It seems like ages since I've updated! Ugh! I missed writing! Stupid school! On another note who watched the VMAs? Did ya see Jared Leto? He introduced some band I don't care about but Jesus Christ is that man sexy! Oh my god THE HAIR! Gaha! Okay, so moving on, this is sort of an introduction chapter for Thanksgiving. I'm sorry if it seems a little choppy, I've been writing for hours and I'm exhausted. Also, I forgot that Thanksgiving is kinda just an American thing. I don't even think this takes place in America! In fact, I know it doesn't because there's no Twilight town here! Not the one I'm thinking of at least. I'm still going to barrow the holiday though so just in case you don't know, the only thing that matters about Thanksgiving is that we eat and eat and eat until we're the fattest country in the world. Woot! We are the champions! So read on and tell me what you think, okay?

Scarred

Cloud

This time I woke up alone. At first I was a little confused, but then againI should have figured Leon would have better things to do before noon than lie around in bed. Like work for one. Right, work….. Oh shit! HE WENT TO WORK WITHOUT ME! I should KILL him! I immediately made a grab for my pants and pulled my phone out of the pocket so that I could call him up and chew him out. Flipping it open I noticed that I had one new message:

Hey, sorry I left a little early today; I figured you'd want to sleep in. Cid's giving us the day off. You should talk to Yuffie and Larxene though. They have something to ask you.

-Leon

"Oh thank God," I said feeling relieved. For a second there I thought I was going to have to end him. So where the hell did he go anyway?

Pulling my clothes on I exited the room and found everyone's favorite roommates huddled tightly over the island counter fiddling with a small stack of paper. For a second I just stood watching them in question.

"Oh hey sunshine! Decided to wake up after all I see!" Yuffie said looking up from their work.

"I didn't have an alarm set," I said walking over towards their little project site.

"Aw, so I guess that means works not a priority today then?" Larxene asked still riffling through the sheets in her hand.

"Got the day off apparently," I said shrugging.

"Surprise! We knew that!" Yuffie said throwing her hands up, "You two made Cid feel uncomfortable so he decided to go in alone! You're really loud, you know that right?"

I fought back a blush. I could care less weather these two knew about me and Leon but it hadn't even occurred to me that Cid lives here too! We even brought him food! How could I just forget?

"Relax. Cid was there last time. It's not like he doesn't know," Larxene said peaking over her papers at me, "In fact, he almost didn't hire you because of it. Cid's known Leon longer than either of us and has never been a big fan of his 'boy friends'. You got off lucky."

"Well then why would he hire me?" I asked confused and a little upset.

"Duh! Leon begged him!" Yuffie said looking at me in disbelief.

I told him to forget about getting me the job so he begs for it? What the hell?

"Where'd he go?" I asked looking around to make sure he wasn't lurking in any shadows or something.

"Oh, I don't know. How's it feel waking up alone by the way?" Larxene asked putting the stack of papers down.

"Well, its noon….. So about the same as any other day," I said not falling for her guilt trip.

"Actually the right answer would be a little lonely. Don't you feel that way?" She asked eyeing me.

"Well you two are here, aren't you?"

"Ugh! You're one cold bastard, you know that right?" Larxene said disappointed by my unwillingness to play along.

"I've been told. So what did you two want to ask me, anyway?"`

"We wanted to ask you something?" Yuffie asked looking confused.

"That's what Leon texted me."

"Then he wants you to help," Larxene said.

"Help with what?" I asked realizing that I'd interrupted whatever they were doing.

"See these?" she said waving the stack of papers in my face, "They're recipes. We're going to make Thanksgiving dinner for tomorrow-"

"You're invited of course!" Yuffie threw in cutting her off.

"Which means we have to start today! So, wanna do it?"

"You want me to cook?" I asked grabbing the papers from Larxene's hand and examining them.

"Yep!" She a Yuffie said in unison.

"No way," I said putting them down and walking away.

"Oh, then I guess you're just going home then? I'd get your bike on the way! It's only an hour's walk from here to the garage!" Larxene called after me. Oh right, I drove Leon here in his car! My bikes at the shop still! I stopped and turned around.

"Fine."

"Good! Start by pealing those potatoes in the sink," Larxene said neatly stacking her papers and walking away with Yuffie.

"Wait, where's the peeler?" I asked trying to stop them.

