New story YAY! well I hope you enjoy and such. Just sayin' it is going to sound smarty and stuff because it's in Zexion's POV the whole time so yeah. Oh and some parts he is bit of a snob but that's just how I see him.
Disclaimer goes here: I don't own kingdom hearts!
Song suggested to listen to: Blink 182: what's my age again?
Chapter 1: a new member and a growing burden
I smelled old leather. It was what I always liked the most about the library. It made me feel safe or maybe at home. I have to say that the smell has to be my favorite even though I'm the only one that can even smell it on account of my sensitive nose. It certainly has to be better than the normal body-odor and chemicals that plague the white walls of this castle. Or even the average smells of the other members of the organization. Which most aren't very pleasant; double the fact if we are all in one room like in our meetings.
The thought of our meetings reminded me that we were supposed to attend one on the occasion of a new member. We are all ordered to attend but few really do. At least not the higher ups like me or the ranks above me, excluding Xemnes himself. I never went in the first place. Reading seemed like a better use of my time but then again I could read through the meeting if I wanted. Thus, coming to the conclusion that I just don't care about any new members.
The new members tended to be ruder. No respect for their elders. They were loud annoying and I think we would do just fine by ourselves. The original six I mean. In addition, the new members had a knack for bothering me when I wanted to be along the most. They seemed to want to know why I'm so quiet and always reading. Not that number two didn't have that covered already.
I say this as if there have been a lot of new members when, gratefully, there have only been two. Three if you count the newest. The first to become an outsider of the original six is a male named Saix, the other, Axel. Saix isn't bad, only when he observes me and the others from afar, which I'm sure our leader told him too, is he a bit off setting. Axel on the other hand bothered me mostly when he first arrived. Mainly because I was the only one to train him but needless to say, now that he no longer needs me to guide him, we dislike each other. I'm not surprised. We had clashing personalities in the first place but now we tend to call each other harsh names or say rude comments when we meet by accident.
All and all, I think I made my point. I just wish the new member to be a bit calmer. Or if nothing else leave me be in with my books. Which brings me back to my current location: The library. There are few books I haven't read at least two times. 'I'll have to make a point to request new ones.' I always say but never really do, knowing if I were request new books I would have to depart with some of the other books to make room. Some of which I have read ten or twelve times simply because I loved the book so. And those I don't think I could ever just throw out, such as the one I have in my hands now.
It's an old one. I think a hundred and fifty years old to be exact. The book is a journal of a boy with schizophrenia and the things he experienced in his time. It's written in latin but that's no problem seeing how I know latin just as well as my first language. That and latin is also a great solution to prying eyes. Not that I would have anything to hide in the books I read; it is only that I do not wish to be hovered over when reading. Or any time for that matter.
Still, I sit in my red velvet chair, reading the words on its tattered pages with a cup of tea. The smells of mint and sugar fill my nose and I start to forget the world around me when I pick up another sent. Cinnamon, spices... and a hint of lavender. Axel. Instantly my slight smile drops and a frown forms on my forehead. I close my book and even before I take off my reading glasses completely the fiery redhead burst through the solid doors. I see him right away with my chair facing the door for just this reason.
"What is your business here, Axel? Can't you see I'm trying to enjoy a book?" I say without emotion as I finish taking off my glasses and lift my head further up.
"Congrats, Zexy! You're going to be a daddy again!" The redhead yelled with glee in his voice. My face knitted in confusion. I had never been a father and was certain I would not be one anytime soon, if ever.
"First of all, do not refer me as 'Zexy'. You know my preferred name; Use it and secondly, from that statement I can only assume that you have finally gone insane. I must say though, I didn't expect it to take this long." I responded dryly, putting my glasses back on and opening my beloved book.
"But Zexy fits so much more!" The redhead exclaimed as he stepped further into my secondary home, "And if you're going to be like that I guess I can just tell the leader that you disobeyed his order to babysit the newbie."
I had to check if he really said what he did. There was no way. I had just trained Axel. It was his turn to train someone, not mine. "But-"
"If you don't believe me, go ask him." Axel looked like he was telling the truth. "You look confused." The fire element let out a sigh, "He's a water element. If I train him, he'll win every fight no problem and Saix is too busy kissing Xemnes's ass so it backtracks to you. Got it memorized."
