Chapter 3
"Awww... Xig... he's sooooo cute." Namine said as he looked at the sleeping Demyx on the couch. "How did you manage to snag such a cutie?"
"Uh...he uh...well he just appeared on my beach, asked if he cold stay over for a while and things just..." Xigbar started to say.
"I thought you said he was an old friend, Xig." Roxas narrowed his eyes. "Not some beach bum."
"I did, he's from my old neighborhood." He tried to come up with a believable response.
Axel crossed his arms and tilted his head to the side. "Xig... which is it? An old friend or a complete stranger?"
"A-an old friend! We bumped into each other on the beach on my way home from the studio and he asked if he could stay over. "Xigbar rubbed the back of his neck.
"What are you hiding from us Xigbar? You know you can tell us anything..." Axel said softly.
"I'm not hiding anything, seriously. He's just an old friend." Xigbar nodded.
"Ah, there it is, the old reassuring nod. Xigbar you are lying." Roxas sat on the armrest of the couch. "But I know you wouldn't try to skip practice for a stranger, but the 'old friend' excuse is getting the nod."
Axel looked at the boy. "He is a little odd... Where is he from?" Axel asked looking back at Xigbar.
"My old neighbor-" He stopped when Roxas rose an eyebrow. "I don't know..." Xigbar muttered.
"Nu-uh, no way you were about to skip for a stranger, that's too much, Xigbar." Roxas frowned.
"Look, it's complicated, ok?" The older man sighed.
"Complicated?" Axel stood next to his boyfriend and frowned. "We don't have time for this... But you will be explaining later."
"Ok, let's pack up and get everything to the truck we got fifty minutes to set-up at Cid's." Roxas pulled away and started to help his sister with her drum set.
Xigbar sighed at the momentary reprieve of questions. He'd have to come up with a good enough story to be accepted, while he was helping pack up.
Demyx opened his eyes slowly and looked up. "Xigbar?"
Xigbar looked over to the boy and waved. "Hey, sleepyhead, you slept through most of practice." He put his guitar in it's case.
"Oh... I'm sorry..." he whispered and rubbed his eyes. "Wh-what's going on now?"
"No prob, we're packing up to get to the bar we're playing at." Xigbar grabbed his equipment off of the floor.
"Oh? Am I coming too?" he asked quietly and sat up.
"Yeah, of course. I'm not going to leave you behind." Xigbar walked over to him and kissed his forehead.
"I love you Xigbar." he said with a smile.
"I love you too, Demyx. C'mon let's head upstairs and you can wait up there 'til we're done." The one-eyed man started to go up.
Demyx stood up and followed Xigbar up the stairs slowly.
"So, they were asking questions about you." Xigbar whispered. "I seriously have no idea how to answer them and they know I'm lying. I suck at lying..."
"Oh... so what do we do?" he asked as he stumbled up the stairs slightly.
"I don't know-you ok?" After making sure the teen was fine he sighed. "I have to tell them eventually, I can't lie to my friends like this..." He finished as he got to the top of the stairs.
Demyx bit his lip and stepped closer to Xigbar. "Will they not like me anymore? Will they take me away from you?"
"I don't know, but they won't take you away..." Xigbar shut up as soon as he saw Roxas pass by. "They just won't believe me..." He whispered.
"I'll try to prove it to them." he said softly. I just don't know how..."
"If you can come up with a way to present that you are what you are, have at it." Xigbar shrugged and gently placed his case in the backseat of the truck.
"So Xig... is Demyx like... your groupie?" Axel asked as he loaded his bass into the truck.
"Groupie? No, he's...different." Xigbar frowned and shook his head. "He's special."
"Special?" Demyx looked up and smiled with a slight blush.
Axel eyed the boy then looked at Xigbar. "He was a virgin wasn't he?"
"Ah...yes..." Xigbar exhaled and leaned back on the truck, reaching for Demyx and slowly pulling him against his chest.
Demyx blinked and looked up at the older human. "Xigbar?" he asked placing a on Xigbar's chest.
"Is there a problem with that?" Xigbar kept his eye on Axel raising an eyebrow.
"No but... You're ready to... settle down?" Axel asked softly and crossed his arms.
The thought had come to his mind and he was wary of it. Settling down wasn't something he did, only something his friends did. "I promised Demyx I'd take care of him." It wasn't a true answer but it was the truth.
Axel looked into his eyes then looked away and shook his head. "Don't hurt him..." he muttered as he walked away.
"Don't hurt him...?" Demyx looked up at Xigbar. "Is he talking about me?"
Xigbar bit his lip and nodded slightly. "Yeah...but I wouldn't hurt you..."
"You promise?" he asked softly and leaned against the strong chest.
"Of course...hurting you would be the worst. Then you would make that face and then I'd feel like shit for making you feel that way. And then I'd have to kiss you in hopes of making it better." Xigbar whispered and closed his eye.
"You can kiss me whenever you want… You don't need a reason to." he said with a blush and turned in the man's arms to face him.
"Yeah, I know..." Xigbar leaned forward and kissed him gently, sliding his hands to his hips.
Demyx closed is eyes and wrapped his arms around the mans neck, kissing his back passionately.
"You know," Xigbar pulled away only slightly. "You really don't get simple gestures..." He chuckled and kissed him back.
"Simple gestures?" he tilted his head to the side. "Like just... a short kiss?"
