Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts, but (insert witty remark here).
Jessie: So...I realized just how long its been since I've done anything…I just haven't been able to write lately.
Joh: But Jessie, all we've been able to think about lately is Otakon.
Jessie: …See, this is unfortunately true. The time we usually reserve to help one another out with our storylines has been handed over to the lovely subject of Otakon.
Joh: VicexMo forever!
Jessie: And…Ultimo?
Joh: No, Jessie, don't call it that, remember?
Jessie: Oh yeah…n'ways, I had another chapter of this ready to post, so I thought I'd update something before I left for a few days. So enjoy!
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I've known Axel for a while, now. He's one of those friends you know you'll always treasure forever mostly because of the memorable times you've had together.
It's only been three years, and we've had enough "memorable" experiences to last us a lifetime (but that could just be me speaking; that pyromaniac seems to thrive on 'em).
But what makes Axel special to me is the way we met in freshman year. I used to be a hell of a lot weaker before I met him—running away from physical fights was more to my tastes, and I was damn good at it. I told myself I could get myself out of a sticky situation if I really had to.
But… well, I'd never exactly experienced getting double teamed by two college students, like, twice my size before.
I'm still not even quite sure what it was I did that must have ticked them off, but one minute I'm walking down the courtyard path back to my dorm room to meet Zexion, and the next I'm tackled forcefully to the ground.
That's probably the point at which I would've started running in any other scenario, but you hafta remember that there's that dumb Murphy and his stupid laws. So the way these jerks push me, I not only manage to twist my ankle beneath me, but to simultaneously smack myself in the windpipe, consequently rendering myself unable to speak. Ouch, much?
Yeah. So how stupid do I feel for having fallen asleep in those required self defense demonstrations in class? Oh, no Demyx—why would anyone in this world ever wanna assault you?
Oh, right, maybe just 'cause they can?
Anyway, I'm already in pain, so they just sit back a minute to sneer about me being a stupid, weak (no duh) freshmen for a bit –what were their names? Umm…right, sorry—Seifer 'n Rai– before one of them (I think it was Rai) kicks me in the stomach. Now, unfortunately I'm not very pan resistant, so I'm already starting to tear up—I admit it, I'm a bit of a crybaby, okay?
But before they can really do anything worse, this redheaded kid comes sprinting from out of nowhere, and starts yelling at the two bullies (this guy had the most colorful vocabulary I'd ever heard) to leave me alone. When they see him, however, they just laugh--but I can tell they're nervous now 'cause their laughter suddenly sounds strained.
The new guy only has to snarl and let one loose on Rai before the two take off running—just as fast as I would have initially run away if given the chance, mind you.
The student simply plops down beside me –looking a lot more calm– before asking if I'm alright. So I, being me, deem that it's kind of been a while since I've had the wind knocked out of me and try to speak (must've been the wrong choice, though, 'cause I start coughing like crazy).
But he smacks himself in the forehead, however, muttering an apology and saying that he shouldn't have even asked yet. So he just sits back to wait another five minutes.
I know—what?
I stare at him like he's crazy (I mean c'mon, here's some random guy I've never even seen before who, for whatever reason, decides to swoop in and help me out and then, as if he hasn't already done enough, chooses to wait around to make sure I'm gonna be okay. Isn't that a bit much?), and… well, I must've had some funny look on my face, 'cause he takes one glance at me and starts cracking up like I just told him the funniest joke in the world.
"I think you an' me'll get along fine, kid," he says, looking amused—and I decide I like his low voice.
"Don't worry about those jerks; it's like their lifelong mission to beat up anyone that they happen to find irritating for some reason or another. Hey, don't look like that, I can't see anything worth not liking about you just yet. And don't worry, they'll be sorry one day—that'll be the day they pick one with me. Anyway…" and now he looks at me seriously.
"So d'ya think you can talk yet?" I swallow and, now that the pain isn't quite as excruciating as before, I nod slowly.
"What's your dorm number? I saw you take a tumble—d'ya need help getting back?" he asked, smiling reassuringly when I nod only hesitantly.
"It's…on the sixth floor of the main building—ninth door down—on the right from the stairs," I manage to whisper, and suddenly I'm back up on my feet again, leaning against this guy's surprisingly strong frame.
"Oh!" he suddenly exclaims as we're heading down my path again, albeit much more slowly than before.
"Sorry, I totally forgot. My name's Axel Turk. That's A-X-E-L. Commit it to memory," he said smoothly, and I notice how easily the introduction rolls of his tongue, and I wonder if he recites those very same lines regularly. He glances at me from the corner of one surprisingly vivid green eye.
"And your name is…?
I manage to pull on one of my signature 100-wat grins, and he lets out an easy bark of laughter at the sight of it; I suppose it must've been funny, though, to see such a bright smile on such a battered-looking person.
"Demyx…Mizu."
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▪▫ ∫Chapter Two∫ ▫▪
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"Demyx. For the love of all things good, would you get out the door before we're late?" Zexion sighed impatiently, casting his gaze up to the ceiling as he wondered exactly how he'd put up with his best friend's last-minute habits for as long as he had (approximately thirteen years).
"All right already, Zex!" Demyx replied as he slipped on a black T-shirt to top his azure, long-sleeved one to match his black jeans.
"Geez, Zexion, don't you ever wear anything that's not dark?" Demyx complained as he took in Zexion's black attire which consisted of dark jeans and a button-down dark shirt. Zexion sent him a blank look which the blonde read as one of his usual "you-very-well-know-the-answer-to-that-so-let's-not-waste-any-more-time-and-leave-already."
"Okay, okay—whatever," Demyx waved away, laughing as he slipped on his backpack.
