Forlorn Hope Chapter 4: Walking on Air, a kingdom hearts fanfic

Disclaimer: I do own Kingdom Hearts, I bought it from Wal mart. As if, I wish it was that easy.

Thanks to the Reviewers as always.

NegativeCloud, Miss Apollo, unsedulous, and BlackIrishRose.

The one in bold is my Beta-Reader. But she changes her Username so much I can't keep up. X3 I'll just refer to her as Macintosh. So major props to her for being so patient. So everybody should love her for this.

Cheers for 326 hits! It's not a lot but more than I expected for one of my crack drabbles. XD

Okay, So still looking for a new title. Blargh! Maybe Macintosh will think of something. Or maybe you could. Come on, Help me out. Please? Suggestions Welcome.

ENJOY!

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Zexion slowly made his way up the grand staircase. Where could he be? he pondered. He sighed to himself as he checked all the rooms on the second floor. Not here either. The slate haired teen opened the door to the staircase that lead to the third floor. He opened the door at the top and stumbled as he stubbed his toe on the top step.

He rose mumbling to himself and shut the door behind him. He didn't like open doors. It was an odd phobia that he had developed as a child. Open doors meant opportunity to most but to Zexion; they only meant trouble. An open door was like an open heart. You might as well be inviting complete strangers to come in and step all over you.

If there was one thing Zexion couldn't stand; it was being walked over like he was a gum wrapper. Zexion trusted few people to begin with and he always avoided any newcomers in the house. Some would call him aloof but others would hint at anti-social. They were too afraid to come right out and say it. There were people in the house that would jump to defend Zexion no matter what.

The quiet teen continued his search as he had finished checking all the rooms on that floor. He opened the lone door at the end of the hallway. The door squealed as the rusty hinges moved for the first time in ages. The ascent was pitch black and the stairs groaned when the slightest amount of pressure was applied. He lightly stepped onto the first step and closed the door behind him.

Once the step adjusted to his weight and the door's squeals died; he began his way up the spiral staircase. It took him a few minutes to reach the top. He paused to let his eyes adjust to the dim light. He heard soft whimpers coming from the opposite side of the room.

He skulked over to the source of the noise to one of the smaller circle attachment rooms. The circular shape meant it was part of one of the many towers prodding from the imposing house. The particular room had dusty soft blue bedding covering the entire floor. In the middle of the bedding sat a shaking figure on top of matching blue pillows.

Zexion got down on his knees and slowly crawled over to the hunched figure. He reached out a pale hand to lightly touch a shuddering shoulder. The figure whipped around and he came face to face with a pair of bright blue eyes. He had found who he was looking for.

"Roxas..." he whispered softly.

The small blonde fell into the older teen's arms as another sob racked his body. He petted the soft blonde hair as the younger sobbed into the space under his chin. He waited for the question he knew was coming. He rocked back and forth with Roxas in his lap.

"W...wh...why?" it took a the blonde a few attempts before he could manage to speak.

Zexion sighed. "I don't know."

"He knew." another heartbreaking sob.

"I know." Zexion cooed softly.

"But why?"

"I honestly don't know Rox. All I know is he knew you liked the guy."

Roxas clung tighter. "Why would he do that? He doesn't even like Axel."

"He's trying to get at Riku."

Roxas looked up suddenly angry. "You knew!"

"Calm down."

"How can I be calm when you knew!" the blonde's voice rose again.

"I didn't know he'd take it this far."

Roxas pouted. "You could have at least told me your thoughts."

Zexion rested his chin on top of Roxas's soft locks. "I'm sorry. I wanted to be sure before I said something. This confirms my suspicions."

Roxas sigh. "I'm sorry too. I knew you'd want to be sure before coming to me. I just can't believe he did it."

"I can."

"You can?"

"Your twin is quite the schemer from what I've observed. If I had to make an estimate, I'd say he's been planning this for two months."

"Two months!" Roxas exclaimed.

"Its only an estimate."

"Yeah but Zexy, you've always been good at estimates."

"I know." the older teen smiled softly.

"I can't believe it." Roxas leaned heavily against Zexion. "My own twin is using the guy I like to get to the guy he likes. I hope it backfires."

"You don't really mean that."

"Yes I do. For once in my life I mean it. I trusted him, Zexy. I told him one of my biggest secrets despite the fact I knew Axel liked him instead of me. He promised me he wouldn't go for Axel because he wanted Riku. But look where my trust in him has gotten me." the ending was bitter and could have brought a blizzard upon the Amazon.

"Roxy..." Zexion cooed in the blonde's ear.

"Don't Roxy me." the blonde crossed his arms and his pout turned into a frown.

