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Since they moved into the brownstone, it has become somewhat of a tradition for Alex and Henry to host Thanksgiving. It had started in an attempt to avoid the disaster that was their first Thanksgiving together after the leaked emails and re-election, which included way too many people and too much media coverage for their liking. Instead, they made New York a neutral ground. A haven. A home. A place where doors are only open to family, friends, and David, who is the only animal Alex wants to deal with this year
After hosting the first Claremont-Diaz holiday without an argument for as far back as Alex could remember, it only made sense to create their first tradition. While the paparazzi were frequently stationed near the brownstone, hoping to get a quick shot of Henry walking David to his favorite coffee shop or Alex on the way to class, everyone was still expecting to see them at the annual White House celebration. Ellen would still pardon a turkey a couple of days before the feast and take a few photos in the fully set dining room, to be shared to all her social media accounts. And with a few vague posts from Alex and June, a well-hidden back entrance, and extra security in the area, no one would suspect a thing.
Now Alex and Henry are hosting for the third year and the guest list has expanded. Thanksgiving is a week away and the combined stress of planning a dinner for his favorite people and all the upcoming finals have led Alex to create far too many lists. He sits on the couch, furiously scribbling in a well-worn notebook. It holds his entire life, currently including the travel plans of all of his friends and family, extensive grocery lists and recipe options, and all of the course readings he’s planned for the rest of the semester.
“Okay I think your mom is the only person we need to pick up from the airport,” Alex rants the second Henry walks through the door, still looking down at his page. “Also, June and Nora said they would make mashed potatoes this year after they found out ours are from a box, apparently Nora has standards now, even though I’ve seen her eat leftover pizza out of the trash and-”. He’s cut off by cold hands against his cheeks and a gentle kiss on his lips.
“Breathe love,” Henry says before pressing a kiss into Alex’s curls, “Bea is going to pick my mum up from the airport and she’s going to stay with her for a few days before she comes here. Holidays are supposed to be for relaxing.” Henry’s hands move down Alex’s shoulders towards his chest. Heart beating so fiercely, it moves the skin. He doubts it’s because of his touch alone.
“How am I supposed to relax when I have an entire semester's worth of notes and readings to review and we’re planning a dinner for thirteen, no, fifteen people” Alex harshly closes his eyes, as if trying to catch a thought. He looks up at Henry, whose worried expression still holds a loving smile. “Amy just let me know today that she and her wife can make it.” Henry nods, moving slightly to sit beside him on the couch. He pats the seat for David to join them as Alex curls into his side.
Henry wraps an arm around his boyfriend, rubbing reassuring circles on the tense muscles there. “How about this, you focus on your coursework and I’ll plan the dinner.”
Alex meets Henry’s gaze “Are you sure you want to be in charge of Thanksgiving?”. The shakiness in his voice is evident, even if he tries to immediately disguise it with a joke, “Your ancestors might smite you for fraternizing with the colonies.”
Henry chuckles lightly. “I’m pretty sure if they were going to smite me they would have done it by now” He leans down placing a kiss on the top of Alex’s head. “Plus I’m pretty sure I fraternize with the colonies almost every day.”
Alex turns and gently pushes Henry’s chest, laughing as he presses their lips together. “You’re an idiot.” He knows Henry can’t solve all of his problems, but he loves how he tries to.
-
It’s a few days later and everything is surprisingly going to plan. With more people coming and insisting on bringing a dish or two, dinner ends up less work than they’d thought.. Alex also manages to finish one of his final papers almost three weeks before it’s due, greatly relieving some of his stress. He’s leaving campus after his last class on Tuesday when he gets a text from Henry
HRH Prince Dickhead (insert heart emoji and a poop one)
What time will you be home?
I have a surprise for you.
Alex’s trip was usually only twenty minutes, but with the upcoming holiday, he knew it would be longer. He didn’t mind too much because he had the next five days off to spend time with the love of his life and his favorite people in the world. A few extra minutes between campus in the brownstone weren’t so bad then.
soon baby
what kind of surprise?