"And now…we go!" Demyx declared dramatically, marching out of the door and making a sharp right--
"Demyx, the cafeteria is this way…"
--before quickly changing his footing so that he stumbled, caught himself, and continued to stride off the other way, blushing slightly (Zexion followed behind shaking his head, but he was smiling slightly).
"Sooo, who're we meeting for breakfast?" Demyx asked brightly, turning around to face the slate-haired teen so that he was walking backwards, arms stretched out to the sides as a precaution in keeping his balance.
"I received positive responses from Axel and Sora—so I expect those two plus my brother, Roxas, and perhaps even a somewhat neglected Marluxia," Zexion replied, slipping his sleeve up his arm to glance at his watch, nodding to himself in relief to see that they were still running on schedule.
The two friends approached the cafeteria –one skipping, one walking– only to be stopped at the door by a happy-go-lucky sophomore they recognized as none other than the bubbly and energetic—
"Yuffie!" Demyx laughed pleasantly as the girl pounced on him, pulling him into a tight embrace.
"Demyx, my summer was waaay too quiet without your music!" she cried suddenly, jumping away so that she could point at him accusingly with playfully narrowed eyes.
"Well I'm sorry Yuffie; but you very well know my sitar stays with me," Demyx laughed, reaching out to ruffle the girl's dark hair. She didn't even bother to struggle to keep up her angry façade for another mere five seconds before she broke out beaming.
"Aww, that's so not fair, Demykins--you know I just can't stay mad at you!" she scolded amiably, shooting an arm out to pinch the blonde's cheek lightheartedly.
"But I've actually gotta go for now—The Great Ninja Yuffie is on yet another mission to locate the elusive Cloud Strife, and so I must be off!" she proclaimed, offering the two juniors a quick devious grin and salute in farewell before she ran off.
"Mmm, isn't it great to be back here to see all these familiar faces, Zexion?" Demyx asked merrily as they wandered into the large dining hall, glancing at the older Nomura expectantly—accepting Zexion's brief, small smile as answer enough.
The very moment they came within sight of the already-bustling Starbucks perimeter, they caught the attention of a certain, easily excitable brunette who immediately stood up and began to wave them down furiously, only stopping when a laughing Riku forced him to take a seat once more.
"Good morning guys!" Sora exclaimed, sapphire eyes sparkling. His chipper morning attitude elicited a bright laugh from Demyx and even managed to make Zexion smile—for, as usual, the perky boy seemed near to bursting with joy.
"Good morning, Sora," Zexion greeted politely, placing his bag neatly by the feet of one of the two chairs Axel had managed to reserve for him by lying straight across (the redhead grumbled about having to be moved from his accustomed position, but was easily silenced with an icy look sent his way).
"I believe it's my turn--the usual, Dem?" Zexion asked casually, already setting off towards the counter of the coffee shop, but hesitating as he glanced back over his shoulder to receive a nod from his best friend before continuing on his way.
"So, did you guys sleep well your first night away from home?" Demyx asked.
Strangely enough, the musician didn't receive the expected reaction from his bubbly cousin who, instead of responding with a cheery affirmative, blushed deeply and looked away. Demyx blinked in his confusion before turning concerned eyes to Riku, who slipped an arm around the brunette to give him a slight squeeze.
"Sora just a little emotional last night, is all," Riku explained calmly before turning his attention to the brunette to smile kindly and murmur a reassuring "there's absolutely nothing wrong with that" (which only made the dark-haired teenager flush even more darkly).
Reassured that he knew his cousin had made it through the night all right in the end, he turned to smile at the twin with the morning attitude on the other side of the spectrum, only to find Roxas glowering determinedly at his Riku from behind his cup of coffee.
"What's wrong, Rox? You're not exactly the emotional type--didn't you sleep well?" Demyx asked confusedly. Roxas remained silent, choosing to focus on nursing his coffee. Axel, on the other hand, let out an easy laugh.
"'Sleep well?' Demyx, this kid sleeps like a rock—d'ya have any idea just how hard it was to get him up this morning? I swear; you try to wake him, and he instinctively tries to throttle you in his sleep," Axel joked, ignoring the razor glare that the blonde chose to now shoot in his direction. Demyx simply shook his head, grinning.
"Oh no, I totally get what you're saying 'cause, y'know, the only way I can actually get him up easily is by--"
"Demyx, shut up right now or I swear you'll regret it," Roxas growled, blazing blue eyes daring his cousin to speak another word. However, the look the blond sent the junior that usually would have guaranteed Demyx's silence only caused the sitarist to grin mischievously.
"Hey Axel, commit this to memory—Roxas is one of the most--"
"Demyx, shut up--"
"--I know, it's so strange; you totally won't believe me until you try it, but it's true; he's actually really--"
"Demyx, I swear--"
"—Very—"
"Demyx."
"Ticklish!" Demyx squeaked excitedly before jumping up from where he sat to run around to hide behind Axel, giggling madly as the blonde made to lunge at him with a furious growl.
"Demyx, I hate you," Roxas grumbled, closing his eyes as he leant down to rest his chin down on the table, his fury quickly subsiding as he seemed to deem it still too early to overreact.
"Really now, Roxy? I would've never guessed," Axel claimed, green eyes shinning with interest.
"…'Roxy?'" Demyx repeated slowly, a disbelieving grin forming on his lips after a full five seconds had passed without any protests from the irate blonde. Roxas opened one eye to glare at him.
"Don't you get any ideas, Demyx," he warned wearily. "This dimwit here wouldn't shut up about how he was entitled to deeming it his personal pet name for me, saying I was in his debt from accepting the invitation to share his dorm," Roxas spat, but there was no real fire behind his words--merely a resigned tone as he seemed to accept his fate.
