Life is a Catwalk

Living on his own, with just him and Baby Maxi, and no income apart from grants, Zexion didn't have much munny spare to spend on nice things. It was mostly rent, bills, food, more bills and practical stuff. Luxury was put on the shelf, and Zexion learned how to live on a budget. He looked around flea markets, found great deal and can now bargain down the price on most products by half. A proper young wheeler-dealer.

Because of this, being with Lexaeus has been a culture-shock for him. The man is wealth, and he likes treating all three boys to gifts and presents. He gives the children new toys and teddy bears every other week for no reason. Zexion thought it was going to spoil them, but Lex seems to be grateful for his gifts and told Zexion that his daddy does it because he works a lot and feels guilt for not spending as much time with them as he wants to.

Maxi is blissfully unaware of the emotional side of his presents. He just squeals and giggles with delight every time Lexaeus gives him a new cuddly bear just about the same size as he is with a big bow around its neck, and he will hug it tight and roll around with the bear on his play mat and take his naps with it, (and twelve others.)

Lexaeus gives Zexion stuff too, but not in the form of toys. More in the way of nice clothes and expensive trinkets, which makes Zexion embarrassed to the point of blushing. He brought Zexion a new up-to-date laptop, and mobile phone, when the boy would have been happy with a typewriter. The man is completely selfless. (Although Zexion is sure that the set of black silky pyjamas for him to wear was somewhat selfish on the man's part.)

However, old habits die hard and when Lexaeus gives Zexion munny to pay for new clothes for the boys, the young man still goes to visit the markets and sales, always getting back change.

Just this morning, Lexaeus gave Zexion munny to buy shoes for the children. Now that he has returned from work, the boy has given him the coins left over.

"You did buy them shoes, right?" Lexaeus asks. Zexion laughs, nodding his head.

"Of course. I got them new jackets too. I hope you don't mind."

"No. Of course not. It's just…" Confused, Lexaeus looks back at the munny in his palm. "Wasn't it expensive?"

"Not if you know where to go" the boy says smugly. They walk into the living room, where Lex is building skyscrapers and Maxi is being the bulldozer. "Lex, stand up and show your daddy your new jacket."

"Okay." Lex jumps up and spins around for his parent, showing off his lovely new green summer jacket with silver poppers and a pretty leaf pattern sewn onto the back. "Isn't it nice, Daddy? We got it from one of the cheap shops."

"It does look very smart" Lexaeus agrees.

"And my trainers have lights on," the boy grins. He stomps his foot on the ground to make the red and yellow pressure-sensitive lights on the side blink and flash. "See?"

"I can see," Lexaeus smiles.

"They were dirt cheap too" Zexion says proudly. He scoops up Maxi from the floor to show Lexaeus his tiny lace-ups and white thin coat. "So were these. I think I found another great deal today."

"I can see that. Zexion, you know I can offered everything." The older man takes the baby and sits down on the sofa. "You don't need to squeeze every penny now."

Zexion sighs. "I know, but I'm used to living in the bargain bin. It's nice in there." He turns on his heel and walks out of the room. "I better go and check on dinner."

"Zexion is not used to being rich, is he?" Lex asks, tidying up his blocks.

"Well, we are not rich, Lex," his father explains. "We are just richer then he used to be… but yes, he is not used to living like this at the moment." The infant starts chewing and drooling on his large fingers and Lexaeus chuckles at him. "Although I think Maxi will grow-up with it perfectly fine." Cocking his brow, Lexaeus sees the light purple circle printed on the front of the white jacket and he blinks, confused. "What is with this pattern?"

"It's the tummy of the kitty hoodie" Lex explains with a smile.

"Kitty hoodie?" Lexaeus echoes. Thinking about this, he reaches behind Maxi's back and pulls up the hood over his round head, too big for him so it covers his eyes. Sewn atop of the hood are two pieces of stiffened cloth pointed and shaped like cat ears, the insides the same colour of the tummy. Lexaeus widens his eyes. "Oh, dear."

He carries the infant into the kitchen, and taps on Zexion's shoulder.

"What is with this hood, Zexion?" he asks flatly, holding Maxi up, who was trying to push the said hood out of his eyes, but it keeps slipping down. Zexion smiles.

"It's adorable, isn't it?" he coos. He folds up the hem of the hood so Maxi can see, and the baby starts to burble happily again. "It came with mittens that looks like paws, but it doesn't have fingers so he can't grip anything wearing them."

"You do know he is your son and not your doll to play with and dress-up, right?" the man says. Zexion arches his brows at him.

"I made him, I get to dress him up in anything I want" he grins childishly. "You lay out clothes for Lex everyday."

"There is a big difference between them," Lexaeus insists.

"And what about you dressing me up?" Zexion challenges.

"Excuse me!" Lexaeus looks insulted. "You chose all those new clothes out yourself."

"I meant the pyjamas" the boys smirks. "And that blue satin nightgown two days ago."

"Those were gifts" the man tells him firmly, trying to ignore the red heat pricking at his cheeks. Zexion chuckles at him.

"Believe what you want to believe, Lexaeus" he sighs, "but until Maxi is old enough, I'm going to direct my opinion in his wardrobe."

Lexaeus can't think of anything to say so he walks away on this argument. Lex blinks up from him, who had been watching at the kitchen door.

"You dress Zexion too?" he asks. Lexaeus blushes and ushers him into the living room.