I'm sorry for taking so long everyone! I've had so much going on at the moment it's not funny. D: Anyway here's the next chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter 29
The sounds of construction, arguments, yells and complaints were heard as Grim descended the steps of his 'castle'. Zexion had come to him only a few hours previously and asked him a number of questions about machinery, stakes, tools and fertilizer. He'd sent some of his more faithful guards into town to purchase some fertilizer and fuel once asked and his new prize had nodded gratefully with a coy smile and turned to leave the room with one last polite comment thrown over his shoulder.
Soon afterwards the sounds of arguments and laughter had started drifting up through his open window but the movements of the people below were far out of his ability to see. After his curiosity became too much he decided to leave his office and descend to do his daily check-up of his residence.
As soon as he stepped outside, he stopped in the doorway to the kitchen and looked around in amazement at the bustling workplace outside. There was a very large pile of fertilizer bags piled up against the wall just beside him and one bag at a time was being spread around the garden by various workers. The paddock off to the left was being moved out another hundred metres and fence posts were being knocked into the ground with bits of wood or hammers. A small group of guards and workers had somehow managed to get their hands on a bulldozer, a fire truck and what looked like a small truck. There were two people on it running stakes and wire down the new perimeter of the paddock and Grim shook his head in disbelief. He didn't know where Zexion had gotten all this equipment but if it wasn't costing him anything he wasn't complaining.
Speaking of Zexion, where was he?
Making his way into the sunlight, Grim looked around for his newest worker and found him walking around and talking to a group of guards that were digging out what looked like a small stream of water. The slate haired man had discarded his coat and gloves some time ago by the look of things and was walking around in his boots, pants and a light weight long sleeved work shirt one of the guards had obviously dug up for him. It was enormous and Zexion looked like a child in it, but the reddish tinge to his cheeks from the heat was quite appealing for some reason.
A woman brushed past him and nodded her head as she brought out a tray of drinks. "Sorry sir."
He watched her go with a smirk as he took in the knee length skirt she was wearing and watched the skinny legs and body hurry past. She walked over to the workers in the garden while another four girls headed for the paddock, Zexion's arguing group, the dam building group and another to the equipment shed.
Walking over to Zexion, all arguments stopped as the guards noticed him and they quickly bowed and took their leave. Zexion watched them go in confusion before following their gaze and it rested understandingly on Grim. "I'm surprised to see you out here," he greeted with a nod and grabbed two glasses of what looked like orange juice from one of the girls and offered him one.
He took it gratefully and smiled. "Well you couldn't expect me to just leave everything to you, could you?"
"You don't seem like the type of person to want to get your hands dirty."
"Oh, I can get my hands quite dirty," he purred and stepped closer to the shorter male. "It all depends on what I want to get them dirty with."
"Pervert," Zexion muttered under his breath but smiled seductively anyway. "Well, I know just what to get your hands dirty with."
"And what's that?" Grim asked, putting his glass of orange juice down. Zexion did the same and bent down underneath the table.
"You can take these over to the burning pile if you don't mind," he answered brightly and placed two bags of something in his hands. Grim didn't want to know what because whatever it was it smelled really bad.
Grim laughed and dropped the bags at his feet. "You're joking, right?"
"Not at all," Zexion answered smoothly before sighing. "Well, I suppose you are the boss so that does exempt you from any or all work bar what is expected of you." He waved two teenage boys over and gestured at the bags. "Could you take these over to the burning pile please? I know they smell but don't burn them just yet. That's a treat for tonight."
They nodded and quickly picked two bags up and left, leaving with one last look over their shoulders at the two.
"So, you're changing everything?" Grim asked with a grin as he picked up his refreshment drink again.
"Not everything," Zexion corrected and copied his new boss, only he took a sip of the cool liquid. "We're expanding the paddock to give the animal's more feed and the dam should hold more water when it rains, leaving them the ability to survive without water for longer. I did a test earlier that revealed the place where you're trying to grow the garden is not only much too acidic; they're also trying to grow plants on clay. That isn't working too well either, as you can see by the results. Hence the fertilizer. Oh! You wouldn't happen to have a wand on you, would you?"
