There were few things Zexion hated in his life more than being naked. He was so exposed, and that felt like weakness to him. He had no control over his own body; it was a tool, an object, a fixture for pleasure in other people's lives, and an eyesore in the bluenet's. The skin, and bones, and pale flesh of his body was not his, and he certainly he didn't want to claim it as his own. He was used and discarded, used and discarded, used and discarded over and over, again and again. All that wear and tear led Zexion to think that perhaps he should just be thrown out once and for all. Why keep using something if it was out of date and broken? It made no sense to Zexion, but if he questioned it, his words would be ignored. Having a voice that carried no weight in your own life was the root source of a lot of questions without a lot of answers. And of course, one of the only things the bluenet wanted was never given to him. Typical.
What's worse was the lack of control over what actually happened to his body. It was the fact he couldn't leave without Lexaeus' escort, it wasn't the slaps, or the kicks, or the punches that really broke him. It wasn't the emotional abuse, or the lack of food intake, or even the numerous drinks, joints, or cigarettes taken into his body on a daily basis. Nope, the worst of it came at night after a day of possessiveness, of physical abuse, and heavy drinking. The worst of it came when Zexion was tired and wanted to do nothing more than sleep, when Lexaeus and Demyx were both drunk to the point where a few more sips could possibly lead to a blackout, when the pot had been smoked and two of the three males crammed into the one bedroom apartment were horny. The worst came when Zexion wished for death to steal him from the world so he could finally have some peace. The worst came when the bluenet tried to refuse the advances. But lately, he'd been more accepting. Giving up hope had made things surprisingly easier.
Around three thirty a.m., Zexion had been feigning sleep for a couple of hours. Lexaeus and Demyx had flopped themselves onto the ratty excuse of a sofa, and pulled out the heavy duty alcohol and the weed. Demy lit up a joint, and Lexaeus would pour vodka in solo cups like it was water. They'd smoke and drink until they were high and drunken out of their stupid minds, and the bluenet would pull the blankets tighter around his small body as he swallowed back sobs bubbling up in his chest. He'd keep himself quiet by biting his knuckle, and he'd listen to the exchange of vile words between two very vile men.
"I think Zexion is showing very loyal obedience lately." Lexaeus slurred with a laugh.
"Mmhm. Definitely is, man. Especially in bed! He doesn't cry or scream anymore. It's a lot nicer that he doesn't do that." Demyx replied, the smell of pot hanging thickly in the air like a cloud of smog. Even if Zexion partook in the occasional joint, he wasn't very fond of the smell.
"I was thinking about bending him over tonight. I need a good lay." Lexaeus replied, and the smirk that was laced within his words caused the bluenet's stomach to twist so tightly it was getting harder to breathe. Even if he accepted it when it happened, hearing it was going to happen made his anxious, and planted a sick feeling deep in the pit of his stomach. "You want in, man? You can have him first."
"Nah, man. I think I got my own one on the line." The blond chuckled back. "He's a cute one, and maybe I'll bring 'em over and you can give Zex a break and bend 'em over instead."
Lexaeus scoffed at this. "Unless he's submissive and doesn't argue or resist, I don't want anybody else."
"Oh, come on, man. He's a real looker, real obedient too! I'm sure he'd be a good time. He's pretty seasoned."
"Clean?"
"Oh, yeah. Man, I'm stupid, but not that stupid. I won't stick my dick in a hole 'nless it'll come out clean." Demyx laughed musically, but really, he was serious.
"Alright, can you bring him over tonight? Maybe when I get done with Zexion, we can go a round out here." The couch springs squealed as a large weight was lifted from it, and Zexion's fingers tightened around the thin blanket covering his naked body. He was always forced to sleep in the raw because of cases like this. He never knew when he'd be used as a sex toy. Lately, it'd been every night, and Zexion was feeling rather ill from it all. "Alright, Demyx. Give your boy a call. I'll be back out here in a few."
