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Few things, in Eoin McCracken's not so humble opinion, compared to the sheer bliss of being awakened slowly by one's sensitive nose becoming aware of a veritable orgy of delicious food scents wafting into a warm bedroom from what he knew to be a huge, gourmet's delight of a kitchen, where he also knew that the epicurean genius who was his dragon lover was preparing both quality and quantity of food designed to overwhelm any hint of reluctance of appetites. Any appetites. Some mornings could include quite an inventive use of condiments. Perhaps not this morning, as they did have a guest...

That thought, along with the realization of what the day was, roused the young saluki to greater wakefulness. Although the idea of a bit more sleep was a blissful idea (as it usually was), it was probably a better idea to prepare said guest for the general orders of the day. Benedict was the most genial and gracious host one could imagine, but getting underpaw during the culinary plak tow of the preparations for the Thanksgiving Day Feast was ill advised.

Stretching off the last of the sleep, the lithe, white-gold furred canine wriggled happily under the warm covers one last time and then cast them aside, throwing his long legs over the side of the custom-made oversized bed that he usually shared with the great crimson dragon. The room air was cool against his naked body, and for one brief moment, his well-developed id planted the idea that he should visit his guest just as he was. As a general rule, the house had a "clothing optional" rule, unless the situation required it (never cook with hot grease without being adorned by an apron, for example). The presence of houseguests, however, usually required the general negation of that rule until further notice - which might or might not happen prior to the houseguest's departure. Parker, Eoin figured, would probably not join in with such festivities.

Fetching the longer of his robes from the hooks on the closet door, the saluki wrapped himself properly and padded to the guest room. It was unfair to say that the house was actually "palatial," but it was larger inside and out than most. It was only reasonable that the doors and hallways were wider, the rooms larger, the ceilings higher than in most houses. After all, Benedict stood a good two and a quarter meters tall, with appropriate girth for a dragon of his size. A being of such royal proportions should not be condemned to a low-ceilinged shotgun shack, especially as he had earned the costs of this house over his many years. Another advantage of long life is that the financial market can't be bad forever, no matter how hard the Powers That Be tried to make it so.

At the door to the guest room where Parker was staying, Eoin knocked softly. "Zachary? It's Eoin. Are you awake?"

"Umm..." A pause. "Yeah, gimmie a moment."

The saluki didn't try the knob, not only because it would be rude, but because the door's dead bolt was almost certainly thrown. The thought was confirmed when he heard the upper lock being worked before the lower one. The door opened to reveal a mostly-awake, slightly-disheveled, and singularly well-made Akita, his salt-and-pepper brindled fur still appealing for all its rough appearance. Clad only in running shorts, the pup was only mildly self-conscious, and at close quarters, his own scents vied with those from the kitchen for control of Eoin's Happy Place. The saluki sobered himself and smiled in a friendly rather than predatory manner.

"Welcome to Thanksgiving Day at Chateau Spenser," he chuckled softly. "As your nose may have already told you, breakfast should be ready soon."

Inhaling deeply, his firm chest swelling, the Akita smiled appreciatively. "I feel like I'm crowding you two."

"You're our guest," Eoin bowed slightly, "and as such, you're subject to all the spoiling that comes with the household. I came with two suggestions: First, get yourself ready for a big breakfast and forget any aspect of dietary control. If you'd like, we can jog it off tomorrow morning. I'd be glad to go with you, if you'd care for the company."

Parker considered, slightly suspiciously. "I usually run five miles."

The saluki thought about it for a moment, nodded. "That's a really good run; I'll do my best. And second... you're always welcome anywhere in the house, but today you might find it advisable to keep out of the kitchen proper, as much as possible. That's only because Benedict flails about so much when he's in this cooking frenzy that you're likely to get trod on, bumped aside, or perhaps covered in frosting. And before you think otherwise," he added softly, "no, I'm not trying to suggest something kinky. Just very surprising."

The athlete seemed about to react, then managed a small laugh. "Okay," he said. "Fair enough. I'll shower and be out in, say, fifteen minutes?"

"Perfect. Stay hungry, my friend."

