A/N: This will be the part one in my "Presents:" trilogy. At first I just wanted to write a story which would involve all kinds of problems but all the subjects I wanted to write about didn't fit into one story so this turned into a trilogy. Also the parts two and three will later be published in .

Oh. And this story isn't beta'd so enjoy my grammatical errors~.

Rating is currently T but it will change to M in later chapters.

Warnings: OOCness, AU, some own characters, YAOI, and in later chapters also character death, sex, bad language, self-harm, mental problems, etc. Zexion's POV. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts and Disney characters belong to Square Enix and Disney Interactive Studious/Disney respectively. Final Fantasy belongs to Square Enix. I own nothing but this story and my OCs. And I won't repeat that 'I don't own' sentence in every chapter. You know I don't own the KH, FF, or Disney characters. And it probably doesn't change during this life-time.

Presents: My Life and Other Drugs

Prologue

Should I just let them grow? I looked myself from the mirror and fiddled with my hair. The mirror reflected the picture of same old me. Weird shade of gray on my hair, light shadows under my eyes, slightly too pale skin. No, it was definitely not the hair that was bothering me but still something didn't feel quite right. It was like something's going to change soon.

"Zexion! If you don't come down this instant you're going to miss the bus!"

I frowned and grabbed the school bag from my bed. Damn, I need a driving license and own car as soon as I turn 16. I guess I have to start saving money. "I'm coming, mom."

My mom was waiting for me at the front door. While I put on my shoes, black Converse's of course, she stood there a thoughtful look in her eyes. "Remember to come straight to home after school, Zex", she said. "We have to talk."

I shrugged. Mom had been acting weirdly since last Friday but I hadn't really thought about it. Maybe it was because I, her only child, was graduating from the grammar school. I mean, being a ninth grader makes us usually think what we are really going to do with our lives. Do we go to high school or do we get a job? I couldn't care a less. I knew exactly what I wanted. I had decided to apply to high school here in my hometown. Everyone knew each other and it made my life easier because I didn't really like talking to anyone. Sure, I've got good grades but I knew they would take me in anyway, thanks to the lack of students.

At school I sat in the last row and listened music with only one earphone while the history teacher, old Mr. Jenkins, tried to get us learning about the Cold War and the Industrial Revolution. I've always like history that's why I actually didn't listen music during Mr. Jenkins's class. The one earphone I wore was for looks and nothing else.

Last three hours passed in a blur. Math, skipped the lunch, English, stupid P.E. Nothing to worry about here, the real problems would wait me at home. Mom would probably just ask about my plans for summer or something like that, I don't know. She usually didn't care what I did as long as it didn't involve her.

I hopped out from the bus at my usual bus stop and trudged through the slush. February, got to love it. My shoes got wet, as well as my socks. At least it wasn't raining. I waded to the mail box because hundred against one mom hadn't fetched the mail. I snorted as I opened the box. A bill, another bill, a payment request, today's newspaper, a magazine for me, advertisements from a local market and nothing else.

"I'm home." I smelled mom's cooking. I kicked my shoes off and dawdled to the kitchen. Mom was there, making dinner for the two of us just like she did everyday. I put the mail on the table and sat down. She gave me a slightly disapproving look when I took two pieces of bubblegum from my school bag and began to leaf through the newest 'Clash' magazine. She looked like she was trying to find the right words to say. After few minutes she couldn't hold back anymore.

"What you think of Seattle?"

I popped the bubblegum and didn't raise my eyes from the magazine. "Home of grunge", I mumbled and kept chewing. Mom sighed disappointedly so I dropped the magazine onto the table and rolled my eyes when I looked at her. "What? I don't hate Seattle. Seattle is fine for shopping. I bought new jeans from there. But it doesn't interest me as a place." What kind of question that was anyway? We visit Seattle once in few months. "So, are we going to Seattle?"

Mom ignored my question and continued frying the already fried chicken strips. "Remember Phil?" she asked and I nodded, rolling my eyes. Mom had started working at the local newspaper as a secretary few months back, and that Phil was her boss. Kinda annoying middle-aged man who likes country music and wears ugly sweaters. Yes, I know him because mom had called him to a family dinner, more than twice actually.

I looked at mom and tried to hide my annoyance. "Yeah, I remember Phil, so what?"

