Demyx groaned wearily as Axel hit him repeatedly with a pillow.

"Demyx, get up!" the redhead demanded. "It's your first day of work. You're going to be late!"

The blonde finally opened his eyes, seeing Axel peering over him like a mother hen. He looked almost exactly the same as when they were in high school. Except for the tattoos on his face. Demyx had been living with him for nearly a week, but still couldn't get used to those damn tattoos. Axel blinked his emerald eyes a few times, then grinned that cocky grin of his.

"Oh, good, you're up," the redhead said. "I guess I'm lucky you don't sleep naked if I'm going to have to wake you up every day."

Demyx threw a pillow at his roommate. "Get out of my room, Axel! Am I going to have to get a deadbolt on my door?"

Axel laughed, waving a hand over his shoulder as he walked away. "Don't flatter yourself, Dem. You're not my type. Better hurry. We leave in fifteen minutes!"

Demyx sighed, sitting up slowly. They'd decided to carpool in order for each of them to save money, switching by the week. Axel would drive this week. Though, Axel explained, if the job was out of town, everyone would carpool in one vehicle while someone else drove the trailer (or the "toolbox" as Axel called it). Knowing he'd end up filthy by the end of the day, Demyx had opted for showering at night. Now, all he had to do was get dressed and brush his teeth and he was good to go.

"Now, I'm just going to give you fair warning before we get there," Axel explained as he drove down the city streets. "Some of the guys are a little crazy. Xigbar is in charge of on-sight jobs, and he's nuts. Whatever you do, don't ask about the eyepatch. Xaldin is second in command. He's an okay guy, but he's got a nasty temper. Stay away from him when he's got a nail gun. And Zexion…well, he's Zexion. I don't know what to say about him. Xemnas rarely shows up since he just owns the business, and Saix is his little crony. You'll only see him the first day of each new job. He does the estimates. We're still waiting for someone to fill the last position."

Demyx nodded. "So that's everyone?"

"Sorta. There's also Lexaeus. When we need cement poured for foundations and stuff, Xemnas calls Lex's company to do it. And Larxene is the electrician. She'll check out all the wiring and stuff when we need her."

"Okay. Anything else I should know?"

"Yeah. Never turn around too fast when carrying two-by-fours on your shoulder."

"Forgetting something?" Zexion asked, flipping lethargically through the previous day's newspaper at the kitchen table.

Riku looked at his older brother, an irritated teenage glare on his face. A backpack was flung over one shoulder, his long silver hair damp from the shower. Zexion glanced away from his newspaper, removing his reading glasses as he looked at the boy. Riku shrugged and Zexion absent-mindedly pointed at the brown paper bag on the counter. Riku scoffed, then started for the door again. Zexion stood and walked to the counter.

"Riku, take your lunch," Zexion scolded. "Mom and Dad may not have cared if you skipped lunch, but I do."

Riku sighed, looking back at his brother. "Why can't I just buy my lunch like everyone else does?"

"Because we don't have as much munny as everyone else does." He held out the lunch bag. "Now take it. And don't waste it."

Riku snatched the bag from Zexion's hand. "Fine."

"And you'd better go to school. You and Sora can hang out on weekends like you always do."

"Don't worry, I'm going. Relax, Zex. You fret too much."

"I'm sorry. It's just…I'm trying, okay, Riku? I'm trying to do what they would have done."

Riku smiled, looking his brother in the eye. "You're doing fine."

Zexion tried to smile.

"I'm off to school. You'd better get going, too, or you'll be later for work." He turned to look at Zexion one more time before leaving. "Mom and Dad would be proud. Love you, bro."

"Love you, too. Be careful when you cross the street!"

"I'm seventeen, Zexion!" Riku's voice called from outside the apartment door. "I'll be fine!"

Zexion smiled, shaking his head slowly. Their black cat, Fortune, jumped onto the counter, purring and rubbing against his hand. Other than Riku, she was the only family he had left. Then, after grabbing his own lunch from the refrigerator, he gathered up his keys and a book and headed for work.

Demyx raised his eyebrows as they pulled up to the current worksite. It was a large house, tarps scattered on the side of the yard. Other vehicles were already there, a pickup truck with a large black trailer hitched to it, and a small black car. He could see three figures waiting in the grass, for them apparently. Two of them were standing together, while the other sat alone. As Axel parked the car, he shook his head.

"Last one here again," the redhead sighed. "Well, Dem, let's introduce you to the guys."

