Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy or any of their characters.
Wanted, Yet Unwanted
Chapter One
The constant beeping of an alarm clock resounded throughout Demyx's bedroom at exactly 6:30 am. He groaned and rolled over hitting the sleep button, effectively shutting the thing up. He threw the blankets off and got up, stumbling over to his dresser. After grabbing the needed clothing, Demyx made his way to the bathroom for his morning shower.
Yes, today was the first day of school for Demyx. He had just moved to Twilight Town a week ago, along with his older cousin Marluxia. Marluxia wanted to live closer to his school so he wouldn't have to drive for so long in the mornings and afternoons. The blond didn't blame him. But, the short fall break had come to an end yesterday, and it was time for Demyx to finally begin going to his new school.
Demyx finished his shower not too long later and stepped in front of the mirror, after getting dressed, to gel his hair up into his usual hairstyle. He slipped on his shoes and grabbed his backpack on the way out of his bedroom. Marluxia was already up and leaning against the kitchen counter in their little apartment waiting for his toast to pop up out of the toaster when Demyx came in.
"Look who's finally up. Not looking forward to school today?" Marluxia asked, buttering his now cooked toast and taking a bite.
Demyx grudgingly sat down at their small kitchen table. "It's too early for school." He replied, putting his head down.
Marluxia swallowed. "Any time before eleven or twelve is too early for you, Dem."
The pink haired teen finished his toast while Demyx continued to keep his head down. Marluxia grabbed his keys from the counter. "We should get going."
"I don't wanna go to school." Demyx whined kicking his feet.
"Stop acting like a child and come on." The blond sighed and pouted, following his cousin out to the car. He sat his bag down by his feet in the floor once they were in the vehicle, and Marluxia started the engine pulling out of the parking lot.
"Axel texted me," The oldest started when they were on the road, "he asked if I would pick him up."
Demyx looked confused. "Doesn't he have a car?"
Marluxia nodded. "Yeah. Before Reno graduated, he would normally take him to school. Axel could also take his mom's car if he wanted, but just last week he totaled the car. So, now he doesn't have a way to school." Demyx gave a small 'oh'.
Then he frowned. "I haven't seen Axel in a while. Last time I saw him was after-" Demyx suddenly stopped, and got very quiet remembering what had occurred about a year ago; though it didn't seem that long at all. Marluxia didn't say anything; he knew what the other was thinking about, and he knew that it hurt to think about it again.
He directed his attention from the road for a few seconds and placed a hand atop the blond's shoulder. "It's okay, Demyx." After a moment of silence, he pulled his hand back resting it on the steering wheel.
"I know." Demyx said quietly and sniffed. He decided to look out the window instead.
The rest of the ride to their friend's house remained quiet. Demyx was silent all but a few sniffs here and there, and usually, Marluxia would have loved the silence. This though, was practically driving him insane; he hated it when Demyx got like this. He just hoped that Demyx would be able to accept it soon and act like himself again.
When arriving at their long time friend's place, Marluxia honked the horn. Seconds later, Axel was out of his house and locking it before waving at the pink haired teen. He returned it and glanced at Demyx who had curled up in the seat, still staring out of the window.
Axel jumped in the back seat grinning. "Hey, I haven't talked to you in a while, Dem."
Demyx seemed to have snapped out of his trance for a moment and turned to the redhead offering a small smile. "Yeah..."
Axel was about to ask what was wrong when the other companion of the car spoke up. "You wouldn't mind showing Demyx around today, would you Axel?" Marluxia asked.
The redhead leaned forward. "Sure wouldn't, I'd do anything for my little Demyx." He responded, smirking. The blond's jaw dropped, and Axel put a finger under his chin pushing it back up. "You shouldn't leave your mouth open like that Demy, it's rude."
Axel rubbed his thumb over Demyx's cheek softly, to which Demyx smacked his hand away, and the other laughed. Demyx scoffed. "You never change."
"Never have, never will." He stated proudly.
Marluxia chuckled. "Poor Roxas. You have to give that kid some credit though. Putting up with you is a job all in its self."
Axel gasped, putting a hand over his heart. "I'll have you know, my Roxy loves me! He wouldn't make it a job just to be around me."
"Oh, really now?"
"Yeah!"
