Hi everyone, Jasmine here. This will be the last on-time update, as the semester has started and brought with it long hours of reading and essay-writing and test-studying. We only have the next three chapters done, so we are going to try to stagger them a bit and aim for once or twice a month updates - I know, that sucks - until we find more time to write. Sorry. Please be patient with us. You should be comforted knowing these characters live in our heads and drive us crazy until we write them, so hopefully the waiting won't be too long.

This is a bit of a time skip, as it starts with the trial. Hope you like it!

We don't own KH/FF.

XXXX

The day of the trial was exactly a week after Demyx first left, and that morning, Axel, Roxas, Larxene, Cloud, and Zexion were in a small room, awaiting the arrival of Leon and Demyx. Leon had offered to go pick up Demyx, since he had a feeling the younger boy wouldn't want to get a ride with the parents he was trying to escape.

Roxas squeezed Axel's hand. "It'll be fine." He murmured.

Zexion tapped his foot rapidly, staring straight ahead, internally panicking but under absolutely no circumstances was he to allow himself to externerally panic – he had been warned repeatedly that that could hurt their case and he wanted to win because he wanted Demyx back.

Cloud turned at the sound of the door and smiled softly, "Leon's here."

Sure enough, Leon walked in a minute later. This would be his first introductions to Cloud's roommates (besides the phone call the other day).

Cloud hugged him briefly. "Where's Demyx?"

Not visible to anyone not looking for it, Zexion flinched before taking a breath and bracing himself.

"Talking to Saix." Leon answered. "He'll be a few minutes." Turning to Zexion, Axel, and Roxas, he spoke. "I'm Leon, by the way."

Roxas smiled, offering his had. "I'm Roxas, Axel's boyfriend. It's nice to meet you. Everyone's a little tired and on edge, as you can imagine, but I promise they aren't usually this crazy."

Leon nodded, shaking Roxas's hand, "Yeah, I figured. Even Larxene's being quiet."

"I have no energy to respond to that." Larxene yawned.

Zexion glanced at him. "I recognize your voice… You're Leon, right?" He asked, managing to stop his tapping. For now.

Leon nodded, "Yes, I am. Zexion?" he guessed.

"Yes. That's me." Zexion tried to smile but couldn't quite do it.

Leon smiled. "It's nice to meet you. I promise you that I exist."

At that, Zex managed to smile. "Sorry about that. I'm not… handling this well."

Roxas nudged Axel. "Stay awake."

"I'm awake." Axel responded. "I'm…" he paused. "Okay, I'm sleeping on my feet. When did you come in?" he asked Leon.

"About five minutes ago." Leon answered.

Axel groaned. "Sorry…"

"It's fine." Leon chuckled. "I'm Leon."

"Oh, Cloud's boyfriend and Larxene's boss." Axel nodded. "Axel."

"Nice to meet you." Leon nodded.

Saix walked through the door. "It's time. Demyx is already inside. Let's go."

Roxas squeezed Axel's hand, and Cloud reached for Leon's. "Thank you." He said to Saix.

Zexion took a deep breath. This was it. He was going to see him. After everything… finally. Straightening, he set his face and started squaring numbers in his head. He needed to just get through this to win the case. After that… well, he'd worry about it when it happened.

XXXX

Cloud shook Saix's hand again. "Thank you for your help."

"It's my job." Saix said with a smirk.

"Still. Thank you." Cloud said.

Saix nodded and left as Cloud turned to Leon and Demyx. Roxas was guiding Axel and Larx to the car, now that they had won the case. Zexion was trailing after them, still refusing to even look at Demyx.

"Well, we did it. You're one of us, now. Officially." Cloud smiled, riffling Dem's hair.

"I know I've said it a million times, but thank you." Demyx said, looking more relaxed than he had in days.

"You're welcome. Let's get your stuff and go home." Cloud said, reaching for Leon's hand.

Leon took Cloud's hand, squeezing it. "Ready, then?"

Demyx nodded. "Yeah."

Some time later, they pulled up to the house. "Thanks, Leon. I'll call you later and we can set up that dinner." Cloud said before kissing his boyfriend.

"Sounds good." Leon nodded when they pulled apart. "See you later, Dem. Bye, Cloud." He said.