My confusion was replaced with annoyance. Just my luck, I didn't want to deal with another brat and I get stuck with the new member. If I was a religious man, I would say that God hates me but then it wouldn't solve anything. I let out a sigh; much like the one Axel did only moments ago, and took off my glasses once again. "Where is this one?" I said beginning to get out of my chair.
Before I could fully stand I got scent I had never smelled before in the castle. 'The new member' I said to myself. It was different from most of the other scents. It was a bit more faint but strong at the same time. I got a hint of fresh cut grass and... sand? Ocean water... a small dash of sea life. Then a musky after-smell. The musk told me the new member was male. It was logical that he would smell like ocean water seeing how he was a 'water element' but the other smells confused me a bit. Axel smells like cinnamon because he wears cologne and the lavender/musk is his normal scent but sea life? Where would that come from besides a real ocean? And if it is from an ocean, where would this ocean be because there is certainly none around here.
By the time I come out of my own thoughts, the cloaked male stud in front of me. Hooded up. His hand is outstretched and he towered over me just like the rest of the organization. The only other thing I notice is that from what I can see in his little exposed skin is that he's tan. Then as I outstretched my hand and the scent hits me, tenfold. My nose wrinkles and I cover the lower half of my face. It takes everything for me not to vomit at the overwhelming stench.
Even from his covered face, the male looked confused. Axel, being next to the boy, put his hand on his shoulder and started to explain, "You see here, Zexy has a very sensitive nose. So I suggest scrubbing good unless you want him to yell at you every day and trust me I learned this from experience." The hand gave a comforting pat and the cloaked male looked up to the redhead with what looked to be a pouting face. "Well, he won't yell at you. Maybe mess with your head, but not yell... good luck." And with that Axel proceeded to leave the library, slamming the large wooden door behind himself.
With the two of us alone now, the room was silent and I still clung to my sleeve. My nose still wrinkled and the male's scent still hung in the air. I took a few steps back, almost running into my beloved velvet chair. The male still looked confused and didn't move from his stance, which happen to be his back straight with his hands to his sides. "I suppose I'm responsible for showing you around, am I not?" I said hoping he understood me on account of my voice being a bit muffled. The cloaked figure nodded yes quickly as if to avoid conversation. 'If he stays that simple maybe I'll halfway like this one.' "Ok I'll show you around but first," I said removing my hand from my nose and gagged before I put my hand back in the same place, "Please go take a bath."
I moved to go back in my chair. Just before I set my book in my lap, I noticed the smell get stronger. I looked up to find the boy in front of me, only a step closer and one arm holding the other. I started to put my book back. "You don't know where the showers are, do you?" I asked as I stood up for the second time without reading a whole page. The boy shook his head yes and his area of vision fell to the floor. "There are two choices: You can shower in the public showers or they have a bathroom in your bedroom. Because you're new I'm going to assume the latter is your pick. Not that I blame you." I said walking past the male.
My feet padded softly on the hard marble floor stopping only to open the heavy wooden door. I continued to walk for a few seconds before I noticed there were no footsteps following me. I stopped abruptly and looked behind me. Sure enough, there was no one there. I turned on the ball of my foot and opened the heavy door again to find the boy standing further in the library instead of further from it. He stood near my chair and slowly but carefully picked up the book I had been reading. I walked into the library, my hand going back over my face just as the boy set the book down and picked up my reading glasses. "Please don't break them."
The male spun around to face me again. Seconds later, his head downcast and cautioned again. "And follow me this time." I said through my black mask of clothes and leather gloves. I turned to walk out the door, making sure the male was there.
I didn't question why he didn't do as I told him to the first time. The first few weeks of becoming a Nobody is odd. You barely remember anything, just take orders or take requests. But even then your head is in a daze. Your mind isn't like it's self for the first few hours; it slowly comes back to your original personality but it takes time. I went through this phase with Axel and he was quiet most of the time, thankfully. The only downside is, having to 'babysit' them until they have enough reason to learn to use whatever weapon they get. They don't speak much, if at all. The most I have heard from a new member the first week is two or three words. I would like to believe that it's what the lower Nobodies are like but I can only guess.
I continued to think on the subject until we reached the main hallways of the sleeping quarters. The area was void of any noise aside from footsteps. The reason being that very few members stay in their bedrooms long and if they do, like me, they do not make much racket. The rooms provide little entertainment in the first place. There is no television or radio or anything other than a bed, closet, and bathroom/shower. The walls are white just as the other parts of the castle, even though we have the option of painting it, and the only thing on the doors are our numbers.