The door closed gently, and the saluki turned his sensitive nose back to the scents billowing lustily from the kitchen. At least he knew one of his appetites would be well-sated.

* * * * * * * * * *

From the comparative safety of the spacious breakfast nook, Parker watched in near open-mawed wonder at the complex and enthusiastic dance of the chef of Chateau Spenser. Benedict was a silver-highlighted blur of deep crimson frenzy, supervising pots, pans, bowls, mixers, plates, dishes, ovens, urns, and utensils that baffled the young Akita's imagination. This proved to be little problem, as the dragon had already turned out enough quality breakfast goods to keep both him and his saluki companion quite occupied.

"Are we expecting an army for breakfast?" Parker asked, gazing at the seemingly endless selection of foods available on the table.

"Not generally," Eoin grinned. "On Thanksgiving Day, all diets are off. My advice is to enjoy a little of everything, pace yourself in small bursts, or you may not have room for other surprises later. One great advantage, however, is that you'll be here for leftovers tomorrow." He passed over one of two plates containing the freshly prepared Eggs Benedict (no pun intended), indicating that the athlete could help himself to the bacon, sausage links, home-fried potatoes, grits, drop biscuits, butter, syrup, jams, jellies, compotes, and marmalades set out for them to enjoy. "I'm going to get some milk and juice from the fridge; care for some?"

"Skim milk?"

"No such thing," Benedict crowed over his unceasing efforts. "Milk that has no fat in it is not milk at all. Skim milk, like the infamous video game cake, is a lie! We do have 1% for everyday use, and Eoin my lovely, I put in some 6% yesterday, if you want to enjoy yourself."

"You spoil me, thank the gods!" Eoin exulted. At the refrigerator (a kitchen location momentarily safe from the peripatetic chef), he paused, searched briefly, then reached in to withdraw - with reverence usually reserved for the chalice in a sacred ritual - a glass half-gallon container. For a moment, Parker thought that the saluki was going to break into some sort of hymn, out of sheer adulation. "Have you had 6% milk before, Zachary?"

"Sounds like cream."

"Almost!" The svelte pup poured a small glass for himself, offered to do the same for the Akita, who shook his head. "Half-and-half usually starts around 10-12% butterfat, and other creams go up from there. No, this is milk at its finest - best savored as a treat, rather than used every day." He replaced the bottle carefully. "Can't possibly be good for most arteries, but it is so delicious." He took a sip from his glass, sighed as if he'd just visited heaven (or perhaps just a really good brothel) and padded back to the table. "Would you care for the 1%, or some juice, or...?"

Parker requested apple juice, and Eoin brought back two glasses. Civility having been properly saluted, the athlete attacked his eggs, finding that even he could not remain unimpressed. The culinary dragon grinned as he heard a moan from the Akita that few might have heard outside more intimate circumstances. "Someone likes my sauce, I take it?" Benedict called out.

"This is..." It took the Akita a moment to realize that Eoin was fighting down a huge smirking laugh. Before Parker had much chance to respond, the great crimson dragon all but materialized at the table, foreclaws clasped across his broad middle, bowing slightly.

"Zachary, I apologize, on behalf of both of us. It's part of the banter that Eoin and I, and others, indulge in. I didn't mean for it to make you uncomfortable at all."

The burn on the athlete's cheeks was only partly due to the double entendre; the rest was due to his sense of shame at being so thin-skinned. He inhaled, then asked, "Only one question: You didn't add anything to the sauce that you produced yourself, right?"

Benedict solemnly put one foreclaw to his heart, held the other up in an expression of honor. "Never with food."

"Okay, then." Parker used his fork to scoop more of the thick, rich Hollandaise sauce, brought it up to his lips and, looking the dragon squarely in the eye, used his tongue to lap it up so slowly and lasciviously that even he began to feel it. "Delicious."

Eoin and Benedict both roared with laughter, and the Akita joined in well enough, fighting down the butterflies in his stomach. With all this great food around, the last thing he needed was anything else keeping him full. And besides, he realized, he'd made jokes like that with his straight friends for years, the whole "acting like a fag" thing, and it didn't bother him then, because none of them... they wouldn't actually...