"'Kay." Demyx replied as the floorboards squeaked under Lexaeus' massive weight. Zexion closed his eyes tightly as the door was heard squeaking open, and then shut with a bit of a slam. The anxiety rose in the little male's chest, and he held his breath.
"Zexion." A drunken voice stated in a quiet, but demanding tone. "Wake up. It's time for you to serve your dues."
Reluctantly, the bluenet sat up; the smell of alcohol thick and heavy in the already putrid air. "Yes…sir." He stated in a small voice, unable to make out anything but Lexaeus' massive silhouette in the room barely illuminated by a single street lamp outside of the window. He mentally reassured himself to simply do what he says, ask no questions aside from the 'necessary' one, say nothing unless spoken to, and to swallow the pain. "What can I do for you sir?"
"On your knees. Come here, to the end of the bed." He growled the request, the sound low and threatening.
Without a word, Zexion untangled the blankets from himself, and crawled on his knees to the end of the bed. The bed was no more than a short wood frame and an old, lumpy mattress atop it. It was stained with sweat and a bit of blood, and the stage for the debut of Zexion's acting skills. He had become enormously skilled in the art of disguising pain as neutrality.
Reaching the end of the bed, the sound of a zipper and clothing being pushed down could be heard. The scent of sex was heavy in the air, and Zexion swallowed thickly as his throat and mouth went as dry as a desert almost instantly. He did not want this, nor would he ever want this. Lexaeus drove him to the point where he feared he was becoming asexual and too distant to ever truly love somebody again. All of his dreams of marriage and a happy life were stolen and shattered a year and a half ago when he agreed the very first time to go and have a coffee with the mysterious man that called him beautiful. All he had left now was the hope that Lexaeus would go on a steroid induced rage and beat him to his death. But that was wishful thinking.
"It's not going to suck itself, Zexion. Get over here." Lexaeus commanded, and the bluenet did as he was told. The brute of a man may have shriveled, almost unrecognizable lumps as testicles, but his penis had regretfully not suffered any damage and was fittingly large for somebody of Lexaeus' stature. It sickened the bluenet. "You know what to do." The tone to Lexaeus' voice softened a bit because he knew Zexion would heed his every order and bend to his every whim without argument or complaint.
Taking a deep breath, Zexion opened his mouth as wide as he could and attempted to relax his jaw to the best of his ability. He closed his eyes tightly as a large hand threaded into his tangled slate locks and pushed his head forward. The large, erect member slid uncomfortably into Zexion's mouth, and he had to resist choking and gagging as the tip touched the back of his throat. "Good boy, relax your throat. You're going to take me in as deep as you can go."
Bringing up his opposite hand, Lexaeus threaded it into the slate locks and held onto Zexion's head. Without paying any mind to the bluenet's comfort, the brutish man began thrusting his hips forward in a harsh manner that required Zexion to grip the sheets and hold down the bile rising in the back of his throat. He could hardly breathe, and tears were streaming down his face from the pain. His mouth was not adept to open this wide, and his throat was not made to be prodded at in such a manner.
This went on for what seemed like an eternity to the bluenet. He was really struggling to keep it together, and the longer it went on, the more strength it took not to pull away or bite at the appendage currently choking him. But the moment came when Lexaeus groaned loud, and gasped for a breath; alerting Zexion of the impending orgasm. He could only hope it'd be swift and he wouldn't have to taste it.
Within the next few moments, Lexaeus' cock twitched in Zexion's mouth; and the tip leaked hot threads of semen down his raw throat. The bluenet's stomach lurched and he gripped the sheets tightly enough so that his knuckles went a ghastly white. More strands dripped down his throat, and just like that, it was over.
Lexaeus pulled out with a heavy sigh, leaving the bluenet panting for breath and coughing. A large hand came to gingerly pet Zexion's slate locks, and he wanted to cringe away from the touch. But instead, he simply sat there, out of breath and with a lurching stomach.