As I walk I look on the left side of me to the odd numbers of the organization, with the evens being on the right side. 1,3,5,7,9. I stop at the number 9 and the next second I felt a solid figure run into me from behind. The figure backs away quickly and I turn to see him look downcast again. I could almost hear him say 'sorry' but the words never left his mouth nor did his mouth move. I let it slide without my normal sly comment and moved to open the door labelled '9'.
The door opened with no problem and the constant smell of ocean water was replaced with fresh paint and chemicals. I removed my hand from my mouth without fear this time, knowing if any smell could overpower the new members', it would have to be chemicals and fresh paint. The smell of carpet came as well. I looked down to see that, just like all the other rooms, this one had the fluffy flooring too. I stepped on the new floor and turned to see the male wary of the room. 'He may be a good fighter if he's not scared of everything.' I thought to myself when the male finally did come into the white room.
He walked over to the bed that was pushed to the wall just as everyone else's and looked down to the four sets of uniforms. "You will have to do laundry on the weekends. The other two days of the week you are free to wear what you wish, provided that you can supply those clothes. In other words, if you wish to wear street clothes you have to pay for them yourself although I do highly suggest you do not do as number two who chooses to only wear under garments for those two days." I said with slight disgust of previous memories, "During the week you are required to dress in this uniform. You will also have missions you must participate and that includes going to different worlds to collect hearts from heartless. If you have any further questions, I'm sure they will be answered along the way. If not, wait until you are able to communicate and then ask me or one of the other members. Do you understand?" I finished my speech and headed for the door. I turned back to face the boy just as he nodded yes. "Good. Now, the bathroom is there." I pointed to a door on the left, "The closet, next to it. The water for the shower is self explanatory. Come and find me in the room labelled '6' when you done."
I left before I could get a response. I walked briskly to my own room, not wishing to smell the other members through the solid doors. My feet finally found their way to the room and my hand turned the knob desperately. Within second I my nose was filled with the familiar scent of books and tattered paper. My Lexicon sat on my neatly folded navy blue sheets. The book flew open at my command as I sat down on my bed. I figured I could read, even if I have read the book at least fifteen times, for a good few minutes before I was forced to show the new member around the vast castle. I read over the information I had gathered about the heartless and got all the way to files on the ones I encountered over time before I heard a slight knock on my door. I set the large book back on my folded sheets and forced myself off my inviting bed.
My hand wrapped around the cold brass door knob and I opened the heavy door to find the same cloaked figure. The new member's smell hit me again but this time it was fainter. Not as overpowering. The smell was now more like fresh air with a hint of musk. I took a deep breath, "Much better." I said moving out of the door and into the hallway, locking my door behind me after making sure I had the key. "Let's proceed before I regret following orders so peacefully."
My feet padded softly on the hard floor for the thousandth time today. I looked to my side to see Number 9 walking with me. I thought on what to show to him first. I thought about showing him the meeting room, or the gray area. 'Maybe I'll show him...' I said in my head before I heard a slight groaning noise. It was an odd mix of different sounds, some high pitched and some deeper. I looked over to the new member with a confused look on my face and saw the boy holding his stomach. 'He's hungry.' I thought realizing he was the one making the odd sound. "I guess I will show you the kitchen first then." my voice said as I made a sharp left, towards the place where I would be able to prepare food. The new member took a second to realize I had turned but I soon found him by my side again, him having to run to catch up to me.
As we walked, I smelled some of the other members indicating that if they were not in the kitchen, they had been there not too long ago. Earth, a hint of tree sap, and hints of metal. Lexaeus... Old spice, more musk than normal, and a little sugary smell at the end. Xigbar.
A deeper frown formed on my face at Xigbar's smell. Lexaeus, I didn't mind. We have had conversations of real meaning before. He's the closest thing to a friend that I have in the organization but he is like me and prefers not to be bothered on his down time. The only time we talk is if we are paired for a mission that requires two Nobodies. Xigbar on the other hand, is loud and tends to engage in physical contact knowing that I detest it. He is rude and despite him having these qualities, he is still smart. Which confuses me. From my experience, people that are loud and touchy tend to be... how can I say, stupid. Aside from this, I do not enjoy being touched or having my eardrums put to a test of how much they can handle so in turn, I do not enjoy Xigbar's presence.
