After the shower I felt so much closer to Zexion, just from being able to finally tell him og the awful experience Lex had done to me, and probably still would. We went into Axel's bedroom again, everyone was gone, probably downstairs at the table. So we grbbed some fresh clothes and slipped into them. I walked over to Zexion as he pulled his shirt on, covering those awful marks. I felt sad for him again, I walked over and turned him around ever so gently, he looked up at me and I kissed him lightly.

I felt him smile and he hugged me again, after a while we broke out of the hug and went down to the dining room. Everyone was gathered around a large oak table and that gleamed beneath the bright light of the chandelier that hung above it.

I let out a low whistle, "Fancy," I said as Zexion and I took a seat by Axel and Roxas, I could tell that Roxas and Zexy were becoming good friends.

"So, Demyx, guess what!" Axel said, he seemed to be bursting to want to tell me something. I opened my mouth to respond just as Angela and Maxol walked in holding a couple of platters each. Angela had a large platter piled with pancakes, and the other held bacon and sausage links. She set them down as Maxol set down his platters, one containing eggs, over-easy and scrambled, and the other contained hash browns. They had gone all out.

I grinned as we all grabbed our plates and began to serve ourselves. Axel's comment completely gone from my mind as I ate to my heart's content. They seemed to spoil me when I was over, possibly because I hardly got a meal at the orphanage since Lex would always steal my food from me. Occasionally I would hide some of the food in my pockets wrapped up in napkins and eat it over time when I go to the orphanage again.

Once everyone was done, Angela and Maxol looked at each other and they grinned widely. "What's up?" Larxene asked curiously, she set down her fork and pushed her plate away, she placed her elbows on the table and rested her head in her hands as she waited with a pleasant smile on her face. Larxene was never a bitch to Axel's parents. She knew better than that.

Angela finally cleared her throat and we waited. Axel was practically beaming, and I felt so confused, but waited patiently to hear the news.

They looked at me, "Demyx," I felt myself go numb as Angela spoke. Was I in trouble? Did I do something wrong? If so why were they so excited? Oh my god! Were they going to tell me that I was never allowed to come over again? After what I told Axel, did he decide he didn't want to be my friend anymore?

My heart was pounding frantically in my chest, and I almost felt like crying as all these thoughts assaulted my self-esteem. "We went down this morning to the orphanage."

Oh god here it comes! I'm never going to be able to see my friends again! I'm going to be alone again to be beaten and raped again! No! I can't do that anymore!

"And, we've adopted you."

As this news crashed over me I felt the tears that had been welling up in my eyes crash as if a dam had broken and I began to sob hysterically. I had never been so excited. How could I have ever doubted them?!

Axel hugged me and playfully kissed my cheek. "Cheer up, brother." At these words I turned and hugged him tightly and began to sob into his shoulder. Everyone piled into a large group hug, and all I could hear was Axel whispering gently into my ear, "Happy birthday, Demy."

When I finally managed to stop crying I ran over and hugged Angela and Maxol. "Don't worry, for now you'll have to room with Axel, but we can get you your own room soon enough."

I couldn't stop saying "thank you" over and over again. I was so excited and relieved. This had been the best birthday present ever. I finally had a family!

Slowly it began to sink in even more. I never had to go back to the orphanage! I never had to deal with Lex trying to rape me at night. Or with the warden tying me down so I wouldn't freak out at night from my episodes. I would never have to survive in that place again, because now my best friend had done something I would never have asked of him. He legally became my brother.