Another extra chapter, this one of Vexen and his two, adopted children. Yay! And a tiny bit of Lexaeus.
Disclaimer: I don't own kingdom hearts or its characters.
Vexen hardly saw his lover. Lexaeus was a commander running a base to the south and Vexen himself was one of the best medics who often found himself traveling from base to base, tending to things. So, to wake up during his reprieve, a time he took to help his stress with the war and to continue his studies, though some would say he didn't need to study more, to find his lover at his door, two small children hiding behind his legs? It was definitely strange and unexpected, but not unwelcomed.
Some people would point out that Vexen had a bit of a maternal side to him. He did well with patients in general, but he showed a certain softness to children. As he treated the two orphans, tending to their injuries, he got them to warm up to him.
"I'm surprised you came this far north, Lexaeus." Vexen admitted, cleaning young Xion's face, making her giggle when he wiggled her nose a little. He smiled. Oh how he adored a genuine laugh of a child. "You didn't go AWOL, did you?"
Lexaeus gave a curt chuckle, something most never heard with the behemoth of a man. "No, I got permission to come up here for a bit to make sure the children are settled." he stated. Normally he would phrase it as to see you, but society wasn't too open about two people of the same sex being in love; of course, no one would really say they to like it to their faces; Lexaeus was huge and intimidating and Vexen wasn't one to get on the bad side of. Smiling softly, he went over, gently kissing his lover on the cheek. "What do you think?"
"You've made sure they have no one else?" Vexen inquired. "I don't want to force them away from those they know."
Lexaeus shook his head. "No one. They only had each other though they're not siblings… but they do act like it."
Vexen nodded. War orphans. That's what Zexion and Xion were. And they had nothing left but each other, seeming to have come together and decided to make themselves siblings. He smiled softly. "Well, children, if you want, I can take you in. I can't guarantee I'll be around all the time, I'm a medic who travels a lot, but I can do my best. Depending on where I go, I can have you travel with me, too."
"So… you'll be our dad?" Xion asked, looking hopeful. She smiled at Zexion and tugged on his shirt, as though asking him for permission for something. At a gentle nod from the silent boy, Xion squealed and hugged Vexen.
"Dad?" Vexen asked, a smile coming to his face. "I didn't expect to ever be called that… I like it." he admitted. "So, if I'm Dad, what's that make Lexaeus? We are a couple, after all."
"Dad… hmm..." Xion seemed to think it over.
"Father?" Zexion spoke up.
"I can live with that." Lexaeus nodded.
Vexen smiled. "Now, keep in mind, we both work in the military, and especially Lexaeus, you won't always get to see him. But at times, I'll do my best to make sure you can." he assured, pulling Zexion over into the hugging. He laughed when Lexaeus joined them.
Over the years, Vexen took more time off to raise his children. When he went to certain bases while they were younger, he brought them along, teaching both about medicine and treating injuries. Sometimes, especially on injuries that weren't serious, he'd quiz his kids and get them to help; it was for simple things in towns like scrapes and bruises. At times he would even talk about the tailed race, explaining their medical ways and magic.
"Hmm, I think it'd be nice to be at peace with them; I'd happily stay with them a while and learn their ways." Vexen would oftentimes say.
"Dad," Zexion spoke up, "how come you don't see the beasts as enemies? The soldiers do."
"I'm not a soldier, now am I?" Vexen inquired, chuckling a bit. "When you're older, you'll understand better, but we medics tend to see things differently. Soldiers see enemies and allies, battles and protection… but we medics see the aftermath. The injured and the dead… and in the end, we all bleed red."
Hearing their dad, Xion and Zexion held that close to their hearts. It seemed to make an impact on them. Yes, they were still quick to react, but once calm, they would start to see things differently. As they got older and learned more, they saw things far more differently than they expected when they were first adopted.
Vexen did his best to raise his children to be quick, patient, observant, and to cherish their developing skills as medics. He had heard before that the tailed race had medics at younger ages, so when Zexion became one at barely seventeen, it shocked a lot of people, but Vexen was very proud of his son. He was proud of both children for trying so hard; he assumed his daughter would become one in a matter of a few short years herself.
While working at one base under a recently named General, Xemnas, Vexen got the news. His son was unaccounted for in the latest battle. He was then informed that he was needed at General Sephiroth's base to treat a disease that came out of its dormant state.
"Vexen..." Xemnas entered the room. "If you'd rather go to Lexaeus, I will explain the situation to Sephiroth. Or even go to Xion..."
"No… I'm fine." Vexen sighed. "Besides, I'm needed. That explosion at the recent battle… it seems to have revived a dormant disease in one of Sephiroth's men." He stood up, putting the telegram away.
"You shouldn't push yourself." Xemnas reminded. "Look, you may be older than me and I only recently became a general, but..."
"It's fine; work will keep my mind occupied and from dwelling on the dark side of the what if scenarios." Vexen assured. "Besides, Zexion's a medic; the tailed race isn't as bad as some say, especially towards non-military people and medics. I'm sure Zexion's doing just fine. Maybe annoyed, but fine in the end."
"If you say so… but take it easy..." Xemnas stated.
"You can remind me on our way there." Vexen walked out of his quarters.
"Huh?" Xemnas followed him, confused.
"You may be a general now, but I'm dragging your rear with me because you have some injuries I need to keep an eye on, especially those stitches." Vexen informed the younger male. "Besides, who knows, maybe something will come up. I trust my gut in this, I think you may be needed."
Xemnas stopped and shook his head. "Strange old man… just when I think I begin to understand you..." He chuckled a bit. "We leave at dawn then."
"Yes, yes!" Vexen called, continuing down the hall. I'm sure of it… I'm certain Zexion's fine. He thought.
Heyo, lovelies!
I hope you guys liked this chapter. It was nice showing some familial things and how Vexen reacted to the children and when Zexion turned out to be unaccounted for after that battle.
Anyway, until next time!
~chibi