"He got a job offer from California. From San Francisco", mom told and took the dishes from the cupboard and placed them onto the table.

I swallowed the bubblegum and closed the magazine. I put it under the rest of the mail and sighed. "Isn't it a good thing?" Well, it should be. I could finally get rid off him. I smiled at the thought of not seeing that man's face ever again. While I smirked like an idiot mom moved the rice bowl and chicken strips to the table and sat down. She reached to lift up my chin.

Her smile was both really and really sad. "Zexion. Phil… He asked me to come with him."

For a moment I forgot how to breathe. "What…?"

"I know you don't want to move to California because it's too hot and sunny", mom continued and toyed with the rice she had put on her plate and moved it into a piles over the chicken strips. She was nervous, and that she should be! That and ashamed! I just stared blankly at my empty plate, my fists clenching under the table. I couldn't believe what she was saying.

She forced herself to smile. "And you don't have to. I send an application with your name on it to a high school in Seattle. And I'm sure they'll accept you. You're such a hard-working student."

What? Seattle? "I don't understand." Had she planned this? When? Why? The anger struck me so hard. I glared at mom. "So you are sending me to Seattle that you can move to California with your lover?!"

Mom looked first scared, then sad. "Zex, you know I didn't think it like that. I just…"

"Whatever", I snarled and stood up. "I lost my appetite."

I heard she yelled my name whilst I slammed my room's door shut. I fell to my bed. This is just so unfair. She is moving to California with that asshole Phil and I have to move to Seattle. Where does she think I'll even live? We don't have money. I don't have money. I gritted my teeth. She probably didn't call my father for that. They won't even talk to each other if they don't have to.

Two hours later mom knocked my door before opening it. "Zexion", she mumbled apolitically and stepped into my room. She was holding a plateful of dinner's leftovers. "I know you're angry but we can talk about this, right? We've always could talk about everything."

I sat up and beckoned mom to come in. She flashed a hopeful smile and closed the door. I let out a sigh when she looked at me as a sign to say something, anything. She was now sitting next to me. The scent of spicy chicken wafted in the dry room air.

"So… Seattle?" I mumbled. Mom nodded.

"I thought you would like it better than San Francisco." She was right. I would never move to place like San Francisco. Too hot and sunny, just like she said. And expensive, too.

"If… And I say if", I started. "If I got chosen to school where did you think I'll live?"

Mom smiled widely now. She knew she had won this conversation already. She and Phil will move to California and she was sure I was going to move to Seattle, no matter what I would say from now on.

"Remember your cousin Xal?"

I nodded. He was few years older than me and he had moved to Seattle to… Oh. I frowned. So that was her idea. Well, I never thought of getting an own apartment anyway. "When?"

Mom smiled. "In the end of summer. You have almost half a year before it. You'll get used to the idea."

Almost half a year, indeed. I sighed. "I'll think about it", I said even though I knew there wasn't anything to think about anymore. Mom had made her plans and I've just have to go with the flow.

Chapter I

Six months later.

"Zexion? Have you packed yet? You should be leaving soon."

I gave a sigh, leaning to the door frame. I knew it was already time to leave. I decided to look around my old room for once more. The walls were blank, white and empty as hell because I have taken all my posters down and folded them into one of the dull brown cardboard box. My bed was empty. Neither stupid blue bed sheets with stars that glow in dark which I got from grandma last Christmas nor Pokémon plushies I had collected since I was four were there anymore. They were all packed even though I was going to leave them here. I had packed almost everything I owned. Books, CDs, clothes, trading cards, everything. My sixteen years stuffed into 6 identical boxes.

I walked down the stairs as slowly as I could and stopped on the kitchen door. Mom was standing next to the table, talking loudly about things that didn't really interest me at the moment. While mom talked I had time to observe the man who was sitting there. I knew who he was, of course, I'm not an idiot, but he had changed a lot. Mom glanced at me and gave a displeased sigh.

"Finally. Xal has been waiting for you, Zexion", she said to me and continued her endless gabbling. I looked straight at the man who was supposed to be related to me.

