Holy Hell High

[Reno]

Sora grinned. "Yay!" His fingers slipped into the first available slip in the paper and with a loud riiiiiiip the wrapping paper - little kittens in stockings - was torn to shreds. He was the first to reach the clean white box underneath, throwing the scraps of wrapping paper behind him and patiently waiting for his brothers to finish. He always won this race!

Terra watched Ven open the gift with mild interest as he held - okay he was cuddling the damn thing! - that puppy who was still to hyper to be let free.

Roxas hummed not concerned, knowing his brother would wait for him, as he tore off the music note-laden paper with Christmas wreathes on it - he recognized some of the patterns of notes; parts of Silent Night and Deck the Halls and other such jingles.

He was the second to last to reach his box, only having opened one side before slipping out the box from it and placing the paper behind him. The three all shared a grin of excitement... and then the tops came off. Roxas flipped his and placed the body of the box inside of it, before flipping aside some of the tissue paper. "Wow..." He lifted out his hoodie and inspected it fondly. Like Ventus' his name was spelt on his hoodie in a curvy script and also had a silky checkered pattern on the inside.... but HIS jacket was white and the words were in black.
He looked up when his father mentioned for them to turned it around, seeing the X on the back and a word also done in the same script. Hope.

Beside him, Sora threw off the top, letting it fall to the floor forgotten as he tugged away paper. "Neat!"
He lifted up his hoodie as well. His was gray - of course. Even if he was the eldest he was like the 'in-between' brother. Suited him just fine. He smiled fondly at his cursive name which was written in a gold script and the inside like his brothers was black and white - but not with checkers. Oh no, and this made him laugh, but it had yin-yangs!
He turned it around as well, his grin getting wider at the sight of the golden crown and then the word they had chosen for him. Happiness.
He grinned - he certainly had a lot of that!

[Rikugurl]

Ven smiled as he looked over at his brothers hoodies. He didn't know about them... but he LOVED his! He held it close... but knew he couldn't keep it with him. Was against the policy. Everything that came in... had to go out too.


A hour passed and everyone talked about their breakfast... and Roxas and Sora told him about what kind of presents they got... and that there were still tons for him under the tree when Ven got out.

Hugs and kisses and good-byes came later on. Ven hugged everyone and gave a kiss on the cheek to his mother.
Everyone was hoping this side of Ven wasn't just for Christmas. The nurse had come in before they all left, actually holding Ven's lunch. Sirocco asked her how much longer Ventus would be here... and she reported another week and 5 days.

Everyone's cheer kind of flew away for a moment... Roxas and Sora realizing that... Ventus was still going to be here when the concert came up. They would have to figure out something! Roxas was playing with Olette... so now Sora... had to find another partner. Seeing that he wasn't in bad at school... that was easier said than done.

The blonde waved to his family along with Riku and Carina. They were going to get ready for Christmas dinner. That too made Ven sigh. He was going to miss out on all that delicious food...


♪Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day.
Take me to New York, I'd love to see LA.
I really want to, come pick it with you.
You'll be my American Boy, American Boy♪

The power button was pushed, turning the music off so that the blonde could concentrate on his racing. "I told you already, Dem, you're not going to beat me on the next cup no matter how much you practice~~" Axel grinned before pulling a pipe to his lips and flicking his lighter on.

So much for quitting.

Christmas for him was like any other. No tree, no special dinner, no smell of pie. Nothing.
However, unlike many Christmases before... he did get presents. Demyx had given him a keychain with little chakrams on them. He put his locker keys on them.
As for his aunt, she gave him something... really nice... and oddly... expensive.

A suit.

"Well I figure you'll have to look rich at some point in your life!" She joked.

What the hell was he going to do with a suit. And not just any suit... a $300 suit.
Couldn't she of paid the phone bill with that?
She also got him a lighter with flames on it. That he would make good use of.
She also informed him that Reno was coming over for breakfast in the morning... which was oddly... a nice surprise. Of course, he wasn't going to show Demdem he was excited. He didn't want to be proven wrong... but he was sure Dem would see it in his eyes anyway. The blonde was always good with that could of stuff.

