Work Text:
• | Ghostbusters| •
Psychotic Blonde: I hope you guys have a Thankful Thanksgiving!
Worse Twin: thankful Thanksgiving? 💀
Star Boy: Thanks! But please, never say that again.
Better Twin: ^
Psychotic Blonde: u guys are so mean! can't I wish my friends a Thankful Thanksgiving??
Carrot-Top: I agree with Logan.
Psychotic Blonde: You too Ash??
Psychotic Blonde: you break my heart 💔
Carrot-Top: You're so dramatic.
Benjamin Franklin: He's just sad we can't have Thanksgiving.
Worse Twin: you guys aren't having thanksgiving?
Psychotic Blonde: I'm not sad just bored, and no we aren't having Thanksgiving.
Benjamin Franklin: Yeah our parents aren't home.
Worse Twin: The mfs went on a trip without y'all OVER THANKSGIVING BREAK?
Psychotic Blonde: Yep.
Worse Twin: Dude. That's shitty.
Better Twin: Without the curse words I agree. Who leaves their kid alone on Thanksgiving?
Psychotic Blonde: Were used to it. So don't feel too bad. :)
Carrot-Top: You can do Thanksgiving at my house.
Psychotic Blonde: Really? Are your parents okay with that?
Carrot-Top: Trust me, if I ask to do anything with any of you guys they'll let me. 💀
Benjamin Franklin: Isn't Thanksgiving centered around family though?
Carrot-Top: Not necessarily and you are family. Aiden's my boyfriend so technically you are family.
Worse Twin: I've never heard you actually admit that.
Better Twin: ^ We've heard Aiden admit it but not you.
Carrot-Top: 乁( •_• )ㄏ
Psychotic Blonde: See? I told you she loves me.
Carrot-Top: Debatable. Anyways are you two gonna come over or not?
Psychotic Blonde: Yep! Just give us 10 minutes.
Carrot-Top: 30 minutes. Wear something decent Aiden.
Psychotic Blonde: No. :)
Psychotic Blonde: I wanna get there as fast I can.
Carrot-Top: You're insufferable.
Psychotic Blonde: Love you too. ❤️
Worse Twin: PDA. PDA. PDAAAAAAA.
Better Twin: Stfu Tyler. I think it's adorable.
___________________________________________________
Aiden read the last few messages while he practically flew off his stairway. When Aiden landed he looked up to see Ben looking down at him with a concerned expression. Aiden only chuckled at this.
"I'm good Ben. Now let's get going!" Aiden yelled cheerfully.
Ben nodded. Aiden could tell Ben was excited, it had been awhile since either of the boys had a thanksgiving, let alone together.
The two boys walked out the door not even a minute after they were asked to go to Ashlyns. He and Ben were definitely not following Ashlyns rule of getting dressed decently. Infact it was the exact opposite of what she had asked.
Ben was wearing the same clothes he always wore. A gray T-shirt and black jeans. He never wore anything else. It was weird to most but to him and Aiden it was the norm. Aiden on the other hand wore a black hoodie with a red smiley face outline on the front of it. Aiden wore gray sweatpants to try and contrast to the hoodie.
The cousins walked along the stone pavement. They had about a mile walk to get to Ashlyns house. It wasn't too far but it was a nice walk to get some steps in.
Aiden listened to the crunch of leaves underneath him when he and Ben walked. Aiden loved the noise of dead leaves crunching. Aiden loved the breeze of that flowed around him, and he loved the way the wind ruffled his hair. There was something so therapeutic about Autumn that Aiden couldn't explain. Perhaps it was because his birthday was in the fall? Maybe, he didn't know.
Aiden cherished the feeling of being outside while he and Ben continued to walk to Ashlyns house. When Aiden saw the graveyard he couldn't contain his excitement. He didn't really believe Ashlyn had invited him and Ben for Thanksgiving. He and Ashlyn had only been dating for a few weeks now. The past weeks to him were probably the best he's had in his life. Aiden loved Ashlyn so much. He couldn't believe she was actually his. It just didn't feal real for him, being the psycho, extroverted boy to be dating Ashlyn, the closed off and introverted girl. Aiden supposed he and Ashlyn were the saying, 'opposites attract.'
As Ben and Aiden neared to Ashlyns house, about a block away from reaching her porch; Aiden couldn't wait and took off running.
He heard Ben make a surprised noise behind him, but when Aiden looked back he saw Ben running a foot behind him. Aiden grinned wildly as he reached the door. He lifted his arm to knock on the door but as he tried to knock the door swung swiftly open.
