"So what everyone's plan for Thanksgiving?" Alfred asked.
"Same as always," Emma said with a sigh. "My brothers and I got to our aunt's house. My mom and aunt proceed to try and outdo each other with what they cook."
"I have three brothers things get really crazy at my place." Arthur sighed a little.
"What about you Ludwig?" Alfred asked before stopping himself. "Wait your family doesn't celebrate it right?"
"Not once." Ludwig took a sip of his drink.
"You don't? Why is that?" Emma asked.
"Easy my father's a first-generation American and my mother moved here after she finished college. They never celebrated it growing up and never bothered to start once they had a family."
"So your family doesn't do anything for Thanksgiving?"
"We normally watch a bunch of movies. It's honestly really fun."
"Welp I'm going home for two days. We're playing the Friday game this year."
"Is Matt going with you?"
"Nope, he's staying the whole weekend and visiting friends."
Ludwig smiled to himself. He remembered Gilbert coming home for holidays or the occasional weekend. If his stay was long enough then he would spend more time with his high school friends than he did at home.
After they were finished with dinner the friends sat out in the courtyard. It was one of those November nights. The ones that felt summer was still saying goodbye before winter came. Everyone was still wearing their jackets but they were much lighter than they had been waiting. It was only bad whenever a cold breeze flew by. Those lasted a few seconds.
"I wish every night could be like this." Alfred stretched his arms out as the breeze came in.
"You say that every time," Arthur said.
"Because I mean it every time."
"The one day he doesn't is the day pigs fly." Emma laughed.
"Or the day he comes out." Ludwig didn't say anything and justed stared at Alfred. "What it's true."
"Have you ever thought about it?" Emma asked and Ludwig didn't answer. "I was just asking."
"Of course I have thought about it. Now is simply not the time."
"But didn't you realize you were gay your sophomore year?"
"I did but the case still stands that I'm not ready. Even it was four years ago. And to best honest, I was in denial for a while."
"Hey, I have an idea!" Alfred said suddenly.
"This can't be good," Arthur said under his breath. Alfred glared at him quickly before continuing.
"As I was saying. Maybe when you're home next week you can look for signs."
"Look for signs?"
"Yeah, signs on how your parents will react when you come out. That way when you do you'll be prepared for their reaction."
"How is that supposed to work?" Ludwig raised an eyebrow.
"I dunno maybe find a news story or something similar. Look for clues, like their facial expressions or their tone of voice. That way you know. Oh but don't make to obvious so they don't catch on."
"I figured that part."
"It's something to think about."
"Hey Feliciano," Mei greeted as Feliciano walked inside. "What you got there?"
"I'm not sure," Felician said as he placed a decently sized package on the living room coffee table. "I don't remember ordering anything recently."
"New art supplies?"
"Nah, I always buy new supplies at the local craft stores." Feliciano walked into the kitchen. He took a pair of scissors out of a drawer.
"Maybe you had something back-ordered," Kiku said as he gave a nervous glance to Mei.
"Could be possible," Mei shrugged as Feliciano kneeled down and started to open it.
"I can't think of anything." Feliciano opened the box and immediately his face fell. "It's a care package from my parents."
"Oh, that's not so bad." Mei laughed nervously.
Before looking at the contents Feliciano picked up a small note. He read two words before tossing it to the floor. Next, he pulled out a light blue shirt with frilly sleeves. Without hesitation, he handed it to Mei. The rest of the contents were various snack foods and other necessities. Feliciano picked up the box and started organizing the snacks.
"Well, it's not the worst one you received," Kiku said as Feliciano shoved a bag of chips in a cupboard.
"Did you even read the note?"
"No, but it can't be that..." Feliciano glared at the two before Kiku could say anything else.
"It was that bad." Feliciano took a deep breath in. "They, they dead named me again."
