Chapter 6.
As it turned out, the crappy looking navy truck that Riku had parked next to that morning belonged to Demyx. Zexion had been a little lost at first when he noticed his cousins car was no where he had parked it that morning. Then he recalled the text messages that had been going back and forth while they'd been inside the school and let a relieved sigh escape him. Riku had to drive, probably taking Roxas and Sora with him, since they were still too young to drive themselves. Oh, wait. Huh. He was so glad he wasn't in that car. Poor Roxas, the ride must have been so brutally awkward if no one else had pilled in as well.
Twirling his key ring boredly around his index finger, Demyx swung open his door and hopped up onto the large bench seat. Upon seeing the single seat that stretched across in order to fit three people.
"shotgun."
Fuck.
"Ha, shorty gets bitch-seat."
Demyx shook his head with a chuckle as he unlocked the other door and Axel flung it open as well.
"I take it bitch-seat is the crammed seat in the middle." The slate haired teen mutter, the older boy gesturing for him to get in first.
"Yup. Get in before I toss ya." Axel's smirk set the thought in Zexion's head that, indeed, he probably could be tossed inside if he didn't move quick enough. "Today short-stuff. I'm hungry."
With an aggravated sigh, Zexion climbed up and inside, finding the interior of the vehicle to be about as run-down looking as the outside. Rips are tares littered the brown fake-leather seat, and there were candy wrappers and coffee cups on the floor with his feet.
Axel slammed the door behind him, manually rolling down the car window to set his elbow on the ledge. The redhead fidgeted in his seat, obviously finding the bench to be much to close to the dash for his long scrawny legs, which Zexion noticed to be clad in a pair of ripped black jeans. Rather tight fitting, ripped black jeans. Jeans he kind of wished he owned, actually.
Suddenly, there was a tanned hand between his legs. Letting out a slight 'eep!', Zexion pressed his back against the backrest, eyes wide. Demyx chuckled next to him as he set down a large coffee cup, its lid having been torn off.
"Sorry to startle you, Zexy. Jumpy much? You'd think I'd be the jumpy one, after all the coffee I've had." Again, he chuckled, looking over to Axel, who seemed to have missed the entire incident. Said redhead's gaze was elsewhere, his brilliant emerald eyes watching something non-existent as he lost himself in thought.
"There. Ash tray. Now you two can have your nicotine fix." Demyx said with a small smile, reversing the truck out of the parking spot, then pulling forward and heading towards the exit of the school parking lot.
"Thanks Dem." Axel seemed to return to reality then, flashing his friend a toothy grin, which was almost immediately returned by the blonde. Zexion could only watch them. It was apparent the two had been friends for a while, and that they weren't just friend due to being in a band together. Interesting. He'd ponder over that more later, but for now, he was dying for a smoke.
Lavender eyes turned to Axel expectantly. Zexion blinked repeatedly as the redhead pulled out what appeared to be a cigarette, but upon closer inspection, had a twisted end. A proper cigarette was held out to him and the slate haired teen accepted it with a dumbfounded nod in thanks.
"AXEL!" A tanned hand snatched the joint from the oldest boy's hand, Axel letting out a yelp as Demyx nearly came in contact with the flame of his started lighter.
"Dem! Why not? What the hell man?"
"Axel!" The blonde scolded once more, setting the wrapped illegal substance in the door pocket at his left side, where his friend could not reach it. "I know you're nervous, alright? But seriously, Ax!" His blue eyes were narrowed in frustration as he checked the road for traffic before turning the truck onto its proper side of the paved path. There was a long moment of silence, Zexion watching Demyx, then Axel. Axel began chewing his lip, his head resting in his hand, elbow sticking out the window slightly.
"Ax, I know you're worried, but you need a clear head if you're going to get anywhere with him, ok?" Demyx voice had softened slightly, And the youngest of the three boys found himself looking back and forth once more. Then, his mouth dropped open slightly in realization.
"I get it."
Both boys suddenly turned to look at him, Confusion, then fear written across their features.
"I so get it now. I mean, I had my suspicions, but, wow." Zexion pursed his lips thoughtfully, running a hand through his long fringe of hair as if it had been bothering him.
"Oh fuck, I'm sorry Axel!" Demyx exclaimed then, groaning as he set his forehead against the steering wheel for a moment, having to remove it so that he could still drive properly. "I.. ugh, I'm so stupid. I'm sorry Ax."
"No, Demyx, I kind of had a guess. Axel hasn't been subtle enough for me not to." Zexion attempted to calm the blonde on his left before turning to look at Axel, who was looking rather uncomfortable at this point. "You asked me if I had classes with him, out of no where." He stated, feeling a little nervous under the gaze of the older teen's emerald eyes. "And then, you were actually upset when I asked if you wanted to fight him. Not angry, but, concerned that I was getting that idea."
Demyx was scowling at the redhead by this point. It wasn't a scowl for long as the looked changed to one more along the lines of ohyoudumbass.
"But, from that? How? how did you guess from that?" Axel still seemed amazed.
