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Matt:

It was December again, and with that came the Christmas pageant our school put on every year. This year however was going to be a bit different than most. Not only were two of the schools toughest fighters involved, but also it was the first year we had two openly gay students working with it.

Zeke hadn't actually came out as being gay, but ever since my slight car accident and started to be more affectionate and protective of me people just started to assume. When asked if we were dating he'd say yes, but then would follow up with a 'though it's none of your business' type remark. Considering he was one of the toughest guys in school, most people didn't start anything with him about dating a guy, and that likewise flowed over to me as well. In fact most people didn't even seem to mind if we were dating, though some people gave him flack for being a hybrid which did nothing for his temper.

Regardless of how people saw us though, he didn't really care so long as no one threatened him he could stand people calling him most names. When it came to me or his family, though, that was another story. If someone said 'fag' around me he'd growl and get up in their face about it. I had to admit that it was kind of hot to have such a 'bad boy' as a boyfriend, but I knew under all that toughness was a true heart of gold.

So anyway it was December again and everyone was working hard for finals, their projects, and just getting ready for the pageant. There would be various holiday plays and skits as well as a dinner for the parents and faculty. Each year we had a different Christmas play, and this year the Christmas Carol was chosen as the play we'd do.

Zeke was working on the backdrops and scenery since he was part of the school's art program and also helped the ghosts of past and present with their lines. I was to play Scrooge's nephew Fred and Jarrod was to play the Ghost of Christmas Future, but since he didn't have any actual speaking lines he didn't show up much. We were all busy with doing different things and getting ready for the holidays but for Zeke he seemed even more intense than normal.

"HEY! I said we needed grey paint, not blue." It was December 12th and everyone involved in the pageant was working setting up the stage in the cafeteria and Zeke was currently arguing with another student over the paint he had gotten while I stood nearby to make sure he didn't get into another fight.

"It's a pale blue color it's close enough to looking like grey, so lay off." The meerkat that Zeke was talking to was trying to stand up to my big wolf hybrid, but you could tell he was still scared of him.

"Gah! Never mind I'll get the grey paint later myself! That can be used for something else, but it's supposed to be GRAY not BLUE, even if it is a light shade it will still clash with the normal drab colors that represent England!" He grunted and started to walk off.

"Clash?" The guy muttered under his breath, "Leave it to a gay guy to say such a thing."

"You say something?" Zeke turned around and looked at him again and suddenly he flinched and looked around nervously, thinking Zeke had heard him.

"I said you don't have to do that I'll go get the grey paint now so just leave it to me!" And with that he ran off like his life depended on it and Zeke just stood there and tilted his head, confused as to what just happened.

"Looks like you scared another guy, Stripes," Jarrod walked up behind him.

"What are you talking about? I heard him muttering something and wanted to know what he said, why's he so freaked about it?" It was almost funny that Zeke sometimes couldn't tell how gruff he was acting around people.

"Man, he obviously said something insulting to you and he thought you heard it and got freaked when you turned around to ask what he said. I thought you were supposed to have a keen sense of deduction, shouldn't you have figured that out?" The Puma hybrid that had become Zeke's best friend smiled and playfully punched his shoulder.

"Yeah, Zeke, and when you get upset people are afraid of you. Doesn't that bother you that people think you're such a mean guy? I mean we both know you're not mean, but a lot of kids still see you as a punk." I stood beside Zeke and looked at him with concern in my eyes. He always seemed to get in trouble and I was sincerely worried about him especially with how stressed he seemed to be lately.

"If they see this mask and think me a villain then that's their issue, it ain't none of my concern what they think of me. It's just my job to get these sets done right and make sure the effects go well... I have this idea for lots of creepy fog that's cold for the scene of Christmas Future using dry ice... I just will need about forty pounds of it... but if you'll excuse me I have to go finish what I can of these sets with what paint I have." He turned and started to walk away muttering aloud to himself, talking about ideas that he was trying to make work in his head leaving me and Jarrod behind.

"Mask? What do you think he meant by that?" Jarrod looked at me and I just shook my head and shrugged.

"Jarrod I honestly have no idea what he meant by that. I sometimes wonder if he just says things because they make good lines and sound cool."

"Well he's your boyfriend, right? So shouldn't you understand what he means when he says weird things like that?"

I looked at him from the corner of my eye and smirked, "He's one of your best friends, so shouldn't the same be said for you?"

"Heh, I guess you got a point there. I just don't know though. We know he's a nice guy so why doesn't he show that he is?"

"I guess he just doesn't know any other way to be. I mean we both know he doesn't like people, but ehh... enough about that. How are the holidays looking for you?"

"They look fairly boring. Dad's talking about going down to a beach in Florida for a week but I'd just as soon stay here, how about you?"

"Staying around here. I plan on spending Christmas Eve and morning with my family and then going over to the Thomson's place and spending the day with them and then maybe spending the night."

"Man... You're lucky. I know if I had a girlfriend my dad wouldn't let her stay over, but you guys don't have to worry about getting pregnant or anything."

I kept silent at that and looked away, though I could feel his eyes boring into my head like hot irons.

"Oh come ON, man... still? I mean seriously if I was gay I'd be getting it on at least once a week with a steady guy like you... what's the matter?"

"I think he's got intimacy issues and fear of abandonment... But I don't mind really," I smiled thinking of the times I had spent with Zeke and how it felt just to be with him in a bed curled up together. "Sex may be a great thing, but I'm not going to rush him into something yet. It will happen when it happens and until then I'm ok with how things are."

"Besides..." I looked at him with a coy smirk on my face, "I'm not as big a dog as you are."

Jarrod chuckled and shoved me playfully, "You're such a fag."

"Takes one to know one, breeder."