[Reno]

There was plenty of excitement that day - even if their visiting hours was cut short. Once they got home, all that'd be left was Christmas dinner really. But for the boys... this was probably the best Christmas present of all - getting to still share it with Ven.

They knew had it of just been a little longer and had Sora not of had the heart he did to worry as much... they wouldn't be.

It would of been hard, though a little surreal, to go say their Merry Christmases to a tombstone.

While the boys chattered happily, there were two people who stayed fairly quiet. Riku, of course, and Terra - both of whom never failed to get uncomfortable in large groups. The brunette shifted on the bed so he could sit against the headboard and watched the blonde and one brunette talk excitedly. Terra did however answer some small questions about the flowers that Carina and Bryna had easily telling them what species they were and how much they cost.

The boys wanted to know just as much about how the flowers got here as much as Ven did about their gifts. The second-born just shrugged when asked, pointing to Terra and saying something about how he had to be Santa Claus. This prompted Sora to get really excited and look at Riku.
'Told you he was real!!' Of course, the small brunette hadn't believed in Santa he was seven and a silverette friend of his claimed he didn't exist.
Meanwhile Ven teased Terra about how he certainly had the stomach for it because he ate all those muffins.

And little Halo, bless her doggy heart, was romping about on the bed, getting as much attention as could be by the five boys - and being saved by the boys if she ever tried to jump off the bed and into the many pots of flowers below.
Coquette came out for a second appearance as well, making Roxas yelp and move off the bed, away from Riku rather quickly - what he didn't like snakes either - while Sora laughed and prompted the silverette to scoot closer. He'd already grown used to her not just as a snake but as a pet - and he knew anything Riku owned was gonna be sweet so he wasn't so scared anymore. But she certainly loved to try and get under his shirt!
She went from Riku's hands to Sora's to Ven's who had always found her so cool and finally to Terra who had used to own a corn snake as well, though years ago. Roxas perched at the farthest end of the bed watching them all with wary eyes and holding Halo close to him like she would guard him.

But it wasn't long before the nurse came in and they had to say goodbye.
And the cheer was a bit dashed when they heard how much longer Ven would be in.
"Well if his behavior continues to improve like it has been he should be out in about one week and five days."
That, in layman's terms was from now to New Year's and one school week. That meant Ven would be getting out that Saturday...
"Aaaaah then what am I gonna do?!" Sora suddenly pouted.
At first Venw as confused. "About what?"
Sora pouted looking at his brother unhappily. "You forgot?!"
"...forgot?"
Roxas shook his head. "The duet contest is that Friday Ven."
"O-Oh... I guess... you'll have to find someone else."
Sora pouted unhappily. "But who...?" He didn't want to play with Hayner because the drums and the harp would sound terrible with each other and not with Pence either because he played the trumpet - certainly not complimentary at all.
Roxas tilted his head then looked at the silverette. "Riku learn how to play an instrument fast!"
"Why me?!"
And that was that for the end of that sadness as they boys started to laugh at the slightly panicked look the poor teen wore.

Goodbyes were short yet sweet promises to see him soon in the air and each one of them truthful. And with promises that the tree would still be up for his return, the Holani family, the Mizushima family, one snake and one dog all started to make their way out of the room.
And the brunette brought Ven against his chest the minute they left, hugging him to him to help cheer him up. They spent the next few hours together eating lunch and talking about nothing particularly important.

Terra's phone rang at about four and he lazily dug out his phone from his pocket, only half-awake as Ven's body lay sprawled over him, fingers running through his hair.
"'Ello?" He found his mother at the other end, asking if he would come home because Zack was getting ready to tear into his gifts. And what about dinner? He couldn't miss that! Hatori would slap him silly if he did.
And the brunette knew he had to go too.
"Alright mom... I'll be home soon." He murmured and with a short goodbye between them he snapped the phone closed with a sigh.


Demyx's licked his lips, heavily concentrated on the race. "I'll beat you! Just you watch!!" He blinked as the rainbow road seemed to haze and gave an annoyed glance to Axel and his pipe before looking back towards the race and - "Ah man!!"
Bye, bye Yoshi.