"Guys only ask about other people like that if they want to know how they match up against them. Or, with them." Zexion stated matter-o-factly. "I may have limited experience with social interaction, but just from living with Riku I know that much." This earned a chuckle out of Demyx, who now had a small smile on his lips.
"He's right Ax. You were showing interest in him. It could only be taken one way or the other." The blonde finished for Zexion who at that point had crossed his thin arms over his chest.
"You might want to clear that up shortly though." The youngest voice, smirking up at Axel as he moved to boldly take the lighter from the still gaping teen and light his cigarette. Cancer-stick hang out of his mouth slightly, end glowing, he continued, talking around his smoke. "Its not just me who would assume the fight idea. Actually, Riku seems to have the idea that you actually do want to fight Roxas. He even put it in Sora's head."
"Oh fuck." Axel groaned. "That's the last thing I need. Roxas' twin thinking I'm out to get his brother.. well, I am but not in that sense! Ughhh. Eff my liiiffeee!" Axel exclaimed, make a very frustrated face in the direction of the other two boys, gaining a chuckle from Demyx, who could only shake his head at his friend.
"I don't think Roxas will be.. upset." Zexion tried lightly, his voice rather quite as he paused to take a puff from his smoke, tapping it lightly on the makeshift ashtray between his legs. "He's not really... Against such things, as far as I can tell."
Axel frowned then, eyes narrowed down at the younger boy.
"Just because he wears tight pants and the whole deal doesn't mean he's into dick." The red head stated bluntly, seemingly angry.
"I'm not stereotyping." Zexion shot back, surprised at himself for showing his slight temper. He could feel Demyx's shocked gaze on him, but made himself continue. "Just because I have my hair styled like, this," He flicked his long fringe, "enjoy dark places, and hell, I wear tight clothes, doesn't mean I slit my wrist and mope about everywhere." He paused to look over at the blonde to his left, who's tan hand had been set on his shoulder, in almost a calming manner. Demyx smiled then, giving a light squeeze with his fingers before turning back to where he should have been looking, instead of into Zexion's violet eyes. He left his hand where he'd set it.
"I- I…" Zexion suddenly found himself at a loss for words. Why on earth had the guitarist done that of all things? And why the hell did it have such a mind numbing effect on him! He closed his gaping mouth, lips set in a straight line as he gathered his thoughts, turning to see Axel waiting rather smugly for there to be a point to Zexion's statement.
"I spent time with Roxas. Yesterday actually. He didn't seem too upset when Sora-!" he stopped himself there, hand flying to his mouth. He was NOT supposed to tell about that. Riku nor Sora would be pleased with him if he let yesterdays incident slip. "I know Roxas doesn't have a problem with same-sex couples, ok? We didn't discuss it, but.. I know he doesn't." He sighed heavily, surprised his anger had left so quickly. How had Demyx been able to do that? And with just one simple look and gesture?
Axel sighed, leaning back against the bench seat in the old truck, puling out a cigarette finally.
"I hope you're right." He said quietly, flicking his lighter in order to set fire to the end of the paper, inhaling shakily. "I actually like the kid." Zexion couldn't help smile, it was hardly there, but he was indeed smiling at Axel's sincerity.
"Awww and here I thought you red-heads had no souls…" Demyx cooed, the slate hair teen next to him beginning to smirk instead of smile.
"Fuck you Dem. Do you see any freckles? No! didn't think so!" Axel tapped his cheek, finger tips touching the upside-down tear drop tattoos as he barked out a laugh. The oldest tapped his cigarette out the window for a moment only to bring it back to his lips which were now cracking smirk to match Zexion's. "I'm no Ginger Kid."
"You know damn well that if I weren't for your insane crush on Roxas you'd be trying to convince everyone you were the spawn of Satan." Demyx chuckled, flicking on his signal as he turned a corner, blue eyes sparkling rather mischievously. "You just don't like people knowing you're such a softy."
Zexion watched as the pickup truck approached the local river, violet eyes catching sight of a certain small car parked in the distance, as well as a white jeep. Around it there was a crown of teenagers, some of which occupied a picnic table along the edge of the water.
"Marly and Larx are here." Axel stated, answering the question Zexion had been about to ask. The blonde at his side nodded, slowing his vehicle to a stop and shutting it off.
"Lets just pray they didn't bring your brother." Demyx groaned, opening his door roughly and hopping down to the ground.
"Nah, Reno wouldn't come hang out with them. He's too busy trying to pick up little grade nine girls. Fucking pedophile."
"Roxas is what? 3 years younger than you?"
"It runs in the family?"
Both Zexion and Demyx burst out laughing at that point, Axel giving the both dirty looks as Zexion followed the guitarist out his side of the truck.
"Demyx! HEY! Zexion! You actually came! Awesome!" Suddenly, there was a Roxas rushing at the three boys. Zexion had about three seconds to realize a glomp was imminent. With a rather quiet 'eep!' he ducked behind Axel's taller form with a single sidestep, only to still be plowed over by the force of the younger teen flinging himself into axel in stead. This of course, was rather unexpected, on both the blonde and the redhead's part, so the two went topping backwards. Onto the skinny jean-clad legs of Zexion.
