(AN) New Chapter Up! Check out Reyaa now if you haven't. She's my collaby.
BGM: The Good Left Undone, by Rise Against
"Riku. I have a special mission for you. If you can do this... I may consider you my son again." Xemnas didn't change his accute posture, but there was the slightest inflection in his voice as he glared at his son's rigid back.
Riku's body tensed further as he faced his superior. "What do you want me to do father?" Riku felt like tearing his hair from its seems. Just jump through a hoop here... do a dance there... it was humiliating.
"I know you still think about that brunette boy, and I have since accepted that you are... gay... but I want you to forget him. Instead pursue Axel. I want you to do whatever you can to make him trust you... then tear him down. Rip him apart. We're going to test the boy. If he makes it, he makes it. If he doesn't... well you know what will happen."
Sora's muscles were stiff from having been seated in the same position for to long. He wasn't about to move though. He needed to continue on the script that would decode and destroy the remaining locks that belonged to the members that were now part of Malor Pars instead of Meilor Vulgus. He kept fucking up because destroying them would mean removing Riku from his life forever...
"Sora?" Said boy tensed at the voice making itself present in the tech room he had been stuck in for the past two days. Gulping, he turned his chair on wheels around and faced his brother.
"Leon." Sora replied curtly.
Leon didn't seem all that pleased, "Have you eaten? Considering the state of your hair I don't suppose you've visited the shower recently..." Leon muttered, taking a seat in the chair beside that of Sora.
That chair was Kairi's. Anyone could tell by the pink flower decals on the back.
Sora frowned at Leon's words, "What's it to you? I'm not bothering anyone am I? I'm doing my job right, aren't I?" Leon shook his head, making Sora scowl and move his gaze from his brother to his screen instead.
"You haven't. You could have scripted that code in your sleep. I'm removing you from your post and putting Kairi on the job in your stead." Sora huffed in indignation but didn't protest more, as he knew Leon wouldn't change his mind anyway.
"What do you want, Leon?" Sora asked, knowing full well the talk hadn't ended there.
Leon leaned back in the chair, eying Sora curiously, "I need you to take care of yourself. You are a wreck. I don't like it as your brother and as your boss. Your current state is affecting the others emotionally and job wise as well. They are feeling guilty for driving Riku out of our midst. Riku has made his decision, Sora. He even tried to drag you along with him! I need you to get over him."
Riku felt exceptionally drained, like someone had just taken a vacuum cleaner to his insides and swept away all of his necessities. Take down Axel? Just how many people would he have to ruin to be in his father's good graces? He had been supposed to do the same thing to Sora. Look how that turned out.
Xemnas didn't miss a thing when he reprimanded, "You're thinking of the boy again. You failed there... he betrayed you like you were supposed to him. He's like of the rest of the world. You can't trust anyone Riku, let alone that snot of a boy." In his odd way, it was a sense of caring for his fruit. He could warn him of the dangers of the world and that was it.
Riku understood what his father meant. Had Sora not taken him down first, he would have had to ruin Sora. He had even tried to bring him to MP as an escape from the deception that hadn't worked.
"Is that all father?" Riku asked in a weary and distant voice. He was ready to release all of his baggage and emotion out somewhere.
"Yes. Riku. Don't forget your new mission."
Riku exited the room in a haste. His body slumped forward against the dirty and desecrated wall across from his father's room. He flexed his arm in anger quickly punching the nearest available floor space he could find.
Get over Riku? That's like asking him to move mountains, drain rivers dry and make stars disappear. Or in short, impossible.
Leon had been right about Sora. Sora could indeed code that script in his sleep. But the guilt of having to turn Riku over, hunt him down like some animal straight out of the darkness... It kept his mind so busy that stuff that were supposed to be second nature to him, suddenly became complicated. The only reason Riku had gotten out alive and escaped to get to Malor Pars in one piece was because the others in Meilor Vulgus had taken pity on Sora.
There was no worse betrayal then what Riku was making Sora go through. Yet... He couldn't get over the silverette. He couldn't move on. He didn't want to believe that Riku was all bad.
"Get over him, Sora. You need to move on." Leon's words snapped Sora's attention back to the present.
He scowled at his brother, "You didn't force him to get over his boyfriend. You don't seem to mind that his sulking makes his ever-present darkness even more unbearable." Sora sneered, not caring one bit that he was bad mouthing one of his closest friends and family members. He was depressed, he was allowed to be a lousy friend at the moment.
Leon shifted in the chair, making it squeak a little as he leaned his face in his palms, elbows propped up on his knees, "His ability isn't affected by his mood. He can connect with the darkness while sulking as much as he can connect with it when he is beaming fucking rainbows of his face." Leon sighed, nudging Sora's knee a little with one of his hands to make sure he still had Sora's attention, "Your ability on the other hand... Sora... You are the light. You are our light, without your light we are nothing. We already lost a lot of power when the Clandistine Killers split in half to become Malor Pars and Meilor Vulgus. We cannot afford to lose more. We can't afford to lose him as much as we can't afford to lose you. You are the least spendable, and right now your light isn't shining as brightly as it should be." Sora squeezed his eyes shut, trying to shut Leon out with that action. It didn't work of course.
"Fix. It." Leon ordered.
Sora's hands clenched into fists, and he opened his eyes to lock his watery gaze on that of his brother, "How? HOW?" He shouted, letting the tears fall down his cheeks, his bottom lip trembling.
Leon stayed silent for a moment, watching Sora, not with pity but simple understanding. He knew how Sora felt. Sora knew this.
"Move on. That is my best advice. It is an order actually. We have a new recruit since recent, her name is Larxene, of course you wouldn't know since you've been locked up in the dark ever since Riku left. Meet her, show her around, make her feel at home. She's been through a lot, believe it or not. She knows some of the people in Meilor Vulgus already... But you know how our system works. We get cut of from our previous lives to enter this new one. She isn't exactly happy with her old friends. Show her she can make new friends." Leon stood, placing the chair neatly back beneath Kairi's desk, "You're bi. You might like her." Leon said this without emotion. Sora scowled.
"I don't want-" Leon held up his hand, effectively shutting up Sora, "That is an order." Clenching his teeth, Sora threw his keyboard off the desk in anger, "FINE!" He shouted at the back of his retreating older brother.
It was nothing more than a quick mutter... but it meant the world, "Riku..."
BGM: Who Killed Bambi, by Tenpole Tudor
Axel pushed his way through the decrepit building. He desperately wished he could remember the way back to the front of the building. If only he had paid more attention to Riku when they were heading up to meet that man... his superior. The man almost seemed to be coming onto Axel.
'Plain creepy,' he thought.
Axel spotted an elevator crunched into the wall, but it barely looked safe. From the way the doors hung like teeth from a single waiting strand of nerves in a child's mouth, from the way the light flickered ominously inside the elevator like a dying lightning bug, from the way there seemed to be a gaping hole in the bottom of the carpeted elevator, to the 'click', 'click', 'click', that came from some unknown source inside, perhaps a serial killer lurking in the haunting elevator?
