The Downfall of Technology

"Ha! I knew I recognized you two!" Riku exclaimed triumphantly, swiveling his chair to one side so as not to block the view of his computer monitor. On screen was the horrid yaoi site the disenchanted teen had stumbled upon earlier. The site proudly displayed previews of its three most prominent galleries: Riku and Sora, Axel and Demyx, and Zexion and Demyx.

"I didn't know you were into that kind of stuff, Riku," the red head snickered. Maleficent, in trying not to agitate her hot-tempered associate, had told Riku the two men with him now were his colleagues. The pale teen's mind may be clouded with misguided jealousy and hormonal angst, but he wasn't stupid. He could easily deduce that "colleagues" was obviously Maleficent code for "babysitters."

Feeling his cheeks heat unbidden at Axel's words, Riku gritted his teeth to control the angry snarl that threatened to escape him. He quickly dove for the screen, anxiously covering the entirely fantasized pictures of Sora and him with his hands. "Shut up."

"A brilliant comeback," the other man commented sarcastically. The eerie Zexion, despite how close in age he appeared to look, reminded Riku faintly of Sephiroth, though lacking a sword. Judging by the cold look in his one visible eye, Zexion probably didn't need a sword to inspire the same fear in Riku. The teen shivered, remembering. "If you fail to think of an adequate retort, 'shut up' is more than satisfactory. Idiot."

"Well, thank you for that educational tidbit, Zexion," Riku huffed back. He gestured to the screen and its remaining pictures with a shake of his head. "Just what do you have to say about these?"

"Let dreamers dream," the silver-haired man said, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly.

"Just why do you care so much, Riku?" Axel asked, a smug grin wiped across his face. "You don't actually give a damn about what some wack-job thinks, do you? Or is it a little closer to home? Hm? Has this opened your eyes? Have you found out you've been in the closet all along and hadn't realized it until now?"

"That actually sounded reasonably intelligent, Axel," Zexion chuckled darkly. "I'm impressed. I hadn't thought your cognitive abilities had developed to such an extent."

"Aw, bag it, mutt. The Superior didn't say anything about having to take crap from you, so don't tempt me to do something I might enjoy a bit too much."

"Sadist."

"Ha," his companion laughed without humor. "You wish."

"No, Axel. You do."

The look in Zexion's eye drove a disagreeable shiver down Axel's spine, which he promptly cursed himself for. However, it wasn't wholly unjustified. Zexion's abilities were largely unknown, at least to him. For all Axel knew, the mysterious man could read minds or manipulate thoughts or something. The guy could probably brainwash him into some unpleasant situations. At that thought, Zexion conveniently smirked at the now confused Flurry of the Dancing Flames, his silver gaze predatory.

"Just look at all the sexual tension in the air," Riku remarked snidely. Immediately, he regretted his words.

"Don't give him any ideas!" Axel roared and what Riku could only assume were weapons appeared in his hands. Without further ado, the circular weapons were lit ablaze and hurled squarely at the offending teen.

Fortunately, Riku was able to dodge out of harm's way. Unfortunately, Axel's weapons embedded themselves deeply into Riku's computer, causing frizzing crackles of electricity to trickle across them.

"Look what you did, you dumbass!" the thoughtless teen cried, nearly tearing his hair out at the sight of the damage.

"Care to repeat that?" Axel threatened, his voice a low growl. "I couldn't quite memorize that the first time around." Flames blazed ominously behind him.

"Axel," Zexion called from the doorway of the adjoining bathroom.

"What?!" he snapped.

"You might want to put out that fire."

"What?"

The abrupt trill of a bell was all the warning they had before the emergency fire sprinklers went off. Within seconds, both Riku and Axel were thoroughly soaked. Axel's formerly proud, spiky hair now clung to his body wetly. Zexion, on the other hand, watched the pair from the dry confines of the bathroom with slight amusement apparent on his face.

"I told you."

"Ah, shut up, mutt."

"Look what you did!" Riku shouted hotly, indicating the pathetic pile of brutalized technology. "My computer!"

"Disappointed you can't visit that yaoi site anymore, huh, Riku?" Axel joked softly as the sprinklers finally stopped their onslaught.

"Don't start that again!"

"Axel, we still have at least a day of baby-sitting Riku left," Zexion interjected calmly, ignoring said object's increased fury. "Let's try not to make this more troublesome than it has to be."

"I don't need to be baby-sat," Riku pouted, leaning against a nearby wall and crossing his arms over his chest.

"Hey, Riku," Axel said cheerfully as he dried his clothing and body with his fire ability, "you up to a fun game."

"Depends. What kind of game did you have in mind?"

"Well, try to contain your excitement," Zexion commented sarcastically. "I doubt Axel can handle so much enthusiasm all at one time."

"Ha ha," Riku muttered dryly. "Alright, Axel. What game?"

"The best one," Axel replied, a wide smile creeping across his face.

"The one that involves a certain keyblade wielder-friend of yours," Zexion added.

"I love that game."

A.N.: After having gone so horribly long without updating, I was determined to write another chapter before school starts again. This one may not have been one of my best works, but it'll lead directly into the next chapter with Riku and Sora in Monstro. I had meant to do that here, but… Oh, well… Anyway, I decided to go with Axel rather than Naminé because it just seemed to fit better… I hope I was in character enough to satisfy other Axel fans out there. I really, really wish I owned Axel… Sigh. Also, in case you didn't get it, Axel keeps calling Zexion "mutt" because of Zexion's recognition of a person's scent… Can smell like a dog…Anyway, that last sentence was asking to be written, but I couldn't decide who would say it. By grammatical standards, it should be Axel, but you can just take your pick: Axel or Riku? I suppose it could fit either, what with Axel's playful mood and Riku's impending evilness. However, I must warn any hopefuls out there that this story will not descend into one of those sappy soap dramas where Riku and Sora eventually realize their mutual love-love for each other. Depart now if you are truly disappointed at the lack. On the other hand, I feel quite free to poke fun at and/or hint at things as long as it either is funny or fits. Thanks to all who have reached this point or have returned! Bob will make cookies for all of you as soon as it fixes the oven… Axel got a hold of the poor appliance.