We reached the kitchen doors and I pushed the door open to see only Lexaeus. I felt relief wash over me only to have it ripped away when I heard Number two's voice. "ZEXYY!" I felt an arm wrap its way around my neck, pulling me closer to the elder male. I smelled a stronger combination of his scent. I was tempted to hit the male to free myself but it would do no good. His grip would only strengthen and I would only smell more of the male's chest. "I haven't seen you in forever!" He says as he ruffled my hair with his other hand, "You're always hiding with your books! If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were a book!" The grey/black haired male said, removing his hands and moving to the center of the room with Lexaeus.
"Hello, Number two. Number five" I say as I fixed my hair. The new member slowly moved fully into the room, no one taking notice but me.
"Oh come on! We are on a first name bases here." The male said placing his arms outstretched in front of him. "We've only known each other since you were like seven." I frowned. He always used that excuse when I insisted on having a work related relationship only. Nevertheless, it is true, he has known me for an extended time period but I was never too fond of him as I have said before. Which explains my reason for ignoring him and advancing to the refrigerator. I can hear his sigh from behind me as I begin to dig for something to fix.
I decided on making macaroni and cheese with broccoli and chicken. I start to pull out all the ingredients and hear the same groaning noise as the one in the hall. I look over to see the new member holding his stomach again. "Don't worry this doesn't take long to fix and if you don't like it, we have bread, peanut butter and jelly." I told him grabbing a cutting board and gloves.
"I'm impressed. You got Zexy to be a little housewife. I would eat it if I were you. He doesn't cook for someone every day." I heard Xigbar say. I didn't have to look behind me to know he was talking to the new member with his arm around him, just as he did with me moments ago. I was tempted to give him a glare but instead I chose to keep working, only vocally did I reject the idea of me being 'a housewife.'
"I'm making food for myself as well because I do not wish to eat a sandwich at this moment. It has nothing to do with any form of affection or as you put it, tending to my 'housewife' duties." I answered dryly and with no emotion but annoyance as I began to chop the chicken so I could pan fry it, "You of all people, Number two, should know that I will not do no such a thing unless I am included in the bargain in some way." I finished chopping the chicken and began to boil the broccoli and noodles, grabbing cheese as I went.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I got you Zexy." Xigbar responded unamused, "Anyways, you must be the new member, kid." The male said, focusing on the boy instead on me, "What's his name again?" The question wasn't directed at anyone in particular but it made me realize that I didn't know his name. I thought back to confirm that Axel didn't tell me nor did I remember to ask. I stopped for a moment to think if it was ever mentioned in the morning bulletin that I had read before my trip to the library. The only thing that came to mind was that it said there would be a new member but nothing on the member's name. 'They probably didn't know it yet.' I was beginning to regret not going to that meeting. But, thankfully, Lexaeus had me covered, "Demyx." I let out a silent sigh of relief and continued fixing lunch. 'Demyx.' I thought about the name. I found it ironic that if you rearrange his name, it becomes the name of a sea turtle. Then again that was probably the bases for his weapon in the first place.
"Demyx, hu? Nice name, kid." I heard the grey haired male say along with a patting sound telling me that he was releasing Demyx from his hold and either coming to bug me or sit at one of the tables. I hoped for the latter. I heard footsteps as the water for the noodles and broccoli started to boil. I felt relief when I heard a chair run across the floor and a dead weight plop down. Good, I could focus on my cooking now. "Come on, kid, have a seat." I heard Xigbar say. The next moment I heard the same chair scrape and dead weight hitting the seat but this was more cautioned and a bit forced. As if he would have rather stand, but did not want to refuse the request. It most likely came from the taking orders aspect of being a new Nobody. I started to place the chicken in the pan, now that the other things were being prepared, and waited to start the cheese until close to the end.
"So you're telling me, Zexy, that if we were both hungry, you would make me food if you could eat some too." Xigbar stated while I dug for spices. "'Cause, I would take that deal any day of the week." I felt slight annoyance. Of course he would be the one to turn my words against me like that. Not saying I wouldn't have thought of it as well but I would be respectful enough not to say anything unless provoked or annoyed with whoever made the comment but it is Xigbar we're talking about. And for that, I should have seen it coming.
"No, Number two." I said in the same dry tone as always and continued to place spices on the chicken as it cooked, stirring it every once in awhile.