Xal, Xaldin was his name but he was called Xal just like I was called Zex, was my cousin. Being my cousin made him the son of my mother's brother, and he had been my baby-sitter when he lived in the same town. But more than that, he was my role model when I was just a kid. I was actually very sad when he moved to Seattle go to the university but I got over it when he didn't call me or send birthday cards. I hadn't seen him after he left, and now he was sitting there, across the table. I remembered a boy who was always taller than every other kid in our street and who made girls run away because he was holding a frog, not a stalwart man with long black dreadlocks and earplugs. Well, I guessed he was in a band or something.

He laughed at something mom had just said before standing up. He hadn't touched the coffee mom had made.

"Well, I think we should get going", he said. "Are your things upstairs, Zexion?"

I gave a nod, surprised that he had spoken to me so suddenly. He grinned.

"Then we should go get them."

Xaldin had his own car, an old Toyota Hiace. I guess it had been white but now the color was mostly the bright rust. He opened the side door and we began to carry my boxes to the trunk from upstairs. It was a bit depressing watch when he lifted two boxes, one full of books and another filled with clothes, at once when I had problems to carry one which was full of my school stuff for next week. And it was rather light compared to the other boxes.

It didn't take long until I was sitting in the car. I had opened the window. I have my rights to have one last cold breeze of Forks before I have to get used to the air of Seattle. Mom stood outside my window and smiled when Xaldin slammed his door shut. She beckoned me to move closer to her, and I did, so she gave a big, wet, motherly kiss on my cheek and smiled. "I love you. Have fun."

Have fun. That's what a mother who's sending her only child away say because she's selling the house called 'home' and is moving to California. I faked a smile. I was still a bit mad at her.

"I love you too, mom. I call you when we get to Seattle."

She nodded and I closed the window to get rid of her. As if it would help because she stayed next to the car, waving goodbyes with a smile on her face like this was the happiest day of her life. Xaldin turned the key in the ignition lock and the motor made a rumbling sound. I sighed. The seats weren't as comfy as in mom's Honda and the whole cab trembled. It's not my problem if I get car sick.

Xaldin glanced at me. "The seatbelt."

I blinked. "What…?" I had been lost in my thoughts.

"The seatbelt", Xaldin repeated. "Fasten your seatbelt."

"Oh, right", I mumbled. The seatbelt made a loud click as a sign there was no turning back. Xaldin smiled the smile I remembered from years back. His foot hitted the gas pedal and I gave him a faint smile when drove away from the yard.

"It's nice to see you, emo kid", Xaldin said. I gave a faint smile. Emo kid was the nick name he gave me when I first started to listen such bands like 'My Chemical Romance' and I let my hair grow one-sided. I never was an emo but it didn't bother me when he said it. He was like a big brother I never had. But now it was hard to say anything. It had been so long so I couldn't be sure has he changed.

We both were silent until Xaldin drove to the highway almost twenty minutes later. "So, you're starting at high school now, right?" he asked. "You're 16. Time passes too quickly."

I smiled, looking out to the highway. High school in Seattle wasn't what I had planned. I liked reading and studying but I didn't like to talk. I had always been kinda introverted. "I was just fine here. High school… is not for me."

Xaldin laughed at my comment. "Well, it's not that bad", he said. "You'll adapt well. Seattle is a big city and there'll be bunch of new students. You won't stand out from the crowd."

"I guess there's lots of emos out there", I mumbled with an ashamed smile. "But let's not talk about me. Have you graduated from university yet?"

I had to hold on a door because for a moment I thought Xaldin was going to lose the control of the car. I had to look at him to see what was going on. Xaldin breathed heavily to keep himself calm. He had did so since he was child everytime he was about to get angry.

"University?" he repeated, his grip tightening from the wheel. "I can't believe they still tell that story." He was quiet for a moment and glanced quickly at me. "Don't freak out now, Zex, but my parents kicked me out few years back. I never went to university."

"You didn't?" That really struck me. Xaldin didn't leave the town for school. Kicked out from home. I never thought his parents would be like that. They were always so nice.

"I just didn't match their expectations", Xaldin told like knowing what I was thinking. "In their opinion I can't inherit the inn."

"Why not?" I asked.

"Zex. Remember I told you not to freak out", Xaldin reminded me, his eyes locked on the road. He took the next turn from highway to Seattle. "The reason why I had to move out was because…" He paused again. "Zex, I'm gay."

