char...uhm, Peter Parker!

Happy Thanksgiving, Char...uhm, Peter Parker!
Date of Scene:	20 November 2021
Location:	Parker Residence - 20 Ingram Street - Queens
Synopsis:	Kara comes to Thanksgiving Dinner and meets Aunt May (again) and Harry Osborn for the first time.
Cast of Characters:	Peter Parker, Kara Danvers

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Peter Parker has posed:
Timing had to be perfect. Even so much as ONE MINUTE off, and...
The beep sounded, and the voice from behind him said, "Okay...now pull it out...SLOWLY..."
He did so, withdrawing the object from the dark void and placing it on the counter. "...Okay...did it...now what?"

Then the light THWAP with the dishcloth came, and Aunt May said wryly, "Now, you can go into the backyard and check on the turkey while I get the stuffing, the sweet potatoes, and the gravy taken care of. The potatoes should be ready to be mashed in ten minutes."
"Yes, Aunt May. Uhm, Kara should be arriving any minute. Maybe I should..."
One stern look, and Peter retreated to the back yard. "I will answer the door, Peter. You just mind the turkey."
The back door closed, and she sighed, then smirked and returned to her tasks.

It would be a good time to socialize with Kara. She just hoped she didn't have any odd exes. Supergirl was a dear one, but that had gone SO wrong...

Kara Danvers has posed:
There's an unfamiliar sensation growing in Supergirl's mind as she flies up the Eastern Seaboard, towards an enconter with fate. Fear. Oh, Kara knows fear, she's certainly felt it before. But she's used to feeling fear when she's facing Darkseid. Parasite. Doomsday. Beings that threaten entire planets, if not reality itself.

She never expected fear from this particular source...

Quickly flying over Queens, Supergirl lands in an alley, and quickly emerged onto Ingram Street as mild-mannered, and nervous, college student and intern at the Daily Planet, Kara Danvers. She's wearing 'nice' clothing; khaki slacks and black flats, along with an orange and brown sweater for the festive season. She also has a Tupperware container, held in front of her like she's bearing a religious offering to an altar. Kara takes a deep breath s she stands infront of the door, her heart pounding in her chest like she's never known it to, and she smooths out the brown hair of her wig and adjusts her glasses before ringing the doorbell.

Time for Kara to face her fear. May Parker.

Peter Parker has posed:
The ring is answered shortly, and the door opens to reveal Aunt May.
She defuses the moment by smiling warmly to Kara, and she apparently passed muster.
"Come in, come in, Kara," she says gently, looking to Kara's face and then to the container. "Oh, my word...you didn't have to bring anything, but I appreciate the contribution. What did you bring?"

She steps aside for Kara to enter the Parker abode.

Kara Danvers has posed:
Kara lets out a breath that she didn't realize she was holding in; even managing not to super-breath the front off the Parker residence. "Hello, Mrs. Parker," Kara replies in ber best 'manners' voice. "It's nice to finally meet you. well, I mean...like 'meet' meet you..." Oh, Rao; she's babbling. But, when May mentions the container, Kara holds out her gift to the Parker residence. "Ummm....cookies. Pumpkin spice snickerdoodles. Peter told me I didn't have to bring anything, but I still wanted to contribute. And, this is about the extent of my cooking skills..." She blushes at that. Then,Kara seems to realize that the door is still open and she hasn't entered yet. So, she crosses the threshold and makes sure May has the cookies once inside. "Oh. And Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you for inviting me to your home for dinner."

Peter Parker has posed:
Aunt May smiles warmly. "I am sure you do very well...mmm, those do smell wonderful. I made apple and pumpkin pie, but I am sure Peter and I will enjoy these."
She leads Kara into the kitchen, where a veritable cornucopia of food is visible. Sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, bread stuffing, a sauce pan with gravy simmering, a pot of potatoes in a rolling boil, and the aforementioned pies sitting on the windowsill, like something out of a Rockwell print.

The only thing missing was a turkey.

"Peter is out back, dear. He's actually cooking the turkey by deep-frying it in the backyard. And his friend Harry is out there, as well. I am sure they are being the boys they are, though..."

Kara Danvers has posed:
"I'm sure he's being careful, Mrs. Parker," Kara replies with a soft smile for her boyfriend. "He generally knows what he's doing and knows when to have fun and when to be serious." Sure, she doesn't really need to defend Peter to May, but Kara still feels the need to stick up for him, regardless. "And...I'm still in college. So I'll admit that my cooking skills aren't the greatest. But I'm wanting to learn. And I'll probably take a class or two when I find the time." She smiles at May again, then looks to the back door. "I should probably go check on Peter and get introduced to his friend..." The freind that Peter distinctly warned her might try to steal her away from him...