"You're beautiful." Lexaeus' voice hummed in a low tone against the darkness. "And that beauty would prove to be your downfall, Zexion. It's my duty to ruin that beauty so nobody else can take hold if it, and only I can know what a true gem you are. I love you."
A kiss was placed to the top of Zexion's head, and in a hoarse voice, he managed out a strangled, "I love you too." But he didn't. Zexion couldn't hate Lexaeus anymore if he tried. This wasn't love, it was torture. It was a hostage situation and the bluenet assumed he'd be trapped until he died.
"That's my boy…" Lexaeus sighed and pulled away; the sound of zipping being heard. "Get dressed, I'm through with you for the evening."
Zexion slid off of the bed and collected the small pile of clothes from a corner of the room. He quickly slipped into a pair of old jeans and a hoodie. He barely owned any other articles of clothing, and these weren't even his. They were hand-me-downs from Demyx, and did no more than hung off of his pale frame.
Once he was dressed, there was a swift knock at the door, followed by Demyx poking his mulleted head in. "Hey, Lex? My boy is here. Are you going to come out?"
"Hm, actually, no. Bring him in here. Zexion? Get out."
Without hesitation, the bluenet darted out of the room, keeping his eyes down so he didn't have to see the poor boy that would be subjected to the same torture he'd just received. "Demyx, bring him in! You stay in the living room with Zexion while I break him in."
"Sure thing." Demyx nodded, and closed the door with an audible click. Zexion stood in the middle of the living room, hugging himself as he stared at the floor. His small frame shook, and tears dribbled down his red, slightly puffy cheeks. Lexaeus was rougher tonight than all the nights previous, and Zexion could feel bruising forming at the corners of his mouth. His hair was a mess, and the twisting in his stomach was painful and sickening.
"Hey, are you alright?" Demyx asked in a hushed tone as he stood in front of the bluenet. "How bad was it?"
Zexion only shook his head, clenching his eyes and turning away. The blond's lip quivered at the sight, and he pulled the small, broken male into a hug. Zexion wrapped his small arms tightly around Demyx's midsection and cried soundlessly into his chest. "There, there." Demyx cooed, again in a hushed voice, as he gently rubbed a hand up and down Zexion's back. "You'll be okay."
"No…" The bluenet's rough, shaky voice whispered back; muffled by Demyx's shirt. "I won't be."
Demyx pulled back, and his cyan eyes met Zexion's icy blue. He nodded at the small male, an eager smile on his lips. "Yes, Zexion, you will. The boy in there? He's a friend of mine; a sex addict stoned off of his ass. He'll give Lexaeus a run for his money. I told him he'd get free sex every night if he could keep the brute in there busy for an hour or so."
"So..?" Zexion question, cocking a brow. "What does that have to do with me?"
Demyx's lips twisted into a sly grin, and he leant next to Zexion's ear as his voice dropped to a very low whisper; probably in fear Lexaeus would hear. "I'm getting me and you out of here. Tonight." He pulled back up, and a look of shock crossed the bluenet's bruising features.
"But how? He'll kill us!"
Demyx shook his head, pulling away from Zexion completely and pulling a pair of car keys out of his back pocket. "My friend gave me his car. I'm skipping town. I actually have a flight to catch in a couple of hours. I'm going home and going to get some rehab. My mom's waiting for me. She wants me home and off the pot. I'm tired of smoking and drinking my life away. I left a girl back home too, I miss her. She wants me home too. So I'm going home to get well and possibly marry my girl."
"But what about me, Demyx? Where am I supposed to go? I don't have anything to my name!"
The blond shook his head as a loud, resounding grunt came from behind the bedroom door. Demyx took hold of Zexion's arm and began leading him to the door. "I'll explain on the way." He whispered; opening the front door and ushering the little male out. Closing the door behind him as quietly as he could, Demyx once more grabbed Zexion's arm and led him down the stairs to the lobby, and out onto the street. The moment he stepped out, Zexion's skin was kissed by the night, and the night air was cool and clean, and the bluenet wanted to cry. He felt like this was all a dream, and he'd soon be woken up but Lexaeus beating him to shit.