"Not a short kiss, any kiss, I keep feeling like if I kiss you, you take that as a cue for more intimacy, but...it's a little awkward for other people to be around and be so close so suddenly, y'know what I mean?" Xigbar leaned back onto the side of the truck.
"Hmmm... Oh... alright. I'll try to... hold back?" he whispered and leaned on Xigbar's chest.
"Demyx, have we tried hugging, yet?" The older man suddenly felt trapped against the vehicle and the dirty blond.
"Um... Hugging? No I don't think so..." he said softly and nuzzled Xigbar's chest.
"Well, I assume you know how to do it, let's just stick with that for now." Xigbar wrapped his arms around him.
Demyx put his arms around the older man's neck and buried his face into his neck. "I love you…"
"Well, I assume you know how to do it, let's just stick with that for now." Xigbar wrapped his arms around him
Demyx put his arms around the older man's neck and buried his face into his neck. "I love you…"
"I love you too." Xigbar smelled his shampoo from his lover's hair. "Hmm..." He looked up to see Roxas approaching with the last part of Namine's drum set.
Demyx pulled back slightly and glanced at Roxas. "He buried his face back into Xigbar's neck, scared that he would get yelled at again.
Roxas tilted his head to the side and put the stand in the truck. "So...this is actually quite different for you, Xigbar."
"It's fine, isn't it?" Xigbar rose an eyebrow.
Demyx looked up with a questioning look. "What does he mean by that?" he whispered.
"Hm, past boyfriends...are a little more intense..." The older man pulled away.
Demyx frowned and leaned against the truck. "Past boyfriends? ...How many...?" he asked as he looked down to the ground.
"Don't worry about it." Xigbar shrugged.
"Yeah, don't ask him about his flavor of the week." Roxas smirked and walked to the other side of the truck.
"Shut up, Roxas." He held tighter to Demyx. "I said this was different..."
"Flavor of the week?" he whispered and looked up. "What does he mean?"
"I-it means nothing, don't worry about it." Xigbar sighed. "C'mon, lets go." He started to pull him towards his car.
"No... I-I want to know." he said and pulled back. "What does it mean?'
"I'd rather we talk about it in the car, Demyx..." Xigbar bit his lip, holding onto the dirty blond.
Demyx pouted then walked over to the car with his arms wrapped around himself.
Xigbar unlocked the car and got in and closed the door leaning back into his seat and staring at the ceiling. After a moment he shoved his keys into the ignition and waited for Demyx.
Demyx bit his lip and stared at the door, not knowing how to open it.
Xigbar rolled down the window. "Put your hand under the dip of the car and pull back on it." He said, finally realizing what the problem was.
Demyx did as he was told and got in. "Will you tell me now?" he asked after closing the door.
"Flavor of the week is a phrase used about certain people. It's really kinda negative..." The older man started and turned on the car.
"Oh... So...I'm sorry I still don't understand." he said and looked over at the older man.
With a huge sigh he followed after the truck. "Each flavor is a different person. Flavor of the week means different partners...for each week." Xigbar wanted to look away embarrassed but he was driving, he couldn't take his eye off the road. Thank god, that his vision was cut off to keep Demyx's expression from view.
Demyx stared at the man with wide and sad eyes, then looked away. "So I'm..." A tear slipped from his eye and landed on his leg leaving a dark spot of the pants.
"No." Xigbar answered quickly. "Don't even think that, you're different...Don't." He shook his head. "Please?"
Demyx wiped his eyes and hugged himself. "How many...? How many before me?" he asked quietly.
The older man shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I can't say...hey, are you wearing your seatbelt like I told you?" Xigbar glanced over to the dirty blond and immediately wished he hadn't. He quickly self corrected and squeezed the wheel tightly with both hands.
The blond let out a little hiccup and pulled his knees up to his chest. "You're... a... drifter." he said between gasps and hiccups.
"Nn-" Xigbar bit his lip. Why did this conversation have to start now, right before an important gig? He knew he wasn't going to do well, now. "Demyx, please put on your seatbelt, I'll get into trouble if you don't..."
Demyx sniffled and turned to look out the window. "You'll never settle down... And... you'll never pick just... one..."
"Demyx..." Xigbar sucked on his lower lip. "I told you...you're different...don't...I told you I'd protect you."
"Protect me... but will you stay with me...?" he asked and looked over to Xigbar.
"If...that's what you want." He answered slowly. "How many times do I have to say this, you're different, you're special!"
Demyx stared at the man and new tears started to fall from his eyes. "I know, you've said that already... but... I-I can't help being insecure..."
"Insecure? What makes you think I'm not insecure?" Xigbar shook his head and frowned.
Demyx rubbed at his eyes but the tears wouldn't stop. "I-I... I just..." he hiccuped and let out a small sob.
"Demyx, why do you think I...drift?" Xigbar turned to look at him at a stoplight.
"Because you don't want to... to take a husband?" he said between small sobs.
The older man sighed. "No, it's not that...I can't stay with one person because I'm afraid of getting too close to them...or I do some stupid shit that pisses them off and they dump me instead."
Demyx looked at him and wiped away his tears. "Are you afraid of... of getting close to me?"
"I wanna try to get close to you..." Xigbar whispered. "I don't...want to hurt you, I care about you."
"I... I care about you too..." he whispered and dried his eyes on his shirt.
"Listen, don't worry about it. Axel's already sent me a warning shot, he hates it." Xigbar tried to smile.
