Author's Note: As the name of the chapter suggest, A Not So Canon Christmas, this chapter is NOT canon to the story, but rather… a Christmas present to all of my dedicated readers out there =) Think of this being a bonus side-chapter of sorts.

I wish everyone out there a very Merry Christmas!!! =)

---

Roxas and Sora lazily gazed outside of the patio window by the Christmas tree at the Leonheart's residence, sighting the Montréal landscape being blanketed with fresh white snow falling from the sky. Also, they saw several streams of smoke flowing upwards towards the heavens as many others have deemed it useful to use their fireplaces in this cold and chilly Christmas Eve, measuring at -7 degrees Celsius, according to the latest television reports. Luckily, the two teenage boys were bundled in warm, thick clothing, sipping away at some hot chocolate, listening to some Christmas carols on TV as the central heater circulated warm air in the apartment. In addition, the apartment unit's cast-iron wood-burning fireplace was in full swing since Leon decided to kick-start it for the holiday season.

"J'adore la neige…" Sora happily smiled, taking in another sip of the delicious hot chocolate Leon had prepared for them both.

Roxas kept his gaze on the little specks of white falling from the sky with much awe. This was quite understandable since this was his first time witnessing snowfall that was not on TV or that fake stuff in Disneyland and Knott's back in Southern California. He even made a little o with his lips when his blue eyes focused upon a falling snowflake. "Whoooaaaa…"

"I see that you like the snowfall, Roxy…" Sora chuckled as he averted his attention to the seemingly spaced out blond.

"Uh-huh…" Roxas took a sip of his warm beverage as well, replying in a robotic-like fashion, amusing the brunet next to him that was still snickering.

"Hahaha. Well, I guess we'll be waking up to white Christmas tomorrow morning."

"White Christmas?" Roxas cocked an eyebrow at the unfamiliar term. "What's that?"

Sora simply laughed. "Oh yeah, you're from L.A., hahaha... Well, a White Christmas is when there is snow on the ground the day of Christmas. And by the looks of the snowfall outside, that seems very likely…"

"Ohhhhh… I see, dude…" Roxas concurred, only seeing what Sora had described in the movies. "I guess it makes it all the better, right?"

"Haha, right…" the Leonheart smiled before sipping up the last of his beverage, a sad expression being shown on his lips due to the lack of deliciousness. "Awwww, Leon, je veux beaucoup du chocolat chaud!!!"

"Damn, Sora…" Leon said in a wondering tone while maintaining his focus on preparing for tonight's dinner à minuit, along with Cloud's help as well. "Ça c'est like your third or fourth cup, n'est-ce pas?"

"Ehhh… si…" Sora seemed a bit embarrassed by his older brother mentioning the number of servings he had, scrunching his face when he heard Roxas laugh as well. "But it's soooooo good!!!"

"I'll make more après le souper."

"I guess…" Sora shrugged as he flopped onto the warm couch, Roxas joining his as well.

You know what… Roxas stared up towards the ceiling as he mused. This is actually the time of year that I feel hella depressed… He then took the time to note his surroundings. The apartment overall was well decorated for the occasion. The flashing colourful lights and the bright and shiny ornaments, not to be outdone by the glowing star on top of the tree of course, further beautified the Christmas tree by the sliding glass doors. Adjacent to the cast-iron stove fireplace hung four pairs of stockings filled with goodies. The walls were filled with other décor and knickknacks, such as bountiful garlands, lights, Frosty the Snowman, Santa and his reindeers, and more. I guess this is the first time… in a LONG TIME… that Cloud and I got to celebrate a "proper" Christmas… A small smile began to creep onto the younger Strife's face.

"Dinner's ready!" Cloud hollered out to the teens on the couch. They both looked at the clock. It read 11:58pm.

"Dude, two minutes before Christmas!!!" Sora happily skipped for table, causing Roxas to nod while managing a smile.

"Caaaaalllllmmmmmm down, Sora…"

As soon as all four of them were situated at the dining room table with bounds of food for their eyes to feast on (a feat they would have to repeat again for Christmas dinner), they squabbled a bit on who should say grace (in which Cloud did the honours, losing in a game of not it via touching one's nose) and delightfully began to feast until…

DING-DONG

All four at the table stopped at what they were doing, clearly startled by the unexpected sound of the doorbell at this time of evening.

"Hmmm… wonder who could it be…" Cloud began to wonder, his eyes, along with everyone else's, still glued to the door.

"Sora, could you go answer the door?" Leon requested of his little brother.

"It's probably Santa needing directions." Everyone managed a small laugh at the spiky brunet's remark. Opening the door, his mouth gaped open at the sight of the visitor. "Axel?"

"Y— yup…" a snowed-on and shivering Axel simply nodded with a holiday bag on his right hand. "M— Merry C— Chri— Christmas…"

"Dude, come on inside! You must be freezing!" Sora dragged his friend inside the warm apartment, the tall and lanky redhead evidently appreciated by this as his face became more relaxed, the warm-air ridding the coldness.