We chuckled a bit and I started to walk away having to go home. It was weird how close Jarrod and I had gotten since last year. Before we really had no reason to hang around together other than for sports, but now with Zeke we joked and palled around more. Despite me coming out and everything else though, my friends Salem and Chris still hung out with me and were even closer now that I could be totally open and honest with them.

As I drove home I thought about how much Zeke had changed my life. I was out to my family and friends, I had a good boyfriend, and I was actually doing well in English for a change. My life may not have been exactly perfect or anything but things were pretty good for me and I was happy.

Once home I dropped my stuff off at my room before I went down to the kitchen where my mom and little brother Charlie were. Mom was baking what seemed like various pies and treats, and Charlie was playing on his hand held game system. Mom was baking for the pageant and she already had several things done, ready to be eaten and sold.

"Oh, Matthew, welcome home. How was school? Are things for the pageant and dinner going smoothly?"

"It's going alright, mom, I've got my lines all learned and the scenery should be ready by the date... That is if Zeke doesn't scare off everyone by accident..." I chuckled and took a cookie from a tray. My mom was a caterer and she always made the best things. She and Zeke actually bonded easily over their love of cooking. They even exchanged a few recipes and Zeke sometimes helped her when she had big assignments. My brother on the other hand wasn't so taken with my boyfriend.

I still remember the first time they met, Charlie had insulted him in Portuguese and Zeke had bopped him on the head. When asked how he knew he had insulted him Zeke bopped him again and said he didn't but he could tell what he had said wasn't good. It was an odd display between the two and while Zeke swore he had no animosity towards my brother it didn't stop Charlie from disliking him and always finding a way to point out his flaws.

"So that crazy hybrid is scaring off more people? Geeze, Matt, are you really that desperate for a boyfriend?" It was weird really. For as much as Charlie seemed to dislike Zeke they both seemed to share a tendency to be quite blunt.

"I'm not desperate, Charlie, and I just like him. You'll understand yourself one day if you ever get yourself a girlfriend. Anyway though did the package I order come yet?"

"Yes it did actually, and I put it in the family room, why don't you go check on it and go get ready for dinner I'll start on it soon, right after I finish these amazing apple cookies Zeke so kindly gave me the recipe too."

I agreed to that and went to the family room where I saw a large square package. I was really excited to have this here at last. As I opened the box I reached inside and pulled out a large painting that had taken me weeks to look for and then days to purchase. Luckily I had some help from my family in getting it, but the main help came from Zeke's mother for pointing me in the direction I had gone.

It was right around the end of October and I was around the Thomson household to celebrate their adopted son's birthday. Skye was born on the 31stand ever since he had been welcomed into the family they had a small party and gathering for him. It was one of the many things I loved about their family, how open and inclusive they were of people. Zeke's parents had even started to call me "son" on occasion.

Anyway it was on that day and Skye had blown out the candles on the cake Zeke and his mother had made for the day and now they were talking in the family room about what all was going on with Skye in his FBI field. I had opted to help take care of the dishes real quickly when Mrs. Thomson came in.

"Oh, Matt, you don't have to put the dishes away like that, just leave them in the sink and someone will get to them eventually." She came to stand next to me and helped put a few things into the dish washer.

"It's ok, ma'am, I just want to clean up a bit for you is all."

"Oh my, Zeke certainly has himself a winner with you," she chuckled kindly, "I must say, Matt that you have been a wonderful influence on Zeke these last few months. He's calmer, more outgoing, and hasn't been in a fight that got him brought home by a police officer in almost 6 weeks."

I had to laugh at that. Zeke wasn't a violent guy I had learned, but for some reason he had some weird power to draw some of the most absolute pricks towards him. He'd just be minding his own business when someone would recognize him from somewhere and start a fight and Zeke being the kind of guy he was would normally kick the guy into a wall brutally. Because he didn't get hit, though, he often got in trouble for his over use of force.

"Yeah, well I don't know if I have that much to do with it really. I think that having a steady home and having friends that understand and accept him, though are a good thing."

"That very well may be, Matt, but still you calm him... I haven't seen him look so calm and serene since he was 6..."

I perked up my ears in interest, "What happened when he was six? Zeke rarely talks about his childhood."

"Likely because he doesn't care to remember a lot of it... But when he was 6 we had to move to a new town. It wasn't very big but it was still new and unfamiliar to Zeke. He was very shy as a child and so to get him to make some friends we signed him up for some children's art classes in a gallery hall the town had. It was summer then and he was very warm so he wore a tank top to his first few classes but after a week he started to wear t-shirts. Then one day I came to pick him up early because I had to take Joey to the doctor to find the kids eating their lunches but Zeke wasn't around."

"I went up to the teacher and asked where he was and why he wasn't with the other kids and she told me that the kids had been ostracizing him and keeping away from him because he had stripes on his back and because of that he tended to spend his time in the art gallery alone when they were on break." She sighed sadly at that before going on.

"I went to look for him, and found him in the art gallery just sitting in front of a painting of an angel human dressed in a green gown with long ornate wings that he just stared at peacefully. Now imagine a six year old boy just sitting still looking at a painting and doing nothing else. It was a rare sight, but somehow that single painting captured my son's attention. I asked him why he was sitting here and he just said that he liked the painting because it was so peaceful and it just made him smile. He said he liked the painting and the classes but the kids were mean to him but being able to see that painting every day was worth how they treated him." She smiled and looked at me with her kind blue eyes.

"That painting gave him hope and he loved it so much that just seeing it was enough for him."

"Why didn't you buy it for him or something? Was it an old painting by someone famous or dead?"

"No... it wasn't for sale and even if it was we probably couldn't afford it with a son and toddler. But still my point is that you have the same effect on him as that painting did. Even if the world treats him like garbage, having you around will be enough for him to eventually come home to."

