Author's note: And there's chapter two. The only thing I gotta say about this one is that words in italics are thoughts. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Same as last chapter.


Chapter II.

Marluxia's thoughts raced. His scyte was stuck. Stuck. In his opponent's weapon. His opponent. He was still holding it. What, what to do? Vexen. Yeah, now what? Moving. He moves.

Close, way too close.

Marluxia felt the pain before he saw what was hurting him. Crimson liquid seeped in his cloak, making it a dark brown color. He felt his cloak tear as Vexen released his hold of the shield, and let it drop. It also pulled Marluxia down, who was a moment later lying on the floor in a puddle of blood, panting heavily. The blonde backed away, shocked and panicked. I just pierced the leader of Castle Oblivion. Pierced. He's dying. Fading. What, what should I do? Think, think. Let him fade? I can't. He attacked me. Wait, what happened? It's all going way too fast!

Vexen ran towards his attacker, rolling him on his back so he could examine the wound. It was deep, the shield seemed to have gone completely through the Graceful Assassin. Vexen looked at Marluxia's face. He was pale, almost white, his normally deep blue eyes were now more gray-ish and dull.

'Marluxia? Marluxia, speak to me!' Vexen almost hysterically cried out. If the pink haired man would die here, he'd be in big, big trouble.

'Stay awake! Whatever you do, stay awake!' he called again, but didn't get an answer this time either. He ran towards his lab table and grabbed some bandages, needles, and disinfecting potions. As good as his shaking hands would allow him, he took care of the wound, grimacing at the thought that he was curing his attacker, one who'd had the intention to kill him. Vexen tried to suture the wound quickly, but as he began, he saw that Marluxia passed out.

'Shit, Marluxia, I told you to stay awake! Oh god, now what, now wha- Xaldin! Zexion! Anyone!' Vexen cried out as loudly as he could, hoping someone would come to help him.

Hurried footsteps could soon be heard near the lab. Xigbar came crashing into the lab, shouting, alarmed by all the commotion. He took in what he saw, the botanist lying limply on the floor, Vexen soaked in the blood and the weapons thrown away in a corner.

'What in the world were you two doing!' He exclaimed. Vexen just shook his head and called back to Xigbar

'No time to explain, just keep him awake!'

Xigbar did as he was ordered, sitting next to Marluxia and taking the pink haired head in his lap.

- x -

Oh, it hurt. It hurt so incredibly much, Marluxia didn't even dare to move a finger. He'd been listening to sounds coming from some machine for almost an hour now, he estimated, and had declared himself 'awake'. Though that pain, the burning pain in his stomach wouldn't go away.. Marluxia didn't remember much, just getting out of bed one night because he was ..stressed? Worried, maybe? And where was he off to? What did he do, that he shouldn't have?

...Who'd done this to him?

Darkness surrounded him once again.

- x -

Vexen paced next to the bed, rearranging the sheets over and over again, making sure the Assassin wouldn't get cold. He still wasn't sure why he looked after the other, or why he was attacked, he only knew he didn't want to get in trouble.

He looked at Marluxia again. As he lay there, he seemed peaceful, calm. No evil plan, no pain, no anger was displayed on his face. Just calm, dreamless sleep. His pink hair was splashed on the pillow, a few quaffs clinging to his face. There were still bloodstains all over his body. A little drop of blood rested on the Assassin's rosy lips. Vexen tried to gently brush it off, but it had dried up and wouldn't go away. He tried again, with a little more force this time, and jumped in surprise when the other suddenly opened his mouth a little.

Nothing else happened, the Academic just stared in shock at his 'patient', who slept on peacefully, now with his mouth just a tad open.

He's so vulnerable like this.. nothing like before, Vexen thought. In a way, he's even beautiful right now. Vexen smiled at his own thought. He'd thought it before, but he'd never been this close to the other while thinking it. One of his fingers still rested on the pink haired man's lips. He used it to stroke the other's forehead, cheek, and without even really thinking, he slowly cupped Marluxia's cheek. He leaned forward and closed his eyes.

It seemed like eternity before he felt the rosy lips meet his own.


Once again, please review! I'm not a very experienced writer and need reviews to improve ..