"Hhmph!" Demyx threw the controller down and crossed his arms pouted. "It's all your fault! You distracted me!" He pointed towards his friend accusingly.
Christmas, naturally, was not important to the blonde. He wasn't a christian so this celebration of Jesus' was just a bunch of baloney for him. Yet he still got a gift for Axel even if today was like any other day to him.

[Rikugurl]

The blonde breathed in soft and deeply as he laid on top his friend. It had been a busy day for him... and seeing that he was bed ridden for most of the time, he wasn't use to such activity.
He had fallen asleep.
Not even the sound of Terra's cellphone woke him up but he did shift in his slumber and groaned softly.

"Terra? Where are you? You know... if you don't come home... Zack's going to open your presents too." Ida said on the other end, her blue eyes glaring down at her oldest boy who looked like a present monster. Even at this age!
Then again... she didn't know how anyone at any age could wait this long to open gifts on Christmas.

She smiled as she heard Terra's reply and nodded. "Alright, drive safely. Love you."
The phone hung up on the other side and she sighed before handing up hers. She looked back at Hatori, Braig and Zack who all seemed to be having a hard time keeping at bay from the Tree. "He said he'd be home soon."


"Pffft..." Axel sucked in some more smoke before handing the pipe and lighter to Dem. "Lemme show you how it's done." He talked as he held in his breath, his green eyes already becoming a bit red.

He took up the controlled and sighed, some smoke pouring out as he selected Mario. The race began and off Mario went.

[Reno]

Zack gave his mom his best 'I'm-an-innocent-angel' look as she glared at him. He grinned however once she got off the phone and announced his younger brother would be home soon. "Yes!" He dived for the tree only to get yanked back by his father.

"That doesn't mean he's home now!" Hatori said, "Now sit your ass down and wait."
"Ahhhh but daaaad~"
"Park it!"
Zack slumped on the couch, pouting unhappily.


Terra hummed quietly, wondering just how dead he;d be if he decided to just fall asleep instead of actually going home - but it was Christmas. Time for family and all that...
Especially since it might be the last he ever celebrated it with Zack...

He ran his fingers through Ven's blond hair again before shifting on the bed, easily maneuvering Ven's light body back onto the bed and got out from under the covers to the small space of floor below. He stood and stretched before glancing back.

Unfortunately all his shifting was not without consequences and those blue eyes slitted open, looking up at him sleepy and confused. Terra turned back around to face him, smiling softly at how... well cute Ven looked.

He bent over, running his fingers along the others cheek before giving him a soft kiss on the lips, murmuring softly. "Hey~ I gotta go home Ven, but I'll come back tomorrow okay?"


Demyx just rolled his eyes and pouted. "Yeah sure." He cleaned the pipe on his shirt ends like one would clean a pair of glasses, before lifting it to his lips and flipping open the lighter, breathing in the drug.

He watched the cart running on screen as he lowered the pipe, holding his breath as long as possible, before slowly breathing it out.

[Rikugurl]

Braig chuckled as he looked up at his aunt. Slowly he walked out as well to the couch and sat down. He hoped Terra would hurry his butt! He NEVER had to wait THIS long to open gifts.

Ida walked in as well, sipping on her coffee. Today and New Years were really her only days off from work. It was nice... just to....
She blinked when Hatori, Zack and Braig took up all the sitting rooms.
It was nice just to... stand around....
She shook her head as she looked at her family. "W-well... what did everyone hope to get this year?"


Ven groaned a bit more as the other moved, feeling the warmth leaving him. Slowly his eyes opened and he looked out... to see a nice firm ass. Yum.
The blue eyes looked up slightly, tired and puffy from how sleepy he was. He still had those cute baby cheeks that only seemed bigger when he had a sleepy face. "Terra...?"

He groaned happily as he felt the warm on his cheeks but pouted as he heard the message. Though he was still in a daze, he would of taken it worse if he was awake. He kissed back softly and buried his head into the fluffy pillow. "Mmmmk.... bye-bye baby..."


The red head squinted his already narrow eyes as he moved the controller around, wising by other cars and using items on them to throw them off the track. He used some shortcut and pulled out in first. He passed the mark and some victory music started to play.