"I don't know. You think I usually cook in this house?" Larxene said not stopping.

"Well where are you going?" I asked watching her slip on a pair of shoes and grab a jacket.

"To get coffee!" Yuffie said happily following her.

"So you're just going to leave me here to work?" I asked watching them in disbelief.

"Well why not? After all, I'VE got a car!" Larxene said waving then disappearing behind the front door.

Roxas

This has been a very eventful experience so far. I expected the massive house from Zexion but the three overly friendly St. Bernard's were a surprise. That was scary at first but I really like them now! I used Bailey, the smallest one, for a pillow last night! Also, I didn't expect to find Sora attached to me when I woke up. I guess with Riku gone it had to be someone. That was a grave mistake on his part though because, like usual, I awoke screaming at five in the morning.

"What were you even dreaming about?" Sora asked yawning as he, Axel and I walked back to Axel's car. For one reason or another Demyx said he didn't want to leave so Zexion volunteered to drive him home later.

"I don't even remember any more," I said rubbing my head. It was a lie, of course, but no one needed to know that.

"So you just want to go home?" Axel asked as we all entered the car.

"Actually, can you drop me off at Riku's house? I miss him," Sora said looking a little coy.

"No problem. Just try not to catch whatever he has," Axel said backing out of Zexion's long driveway and pulling away.

"Oh, I'm sure it's not contagious anymore," Sora said confidently.

"No way man, herpes is contagious for life," Axel said with a sarcastic smile.

I giggled. Wait, really? Giggled? What, why, and how?

"Hey!" Sora said smacking the outside of his head from the back seat, "No cheap shots while people aren't here!"

"So then does he really have herpes?" I asked still smiling.

"NO!" Sora shouted angrily.

For the rest of the ride we sat listening to the radio while Sora told us about the dream he had last night. Just as he got to, 'And then Roxas screamed in my face and the Chocobo chicks all died,' we pulled up to a very cozy, somewhat barn like house.

"Thanks Axel!" Sora said hoping out of the car and running to the door.

"No problem," Axel mumbled realizing he was too far gone to respond to properly, "So, how about you Roxy? Want to go home?"

"Well….." I considered. Cloud said he didn't have work so he didn't know when he'd be back. I could really use more rest but I'm not ready to sit alone in a quiet apartment yet.

"Whatcha thinkin'?" Axel asked watching me.

"Well, Cloud's not home yet."

"Really? Then let's go! I want to see where you live and your brother was kinda freaken me out yesterday with that death glare," Axel said scratching his nose in recollection.

"It a small apartment. You don't want to see it, it's pretty boring."

"Of course I do! What direction?"

"It's the apartment complex just north of here but seriously, you'll be bored. I haven't even bought any game systems or skittles or anything yet!"

"I don't care. You can just show me around for a second. It'll be fine. Hey is it the Aspen Grove complex?" he said pulling out of the driveway and turning left.

"Uh, yeah, that's it," I said unaware of how small this city really is.

"Oh, why didn't you tell me you and Seifer live in the same place?" he said happily.

"Wait, Seifer? I didn't know that! Why does he live there, he has parents, right?" I asked a little angry.

"Parents that pay his uncle to let him stay in his apartments. Didn't you think it was weird that the land lord's last name was Almasy?" Axel asked raising an eyebrow.

"I didn't know! I've never met the man!" I said in defense.

"Well, you know now. You've never run into Seifer over there before?"

"N-" I started before suddenly remembering my first day home, "Well, once."

"And there you go!"

I sat for a second. His parents paid for his uncle to take him? What did he do?

"Why exactly is Seifer living there?"

"Well, if you remember, Seifer hasn't always been the gentle kind hearted person he is now," I scoffed, "And I guess his parents just got tired of it this last year. Hell of a punishment though! 'You're a very bad boy so you get an apartment to yourself for free, a full stocked fridge, a TV with all the video games you could ever want and we won't see you often.' What the hell? If I piss my parents off I get slapped!"

"That's actually a little sad," I said thinking about it.

"Who, me or him?" he asked.

"Him. Even if you get slapped every once in a while at least your parents still love you enough to do it."

"True that," he agreed, "Feeling some pity are we?" Axel asked cocking his head.

"Kinda. How can you just give up on your son and buy him a new place to live?"

"Yeah, you're right. Seifer doesn't mind at all though; it's a shocker, I know. Now he has all the room he wants to fool around with his little boyfriend."

