Here we have a lot of heartwarming fluff and some enjoyable awkward angst. Hope you like it.

The Thanksgiving Problem

"Before I ask the blessing," Howard said, "I want us to go around the table and each say something we're thankful for. Roger, why don't you start us off."

Roger pushed back his chair and stood up. Richie knew this was going to be awkward.

"In the journey of life, one finds many hills and valleys," Roger began.

Howard rolled his eyes, obviously regretting his idea.

"...And one grows to appreciate the little things in life. The spring rain, the glowing summer sunsets. The beauty of snow in winter, and of course the autumn foliage..."

"And speeches coming to an end," Chuck muttered.

Roger cleared his throat. "So, I'm thankful for the seasons, and for holidays we can spend together." He sat down.

The group sighed in collective relief.

"Well, on that note, I'm thankful I could be here this year," said Chuck. "I've been away from home too long. It's good to be back, even though I can't stay long."

Richie looked at all the cheerful (but hungry) faces around him. "Potsie went to Ralph's house to celebrate with his family, but other than that, all my favorite people are right here at this table. I'm thankful for my friends and family."

Under the table, Fonzie gave Richie's knee a squeeze. "I have to echo what Red just said... before I was friends with him, I didn't have any nice family get-togethers like this. I've got aunts and uncles and cousins and a grandma... but here I feel like I got parents and a brother and sister of my own." His voice was starting to sound a little choked up. He paused a moment. "So, um... I'm thankful for my second family."

Marion sniffed. "Arthur, that was beautiful."

"I'm thankful I'm a Pom Pom girl!" Joanie exclaimed. When the others were silent, she said, "What? Everyone else already said all the good stuff."

Mother Kelp smiled. "I'm thankful for grandchildren," she said sweetly.

Richie knew that while the statement seemed nice, his grandmother was pointedly ignoring her daughter and son-in-law.

"I'm thankful for Howard," Marion declared, darting a little glare at her mother. "And our wonderful life together."

Howard took her hand. "I'm thankful for this home and the wonderful years we've spent here. And... all this wonderful food Marion's prepared for us!"

"I second that," said Chuck.

"Let's all join hands for the blessing."

Richie held Chuck's hand loosely as he always had when forced to do so, but he gripped Fonzie's firmly. He felt Fonzie's thumb stroking his fingers.

"Our Father," Howard prayed, "we do thank you for all the things that were mentioned just now—friends and family and good times. We thank you for this food and ask you to bring us closer together as a family tonight. Amen."

"Amen," the others chorused.

"And give us prudence to know when to stop eating," Marion added.

Richie grinned. He knew that one was meant especially for Howard. He lent a hand as everyone began passing dishes around—but only one. Fonzie was still holding the other.

"You sure you don't mind if I take this Patti Page album?" Chuck asked Fonzie for the third time.

"I'm sure. It's yours," Fonzie answered. "It's the least I can do."

"You've turned this into a nice little pad," said Roger. "I bet it's nice and quiet up here for reading."

Richie turned away and smothered a laugh.

"Oh, yeah. Richie and I read up here sometimes, don't we, Red?"

"Mhm," Richie said, still not able to turn around. "That's true."

"Nice place to bring chicks, too," said Chuck.

"You're not wrong," said Fonzie. "I guess you found that out when you were living here, huh?"

"Yeah. I didn't have a lot of time for dating, though. With basketball and all."

"That seems to be the story of your life, Chuck. When you get back to school, you tell those people the Fonz says they need to give you a little more time off, okay?"

"Ha. I'd like to. But I really want to stay on the team."

"Well, we'd better go," said Roger. "I promised Aunt Marion we'd drive mother Kelp home."

"Better you than me," Richie muttered.

"What did you volunteer me for?" asked Chuck. "I don't need to go."

"I don't know my way around Milwaukee," Roger pointed out. "Anyway, don't you want to spend more time with her? She's your grandmother. You haven't seen her for years."

