Hey hey, don't own it. I'm not sure I particularly like this part, it was alright, not meh best. :) Oh well. Hopefully the next part like this will be better. I've had sort of an off day. Anyway...yah :) Sorry it took so long...anywayssssssss enjoy it as much as possible. ;)

..Sunny


Nothing ever happened in slow motion for Axel, and it probably never would. Now wasn't any different. Simultaneously, he heard the door creak slightly as it began to open, he saw the shafts of light penetrating the supply closet, and he felt the girl's lips land on his. Always one for quick thinking, Axel tightened his grip around Larxene's hips, drew her closer, closed his eyes, and kissed her back.

Through is closed eyelids, he could feel the light hitting his hidden aquamarine eyes. The door was quickly shut. But this, he didn't notice as the kiss deepened. Their mouths opened, as if on cue, and a small moan escaped Axel's throat as he pulled her closer, if that was even possible. Her hands tightened around his neck. He heard her gasp as he moved his mouth from her lips to her neck, tracing the pale skin with his lips.

And then, she pushed away, slamming backwards into the other side of the closet. A can of something fell and in the dark, Axel could tell it had hit her when she shouted in annoyance. His thoughts were whirling and, alas, he could make no sense of them whatsoever. He knew what the kiss was for. But he wanted…well…he hoped, at least, that maybe she…if she would just think for a moment…


She put her arms up above her head as sponges cluttered down from the shelves above. She closed her eyes, breathing heavily, but keeping it quiet. She didn't want Axel to have the satisfaction of knowing the effect he had had on her. What was it, exactly? That effect? She couldn't believe her own actions had led to…well…that. Her cheeks flushed at the thought of the kiss. She had wanted it. And she had liked it.

But Larxene couldn't possibly let Axel know that. She thought…had the suspicion…maybe…well…slightly anyway, that Axel just might…hopefully have at least a little crush on her…who was she kidding? He could no more want her that way then he could cook a pie. Suddenly, she felt arms reaching around her, pulling her out of the way of the torrent of falling cleaning products. A single thought passed through her mind: I made out with Axel in a closet with 409 and yellow rubber gloves.

She was thankful for the darkness that hid the fire streaming across her cheeks.


The door crashed open as Axel pulled her out. He dropped her on the floor before spinning around to thrust his body against the door, keeping the hurricane of cleaning supplies inside. The clattering noises stopped a few moments later, but he was loathe to even think about opening the door open. But part of him yearned for the darkness of that closet. For now, he would have to see her in the light. Where he could see her distaste. Her regret. He kept his eyes closed and his cheek pressed against the cold door. A silent fantasy was for Larxene to stand up and kiss him.

But after a minute had passed, he knew it wasn't going to happen. He raised a hand to his eyes, the gloved fingers massaging his eyelids. What was he thinking? He couldn't tell…well….no. That was a lie. He knew what he was thinking about. But dirty thoughts weren't going to help the situation any more. In a moment of thinking, he was extremely grateful for the folds of the cloak that would hide…er…embarrassing bulges…

He finally urged himself to pull his hand away and look at Larxene. She was on the floor, where he had dropped her (he cursed himself inwardly for doing so). Her knees were up, her hands out behind her, pushing her up into a sitting position. Her blonde antennas looked mussed and out of order, and her cheeks were rosy. Her eyes were downcast and clouded over, as if she were deep in thought.

Axel dreaded those thoughts. What could he possibly do? Say? She had stopped, pushed away. She didn't want it. He knew. But he had…lost control. He sighed as quietly as he could, rubbing his eyes again. What was he supposed to do? Pretend it had never happened? Act like he didn't care either?


"So," Axel said, not looking at Larxene, but rather down the long, empty white hallway.