"Axel…I think you just might've accomplished the impossible; I think…I think you might've tamed Roxas," Demyx stammered tentatively from where he stood behind Axel; ocean eyes wide in amazement.
"Demyx, do us all a favor, and shut up," Roxas muttered sleepily, nestling his face into the crook of his arm and promptly falling asleep on the table, forgoing all further futile attempts to wake up with caffeine.
"Here you go, Demyx," interrupted Zexion's soft voice, and Demyx eagerly reached out to take the offered beverage, impulsively bringing the cup to his lips to take a sip.
"Mmm, thanks Zexy," he said happily, licking his lips to ensure he didn't waste a drop of his favorite drink.
Demyx flopped back down into his designated seat, immediately sprawling out into a comfortable position while Zexion gracefully sat himself down, carefully brining his own drink to his lips as he regarded the blonde beside him now engaged in a conversation about how Sora, Riku, and Roxas' first classes at RGU would go.
Axel abruptly realized he was smiling somewhat giddily while he stared at the (sinfully delectable looking) blonde sleeping as someone tapped him impatiently on the shoulder. Schooling his features into one of his usual nonchalant expressions, he tore his gaze away from Roxas and turned his eyes to the newcomer.
"A little birdie told me that you'd invited a freshman to take my place in our dorm room this year, Axel. Is this true?" Marluxia asked as he looked up from examining his meticulously painted nails—however, he didn't sound angry in the least, merely curious.
"Yep--and isn't he a catch?" Axel joked admiringly, nodding with a wry grin to the blonde Strife twin sprawled out on the table. Marluxia himself even had to let out a chuckle at the sight, and shook his head—long pink locks swaying about with the motion.
"Just promise me you'll at the very least try to keep your hands off of him for the first few weeks, lest you traumatize him for life?" Marluxia teased, placing his hands on his hips as he leered knowingly at the tattooed teen.
"Oh, don't worry Marly—this one's different; he puts up a fight," Axel said, licking his lips as his gaze settled on the dozing freshman. Marluxia laughed gaily, before his attentions were captured by something else entirely: Sora.
"Well now, who's this cutie?" Marluxia gushed; reaching out to coyly twirl a stray lock of brown hair around his finger, remaining purposefully oblivious to the withering glare Riku sent him.
"I'm Sora!" the brunette bubbled, not disturbed in the least by Marluxia's antics, merely grinning happily at the adoring "aw" that escaped the pink-haired junior's lips.
"My name's Marluxia, or Marly if you want—and I -was- previously Axel's roommate, but it seems he doesn't want me anymore--" and here he let out a playful, indignant huff in the redhead's direction before continuing--"so I'm just moving into my girlfriend Larxene's room permanently," he finished with a dramatic flip of his hair.
"And it seems as though Axel here finds this sleeping beauty here to be quite a catch," he winked suggestively, nodding at the dozing teen. Sora blinked, glancing between the smirking Marluxia, his twin and Axel, who wore an incredulous expression before letting out a giggle.
"Oh, you mean Roxas? He's my twin brother!" Sora beamed–as usual, oblivious to any and all romantic hints. Marluxia blinked in surprise, blue eyes darting between the siblings.
"That would explain the similar adorable traits," Marluxia mused thoughtfully, before offering an innocent smile to (the still ruffled) Riku.
"And whom do I have the pleasure of meeting next?" Marluxia purred, leaning down to prop his chin up on the palm of his hand as he gazed interestedly at the silver-haired Nomura.
"Riku," the boy managed to reply tersely. Marluxia stared back at him for one long moment, taking in his appearance before suddenly reaching out to gently thread his fingers through Riku's bangs.
"Dear me, how do you manage to keep your hair looking so sexy?" he asked, eyes wide with disbelief. Riku stared back at him, looking somewhat shocked before replying with a offhanded "two hours of every morning spent in front of the bathroom mirror, that's how," but now the teen was fighting back a smile (it seemed as though he'd concluded that, as Marluxia treated him in the same, playful manner as he had the admittedly lovable brunette, their pink-haired companion had not in fact been coming onto his best friend but was merely blessed with an overly-friendly personality).
At last Marluxia managed to stop gushing over Riku's long locks and, after moving on to briefly bubble over Demyx as well (much to Zexion's barely hidden displeasure), bade the group farewell, swaggering off to return to where he and Larxene had supposedly been sitting.
"He seemed really nice, didn't he?" Sora observed, looking up to Riku inquisitively.
"I guess," he admitted with some reluctance, smiling at the goofy grin Sora offered in response to his answer.
"So, what now Demy?" Sora asked suddenly, turning his gaze to where his cousin was chattering away to a quiet Zexion, who would nod every once in a while to show that he was indeed listening.
"Hmm? Oh—uh, well, what time does your first class start?" he asked.
"Dunno, hang on a sec," Sora replied, before turning his gaze back to Riku.
"Hey, Riku, when does our first class start?" he asked, tugging intently on Riku's shirt.
"We've got first period English at nine thir--"
"--'Kay thanks," Sora interrupted before turning his back on a vaguely affronted-looking Riku to look back at Demyx.
"Our first class is at nine thirty," Sora echoed cheerfully. Axel turned to raise an eyebrow at Demyx's grinning cousin before shaking his head.
"Damn, could you and Blondie be any different? What do you two have in common?" he snickered. Sora perked up at that inquiry.
"Ooh, there's a lot things actually. We both love the beach, coffee, pudding and watching movies with popcorn late at night! It's nearly impossible to wake either of us up, but I'm kinda more of the morning person. Oh, and we're both really, really ticklish! But Roxas doesn't like it when I tell people that," Sora explained, nodding fervently.
