Axel drummed his fingers against the cold wooden table as he stared at the sum that had been written on the board.

To be honest, he wasn't even trying to work it out. The only thing he was worried about was that Demyx, Riku and Zexion were all absent. Usually if a kid was off school, no one would pay much attention. After all, everybody got ill. But this was different.

Zexion never missed a day of school and would show up even if he was puking his guts up! Today he didn't even answer the door when Axel and Marluxia arrived to pick him up.

As for Riku? Well whenever he wasn't going to come to school he would text every single person he knew and tell them so.

Why? Because he just did. Nobody received a text today and it was impossible for him to be out of credit because he'd had a top up yesterday.

Demyx was another mystery because he, like Riku and Zexion, always showed up for school no matter what but even Xigbar didn't know where the blonde was.

Axel sighed.

So many questions...

Zexion opened his eyes slowly and groaned.

His mouth and throat felt unbearably dry and scratchy, and his head was throbbing with pain.

"Ugh..." he muttered, "Damn hangover..."

As he tried to sit up he began to realize something.

There was someone else in the bed.

Cautiously, he rolled over to see who was beside him.

"Oh fuck."

It was Demyx.

The blonde lay there with the sofa white quilt pulled up to his chin. His hair was ruffled, messy and just plain everywhere. Judging by his steady, even breathing, he was still asleep.

A single thought crossed Zexion's mind.

Did...did we have sex?

His heart pounded against his chest as he tried to remember the events of last night. His efforts were fruitless. He could remember everything until opening that second bottle of vodka.

The teen groaned.

This was ridiculous!

There was no way anything could happen between them! He'd remember if it had. But if that was true then why the hell was Demyx in his bed?

"Damn you Demyx..."

The blonde shifted at the sound of his name but remained sleeping.

It was then when Zexion realized how much Demyx had actually done for him.

A slight smile worked its way onto his face and he extended a hand towards him. Slowly, his thin fingers began to stroke Demyx's cheek. He shuffled slightly closer and brushed a few strands of messy blonde hair out of his eyes.

He looks so peaceful and innocent...so calm. Like a person who has never suffered or known pain. Demyx...

He continued to caress the boy's cheek, gazing intently at his flawless face. Normally Zexion would think twice about touching someone, especially this intimately, but this was different.

Demyx...Demyx cared about him and although they hadn't known each other very long, he had tried his best to be a good friend. Although he wasn't conscious right now, he at least deserved some affection in return.

"It's kinda funny to think you might be my lover and yet I would be none the wiser if you were," Zexion murmured to the sleeping Demyx, "But you know something? I don't think I'd mind if you were. You are honest and kind and loyal and true...in fact I believe that in time I could learn to love you, Demyx. You're already starting to grow on me. But just look at us...total opposites with nothing in common...and yet...I've never felt closer to a person in my life."

Zexion smiled briefly and looked away.

If he had paid attention he would have noticed the change in Demyx's breathing.

If he had of looked he would have seen the tear slide down his cheek.

If he had been wise he would have known that Demyx heard every single word.

"Hayner! Hayner wait up! I need to talk to you."

Hayner turned to see Axel running down the busy hallway straight towards him. He narrowed his eyes to thin brown slits and folded his arms in a defensive manner.

"What?" he snapped as Axel came to a halt.

The redhead frowned at his hostility but he replied anyway.

"I was just wondering where Demyx was. I haven't heard from him or Zexion since yesterday. I know they were together but – "

Hayner interrupted him before he had chance to finish.

"He's at Zexion's house. That's all I know. Leave me alone will ya?"

The blonde gave him one final glare before turning and stalking away in the opposite direction.

Jeez, thought the bewildered redhead, What's with him?

Zexion, now fully dressed in some tight black jeans and a Simple Plan shirt, sat down at the kitchen table, sighing. His temples throbbed constantly and now and again the room would seem to spin.

Starting today hangovers were number one on Zexion's hate list.