The dragon had gone back to cooking, the saluki to his breakfast, occasionally sipping at his cream-rich milk as if it were wine. Parker pushed everything out of his head and focused on stuffing his muzzle with the best food he'd ever eaten.

* * * * * * * * * *

The catering crew arrived at noon, bearing very little by way of food - Benedict took care of the important things. They came in with tables, plates, cutlery, glassware, cloth napkins, and serving dishes and platters, transforming the formal dining room area into a multi-station buffet. Eoin explained to Parker that the convenience of having someone else taking care of the set-up and clean-up was well worth the cost, as well as eliminating the waste of paper plates, plastic forks, and so forth. Other tables and chairs were set up in various rooms, to accommodate those who were actively indulging, while those who gathered bits of "finger food" could avail themselves of the various chairs, love seats, couches, and floor space as desired, particularly near the ample fireplace which burned purple heart cedar and redgum, for light, warmth, and fragrance.

Parker dressed casually but well, uncertain what other guests would be wearing, and tried more or less to stay out of everyone's way. He recognized a few of those who came to visit - the older bear from the English department, and the tall, buffed, blue-furred lion who was apparently his lover. They were accompanied by two more examples of studliness, another well-muscled lion (more traditionally tawny-furred) and his mate, a bull who looked as if he could bench-press a few automobiles. Parker wasn't particularly good with remembering names, but he could smile and nod with the best of them, and the arrivals seemed genuinely pleased to make his acquaintance. No one brought up sports, let alone football, let alone the other incidents of several weeks ago. He felt comparatively, and comfortably, anonymous.

Benedict welcomed everyone as they entered. The dragon had a kiss for every guest, often on the lips, sometimes on the cheek, given with hugs that were likewise returned. Parker couldn't look too directly, as if seeing that much affection was somehow just not something he should be allowed to witness. He wondered if everyone that the dragon knew was gay, and had a double shock when he saw Dr. Windrunner, the tall cremello mare from the English department step in and kiss Benedict on the lips with more gusto than the pup would have imagined possible from a gay guy to a (presumably) straight gal. The young Husky accompanying the professor took her kiss on the cheek, yet hugged the dragon so fiercely that one wondered if the two would ever separate. The Husky and the mare had arrived together, which made Parker go back to wondering if everyone Benedict knew was gay.

"Emily! Nelson!" The boisterous dragon welcomed the dean and his family, as the two male wolverine kits pounded into the foyer, crying out for their "Uncle Benedict" and wrapped their arms around as much of the dragon as they could. "Bryce! Dorian! How're my favorite wolvie kits? Hungry, I hope?" He kissed each on the top of his head as they cried out happy hellos and affirmations of being starved nearly to death. The dragon shooed them off to the buffet, the location of which they already knew full well.

"You'll spoil them," the Angeline chuckled as she stepped up for her kiss - to the lips, Parker noted, along with a little rubbing of snout to snout, a tender intimacy that befuddled the pup.

"Who and when else do I get such an opportunity? Nelson, my dear old love, happy holidays."

The Dean of Students, apparently unaware or uncaring if anyone noticed, stepped up to the dragon, wrapped his arms around him, and kissed him full on the lips. "And to you, Benedict. Thanks for having us."

"Wouldn't be the same without you. The back yard is cleared for anyone wanting some footie or a disc toss."

"Perhaps our young friend here would like to help us with a game." The Dean turned to face Parker, who finally remembered to close his maw before bugs started to fly in. "Master Parker; you're looking well. How are you?"

The question was asked with such sincerity of feeling that the pup was at first unaware of the paw being offered to shake, and then found himself not sure how to answer. "Fine, sir," he managed, "or at least, I'm working on it."

The grip and simple handshake was oddly reassuring. "Good," the Dean affirmed. Then, smiling, he said, "I hope you've left something for us to eat. I know how ravenous appetites can become in this household."

"I'm sure there's still plenty, sir. Professor Spenser seems to have been cooking all night."

"Not the least surprised. Excuse me while I make sure my kits don't stuff themselves to gorging. Perhaps we can distract them with a bit of soccer in a while."

"Glad to, sir."

