"You grew up here?" Axel asked in complete awe of the rooms the wandered by.
"What kind of question is that?" Zexion asked. There was always speculation about his home whenever he brought Roxas and Sora here, they liked the endless halls and empty rooms. After awhile, because of Vexen's constantly reminding them to be quiet, they wandered to the park where their noise wouldn't need interference.
Axel grinned at Zexion, "I was wondering, that's all. You said your parents were gone, right? It's only you and Vexen."
Zexion nodded. "They went on vacation three weeks ago. They won't return for another month."
"And Vexen is what…an uncle?" Demyx asked.
"Like I said before, he's a scientist."
"Not a babysitter?" Axel asked, snickering.
"No. He's not." Zexion lead them to the second floor, down the hall to the left and stopped before a closed door. "These two are spares." He indicated the next room over, "you can decide who sleeps in which. I'll be downstairs if you need me." He left them and headed for the stairs where he sat down and covered his face with his hands.
He wasn't good around people. His hands were clammy, and his mouth went dry. He didn't know if he was being nice or rude, and it bothered him greatly. With a heavy sigh, he strode to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water. Fetching the ice carton in the freezer and dropped five cubes in the glass, twisting the faucet on, he listened to the cracks of the ice before lifting the glass to his lips and taking a sip.
Vexen wandered in the kitchen as Zexion set the glass down. "How are you?"
"Fine," he replied, closing his eyes and enjoying the coolness in his throat.
"Just because you have friends over, doesn't mean you can neglect yourself," Vexen said, his scowl deepened.
"I'm not neglecting myself," Zexion said, the lie slipping through too easily.
Vexen grabbed a bottle from the top of the fridge and placed it down in front of Zexion. "That's good to hear. I've noticed you haven't experienced any panic attacks of late. Probably from getting high in the park, I've told you to stop the habit weeks ago."
"It helps," Zexion says.
Vexen reached for the bottle, he popped the top off and took out two pills. "It's not enough, is it? You'll get used to the effect, and you'll only want more and maybe something stronger."
"That won't happen."
Vexen set the pills beside the empty glass. "Everyone deals with things differently. I don't want you falling too far."
"So...you're taking care of me for my parents sake?"
Vexen rolled his eyes and grabbed the glass. He placed it under the faucet and filled it with water. "I got a call from Lexaeus."
Zexion stared at the pills, but didn't bother touching them. "And?"
"I know what's going on, Zexion."
Zexion grabbed the pills and looked at them. "He's disgusting."
Vexen nodded. "You might need to get in contact with Marluxia."
Zexion closed his eyes and tucked the pills into his pocket. "He's too devious. I can't...there would be no point."
Vexen frowned. "I'm not letting that man come anywhere near you, but it would be for the best if you contacted Marluxia."
Once he was gone, Zexion slumped to the floor, feeling increasingly weak from the thought of calling him. A man from his past, a man who did nothing but emotionally hurt him. He could still remember how he mocked, lied and made fun of his...issues.
Zexion dug into his pocket for the pills and pulled them out. He sighed and reached for the glass of water. He hoped that Vexen would help Axel and Demyx while he was out. He plopped the pills into his mouth and downed the glass.
Axel laid down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. "I'm suspicious of him."
Demyx looked out the window. "Already?"
"Shouldn't we be?"
"He's helping us."
"He could have ulterior motives."
Demyx looked back at Axel who didn't bother meeting his gaze. A simplistic reality mashed up by delusion, Demyx didn't blame Axel for having this viewpoint, he was right to feel paranoid and Demyx wouldn't lie to himself that he didn't feel the same.
"Everyone has secrets they're allowed to keep," Demyx says. "Right now, we have our own problems to deal with, we should get in contact with Riku. See if he found anything out."
Axel nodded, sitting up and taking out his phone. Demyx sat beside him as he dialed and put the phone on speaker. The phone rung a few times before going to voice mail, Axel rolled his eyes and phoned back, this time they got an answer.
"What?" Riku asked, voice groggy.
"Is anyone watching Axel's apartment?" Demyx asked.
"Reno has eyes on the place. You call him, I'm currently at work…"
"Okay...Sorry," Demyx said, hanging up and looking at Axel. "Call your brother."