... Nope. There was no way he was going in there.
Instead he chose the less scary, if more dangerous, path throughout the halls. He was a jungleman, searching through the unknown and uncharted areas that were Malor Pars territory. Now all he needed was a machete and a tan wide brimmed hat to finish off the Indiana Jones feel.
Oh! Stairs! Yes. Behind door number 3 was the most beautiful set of staircases Axel had ever laid eyes on. This of course, was an exaggeration, but who would deny Axel his over exuberance? Axel bounded down the stairs, four steps at a time, and was back at ground level in what had to be a Guinness record.
He had successfully made it through cockroach infested stairs, past perpendicular blocks of wood and linoleum that were starting to sag, and back onto the first floor. The layout was quite simple on this floor so Axel easily followed the hallways back to the open most part of the first floor. Soon he saw watermelon bright hair.
"Reno!" he shouted.
The redhead spun around and narrowed his eyes once he spotted who had called his name. Anyone could tell Reno was not a happy mobster.
"Axel," Reno refaced.
Axel and Reno were brothers. The closest of brothers truly, until Reno had went away to college. Axel and Reno had not had the easiest of lives, but that is not to say they had the most difficult either. The two, the scarlet's and crimsonde's father had died when they were still both at an early age, meaning that Reno had taken on the role of a father figure. This didn't bother them much though.
The two had both went out one May day and bought tatoos on Reno's 18th birthday- Axel's 15th would be only in about eight more weeks. Reno recieved two purple crinkle tatoos just above his cheek bones. Axel wanted two harlequin teardrops directly under his eyes. This was the sign of their brotherhood.
Axel and Reno had always had the same type of hair too. Bright and spiky, so different from their mother's hair. While Ariel's hair was a dark maroon, Axel's hair was a brilliant crimson color and Reno's was a scalding scarlet. Ariel's hair had always been soft and wavy by nature. Reno and Axel's hair was spiky and rough. Something they both took pride in.
After Reno went away to college many things happened, Roxas and Axel, long time best friends decided to attempt a relationship. About a year and a half later Roxas died. The summer between sophmore and junior year came. This was a few months after that fateful December Roxas passed into heaven. Even though Reno and Axel had grown apart during those few years at college, Reno still knew he had to comfort his brother somehow.
So drugs and alcohol, cigarettes and college students became a must in Axel's life. That is, untill Reno and his best friend Rude went back to WLU (WonderLand University). Axel hadn't seen his brother in the few months since summer. Which reminded him:
"Shouldn't you be in school?" two redheads asked at nearly the same time.
"Got recruited because I'm a walking pyro," Axel shot out suspiciously while cocking his right eyebrow as if to say, 'and you?'
"Summer job."
"It's not summer."
"Summer job that I do during the rest of the year too."
"C'mon Reno. Tell me the truth or I might just have to beat it out of you."
Reno took a sigh before telling his younger brother, "It's none of your business Ax. You shouldn't be here... you don't know what they do."
"I know plenty Re. Don't tell me what to do. Now, why are you here?" Axel coy-fully bantered.
"Axel, Axel, Axel... you always did think you knew everything," Reno sighed and changed his direction of thinking, "I have my own reasons for being here. I'm not going to up and tell you."
Axel became increasingly frustrated. Axel only knew one thing to do when he became frustrated. Axel bolted forward, his body bent and intending to take Reno down on his stomach. Instead he went through air where Reno was supposed to be and with one push to his bent hindquarters he ended up unbalanced and on the floor.
"What the fuck?" Axel whimpered from his spot on the floor.
"We all have abilities here. I just happen to be super fast. Now, if you're smart you won't try that again... now run along little bro, I have work to do," Reno offered, "who do you need to see?"
Axel sifted through his hazy brain and came upon the name given to him."Marluxia."
Reno winced before saying, "Third floor. Pink door."
Reno helped Axel off the ground by extending a hand. Pointing the younger crimsonde in the correct direction. Axel looked at his older brother's pointed finger. It displeased him that the finger was pointed away from his brother. They had been close, until the redhead had gone of the college. Axel could accept people leaving him behind for such reasons, because he was certain that after college, somehow, they'd find their way back to each other.
It was clear his brother had lied to him, "Why didn't you tell me about your summer job, Re?" The crimsonde muttered, wiping the dirt of his clothes that had caught on by falling flat on his ass. Or having been pushed onto his ass roughly, by his brother no less. His brother he was supposed to be close too. Everything was backwards lately...
"Now is not the time to discuss it, and neither do I really feel like explaining it. Things have changed Ax." Reno announced as an explanation that didn't explain one bit. Axel heaved a heavy sigh before following the route Reno had showed him before.
Both left the other muttering and shaking their heads.
BGM: When You're Evil, by Voltaire
Riku waited patiently beside the exit of the staircase on the third floor. He knew Axel had gone to find Reno and speak of whatever subject they needed to speak about. The silverette wasn't one to pry or spy, he left them their moment and would catch up with Axel whenever he came back up to find Marluxia.
The elevator was a death trap. Of course the crimsonde would take the stairs.
He didn't like that he had to seduce Axel, not because the crimsonde wasn't attractive, far from actually. Not exactly Riku's type, but it was clear his father wasn't going to approve the bouncy and jolly kind of partner for his son.
Riku thought his methods over in his head.
He could seduce him the old fashioned way... Or, he could use his ability... That would be categorized under cheating, Riku knew that well enough, but Malor Pars wasn't known to play fair. Dirty play was something Riku was good at, he wasn't sure he enjoyed it, but he was good at it.
He'd never used his ability on Sora...
He couldn't think of Sora now. The brunette was case closed and not to be pondered upon any longer.
Seducing Axel was going to be tricky, with or without help from his empathy. They didn't exactly hit it off with sparking glitters at their first meeting, and although they didn't seem repulsed by one another, it was clear that their positions in relationships wasn't exactly compatible. Although both could make exceptions, they certainly weren't going to make exceptions with each other when it came to domination.
Domination is such a nasty word... Relinquishing control seemed more fitting, giving that other person a part of you so vulnerable...
Riku shook his head. He could already see the arguments Axel and he would have were they to get in that situation. Unfortunately, Xemnas... his father, didn't leave him much of a choice.
Riku straightened when he heard footsteps resounding through the staircase beside him. Letting his arms fall to his sides, Riku licked his lips nervously then closed his eyes and let the Crimsonde's feelings wash over him, removing his own emotions entirely.
Riku gasped at the loneliness grabbing a hold of him. Although Riku was probably just as lonely as Axel, the crimsonde's loneliness was so different from his own. The silverette knew everyone experienced emotions differently, but this was like walking straight into a brick wall, believing it wasn't there at all. Which meant the result hurt. A lot.
Axel was feeling anger as well. Riku tilted his head a little, breathing in steadily to dig a little deeper... Ah. Axel was mad at Reno. Reno his brother. Rude as well? Who is Larxene? Demyx and Zexion. The Melodious Nocture and The Cloaked Schemer from Meilor Vulgus. The anger coursing silently through the crimsonde's veins, the confusion as well... It was so heavy, Riku wasn't surprised anymore that Axel had burst the way he had on Sunset hill.
