(Grr normal updating schedule. I am totally off track with updates, and I am geniunely sorry about that. D: Vacation's here now, so I should be able to return to my regularly scheduled programming. /glee/
So...yeah. Kirai, I apologize for this chapter because, well, Xemnas and Saix, well... It's not pretty. Although yay Larxene being hardcore~!
Also, poor Zexion. D: His torture is unending. And of course there's that one little niggling problem... Yes, well, Yaya is a little kid. Haha, half of these comments won't make sense until you actually read the chapter, but OHWELL. Guess you have to read it now! xD
Don't own Kingdom Hearts, yep yep yep. Dedicated to TvTropes for eating away at my sanity and causing me to stop writing the prequel. Seriously, I'm just going to publish the first few chapters soon and then update when I write a new one. Otherwise you'll NEVER get it. D:)
Vexen was cuddled close into Marluxia's chest at the time, half-asleep and still in utter bliss. He didn't hear Saix. Lexaeus, however, did.
"Saix?" The hero said, darkness sinking below him as he teleported. "What...Superior!" The larger man was far more easily enabled to carry Xemnas, although Saix was reluctant to relinquish his grip. Lexaeus tilted his head back. "Zexion should be smelling the blood soon enough--he'll be coming to find us. Run downstairs to the lab, please, and get the medical equipment. I need peroxide and bandages--and possibly a syringe. The sedatives and painkillers are the green and blue bottles, respectively." Saix nodded, and bolted down the steps.
--
Zexion had been stroking Senayax's hair for almost an hour, still playing with the light, wispy strands. He'd read her a few stories out of Tales Of The Keyblade Bearers, and she was content to simply cuddle Ienzo and sit with him. He, in turn, let his thoughts shift like sand under an ocean wave while he just touched her. The feel of her skin and hair under his fingers drove him mad, but he just kept going back to it, in turn.
Then the stench of blood rushed towards him, heady and cloying as it gathered so thickly into his throat that he could practically taste it. He swore, recognizing the scent. Xemnas'. Senayax tilted her head up, and blinked sleepily at him. "Someone's in trouble, innit they?" She murmured. Zexion nodded. She wriggled off his lap, and jumped to the floor. "Guess we gotta go." The two walked up the steps, Zexion finally finding his way towards where the scent was wafting from--the Superior's room.
Saix slammed into the lab door, not even bothering to open it. He bolted down the steps, skipping two, even three at a time. He needed to get down to the lab and get the supplies. His master was hurting. He skidded to a stop at the foot of the steps, and observed the room. His eyes widened.
"Larxene? What are you doing down here?" Saix had found the nymph down in the lab, pacing the floor. He was shocked--Larxene, to his knowledge, had never set foot in the lab, but she acted like she knew the place's layout by heart from the way she moved. She snarled at him.
"None of your damn business." She said, going back to her pacing. Saix narrowed his eyes.
"Do not push me. My master is wounded, and my temper is fraying." He hissed quietly. She growled.
"Push you? Try me. I'll stab you through your goddamn stomach!" She spat, already summoning her knives. Saix snarled. She snarled right back.
Then Saix remembered his master needed the medicine. He backed down, and tried a different tactic. "Lexaeus sent me down here to find medicine." He said. She blinked, suprised.
"Wait, Lexaeus? What did he need?" Her voice became brusque, attentive. Saix was surprised--her attitude had immediately become much more concerned and interested. He sighed.
"Peroxide, bandages, a syringe, painkillers and some sedatives." He recited. She snagged it all within a minute, that possessive attitude returning.
"Be glad I'm down here, wolf-boy," she grumbled, "I've already memorized where everything is in this room. I've been down here for an hour!" Saix raised an eyebrow as he ascended the steps.
"Why?" He asked. She glared at him, and Saix remembered Larxene was the last person in all the worlds who would bluff about stabbing someone in the stomach. He shook his head. "Not important right now." The two teleported to the door of Xemnas's bedroom, with Zexion and Senayax already there, twisting the doorknob to open it.
His master lay on the bed where they had spent endless nights together, gazing at Kingdom Hearts. Only now, with his master's pain, the picture of angelic perfection was ruined. His chest was slicked in sweat and blood and he was groaning in pain, shuddering with every shallow breath. Larxene stormed past them all, and pressed the supplies into Lexaeus's hands. She looked at Xemnas. "Why didn't you fade, Superior?" She whispered, suddenly serious and grim. "You look like shit." Xemnas chuckled.