I blinked. At first, I wasn't sure what I just heard. Secondly, I actually knew exactly what I heard. And thirdly, I guess I mentally freaked out. Xaldin smiled contrivedly when he noticed I bit my lower lip. This was just plain awkward.

"I'm sorry. I should have known my father hadn't told anyone about it", he mumbled. "Stupid parents." I tried to pull myself together. He was the same old Xaldin I had known for years. Being gay didn't change a thing. I have to say something. Think, Zexion, think!

"So… How long have you...?" I paused. This was so embarrassing. "You know."

Xaldin looked abashed for a moment. Then he laughed. "How long I've been gay, you mean? From the start, I guess."

Okay, now I was surprised. I remember many girls who drooled after him. "But you had a thing with Belle, right?" I tried. Xaldin flushed a little.

"How can you still remember that?" he grumbled. "It happened years ago!" He gave a laugh before he continued. "I actually never was interested in Bells. I tried to hit on her boyfriend."

"You mean Adam?" That explained a lot. "The guy who worked in the bookshop?"

"Same guy", Xaldin admitted with a sigh.

"But I thought you hated him! But you called him a "Beast"!"

"It was like a cute nickname." Xal frowned. "Those two got married in Hawaii and they send me letter from there. Thank god, I didn't have money to go ruin their honeymoon."

I snickered. He hadn't changed a lot. Only a little bit. Or not even that much.

We changed subject and the rest of the way Xaldin told me about his two-room apartment on the wrong side of the tracks. I looked out when he stopped the car in front of an old apartment building. The whole district seemed suspicious, just like it was build for drug dealers and whores. I smelled financial difficulties when I stepped into the building.

"Why isn't this working?" I mumbled, pressing random buttons to make the elevator's door open.

"It's broken", Xaldin told me and I frowned. So we had to walk. No kidding, Xaldin's going to do most of the job. He has to do two or three trips because of my belongings.

"Which floor?" I mumbled, lifting the lightest of my cardboard boxes from the floor.

"Fifth."

Yeah, sure, fifth floor. Did I mention I hate this type of exercises? I followed Xaldin up the stairs. There was such a mess in the stairway. Does anyone ever clean here? Seriously, are those strings? I shook my head to get rid off that image. Just before fifth floor Xaldin stopped.

"Zex, does it bother you?" he asked. I knew he was talking about the sensitive subject of sexuality. I've hated talking about it since mom had 'the talk' with me when I was nine. "You'll probably live with me next three years."

"Well, I was a bit surprised at first", I said. More than a bit, actually, but I didn't need to say that. "But it's you anyway, weather you were gay or not. No problem." No problem if I don't have to talk about it.

Xaldin smiled widely. "Good." He opened the door which for my surprise wasn't locked. I would have at least a padlock or something. He dropped the box to the entryway. "Luxord, we're home."

There was a loud thump, followed by hasty steps. "Welcome home! I've been waiting for you!"

I gasped, my grip tightening of the box I was holding, when a man run straight to Xaldin and wrapped his arms around Xal's neck. I wished I wouldn't be there. I wished I wouldn't have to see my only cousin embracing a man right in front of my innocent eyes less than hour after telling me he's gay. My first day in Seattle couldn't be better.

"Luxord", Xaldin sighed and the man let go of him reluctantly. "Maybe you should introduce yourself?" The man's blue eyes flashed and I twitched when he looked at me. I guess he was just curious and not checking me out but I found him extremely creepy.

"'Ello, Zexion. I've heard about you. I'm Luxord Reed", he said happily and most of the creepiness melted away. I nodded and smiled to his slightly British accent. Luxord looked actually quite normal. He seemed to be approximately as old as Xaldin or a bit older, and he was like a complete opposite to Xal. Luxord had short platinum blonde hair and a goatee. He smiled widely. "I'm Xaldy's…!"

"…roommate", Xaldin told quickly.

"I was about to say boyfriend!" Luxord whined. The blonde was totally gay for the raven.

Xaldin raised an eyebrow. "We're not dating." And suddenly I found myself from the middle of the confusing drama. Xaldin beckoned me to come further from the front door. "Your room is over here."