There's the creak of the back door opening, and Kara sticks her head out to look around before emerging from the house. "Ummm...hello?"

Peter Parker has posed:
It is an...interesting tableau.

Beyond the wooden deck set against the rear door, where a weight set and heavy punching bag are placed to the left of the deck, a short three steps lead down onto the grass. Five feet away from the steps, a heavy gas burner is applying a lot of heat to what looks like a five-gallon steel pot. The metal lid has a metal thermometer leading to a small white plastic unit displaying temperature and time.

Far to the left of that, two young men are tussling around in the grass. One is Peter, of course. But the other, a well-dressed young man about Peter's age with brick-red short hair and a long, angular face, has Peter in a headlock.
"Tap out, man!" the redhead crowed.
"Never! Never in...KARA!" Peter is suddenly looking right at Kara, eyes wide, and stops struggling.
The redhead looks up as well, then grins widely. It's almost a manic grin, but the eyes are wide and intrigued. He looks down, then jumps off of Peter, standing up and smoothing out his clothing, which is Armani. Grass-stained Armani.
Peter jumps up and runs over to Kara, hugging her. "So glad you could make it!"

Kara Danvers has posed:
"So much for knowing when to have fun and when to be serious..." Kara mutters as she sees the playfighting. But, Peter hugs her, and she's all smiles again. "Happy Thanksgiving," she says to him and caps it with a soft kiss on the lips. Kara stays in Peter's embrace as she urns to face the other man. "And you must be Harry Osborn. Happy Thanksgiving, Harry; it's nice to meet you." With the pleasantries out of the way, Kara looks back at Peter. "Need any help out here?" she asks softly and lowers her glasses for a moment. Others notin the know might think she's being suggestive with the glasses move. Then again, they don't know that she could cook the turkey in about a minute on her own by just staring at it.

Peter Parker has posed:
Harry stared for a moment before chuckling and heading up the steps to stand in front of Peter and Kara. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Kara. Peter has been talking about you quite a bit." He winks. "Don't worry, it was all good."
"Kara, please excuse my friend Harry, he is cursed with an excess of PERSONALITY."
"Ah, ya love it, Petesky." Harry looked back to Kara. "You can hang out with us for a bit before Aunt May calls Pete in to mash the ptoatoes. After he's done, the turkey should be about ready. You'll love it, Kara, I guarantee it."
Peter doesn't seem to mind the treatment by Harry's words. In fact, the warmth in his face never dampens for a moment. "Aunt May won't let Harry mash them. She wants him to relax and spend time with me...well, us."
Harry shrugs. "Well, what can I tell you? Dad's somewhere in Zurich right now, talking to some bankers. So, I figured I'd hang with my best bud."
He smiles easily enough...as long as you don't think too hard about the fact his father would rather talk to a Swiss bank than spend Thanksgiving with his son...

Kara Danvers has posed:
"Well, I'm sure May wanted me to relax, as well, and let everything be taken care of by her and Peter. But, I sort of broke that by bringing some cookies I made." She looks over at Peter, smiling apologetically. "Sorry. She ddn't seem upset that I did, though."

"Oh! I was on the ESU campus the other day," she tells Peter. "Ben Urich was giving a Journalism lecture. I wanted to have lunch with you, but your phone message said you were doing lab work." She gives Peter a quick kiss on the cheek. "Another time, though." She turns to look at Harry, not wanting to leave him out of the conversation. "Are you going to ESU too, harry? Or some other school? What's your major?"

Peter Parker has posed:
Harry smiles wryly. "I'm taking a gap year. I figured I needed a break from NYU, and enjoy my youth a little before it's all gone. But...I got to missing Petesky's dopey face..."
"Steady on there," Peter warned, but gently.
Harry grinned. "See? How could you not fall in love with that earnest face?" He smirked to Kara. "I know, he's taken, but he's my best friend. I can rib him a LITTLE."
"True...true." Peter said wryly.
"Anyway, I hope you'll put up with his chronic lateness. Attendance issues aside, he's probably the best friend I've ever had." He looks over to the house, then says, "Gonna get another soda. You two commingle while I do."
Harry waves, then trots to the back door and steps inside.
Peter sighed after Harry was out of earshot. "Richer than Croesus, and his dad can't be bothered to have Thanksgiving with him. Norman may be in the advanced classes for CEO, but Parenthood classes are closer to the remedial end..."

Kara Danvers has posed:
"well, I'm so busy, and I like in Metropolis, I'm surprised Peter puts up with me at all." Kara smiles at her beau, hugging his arm tighter. Yes; she's making sure Harry knows that Peter is taken; and so is she...

