Roughly a month later…
Horses grazed silently, pawing at the frosted ground to get at the last brown blades of grass. The last of the migrating birds cawed and whistled in the woods, swooping and dipping on the air currents. Smoke curled from the chimney of a large house, and the delicious smells of cooking food wafted on the air. All was good and peaceful in the little world of Haven's Pastures. Until…
"AXEL!" Aya's voice shattered the stillness, and soon the front door flew open, a redheaded blur pelting out of the warmth and away, chased by a woman whose brown hair was braided into a rope, brandishing a rather large knife in one hand and a wooden stirring spoon in the other. The horses looked up, mildly interested in the humans' antics, before turning back to munching at the grass.
Reno leaned on the doorframe, one arm in a sling and a wry grin on his face as he watched his wife chase his brother around. Axel, who was vehemently denying any wrong-doing, was getting more desperate as Aya gained ground, running like a deer. When Roxas came to the door and peered out, he asked mildly, "Is she going to kill him?"
Reno laughed, then winced as his ribs protested. "Nah. She won't kill 'im. It'll be pretty fun to watch, though."
Roxas shook his sunshine-covered head and rolled his eyes at his boyfriend. He was about to go back inside to the welcoming warmth and delicious smells of Thanksgiving dinner cooking when said boyfriend dashed inside and hid behind Demyx. Roxas hastily stepped out of Aya's way and crossed his arms, content to watch the scene unfold.
Axel had ducked behind Demyx, using the musician as a shield for Aya's wrath. The woman put a hand on her hips and started tapping one of her feet, eyes narrowing dangerously. "Axel," she said warningly, "Don't think I won't go through Dem to get to you."
Demyx squeaked slightly and tried to shove Axel out from behind him, to no avail. Roxas finally took pity on all involved, walking behind his lover to push him in front of Demyx. Axel turned wounded puppy dog eyes on him, but Roxas refused to be moved. He figured Aya had to have her reasons.
"Axel, what on EARTH possessed you to try and steal some of my cheesecake?" Aya solidly thwacked Axel on his flaming head, eliciting a muttered, "Owww…" and the redhead rubbed the abused spot.
"I wasn't trying to steal some of it," he muttered. "I was going to put chocolate chips in it."
Aya blinked. "Oh. Well, I'm still mad at you. Just for that, you have to wait for pumpkin pie until after the first pie plate is empty. " She grinned evilly. "Now, I want all you boys, except Demyx, to go take care of your horses. And Reno, love, check on Angel, hmm?"
Reno nodded, and everyone streamed out of the house, heading for the barn. Roxas had had a head start on Axel, but the lanky, long-legged redhead had managed to catch up with him. As he slipped his hand into Roxas's grip and laced their fingers together, he smiled warmly. "So, Roxy, what do you want for Christmas?" he asked in a slightly sing-song voice.
Roxas gave him a strange look. "Christmas, Axe? Are you kidding? Today's Thanksgiving. Christmas is only…" he trailed off.
"A month away," grinned Axel. "So, what do you want?"
The blond blushed. "I don't know, nothing, really," he muttered. "I've got everything I could want."
They walked into the warm, cheerily bright barn, hearing the murmurs of their friends as they talked to their horses and to each other. Gentle nickers greeted Axel and Roxas as a slender, delicate silver head appeared over the half-stall door seconds before an ebony and crimson one was thrown over to greet them.
While Roxas rushed immediately to Selena, Axel paused long enough to turn on the radio, letting gentle sound wash through the barn. Roxas looked up from his caressing of Selena to throw a confused look at Axel. There was a brief musical interlude before words filtered through the notes.
The stars lean down to kiss you,
And I lie awake I miss you,
Pour me a heavy dose of atmosphere.
Cause I'll doze off safe and soundly,
But I'll miss your arms around me
I'll send a postcard to you dear,
Cause I wish you were here.
Axel smiled at Roxas as he scratched behind Flare's chin. Keeping his eyes on Roxas, he began to sing quietly, the emerald orbs locked with oceanic blue ones. " I watch the night turn light blue, But it's not the same without you, Because it takes two to whisper quietly. The silence isn't so bad, 'Till I look at my hands and feel sad, 'Cause the spaces between my fingers are right where yours fit perfectly…"
Roxas swallowed past the lump in his throat as he listened to Axel's gentle crooning voice, seeing the bottomless love in his eyes. He stretched out a hand and interlaced the fingers with Axel's again, and he realized that his fingers did fit perfectly between Axel's long and thin ones. Stepping forward, he saw that Axel's lips kept mouthing the words, though he no longer sang aloud. As Roxas took another step, a gentle smile curved his lips.
When violet eyes get brighter,
And heavy wings grow lighter,
I'll taste the sky and feel alive again.
And I'll forget the world that I knew,
But I swear I won't forget you,
Oh if my voice could reach back through the past,
I'd whisper in your ear,
Oh darling I wish you were here.
Axel leaned forward and kissed Roxas, his lips moving over the younger boy's as he sang along. Roxas shivered as Axel's warm breath ghosted over his slightly chilled skin, warming him and setting a fierce fire burning in his chest. Before he could help it, tears began to slip from the corners of his eyes. Instantly, Axel pulled away, murmuring in concern, asking what was wrong.
"Oh, Axel," Roxas whispered, unable to tear his eyes away from Axel's face, "nothing's wrong. Everything's right. It's all so right." He smiled brightly and wiped his face harshly with the back of his hand, dashing the tears away. He fed Selena as Axel fed Flare, then they bid their companions goodbye, promising to visit later in the evening.
When they walked back into the house, Aya was just getting ready to set down the gravy and rolls. Axel and Roxas entered the kitchen, receiving dishes to carry to the table from Demyx and Larxene. Demyx was looking completely content, his cheeks flushed from the warmth of the large cooking stove, his eyes sparkling as he talked and bantered with Zexion, who was sharpening the knife that would be used to slice the turkey. Axel smiled to see his friend so happy, and he took his platter of steaming peas to the table, Roxas following behind with more light, flaky rolls.
Finally, all was done, and everyone was sitting at the table. Aya handed the knife to Axel, since Reno couldn't carve with his arm in a sling. Before he could start slicing into the turkey, she stopped him and said, "Since this is Thanksgiving, everyone needs to say something they're thankful for. I'm thankful for Reno, all my puppies, and Haven's Pastures."
Axel nodded. "I really like having Roxy around," he said with a grin. When everyone had spoken, Axel sliced into the turkey and passed out the steaming meat to everyone. They ate and talked, and Roxas looked around. He had come to realize that the family he had now was far better than the one that had been lost.