Demyx smiled at the other two's antics. Axel always seemed to cheer him up. In fact, he had this aura around him that made almost anyone happy. Almost anyone. His own cousin Vexen was very cold and distant to anybody besides Marluxia, and sometimes Axel, when he wasn't being annoying. There was also Leon, but he didn't really count, Demyx decided. That guy had never been happy around anyone his entire life.
"Hey, have you heard from Vexen lately?" The redhead, just now remembering about his cousin, asked. He knew that Marluxia and he were pretty close, so maybe he had talked to him. Vexen hadn't been talking to many people lately; although he never really did anyway, but he had been acting strange. Axel, admittedly, was worried for him, even if he didn't show too much care for him on a regular basis.
It's not like it was a bad thing for Axel to not like his cousin, but when the feeling was mutual between them, he found it hard to actually be able to show kindness to his cousin most of the time. Granted they got along sometimes, and if Axel needed a ride or something he could count on Vexen, but the two weren't exactly on great terms with each other, and Axel found that he didn't really know why.
That aside though, he was kind of wondering where the guy had disappeared off to. Whether it be he actually disappeared or just wasn't in the right state of mind at the moment, he figured Marluxia would be able to answer him.
The aforementioned person nodded, focusing on the road again. "Sure have. In fact, he called the other night, and we talked for a while. That is, basically catching up on things, and Vexen told me some of the reoccurring events in his life as of lately, as he so called put it. I think there's something wrong with your cousin, Ax. He's seems different."
Axel sighed and fell back in the seat. Demyx looked between the two confusingly. "I know, but you know how he and I are. The guy hasn't been socializing with anyone lately. From what I heard from Reno, he's just been locking himself up in his house; except when he has to leave for school, but even then people said that he was ignoring everyone. I just don't understand him sometimes."
Marluxia thought for a moment. "You know, Ax. I could try and talk to him today, he would at least talk to me, and if not, then I'll just find a way to make him. Simple as that. Then, I can find out what's wrong with the guy." Axel beamed from the back seat.
"I may hate the guy, but that doesn't stop me from actually worrying about him every once in a while. Think you can do it?"
"Yep, just you wait. By the end of the day, I'll know what's wrong." They pulled into the student parking lot outside of school, and Axel waved Marluxia off before dragging Demyx in another part of the school.
They walked down the hallway passing random students as they went. Axel directed him to the front office where he could get his schedule. The redhead walked up to the counter and tapped it to catch the secretary's attention.
She looked up at him through her glasses, staring at him blankly. Axel smirked. "I have a new student here. Name's Demyx. A junior."
And so, Demyx and Axel were walking back down the hallway they came from about five minutes later, this time Demyx carrying his schedule. Axel snatched the piece of paper from the blond, and Demyx frowned reaching for it. "Give it back!"
Axel pulled it out of his reach trying to look at it. "Axel!"
"Calm down, Dem! I'm just trying to see something." Demyx stopped and crossed his arms pouting. "Here." He handed it back to the pouting student, continuing down the hallway again, with Demyx following. "We have a few classes together, and lunch. After we stop at your locker, I'll show you your first class."
"Fine." The teen sighed. "This sucks. I don't want to start all over at a new school. What's the point anyway? I just want to go back to my old school, with my old friends."
Axel quickened his pace, faintly listening to Demyx ramble on and on about how stupid this school was, and how he just wanted to go back to his old life. He grabbed the blond's wrist pulling him to a set of gray lockers. Demyx yelped when he was dragged the rest of the way to his locker by an annoyed redhead.
"This is it, right?" Emerald eyes stared at Demyx, the owner's patience wearing thin.
Demyx checked his schedule where it also stated his locker number. Then, he checked the number on the locker and nodded, handing the redhead his schedule. Axel entered the combination from the paper and opened the locker. He looked back at Demyx now smirking. "All yours."
The blond grabbed a notebook and pencil from his backpack, and threw it in the locker slamming the metallic door shut. "Alright, now where am I supposed to go?"
"This way." Axel started down the hallway again, taking Demyx to his destination. "Your first class is biology. That's practically on the other side of school, so memorize the way cause I'm not showing you every time." The other flashed him another smirk, leading them down another hallway filled with lockers.
"I have to meet Riku in a bit so, I guess you can wait in the classroom until everyone gets there. I mean, I hate to leave you, but Riku will- hey are you even listening to me?" Axel stopped, looking over at Demyx who had halted in his tracks. The blond watched a student approaching them. They seemed to have not noticed the other two as they walked right past them, staring at the page of an open book in front of their face.