I smiled inwardly at that. Later I asked where that town was that they had got Zeke in his art lessons and after some searching and making a few calls I was able to find that painting. It wasn't even that expensive and I was able to buy it and have it shipped to me at a reasonably fair price. At least that's what my dad had said when I had asked for help and he had an art dealer look it over for me.

So here I was holding the painting that Zeke had admired from so long ago. It really was a nice piece of art and I could tell why he liked it. The paint was smooth and well done, the lines were well incorporated, and the curves really made the painting flow together in a pleasing fashion. I knew just by looking at this that it would be something Zeke loved. He might not say it directly, having to save face and 'be tough' but I could tell when he really liked something. I wouldn't be a very good boyfriend if I couldn't after all.

"So that's the painting you got for your ____ of a boyfriend?" I turned around to see my father standing in the doorway looking at me and the painting I had received.

"Dad, I wish you wouldn't call him that, he's not such a bad guy when you get to know him."

"After knowing him for less than a few hours he threatened to punch my face in and if I recall correctly 'bash some sense into my iron age skull' and you had to literally pull him back by the scruff of his neck."

"Well to be fair you were saying that 'no son of yours was going to be a degenerate' and then you started in on that tirade which lead to a night none of us will ever soon forget." I sighed. When I brought Zeke to my house to meet my parents a few months ago it hadn't gone over well. Over dinner I told them I was gay and that Zeke was my boyfriend and things quickly spiraled out of control. Long story short I went home with Zeke, took a drive to clear my mind, skidded off the road because of a thunderstorm suddenly popping up, and woke up hours later with Zeke resting his head on the bed I was on and Mr. Thomson telling me things were going to be ok with my dad. I'll likely never know what went on while I was out, but after that my dad started to accept my sexual preference, though my choice in boyfriends was still an issue for him. In his eyes I could do better than Zeke, but that's because he didn't see him like I did, not yet at least.

"Fair enough... That painting looks good, though I don't see the significance of it."

"It's just something special to Zeke from when he was a kid, and I'm pretty sure he'll really appreciate it." I smiled as I held it out and admired it.

"Very well, I wish you good luck with it then. I just wonder how he'll react to this, I've heard he can be a bit... well I'd like to say bipolar in his emotions."

"Yeah..." I sighed thinking about how wild he could be. It didn't take much for him to go from being his normal brooding self to angry. That was a matter for later though; I took the painting up to my room and put it against my desk. I would wrap it up later and give it to Zeke on Christmas.

The next few days were a blur for me and everyone else. Those involved in the pageant practiced and rehearsed but all of us were studying and working for finals. The night of the pageant was quickly approaching and before we knew it finals were over and it was the night we were to put on the play. I was getting my hair and costume ready for my role and everyone around me was setting things up. The Christmas Carol was set to go first followed by a few other skits with a few songs in between the intermissions by the school band and a few local garage bands.

"Has anyone seen Alex?" Our school's drama teacher, a plump middle aged ferret, was going around the stage making sure things were ready for tonight. At the moment, though, she was looking for the guy that was supposed to play the Ghost of Christmas Present who was nowhere to be found.

"I think he went home early today, he wasn't feelin' well and was complaining about an upset stomach," another person said from amongst us.

"Well that's not good, we start the show in 10 minutes and we're missing a key part."

"Well I can play the part if you want." I perked up my ears at the monotone and tired voice that had a slight southern accent to it. Everyone looked in the direction it came from and saw Zeke was the one who had said it and it didn't seem like he was kidding.

"You?! Come on Zeke, this is the ghost of Christmas Present, not the ghost of Christmas Emo... You can't play the part of a jolly guy." A squirrel whose name I didn't know chuckled and Zeke gave him a hard stare and a low growl.

"The only reason you're not eating those words along with my shoelaces is because it's Christmas and I'd only get in trouble here, and as for the part I can play it and I know the lines. I've been here through rehearsals too and workin' backstage I know when and how things are supposed ta happen. So what do you say?"

Our teacher sighed and rubbed her head for a moment before nodding, "You are the understudy so I guess that makes you the best and only choice for the matter, please just get into the costume."

He nodded and started to walk back towards the costumes and me and Jarrod both walked after him.

"Hey, why didn't you tell me you were the understudy to the Ghost? I didn't know you'd even auditioned." From what Zeke's personality was like I thought he would have hated to be on stage.

"It wasn't a big deal and didn't think it needed to be said, though Tory knows as well as the rest of my family."

I sighed and shook my head. Zeke had a real bad habit of not telling people things unless they actually asked. The only reason Tory likely knew is because him and his sister both lived with the Thomson family now. It was frustrating to be kept out of the loop of my own boyfriend's life but Zeke had a mess of issues and he wasn't exactly good at following social norms.

After a few minutes of getting ready he came out dressed in the robes of the ghost's costume. He even had the wreath hat on his head with the electric candles in them and his long hair let loose around his head. He really did look good and very much the part, except for his constant straight and emotionless face.

"Zeke, are you really going to be able to do this? I mean you don't exactly scream 'Christmas spirit' right now." Jarrod looked him over and he just shrugged.

"Ehh, I'll be fine just worry about your own parts. And I'll worry about mine."

"Just try not to look more like a Scrooge than I'm supposed to be, man, that's all we're hoping for." I looked over at my friend Chris who was dressed for his part as Scrooge for the play. It was odd to see the coyote I had known for years dressed up and looking the part of an 17th century man late in his life, they had even managed to grey his hair a bit to make him look older.

"I'll be fine... Just make sure to remember all your lines, Paul and I'll make sure not to mess up mine."