"Yeah... several wonderful years... I guess we'll see you guys in the morning."

Fonzie and Richie said good night to the other boys as they left. Fonzie closed the door behind them and leaned on it. "So... now that those turkeys are gone..."

Richie laughed. "I was afraid Chuck was going to start something with you. But you really hit it off—"

Fonzie put a hand over Richie's mouth. "Rich? I'm talking."

"Sorry."

Fonzie put his arm around Richie. "I meant what I said at dinner tonight, but I want you to know I'm especially thankful for you."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. If it weren't for you, I'd probably still be with the Falcons, pushing around poor schmucks like Chuck and getting myself arrested—or killed. Thanks to you, I got a nice place with a nice family and lots of real friends. There's nothing better than that. So thanks." He hugged Richie tightly, holding his head with one hand.

Richie had been moved by Fonzie's speech earlier, but now he actually felt a lump in his throat. "You're welcome," he whispered. "You know, you've paid me back lots of times. I don't like to think about what things would be like if we weren't friends."

"Then don't. Come on. Let's go to bed."

"Okay."

When they were both ready and the lights were out, Richie didn't hesitate to crawl straight into Fonzie's arms. They were both under the covers, and neither of them said anything about it. Richie could hear Fonzie's heartbeat. He doubted any other guys had ever gotten to hear it.

Fonzie ran his hand through Richie's hair. "You're gonna need a trim soon," he murmured.

"Mhm." Richie felt the firm contours of Fonzie's chest through his pajama shirt, moving his fingers up and down slowly. He wondered if Fonzie had a lot of chest hair. He couldn't remember ever seeing him without a shirt.

Fonzie kissed Richie's forehead and moved his hand down to stroke the back of Richie's neck.

Richie burrowed closer, taking in Fonzie's scent. I wish this would last forever... we could just stay here together and not worry about anything. He kissed Fonzie's chin and was soon being kissed back. His friend's experienced hands were caressing him gently in a way he'd never known he liked before.

Suddenly, Richie froze. Uh oh... no, not that. He pulled away.

"Something wrong?" Fonzie asked sleepily.

"Um..."

Fonzie switched on the lamp by the bed.

"I guess I kind of have a problem."

Fonzie blinked at him a moment and then lifted the covers. "Oh. You got a problem, all right."

Richie could feel himself turning red. "I..."

"You're still seventeen, right?"

"Yeah...?"

"That makes it even more of a problem."

"I'm sorry... oh my gosh, this is so embarrassing."

"So you're an ordinary guy. Big deal. Not everyone can be the Fonz."

"Yeah, but... this isn't supposed to happen now."

"Hey, don't sweat it. You were in ROTC—you know that just because you're standing at attention, that don't mean you're eager to march."

"Well... that's true, but still..."

"You want to go in the bathroom and take care of it?"

"No. I just want it to be gone."

"Well, like I said, not everyone can be the Fonz."

"You mean... you can just get rid of it at will?"

"Psh, I can stop it before it gets started. I just tell everything to stay cool down there."

"Do you ever... want it to happen, though? I mean when you're not with a girl."

"Never. You know why? Cause I can get a chick anytime I want. Why would I wanna waste time without one? Ayy."

Richie shook his head with an awkward laugh. "That makes sense. Aw, but this is ridiculous. What should I do?"

"Think about boring things."

"Boring things?"

"Yeah, you know... like math class... shopping... your cousin Roger..."

"Ha! Yeah. Man, that thing about the seasons at dinner? What was that about? Hey, I feel better already."

"Gonna be okay?"

"I think so. I'm really sorry—"

"You don't have to apologize. It ain't your fault." Fonzie turned the light out. "Think you can sleep?"

"Soon, yeah." Carefully, Richie settled against Fonzie again, being sure not to let his problem come in contact with his friend. He was embarrassed enough already. "Thanks, Fonzie."