Demyx stared at the retreating back, and watched as the person turned a corner, disappearing from sight. "Who was that?" He asked pointing down the hallway.
Axel furrowed his brows. "You mean that emo looking kid? I think his name is Zexion; who cares? I have to find Riku. Come on, lets get going." Demyx tore his eyes from the empty hallway, following Axel again.
After showing Demyx to his Biology class, Axel left to find Riku; whoever that was, Demyx thought. He sighed and stepped into the classroom. So, what was he supposed to do now?
"Ahem." Someone cleared their throat from behind him. Demyx spun around, only to came face to face with a rather older man standing in the doorway. The man was very tan; he had long white hair, and such piercing yellow amber eyes. Demyx unconsciously took a step back and gulped.
Whoever this man was, he was very intimidating, that's for sure. The way he just looked at Demyx sent shivers up his spine. He side stepped Demyx, and slowly, but deliberately, walked toward the desk at the front of the room.
The few students in the room didn't seem fazed by this man, but they were staring curiously at Demyx. The man turned his head slightly, glancing at Demyx before continuing to the leather desk chair behind the desk. He sat, moving some papers around, then looked back up at Demyx, and folded his hands on the desk before him.
"You must be the new student. I have not seen you around here before." The man's voice was deep, huskily almost. Demyx just gave him a slight nod, not trusting his voice at a time like this. The white haired male sighed and plucked a pen from the cylinder holder on the desk, directing his attention to some papers while speaking.
"Take a seat in the back. The last seat in the second to last row. By the way," He looked at Demyx again, hardening his gaze, and speaking almost in monotone. "when speaking to me, address me by Ansem, nothing else. " Demyx nodded once more and hastily took his seat in the back.
He let out a sigh of relief, opening the notebook he had brought with him to class. Grabbing a pencil he had with him, he decided to just doodle until class started.
–
After they had parted, Marluxia found himself walking down a corridor to the chemistry labs. He was searching for a certain someone, and he had a feeling that they would be there. The pink haired male sighed as he neared the last classroom.
'What could be wrong now, Vexen...?'
Marluxia shook his head and looked through the little glass window on the door, immediately spotting the blond. Vexen seemed to be tinkering with some kind of liquids in test tubes. Marluxia watched as Vexen concentrated on pouring the right amount of liquid into a beaker before he moved around and across the table to another set of test tubes.
He never really understood why Vexen was so interested in chemistry. The other male was always so precise and handled everything with such delicacy. He dropped the wall he usually built up around him when around others, and fully focused on the experiments in front of him. Vexen never had a care in the world when he was surrounded by the world of chemistry, you could say.
Marluxia gently took hold of the door knob and turned it silently, stepping into the room. The door made a soft clicking noise as he shut it behind him, and Vexen stiffened slightly at hearing the sound. The other tilted his head slightly looking at the blond. "Vexen...?"
Vexen swiftly turned his head to Marluxia in slight surprise, and carefully placed the beaker down he was holding onto the table before him. Marluxia chuckled, walking over to the other, placing his hands down on the table, and slouching forward a bit. "So, you're still messing around with this stuff?" Marluxia lifted an eyebrow and pointed at all of the equipment on the table.
Vexen crossed his arms. "Of course. What else would I be doing in a chemistry classroom?"
"Heh." Marluxia smirked. Throwing his head back, he let out a breath blowing his hair up a little. When he looked at Vexen again, his face showed concern and seriousness. "Are you okay?"
The blond just gave a confused look. "What?" He furrowed his brows and let his arms fall to his sides.
Marluxia straightened, no longer leaning on the table. "Well... it's just that you seem, I don't know, different lately, I guess. Axel said you haven't been very social either. Just...well is there something wrong?"
He shook his head, his hair swaying with the movement. "What makes you and Axel so sure that there's something wrong? I've never been social, and I wasn't aware that I was acting different."
"What about the other day? You know when we talked on the phone? It sounded like something was on your mind, something you're not telling me." Marluxia took a step forward, crossing his own arms this time.
"It was a simple conversation over the phone, I don't have any problems." He stated while walking over to the storage closet. Marluxia followed and stood behind him as he searched through the closet for something.
The pink haired male frowned. "Then, what would you say was causing the way you've been acting lately? C'mon, if there's something that's wrong, you know you can always tell me, right? I'll listen, and maybe I can help you with it..." Vexen grabbed a pair of safety goggles from the top shelf and turned around to face Marluxia.