Demyx nodded. "Thanks, Leon." He said, grabbing a few of his bags, and a case that was vaguely shaped like a guitar as he hopped out of the backseat.

Cloud climbed out and grabbed the rest of the bags, waving at Leon as he drove away. Turning to Demyx, he offered him a smile of encouragement. "You ready?"

"Yes." Demyx answered. "Thank you, Cloud."

Cloud just shook his head and led him inside. As soon as they entered the room, Zexion was staring at Demyx.

Dropping the bags in their entrance area, Cloud muttered, "Unpack later." Before clapping Demyx on the shoulder and guiding him into the living room, where Axel, Larxene, and Roxas were on the couch and Zexion was in a chair.

"Oh, thank god." Larxene said, standing up. "I'm going to bed." She said, walking down the hall.

Demyx glanced at Zexion, guilt gnawing at him.

Axel grabbed Roxas's arm, "Time to pass out for seven days or so." He said as he dragged his boyfriend down the hall.

Before they disappeared into the hall, Roxas managed to smile at Demyx and say, "Welcome home."

Cloud sighed. "Well, I'm sure you two have a lot to figure out. If you need me, I'll be in my room. We're all glad you're back, Dem." Cloud squeezed his shoulder before leaving him alone with Zexion.

Slowly, Zexion stood up, looking Demyx over. He didn't look as bad as Axel and Larxene, which was good at least.

"Umm…" Demyx hesitated. "Hey."

Zexion crossed his arms, hugging himself. "Did you mean it?"

Demyx had a feeling he knew exactly what Zexion was talking about. "Yes."

"Then why?" Zexion asked.

"Why… did I leave?" Demyx guessed. "I wasn't going to let you get in trouble for letting me stay here, Zex… I tried to tell you, but I couldn't…"

"I could have done something. You wouldn't have had to leave at all. We… we were – I was – having fun one moment and then you were just… gone." Zexion said, staring at Demyx's feet, unable to look him in the eye.

"I'm sorry." Demyx said. "I didn't want to leave. I tried to tell you after we went out in the rain last week, but… I couldn't do it. I didn't want to… I didn't want to hurt you."

"Not hurt?" Zexion said, looking up with tears in his eyes. "I wake up and you're gone. And I read this note and you claim… you claim you like me. Me! But why didn't you trust me? I…" Zexion shook his head and quickly wiped at his eyes.

"Zex… I…" Demyx frowned, not sure what to say. "Nothing I said in that note was a lie, Zexion. I… didn't want to trouble you."

"But I thought you're supposed to trust the person you have feeling for. Isn't that… what a relationship is? I trust you…" Zexion said brokenly.

"I trusted you too." Demyx said. "I… it has nothing to do with trusting you, Zex – I just… I wasn't strong enough to telling."

"And now you're back. What does that mean? I wanted you back, but… do you even want to be here? How can you? I'm… so stupid. This whole week – I just fell apart. Did you…" Zexion broke off and whispered hoarsely, "Did you even think of me when it rained?"

"Of course I thought of you!" Demyx said, surprised. "And of course I want to be here. I… You are not stupid. I fell apart pretty badly this week too; we both did. But… I'm back now, and I'm here legally, and I don't… I don't want you to hate me. I'm sorry Zexion. Please forgive me."

"I don't hate you." Zexion said. "And I… I just want you back." Tears started flowing down his face and he squeezed himself tighter.

"Zex…" Demyx said, taking a step towards him.

Zexion stopped trying it hold it in and bolted towards him, clinging to him and knocking them both over. Locking his arms around his neck, Zexion let go and cried. "Don't go, Demyx…" He sobbed, holding him tighter.

Demyx wrapped his arms around him, "I'm not going anywhere."

Zexion was beyond words at this point, body shaking uncontrollably as he clung to the blonde. Slowly, he sobs died down into hiccups and he loosened his grip but didn't let go. "Don't leave." He whispered.

"I won't." Demyx promised.

Zexion pulled back enough to look at Demyx, ignoring his tear-stained cheeks as he didn't want to let go to wipe them just yet. He realized he was practically shitting in the blonde's lap and blushed lightly. "I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?" Demyx asked, almost overwhelmed to the point of laughter. "I'm the one that screwed up."

