I'm baaaack. I've been writing a lot of new stories, and experimenting with plots. This was meant to be a oneshot, but ideas kept coming in. Chapter 2 is nearly done, I just keep adding more. Lol. I'm not sure if I'll be updating any of my other KH fics, no muse for that. I do however, have plots for some Harry Potter and Fruits Basket. Wow, I know. If ou want to know, PM me. I actually reply. o_o I just love talking to my readers. Sue me. xD I hope you enjoy Help Wanted.

Title: Help Wanted

Pairing: Marluxia&Zexion

Rating: T+

Summary: As a child, Marluxia was treated a girl since his Mother couldn't give birth to one. When his crush found out and moved away because of it, he was devastated. Marluxia is eighteen now, living alone while his parents work and travel. But now, the loneliness is eating him up again, and now he wants love. His friends aren't enough, and now his crush is back, wanting another chance and not even understanding why. Vexen thinks this is another thing to add to his 'Why I Hate My Cousin Zexion" list and Demyx knows that the bakey isn't open out Sunday. Larxene is a freaking slave driver. Hell, everyone needs help.

Help Wanted.

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The dressing room door is slammed shut for the umpteenth time and Axel groans loudly, already on the verge of tears. He is stuck in a clothing and whatever else was on the rack store, stuck with Twilight Town's vainest gay guy and a creepy wannabe scientist. Castle Oblivion was Twilight Town's newest and most popular store lately, offering a wide variety of clothing, music, and food. Marluxia wanted to conquer this store, obviously. He didn't remember saying yes to come. Vexen could have drugged him. Yes. That was it! Vexen --

"I did not drug you," Vexen says, and Axel turns to glare at the blonde reading a book and sitting on the opposite end of store bench. They are separated by a mountain of clothes Marluxia has picked throughout the forty minutes they have been here. Many times, Axel has thought that Marluxia was really a girl parading as a guy to cause hell. But every time he says that out loud, Marluxia's well practiced punch disabuses Axel of the notion immediately. Marluxia says he's far better than a girl.

"We have to get out of here," Axel whines, and falls back on the bench hard, not noticing the loud 'thud' that is made or Vexen's eye twitch.

"You can leave, I will stay," Vexen says, turning another page in his book. It would be a very good book, if Axel learned how to shut up and put up. "You can accept Marluxia's wrath on you tomorrow in school." Vexen decides not to add that he will be laughing on the sidelines tomorrow, because it would be rude and Axel needs pity. "I'll be laughing on the sidelines, where it's safe." He also decides that Axel needs to earn his sympathy.

Axel let's his face fall into his hands. He was stuck in a girl's store for Gods sake. One would think a guy would be grateful accept that they didn't have Vexen to scare all the cuties away. "Why did I agree to this?" Axel asks lamely. "Why did you?" He adds that in need of a conversation with a male, though he isn't sure what Vexen is exactly.

Vexen sighs while marking a page in his book with his finger and closing it with the same hand. He's getting tired of Axel's whining. He thinks that Axel is girl really, Marluxia ever whines like this. "Because I am Marluxia's best friend by which only God knows how, and you simply thought you would get easy girls and free food."

That was so true it hurt. Axel had seen Vexen leaving his house and walking to Marluxia's convertible while he was on a boring walk. He insisted on coming, and while Vexen always told Axel to never disregard the wicked gleam Marluxia's eyes got before manipulating ones very soul, Axel jumped in without a second thought when Marluxia asked if he was sure.

But that wasn't the point. Axel wants attention, and Vexen deliberately telling him that the reason he was in the store was his own fault, isn't helping. So Axel huffs, and thinks of another annoying thing to do. But to Axel, it isn't annoying as some might say. He is simply being to creative for others to handle. Right when Axel attempts to start another round of complaining, the dressing room swings open once more, revealing Marluxia himself.

"Well, how do I look?" Marluxia asks, showing off the ensemble. He is wearing a striped bright green shirt, that isn't buttoned up to hide the very thin tee under it. Marluxia loves showing off his figure,. He works hard in his home gym and intends to show off every curve. The black, low riding skinny jeans are doing just that. "And I heard all of your lovely complaining, Axel."

While Axel pales considerably close to a shade that isn't quite healthy, Vexen studies Marluxia for a moment. The tanned body striking a pose for him does not stir anything by ideas for new clothes. Vexen sees Marluxia as a brother and the only person he'll let close. Though he would never admit out loud, Vexen loves him. He thinks that Marluxia already knows. Marluxia does. "The grey faded jeans go better with the top," Vexen says, pulling a pair off the rack behind him and handing it to Marluxia, who beams.

