Zemyx owns. That is all. Enjoy!

WARNINGS: nosy Roxases, talkative Zexions, and happy Demyxes

Roxas was eating breakfast when Sora finally walked in. Most of the others had already left, although Axel was still somewhere around. Roxas wasn't exactly sure where, but he guessed it was probably the bathroom.

"Morning, Sora!" Roxas said cheerfully as Sora entered the kitchen.

"Hey, Roxas," Sora replied. "How was your prom?"

"I got cockblocked by evil penguins. I see you didn't have the same problem," Roxas said, noting that Sora was walking a bit funny as he approached the table. "How'd it go?"

"How sad for you." Sora chose not to answer the question.

"Was it that bad that you can't even talk about it?" Roxas raised an eyebrow.

"I just don't think you need to know."

"Boring," Roxas said, sticking his tongue out. "Did Riku at least feed you this morning?"

"Yes."

"Good. I'm glad he's being a good housewife. Axel didn't feed me. I had to get my own damn food."

"It's your house."

"Riku cooks food for me in my house."

"Because he doesn't trust you in the kitchen."

"Hey now," Roxas objected. "That's not fair. I've been feeding myself for over ten years. Just because I don't normally LIKE to cook doesn't mean I'm not trustworthy in the kitchen."

"Uh huh." Sora didn't look convinced.

"Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about," Roxas said, poking Sora. "Remember your birthday last year?"

"No."

"Damn, you might want to work on that memory loss. I cooked you an entire fucking feast."

"I'm also pretty sure that's the year you decided to introduce me to alcohol."

"The alcohol came after, silly," Roxas said. "You're just trying to get out of admitting that I'm fucking awesome."

"I thought you were fucking Axel? Not awesome." Sora didn't normally swear, but he made exceptions for quoting.

"Axel and awesome are practically the same thing. If you tell him I admitted that, though, no food for you for a month."

"Riku would feed me."

"Riku would feed a rampaging dinosaur if it looked hungry enough."

"Exactly."

Roxas grinned. "Do his parents know about last night yet?"

"...I really hope not."

"I hope they do," Roxas disagreed, shaking his head. "I told Riku that if they found out, there'd be cake. He would owe me a slice of that."

"Well, if there's cake..."

"And you'd get smothered in motherly love and affection. Love and cake and sex! Win-win situation."

Sora looked thoughtful. "Maybe they should find out."

"Did you guys make enough of a mess that extra laundry will have to be done?"

Sora shrugged.

"...How can you not know that?" Roxas looked at him. "I mean, that's kind of something you would generally notice."

"Didn't say I don't know."

"You're foiling my plotting attempts with your dodginess, you know. I do not approve of this."

"Too bad," Sora said.

"Oh well," Roxas said, shrugging. "If I actually cared enough, I could worm all the details out of Riku. He'd tell me if I was persistent enough."

"Probably."

Roxas got up from the table and ruffled Sora's hair, giving his friend a small hug. "I'm happy for you, Sor."

"Thanks, Rox."

"If Riku's mom doesn't throw Riku a party, maybe I should take care of it. Both of you were long overdue on the getting laid thing. We can get you drunk and try for a round two!"

"Oh god."

Roxas grinned. "I would just have to spend the night at Axel's, because as much as I love you two, I don't want to hear that."

"You could just go somewhere far enough away in the house."

"True," Roxas said. "That would be less fun, though, wouldn't it?"

"No."

"Awe, Sora actually likes having me around?"

"Sometimes."

Roxas poked Sora. "Sometimes? Always, you mean."

"No."

"Then no cake for you," Roxas said firmly.

"Mean."

"Says the boy who just told his best friend he isn't fucking that he only likes him around sometimes."

Sora shrugged.

"Anyway, I've got stuff I should probably be working on."

"Oh. Okay."

Roxas looked at him. "You almost sounded disappointed."

"Nah."

"Oh. There I go again, thinking you actually care," Roxas teased.

"Shush."

"Nope."

Sora pouted,

"Either way, I have work and Axel to attend to."

"Have fun."

Nodding, Roxas said, "Feel free to pop in. I don't think we're going to be doing anything."