"How can I not worry when you can't even remember my name, man?! It's Christian... my middle name isn't even Paul and you've been calling me that for weeks now."

"It's because you're the star of the show which reminds me of the sun, and Apollo was the Greek god of the sun and that sounds like Paul."

We all stared at Zeke for a moment as he straightened out his robe and walked off.

"Dude, your boyfriend is crazy... What do you see in him because I'm fairly sure there's better looking guys around?"

I shoved Chris a bit and rolled my eyes, "He's unique and interesting...Just because he's a little..."

"Crazy?"

"Nuts?"

"A scary freak of nature who is lucky to not be locked up in a rubber room?" We looked back and saw the meerkat Zeke had scared awhile back.

"Get lost, Heath, we don't need comments from you here, but if you have to know: yes he is a bit off but I think his eccentricity makes him more dynamic and it is just appealing. He's strong, unique, and with him around things are just more interesting and I appreciate that in him."

Heath shrugged and walked off as we all got set in our places. The play started and during the first act everything went smoothly. Scrooge was haunted by his old business partner and as the curtain fell things moved to the second act where Scrooge was haunted by the Ghost of Christmas Past. As the curtain fell we started to get things started for the third act where Zeke would be.

I had to admit I was a bit nervous about him doing this. I hadn't known Zeke for long but he certainly wasn't a cheerful type who laughed loudly and shined with an air of warmth. He was more of a calm and cool individual and while I knew he had a warmth inside him it wasn't something that came out easily.

"Okay everyone, places, the third act is about to start... Zeke are you ready?"

Zeke was straightening out his costume and walked out to his position giving a thumbs-up.

"Heaven help us... Ok everyone start the scene."

Chris took his place and we raised the curtain. Within seconds everyone started to gawk at what they heard.

"HAHAHAHA! COME IN, AND KNOW ME BETTER MAN!"

We all stood and stared at the sound of Zeke's voice reverberating and calling out full of cheer to the audience. As Scrooge moved into place he stared at Zeke in shock. Not only did he sound like a completely different person, he was acting like a completely different person.

As he stood in the spotlight he looked happy, joyous, warm, and kind. His face was smiling and was full of laughter and even his normally bright blue eyes seemed to sparkle in the lights that were cast upon him.

"I said come in and know me better man!" Zeke smiled looking at Chris who was just staring at him before he shook his head and started the scene.

As the scene progressed Zeke preformed marvelously. He said his lines and acted the part to a T. The best part came when he was in the home of Crotchet and looked at Tiny Tim.

"And so what if he is to die? The better he do it soon so as to decrease the surplus population!" Zeke threw those words that Chris had said earlier in the play back at him and he actually flinched in on himself like he had said those words himself and meant it. The look on his face really looked like he was angry at him but he softened as the lights dimmed around them.

The final words of Christmas Present were said by Zeke. He coughed and looked up at Chris with a somber smile, "Now go forth... and know him better, man..." And with a final bellowing laugh the lights faded and the scene came to a close.

As everyone started to get the scenes changed Zeke came backstage and took off the wreath hat that he was wearing. He had changed back to his normal stoic self with his calm almost bored expression on his face. There wasn't a trace of the character he was playing left on his face and I followed him to the dressing room to talk with him. Jarrod looked like he wanted to ask a few questions too but this was his scene and couldn't leave.

"Zeke!" I caught up with him and smiled amazed at his performance, "That was amazing! I didn't know you could act like that! I mean you were like a totally different person out there!"

"Well that's because it was a different person out there. That's what acting is: becoming someone else and becoming them for a short period of time. Nothing to it really."

"I just never thought you could act so well. It was crazy to see you go from stoic to jolly at the drop of a hat. Why didn't you tell me you could act so well?"

He shrugged and started to take off the costume he was wearing, "Never came up and never really thought about it I guess. I never really considered it a talent that I can change my attitude and personality. Skye taught me that manipulating people can be a great force against people instead of just violence and I guess my ability to act just came from that."

I nodded and smiled a bit, "I... guess that makes sense."

He looked back at me as he stood in his shirt and the costume pants, "What's wrong? Did I do something wrong again?"

"Nah..." I sighed and looked up at him as he slipped on his pants and had to fight a blush at seeing him in just his boxers, "It's just there's a lot I don't know about you, and it seems like you won't tell me things about you and I guess I just feel bad about it."

I heard Zeke whimper a bit and he walked over and nuzzled my chin up with his muzzle, "I'm sorry, Matty, I just ain't used to sharin' details about myself with others. I don't mean to keep secrets or anything, but I guess I just don't think about telling you anything because I don't think it's anything worth sharin' with ya."

"I don't know how many times I have to tell you this, Zeke, but I'm interested in you. All of you, the exciting tough fighter you and the not so exciting but still interesting deep and artsy you. I want to know as much as I can about you and I want to share as much about myself with you as I can as well."

I smiled at him and he gave me a soft lick to my nose which made me chuckle, "I promise though to ask more questions about you so I can learn more about you. That way I can at least know what all you're capable of."

He nodded and I gave him a kiss before he went back to finish changing out of his costume. I still had the last scene to do and it wouldn't be much longer before I had my final lines. After that the play was over and our roles for the night were over with. I got out of my costume and went out to find Zeke sitting in a chair with his head down and looking like he was asleep.

I poked at him and he sat up and looked around smacking his lips, "What happened, how'd it go?"

"It went fine... were you really asleep?" I chuckled as he stretched out and yawned showing off all those sharp teeth he had in his mouth.

"Yeah... I've been up a lot lately baking things for tonight, and with only one oven it takes a long time to get a massive amount of cookies and cakes done," He groaned and popped his back and stretched out, "Sometimes I think I'm such a masochist for doing this to myself."