Demyx smiled weakly and sniffled again. "I love you."
Xigbar bit his lip. "Demyx, I like you too." He licked his lips and continued to follow the truck.
Demyx lost his smile and looked back down. "Right..."
"Give me time, Demyx. I'm trying." The older man leaned back in his seat. "I really do like you."
"Alright... I'll try to be patient." he said softly and leaned back in the seat.
"If you don't mind me being slow about it..." He paused as he made a turn. "I think it'll be better. that way."
"I just want to be able to be near you." he said and placed his hand in his lap.
"That's fine. You can be near me." He parked beside the truck and turned off the car. "C'mon, we gotta set up, do you need to go to the bathroom?"
Demyx looked over at the human and tilted his head to the side. "Um... I think so...?"
Xigbar nodded. "Ok, let's go." He pulled himself out of the car. As he made his way inside the building Roxas closed the door of the truck after Namine got out.
"Xigbar, what are you doing, let's get ready." Roxas said.
Demyx opened the door and got out carefully. "I'm ok..." he whispered.
"Watch the doors to see who comes out and goes in if you aren't sure which one to go in." Xigbar nodded. "I'll catch up with you."
"Uh... b-but..." he bit his lip and wrapped his arms around himself not sure what to do or where to go.
"Just wait by the doors then, I'll be quick." He reached into the truck for his guitar case. "I'll be there soon."
Demyx frowned and walked into the building with a confused look on his face.
Roxas started to pick up parts of Namine's drumset and shook his head at Xigbar. "Quit acting so weird, he's just another boyfriend." Xigbar frowned and slid his case over his shoulder.
"You know, he is. But this time it's gonna be different, so just get off my back." Xigbar narrowed his eye and turned to go inside. The blond made a face but followed after him.
Demyx walked over to a pair of doors and waited by them, leaning on the wall.
Xigbar walked towards the stage and started to quickly set up and looked around the room, looking for Demyx, when his eye hit another person. "Crap."
Axel walked over to Xigbar and raised an eyebrow. "What's going on-oh..." Axel looked out to the crowd. "Is that Yuffie?"
The one-eyed man nodded slightly. "I had a feeling she'd come around..." He stood up and noted Demyx's location and frowned when he realized Yuffie was between them.
"Ooh. Have fun dude. Your current fling and an ex fling how exciting!" Axel said with a laugh and went to set up the drum set.
"Yeah, sure." Xigbar mumbled and stepped off the stage and made a beeline for the restrooms, trying his best to completely ignore the girl he dumped less than a week ago.
"Xigbar?" the female called out and walked up to him, grabbing his shoulder. "I was hoping to catch you here."
The man turned quickly to stare at the black-haired girl. "Yuffie? Uh, h-hey..." He bit his lip.
"Ok so I've decided to forgive you." she said and crossed her arms. "I'll take you back."
"Uhh...Y-Yuffie I er...I'm sorry but..." Xigbar cleared his throat and glanced back to Demyx. "I told you..."
Demyx noticed his lover talking to someone new. He walked over to him an wrapped his arms around one of his arms.
"Nn!" Xigbar looked to see who had grabbed his arm and relaxed when he saw Demyx, though he immediately felt impending doom coming from both of the people in his current vicinity.
"Who is this?" they asked together but the female had a little more anger in her voice.
"Y-Yuffie, uh...Demyx..." He gulped and slightly cringed. "Yuffie I told you...I...It wasn't working out..."
"Oh so did you dump me for... for this?" she motioned to Demyx. "A puny little boy? I bet he doesn't even know how to suck your-"
"No!" Xigbar frowned. "I dumped you because of you, it wasn't working out, Yuffie." He stepped a little in front of Demyx.
Demyx looked at the girl then up at Xigbar. "Who is she? A friend? What is she talking about?"
"She's my ex-girlfriend, Demyx." He looked back at the dirty blond and bit his lip. "Don't worry about it." He whispered.
"Um excuse me? Do I not exist anymore?" Yuffie asked and put her hands on her hips. "Don't get too attached. He'll just dump you in a few days anyways." she said.
"No, I won't." Xigbar shot back, glaring at her. "You're just jealous because he's cuter than you."
Yuffie stared at him with her mouth open. "You... you're just a stupid jackass that fucks and dumps! That all you know how to do and that's all you'll ever do!" she said then ran out of the building.
Xigbar sighed and shook his head running a hand through his hair. "And that's why I dumped her...Demyx, forget about her, she's just-" He shifted to look at the teen and bit his lip.
Demyx was looking at Xigbar with wide eyes filled with tears. "Does she mean that you'll... leave me? Like you left her?"
"No, Demyx. I'm not leaving you..." Xigbar put his hands on his shoulders. "Stop asking me that, because the answer will always be the same."
"Then why can't you say that you love me?" he said loudly, then covered his mouth his hands. "I'm sorry..." he murmured.
Xigbar blushed. "Because, I haven't spent enough time with you... Love isn't always instant."
"Oh... Am I allowed to love you?" he whispered. "Can my love be instant?"
"Y-yeah, I just...need time, like I told you in the car...C'mon, let's take care of the bathroom issue first."
Demyx nodded and grabbed his hand with his own. "Alright..."
Xigbar led him to the bathroom and went inside the men's room, glad that no one was inside. He double-checked under the stalls to make sure no one else was around. He then quickly gave a rundown of what to do and turned his back on him.