It was almost lunch time so there was no point in going to school today. He breathed out slowly and grabbed the bottle of whiskey from the centre of the table. He could hear the sound of water running which meant that Demyx was still in the shower. He opened the bottle and took a swig of the vile liquid. Zexion barely liked whiskey but as far as he was concerned, hangovers only happened after a person was drunk so if he got drunk now the hangover would go away. To Zexion, this logic made perfect sense.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"HOLY SHIT!"

Zexion jumped, spilling whiskey all over his legs. He wiped his lips and stared at Demyx who was now standing in the doorway with his arms crossed.

"Don't just arrive like that! You scared the shit outta me," snapped the shorter one disapprovingly.

Demyx grinned and gave a quick apology.

Zexion sighed but he couldn't help returning the smile.

There was a slight silence then the blonde frowned.

"I guess Saix isn't back yet? Or your parents..."

Zexion stared at his hands.

"No. They're not...that reminds me. Do you know who Aerith is?"

Demyx snorted.

"Zexion who do you think I am? Of course I know who she is! She Olette's mum. She's also the woman who baked the cake on my ninth birthday! Why do you ask?"

Zexion's hands curled into fists but he remained silent. It was surprising that Olette of all people was the one who had allegedly lied in court. Still, at least he knew her. Maybe now it would be easier for him to put an end to this.

"No reason. She's just a family friend."

"Oh. But uh why ask me if I know her?"

"I was hoping you might know who her daughter is, which you do. Now come on, we're going to school. There's something I have to do."

Lunch time was almost at an end so people were already beginning to head towards their next lesson.

Of course they were more than shocked when Demyx barged passed them in his own clothes rather than uniform.

Marluxia had been just about to ask his geography teacher if he could hand in his essay on Friday rather than Thursday but before he had chance to speak, Demyx shoved them both aside with a yell of, "ZEXION!"

Marluxia stared after him and yelled, "What the FUCK?"

Demyx cast an apologetic glance over his shoulder.

"Sorry no time to explain!"

Marluxia shook his head and sighed.

Demyx...he was unpredictable.

Demyx skidded around the corner and groaned. It seemed that Zexion had already found Pence and was in the process of finding out where Olette was.

"Olette? Oh she went to the toilet. Why do you ask, Zexion?"

Zexion was already walking towards the nearest girls toilets.

"Demyx wants to ask her out."

Demyx and Pence both looked horrified but Zexion didn't care. He whirled around the next corner, halting before the girls' toilets. Not caring who saw, he flung the door open and stalked inside.

Well...it was a lot nicer than the boys' toilets.

Five sinks and cubicles were arranged in a neat row. There was the slight smell of air freshener lingering in the air but Zexion didn't really take much notice. All the cubicles appeared to be empty besides the one at the very end which opened the moment Zexion looked at it.

Olette walked out of the cubicle and hurried to the sink opposite, not noticing the slate haired teenager who was striding towards her.

"Olette?"

"Oh! Zexion! W-why are you in here? Boys aren't allowed in!" she gasped.

Zexion rolled his eyes.

"Who cares? I want answers."

"Huh?"

"I want to know why the fuck you lied about what Xemnas did to you."

Olette began to back away towards the wall, eyes narrowing.

"How dare you! I didn't lie!"

"According to court, you did," he growled as he advanced towards her.

A deep flush rose in the girl's face.

"Leave me alone!"

"Olette I'm not going to do anything to you. I just want you to come with me to Riku's house after school and tell my mother that you lied, which you did."

"What? No way! And I didn't lie! The man's a rapist!"

Zexion stared at her through narrowed eyes.

Up until today he had always liked Olette. She was polite, honest and loyal. Plus, unlike most girls in the school, she actually cared about her grades. That didn't bother him anymore. She was a selfish liar who had caused so much trouble for him and his family.

It had to be put to an end.

"Listen to me, Olette. My brother just happens to be going out with Xemnas. He believes Xemnas is innocent. Saix is not stupid so he must believe him for a reason! Now because of you, my brother is homeless, my dad is missing, my mum is a wreck and I'm...I'm fucked!"

His voice broke at the last word and he realized he was close to tears.

Scowling, he rubbed his eyes with the back of his wrist and looked at Olette.