"Hey!" Demyx hissed from a couple of feet away. "What are you doing? Follow me!"
With that, the blond took off in a sprint down the street. Zexion, wearing nothing on his feet but a pair of old, ratty converse on the way to blowing out, peeled out after him; easily able to keep up with the taller male's pace. The two sprinted a couple of blocks before Demyx's pace slowed to a brisk walk. They came up to a cheap little car with a cracked windshield, but otherwise seemed to be in good, working condition.
"Get in." Demyx said a bit breathlessly, and Zexion easily slid into the passenger seat, closing the door behind himself. The blond came around the other side and slid into the driver's seat; starting the car as quickly as he could. It choked and sputtered a bit before roaring to life; the sound seeming deafening against the stillness of the night. Demyx pulled away from the curb, and peeled out down the empty street; leaving both his and Zexion's shitty life behind.
For the first time in a very long time, Zexion broke out into a wide, genuine smile. He was in a state of disbelief, and did actually pinch his thigh to reassure himself e wasn't dreaming. This was a miracle.
"Okay, shortie, here's the deal. Remember that redheaded waiter guy at the diner?" Zexion nodded, and Demyx continued without missing a beat as he drove at a speed double the limit set. "His name is Axel. I talked to him after we left the diner. Remember when I told Lexaeus I'd be late because I had a pot deal to do? I didn't. I went back to the diner and talked to the guy. He wanted to help you when we were there, but Lexaeus would've killed him. But he is a very trustworthy guy, grew up with an abusive dad and lives in a nice complex a town over. He doesn't actually even live here, just works here. He said he's got an extra bedroom and volunteered to take in you and me. But I told him what I'm doing, and so he agreed to take you in."
"What?!" Zexion blurted out in disbelief as Demyx blew a red light, almost hitting another car in the process. "You're just going to shack me up with some guy I don't even know and leave me to hope for the best? Demyx, you could've set me up for disaster again!"
"But I didn't, Zexion. I like you, and I wouldn't pull out outta hell just to stick you back in. This guy is alright, I swear to you. If you have any problems, call me up. I left my mom's number with him."
Zexion sighed and leant back against the seat, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Alright, okay, fine." He agreed. He'd just escaped a life that most likely would've been the death of him, and not even an hour ago, he was left wishing for death. It was best now to simply to be open to whatever Demyx said.
"Good. Now, when we get at his complex, I just gotta drop you off and race to the airport to catch my flight. Just try and keep an open mind, alright?" Demyx threw an encouraging smile over as he blew yet another red light.
The bluenet nodded and took a deep breath. He was prepared to face this Axel guy again, and try to rebuild himself from the ashes of a desolate life. "Alright."
Demyx continued to drive like a madman down the empty streets before he pulled up to a shiny looking building in a place Zexion had never seen before. The bluenet looked out the window with wide eyes, before turning to Demyx. "Where are we?"
"A place called Riverglade. Nice little town, safe and secure. I'm pretty sure that lunk doesn't even know this place exists." Demyx laughed, and wore a cheeky grin. "Now, this is goodbye, Zexion. But only for a little while, okay? Call me up and check in every once in a while so I'm not worried sick about you. Next time you see me, hopefully I'll be in a suit standing at the end of an aisle waiting for my bride." He grinned, and Zexion couldn't help but do the same.
"Thank you, Demyx. For everything." A tear formed at the corner of Zexion's eye, and he reached across the console to give the blond an awkward hug. Pulling back, Demyx patted the bluenet's cheek in a brotherly fashion. "I'm sorry I ever hated you."
Demyx shook his head a bit sadly. "Nah, I can't blame you. I did some pretty horrible things to you and I only hope that you can forgive me."
