A/n: First off, I'm so very sorry for the wait. It's been almost three weeks and I feel horrible, because in reality it only took me about a week to write this all. I hope I didn't slaughter Zexion here…

Second of all, I'd like to say thanks to all who reviewed. Truly, you guys, amazing, as always. Without you guys there would be no point to this story, I aim to please. Thanks to: I'll have some stupid cliché (who can have her cliché, and some cake too), Indiesin (who praises my characterization and humor skills too highly), Orange.tictacs (who calls me awesome in every review, and inflates my ego way to much), undeniiable . xx (who's been here since the beginning, and I might be tempted to marry), and Marcus1233 (Yes, I am a girl, and I'm 17, you were pretty close on the age part. And here I thought I sounded like a 14 year old…).

Thirdly, the whole Demyx loving sex thing. It was so based off of my best friend/big brother Ryan it's not even funny. He'll be turning 20 this month, and basically talks about sex 24/7. He's a bit of a spazz like our darling Demyx, who when deprived from such activites, obviously has it on the brain. I really hope he didn't come off as a sex fiend, because that wasn't my intention. And before you ask, yes, Ryan is gay.

Fourthly, nobody has snagged the free fanfic, so keep on reviewing!

Fifthly, this has taken up to much time… ENJOY!

A/N: Don't own it, don't want it. Kingdom Hearts isn't mine, thank god.

I would think that a normal twenty year old, by this point in their life, most likely has had a serious relationship. I would also go on to presume that this relationship started anywhere from sophomore year in high school upwards. Relationships that start is say, fifth grade, rarely carry on through middle school, let alone college.

Yet here I stand waiting for my boyfriend of seven years, roughly making me thirteen when we first started dating. By my own calculations, that alone makes no sense. I have not met anybody else who started a long term relationship in seventh grade. I do not even know anybody who has been able to maintain a relationship for over six months.

So, what makes me different? Or, shall I say, what makes us different? I suppose I would have to analyze our relationship from the start to figure out how I ended up with him still here today.

Way back when, in a place worse than hell, I was a band geek. French horn, only one in the band, and shoved between the brass and the saxophones. I was also short of stature, as I still am today. I suppose that I would have been made fun of often, if not for the name. Scott. Yes, as in those Scotts, the famous ones, the ones that party with the Rockefellers, I am well aware. I will admit though, that I was a geek, a nerd, and a bit of a loner.

In seventh grade, the band merged with the eighth grade band, and thusly, we were introduced to a whole new lot of children who shared our interest. Though, while we had all played together before, now we would always be performing together. Our first day back, we always sat through those boring introductions, the one the teachers make kids do so they can 'get to know each other'. Half way through the alphabet, was the first time I had ever seen Demyx Peterson.

"Hi! I'm Demyx, and I'm new here this year! I play the piano, sitar, bells, drums, saxophone, trumpet, and I'm really hoping to learn the tuba! I love music, and I'm sure we can all be best friends!" A rather lanky boy, who seemed to be sporting a mullet, rambled off.

The sad truth was; I fell in love at first sight. If I had never experienced the sensation, I would have never thought it existed. Though I will say I did not fall in love, per say, I just took an interest in Demyx Peterson, and was more than willing to keep a close eye on him.

So, with my new interest in Demyx Peterson, I began to stalk the new kid. During the next few weeks, my obsession grew to the point where I became concerned about my mental health, the other side, the less logical one, really did not care. So, I continued following the other boy, hoping to either catch his eye or learn something useful about him.

The only thing I learned was that I was creepy, and Demyx was clueless.

Very soon, Demyx Peterson was popping up everywhere I went. He passed by me in the hallways, had the same lunch period, and of course, band every day. Rather quickly, I knew his schedule well enough to know the precise moment in which to look over my shoulder so that I could catch a glimpse of him. I knew that between third and fourth period he would go to the water fountain and that he would run past me during the break between sixth and seventh she he could make it to art on time.

At lunch, I would sit a few tables away and watched him make new friend. He had that certain amount of energy that drew people to him, people who liked him and wanted to be friends with him. A boy named Luxord, an eighth grader at the time, quickly gravitated to him and brought his friends along with him.