Marluxia examines the jeans, and is delighted to find that Vexen gave him the right size. Like always. "Should I buy both?"

"Of course."

Marluxia hums happily and drops the jeans on the ever growing pile of clothes on the bench. Axel wonders what is keeping him from crying right now. Perhaps it's the cute cashier up front. But then Axel remembers that as soon as Marluxia's junk is put into bags, he is going to have to carry it to the car. Which is up a hill! Another groan fills the store. Vexen chuckles.

Fifteen more minutes including the addition of summer tank tops and tees, cargo shorts and skinny jeans, and Axel's slow hauling of the clothes to the store counter, Marluxia is making derogatory comments at the cashier who can't seem to remember how to bag items because she was so flustered at Marluxia's appearance. In her mind, he is confessing his love. They are both oblivious it seems. Fortunately, Vexen remedies this.

"You may stop blushing, he's gay," Vexen says in a bored voice. He turns another page in his book. He's nearly done.

Marluxia's eyes widen. "She thought I was straight?"

Axel shoves Marluxia out of the way and leans on the counter. "I'm straight and single. Pinky here, has too many high standards, even for a girl."

Marluxia narrows his eyes and decides that he has had enough of Axels smart mouth for the evening and promptly kicks him in the ass. Hard. The loud yell that erupts hardly phases him and Marluxia pushes Axel out of his way and onto the floor. He steps over the seething red head and places his blue credit card on the counter. "You're better off alone," Marluxia says. "He'll beg for any kind of action he can get then run." The girl glares at Axel and Axel looks away because, well, it was true. And he had nothing to counter it with. Marluxia smirks, and the girl nearly faints. He rolls his eyes and then gestures at the register. "My clothes?"

When Axel finally get's up, Marluxia piles the bags, one by one in his arms. He does not protest, because he knows Marluxia will hurt him. Severely. But then he knows that Marluxia loves him. And that they have been friends since the beginning of time like Vexen. And Marluxia always cooks Axel dinner after beating him up. It's tradition.

When Marluxia finally accepts that Axel is holding his bags securely (Vexen was always good with persuasion), he leads them out to his steel grey convertible that gleams in the sunlight. It was given to Marluxia by his parents as an apology for being away from home all time. They are still stationed in two different countries, but hey, it's the thought that counts. Marluxia tries not to think about. He tries to focus on his friends and not the loneliness. Because it hurts.

Marluxia drives them to his house without much thought. He knows that he doesn't want to be alone tonight, or any other night. Friendship, Axel's loud voice and funny jokes, Vexen's sarcastic interjections; those are what keeps the nightmares away and reminds Marluxia that tomorrow is another day. He can't keep relying on his friends to be around him all the time, this he knows. But he can't bear to be alone for to long. He knows he'll go insane.

.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.

Marluxia pushes the door open and Axel immediately makes himself at home. Making his was to the living room and spotting the sofa, he drops down on his favorite spot and grabs the remote off the glass coffee table in front of him. He ignores the need to prop his feet on the table because he knows Marluxia will skin him without a second thought. Besides, is he was good, he got access to the television. The very big, flat screen television in front of him. And free food. Yes. It is worth it.

Vexen follows Marluxia into the kitchen because he knows something is off with his best friend. More than usual. He places his book on the counter and leans on the refrigerator while Marluxia pulls items from the pantry. "I'm waiting."

Marluxia pauses. Vexen is always a bit too observant for his tastes. He doesn't know what to say right now, or how to put it into words. Besides, the vegetables he's slicing and dicing are far more interesting. He sets up a pot of water to boil and throws the vegetables in, adding a generous amount of salt a few minutes after. Zucchini, squash, broccoli, carrots, and Axel's favorite greens. The boiling water did not drown out Marluxia's thoughts. He pulls out a frying pan from the cabinet under a sink and looks at Vexen.

"It isn't enough."

Vexen arches an eyebrow, not understanding…when he usually does. "What do you mean? Me? Our friendship?"

Marluxia sighs. "Never you Vexen. I am just selfish. Greedy." He places the frying pan on the stove. "I want…love."

Vexen inwardly groans. Love was definitely not his forte. "I see," he replies, after that unavoidable, long, and awkward silence.