"Heh, but everyone loves what you make. My mom still wants you to work for her part time in her catering service and I think you'd enjoy it if you gave it half a chance."

"Ehh I dunno, I think I'd just be in the way and junk, but if she ever needs it I'll be more than happy to help."

"Zeke... If you're really planning on going to live in Japan next summer after you graduate don't you think you should get some money saved up?" I pulled up a chair and sat next to him as everyone else got ready for some Christmas songs to be sung.

"Ehh guess I do need to think about that a bit more but I dunno. Not tonight. Tonight I am gonna sit with my family for a bit and then eat some and then go home to get ready. Tomorrow I have to get a few final things ready for Christmas and then I have to make sure everything is done for yours."

"You still haven't given me a single clue as to what that's going to be either, Zeke. Are you trying to drive me crazy with curiosity?" I chuckled and leaned against him as he leaned his head on mine.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure you're gonna love it, and whatever you got in store for me better not be too big for me to come close to otherwise I'm going to have to resort to doing what Skye told me to do for your gift." He grunted and looked away with his ears pinned looking embarrassed.

"Do I really want to know what he suggested?"

"He suggested sending you directions to a hotel room that he would help me dress up and make cozy for us and then have me lay back on the bed, clad in some kind of sexy seasonal underwear while sucking on a candy cane to keep my breath minty and trying to look seductive for you so we can have sex."

I actually fell off my chair at hearing him say that and when I looked up at him he was still looking away and I could tell that he was being serious. I just stared at him for a few seconds before I sat back next to him, my cheeks burning from the admission he had said.

"Wow... Your brother sure knows how to treat a guy I guess..." I chuckled nervously and Zeke just pulled his hair over his eyes and whined in embarrassment.

"Hey, don't worry. I know you're not ready for that yet, and I respect that," I brushed a strand of hair back and smiled at him.

"Ah know that an' all it's just I sometimes feel like you ain't getting anything you want from this relationship... and I want to be able to give you what you want and need, but..." He sighed and looked away again.

"Hey..." I put our foreheads together, "It's ok, and when it happens it will. Stressing about it though won't make it something either of us enjoys, so don't fret."

He nuzzled his face into my neck and let out a happy murring noise before he stood up and shook his hair back. He smiled and tied his hair back into a pony tail before he motioned for us to leave the stage.

"C'mon, let's get outta here and go find my family. My folks'll likely have your family around too... Is your father here tonight?" He looked back at me with a worried look on his face and I nodded and he groaned.

"I know you don't like him, Zeke, but he's my father and-"

"I don't dislike him or nothin'... I just hate how he thinks I ain't good enough for you. It annoys me that he's right and that." He sighed and we walked out into the auditorium where all the families were sitting around, eating, enjoying the performances, and having a good time. I just put my arm around his waist and pulled him to me smiling though as I spotted our families sitting together, including the newest members of the Thomson family and their adopted older son.

"Aww... Zeke, you're more than good enough for me. You're the toughest and most feral guy in school and its great having you around. I don't care what my dad thinks. You're a great guy and even though you frustrate me sometimes I still think you're great." He gave one of his rare smiles at hearing that and nuzzled at my head purring softly for a moment before stiffened up at seeing my dad and backed away. We walked over to them all and I got hugged by my mom and dad as Zeke stood behind me.

"Matt that was the best play they've had in years, you were wonderful!" My mother praised as my dad smiled and pat me on the back.

"Of course it was a great play, with a Jordon in it, nothing but the best could come from it." He chuckled.

"Yeah, ya did good, Matt, but who was that ghost of the present? I thought Alex was supposed ta play that part, not some grey wolf?" I looked over to see Tory with a plate full of food with his little sister sitting right next to him. The rhinos had recently moved in with the Thomson family after an abuse scandal with his little sister got their father sent to jail.

"That would have been Zeke who played that role, Alex couldn't make it." I hiked my thumb back at Zeke who looked stoic and calm as he always did while my family and Tory both looked beyond shocked.

"That was him?! There ain't no way that jolly guy up on stage was him. I know he was supposed to be the understudy and all that but that couldn't a been him."

"Ehh enough; it was me, I played the role, it was interesting and now I'm tired." Zeke yawned and fell down in an empty chair beside his big brother Skye.

"Ha, I always knew you'd be a good actor after I taught you how all those tricks with manipulating people!" The large black tiger wolf laughed and rubbed his brother's back as Tory's sister Rachel came up to Zeke and hugged him.

"Hey, Zeke! Guess what?"

Zeke looked down at the little 7 year old girl and gave the best tired smile he could put on, "Hmm? What is it, Rach?"

"Dose, cookies that you made. Everybody loved 'em! Dey said that they were all really pretty and my teacher even asked where we bought them from but I told her that it was you who made 'em and she was really surprised!" She giggled with all the energy that came with being a child and Zeke pet her head trying not to show how tired he was.

"Well I'm glad everyone liked them so much, maybe we can make some more in a couple of days, but right now let's all just settle down and watch the rest of the acts and enjoy the night, huh?"

The rest of the evening went by pleasantly after that. Zeke remained silent through most of the skits even though his family kept talking about his acting. I sat next to him and added my own opinions to everything around us and all in all the night passed quickly. After a couple hours we decided to start making our ways to our own homes.

I wanted to go with the Thomsons but decided against it. They had a full house now with Skye staying and I didn't want to impose. I had thought about inviting him over to my place but knowing that my father still didn't like Zeke a lot I didn't want to make him uncomfortable.