"I told...Saix...I'd come back." He murmured. The others stiffened. Xemnas had never cavalierly discussed his relationship--good god, it was obvious, but...he'd never said anything like that where they could hear. Even Saix was stunned. He closed his eyes, and bowed his head.
"Master, please. Don't talk like that--you're not dying. You'll be all right. Lexaeus, give me the damn peroxide." He said, a sudden hazy burst of sadness and frustration overtaking his mind. The hero handed it over without complaint, but Larxene snarled.
"Just because you're angsting, wolf-boy, doesn't mean you can talk shit to Lexaeus!" She spat, lightning crackling at the tips of her fingers. Now Lexaeus was stunned. It seemed that today was the day for everyone to get hit by the speeding streetcar that was love. Or whatever this was. Saix raised an eyebrow. Larxene snarled, her right hand curling into a fist. Xemnas chuckled in amusement.
Saix sighed, and set to putting the peroxide on the massive gash. It fizzed, cleaning the gash and purging it of any infection. Xemnas swore, hissing curses through clenched teeth. Saix took his hand and squeezed it gently. Xemnas wrapped his fingers around Saix's hand, squeezing back.
"Master, we have painkillers. Do you need them?" He said, stroking his master's hand with his thumb, absently rubbing it over his bronze skin in small circles. Xemnas vehemently shook his head.
"No, Saix. I'll be all right. Just...stay with me." He said softly. Saix nodded. He took one of the little hi-potions off the bedside table, and uncorked it, tipping it to his lips. Normally, Xemnas could be like a very young child when it came to medicines. He absolutely refused on principle to ever drink them, and the one time where he had been forced to do so, Vexen had bound his wrists and ankles to the table with permafrost--and then he still tried to spit it out afterwards. Saix chuckled in amusement at that memory. This time, however, he drank it without complaint.
"I'll be all right. Please, Zexion, Larxene, Lexaeus, Senayax--I don't need to be watched over." He said, waving a hand in the air regally. The little girl sniffed.
"Fat chance you're gettin' rid of me." She said, chest puffed up. She sat at the foot of the bed, stubbornly glaring at him. Xemnas smiled, and leaned back, closing his eyes. Zexion rolled his eyes, and picked her up within an instant. "OI! OI! PUT ME DOWN, PUT ME DOWN! ZEXION! ZEXIIOOON! CHEATER!" She shrieked, trying to squirm free. He carried her over his shoulder out of the room, the others laughing and following behind. Then, as Larxene shut the door, realization dawned upon her.
"He didn't mention Saix, did he?" She said, a smile creeping across her face. Lexaeus nodded. She grinned at him. "Today is getting more interesting by the minute." Lexaeus looked curiously at her, and then managed to ask her a question that had been nagging at him since she'd snapped at Saix.
"Why did you defend me?" He said softly. She looked at him, and her large green eyes widened even further, staring at him with something that could only be called terror. Lexaeus winced. "Forgive me, I didn't...are you...all right? It seems every time I try to talk, I upset you--" She shook her head feverently.
"No!" She hissed. Lexaeus held his hands up in a gesture of surrender. She continued. "No, that's...not it. I...it's tough to explain. I've got to go talk to Marluxia." She disappeared, leaving Lexaeus with even more blasted questions.
"You, little nymph," he whispered, "are the toughest puzzle I have ever seen."
Senayax was howling the whole way down the hallway. Zexion simply stroked her back, but it did no good.
"Put me DOWN! Put me DOWN! ZEXION! DOWN! I WANNA GET DOWN!" She howled indignantly with each step. Zexion rolled his eyes, wincing in pain as her tiny fists beat his back. He sighed.
"Yaya, please. You've been away from me all day. I just...want you here with me. Saix is taking care of Xemnas. Come, it's dinnertime." He said quietly. She sighed, and rolled her eyes in disdain.
"Okaaay. But only 'cause I love you." He froze, almost dropping his bundle of annoyed little girl. She seemed confused. "Did...did I say something wrong?" She said, instantly nervous. Tears started to gather in her eyes. Zexion shook his head, and set her down.
"No," he whispered, "no. Come here." She buried herself in his arms within a moment, sniffling and trying to hold back tears as she crawled into his lap. "I love you so much, Yaya." He murmured, forgetting about hearts and Nobodies and whatever wasn't her. She nodded, still clutching his coat. Suddenly, she met his eyes for a moment, as the two looked at each other silently. Then she tilted her head up and kissed him. Zexion was taken completely aback, but then the lust he'd been denying crashed over him.
