A/N: Ah, I just love writing banter with Retribution. You know the weirdest thing would be caught yelling at a book like an idiot. :) Also, no, there is no RokuDemmy in the fic. And yes, Axel watching Zexion sleep is a bit creepy. It's meant to be. Got to give some fuel for later chapterness. Anyways, enjoy.


11

Zexion did not stay put. He knew that at least Axel would look for him. And right now, he did not want to be found. Damn it! What were you thinking letting him kiss you?! Every day he ran the event over and over in his mind. It so bad enough to the point where he did not even go back to the castle at nights. Only showing up extremely early to retrieve his mission. Some days he would catch Siax walking in with his clipboard and the second in command would raise an eyebrow but never ask questions.

"You can't keep avoiding him." It had been almost a week since Roxas walked in on them locking in a passionate embrace on the clock tower. "Eventually you will have to face him about it." Retribution was not being any help either.

The schemer growled. "I don't even know why I summon you."

"Because, you need to hear it." The lexicon retorted. "And I'm your weapon, got to get rid of the heartless somehow."

Immediately he regretted even saying anything. "What the hell do you know?" He hissed.

"More than you think." Retribution sighed. "He cares about you." There was a slight restricted laugh. "Hell, the guy kissed you even. It's definitely a step from watching you... Oh um..."

Zexion stopped walking. "What does he watch me do?"

"Uh..."

"Tell me or I will rip out a page and..." he was going to say 'let Axel burn it' but he forgot that he was avoiding the redhead. "Cut it into pieces while you watch."

"Okay, okay!" The hint was taken. "He watches you sleep."

"He... what?!" Zexion looked shocked and gripped the binding.

The lexicon hissed slightly. "Not for very long, but it's enough to tell he has developed feelings for you."

"Emotions are just a delusion." The schemer rehearsed. "They don't exist."

"You honestly believe that?" A long sigh deepened the voice. "Don't always believe what Xemnas tells you."

"So what? Axel has some weird thought in his head that he is attracted to me?"

There was a giggle. It made the hair on Zexion's neck stand up. "As do you." If the lexicon could grin, it would have done so.

"No I don't!" It was a lie and they both knew it. "Besides, Axel is a guy."

"What's wrong with that?"

Zexion gawked. "Everything!" He blushed.

"So you admit that you do have feelings for him."

The pink turned even redder. "N-no..." There was a long pause. "Okay, even if I do like Axel, there's Roxas."

"What about, Roxas?"

"Well, he..." How was he supposed to explain this to a book? Why was he even having this conversation anyways!

"Look, obviously Axel has a thing for you. Otherwise I doubt he would have kissed you like that."

"I, uh..." Zexion swallowed to put off saying what he was dreading. "So then, what do I do?"

It was not Retribution that answered but someone else did. "Tell him of course."

Zexion swirled around quickly with wide eyes, his lexicon fading away quickly. He never expected he would run into anyone this late. Everyone should already be back at the castle. "X-Xion!" He gasped. "Uh... h-how long have you been standing there?"

She smiled at him. "Long enough," Zexion cursed inside. "You should tell him."

"I... I can't." He answered.

"Why not?"

It surprised Zexion that his face could get any redder. "It's complicated, Xion."

"So?" She placed her hands on her hips and glared. "If you like someone you should tell them."

The schemer blinked a few times. Silence followed as she stared him down from her low perch. "What exactly are you doing out here anyways? It's a bit late and Beast has a nasty habit of roaming the gardens."

It was Xion's turn to be granted with a flushed face. "I, well... I'm doing some extra heart collecting. Roxas hasn't been feeling well lately so I thought I'd help out with his quota."

Zexion could not help but chuckle. "You're one to give advice."

"I know," Her blush deepened. "It's just... I don't know how to tell him."

"Neither do I." Zexion mused as he thought of Axel. The last time he saw the flame red hair, delicate lips were pressing against his. The taste of sea salt... His hand found its way to his pocket. "Oh!" He pulled out the small piece of wood. "Maybe this will help you."

She took the stick. "What's this for?" Curiosity graced her young face.

"Roxas likes sea salt ice cream. Maybe it will help with telling him how you feel." Zexion attempted to smile.

Xion returned it, placing the stick in her pocket. "You should go back to the castle. You look like you haven't had a decent night's sleep in a whole week."

Maybe it was time to go back. "Yeah, you're right." He sighed. "Good luck with, Roxas."

Xion smiled hopefully. It was nice to see that there was some hope for the two keybladers as their fates were intertwined horribly. "Are you going to tell, Axel?" She asked as he opened a portal back to his room.

"No,"

The girl rolled her eyes. "You're hopeless." She giggled.

"I know." The schemer looked back at the keyblader. "Thanks, Xion. Uh... do you mind-?"

Xion nodded as if she already knew the question. Zexion smiled and entered the portal leaving the keyblader all alone. "Lucky for you, Axel already knows." She frowned and pulled out the 'winner' stick he had given her. "If only it were that easy for me."


Axel looked everywhere. His success was dismal. Each world, each room he went into, his chest tightened in the anticipation that this was going to be the place he would find Zexion. But it was quickly replaced with a heavy disappointment. He was not even sure if he slept, or ate, between searching and the missions Siax gave them in the mornings. Roxas had taken note and had given him a saddened look with eyes that cast downward in a silent 'I'm sorry'. Things just could not seem to get any worse. That is until Larxene found him again. Devilish smile and that irritating way her hips swayed made Axel want to smack her clear across the room. This time she leaned against the doorway from the library as he found himself staggering down towards the common room.

"Well hello, Axel." Her voice somehow purred.

Axel's body tensed in distain. "What the fuck do you want?" His emeralds pierced madly at her.

The grin was back. "Oh you know what I want."

His glare intensified. "Go fuck yourself. I'm not in the mood." The sound of his boots clicking off the long hall signified him leaving.

"Where's your boyfriend?" Axel froze. He knew that Roxas would keep his word so how would she even know about his personal endeavors. "I offered to show him the ropes so he would know how to please you. But then again if you both-"

Axel never let her finish. Black and red flames licked off his summoned chakram. Spokes bore into the wall and the tiny spike between them poised itself directly over Larxene's throat. "I said I'm not in the mood, bitch." His breathing was heavy.

Larxene blinked. Then smiled, placing her hands along the spokes pinning her in place. "Wow," It sounded slightly surprised. "You two must have some crazy ass sex! I'd love to watch."

Many things went through his head, he thought of ending her existence right then. But Xemnas would not be very pleased with him. He could just beat her up a bit but again, someone would take notice. Insults were not his forte either. So instead he contented with letting out a sigh. He pulled back his weapon and it dissolved into the nothingness. "You're not worth my time." This time he turned around and did not look back. "Go find someone else willing to play your bat shit crazy games."

He did not see the look on her face and frankly did not care. "Damn, too bad. I've never actually seen two guys go at it with each other. Oh well."

Axel ignored her and continued back towards his original destination. Damn it, I really do need sleep... He frowned and sighed heavily as he rested his head on the door to his room, hand gripping the handle limply.

"Axel?" A soft feminine voice made him open his eyes.

Short black hair with deep blue eyes looked up into him. "Oh hey, Xion." He attempted to smile. "What's up?"

"Zexion, is back."