"…Yes, why?" he asked curiously and Zexion smiled mysteriously before waving for him to follow as he turned and began walking around the side of the building. Shrugging, Grim followed the small statured male and blinked when they turned a corner and found themselves confronted with a massive pile of garbage and what looked like dirt.
"I understand the laws of magic in this world differ greatly from my own," Zexion began with a smile as he stood in the blessed shade of the building.
"I guess they would…" Grim agreed slowly, wondering where this was going.
"So you should be able to transfigure these piles into blankets and mattresses, yes?"
"I can," Grim answered smoothly, now seeing where this was going. "But what's in it for me?"
Zexion smiled and stepped forward to wrap his arms around Grim's shoulders and neck and pressed his body up against the larger man's. Stretching up so his mouth was right next to his boss' ear, Zexion smirked and whispered softly "how about tonight you and I relieve some much needed stress."
Grim shivered at the sound of the low husky voice gracing his hearing and gently pushed the slate haired man away. "It's a promise that I'll be expecting you to go through with," he answered and pulled out his wand with a smirk.
"Got it," Zexion answered and stepped back.
"How many of each?" he asked as he focused on the piles.
"Fifty or so?"
"I can do that," Grim answered and waved his wand. One pile transfigured into a large pile of blankets and the other into a very large pile of mattresses.
"Thank you," Zexion answered and pressed a light kiss to his boss's cheek before turning to walk away. Just reaching the corner he paused and looked back, a curious look on his face. "You wouldn't happen to know any plant growing spells, would you?"
"No…" Grim answered truthfully with a frown. "Why?"
"Just asking," Zexion answered and disappeared.
Grim shook his head with a smirk. His newest prize just kept surprising him.
"AXEL!" Vexen screeched at lunch as his pumpkin juice suddenly burst into flames and evaporated, leaving an orange stain in the bottom of his goblet.
The accused red head fell off his seat and rolled about on the ground laughing hysterically at the look on the blond elders face. "Your face!" he giggled and a few of the other students hid their own laughs as the disgust and anger grew on number four's face.
"You really are just… ugh!" he spluttered and stormed out of the great hall, passing the still howling red head on the ground from the opposite side of the table.
Roxas shook his head and sighed. "Axel, sit down, shut up and eat. Try not to cause anymore chaos than you already have."
Fred and George grinned as the fire wielder did as he was told. "Ooh, he has you twisted," George teased with a laugh.
"I know, it's sad isn't it?" Fred replied mockingly and they both laughed, high-fiving each other.
Axel crossed his arms with a scowl and glared at them with emerald green eyes. "Just you two wait until you find the love of your lives and then see what happens."
They embraced each other with theatrical tears and cried into each other's shoulders. "Oh George, you're the one I'm meant to be with!" Fred wailed into his twin's shoulder.
"Oh Fred, you're the love of my life!" George responded just as enthusiastically.
"You two sicken me sometimes," Ron muttered into his pumpkin juice, a strange shade of green. Harry just shook his head and Hermione looked on interestedly.
The twins just laughed and let each other go, ignoring the strange looks they were getting from the other Gryffindor's around them.
"That was just mildly disturbing…" Roxas murmured into his plate and Axel wrapped an arm around his shoulder.
"It's okay Roxy, I'll make everything better."
"Oh? How so?" Fred jeered with a grin.
"You'll make hot passionate love to him?" George continued with a laugh as he ate a small pastry.
"I'll gut you both in your sleep and hang your intestines on the wall for you to look at when you wake up!" Axel snarled they both paled, making the freckles they sported stand out even more on their already pale skin.
"You know what George, let's never get Axel too angry," Fred murmured to his twin and George nodded enthusiastically.
"I agree Fred. We'll blame it on little Ronnykins here instead," George murmured back just loud enough for Ron to hear. Their younger brother glared at them with a mouth full of food.
"Jub you try it!" he snapped with a full mouth and Hermione made a face of disgust.