The Dean rejoined his wife and went to find his kits, mumbling that he was sure to discover that the incredible food available to them had turned them feral at best. Parker turned to see Benedict smiling at him quite benignly. "How are you holding up with all the company?" he asked. "It's a lot to ask of someone who's usually more solitary. You're always welcome to retire to your room and rest for a bit, to get away from the hubbub."

"Doing better than I thought I would, actually. And the food really is amazing, Prof... um... Benedict." The Akita tried out the name, still foreign on his tongue, but getting better.

"Thank you, Zachary." The dragon looked at him with something like approval. "Feel free to mingle as you will; Eoin can handle door duty for a time, if you prefer, and most of my guests know that, today, they can simply walk in and announce themselves."

"Res ipsa loquitur," a powerful voice observed from the front door that opened during Benedict's explanation. The massively-built Leonberger actually seemed slightly small compared to the dragon, but he still commanded the space.

"Bruno!" the dragon opened his arms wide, and the Leo stepped in and returned the hug with enthusiasm. "On your own this year?"

"The good lady wife has taken the children to see the grandparents this year."

To Parker's complete astonishment, the coach - the head coach of the university, the married head coach of the university, the huge, massive, incontrovertibly and unarguably masculine _MALE_head coach of the university - kissed the dragon gently on his lips and leaned back into the hug for a very long time. The Akita's brain was still not back to functioning fully as the two adults separated and appeared to notice the pup for the first time.

"Parker!" Stackhouse's voice was still large, his smile open. "You're looking well, youngster. How are you?"

Somewhere, the Akita was certain that he had ample vocabulary to answer the question, but his vocal cords had hung a large "Out of Service" sign in the middle of his throat and ran to hide somewhere deeply down his gullet. Some distance away, conversation and music, clicking flatware on plates, the occasional laugh or appreciative mmm wafted gently into the now-silent foyer. Slowly, the Leo stepped over to Parker, doing his best to appear non-threatening.

"I think I may have shocked you. If I've done so, I apologize. I hope you'll allow me to explain."

Almost unnoticeably, the dragon nodded briefly as Parker tried to regain himself. "No," he managed to stammer, "no, coach, nothing wrong, nothing..."

The older canine's smile never faltered. "Do you remember me telling every student, every year, that you could talk to me about anything? Part of the reason for that is because of my experience... but before your mind runs away again, I'm not talking about sexual experience. I spent a lot of time in Europe, with football - you'd say 'soccer' - and rugby teams, in game and out. In Europe, you'll often find couples of the same gender walking slowly, arm in arm..." Suiting actions to words, Stackhouse gently pulled Parker's arm up and looped it through his own. "Nothing at all to do with sex; just old friends, fond friends but not bedmates, walking through the streets together causing no stir at all. Such friends may also share a kiss, perhaps to the cheeks - you've seen that in films, I'm sure - or perhaps they'll kiss on the lips. Again, it's nothing to do with sex. You may have seen films of priests, bishops, other clergy, even statesmen sharing what is simply called a kiss of peace. I've known Benedict for a number of years, and we've grown very close - again, nothing sexual."

"More's the pity," the dragon stage-whispered.

The Leo raised an eyebrow, the black mask of his face still kind but stern. "Benedict..."

"You're right, Bruno." The professor turned to Parker, his foreclaws together before his middle, the apologetic pose the Akita had seen that morning. "It's more bantering, Zachary. Just to be sure you know, he's quite happily married and has no sexual interest in his students. He's an honorable fellow, quite trustworthy in all respects. It's one reason that we're such close friends."

Although the young canine had made no move to disentangle his arm from the Leo's, the coach nevertheless carefully returned the arm gently. "Have I helped, or have I confused you utterly?"

He was about to respond when he noticed the dragon's eyebrow had raised slightly - the cue for Parker to check his thinking before speaking. Breathing carefully, he did so, wondering why it is that he was calmer now, that he was actually not minding being spoken to about these topics. It was none of his business, and it didn't matter what... it shouldn't matter what... why did he think... or did he think...?

"I guess..." The pup cleared his throat, removing the "Out of Service" sign. "I guess I've got more to learn, Coach."