Exhaling, Riku shoved Axel emotions out of him, repossessing himself as Axel neared the exit.
The silverette could deliberately tap into someone else's feelings, but only if he forced himself into that other person. He couldn't actually feel the emotions bounding off people if he simply walked by them. Which people were grateful for. Of course, that didn't stop Riku from tapping in whenever the hell it damn well pleased him.
"You coming with me?" Axel snapped Riku back to attention with his question.
Pushing himself off the wall, he turned to face the crimsonde standing beside him, "I am. I told you I'd show you the way back to darkness. I am with you every step of the way." Riku murmured, gesturing with his hand towards the pink door before them.
Axel stepped forward, knocking on the door quickly, "Should I be worried about this Marluxia character?" the crimsonde was frowning, scratching his head a little as he had no idea what he had gotten himself into.
Seeing an opportunity, Riku gently took a hold of Axel's wrist, bringing his hand back down to his side. Letting his thumb rub soothing circle's over the back of Axel's hand, Riku inched forward just a little, so the distance between the two wasn't so great, "You'll be fine, I'm here to help you and keep you safe." Riku whispered, letting his lips graze Axel's cheek in an intimate manner.
Alright so that was a lie, without it being a lie. He would help Axel, and he would keep him safe, until the moment was right for the silverette to strike and ruin the crimsonde.
Axel shivered a little, but then backed away, startled at Riku's forwardness. Riku quickly tapped into Axel's feelings. The crimsonde wasn't uncomfortable, on the contrary, Axel didn't seem to mind the closeness Riku had offered him. He just hadn't been with anyone since him. And apparently it had never crossed Axel's mind to move on until that simple touch on the back of his hand and light kiss on the cheek.
Shaking himself out of Axel's feelings, he focused on the crimsonde with his eyes instead. Axel was eying him warily, not seeming to trust Riku entirely. He nodded anyway, agreeing to the fact that Riku was there only to help the crimsonde.
"Enter!" Marluxia's voice sang happily through the door, bringing Axel and Riku's attention back to the current situation.
Riku threw the door opened, and marched into the room like he owned it. Marluxia was one of the few members of MP that tolerated Riku's moodiness quiet nicely. Axel followed more shyly, taking a stand beside the silverette. Riku could feel the curiosity bounce of Axel in huge waves of emotions.
It was clear Axel was unknown to this world as he couldn't seem to contain the giddiness he felt at meeting yet another person with an ability. Marluxia had a fascinating one, he could control the earth. Using tree roots as a weapon in battle was one of Marluxia's favorite tricks. The fascinating thing about his ability was the fact that Marluxia didn't need to move from where he stood. He could actually stay outside of the battle field and watch from afar as his control over the earth did the nasty job for him.
As his ability, Marluxia was very down to earth, a very calm person. Odd quirks weren't lacking though. For instance, his hair. Pink as candy and yet the man claimed he was straight. Riku wasn't too certain about this.
"A new recruit! Excellent. I have a job for you." Marluxia announced, watering the flowers in poor pots placed randomly in the scarcely furniture room. The flowers were the only things healthy in this place, truly.
Putting down the bottle with watering with which Marluxia was watering his flowers, he turned to face the crimsonde and silverette. Riku didn't stop Marluxia from inspecting the new recruit. He always did this...
Grabbing a hold of Axel's face, he tilting the crimsonde's face in every possible way, letting his eyes scan over Axel's face curiously.
"Pretty one..." Marluxia murmured, letting go of Axel's chin, who then rubbed it, wincing slightly at the force Marluxia had put in his previous hold.
When Axel moved his hand back down to his side, Marluxia grabbed a hold of both Axel's hand, lifting them palms up so he could inspect those.
Marluxia frowned, "Fire? Such destruction to be made with these harmless looking hands... I'm not to keen on fire, they ruin my possibilities," Marluxia let go off Axel's hand as if they were poisoned, "Stay away from my earth." Marluxia added curtly, then returned to watering his flowers.
"The job?" Riku pressed, wanting to move on already.
Marluxia threw a smirk over his shoulder, "We need couches. Have you not noticed we lack in furniture? My delicate bottom needs something soft to sit on. I don't care where you get them, just don't pay anything for it. Rob a store, steal them from someone's house, whatever pleases you." Marluxia's voice was airy, literally not caring one bit about the situation.
Riku sighed heavily as he tugged Axel along with him out of Marluxia's room. This is what sucked about being low ranked in MP. You got the silliest and most annoying jobs ever until you could prove you were in fact worthy of something more important.
Not wasting any time, Riku held onto Axel's hand as he towed the crimsonde along with him out of MP's building.
Once outside, Riku breathed in deeply, letting his head fall back on his shoulders, muscles relaxing a little.
The sky was grey, snow falling gently around them as Riku breathed in the cold January air into his lungs, feeling instantly refreshened.
"Are you alright?" Riku was startled by the true caring in Axel's tone of voice. The crimsonde hadn't pulled his hand out of the silverette's, which hand Riku eying their clasped hands a little in wonder.
Looking back up at the piercing green eyes, Riku smiled ever so slightly, "I'm fine. Long day." He answered honestly. Axel nodded in agreement, and he didn't need to say anything to show that it had been a long day for him as well.
"A couch it is then." Axel muttered. Riku groaned, wrinkling his nose in apology at Axel, who simply grinned in return, "Where too?" Axel asked.
Letting go of his hand, Riku pointed at the van parked across from Mp's building, "Radiant Garden's territory. We aren't actually allowed on there, but that is what makes this job a mission. Because we need to get them from Radiant Garden, it makes it a little more complicated." Riku explained, getting in the drivers seat as Axel seated himself in the passenger's side, "Not head hurting material though, we'll just go on the edge, terrorize some citizen's house and grab their couches. That way we'll leave a message to Meilor Vulgus as well..." Starting the car, Riku drove down the road to get onto the main street that would lead directly to the edge that separated Radiant Garden from Hollow Bastion.
"What kind of message?" Axel asked, staring out the window, memorizing the streets around him.
Riku shrugged, "That we are still here. I'll need you to burn out the windows," The silverette muttered, trying to think of what house to pick to do this job.
Axel was frowning, "Why do I need to burn out the windows?"
Riku pointed out front, showing Axel what house they would be raiding, "Aside from the message to MV that MP is still around, I want to let them know that we have another person in our ranks. We don't want to give your name just yet, but burning out the windows will make clear your ability isn't funny business, and..." Riku bit onto his bottom lip, trying to smother a grin.
"And?" Axel pressed.
"And windows are expensive to replace. It would be nice to leak some money out of those MV bastards considering what place we have to stay in." Riku contained, sounding almost cheerful at the idea. Axel rolled his eyes, but Riku noticed the small smirk appearing lightly on the crimsonde's lips.