"Ugh! Ronald! Where are your manners?"
"Sorry Herbione…" he mumbled and looked back down at his plate to shove more food into his already full mouth.
"Hey guys!" Demyx greeted happily as he claimed the seat beside Axel.
"Hey, how was Xigbar?" Axel asked teasingly.
Demyx blinked, completely missing the underlying meaning to that question. "He's fine thanks." Axel snickered into his pumpkin juice. "Anyway, Xiggy may have found out where Zexy is."
"Really?" Roxas asked, paying full attention now. "Where?"
"He thinks he's somewhere in Russia."
"…Russia…" Axel repeated dubiously. "How the hell would the squirt get from London, or wherever this is to Russia of all places?"
"Do you even know where that is?" Roxas asked doubtfully, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, no… but it seems like it's a pretty big place."
"You're right," Hermione said and conjured an atlas. She flicked to a world map page and showed it to the organization members. "This is where Russia is, this is where we are. It's a pretty big country."
"Then how would he get there?" Axel asked again. "We can't appear somewhere we don't know, and it'd take you guys at least two days to get there. Possibly longer."
"We don't travel by muggle transportation," Harry explained. "There's a technique called disapparition that we get taught in sixth year."
"Yeah, we're learning it next month," George and Fred said simultaneously.
"It lets you appear anywhere you've been before, even if it's halfway around the world."
"I see," Axel answered and tapped the book in front of him. "So we think the emo kid is here?"
"Yeah," Demyx answered enthusiastically. "Or somewhere along that time line."
The red head sighed and shook his head. "This world confuses me greatly."
"You're not the only one," Demyx and Roxas answered simultaneously.
Three days later, Zexion yawned as he observed the construction sites. They'd burnt that disgusting pile of rags last night, and all the workers had cheered heartily as they were all bestowed with a new mattress and blanket. He was still working on shower facilities for them and spare clothes, and the sleeping areas now had holes punches in the walls to let in fresh air and clean the room. The rooms had been washed by those people that had objected to Zexion's changes and they'd walked out green after Zexion finally dubbed them clean. The smell was still there, but there was nothing they could do about that entirely.
The dam that was in progress was just about finished and the fences had been built sturdily enough that they were finished and the fencers let the animals into the larger paddock happily. The crops were doing better as well. With the extra water and soil they could grow in along with nutrients they were flourishing beautifully, and were growing at a rapid pace already.
The area was filled with laughter from the workers and guards as they merged together to get their appointed job done. Sweeping his eyes over the area once again and seeing nothing needing his immediate attention, Zexion waved Mark over, a guard he'd become somewhat well acquainted with, and greeted him with a nod. "Sir?"
(Zexion's P.O.V)
"Do you know any plant growing spells?"
"…One or two sir. Why?"
"Do you have your wand?"
"No, sorry. It was taken by Grim when I got here."
"Come with me then," I urged and turned to walk inside. Mark followed me curiously as I made straight for Grim's office and knocked on the door.
"Come in," Grim called and I opened the door. "Ah, Zexion. How goes the construction?" he smiled brightly at me and I held back a grimace, keeping my face blank.
"Quite well thank you. We're almost at the finishing stages and are in dire need of a wand."
"A wand?" Grim asked, his eyes narrowing suspiciously on me as the flicked to Mark who was standing awkwardly off to the side.
"Yes. You will recall I talked to you about it two nights ago at our meeting."
"Ah, yes. You know plant growing spells?" Grim asked, focusing on Mark.
"Yes sir," he answered as his eyes flicked to me. "And some water spells. I think it may be useful for the dam since it's almost done."
"Yes, I agree," he answered and bent down to open his bottom drawer. "What's your name again?"
"Mark, sir: Mark Sewers."
"M….M…." he murmured to himself and he flicked through the bottom drawer and finally pulled out a case holding a wand. "Found it." He smiled and pressed a button and a few seconds later three of Grim's personal guards walked into the room, wands out and ready. "Here, I'm assuming this is yours," he said and held it out, handle first.