Demyx bit his lip and tried to do as Xigbar asked. "Xigbar... I... I don't..."
"If you don't need to go then tell me, it's cool." Xigbar felt like an idiot.
"No I don't know... how... " he said and looked at the older man.
"What did you do when you had to go in sea world?" Xigbar started to get flustered. "Just do that."
"But I didn't have..." he looked down and bit his lip. "This..."
"Demyx, do you realize how difficult this is to explain? Just think about it and your brain will figure it out." Xigbar sighed.
Demyx frowned then shut the stall door quickly and fumbled with the lock, After getting it locked he turned and attempted going to the bathroom as a human.
Xigbar let out a sigh and rubbed his face. There was no way he could possibly dump him, what was he supposed to do, throw him back into the ocean? The thought seemed callous. For all he knew Demyx was stuck, no, trapped in this world and he had no one to go to. Much to his surprise, Xigbar didn't care about the responsibility, it was the fact that he felt so needed that made him want to keep Demyx, but he'd never admit to that.
After a few minutes Demyx started messing with the door and finally got it open. "Ok?"
"Done?" Xigbar turned. "Push that handle down." He pointed at the toilet. "Then we'll wash our hands."
Demyx pushed the handle down and jumped back falling against Xigbar's chest with a yelp of fear.
"It's supposed to do that. Just assume the first time you hear something make a noise, that's the noise it's gonna make." Xigbar pulled him towards the sinks and turned the knob for Demyx then started to wash his own hands, showing Demyx.
Demyx followed Xigbar's example and smiled when Xigbar nodded. "I think I'm... getting the hang of this."
"Yes, now you gotta dry your hands off with a paper towel." He grabbed a few sheets and handed them to the dirty blond. "'Til they're dry." He glanced back to the door and was thankful no one else had come in.
Demyx tried off his hands and handed the paper towels back to the man.
"No no no." He handed them back. "I don't want those, throw them away in a trash can." He pointed to one and crossed his arms.
Demyx threw them away and turned back to him. "I did well?"
"Heh, yeah, you did great. I have to go get ready, can you find a place to sit?" Xigbar backed up to the door.
Demyx pouted and stepped closer to the older man. "Of course but first... A kiss?"
"Mm? Sure." Xigbar placed his hands on his shoulders and kissed him lightly. "Good job."
Demyx smiled and kissed his cheek. "Love you... Good luck."
"Eh, luck? Thanks." Xigbar pulled away and hurried back to the stage where Roxas was glaring at him to finish up.
Demyx walked back out to the man part of the club and sat down on a stool and looked up at the band
After a quick double-check of tuning Xigbar glanced at Roxas, who nodded to Namine.
Namine clicked her sticks together and started to play the beginning of a song.
"I am released!" Xigbar proclaimed as he came down, guitar already packed up and ready to go. "So, we sounded good right?" He sat on the stool beside Demyx.
Demyx smiled and stood up. "You were amazing... I'm just glad that I didn't fall asleep." He said with a little laugh.
"Oh our music can't be that bad, huh?" Xigbar sighed and leaned forward a bit. "C'mon, let's go home, I'm gonna pick something up along the way."
Demyx tilted his head to the side and clasped his hands behind his back. "Like what?"
"Mmm I dunno, somethin'..." Xigbar shrugged and got off the stool. "I guess I should introduce you to fast food." He scratched his cheek in thought. How do you feel about meat?"
"Fast... Food?" he tilted his head to the other side. "Meat? I uh... I don't know... But I'm willing to try."
"I'll get you a kids meal...then, less to eat but at least it's not something huge if you end up not liking it." He slid a hand around his waist.
Demyx smiled and placed a hand over Xigbar's. "I love you."
Xigbar leaned over and gave him a kiss. "Now let's go get some food! I'm beginning to starve!" He exaggerated and walked out of the club.
"Starve?" he looked up with a worried look in his eyes.
"I'm kidding, but I am hungry, snacks in between practice is getting thin." Xigbar opened the backseat of his car and gently placed his guitar in the back. He was happy he could finally take it home after minutes of arguing with Roxas about it. "Aren't you hungry?"
"Um... well yes." he said and opened the car door to get into the vehicle.
"Good, I was worried you were a guy who didn't care too much for food, you're so skinny." Xigbar got in the car and pulled on his seatbelt.
"Well I don't really eat that much... If that's what you mean..." he whispered and got into the car.
"Well, I'm not going to let you not eat." Xigbar started the car and leaned back in his seat.
Demyx frowned and looked out the window. "Well what are we going to eat?"
"It's a surprise, ok?" Xigbar laughed and started to head to the nearest McDonald's. He quickly went through the drive-thru and placed the bag in Demyx's lap. "Hold onto that, don't peek. Careful it's kinds hot."
Demyx tilted his head to the side and looked at the brightly colored bag. "Mc...Don...alds?"
"Hm, yeah." He took the box from the man at the window and gave it to Demyx. "That's the name of this place."
Demyx looked at the box and blinked. "What is it?" he asked.
"The bag is mine, the box is yours." Xigbar started driving home. "You'll see what you get, once we get home."
"How long will that be?" he asked, like an impatient child.
Xigbar made a face. "Not long, we're almost there anyway. Besides, you don't eat in a car, you eat at a table, like this morning."
