Disclaimer: I always try to come up with creative ways to do this, and I always fail. I don't know why I continue to try. So, I don't own it, I have no rights, blah-blah-blah.

Warning: Yaoi (rhymes with 'Owie'), and most likely language.

Chapter 2

When Demyx came to, he was sopping wet and being held in someone's arms. Mumbling incoherently to himself, he looked up to the owner of the arms, his heart speeding up again when he realized what he'd just experienced hadn't been a dream.

"You know, we aren't going to get very far in this discussion if you continue to faint."

Before Demyx could stop it, a blush tinted his cheeks. He ducked his head away, hoping that it would go unnoticed.

"How do you expect me to react when you're telling me that I'm being taken to the Underworld? I thought I was Immortal!"

Zexion shook his head, a small smile spread across his lips. A cool hand reached out and stroked strands of Demyx's wet hair off his face, before resting gently on his cheek.

"As far as I know, you are. I'm not taking you because you're dead. I'm far too busy to come around and collect every soul. That's why I have Riku, in any case. I came because I've been watching you for a very long time. I would enjoy it if you'd grant me your company in the Underworld. The dealings of dead mortals can become tiresome, as I'm sure you would understand…"

Demyx shook his head earnestly at that last statement. At Zexion's frown, he clarified. "I've never been out before. I've never seen any mortals."

That small smile appeared on Zexion's lips again and he nodded understandingly. "Of course not. Marluxia's kept you trapped here. I want you to come with me. I want to be…friends."

At Zexion's hesitation, Demyx suddenly remembered that he was being held in the god's arms. Where he had felt safe before, now he was uncomfortable. He sat up and scooted a few inches away, a blush filling his cheeks.

"You hesitated." Demyx accused. "You weren't going to say friends."

Zexion shook his head. "You're right, I wasn't. I was going to say lovers…but I did not think you were ready for that yet. After all, I have had a lot of time to get to know you and make my decision. I can't force you to go any faster then I have…"

"But you said earlier that you didn't have much time!" Demyx protested.

Again, Zexion nodded. Demyx had to take a moment to marvel at his patience. "That is true. Xemnas has given me two days. One to ask you to come with me, and a night to decide. It is a very big decision, Demyx, and you must understand that. I don't want you telling me later that you didn't know."

Demyx bit his lip, shrinking away just slightly. He didn't like the sound of clauses that might upset him later.

"You're being cryptic," Demyx complained, scooting to the water's edge and dipping his hand in. The feeling of the cool water caressing his fingers calmed him some, and he let out a small sigh of satisfaction. He turned his attention back to Zexion, taking note of how odd the god looked lounging in the grass in his impeccably neat suit.

"I'm sorry," Zexion apologized, plucking a blade of grass from the ground and shredding it with his nails. "I'm…nervous, if you can believe that. I've never made this offer to anyone before…and I must admit I've become rather attached to you in the last few months."

Demyx tried to beat down the feeling of uneasiness with the knowledge that he'd been being watched for quite some time. The thought struck him that Zexion must be very lonely down in the Underworld all by himself. Mortals feared the thought of it and they likely avoided Zexion merely because he was a god, and that was what mortals did. The other gods-as far as Demyx had heard-looked down their noses at the Underworld, as if they were better merely because they could spend all their time lounging around on Olympus without a care in the world. Zexion must have spent most of his time alone. Keeping this in mind, Demyx tried to keep his voice gentle as he spoke.

"Well…I can't ever agree or disagree if you won't tell me the conditions of this arrangement," he prodded. "Like you said, we only have so much time."

Zexion nodded quickly, looking quite flustered. Demyx took a moment to appreciate that it was him making the god act that way. It was a nice ego boost, if nothing else.

"If you allow me to take you from here and accompany me to the Underworld," Zexion began, drawing a deep breath, "you won't ever be able to come back."

"…What do you mean?" Demyx asked, feeling a flare of panic build up in his chest. "Like…never? For the rest of eternity?"

Zexion nodded solemnly. "That is exactly what I mean. Those who enter the Underworld are not allowed to leave, with only the exception of Sora. He's a rather special case, as I'm sure you could understand." Demyx nodded dumbly, though not really understanding. "I barely have the opportunity to leave," Zexion admitted. "Things tend to get a bit…wild down there when I'm not around to hold things in order. I have to get express permission from Xemnas, which I'm sure he loves, by the way. He's my brother, you see, and he's always lording the whole 'King of the Gods' thing over Aqua and myself, even though we have just as much power in our realms as he does in his…" Zexion trailed off, uttering a small apology as he realized that he was babbling.

Demyx only smiled. Zexion was rather endearing when he let his barriers down, even if he'd done so by accident…but was he endearing enough for Demyx to spend an eternity with him? What happened when Zexion got bored of him, when he discovered that Demyx wasn't particularly that interesting? But still, the thought of escaping the only place he'd ever known, of getting a taste of the outside world filled him with yearning. Demyx was confused.

"Zexion…you said I had a night to sleep on it, right?" he asked, pros and cons flitting through his mind at a mile a minute.

"Yes, of course," Zexion answered. "Know, Demyx, that I will never force you in to anything you want to do. If, tomorrow, you tell me that you would rather stay, I won't fight you. I'll be disappointed, of course, but I will never make you do something that you don't want."

Demyx could hear the double-meaning behind his words, and he smiled gratefully. "I think I know that," Demyx admitted. "I'll meet you at this same time here tomorrow, and I'll have my answer."

They both stood, and Zexion took Demyx's hand, pressing a quick kiss to his palm. "Until then," he said with a quick bow of the head. He released Demyx's hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared into the foliage.

Later that night, as Demyx lay in bed, he inspected his hand with utmost care. Though it didn't look any different then normal, the place where Zexion's lips had touched it seemed to tingle. The events of that afternoon seemed so very surreal. For as long as he'd been alive (which was a very, very long time), the only company he'd ever had was Brooke and Marluxia. He'd long yearned for any sort of new company, to break free of the beautiful glen he'd come to see as a prison.

The only thing stopping him from jumping at the offer was the thought of never being able to come back. Would exchanging one prison for another really be worth it? But then again…Zexion seemed just as lonely as Demyx…and the Underworld was filled with mortals. Dead mortals, but mortals nonetheless. There would be so many people for Demyx to talk to, to get to know. The Underworld had to be bigger then the glen, with more exciting things to see and do…

Marluxia wouldn't be there to control Demyx's every move. Demyx could do what he liked. He'd be free to explore. To ask some of his many questions and maybe get a straight answer for once. He could have a real friend for the first time ever.

And Zexion…Zexion was going to take Demyx away. He'd seen that Demyx was unhappy, and he was the only one who cared enough to offer a hand. For being the god of the dead, Zexion was caring and cute and sweet. And he wanted Demyx. The blonde turned over in his bed, buried his face in his pillow, and let out a manic little giggle.

Suddenly unable to wait for the morning to come, Demyx closed his eyes and urged himself to sleep.

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A/N: Short. I know. Sue me.

Riku: Charon deliverer of the dead

Sora: Hermes Messenger of the gods

Aqua: Poseidon god of the Sea