The next week was a mess as it always is before Christmas. Last minute shoppers, parties to go to, functions to gather for, it was all the typical things we had to do for the holiday. My dad hosted a small company Christmas party slash dinner at our house on Christmas night as a way of thanking some of his best employees and partners for all they'd done that year and this year's party was just like all the rest had been. I was dressed up in a suit that I wore for formal occasions such as this, typical black jacket light green undershirt, dark yellow tie, and had my hair styled neatly as I was supposed to.

It was the same boring music and people that walked around the place. There were a few kids that came but most weren't my age. Upon looking around some more, though, I did find the one guy that was close to my age and whose family had been invited to the party. Zeke was dressed in a suit similar to mine, but his didn't seem to fit him as well as mine. He also wore a simple light blue shirt and dark blue tie which he seemed to be constantly fiddling with. I knew he wasn't used to wearing such things so the tux was likely some off the rack rental that would be returned after it had served its purpose. He had his hair tied back and braided and was trying to look composed and calm about the matter, but even if I hadn't known he was a good actor I still had learned that he was not the type to be comfortable in crowds like this.

"Hey, handsome, never thought I'd see you in a suit like this." I smiled as I walked up to him and looked him over. He whimpered and pinned his ears embarrassed and I couldn't help but feel my heart flutter at how cute he looked.

"I am not handsome, this suit is uncomfortable and I look like an idiot," he stared at me a moment and gave me a glare, "And stop thinking that I look cute, cause I'm not."

"Eyes gave me away again?"

"That and you are horribly biased when it comes to me." He sighed and rubbed his left shoulder again and looked around nervously.

"Hey, Zeke?" I tilted my head and pulled him away a bit so we weren't in the middle of the room and away from his family, "Are you ok? You look more nervous than usual and a bit panicked."

"Yeah, Ah'm fine an all. Just ain't used to being around all these people and I feel outta place here." He was adjusting his tie and looking around. He was more than just a bit uncomfortable though so I took his hand and started to pull him outside where we could talk and enjoy the snow covered patio.

"I can understand that, but let's not talk about the party and all. How was your day? Get anything good?"

He shrugged and turned around to lean against the railing, looking up at the starry night sky, "I guess. Got a few shirts, some games to play which is always good, and a few other things. Everyone else really liked the gifts I got them. Skye liked that book I got him, Jarrod liked the Tonfa I made for him, never thought I'd see a guy like him so happy over a bit of wood," he chuckled and looked at me out from the corner of his eye, "the 'rents liked the clothes I got 'em, and Joey liked the hat. I got Tory some nice pants and one of those horse doll things for Rachel."

I had to chuckle at that, just the thought of a tough looking guy like Zeke going down a pink girly aisle to get this small girl a present. I tried not to sound like I was laughing at him but it didn't work. He had his unamused glare on his face and I just shrugged.

"What? Thinking about you in one of those pink aisles is just funny. I mean your personality aside you're mostly grey. Grey is like the 'anti-pink' in life."

He nodded with a slight smile, "Yeah it was humiliating but she loved it and it was worth it. And speaking of, thanks to Skye for pushing the papers you are now looking at the big brother of one small rhino girl and the younger brother of another rhino boy."

I smiled at that. The Thomson family really was unlike any other family I had ever seen. Not only were they the first mixed species couple that had hybrid children that I'd ever met formally, but they were also a family who had gone through a lot of hard times emotionally and yet they weren't bitter about it. In fact the problems they'd had seemed to have made them even greater people.

They had adopted a younger Skye when he had helped Zeke and Joey and now they had taken in Tory and Rachel. After Zeke had found evidence of child abuse he had created a situation where their father attacked him but he didn't fight back, for once. This allowed him and his family to file assault charges against the rhino despite Zeke's previous encounters with the law. The man was arrested and his children were taken from him. They would have gone into the system and Tory would have likely lost his sister, but thankfully Skye helped them stay together and the Thomsons took them in being registered foster parents. To make a long story short they had been living with them for a few months now and the papers were going through to make them an official family. It was weird to see an already mixed family become more mixed but I think they liked things that way. Just being able to help out two more kids made a huge impact in their lives and they didn't even give any of that a second thought. All that mattered was that they could help them; money, time, resources, none of that mattered and just having more family made up for anything bad.

"So what's it like having two more in the family?" I leaned against the railing and looked at him as he looked over our snow covered yard, the silvery light of the moon casting a glow upon the landscape.

"Ehh... Tory, Joey, and me butt heads a lot. We fight over food, the TV, the shower, and because Tory and me share a bedroom we fight for space and wrestle around when we interrupt each other during my training or naps or his weight lifting and rock music and we've both gotten bruises, bumps, and when we've gotten into fights outside we've gotten covered in splinters, dirt, mud, and more."

"Geeze, are things really that bad with him around?" I looked concerned about hearing this, I thought things were going well with the family but hearing Zeke talk like this made me concerned.

"Bad? Are you kidding, it's great!" I blinked and stared at him as he held up his fist looking pumped and excited.

"It's like having Skye around all the time. We fight, talk, insult each other, he helps keep the kitchen clean when I cook dinner and bake, we wrestle and grapple to relieve stress, he helps Joey with his school work sometimes and I help Rachel with hers, and it's just great. We may not have a lot in common but it's still kind of nice to have them both around. Plus having him around gives my dad someone to talk sports with and mom finally has a little girl to do... I dunno girl stuff with and we're all just adapting to the new additions."

"You... have the most amazingly crazy family I have ever met," I laughed and shook my head.

"Don't you mean, 'we have', Mattie?" My ears perked up and looked over at the ever stoic hybrid.

"What do you mean by that?"

"My folks consider you to be a part of the family already. Even if we break up or something they're still gonna like you, well so long as it's a mutual one and there's no bad blood between us. But what I'm gettin' at here is that you're a part of the family now too, so now it's 'we have the craziest family' and trust me if your folks an' mine start getting' together more than it's only gonna get wilder." He chuckled and gave me a grin.