Demyx couldn't help but stare in awe at how he'd managed to avoid the entire pile of limb. Roxas sat, blinking down at Axel in confusion, as if he hadn't realized it'd been the vocalist he'd tackled, and now who's hips he was straddling. While Axel's cheek were quickly turning nearly the same colour as his hair, Zexion was trapped on his stomach in the grass, legs pinned under the other two boys.
"Oh. You aren't Zexion." Roxas stated, head cocked on one side, blue eyes still blinking down at Axel.
"Uhm, Nope. I'm not. Hi anyways though, Roxas." Axel forced a sheepish smile, somehow managing to prop himself up on his elbows. He had yet to notice his cigarette had landed a foot away and was now smoldering uselessly in the grass. Zexion however, still had his stuck in his mouth, thought it appeared a little scrunched from his forced landing.
"You two mind gettin' off?" The slate haired teen asked, smirking only to Demyx who's hand flew to his mouth at he possible innuendo that could be associated. Apparently Axel picked up on the comment as well because he shot a glare down at the shorter teen.
"Shut up, emo-kid. I'll break your knee caps."
Somehow, Roxas, ever the blonde, had completely missed the joke, and remained grinning like an idiot where he sat. which was still directly on top of Axel's lap.
"Demyx! Zexion! Hey Roxas, bring them over here before all the pizza's gone!" Riku's voice reached their ears, and Roxas was up on his feet within seconds.
"That's right! Come on! Hayner has been pigging out ever since we got here. Him and Pence!"
As if it were something he ordinarily did, Roxas offered out his hands to Axel, indenting to help pull the much taller and older teen up. Instead of accepting, Axel simply stared, completely in awe.
"Rox, I think you broke his brain when you tacked him." Zexion voiced, putting his cigarette out in the dirt, and holding his head in his right hand boredly.
"That would have been the drugs. Years ago." Demyx chuckled again, then began laughing at the second glare he received from his vocalist.
Finally, Axel all too willing threw his hands up and into the grade eleven's.
"Both of you, shut the fuck up." He grumbled as he stumbled to his feet, Roxas laughing as he almost fell back over.
Zexion sat up, observing the scene before him. Either Roxas was completely oblivious to the local pyromaniac's feeling, or he was damn good at acting as if he was. Roxas had giddily began dragging Axel in the direction of the picnic tale, still not hanging let go of the redheads left hand. And man was Axel blushing.
"Dawww. Lookit those two." Demyx seemed to be thinking along the same lines it seemed. "They're so cute. Poor Roxas probably has no idea what he'd getting himself into. Or rather…" He chuckled to himself again, tanned fingers tucked in his belt loops. "Come on Zexy. You've gotta be hungry, and everyone likes pizza."
True. He was hungry. Really, hungry actually, and pizza was sounding really good.
Zexion stood up, only to find the Demyx had been waiting for him to get up before walking along side him towards the picnic table, which apparently, was where the pizza sat.
Zexion had to look up to catch the smile on the others face. Demyx had to be about half a head taller than he was, Axel being a full head. Something about the blonde, intrigued him. How could someone been so energetic, yet, so laidback? The musician was nearly bipolar in that aspect. Like now. Suddenly, the blonde lunged forward, running full speed towards the table to grab a piece of pizza from the open box. Laughing as others greeted him, Demyx wandered around the table, saying hello to each person individually until he stood before a small blonde girl, who gazed up at him with her blue eyes.
"Ewww." She said playfully up to him.
"Eww!" He exclaimed back in nearly the exact same tone, before he ruffled her hair and continued on. "Why'd you guys bring Namine? My sister isn't nearly cool enough to chill and eat pizza."
The blonde girl giggled and shook her head as she made like she'd kick her older sibling, stopping to laugh when he actually flinched. Then the guitarist laughed as well, shoving her shoulder before going back to the box of pizza.
As Zexion arrived, Demyx held out a slice for him, which he accepted with a quiet 'thank you' before going to sit down next to his cousin. Riku nodded a hello, before gesturing to Sora who was talking to a few other kids at the car.
"He's got my phone. He's.. pretty much back to normal." He said quietly, looking over to Roxas and Axel, who had begun flicking bits of cheese at each other.
"That's good." Zexion nodded in return, smirking as he followed the others aqua coloured gaze over to the two teens on the grass a few feet away. "Proof enough for you Axel doesn't want to fight him?"
Riku sighed, chin resting in his hand as he watched.
"Yeah, I guess so. So why was he being so weird before?"
"He just is weird."
Zexion smiled lightly as Demyx leaned over him to pluck off a pepperoni from the slice he held. Not even attempting to stop or scold the blonde for his theft of food, he nodded in agreement with the other. As much as he didn't like withholding information from his cousin, Axel needed all the help he could get. Especially if Roxas was actually as oblivious as he seemed.
Lmfao after looking at this as it was previously posted, I couldn't help but laugh at my disclaimer, so I'll just leave this here…
Disclaimer: his hair is red, the icecream is blue, some akuroku I love, don't own and can't sue.