"Okay, don't start that," I said rolling my eyes.

"Oh right, that's your best friend, isn't it?" he asked smirking at me.

"I think I'd rather just avoid talking about ALL my friends' sex lives," I said crossing my arms uncomfortably.

He chuckled, "Where from here," he said entering the open ground of the complex.

"Go around back, I'll tell you where to park."

Taking my favorite mode of entrance, patio door, I stepped into the small living room and slipped off my shoes before walking into the middle of the room and turning on a light.

"Should I do that too?" He asked pointing at my bare feet.

"Yeah, If you walk on the carpets with dirty shoes it'll leave track marks," I said watching him.

He pulled off his shoes and threw them to the side, "Hey! You skate board?" he said picking up the toy from against the wall.

"Oh yeah. You?" I asked nonchalantly.

"I haven't for years but man! Sometimes I miss those days," he said putting the board down.

"You know, I don't think I've skate boarded since I got here," I said still looking at the hunk of wood on wheels.

"Then we should go! AFTER you show me around," He said putting an arm around me.

"Well, where do you want to start?" I asked blushing a little, staring forward.

"Oo! Rocking chair!" he said noticing the rickety old thing sitting in the corner. Letting me go he ran over and sat down. To his surprise it flung back with a massive CREAK leaving his feet hovering just above the floor. The weak wooden boards bent around his body, threatening to break.

"I don't feel safe," he said attempting to reach the floor with his toes but succeeding only in pushing himself further back.

"Yeah, I don't blame you. That dusty, termite eaten chair is older than Cloud," I said watching him in amusement.

"Why do you just have this?" he said softly fluttering his ankles in attempt to rock himself back into a sitting position.

"It was my grandma's," I said walking over to it, "Cloud wanted to keep it because it gave him nightmares or something."

"That's a little messed up! Will you help me?" he asked freaking out slightly.

I contemplated leaving him there but shook that idea away pushing the chair forward a tad for him.

"Thanks," he said hopping gratefully out, "So, what's next?"

Leon

"Hey," I said closing the front door behind me and greeting the room of people. Yuffie and Larxene were on the couch watching TV and eating Cid's Cheetos. Cloud was in the kitchen chopping vegetables like a mad man.

"Oh Leon! You're back! You know, Cloud's quite the little chef over there! Very nice, I think you should keep him," Larxene said.

Wordlessly, Cloud stomped over to me still clutching the large knife, "All these two have done since I woke up this morning was fool around and leave me to cook! Where the hell did you go?" he asked pointing the knife at me.

I stood still, staring at it for a second. I'm not telling him shit while he's armed! Gingerly I grabbed the flat edges of the weapon with the tips of my fingers and lifted it out of his hand.

"I wanted to ask someone to come to dinner tomorrow," I said stepping past him to put the knife back in the kitchen.

"Who?" he asked following me.

I placed the knife on the counter keeping it covered by my palm just in case.

"I asked Rinoa if she wanted to come with her daughter. I figured they wouldn't be celebrating if I didn't ask. I was right by the way," I said with a smile.

"You asked Rinoa?" he shouted in disbelief.

"Who's Rinoa?" Yuffie asked staring at us with big eyes from behind the couch. We ignored her.

"Yeah, I mean it's only fair. I'm sure our dinner came out of her pay check."

"But that girl ruined your life!"

"Wait! Who is this?" Yuffie asked, eyes burning with curiosity. We ignored her still.

"She didn't! That's just how they think it is but I honestly have no grudge against her. Besides, she's alone with a child now. Don't you think she deserves something?" I asked eyeing him.

"Well are Zack and them coming?" he asked folding his arms.

"Yeah."

"WHO IS THIS PERSON?"

"Shut up Yuffie!" he shouted with a hiss, "Then I don't think this is going to work,"

"It will. I talked to them after I asked Rinoa. No one is going to say a single bad word to her."

Cloud sighed, "Well, it's not up to me is it? I'm just the chef here," he said glaring at Yuffie and Larxene.

"Better you than them. Larxene's cooking sucks."

Larxene, not turning around, simply held up her middle finger for all to see. I gave a soft 'huh' in triumph.