Aiden let out a surprised sqeak as his arm almost hit Ashlyn in the face. Thank the Lord Ashlyn had a quick reaction time because she had almost immediately gripped Aiden's wrist to stop his arm from hitting her.
Aiden couldnt help but observe his lover. Her hair wasn't braided today. Instead it was lose, letting her the wild waves of hair she had flow down to her hips. Aiden loved how long her hair was, he especially loved when it was down like this. Aiden found her very eye-catching when she had her hair down. Not that she didn't look eye-catching to him all the time. He thought everything about her was stunning. Her beautiful sage green eyes that softened when she saw a puppy, the same eyes that bore hatred in them when they looked at phantoms. Don't even get Aiden started on her freckles. He could ramble for hours about how pretty her freckles were.
Aiden grinned with same amount of enthusiasm he always did. "Heyy Ash~!" He attempted to say in a sing-song voice but it sounded more like one of those highschool movie girls saying 'hi' to their crush. Which wasn't far off from Aiden and Ashlyns relationship, other than Ashlyn wasn't his crush, she was his girlfriend. . .and also that Aiden isn't a high school movie girl either.
Ashlyn observed Aiden and Ben. She was probably disappointed that Aiden hadn't followed the one rule Ashlyn had for him. If she was disappointed she didn't acknowledge it, instead she sighed, "Come on. Food is already set down at the table."
Ashlyn let go of Aiden's wrist letting his arm fall down to his side. Aiden followed Ashlyn with Ben right behind him. Aiden looked around to see Mr and Mrs. Banner looking at the trio.
"Hey Ben! Hey Aiden! It's nice to have you two here." Mike said, greeting both of the boys. Aiden noted that there weren't any other family members. Just Ashlyn and her parents. Mike was dressed as casual as he and Ben were. He wore a plain, blue long-sleeved shirt and black pants. Ashlyns mom wasn't any different, she had a maroon sweatshirt on and black leggings. Aiden was starting to get confused on the look decent rule Ashlyn set for him and Ben. It wasn't like she wore anything fancy. She had on an oversized army green sweatshirt that Aiden had bought for her. He smiled to himself when ever he saw her wearing it. Ashlyn hadn't known it but Aiden secretly bought it in his size. It was funny to see Ashlyn grumble about how much bigger it was then her normal size when it was actually her boyfriends size.
The table was already set when Aiden and Ben sat down. Aiden sat on the side closest to the couch with Ashlyn to his left and Ben to his right. Mrs. and Mr. Banner sat across from them with one empty chair to Mikes right.
When Aiden had sat down his nose was immediately assaulted by all the different smells of food. The Banners had prepared a whole turkey, slices of ham, fluffy bread rolls, mac and cheese with toasted breading on top, a pot of stuffing, and green bean casserole. There was so much food for just 3 people.
"I'm glad you two came. Mike made way too much food." Emma said practically reading Aiden's thoughts.
Aiden heard Mike huff across from him. Mike side-eyed his wife crossing his arms. "I'm a growing man." He said sticking his nose into the air. Emma rolled her eyes at her husband's response. In a way the two reminded Aiden of him and Ashlyn. *Guess dating an extrovert runs in the family.* Aiden thought, chuckling to himself.
Ashlyn looked over at him and grinned, "What're you laughing at?" Aiden met her eyes and smirked.
"Wouldn't you like to know." He said, his shit-eating grin growing infinitely wider. Aiden lowered his face closer to hers, and Ashlyns faced flushed pink. Ashlyn stuck her tongue out at him and looked away. Aiden looked back as well and made eye contact with her parents. Mike, who's eyes narrowed in suspicion and Emma, who had knowing smile plastered on her face.
He smiled sheepishly at the pair. Aiden forgot he couldn't do anything that'd out him and Ashlyn. Aiden didn't think Ashlyn would ever forgive him for that one.
"Well?" Mike said, one of his eyesbrows raising. Aiden gulped, he hoped her dad wouldn't ask anything about what just happened. "You two can help yourself to food, you don't need to wait." Oh. That's what he was talking about.
"Okay!" Aiden said, relief washing over him. He was glad he hadn't messed up and accidentally put him and Ashlyn in an awkward situation.
When Mike said that Ben took no hesitation to grab food. Ben practically filled his plate with a little bit of everything. He wasn't a picky eater, Ben would eat just about anything you made for him.