"How about a song?"

Roxas's face brightened instantly. "Really?"

"Yes. Just for you. Don't tell anybody, okay?"

"Okay." Roxas smiled widely.

Roxas loved it when Zexion sung to him. It didn't matter the song because Zexion's voice was more enchanting than any lyrics could ever be. Roxas waited as the slate haired boy decided what song to sing. Suddenly, Zexion wrapped his arms securely around the blonde's waist and began rocking once more.

"La La La La La La La"

The first words were sung so softly that Roxas almost didn't catch them.

"There's a little creepy house
In a little creepy place.
Little creepy town
In a little creepy world.
Little creepy boy with
His little creepy face,
Saying funny things that you've never heard.
Do you know what it's all about?
Are you brave enough to figure out?
Know that you could set your world on fire,
If you're strong enough to leave your doubts."

Zexion was trying to tell him something in a his own way as usual. He knew understanding his friend could help his current situation.

"Feel it, breathe it, believe it and
You'll be walking on air.
Go try, go fly so high and
You'll be walking on air.
You feel this, unless you kill it -
Go on and you're forgiven.
I knew, that I could feel that -
I feel like I'm walking on air."

Roxas tilted his head to the side as he pondered the meaning. Walking on air?

"He has a little creepy cat
And little creepy bat.
Little rocking chair
And an old blue hat.
That little creepy boy -
oh he loves to sing,
He has a little gift - an amazing thing.
With his little funny eyes of hazel,
With his little funny old blue hat.
He will go and set the world on fire -
No one ever thought he could do that."

Perhaps to achieve something great? Something no one thinks I can do? He knew some of the others thought him to be useless.

Zexion always wants what's best for me. He wants me to be happy. I feel like I'm disappointing him. I wish I could understand. Roxas sighed to himself.

"Flitter up
And hover down.
Be all around,
Be all around."

I shouldn't overanalyze. I know it has meaning and Zexion will never come out and say it. I have to figure it out for myself.

"You know that I love you.
Go on."

Roxas knew well enough that Zexion loved him very much. Wait...

Could it be...No...there's no way...but what if?

"I'm walking on air.
I'm walking on air."

This could be my only chance.

"Yeah."

The last traces of Zexion's smooth voice had disappeared and a comfortable silence had settled.

"Zexion?"

"Yes?"

"Is it true then?" Roxas looked up into Zexion's violet eyes.

Zexion smiled softly. "Yes."

Roxas smiled. "I'm glad."

"So am I."

Roxas snuggled into the older teen's warmth. I can't believe I didn't see it before...All this time I've been hiding and all along so has he.

"I think its time." Zexion broke through the blonde's thoughts.

"For what?"

"To face the rest of the world my dear Roxas."

"But.."

The other held up a hand to silence him. "We'll be back."

Zexion stood and offered his hand to the blonde. Roxas took it gladly and continued to hold it firmly as they made their way to the spiral staircase. Zexion opened the door and let Roxas go first. Once he had passed through the doorway he shut it firmly behind him.

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Sora smiled to himself as he sat contently in Axel's lap. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Riku. The silver headed teen was sending death glares in their direction every few minutes. All according to plan. Sora thought cheerfully to himself. Now only if Roxas would show up to sweeten the satisfaction.

"Hey guys!" it was Demyx entering the living room.

Sora frowned at the arrival of one of his least favorite housemates. He didn't know why but he had never adjusted to Demyx's overall presence. Whenever the guy walked into a room it was like everything had gotten very bright...too bright. Demyx was the center of attention where ever he went. Though what really made Sora angry was that the blonde also had a crush on Riku.

Sora turned so the bubbly blonde was no longer in his sight. As he turned he caught a glimpse of familiar blonde hair. Roxas. This is what he'd been waiting for; a chance to flaunt Axel in front of Roxas. Roxas wasn't alone though, following close behind was Zexion. Zexion was another of Sora's least favorite housemates.

Sora didn't like that Zexion had so easily detached Roxas from him. He thought he could always rely on his twin. Then they moved into the fortress like house and had gained different friends. Sora had drifted towards Riku and Axel. His twin had opted for the aloof Zexion and annoying Demyx. Sora couldn't stand not having Roxas under his control anymore.

He had always had a firm hold on Roxas's will until Zexion came into the picture. The guy was putting some sort of ideas into innocent Roxas's head. Sora sometimes caught Zexion watching him. Not in an admiring way as he would expect. The look was partial curiosity, a sprinkle of disapproval, and a dash of disgust. Zexion scared Sora a teensy weensy tad bit.