"No problem, kid. Happy Thanksgiving."

To think... that first time, Fonzie was worried about what he might do to me in his sleep... and I'm the one who ended up screwing it up. Richie sighed and tried to relax. Finally, the problem ebbed away and he was able to sleep.

When he woke up, Richie didn't open his eyes right away. He had been having a strange dream he couldn't quite remember, and someone was stroking his hair, and Fonzie's voice was saying something... in fact, he was saying something interesting.

"I couldn't tell you if you were awake," Fonzie was saying quietly. "It's not that I think it ain't cool... See, my mom told me she loved me once. Then she left and I never saw her again. My grandma used to tell me, and for a long time, I thought she was gonna leave, too. My father left, my mother left... why wouldn't she? Still, she's a grandma, so I've learned to take it from her. But I can't say it to someone like you. I don't know how. I just hope you understand, even if I don't say it. And you better not say it to me, either, or we will have to have a discussion. And by a discussion, I mean I'll talk with my fists."

It was hard to maintain convincing, even breathing in the face of these quiet confessions, but Richie managed it somehow. He was relieved when someone knocked on the apartment door.

Fonzie got up and opened the door a crack. "Morning, Shortcake."

Listening hard, Richie could just hear Joanie's voice. "You guys aren't up yet? Mom said to let you know lunch will be ready soon. You better get dressed and come down."

"All right. We'll be right there."

Richie took the opportunity to pretend to wake up as Fonzie came back over. "Was that Joanie?"

"Yeah. She said lunch is coming right up, so we should be coming right down." Fonzie smiled at him. "So... did you sleep okay? After your little, uh... problem?"

"Oh..." That wasn't part of the dream. Great. Richie's face felt hot. "Yeah..."

"Didn't I tell you not to worry about it? Come on, let's get going. Help me put the bed away."

Howard had already gone to work by the time they got down to lunch. Marion had made a turkey pie with leftovers from the big dinner.

"Is that a new sweater?" Richie asked Joanie.

"Yeah," she answered. "Mom and I went shopping this morning. A lot of stores have a sale the day after Thanksgiving. It's the first day of the Christmas shopping season."

"Hm. Getting your self-presents out of the way early this year?"

"Aw, I didn't just buy things for myself. So don't go snooping around. That goes for you too, Fonzie."

"A whole month of no snooping around?" Fonzie teased. "It's gonna kill us."

"Richie, are you taking us back to the airport?" Chuck asked.

"I guess so," said Richie.

"We should go as soon as we're done eating so we don't miss our flight."

"It's so unfair that they didn't let you stay very long," Marion complained. "Richie and Joanie have until Monday. I don't see why the colleges can't do the same thing."

"Can't be helped—I can't risk missing tonight's practice."

"I should get down to the garage," Fonzie said. "Can't leave the other guys to pick up the slack for me. I'll try to be home for dinner, Mrs. C."

When lunch was done, Richie waited while Chuck and Roger said goodbye to Joanie and his mother. Then he led them out to the car.

"Well, it was short, but this sure was a good Thanksgiving," said Roger.

The others remained silent.

"Sure wish we could do this for Christmas, too."

"You were right, Rich," Chuck said.

"Huh?" said Richie.

"About Fonzie. He really is a pretty cool guy."

"Oh. Yeah."

"I'm sorry I didn't want to give him a chance."

"That's okay."

"To be honest, I feel kind of jealous of him. He fits in really well, and he seems happy living with the family."

"He is... but it's not like he's replacing you. But it does make me feel better, knowing that if I go to college far away, someone will still be looking out for mom and dad and keeping an eye on Joanie."

"Aren't you going somewhere close by?"

"Probably, but I haven't made up my mind."

"You get good grades," Roger put in. "Shoot high."

Richie didn't answer. He wondered how Roger could be so smart and so dull and annoying at the same time.

Please leave a comment to let me know you've read this far. Encouragement and friendly crit is welcome.