Thanks' Giving AKA Why We Only Do This Once A Year

"So dear one more time, how did the turkey burn on a slow cook setting?"

The gentle tapping of short nails against marble countertop acted as the one tone of peace in the Kizer/Agate household. In the background there were the shouts of help and pleading that told the tale of two brothers being punished for pranking their eldest brother who had just returned from University. The sound of a cracking voice yelling for obedience told the one tapping their fingers in agitation that there would be muddy paw prints to clean after the current turkey crisis was solved.

It was November 25th and it was another one of the days that Vexen, the 'man' of the house, wondered why he had fought so hard for the right to marry his former student, the other days being December 23rd, June 19th, and whatever day fell before Easter that year. It wasn't that Vexen didn't love his charming auburn haired 'doctor' rather it was his hubby didn't love the holiday's or the things that came with the holiday's, namely their fathers. There was always a tension in the house when the patriarchs of the Kizer and Agate families were in the house together, both being under the impression that their sons' lives were ruined by the others.

The fighting had all started when Marluxia approached Vexen moments after the end of his graduation ceremony and asked his former science teacher if he would be interested in getting some coffee. The invitation was obviously for something more but somehow Vexen couldn't bring himself to care as he gave his former student a charming smile and walked off with him, three months later they were at the altar with the graduating class on one side of the Destiny Island Church and the faculty on the other. Xemnas Kizer, Vexen's father, had not approved of the scandal and stain on their name while Lexaeus Agate, Marluxia's father, had not approved of his son getting married so young to someone so old. Thus the two had started off their marriage with the approval of practically no one, though now their children, or rather foster kids, would tell you that they are the perfect couple, and despite the two patriarchs love for the kids they were yet another source of argumentation.

At twenty Marluxia was a driven college student striving to succeed in the medical field like his husband had the science, something that made the patriarchs step back and offer some approval, until the day Roxas came into his care and their marriage took a whole new direction. Roxas had been the victim of a terrible storm that flooded his home and claimed the lives of his single mother and twin brother leaving the boy in the care of the university's nursing students and in turn Marluxia; whom possessed the same blue eyes the orphan six year old remembered his mom having. At first it had just been convenient that Roxas came home with him one night so the hurt victims could have rooms and beds, but it soon turned into something more.

Marluxia abandoned his homework on the table and Vexen left the ungraded tests on the counter as the two swiftly made their way to the occupied guest room where the now crying Roxas was. Opening the door Marluxia swept into the room first, taking a seat on the bed and pulling the child onto his lap the student rocked and cooed to the scared boy.

"Hush now Roxas, it's ok. The storm's gone now and we're here."

Vexen gave his husband a disapproving stare. "Stop it Marluxia, don't try to make it seem like everything's perfect for him, it's not." The high school teacher didn't mean to sound mean but it bothered him to no end that his lover didn't want to make the orphan face what he had to in order to recover.

Marluxia gave Vexen a halfhearted glare as Roxas started to calm down. "Hush up Papa!" The doctor-in-training scolded using the nick-name that he knew irked his husband.

Pursing his lips together Vexen easily pulled Roxas into his arms from his husband's and continued rocking him. "I'm only telling the truth, you should stop spoiling him Mama-Marly." He retorted.

Standing Marluxia stepped close enough to hold Roxas between them and glare at Vexen with no real malice. "He's mine to care for!"

"Well it's my house!"

"Our house! We're married!"

"My name's on the deed! It's my house and my rules."

"Not if you want any from me in the next year!"

"Mama, Papa, I'm thirsty."

"Do you want water or milk sweetheart?"

"Milk Mama."

Roxas was once again placed on the bed as the two adults, still arguing in hushed whispers disappeared for a few moments and returned with a glass of milk and washcloth. Marluxia tipped the cup back for Roxas to drink whispering soothing tones and still shooting Vexen hissed threats which were returned even as the elder man cleaned the child's face with the cloth. After more rocking and whispers of comfort the two left the boy to sleep.

Marluxia and Vexen paused outside the door, in silence. "What did he call us!?"

It hadn't taken more than one night about a week later when Roxas was placed in a proper home for the couple to realize that it just didn't feel right to be just them anymore. Thus the two stepped forward to take the boy in, and Marluxia stepped down from his medical drive to take care of their 'son'. However the need for money opened new doors for the 'doctor' who opened his own apothecary to help support his family that quickly expanded to include a scrawny young pup found by their new son.

Roxas was quickly graced with an elder brother, Xaldin, who came into Marluxia and Vexen's care at the age of sixteen and learned to love his new Mama and Papa. It was with Xadin's graduation two years later that their family grew once more with the addition of Axel and Demyx, two boys older than Roxas but young enough to be around for a while. The family had thought themselves complete until the arrival of a half starved boy showed them all just how easy it was for them to care for and protect one of what they considered their own and thus Zexion joined Demyx in the middle child status.

Now it was that charming time of year when the children got to watch their 'mother' cook enough food to feed a small army while still managing to fight with their 'father' and dictate their own actions as well. Really the kids loved their parents and they understood their desperation to show their own fathers that they were ok, however that did nothing to lessen the hate they had for the holidays sometimes. As it stood though the watch time and danger zone would soon be clear.

Every year Marluxia made sure to prepare three main dishes as two of them would fail to be made properly, he'd learned this lesson their fourth Thanks Giving. So far the steaks had been pilfered but Roxas's dog and Zexion's cat, how they managed to swipe all ten thick pieces of meat was still a mystery. Vexen had somehow managed to burn the turkey (another meal for the pets now) meaning that Marluxia was going to hawk over the ham to assure they had a main course. In addition to a main dish several sides would have to be prepared and of course none of it could be frozen.

Roxas could testify to the fact that things always got easier once the main dish had been revealed, it gave both his parents a single focus and an idea of what else had to be made. Now though a new danger would present itself.

"Augh! Filthy mutt! Vexen where the heck is the mop!?"

"What do I look like a maid? How should I know."

"What? How dare you take that tone with me!"

"All you've done today is snap and you're going to get onto me!?"

"I haven't seen you do anything productive today old man!"

"Old man! Watch your mouth you impudent brat!"

"A brat am I? If I'm such a brat I guess that you'll be just fine on the couch as long as you don't have to deal with me."

"Marluxia, be reasonable!"

"I am! If I wasn't you'd be in the doghouse tonight!"

Sometimes you had to wonder why the two had ever gotten married.