The girl was staring at the floor with her delicate hands curled into tight fists. He could see that there were slow tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, "I didn't mean for any of this to happen..."

"So it really was a lie?"

"Yes..."

Zexion stared at her, shock and disgust clear on his face.

"Why would you do something like that?"

Just then the bell rang loudly to announce the start of the next lesson. Both students ignored it.

"I...I wasn't allowed to go to Seifer's party because my parents don't like him s-so I snuck out anyway. Well everything was going fine until Rai arrived and he had lots of alcohol with him...they asked me if I wanted some and I said yes because I didn't want them to think I was weird. I lost track of time. W-well anyway when I realized how late it was I tried to go home but it was really dark and I couldn't see where I was going so I fell over and grazed my elbow. When I got back up a car pulled over with Xemnas and his friend inside and they asked if I was okay – I said yes. They offered to drive me home...I kinda felt safe with them because my cousin is Xemnas's friend...well anyway once they arrived at my house I told them to go before my Mum spotted us. I thought I'd be able to sneak in unnoticed but I was wrong...when I got to my room my parents barged in and began demanding to know where I'd been and stuff. I didn't know what to do! I started to tell the truth but they got really mad so...so I just...you know...lied..."

There was a silence.

"You said Xemnas raped you...so you wouldn't get in trouble for sneaking out?"

Olette nodded her head meekly.

"...You make me sick. Well I hope it was worth it because you've messed up so many lives. Oh well. At least you didn't get in trouble for anything, right?" he said bitterly.

Another tear slid down the brunette's face but he had no sympathy.

"Olette how could you do that?" yelled a voice.

Zexion and Olette both turned in shock.

Xion, Kairi and Namine were stood behind them with horrified looks on their faces. It was clear they'd heard everything.

"I can't believe you would do something so cruel!" Kairi spat. Olette opened her mouth to speak but Kairi continued. "Don't ever talk to me again you fucking bitch!"

The pink haired girl turned and stormed out into the hallway, followed slowly by a shocked Namine and confused Xion.

Zexion knew that this would be all around the school by tomorrow. After all, girls were the worst gossips ever!

"I think my problem's just been solved. Goodbye Olette," he said coldly and walked out of the tiled room, leaving the girl to sob in peace.

Today was Friday.

Since Tuesday afternoon, the students of Twilight High had had a lot to talk about, most of it involving a young girl by the name of Olette.

The truth about the Xemnas incident had spread throughout the school like a forest fire and soon there wasn't a single person who didn't know about it. However when Mr. Vexen took the notes that Larxene and Marluxia had been writing to each other, he also found out. This of course was why the head teacher had been informed and Olette's parents had learnt the truth.

This was, without doubt, an unforgettable week.

Zexion lay on his sofa waiting for his laptop to load.

Since his confrontation with Olette he had not left the house. In fact, Zexion had not spoken to another person since then. Although Riku, Demyx, Axel and Marluxia had all tried to contact him he merely ignored them and isolated himself within the house.

What was the point in doing anything when his life was going down the drain?

Terra and Saix were God-knows-where and he had no idea how his mother was coping.

LOLFIRE has signed in

The Graceful Assassin has signed in

Dance, Water, Dance! has signed in

~FeAr ThE dArKnEsS~ has signed in

Shit. Zexion had completely forgotten that his laptop signed him in automatically. Before he had chance to sign back out, he was added to a group conversation.

Dance, Water, Dance!: ZEXY!

LOLFIRE: FINALLY

The Graceful Assassin: Hey...Riku and Demyx sorta told Axel and me about what happened...you okay?

~FeAr ThE dArKnEsS~: STFU MARLUXIA

Dance, Water, Dance!: MARLUXIA SHUT UP

LOLFIRE: Dumbass...

Cloaked Schemer: How many people have you told?

Dance, Water, Dance!: Just them

~FeAr ThE dArKnEsS~: I kinda told Sora...

LOLFIRE: WTF

The Graceful Assassin: Axel your a hypocrite because you told Roxas -.- who, btw, told Hayner

Dance, Water, Dance!: Hayner already knew...Rikku and Namine know as well...

