Final Pieces
Xemnas hated Vexen, there really wasn't much to hate about him though. It was just that Vexen had been dating Marluxia so that meant now that he was back Marluxia would most likely date him after everything dealing with Saïx was over, not Xemnas. But that was really all he hated about him, the morning after Vexen's surprise arrival Xemnas found them peacefully sleeping next to one another. When Xemnas asked Marluxia about the nightmares Marluxia happily told him that he didn't have any. Xemnas internally cursed about this, while he didn't want Marluxia to suffer from the nightmares he was hoping he had one to prove he still needed Xemnas. More to Xemnas than anyone else, Vexen left early in the morning has he had a job under an alias so he could avoid Saïx and make a little money. When Xemnas asked with Marluxia had plans to move in with Vexen Marluxia shook his head "Vexen thinks it would be better if I stayed with you. So that way if Vexen gets caught by Saïx I have a chance to escape." He told the tan man who was delighted on the inside. At least he wasn't just going to cut Marluxia out of his life completely.
Due to Vexen arriving Marluxia was in better spirits and was a little more willing to talk about what happened with Saïx, but just with Xemnas. The nights were Xemnas and Marluxia would eat at Luxord and Xaldin's café soon had Vexen coming with them. Usually they would talk about what was going on with their lives, well Marluxia and Vexen would. Xemnas would just quietly listened in wishing Vexen had never showed up, it was a few weeks later while he was staring at a cup full of coffee while sitting at the bar portion of the dinner. It was set up so that way if someone was in need of a quick lunch they could get one, Xemnas sat there on his lunch staring into the coffee when Xaldin coughed to get his attention "Xemnas?"
"Huh?!" Xemnas snapped to looking at the male
"You've been really intently staring at that cup of coffee." Xaldin stated. Xemnas blinked a few times before looking around for a menu
"Um sorry…I'll order in a…"
"You already ordered." Xaldin pointed out causing Xemnas to look at him again. Xaldin gave him a funny look causing Xemnas to sigh and put his forehead on his hand
"Sorry…just thinking." He told him. Xaldin nodded
"I'm guessing about Marluxia?" he offered leaning against the counter slightly to lend him an ear. Xemnas nodded
"With Even back in his life…he's so happy." He began. Even was the alias Vexen hid under while living here, Vexen had let Xemnas known what it was so he could refer to as such in public. Xaldin nodded "It's like he's a different person. Don't get me wrong I'm glad!" he stated looking at Xaldin "It's like I'm finally getting to know the real Marluxia for the first time. But…"
"You're jealous of Even." Xaldin stated causing Xemnas to glare at him making Xaldin roll his eyes "Face it, you let the guy live in your house for how long? You want to know more about him, then when his boyfriend returns you're moping about?" Xaldin raised his arched eyebrow again
"Fine, maybe I'm a little jealous." Xemnas grumbled tracing the curve of the marble countertop "It's just…he acts like there was never anything between us…" he whined
"Was there anything? Or was it just you hoping that he felt the same?" Xaldin asked. Xemnas grumbled softly again
"I thought there was…" he responded before setting his forehead on the counter. Xaldin sighed
"Look maybe you should talk with him? At least see if he wouldn't let up a bit on being so ecstatically happy about Even being back." The man suggested. Xemnas made a 'Hmm' like sound before sitting up
"Maybe…" Xaldin offered a smile
"On a brighter note…" he slid a sealed envelope to him with his name written in ink. Opening the letter Xemnas stared at it before he sighed but he did have a slight smile on his face
"Really? Hasn't she heard of birth control?" he asked in a playful manner
"I think three is her limit personally but Aerith has surprised us in the past." Xaldin laughed before walking towards the area where he could finish Xemnas's lunch.