"Hey, Axel! Joyeux Noël! Comment ça va?" Leon greeted his brother's friend.

"Joyeux Noël à vous aussi!" The Le Beaufeu happily replied back before making eye contact with the two blondes at the table. "Merry Christmas Cloud and Roxy!"

While Cloud replied with the same politely, Roxas tensed as always with hearing that antagonising nickname. "Merry Christmas ya' redhead."

"Sit down, sit down! Join us for dinner!" Leon happily offered.

"Merci beaucoup, Leon!" Axel quickly took the other available seat and began to partake in the feast as well. For an inordinate amount of time, everyone enjoyed the meal that Leon and Cloud had prepared, a joyous and warm atmosphere being felt by all.

"So Axel, what brings you to our neck-of-the-woods?" Sora inquired to the redhead while slicing a piece of the Bûche de Noël.

"Well…" Axel chewed on another piece of ham before swallowing. "Parents went to Glasgow for Christmas and it would've been lame if I spent Christmas by myself. And I just remembered that you guys were still here in Dorval."

"Didn't have any other friends to go t— OW!" Roxas rubbed his arm as Sora elbowed him quite hard.

"Haha…" Axel laughed it off. "Nah, all of 'em are out of town."

"Well, you're welcome to celebrate Christmas with us!" Sora happily offered the invite. "We're gonna open presents after dinner."

"Well…" the redhead rubbed his chin gingerly. "I couldn't impose…"

"Nonsense…" Leon began to collect the plates. "You're staying here and that's final."

"Haha, okay then. Merci beaucoup!"

As dinner finished, everyone gathered in the living room by the Christmas tree for presents. Roxas gave Cloud the latest DVD release of The Office, while Cloud gave Roxas a brand new chequered Billabong hoodie. Sora gave Leon a brand new pair of Vans slip-ons, while Leon gave Sora the latest Family Guy DVD's.

"Hey Roxy!" Sora tossed Roxas a brightly wrapped, petite-sized box. "Joyeux Noël! Merry Christmas!"

The blond stared at the wrapped box in hands for a few moments before a smile crept onto his face. He was simply touched at the gesture, thinking that Sora actually had the time to go out and buy a Christmas present for him. "Merci! Thanks!"

"Pas de problème…" Sora goofily shrugged off. "It was nothing."

Roxas slowly tore of the wrapping before exposing what was hidden. "Oh… fuckin'… wow…" The blond was astonished as he held in his hands a pair of black, over-the-ear, DJ style, noise-cancelling headphones that he had been wanting for awhile now. This would make his iPod listening experience much better. In addition, the headphones were complete with customised chequered shells on each headpiece and with the engraving of Joyeux Noël, Roxy!!! Enjoy!!! – Sora.

"I knew you've been eyeing that for a while..." Sora sheepishly smiled. "Hope you like it."

"Are you kidding me?!?" Roxas unexpectedly pulled Sora into a warm and heartfelt embrace. "I LOVE IT!!! Thank you…"

"You're welcome…" Sora smiled, patting the blonde's back before being let go.

"C'est un bon cadeau, Sora!" Leon nodded in approval.

"I agree!" Cloud added in.

"Nice choice, Sora…" Axel whistled.

"Hahaha, y'all are too kind…" the brunet began to blush.

"Okay, well since you got me the headphones…" Roxas went to grab a flat, skinny, medium sized wrapped item, giving it to the spiky brunet. "Merry Christmas, Sora."

"Awwww, Roxy!" Sora once again attached himself onto the blond. "You shouldn't have!" Roxas simply smiled in rely as the brunet began to unwrap the present.

"Oh… wow…" Inside contained a framed, colour-pencilled artwork portrait of himself in a realist perspective in full detail, his skin tone and hair colour practically matching what was on the picture, and his eyes were brought out real nicely with the shades of blue Roxas managed to use. Lastly, the words Merry Christmas Sora! – Roxas were inscribed on the bottom right. In other words: it was picture-perfect.

"I've been working on this for awhile in Art class…" Roxas sheepishly spoke. "I got an A on it, and so I thought it would be awesome if you could have it."

"J'ADORE TON ARTWORK!!!" Sora nearly squeezed the life out of Roxas.

"Y— you're wel— welcome!!!" Roxas chokingly replied, nearly breathing for his life when he was finally let go of.

"Hehehe, sorry…" Sora placed a hand behind his head, chuckling nervously.

"Wow!!!" Axel placed the bag that he carried with him to Sora's on the table. "How will I ever outdo you two?"

"Awwwww, Axel, you have gifts for us too?" Sora jokingly made a sad face. Luckily, Roxas and he did give gifts to all their friends earlier in the week, including Axel.

"Ouais… parce que je me sens bad and all that vous m'avez donné des cadeaux…" Axel continued to rummage through the bags.

"Oh, there's no need to worry, vraiment…" the brunet nodded, assuring there was no need to give back.

