A/N: This one's for Mizu, who requested a Zemyx. She's the one whose been with me since the very beginning, whose reviews I always greatly look forward to reading, and whose brain I would one day very much like to pick. Thanks, Love.

Disclaimer: I always try to come up with creative ways to do this, and I always fail. I don't know why I continue to try. So, I don't own it, I have no rights, blah-blah-blah.

Warning: Yaoi (rhymes with 'Owie'), and most likely language.

Chapter 1

For every thing that resides on Earth, there is a god. Whether it be something large and noteworthy or something seemingly insignificant, there was a god to make decisions over it. Humans dedicate time and labor towards pleasing these gods, in hopes of getting what they desire. If the gods are pleased with the gifts and festivals thrown in their honor, then they grant what is asked of them. If they were not…well, suffice to say, things could go downhill for the mortals very quickly.

One god in particular was a rather vain fellow. If one thing went against his wishes, he had no qualms about punishing everyone. No regrets if he killed an entire family, or even an entire village. His name was Marluxia, and he was the god of the harvest. He was also Demyx's father.

Demyx wasn't a person of any real consequence. Sure, he was technically a god, but he didn't have any sort of powers, as far as he knew. Despite this, his father seemed to see him as something special. He was either extremely over-protective or extremely controlling, but Marluxia liked to keep Demyx nearby. They lived in their own little paradise, just the two of them amongst the plant and wildlife.

For the most part, Demyx was content. After all, he'd never known anything else. How could he miss what he didn't have? But still, sometimes, lately, he found himself growing restless. When this happened, he took to exploring their own little slice of Nirvana. Marluxia didn't seem to mind that little streak of independence, and Demyx would do anything to fill up that void that sometimes filled his soul.

In the time since this restlessness had seized him, Demyx had come to know the gardens and the surrounding forest like the back of his hand. Every day, he would rise early and leave before the sun rose, eager to explore a little more, find something that he might have overlooked, anything to make one day seem different from the next. Doing the same thing every day for an eternity could easily get tiring.

As time passed, Demyx came to realize that he desired more freedom. This feeling grew until he realized that he was subconsciously making plans of escape. Such thoughts were ridiculous, of course. How was he supposed to get away from the only place he'd ever known? Where would he go?

With no other options, Demyx resigned himself to his life. Day in and day out, he made the gardens his escape, spending countless hours sitting by the small river running through the middle of the grove. He'd often rest his feet in the running stream, lay back, and stare up at the flawless sky. The rushing of water and the sounds of the animals would sing to him like a lullaby, and he'd fall into a slumber, dreaming of what could be, rather then what was.

One day-though Demyx didn't know it yet-all of this changed. It was a morning much like any other, with only one difference. The day was the start of the growing season for the mortals. Thousands upon thousands of people would flood to Marluxia's temples to leave gifts and praises in hopes of earning his favor. Marluxia loved to make things grow, but he would withhold that particular pleasure if the people didn't live up to his expectations.

"Mortals are like stupid children, Demyx," Marluxia had once explained. "They need a strong hand of guidance, and when they make a mistake, they need to be firmly disciplined. It's the only way they'll ever understand."

Demyx hadn't bothered to point out that killing them-Marluxia's favorite form of punishment-would make them unable to learn anything from the derived lesson, let alone act on it. That kind of logic was something Marluxia easily dismissed with a flippant, "Well, they should of thought of that before they became mortals, shouldn't they?" and a wave of the hand. Eventually, Demyx realized that his father was quite out of touch with reality and wrote it off as an avoidable, if not irritating, idiosyncrasy.

That morning, as Marluxia was putting on what he called his 'worship me' clothes, Demyx sat on the other side of the changing screen, lounging on his father's overly large bed.

"So…how long are you going to be gone this time?" Demyx asked, rolling on to his stomach and kicking his feet up in to the air.

"I'm not sure. The festival usually lasts for three days, but it could be longer. It all depends on the mortals, really."

Demyx 'hmmed' thoughtfully, propping his chin on his hands and swinging his feet with a bit more gusto.

"Do you think I could come? I've always wanted to see one of your festivals." Demyx held his breath as he waited for the answer. The room went completely silent for a moment before Marluxia popped his head over the top of the changing screen. To anyone else, he would have looked nonchalant, but Demyx could see the narrowed suspicion in his brown eyes.

"I don't think that's the best idea, Demyx. You'd only be bored, and there is no way I'd be able to keep an eye on you."

"I'm sure I wouldn't be bored," Demyx protested. "And I can keep an eye on myself!"

Marluxia shook his head. "No, I don't think it's a good idea. Mortals most definitely would not be a good influence on you. It's better if you stay here, Demyx. This place is safe."

"I'm immortal," Demyx reminded his father in a last-ditch effort. "What could they possibly do to me?"

"Demyx," Marluxia said, his voice rising to an unnatural boom. Demyx had to fight the urge to roll his eyes at the fact that Marluxia had resorted to the scare tactics used for mortals. "I want you to stay here, and that is final. Do you understand me?"