"Try one of the cookies," Kara tells Harry eagerly as he heads back inside. Then, Peter makes his comment and Kara nods, sadly. "I know how he feels. When...everything started happening. My father didn't have much time for my mother or me. But even still, he tried his best to make time. Even if it was only 2 hours over a week. But I don't know Harry's situation like you do, so I can't judge his father's actions." That's Kara; wanting to give the benefit of the doubt to everyone. Even monsters.

But, she wants to move into happier territory, so Kara continues hugging Peter's arm and rests her head on his shoulders. "I think your aunt likes me. You know, when I'm not causing her house to be exploded..."

Peter Parker has posed:
Peter smiled, nuzzling Kara's cheek. "She's tough, but fair. I think she sees your innate goodness, like most do."
He looks back to the pot, then chuckles. "You should see this. It's a serious exercise in chemistry. The oil cooks the turkey without actually penetrating the meat itself. It actually forms a barrier that keep sthe moisture inside so it doesn't dry out. It's going to be great when it's done."
He hugs her a little tighter, then asks, "How was eating with your family?"

Kara Danvers has posed:
Kara nods as Peter explains the turkey cooking. "The Leidenfrost Effect, I believe you call it. Same principle behind walking on hot coals, right?" Yes, Kara can science geek right along with Peter. She's content to let Peter be the chef, but Kara does briefly check on the turkey directly with her X-Ray vision...

"It was good," she says in reply to Peter's question about Thanksgiving with Kal's family. "Enough food to rival what May has cooked here, and I'm going to guess the same level of quality." She really is looking forward to the time when the secrets can be fully lowered between the families, and May and Martha meet in the Great Superhero Mother Cook-Off.

Peter Parker has posed:
Peter nods as he looks at the turkey. "I think it'll be done in eight minutes."
His assessment happens to be correct. The turkey is cooking quite evenly, the temperature just high enough to cook without burning, and the skin is a crispy-looking brown. It will be practically perfectly-cooked.

I think that that would indeed be a monumental day. A clash of titanesses. Like the original movie, not the remake." He looked around, then back to Kara. "I'm glad you're here, Kara. I'm glad you're with me."

Peter turned to face Kara, and then the kiss came, his lips pressing without mashing, moist without being messy, warm and inviting and betraying his desire for her. It was bold and sudden, but lasted for a few seconds before his head drew back, his eyes bright and intense and waiting for Kara's reaction...

Kara Danvers has posed:
The kiss comes before Kara and respond, so she replies without words. She leans into the kiss, closing her eyes in bliss. Her hand goes to behind Peter's head, and she melts a bit, letting Peter support her body. She mrrrs a bit as the kiss continus, willing to see it through, not wanting it to end. And when they finally do break apart, Kara smiles in adoring contentment. "I'm glad your with me," she says softly. "Glad that we got a second chance to do things right. Because I don't need superpowers to fly when I'm with you."

Peter Parker has posed:
Peter is about to reply when they hear a window slide up, and then hear Harry's voice. "It's a flippin' Kodak Moment."
Peter and Kara look towards the voice to see Aunt May and Harry looking out the kitchen window at them, with equal smirks on their faces.
"Thank you for not being vulgar, Harry. And yes...yes, it is. Now, Peter, Kara, come on in. Peter needs to mash the potatoes and you and Harry can settle in the living room while he's at work. He won't be long, though."

Kara Danvers has posed:
Kara blushes and smiles when Harry and May announce it's close to dinnertime. She gives Peter's hand a demure squeeze. "I'd rather face Darksied solo than try to insist to May that she should let me help," she whispers in a giggle. "Probably have better odds, too." She gives Peter another quick peck on the cheek, then goes back inside to sit exactly where May tells her to.

Peter Parker has posed:
Harry sits down on the recliner, off to Kara's right. Peter gave kara a peck on the cheek, then smiles to her. "Be right back, Kara."
Peter follows Aunt May into the kitchen. The moment the door closes, Harry looks to Kara. "Sorry I come across as rough. Peter's used to it by now, but I suppose it can look a little...unsavory to be rolling around in the dirt, doesn't it?"

Kara Danvers has posed:
Kara smiles at Harry and shrugs. "It's fine. May had you both pegged with 'boys will be boys'. And I know Peter can take care of himself, Honestly, I was more worried you two would knock over the fryer or rip your clothing. Still...I'm glad Peter has a good friend that he's known for a long time. A few headlocks is probably a small price to pay for that.