Soon, it was hard to ever see him by himself. He had a faithful group of friends who stuck to him at all times. I did not see anyway how a loner like me would ever get close to a social butterfly like him. I supposed it was time to give up on my little obsession. But in October, Demyx finally approached me.

"Would you like to eat lunch with us?" He was standing over me, smiling. I could not think of what to say; had no snappy reply. Of course I wondered why he asked me. Why now? Why me? Why…why? My hand drooped, revealing my face and rather wide eyes. "Ah! I've heard of that book!" I glanced at the cover, A Brave New World. "Is it a movie?"

"Unfortunately."

"Bad? That stinks. I heard they're making Lord of the Rings into a movie. I hope it doesn't stink… I really liked the books." I did not. "So um, you gonna sit with us?" I nodded, and slowly followed him over to his table. Once there, I sat next to Demyx, raised my book once more, and did not say one word to anybody there. I knew I must have received more than a few odd looks, and I am sure that Luxord was not pleased with my addition. Just one more butt on an already crowded bench.

However, Demyx looked pleased, and I had to hide a small smile behind my book.

So, I joined Demyx's lunch table, and soon became what could be a called a friend. I was satisfied for now, even though I had never been over to his house, or hung out with him outside of school.

"Zexion, are we friends?" Demyx asked suddenly, looming over me as I packed away my French horn. I glanced up at him, forehead wrinkled slightly.

"Acquaintances." I supplied dully, wiping my mouth piece.

"And if I wanted to be friends with you?" He pressed, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet. I noticed he was biting his bottom lip and looked unsure of himself. He looked…cute. I remember thinking that. That he looked really cute, and I would have liked to possibly kiss him, or hold his hand…

"Then act like one, and I will be your friend."

"I've been a good friend to you, Zexion."

"I suppose that makes us friends after all." I locked up my case, and placed it into my band locker. With a resounding click, I looked Demyx in the eye, who was already smiling.

"Friends!" He said, smiling happily, a hand extended towards me.

"Friends." I replied, taking his hand and shaking it. Demyx continued to grin even when I let go of his hand. His hair flopped into his face, and he quickly smoothed it back as the bell began to ring. He threw me one last, beaming, heartbreaking smile, before running off, presumably for the bus.

I stayed crouched down next to my locker, feeling heat creep up my neck. I slapped a hand to the base of my head and rubbed, hoping to get rid of the feeling. My whole face felt tingly, like a thousand little needles were poking at my face.

Above me, I heard a little laugh and a jingle of keys. My big sister stood above me.

"How long have you been like that, Zex? School let out five minutes ago." She didn't wait for an answer as she pulled me up by my backpack, I glared at her.

"It is not any of your business, Whit."

"That's what you say now, baby brother…" She trailed off, looking over her shoulder before pulling me out of the door. "Come on, geek, let's hit the road."

"Whatever."

"God, you're only five steps away from becoming a valley girl." Sputtering, I followed after her.

In December, around the corner of my book, I could see that Demyx was indeed starting to act as if he might've had a crush on somebody. He had all the symptoms. Suddenly he became very self-conscious. Making sure his uniform looked nice every day, his hair somewhat tamed, and giggled nervously every now and then. I could not tell who it was directed at. It could have been anyone. Well, except for me.

He never acted nervous, or cared how he looked like in my presence. My hopes began to fall again. While I was happy to be his friend, I didn't want him to date anybody else besides me. He could have been friends with anyone, as long as he remained single, there was hope.

"Buck up Zexion!" He roared during one lunch, practically launching himself across the table to give me a noogie. I frowned, and tried to push him off.

"Stop."

"I said cheer up! Get outta that funk!"

"Please stop." People were now watching us, and I could feel those damned needles again. I struggled harder, trying to pull myself out of his grip.

"No, not until you smile!"

"P-Please!" I could feel the prickles migrate up to my eyes. I knew I was on the verge of tears, and I knew everybody else knew it too. Well, except for Demyx. Axel Flynn was laughing. From the two months I had spent at that table, I knew Axel had many laughs. This one, however, was the worst. It was cruel, high-pitched, and totally at my expense.