After he said those words, Feliciano collapsed on the floor. He didn't try to hold back his tears. He wrapped his arms around his chest. Mei and Kiku looked at each other for a second. They kneeled down next to him and placed a hand on his shoulders. The three sat there in silence as long as Feliciano needed.
"There we go," Mei said as she placed a large bowl down. "We have hot chocolate and fresh-popped popcorn. All we need now is a Disney movie and we have the perfect Friday night."
"We should have Disney Night every week," Tolyis said grabbing a hand of popcorn.
"I'll get that," Tezera yelled as she stood up.
Feliciano sulked in his seat. He moved his blanket up a little. Quietly he took a sip of hot chocolate. Once the door opened everyone turned around to see Tezera jumped in the air a little and hug the person on the other side.
"Hey guys," Emma said as she walked through the door. "I hope I'm not crashing the party."
"Oh come your not crashing anything." Mei and Kiku moved over on the couch. Feliciano climbed down and carefully placed his drink on the table.
"You guys don't have to move. I can sit on the floor."
"No, you're fine."
"I don't mind sitting on the floor," Feliciano said quietly
"Feliciano are you alright?" Emma asked as Tezera handed her a mug.
"Yeah, had another, fight with my parents." Feliciano took a sip of his drink.
"You've been having those an awful lot lately. Everything alright with the three of you?"
"To be honest it hasn't been since I was seventeen."
"I know something that might cheer you up." Emma opened her backpack and reached into it. "Chocolate! I brought enough bars for everyone. Plus extra."
Emma held up almost ten chocolate bars. She stood up and held the bars in front of Feliciano.
"Here Feli you get the first pick," Emma said with a warm smile.
"Oh thank you." Feliciano took a bar of dark chocolate. He quietly unwrapped it as Emma passed out the others. Slowly he took a small bite. Immediately he felt happier and leaned down against the couch a little.
"Now that we all have our chocolate who's ready for Disney night?" Victoria asked. Everyone cheered as the first movie started playing. Feliciano smiled and let the movie play. Something told him tonight was going to be great.
"You know I love going home but I always feel like I bring too much," Alfred said holding up two different shirts. "Do you get that?"
"Well, I always pack an extra shirt just case." Ludwig looked up from the book he was reading.
"Do you think this is nice enough for Thanksgiving?" Alfred up a light blue shirt with thin white stripes on it.
"I think it will work."
"Thanks, man." Alfred's phone buzzed. "Uh, what time does the book store close?"
"It closes in a little over an hour."
"Okay, got to go for a second." Alfred ran over to grab his coat. "Just got a message for a group project. And I need to get some color pencils or something like that."
Alfred ran out of the room before Ludwig could respond. Ludwig just shook his head a little and continued reading. About a minute later he heard his cellphone start ringing. Without looking at it he answered.
"Hello," He answered slightly annoyed.
"Oh Ludwig I'm sorry did I interrupt something?" Feliciano spoke from the other end.
"Feliciano?"
"Yes sorry I didn't think you'd be busy. I'll, I'll hang up now."
"No no it's fine I thought you were someone else." Ludwig sat up and placed the book on his nightstand. "Is something wrong?"
"Eh, I'm just a little nervous about going home for break." Feliciano sounded much quieter than normal. "My parents and I have been in a very rough spot recently."
"Are you alright?" Ludwig asked sounding concerned.
"I dunno I need someone to talk too."
"I'm here as long as you need me," Ludwig said very firmly. He thought about what to say for a moment. "Do you want to hear what Alfred suggested I do over break?"
"Sure, why not?" Feliciano started to sound more like himself.
"He told me I should find signs about my parents' feelings on LGBT people. This way it would be easier for me to come out to them."
Feliciano laughed a little. "That's just silly. The only person who knows when it's good for you to come out is you."
"Thank you, it is nice to hear that for once."
"I know firsthand that coming out is very personal. But if you're feeling nervous about this, I will say after you do come out it's the most, freeing feeling the world."
"Freeing?"
"Yes, freeing."