Derek + Open
Holidays were a strange time for Derek. Growing up, gatherings had been very family-centric. There was usually an argument of some kind, a ritual as reliable as a football game but with higher emotional stakes. And ever since becoming a vampire, he had either spent the time alone, or with Ronnie. After hearing about the dinner at Lucky's, he knew where he'd be spending Thanksgiving 2020.
He posted up by the other end of the bar, out of the way of people trying to get food, but also close enough to talk to anyone who came through there, clutching a beer and looking around.