"A table... oh! Alright." he said and held the food in his lap. "Xigbar... do you... live all by yourself?"
"Oh, well...kind of. I used to for a while, but then my family, well...my friends let me stay with them, but they haven't been home in weeks. They're in London, visiting family." Xigbar shrugged.
"London? What is London?" he asked and glanced over to the man.
"It's a country, far away, across the sea." Xigbar slowed as they got to his neighborhood. "Are you familiar with birds?"
"Birds? No." he shook his head. "I have no idea..."
"Well they fly, in the air. My friends used something called an airplane to get to London, and it's just like a bird, but much bigger." Xigbar parked the car.
"Airplane... Will I ever get to ride in one?" he asked with a smile.
"Uhhhhhh...they're really expensive." Xigbar frowned and got out of the car.
"Oh... like they cost a lot of money?" he asked and played with the cardboard box.
"Yeah." Xigbar nodded and closed the door, then grabbed his guitar out of the back seat. "Come on, let's eat."
Demyx got out of the car carefully holding onto the bags.
"Once you sit down at the table then you can open your box." Xigbar smiled at him. "Y'know...you're progress has been...great."
Demyx smiled as he followed Xigbar into the house. "Does that mean I get... A reward?" he asked with a blush.
"Hm. A reward..." Xigbar looked up as he shoved the house key into the door. "Mmmn...why not?" He smiled and opened the door. "But after you're arms are less full."
Demy nodded and hurried into the house to put the food on the kitchen table. He turned and smiled at his lover with his hands behind his back.
Xigbar slowly closed the door and walked over to Demyx then wrapped an arm around his back, weaving his hand so that he didn't trap Demyx's arm and kissed him deeply, leaning a bit over him. Demy moaned into the kiss and closed his eyes as he wrapped his arms around Xigbar's neck. Xigbar bit gently at the boy's lip, then licked before moving slightly forward. Demyx whimpered into the kiss and wove his fingers into the blond hair.
Xigbar opened his eye slightly as he pulled away and smirked. "I love you..." He pulled a chair out from the table and sat on it then dug in his bag. "So, I've said enough about my world today, talk to me about yours."
Demyx's eyes widened and he turned slowly to look at the human. "You what? Say it again." he asked and stepped closer to him. "Please..."
"Tell me more about your world?" Xigbar raised an eyebrow and opened his container which held his burger.
"I will but please say it again." he said and sat down on his lap.
"Say wh-" Xigbar stopped and bit his lip realizing what he had just said. "God! What is wrong with me?" He closed his eye and face palmed. "I'm sorry...I...It just came out..." He shook his head and sighed.
Demyx stood up and turned away from Xigbar. "So you didn't mean it..." he wrapped his arms around himself.
The older man pulled him back into his lap. "Demyx...I want to say it...and mean it. But I blurted out something I'm used to saying...I guess it's sort of lost it's purpose, I use it so casually..." He leaned his forehead against Demyx's back.
Demyx let out a sob and walked away from the human. "No meaning..."
"Demyx..." Xigbar got up and followed after him. "I like you. I like you, I like you, I like you." He took a deep breath. "I want to say it, but I want to say it for real, just not say it after...being intimate."
Demyx shook his head and wiped away tears. "It hurts..."
Xigbar turned the dirty blond around and hugged him tightly. "I'm sorry...I just...need a little more time."
Demyx buried his face into the man's chest and let out another sob.
"Slap me, I deserve it." Xigbar frowned. "I'm treating you just like I do my other exes, you deserve better than that..."
"I don't want to hit you... I-I... I just want..." he shook his head. "I don't know what I want..."
"You want me to say it...I want to be sure I mean it." He paused. "Hey, I'll find you a black pearl someday...then you'll know."
Demyx looked up with wide teary eyes. "You mean it?" he whispered.
"Yes, it may take me a while...but I'll get you one." Xigbar nodded and rubbed away the tears. "C'mon...you're food is gonna get cold."
Demyx smiled and kissed the man's hands. "I'll try to be patient." he whispered and nuzzled Xigbar's hand.
"Ok..." He set Demyx down onto the seat and nodded. "So open the box and take out the small box from inside, don't worry about the other stuff right now."
Demyx opened the box and peered inside. "What is it?" he asked pulling out the fries.
"Well what you have right now are fries." Xigbar reached in and grabbed the honey packets out with the box of chicken nuggets.
"Can I eat them?" he asked and looked up at Xigbar.
Xigbar laughed and sat in his seat. "Yeah you can eat them, but you should really start and try the chicken nuggets with the honey first." He picked up his burger.
"Oh..." he set the fries down and pointed to the burger. "What's that?"
"It's a quarter-pounder plain with cheese." Xigbar took a bite and nodded to the box he had pulled out, setting his burger back into the box and pulling open the honey pack.
"Oh... and what do I have?" he asked looking down at his own unopened box.
"Chicken nuggets, with honey." He opened the box and picked up a round nugget and stuck it in the honey. "There, now you take it and eat it."
Demyx picked it up and put it in his mouth. His eyes widened and he chewed.
"Are...you enjoying it?" Xigbar looked up and rose an eyebrow, taking a French fry and sticking it in his mouth.
Demyx swallowed and looked up at the man. "It's so good!"
"Yeah? Well that's the honey doing it's job." Xigbar nodded and continued to eat, and shoved a straw into the smaller drink. "If you get thirsty suck on this."