"That's a very big admission, for most people." Stackhouse nodded. "I hope you'll remember that you really can talk to me. I don't care a damn if you're not a player at this point. You're still one of my charges, and I take that duty seriously. Understood?"

The Akita could only nod.

"Good. Now... show me to the food. I feel the need to take a hearty piss on my dietician's advice."

* * * * * * * * * *

As the evening began to settle in, the backyard games of footy slowly closed down only partly due to the gathering dusk. Simple truth told, the adults were no longer quite capable of moving as quickly as the few otherwise-well-behaved demons-shaped-like-kits, who seemed to spend as much time eating as playing. The bear, sitting on the grass with his cerulean-furred lion, had made some respectable passes and enjoyed the game as much as anyone, but pled "old fart's exhaustion" to the accompaniment of an affectionate head-smack from his lover. The bull and tawny lion knew exactly where to draw the line between being too good to beat and too clumsy for the kids to feel like they were throwing the game entirely. Shrieks of laughter graced the back yard pleasantly enough, eventually causing Parker to take his rest in a lawn chair, appearing to be in an oddly reflective mood. Eoin eyed him carefully, sitting nearby, watching the Akita watching the kids.

The saluki smiled. "You're good with yowens."

"Yowens?"

"Kits, pups - offspring. Word from my youth in Maine. Younguns, anywhere else. You're good with them."

"Thanks. Not so bad yourself."

Eoin grinned. "In small doses, I'm fine. I'd probably make a lousy dad."

"I thought you were gay."

The look on his face told Eoin that Parker regretted the words as soon as they escaped his muzzle, but he couldn't take them back now.

"Well, the equipment works, medical science has made great strides, and there's always adoption." The saluki took pity on the pup and spoke mildly. "Don't worry, Zachary. You haven't said anything that I've not heard before. You probably said it more kindly than most. What about you? You ever think of raising pups?"

The Akita tried to laugh. "Guess I should get a girlfriend first."

"Got anyone in mind?"

Parker was quiet for so long that Eoin was afraid he'd stepped in something he shouldn't have. He was rescued by the approach of the black bear's quartet. "Eoin," the professor said to him. "No, don't get up. We're going to escape before we eat so much you'll have to roll us out in wheelbarrows." The bear bent and kissed the pup gently. "Thanks so much for having us."

The saluki bade a tender farewell to Tristan, Aleksandr, Maggers, and Sylvie, the latter exacting a promise from him that he and Benedict would return the favor on Christmas Day. "No excuses," the buffed tawny lion insisted. "I've finally figured out how to roast chestnuts properly, and we're having wassail, a traditional pudding, lots of food, and I'm hoping to find actual Christmas crackers for party favors."

"Sounds wonderful! Let us know what we can bring."

"Restraints," the bull huffed with a grin. "We may be having some of the young furs from my office, and surely even Benedict can't flirt with all of them."

"Don't place that bet!" Eoin laughed, and more hugs and shoulder pets ensued before the four left for the main house and to the driveway. The young saluki was still chuckling as he settled back into his chair, turning his attention back to the Akita seated next to him. The pup regarded him with an expression that was difficult to read. He decided to try a direct approach. "Everything all right, Zachary?"

The athlete looked away sharply. "None of my business."

"Mayhap it is, mayhap it ain't," the saluki teased gently. "You just seem a little introspective, and that may be none of my business, but if I can help, I'd like to."

"Why?"

"Why, what?"

"Why do you want to help me?"

The Akita had turned to look back at Eoin again, challenging, the expression on his face still difficult to read. The ears weren't splayed or folded down, the high-curved tail was still, the forepaws unclenched, the arms calmly laid on the arm rests of the chair; still, something seemed to be churning in the pup's mind and heart. The saluki considered, and dismissed, several flippant replies.

"I care about my friends, and the guests of this house. We haven't gotten to know each other very well, but I'd like to, if you're amenable."

"Amenable?" Parker's tone fell just short of mocking. "Big word to use on a jock."

"I don't think you're stupid, Zachary, if that's what you mean."

