Zexion didn't say much else to Demyx about himself, but he didn't feel he had to. Demyx knew the most important things that bothered him, and the simple fact that someone else knew and understood why he was having such strange emotional breakdowns at such strange times made him feel a little more comforted. He had someone who could look at his issues more objectively than Axel and less critically than Roxas could, someone who could just listen or know what was wrong if anything wasn't right.
Another week passed, and Zexion remembered he had been planning something for Demyx, though he still wasn't sure if Demyx would appreciate it or not. He knew he would regret it if he didn't treat him to the surprise sometime, and that even if it didn't work out Demyx would still like him for the thought. At least, he hoped he would.
Spring break came surprisingly early for Twilight High, which made it easier for Zexion to plan. On the first Sunday most places in town were closed, Zexion inviting Demyx over for the evening, hoping to leave the apartment without Roxas or Axel. He wasn't too worried though, seeing as how lately they had been acting more and more like a married couple, Roxas' presence in the apartment more natural than his absence.
After dinner there was a knock on the door, Zexion springing into step excitedly to answer it. Opening the door, however, provided him with an unpleasant shock as he looked up at a man with an eye patch.
It took several moments of gawking for Zexion to realize that this man was not, in fact, the one who had saved him the night he was grazed with a bullet. There were obvious differences—his hair was black with white streaks, his face was darker, scarred, and more mature. Behind him Axel stood, Zexion quickly getting out of the way and going to sit back next to Roxas.
"Xigbar!" Axel greeted him jovially, embracing him briefly and welcoming him in. "Come sit down. Roxas, Zexion, this is my cousin Xigbar—from my mom's side." He added to Zexion, who nodded and continued to say nothing. "Xigbar, this is Zexion, a cousin from dad's side, and Roxas, my uh. Well…" Axel blushed, the first time Zexion had seen him do so, and he realized that Axel was actually bashful about his relationship with Roxas.
"Boyfriend." Roxas finished for him, though Xigbar didn't seem bothered or even surprised at all. Zexion stared at him for a few moments, just to make sure it wasn't the redheaded man in disguise, nervously wondering why an eye patch made him react so strongly.
"Well look at that! Talk about a combo breaker, eh?" Xigbar's voice was loud as he nudged Axel, who laughed. Roxas, however, did not look upon this too kindly. Either that, Zexion supposed, or Roxas simply did not have a kind disposition toward strangers.
Just then Demyx walked into the still open door, looking around at them, nonplussed as to the circumstances of the stranger's visit.
"H-Hey." Zexion stood, "I'm just gonna get a bag, Demyx, then we can go."
Demyx nodded and Zexion left them, Axel introducing his family member to Demyx, finding the bag where he had stashed a few things he thought would be a good idea to take on their little trip. Going back into the living room he saw Demyx was smiling, Zexion half hiding himself behind him, waiting for their chat to end.
It seemed that Xigbar was visiting on business, and had decided to drop in and visit Axel for a while. Zexion remained near Demyx patiently, as it seemed that Demyx and Xigbar got along quite well. He hoped Demyx didn't decide to stay.
"I suppose we ought to get going, eh Zexion?" Demyx finally said, to his relief. Zexion nodded eagerly, both boys turning and leaving the apartment. "So where are we going? You seemed secretive on the phone."
"It's still a secret until we get there." Zexion looked over at the sun, which was beginning to set. It needed to be dark if he didn't want them to get caught. Demyx grinned, faking a groan as they walked.
"Oh, don't tease me!" He whined, pushing at Zexion's shoulder playfully. "Can I at least guess?"
"Nope. I'm not good at hiding the truth when people guess correctly." Zexion was proud of himself, though he knew part of the reason he wouldn't tell Demyx was because he was afraid to. "We're almost there, though. Could you cover your eyes?"
"Only if you lead me there by the hand." Demyx flirted, securing one hand over his eyes and extending the other as Zexion became flustered. This was the first time Demyx had said anything so flirtatious, Zexion taking his hand and hoping against all hope that he wouldn't sweat too much.
They walked toward their destination, Zexion beginning to smell the chlorine. He hoped Demyx wouldn't be tipped off, though he had always had a strong nose. Finally he saw the gated outdoor pool; the floating lane dividers removed and rolled up on the sides, the water still and clear. He stopped Demyx, letting go of his hand, and feeling an anxious flutter in his stomach.
"Alright."
Demyx uncovered his eyes, looking at the swimming pool, his expression vacant as Zexion put on a worried face.
"Y-You don't have to, I mean…if we did, we could just wade or something, we don't even have to swim for real. If you want we could just sit at the edge with our feet in the pool…" He stammered, watching Demyx carefully, though with the darkening sky it was difficult to see his face.
"I-I…would we be breaking in?" Demyx looked around, but the pool was nestled among houses and trees, the neighborhood quiet.
"I suppose we would." Zexion shrugged, "Though to be honest, I don't see the harm it could do. And if we get caught, I'll say it was my fault."
"What about swimsuits?"
"I borrowed a couple from Axel." Zexion held up the bag, swimsuits and towels inside. Demyx looked at them, clearly unsure of his decision. "I just thought it might be nice to spend time here, alone…I know how important swimming was to you."