Xemnas didn't end up talking with Marluxia over this problem since Vexen ended up coming over for a while. While Xemnas hated Vexen he didn't want to see Marluxia upset so he let him hang over, at some point Marluxia left the room to get something out of one of the back rooms leaving Xemnas and Vexen together in Xemnas's living room. The air was tense, Xemnas wasn't sure if it was just him or if Vexen felt it too. He got his answer after a few minutes when Vexen sighed
"So…"
"So…" Xemnas repeated not saying anything else. Vexen looked at him
"You like Marluxia." Vexen stated bluntly. Xemnas sighed
"Yeah…I do." He simply stated "Did he…" Vexen nodded before Xemnas finished the question
"He told me about the kiss you gave him on the night he told you about all the things Saïx did to him. Well showed you." Vexen corrected himself, Xemnas nodded again "Why do you like him?" Vexen asked leaving Xemnas quiet for a moment before speaking
"He…he's very attractive to start with." Xemnas began "But it's also his attitude, even when he hadn't told me everything about Saïx he was determined to do his best even when he was feeling down. He has goals, and now he's shown to be a very bright personality…" he paused "I guess a lot of it comes from having lived with him for so long at first I just wanted to know what was bugging him, then he became an odd friend then it just evolved from there." He shrugged "Why do you like him?" Xemnas asked. Vexen blinked a bit thrown by the question
"Ah well…yes he is attractive but when we were in the whore house he showed compassion towards me and I think he might have started to like me because I was treating him like a human not like he was a fucked up experiment." Vexen made an annoyed face but it wasn't aimed at Xemnas leaving the officer to believe he was annoyed at Saïx. Vexen sighed "Even when we got out he seemed to put me first, not himself." He told him. Nodding Xemnas understood that
"Why did you ask in the first place?" Xemnas questioned before Vexen looked at him
"Because you think I haven't noticed you giving me annoyed looks when I hug or lightly kiss his cheek?" he stated a bit of annoyance in his voice causing Xemnas to glare at him
"I can be upset if I want to." He stated trying to drop the subject
"What did you even think you had? I know you sleep next to him because of his nightmares."
"It's not like I'm sleeping with him in the sense of having sex." Xemnas stated his face burning slightly in embarrassment. Vexen glared back at him his face slightly flushed from Xemnas's comment
"No and it's not that I don't appreciate all the things you've done for Marluxia like get him to therapy and take care of him but I really don't understand why your mad at me for being his boyfriend." Xemnas ground his teeth together
"You want to know why?!" Xemnas snapped "Because yes I am in love with him and you show up at it's like I don't exist!" he told him "It's always talking about you and you show off that yes you are in a relationship!" he growled getting one in return from Vexen
"Well sorry if me showing up because I was worried about him is annoying you!" Vexen snapped, there was a slight sound of someone moving towards them and they stopped but sent glares at each other. They didn't want to scare Marluxia however Marluxia had heard, the sound was him moving to press his back against the wall closest to him. He was causing two people he cared about to fight.
The days went by pretty much the same but after the small fight Vexen and Xemnas's tension was a little more apparent. Sometimes Marluxia felt he could cut through the tension with a knife, Marluxia tried to play dumb since neither Xemnas and Vexen brought up their fight that one night. As time went by Marluxia was getting more and more stressed out about the two of them, he wanted to stay friends with both but they didn't even want to be around the other unless Marluxia was there.
One day while fixing up a bouquet at the flower shop the bell rung "Hi and welcome miss!" he called seeing a female with a long brown twist and green eyes enter the shop, he was hiding behind a fake smile. The woman looked to him and smiled walking over
"So you are the man who is working here while I'm gone." She laughed, Marluxia tilted his head a bit "I'm the woman on maternity leave." She explained causing Marluxia nod an actual smile appearing on his face
"Oh! You must be Aerith then!" he remarked having heard her name a few days after beginning to work there. Aerith nodded
"That is me." She told him
"What brings you in today?" he asked. Aerith nodded
"I was hoping to get an idea for a flower arrangement for my upcoming baby shower." Marluxia nodded, after getting a few answers from her about details (Like if it was a boy or girl, how many did she need, was there a theme) Marluxia set to making a few sketches of a few ideas in a notepad so he didn't accidently waste any flowers. While he sketched Aerith and him chatted over ideas and some general life things, in the middle of writing Aerith remarked something about running into Xemnas earlier that day. The tip of Marluxia's pencil snapped off causing him to stare at the page "He was excited to see which gender the baby will be." She says before noticing Marluxia had stopped drawing "Is something wrong?" she asks causing Marluxia to shake his head
"No sorry, I happen to know Xemnas so his name caught my attention." He explained hoping against hope that his lie was believable. Aerith nodded a bit
"Ah now that I think about it he mentioned he was living with someone right now. You must be his roommate." She smiled at him after receiving a nod from Marluxia. While walking around trying to find a good ribbon to tie all the flowers together while Aerith picked with sketch she liked the most. Marluxia rubbed his head a bit feeling a headache coming on, it wasn't over Aerith's order. It was just all the stuff going on with Xemnas and Vexen, he cared about both of them yet they hated each other. While looking at ribbons he suddenly stumbled hitting his head against the lower rack "Are you alright?!" Aerith yelped running over and offering a hand to him. Marluxia nodded
"Sorry that was weird, just to-to-toppled over." He stuttered out, Aerith tilted her head a bit
"Are you sure?" she asked concern
"I'm f-f-f-fine." He stuttered again as he forced himself to stand up straight but wobbled again still clutching at his head, the headache was suddenly worse. Aerith touched his hand that held his head
"Do you have a headache?" she asked her voice slipping into one he would hear coming from a doctor
"Yet, it's pretty bad." He told him truthfully, Aerith had him sit down on the chair behind the counter while getting out her phone and moving an away from Marluxia
"Stay there, I'm calling for help." She told him before dialing a number
"Help?!" Marluxia gasped scared, Aerith didn't answer him
"I'm with a male who I think, is having a stroke."
