Zexion had a split second to make his decision. His resolve threatened to waver, weakness lulled into him by the sweet eyes and voice of a certain musician hitting him all at once. The old him would of given little consideration to the fact that Axel had simply been following orders. He likely would of done the same and not blamed Axel if HE had come back to kill him. That thought doomed the flurry of dancing flames. Zexion in the form of Roxas gave no sign of this change of heart. He seemed to be thinking deeply about asking his next question and Axel was starting to get antsy. He smiled then, that special smile Roxas had just for Axel. "Will you kiss me?"
The look on Axel's face was completely dumbfounded. This was another one of those questions that the pyro never would have expected. Roxas arched an eyebrow, seeming surprised and disappointed. "What?...I saw you watching…I always thought you wanted to…"
Axel snapped out of it now. He was torn, and it wasn't that he didn't want to, Roxas was the source of all the caring within him. The small boy had awakened many things he'd simply given up on ever feeling again. The problem was, Roxas was not this brazen. It was possible that Roxas had gone through something that lead him to be here like this but it was quite unlikely. The memory of the intruder several months ago came to mind. That, combined with the questions recently asked by 'Roxas', started to fill in pieces of the puzzle. He couldn't quite believe it, but 'he' was the master of illusion and manipulation. If anyone could deceive both Axel and the replica so completely…Zexion could. And there was little doubt as to why he was here this night.
Zexion could see the pieces falling into place, though not entirely in his favor. He knew the moment that Axel realized who he was; he could see it in the other nobody's eyes. Those same green eyes, though not as cold as they were on that day. He too had been transformed, weakened by another. Zexion would not be the one to let that weakness destroy him. He had the advantage in the form of Axel's weakness. He wasted little time, though it seemed like forever before 'Oblivion' and 'oathkeeper' appeared in his hands.
Axel expected no mercy. No one in the organization was known for having a soft heart (ignoring Demyx), but Zexion was known for sitting on grudges and being one of the last people you'd want to cross. His chakrams were quick to follow the keyblades, though just barely in time to catch that initial rush. In that form, Zexion lost none of the actual Roxas' speed and strength. His main hope was that regardless of the form, Zexion hated to get his hands dirty. This fight shouldn't last long like this before Zex resorted to other measures. Or so he could hope. Even knowing that it was Zexion, striking down Roxas was something he'd rather not do. The unpleasant thought that he might have to do so for real in the future did not bear thinking about.
Zexion didn't let up his attack, pushing Axel in a manner that was quite uncharacteristic for him but nonetheless necessary. He obviously hadn't matched his fighting skills much with any other members but he had watched the others closely. Axel was explosive and unpredictable; his form would not slow down the other much. Even now the room was starting to get hot, his pressing attacks with the keyblades was the only thing that had kept Axel from summoning his fire much. He could feel the drain of his actions though. He may be fully recovered but obviously he'd lost a great deal of stamina.
Axel could see it too, he quickly jumped back, managing to get just enough space to get his chakrams flying and buy him enough time to let his fire loose. A circle of fire erupted around the room, burning nothing but still dangerous to the other nobody. Seeing this, Zexion changed his tactics. Roxas' style wasn't getting him far so he unleashed his magic. Unfortunately this also involved him returning to his own form. The keys morphed into the Lexicon, which immediately expanded to suck in the unfortunate flurry of dancing flames.
Inside he was barraged by magic. Axel broke out quickly though he was the worse for wear when he emerged. For a few moments neither of them moved, the once vicious battle reduced to a silent stare down. Axel seemed more relaxed now that Zexion held his own form once more. He had almost killed the guy, it felt more…'right' to be fighting him in his own form. Axel obviously wasn't going to lay down and die, but he felt it was a better fight now.
Zexion would of disagreed, but he didn't enjoy fighting either. The silence was starting to drag on and Axel was starting to get irritated. The completely calm stare from Zexion probably wasn't helping. He certainly didn't look like a nobody out for revenge. He figured Zex was just screwing with him again but it was hard to keep your cool with that emotionless gaze bearing down on you. Naturally the fiery nobody snapped. "Show something damn it!"