Zexion's blush deepened. "I'm sorry for crying on you. I probably shouldn't have done that…"

Demyx shook his head. "No. Don't apologize. It's fine." He promised. "Trust me – you can cry on me whenever you want."

Zexion rested his head on Demyx's shoulder. "I'm glad you're back." He whispered.

Demyx hugged him again. "Me too."

"I… just don't leave again, okay? I forgive you." Zexion pulled back and smiled tentatively.

Demyx smiled back, more relieved than he thought he'd be. "I won't. I'm not going anywhere."

"Good. That's good." Zexion wiped his face. "Larxene redid your room – it's our room, now. Two beds. Is that… okay?"

"Of course it is." Demyx said. "I was wondering why your bookshelves were out here."

"That's why. I'm… I'm really tired, actually. I didn't sleep much when you… weren't here." Zexion confessed.

"Then let's get some sleep." Demyx suggested. "I didn't sleep too well either." He admitted. He ignored the fact that it was probably only 2 or 3 in the afternoon – he was exhausted.

Zexion blushed, finally letting go of the blonde and moving to stand. "You can have the same bed you used before – if you want. I just… see that as your bed now."

Demyx nodded. "Sure. That's fine. Thank you, Zexion." He said, standing up as well.

Zexion frowned now that they weren't touching anymore. "For what?"

"Everything." Demyx smiled at him.

"I didn't do anything…" Zexion muttered, leading the way into their room and sitting on his new bed. "Cloud and Larx and Ax did everything. And now… I should be thanking you. For coming back. And for… wanting to. For me."

Demyx smiled. "You did plenty, Zex." He insisted. "And… uh… you're welcome for the second half, I guess." He said, not sure what else to say as he sat down on Zexion's – his – bed.

Zexion stretched out on the bed, throwing a blanket over himself. "I'm sorry I'm so tired. I know I said it a lot, but… please don't leave."

"I'm not going anywhere, I promise." Demyx said, lying down on the bed exhausted.

"Good night, Demyx." Zexion whispered with a smile.

"Good night." Demyx answered.

XXXX

Hayner sighed and sat down on a bench outside, rubbing his hands together for warmth and because they were a little cramped – he had just finished a big medieval history test and was just taking the extra time he had before his next class (he had finished the test early) to just relax.

"Hey." Seifer commented, stopping instead of passing by. "You look tired."

"Just finished a huge test." Hayner said, looking up at him.

"Ah." Seifer nodded. "Think you did well? History? You're good at history, right?"

"Yeah, history major." Hayner grinned. "And I'm pretty sure I kicked ass."

"Well good for you." Seifer smiled.

"Thanks. Where you heading?" Hayner asked.

"No where." Seifer shrugged. "Done with classes. Trying to decide if I should go home or hang out here a bit before work."

"You have a job and classes? That must suck. Where you work" Hayner asked.

"The Box Depot." Seifer answered. "And it's not that bad. I'm just taking classes slower, since the job's full time."

"Ah. If you're going to hang here, sit down 'cause staring up at you is hurting my neck." Hayner said.

Seifer rolled his eyes before sitting down, "Sure thing, sweetheart."

Hayner blushed. "Don't start with me." He mumbled.

Seifer chuckled.

"What the hell kind of store is the Box Depot, anyway? What do you do?" Hayner asked, trying to ignore Seifer's laughing and turning to face him.

"I mostly just sit in the back and drink coffee." Seifer shrugged. "Xemnas, the boss, is too busy banging his secretary to care what we do."

"Okay then." Hayner wrinkled his nose before sneezing suddenly.

"Getting sick or getting a cold?" Seifer asked.

"I don't know. Probably. I like the winter and hardly ever wear a jacket, so I'm used to the occasional cold." Hayner shrugged.

"Ah, well, you should be more careful. Colds are fiercer than they look."

Hayner snorted. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were concerned."

Seifer shrugged. "Who says I'm not?"

"Huh. Okay then." Hayner said, rubbing his hands over his arms.

Seifer rolled his eyes, shrugging his coat off and handing it to Hayner. "Here. I gotta leave for work in a minute anyway."