Xemnas swore his feet didn't touch the ground until he was in the main lobby area of the hospital, Vexen was there but he didn't care nearly slamming into the counter the woman behind the counter smiled a bit nervously
"What can I do for you officer?" she asked
"I'm…here…to…." He was wheezing causing him to pause to gasp for air. Vexen stood up and walked up behind him setting a hand on his shoulder
"He's here for the same reason I am miss." Vexen informed the woman. She nodded
"Ah Marluxia Ferguson then." She said which Vexen nodded to. She hit a button on a machine next to her "Doctor Shinra? Another male has arrived to see Mr. Ferguson is able to be visited now?" she asked. A bunch of unrecognizable garble occurred before she nodded "Doctor Shinra would like to speak with you before you see him, Marluxia is in room five twenty on the fifth floor." She informed both men who nodded. Walking to the room a man stood outside of it, was a slender middle-aged man with a long black ponytail. He wore small round glasses and a white lab coat, white oxford-style shirt, blue tie, gray trousers with a brown belt, and gray shoes. He seemed to have a distinct hunch he looked at the men who approached him
"Doctor Shinra?" Xemnas asked having calmed down on the ride up the elevator. The man nodded
"Correct who are you?" he asked looking at the two
"I'm officer Xemnas St. Peter, Marluxia is my roommate." He stated Vexen nodded
"I'm Even Prince, Marluxia is my boyfriend." He said earning a slightly twitch from Xemnas's face in annoyance which seemed to have gone unnoticed by the doctor. The man nodded
"No family?"
"He's living here until his home is fixed so no." Xemnas told him earning another nod from the doctor. The man cleared his throat before speaking
"He has suffered a minor stroke." He informed the two men watching Xemnas's knees quiver a bit at that "There seems to be no permanent brain damage, from the scans we did it seems to have been caused by elevated blood pressure caused by stress." He told them "We did ask him if he has had trouble with high blood pressure and he said no just he's been stressed out lately." Xemnas bit his lip
"Did he say why?" Doctor Shinra shook his head
"No he just said it had to do with something personal. You can see him now but I wanted to let you know that he will be put on a low dose blood pressure medication to help keep this from happened along with a daily aspirin dosage. He will be staying overnight for observation. He did mention something about nightmares but the blood pressure medication he will be taking from now on helps with nightmares." He explained before walking off, though shuffling would be the better term. Entering the room at the same time Marluxia laid on a hospital bed in a hospital gown looking at the ceiling, his eyes shifted to look at the two who both waved and he waved back. Walking over Xemnas stroked Marluxia's head softly getting an annoyed look from Vexen
"Hey how are you feeling?" Xemnas asked ignoring Vexen. Right now Marluxia was the most important thing, Marluxia shrugged
"About as good as a person who had a stroke can be." He stated. Xemnas nodded along with Vexen
"This whole Saïx thing stressing you out?" the tan male asked hoping to help ease a few fears about Saïx, he if could do something now he would. Marluxia rolled his head to look at Vexen who offered a smile of comfort Marluxia didn't return it instead looking back to Xemnas
"Somewhat." He told him
"Work then?" Vexen offered. Marluxia sighed looking at the ceiling for a while before he spoke
"No…" he stated bluntly causing Xemnas to be confused along with Vexen "It's you two." He spoke giving a quick glance at Xemnas and Vexen. Both men blinked and Xemnas stopped stroking Marluxia's hair
"What?" he asked and Vexen seemed alarmed, Marluxia sighed again before looking at Vexen
"Vexen…" he started "You know I love you, when I was held hostage you were the only person who put some effort into trying to help me instead of believing my lies about being happy like my parents and co-workers did." He told him getting a soft smile on Vexen's face, when he finished he looked to Xemnas "Xemnas you cared for me when I utterly failed at living away from Vexen, you took me in and helped me find a job. When I started having nightmares you helped me out, and when I finally told you what was going on you helped me recover." He stared at Xemnas for a while "Yeah I know you like me, kind of hard not to figure it out when you kiss me." He returned to staring at the ceiling "You BOTH mean a lot to me but you two fighting hurts. I heard the fight about whether or not Xemnas could glare at Vexen because he was jealous, I just want both of you to be friends…I was so happy when Vexen returned." He spoke near tears "Because I thought you two could be friends." He whimpered covering his eyes to hide his tears that now streamed down his cheeks.