Aiden helped himself to getting a plate full of straight Mac and Cheese. Ashlyn had looked over and made a noise of disgust. He shrugged at her. Aiden, unlike Ben was a picky eater. He didn't like many things, half the time he didn't eat lunch at school. Aiden only ate the fries they had and then he played with the rest of food. Molding the food into awful sculptures. Aiden did like Mac and Cheese, as it was a childhood dish of his that his dad would make for him. His dad wasn't the cook of the house but every once and awhile when Aiden was little he'd make the box Mac and Cheese for Aiden. So the dish had became a nostalgic memory for him. He was sure he ate it more for the nostalgic memories of when he actually had his parents around more than actually liking the taste of the food.
Aiden hadn't had M&C in a really, really long time. He hadn't ever had it with bread crumbs sprinkled on the top either. He picked up his fork and picked at the plate for a few seconds before finally skewering a noodle and eating it. Aiden's eyes widened at the taste. The soft noodle with creamy Alfredo sauce contrasted by the the small crunch of bread crumbs. Aiden immediately found his new favorite dish. He started eating the M&C like it was his death row meal. (A/N just think of this scene being the same as him eating that sandwich in EP 28 👍)
"Aiden.." Ashlyn grumbled with a frown on her face. Aiden looked up at her after completely demolishing his food like a vacuum. Aiden had a bit of Alfredo sauce dribbled on his chin.
"What?" He asked, confused.
"You have Alfredo sauce on your face." She said bluntly. Aiden let out an oh of acknowledgement and then almost wiped the sauce of his face with his sleeve. Ashlyn was quick to stop the boy with an increasly bigger frown on her face.
"Absolutely not. Use a napkin."
Aiden mumbled something about it being easier to just use his sleeve but he obliged anyway. He grabbed a napkin from underneath his plate and rubbed all over his face. Except the one place where the Alfredo sauce was. Ashlyn slapped her palm to her face as the boy continued to rub the napkin on his forehead.
"Aiden. It's on your chin, not your forehead." Ashlyn said sighing heavily. Aiden heard Mike stifle a laugh from infront of him. Aiden looked up to see Emma elbow her husband in the ribcage. The attempt to shut her husband up did nothing as he continued to struggle with not laughing.
Once Aiden had successfully wiped the alfredo sauce of his chin he smiled nervously. *Fuck I just embarrassed myself.* Now Aiden didn't necessarily ever care about embarrassing himself in front of anyone. But when it came to Ashlyn and her family he found himself having to overthink everything he did. Aiden tapped his left foot rapidly. It became a habit for the boy when ever he was uncomfortable or nervous. Ashlyn was the only one who seemed to notice this. Ben would have noticed too if he wasn't to busy with his food.
Ashlyn lightly brushed her foot with Aiden's to get his attention. Aiden looked at her and smiled reassuringly. He was okay. He'd be fine after the next few minutes. Probably.. hopefully..
Aiden looked away and back to his plate. He suddenly didn't feel like eating anymore Mac and Cheese. He heard someone clear their throat from across the table. Surprisingly it was Emma instead of Mike. Mike was always the conversation starter, not the other way around.
"So.. how's school been going for you guys?" Emma said in a badly attempted way to change the topic. Aiden was thankful for the change of topic, even if it was horribly obvious.
"It's been alright, I guess." Ashlyn mumbled quietly. Her, him, and Ben all knew that was a lie. Their entire friend group was failing, even Logan was failing. The group couldn't function with their nightmare-ish situation, but in their defense who could? It's not easy to balance fighting evil flesh-eating goo monsters for 7 hours then have to battle school every morning.
"Has the guy that bullied Logan been trying anything?" Emma asked. A look of seriousness settling over her features.
"Nah. Not ever since the first time we caught Logan getting bullied." Aiden jumped in. It was true. Barron hadn't even come close to their group since Tyler had threatened to tell on him to coach. That was on of the few times Aiden found himself actually liking Tyler. He did like Tyler when he pissed him off though. That was pretty fun.
"That's good. Just let us know if he tries anything." Emma smiled with such kindness that you could mistake the sentence as a compliment. It was not, it was very much a threat. Even though Barron wasn't here Aiden felt like he could sense the threat from here.
The table stayed silent for a few minutes. The only thing you could hear was the clang of silverware on plates and Emma asking if Ashlyn could pass the butter. Other than that the table was silent, till Mike decided to ask a question.
"Any of you boy got a girlfriend yet?" Aiden almost spit out the the water he was drinking when he processed the question. He heard Ben to his right hacking and coughing as he doubled over in his chair.