"I'm going to take a shower," I said tipping Cloud's chin up and placing a soft peck on his lips. I couldn't help it. There was something about making a miserable person happy that just made me feel care free. Maybe having Rinoa around wasn't such a bad thing after all. Cloud looked a little shocked though. Smirking, I turned and walked away, leaving him there.

"Awwww Leon loves his little boy toy!" Yuffie sang as I walked to my door and closed it behind me.

"HEY! DOES THAT MEAN YOU AREN'T GOING TO HELP ME EITHER?" Cloud asked shouting angrily through the door.

Hell no! I hate cooking!

Axel

"Hey, did you get that text message Fang sent a few days ago?" I asked looking down at my phone.

"No, why? What is it?" he said putting down the old soccer ball he'd been messing with.

"Fang invited us to Thanksgiving dinner. She wants to know if you're coming," I said.

"Really? Fang wants to let you in her house?"

"Of course! I've been there before! She dated my brother, ya know."

"She did? No! I had no idea!" Roxas said surprised.

"Yeah, how do you think I got this job?" I said having realized I never actually told him.

"I don't know, some police connection or something," he mumbled feeling a little stupid.

"Nope! Straight out of Reno's love life! So, what's it going to be?" I asked holding my phone at the ready so I could shoot a quick text.

"Oh, well, uh, Cloud said we were having dinner at Leon's house. If I say it's work related though….."

"I'll take that as a yes," I said typing a reply.

"Is Vanille going to be there?" he asked watching me.

"You bet!"

"Anyone else?"

"Probably some friends of hers. It won't be anyone you haven't met though. They stop by all the time."

"Alright good," he said with a sigh. I guess he's really not a fan of meeting new people.

"She asked if we wanted to bring one friend each," I said glancing down at my screen to read my most recent text, "Must mean some of hers cancelled."

"Aw. Poor Fang. Her friends don't want to be around her?" Roxas asked in pity.

"It's Fang? Why would you want to spend more time with her than you have to?" I asked remembering all of the yelling she's done at me since I started working for her.

"That's rude. She cracks down on you but I think she actually really likes you! You haven't been fired yet, right?"

"Maybe not but I'm not going to go as far as to say she likes me yet. Let's see how dinner goes. And what friends do we have that don't have plans for Thanksgiving this late?" I asked pondering.

"I don't know. Seifer probably," I said truthfully, "I bet Hayner would blow off whatever he's supposed to do that day too if Seifer invites him to dinner."

He just sighed. Sorry Roxy but that's our best bet right now!

Cloud

After a long ass day of cooking for other people, the last thing I wanted to see was my brother gazing longingly into Reno's brother's eyes on the couch. Have they been here alone all day? My ass!

"Ahem!" I said slipping off my shoes and walking into the doorway.

"CLOUD!" Roxas shouted turning a deep shade of red.

"W-Welcome home!" Axel mumbled nervously scratching the back of his head.

"Right," I said glaring at them, "And how long have you two been here?"

"A couple hours-" "Like fifteen minutes-" they both stuttered answering at the same time. I stared looking unamused.

"I should go, though," Axel said lifting himself off the couch, "I never even told mom I was staying out. She'll be worried. Don't forget to ask him though, K?" he said slipping out the patio door.

"Ask him what?" I asked turning to my little brother.

"Oh! My boss invited all her workers to Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow," he said leaving it at that.

"That was nice of her. Are you going?" I asked taking off my coat and setting it on the kitchen counter.

"You don't mind?" he asked shyly.

"Of course not. You see my friends far too often anyway. I like that you're making plans of your own," I said encouraging him to grow and become more social.

"Thank God! Axel already said yes," he said holding a hand to his chest in relief.

"Why'd he do that?" I asked. He was getting a little ahead of himself now, wasn't he?

"Well, Fang wanted an answer right then."

"Aw well, anyway, sure," I said waving it off and sitting on the couch next to him where Axel had been sitting.

"What are we watching?" I said glancing at the TV screen.

"Actually," he said turning red once more, "I have to go clean. My rooms a mess," he said dashing away. Whatever. I remember what it was like being in his shoes. Considering what I almost happened I'd say that right now he must be- BZT! BEEEEeeeeew. Sorry, all functions have been halted due to a sudden overload in the main drive. Please reboot your Cloud and try again.

There were a few light knocks on the clear glass patio door.

Rebooting….. Rebooting….. Welcome user.

I turned towards the door. Axel stood patiently outside looking over his shoulder as if to make sure no one was sneaking around in the grass.