Xemnas gently rubbed Marluxia's head while Vexen reached over and held Marluxia's hand, both of them had a brief moment of looking at the other one who was there at the moment. They both had the same passing thought while looking at the other.
I've hurt him. But I'm going to make it better.
Marluxia was released the next day into the awaiting arms of Xemnas and Vexen, overnight the two talked at Xemnas's house agreeing to stop fighting over Marluxia. They would try to be friends to keep him happy, one morning about two months later Marluxia had the day off and Xemnas had to go to work. Marluxia sometimes didn't feel safe being home alone worried that he would either have a panic attack or something. Xemnas assured him he would be fine; he was only working a couple hours that day since he was just helping train some new recruits
"If you really feel you need me, just call. Vexen is also off today so text him and he will probably be over in a flash." He told him after ruffling his hair. Marluxia nodded watching him leave, a few hours passed and Marluxia had decided to do a bunch of cleaning around the house to keep his mind busy. Around nine or so he heard his phone go off, looking at it he tilted his head knowing that Xemnas wouldn't be back till around noon or so. It said it was from Vexen, opening the message it simple read R that's it. Marluxia blinked before texting him
R? Huh?
After waiting for a while no response so he shrugged and set it down, maybe it was a butt text? While he was sweeping up a large dust pile he heard the door open and shut, glancing at the clock it was about eleven fifteen. Marluxia set the broom to one side of the area he was cleaning "They let you off early?" Marluxia called walked towards the area that had the front door. He stopped in his tracks noticing the figure in the hallway, the blue hair was a giveaway "SAÏX?!" he screeched backing up frantically and somehow tripping over his feet and landing on his butt. He stared at the bluenette who didn't even flinch when Marluxia screeched, what was scaring Marluxia the most was Saix's facial expression. There was just no emotion on his face, after a while he finally took a few steps forward. Marluxia couldn't get himself to move, he was just shaking in terror. Saïx stopped when he was about two feet away from the pinkette before he reached behind him and it occurred to Marluxia he had a hand behind his back the entire time, with one swing of his arm a loud thump followed by Marluxia's scream in terror. Vexen had been dropping in front of him, the male was very much alive which could be told by the fact when Saïx dropped him he let out a cry of pain combined with a sob.