"HA! See that! Shit yea!"

There was a sudden knock and the red head groaned. He got off his beanie bag and stumbled a bit before straightening. He wobbled to the door and opened it only to look down at his aunt.
"Yo~~"
The woman blinked and put her hands on her hips. "Practicing for tomorrow?"
"Whaaa...?"
"Your brother?"
"O-oh! Yeaa...."
"Well.... Mr. Dubee called and let me know that Reno would be running late."
"...................................."
"What?"
"What's..... Dubee....?"
".........................Are you high?"
Axel grinned sheepishly and tilted his head. "Maaaaybe..."

The woman frowned but sighed. "I thought to quit. How can you get high on CHRISTMAS!? You know--"
"I have a race to win, talk to me tomorrow." With that Axel closed the door and walked back to his bag, falling down and sighing.

[Reno]

Hatori looked up at his wife when she came in looking a tad unhappy. He raised an eyebrow curiously before glancing and noticing... there was no where for her to sit. Now he wasn't the most... empathic of people even when it came to his wife... but he knew on her days off she enjoyed to relax on her days off especially since her bones weren't exactly the... best thanks to those fucking 'relatives' of hers.
Tch, what he wouldn't give to have the chance to kick their asses just once more.

He kicked his eldest son in the shin.
"Hopefully something besides cloooothes." Zack said. "Ow!" He pouted at his dad. "What was that for?"
"Move for your mom."
"Huh... oh!" Zack blushed embarrassed and jumped off the couch and motioned for his mom to take a seat before excitedly hoping over the small coffee and sitting in front of the tree. Maybe he could just get one-
"No gifts."
"Aaaah~"


Terra smiled seeing Ven already drifting back off to sleep. His cheeks heated just slightly when the other mumbled a nickname. Baby...? Ah... that felt nice - no, no it didn't! It was girly and gross and...
nice.
Ugh, crap he was turning into such a schoolgirl. But then again most schoolgirls didn't have their 'sweetheart' actually return their affections. He supposed as long as Ven wasn't awake enough to remember...
"Merry Christmas." He whispered fondly, before straightening and walking out the door, sparing one last glance back towards the blonde... before the metal door shut behind him and he was off towards his car.


Demyx rolled his eyes as Axel won. "Whatever. Show off." Hope Shiva strikes you dead.

He immediately felt guilty for such a mean thought. It wasn't Axel's fault Demyx sucked at video games.
He looked up however when he heard the knock and watched Axel go to answer it, sounding incredibly out of it. He listened to the short conversation and Axel cutting his aunt off and frowned just a little.
"You know... dat wasn't very niiiice Axel." He shook his finger in front of the other's face.

[Rikugurl]

Ida's eyes widened as she saw the kick and could only smile as she saw Zack get up. Just like the old days. She remembered when her and Hatori got into fights about hitting Zack and Terra... but she just had to remember that boys would be boys... and that Hatori wouldn't really HURT the boys unless they did something horrible to deserve it... which wasn't very often.

She walked over and sat down next to Braig, smiling down at him before looking down at Zack. "No clothes...? But what do adults get besides that?" She laughed before drinking some more coffee. They talked more about gifts until Hatori brought up boot camp... and it went all down hill from there for Ida and Braig who had no say in it.

Ida's blue eyes lightened up though when she heard the front door open.. and then Terra walked in. "Well, Merry Christmas, stranger~"


Axel grinned as he saw the finger and spat at him. "Yea, yea... she's fine~~~" He reached over and grabbed his pipe before pulling a small bag from the shelf. He put some more weed in before flicking the lighter again. He pulled it out just to hold his breath again. "Let's RACE!"

[Reno]

Zack pouted some. "Mom, I'm not thaaaat much of an adult yet! I can still get... other stuff!" Of course he couldn't particularly think of what any of that other stuff could be.

It wasn't long before his dad caught his attention about boot camp though and the two got into a conversation about it thats eemed to last forever until...