"Demyx let him go." Luxord snapped, so fiercely it made Axel shut up too. Demyx let me go, and shot a look between the three of us, first to Luxord, then to Axel, and finally to me. I knew he was confused. I completely understood why he did not understand why I hated being the center of attention.

Demyx craved it. He wanted to be the focus of everybody in the room. Everything he did was to get people to look at him. Meanwhile, I shied away from attention as much as possible. It was not as if I had gone through anything traumatic, it was just part of my personality.

So, I simply stood up and left. I could feel them still watching me as I marched out of the cafeteria, book clutched in a death grip to me. I kept my pace even, controlled, just making my way to the bathroom. Once reaching it, I locked myself in a stall and read my book.

There was only about ten minutes left of lunch period, and Demyx entered the bathroom when there was only five minutes left. He poked his head under the stalls, looking for me. When he did, it was with my nose stuck in Death of a Salesman. He crawled under the door, and stood in front of me, looking a bit ashamed.

"That's a play, right?" He asked, toeing at the floor. "I've heard of that one." I merely nodded, and Demyx looked even more embarrassed. "Look, I…"

"You do not have to apologize."

"Yes I do! You said stop, but I didn't listen. I just, you know, was kidding around. I didn't think I'd hurt your feelings or nothing! If I'd knew I'd make you cry-,"

"I did not cry." Which was a lie, and anybody with half a brain could have seen that I had been crying. My eyes were slightly puffy, and my face still wet.

"I was just…not paying attention. I should've listened to you. I would never embarrass you Zexion! Never on purpose."

"Whatever."

"You understand, don't you?"

"Yeah, you just wanted to show off. You know, make the stupid loner kid cry, or something among those lines. Make yourself look all popular, and what not. Yes, I understand perfectly Demyx."

"Zexion! No, that's not what I wanted at all!"

"There is no use pretending. You could at least be honest about it, if I am being used and all."

"I'm not using you! I would never, ever do that! Not to anybody!"

"So what does that make me, Demyx? A nobody? Is that all I am, a big fat nobody?"

"No! You're not even listening to me! I'm trying to apologize to you!"

"Well I do not accept it."

"You have to! You said we were friends."

"I said we would be friends if you treated me like a friend. That was not treating me like a friend."

"I rough house with everybody. They know it's just kidding around!"

"Well I do no 'rough house'."

"You what, read?"

"Yes, I read, and you should try it sometime!"

"I read plenty!"

"Like what, Harry effing Potter? That's kid's book!" Demyx's face turned red, and I could practically see him swelling up.

"You can call me an idiot, but don't insult Harry!"

"What's he, your boyfriend?"

"Shut up!"

"Did you cry when Cedric died?"

"N-No!" I laughed at him. It was mean, it was cruel, and I had totally switched the topic on him. Yes, I was hurt, so I took it out on him. I knew that I shouldn't have attacked him, and I knew that it was wrong. But, I didn't care. "You're a jerk! I now I know why nobody is friends with you!" With that, he exited the bathroom. Not crying, not flouncing off, just left.

After that I went back to reading, and to class and back to life the way it had been before Demyx dragged me to his table.

Once again, I was sitting by myself at lunch, reading one book or another. Sitting at the back of the classroom, being ignored… Typical Zexion.

Demyx and I however, did not have a chance to rekindle our friendship. He avoided me for the most part, or was away with his parents. I was too antisocial and proud to suck it up and approach him myself. Thusly, we drifted further and further apart, until I did not think I would ever have a chance with Demyx ever again.

March of 2001 had me rounding a corner on my way to Cooking 101 when I overheard Demyx squawking away at Luxord.

"Truth is; I've got a crush on somebody." Luxord's only reaction was two raised eyebrows.

"That's nice and all, Demy, but I don't really have any advice for you."

"B-but you've had girlfriends! People ask you out. How do they do it?"

"They just came out and said it. It's a simple 'I like you', or 'Would you like to go see a movie." Not as complicated as you're making it out to be…" Luxord wad fiddling with his backpack, clearly wanting to go to his next class, but like the tragic look of utter despair was keeping him rooted to the spot.