I stood up and walked over to the door.

"Did you forget something?" I asked examining the younger man standing awkwardly framed by the sunset.

"Aw, not exactly," he said looking serious, "I actually was hoping I could talk to you."

"What?" I asked a little surprised.

"It's kind of weird. I don't usually do this sort of thing but I about the two of you, at least. Your parents died right? And Roxas almost died too."

I just took in the form of the taller boy for a second. Roxas shared that with him? He must have if he let him come to our house. Why all of this though.

I nodded, "Go on."

"So you and Roxas basically only have each other, right?" he asked shifting uncomfortably.

"Basically," I said choosing now to gaze past him into the swirling array of oranges and reds kissing the tree line behind him. I felt a little uncomfortable talking like this with a boy I hardly even knew.

"I figured. That's why I wanted to tell you this first. I- I really like your brother and as long as you don't hate me, I want to ask him out after dinner tomorrow," he said shifting his gaze to the floor.

My eyes widened. Was he asking me permission to date my brother? I took a second to examine his face. It was serious but relaxed. I could feel the fear he tried to hide.

"That's not something you have to consult me with," I said awkwardly glancing to the side and running my fingers through the tips of my hair.

"Actually I do. The only one Roxas trusts is you so I do too. If you disapprove of me than I'm not going to ask him out because I don't want to put a strain on your relationship," he said with the upmost care and consideration.

For a split second he glanced up from the spot he was focused on just in front of his shoes to analyze my face. Surprised he glanced away immediately. He's serious. But why did he even ask me? He's not asking for marriage right? It shouldn't be that important. Still, if he wants to play this game then so be it.

"Roxas never said anything about being gay," I said ignoring our awkward conversation from the other night.

"I'll find out for sure," he said feeling a little more confident.

I kept from sighing. I knew he'd get the wrong impression if I did. Reno was never this concerned. With anything! It seemed surreal to me that someone so like his brother could be so different at the same time.

"It's been what? Three of four weeks since we moved here?" I asked.

"Yeah, I guess," he said realizing where I was going with this.

"So what makes you like my brother so much? It hasn't been that much time."

"I," he started slowly, "I don't know. To be honest it's like I'm watching a relay of people with no purpose walking blindly along just trying to survive. It's a little depressing but when I'm around Roxas, all of that disappears and the only thing that matters is making every second we have together worth something. That sounds cheesy, right?" he finished smiling and scratching his cheek.

"A little."

"I don't know, okay! I didn't think I'd be quizzed!" Axel said blushing a little.

I allowed myself a second to think. All of that little monologue, it really was cheesy but honestly it was something I longed for. If this turns out the way Axel plans then Roxas will have the high school fantasy I'd always dreamed of. I wasn't going to be petty or jealous. Roxas means the world to me and even if I can't trust outsiders, I'm not going to get in his way now.

"Alright, you're clear," I said shaking my head a little.

"I'm what?" he asked blinking in confusion.

"Ask him out. I still don't think that's my call to make but I like the level of respect you show. I wish Reno was a little more like you back in high school," I said holding my head.

"No way! Thank you!" he said surprising me greatly by wrapping his arms around my shoulders and pulling me in for a big hug.

"Eh! Its fine! Now go home and sleep or something!" I said struggling free.

"I'll do that!" he said happily letting me go, "Bye!" he said turning towards his car and giving me a small wave. I returned it before reopening the sliding glass door and entering the house. Screw TV, I need to go to bed, now. Yuffie and Larxene want me there bright and early to 'help' finish the dinner anyway.

And what's this? Axel's a gentleman? Who knew? But seriously, I'm excited. Thanksgiving ahoy! I'm not sure but I may split it into two chapters for each separate Thanksgiving. If so I'm leaning towards doing Roxas and Axel's dinner first. If you'd really rather see Cloud and Leon though tell me and I'll make a little switch! Oh and about that joke involving Cloud shutting down then rebooting? I wasn't sure if that was readable or just plain stupid but I left it in there because Cloud will NOT imagine Roxas whacking it! Anyway, comment please! I'll try to update, like, tomorrow if I can. Maybe even today! I never know though so don't quote me.

Also, Forever in the Fire, I actually kinda like War better too! It seemed to me that more people would recognize the Kill though. After all, it's the song that got me into 30STM!