Tiger Lilies

Sequel to Water Lilies, hopefully we won't have the same issues we had last time, huh? So, without further ado, I give you TIGER LILIES!

If you stood in front of the only flower shop in town you would see, in bright pink letters, Marluxia and Sons Bright Flower Emporium. The name had changed since the beginning of the year, of course, and some believed for the better. But the shop wasn't the only thing that had changed over the year.

First off, Marluxia's wife divorced him, which was fine by him because he began dating Larxene. Larxene herself had moved from kitchen lady to vice principal and enjoyed every moment she got to torture the students. Xemnas had become mayor after a scandal with the previous one, Saix of course still dutiful at his side. Xiggbar and Xaldin took the run down restaurant near the flower shop and turned it into the most popular eatery for three towns, while Sora and Riku's bakery was a close second. Lexaus's book store was doing well, now that he had expanded into the shop next to him. Luxord was proposing a casino to Xemnas, Vexen a budget raise for the local hospital. Fuu had done her wish and was the magic shop that Lexaus shared a missing wall with, while Aireth and the kids lived a bit more comfortable with all the bills paid. Axel and Roxas still worked at the bakery, but they were building plans for a small skate park near the playground that they planned to show Xemnas within the next couple of weeks. And thanks to 'organization 13' there hadn't been any new gangs rising up to take Seifer's place. Oh, and let's not forget the 'sons' of Marluxia's shop. Demyx and Zexion were going as strong as ever, with Zexion fully moved in with Demyx and Naminé, Demyx half way through his last year of high school and both boys sharing ownership of the flower shop.

Now, after you walk past the sign and through the door, you may notice one of two things. One, the room looked the same as before with the roses and the counter. Two, all the customers were going in and out the back door. If you entered the door yourself, you'd see why. There was a large green house in the back with dozens of plants in every direction. It was a collective gift to the boys for thanksgiving. Zexion absolutely loved it. And that was where he was, watering the plants with a fine mist from the hose as customers roamed the isles.

It was Demyx's turn to run the front desk, so Zexion didn't expect two hands grab his hips from behind. He turned, hitting the blonde with the water as he looked up. "What are you doing?"

Demyx turned the hose off before he became entirely soaked and smiled down at his boyfriend. "I thought I'd come and say hi."

Zexion shook his head while returning to his work, a grin twitching his lips. "You said hi five minutes ago. Don't you think you should be up front?"

Demyx rested his chin on Zexion's shoulder and purred, a talent he discovered while having a head cold last month. "But I thought you'd be lonely."

Zexion gently pushed Demyx toward the door. "Go back to your job, Demyx."

Demyx pouted but did as he was told, stopping just before the door and glancing behind his shoulders. "Sorry, Fuu, He doesn't want to see you todaaaaaaay."

Zexion looked at the stupid smile on his lover's face and aimed the hose at him. "I am going to soak you, Demyx."

Demyx registered the threat and ran into the front room, quickly hiding behind Fuu. "Hide me!"

The other customers were use to such antics, some even finding it cute how playful Demyx was at work, so they didn't pay much attention to him as he hid behind the small girl.

Zexion came out with no hose in hand and walked to his sister with a smile. "Hello, Fuu." HE took the ten heavy books in her arms and set them on the counter, ignoring Demyx for the time being. "How's the shop?"

Fuu sat on the stool behind the counter and rested her elbow in front of her. "Fine. Not many locals but people from other towns pop I every now and then. I suppose it's to be expected, what with Christmas coming soon."

Zexion nodded, ignoring the body behind him and focusing on the books in front of him. "What are these?"

"Sora said he wanted to try a new angle for his cupcakes, so he asked if he could borrow some of the shop's books. I just stopped by here to say hi before delivering them to the bakery."

Demyx rubbed the wet spot on his jeans. "What angle would that be? Love potion cupcakes?"

"Who knows, but I made sure the books don't have anything that could backfire on the poor kid. Remember Halloween?" Fuu asked.

Last Halloween Sora had tried to use one of the spells from Fuu's shop and had turned his tongue green for a week. No one could figure out how he did it, or how to get rid of it. But for some reason, once he sneezed because of a black feather going up his nose, everything was back to normal. Fuu wrote it down and filed it for later needs.

"I'll have Riku watch him closely." Zexion said offhandedly.

Demyx saw a woman waiting patiently to check out and offered to help her. He rung up the flowers and gave her her change back. "Be careful out there, it's supposed to snow tonight."

The woman smiled and thanked him before going out into the early December afternoon.

Fuu piled the books back into her arms and headed for the door. "Be careful tonight, guys. The storm we're supposed to get might knock the power out."

"We'll be all right. Naminé has a fireplace if we need it." Demyx held the door open for her and waved goodbye before returning to Zexion. "Do you think we'll lose power?"

Zexion shrugged, making his way back to the back room. "I hope you have those cards done, Demyx."