Demyx leaned forward and took a drink. He pulled back quickly and stared at the drink. "Cold!"
"Yes, it's cold, most drinks are. It sucks if it's hot...unless you want a specifically hot drink." Xigbar shook his head and continued to eat, smiling.
Demyx grabbed a fry and put it into his mouth. His eyes widened and he grabbed another, putting it in his mouth.
"Who, whoa, whoa!" Xigbar closed his hand over the fries. "Slow down, you don't wanna choke on them do you?"
Demyx swallowed and looked at Xigbar. "But they taste good…"
"Yeah, but you can't eat them too quick or you might end up getting something down the wrong pipe." Xigbar let go of his hand and leaned back in his seat. "One at a time."
Demyx pouted and looked down at is food and picked up another fry nibbling on it.
The older man shook his head and took another bite out of his burger. "Ok, so...tell me more about yourself, I really...don't know that much about you."
"Well I'll be nineteen in... what is the date?" he asked as he tilted his head to the side.
"Uh...well...let's see it's May ninth?" Xigbar shrugged. "Yeah, that's pathetic I don't even know what the date is without having to think on it."
"Oh... I'll be 19 in a month. June tenth." he said with a smile.
"Oh...so you're a Gemini, huh?" He closed his box and tugged a few fries from the container. "I'm a Scorpio."
"Uh... A what?" he asked and picked up another fry.
"Oh...that's right, you probably don't have stars in the ocean..." Xigbar frowned. "God, it must be so boring, to live under the sea."
"No! It's beautiful! I... I sort of miss it." he said and looked out a window to see the ocean.
"Yeah?" Xigbar followed his gaze and rubbed the back of his neck. "Have you ever popped your head out of the ocean at night?"
"No... this is the first time I've been to the surface." he said as he stared at the ocean. He put his chin in his hands and sighed.
"Oh man you are missing out." Xigbar nodded to the dirty blond's food. "Hey, just because I told you to slow down doesn't mean you have to stop, you still have apple slices and a nugget to go."
Demyx looked down and finished his fries, then picked up the chicken.
"Tonight, we'll sit out on the beach and I can show you the stars." Xigbar stood up and picked up his trash. "Seriously, stars are awesome."
Demyx smiled and watched the man. "What are stars?" he asked
"Stars are little bright lights the dot the sky at night, and they sometimes form pictures." Xigbar sat down and dug in the happy meal for the apple slices and ended up pulling out the toy instead.
Demyx's eyes widened at the brightly colored toy and he reached for it. "What is it?"
"Nu-uh, finish your food first, then you can have the toy." Xigbar quickly pulled out the apple slices and opened the bag up.
"Aw... b-but... what is it?" he asked with a pout. "I want it."
"It's just a toy that they give to the kids that eat all the contents of what's in that box, but only -after- they're done, ok?" Xigbar stared at the toy and shook his head, just some random racecar.
Demyx pouted down at the rest of his food then ate the last piece of chicken.
"Here, I'll help you with the apples." Xigbar took a slice and put it in his mouth while he opened up the bag that held the flimsy toy inside.
Demyx took an apple and took a small bite. "Oh... This is so good! It's so much better than everything else!"
"Good, you like fruit, and that was without the caramel. Fruit is great." Xigbar nodded and reached for another slice.
Demyx pouted as he watched one of the delicious pieces of fruit disappear.
"Oh you want to finish them off?" Xigbar grinned and pulled back now with the toy in hand.
"Yes... they're good." he said, staring at the toy in Xigbar's hand.
"Okay." Xigbar set the toy down in front of Demyx, sure he would finish the remnants of his meal. "So...Tell me about your family."
"Oh... well my mother is a very nice and loving woman, and my father..." Demyx's eyes widened and he stood up quickly. "My father... he's ill... I completely forgot!"
"Sick?" Xigbar furrowed his brow and looked up at Demyx. "Could that be a reason why you were on the beach?"
Demyx shook his head. "Uh... no that wouldn't be the reason..."
"So, then...what's the reason?" Xigbar stood up and gathered up the rest of the trash, before tossing it all in the garbage can.
"I... I don't know..." he but his hands on his head and closed his eyes. "Why can't I remember?
"Hey..." Xigbar hugged him gently. "It's ok, I'm sure you'll figure it out sometime...so do you have any siblings or is it just you and your parents?"
"No... two sisters. One older sister and one younger one." he said and sat back down with a frown.
"Yeah?" The one-eyed man leaned back on the counter and crossed his arms. "What about them?"
"Well Larxene... she's my older sister. She's well kind of mean but she means well. And Rikku is my younger sister, and she has a heart of gold." he smiled and looked out the window again.
"Mm...sisters are fun, they can kick your ass and get away with it too." Xigbar laughed and shook his head.
Demyx tilted his head to the side and blinked. "They can do... what?"
"Uh.." Xigbar tilted his head to the side to try and figure out what the mermaid version of the saying was. "Uh...S-smack your...tail?"
"Oh! Yes, they do but mother usually takes my side. She says it's because I'm so cute." he said with a blush.
"Hm, well she is right about that, you are pretty cute." Xigbar grinned and crossed his arms, wondering what exactly he would be doing right now if he were alone, the idea suddenly sounded foreign to him.
Demyx smiled and his blush darkened. "Thank you." he said then paused. "May I have the... toy now?"