If Sora didn't know better, he'd say Zexion knew what he was up to. That's impossible...isn't it? Sora shook that thought from his mind. All he knew is that he had to get Roxas away from the bad influences. His current plan had a few key points that benefited him in different ways.

He knew his twin had a thing for Axel and that the pyro had a thing for him, instead of his blonde twin. He didn't regret stepping on his twin's feelings. Serves him right for leaving me. The act with Axel would make Riku jealous. According to Sora's plan, Riku would ask him out and he'd have to let Axel down easily. But not before telling Roxas he could swing things his way with Axel. But only if he comes back to me. This way they'd all get what they wanted. By they, Sora meant himself of course.

I get my twin back in my control, I get Riku, and I get those creeps out of the picture. All in one brilliant plan. Sora had been planning for two months on how to play this out.

It's a good thing he didn't know it was about to blow up in his face.

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Zexion walked slightly behind Roxas as they came down the staircase.

"Zexy! Roxy!" Demyx yelled as he lunged at them.

Both boys were crushed in a famous Demyx tackle hug.

"Dem?" Roxas gasped out.

"Yeah?" he looked at the other blonde smiling.

"Can't breathe."

"Oh." Demyx released them immediately and smiled as they fought to refill their lungs.

"Good to see you too." Roxas smiled playfully.

"Where have you two been all day?" Demyx exclaimed.

"About." Zexion answered as he dusted off his sleeve.

Zexion caught the disapproving look on the brunette twin's face. He decided to ignore it for now. Roxas smiled up at him shyly as he shuffled his feet. Zexion motioned towards the empty couch and Roxas followed him over. Zexion sat propping his arm up on the arm of the couch. Roxas sat extremely close to him and leaned into the stoic teen's side.

Sora watched as the guy he detested wrapped an arm around his twin's waist. Roxas leaned his head against Zexion's slim shoulder. Sora could feel his anger threatening to boil over. No one else seemed to care about how close the two were. Sora looked around for the others' expressions.

Demyx was watching the two closely but didn't seem surprised at all. Riku seemed indifferent but not so surprised either. Sora sneaked a peek up to see Axel's mouth hanging open. Well, at least I'm not the only one surprised. Sora thought bitterly. But how could I not notice how close the two were?

Something dawned on Sora suddenly. What if its a scheme? What if their trying to pull my leg. Sora watched as Zexion leaned down to brush his lips against the shy blonde's.

He watched as his twin blushed. No...Roxas isn't that good an actor. But something is not right...Why did he tell me he liked Axel?

An even scarier realization hit Sora. He lied to me. He lied to me to cover himself. He wanted me and possibly himself to believe he liked Axel. It was all a cover so he didn't have to confront his feelings about Zexion.

With all the new information being processed, Sora had adapted a horrified look. Axel had noticed but was too caught up in his own thoughts. Ro...Roxas...with Zexion? There's no way. I can't believe...Sora told me that Roxas liked me. Roxas lied to Sora?

On the other side of the room Riku was having his own thoughts. I suppose what Zexion says is true then. From the looks on Axel and Sora's faces things didn't go according to plan. Then a devilish thought made itself known. Perhaps I sound give them one more shock.

"Demyx."

The blonde whipped around to face the silver haired teen. "Yes?"

"Wanna go out tomorrow night?"

Demyx smiled brightly before replying. "Of course!"

Riku smiled, pleased with himself. He glanced over to see the infuriated look spread across Sora's tan face. He didn't feel bad at all. He actually liked Demyx and had been building up the courage to ask him out. The current situation had given him the edge he needed. Demyx practically floated over to him and sat next to him on the loveseat. Riku smiled and put his arm around the blonde's shoulders.

Sora's mind was reeling from the sudden change in his plans. This isn't happening... I planned it all out... Nothing could go wrong... Sora gulped and looked around at the faces watching him. He could see it in their expressions. They all knew...They knew!

He suddenly focused on Roxas and Zexion. The slate haired teen was watching him with something close to satisfaction. Roxas looked a tad bit sorry but satisfaction also shone through in his eyes. Zexion nodded at him ever so slightly before returning his attention to the blonde twin.

Sora opened his mouth to say something but closed it. I have no proof. I can't call them out on something I have no proof of. I know they won't say anything about it. Well, I can play that game. Sora decided to remain silent and cling tighter to Axel. He snuggled his head into the redhead's neck. Axel rubbed his back soothingly and Sora got the message.

We'll fix this. They'll regret it in due time.

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I wasn't too sure about this one at first. But Macintosh liked it so I'm gonna go with her opinion on this one. More to come soon, I hope! X3 Love you guys. RXR!

MUTT