I just shook my head and shoved at him playfully, "It's going to be interesting with you people around. At least I'll never be bored."

"Darn straight you ain't." He continued to smile at me as we stood outside when he suddenly wrapped an arm around me.

"Hey, I've done something special for your Christmas gift, so if you can you wanna just get outta here and I can take you to it?"

I looked up at him surprised for a moment and let out a happy breath. I was hoping that we could get out of here soon to be together and at last I had the opening to leave.

"Sure, I've just got to grab your gift and put it in my car and then you can drive us to... wherever it is we're going to I guess?" I chuckled and after a brief nod we went our separate ways. I found my mom and dad talking to some guests and after waiting a minute I explained to them that I was heading off to be with Zeke and that I'd likely be home tomorrow.

"That's fine, just don't get into any trouble and call if you need anything." My mother kissed my cheek and gave me a hug before I looked to my dad who pulled me to the side.

"Listen, son, you know how I feel about Zeke and you. I'm not that fond of the idea what with how... unbalanced he can be, but I do know that for whatever reason he makes you happy and that's all that matters to me. So have a nice evening, be safe, and shower before you come back home." He gave me a sly smirk as he said that and I just had to look away embarrassed.

"Dad, we're not going to do anything like that!" I felt the blood rush to my cheeks and while I really wanted to still do that with Zeke I doubted it would happen tonight.

"I figured as much, but I'm just saying IF it does." He pulled me close and gave me a hug which I returned in kind, "Have a good night, Mattie."

"I will, dad, thanks," I smiled and made my way up to my room to grab Zeke's present before I made my way back down to the garage where I had my car parked. When I opened the garage door I saw that Zeke was already waiting outside with a duffle bag over his shoulder and looking up at the starry night sky.

"Hey, about time ya got here." He gave me that half smirk of his and I just shook my head and admired how he looked in the moonlight and snow.

"Sorry, I had to say bye to my parents and get your gift. It's in the trunk too so you can't peek at it."

He smirked and pulled the tie he had loosened around his neck and walked up to me, "Fair enough, but now that applies to you as well." He put the tie around my eyes and tightened it up so it acted like a blindfold and guided me to the passenger side seat.

"You're just gonna be blindfolded until we get to where I wanna take ya." I heard him chuckle and after he started the car we were off to wherever Zeke planned to take us. He turned on his music as we drove and I listened to all the random songs that played. The various genres were surprising and it was even more surprising when a female singer started to sing in some foreign language.

"What's this?" I turned my head to look at Zeke for some reason even though I was blindfolded.

"This is that band I helped out in Japan in the summer, Nanairo, they're pretty good and I got a few of their more energetic songs. You don't like it?"

"No, just not used to hearing lyrics that I don't understand is all."

Zeke then told me what they lyrics meant as the song continued to play onto the next one. It was a good song and had a good beat but I wasn't sure if it would be my thing. Either way though the music continued to play through about six songs before we slowed down and came to a stop.

"We're here," Zeke turned off the car and got out quickly. I waited a moment and felt my door open and Zeke slowly helped me out and lead me to wherever we were going. I felt the crunch of snow under my feet and I could smell the crisp scent of the forest around us as well. After walking for a few moments I felt the tie, that had blindfolded me, be tugged off and I had to blink a few times to get my eyes readjusted to the scene before me.

Set out was a small campsite with a tent already set up and a small fire pit ready to be lit and a small picnic table that had a cooler on top of a nice table cloth. I looked at Zeke who smiled and went to light the fire and then tugged at his own shirt to unbutton and untuck it. Once he had a small flame going he put some wood on it and turned around looking a bit bashful.

"I set this up for a night out together, just the two of us since my place is a bit crowded now and your dad is still iffy with me I thought it'd be nice." He was trying to not look shy and insecure about what he was doing but I knew him well enough by now to know that he wasn't sure I'd like this.

"It's lovely, Zeke, and I'm sure it'll be nice to spend an evening camping together." I smiled at him and he returned it with a small smile of his own.

As soon as the fire was started up nice Zeke started to get things out from the cooler that was on top of the table. He got out a few simple dishes that he had made in advance and had been kept warm in the cooler and started to set up a light meal. We had already eaten some food and Hors d'oeuvres at the party but it hadn't really been a lot to eat so this was something greatly welcomed. There were some biscuits, some preserves, a small spinach salad with mandarin oranges, and then he pulled out a small dish of lasagna that was still slightly steaming. It all looked wonderful and as Zeke started to get out some plates I couldn't help the warm flutter in my chest at seeing all that he had done for me here tonight.

"So this is your gift to me, huh, a nice romantic dinner in the snowy woods and a simple stay in a tent? How'd you set this up?" I kept smiling as I sat down and saw Zeke pull out a second cooler that I saw had drinks in it when he opened it up.

"Its part of it, really it's as much for me as it is for you." He sat down at last with a couple of cans of sodas, "I like how things are going and all but I really need a bit of time away from my family, new and old, for some privacy."

I couldn't argue there. I still was allowed over to the Thomson household but with Zeke and Tory sharing a room it made it a bit awkward. It's not like we made out or anything but sharing a bed made the rhino uncomfortable so Zeke would make a pallet on the floor and I'd sleep in his bed on nights I stayed over. We could have stayed at my home more but my dad didn't want us sleeping in the same bedroom either so it wasn't even that much better.

"So if this is just 'part' of it, then what's the other part?"