"Heh--hey, Dem, it looks like I would've found out about the ticklish factor eventually anyway, what with this chatterbox," Axel chuckled, smirking almost fondly at the bouncy teenager.
"So tell me--are the two of you ticklish in the same places?" Axel asked casually, but now there was a predatory gleam in his eyes. At this time on the other side of the table, Zexion suddenly picked up Demyx's and his drinks from the table, thrusting Demyx's cup into the surprised sitarist's hands without explanation.
"Yeah, I think so. Why?"
"Oh, I was just curious; 'cause y'know, that would mean that I could find out where Roxy's ticklish right--now!" Axel declared triumphantly as he suddenly leapt over to where Sora was sitting to grab at the brunette's sides.
"Ahahahaa—A-Axel—gah!—n-hahaha-nooo!" Sora managed to gasp out between peals of laughter before he was overtaken by an intense fit of mad giggles as Axel mercilessly tickled him.
"Aha-Ri-ku…! Hahaha! Riku, help!" Sora begged; tears of laughter streaming down his face as he desperately tried to fend off the smirking redhead's quick hands.
"I don't know, Sora—after cutting me off like that before?" Riku replied with amusement, settled back comfortably as he was entertained with the sight of his best friend enjoying himself with their new company.
Demyx grinned at the sight, muttering a quick thanks to Zexion for moving his cup before he took a long sip, feeling very much content. Even Zexion couldn't quite manage to completely repress a small smile as he watched the commotion unfold.
"I'm—AXEL ST-AHA-OP—I'm sorry! 'm sorry, 'm sorry—hahaHA! RIKU, PLEASE!" Sora screeched, kicking out in a feeble attempt to drive off the playful redhead, who merely caught the brunette's right leg and grabbed at his thigh; unable to hold back his own snickers of amusement as Sora let out a rather girly shriek of laughter in response.
"Alright, alright—I think you've tortured him enough, Axel. Let 'im go," Riku smirked, chuckling when the tattooed junior only reluctantly released the nearly hyperventilating teen, allowing Sora to catch his breath.
"Th-that was…re-hic!-ally mean," Sora muttered, his pout only deepening when he hiccupped half-way through his telling off and Axel burst out sniggering.
"Aw, but So-ra, you're waaay too irresistible not to mess around with," Axel purred, ruffling Sora's already-messy chocolate locks.
"Yeah, well… well you can mess around with Roxas, not me," Sora sulked, utterly oblivious as to how it sounded as though he were giving his brother's (very much interested) roommate permission to molest his twin. Axel gawked disbelievingly at the brunette before sending a glower in a snickering Riku's direction.
"So, Demyx?" Sora asked, glancing purposefully in the giggling musician's direction.
"I'm…I'm sorry, what were you saying, Sora?" Demyx managed to ask (with only a slight waver of laughter lacing his voice) while hiding his smile behind his nearly empty cup.
"Remember? I was asking –hic!- what we're supposed to do –hic!- now," Sora reminded him impatiently.
"Oh yeah! Well, now you guys just, uh… go to class, I guess, and—uh…" Demyx looked uncomfortable for a moment before he leant over towards Zexion.
"Zexy, I can't remember what we did on our first day," Demyx admitted sheepishly. Zexion closed his eyes and stifled an exasperated yet amused sigh before focusing on the eager brunette.
"Your first day won't really be anything too special--that I can guarantee you," Zexion began calmly, setting his cup of tea back on the table.
"The schedule for the first day of classes is simple, but it also depends on the teacher directing the class. You'll most likely just spend today introducing yourselves to your teachers and fellow classmates, but as Axel, Demyx and I have learned, some teachers have their… eccentricities," Zexion said at last, sharing a knowing look with the two other aforementioned students.
"And then you never know who might be running those electives you sign up for," Demyx chimed in delightedly, grinning at the puzzled look the freshmen now wore.
"Really? Like who?" Sora asked curiously.
"Oh, I'm sure you'll find out for yourselves soon enough," Axel replied, a hint of badly hidden glee in his voice. Sora merely shrugged, hiccupping softly as he looked about curiously.
"So, uh… does anyone know what time it is?"
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"I can't believe you, man!" Axel managed to wheeze out giddily between laborious gulps for air as the three students (or four depending if one chose to include a comatose body of a student) at last reached their destination.
Which, of course, had to be situated halfway across the campus.
"Shut up, Axel," Zexion replied curtly, sending an exasperated glare back toward the redhead struggling to keep up at their pace before decidedly grabbing Demyx's wrist (not the other way around, for once) to pull his giggling, dirty-blonde best friend of thirteen years along even faster.
"Aw, c'mon, Zex—lemme have my fun! This has gotta be like, the one and only time in history where Zexion Nomura himself lost track of time and was actually almost late to class!" Axel cackled gleefully, stumbling and hurriedly righting himself as he nearly tripped with the additional weight on his back, which made it difficult to continue at the quick pace they were walking at.
"Shit! How heavy can one small freshman be? I swear he wasn't this heavy ten seconds ago," Axel complained incredulously as he managed to catch up with his two other hurrying friends, shifting Roxas so that the (still sleeping) blonde was centered on his back and not hanging over further to one side than the other, throwing the pyromaniac off balance even more than necessary.
"I know, it's amazing--when he tackles ya, it's, like, totally impossible to get up until he's good and ready to," Demyx laughed breathlessly, pulling his backpack back up onto his shoulder from where it had slipped down to dangle at his elbow.
"Here it is," Zexion broke in; his tone more relieved than he usually would have sounded as he made a sharp left in order to guide them towards a door labeled 777 in neat black numbers. The three stopped abruptly at the doorway, however, not even bothering to step all the way into the unfamiliar classroom.
"Umm… well, this… this is…different," Demyx piped up at last, gazing about the room with wide eyes.