"I... don't think I want to take any chances after last time."

Roxas grinned. "Oh, come on. It can't have been that traumatizing."

"Traumatizing or not, I don't want to see it again."

"Yeah, yeah. Still. As long as you knock, you should be okay."

Sora shook his head. "I think I'm gonna go nap. I'm still tired."

"Sleep well."

"I will."

"Holler if you need anything," Roxas said.

"Mmkay."

Waving, Roxas left the room and headed back to his bedroom, where Axel was sprawled out on the bed.

The redhead looked over when he heard someone enter the room. "Hi."

"Hi." Roxas settled in on the bed next to him. "Not get enough sleep?"

"No, no. I did."

"Good. If you didn't, I'd force you to pass out in my bed."

"I'm fine."

Roxas nodded. "Did you have fun last night?"

"Mhmm," Axel said, snuggling up to Roxas. "Did you?"

Roxas smiled, shifting so that he was laying down next to Axel. "I did. It was nice."

"I'm glad."

"I'm not sorry I asked to have sex," Roxas said. "I'm a little embarrassed about how I did it, but I don't regret it."

"I don't regret my answer."

"I figured as much."

Axel shrugged.

After a second or two, Roxas said, "I don't know that I like it, but I'm going to respect it."

"Sorry."

Roxas shook his head. "Not allowed to apologize."

"Okay..."

"If you don't want to have drunk sex the first time, then we won't have drunk sex the first time. You're allowed to have your opinions, and if I made you apologize for them, I'd be a bigger dick than normal."

"I'm not apologizing for my opinion. I know you're frustrated with the pace. That's what I'm sorry for."

Roxas shrugged. "It's not just about me, though, is it?"

"I dunno."

"It's not. If you were some guy I met at a club or a party or whatever, it would be all about me. I'd be drunk and horny and I'd get what I wanted and never see you again. That's not the case, though. You're my boyfriend, and I care about you. If you don't want things to go as quickly as I do, then they won't. I can deal."

"Thanks, Rox." Axel closed his eyes. "Normally, I wouldn't care, but... something about this relationship makes me want to do things right, ya know?"

"Trust me, if you talked to my friends in some of the past places I've been, they would tell you that me being this patient and accommodating is a sign that the end of the world is coming." Roxas snorted at the thought. "It's not my normal course of action, but I want to make this work."

"I'll take your word for it."

Roxas kissed Axel on his cheek. "Thank you."

"Love you."

"Love you, too."

Zexion was not incredibly fond of parties. He left that kind of stuff to Demyx and Roxas and Axel and the others. He went along with their plans, but parties just weren't his thing.

However, this time of year, he could not really escape parties. After all, Demyx's birthday was coming up quickly. He had let Roxas and Axel know, hoping they would take care of it. Ultimately, though, it ended up being Zexion and Axel that worked out what they were going to do on Demyx's birthday. They had known the blonde longest, after all.

The water park had just reopened for the year, so they decided that that was where they wanted to spend most of the day. Demyx would love it, of course.

The most fun part of the entire thing, Zexion thought, was not saying a word about it to Demyx. As it got closer and closer to Dem's birthday, the blonde kept dropping hints and reminders, hoping someone would say something. Zexion instructed the others to act like they didn't notice. It was a bit cruel, he knew, but it would make the surprise on Demyx's face that much better.

Zexion arranged to go over to Demyx's house on the Saturday before his birthday. When Zex told Demyx he was coming over, he claimed that it was just to work on studying for finals. Demyx seemed almost disappointed.

That morning, Zex drove over bright and early and knocked on the door.

Demyx opened the door, smiling when he saw Zexion. "Hi."

"Hey," Zexion said, smiling slightly. "There's been a change of plans."

"What do you mean...?"

"Notice I have no backpack?"

"Um..." Demyx looked. "I hadn't until just now."

"Can I still come in, though?"

"Of course you can!" Demyx moved out of the way.

Zexion smiled. "Perfect. Mind if I go grab something really quickly?"

"Go ahead..."