The wall of fire flared up again and Axel disappeared into it. Zexion raised his Lexicon half open and prepared to absorb any attacks that came. He didn't have to wait long; Axel was living up to his name, the 'flurry' of flames. There was hardly a second in between the enraged attacks. Zexion took the liberty of creating several of his clones to 'keep the heat down'. They didn't last very long but they were simply there to distract and draw fire while Zexion prepared a small tornado spell. The powerful winds ripped through the room, briefly depriving the fire of its oxygen. The flames died down, revealing a stumbling Axel. The wind had not touched Zexion but the same could not be said for his opponent. While he tried to regain his breath, Zexion transformed back into Roxas and lunged forward to deliver the finishing blow.
The scene looked a lot like the end of Zexion's battle with Riku months ago, but his position was reversed. He was the attacker now, and the comparison wasn't lost on him. Unlike Riku he didn't just assume that Axel was finished, the other nobody was touch, stubborn and this wouldn't be the first time the nobody had faked a death. He turned around and met those bright green eyes. What he saw surprised him, to the point of recoiling back. It was the same look he saw in Demyx's eyes sometimes when Zex was hiding something or otherwise hurt the nocturne. He realized for a second Axel really saw just Roxas. As expected though, he wasn't finished. A smile crossed Axel's face and Zexion felt a wave of wariness rise. The flame wielder raised his chakrams and was engulfed in flames which quickly spread outwards. Eyes widening in horror at Axel's final act Zexion hastily portaled out of the room, though he wasn't entirely successful. When he appeared in Demyx's room it was in a burst of light and flames.
-
Demyx had rolled over and noticed he was alone by now, so he was awake when this occurred and able to react quickly. Before Zexion could get more than a little scorched he, and a great deal of the room, were doused in water. Demyx jumped to his feet and caught Zexion before he could even think about falling. Between the minor injuries from the initial fight, being blasted by fire and water in turn he was definitely miserable but not majorly hurt. Then there was a frantic Demyx who had given up on evoking a response from the introspective schemer and had started stripping his soaked companion. He didn't get much farther than the coat before Zexion snapped out of it and grabbed his hands. "Demyx." Light blue eyes met darker. "I'm fine." Now that the initial panic was calming, there were other things to be addressed.
"…Axel is dead isn't he?" For a few seconds Zexion couldn't read the expression on the others face. He had no idea what the other was thinking. Then a warm pair of arms wrapped around him and crushed his wet self against the taller nobody. He still had no idea what the nocturne was thinking. "I'm glad you're alright." Whatever Demyx may feel at the death of his estranged sort of friend Axel, he was far more worried about the health of the one he had come to love. Zexion felt himself relax and leaned tiredly against the proffered warm body. The night had been more wearing than he had expected. Never would he of dreamed that Axel would just burn himself out to still 'win' the fight. Stubborn and unpredictable to the end…just as predicted. Demyx didn't seem much inclined to let him go, so Zexion decided it was time to speak up. He was still soaked, and now that he'd made sure Demyx wasn't going to freak out he was ready to get out of these soaking clothes.
"Demyx." Even before Zexion finished his sentence Demyx responded to the familiar tone in his voice. "I am still soaking wet." As Demyx made to help him with his clothing again he frowned. "I can undress myself Demyx." After not being able to do things even as simple as this not too long ago, he was a bit sensitive about being babied too much these days. He saw the hurt in Demyx's eyes and winced, but didn't back down on his statement. Reluctantly the nocturne backed off and sat down on the bed before he annoyed Zexion anymore. Trying to keep his frustration at himself hidden Zex gingerly pulled his shirt off finding a few burns in the process, despite not being very bad they were sensitive. He could see Demyx squirming a bit in response to his pained noises and could feel himself caving. "Demyx." The hopeful doggy look he received made him cringe a bit. Demyx had the full complement of doggie emotions down to a T. "Can you find some ointment to put on these burns?" Grateful for anything to do to help Zexion the nocturne jumped to his feet and ran towards his bathroom. He wasn't exactly thinking much. "Demyx." He stopped and turned to give Zexion a blank stare. "You don't have any burn ointment; you'll have to get some from the infirmary." Nodding with an ashamed flush on his face the nocturne ran out of the room. Zexion closed his eyes with a heavy groan. Demyx was smart enough, but he really needed to work on his emotional control. As soon as an emotion started dominating his brain went out the window.