Mark took it with a solid grip and flicked his eyes towards the three guards that were trained on him. "It's mine," he answered and slowly drew the wand from Grim's grasp.
"Now, I'm trusting you not to do anything rash with it and to bring it back once it's done, otherwise my loyal guard dogs will take you down without reservation, and I'm sure you don't want to die just yet, correct?" He said cheerily but there was a hint of suspicion and threat in his eyes.
Mark shivered and glanced around again the people around him before nodding. "Agreed sir. You can feel assured that I will return it once we no longer have need of it."
"Good," he smiled and sat back in his chair. "You can go then." We all turned and left. Just as I was about to walk out the door, Grim spoke up again. "Zexion?"
"Yes sir?" I asked and turned back to face him.
He smirked at me. "I'll see you tonight."
Nodding, I shut the door with a grimace and led the way down the corridor towards the gardens. Walking over to the rows of seedlings that a group had planted, fertilized and watered earlier that day, I pointed them out. "They're all yours."
Mark nodded and waved his wand at them, muttering a long and complex one worded incantation. They all sprouted and grew happily within about thirty seconds to a minute. A few of the workers I was assuming weren't magic users stopped and stared in amazement.
I caught sight of an argument going on in another corner and sighed, tapping the wand holder on the shoulder. "You know where the rest of the trees are, correct?" He nodded and I nodded back in satisfaction. "I'll leave them to you. I have to go and sort this out. Is that alright?"
"Sure, leave it to me boss," he answered with a grin and strode off confidently in the direction of the closest tree lot, which was in the paddock. He was followed closely by the two bodyguards, their wands pointed at him suspiciously.
Wiping my forehead, I turned to look up at the sky which was just starting to tinge with orange. Almost time to finish up I think. Deciding to sort this argument out first, which was rapidly becoming physical, I walked between them, listened, gave orders, and then signalled for the bell I'd found in the shed to be rung, signalling pack up for the day.
With happy sighs echoing around the place, everyone picked up their equipment and began carting it back towards the shed, where it would remain dry for the night. I headed inside before everyone else and walked up to my room to have a shower. Closing the door behind me, I locked it from the inside and blinked in surprise when I noticed a letter hovering over the bed. Quickly walking over and grabbing it, I opened the letter and sighed when I noticed it was from Xigbar, and his ever present bad humour.
Hey Zex,
I think I found out where you are. You're in Russia! It sounds like 'hurrah!' How are things on your end? You're managing okay? Everyone here is worried about you so you'd better be okay! You are, right? Talk to me when you get this!
Xigbar
Shaking my head, I brought the letter into the bathroom with me, so no one would find it if they walked into my room, and quickly showered before heading back out and getting dressed. Replying to Xigbar's letter, I sent that off before stretching out a hand curiously. I hadn't tried this since I had the magic ban lifted a little. Attempting to open a portal, I blinked in surprise when I managed to, panting a little at the extended attempt to keep it open.
A knock on the door broke my concentration and the meagre dark corridor I had created quickly disappeared into dark wisps. Straightening my clothes, I walked over and opened the door. "Yes?" I asked the girl as she bit her lip and blushed a little, fiddling with the skirt of her skirt.
"Um… I was wondering… actually… we were all wondering… we being everyone… if you would like to, um, have dinner… with us?" she stammered and looked up at me hopefully.
I nodded. "Why not? When are you eating?"
"Now," she said shyly with a relieved smile.
"Just give me a minute," I said and turned back to get my coat, slipping the letter into the pocket. Zipping it up, I nodded at her and we stepped out of the room and walked towards the kitchen together. The moment I walked in, cheers erupted around the room and I blinked in surprise and looked at the large crowd of people.
"Three cheers for Zexion!" Mark yelled and the entire room broke into chorus of applauds again.
Leaning over so my mouth was close to her ear, I surveyed the room of cheering workers and guards in confusion. "Did I miss something?"
She shrugged with a grin and skipped off towards group of impressed looking females, curtseying cutely as she turned back to look at me with a bright smile.