"So," Larxene replied. Her voice was slightly breathless. She hoped he wouldn't notice. She was still trying to get thoughts sorted out. Curse Axel for screwing up her mind…

It was quiet. Axel shifted, moving his back against the door. He slid down until he was sitting on the floor a few feet from Larxene, his head against the white marble, his chin slightly upwards so he could only see part of her. She leaned forward, crossing her arms and putting them on her knees. She rested her chin on her crossed arms, looking at Axel.

They watched each other.

He was scared. He would never admit it…but he was. How could he possibly show her this side, the side he hid from the world? The sweet…wanting side…his jaw hardened. He would have to hide it from her, too. Unknowingly, Larxene was thinking the same thing.

"Why'd you do it?" he asked, trying to keep his voice hard. But it came out soft, quiet.

"I don't know," she responded after a moment. But Larxene knew that Axel knew she did. They were quiet, thinking nothing.

"I know why," Axel offered.

"Oh?" She prepared herself for something cocky.

"Cuz you couldn't resist my charms up close," he said with a smirk. She was right. She rolled her eyes. It was silent for a minute or so again. "Why'd you stop?" he asked.

Her biting green eyes staring into his, she answered, "Why'd you keep going?"

Axel tilted his head up farther, so he stared at the ceiling. He closed his eyes. He heard the swishing of cloaks as Larxene stood up. He opened his eyes and moved his head to look at her. She whacked him on the side of the head.

"Keep it in your pants, Axel," Larxene suggested in her usual cold tone. She nudged him with her foot. "You're a good actor," she added as an afterthought. Stepping back from him and flipping up the hood of her cloak, her fingers stiffened, commanding the powers of darkness. In a moment, the swirling frenzy of blackness licked her body, pulling her deeper into the mysterious tunnel.

It took a moment for Axel to absorb it. And in that same moment, she was already withdrawing, her vision clouded by the dark tendrils. On an impulse, he lunged forward, trying to pull her back. A powerful, commanding force grabbed his hand, pulling him into the darkness. It was painful, edging into another's portal. He bit his lip, holding in a shout. But she was pulling away, already gone, and the portal wrapped around itself until it was gone.

Lying on his stomach, Axel let the cold marble floor kiss his pale cheeks. His eyelids fluttered. He felt…tired.


Larxene leaned against the hard door, pulling her hood cloak back down again. It bothered her when it was up. She brushed her hand through her hair. She glanced behind her before bending down to look through the keyhole of the door. She had reappeared inside the supply closet. She was, in fact, surprised that Axel had not sensed the darkness reforming inside the closet. She wanted to see him.

She watched as he pulled himself up, as he leaned against the rose covered walls. He seemed exhausted to her. He looked…sad, almost too. She bit her lip, squinting to see better through the small hole. He bent his head, looking down. She studied the curve of his neck. She remembered the smell…damn he smelled good…

She heard footsteps and tried to withhold a gasp. Axel had heard it too, and glanced behind him. She wondered who it was. It turned out to be Marluxia. She winced. They hated each other.

"Marluxia."

"Axel. What are you doing?"

"Standin' here."

"Oh."

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"Can I help you with something or are you just gonna stand there?"

"I can stand here if I want. You're standing here."

"Well I look good standing here. You just look gay."

"Hey! Watch your mouth Axel. I can report this to the higher ups."

"Does it look like I care?"

"Well. … No."

"Okay then."

"Axel?"

"Yessss Marluxia?"

"Go take a cold shower."

Larxene watched the Graceful Assassin pick his way in front of the supply closet and past Axel. She watched the redhead glare after him before returning to watch him. He looked angry until Marluxia turned a corner. Then, he sighed and rubbed his eyes with a gloved hand once more. She wanted to hold him then, keep him warm, make him feel better. Protect him. Axel turned to face the white wall. He kicked it. With a shout, he picked up his foot and held it while prancing around the hallway on one foot. Larxene, torn between a perfectly mockable situation and being concerned, smiled. Waving his hands around, he summoned a portal and vanished.

She heard something behind her. Straightening up, she immediately turned around. In the darkness, she heard a sigh. Then, a snap of someone's fingers. They didn't know she was there, she could tell. A small flame illuminated the closet in red tones.