Demyx huffed, mumbled a confirmation, rolled off the bed, and stomped his way outside, acting as petulantly as possible, knowing that it would annoy Marluxia to no end. Demyx waited close by until Marluxia had left-by way of winged horses and chariot-before he set off toward the grove. He felt better knowing that his father was truly gone. While he wouldn't get to enjoy the festival, he would at least get some time away from Marluxia's ever-watchful eyes.

Demyx flopped down at the edge of the river, looking down in to its rippling surface. The crystal clear water sparkled and reflected the sunlight, looking so beautiful it almost seemed unreal. Demyx let out a wistful sigh, trailing his fingers over the top of the element. The cool water caressed his fingers, and it almost felt like home. His stroke was just enough to alert the water-spirit. He had to fight back a groan as it took form, looking much like a pretty girl.

"Demyx!" it cried happily. "It's so wonderful to see you! I haven't seen you in so long. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were avoiding me!" She flipped her watery locks flirtatiously. Demyx had been avoiding her. He supposed she was nice enough, but he easily grew tired of her flirting.

"Hello Brooke," Demyx greeted, trying to sound cheerful. Apparently, he failed, because her eyes narrowed and she leaned closer to him.

"What's wrong, Demy? You seem upset about something." He hated it when she called him Demy. He didn't mind Dem and he didn't usually mind other nicknames, but Demy bothered him. If she was going to say that much of his name, why leave off the last letter?

"It's nothing, really. Just feeling restless again," Demyx sighed. "I've never been past the grove, and father won't let me do anything. I want to see the world and all the people in it. I'm growing bored with the same old thing everyday."

Brooke recoiled as if stung, crossing her arms over her chest and sniffing daintily. "Well, I hardly think that's very nice. You have me, don't you? Or do I not count because I'm only essence?"

"It's just not the same, Brooke…" Before he could get another word out, she huffed angrily and the image shattered into thousands of water droplets, hitting the surface of the river and disappearing into its depths. Demyx was relieved to see her go, but at the same time, he felt a bit forlorn. Now the only thing he could talk to-and actually get a response from-was mad at him.

He crossed his arms and rested his head on top of them, closing his eyes and trying to hear the lullaby of nature around him. Without the cooperation of the water, however, it just didn't work. He sighed aloud.

"I don't understand why I can't just go out. What could a mortal possibly do to hurt me?"

"He just wants to keep you locked up in here for the rest of eternity. It's not worry, its selfishness. That's exactly Marluxia's tune."

Demyx gasped, jerking his head up to look for the source of the unfamiliar voice. When he saw a man standing close behind him, Demyx scrambled to his feet to face him, heart thumping heavily with surprise.

"Who…who are you?" he asked, managing not to sound as surprised as he felt.

The man stood a few inches taller then Demyx, dressed sharply in a black suit and shirt. His tie was a steel-blue color, the same as his eyes, one of which was hidden behind a curtain of silvery hair. He was quite attractive, true, but there was just something else about him that drew Demyx's attention. He wasn't quite sure what it was, but he felt like he shouldn't fear this stranger. In fact, he wanted to know him. This wasn't too surprising, considering that Demyx had never had much contact with other people.

"I don't mean you any harm," the man spoke, his deep voice taking on a gentle tone. "Really, you don't have to look so scared."

"Who are you?" Demyx asked again, the shake in his voice completely gone.

"I came here for you, Demyx. I came to take you away, if you want to go. I won't force you, of course. But I've known about you for a long time, and I find you fascinating. I've received permission from Xemnas to come collect you, but I only have limited time. It's imperative that you make your decision rather quickly."

Xemnas was the king of the gods. Why had this man gotten special permission from Xemnas himself to come get Demyx? What did this man want with Demyx? Who was he?

"Who are you?" Demyx blurted once more.

Those serious blue eyes caught his and held tight as he spoke. "My name is Zexion."

Demyx's jaw dropped. After a moment, he recovered, blinking rapidly and perhaps a bit stupidly. "Zexion?" he questioned. "Zexion as in…as in the god of the Underworld?"

"The very same," he admitted. Demyx took a stumbled step backwards, forgetting momentarily about the river behind him. He let out a yelp as he fell backwards, landing in the crisp water with a huge splash.

He quickly recovered, swimming back to the surface of the water, pushing his wet hair out of his eyes with one hand and treading water with the other. Zexion offered him a hand, which he took, lugging himself out of the water.

"I don't understand," Demyx insisted. "Why do you want to take me away?" Zexion stared at him incredulously for a moment before leaning forward and pressing a very soft kiss to Demyx's lips.

"I want you to rule beside me," Zexion answered solemnly.

Demyx promptly keeled over, back into the river.

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A/N: Okay, for those of you who haven't figured it out (or don't know Greek mythology) this is a variation of the story of Persephone, set in our modern time. I find mythology fascinating, and this seemed like a fun idea, so here we are. Here's a little cast of characters for you so far. Be aware that I've changed the sex of a lot of the gods. It happens.

Demyx: Persephone

Marluxia: Demeter goddess of the Harvest

Xemnas: Zeus King of the gods

Zexion: Hades god of the dead