Once the car was parked, they both got out quickly, tucking their scarves tightly around them as the cold air hit them harshly after having been seated inside a warm van.
Standing next to each other before they crossed the street together and walked up to the front door, "Do we just knock?" Axel asked, looking a little confused as to how everything worked.
Riku snorted, "We don't usually go around being polite, but considering the feelings of guilt I can tap of you right now... You may knock. The guilt will fade a little more, every time you step closer to the darkness," Riku explained this gently, hoping his tone of voice would male Axel less nervous.
Axel knocked, then turned quickly to look at the silverette, "How do we do this? We don't hurt anyone right?" Axel asked quickly as they stood before the door that would be opened any second.
"No we don't hurt anyone. I'll manipulate their emotions, subdue them, while you burn down the windows. Once the windows are burnt, we carry the couches to the van outside, and then we leave as quickly as possible," Riku muttered back at the crimsonde, right before the door opened, revealing a man in his forties, a beer in hand.
"How can I help you?" The man asked, looking confused by Axel and Riku's presence, "Work your magic..." Axel whispered, stepping a step back to give Riku more space.
Riku placed a hand on the man's shoulder, who seemed startled for just a second right before Riku tapped into the man's head and turned all emotions off, leaving the man standing, slump, like a vegetable.
Axel, curious as ever, jumped forward, leaning over Riku's shoulder to check the man's demeanor out more closely, "Wow. That's impressive..." Axel muttered, his cheek touching that of Riku. Riku noticed the lack of space between them, Axel hadn't, not until Riku's breathe was fanning the crimsonde's face softly.
Not moving away, only tilting his head to the side, Axel glanced at Riku's aquamarine eyes, "You aren't manipulating my emotions right now, right?" Axel murmured. Riku shook his head but then tapped into Axel's feelings, forcing the small amount of curiosity the crimsonde felt for Riku to grow ten fold more powerful.
Riku wasn't surprised when Axel's lips knocked into his own, it was what he had intended by manipulating the crimsonde's emotions. Riku kissed Axel back just a feverishly, taking pleasure out of the act because... it had been so long...
Riku winced as Axel bit his bottom lip to harshly, Axel cursed when Riku sucked Axel's tongue to forcefully. Hands staid by their sides, they weren't touching at all aside from their connected lips. The kiss was borderline savage, but both thrived in the feeling in gave them in return. They both sighed, stepping away from each other, ending the kiss.
"I'm not sure I appreciate you forcing that one out of me..." Axel muttered, scowling a little at the silverette. Riku shrugged, "I only manipulated you for the kiss to start, I wasn't controlling you once your mouth connected to mine," Riku felt smug when Axel blinked at the realization.
They had a job to do though, so Riku returned his attention to the house right before he took two steps around the numb stated man, entering the house.
"There isn't anyone else. I'll move the man from the front door while you burn the windows," Axel nodded, walking over to the window on the right side of the house.
While Axel positioned his palms upon the glass, Riku tapped back into the man's mind, giving his emotions back, effectively bringing the man back to normal.
Shouting out a string of curses, and swinging a punch Riku's way, who simply ducked down, Riku forced the man out of his house, then to the side so the man wouldn't block the exit. Once Riku deemed the man to be out of their way and away from the windows, Riku clasped a hand on the man's shoulder again, shutting his brain down once more.
Riku stepped back, then watched Axel, "Never, ever do that to me." Axel said darkly, right before his body tensed and with a roar of what sounded almost pleasure, fire sparked out of his hands.
The glass started shaking first, then it turned red, red swirls moving delicately over the window's surface. Once the swirls hit the edges, the glass simply shattered to a million pieces beneath Axel's palms. Taking a step back, the crimsonde threw a satisfied smile over his shoulder at Riku.
"Agreed. Only if you never, ever do that to me." Riku returned.
The realization of the kiss he had shared with Axel hit Riku hard as Axel and he worked in silence, carrying the three couches to the van outside. When the Clandistine Killers split, and Xemnas had ordered him to stay undercover at Meilor Vulgus, needing Riku to tear down their light... He'd never thought that that light would appeal to him rather then repulse him.
He'd fallen hard for Sora. He was heartbroken...
Kissing Axel had been pleasant, but he'd strongly believed he would never kiss anyone other than his brunette. And now that he had... His heart broke ten times over again. He knew Axel was feeling exactly the same as he was. He didn't need to tap in to feel the guilt Axel was feeling. The pain he was feeling, duplicated with that of Axel's, was heart wrenching and made Riku want to die.
If only his father would grant him that relief...
BGM: Accidentally in Love, by Counting Crows
Larxene's antennae bounced as she walked down the pristine white hallway. Everything here was so… clean and nice and perfect. She felt like a disease out to smother you in her all black attire.
She felt like she was drowning in her emotions.
She missed home. She missed where things were normal. She missed her mother (though she would never say that outloud), and most of all she missed two of her best friends in the entire world.
One she would probably never see again in her meaningless life. The other one she had a date with next Saturday, today being Tuesday, who brightened up her meaningless life. Once you joined Meilor Vulgus you forever forgot your old life and old friends. That being harder said than done with Zexion and Demyx having joined the group before her.
Anyway, she had to leave Axel and their perfect lives to the dust. No more being late to math, or working at Cissnei's or chilling down in the subway stations. Twilight Town was supposed to be nonexistent to her now. Just like her favorite redhead. Larxene wondered how he was boding.
She hadn't even been allowed to say goodbye. When she went over to Axel's split-level to tell him "It's odd, but I'll never see you again. You were the best brother I could ever have. Bye." His bitch of a mother told her that he was with family.
"Yeah right. He hasn't seen his family in years." She argued with her playing memories.
She could feel the electricity sparking in her veins.
Instead she switched her mind over to her other newer best friend.
Since she had been in the large city of Kingdoma more commonly known as Radiant Garden or Hollow Bastian or Traverse Town depending on where you lived… There was even the Halloween Cemetery and Land of Dragons, but no one lived in the cemetery, and the Land of Dragons was only good for Chinese food and the ilk.
She had met the pinkair about two weeks ago, when she went on a tour of the huge city of Kingdoma. She had neared the edge of Traverse Town and the Land of Dragons seeing as she had covered most of Traverse Town's area, both neutral areas for both mobs alike. Traverse Town was the middle class to Radiant Garden's hoity toity upper class, and Hollow Bastian's poverty.
Upon entering the brick and ragtag area she saw the quaintest little French café where all but one of the candles was flickering. Larxene entered the open area and asked for a waiter or waitress of some sort. The café looked cozy enough to try at least once.
An older lady in a teal gypsy skirt, and a white blouse showed her to a table. Interestingly enough, she realized that she was being shown to a table with someone already seated. Larxene moved to say something about the arrangement, but the lady just shook her head. Larxene decided to forgo her natural want to run and tuck tail.
She was supposed to be a different person here.
She sat down across from the pinkair who looked just as surprised as she felt that another person was at the table. His features quickly changed into smother-able charm. He was a waterfall of dripping smut and likeability.