"Larx," Axel said, shocked. He used the nickname that irritated her. He was fond of it though. Secretly, so was she. But she wouldn't tell him that either.

"Axel," Larxene replied, equally surprised. She reached around behind her struggling for the door handle.

"Allow me," Axel said, bowing to the girl. He looked up, still bent over. She saw a mixture of feelings, an expression she couldn't quite figure out. But they vanished a moment later. He winked. And suddenly, he warped back out from the closet.

Larxene was stunned. In a flurry of emotion, she kicked the door and pushed it open. She stomped down the hallway and up a flight of stairs, hoping that someone, anyone would hear the heavy, angry thunking of her boots.


Larxene, Demyx, and Zexion sat in the exploration room with Xigbar. The older member kept muttering under his breath, sketching things and paying no attention at all to the others. Demyx was humming to himself, doodling on a piece of paper and inventing his own constellations and stories. He was very entertained. Zexion was quietly reading a book at the table with Demyx, occasionally nudging Larxene to show her a passage that he thought might interest her. She liked that. Not many of the members actually acted as if she might have an opinion or interest in anything. But Axel did. No, she scolded herself, Zexion does. Yes. Zex is nice bout that.

"Hey Xiggy?" Demyx asked, swirling his pencil across his paper in an act of puzzled thought.

Xigbar grunted in answer.

"What are those things called?"

"Gonna have to be a bit more specific, Dem," Xigbar answered ducking down in his chair to search the drawers of his desk for some obscure item.

"The thingy with the pointy part and the swirly…bit…"

Not finding what he was looking for, Xigbar slammed the drawer shut and answered curtly, his voice growing louder with annoyance, "Don't understand a word you're sayin buddy."

Larxene watched this, her forehead resting against the palm of one of her hands. She sat next to Zexion, across from Demyx. Her eyes moved to Zexion. She watched him as he raised his eyes above the book and watched the musician. Sighing, Demyx dropped his head to the table and, predictably, let out a shout of surprise and pain. Larxene, torn between laughing and cooing him, let out a stifled snort and watched the water master with a pitying expression.

"I think you're talking about a compass," Zexion said quietly. Demyx immediately sat up with a pleased expression on his face. Then it drifted into one of confusion.

"But…that's not…what I'm talking about," the musician said, and he glumly swirled his pencil around on the paper again.

Zexion shook his head ever so slightly. "Not that kind."

"Behind you. Sixth set of drawers from the left. Bottom drawer," Xigbar grunted in answer to this. Demyx stood up, stumbled over his chair, and slowly started to count until he found the right set of shelves. He investigated, and, with a triumphant, gleeful look, he pulled out one of the sharp metal compasses.

"Thank you Xigbar…and Zexy," Demyx said, sort of skipping before flouncing down and sitting in the chair.

Larxene watched Zexion carefully. He just shook his head, his silky silver strands of hair swaying back and forth over his face. He started reading as Demyx started eagerly to measure out distances. After another few moments of silence, Larxene contributed, "You have pretty hair, Zex."

With a stolid expression on his face, Zexion continued to read his book and answered in his usual, dry tone, "Thank you Larxene. Is this a matter you've been thinking about a lot…" He turned a page. "Or is this just a statement of the moment?"

She twirled one of her antennae bangs. It popped back into place. "I dunno. Just never thought about it before."

Zexion didn't respond and simply turned another page.

"She's right, Zexy," Demyx said. Zexion was silent. "You do have pretty hair." Zexion raised his eyes over the edge of the book.

"This is certainly the day for strange and obscure comments, although I can't say that they annoy me," the thinker said, before returning to his book. Demyx hummed. Larxene stared at the ceiling that sparkled with stones.

"Who's on cooking duty tonight?" Larxene asked, her hood swinging behind her head as she leaned her head over the back end of her chair. She heard the quiet sketching of pencils stop. No one answered for a minute. Blood rushing to her head, she sat up and looked around.