"Have you ever considered the fact that if I do have a problem, that maybe I can't tell you for some reason?"
"And why wouldn't you tell me? Does that mean there really is a problem?" He asked curiously.
Vexen just closed the storage door and walked back over to the table littered with test tubes and other various objects. "Nevermind." He simply pulled some more supplies out from a drawer in the table, ignoring Marluxia.
Said person sighed and approached his friend. "No; Vexen you've never been like this before, even if you can't see it, I can. There's something that's bugging you and it would be best to just talk about it." He lifted a hand and sat it atop the others shoulder. He could feel Vexen tense from the contact and that made him a bit curious, but he continued nonetheless. "It isn't good to keep it bottled up, it's not good for your health. I think that you should at least tell someone, it doesn't have to be me."
Vexen stared down at the table top, avoiding the others eyes. "If you just came here to pester me about something that shouldn't have you concerned, then you're wasting your time, not to mention mine also. I've got something to finish, if you don't mind."
Marluxia sighed once more, removing his hand. "Alright. Well, I tried, I guess. I'll just talk to you later." He turned to the door and opened it, but not before giving a small goodbye. Vexen dropped the safety goggles down on the desk, leaning back against the wall.
"He just doesn't get it." He murmured. His experiments could wait until later, his mind was already clouded by different thoughts.
–
"Zexion." The mentioned teen calmly raised a hand to acknowledge that he was, in fact, here today. Ansem nodded and continued taking attendance for the rest of the class. Demyx looked up from his doodling when Ansem uttered that name; it was a really unusual name, not to mention familiar. He glanced to his left and his eyes widened slightly when he noticed that it was the student he had seen earlier in the hallway with Axel.
Oh, yeah, that was his name! The one Axel had dubbed as 'that emo looking kid'. Well, that certainly wasn't nice; Demyx thought this Zexion guy looked interesting. From that astounding lilac colored hair to the converses he wore on his feet. Yep, this person definitely peaked Demyx's interest.
Although, then again, he didn't look too interesting from other's point of views. He was just an outcast, someone who always remained quiet and kept to himself all the time. He also seemed really intrigued with books, from the way he was constantly seen carrying one.
Demyx continued to stare and Zexion could certainly feel the other staring at him, he just ignored it though. Had the person never seen someone like him before? Apparently not, since he never directed his gaze away, until Ansem caught him.
The rest of the period consisted of Ansem starting a new lesson, just boring things really. Demyx had left biology when the bell rang. He ran into Axel again in his third class, and now they were headed in the direction of the cafeteria for lunch.
"So Dem, have you made any friends yet?" Axel asked as they approached the Cafeteria.
Demyx put a finger to his chin and thought. "Well, I talked to this one guy. I think his name was Xigbar? Yeah, he was cool. Oh! You know the guy we saw earlier in the hallway?" He asked grinning.
Axel frowned for a minute before be perked up. "Are you talking about that Zexion kid?" Demyx nodded.
"Yeah, he's in my biology class and I sit right next to him! I thought his name was familiar when Ansem was calling out names, so I looked over and there he was! I didn't talk to him though, maybe I can try later." Demyx looked down pondering that, and nodded to himself.
Axel chuckled. "I honestly don't know why you insist to get to know that guy." They arrived at the cafeteria and Axel directed them to a table.
"I think he's interesting, and besides, he looks like he needs a friend. Do you know if he has any friends?" He asked.
"Nah, I don't think he does. I've never seen him talk to anybody before, let alone hang out with someone." The two approached the table that was surrounded by a few other students and Demyx recognized that Roxas kid Axel always hung out with. Axel grinned at the others and sat down next to Roxas, throwing an arm around the boy's shoulders.
"Hey everybody, this is Demyx. He's new and one of my long time friends! You remember him, right Rox?" Demyx sat down next to Axel and Roxas looked over at him then nodded.
"Axel's said a lot about you." Roxas gave a slight smile to Demyx.
Axel gestured to the others sitting at the able. "Dem, this is Sora, Roxas' brother; Riku, Sora's boyfriend; Kairi; and Naminé." He pointed at each person as he stated their names. Demyx grinned at them and waved.
"It's nice to meet you all!" Sora, Kairi, and Naminé all grinned back at him, while Riku just smirked.