"What, why not!?" I heard him yell louder than necessary, "You're doing the same thing for the newbie! Unless you suddenly grew a nice bone in your body and decided to use it." I grew more frustrated. Yes, I guess I was being nice but what of it. Couldn't I be nice without having another motive besides the act of being nice... Ok, I could see where he was going but once in a blue moon I enjoy seeing that I am somewhat still human and I don't see any issue with that. I don't see why he would care for that matter.
"I do not wish to cater to the likes of you, Number two. Besides, you are capable of fixing your own food. He is not and if he dies from starvation, the first person the leader is to blame is me." Of course I would not admit to being nice just because. I would never hear the end of it. Not to mention if Axel were to discover me being nice. Then surely it would be brought up every time I encountered the red head and that would get overwhelming fast.
"...Fair point I guess." I heard Xigbar's voice say. "Anyways, I'm going out on a limb and say you were left to take care of the newbie." I hate when he's right. I didn't answer him and stirred the chicken after getting another pot for the cheese. I checked the noodles and saw that they were done so I proceed to carry the whole thing to the sink to be strained. "And I'll take that as a yes." Xigbar said and I still remained silent. I knew he was trying to get me to talk, if not me then Lexaeus. He always tried to get me to talk more, another thing I didn't like about the grey haired male. But not only that, I had already talked to him more than I normally do and I wasn't about to have the old man be the one to break my pattern.
I could tell the male was about to try again but his phone interrupted him. It played a song I had never heard but I liked. Not that I would admit to liking the same music as Xigbar. "'~And it feels like I am just too close to love you~" I turned to see the male reaching for his phone. He flipped open the device we were all assigned in the beginning stages of awareness and frowned at the screen, "I gotta go guys." He proceeded to get up from his chair and walk in the direction of the door to my relief. "Nice meeting you newbie. Good luck training with Zexy and don't let him kick you around okay. He may seem harsh but he's a softy on the inside, I know it... I just haven't found that part yet." Xigbar said smiling and saluted with his right hand, just above his eye patch, as if to say, 'Catch ya' later.'
As soon as the door closed I turned to Lexaeus and Demyx, "Thank god." I said crossing my arms and looking at Lexaeus. He seemed to agree and the sides of his lips curled up in a rare small smile. Demyx let out a slight chuckle. It surprised me but it felt oddly warm. I figured it was only the fact that I was by the oven. Which reminded me that I still had food on the stove.
I turned to find the broccoli done and the cheese melted. The chicken was already cooked. All there was to do now was fix a plate. "You can either put everything together like me, or eat it separate. Whichever, it does not matter to me." I said grabbing a plate for myself and Demyx. "There is enough for one more, Lexaeus. Just don't inform Number two." I gave Demyx the other plate and headed to get my own food. Only when I began mixing all the ingredients, did I realize that my own stomach groaned. I ignored this and went back to fixing my plate, the only reaction to it being a slight hesitation.
Demyx jumped from his chair and stood right behind me, mirroring my actions as far as the food was concerned. "No thank you. Just ate." The silent hero said almost as emotionless as me. "Besides, it seems Demyx has already taken my share." I looked to see that, in fact, Demyx had his plate full and in a mound that would be considered the Mount Everest of food. I wondered how much his stomach would hold as I finally sat down.
I took the seat in front of Lexaeus and Demyx took the one next to me. I picked up a fork and stabbed a piece of chicken, blowing on it before finally eating. I looked over to Demyx to see he was about to do the same, "It's still hot so don't-" Before I could finish my sentence, the male had put the fork full in his mouth. It seemed he was ok for a few seconds before he sucked in his cheeks to resemble a fish and waved his hands rapidly to fan his mouth. I thought how it wouldn't do very much good seeing how his mouth was closed but I guess it is an involuntary action. I signed at him, "-burn yourself." 'This one isn't very smart, is he?' I thought, taking another bit of my food and watched the boy as he finally got the scolding first piece down.
I turned to talk to Lexaeus just as Demyx shoved another bit of food in his mouth, blowing on it this time. "I'm going to assume you don't have a mission today." I said before I followed Demyx's actions.
Lexaeus looks up at me, "I do, but it is at night." I looked at him with the closest thing to pity I could manage. Night missions are harder. More dangerous and over all require more work. I had only been on one or two but I didn't enjoy it one bit. One mission was to kill at least a thousand heartless and the other was to kill a heartless the size as a building, not to mention I was in the pride lands, thus I was a lion the whole time. Meaning not only did I have a lesser range of attacks but I also had to learn how to walk and use my weapon in that form. Needless to say I was not a happy camper when I returned. "I guess that is one of the benefits of training someone...no missions I mean."