It seemed the rest of the students already present in the classroom thought so as well, for nearly everyone was busy glancing about the room with interest.
The clear, white walls of last year had been crammed with posters. Some of them listed what must have been every single possible human emotion. Others depicted the brain, text on the right hand side explaining what each individual section controlled in the body.
Oh, and the room had been repainted with the darkest black imaginable ("black like the Devil's soul," Axel commented dryly as they dropped their bags by the last three empty seats situated towards the middle of the classroom).
"It seems as though our psychology professor has different tastes than what the last teacher who taught in this room did," Zexion added warily at last, sounding slightly taken aback himself. Then he abruptly turned on Axel, frowning as something that didn't fit properly in the picture finally clicked in his mind.
"Axel. You're still carrying Roxas."
Blink.
"Yeah, and?"
"He has first period Eng--"
"Aw, fuck!" Axel hollered in his exasperation (his outburst causing many heads to turn towards them in surprise) before grabbing the freshman's bag from the floor. He dashed out the door with a string of angry curses, taking off back down the path that they'd just come; making sure to keep Roxas in a secure grip the whole while.
"I do hope that wasn't one of this period's students," a new, silky voice murmured thoughtfully, breaking the awkward silence that had passed over the bewildered students (Zexion and Demyx shared a knowing glance for Axel's sake).
Everyone stared at their professor's unusual appearance, but he continued striding confidently to his place behind the desk at the front of the room, dropping a neat stack of papers on its surface before gracing his students with his piercing golden gaze at last.
"My name is Saïx de Lune, but you will call me Professor Saïx. And I will not by any means tolerate that type of foul language in my classroom. Have I made myself clear?" he demanded coolly, allowing a calm smile to play on his lips as most of the students nodded vigorously, sensing the underlying promise of pain in his authoritative voice if they were to object.
"Good. I'm glad we've come to an understanding. Now then, any other teacher in this school would have probably taken this first meeting as an opportunity to welcome you to the study of psychology, and explain just why the content that we'll be covering is of use to you in the real world. However, as this is my class, I'll simply spend this period informing you of the criteria you'll need to follow in order to make it through this subject without failing."
And then suddenly, that calm smile seemed to be frighteningly predatory. From the corner of his eye, Zexion caught the panicked look that had taken residence on his best friend's face.
"I'll warn you that I am a tough grader--quite possibly one of the toughest graders you'll ever experience. I have no room for suck-ups in this class. I do not want to hear any complaining of any sort from those who think I provide you with too much work. I despise whining. You will not receive credit for work handed in late--I do not believe in accepting late work. And above all, I do not tolerate slackers."
Slowly, Demyx angled his face to glance uneasily at Zexion.
It was going to be a long year.
X X X
"My life is over."
"Demyx, don't be so dramatic--"
"Oh, you know it's true, Zexy; I'm a goner," Demyx moaned helplessly, gazing mournfully up at the sky as he and an exasperated Zexion headed towards their next classes.
"I always only barely manage to pass in classes where I'm terrified of the teacher, and that's only because of you," Demyx groaned, letting his head fall to rest against Zexion's shoulder.f
"Not that I'm not thankful, Zexion, but you know what I mean," Demyx grumbled, crossing his arms and pouting as he decided that the opportunity did indeed warrant a good sulk.
Zexion sighed, deciding that the best move was not to say anything at all for the time being, and allow the blonde musician to mope about his situation until he came to his senses himself.
"So what class do we have next?" Demyx mumbled, straightening himself up as they approached their classroom.
"Well, you have math here this period, while I have AP history with Professor Yen Sid another flight up," Zexion replied, nodding his head slightly towards the door they had stopped in front of.
"I hate math," Demyx grumbled, somehow managing to look even more downcast than he had before. Zexion frowned before reaching out to touch Demyx's shoulder gently.
"You'll be okay, Dem," he murmured softly; offering the sitarist a minute smile as he let his hand drop back down to his side, turning to head down the hall. After Zexion paused to turn back to bid the blonde goodbye with a wave, Demyx was left standing in front of his classroom, looking off in the direction the slate-haired teen had gone. He contented himself with the thought that he'd see his friend again at lunch as he pushed through the door—
Only to let out a cry of delight as he spotted, and instinctively raced towards, a familiar face.
"Marly!" Demyx exclaimed, throwing his arms around the startled teen.
"DemDem? So we actually do get to have a class together?" Marluxia asked, eyes wide in disbelief, as though the prospect was too good to be true.
"Looks like it!" Demyx grinned, immediately sitting down in the desk directly next to Marluxia's—suddenly grateful that Zexion had successfully gotten him to his next classroom before the seats had filled up, even while his friend had been wallowing in his self-pity.
He'd have to make sure to thank Zexion for that later.
In the meantime, though…
"So, d'ya remember who we have for math?" Demyx asked curiously, reaching into his pocket to slip out and unfold his crumpled schedule.
"No, I can't say that I do," Marluxia replied with a helpless shrug, leaning over to examine Demyx's schedule for himself.
"Let's see, uhh… psychology with--no… huh, how 'bout that."
"What?"
"Well I'm not really sure this is right, but if it is, then our math teacher this year is--"
"'Ello students," a familiar British accent greeted amiably—surprising Demyx so much that the blonde felt the need to point and splutter at their teacher's appearance.
"L-Lux…?" he asked in a small voice. The blonde man at the front of the room glanced calmly in his direction before offering him a small smile.
"Can I help you, Mr. Mizu?" he asked, aqua eyes sparkling as he repressed his laughter at the dazed look on Demyx's face.
"You never told me you were going into a major in math!" Demyx declared, a wide, disbelieving grin slowly spreading across his lips.