Zeke just said that was for later and started to put out some plates and silverware. We gathered up the food onto our plates and started to dig in. Right away I could tell that the lasagna was home made because of all that was in it, and the honey mustard salad dressing had a peppery taste that I knew Zeke made often. There wasn't much conversation between us as we ate, already knowing most of what was going on in each other's lives we didn't need to ask questions, though I felt like I should more after learning what a great actor Zeke actually was.

After eating we sat around the fire and Zeke brought out some marshmallows and apple cider. He acted unsure about his actions but it was still really sweet. We leaned against each other and hummed a few Christmas songs as we enjoyed the tranquility and I roasted a marshmallow to eat. It was quiet and cold, but with Zeke by my side it was pleasant.

"So, uh..." I looked at Zeke expectantly and he brushed his hair back with his hand, "I guess I should give you your real gift now." He gulped and reached into his jacket and pulled out a small black box. I was taken back for a moment thinking something that I was NOT ready for but when I saw the size of it I relaxed a bit more thinking it too big for that.

"Merry Christmas, Matt," Zeke smiled slightly and I took the box and opened it. Inside was a small metal necklace with a nice sized cross on a small bed of velvet. I looked down at it and then looked up at Zeke with wide eyed amazement. It wasn't anything very special looking but it was still beautiful in the few small details that it had.

"Zeke... I don't... Just, thank you so much," I smiled at him and pulled it out of the box to examine it closer and saw that it had my name on the back.

"It's platinum and good quality from what Skye told me." I smiled at my boyfriend who was purposely avoiding my gaze and trying very hard not to pin his ears in embarrassment.

"I love it, Zeke, thank you. So much," I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a strong hug. He moved into it and rubbed his head against mine in a slightly feral fashion of affection that I had long become accustomed to.

"You're welcome, Slick, I know you're a pretty regular church goer an' all so I thought you'd like it." I nodded and looked at it again before putting it back into its box for safe keeping.

"I do, and thanks again. I gotta say though that I'm surprised with you saving up for your trip next summer I would have thought you'd be hard pressed to buy something like this."

"Well..." He didn't bother to try to fight the urge to pin his ears this time, "Skye helped me pay for it some, just had to do a favor for him."

"What did you have to do?"

"I don't want to talk about it," he grunted in a deadpan tone of voice and I had to wonder just what Skye had asked of him, "He also just told me to make sure that you love me and you weren't going anywhere before I gave it to you, but I already knew that."

I smiled and pulled him closer to me and kissed his head, "I do love you, Zeke, and I know you love me too. You just have difficulty showing it sometimes, but that's fine it's a part of what makes you special."

He grumbled softly embarrassed by my statement and I just stood up chuckling to myself. Zeke looked over at me as I started to walk back towards the car and when I turned around I signaled for him to follow me. He had given me a nice gift for Christmas so it was only fair that I let him see what I got him.

I went to the back of the trunk and opened it up keeping Zeke from seeing what I was doing. He got up close to me to try to look around but I lifted my tail to get him back some.

"Come on now, you surprised me with something great now you need to back up and close your eyes so I can surprise you," I smiled slyly at him and he backed up with a slight grunt. He was often curious about things and always wanted to know what was going on. Rather it was from him being part feline or not I had no idea, but as I turned around to make sure his eyes were closed I pulled out the painting and held it up facing him.

"Ok, you can open your eyes now." When he opened his eyes he stared at the picture in shock for a moment. His eyes darted from it to my face and back a half dozen times before he took a step closer and took the painting from me.

"This... But... From the... But you...," I smiled softly at him impressed with myself that I had actually rendered Zeke's mouth mostly speechless, "How?"

"Your mom told me about it and after looking around and doing a bit of research I found it and procured the painting for you. She told me how much it meant to you and how you put up with those kids picking on you just to see that painting every day."

He kept staring at the painting and I almost thought he was going to cry from how he was looking at it, "I'm sorry, Matt, but I can't accept this."

He tried to give it back to me but I smiled softly and shook my head, "No, Zeke, you can and you will. Why do you think you can't accept this?"

"For starters: I have nowhere to properly hang something like this, and for another: this must have cost a lot of money and I can't just accept something like that." He tried to hold it out to me to take it back even though I could see in his eyes he really desperately wanted to keep it.

"Okay so you may have a point on the first issue," I smiled and took the painting and put it back in the trunk where it'd be safe, "But you can accept this despite the amount of money it may have cost, which I'm not going to say obviously because that's tacky but I did get a good deal on it."

He stared at me with an unamused look on his face and I just sighed, "Zeke, listen I know you must feel bad for being given something like this, but I really want you to have it. It means so much to you and I know you want it, I could see it in your eyes don't even TRY to deny it."

He turned his head at that and muttered at me but I didn't let that deter me, "I care about you, Zeke, I love you a lot and you're special to me. I know it might make you feel weird to accept something like this but if it makes you happy I'd do anything for you, short of murder."

He laughed at that and nodded, "Yeah, there's only enough room for one hot headed violent punk in this relationship and I'm bordering on exceeding that quota."

A joke at his expense, I took that as a good sign and smiled, "So you like it and will keep it?"

He nodded and gave me an honest smile and gave me a tight hug, "You really are too good for me, Slick, I don't know why you put up with a punk like me but I'm thankful for it."

He nuzzled up at my chin and when I looked back into his deep blue eyes again he gave me a soft kiss on the lips and started to drag me back to the camp site. We finished up the cider and marshmallows before we crawled into the tent and settled down. It was cozy and warm with Zeke laying around me in the large sleeping bag acting like a living blanket and I couldn't remember a time that I felt happier. As we laid there together I stroked along Zeke's back and let out a contented sigh. It had been a great year over all and I looked forward to many crazy and adventure filled years to come.

"Merry Christmas, Slick." I heard Zeke say half asleep and I kissed him on the head.

"Merry Christmas, Zeke."