"Uhm.. boyfriends?" Mike added on, not sure who the boys liked. Aiden started laughing his ass off as Mike tried nervously adding on things. The more he added the more it just made things worse.
Even Ashlyn laughed a bit as her father started to freak out. "Was it something I said?" He asked his wife. Emma was pinching the bridge of her nose but she the edges of her mouth were upturned.
Once Aiden finally recollected himself he decided to save Mike from his situation. "I'm not sure about Ben, but I do have a girlfriend." He said grinning from ear to ear.
Emma lifted her eyebrows in surprise. Her eyes flicked from Aiden to her daughter then back to Aiden. Her eyes narrowed at Aiden and he wasn't sure why.
Mikes panicked expression changed into an amused expression. "Really? Is she pretty?"
Aiden scoffed at the question, "Obviously. She's the prettiest girl in the world." He smiled snugly, crossing his arms in a proud way. He heard Ashlyn shift next to him. *She's probably blushing so much right now.* Aiden thought, the image of Ashlyn hiding his blushing face amusing him.
"Have you met her Ashlyn?" Mike asked, turning his attention to his daughter. Aiden took this as a chance to see Ashlyn. Yep, she was definitely blushing. Even though she had a straight face, the redness creeping up her face said it all.
"Yeah, I have." She said, shrugging at the question.
"Do you agree that she's pretty?" Mike asked. It seemed he trusted his daughters opinion more than Aiden's, which was fair.
Aiden looked at her expectantly, but she froze. She hesitated on an answer. Aiden wondered why before he realized she would be rating herself. Aiden chuckled as he decided to save her.
"Come on Ash~! You compliment how beautiful she is all the time!" He said butting in. "You almost love her as much as I do!"
Ashlyns face flushed even redder the more Aiden spoke. He was doing this on purpose. He was literally teasing her infront of her parents. Ashlyn swatted him in the face lightly. Aiden rubbed his nose dramatically.
"Yeah, she's pretty." Ashlyn finished.
Emma and Mike raised there eyebrows in curiosity. "Who's this girl? You've never talked about her before, Trooper."
Ashlyn frose as quick as Aiden did. *Shit.* They thought in unison. Aidens brain blanked as he and Ashlyn continued to stay silent.
"Her names.. Aidelyn Banark." Aiden looked at her mouthing the word, 'Seriously?' Ashlyn frowned at her boyfriend, 'I panicked' she mouthed back.
"That's an interesting last name.. Did they just move here?" Mike asked, suspicion filling his voice.
"Yeah. She moved here about the same time I did." Aiden said, thankful they hadn't questioned him about the name.
"What's she look like?" Emma asked. *Why do they keep asking questions? Please stop making this harder to bullshit.* He silently pleaded.
"Her hair is strawberry blonde.. and her eyes are a light shade of brown. She's also got these pretty freckles that are splattered across her face." Aiden said. There was no love behind the first two parts but behind the freckles he meant it.
Ashlyn looked at him with eyebrow raised. He smiled sheepishly at her, 'I panicked too.' he mouthed. It was much easier to describe a mix between the two instead of making a whole new person.
"Interesting. Well I hope you two will have a good life together." Mike said, the suspicion leaving.
The tension in Aiden's shoulders dropped as he sighed, "Yeah we will." He smiled hopefully with that one. He really hoped he and Ashlyn would never break up.
"What about you, Ben?" Mike asked moving on from Aiden.
Aiden looked over at his cousin. Ben couldn't talk so he'd have to answer for him. As far as Aiden knew he Ben didn't have a girlfriend. But when he looked closer at his cousin he saw that his cheeks were tinted a light shade of pink. *Does Ben like someone? I'll have to ask him later.* Aiden thought.
"Nah, Ben doesn't have anyone." At least that Aiden knew of.
"Trooper?" Mike said.
Ashlyn raised an eyebrow at her father, "What?"
"I asked the boys if they had anyone, so I think it's fair I ask you too. Nobody is left out at this table." Mike said looking expectantly at his daughter.
"Nope. I don't have anyone either." Ashlyn said almost immediately.
Aiden took this as a challenge to tease her more, "I dunno Ash~"
Ashlyn and her parents looked at him in the same confusion.
"You're pretty close to that blonde hair guy in our First Period." He teased, smirking at her. That wasn't a lie at all. She was very close to said Blonde boy in question, aka him.
Mike and Emma immediately started bombarding their daughter with questions. Ashlyn glared daggers at Aiden. He only smiled teasingly at her.