The door opened. Everyone turned their heads to look as Terra slipped out of his shoes and smiled embarrassed at the threshold of the living room. The sun was low in the sky but thankfully not set quite yet.
"Finally!" Zack said as he jumped up.
"Ehehe, Merry Chrisma-aaaaas!" Terra yelped as he was yanked forward by his brother and forced to sit beside him in front of the tree.
"Yes, yes merry Chrisatmas, Happy Noel, deck the halls and all that humbug lets open the gifts!!!" Zack said and with about as much self-control as a three-year old, dived for the presents.

Terra rolled his eyes and smiled glancing back at his mom with a helpless shrug. "Sorry?" He was happy even if he had no gifts under the tree at all - he already got the best gift he could ever be given.


Demyx rolled his eyes before hunching up a bit, his face full of determination. "Alright lets do this!" They switched the console to two-played, picked their character and the cup... and then off they went!

[Rikugurl]

Ida smiled as she looked at Terra. "Well... wherever you were, I hope it was worth missing Christmas breakfast."
She knew that Terra was old enough to make his own decisions... but she wasn't very happy that he had missed out on breakfast. Even if she didn't want to think that way... this might be their last one with Zack.

She sighed but nodded. "Alright, alright... dig in!"


Axel grinned as he put his stuff down, chose Mario and the hard cup before positioning himself on the bag.


The sun disappeared and stomach were happy being full. Chicken and stuffing, green beans and mashed potatoes. Rice and fresh rolls and even some steams mushrooms. The gravy was perfect and the jello finished it off perfectly with the bit of whipped cream at the top.

Ida smiled as she sat on the worn couch with her husband, enjoying his warmth as they cuddled under a blanket and listened to some music as Zack and Terra talked upstairs and Braig was fast asleep in Zack's old room.


In a very hot room, two teens were shirtless once more on a bed. For being dirt poor, Axel's aunt really knew how to keep the place warm during winter.

Axel had won the race... but the cup... was Demyx. ONLY because Axel felt bad for his friend.
It didn't matter though, the two were soaring like kites. A slender finger ran down the blonde's chest as green eyes looked up at him. "Hmmmm.... you know.....y-yoooooou'd look AWESOME in red...."

[Reno]

OOC: I rode on the Ferris wheel in cart number 9 XD I thought of Demyx. I WAS crossing my fingers for 13 though XD

Terra smiled a small guilty smile. He didn't want to tell her it was worth it because he knew it would make her feel bad. But it was kind of... difficult to say it wasn't because he'd never felt so... content in his life.

"Yay I love you mom!" Was Zack's happy trill as tissue paper was flung into the air and his first gift revealed. Braig was soon as his side happily joining in and even Terra got into the spirit of it all; laughter and grins and thank you's filling the air.

Hatori only shook his head and again muttered that they should of had girls, and his relatives should of had girls and that how with a 3-in-1 chance of getting a boy did they get so many?! It was times like these that made him wonder how there were more girls then boys in the world.

The only good thing about it is neither Ida not Hatori had to get up once as their sons and nephew were happy to deliver there gifts the five feet from the tree to the couch.


By the time dinner had played out exhaustion was creeping up on them all. They were all able to make it through a cup of homemade apple cider - made by Braig amazingly enough - and then the boys were saying their tired good nights as they trudged up the stairs. The youngest of them was out like a light in minutes but for Terra and Zack... well the minute they got into the younger's room they were awake enough to lounge around on the brunette's bed and just... talk.

They both knew that time was running short. Three days. More like two and a quarter because of course the bus would pick up Zack at ten in the morning and that would be that...
"You know I hear that they have no legal control over you UNTIL you step on the bus." Terra said, looking at the other. "You could just... not go."
Zack smiled sadly. "Terra I'm going."
"But Zack you don't HAVE to..."
"No, but I want to. And that's what matters."
Terra huffed turning on his side, glaring at the wall.
A silence stretched between them, then Zack smiled sadly, laying down on the bed and looking up at the ceiling. He laughed seeing the small glow stars they had gotten long ago still stuck to the ceiling. "Do you remember the Christmas we got those?"
"Mmm?" Terra turned back onto his back and looked upwards. "Yeah... I think I was... six?"
"Ah huh, and you ate all the sticky glue stuff and mom freaked out."
"And called poison control." Terra chuckled. "And then we used super glue on mine instead."
"Never could get em down."
The brother shared a smile. That night would be one for memories.