"Huh? Oh yeah, it's on the table. Go ahead, play with it." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
Demyx picked up the toy and fumbled with the plastic before pouting then handing Xigbar the toy.
Xigbar tore open the plastic and tossed the trash away. "Hm. Racecar. Faster version of what we were in to get to Roxas' and Namine's."
"Racecar?" he took the small toy and flipped it over in his hands.
"Yeah you roll it around on it's wheels and...that's about it." Xigbar shrugged and started towards his room. "Be right back."
Demyx set the car down with a pout and stared after the man. "Wh-where are you going?"
"My room." Xigbar said over his shoulder and his cell started to ring. 'God Save the Queen' started blaring out of his pocket and he rose an eyebrow reaching for the small flip-phone.
"Oi! Xigbar! How's everything in the land of the free? Burn the house down yet!"
"Oh, yeah. Totally torched, can't save a thing. It's all gone." Xigbar smiled and sat down on his bed. "So, how are you?"
"Very good." he paused. "I've never seen Xaldin this happy. You know how he's wanted to come here for so long."
"Mm, I guess four years of living in France as a child really never gave him a chance to cross the channel." He shrugged. "So, how long are you guys staying over there?" Xigbar glanced down the hallway to check on Demyx.
"Coming home in about three days... If I can drag Xal onto the plane."
Xigbar laughed and nodded. "Yeah, that might be a challenge...Hey...did you guys leave a muffin in the fridge?"
"Hmm... maybe. I'd ask Xal but... He's rather tired out right now." he said, his smirk practically audible.
"Dude, seriously? Xally is practically my brother. I don't need to know." Xigbar made a face but was still smiling.
"What? You here him screaming at home enough." he laughed.
"Hehhh." The one-eyed man mocked the laughing and shrugged. "It's not like I can help it, Luxord."
Luxord laughed. "So what's been going on." he paused again. "No, love. Go back to sleep.." he whispered
"Oh, nothin' much. I have a surprise for you when you get home, though." Xigbar wasn't sure how well the 'old friend' spiel was going to work with Xaldin, he could barely make it believable to his band mates.
"Oh? What did you do Xigbar?" he asked quietly.
"What makes you think I did something?" Xigbar frowned and bit his lip. "I did nothing wrong."
"Ok now I'm really concerned... What did you do?" he asked again.
"Luxord...I-this is something I'd rather talk about in person? It's nothing huge, serio-well..." Xigbar chewed on his lower lip. "Everything is peachy, nothing's wrong, I have a new boyfriend."
"Oh...well that was quick what's her- wait did you say BOYfriend? As in not female?"
"Yes, I did...why? Xigbar got up from his bed and rubbed his face.
"Well you usually go after... well girls." he said and a creaking bed was heard.
Xigbar chewed on his lower lip. "Yeah...so?" The words came out slower than he wished.
"Oh nothing. So um where did this one come from and how long are they going to be around?"
"Mmm...dunno..." He simply answered. "Definitely longer than Yuffie." He scooped up the sketchbook he was carrying when he found Demyx and flipped to the page, frowning at it's incompleteness.
"Oh... wow. Do I know him? And how did you meet?"
"Nope." Xigbar decided to go monosyllabic as he grabbed a pencil from his nightstand and started filling in the lines he had sketched and attempted to recall that exact moment.
"Ooook... How did you meet?" he asked. "Go back to sleep Xaldin, love."
Whining could be heard on Luxord's end and Xigbar continued on the drawing. "On the beach, comin home from work."
"Oh... Where's he live?" he asked and the sound of a kiss could be heard.
"Y'know I think, if you stop talking to me, Xaldin will go to sleep faster and he'll be able to go on more sightseeing adventures with you." Xigbar narrowed his eyes a the picture. "Seriously, I will tell you alll about him when you get home."
Luxord laughed. "I suppose you might be right. We'll talk to you when we get home then."
"Yes, lots to talk about." Xigbar closed his phone and dropped it beside him on the bed as he tried to finish the picture, but something wasn't right. "Hey, Demyx...c'mere."
Demyx stood up from his chair and walked into the bedroom. He stared at Xigbar with his head to the side. "What is it?"
"Uhm...Could...could you lay on the ground for me?" He lifted his sketchbook. "Trying to finish up the sketch I started.
His eyebrows knitting together and he stared at his lover. He stepped forward and touched the paper. "You were... drawing me?"
"Mm, yeah?" Xigbar pulled the book closer to himself. "That's...ok, isn't it?"
"Yes... I love that you want to draw me... but...not with the tail." he said and bit is lip.
"Why not?" Xigbar had no plans to change the part he couldn't see anymore.
"Well..." he fidgeted with his hands and bit his lip. "This is who I am now... The tail... that was before I knew you so it's not important..."
"It's important to me." Xigbar smiled. "This is the only picture I'll draw of your tail, I promise."
Demyx pouted then laid down on the ground. "Fine."
After a moment of staring Xigbar shook his head. "No, take off your shirt...and look away from me."
Demyx blushed but sat up and pulled his shirt off, with a bit of trouble, then tossed it onto the bed. He laid back down and looked away from the older man. "How's that?"
Xigbar hummed and sucked on his lower lip, then walked over and moved Demyx's arms into a different position. "There. Now sit still." Xigbar went back to his bed and finished out a few lines.
Demyx bit his lip and squirmed slightly. "Xigbar... what else do you do other than draw and play music?"