"And ask him what exactly?" Axel asked, dialing his brother's number, "Reno has the place bugged...probably..."
Demyx laid back on the bed, "I need information from Luxord, also we...can't hide here for too long. Xigbar will find us eventually." He recalled smashing Xigbar in the side of the head with a bat, sure it felt good at the time, but the man wouldn't stay down. He was dangerous.
He wasn't ready to relive that day.
Axel spoke with his brother and he listened to his voice until a knock came from the door. Demyx sprang up and slid off the bed. He opened the door and arched a brow at Vexen's scowling face.
"I need your help taking Zexion to his room."
He didn't wait for them to follow as he headed for the staircase. Demyx looked back at Axel and told him to hurry up. They rushed after Vexen down the stairs to the kitchen. To his surprise, Zexion was slumped on the floor against the counter. He was sleeping contently with a hand around a glass, three melting ice resides inside.
"I didn't think he'd pass out in the kitchen," Vexen said, taking the glass and placing it in the sink.
"What do you mean?" Axel asked, looking at Zexion curiously. "You knew he'd pass out like this? What's wrong with him?"
"It's a sedative," Vexen said, narrowing his eyes at them "it calms his nerves and helps with his insomnia. I was hoping he'd make it to his room, but I guess I was wrong. I need help moving him."
Demyx rubbed his hands and walked to Zexion's right side, while Axel took his left. They hefted him up, arms over their shoulders, his head lolled to the side.
"Why would he take it in here?"
"I thought it might not have a strong affect on him, but I see he doesn't care where he sleeps," Vexen said, leading them up the stairs to the second floor, past their rooms to the end of the hall.
"This kid has no decency," Axel said.
His room was like the spare rooms. His poster bed sat at the end of the room with disheveled blue blankets and pillows thrown to the side. Bookshelves on one side, a laptop sat on the floor where several open journals, pens and highlighters were laid out beside it.
Demyx spotted a moogle plushie sitting on the bed. He smiled at how childish it seemed coming from Zexion.
They laid him down on his bed and Vexen covered him up before ushering them out. Once they stood in the hall, he turned and looked at them, "I'd like to speak to you about something, if you will."
"About?" Demyx asked.
"I know about your business with a man named Xigbar."
Both Demyx and Axel froze in place. The world itself seem to tip on its side, strangling Demyx by the throat as breath left him.
"What?" Axel asked, grasping Demyx's arm and taking a step back.
Vexen's brows pinched, but he shook his head. "I don't work for the man, neither does Zexion. We have a shared acquaintance named Lexaeus who informed me of Xigbar's untimely return."
"How does this Lexaeus know Xigbar?" Demyx asked, unsure about the connection, but it was a strange coincidence, but he wouldn't mind some more information. "Do you know him?"
"We worked together," Vexen said, "but Xigbar wasn't the type of person for groups. Several years ago there was an incident that occurred, and since then, I've kept Zexion away from the man, Lexaeus did the same. What we don't know is that he had set his sights on you during that period."
"Why Zexion?" Axel asked, crossing his arms and not looking in the least impressed by what Vexen was telling them.
Demyx wasn't sure either, but what he said made sense that he'd want to protect Zexion and keep him out of it. Did Zexion know Xigbar too?
"Xigbar was close to another member of our group. A man who got close to Zexion. I haven't seen him in years, but he's good at what he does and might rid you of your problem," Vexen said, a slow smile rising to his lips. "His name is Marluxia."
Axel groaned, covering his face with his hands. "Him? Why him? Anyone else, please."
"You know him?" Demyx asked.
Axel nodded. "Not someone most would associate with. Larxene knows him too."
"And Xion," Vexen cut in. "She knows him as well. If we get in contact with Xion, she can call Marluxia and see if he'll help."
"Why him?" Axel asked, dropping his hands from his face.
"He has contacts with Xigbar, and if anyone can rid someone from your life, it'll be Marluxia," Vexen said.
Demyx was sure this wasn't entirely about his problem with Xigbar, but Vexen worrying about Zexion's association with Xigbar. He was about to tell Vexen that Zexion did speak with Xigbar in the park the other night, but the words wouldn't form, not until Vexen walked downstairs to get into contact with Xion.
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