My new room was about half of the size of the room I had. There was only a bed and a desk. Small and dead, I would say. I have to ventilate before settling down. I gave a faint smile. "It's like made for me", I said in a sarcastic tone and Xaldin laughed. He got my joke, even though I didn't find it that funny. I put down the box. "No, really. Thanks."

"I guess you want some privacy from Luxord, too", Xaldin explained and showed that the door had a lock. "I won't even be here a lot. I have three jobs and sleep on the couch more than regularly." He looked at his phone. "And I have to leave soon so you'll be here with Lux. Ask him if you need anything. He'll help you anyway."

Few minutes later Xaldin left to work and went to get the rest of my boxes the first floor with Luxord. No one had stolen them even though there were no security cameras. The way back up was agonizing but Luxord turned out to be a nice guy.

"So, you're Xal's cousin?" he asked and I nodded. He smiled. "You must know lots of things about him. Was he cute when he was a child?" Well okay, he just turned out to be not as bad as I thought. He didn't concentrate on our conversation very well so I didn't even need to answer to half of the questions. He talked a lot, like a girl. But when we got back to the fifth floor he left me alone to unpack my boxes at leisure and went to living room to watch television. It was already half past eleven. I opened the window to get in some fresh air. It had started raining. In a spur of moment I climbed to the table to look outside. Lights of the emerald city shined brightly against the nocturnal sky. I looked at the rainy view for a short moment before I looked down to the street. Yes, it was dark but I was sure of what I saw. Down there, under the poorly shining streetlight was someone in the rain, without an umbrella. He had kneeled down. I thought immediately that he was in trouble so I jumped off the table and run to living room where Luxord was watching 'House'.

"Luxord, borrow me your key!" I almost scared how supplicant I sounded and hoped Luxord wouldn't ask much. "And an umbrella!"

"You're going out this late…?" Luxord asked but I guess that something in my face made him understand my situation better than I did. He took a key from the stand and tossed it to me. "Don't worry, I don't tell Xal. You can take the white one from the shoe rack. It's mine."

I smiled relievedly. "Thanks."

I was running down the staircase before I realized what I was really doing. I didn't know what has gotten into me. Maybe it was just because this was Seattle and this district. Back home I wouldn't go out in the middle of the night because of some stranger. I opened the umbrella and stepped into the chilly air.

This had started to feel like a bad idea. It could be any kind of psycho. I could just turn back now, couldn't I? Then it happened. I heard him mumbling something. No, not mumbling. Singing. I couldn't hear the lyrics so I guess my curiosity took over. I walked closer.

"Um, excuse me?" What were you singing? Have you lost something? Do you need help? There were many questions. He turned to me and our eyes met. He looked quite surprised. He probably didn't think that someone might hear him.

He quickly stood up. "I didn't hear you", he said. He didn't look like a psycho, more like a regular teenager. Maybe I was scared for nothing. He had a sleeveless hoodie and only a plain t-shirt under it even though the night wasn't very warm and his brownish hair was soaking wet because of the rain. His hand went to his pocket. "Do you need something? Or… are you after me?"

"What? No!" I almost yelled and I shook my free hand frantically. "I just…! You shouldn't be out when it's raining." He looked very confused at first, like I would've been the crazy one standing in the rain in the middle of the night without a good reason.

"I like rain", he said with a smile. His whole tone had changed.

"You'll get wet", I told. He chuckled at my comment. Seriously, even strangers laugh at me.

"Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet", he said and poked my forehead. "Bob Marley was a wise man when he said that."

"Yeah, Bob Marley", I repeated. I had heard about that man. "Were you singing some of his songs earlier?" I touched my forehead.

"Oh, you heard me", the man said a hint of embarrassment in his voice. "The song was 'No Woman No Cry'. I sung it to my girl."

I grimaced. "Well, she must be very lucky when her boyfriend sings to her in the rain." I had a girlfriend once. Her name was Nakoma, and she lived in a reservation near to Forks. We met in a summer camp and she hitted on me. I was young and stupid and we were together for two weeks. Then we broke up because of few characteristic difficulties. End of the story.

The man laughed. "No kidding. My girl is over there." He pointed at the ditch with his thumb. I had to look closely to see what he was showing to me. There was a blue motorcycle but I couldn't discern its condition. "Her name is Lyra."

"Is she broken?" I asked. He had named his motorcycle after a girl so just because of pure politeness I called the bike 'she' instead of 'it'. It made him smile.