He kissed her, kissed her and knew while he did, he was playing a very dangerous game. But he just wanted her, wanted to kiss her, hold her, simply wanted. He could feel himself stirring, and he tried to fight the lust down, knowing all the while that he was waging a losing battle. She tilted her head like a curious kitten confronted with a piece of string. She rubbed against his arousal and blinked, observing it swell and rise. He bit his lip, pulling her close.
"Yaya. Please...not now." His voice was strained, fighting back the urge to curse waiting and just take her on the floor. Then she whimpered softly.
"Zexion? It hurts real bad." She said softly. He realized she had been pressed against his erection, probably without understanding it. He swore.
"I'm so sorry." He whispered, cursing himself. She shook her head, and twirled a strand of his hair around her finger.
"Don't be." She murmured, before she smiled at him. "Why?"
He knew he could've told her. He could have explained...he could have. The promise he'd made warred within him with the desire to keep her from utterly loathing him for the rest of her days. But he had made her a promise.
"Because...I shouldn't love you." He whispered, feeling like filth. She shook her head.
"That's silly. I love you. Very much. I love all of you!" She giggled. Then she blushed. "But, um, is it bad if you're my...favorite?" She said softly, cuddling a little closer. Zexion managed to smile.
"No. It's not. But, Yaya...please, for your sake, don't...I..." He just settled for hugging her. "Come on, dinner's waiting." He finally said. She smiled, and followed him down the hall. Zexion sighed. He had accepted the game, and pulled her into the dance. He knew that there was going to be consequences. That what he was doing...could lead to them both getting hurt deeply. But he accepted that, because he'd accepted the consequences of loving her the second he'd kissed her.
Suddenly, she turned back to him, and Zexion realized he'd been speaking out loud. For a moment, Senayax was gone and another woman had taken her place. The woman was Senayax...only not. The colors of her skin, her hair, they were all the same, but they just looked borrowed, as if she was hiding in someone else's skin. As Zexion watched, unable to move, she turned back to face him with eyes as brilliant and white as the moon.
"So has she." The woman whispered.
Dinner was...different. Saix and Xemnas's absences had left a gap--along with the absence of Marluxia, Vexen, Axel, Roxas, Xigbar, and Demyx. Zexion groaned, handing Senayax an apple. "God, they're hopeless." Zexion muttered. Larxene groaned in agreement. Senayax chewed thoughtfully on the apple, apparently deep in thought.
"I'm glad they're happy, though." She whispered. Zexion nodded.
"I suppose, but still. Good lord, it's like dealing with a bunch of children." He grumbled. Larxene snorted.
"Except they're 'children' who are currently screwing their lover into the bed." She said balefully. Zexion glared at her, as everyone else bit back amused laughter. Senayax looked further confused.
"Don't you need a screwdriver for that? Wouldn't it hurt?" Her nose wrinkled as she sunk deep into thought. Everyone paused, and stared at her. She blinked, mystified. "What? It would."
"Luv...I, I don't think this is the proper time to tell you about this." Luxord said, fighting the urge to bury his head in his hands. She shook her head.
"I just want to know if they're getting hurt. Should I go check--"
"No." The whole table said in unison. She sighed.
"Fine." She grumbled, huffing. She chewed on her apple while Zexion had a quick, hissed conversation with the others. Then, realizing they weren't looking, she grinned. Now was her time to escape and go tend to Xemnas.
She let the darkness swirl around her as quietly as possible. They didn't even notice.
--
Xemnas was breathing heavily, trying not to reopen the wound, but it seemed like he simply couldn't get enough oxygen. Saix was curled so close to him that he had practically molded himself to the contours of Xemnas' body, curled in the crook of his arm.
"Master..." Saix could only speak softly, voice choked with worry and pain as he nuzzled close to his master, shaking with fear. Xemnas smiled up at him.
"Saix, you really need not worry. I'll be all right soon. Please. You should eat." He said, stroking his pet's hair and teasing it between his fingers. Saix shook his head vehemently.
"Not when my master is in pain." He said, shifting so he was pressed tighter against Xemnas than he had been already. Xemnas sighed.
"You are horribly stubborn, aren't you?" He grumbled. Saix gave him a quick, wolfish grin.