"Well, Ducky, you never asked," Luxord replied easily before glancing about at his new students.
"Sorry there, mates--now that we've cleared things up a bit for Mr. Mizu here, we can get down to business. My name's Luxord Chance, but you can call me either Professor Chance or just Luxord; it merely depends on your preference," he informed pleasantly, crossing his arms and leaning back against his desk.
"If anyone is wondering as to why Mr. Mizu seems to be so shocked as to my position as your teacher, that can be attributed to the fact that I just graduated from this very college last year. However, I trust that some of you were already aware of this, albeit you managed to keep it to yourself," Luxord said, the ghosts of a smirk playing on his lips.
"But let's not dillydally any further; I think it'd be best if we got started," the blonde teacher declared as he glimpsed the clock. He pushed himself up from where he rested languidly against the front of his desk and, upon picking up a sheet of paper resting on its surface, he moved to the whiteboard behind him to copy something from the paper.
When he stepped away, Demyx blinked uncertainly before he leant forward to frown at the board—he could see Marluxia doing the same from the corner of his eye.
"Since we're not supposed to begin anything educational today, I thought it might be fun for us to place a little bet if you're interested," he suggested. At his words, an interested murmur spread across the room, Demyx and Marluxia exchanged an amused (but admittedly exasperated) glance, and a girl's hand immediately shot up.
"But Professor, isn't that illegal?" she asked dubiously.
"Oh, what the administration heads don't know won't hurt them," Luxord scoffed, waving his hands impatiently. With that said and done, the blonde man was all smiles again.
"Now… who wants to bet on the possibility of the Strife and Lionheart seniors ending up together by the end of this year?" he asked, glancing about knowingly.
There was a loud outburst of laughter and chatter at this, and almost immediately the math teacher found himself hastily copying down the proposed agreements and objections he was suddenly bombarded with onto the whiteboard, beneath the names "Cloud" and "Leon" respectively.
Demyx couldn't quite repress the wince that came with the sudden pang of sympathy he felt for his cousin.
X X X
"They bet on what?"
"Yeah, I know—it's funny, right? I mean, you would've thought that Lux of all people would've remembered that Cloud's my relative when he chose him as the victim of his next major betting pool," Demyx said thoughtfully. Zexion looked mildly disgusted, having always detested Luxord's constant gambles. Axel, on the other hand, seemed to find the situation quite funny, if his steady laughter had anything to say anything about it.
"So, whose side was he on?" Axel blurted out, unable to contain his inquiry. Zexion shot the redhead a sharp glance, but Demyx seemed unaffected by his cousin's situation.
"He's pro-get-together," Demyx laughed, unconsciously tugging on a loose thread on the hem of his shirt as they walked.
"Damn, sucks to be him," Axel said, his words contrasting oddly with his cheerful tone and smirk.
"Hey, d'ya know if he's taking bets outside of your class?"
"Axel Turk," Zexion sighed irately, shaking his head at the exchange occurring beside him.
"Don't think so—sorry. We're not supposed to let it get out that the betting pool's even taking place," Demyx shrugged.
"Demyx, aren't you even a little bit worried for Cloud's sake?" Zexion asked dubiously, sending a wary glance at the musician.
"Of course I am, Zexy!" Demyx replied, looking at the bluenette in surprise.
"But I'm also kinda worried about someone else…" he admitted, shoulders slumping forward slightly. Both Axel and Zexion turned to regard Demyx at the sudden change of demeanor.
"Who?" they asked simultaneously.
"Roxas."
"Really? Why?" Axel asked with a frown, oblivious to the slight shudder of accord that passed through the smaller student beside him.
"Ah, well… you see, Roxas doesn't take very well to his brothers getting picked on," Demyx explained. Axel merely blinked.
"Broth…ers?"
"Well yeah—Cloud's my cousin, remember?" this time it was Demyx's turn to blink.
"Whoa whoa whoa—hold up; d'ya mean to say that Roxas and Sora--"
"—Happen to be Cloud's younger twin brothers, yes, Axel. Congratulations on yet another brilliant conclusion on your part," Zexion announced dryly.
"Shut up Emo Kid," Axel huffed crossly as he shot Zexion a glare, which Zexion returned with a withering stare of his own.
"But seriously Ax—you didn't notice the similarities between them?" Demyx asked, struggling to keep a straight face at his friend's output demeanor.
"Well, I guess Roxas kinda looks like Cloud, but--"
"--Are you serious? They're practically identical, save the difference in their heights!--"
"--They really kind of are Axel--"
"--I just take longer to make connections between these things, okay?" Axel finally snapped, making a point of talking over his protesting company.
At this point, neither Demyx nor Zexion were able to contain their mirth, and Demyx simply stopped walking as he doubled over with laughter while Zexion stopped beside the overcome sitarist, bringing a hand up to cover his mouth in a vain attempt to hide his smile. Eventually even Axel himself couldn't continue to glare at his friends, and allowed a reluctant grin to play on his lips.
"Alright, alright--so sue me, I'm oblivious," Axel cried out, waving his arms dramatically for emphasis.
"He declares it as if we weren't already quite aware of the fact already," Zexion muttered, reaching down to help the still-giggling blonde to his feet.
"Hey! I heard that! I said oblivious—not deaf," Axel repeated emphatically, shooting a playful glare in his friends' direction.
"Whatever you say, Axel," Demyx said happily, grinning brightly as he wiped tears of laughter from his eyes.
At last the three juniors reached the large cafeteria doors, and dropped (or in Zexion's case, placed) their bags along the wall to wait.
"So, anyone know what classes the others are coming from?" Demyx asked, looking pointedly at the Nomura.
