Author's Note: Decided to try some flash and prompt fics for the under-appreciated Runaways, because they need more love and I need more practice; unfortunately I'm not very good at short pieces so these will be rather random scenes. First up is an older one, written for the deviantART Group DCFanfictionWriters November (2014) Monthly Drabble Prompt. Just the Runaways sharing in my mixed feelings about Thanksgiving. I don't care too much for the holiday, but I do enjoy learning about other cultures and history.

Disclaimers: The cartoon Young Justice and its characters remain the property of © Greg Weisman, Brandon Vietti, Cartoon Network, and DC Comics Entertainment. All rights reserved to the original creators. No infringement is intended by this not-for-profit fan story that was written exclusively for fun.

MISGIVINGS

"So it's a National holiday based around certain foods?"

"Not exactly. It's a time to get together with family and give thanks."

"For food?"

"Well, America does have the highest obesity rate in the world."

"You're not helpin', Tye."

"Okay, let me try. It's the day you gather with the family you see every single day, plus the ones you never really wanna see at all, and try not to get into arguments."

"Ouch." Virgil laid a hand over his chest as if heartbroken. "Look, I know you're resentful of Maurice but—damn, man! Seriously. There's more positive things than that."

"No lo entiendo," said Eduardo with a shake of his head. "What else do you do together?"

"You can watch the Macy's Day parade and the big game on TV."

"Don't you Americans ever leave your houses?"

Tye laughed. "Not 'til after dinner, when you go bargain shopping overnight."

Ed looked thunderstruck at the contradictory concepts, but Virgil was quicker on the response: "C'mon, man."

"Sorry, dude. I've just always found it funny."

"Why?"

He gave Virgil a frank look. "For starters, I remember being in grade school and we had to do those corny plays. Guess what role I always got for the Thanksgiving Day re-enactment? Back then I felt awkward, even though Grandpa said I should've been proud 'cuz we're depicted as the heroes. But now I also know the teachers were being stupid and the play was half-assed. It's kinda ignorant."

"Then it's a Native American holiday?" asked Ed.

Tye's lips tilted askew. "Yeah, sort of. Some of us actually celebrate it as our National Day of Mourning, the beginning of the end."

Listening in, Asami seemed to understand the term "the end" and she turned confused eyes to Virgil, who rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Well, I mean, that's true, too..."

"That's some messed up history, hermano."

Virgil decided to alter the direction of the conversation. "Then you don't celebrate it, either, Tye?"

"No, I do. I'm just as American as you are. I go to the high school game with Jaime, and my family gets together for dinner. Though some of our traditions might be slightly different."

"Game?" Eduardo became more excited.

Virgil clarified, "Yeah, there's local football matches and the pro-NFL game."

"Fùtbol, football?" He doubtfully quirked an eyebrow.

"Nah, not soccer. American football."

Ed screwed up his face and nodded, his doubts confirmed.

"Hey, at least there's no school."

"I'll give thanks for that," Tye said, raising his fist as if cheering a proposed toast.

"Yeah, see." Virgil relaxed, feeling they were finally getting somewhere optimistic. "It's just a day to be grateful for whatcha got."

"You need a special day for that?" Ed joked.

"Ain't you ever needed a reminder?"

Ed bit his lip, feeling a hidden implication in Virgil's throwback. Instead of the obvious, he replied, "I am grateful to no longer be a lab rat."

"Damn right, bro." Tye turned to Asami. "Sam? How 'bout you?"

"Eeto... Kansha-sai o imi suru, hai. Shikashi wakari au dekinai no sappari arimasen. Demo arigatou o kure yo, ne? So no baai sankyuu." She waved her hands at the three boys and beamed. "Thank you for friends. I get hope."

Virgil smiled brightly. "There. I think she explained it the best."

End