"This is odd. Do you know why we were seated together?" Larxene asked, nervously tugging on her sleeve.
What was this emotion she was feeling? She had once had a crush on Demyx- every girl has a crush on a musician sometime in her life, but it was no where as strong as the feeling she got just by looking at the pinkair with the brilliant sapphire eyes.
"Believe it or not it's a French custom, I learned it back when I took the class in school. This is a French restaurant you know, so I guess it's nice they follow actual customs. We may not be used to it... but I know 'Stasia is." The pinkair resonded to her question with a flippant air.
"Stasia?" She questions, now more interested in the conversation.
"Oh, the owner of this establishment. I come here often when not at... work. I find it quaint and comforting. I guess you're not from around here then?" The pinkair raised his arm to signal the waitress. He then said something in what Larxene assumed to be French.
"Oh... no. I just moved to Kingdoma... may I ask what you just ordered?"
In a fit of uncertainty, a single spark generated in front of her. If one were not in the vicinity that the little bolt of lightning they would have not seen the bright sneak. The culturized pinkair across from her did though. He brought it up by furling his brows together and offhandedly saying:
"Did you see that?"
Larxene shot a quick 'no', to cover her lack of control and that was that.
The pinkair eyed her uncertainly, before letting the matter go. Larxene sighed internally in relief, then wanted to stab herself continuously for the rookie mistake.
Demyx found it hilarious that she was so new to this. She had not yet forgiven him nor Zexion for their lying. Which was the reason as to why Demyx had received several shocks of electricity while playing with water.
Of course, she may just keep doing that for punishment were she ever to forgive him.
"I ordered us 'La Langue de boeuf', It's a bit strange in texture, but I can assure you that the taste of it is simply fantastic." The pinkair announced, bringing Larxene back to the present.
Larxene wondered why he was telling her what he was ordering, until she realized she'd asked him. And then she realized he had said 'us'. And although she liked the sound of that, she didn't appreciate men ordering in her stead.
"Us? I didn't ask you to order for me." Larxene said, voice bordering on the chilly.
The pinkair didn't seem to care as he gave her a slow, almost sexy, smile.
"You didn't even ask the translation of what I ordered." He pointed out.
Larxene frowned, then asked because she did want to know what he had ordered, despite her negativity, "What did you order?" She took the bite offered by the pinkair.
"The translation of that particular menu would be, Beef tongue." The pinkair grinned as Larxene's face screwed up in a grimace.
He placed a napkin neatly over his lap as he kept on grinning, rather smugly, "Are you adventurous? I think you are. Try it for me, won't you..." He trailed off, waiting for her to offer her name.
"Larxene." She gave, and then because she couldn't not accept a challenge, she took her own napkin, and neatly mimicked his actions by placing it on her lap with flourish. The pinkair smiled winningly, giving her an approving nod.
"Well Larxene, I'm glad for the french customs. I've been wanting to eat me some delicious french dish, with a delicious looking lady..." Larxene blushed and hated herself for it.
She gulped as she felt the electricity sparking softly in her palms, quickly shoving her hands beneath the table as she smoothed her face of any nervous expression, "And you are?"
Another award winning smile.
'Was he bred this way or something?' Larxene grumbled to herself.
"No. I was not bred this way. My name is Marluxia, and I just happen to like taking care of myself and plants." Larxene wanted to smirk in triumph. Now she knew she could win. A man who tended plants? She could kick his ass all over the place.
"What do you like to do Larxene?" Marluxia asked her in a gentlemanly way.
"Well..." she trailed off. What did she like to do? "I guess I enjoy working on electrical stuff." This seemed to spark Marluxia's interests. He raised one perfected brow at her while continuing, "Are you handsy?"
Larxene couldn't hold it in, she burst out laughing at the innuendo. Little sparks of merry electricity flickering around her.
Marluxia's eyes crinkled a bit in suspicion, but quickly waved it away. He could spot another 'User' miles away. This lady wouldn't be any different just because he felt something already starting for her.
"Looks like I won," he stated, calmly sipping a glass of wine. It must've been magic, for the wine hadn't been there a few moments ago.
" You haven't won anything." Larxene bantered.
-And because the electricity flowing inside of her so vividly made her feel courageous, Larxene leaned over, twirling one finger delicately around a pink strand lying randomly across his shoulder. Marluxia eyed the finger a bit strangely at first, but then closed his eyes as the tips of her fingers touched his neck softly. Softly caressing the skin, Larxene carefully watched the emotions play over the pinkair's face.
He placed the glass of wine softly back down onto the table, and then, ever so slightly, leaned into her touch, closing his eyes gently as he seemed to be almost purring at her caress.
Larxene smiled a little at the way he reacted to her, and because he obviously didn't seem to mind her forwardness, she inched forward a little more, placing her entire palm on his neck as she let it slide upwards to cup his cheek.
His eyes opened, and the way he looked at her... It made her feel so warm and the smile on her face had never been truer.
Of course the moment had to be ruined when small gentle sparks flowed out of her hand, tickling the pinkair's face a little. His eyes widened in surprise, and before Larxene could rip her hand away, he clamped his own hand over her wrist, keeping her hand right where it was,
"You lied to me earlier," He stated, not all that annoyed with the fact that she had lied.
She didn't like to lie, she hated it. She hated that the others had lied to her. She hated that she was lying to so many people at the moment. She hated it so much so that she let her eyes drop down to the table before her, the sparks more present as her emotions rolled over her.
"I'm sorry... I... It's not exactly something you explain while introductions..." Larxene muttered.
Marluxia tightened his fingers around hers, but in a gentle manner, like a squeeze of reassurance, "It's alright. Abilities aren't unknown to me..." He spoke back softly at her.
Her eyes wandered back up to his. She sent a questioning glance in his direction.
With his eyes he motioned to the closed rose next to the candle on the table.
"Watch."
With a slow delicacy the petals unfurled from their slumber, creeping along until the tight ball they had previously been in.
Larxene's cobalt green eyes, which had previously been transfixed on the rose, now widened, slowly turning to face Marluxia.
"Wow."
It was nothing more than a breathy mumble, but both of them felt the passion.
"Ow!" Cried Marluxia, suddenly.
"Oh! I am so, so, so sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you!" Larxene sputtered, thinking she had hurt the object of her affections.
A coy Marluxia smile played, he had obviously been planning this.
"Perhaps you could repay the damage by going on another date? Well... if you consider this one."
She had considered it their first date. She was happy when he'd suggested it had been. She'd been happy when he'd asked her out on another. She'd never replied fasted to a question before. He'd been delighted at her enthusiasm.
As he'd been delighted to take her out on a second date. They'd gone to the same restaurant, because although she'd explored the districts, she wasn't all that familiar with everything yet.
And even if they'd only been in that restaurant together twice, it had become their spot. That's what she'd claimed throughout dinner on their second date. He'd been happy to share his spot with her.
He'd brought her flowers, and although she'd been slightly uncomfortable with the gesture first... because she'd never gotten flowers before... She didn't know how to react to them. But he'd gently put the bunch in her hands, telling her that she only needed to hold onto them and say thank you. She'd thanked him, he'd smiled and said that she was welcome.