Zexion wandered back to Demyx's room, opening his dresser and pulling out his swimming trunks. Then, he went to the bathroom, where Demyx kept his beach towel and his goggles. He walked back to the living room and handed them to Demyx. "You're going to need these."

"I am?" Dem looked confused.

"Yup. Do you need sunscreen as well? I have some in the car, and it should be enough, but..."

"Umm..."

Zexion smiled at Demyx's baffled expression. "Are you ready to leave?"

"What are we... Where... I'm confused."

"Do you trust me, Demyx?" Zexion asked.

"Of course I do," Demyx answered automatically.

"Then come on. Let's go get in the car."

"Okay."

The pair walked out to the car and got in. Zexion turned the music on.

"So, do you have any idea of what's going on yet?"

"Are we going swimming?"

"Slightly more fun than that."

Demyx blinked. "What's more fun than swimming...?"

"Swimming and water slides?"

"Oh!"

Zexion grinned. "We're off to the water park."

Demyx grinned hugely at him.

"Did you seriously think I would forget your birthday, Demyx?"

The blonde played absently with the bottom of his shirt. "Well, no... but..."

Zexion frowned. "You did, didn't you?"

"No."

"Okay," Zexion said, but the frown did not fade.

"I really didn't. I promise."

Zexion nodded. "I believe you, then."

"Then why are you still frowning...?"

"Just thinking." Zexion smiled. "Anyway, the others will be meeting us there."

"Really?"

"Yup."

Demyx smiled.

"So that is the plan. How does it sound?"

"It sounds perfect."

"Good." Zexion beamed. "We're almost there."

Dem looked out the window of the car, looking significantly more excited than he had previously. Zexion saw the expression out of the corner of his eye and laughed slightly as they turned into the parking lot. They found Roxas' car and parked next to it.

"Well, we're here."

"Yep!"

Zexion glanced over to the car next to him, which the other three were climbing out of. "Everyone's here. You ready to go?"

Demyx nodded furiously.

"Then let's do this."

The pair got out of the car and met the rest of their friends outside. They all entered the water park and regrouped wearing swimwear before exchanging the usual greetings and birthday wishes.

"So, where to first?" Roxas asked Demyx.

"The tallest one here," Demyx said, pointing at the slide that was towering over them.

"Wait," Roxas said, frowning. "You don't like heights with roller coasters, but you're fine with the tallest water slide?"

"I feel safer in the water than I do some stupid cart. Plus, it's over quick enough and I get to swim around after reaching the end to get out."

Roxas shrugged. "Let's go, then."

Off they went.

After they had gone on almost all the water slides, they went into the pool area for a while to swim. Demyx and Axel ran straight into the water, splashing and messing around. Xion was content to float around by herself. Zexion was sitting on the side, dangling his feet into the pool. Since he looked entirely too serene, Roxas decided he was going to go sit by Zexion for a while.

"Hey," he said, plopping down next to Zexion, splashing the boy slightly as he let his feet down into the water.

"Hello, Roxas."

The two were quiet for a few minutes. For all the time Roxas spent with Zexion, he did not know the gray-haired boy as well as some of the others. He did not really know what to talk about with him when they were not discussing school. So, the two watched their respective boyfriends swim around in comfortable silence. Axel looked annoyed when Demyx splashed him in the face, but with Dem sporting an enormous grin, Roxas knew that Axel wouldn't be able to stay annoyed for long.

"How do you do it, Zexion?" the blonde asked.

"Do what?"

"Handle Demyx," Roxas said.

Zexion grinned slightly. "If I received a quarter for every time I have been asked that, I would be almost as rich as you are, Roxas."

"Still, it's a valid question. He acts like a five-year-old kid half the time, and you're the only one of us that has any common sense or maturity. Doesn't he grate on you?"

"Are you sure you really want to know? It's a bit of a long explanation."

"The long explanations are sometimes the only worthwhile ones," Roxas responded.

"Okay," Zexion relented. "Do you want the objective answer or the more personal one?"

"Both."

"You are rather demanding today," Zexion said, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm just curious."

"Well," Zexion said before trailing off. He was trying to think of the best way to word things. "Objectively, it probably should annoy me. The fact of the matter is that he is often rather immature, and our personalities are dramatically different. I honestly suspect that it might not entirely be his fault, though."