Zexion smiled earnestly at the male besides him, nodding his head. "You've just saved me, Demyx. You're already forgiven. But I just have one question before I go?"
"Shoot."
"How long have you been planning this?"
Demyx smiled, tapping his temple. "Since I found out when your birthday was last year. I know it's not for a couple more months, but I couldn't wait any longer to give you're your gift. Happy early birthday, Zexion." He ended with a sheepish smile, giving Zexion's shoulder a squeeze before the bluenet leant over and pecked his cheek as a thanks.
"Goodbye for now, Demyx. I'll see you soon, when you're a married man." He smiled and exited the car, watching as Demyx peeled away from the sidewalk, giving two honks as he disappeared into the night. Zexion waved him off, before taking a deep breath and turning towards the lobby doors, and the callbox.
It then dawned on him that Demyx, the airheaded fool, neglected to give Zexion the number of the apartment. The bluenet groaned heavily, and was preparing to press every button and call every apartment until he found the right one, but a voice soon came though the speaker, startling the little male.
"Zexion?"
The bluenet whirled, nodding a bit. This was unexpected. "Um…hello?"
"Door's open, I already buzzed you in. Take the elevator because the stairs here really suck. I'm on floor eight, apartment six."
"Uh, thanks." Zexion said, and pulled open the lobby doors. He did as Axel instructed and took the elevator to floor eight. Once there, he walked down a long hallway to the door to apartment six. Reaching the grey door, he lifted a hand to knock, but the door opened, and there stood that redheaded waiter, clad in pajama bottoms and a tank top, with a warm smile on his lips. Zexion dropped his hand to his side, but didn't say anything.
"Uh, hey?" Axel greeted, cocking one of his short red brows.
"Hi."
"You can come in, you know." Axel stepped to the side, gesturing into his cozy looking apartment.
Zexion reluctantly accepted the offer and stepped in, and took a deep breath. The air was clean and free of any traces of sex or drugs or alcohol, and it even carried a pleasant cinnamon taste. Zexion sighed in relief, antsy still, but not as horridly anxious.
"Sorry it's not much, but I hope you'll find things around here to your liking." Axel apologized sheepishly, rubbing at the back of his head.
"It's…nice."
"The first bedroom on the right is yours. There's some clean pajamas on the bed for you. You can toss out the clothes you're wearing."
Zexion looked to the redhead, bewildered. "But these are my only clothes. I need them."
"There's a whole closetful a' clothes in that room. My, uh, friend Roxas, skipped town on me but left all his clothes and shit here. Caraphernelia." He stated with a sad laugh before perking right back up. "Anyways, I'm sure some of it'll fit you. Tomorrow I have off from work so I can take you shopping for some new clothes."
"No, I don't want that." Zexion stated, but noticed deflation on the redhead's part. "Um, what I mean is, I just don't want you buying me things. You're very kind for taking me in and all, but I'd rather just wear the other stuff for now. Until I adjust."
Axel put his hands up and nodded. "That's completely understandable. Hey, why don't you go and take a shower? I can make you something to eat and a cup of tea. You look like you had a long night."
The bluenet brought a hand up to his mouth, covering it a bit. He'd almost forgotten about the bruising. "I take really long showers."
"So do I. What do you want to eat?" The redhead asked with a smile.
"Do you have macaroni and cheese?"
"Mmhm, loads of it. Go and clean up, and I'll have that ready for you when you get out. You like green tea?"
Zexion nodded. "Yeah. Um, thanks."
Axel waved a dismissive hand as he began pulling out what he needed. "Don't mention it." He smiled warmly, and the bluenet offered a half smile back before turning and head towards the bathroom. He wanted nothing more than to take a shower and wash himself of his past life.
And he did just that, finding himself under the scalding stream of water in a clean bathroom, his eyes closed as his sorrows were washed down the drain. All the while he was showering, Zexion could only mutter one thing to himself, his tired body relishing in the cleansing shower.
"I hope this doesn't come back to bite me in the ass…"