The rest of their second date had passed much in a blur of laughs and wine and French food and romance and candle light.
One conversation popped out in her head though.
"And so after we went to the store I ran back in and flashed the man, making him drop all the money we had just given him to pay for the Popsicles," she chuckled out.
With his perfect pearly whites flashing he catcalled, "Why you savage nymph."
When it had come time to choose her codename for Meilor Vulgus not two days later it was simple to choose.
She was now The Savage Nymph.
A faint knock at the door rang through, and with a grumble she called out to the knocker, "Come in."
It was Kairi, she looked like she had a purpose until she noticed the various hues and colors of eyeshadow cases, tubes of lip gloss, and canisters of blush splayed across Larxene's wooden vanity.
"Make-up? For the great Larxene? Is that Maybelline I spy?"
Kairi gave a sly grin as she seated herself on the edge of Larxene's bed, crossing her legs as she leaned back on her palms, giving Larxene a once over, "You look amazing," Kairi nodded wisely, making Larxene smile a little.
"Thank you. I have a date tonight," As if it weren't obvious, but Larxene couldn't get enough from the fact that she had a date tonight. Her third date. She'd never been good in relationships... She could feel that this one was different.
"What is he like?" Kairi asked, curiosity lighting up the girl's face.
He's really nice-
Kairi snorted, "He better be, otherwise I'll hurt him!" She announced fiercely.
Now Larxene snorted, "Right, because I really need your ass to save mine..." Larxene drawled out, making Kairi huff in idignation.
"Anyway..." Larxene continued, giving Kairi a pointed look, who happily shut up as curiosity won her over again, "He's really nice, and handsome. Very gentlemanly, but he has this funny side in him that is just... sweet, but sexy at the same time you know?" Turning around to face Kairi, Larxene leaned against her vanity, gazing dreamily at the wall behind Kairi, "What's his name? What does he look like?" Kairi asked, excited.
Larxene smiled a little as she pictured Marluxia, "His name is Marluxia, and he-" Kairi gasped, jumping off the bed and grabbing onto Larxene's wrist. But she jumped away as Larxene had given her a few shocks from being startled.
Kairi ignored it though, "What did you say his name was?" Kairi asked, her voice shaky.
Larxene frowned, then turned around to grab a hold of her purse as it was time for her to leave, "Marluxia, what of it?" Larxene snapped, annoyed at Kairi's behavior.
Kairi let out an 'aargh' of frustration before she bounded twice on spot, waving a hand frantically Larxene's way, "Don't move. Don't go anywhere! You can't go on your date! I have to go talk to Leon..." She didn't even pause to breathe as she blurted this out at a confused Larxene.
Kairi had already stormed out of the room before Larxene could ask her what the hell she was saying.
Larxene pondered over Kairi's words. Did she really want to wait around, miss her date, only to find out what Kairi was so tensed up about?
No.
BGM: Changes, by Butterfly Boucher and David Bowie
Today they were spicing things up. Even though Larxene had officially declared Le Café du Coeur as hers and Marluxia's spot, he decided to take her ice-skating.
The fact it was mid-January didn't seem to deter him from wanting to do the cold activity though. This time she was meeting him in Hollow Bastian. She didn't know what to make of that part of town, seeing as she had only heard rumors. She took one of the Meilor Vulgus' many cars, seeing as they didn't care when any other members used one of the vehicles. She took off speed down the exceedingly long driveway and then the pristine streets. She went way past the speed limit of 35. She watched as the streets became less pristine and more 'barely standing up' in the matter of 10 minutes.
Larxene didn't know if she would enjoy this place or not... but when she finally laid eyes on the sprawling ice rink she knew Marluxia had captured her heart with this gesture.
She spotted his familiar head of vibrant pink hair leaning against a drinks stall that was cluttered with many other odd kiosks around the rink. She watched as he paid for two steaming drinks and finally moved to exit the car.
Making sure to lock the car of which she did not own she snuck carefully through the snow, finally embracing her new-found friend from his back.
He was startled, but managed to keep the drinks untouched with grace as he turned around to face her, "I wish you could keep surprising me as you do, as you just did. But I'm afraid that I won't always react accordingly to such actions..." He murmured, handing her one of the steaming cups. She took it, eying him questioningly because of his words. He smiled gently, shrugging lightly, "I'm not used to getting surprised. When I do, I don't always react like... normal people do..." Marluxia muttered.
Larxene gave him a funny look before chuckling softly and nudging his arm, "You're a bit strange, you know that right?" She said playfully, earning herself a brilliant smile in return, "I know. So are you though, so I think it's a good thing," He nodded at himself, before offering her one of his arms so he could lead her to one of the wooden benches around the rink.
Larxene supposed the rest of the night would have gone equally as smoothly had some unexpected guests not shown.
There the couple was on the ice-rink, coffee recently finished.
Larxene being the talented acrobat she was being able to pick-up on the feat of ice-skating as if it we're learning to cut bread. Her counterpart on the other-hand, was having difficulties.
Larxene did a massive ballerina leap through the air, sticking the landing perfectly.
She skated backwards to the fallen pinkair, lending her hand so the man could pull himself up.
"Don't give me such a look of pity Larx. Ice just isn't my forte, plus you've had years of acrobatics training," Marluxia whines to graceful nymph.
"Oh come'ere you," she affectionately cooed. Pulling the man up with exuberant strength, she tuged him into her warmth. She let him lean down with a kiss.
"Larxene!"
A voice screams her name making both bodies clench with apprehension.
As Larxene turned around to see who had spoken, or yelled more like it, her name, her muscles tensed as her eyes settled on the lanky figure standing a few feet away.
Marluxia tensed as well, but Larxene didn't notice as her eyes were currently glued to the familiar red hair, green eyes and crooked grin on her best friend's face.
The shy wave was something new though. He gave Marluxia a small nod, who returned it. Larxene still didn't notice.
"What the hell are you doing here?" She shouted, making Axel wince. Marluxia took a hold of her arms gently as he tugged them behind her back, so the electricity sparking off of her was hidden.
"I might ask you the same question," Axel returned, walking slowly closer to her. Larxene gulped a little, knowing full well she couldn't give him the real reason. More lying...
"When you decided to pull the disappearing act, I needed a time out from school. I'm on vacation," Larxene muttered darkly.
Axel bit worriedly onto his bottom lip, giving her an apologetic look, "I'm sorry, things were a little wild before I left. I just sort of packed my bags and left without warning anyone. I'm visiting Reno-" Marluxia had a sudden coughing fit, startling Larxene a little as she gave him a worried look. He smiled gently down at her, giving her hands a gentle squeeze in gesture for her not to worry.
"He's in Hollow Bastion for a summer job," Axel said quickly, making Larxene frown at him.
"It isn't summer..." She pointed out.
Axel scratched his head, "Yeah... I told him the same thing..." Axel chuckled uncomfortably, but Larxene just shrugged.
