Ashlea and Zexion Meet
Ashlea knocked on the door to Zexion's apartment occupying a threat. Apparently, she and Zexion both liked each other, and Katia was trying to prove this. Attempting to help, Abi had told Ashlea she would 'kick her over there' if she didn't go. Not wanting to face disaster, Ashlea had left the warmth of her own floor of the building, grudgingly.
Okay. So she did know that Zexion liked her. Over the past few weeks, the pair had been leaving poetry around for each other to read. Abigal and Katia had encouraged Ashlea to write the poems to start with- the plot had entwined and become as complex as it could. It was time for Ashlea to end this, by talking to Zexion about everything. And by everything, she meant everything.
Ashlea had pulled on her Organization coat out of the closet. She had to haul on her Converse sneakers that would soon be discreetly hidden under the length of the vast coat. I'm going to kill Abi next time I see her, Ashlea thought to herself. It wasn't that she didn't like Zexion, she did- she really did. Ashlea had liked Zexion ever since she was asked to the Organization by 'The Boss', as she called Xemnas. She'd never told him her feelings, because Ashlea in the past thought Zexion and Larxene were a couple. The short of it was that Larxene is infatuated with Zexion, and Zexion hates Larxene.
"Who is it?" A dark, deep voice echoed down to the hallway to the door. At least, Ashlea assumed it was the hallway. She had never actually been inside his apartment. If Xemnas was the architect for the castle, every room should be planned in the same way. The Superior strongly believed in simplicity.
"How many people are you expecting?" Ashlea said softly through her fingers covering her mouth.
"Ashlea?" The door slowly opened. "Come in, if you want to," Zexion said, muffled by the book held in front of his face. Ashlea nodded and took off her sneakers. Zexion put down his book and went to the cupboard, re-emerging with a pair of indoor slippers. He placed them down in front of Ashlea's feet, giving the girl a simple nod. Ashlea slid on indoor shoes.
"This is amazing." Ashlea felt her voice escape her. She smiled as she realized; talking to Zexion really wasn't as hard as it looked.
"Thank-you, Ashlea."
Ashlea glanced around the room, seeing what seem like millions of books dotted randomly on bookshelves, and when they didn't fit in, they had been discarded on the floor.
"Anyone home?" Zexion smiled as Ashlea looked back at him.
"Hmm? Oh, yeah. I was just looking at around," Ashlea shook her head in annoyance. "Please don't think I was spying or anything!"
"I don't think that." Zexion let a smile play on his lips. Maybe he was going to like having Ashlea around.
"It's a lot like my apartment." Ashlea's eyes flitted around the room again, before seeing a door covered in yellowing pages. As she stepped toward the door, she posed a question. "What are these?"
"Ashlea, please. Don't go through-" Zexion sighed as the curiosity took over Ashlea. The girl pushed her way inside the room, feeling with over-sensitive fingers everything she could, delicately. "Don't read them... please..."
Number XVII's head snapped up to look at Zexion. "What? Why not? All of these pieces of paper look a lot like they are covered in my handwriting! Zexion, are the poems on this walling the ones I wrote?"
Zexion blushed. "Yeah." What else was there to say? He'd been caught, anyway. There wasn't anything else to do about the situation then be truthful. Truth is always good in a relationship, as it was.
Matching Zexion's cringe, Ashlea reddened. "It's really lovely! Erm, your apartment I mean... How many books do you exactly own?" Zexion stood up and gestured for Ashlea to do the same.
"You like it then?" Zexion grinned when Ashlea nodded. "You're going to have to let me see your apartment soon, then." Ashlea inwardly gasped, before nodding.
"Anyway," she said cautiously. "What were we going to talk about?"
Zexion shrugged. "What was it that Abi wanted us to talk about?" He was making a mockery of Ashlea. Ashlea knew Zexion knew what they were here to talk about, he was either stalling or wanted Ashlea to say it. Zexion sighed and looked straight into Ashlea's eyes.
"I don't know," Ashlea decided to counter argue. "You tell me."
"Nice play."
"Well, I'm waiting..." Ashlea let her voice trail off.
"You know. Abi thinks we should be a couple. And not only her, but most of the Organization. Larxene obviously doesn't."
"What are your thoughts on the matter?"
Zexion took a deep breath in. "Well I do think they have a point..." Ashlea couldn't feel her heart. She sighed and tears welled up in her eyes.
"I think so too," Ashlea whispered. It was finally happening. All these months of waiting for something to happen had definitely paid off.
"So why are you crying?" Zexion gently steered Ashlea onto the sofa, sitting down next to her. He opened one of his books, as if reading. But no, he pulled out a handkerchief and wiped Ashlea's eyes.
"You just lost your page," Ashlea pointed out.
"Don't change the subject Ashlea. You can tell me anything you want to!" Zexion offered out the handkerchief, which Ashlea refused.
"Your poetry was, beautiful."
"As was yours, Ashlea."
"Thanks, but no thanks." Ashlea sniffed, referring to the handkerchief. "Are you sure you want to know?" Number VI nodded. "I have had so many problems finding the right person, and I just know I will act strange around you... It's up to you if you leave though. To be honest, I just want someone who cares about me enough." Zexion then did something so out of character, that Ashlea lost her breath for a few minutes. Zexion lifted Ashlea's chin gently with a solitary finger, and kissed her lightly on the lips.
"I know you can trust me, Ashlea. About Katia and Abi, they were right. We do like each other, right? Don't worry about me not liking you, because I feel stronger than that about you. If you don't feel this relationship is right, then fine. You can end it. But I'll always be here for you, whatever you say."
Ashlea felt a new damn burst inside her. Tears ran down her cheeks and Zexion fashioned his handkerchief again. And once again, Zexion wiped those tears away. Ashlea shivered on the sofa and Zexion placed an arm softly around Ashlea's waist. Ashlea smiled, and leaned in closer. They stayed as that, a perfect fit.
A month later, and Zexion and Ashlea were happily dating. They had decided not to tell anyone about their relationship. They were content as they were, just themselves knowing. Maybe in a month or two, Abi and Katia will know about our relationship, Ashlea thought.
The phone rang, allowing Ashlea to stir from her thoughts. As she picked it up, she heard a familiar voice on the other end. "Ashlea, when are you coming over next?" Zexion, Zexion, Zexion...