For a moment, the Akita bristled, then suddenly looked resigned. Eoin wondered what thought it was that had crossed the pup's mind to make the change.

"It's the kissing."

The young saluki turned to face his companion more directly. "What about it?"

"Do you kiss everybody?"

"No, not everybody. In fact, there are a few members of Congress I'd probably rather spit on. And most folks get a paw to shake. For people I grow close to, we share a kiss."

"Even females?" said a new voice. Eoin looked up to see the grinning young Husky and the cremello mare approaching.

"Of course not," the saluki grinned, standing. "Females are yicky. Except certain mares I know." Returning the professor's embrace, he tilted his head up and received a proper peck on the lips.

"Here and I thought Benedict didn't take in chauvinists!" Buniq took her hug happily, thanked Eoin for a lovely day and, taking the mare's arm in her own, departed for the front door. Eoin, still standing, turned back to Parker, who continued to look nonplussed.

"You kissed a female."

"And just hugged the other one. I've known Buniq for a short time, and she's probably working on the world's record for hugging. She's certainly giving Leo Buscaglia a run for his money. However, she doesn't kiss just everyone. I haven't known her long enough for us to share a kiss."

"Does she kiss the mare?"

"I haven't seen it personally. Is that important?"

For a long moment, Parker didn't answer. Eoin had the odd impression that the pup was remembering something, considering it. "Maybe I don't know how to react to people kissing."

"Can you tell me how you feel about kissing someone?"

Once more, the face that the Akita turned toward the slender pup was enigmatic, not threatening, yet strangely uncomfortable. Eoin wasn't himself a therapist, but his time with Benedict had in no way been wasted. He kept his face as neutral as possible, his arms at his side, his tail still, and waited.

"I guess maybe I don't have much track record," the athlete said softly. "I've only kissed girls. Not too many."

"And why is that?"

Some heat began to rise in Parker's eyes. "Something wrong with that?"

"Nothing at all," Eoin offered mildly. "I'm only asking to understand how you feel about kissing someone. Kissing a girl." He was about to be guilty of leading the witness, but he thought he was on safe ground. "It sounds to me that you reserve your kissing for girls who have a special meaning for you."

After a long moment, the pup nodded slowly. "I've always thought of kissing as... well, kissing a girl is sort of the first step toward..."

The saluki smiled, gently not mockingly. "Do guys still call it 'getting to first base,' or is that an old term now?"

Parker managed a bit of a laugh at that. "Yeah. Still called first base."

"So I'm guessing that means you think of kissing as belonging to the realm of sex? Not a judgment, Zachary, just my understanding."

Nodding again, the Akita seemed more calm. "I guess so. Although maybe... I mean, I haven't really had a chance to find out all that much."

"There's still time."

Both young males looked up at the owner of the voice, seeing the golden-furred river otter standing before them, looking abashed, shoulders slumped, arms to his side, gazing at Parker with something that Eoin thought might have been shame. A flicker of crimson caught Eoin's eye, and he noticed Benedict moving to stand at the back door, not approaching, simply looking on, quiet, concerned.

"Jerry," the athlete half-whispered.

"I've been trying to reach you," the otter murmured, his voice soft, sad. "I feel like I've... I'm so sorry, Parker, I've been trying to apologize, please, I'm so sorry... Please let me help, I..."

The Akita threw himself out of chair, knocking it backward with a crash. The otter stepped back, his forepaws up to defend himself, although Parker only raced past him and back into the house. Jerry tried to call after him, but Eoin stood quickly and took the otter gently by the arm.

"Best leave him," the pup murmured softly.

"I just wanted to help, he doesn't have to... I didn't..."

The saluki turned the otter to face him and hugged him tightly. He barely knew Jerry, but he knew pain like this all too well. Whatever caused the pain for Jerry, Eoin knew that he too had suffered as deeply. Over the otter's shoulder, he saw Parker brush by Benedict without a word. The dragon looked back to his lover, nodded, and went back inside. Eoin held Jerry tightly in his embrace, the otter's forepaws clenched into fists and pressing against the saluki's chest. He felt the mustelid's body wracking with sobs, could think of nothing else to do than just hold him tightly and let him cry it out as best he could.