"For someone who knows me better than anyone, master, you are asking a very foolish question." His beautiful diviner graced him with a rare smile. Xemnas managed a smile in return.
The darkness announcing the arrival of a Nobody swirled at the foot of the bed. Xemnas raised an eyebrow, already sure of who it was. Senayax stepped out of the darkness, and put her hands on her hips. "I've been waitin' for them to get distracted so I could come up here." She sighed, climbing on the bed. "Xemnas, lemme see." He shrugged the blanket down around his shoulder.
She looked at the bloodsoaked bandages quickly, with a calculating glance over the surface. Then she pressed her hand on the cut, delicately probing it under the bandages. Xemnas hissed, but didn't tell her to stop. She waited another instant before pulling away. "You can take the bandages off." She said flatly. Xemnas stared, as Saix got off the bed and unwrapped the bandages to reveal a small, pinkish welt. They both looked at her in shock. She smiled.
"Body." She said. "Xigbar has space, Saix has moon, Xaldin has wind, Zexion has illusion, Lexaeus has earth, Larxene has lightning, Axel has fire, Luxord has time, Xemnas has nothingness, Demyx has water, Marluxia has flowers, Roxas has light...an' I have body." She sucked her finger for a second. "Didn't know until I tried t'heal that wound Masamune gave me that I could heal stuff. I was wondering if it'd work for you." She grinned. "Makes sense though, otherwise I'd bleed t'death every time I tried to attack." Xemnas shook his head.
"You're certainly full of surprises, aren't you?" He said, flat-out stunned. She nodded.
"Yup. Now, I've healed you. But you need care. An' I'd rather Saix do it." She glared up at the berserker. "So he's gonna. Right?" She said, in a voice that demanded obedience. Saix nodded, both slightly in shock, and definitely confused. He sighed, and grasped Xemnas's hand. She grinned. "Good. I'mma get downstairs before someone comes looking! Love you!" She darted down the hall, and Saix could hear her feet thumping on the marble floor as she sprinted down the steps, giggling. He closed his eyes, and silently cursed her for leaving them alone right now.
Xemnas looked up at him, and Saix could feel a blush creeping into his cheeks. "M-master." He bowed slightly. "May I join you?" Xemnas raised an eyebrow.
"Certainly, Saix. But perhaps you should take your coat and boots off first." He said, tone obviously light and teasing--but Saix still shivered. He obeyed, however, and unzipped the coat, feeling the fabric pool at his feet. He blushed, remembering he hadn't worn anything except the pants and boots with the coat. He took the boots off, trying to hide his smolderingly red face. Xemnas had leaned back against the massive pile of pillows, watching him. Saix stood, and shivered again, nervous. Xemnas extended a hand, and Saix took it, as his master pulled him on the bed.
Xemnas said nothing for a time, simply stroking his hair. Saix listened to him breathe, cursing himself for being nervous. Why should he be nervous? His master had chosen him as a mate long ago. Saix closed his eyes, and let the memories flood him.
He had been wild, monstrous. Barely human. Yet...Xemnas had taken him in. Taught him how to be human, Nobody or otherwise. He had always been his master, even when Xemnas vehemently denied thus. Saix smiled.
"Master, there's been reports of a Dusk herd in Traverse Town. Should I--"
"Don't call me master, Saix--this is perhaps the hundreth time I have said so, is it not?"
"...One hundred and seventeenth, master. I've been counting."
He closed his eyes, burying himself into his master's chest, inhaling his slightly spiced, warm scent as he tried not to laugh. Xemnas merely huffed with amusement, and wrapped his arms around his waist.
Saix watched his master pace throughout his office, glaring at both his paperwork and the medical chart on his desk. "Honestly, if it's not one thing, it's another. Axel needs to stop shooting fire at people if they jump out at him." He muttered. Saix had to grin.
"In his defense, master, Xigbar did deserve that one." He reminded him, remembering how the Freeshooter had hung upside-down and dropped on Axel from the ceiling. It had been ingenious, but he'd forgotten Axel had a nasty left hook and a tendency to leave burns behind. Xemnas sighed heavily.
"For the two hundredth and sixteenth time--yes, now I've been counting, Saix--don't call me master." He said, as he toyed with his pet's hair, apparently deep in thought. Saix bowed his head, beginning to think as well.
"Master, is there a reason you wish for me not to address you as such?" He asked politely. Xemnas turned to him, an odd glint in his golden eyes.
