Author's Note: Demyx seeks out help and by process of elimination goes to Xigbar.

Xaldin comes along for the ride. I love writing Xaldin, he's one of me favs. It makes me sad that so few people have tried exploring his personality. If anyone knows any good Xaldin fics let me know.

Warnings: Still a Axel/Demyx story (we're getting closer) and in this chappie, implied Zexion/Luxord, and pretty obvious Xigbar/Xaldin

Disclaimer: No really I don't own KH. Where would anyone get that idea anyway?

It's About Time!

Demyx sat at the piano again, his fingers wandering the keys. But no melody would come, just notes, sort of rambling together.

Axel had kissed him.

He struggled for some song. Any song.

Axel had kissed him.

Maybe he needed try something else. He went over to the harp and began to pluck the strings.

Axel had kissed him.

The harp wasn't helping. His sitar then. His gloved fingers moved up and down the strings. But no tune would come, just random, haunting notes.

Axel had kissed him.

He groaned and allowed the sitar to dissolve away into bubbles. He needed to think and he wasn't very good at that. Logic was not his forte. He knew he couldn't figure this by himself, but he didn't know whom to turn to.

Zexion would listen and he was good at thinking, but he wasn't so good at mushy stuff. Mr. Cold Aloof Cloaked Schemer still blushed every time Luxord smiled at him.

He would've asked Luxord, but the Gambler of Fate was out on a mission. He would have liked to go to Lexaeus, but he was with Luxord on said mission. Talking to Saïx about Axel was out of the question. Roxas and Naminé were too young to be much help. Larxene had dated Axel, so he assumed she knew him fairly well, but he wasn't sure how she'd react. That could end badly. Marluxia would try use the situation to his advantage. Xemnas wasn't even an option. Vexen wouldn't care, so that left…

Xigbar.

That in and of itself wasn't so bad, but the Free Shooter spent most of his free time with Xaldin. The Whirlwind Lancer made Demyx nervous. He was just so strong. He was undisputedly the most skilled fighter in the Organization. He had trained both the Lunar Diviner and the Graceful Assassin. Even Xemnas could only best him by virtue of wielding the stronger element. His moods were unpredictable; not to be cliché, but you never know which way the wind was blowing.

But he really needed to talk to someone.

He finally found the pair in the kitchen. Xaldin was preparing something or other for a future meal and Xigbar was "helping". Zexion had once told Demyx that Xaldin didn't allow the sniper to touch anything due to a nasty incident involving a blender a few years ago. So this basically meant he was commenting on everything the Lancer did.

Xigbar noticed him first.

"Heeeeey! Water dude! What's up?"

Xaldin turned and looked over his shoulder at the Nocturne. His brow wrinkled.

"Is something wrong Number IX?" he asked. He was fully aware that Demyx was rather timid around him. It wasn't often the blonde risked his ire.

"Does Superior want something?" he asked.

"Um, no, I…I needed to talk to Xigbar."

The sniper looked surprised. "To me? 'Bout what?"

Might as well just say it Demyx thought. He took a deep breath.

"Axel kissed me."

"It's about damn time!" the older man grinned hugely.

"Huh?"

Xaldin shot a "you're-not-helping-glare" at the Free Shooter. "You better come sit down then," he said. When Demyx didn't move Xaldin sighed and wiped his hands on his apron. He walked over to the boy and put a hand on his shoulder. He frowned as Demyx stiffened.

"I promise I won't skewer you now come along." He guided the blonde to the seat next to the sniper.

"Do you want something to drink?" Xigbar asked. Demyx shook his head, this was confusing enough sober. The two older Nobodies exchanged looks and Xaldin brought him a drink anyway.

"So what happened?" Xigbar asked. Demyx sipped his drink ignoring the sting of the alcohol on his burned lips. He related the whole story beginning with the first time he noticed the odd behavior and ending with Axel leaving him in the middle of the practice range.

"I don't get it," he sighed stirring the ice in his glass with a finger. "He's never wanted anything to do with me before. When I first got here, I tried to be friends with him…"

"And he would have none of it. Yeah, I remember." Xigbar leaned forward on his elbows.