"True but it still is not very pleasant." I said scooping up more of my lunch. I looked to Demyx and saw him shoving food in his mouth faster than necessary now that the food had cooled down. At the rate he was going, he probably couldn't taste the meal at all. 'I wonder when he'll notice...'
The male finally looked up for a moment to find both me and Lexaeus staring at him with his cheeks puffy and cheese sauce dripping from his lip. One of my eyebrows rose slightly before Demyx swallowed what was in his mouth with a big gulp to act as a sound effect. A large goofy smile hung on his face a second later. The remainder of the gulp stuck to his teeth with a small piece of broccoli caught in between his two front ones. My expression turned to one of disgust while Lexaeus on the other hand, chuckled slightly.
"He reminds me of you as a kid. Before all this started." The silent hero said. I looked back at him surprised. Not many of the members know but Lexaeus knew me before I showed up at the radiant garden castle. He knew my parents as well but he never talks about the time before they left me. He won't tell me what really happened to them or what they were like despite my efforts. In fact that comment has to be the first thing he has ever told me about my childhood without me remembering it myself. I wasn't sure what to say so I remained silent, secretly hoping he would reveal more.
In the process, I heard shuffling beside me and turned to see the new member shifting his gaze from me to Lexaeus in a repeater motion. The boy continued to look at the both of us as he lifted his fork and shoved another mouthful past his lips, chewing slowly. It reminded me of a cow chewing on grass the way his jaw moved up and down. I blinked twice before my eyes trailed back to Lexaeus. I questioned his memory and if I could even began to believe that I acted like this male, even as a child. "I'll disregard that comment instead of taking it as an insult." I said getting up from my seat to get a glass of water, "Back to our previous conversation, do you know where you're going yet?" I asked while reaching for a glass out of a cabinet just below the shelf with the spices. Why we have it set up that way, I do not think I will ever figure out.
"Atlantica." The fifth member said with a bit of distaste. His shoulders went higher and he seemed to shiver slightly. I found it amusing. The silent hero, a merman. The thought was almost enough to make me smile. To be truthful I was almost tempted to beg the leader to allow me to go on the mission just so I could get a look at the comical sight. Then again I would be a merman as well and the thought of swimming around shirtless for an extended period of time with a male that I see almost every day on top of the fact that I considered him my brother did not settle well. Not to mention I would not be much use with my weapon completely dissolved in a matter of minutes.
"Well I wish you good luck." I said knowing that he would do just fine and headed for the refrigerator. It didn't take long to fill my glass up but when I did turn around again; I saw that the food on Demyx's plate was gone along with the rest of mine. I stared at the plate momentarily before I looked to Lexaeus. His head was still down cast and I could tell he was still in the act of dreading the upcoming mission so it couldn't have been him. Not only that but he also would have asked if he wanted some of my meal, not simply taken it.
Demyx on the other hand seemed to be regretting eating so much. His hand lay on his stomach and his head was leaned back in the chair. He slouched and looked sleepy. "Number nine..." I walked over to the table and set my drink down, Lexaeus perking up in the process, "Would you like to attempt to play charades in explaining why my food is gone or shall I ask Lexaeus for an answer." My arms crossed and Demyx put his hands up in defence. His head downcast once again. I sighed unamused, "Luckily for you, I wasn't planning on finishing the rest so I guess I could let it slide this time. Not only that, if you end up bruised the first day the person the leader is to blame is me just as the starving incident that I mentioned... besides the bruising can wait until training begins"
I walked over to grab both plates with Demyx scrunching up more, still in defence mode, and set them in the sink to be washed later. "Well, Lexaeus, I am afraid we must depart. I still have to show Number nine the rest of the castle." I said walking to the door with Demyx getting up to follow. Lexaeus nodded his head in response before he got up himself and created a portal to leave.
Demyx, while in the process of walking in my direction, noticed the portal. He seemed oddly intrigued by it. "It's a portal." I said. The ninth member turned to me once again, "I'll show how to make one yourself later but for now we still have a task at hand." The male looked disappointed. It is like I had refused to supply him with ice cream on a hot day. It made me remember the feeling of guilt. I cleared my throat, "But, perhaps after we are done... I could attempt to teach you-" before I could finish my sentence I felt a pair of arms around me.