Hayner turned red in embarrassment. "I'm fine."

"Just take the coat, sweetheart." Seifer rolled his eyes.

By now Hayner's face resembled Axel's hair. "No. Who knows when I'll see you later to give it back? And you'll need it, it's gonna just keep getting colder. I'm –" He broke off with another sneeze.

"Put the coat on or I'll put it on for you." Seifer warned. "I've got other coats – actually, I think there's one in my car."

Hayner stood up. "If you have one in your car, I'll take it. Otherwise, I'll out run you. C'mon, where'd you park?"

Seifer rolled his eyes. "Alright, come on then. But at least put the coat on first."

Hayner hesitated, blushing lightly before sneezing again.

"Seriously, Hayner, put the coat on." Seifer crossed his arms.

Stubbornly, Hayner glared at the jacket on the bench. The wind picked up and he shuddered.

Seifer grumbled, grabbing Hayner's arm tightly, picking up the jacket and forcing it onto the younger boy.

Hayner yelped when Seifer grabbed him and tried stuffing him in the coat. "All right, all right, I'll put it on!" He snapped, pulling it from Seifer's grasp and putting it on, realizing it was still warm from Seifer's body heart and blushing. Without looking at the blonde next to him, he muttered, "Thanks."

"No problem. You still planning on following me to my car?" Seifer asked.

Hayner nodded. "You can have it back when we get there."

"I already told you I have another one. Keep it." Seifer rolled his eyes.

"But it's yours!" Hayner protested as they made their way to one of the campus parking lots.

"Yes and I gave it to you. Give it back to me later if you insist." Seifer said. "But otherwise, just keep it. It's no big deal.

Hayner opened his mouth to say something but sneeze again. Blushing and borrowing into the slightly oversized jacket, he muttered, "Thanks."

"No problem, sweetheart." Seifer chuckled. "Well, here's my car." Glancing in the back, he nodded. "And there's my extra jacket. Knew I had one."

"Why do you keep calling me that?" Hayner snapped, trying to stop his face from heating up.

"Just a nickname." Seifer shrugged. "Just something I picked up from my roommate, I guess."

"Well, stop." Hayner muttered. "You make me sound like a girl or something."

"I'm not calling you a girl." Seifer said. "And I could potentially come up with something different. Can't guarantee the lack of girly in the next nickname, baby."

"No way!" Hayner protested, bright red. "What's wrong with me name?"

"Nothing's wrong with your name." Seifer shrugged.

"Then why do I need a nickname? You don't hear me calling you darling!" Hayner yelled.

"You could if you wanted to." Seifer shrugged. "I wouldn't mind."

"Are you freaking kidding me?" Hayner sputtered.

Seifer laughed, "Well, I have to get to work." He said, unlocking his car. "So, we'll have to finish this little debate later, dear." Seifer teased, opening his door and getting in.

Hayner's jaw dropped. "Goddammit, stop saying things like that!" He yelled, kicking the tire of the car.

Seifer just laughed, "See you later, Hayner." He said, shutting his car door and pulling out of his parking spot, driving away.

Hayner stared after the car. "Dammit." He muttered, pulling out his cell and checking the time before calling Roxas as he paced in the parking lot.

XXXX

Roxas grabbed for his phone when it started ringing, making Axel grown. "Sorry, Axel." He said, finally answering. "Hello?"

"Why does he keep doing this?" Hayner demanded.

"Whoa, Hayner, I have no idea what you're talking about." Roxas said, mouthing "I'm sorry" to the now awake Axel.

Axel shook his head, yawning and sitting up, checking his own phone to figure out how long it had been since he fell asleep.

"Seifer! I was sitting outside and – Sweetheart! He called me sweetheart! And baby! And dear!"

Roxas laughed. "He's just teasing you – ignore it."

"I can't – not when he looks at me like that when he says it, dammit. He gave me his jacket. And… it smells good." Hayner mumbled the last bit.

Roxas laughed again. "Good to know you think Seifer smells good."

Axel glanced over at Roxas, "What? Seifer what?"

Roxas rolled his eyes at Hayner's babbling, motioning to Axel he'd tell him in one minute.