"Zex?"

"I'm not sure. It's not me."

"Oh…" Larxene turned in her chair and rested her arm on the back of the pearly white chair. "Xig? You know?"

"Naw," Xigbar said with a sniff, and he tossed the pencil in his hand on the table and ran a hand through his hair. He rubbed his eyes with a gloved hand. Puzzled, Larxene's mouth twisted into a thoughtful pout. She heard a cough, hiding laughter. She turned her head around.

"You again Demy? That's nice of you," she said. Demyx quickly shook his head. Slyly, he looked up from his map of imaginary places to meet her light blue eyes.

"Your eyes changed colors," he said. Surprised, her hand flew to her eyes, as if to shield them from his prying glance.

"What do you mean?" she said, her voice muffled.

"They're…like…Axel's eyes."

"No they're not!" she protested. Demyx nodded vigorously. She turned to Zexion. "Do you think they look like, you know, his eyes?"

Zexion sighed and shifted his eyes to look into hers. "They're a lighter shade of aquamarine, almost pale blue…yet there is green still. But no. They don't look like his. His are…bright…bright green…but also mixed, sometimes, with a darker blue, richer."

They heard the scraping of a chair as Xigbar thudded and walked over. His hands on his hips, he bent down to peer into Larxene's face with his one good eye. He brushed a hand over his mouth slowly, rubbing his chin. "Ya…they do look a bit bluer." He straightened up and scratched the side of his head. "Tha's funny…"

Demyx grinned. Larxene crossed her arms and continued to pout. Xigbar cracked his knuckles before walking back to his table to study another geographical book.

"Your face is shaped like his though," Zexion said softly after a few minutes. She looked up from her study of the table's surface to stare at him with ill-hidden shock. She glanced at Demyx. He hadn't heard.

"What do you mean?" Larxene hissed in reply. When he said nothing, she gave him a sharp poke in the ribs. In return, she got a swift glare.

"You heard what I said," he whispered icily. The mastermind looked back down at his book. "And I meant it."

When she could got no more out of him, she stamped her foot down in annoyance, but no one looked. Under the table, she kicked the outstretched knee of Demyx. He let out a yelp of surprise as a shock ripped through his leg.

"What was that for!" the musician yelled.

"Tell me who's on cooking duty tonight!" she answered in a shout. His eyes narrowed.

"No."

"Why not?"

"You kicked me."

"But I…!"

"And it hurt!"

"No it didn't!"

"It did TOO!"

"Did NOT!"

"Did TOO!"

"Did N-"

"SILENCE!" THUD!

The two young Nobodies turned to look. Xigbar, his table shaking from the impact of his slammed hands, whipped around, a menacing look on his face. Quickly, gracefully, it vanished and was replaced with usual swaggering expression.

"You," he pointed to Demyx. In surprise, Demyx mouthed "me?" and pointed to himself. Xigbar rolled his eyes. "Of course you. And you," he continued, accusing Larxene. "You apologize," he swung his finger back to Demyx, "to him."

"For what!"

"Think really, really hard," Zexion said, his page breezily flipping over.

She put her hands on hips. "I'm sorry," she muttered.

"Okay!" Demyx said with a good natured smile and sat back down. Xigbar rolled his one eye and wandered over to a shelf, searching for another book.

"Can't believe you're gonna just take that," Xigbar said, tossing his ponytail behind his head again.

Larxene, bored, "hmph"ed her way from the room and slammed the doors shut behind her.

"I can," Zexion murmured quietly. Demyx glanced up from his map. Their eyes met.

"Shut up," Demyx mouthed.

"Watch your tongue," Zexion responded. "Respect your elders."

Ten minutes passed in silence before the doors banged open once more. Larxene stuck her head through. "Sure you won't tell me Demy?" she asked, her voice dripping with sweetness. Demyx shook his head with a grin. She groaned and slammed the doors shut once more.