The blonde froze in what he was doing and looked with dread at the cards on the counter that were suppose to have the message certain flowers gave. He only had the first one done. "Yeah, I got them done…mostly."

Zexion paused at the door knowing full well he didn't. "Okay, just make sure they're done before we close." He walked into the back room and pretended he didn't just horrify his boyfriend. Zexion loved Demyx, really he did, but he made it too easy sometimes.

Demyx rushed to the counter and began to write faster than he's ever written before-not even English class with Mr. Leonheart's notes flying by could compare with this.

Bougainvillea: Elegance

Bridal Wreath: Happiness

Calla Lily: Female beauty

Columbine: Determined to succeed

Cosmos: May I have the next dance?

Cowslips: Divine beauty

Daisy: Innocence

Dianthus: Make haste

Dock: Patience

Fuchsia: Humble love

Gerbera: Beauty

Hyacinth: Sorrow

Ivy: Marriage

Lady's Mantle: Comfort, protection

Lilac: First love

Lily: Purity

Mint: Virtue

Pansy: You occupy my thoughts

Pinks: Fascination

Queen Anne's Lace: Fantasy

Red Currant: You please me

Red Rose: Love

Violet: Fidelity

Demyx set the pen down and relaxed…until he felt a pair of dark indigo eyes on him. Sheepishly looking over to the back door he saw Zexion with an amused smile on his pale face. "Am I still in trouble?"

Zexion began to walk over and took the cards into his hands, examining them for quality. "Depends." As he read through them, he had to hand it to Demyx-even when writing as fast as he can his handwriting stays nice and neat, not rushed like other people. "I guess not but next time, don't put it off so much. After all, these were your idea." Zexion said putting the cards down. His cheek was assaulted as his neck was pulled into Demyx. "H-hey! Let go!"

Demyx did as he was told, but placed another kiss, this time on the smaller's forehead. "I promise I'll do better next time, promise."

Zexion sighed at the childish antics, wiping at his face with the back of his hand. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't do that anymore."

The last customer came over with an armful of roses and Queen Anne's lace, smiling sweetly at the boys. "You two are very cute together, you know."

Zexion blushed as Demyx told her the price with a big, goofy grin. "Thank you, ma'am."

She pushed her change back to Demyx. "Keep it, as a tip from me." And with that she took her flowers and headed out.

Demyx looked down at the three dollars and decided to put it in the donation jar that was in every store. It was for the hospital and the kids who wouldn't get much for Christmas while in there. "She was awfully nice, I liked her."

Zexion nodded while setting the thermostat in the green house and shutting those lights off. "Hurry up so we can get out of here, I hate walking to the bakery in this weather." In truth Zexion hated all cold weather no matter what. It had no good points to it other than being a bother. And because Demyx still didn't have a car, they had been getting rides from Axel and paying for gas every now and then. Demyx quickly finished up and shut the lights off, getting both their coats and scarves. Zexion slipped on his dark blue overcoat and the blue striped scarf Naminé had made him while fishing in the pockets for the keys. Demyx put on a light blue, really thick hoody and his light blue and white striped scarf the kind and loving landlady made for him.

"Hey, Zexion, I could keep you warm if you want. Though I don't think you will." Demyx was the first to step out into the nippy air and blew a cloud of air around his head.

Zexion shut the door and began locking it. "Oh?"

"PDA. Remember?" Demyx rubbed his newly gloved hands together trying to create friction. He Knew Zexion hated Public Displays of Affection, and he tried not to go against it, but it was hard. Especially when Zexion pouted and he just wanted to bend down and kiss those lips…because they were in the perfect position to be kissed, and it was a shame that they were left alone so often. "But, you know, if you don't mind…"

Zexion put the keys back in the pocket and turned to find Demyx blowing into the air, obviously happy that he could see his breath, for whatever reason. PDA had never been his thing, and he tried to be stern about it, but as of late he was finding it harder and harder to mind the random kisses or hugs from every which direction. Reaching out, he deftly took Demyx's hand, laced their fingers, and led the way down the darkening street to the bakery.

Behind him, Demyx smiled surprised and tightened his grip just a fraction. Perfectly content. He was perfectly content at this point. "I love you."

Zexion mumbled something, but the fact that the scarf was over his mouth and that he was in front made it hard to hear. "Huh?"

Zexion said it again, this time turning his head to Demyx. "I still can't understand you." He complained, stopping. Reaching out with his free hand he pulled the scarf away from Zexion's face and leaned in so he could hear better. "Say it again."

Zexion reached up and kissed him, mumbling against his lips "I love you too." And then pulled away, replacing his scarf. He began walking again, tugging Demyx behind him until, finally, they reached the bakery and a waiting red head.

Axel waved them over as they crossed the street and then continued holding Roxas to him for shared body heat. "What took you so long?"

"Zexion was mumbling." Demyx explained going in for a group hug, squishing Roxas between him and Axel, a new pass time the two older boys enjoyed every now and then. "How was work?"