Cloaked Schemer: Oh this is fucking perfect -.- So you know that Saix and my dad have vanished to fuck knows where, right? And that my mum is staying with her brother...aka Riku's dad?

LOLFIRE: Yeah

The Graceful Assassin: And the whole Xemnas thing is like...what EVERYONE is talking about. I really hate Olette now. Fucking BITCH.

Cloaked Schemer: What's actually happening about that?

LOLFIRE: No one knows. She hasn't been seen since then. I heard that her parents are sending her to this really strict boarding school in America.

~FeAr ThE dArKnEsS~: Hey Zexion, Aqua knows the full story now. She's calmed down quite a lot but she hates herself...she thinks she's failed you and Saix as a mother.

Cloaked Schemer: I'd rather not talk about this in front of everyone -.- anyway brb I think someone's outside and it's kinda pissing me off

Sure enough, as Zexion got up to investigate, the door opened and Terra walked in with Saix directly behind him.

"Dad! Saix! Where the fuck where you?" he yelled.

"Look we're in a hurry right now. I want you to stay at Marluxia's house until Monday, okay? I just rang his mother, she said her and her husband will be out on Saturday and Sunday but Marluxia's a responsible kid so you're more than welcome to stay there. I'd prefer for you to stay with your cousin Riku but Setzer says there isn't enough room with your mum there now," Terra said quickly as he moved between rooms, gathering different items.

Zexion stared at him as if he was speaking a foreign language.

After vanishing into thin air, both Saix and Terra come back just to talk a load of bullshit and tell him to leave? Then go again?

Dear, God, Zexion prayed in silence, Are you fucking with me?

Saix ran upstairs in a flash.

"Dad I don't get it. What's going on?"

"Don't ask questions, just get in the car okay? We're taking you to Marluxia's."

He sighed.

Yep.

His life just got weirder by the day.

"Fine, let me turn the laptop off," he muttered.

Cloaked Schemer: Well Saix and Dad are back. They're also dragging me to Marluxia's house. I'm so fucking lucky -.-

Rai, ya know?: WHAT THE FUCK, ya know?

The Graceful Assassin: I KNOW! I CANT WAIT! XD

He killed the power then unplugged it. Saix returned with a bag of Zexion's clothes and some other necessities he'd need for staying at Marluxia's house.

Reluctantly, Zexion stood up and walked out of the house.

The drive to Marluxia's place was actually longer than Zexion had expected. They were in the car at least twenty-five minutes.

When they finally pulled up outside the huge mansion in which Marluxia lived, Zexion found himself already saying goodbye to both Terra and Saix.

He sighed as they drove away then began to walk up the ridiculously large driveway.

"They could have at least driven me to the front door," he grumbled.

After about five minutes he arrived on the doorstep. Marluxia must have seen him through the window because the door opened before he even had chance to knock.

"Hey Zexy! You know now your here that there's no way you'll be able to escape coming to my party, right?"

Zexion groaned. He'd completely forgotten about that.

"Fuck you, she-male. Oh and don't call me Zexy, you're not Demyx," he said flatly, walking into the mansion.

"Oh of course, only Demyx is allowed to call you that," Marluxia retorted.

Zexion was sure he heard jealousy in his voice. He decided it would be best to ignore the comment entirely.

"Hey you can put your stuff in my room. Come on."

Zexion sighed.

Great, more moving.

He followed him up the large staircase until they arrived on the very top floor.

"Did your parents already leave?"

"Yeah. We're one hundred percent alone."

Marluxia opened the door and lead him into a spacious bedroom with large windows and everything arranged neatly. There were no posters on the walls but some photos of Marluxia and his friends were taped to his wardrobe.

"Put your clothes over there," the taller male told him, flicking his hand at the corner beside his bed.

Zexion's jaw dropped.

Literally.

"How fucking big does your fucking bed need to be? It's fucking huge!"

This was true. Marluxia's bed was massive.

Zexion dumped his belongings where he had been told then turned around to find Marluxia standing directly behind him.

"You're stealing my breathing space, please fuck off," he said drily.

