Thanks to u/SpacePaladin15 for the universe, even if I don't agree with many of his decisions, as I'm about to demonstrate in this AU Oneshot.

Merry Christmas, everybody, and thanks for all the strayu

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Memory Transcription Subject: Slanek Fraser, Venlil Husband and Father

Date [Standardized Human Time]: December 31st, 2140

Slanek wound his tail around Marcel's wrist as he settled onto the couch, sipping from his mug of hot cocoa.

"I told you that letting her open that gift first was a bad idea." He said as he leaned into his husband's side.

"I think she'll like some of the other presents just as much." Marcel said as he wrapped an arm around the venlil, taking a sip from his own mug.

"Marc, Nulia hasn't let go of that Tarva Barbie since she started opening the other presents!" Slanek said with a chuckle in his throat as he gestured to the little gojid all but crawling around the tree.

Just as Slanek said, Nulia clutched her Tarva doll to her chest in one claw as she shredded the shiny green wrapping of a present, a smile stretched across her muzzle as she pulled out a yellow sundress.

"Still hard to believe just how fast Mattel jumped on making Barbies of the other races. Almost as unbelievable as you letting me find and get a proper Christmas tree." Marcel teased as he carded through the wool on Slanek's head.

"I was worried about the mess!" The Venlil fussed playfully as he leaned into the tender touch.

At first, Slanek had been very resistant to the idea of an actual tree being brought into their apartment where it could shed on their floor. But, any reservations he had were silenced when he saw his daughter's eyes light up at the sight of the fully decorated tree.

"Well, I'm guessing by now, you've realized that a mess was unavoidable?"

Just as Marcel said, there was a mess more befitting of a home with six children, rather than just one rambunctious little girl.

"Mmmhm, a great big mess for you to clean up." Slanek said, taking a gulp from his mug as Marcel groaned quietly.

"Can't Papa clean up this time? He'd have an easier time, being so short!"

"Papa already cleaned up the pine needles that fell off the tree that Daddy insisted on importing all the way from Earth so it could shed said needles all over Papa's nice clean carpet, which Daddy didn't help with at all!" The venlil said, poking a claw into his human's side.

Marcel grimaced guiltily, taking a sip from his mug to carefully think out his next words.

"Do I get a backrub if I do? You know what Skalga's gravity does to my back!" He pleaded.

"Sure sure, it'll pair well with you Chirstmas gift come our rest claw~" Slanek chuckled, nuzzling at his husband's neck.

"Oh? But honey, I didn't get you anything~" Marcel whispered into his husband's ear as his hand slipped down to scratch lightly at his neck.

Slanek shivered, pulling back to nuzzle at Marcel's cheek.

"I think we can work something out~" He mumbled as he looked the human in the eye, all warmth and love and promise.

Marcel leaned in to close what little distance remained-

"EEEEEEEEEE, THANK YOU PAPA, THANK YOU DADDY!"

"I think she found the Noah Ken doll." Marcel said as he pulled back, the moment lost, though neither cared much as they laughed.

Slanek resettled into his husband's side, turning his eyes back to their little girl.

"Sometimes, I wonder what would have happened if we'd stayed in the marines after the Battle for Earth," he though as he watched Nulia play with her Tarva and Noah, the last few presents under the tree forgotten for the moment, "But, I think we made the right call."

With that thought Slanek snuck a quick peck to Marcel's cheek, heart warming as he was pulled tight against his side.

"No, I know we made the right call."