"Yup. I called a friend to pick me up and fix her." He kicked a rock further away. "She's too heavy to move alone. Poor girl." He looked heartbreaking sad because of a goddamn motorcycle! I rolled my eyes and made one of my most stupid decisions ever.

I dropped the umbrella and rolled up my sleeves. He glared at me his eyes wide open when I trudged to his cycle. I glanced at him. "I could use a little help here." There was dirt up to the midway of my leg. I just changed clean jeans on this morning. I hoped for my sanity Xaldin has a washing machine.

The man went to help me and in a little while we got his motorcycle back to the street. But after that I looked like hobo! I had fallen twice, got few oil stains and above all I'd got sweaty. I picked up Luxord's umbrella while the man was checking up his phone. He had gotten a text message or something.

"My friend should be here soon", he said and put the phone to his pocket. He smiled. "The rain has stopped, too. You should head home."

"Look who's talking", I snarled a smirk curling on my lips. "I can as well wait with you."

He smiled widely. We hadn't told our names so I started to call him Marley after Bob Marley and that Labrador retriever in the 'Marley & Me'. My mom cried when she watched that movie and for some reason that guy reminded me of a dog. We didn't talk before a black pickup truck drove next to the motorcycle. Marley sighed as an older man jumped off the front seat and marched to him. They sounded like an old married couple when they began to argue.

"How could you break it again?!" the man yelled. He was probably on his early thirties but his clothes reminded me of teenage punker. His black and white hair was on low ponytail and his right eye was covered with an eye patch.

"Not my fault! Lyra is a fragile girl!"

"Fragile in my ass! Your bike is Suzuki GS500E! You can't just break it like that!" He calmed down quickly. "Whatever. Help me to move it."

They didn't need my help to lift Marley's cycle to the truck. I hated the way that old man looked at Marley while they didn't talk.

I didn't know anything. The man opened the car's door and hopped into the truck. He glanced at Marley from the window. "Was this district clear?"

Marley shrugged. "Well duh."

"Good. Now you can have your short farewell before we go."

I looked at Marley and he gave me faint smile. "Thanks for help, and keeping company", he said. "We probably won't see again but… Yeah, thanks. A lot."

"Take care of your girl", I said.

The black pickup truck drove away while I walked up to the fifth floor. The clock was already who knows what and I had a weird feeling that Luxord had been waiting for me to come back since I had left. "I…" I'm home. I wanted to say it but the words got caught in my throat. It was too early to call this place home. "I'm back." Luxord ran to see me. I knew he hadn't been sleeping.

"Zex! You look terrible!" he exclaimed and shook his head when I was about to tell why I was such a bad shape. "Go. Take a shower. We'll talk about it later. Maybe tomorrow."

I gave a smile and handed the key to his awaiting hand.

"There're towels on the right. The gray one is for you", Luxord advised brotherly. "And remember that if you get hungry you can take anything from the fridge. Not that there is much to take."

Luxord's fussing over things made me smile. Xaldin had always tried to do everything on his own so the way Luxord tried to help balanced their natures. It made me think were they more than just roommates. Xaldin had denied it but there definitely was something between them, I thought while standing in a warm shower. I liked warm water. Back home we had a bathtub but here I have to get used to that we had only a shower. The variety of shampoos was limited to two, one was for normal hair, and another was for dreads. I decided to use the one I knew to belong to Luxord. Who knows what would happen to my hair if I do otherwise.

Luxord was sitting on the living room's couch and looking through the different channels when I came out from the bathroom. I glanced at the wall clock. A quarter over one.

"Aren't you going to bed?" I asked, drying my hair. Luxord stopped on the channel which showed commercials 24/7 and muted the sound of television.

"Xaldin will come back by four", he told, smiling gently. "I'll wait for him. Good night."

"Good night."

I went to my new room and collapsed to the bed. My phone showed I got seven missed calls from mom. I hadn't called her even though I had promised. In addition there was a text from Xal. Mom had called him so he had told her we had got here in one piece. I should thank him in the morning. I needed some sleep.

A/N: So... If you liked it, if you hated it, if you want to point out my grammar, if you have anything to say about this story, then say it. Reviews make happy, and critique makes me a better writer.