Demyx looked down at Zexion, shifting, and then looking around as Zexion had before to see if anyone was looking at them. Zexion moved closer to him, wordlessly taking him by the wrist and pulling him over to the fence, to which the door was chained loosely. Demyx let himself be lead through the gap, both boys barely fitting through it.
"Okay…" Demyx finally said, Zexion smiling and reaching into the bag, pulling out a pair of red swim trunks and handing them over. Demyx took them, looking down at them for a moment as Zexion pulled off his shirt. He had already donned a pair underneath his pants, trying not to stare at Demyx as he pushed down his pants and underwear and replaced them with the red trunks.
Once both boys were in nothing but their swimming gear, they went over to the side of the pool, Zexion dipping a foot into the water and noticing that it was pleasantly warm. Without hesitation he jumped in, submerging himself completely. As he resurfaced he saw that Demyx had joined him, treading water and looking more comfortable than Zexion had expected him to.
They both said nothing at first, Demyx occasionally disappearing under the water, experimenting with a few laps here and there. Zexion found it hard to believe that this was his first time swimming in five years, Demyx's body flowing so naturally with the water. Soon he felt fingers tickling at his feet, Zexion laughing and trying to escape Demyx's hands. Demyx was too fast for him, however, swimming between his legs and lifting him up onto his shoulders unexpectedly.
"Demyx!" Zexion yelled, leaning down and gripping his head, suddenly above the water's surface, Demyx chuckling as he balanced Zexion easily.
"L-Let go of my face, Zexion!" Demyx laughed, "I'm not gonna let you fall."
"You should have warned me!" Zexion sputtered, trying his best to loosen his grip on Demyx and sit up straight, though he couldn't help but wrap his arms around the top of Demyx's head. Somewhere between his surprise and panic, though, he felt relief that Demyx was beginning to have fun. Zexion messed up his hair a bit, making it stick up like it did when it was dry.
"What are you doing up there?" Demyx's voice became more lighthearted, walking around the shallower end of the pool with ease.
"Your hair is getting long at the top; I thought it might look good as a mohawk." He styled it into a point, grinning at his creation. Demyx snorted, letting them both fall into the water, Zexion shouting again as he fell. "You said you wouldn't drop me!"
"I lied!" Demyx gleefully swam around Zexion, who tried to join him, though he wasn't quite as graceful.
Soon after swimming around for a bit, Zexion made a break for the ledge, becoming tired quickly. He hadn't realized how much work it was to swim, hoisting himself up onto the concrete and resting, becoming content to simply watch Demyx do a few laps and try different strokes.
"You're like a fish." Zexion commented when Demyx swam over to him, pushing his hair out of his face. He had thought about the comment for a while, feeling a tinge of pink cross his cheeks as he said it. Demyx looked at him, cocking his head for a moment.
"I…I really am a fish." He smiled, treading water slowly, his face reflecting the light of the white street lamps. Zexion was amazed that no one had walked by, though it was a rather secluded area. Demyx's hand wrapped abruptly around one of Zexion's legs, pulling it toward him and smiling, though Zexion resisted.
"No, Demyx!" despite his resolve he was smiling, trying his best to stay in his spot as Demyx tugged at him. "I'm done swimming for now, really."
"I'm not! And it's no fun without you." Demyx resorted to pulling his arms, though Zexion was having none of it. Finally Demyx wrapped his arms around Zexion's waist, Zexion reaching forward and automatically clinging to him, afraid that Demyx was going to try to toss him again.
"No no no! Don't throw me in!" Zexion sounded so desperate, though soon he realized that Demyx wasn't even supporting him, his legs wrapped around his chest tightly enough that he didn't need to. Slowly he slid down his torso, feet unable to touch the bottom, still holding on to Demyx's arm for support. Demyx shook his hair, the strands sticking out in funny places.
"See? You're not tired at all, right?"
"But I am. Why else would I be hanging on to you?" Zexion chided, though he could think of one or two very good reasons.
Demyx seemed to think of them too, smiling wryly as he watched Zexion and looked as if he was trying to decide something. Zexion bit his lip for a moment, reaching up with his other hand and pushing his bangs out of the way to see him more clearly.
"Fine." Zexion uttered a small surprised noise as Demyx brought him back to the edge of the pool, motioning for him to sit back on the concrete. Zexion obliged, returning to his earlier place. Demyx didn't go to swim any more, instead placing himself between Zexion's legs, making him gasp.
"Demyx?"
"Yeah?"
"What are you doing there?"
"Waiting for you to lean down." Demyx smiled, the words and their possible meaning sending a current of excitement through his spine.
Hesitantly Zexion leaned down; still not sure whether or not to be surprised as Demyx's hands ran over his neck, pulling him in, their lips meeting in a soft kiss. Zexion's vulnerability showed easily through his tentative and small movements, Demyx rather confident in running his fingers through Zexion's hair and breathing in deeply through his nose.
After a few moments Zexion pulled back, looking down at Demyx with wide eyes. Demyx's hands ran down his arms, giving him goose bumps. He wasn't sure what to say at the moment, though if there were any question as to whether he still felt anything toward Demyx, this definitely decided it.
"Wanna stay over tonight?" Demyx asked, Zexion swallowing and watching as Demyx climbed out of the water and held out his hand, helping him stand up.
"Yeah, I think I do." Zexion smiled, and they both turned to get dressed.