"Whatever. He was always a high one,"
Larxene calmed down as soon as Axel cracked his familiar jokester grin. Feeling the intensity go down in Larxene, Marluxia relinquished his death grip on her forearms.
"Axel!" She bansheed, and flung her arms around his waist ( he was too tall for elsewhere) not caring how out of character she seemed to anyone else.
"Axel, I feel like we're falling apart. It's nice to see you even if completely coincidental. While we're here in Kingdoma do you think there's a way we can stay in touch? I just want to make sure you're okay. When you head back to Twilight Town I can't keep in touch... I mean, I think I'm just moving here to Kingdoma, vacation forever, but while we're here I want to know you're still alive and... and... and..." she rambled, her hands flying in random direction to try and convey her feelings and thoughts.
Axel unfortunately had stopped listening to her about halfway through her spiel. Instead raising one crimson eyebrow to the pinkair behind the expressive woman. Marluxia just shrugged, mirroring the expression to Axel who also shrugged. Larxene had finally finished the monologue to herself and remembered her manners.
"Right. Axel, this man I'm with is Marluxia. He and I are sort of dating. In fact we were Ice skating," she explained.
"Larx, I'm not even gone a week and you manage to get a boyfriend? I've never known you to work so hard. I mean, I've been gone what, two days at the most?" Axel smirked.
"The last time I was in Twilight Town was last Thursday. Five days ago Axel. I don't know where you've been, Ax."
A sputtering cough sounded from behind the bickering couple. "Oh, sorry."
Axel smirked, "Weren't you on a date Larxene? Wouldn't want to forget your date and offend him, would you?"
Larxene began to formulate a comeback, but Marluxia replied instead, "No, that's okay. The date was ending soon anyway...it was nice meeting you-" Marluxia hesitated for good measure," Axel was it?"
"Yeah. Nice meeting you to pinky." Axel played along.
"Wait! Marluxia, it isn't because of this asshole that you're ending right?" Larxene fretted. What if her old friend had bothered Marluxia in someway?
"No, it's near eleven-thirty. A bit late wouldn't you say?" Larxene nodded, understanding," Let's schedule another dinner at our spot. Saturday, seven, sound good to you?"
Larxene nodded again. "Thank you for the date, it was wonderful to be on the ice again. I haven't been ice skating since I was eight or nine. Saturday Marluxia. Got it," she told Marluxia. The second part was directed towards her taller friend, "Nice to know your alive Axel. See you around."
With a stretch on her toes she pecked a quick kiss to Axel's cheek, and turned to hold out on Marluxia a bit longer. Nothing intimate, just a brush of the two lover's lips. She then exited the rink; throwing her skates in the collection bin, turned back to the sleek silver car and drove away.
"We don't say a word about this."
Axel nodded, walking away from the scene of the crime.
BGM: Which to Bury, Us or the Hatchet?, by Relient K
Sora was walking out of Meilor Vulgus's mansion to wait for Larxene to return. He'd seen her take one of the cars right before Kairi had stormed into the tech room shouting out hysterically that something terrible had happened.
It had taken close to fifteen minutes before the brunette had been able to calm down his friend and have her explain the situation in detail.
Kairi wasn't one to freak out easily, she was actually very laid back and sort of followed the flow that was settled out before her... But after Sora had heard what had gotten her upset, he understood why.
Kairi was probably the most affected by Sora's depression, as they were close. Kairi was getting along rather well with Larxene, and even if she hadn't, Kairi wouldn't wish what had happened to Sora to anyone else in MV.
Although it wasn't the exact same situation, it could lead to a huge outburst of rage between the two mobs... What was Marluxia thinking?
Larxene couldn't know about the pinkair as she hadn't received the complete story on the history between the two enemies. She couldn't know Marluxia was part of MP as nobody had told her. But Marluxia should be aware...
Then again, they hadn't announced Larxene as a new recruit out loud yet.
Kairi wanted to inform Leon about the situation instantly with Sora's help as she was having trouble breathing and was on the borders of hyperventilating.
Sora decided against it, telling Kairi he would handle it. She hadn't thought much about it, smiling appreciatively back at him as she got back to work on the script he'd been supposed to code together.
Sora wanted to talk to Larxene himself. He wanted to make sure she understood what could happen if she didn't break it off instantly with Marluxia.
Which was why he was now standing underneath the small rooftop that protected the vehicles parked beneath it from the seasons. Leaning casually against the stone wall that surrounded MV's base as he waited for Larxene to get back.
Larxene pulled through the god knows how long driveway as fast but silently as she could.
That being said... the sleek Ferrari she was driving didn't have a quiet muffler.
She winced when she saw a hooded figure shadowed by the light waiting inside the parking deck. Wait... was that a brunette spike she saw? Sora...
"I have nothing to be afraid of," she smirked to herself.
She didn't know why she would be afraid in the first place though... she had just gone on a date with a wonderful man.
She did feel a bit guilt about leaving without hearing the urgent message Kairi had. The maroon haired girl had seemed so distraught. Maybe she could make it up with a nice Squallbuck's gift card?
Obviously not feeling threatened by the brunette, Larxene parked the car next to where Sora was standing. 'Maybe this was his car?' she thought to herself, wondering a little why he seemed to be waiting for her.
And he was, because when she got out of the car and locked it, he straightened away from the wall, walking lazily over to her side so he could lean against the hood of the car, peeking at her from beneath his hoody.
He smiled a little at her, "Hi Larx, how was your date?"
At first she seemed a bit perturbed that he had known about her date... but then again he was in a breaker-room with Kairi all day. She probably just blabbed. He was in charge of her after all. Just looking after her right?
"Oh it was great. Why do you ask Sora? Jealous?" She egged on.
Sora gave her a funny look, and because the look didn't seem comfortable, Larxene almost felt sorry for hitting whatever nerve she had hit, "Jealous? Of dating? God no," Sora muttered, looking at the floor before fixing his gaze upon her again, "I'd ask you what he is like, but I already know the answer to it,"
"Oh?" She interrupted, "You don't even know who I was on a date with."
She fixed him with a glare. Why he was ever turning it into a fight was besides her.
Sora glared right back, straightening from his previously relaxed position, to a more stiff one as he crossed his arms over his chest, "Pink hair. I'd give you a more detailed description, but I'm pretty certain there aren't more men with pink hair in Kingdoma,"
"So you know Marluxia, big deal," Larxene shrilled.
She didn't know why Sora would attack the man though. He seemed like the perfect gentleman. Tugging on her scarf anxiously so that it loosened around her (now beginning to sweat) neck, she vocalized her concern.
"Why does it matter?"
The one million dollar question to anything.
Sora detached his eyes from her, sporting a slightly far off look as he gazed at the wall beside them, "He's well mannered, speaks properly, treats you with respect... He's nice and rather funny once you get the way he talks. Pink hair aside he's all man, and although not everyone believes him, he's straighter then a plank," Sora paused, frowning a little as he looked at Larxene again, "Does he know you control an ability?"