"Roxas here burnt his tongue and wrist on the new hot chocolate. He'll be okay, just can't taste much at this point." Axel looked down at his love and caught him pouting. "Aw, it's not that bad, Roxy. I'm sure I can kiss it better anyway."

Roxas hid his blush in Axel's chest as he hugged his waist tighter. He still got embarrassed by Axel's bluntness about them, so blushed at least once a day. Normally he would say something back, but his tongue hurt and he was cold, so he didn't feel up to it. He instead let go of Axel, looped arms with Zexion and headed for the back of the shop where the car was waiting. He and Zexion got in the back and waited for the other two to come as well. While waiting, Zexion turned to him.

"Have you got the tickets yet?"

"Yeb. Wight ere." Roxas patted his left pocket. "I'll keep em in my woom phor now." He checked to see if the others had showed around the corner yet. "An ou?"

Zexion nodded. "I'm arranging it now, so we can grab it before Christmas."

What were they planning? Roxas was helping Zexion get Demyx's Christmas present, and vice versa. They two had formed the plan over Thanksgiving, and so far had kept it from the other two.

Finally Axel and Demyx climbed into the front seats and Axel started the car, turning the heat on high and blasting it at them. "Any stops or is it right to your guys' place?"

"Straight home, please. I want to get some heat going before we lose power tonight." Zexion unbuttoned the first three on his jacket (it got hot quickly in Axel's car) and leaned forward to Demyx. "What are we planning for dinner?"

"Something warm."

"No, I thought ice cream and popsicles." Was his sarcastic reply.

Demyx rolled his eyes and thought of what they had in the kitchen. "I could make spaghetti."

"Mmmm, now that sounds good. Don't it, Roxy?" Axel asked in the rear view mirror. Roxas nodded back.

"We don't have any sauce." Zexion pointed out. "We used the last of it Friday, remember?"

Demyx thought again of what they had. "Well then how about baked chicken?"

"We had chicken last night."

"Hamburgers?"

"Out."

"Well, then you pick something!" Demyx gave up and crossed his arms.

Zexion leaned back in his seat and grinned, secretly completing his task. "I'll make baked macaroni, how's that sound?" He knew it was one of Demyx's favorites, and that they hadn't had it in a while.

"You did that on purpose." Demyx said turning around and mock glaring at his boyfriend. "Schemer."

Zexion's smug grin staid right where it was. "But you still love me, right?"

Demyx turned back around and re-crossed his arms. "Right."

Roxas smiled at their goofing around and wondered if he and Axel were like that. "So ow isth Namineh?"

"Fine, I think. She's been working hard on the art she's sending in to the gallery." Demyx remembered the landlady forgetting to ask for rent last week. "We check on her, make sure she sleeps and stuff."

"Is Aireth helping her?" Axel asked of their art teacher who, if you remember, is Naminé's aunt.

"Trying, but the little thing wants to do most of it herself." Demyx said as they pulled into their driveway. It had just begun to lightly snow, and the clouds coming to them from the north east were dark, a promise of the storm to come. He and Zexion climbed out and said their goodbyes before heading in to their slightly chilly apartment.

Zexion took his coat off and hung it on the peg on the wall, turning and finding himself trapped against Demyx. He looked up at bright green and a part of him just wanted to melt…to just let his body relax into the arms that were holding him. "I need to start dinner."

Demyx tugged his scarf off and let it fall to the floor as he bent down and pressed a kiss to Zexion's cool forehead. "Can it wait a little bit more?" It was a plead that Zexion not pull away, and he nuzzled into the slate hair beneath him hoping he wouldn't.

Now he was close to just giving up and staying, but that annoying little nag in the back of his head told him that he had to get things done. "I'm sorry, but I have to start the food." He gently pulled away and headed to the kitchen, hearing the small sigh behind him.

Damn, he was close. He could see it, he was close this time, but something in his mind made Zexion leave. By Christmas I am going to beat whatever his holding him back, I swear by all that is music! Now…how to do it? His current approach was making the most progress, so why change a good thing? He took off his hoody, picked up his scarf and put them and his boots on his peg and the space underneath it. He then trudged to the living room, flopping down on the couch and laying down on his back. He heard the clatter of a pot and the ingredients that Zexion would need to start the food, water filling the pot, the stove being lit, and…nothing? Usually there was more to it than that. He looked up just in time to catch Zexion as he lay on top of him, head resting on his shoulder. "What the?"

"You wanted me here, right?" Zexion asked lifting his head so they were nose to nose.

Demyx smiled and wrapped his arms around Zexion's thin body, holding him tight as he relaxed into the couch. "Always."

Zexion rested his head down again and, dare he say it, snuggled into Demyx's neck, finding it very pleasant. "I have to get up to check on the water soon."

"Yeah, but not right now." Demyx turned his head so Zexion's hair was under his chin. Mine.