"Look Dem. I know it's a pain, but at least give the guy some credit for finally coming around."

"Huh?"

"What he means," Xaldin translated, "is that Axel has always been attracted to you. He wasn't ready to accept it before, and dealt with it badly."

"Oh and he's handling it so well now?" Demyx snapped.

Xigbar laughed. "Well, I never said his temper got better."

"So he's now he's decided it's okay for him to like guys?"

"He's decided it's okay to like you."

Demyx folded his arms across his chest. "So what? Why should I care? Damage done."

"Ah, ah, ah." Xigbar waved a reprimanding finger under the blonde's nose. "Is that really your final opinion on the matter?"

Demyx sagged. "No," he admitted.

"I didn't think so," the sniper grinned. He wrapped an arm around the Nocturne's shoulders.

"He'll be back in a few days. Don't strain your brain worrying about all this. Just play it by ear. I know you're pretty good at that."

Demyx gave him a don't-patronize-me-look, but relaxed against Xigbar. The comforting arm was welcome, and the drink was starting to warm him. He couldn't help but notice the faint tang of gunpowder that always lingered about the Free Shooter.

He liked the sniper but was never able to spend much time with him. No one seemed to have much time for him anymore. Even Naminé was spending more and more time with Roxas.

He hated to think he was the kind of person who would take anything over being alone. Truth be told, he wasn't entirely certain that nothing wasn't better than Axel. And yet, he'd always been fascinated by the Flurry. The mystique of fire he guessed. What's more, even though he'd come to dislike the pyro's attitude, he couldn't help but think it might be nice to be able to touch someone without garnering jealous glares.

Speaking of which…

He snuck a peek at Xaldin. Vivid blue eyes were watching him closely, but without rancor. Well that was a first.

"Don't worry, he won't bite you," Xigbar laughed noticing where Demyx was looking. Calloused fingers tucked an errant strand of blonde hair behind his ear. "Our dear, old Number III isn't so insecure as to begrudge you a hug, Dem."

"Come on Xaldin join in! We'll make a water sandwich."

Demyx blushed at the sniper's teasing.

"I'm afraid I'll have to decline."

"Why not ya ol'windbag?"

I can't believe Xigbar actually gets away with this Demyx thought.

"Well, I did promise not to skewer him," the Lancer deadpanned.

There was a moment of stunned silence. Then Xigbar threw back head and let out a guffaw. Demyx buried his face in the sniper's shoulder, mortified.

This wasn't happening. That couldn't have come out of Xaldin's mouth. He was always so severe.

"Don't look so shocked," a deep voice reprimanded him mildly.

"Yeah, believe it or not, every once in while Mr. North Wind here is in a good mood."

The warm breath on his ear made Demyx shiver. It's been a long time since he'd been this close to someone. It was nice.

Demyx turned a still very pink face towards the Lancer.

"You really don't mind?"

"You came here for help right?"

Nod.

"And that is helping, yes?"

"Yes."

"So don't worry about it."

It must be nice to be so confident, the Nocturne thought with a touch of envy.

Xaldin smirked. "This will probably be the one and only time I say this, but Xigbar is right."

The Free Shooter snorted.

"You should listen to him about Axel. Don't stress yourself out. Just see what happens."

A little bit later, Demyx left considerably less rattled and only slightly less confused.

Xigbar watched him go. "It could've been fun," he said eyeing Xaldin who'd gone back to prepping vegetables for the next day's meals.

"That would have done him no good at all. He needed reassuring, not 'fun'."

"That's almost empathetic of you."

"Empathy, wasn't one of my strong points, even when I was capable of it. However…" The rhythmic chopping sounds paused for a moment. He looked at the sniper.

"I do have a rather vivid memory of when a irreverent, loudmouthed, asshole decided to target me."

"Ah young love."

Xaldin shook his head and concentrated on his carrots.

To be continued…

I love writing these two. They're two of the oldest members and I love idea that they have the "old, married couple" thing going on. And moving right along we have the next chappie…