Marluxia laughs and flashes Vexen a wink. "No worries, Vexy," he says merrily, adding oil to the frying pan. Vexen merely grunts dismissively at the nickname and helps with dinner, draining the vegetables and adding them to the pan. Marluxia smiles, and Vexen can't ignore the fact that it doesn't reach his eyes. It's happening, Vexen thinks. The time Marluxia's parents spend away from him are finally taking it's toll. He can't ignore the loneliness. Vexen narrows his eyes at the sizzling vegetables. He isn't enough anymore.

Marluxia hums softly, setting plates on the dining table. He uses the fine china, because hardly anyone eats with him. He wants to use them, at least once in his lifetime. He fingers the hand painted flowers and vines absently, a wistful smile on his face. His mother always intended to use them but Marluxia hasn't had dinner with his parents in over fifteen years. It is always with Vexen and Axel. Sometimes, a few others.

The phone rings, and Marluxia slips out of the kitchen and walks into the hallway. He hopes that it is his mother or father, with news of returning home. He exhales as he pulls the white phone of the receiver. "Hello?"

"Duuuuuude!"

It is Demyx.

"Marluxia," he corrects, and sighs, letting his irritation known. But Demyx doesn't care, his clear and melodious voice makes everything seem so… small.

"Yeah, yeah," Demyx drawls, "listen Marly-dude, I need a favor. It's like, a total, huuuuuge emergency."

"What is it?" Marluxia asks, not resisting his whine. Demyx may be annoying but he is loyal and an amazing friend no matter what… even if he is a lousy fighter.

Marluxia hears shuffling on the other end, and Demyx clears his throat. "Well, uh, let's see here, because of my blatant idiocy, I forgot to tell the lovely and talented Queen Larxene," Marluxia and Demyx snort at the same time, "that I had to pick up a friend coming into to town tomorrow. I didn't tell the Queen beforehand so I can't take a day off at the bakery. Even though I waited until the last minute, Queen Larxene says I can ask someone to fill in. So um, interested?"

Marluxia is glad Demyx can't see the laughter on his face. It would be embarrassing. "She gave you cue cards, didn't she?"

Demyx lets out a big sigh of relief. "Gee, how'd you notice? She totally mentioned you as someone to fill in," he laughs, "I try and suggest Axel and Larxene says she'll lock me in the freezer."

Marluxia's eyes widen. "Why does she want me? I thought we weren't on very good terms."

"That's what I said!" Demyx laughs, then hisses after Marluxia hears a loud slap. Apparently, Larxene is there too. Demyx whines and continues, "Axel brags about your cooking when he comes here. Larx-- Ow! I mean, Queen Larxene wants your talented hands."

Marluxia hums in a thoughtful sense, thinking about plans for tomorrow. He doesn't have any. "Mm, alright Demyx. You owe me one."

Demyx cheers loudly. "Aw man! You are the absolute best Marlybabe! I'll give you half my paycheck next week and treat you to the movies and lunch, 'kay?"

Marluxia chuckles. How sweet. "Deal. What time do you want me to be there?"

"Ummm, I don't know, wait, tomorrow is--" there is a pause on the line, followed by whispering, slapping and Demyx yelps before he brings his attention back to the phone. "Geez, okay! Marly-dude, you can come down at eight. Lock up your sanity and bring a bat. Larxene is insane."

Marluxia guesses that Larxene has steeped out of the premise for a moment, since Demyx is talking so… freely. He laughs. "You shouldn't talk about your sister that way, Dem."

Demyx scoffs. "Sister? As if. Dude, I know I am adopted." They both laugh, and Demyx goes back to the plans of tomorrow. "I'll be in at like, four, to give you a hand with lunch rush. The kids are crazy but they have money."

Marluxia smiles fondly. "Thank you. See you tomorrow."

"Pfft, no thank you," Demyx sings merrily. "Later, dude."

The line goes dead, and Marluxia hangs up the phone with a feeling of contentment. Talking with Demyx always cheers a person up, and Marluxia is feeling happier as he walks to the table. Vexen has already dished the food, and both him and Axel are just finishing the meal. Marluxia's meal is covered, and it's still nice and warm when he sits down. He notices rice too, decorated nicely with his favorite herbs and spices. Marluxia smiles brightly and looks at Vexen, who is staring very hard at his plate.

Marluxia rolls his eyes, and reaches over, and takes Vexen's hand into his. "Thank you Vexy," Marluxia says softly and Axel pretends to gag. He ignores this, and squeezes Vexen's hand. I love you.

Vexen squeezes back. I love you too. He sighs in contentment as Marluxia gathers the plates gracefully and proceeds to wash them. Everything was fine, for now.

.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.

How'd I do? I am still writing chapter two. xD I might have to cut it in half soon.

Any feedback?