I realize Demyx is hugging me. I could feel the glee radiate off of him and my face smash into his chest with my hands remain at my sides. My whole body tenses and I feel my face heat up. I breathe in to smell of the male's scent with the same intensity from when I first met him. My nose wrinkles in response and my arms push him away before I could stop myself. My leather glove finds its way back to my nose. I coughed intensely as I backed up more, bumping into the door and almost losing my lunch. When my coughing dies down I lift my head to see Demyx himself, backing up. His body language looked as if he was concerned. "Maybe that was my fault for being too kindly but let me make this very clear," I started to say with a few coughs in between, "Don't you EVER do that again! Am I understood?!" I said as I managed to lift myself from a hunched over position, still a little shaken by the sudden act of affection. The male shakes his head in an up and down motion. "Good. Let us continue then."
I pick the rest of myself together and walk out the kitchen door, instructing Demyx to follow me. He did as he was told and trailed me into the hallway. I decided to show him the grey area; he would be able to meet the other members there most likely, excluding Vexen. He would almost certainly be in his lab. I looked at Demyx to see that he had fallen behind me. His shoulders slouched and his head looking to the ground.
I stopped to let him catch up. He still let his feet drag and it took longer than necessary for him to reach me, not even lifting his head to give any acknowledgment of me stopping. I walked fast to place myself by his side again, "It's kind of like a dog's," I said with him finally looking back to me as I kept my eyes on the path ahead, "I knew Lexaeus and Number two were in the kitchen before I even went in there because I could smell them. Their scent anyways. I could find you just by your smell in the air... So my nose is like a dog's." I said. The male straightened at the sudden conversation, "And the closer I am to someone, the stronger the scent, which is why I dislike physical contact. That and on top of the fact that your scent is new to me which means it can be overwhelming until I get use to it. That's why I would prefer if you keep your distance... at least until I am accustomed to it."
Demyx's body language brightened. He was about to hug me again before a sudden drop in his arms indicating he remembered not to engage in physical contact. I didn't add that I would have liked to not be bothered at all after our training for fear that my effort to get him back to normal before we reached the grey area would be extinguished. But somehow I knew I would be stuck with him from now on, even if I were to be cruel.
The rest of the day was about the same. Demyx met all the members and such. We saw every inch of the castle even though I was confident Demyx would not remember all of the area and I would have to explain it to him more than once seeing how I had to lead him back to the bedrooms. The only difference was that we used a portal instead, with me summoning it. I did let Demyx try but he only led us to everywhere but the rooms and I was finally too tired to take it anymore. I promised I would let him practice more tomorrow resulting in the same glee as before only this time he expressed it with a smile instead.
And it was my final relief when I lay down in my bed, dressed in my night clothes, consisting of pajama bottoms and a T-shirt. In my bed, before I fell asleep, I thought of the events that took place during the day. I thought about how I certainly wasn't expecting to be the one to babysit the new member nor was I expecting to receive my first hug since my time with Ansem the wise. I mentally noted how unusual the act of affection felt. I had never been too comfortable with hugs, not even from Ansem but then again my face had never gotten heated. That was another reaction I was unsure about. My face has never done that as well, at least not in my life as a Nobody. Only as a child do I remember it doing so and even then not to that extent.
I didn't even understand why I was kind to Demyx. I wasn't that way with Axel but then again Axel and I hated each other the moment we met. I have no negative feelings towards Demyx nor do I have any preferred liking to him. This, again, is odd because anyone that touched me normally, I would disregard and keep my distance from.
I let out a groan. It didn't add up and I was confused. I was more tired than normal on account of chasing Demyx all over the place and for now, I could frankly care less so I rolled over on my side. I closed my eyes and began to drift into sleep, only having enough time to tell myself that I could discover the issue in the morning before I was completely in dream land.
AN: I chose the song I did, not only for Demyx (example: Lexaeus saying, 'he reminds me of you as a kid.') but for Zexion. Cuz he's like 17-25 give or take and he acts like he's 40 or something. So yeah thanks for reading. Comments are liked even if it is to give advice and such. And hopefully I will have the next chapter up soon. Oh and if you could tell me how I did on everyone's character (like if they acted like you would think they act) because I was worried about getting that right.