Roxas looked at him. "Huh?"

"You yourself said he is immature half of the time, correct?"

"Yeah..."

"Well, that's only half the time. He will have days at a time where he is like this-energetic and childish and sometimes annoying. But then, it is like a switch flips, and his mood changes completely. He gets into ruts, sometimes with nothing to provoke them. Then, he'll be happy in a few days, like nothing was wrong in the first place."

Roxas frowned. "I never really noticed it being that bad. I mean, he has been moody and all lately, but I figured it was just because we're getting to the end of the school year. We've all got mixed feelings."

"Nope," Zexion said, shaking his head. "I mean, yes, that is a part of it. It is not a new trend, though. The psychologist in me suspects it might be some sort of disorder, but I don't know what it is, or if it is really anything at all."

"Have you ever said anything about it to him?"

"No, I haven't. After all, I am just a teenager with a year of AP Psychology under my belt and a copy of the DSM-IV. I am not going to tell him he has some sort of psychological disorder when I have zero evidence to back up my suspicion." Zex shrugged. "Besides, his mood swings are not ever serious enough that I have been overly concerned. It is just a niggling thought."

"Hmm..." Roxas looked at the blonde in the pool, who was trying to tackle Axel and failing miserably. "Still, though, there is no psychological disorder that would make him act like a kid is there? Doesn't that get old?"

"That is where the personal half of the explanation kicks in."

"Oh?"

Zexion nodded. "You know, I was determined not to like Demyx."

Roxas looked at him, surprised. "No, I didn't."

"Yup," Zexion said, almost laughing at Roxas' expression. "He was in a few of my classes in seventh grade. I did not know him well at the time. He was loud and overly cheerful, and all I really cared about was making sure I was getting the best education I could get. It was easy to think poorly of him. He did not act his age, he did not seem to care much about class and learning..."

"So basically exactly like he is now," Roxas teased. "What changed?"

"I talked to him."

"...That was it?"

Zexion actually did laugh at that. "We were stuck doing a group project together. I thought he was going to make me do everything by myself, but I was pleasantly surprised. He came over to talk to me right after the project was assigned to work out specifics, and it caught me off-guard. I usually have a knack for getting people right, but I wasn't as dead on with him as I usually was. That was the last period of the day, and we ended up talking for a while after school ended."

"But," Roxas said, looking confused. "I still don't get it. Him caring about school was enough to convince you you should date him?"

"If you told me back then that I would be dating him, I would have laughed," Zexion said. "The thing is, though, that although I am normally right, I know that I am human. I make mistakes. I am not stubborn enough to cling to false beliefs, and when I realized I was wrong about one aspect of his personality, I allowed for the possibility that I might be wrong about other things."

"Were you?"

Zexion shrugged. "I was and I wasn't."

"Meaning?"

"I was right about a lot of things," Zexion said. "He generally did not care about school unless it was something that interested him. He was loud and overly energetic. I had thought that that was a bad thing, though, and it wasn't. It only took one long conversation with him for me to realize that. He was also kind and honest and... real, I guess. He was who he was, and instead of annoying me, like I thought it should, I found it almost refreshing?"

Roxas looked at him. "And you seriously didn't know you liked him."

Zexion grinned. "It doesn't work like that, Roxas, and you know that. Besides, Demyx is like that with everyone. You don't understand as well as you could, probably, since most of your one-on-one interactions with Demyx have been surrounding Axel. Axel has been Demyx's friend longer than I have, and Demyx tends to be very protective of him. He has seen him get hurt before, and even though you seem to be a decent person, you have already managed to upset Axel enough for it to bother Demyx several times since you two became friends. He is a bit cautious around you. When Demyx really likes a person, though, it is like... turning on the sun, I suppose."

"I don't understand."

"It was the thing that changed my opinion of him most," Zexion explained. "It was the reason that he did not annoy me like he should have. I had never actually interacted with him properly-everything I knew was comprised of my observations from afar. When I actually spoke with him, though, he was not as easily distracted or as hyperactive as I thought he would be. He listened to every word I said. He was responsive and honest, and he seemed like he actually cared about what I had to say. It was not a feeling I was used to."