Marluxia smirked and wrapped his arms around his thin waist.

A dark blush appeared on the shocked Zexion's face.

"Uh, what are you doing?"

"I dunno," Marluxia replied with a huge grin.

Zexion's heart pounded inside his ribs.

What the hell was wrong with Marluxia? Sure he was a pervert and he often made comments about Zexion's body, but this? This was...weird. Even for Marluxia's standards.

Slowly, the taller of the two placed a gentle kiss on the other's lips.

Zexion's eyes widened and he pulled back at once.

"What the fuck was that?" he yelled.

Sadly Marluxia's arms remained around his waist so he couldn't run.

Marluxia looked both hurt and annoyed at the same time.

"Zexion stop looking at me like I tried to kill you," he hissed.

"I'll do what I want now let me go you – "

Another kiss was forced upon him and he felt the grip on his waist tighten. Suddenly he was lifted off the floor and placed on the bed, only to find himself pinned beneath his classmate.

Marluxia finally pulled away and looked down at him.

"Zexion are you enjoying this?"

Zexion stared up at him. Was he insane?

"Uh, no. Not at all. Now get the fuck off me! I don't know what's gotten into you today but cut it out!"

Marluxia wasn't listening. He pressed his lips against his friend's neck and slowly trailed his tongue along the soft skin, working his way up and along his jawbone, only stopping to kiss his pale lips. Shivers of pleasure shot down Zexion's spine.

Although he hated to admit it, he was enjoying this. A lot, actually. He didn't want to enjoy it but how could he not?

"M-Marluxia stop it! Why are you doing this?" he stammered.

Marluxia ran his hands through Zexion's sleek slate colored hair and momentarily broke the kiss.

"Because you're sexy and I like you," he said simply.

Before Zexion could object, Marluxia's lips found their way back to his neck and he felt him suck the defenseless patch of skin.

"Marluxia this is stupid! Get off me!"

"If you didn't want this, you'd be pushing me away instead of just laying there. Besides, I can see how much you're enjoying it."

...He had a point.

"Fuck you – ah!"

He let out a gasp as Marluxia bit down on his neck. His back arched slightly, making his shirt slide up and reveal a bit of his stomach. Marluxia's eyes didn't miss a thing. He forced their lips together, sliding Zexion's shirt up as far as it would go. The feel of Marluxia's cold fingers against his exposed stomach and chest made him instinctively kiss back for some absurd reason.

Smirking, Marluxia broke the kiss then lowered his head and trailed his tongue across Zexion's waist, staring into the teen's dark eyes as he did so.

Zexion squeezed his eyes shut as he suppressed a gasp of shock and pleasure.

"Demyx," he gasped.

Marluxia froze and the smirk vanished from his face.

Slowly, he wiped his lips and sat up. He slid off the bed then said, as if nothing had happened, "I have a lot of stuff to prepare for tomorrow. If you want to help then whatever. Oh and it would be best if you forgot this ever happened."

Zexion stared at him, the confusion clear on his face.

"Marluxia I – "

"As I said, I have stuff to prepare."

Marluxia turned and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Zexion smoothed out his clothes and sat up.

What had just happened?

They'd been talking then Marluxia started acting weird...and then that happened. He and Marluxia had known each other a very long time. He knew that Marluxia was a pervert – who didn't? – but that was very out of character.

Then it dawned on him.

He said he liked me...what if he was serious? No that can't be right! He's just a friend...who enjoys mouth-raping me. He doesn't like me. He likes kissing me. No, he just likes being a pervy son of a bitch. I think. Besides so what if it aroused us both. It doesn't mean we like each other! Cause I love Demyx, not him.

Wait.

What the fuck?

Had he seriously just said that? Well thought it, but whatever.

No I don't love Demyx! What the hell am I thinking?

"Zex – I need your help! Get your fat ass down here," Marluxia yelled from downstairs.

So Marluxia really was acting as if nothing had happened after all?

Zexion sighed heavily and pulled himself off the bed.

So Marluxia may love me when I think I love Demyx?

Wow.

I'm fucked.