Sora, who was sitting across from Demyx, smiled brightly. "So, did you move to Twilight Town or something?"
"Yeah, I use to live in Hallow Bastion before I moved in with my cousin, Marluxia!" Demyx replied equally enthusiastic.
"So, you're related to Marluxia?" A voice asked and Demyx looked over at the person, that person being Riku. Demyx nodded and Riku smirked. "He's a strange person." Was all Riku said.
Axel and Demyx laughed. "Who's strange?" The two friends stopped and looked up at the grinning face of Marluxia.
"Marly!" Demyx exclaimed.
Marluxia chuckled. "Hey there Dem, you doing all right for your first day?"
"Dem's been fine. Did you talk to Vexen?" Axel asked.
Marluxia took a seat next to Demyx and sighed. "I did this morning, but he insisted that nothing was wrong. He said that if there was a problem, that maybe he couldn't tell me for some reason, so I think something's bugging him. I told him he could tell me and he said that he needed to finish his work, so, I left. I didn't get much out of him, other than the fact that there really is a problem."
"Huh. Knowing Vexen, it's kind of hard to tell what's up with him." Axel stole a fry from Roxas' tray and popped it into his mouth. "You know, we could just be over thinking this a little. Maybe, it's just nothing, or maybe, there really isn't anything wrong."
Marluxia shook his head. "No; something's up, and I'll find out what it is. I'm going to find him after school."
"Why not now?" Sora asked.
"He's probably working on some experiment right now, it's best not to bother him. Especially if I don't want him to eventually hate me." The pink haired male sighed again, resting his chin in the palm of his hand.
Axel gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry Marly, he won't hate you. I'm sure he'll say something sooner or later."
"I doubt it."
"Okay, maybe not, but stop looking so glum, it's bad for your health." Marluxia lifted his brows.
"Oh, really?"
The redhead nodded. "Yep, someone like you, shouldn't look so gloomy; it doesn't suit you."
"So cheer up!" Demyx grinned at his cousin.
Marluxia smiled. "Thanks guys. I'll catch you around later." He stood up and gave a small wave, before exiting the cafeteria.
–
When the last bell of the school day rang, Marluxia found himself racing through the hallways, out into the student parking lot. He was going to catch Vexen before he left! He spotted the blond teen calmly walking to his car and called out to him to get his attention. "Vexen!"
Vexen paused in his steps to see the person who had called out his name. He saw Marluxia jogging to catch up to him and he sighed. If this was about earlier, then he wasn't going to talk about it. The other male gave him a warm smile when he caught up. "Hey."
"What is it that you want now?" He asked once they were walking side-by-side to his car.
Marluxia adjusted the strap to his bag on his shoulder before speaking. "I want to say something about earlier." Vexen's eyes narrowed and he stopped next to his car. He opened his mouth to object, but was abruptly cut off. "Listen, I know you don't want to talk about it, whatever it is, but just hear me out, okay?"
The blond stayed silent, so Marluxia took that as a sign to continue. "I just wanted to say that whatever is troubling you, that you can always come to me about it. I'll always be here to listen." Vexen looked down at his shoes, rather than making eye contact, but obviously, Marluxia didn't want that. The male tilted his face up to look at him and smiled. "I just want my friend to be happy, that's all. Think about it, and if you have any troubles remember that you can always talk to me about it."
Vexen averted his eyes from the teen before him. Marluxia smiled sadly. He didn't like that Vexen wouldn't or rather couldn't tell him what was wrong. Whatever it was, it was really getting to his friend, and he was tired of seeing Vexen this way. He decided to just drop it though, that would probably be better now anyway, they could always talk later.
"Demyx and Axel should be out soon, so I'll catch you later. You can call me or something, I'll be home tonight." The other soon walked off to his own car after that, leaving Vexen to just stand there for a moment before he came to his senses and got into his car.
This was stupid really. Getting upset and ignoring everyone, making them worry, especially Marluxia. He'd just try and ignore everything going on inside of his head, instead of the people who cared about him. He wouldn't bother Marluxia with it either, the guy already was going through with the accident involving his aunt and uncle, and he was also taking care of Demyx too. He didn't need another burden on his shoulders.
Vexen sighed and started his car, pulling out of the school parking lot. He needed to get home to finish his work, not to worry about these little problems of his. Once he was on the road, he contemplated that offer of Marluxia's about calling him later, then decided against it. Marluxia had his own life to worry about, not Vexen's.