"Aiden's lying. There is no blonde boy in my first period." She stated, crossing her arms.
"Nuh uh. Ask Ben." Aiden said. Mike and Emma looked to Ben and he nodded. Ben didnt really care about teasing Ashlyn, but if Aiden found it amusing he'd choose his side.
*Traitor!* Ashlyn thought, biting her tongue from saying it out loud. *I'm so throwing both of you off the wall tonight.*
"Ashlyn! How come you never told us!?" Emma asked, dramatically hurt.
"Because there is no blonde boy in my first period! The only blonde boy in my first period is Aiden!" She snapped, trying to prove her point.
"Nope she's lying." Aiden said crossing his arms.
"I will literally kick you out right now." Ashlyn threatened.
"Ah, ah. No one is being kicked out. Let's just move on from this topic while I get dessert out." Mike said sternly, trying to stop the arguing.
"We can talk about this later Ashlyn." He said, getting up from his chair and moving to walk to the kitchen.
"But-" Ashlyn started, "No buts, Ashlyn." Emma interrupted. Ashlyn grumbled but stopped. Aiden looked over at her and he felt a little guilty. She actually looked pretty pissed. He'd try and make it up to her later.
"Hey boys! Come in here and pick out what dessert you want." Mike yelled. That was a little silly, since the kitchen was right next to the dining room. Ben eagerly sat up and walked to the kitchen, Aiden followed closely behind.
"We've got pumpkin pie over here and peanut butter brownies over there that you can put ice cream and hot fudge on." As soon as Mike said that Ben immediately went over to the brownie area. Aiden was about to follow him when his shoulder was grabbed. He turned around to see Mike smiling down at him. There was something off about the smile, it didn't look to.. kind? It was the type of smile that made Aiden's skin crawl. Aiden smiled nervously at him.
"Y'know.. you two are horrible liars." Mike said, his voice low.
"Uhm.. what do you mean??" Aiden said, his smile growing wider out of instinct. His eyes looked away, anywhere except the eyes of Mike.
"You know exactly what I mean." He said, Aiden was about to answer before Mike started again. "Not sure how you two happened." Mike said, looking to him then to his daughter. Aiden found it understandable, he didn't exactly know how either.
"But I think you're a decent.. enough kid." Mike said smiling, putting his hand on Aidens shoulder.
"Eh.. heh.. thanks." Aiden said, hoping this would be over. The hand on his shoulder gripped tighter, not enough to hurt, just enough to make a noticeable difference.
"But if you do anything to my daughter and we find out, I think you know what me and my wife are capable of doing." Mike said, still smiling but his tone of voice told it all. Aiden tensed up a bit. He definitely knew what they could do. He had bruises littered all over him from the train fighting they've done this month. Aiden shivered in his place, if that was just practice then he definitely didn't want to feel a real punch from them.
"Heh.. wondered when you'd say that.." Aiden chuckled nervously.
Mike shrugged and let Aidens shoulder go, "I can't be all nice to ya. Gotta be protective of her y'know?"
Aiden smiled knowingly, "That's understandable but I think she could kick my ass if I pissed her off far enough."
"I know." He smiled, "Just letting you know I will too. Now what type of dessert do you want?"
It was about 4:00 when Aiden and Ben decided it was time for them to leave. They had played a few card games after dinner, and Aiden absolutely destroyed them all at Poker.
"Alright you two, walk home safe!" Mike said, he was behind Ashlyn next to his wife.
"We will!" Aiden said smiling up at her parents. He felt someone flick his forehead, he looked down at Ashlyn.
"That means no running into the road." Ashlyn said narrowing her eyes at him. *Huh. I guess she wasn't as mad as I thought she was.* Aiden thought to himself.
Ben started to walk down the steps, but Aiden stood there on the porch with Ashlyns family.
"Are you gonna go or..?" Ashlyn said, raising an eyebrow. Aiden looked up at Mike. He was sure Mike would tell Emma about him and Ashlyn if she didn't already know.. So there was no reason to hide anymore.
"Yeah, just wanna do something." Ashlyn only raised her eyebrow up more. Aiden leaned down and gave her a small kiss on the forehead. "Happy Thanksgiving Ash~!" He smiled happily before racing after Ben.
Ashlyn froze. Her face heating up. She heard her dad chuckle from behind her.
"I like him." Mike stated.
"I agree. He's a little energetic though." Emma added on.
The last thing Ashlyn muttered before close her door was, "Idiot.."