"But Rox! I shouldn't think it smells good! And it's warm… He called me sweetheart!" Hayner protested.

"Maybe you like his scent, Hay. And you've already said Seifer called you sweetheart – Axel called me that too when we were first flirting."

Over Hayner's outburst of "Flirting?" Roxas told Axel, "Seifer's a friend of ours at school and he likes Hayner. Hayner's just unsure about flirting."

"Unsure?" Hayner yelled.

"Seifer." Axel repeated. "Fuck. No. Not again."

"What?" Roxas asked.

"I am not unsure! Goddammit, Rox, I'm straight!" Hayner yelled.

"I know, Hay. Seif's just teasing. Hey, it was nice of him to give you his jacket. I bet you didn't wear one. Again. You wouldn't freak out if I gave you one of my jackets, right? Relax, he's your friend." Roxas said to Hayner, still looking questioningly at Axel.

Axel shook his head. "No. No" He said. "Tell him to stop. Tell him to run."

"Yeah. Yeah, maybe… I'll talk to you later, Rox, I gotta get to my last class. Thanks." Hayner said.

"No problem." Roxas hung up. "Ax? What are you talking about? Who has to run? You okay?" Roxas sat next to him and studied him worriedly.

"Hayner has to run. You said Seifer's flirting with him?"

Roxas looked confused. "Yeah. It's okay, though – Hay likes him, too. He's just new at guy/guy relationships.

"Seifer doesn't like anyone. Seifer plays and fucks with people and then leaves them broken." Axel protested. "Tell Hayner to run as fast as he can!"

"Are you sure it's the same person?" Roxas asked skeptically. "Because I've met Seifer and he's really nice. He stuck up for Hay and me on campus."

"How many people could possibly be called Seifer?" Axel asked. "Shit shit shit. Fucking Seifer."

"Well, when'd you know him? People change, ax. He seemed like a good guy." Roxas said, putting his hand on Axel's arm.

"Seifer is not a good guy. It's been a few years, but this guy gets his amusement out of tearing people apart. You do not want Hayner anywhere near him, trust me."

"Axel, you're sleep deprived. Seifer punched a guy calling me a fag. And he's only flirting with Hay." Roxas rolled his eyes.

"I'm not sleep – I mean, I am, but that had nothing to do with this." Axel insisted. "Roxas, Seifer is bad news!"

"I've never head you mention him before, so just because you're not friends with him now doesn't make him a bad guy. You can't tell me who I can and cannot be friends with." Roxas stood, crossing his arms.

"I'm not!" Axel said. "But you can't be friends with Seifer!"

"Even if Seifer's bad news, I can take care of myself. And I can be friends with him because I am. Go back to sleep, Axel." Roxas said.

"Roxas! Seifer's a dick!" Axel said, looking a little terrified.

"Stop, Axel. Just stop. Call me when you're coherent and willing to listen and stop insulting my friends." Roxas said, grabbing his stuff and leaving the bedroom, calling Sora to come pick him up.

"Roxas!" Axel shouted, climbing out of his bed and chasing after him.

"Sora? I need you to come get me. Now." Roxas said into his cell, crossing the empty living room and ignoring Axel.

"Roxas…" Axel frowned.

Roxas hung up when Sora said he was on his way and pocketed his cell, pulling his jacket on.

Axel hesitated, grabbing Roxas's arm. "Roxas…" He repeated.

Roxas jerked out of his grip and yanked the door open. "Call me when you're not being an ass." He slammed the door behind him, moving down the driveway to wait for Sora.

"Fuck! Shit! Fuck, fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck!" Axel cursed.

Cloud walked into the living room. "Please tell me no one ran away again."

After sputtering for a few moments, Axel blurted out, "Roxas! Seifer! Seifer!"

"Axel. That is not helpful. Where's Roxas? And Seifer's that kid you used to hang out with in high school, right? Did he kidnap Rox or something?" Cloud asked.

"Roxas left. Seifer's messing with Hayner and…" He cursed again, "Fuck."

"Okay… So you're pissed Seifer's with Hayner and failed to convey any logic when telling Roxas so he left?" Cloud guessed.

Axel just nodded.