"I believe they're all coming back from their chemistry class right now," Zexion answered as he made a small gesture, making Axel and Demyx turned to glace over their shoulders. Sure enough, the Strife twins and Riku were making their way towards the older students.
"Hey guys! How'd your first classes go?" Demyx asked eagerly, pouncing on the three even as they were coming to a stop.
"English was fine, but I can't believe I'm actually in the same chemistry class as this idiot," Roxas immediately grumbled, nodding towards an affronted-looking Riku (who muttered something along the lines of "I resent that" under his breath).
"And how about you, Sora?" Demyx said, turning his attention to the bouncy brunette.
"It was really cool so far! Our first period class teacher is reaaaally nice—his name is, um, uh, Riku, what's his name?"
"It's Professor Lionheart, Sora."
"Right, Mr. Lionheart—"
"Wait—do you mean Lexeaus Lionheart?" Zexion cut in suddenly, leaning forward in uncharacteristically obvious interest.
"Yeah, why?" Sora asked as he cocked his head. The ghost of a smile made itself evident on Zexion's lips
"Lexeaus happens to be a good friend of mine—he graduated three years ago, but while he was a senior and I was a freshman, we would do our own outside research together," Zexion replied, brushing back his bangs. Sora let out a loud "ooooh" in understanding before bursting into his story once more.
"But anyway, class today was really funny--apparently the administration made some sort of mistake and accidentally placed his younger brother –his name's Hayner– in our class. So Hayner started boasting about how he was totally gonna breeze through the class and get an easy A since his brother's the teacher. And then Mr. Lionheart just calmly announced how he was expecting Hayner to turn in an essay on the importance of the role of big brothers by tomorrow!" Sora finished with a laugh—oblivious to the incredulous stares he was getting due to his utter lack of pauses for breath in the duration of his story.
"That sounds like Lexaeus," Zexion affirmed, his smile warming slightly at Sora's and Demyx's matching grins of enthusiasm. Really, it wasn't hard to grasp just how similar Sora and Demyx were.
"So, what are we gonna do for lunch today?" Axel asked, bending down to pick up his bag resting at his feet.
"Hmm, I dunno. What's everyone in the mood for?" Demyx chirped, looking around expectantly.
"I think it'd be best if you guys chose where we go—we're not exactly familiar with this area yet," Riku recommended, crossing his arms leaning back to rest against the wall.
"That's a very good point!" Demyx declared cheerfully, before his demeanor changed to one of thoughtfulness.
"Um, well, I know what my cousins and I are always up for," Demyx began, beaming when Sora chimed in with a happy squeal of "sushi!" while Roxas settled for a shrug.
"Everyone okay with that?" Demyx asked.
"I wouldn't mind."
"Haven't had any of that good stuff in ages."
"I have no objections."
"Great--there's this really good place we go to just five minutes away!" Demyx clapped before bending over to grab his bag to hoist over his right shoulder.
"C'mon, let's go!"
And with that, the blonde took off running, thereby forcing his friends to follow quickly just to keep the excited musician within sight.
They finally caught up with the rather giddy sitarist at the front doors to the building.
"C'mon Sora, let's run ahead!" Demyx bubbled, extending an arm out to the brunette. Said cousin immediately sped towards the taller dirty blonde, taking the offered arm before the two eased into a moderately paced skip.
"Are you sure you're not adopted from some totally different family?" Axel snickered to Roxas, easily brushing off the glower sent in his direction by the easily aggravated blonde.
"Shut up," Roxas grumbled, but his words didn't contain their usual biting tone.
Zexion stole a glance at the two as the redhead continued to playfully taunt the short blonde, his eyes softening in the slightest at the nearly imperceptible smile on Roxas' lips. True, it was admittedly difficult for anyone who hadn't grown up with the younger Strife twin to determine when he was smiling.
But if he wasn't mistaken, he was pretty sure Axel could tell.
They reached the aforementioned sushi bar in record time, due to Demyx's and Sora's persistent impatient claims that the others were much too slow.
Their complaints immediately set off a trend—one that might remind the viewer of the events of the results of toppling over the first tile in a line of dominos.
Hearing Sora's whines lead to an exasperated Riku increasing his pace to catch up to his best friend. Of course, Roxas couldn't bear having the silver-haired freshman closer to his twin than he himself was, and instantly hurried along himself, hot on Riku's heels. But how could Axel ever live with himself if he didn't constantly attempt to get as close to his "soul-mate" as possible? – thus resulting in the redhead suddenly breaking into a jog to catch up to the group.
Leaving a deserted Zexion – who, of course, had no intensions of increasing his pace. Demyx however had other plans, and quickly doubled back to drag the protesting bluenette to keep up with the rest.
Keeping these latest events in mind, the record-breaking amount of time spent walking over to their destination didn't seem all that far fetched.
There was a soft, merry tinkling sound as the action of opening the door set off the small chimes that hung just over the threshold.
"Window seat, yes!" Demyx cried out abruptly, very nearly tripping over himself in his excitement as he lunged for the rare space, the rest of the group (minus Sora, who was always happy to support his cousin's more spontaneous methods, and this time was no excuse) following along in a more resigned manner.
There were four chairs already situated at said table, so Axel and Riku made it their business to pull over two chairs from an empty table.
"Man I missed this place--we haven't been here in ages," Demyx remarked distractedly as his excited azure eyes darted about the small café.
"Well duh, Dem; it's not as if we regularly make it our business to visit our regular lunch spots when we're on summer break," Axel scoffed jokingly, leaning forward to rest his chin on his hand as he regarded the musician fondly.
"Shows what you know; for your information, I was just here last week," Demyx shot back proudly.
Axel merely blinked.