By the time Demyx returned Zexion had gotten everything wet off and had changed into some dry boxers and pants. He left the shirt off, that being the area that mostly needed treatment. Zexion was sitting on the bed so Demyx could easily get to all angles. The nocturne seemed nonplussed for a few seconds before his brain finally kicked in again about what he was supposed to do and he moved over to the bed as well. There were several moments of awkwardness before Zexion rolled his eyes. "Demyx, just do it. You're not going to hurt me that bad so long as you're careful." The nocturne jumped a bit and hastily poured some out on his hand, starting the largest and worst looking of the burns. He was a bit rough and Zexion bit back any noise until Demyx relaxed and his ministrations didn't hurt quite as much.
As the pain was soothed away Zexion's mind naturally started to wander and brood over the events of the night. For all the time he'd spent dreaming about this moment…he didn't feel very satisfied. And he didn't think it was because Axel stole his death from him. He felt…empty…and maybe just a bit…regretful. He'd been so caught up in fighting himself that moment he'd made the decision to kill Axel, as if by going through with it he would purge himself of any weakness. He didn't feel much stronger for it either. This fighting with himself…that was easily the most frustrating thing about anything that had occurred in the past few months. The confusion that made him unsure of himself, his own motives and actions.
He'd stepped up the plan tonight in an attempt to cling to what he used to be, to shake the complacency that had threatened to fall over him. Maybe even secretly to step towards what he was becoming. He hadn't succeeded in either goal. What had he done this night? The answer kept coming back as 'something wrong'. Wrong? Even if that wasn't quite the right word to describe the feeling he kept worrying at this concept like a dog and its favorite toy. When had he even cared about what was…right or wrong? Since when had he, a nobody, even part of such biased definitions? What the hell was wrong with- "Ouch!" Demyx had rubbed some of the ointment on a fairly deep cut he didn't remember getting. It probably wasn't bad for the cut but it burned like mad and completely derailed whatever he'd been thinking about before.
"I'm soorrrryyyy." Demyx's plea was almost a wail. Sometimes he still expected Zexion to hit him or the like when he did something wrong.
Zexion couldn't manage anything coherent for a good couple of minutes but once the burning started to die down he slowly unclenched his teeth and let his breath out in a soft hiss. "It's fine Demyx…just warn me before you do something like that next time." He turned his head to look at the nocturne. "Are you almost done?" He didn't feel much in the way of pain or burning anymore.
"Y-yeah…that was pretty much the last of it though…I think that cut needs a bandage." Demyx closed the jar of ointment and jumped up to get the bandages without needing to be instructed, emerging from the bathroom a few moments later. He sat back down in his original position and quickly applied the bandage in silence. He could tell that Zexion had dropped into brooding once more. Considering what had happened it wasn't very surprising.
Just as Demyx was starting to put all the supplies away Zexion seemed to come to life, though he looked no less troubled. "Demyx…"
"Yeah, Zexy?" Zexion stared at him without saying anything for several moments, staring as if he just did so long enough he could unlock all the secrets to Demyx's mind. How the nocturne functioned in the strange fashion he did and dealt with all this…insanity. It didn't happen though; once he looked away he was just as unenlightened as before.
"…Never mind." As could be expected, Demyx looked worried and a little hurt but Zexion firmly squashed the strange impulse that had almost caused him to seek the nocturnes counsel. He pushed away the whole issue of Axel and tried to clear his mind. Whatever the reasoning behind it the fact was that it was done now. He had to deal with the consequences, the first of which was making sure he and Demyx were safe. "Demyx, return the burn ointment to the infirmary quickly." Loose ends had to be tied up. Luckily Axel had pretty much obliterated any and all signs in his own room. Not that Zexion had left many. While Demyx went to carry out his order Zexion sunk down into thought once again, this time mostly about Saix. He didn't notice when Demyx returned until the other sat down next to him and wrapped an arm around him. He blinked out of his daze and turned to give Demyx a curious look. "Demyx?" The nocturne leaned down and firmly pressed his lips against Zexion's, startling him even more. "Dem-"
"You need to stop thinking so much Zexion." He cut the schemer off before he could start going off onto something else. The blue eyes that met his were confused. He hesitated for a moment and pulled Zexion up for another kiss. He knew this was a good way to keep the schemer from letting that brain go too much, but he had an ulterior motive. He could feel the stirrings of desire twirl up inside of him and remembering the others wounds firmly clamped down on it. It seemed Zexion had other intentions however and turned fully around to wrap his arms around Demyx, deepening the kiss with a desperation that surprised him. Demyx knew Zexion was upset but he hadn't realized how bad it was. All traces of resistance died away in a moment.