Peter Parker has posed:
Harry nods, looking thoughtful. "Met him in high school. We were both 15. I needed a tutor. I was failing biology...chemistry..." He chuckles. "...ALGEBRA...and Peter was supposed to be good. My dad had him checked him out six ways from Sunday. IQ beyond genius. He looks it, too. Coke-bottle glasses and all. But...he could help you UNDERSTAND. Like turning something over and over so you could see it from other angles. He never talked to me like I was stupid. Two weeks after we start, I go from D's and F's to C's...then to B's. Even one A."

He takes a deep breath. "You know who your friends are when you've got the kind of money like I do. It's like everyone wants to be your friend...if you'll just cover the restaurant bill...or the tab...or the vacation. Even girls."
He points to the kitchen door. "That guy, right there...not a thing. No loans. No plays for sympathy. He doesn't want a thing from me outside what my father paid him for tutoring...even when his uncle died. He didn't ask for one...thin...dime."
Harry runs a hand through his hair. "That's...you don't know what that was like. To find someone who liked you...for you...and nothing else. No strings attached, no favors-to-be-repaid-later."

Kara Danvers has posed:
Kara nods with Harry's word. Then smiles at him. "I can relate." And while it's not money, there is a certain curse of popularity that comes with being Supergirl. "I'm rally like Peter; money doesn't mean much to me besides you need it to pay for things. It's a necessity, but not the sum of all existence. The things that are really important; love, friendship, doing the right things. Those are all free." She gives Harry another, more sympathetic, smile. "I know we just met, Harry. I know neither of us knows a thing about the other. But I do know that we both care about Peter in our own ways. So that means I want us to be friends, too. And I'm glad I could help bring some 'family normalcy' to you for Thanksgiving."

Peter Parker has posed:
Harry smiles gratefully...almost desperately. "That...that'd be great. Really. You're one in a million, Kara. And look...if you need any help with anything...you just ask. I'll give you my number. Just...don't tell Pete. He won't take a thing from me, but if anything I can do helps him...all you have to do is ask."

He pauses. "Pete only thinks of me as 'Harry.' Not 'Harry OSBORN.' Not 'Mr. Osborn.' It's why I come here. Aunt May, Peter...they treat me like their own. He loves you like he does, expect it, too. Aunt May's more of a parent than my father EVER was."

Kara Danvers has posed:
"Well...I'll call or text you, Harry. To check up and see if you're alright, from time to time. Honestly, I appreciate the offer, but I've got enough scholarships and financial aid, that I don't really need help. It's not easy, but I'm managing."

The change of subject to Harry's absentee father causes Kara to bite her lip. "Like I said, I don't know your situation well enough to advise you or have a judgement. But I know what it's like to have a parent consumed by someething other than the family. My father...had a lot of important work to do. My mother and I didn't see him often at a certian point. But when he was with us...we made the most of the time we had. But, until your father can do that...I'm glad you're a part of this family, just like I am now. I know what it's like to feel alone; utterly alone. And I know what it's like when kind strangers accept you. So...don't spend time yearning for the family you wish you had. Do everything to make that dream family happen. But also appreciate and enjoy the family you *do* have."

Peter Parker has posed:
Harry rubs his eyes. "Yeah...you got it right, right there. I can see why Petesky's so taken with you." He exhales loudly. "My father...wishes he had Pete for a son more than me. He is rabid to snap Peter up to work at OsCorp. RABID. He wants the Genius. But Pete can't be bought. And Dad HATES that. He thinks everyone has a price. but Pete doesn't..."
"Hey, you two! Food's ready! Need help bringing everything into the dining room!" Peter called as he stepped out of the kitchen. "I believe the turkey will be ready in a minute, have to be there when it is."

He leans forward to smooch Kara as Harry got up to help. "See you with the Bird in a New York Minute."

Kara Danvers has posed:
Kara smiles and returns the smooch. "I'll ask may ifthere's anything I can do to help. Not that she'll let me, I expect..." She stands up, and gives Harry a sympatheic pat on the shoulder and a nod. "We can talk about it later. 'Enjoy the family you have', remember?" And then, Kara goes into the kitchen, daring to ask May, "Is there anything I can do? Anything I can help bring out or set? I do appreciate being a guest, Mrs. Parker, but I also like to contribute. My family has a motto. 'Stronger Together'. And I like heping any way that I can."

Peter Parker has posed:
As Peter steps out to the backyard, Aunt May points to two dishes. "All right, Kara. Use the blue potholders for the dressing and the sweet potatoes. Harry my boy, I need you to take the gravy boat. Carefully, it's quite hot."

By the time people leave the kitchen with their charges, Peter has already returned, with a beautifully-cooked turkey on the table, eager to help.