"Indeed." He purred. Saix tilted his head, curious. Then he felt his master's strong hands grasp his coat, and push him down onto the desk. His master had pinned him to the desk, and he could barely move. Saix could only gasp, trying not to struggle so as not to shift into berserker state and hurt his master.
"M-master! Please...please, what did I do?" He pleaded. Xemnas sighed.
"You've done nothing, dearest." He said affectionately. Saix blinked.
"Dearest?" He mouthed. Xemnas chuckled.
"Yes. The reason I don't wish for you to call me master is thus." He leaned down, and...
Well, Saix wasn't exactly sure what he'd done. But his lips were against Saix's own, and it felt...strange. It was amazing, though--he could feel a spark dancing down his spine. He'd only felt this way whenever he had seen the moon. What was he doing to him? Xemnas pulled away from the odd contact, and smiled at him.
"I doubt you would wish to be my pet, am I correct?" He said softly. Saix narrowed his eyes up at his master, managing a whuff of amusement in between his raging confusement and slight arousal for the first time in his life.
"I'm afraid for once in your life, master, you are incorrect. I would wish for nothing else...apart from knowing what you just did." He said, slightly confused. Xemnas stared at him.
"You've...never heard of kissing?" He asked. Saix stared back blankly. Xemnas sighed heavily--and then a wicked grin spread across his face.
"Would you wish for your master to teach you, my pet?" He purred. Saix shivered in pleasure. He'd never heard Xemnas speak that way to him, but he liked it, very much so.
It was then he made his decision. He wanted his master, and however his master saw fit to give himself to him. He knew he was truly his master's pet, now. And it was perfect.
"Of course." He said softly.
Xemnas wasted no time in locking the door, shoving a chair in front of it, and giving Saix his first primer on kissing.
He began to laugh, finally letting it out. It was just too amusing for him. Xemnas looked down at him, and raised an eyebrow at his pet's sudden burst of laughter. "Are you all right, my pet?" Saix nodded weakly, still laughing.
"Yes, my master. Just...thinking. About the first time you kissed me." He murmured softly. Xemnas nodded.
"I see." He paused. "Saix, you are aware you are quite beautiful, are you not?" He said gently. Saix blinked.
"I suppose you've told me, so I would assume I am." He said. Xemnas chuckled.
"You really are unaware, aren't you?" Saix looked up at him as Xemnas ran a hand down his back. Xemnas continued toying with his hair. "You don't understand. No one has ever made my mind and body crave them as much as you have. Everything about you is perfection." He purred. Saix felt a flush color his cheeks.
"Master, I...I..." Saix bowed his head, and he surprised himself by crying. Xemnas tilted his head up and looked at his pet, concerned and confused.
"Saix, is something the matter?" His master queried, grasping his hand. He could only nod, too ashamed to speak. Xemnas shouldered his weight on his lap better, so Saix could straddle him. He kept him supported so they could still look at each other while Saix sobbed. He brushed a bit of cobalt hair behind Saix's ears, kissing the strands. "Please tell me. You've been very uneasy for the past few days." He said with gentle concern. Saix nodded again, and took a deep, shuddering breath.
"Master...do you think we truly have feelings?" He whispered softly. Xemnas's eyes widened slightly. Seeing his reaction, Saix bit his lip. "I know what you have said many times in the past... That our only true way to existing is through Kingdom Hearts. I don't doubt that. But...but..." He shook his head. "Master, I want to say...I love you. I want to say it, and to feel it. I...I knew you would never say it back, and perhaps...you would never call me to your side again. I would surely fade if I was forsaken by you."
Xemnas could only stare at him. Saix shuddered. "I kept my silence. I never spoke about my feelings, real or otherwise. It...it was worth it. I would give up anything and everything for you. I would sacrifice everything. So it was the greatest sacrifice to keep silent, but I did it for you. Forgive me, but I can remain silent no longer." He inclined his head. "I love you, Xemnas." He whispered, his body feeling like it had been set on fire from within, his stomach rolling with nervous nausea as he watched his master.
Xemnas was silent, merely looking up at him.
Saix issued a soft sob. Almost as if it was without his consent, the darkness swirled around him and he was gone.
Xemnas could only stare blankly for a moment at the empty spot on his bed before it registered within him that his pet was gone. He bit back a scream, and shoved himself off of the bed, rushing to find his pet, his Saix...his lover.