Meanwhile downstairs there was nothing but comfortable silence. They didn't get days like these often - ones that were so perfect and so easy to relax with. It always seemed to be some crisis or another, even after the boys left they still brought their drama back into their parents lives. So these days... were nice.
Hatori brushed his fingers through his wife's hair, smiling softly. "So did you get your Christmas wish?"


"You're just... saying dat..." Demyx slurred a little, a bubbly grin over his face as he looked at the other. He blinked at him blearily, the whites of his eyes a sharp red from the marijuana. "Besides, you just want people to wear red cause you're all red!"

[Rikugurl]

OOC: AWE! XDDDD I wonder if Demdem likes Ferris Wheels. oO

Ida looked up at her husband, her shining blue into those almost red. Times like these, her heart was filled with that strong love towards him that she had felt on their wedding day. Even if they... eloped and it wasn't fancy, she was still happy to share his name with him.

Since Hatori was still a bit cold, and Ida worked everyday to the bone, they had little to no time for each other. Their children as well took away any time they did have to socialize. Marriage was a partnership and Ida wasn't use to much affection... but it was nice when she got it... and got to share hers.

"Mmmm..." She hummed as she leaned into him and nodded. "I did... we all got to share Christmas together as a family... and I got to see smiles on my family's face." She nuzzled his neck before looking up at him again. "Did you get your Christmas wish?"


Axel blinked a few times, pulling away and looking rather offended. "I-I am NOT all......red!" He tilted his head and grinned. "Y-you're just.....seeeeeeeeEEeing things, yooou freak." He suddenly narrowed his eyes, squinting as if he saw something on Demyx's face. "You gone some---- no... I'll get it..." He slurred as he leaned in, squinting at something on Demyx's lip that wasn't even there. Food?

SHIT HE WAS HUNGRY!

He suddenly opened his mouth and LICKED the blonde's lips.

[Reno]

Hatori smiled as the question was turned back him, expecting it. "Well of course." He looked down at her, leaning down to brush his lips with hers, "I get my Christmas wish every year, because you're always here."

Sure, maybe their marriage wasn't the fanciest, or the most supported, or even the best paid for - but it happened. Just him and her, two crazy kids in love and like ducks out of water. Money might of been short, and their families might of been pissed about their bonding, but neither of them at the time gave a damn.

The minute he had laid eyes on her, he had known she was the woman he wanted to marry.

It was one of the few decisions in Hatori's life that he knew, without a doubt, was one of the right ones. The next one would be... to conceive a child with her - Zack and Terra both. They were theirs, annoying as all hell, but theirs.


Demyx pouted unhappily when Axel accused him of seeing things, but blinked curiously at the weird look he was receiving. "Got wha?" He reached up but paused as Axel told him too. "Ooook."

He watched the other come closer and inspect him like a scientist would a bug under a microscope, and then those lips opened... and he got licked.

On the lips.
Demyx's eyes widened. "Axel...?"

[Rikugurl]

Ida blinked but chuckled. It was funny seeing her husband this mushy. Funny... but nice. "Well... I guess it's good to say that we had another beautiful Christmas." She smiled as she leaned into her husband once more and closed her eyes. She would need to rest... for in three days, she was going to be worried sick until Zackary came home.


Axel blinked as he got the look and narrowed his eyes even more. He reached up and took Demyx's lips, squishing them. "So sooooft...." He smiled as he leaned in again and kissed them.

[Reno]

Hatori smiled softly and nodded in agreement, though he didn't care if it was 'beautiful' or not. Holidays were just cheap ways to getting free stuff and family reunions, that's all.

Mmm, course the food was the best part anyways.


Demyx raised an eyebrow in confusion, and called the others name again. But with Axel holding his lips it came out more as "Axrowl?"

And the his blue eyes widened two three times there size as... Axel kissed him. Kissed... HIM. He'd... well he wouldn't say he'd NEVER been kissed before, because he had been, but this was still strange.

He stayed there, motionless as a doll at first, then he just shrugged - what the hell? - and kissed back.