Donald Duck is in the Navy. The McGarretts are a family of men who have served in the Navy as well. Ergo...Aunt Deb has dressed baby Steve up as Donald Duck at some point, you cannot convince me otherwise.
I mean, the woman put aside her own life to take care of her brother’s kids (and basically became the mom Dorris never was). She is literally the only adult in Steve & Mary’s lives growing up who didn’t abandon or lie to them. And that even extended into their adulthood. She fought what she knew was a losing battle to cancer because a) she’s a Mcgarrett b) she finally met the love of her life & c) her nephew begged her to and she knew he and her niece still needed her. She’s one of the few people who can read Steve like a book and remains actively concerned he’s happy and not just satisfied with where he is. Not to mention, her biggest concern following her death was that Steve had someone “wise” keeping an eye out for him. She’s also one of the few people from Steve’s past Danny actually gets along with, so you know she’s good people. And, to top it all off, she wouldn’t let Steve stop her from getting booked on a dumb charge because she’s the best.
I always loved Deb McGarrett and her last episode always gets to me. I really wish I had seen more of her with Mary, Steve and Joan. With John too. With Doris, even. I just want more of her. Any headcanon about her? Her life before/after Mary? Her relationship with his brother or her nephews?
My amazing anon!
What a FANTASTIC ask! This one is so special and hit my core in the best way! Oh god, I LOVE your ask so much! And I love to meet a kindred spirit who loves Aunt Deb just as much. I adore her! I always feel so drawn to her and her loving, marvelous way to create this carefree, happy atmosphere, where ever she appears. I would have loved to see more of her, too.
I needed some time to let your ask sink in. I pondered over your question about my headcanon about her. And I’ve come up with this. I hope you like it. It’s not profound and in-depth but I hope you enjoy it nevertheless.
John McGarrett loves his sister, always has. She’s his older sister and they share a special bond. She was the crazy one in their family. She always hung out with cool people and even though John was her younger brother, she tagged him along to all the cool clubs and bars. Her friends’ parties were legendary; wild and rampant. A secret, lustful paradise for a teenager with raging hormones ruling his body. John loved the memories and his mental pictures from those crazy great times. Deb and John had a secret agreement about how they kept that hidden from their parents. At a tender age of seventeen, John knew more how to dance through the night with hot, good-looking people than he knew about how to mow a lawn properly.
John became their mascotte and Debbie threatened everyone in her gang to hurt them if they should do him any harm. He felt safe among her friends and he had the time of his life. Debbie’s friends made it their goal to protect John from any inappropriate advances from men and women equally. He was allowed to look but not to touch - by touch meaning having sex in the bath stall. Debbie only quirked an eyebrow when she stepped up behind him whispering in his ear that the guy he was kissing was about five years older. But she let him have his fun. He ogled at bare boops, at tight asses and danced as if his soul were for sale. Debbie knew how to party and she was having the best time when she could share it with John. She had one fierce rule though. No drugs. Like at all. John overstepped that rule once. That earned him a slap in the face from Deb and she grounded him for about four, terrible weeks. John never ever touched drugs after that incident.
John always knew his sister loved to sing. Sometimes it happened that she stormed into his room while he was reading a book. She buzzed with excitement about a new song or some famous singer. She forced him to sit up to be her audience. And John never had an actual chance to say no. So, he ended up being her chorus with a rattle to get the background right, he was the carrying sound to support her song. She even made him sing the second voice, no matter how much John sucked at singing. Deborah loved to have a good time with the music and she just forced him into his happiness. He never had a chance but the fun he had with his sister always made it up that he missed reading a book in peace.
When John moved to Hawaii to marry Doris everything changed. He and Deb were still very close but they didn’t see each other so often anymore. Debbie lived her dream and became a singer. She had a manager and she went on tour on the mainland. She always sent pictures and called as often as possible. But she always made it to Thanksgiving or to Christmas. Those were the best days just like in old times.
Debbie was so happy when John told her she’s going to be an Auntie. She cried over the phone and sobbed helplessly. Steve got born and the second day after Doris gave birth Deb flew to Hawaii, loaded with presents and new songs she composed for her beloved nephew Steve John McGarrett. She sang him lullabies and helped Doris with the chores. Doris and Deb got along great. Steve had a hard time falling asleep after Debbie departed to start her new tour.
Mary stirred the motherhood alive in Deb and she cried silent tears over the fact that she never had children. John made her talk while they sat at the beach drinking beer and smoking cigarettes. In the end, he hugged her close and she sang a beautiful love song to Mary that night.
Over the years Steve and Mary counted the days when they knew Aunt Deb was coming. They were bouncing on their feet, each kiddo with a lei in their hands. As soon as they spotted Aunt Deb in the crowd at the airport they ran towards her, throwing themselves into the open arms of her great Auntie. Aunt Deb always came with a pile of presents, her new LP and new songs. She filled the house with laughter, damn good jokes and somehow all friends ended up sitting in the backyard of the McGarrett’s home, eating, laughing, singing and having a great time.
Aunt Deb always had this vibe of the big world, the adventure and the forbidden scent of the showbiz. She was sparkling life, all smiles and somehow everyone was happy around her. Doris started to dress differently, John smiled still weeks after she had left the island and Mary wanted to be a singer, listening to her aunt’s music - and Steve? Steve was head over heels in love with his aunt and his secret wish to marry her knew only Mamo. Steve learned to play the guitar before he was eleven because Aunt Deb made him the best Christmas present ever.
Aunt Deb was amazing and awesomesauce. At the McGarrett’s house, Aunt Deb was always present with all the great pictures she sent her family. Steve had a special one he kept hidden under his pillow.
I hope you liked it. God, I love her so much. I could go on and on but I stop here. Thank you again so much for your ask, my lovely friend. I had such a great time to create this little AU for you.
