A day early. It's the Zexion x Lexaeus fanfic for ZexLex day! A pairing I am not totally a fan of but I find someone what cute. ^^ Hope you enjoy. Those waiting for the next chapter of Enslaved, probably in two days it shall be posted! I don't own Kingdom Hearts.

Lexaeus gently ran his calloused finger tips through Zexion's slate colored hair. The smaller man didn't even stir in his slumber, though a nearly nonexistent smile graced his pale lips. He had to leave, he knew, before Zexion awoke. The younger seemed to not want to acknowledge the relationship thought it was obvious he wanted to, if the smile was anything to go by. Zexion was awake now, he knew, but he would do anything to preserve the fragile illusion his lover had carefully constructed and desired to stay in.

He shifted and moved to stand only to feel a small hand wrap around his wrist. Surprised, he turned around to see Zexion staring at him.

"You don't have to leave. In fact, I'd like you to stay," Zexion said softly, voice still rough from sleep.

Lexaeus stared back, trying to comprehend what Zexion was implying, trying to wrap his mind around the fact that Zexion actually wanted their start of a relationship to mean something.

"Zexion…"

The younger sat up and moved his hair so that both of his beautiful lilac eyes were visible. "I'm sick of pretending that I don't care for you. I mean, they're just echoes but…I feel them and I want everyone to know."

Lexaeus moved his bigger hand to gently cradle Zexion's face, rubbing his thumb against eh soft, porcelain skin. He didn't realize how tense the slate haired man was until his eyes slipped close and the muscles visibly relaxed in his face.

"I feel the same way," Lexaeus murmured, leaning forward.

Zexion's eyes opened. "I'm sorry for making you leave all of those times. I'm sorry if I hurt you because you don't deserve such cruelty. I…am aware it is within my nature to hurt those around me and manipulate them, but I swear, I never meant that with you."

"I never believed you would. You do not give yourself enough credit," Lexaeus muttered, brushing his lips over Zexion's pale ones. "I believe in you and I trust you."

Zexion swallowed thickly and touched Lexaeus's face with trembling fingers. Oh, the things he would sacrifice to keep this man by his side; the list was endless.

So much for those words and those thoughts, in the end, I just dragged him down to his death. It is pitiful, believing our love built on echoes was real. Nobodies can't love.

~Fin~