"Yes. He knows I am a lightning user. He's an earth user... Oh my..." She trailed off her defense once something came to her mind.
There was only one way he knew all of this information. It couldn't be though. It just couldn't be.
"You don't mean to say... he was... he." Her speech finally came to her, "He was part of Clandestine Killers?"
Sora nodded.
"But he's not a part of..."
Before she could take her time to finish her thoughts, Sora cut her of sharply with a dark chuckle, "Not part of Malor Pars? Aren't they fucking all part of Malor Pars? They are everywhere, Larxene! How could you not tell us you were dating a user? Not only are you dating a member from MP, no, you are dating one of the important members of MP. He is one of Xemnas' favorites!"
The relief Sora felt screaming at her was wrong. He shouldn't take it out on Larxene, but finally he wasn't the only one who had done the ultimate wrong. Even if he hadn't been aware that he had been dating the undercover MP member that happened to be the son to the leader of MP.
Instead of the intense rage he had been expecting... Expecting Larxene to be spewing and raging... it was the complete and total opposite.
Larxene leaned against the wall acting as if her body couldn't hold her weight anymore. She slid down the wall crouching into a ball on the ground, her head on her knees, a slight whimpering noise coming from her mouth.
"The one time... the one time..." Larxene kept muttering.
For once in her life she had allowed herself to believe that her love life wasn't completely screwed.
That had went around and smacked her.
With an almost childish innocence upon her she turned to Sora who was hovering above her.
"Do you think he was using me?"
It was a whisper, but there was something hidden in her voice. A sense of defeat... and regret. How could she trust someone again. How could she be so stupid once again. So... feminine and weak.
Sora winced at the tone in her voice, although he'd felt slightly better at being able to blame the wrong on someone else, seeing the state she was in... He realized that now she was just as broken and hurt as he was.
Crouching down to have his eyes level to hers, he tilted his head a little as he gave her an apologetic look, "I'm sorry for reacting the way I did. I could have told it to you a little more gently... I... I know how you feel."
He plopped down on his ass, feeling as defeated as she did as his previous depression rolled over him again, "No, I don't think he was using you. He didn't tell you he was from MP. You didn't tell him you are from MV, right?"
With a sort of distance she replied, "Right... but..."
Sora shook his head at her muttered 'but', "No he wasn't. Granted, MP members are bastards to the core and if he had known you were from MV he would have probably used you. But he didn't know. So he didn't use you. Believe it or not, they do have some good in them..." Sora wanted to hit a wall repeatedly because of Riku. Riku the evil fucker who'd ripped his heart to shreds, "Of course that doesn't change the fact that he is MP and that you can't date him anymore. You know, the whole mortal enemy deal and all?"
Sora tried putting some lightness into the whole situation, trying to cheer her by using dark humor in a way. Obviously it didn't work, but at least he'd tried... Light was something he was supposed to be good at. Another thing Riku managed to screw with.
Even though she didn't want to, with every fiber of every nerve of every shred of being she had, she accepted.
" I understand. Thank you for at least saving my sanity Sora."
Something didn't seem right though. Sora was expressing too much emotion for this just to be another talk. Larxene focused on the shorter boy. Then something sparked like her lightning. Oh...
"Who was it?"
Kairi had told her what the other members in MV used. The maroon haired girl had also explained that Sora's light was currently at it's lowest. When she'd asked why Sora wasn't doing so well with his ability, Kairi had made it clear that it was a taboo subject.
She knew now though. The way Sora's facial features became engraved with severe pain and heartbreak was not something you could miss.
The small bubble of light that had been floating in Sora's palms when he'd tried cheering her was now completely gone, he actually looked very pale and grey compared to a few minutes ago as he angrily wiped a stray tear off his cheek, "I beat you to dating the worse dating material available. It was Riku..."
With a wince Larxene realized just who Sora was talking about. Normal people might be offended that Sora had been dating another boy, but that sort of thing had never bothered her. There was no one worse than that too be dating as she understood it. The things said about that one person... they were enough to send that boy to hell and then back because they didn't want him. He would have to start a new hell with his father for the things they had done.
She didn't understand what compelled her to ask the question, but it seemed like such an easy one to ask.
"Do you love him?"
She looked him dead in those cerulean eyes that looked so much like Roxas's and forwardly asked what could have been the hardest question to answer.
Sora gave her a dull look, almost looking bored as he returned, "Is Marluxia less attractive to you now that you know he is MP?" It sounded like a deadpan, and Larxene knew that that was Sora's way of saying that he was indeed still in love with Riku.
With a heartfelt sigh she replied, "If anything it makes him more attractive..."
Whatever his goals in life were and whatever jobs he did and had done. Even if they weren't on the same sides, and could never make it work, it didn't take away the feelings...
Sora snorted a little at her comment, "You'd think that of all people in this world, we'd be the one's to understand that consorting with the bad is not good. Yet, although attracted to the person beforehand, it becomes so much more inciting when you find out they are in fact categorized in the evil," Sora looked slightly wondrous at his newfound discovery.
Not that it was truly newfound, he knew how he had felt and how he felt now.
It felt nice that he could share these feelings with someone else, "Doesn't it make you want to hurt him though? I mean, I was ready to kill Riku when I found out about him... that is, until I realized all the others were on the exact same page as me, and suddenly violence didn't seem the right thing to resort too anymore..."
Larxene looked like Sora had just pointed out something huge. And he had.
"Oh, I'll probably feel the rage later. I don't think it's..."
All of a sudden a loud alarm, the one that reminds you of hurricanes coming in, bombs attacking, and overall panic and madness cut into the conversation.
Sora shot up on his feet, his entire body tensed and just as clear cut and alert as the shrieking noise coming from speakers... somewhere...
Larxene followed suit quickly, grabbing onto Sora's wrist, giving him a questioning look.
Sora shrugged, then pointed at the front entrance of the mansion across from the field before them, "The alert doesn't exactly give us specifics, but basically, MP has done something stupid again and we need to clean up," Sora shouted over the noise right before he flung Larxene forward and pushed her out of the parking space to join the other MV members running out of the mansion to gather on the large circular field in front of the house.
Leon stood before the aligned members of MV, "We got a call from the cops, informing us that there was a break in north west from DC politics. Since it was the MP that did the break in, the cops moved the file over to us. The owner of the house was a little dazed..." Leon shot Sora a pointed look, who then winced, and Larxene grabbed onto Sora's hand in form of comfort and understanding.
"You all know who I'm talking about. We all know that isn't a good sign. Worse though-" Leon was cut off by a loud whine coming from Demyx.
"Because things aren't bad enough? What could possibly be worse then Riku on the loose with stealthing skills we weren't aware of?"
The slate haired man beside the dirty blond, rolled his eyes, "Riku was undercover inside our base. His stealthing skills are so good that we didn't even notice that." Zexion pointed out.
Sora's face screwed up in a painful grimace at the conversation.
Leon had had enough though, "Would you all just shut up? There was a break in and Riku wasn't alone! They have got a new recruit."