"But what if h-she says no?"

"H-she?" Luxord mocked, suddenly not so distracted, a grin splitting onto his face.

"She!"

"Really now? I wouldn't laugh, you know; if it was a bloke. Suppose that's why you're asking me anyways…"

"You wouldn't?"

"Nah, very modern I am. 'Sides it's not me, now is it?"

"No! Of course not!"

"It's not that Zexion kid; is it? He seems a little creepy, 'specially since he made you upset and all." My heart skipped a beat or two. It literally stopped beating for a good few seconds before starting up again. My breath hitched, I most likely had a bit of a 'swooning fit'. Hoping, praying that Demyx Peterson liked me. That I was the mystery person he had a crush on.

"Well then, who is it?"

"Axel…"

"Flynn!" I could have died. Of all the people to like Axel Flynn! Axel Flynn who was a jerk, a bit of a bully even? Axel Flynn who enjoyed laughing at people? The same Axel Flynn who caused Professor Vexen to have a nervous breakdown in the middle of class? That Axel Flynn?

My heart was beating loudly in my chest. Too loudly. I attempted to take some nice long breaths, trying to calm it down. After a few minutes of this I started to choke. I could feel myself start to hyperventilate. My fingers started to feel tingly, and my face was being poked by those needles again. I swayed slightly before crashing down to the floor, world gone black.

When I woke up again, Whitney was standing over me, clicking her tongue.

"Such a drama queen…"

When I returned to school, nobody treated me differently. I was still ignored, still made fun of behind my back. Demyx and his crew still ignored me, and I continued life as always. Curled up in a book, and attempting to block everything else out.

In April, as I made my way to the parking lot, and to my big sister's car, I heard a rather startling conversation.

"Wanna make out or something!" I hid behind a corner, just peeking around enough to see Demyx and Axel standing alone in a deserted hallway.

"What?" Axel took a few steps away from Demyx, looking confused.

"I…uh…I like you Axel! I'd really like to go out with you."

"I'm going to miss my bus Dem. I should get going…" He was still backing away when Demyx caught him by the arm, dragging him back, and looking pathetic.

"I said I liked you. I want to go out with you."

"Look, I like you too Demyx. Just…I'm not ready to date. Anybody."

"You've dated Larxene!" He squeaked, desperate.

"That was different."

"Why! Because she's a girl?"

"No, because she wasn't annoying like you! Let go, goddamnit!" Demyx squawking indigently, only now Axel was halfway down the hallway, and wasn't looking back.

Slowly, I walked over to Demyx, who looked like he was about to cry. I placed a hand on his shoulder. After all, I knew how it felt to be rejected, even if I had never confessed to Demyx. I still knew how it felt to like somebody, who would never like you back.

"Zexion…" He murmured softly, bowing his head. "I really liked him."

"You are not annoying."

"Really?"

"I would not lie to you. Would you want a ride home? My sister is outside."

"That'd…be nice. Thanks Zex, you're a really good friend." I could see him smile, and offered him one of my own; small, feeble, but there nonetheless.

"Thank you." Small smiles still on our faces I escorted him out of the building. I knew even though Axel had crushed him, even though he had just been rejected, that he would bounce back soon enough, and that is what made Demyx so wonderful in the first place.

The next week, I went back to sitting with Demyx at his lunch table. School was ending in May, and we had already been separated for the last four months. So, Demyx attempted to make up for lost time. He dragged me into conversations with the rest of his group, he made me socialize. It was all for the better, however, it made me self-confident. Suddenly, when May rolled in, I was ready to face Demyx, and the crush I had on him for the last ten months.

We were standing at Demyx's locker, and I was waiting for him to finish packing up his bag for band, our last class of the day.

"I just finished Timeline, you'd really like it. Its uber geeky!"

"I will be sure to pick it up." Lies.

"I hope they don't make it into a movie…" He trailed off. "Why do movies always ruin the books?"

"The authors and directors do not have cohering visions on the material at hand; that is why."

"Right…"

I could hear his lock click into place, and turned to face him. We stood, together, small smiles on our faces, and the needle pricks returning, poking at my cheeks.