"So… a week in Demyx time is considered ages?" Axel asked dubiously, a wry grin forming on his lips as Demyx hopelessly tried to explain what he'd meant when he'd thrown the aforementioned term about so carelessly.
"…You know what, just forget it. You make everything so complicated," Demyx finally huffed, folding his arms across his chest and pouting when Axel's chuckles grew into full fledged laughs.
"Could that possibly be Demyx that I hear whining?" An amused voice suddenly cut in so that everyone's attention was turned from the previously moping teen to the newcomer.
"Hey Tifa," Axel greeted, turning himself around in his chair until he was draped over the seat backwards. Tifa returned his greeting with a cheerful smile as she expertly whipped out her small notebook to take down their orders.
"So, what's it gonna be you guys, the usua—?" the brunette began casually before stopping short as she seemed to notice the three strangers seated at the table staring at her. She blinked, glancing between them and her three friends, a slow smile forming on her lips.
"Related?" She asked expectantly, moving her hands between them in some sort of vague motion that must have made sense to her in some way it didn't to her guests. Demyx and Zexion both nodded, albeit with different attitudes.
Zexion sat back, allowing whatever tension he felt to melt away as his best friend Tifa leant back against the wall with a grin, listening intently as Demyx went into a rather longwinded explanation about how they were all related.
As he silently regarded the blabbering sitarist, his mind began to wander from the topic of their conversation, having already heard this very discussion a good few times throughout the duration of the past day and a half.
Without anything else to focus on, he helplessly gazed at the blonde musician, snippets of his dream from the night before rose, unbidden, from the back of his consciousness.
He blinked slowly, contemplating the remembered fragments. What had it been about? He rarely remembered his dreams, and when he did, the contents weren't at all varied.
After all, dreams are a reflection of one's deepest desires. And there was really only one thing Zexion ever truly yearned for.
He tilted his head down as he scowled slightly at himself when he felt heat rise to his cheeks upon abruptly remembering those familiar blue eyes of the focus in his dream.
Shit. Maybe having Demyx as a roommate again this year just might be a drawback at nighttime.
His flush deepened as he recalled that positively humiliating situation during sophomore year, and prayed to whatever humane God there was that Demyx would both remain a deep sleeper and continue to religiously wake up after Zexion, so that there wouldn't be another embarrassing morning this year.
He wasn't quite sure just how much longer he could convince Demyx that no, he was never vocal in his sleep—"and in any case, let's be realistic Demyx; whatever ridiculous circumstance could there be in a dream where I was moaning your name?"
XXXXXXXXX
Jessie: Oooh, I just love those awkward moments…
Joh: Aw, Jessie, you're so silly!!
Jessie: …Maybe…
Joh: No… definitely.
Jessie: Grins I love you!
Joh: I love you too! Glomps
Jessie: Snuggles So I hope everyone is still enjoying themselves reading this at least half as much as I enjoy writing it! Don't hesitate to suggest some silly twists and turns you might like to see added to the madness!
Edit: Gah! I can't believe I nearly missed out on one of my faaavorite parts of my multi chapter fics; the review responses! Now, I'm ready to go a bit earlier than everyone else, so I'll see if I can quickly squeeze this in before I leave!
Kiki Lelsissia: Roxas + anger problems + PYBS (Protective Younger Brother Syndrome) + Sora-obsessed!Riku HILLARIOUS to read AND to write, let me tell you now! Yeah; I'm trying (trying, mind you) to make my chapters longer than shorter, so that means I need more time to write them. So you guys win that you get long chapters...and I win that I (hopefully) get my readers to (willingly) give me more time to write. ...And upon quickly re-reading what I just wrote--no, that was not actually meant to sound that desperate...
Eoin: Thank you Goes off to die of embarrassment But...but I was rushingforYOU!
IshizuWolfRider: I'm so happy you like what I have to offer so far; you're one of my favorite people on FF...always reading and, more significantly also reviewing what I write! Gives you a cookie made with much love And as for your inquiry--I'm pretty sure I'll take that last option, and see where the heck I'm going with this first.
Yumie-darkness1233: Thank you for your lovely donation of java cookies; they went towards a lovely cause; the inspiration to push on and write, write, WRITE! I'm glad you loves it, I loves you for reviewing!
Lady Taylor: I'm actually quite relieved that you find this funny; that means that there's still some slight chance that I have the ability to make others laugh with whatever sense of humor I have!
Anya Urameshi: I'm glad to have met your approval!
TheKabbageKat: Amazing?! Superb?! The first chapter? You really know how to make someone's day! I especially appreciate your comment about my character portrayal, as that's one of the things I think about the most while writing, so thank you so much for your support.
Kaoru Gal: I LOVE YOU SWEETIE! And I always, always love getting to your reviews! They always make me smile and laugh, and this time was no different! Kisses Thank you for your help and for being the best twiny EVER!
Mitsuru Aki: Thank you SO MUCH for the "take your time" comment. That means a LOT. Slight correction in your review; AkuRoku is cannon. Grins C'mon--a Nobody admitting someone makes them feels as though they have a heart? Yeah, I'm convinced. Thank you for the comment regarding my character personas; I work really hard to make that happen. Your review is much appreciated!
Demon's Sinner: Too right all your favorite character pairings are here--if you enjoy all of these pairings as well...just...rock on, dude. Rock. On. And yet, there shall be MORE!
i-see-faeries: Lemme get this straight. This reminded you a bit of S.G.W? One of the most amazing Kingdom Hearts stories ever to be written? That...actually has to be one of, if not the, biggest compliments ever Laughs To have a story compared to the lovely Dual's? Oh my God, you're too kind! I guess I can see what you're talking about, though, what with the Riku-hating and all... in any case, much thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying it, and I hope you enjoy my future updates as well!
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