Vexen's entire body was covered in cuts, bruises, one of his arms laid at an awkward angle and when Vexen tried to lift his head Marluxia could see a black ring forming around one eye. Vexen's nose was also slightly off center. Saïx placed his foot on Vexen's head and shoved it against the floor and ground his foot against Vexen's scalp for a few moments before he finally spoke
"You fucking think I'm an idiot?" Saïx snarled to Marluxia. Marluxia's heart was hammering in his chest so hard he thought he was going to die of a heart attack. Saïx removed his foot and reached down grabbing a good amount of Marluxia's shirt and pulled him up a small amount, Saïx leaned forward so he could touch nose to nose to the male "You think I'm so fucking stupid?!" he screamed before throwing Marluxia hard causing the male to slam into the counter of Xemnas's kitchen. Marluxia groaned in pain looking at Saïx "You think you and your FUCK boy can just run away and hide from me?! PLAY SOME FUCKING GAME OF HIDE AND SEEK?!" Saïx snarled his voice louder and more rage filled than Marluxia could ever recall it sounding. Marluxia looked to Vexen who remained motionless on the ground before looking at Saïx trying to get away. Saïx reached down and grabbed Marluxia's wrist forcing him up "COME ON! We are leaving!" he snarled, Marluxia was being dragged by Saïx who stopped to kick Vexen in the side hard before continuing "Pick up your fucking feet and move!" Saïx growled reaching into his pocket. Before he could withdraw anything Marluxia's mind snapped from just observing to fight or flight mode. Marluxia squirmed to get away
"LET ME GO!" he screamed and bit Saix's hand hard enough to causing blood to tickle into his mouth. Saïx yelped and let go to massage the wound slightly, Marluxia took off running towards the kitchen. He could grab the knife he had used to hurt himself but have it ready to stab Saïx when a loud bang that caused his knees to shake from fear. Spinning around he saw Saïx had a gun pointed at him
"GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE!" he shouted, Marluxia was still defenseless so he chose to run for the knives. Saïx fired again this time the bullet landing just in front of Marluxia's left foot, he was still a few steps away from the knives "NOW!"
"NO!" Marluxia screamed back "I'm not your fucking property! I HATE YOU! YOU MADE MY LIFE HELL!" he screamed grabbing the knife somehow turning to face him "GET LOST!" he screamed. Saïx snarled before firing again, Marluxia gasped feeling pain in his side. He stumbled back losing the grip on the knife he had, slamming his head against the counter before hitting the ground
"I will not tolerate this shit anymore Marluxia!" he yelled charging. Marluxia snapped to and grabbed the knife managing to stab Saïx in the upper right leg, pulling the knife out quickly Saïx yelped before trying to grab the knife out of Marluxia's hand. Marluxia instead slashed at Saix's wrist cutting it deeply, this caused Saïx to scream in pain letting Marluxia scramble towards the stairs that lead upstairs. If he could get upstairs, he could call Xemnas for help! Saïx recovered however and shot again striking the area again blood now freely flowing out of Marluxia's side. The male screamed near tears "You little filthy whore!" he heard Saïx yell, Marluxia crawled towards the stairs "STOP YOU IDIOT! Or do you want a few more holes in you!?"
"If you want to kill me then do it!" Marluxia yelled. He heard a dark chuckle
"Why would I kill my boyfriend?" the bluenette asked. Marluxia didn't respond just weakly tried to crawl to the stairs, the blood loss was making him woozy and the rush caused by the thrill of his fight was fading. Saïx laughed "Lost your mojo? That's so sad!" he chuckled before grabbing Marluxia's ankle
"No…" Marluxia begged weakly. However just as he felt Saïx begin to drag him another gunshot but Saïx yelped in pain
"Freeze! Saïx Thornton you're under arrest!" he heard a familiar voice yell. Saïx was now facing Xemnas who held his gun up with then most angered face Saïx had ever seen on a police officer's face. Saïx blinked
"Who…" he didn't get to finish the sentence since Xemnas snarled
"Drop the gun!" he ordered his eyes looked about ready to twitch, Saïx growled
"Don't interrupt me!" he growled. Xemnas growled right back at the male
"Drop the gun! Your done Saïx!" Xemnas told him Saïx glared before swinging the gun and hitting Xemnas in the side of the head briefly stunning him. Saïx ran to grab either Marluxia or Vexen to use as a shield when he felt his legs shake uncontrollable along with a series of shocks. Saïx toppled over slamming his forehead into one of Xemnas's walls, Xemnas walked over grabbing Saix's wrists and pinning them together slapping on a pair of hand cuffs
"Saïx Thornton you're under arrest for assault of an officer, two accounts of assault, one account of kidnapping, and one account of attempted kidnapping. Not to mention all the charges to you are getting for what you did to Marluxia and Vexen while you held them captive." Xemnas told him grabbing a walkie talkie off his belt "This is Xemnas St. Peter I need a transportation car for a criminal and an ambulance sent to my house. I have one male in custody with a gunshot wound and I just stunned, and two males one badly beaten possible broken arm and one male with two gunshot wounds." Xemnas spoke, a garble of static occurred before Xemnas looked at Marluxia he offered a smile "It's over." He whispered. Marluxia wasn't sure when but eventually he passed out.