*winky emoji*
HRH Prince Dickhead (insert heart emoji and a poop one)
If I told you, then it wouldn’t be a surprise.
It’ll be waiting in the bedroom.
say no more
Henry had gotten the idea after having a few too many drinks with Pez while Alex was away to speak at an event about youth voter registration. He had sort of forgotten about it until Alex asked him a few days ago if he had gotten the turkey yet. Their friends and families were bringing an assortment of side dishes but the main course was still up to them. After a quick Google search, he found exactly what he was looking for.
“Baby I’m home” Alex huffs as he slams the door, quickly pulling off his shoes and throwing his coat over the back of a chair, not wanting to waste any time to hang it up.
“I’m in my study,” Henry calls out over the sound of Alex running up the stairs. He looks up from his computer to see his very out-of-breath boyfriend in the doorway. “Well somebody is excited for their surprise.”
“I thought you said it was in the bedroom.” Alex walks across the room and leans on the desk.
“It is.”
“But you’re here” He scans Henry's body up and down.
“Did you just assume the surprise I so carefully planned was going to be us having sex?” Henry stands and gives out a sly smile. Alex takes it as an opportunity to wrap his arms around him.
“Well, usually your surprises end in us having sex. I can’t help it if I’m just analyzing a pattern here.” His hands snake up as Henry chuckles into Alex’s head. His curls ruffle slightly with the breath.
“That is not always the intention.”
“So are you going to keep teasing me or show me” Henry takes his hand and leads him out of the office and up the last flight of stairs. As they get closer to the bedroom door, Alex can hear strange banging noises coming from inside. “Babe what the fuck did you do,” He questions.
Henry rests his hands on Alex’s shoulders and leans to whisper in his ear, “Just open the door and you’ll see.”
With careful steps, Alex slowly opens the door. It's dark, but with a flick of a switch, he notices the mess inside. Books have been pushed off of the nightstands, the comforter is half off the bed, and some dirty clothes have been pulled out of the hamper.
Now confused, he walks into the room, only to be pushed from behind. A gobble echoes through the room. It's a large Turkey, running freely around. “Henry. What the fuck did you do.”
“You put me in charge of Thanksgiving so I got a turkey.” He shrugs his shoulders like it's the most obvious thing in the world.
“THE TURKEY IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ALIVE” Alex yells, only startling the bird, leading to more running and loud gobbles.
“Are you sure, I seem to remember someone calling me in the middle of the night because they had a rather annoying turkey on Thanksgiving” Henry can’t help but laugh as he says it.
“I am going to kill you” He only half means it. It would be more if the turkey hadn’t been snacking on one of Henry’s books. Alex slowly moves towards his boyfriend, trying to ignore the chill running down his spine.
“We both know you’d miss me too much.” He pulls Alex in by the waist and places his chin on top of his head.
“Please tell me you got an actual turkey to eat. And that this one is leaving” His voice is muffled against Henry's chest.
“I promise there’s a turkey to eat,” Henry reassures Alex, knowing that the dinner is still on his mind. Alex hugs him tighter, a small thank you amidst the chaos of the room. “This one's owner will be here within the hour to take it back to the farm.”
Alex breathes a sigh of relief. “This is so not funny.” He says, but a laugh still escapes. “And you’re in charge of cleaning this room tonight. And the whole house before Thanksgiving.”
“You’ve been so stressed lately and I thought this would be something to distract you a little. Don’t you think he kind of looks like Cornbread?” A gobble is heard and Alex jumps. It also disagrees.
“No, Cornbread had much beadier eyes.” Alex slides his arms from Henry’s shoulder, his hands meeting the nape of his neck... Pulling him down, their lips finally meet. Henry's arms tighten around Alex’s waist. This was more like the surprise he’d been expecting. The two separate suddenly at the sound of another loud gobble. Maybe it would be a little while longer before they could truly relax.