They climbed out of the car and started toward the two men conversing in the yard. One of them, a tall man with long black, silver-streaked hair in a ponytail, smiled at them. He had quite a few scars, and he wore an eyepatch, telling Demyx that this was Xigbar.

"Hey, it's the new dude!" he spoke, offering a hand. "I'm Xigbar."

Demyx shook the man's hand. "Demyx. It's nice to meet you."

Xigbar laughed, then pointed to the man next to him. "Yeah, you too. This is Xaldin."

Xaldin was taller than Xigbar, with black hair in a ton of braids and pulled into a high ponytail. He shook Demyx's hand, too, giving a nod as a hello. Then Xigbar pointed behind them to the third man.

"Zexion's over there if you want to meet him," the eye-patched man spoke. "Nice kid, but he doesn't say much. Better yet, let's make him come over here. Hey! Zexion! Come meet the new kid!"

Zexion, who was perched on a large stack of wood reading a book, looked up at them. He closed his book and took off a pair of small glasses, then started toward him. As he approached, Demyx instantly noticed that he was quite smaller than the others. His hair was slate-colored, a curtain of it hanging over his right eye. Unlike Xigbar and Xaldin, who seemed to be a little older, Zexion looked to be around Demyx's age, maybe younger.

Demyx almost immediately felt himself blushing. This Zexion was cute! He really hadn't expected to find himself working with anyone he could end up having a crush on. But he already felt attracted to this slate-haired stranger standing before him. Demyx realized this could be a problem, and he knew to put feelings aside. Especially feelings of lust. For all he knew, this Zexion could be a real jerk. Not to mention straight.

Zexion offered a timid wave and a small smile. "I'm Zexion."

Demyx blushed even more. What a sexy voice! Sexy name…

Shut up, shut up!

"I'm Demyx. It's nice to meet you."

Xigbar clapped a hand on Demyx's shoulder. "Well, that's all done! Time to get to work." He led them across the yard to where the others had apparently been last week. A fraction of a deck was already in place. "Mr. Shinra just wants to add a deck here, so that's what we're doing. You know how to work power tools?"

Demyx nodded. "I had shop class in school, and I helped my dad a lot."

"Good, good. You don't want to end up like me." He pointed to his eyepatch. "But to be safe, we're gonna have you observe the others before using anything. Consider yourself in training! And who should you follow? Hm…" Xigbar glanced at the others, who were already starting to work. "Axel would play around too much. Xaldin…well, he's not good with training. I guess you can─"

Zexion started the buzz saw, but stopped upon seeing Xigbar scowling. "…What?"

"Don't 'what' me!" Xigbar said. "I'm trying to think! Stop making so much noise!"

Zexion looked confused. "But…"

Xigbar glanced back at Demyx. "Go watch Zexion. He's running the saw, so he'll help you. Enjoy!"

"Hey, Zexion."

Zexion looked at the person who had spoken his name. Axel was walking toward him, the new kid following behind. They were taking their lunch breaks, where Zexion chose a spot beneath a tree. It was shady there, peaceful enough to read his book. Even in November, the heat of Destiny Islands didn't subside. He didn't mind any of his co-workers, but frankly, when Axel had a lighter, it frightened him.

Zexion closed his book and looked at his visitors. "Yes?"

Axel held up his hands. "Don't worry. No lighter, see? Me and Dem just thought you'd like some company."

"Um…sure."

He could practically feel the blonde's eyes burning into him. Xigbar had instructed Demyx to watch him, but he didn't think the young man would take it so literally. And every time Demyx looked, he would quickly look away. It was like something was bothering him. And it gave Zexion the vibe that Demyx did not want to be around him.

"Dem says you're doing a good job training him," Axel said, trying to start a conversation.

Zexion glanced at the blonde, who was giving Axel a look that clearly said he'd never said that. "Really?"

Demyx looked at him, blushed, then quickly looked away. "Um…yeah!"

"I'm glad you think so."

Zexion reached for his book again, deciding that this conversation was pointless. It was obvious that Demyx was not comfortable being around him. How was he supposed to speak with someone who didn't like him? He took a bite of his sandwich and the others did the same with theirs, Demyx's eyes still surveying him. Zexion tried to ignore it by concentrating on his book, but it was unbearable. Was he really that untrustworthy that Demyx had to watch him this closely?

Zexion sighed, closing his book and looking at Demyx. "What is it?"

The blonde looked shocked. "Wh-what?"

"Is something bothering you?"

"N-no! What makes you say that?"

"You're staring at me. Do I bother you?"

"N-no," the blonde sputtered back. "You're just so…you're…interesting?"