Roxas looked at Zexion. "You know, I think this is the most I have ever heard you say at one time. You're not quiet like Xion is, but you do not usually have this much to say."

"Yeah," Zexion said, smiling. "I have strong feelings on the matter. A lot of people just discount Demyx before getting to know him. They say he is infantile or obnoxious. I have had lots of people ask me why I put up with him. The truth of the matter is that I love him. Even before I had considered dating him, even before I considered the fact that I might have stronger feelings for him than friendship, I knew he was important to me. You haven't met my parents, but I am assuming you have heard me talk about my dad?"

"A little."

"He isn't exactly the most accommodating man most of the time. A lot of the time, it is all about his priorities and what he wants from me. He is not unfriendly, but he can be a bit demanding. I think that was part of the reason that Demyx stuck out to me so much in the first place. With Demyx, it is rarely about what he wants. I mean, he does make it perfectly clear when he wants something. I've always found that refreshing. Really, though, Demyx cares about me more than almost anyone. Right from the start, he was willing to look past the 'shy nerd' categorization that I was stuck with. He wanted to know who I was and what I wanted, and that meant a lot to me from the very start."

Roxas looked back at Axel and Demyx, who were being told off by a lifeguard. "You know, I don't really understand it, still. I guess I don't have to, though. You two seem happy."

"We are." Zexion smiled. "There are times when he does, admittedly, drive me nuts. There are times when he pushes too far or he uses those great big puppy dog eyes of his to his advantage. There are times when I just have to shake my head at him and wonder how he made it through grade school intact. When it comes down to it, though, he can be serious when he needs to be. I don't need him to be serious or mature or studious; I have enough of that for the both of us. I just need him to love me and I'm happy."

"You make things seem so simple."

"They are. I love him and he loves me. If there is one thing I've learned from being Demyx's friend and boyfriend, it is that feelings and logic don't always work together. Sometimes, you just have to recognize a good thing and be happy for yourself. There's no point in overcomplicating things."

Roxas poked him. "I think if you spout any more sappy words at me, you're going to explode, and Dem will have another reason to hate me."

"He doesn't hate you now, but he would then," Zexion agreed.

"Heads up," Roxas said, grinning slightly. Demyx had apparently noticed the two of them sitting there on the side of the pool and thought it was unacceptable that Zexion was not completely soaked. He was starting to head over.

"Well, that is my cue to leave, I suppose," Zexion said. "I apologize for talking your ear off. You were right when you noted that I am not usually this verbose."

"Nah. It's all good."

Zexion slipped into the pool. "One of these days, I should be allowed to question you about Axel, to make up for this."

"Oh, Zexion wants to know the sordid details of my love life?" Roxas said, grinning. "Here I thought you were the academic of us, but you're just a busybody."

Zexion never got to answer, because at that moment Demyx saw fit to grab Zexion's arm and pull him farther out in the pool.

"Bye Zexy!" Roxas said, waving as the boy was dragged away. Having lost his source of entertainment, he decided it was time to go pester Axel for a bit.

When evening hit and the park shut down, they left, heading back to Roxas' house. Tifa and Cloud were home, for once, but they stayed out of their son's way during the party. Roxas and Axel had bought Demyx a giant ice cream cake, although Zexion had cautioned Roxas about letting Demyx have that much sugar at once.

They opened presents not long after the cake, and as a joke, everyone had gotten Demyx both a book and a real present. They only gave Dem the books at first, but when he looked more and more disappointed and confused as he worked his way through the stack of presents, Roxas went back to his room and grabbed the bag of real presents. Demyx's face lit up; he was pleased to see that not even Zexion had given him a book as a real present. Zexion had given him a new waterproof shower radio, since he knew Demyx liked to sing in the shower.

Eventually, the party ended, and everyone had to head home. Zexion offered Demyx a ride, and when they got to Demyx's, the blonde managed to drag his boyfriend inside to spend just a bit more time together.

Overall, it had been a very good birthday, and Demyx was happy.

[TBC]