"Mais que si…" the redhead finally pulled out a wrapped item. "Joyeux Noël, Sora."

"Awwww, c'est vrai. C'est pas nécessaire…" Sora smiled, but nonetheless opened it up. Inside was a plush Stewie and Brian doll from Family Guy. "Awww, merci beaucoup, Axel!"

"Pas de problème, Sora. Merry Christmas!" Axel smiled, before pulling out the next item. "Here 'ya go, Roxy-the-emo-dude!!! Merry Christmas!!!"

Though he cringed a bit, he nonetheless resisted the urge to charge at Axel for the name. "Thanks dude. Merry Christmas to you too." He caught the box tossed at him. Unwrapping, his oceanic eyes soon gazed upon a plush Stan Marsh doll from South Park and a new pair of black and white chequered earplugs for his gauges. "Oh… w— wow…" the Strife was clearly amazed that Axel would get him gifts that he would love. "I— I don't know how to th— thank you for this…"

"Well… " Axel walked towards the blond until the two were mere centimetres from each other, causing Roxas to look up at the tall and lanky redhead. "You are standing under a mistletoe… and you can thank me by doing one thing…"

Wait, what?!? Mistletoe?!?

Roxas looked up towards the ceiling, confirming Axel's claim.

Oh shit… then that means—

Before Roxas was able to finish his musing, Axel crashed his lips onto the blonde's, clearly startling the Strife. At first, Roxas seemed to resist the kiss, but soon gave in and slightly moaned, letting Axel have complete control. Their lips captured and recaptured each others, trying to taste each other's flavour without the use of their tongue.

The three other dudes in the room simply stared at the two in shock, most notably Sora who seemed to get a little angry about the surprising stunt Axel pulled.

However, the two forgot about the others in the room as they continued their passionate kiss.

Please Axel, don't your tongue, please don't u— TOO LATE!!!

Roxas gasped when felt the redhead's tongue nipping at his lips, giving Axel the opportunity to have his tongue delve into Roxas' mouth, enjoying every little corner his tongue was able to touch.

"Arrête!!! Arrête!!! Okay, okay!!!" Sora broke the two apart, much to their dismay. "C'est Noël! Pas le backseat of a station wagon…"

Roxas and Axel began to blush, immediately realising on what just happened.

"And besides… you gotta do it comme ça!!!" Sora immediately grabbed a hold of Roxas' face, astonishing the blond as he crashed his own lips upon the blonde's. Trying to outdo Axel, Sora kissed Roxas even harder, hungry for the Strife as he immediately nipped the blonde's lips. Roxas gasped once again, leaving his mouth open for a brief second. Sora readily took advantage of this, loving the moans the blond emitted as he explored the wet caverns that were offered to him, loving the taste his tongue was able to partake in.

Dude, why is everyone kissing me on Christmas?

Before he was able to think about it much further, he began to gasp for air as Sora had let him go. "Dude!!! That was—"

"Amazing? Yeah, I know..." Sora confidently nodded, eyeing the redhead who looked unpleased by his actions.

"Dude, what the hell?" Axel's voice became very sharp and tense.

"What?" Sora's voice, however, was rather calm, as if nothing ever happened. "Jealous much 'cause I'm a better kisser? Roxas seems to think so."

The blond simply quirked an eyebrow at the remark. Dude, what the he—

"Wow, c'est vrai, Sora?" Axel simply scoffed. "Je pense que Roxas croire I'm the better kisser."

"No, I am!"

"Nope, it's me!"

"Nuh-uh!"

"Uh-huh!"

"I'm afraid so!"

"No way!"

"Yes way!"

"STOP! STOP! STOP!" Roxas suddenly growled as the room became dead silent, all eyes on the blond. "Dudes… I never said that I wanted to be kissed…"

Sora and Axel looked at each other in confusion.

"But you were under the mistletoe…" Axel croaked out.

"Well… yeah… but… that's not the point…" Roxas tried to reason. "Let's just forget all about what happened and celebrate Christmas, yeah?"

"And I know the best way on how to do that!" Sora's happy voice jumped in.

"And that would be…?" Roxas looked confused.

Eyeing Axel for a bit before giving him a wink, the brunet went on to say, "One… two… THREE!!!"

And low and behold, Roxas' cheeks had two pairs of lips on each side, giving him a nice smooch on the sides. He wasn't sure if he should be happy, confused, or mortified.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS, ROXY!!!" Everyone in the room shouted, a bout of hilarious laughter ensuing right after.

Oh my God… are you kidding me?!?!?

Though he did not liked to be joked on, he couldn't help but to laugh himself.

Heh… I guess it was funny… oh the joy of the holidays!!!

---

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS =)

---

Translations

La neige – snow

Chocolat chaud – hot chocolate

À minuit – at midnight.

Bûche de Noël – Yule log (a type of sponge cake dessert).

Je me sens – I feel (as in myself)