"Friends with Benefits"
By: splintered
Disclaimer: Does not own KH or any of its characters.
Rating: For language.
Pairing: hints of Larxene & Axel (LARXEL).
Warning: Working title in subject to change.
Pain. I liked pain. I lived for pain. It was the only thing I could still feel. Feel the cool metal pierce through delicate flesh. Feel the sharp sting of the pointed blade as it broke through skin. Feel the fresh wave of nausea mixed with the wet smell of iron. Feel his voice breathing on the back of my neck.
"Larxie, baby, that's not healthy."
"I know," I replied.
"C'mon, stop it."
I ignored him as I continued to press the dagger against my wrist, watching tiny red droplets start to form. Watching the blood cascade down my pale arms.
"C'mon, Larx, give the kunai to me."
"You can't honestly say that you're worried."
"You're hurting yourself."
"So what if I'm masochistic. I like pain."
"The Larxene I know is sadistic."
"Same difference."
Frustrated, he ran a hand through his red spikes as I momentarily brought the knife down to admire my work. He took that chance to grab hold of my wrist, and with that powerful grip of his, his large hands wrestled the weapon right out of my palm. "You know," he began slowly, his body tense, "you're gonna kill yourself one of these days."
"I don't care," was my short reply. He was getting on my nerves. I decided not to talk to him.
"Um guys…I hate to interrupt but…" Axel and I both looked up as a third voice joined our conversation. Roxas cleared his throat. "Hi," our blond companion said nervously as he plopped the pathetic plastic blue lunch tray at our table.
"Who's he?" I asked Axel, quickly abandoning my little pact of silence.
He shrugged and scratched his head. "Um…he's the new kid….I think he's in my math class."
"Oh," I nodded as if that explained everything.
"Yeah," blondie replied awkwardly. "I'm Roxas. Mind if I sit here?"
I shrugged. "Beats me." I didn't care more or less, now that the throbbing pain on my wrist had faded slightly. Axel had grabbed the boy's napkin and had taken the liberty to clean me up.
"Klepto," I whispered under my breath. The blond kid looked uncomfortable, but decided to talk rather than comment.
"Well, it's just that all the other tables are taken…" So sitting with us wasn't his first pick, huh? Hell, it wouldn't be mine. I knew how we looked. Axel with his eyeliner and mascara. Zexion hunched over in the corner, reading a book. And me…he found me cutting in broad daylight all while in midst of a lunchroom full of people! And that's not to mention our black attire and menacing scowls. We scared most of the little kiddies shitless. I guess the blond kid was just braver than the rest of them. Although he was trembling slightly, at least he was still standing. I felt my lip quirk up into a smirk as I watched blondie hyperventilate. "…and I was just wondering if…if…" He faltered again as he lost his courage. We just stared.
"Chill, kid."
Axel and I looked up, surprised to hear his voice.
"Hey, Zexy, you're one to talk," I teased, knowing full well that the Cloaked Schemer was quiet for the most part.
"It's cool, kid," Demyx said as he joined us, choosing a seat next to Axel. "Give the kid a break. There are plenty of seats…you know, since Vex, Lex, Saix, Xig, Xaldin and old 'Mansex' are off partying in college."
"Where's Marly?" I asked.
"Probably making out in the janitor's closet," Demyx replied.
"Man, I don't know how he gets all the girls," my red-haired companion complained. "That guy isn't straight."
"Yeah, well, you have me," I shrugged, choosing to grab one of blondie's fries.
"So you're eating today, huh, Larxie?" Axel teased as he too reached for a fry, accompanying me in devouring newbie's lunch.
"Screw you."
Roxas, or whatever he called himself, just looked bewildered. Axel, on the other hand, chose to ignore me, addressing the newbie instead.
"Oh, by the way, I'm Axel," he started the introductions mid-chew. "That's Zex..." The guy with the bluish-purple hair glanced up. "Dem..." The dirty blonde nodded as he ran a hand through his spikes. "And this here," he casually rested his other arm on my shoulder, "is Larxene."
"Ouch," I winced as he chose to readjust his grip on my wrist, squeezing harder than before.
"Shit, Larxene. Stop squirming." Axel reached for another napkin, noticing that Demyx was holding up a wad. By now, the first one was stained a dark red.
Blondie was staring at his tray. Probably deciding what looked the safest to eat now that Axel and I had demolished his fries, I reasoned as his blue eyes drifted down. It took me a while to realize that the Arian was talking, or at least mumbling.
"Huh? Speak up, blondie."
"Mind you, Larxene, but you're blonde too," Axel laughed.
The younger blonde cleared his throat. "So, you and Axel," Roxas started nervously. "Are you two going out?"
That. Was. Absolutely. Absurd. Axel seemed to think so too as he wagged his eyebrows suggestively. I returned the gesture as we both looked at each other and burst into a fit of laughter.
Roxas blushed. "W-What's so funny?"
"You'll get used to it," Demyx comforted the younger blonde. "I don't quite understand them either."
Zexion continued to read.
tbc?
Author's Note: So what did you think? I've always loved Organization XIII, so this fic mostly focuses on them (particularly the younger characters while Ansem and all them are mentioned.)
Sorta AU, I guess. I'm not exactly sure yet to where I'm going with this in terms of setting. Dunno if the characters are in an alternate universe or in a Twilight Town type of thing around the castle or whatever. I didn't get that far yet, but I know I always wanted to do a Larxel fic (which this sorta hinted at). Of course, it develops further in my head...so much more that's not yet written on the page.
I suppose this could stand as a oneshot, but if you would like me to continue this fic, please drop by with a review. All questions and comments are welcomed. My only request is, if you say it "sucks," tell me why. Thank you for reading, and once again, please review! Free cookies, anyone?
-splintered