"We should get going." Demyx finally supplied, gathering his pack, and adjusting his uniform. He waited a few moments for me to join him by his side before we walked towards the band room.

We stood, side by side, in the crowded hallways. Suddenly, I turned to face him, looking him square in the eyes, even though I had to crane my neck to do so.

"I really like you Demyx."

"I like you too Zexion. You've been a really good friend to me. Even though we kinda drifted for a while there…"

"No, I like you Dem."

"I like you too, Zex." He said, winking. I could feel the prickling start up again and Demyx shouldered me. He grinned. "You're my best friend."

"You are not mine!" I was now the one squawking, and Demyx whipped around to look at me, looking shocked.

"W-What!" He squawked right back at me. "B-but I thought-," I cut him off, suddenly launching myself forward and latching my lips onto his.

It was my first kiss, and as he would later tell me, his too. And we stood rather awkwardly like that, eyes wide open, and me on my tip-topes, squashed together.

Behind us, people were whooping, and giggling. The needles pricked at me ten-fold, but I didn't dare break eye contact with him.

Suddenly, I saw Demyx lean down, and pushed me back onto solid ground as he placed both of his hands onto my cheeks, effectively covering up my blush from our audience. His eyes were closed now, and his nose was wrinkled up, just like in our math class when he was working on a problem he could not quite figure out. Just as suddenly, something bit my bottom lip, and my mouth opened up in surprise. My blush deepened, first because I thought I ruined our kiss, secondly because a tongue had just entered my mouth.

My world went black, and I was convinced that I had fainted again. Surely people were not meant to go this long without breathing. It took me a moment to realize it was because my eyes had clenched shut of their own accord. I let out some rather embarrassing noises as Demyx continued to kiss me soundly.

The next thing I knew, I was being dragged backwards by our gym teacher, and Demyx was being pulled the other way by our English teacher. Mr. Lexeaus had a firm grip on my sports jacket, and Mr. Xaldin had just a tight of hold of Demyx's backpack.

"Principal's office." Mr. Xaldin snapped, pointing in the corresponding direction with a rather frightful looking pen. "Now!"

Sighing, I rested my head up against the plaster behind me. Really, that lovely trip down memory lane had done no good. I was nowhere close as to figuring out why we were still together. I waited a few minutes longer, wondering if Demyx and drowned himself in the toilet.

My fears however, were moot as he came bounding out of the men's room a few moments later. His lanky frame towered over mine as he made wild gestures at the bathroom.

"Holy crap! Zex, there are hand dryers by freakin' dyson in there! Like that vacuum company!" He looked like he was about to pee himself in excitement. "My maid has a vacuum by them!"

"I knew that already, I live here, remember."

"…You live in the mall?"

"No, I live in Providence."

"So you knew and you didn't tell me!" He was squawking again. A habit he had never really grown out of.

"I did not deem it as important."

"Dude! Dude…, my skin freakin' rippled when it was drying my hands! How is that not important?"

"I am severely sorry for my miscalculation, Demyx, it will never happen again."

"It better not, or your ass will be on the line!" With a grin, a bit more crazy than normal, he tugged me off in the direction of the escalators. "I so wanna see that 'Neighborhoodies' shop! I so wanna sweatshirt that says "I heart my super rich boyfriend", or something!"

"I can barely wait." Truthfully, I could hardly wait. In the end, Demyx loved me. Only me, forever me, and all because I had put my neck out on the line in seventh grade, which, in hindsight, was worth it.

A/n: Really quickly. This takes place about a day after the last chapter. Demyx and Zexion are currently in Providence Place, a mall in Providence, Rhode Island. Yes, there is a store named 'Neighborhoodies', who makes custom clothes, and they do have dyson hand dryer as well. The 'prickles'/'needles', is Zexion blushing, in case you were confused. And and, Xaldin's pen looks like his spears...

Remember to review! They're the one thing that really keeps me going. Without reviews, this story wouldn't exist. Let's try to get it up to 34? Hmm, hmm? I know there are enough of you out there. And remember, if you review, you could win a fanfic!

Next up, we return to Chicago, and Axel! Yes, it will be a rather festive chapter!