Clearly not what he wanted to say. And why would he make it sound like a question? Zexion decided not to push the issue. He'd judge Demyx when he knew him a little better.

"So how's Riku?" Axel asked, diverting the subject.

"He's fine. He skipped school last Thursday to hang out with his friend. Or boyfriend. I don't know what they are. But he swore he wouldn't do it again."

"I see. And…how are you?"

Zexion shrugged. "I'm okay. Why do you ask?"

"Any lucky lady friends?"

Okay, now this conversation was getting weird. He looked at Axel. Where had that come from? "Um…no."

"Oh, I see. Guy friends?"

"No, Axel." He decided to turn the tables. "What about you, Axel? Are you and Demyx an item?"

Axel laughed. "No way! Dem's got…specific preferences."

Demyx blushed. "Um, guys, I think it's time to get back to work!"

Zexion nodded. What an odd conversation. He glanced at Demyx, who was already rushing across the yard. After taking a quick glance at Zexion, Axel shrugged and followed. Then, once he had packed up the remainder of his lunch, Zexion shook his head and trailed behind them.

"I can't believe you!" Demyx scowled as he walked into their apartment after work. "Axel, that was so embarrassing!"

Axel smirked. "So you do have a thing for Zexion! I knew it."

Demyx groaned as he sunk into the couch face first. "Yeah. And thanks to you, so does he."

"Sit up. I can't understand you with your face in the cushions."

Demyx obeyed. "I said if he didn't know, he does now!"

The redhead shrugged. "So what? Maybe he likes you, too."

"I didn't exactly get that impression. I don't think he's into guys."

"His younger brother is gay. Maybe he is, too. You want me to ask him straight up?"

"No! No, Axel. Please, just spare me more embarrassment." Demyx buried his face in his hands. "Gah! I don't know how I'm going to face him tomorrow! I should just quit and not show up!"

Axel sat next to him. "No, don't do that. Today was only the first day. Maybe for all Zexion knows you're just skittish around people you don't know. Maybe he didn't catch on. Just go tomorrow and act like today never happened. Start over. Tell him you were nervous about your first day. Talk to him and get to know him. Hell, I've been working with him for how long, and I don't know much about him. He's always got his nose buried in a book. Anyway, see what you can learn about him, and maybe find the key to his heart. Maybe he will like you back. I mean, if you're not going to ask him if he's gay, what better way is there to find out?"

Demyx thought, taking in all Axel had said. "Yeah. Axel, I think that's the smartest thing you've ever said."

"Of course! Besides, if you skip out tomorrow, Xemnas will have my head." He stood, starting to walk away. "Oh, and if I see you acting like a schoolgirl with a crush, I'll blatantly tell him you want to jump his bones. Now come on! Let's get some food!"

Zexion sighed as he flipped the page of his book the next morning. He had resumed his perch near the stack of wood, which was much smaller now, waiting to begin work. No surprise, Axel was the last one to arrive, Demyx with him. Zexion glimpsed his book. Sad, he'd probably finish it a few minutes into lunch, and he didn't bring another. Maybe Axel and Demyx would come to talk to him again. He wasn't sure, but if they did, he sure hoped Demyx wouldn't stare so─

"Hey there."

He glanced up, seeing Demyx in front of him. "Oh. Hello, Demyx."

Demyx kicked one foot in the dirt, then looked back at him. "I…wanted to apologize for yesterday. If I freaked you out, I'm sorry. I just…first day, you know? I…guess I didn't make a very good impression. So, I'd like to start over if that's okay with you."

He watched the blonde closely. Demyx still seemed quite nervous. But at least he wasn't behaving so strangely. And he could tell that the blonde meant every word of what he'd just said.

Zexion smiled. "Sure."

"Great!" The blonde seemed suddenly cheerful now. "So…are you from around here?"

"Not originally. I grew up in Hollow Bastion."

"Ah, the capital."

"Yes. I went to college there for a few years, too. My parents and younger brother moved here during that time. After they died, I dropped out of school to take care of Riku. He likes it here, so I couldn't just pull him away. How about you?"

"Yeah, I'm from here. I lived in Radiant Gardens for a few years, but…let's just say it didn't go as planned. It's good to be back, though. I get to see my family. And Axel and Luxord. We were good friends in high school."

Zexion nodded, listening as the blonde started to give his life's story. But Zexion didn't mind. Though the others didn't ignore him, they didn't talk to him the way Demyx was either. In fact, Demyx was still talking as Xigbar called them to start working. And Zexion could tell that Demyx would become a good friend.