"Zexion, come here!" Mark called and I scowled before wiping my face blank and complying.
"What's going on?" I asked as I was pulled up onto the table in the centre of the room beside Mark.
"We have this tradition here, amongst us guards which has now opened to the workers as well, to get to know our own co-workers better. We do this every Friday, and seeing as you're the newest arrival, and the most curious, you were voted in for tonight's questioning. Is that alright with you?"
"I don't really have much choice, do I?" I responded dryly but nodded anyway. "Ask away."
"Who wants to be first to pick a question for the great Zexion tonight?" Mark called loudly and a chorus of laughs erupted around the room. I smiled wryly and nodded at the person Mark chose with their hand up, which happened to be the girl that came and collected me. She skipped forward and stuck her hand into a tub, which I noticed had a lot of folded papers in it.
"What is Zexion's full name?" She read out and looked at me curiously.
"Just Zexion," I answered loudly.
"Surely you have another name," Mark urged with a grin.
I shook my head. "I did once, but not anymore. It's just Zexion now."
"Well that's boring," Mark muttered and held out the box again, this time choosing a younger male in the crowd. "What does your question say young man?"
"Um… is says… are you an alien?" He grinned as a few laughs rippled through the room.
I thought on it before answering. Technically I was an alien. I wasn't from their world. "Yes."
"So our boss is an alien," Mark enforced with a care-free laugh and a grin. He clapped a hand on my shoulder and held the box out to another person, who picked another piece of paper. "What's it say Jerry?"
Jerry grinned and looked up at me seriously. "When was your first time?"
"First time in what?" I asked in confusion before understanding dawned. "Oh, it was years ago. I lost it to a co-worker."
"Details?" Mark pushed and I rolled my eyes before answering.
"We went partying, got drunk, and things happened. The end. Next question."
The questions continued like this for another half hour before there was only one more question left. "I believe the honour of the last question is yours," Mark said and knelt down, brandishing the box holding the question at me like it was a ring box and he was proposing to me.
Pulling the last question out of the box, I opened the paper and read it. How do you plan to get us out of here? Frowning, my gaze scoured the crowd of people until I my gaze locked with Bill's. He smiled nervously with a shrug. Sighing, I waved the paper with a small smile. "Like this," I answered, much to peoples confusion and called up a dark corridor behind me. Stepping into it quickly, I let it collapse around me the moment I was through, standing in the betwixt between two ends of the portal, listening to the silence and then the cheers rose up around me.
My breathing was quickly getting faster and a light sheen of sweat rose to stand out on my forehead. I need to get out of here, I thought quickly and opened a portal for my room. Stumbling out of the portal, I quickly dismissed it as I fell to my knees, breaths coming in short gasps as my eyelids attempted to flutter shut. Staggering upright, I stumbled over to the bed and collapsed on it, face down. I needed to get this magic limiter lifted altogether if I was going to get this sorted out.
The lock clicked over and I quickly sat up as the door opened, turning to look at Grim as he swept into the room and gave me a good look over. "You started without me? How rude," he said with a smirk as he shut the door again and locked it. "Or maybe you just couldn't wait."
"I'd say it was the latter just to be polite, but it was neither," I answered dryly and he smirked.
"Well, I like it when you look like you've already been sex rumpled," he answered and pushed me down onto the bed, settling over my hips heavily. "It suits you."
Shrugging, I inwardly sighed and began unzipping my coat. I did not want to have to deal with this tonight. "I've had a long few days. Honestly, all I really want to do is sleep."
"Since when are you honest?" Grim teased lightly as he finished unzipping my coat for me and pulled it off, tossing it in the corner of the room somewhere.
"When it's most beneficial to me," I answered with a smirk and gasped loudly as he began rubbing me through the fabric of my pants.
"Well then I guess it's beneficial to you now. Tell me, do you want it?" he asked huskily and leant down to lick my ear.
"God yes," I gasped and threw my head back into the pillow as he did lick my ear. Call me shameless, but I did enjoy these moments. They weren't only beneficial for him.
"Good answer," Grim laughed.