"Well...Drawing is actually my mainline of work. I design labels for stuff, emblems, logos...then I do some work at a surf shop, design the boards and help make them. I have a weird schedule." Xigbar darkened the line of the curve of Demyx's back.
"What's a surf shop?" he asked and closed his eyes.
"It's a place where you buy surfboards, repair them, order them, get gear for them...anything to do with surfing, really." Xigbar switched pencils.
"What's surfing..." he asked quietly and tried to hold back a yawn.
"It's an activity where you take a board out into the ocean, wait for a good wave then, using the board you ride the wave, for as long as you can."
"Oh... well that sounds like it would be fun." he said and a yawn escaped his lips.
"Hm, you tired, Demyx?" He rose an eyebrow and quickly looked between the sketch and the teen.
Demyx shook his head. "No..." he whispered and held back a third yawn.
"Eh, I have what I need, let's get you to bed..." Xigbar pulled back the sheets and set his sketchbook down. "You're sleepy."
"Hmm..." he looked up and blinked. "But what about my reward?"
"Mm. What are you fishing for?" He knelt down and lifted the blond's chin.
Demyx's lips parted and he reached up to pull Xigbar down into a kiss.
"Hmm." The older man wrapped an arm around the teen and pulled him closer.
Demyx moaned into the kiss and wrapped his arms around Xigbar's neck
"Mm, Demyx..." Xigbar picked up the teen and shook his head. "C'mon, you need sleep..." He whispered.
"B-but..." he whined and hugged Xigbar's neck. "I want you..."
Xigbar rose his eyebrows and blinked. "Uh, Demx...I told you I want this slow..." He could feel his cheeks flare up in embarrassment, a rare feeling he had.
"I love you..." he whispered and closed his eyes.
Xigbar closed his eyes and gently put the teen in the bed. "You...are tired and you need to sleep."
"I'm not tired..." he whispered and cuddled into the bed. "You promised to show me the stars."
"I will show you the stars...just..." He let out a chuckle and took off his shirt, shaking his head. "Demyx. the stars come out every night I'll show you tomorrow."
Demyx rubbed his eyes and yawned. He squirmed and looked down at the jeans he was still wearing.
"I guess no matter what I say won't change your...mind." Xigbar slipped into the bed and sighed.
"No... it's not comfy... he whined and squirmed again.
"I'd imagine not." Xigbar turned Demyx slightly away from him and ran his fingers along the boy's side.
Demyx mewed slightly and arched his back to the feeling.
The older man undid the button to the boy's pants and rubbed his hand over his length through the boxers, sllipping a hand around him to tease a nipple.
"Hnmm..." He closed his eyes and tossed his head back. "Xig-Xigbar..."
"Hm?" He continued his ministrations and rose an eyebrow, leaning close to kiss his neck.
"Feels good..." he moaned out and raised a hand to weave his fingers into the mans hair.
"Mm." He pulled his hand back and bit Demyx's neck gently, then slowly pushed his hand into the boxers.
"Ohhh..." he groaned and tugged on Xigbar's hair.
Xigbar grinned and took a hold of the boy, stroking him, and licking at his neck.
"Xig... Hah..." he gasped out and parted his lips. "So... so good."
The one-eyed man grazed his teeth against his neck and pinched the boy's nipple.
Demyx arched his back. "Oh Xigbar... I..." He moved his head and tried to kiss the older man.
Xigbar kissed him deeply and quickened his hand. "Mmmn."
Demyx opened his mouth and moaned into the kiss as Xigbar pushed his tongue in and moaned into the kiss as well, squeezing the boy's length. Demyx moaned again and arched his back. He pulled out of the kiss and with a loud moan as he released into Xigbar's hand.
"Well, now...do you feel better?" Xigbar pulled his hand back and kissed the back if his neck.
Demyx panted and looked over his shoulder at Xigbar. "I love you..."
The older man leaned his head into the boy's shoulder and took in his scent. "Mmm..." It was going to take work on not saying anything after such intimate moments.
"But you still don't feel like you mean it?" he asked and turned to cuddle into him.
Xigbar shook his head slowly. "It's not that...I just-" He shook his head and sighed. "I don't wanna be pressured."
Demyx frowned and buried his face into Xigbar's chest. "I'm sorry..."
"Don't be...It's me, totally...I'll figure it out." Xigbar nodded and wrapped his arms around the teen after wiping his hand. "I gotta know that I know the difference...y'know?"
Demyx sniffled and wrapped his arms around the older man. "I understand..."
"Hey, it's ok. Don't cry about it." He kissed his forehead gently. "Let's sleep, now. I have to go to work tomorrow..."
"Work? So... I have to stay here?" he asked quietly and twirled his fingers around the man's hair.
"I don't know how my boss would like you hanging around the shop, he'd prolly put you to work..." Xigbar closed his eye.
"Hmm... I'm going to miss you so much..." he muttered. "I want to hear you play... that thing again..."
"You're welcome to touching her if you want to try and play on your own." Xigbar smiled. "I don't care. Plus you can look up stuff on the computer, you can read, right?"
"Read? Oh yes..." he said and yawned. "Will you play for me sometime?"
"Sure." He mumbled and settled into the bed, pulling sheets over top of them. "Go to sleep, Demyx."
Demyx cuddled closer and kissed his chest. "I love you..." He whispered before falling asleep.