"Right. Well, you're not coherent enough right now to do anything about it except make it worse. Go to sleep and when you wake up, we can figure out how to fix it, okay?" Cloud said.

Axel hesitated.

"…Axel?" Cloud asked.

"But…" Axel frowned.

"Go to sleep, Ax." Cloud grabbed his arm and started guiding him to his room.

Axel knew he needed to sleep, but that didn't change the fact that he had just pissed off his boyfriend.

"Roxas is smart. And he really, really likes you. Everything will be fine. But only if you sleep." Cloud said, pushing the redhead towards his bed.

Axel hesitated again, but nodded. "Right. You're right."

"Of course I am. Good night, Ax." Cloud said, shoving him onto the bed and heading for the door.

Axel was too tired to protest and drifted asleep.

Cloud sighed, softly closing the door behind him. Going to the kitchen, he scribbled a hasty note that he was going out and to call his cell in case of an emergency and left the house, setting his motorcycle in the direction of Leon's. He'd be early, but dammit he needed a break.

XXXX

Leon was sitting on the couch when the doorbell ran. Glancing at the clock, he stood up, walking over.

"Leon." Cloud sighed, smiling at him. "Sorry I'm early."

"No, it's fine." Leon said. "Is everything okay?"

"Roxas and Axel are fighting and Axel is not coherent enough to realize he needs to apologize. I put him to sleep and left before something else can happen." Cloud explained.

"I see…" Leon said, leading Cloud inside. "I'm sorry."

"Not your fault." Cloud said, stepping closer. "I want someone to hug me now though and not have to be the adult for five minutes."

"I can take care of that." Leon smiled, hugging Cloud.

"Thanks." Cloud murmured, burying his face in Leon's shoulder and closing his eyes.

Leon stood there with his arms around Cloud, content to let him relax as long as possible.

Cloud pulled back enough to look at Leon. "You've been amazing through all of this. Thank you."

"It's absolutely no problem at all." Leon promised. "You've been pretty amazing through all this too."

"Not really. I just… did what needed to be done." Cloud shrugged.

Leon smiled, "Well, you did amazing."

"Thanks." Cloud sighed. "So, where we going to eat?"

"The kitchen, if that's alright." Leon said. "Seifer and Xigbar are out for the night, so I cooked."

"You already cooked?" Cloud asked. "Have I mentioned how amazing you are lately?" He smiled.

Leon chuckled. "It's just finishing up, should be done in a few minutes if you're alright with waiting."

"Sure. Oh! You said you'd tell me – what did you tell Zexion on the phone earlier this week that convinced him we're good for each other and shut him up?" Cloud asked.

Leon just smirked, "Gotta check on the food." He said, heading to the kitchen.

"Leon!" Cloud laughed, following him. "Why won't you tell me?"

"I'll tell you eventually." Leon winked.

"I don't know whether to be worried or not." Cloud shook his head.

Leon laughed. "You have nothing to worry about if it satisfied Zexion."

"Hmm… And you'll tell me some day?"

"I'm sure I will."

Cloud smiled. "Okay." He stepped up to Leon, hugging him again.

Leom smiled, hugging him back.

Cloud kissed him and smiled. "So how are you doing? Sorry I keep dumping everything on you. I owe you a lot for your help."

Leon smiled. "I've been fine. And you don't own me anything, Cloud." He assured him.

"I don't mind making it up to you. Maybe we can take a vacation for Christmas, just the two of us?" Cloud suggested.

Leon smiled. "Sure, that sounds good."

Cloud smiled. "Yeah, it does." He leaned into Leon.

Leon smiled again. The sound of a timer going off interrupted their moment, though.

Cloud chuckled. "I'll set the table."

"Thanks." Leon grinned.

Cloud nodded, quickly setting the table and sitting down, waiting for Leon to serve the food. He'd have to check on everyone at the house eventually, but right now he could just enjoy some quiet time with Leon.

XXXX

And now everyone's happy again! Well, except for Roxas and Axel. Poor Axel. He's so tired. And poor Roxas. He's so frustrated. :D

Please review! We'll try our best to maintain some kind of updating schedule - don't worry, this story won't completely die during the semester, but it will significantly slow down. See you next chapter! :D