Alright... Um. I haven't been getting much feedback lately. It worries me... I know how silly and rediculous that sounds, but I have irrational fears that you guys aren't liking it when you don't review and tell me what you think... because then I can't go back and fix things.
Anyway, hopefully you guys still like it.
I might take a little more time now, since I have to plan where to go. The explanations should come in the next chapter (mainly, why did Axel not see or not say, why are all these people still linked, why can't they remember Xemnas, etc.) and then after that, the second strike. The third is the deciding one, and at this point, I'm still not sure who will get the axe.
Anyway... enjoy.
"So you're number nine? You're nothing but a little shrimp…"
Demyx looked away.
"So what if I'm not that tough… I… I'm useful…"
Violent acid green eyes bored holes through the newly heartless boy, a cocky grin on his pale face. He shrugged languidly and turned his attention back to the book in his lap, fingering the dog-eared page as his eyes snapped back and forth across the page. He was nothing like anyone Demyx had ever seen in his life: wild, flaming red hair, battery-acid eyes, thin lips, dark scars beneath his eyes. He was beautiful, but Demyx couldn't bring himself to say anything for fear he might get hurt.
"Look, are you going to stand and gawk all day or are you going to come and sit down?" the redhead grumbled, "I don't bite, you know."
"Oh… yeah."
Demyx jumped, nearly tripping over the hem of his new coat. He cursed mentally that he should be forced to wear such a binding, cumbersome garment.
"Easy there, killer," the redhead laughed, snapping his book shut and leaning closer as Demyx sank down into the couch. "Name's Axel. A-X-E-L. It'd be good for you to memorize it."
"Alright… Axel. I'm Demyx. I don't think I have to spell it for you…"
Axel laughed long and loud until tears ran down his cheeks. Demyx was starting to worry the man might choke on his own tongue when the redhead finally spoke.
"You know… you're adorable," he gasped between laughing fits, "But cute in a childish kind of way."
Demyx smiled, none the wiser.
--- ---
Those eyes… so strange. Demyx clung to Axel's arm like a frightened child, and the redhead returned the favor, acid eyes focused hard on the figure before him.
"What do you want, Saïx?" he grated.
"So that's the new one? I know that Xe---- expressed some interest in the… child."
Gold eyes so bright they burned… no, not gold. Yellow like the moon, but the hue was so much brighter, like headlights on a car or the color of wolf's eyes. Demyx released Axel from the strangle-hold on his arm and stepped forward, fair aqua eyes tracing the man named Saïx from head to toe.
"Curiosity killed the cat, little guy…" Axel breathed, grasping the younger man's shoulder in a death grip, "And anyone who gives that guy the wrong kind of look will surely die. Trust me."
"He has no need to fear me," Saïx said flatly, "He never did anything to get on my bad side, now did he?"
"My name is Demyx… it's nice to meet you."
"Fearless… for the most part," Saïx said with a low chuckle, "Our Superior requires an audience with you, Demyx."
Axel heaved a sigh.
"Show him around while you're at it?"
"He'll be staying with you for a while. No reason for me to waste my time."
"Uh… I'm right here, guys."
"Don't act offended," Saïx rumbled, "You aren't."
Well, no wonder no one like this guy.
"My thoughts are my own. Don't try to tell me what to think," Demyx huffed petulantly.
"Look, kid. Just go with him and get all that over with. I'll be waiting."
Demyx smiled a little, looked over his shoulder, "Promise?"
Axel hesitated, but his answer was satisfactory.
"Sure… just get going."
--- ---
There was the vague memory that the Superior was a lovely man, but the dream, the memory was shattered, and he was unclear.
--- ---
There were others… notably a very grouchy old scientist. Demyx never got along really well with the guy, but Vexen was accommodating enough after certain scuffles that ended with him lying on a medical table, covered in bandages. His mouth always tasted vaguely medicinal on those occasions, but Axle liked to sneak in, and he didn't care.
Vexen always tried to keep Axel away from the lab, but he got in anyway. He was a sneaky redheaded bastard… Demyx always thought that Vexen had a thing for him, though, and it was true, the older blond was keeping a keen eye on the younger. He was always too kind to Demyx.
"Would you like something for the pain?" Vexen asked civilly, inspecting the wound on Demyx's shoulder. A heartless had gotten in a pretty good hit.
"No, sir, I'm fine," the younger man replied quietly.
"You are sure?"
"Yeah… thanks Vexen."
But Demyx didn't love him, and their relationship was always awkward because of it.
--- ---
Xigbar was loud and fun and Demyx loved to hang out with him and Axel, just killing time between missions and finding new nobodies. They'd found two more since Demyx's discovery: one a man they named Luxord, and another named Marluxia.
Though Demyx got somewhat involved with Xigbar for a while, it wasn't exactly what he was looking for, and they never really got any further in their relationship besides being good friends. All Demyx's devotion was lavished on a certain redhead, and Xigbar really didn't mind. He'd taken interest in a certain pink-haired man.
--- ---
Over time, Demyx developed a strong relationship with the man named Xaldin. Though the older man was very much of a loner, he was quite content to spend time with Demyx, listening to the younger man read aloud, helping him with the more difficult words in the heavy volumes. More often than not Zexion would sit in on these sessions, and he developed a very casual air around the blond.
Demyx was, by and large, popular with almost everyone. He knew when to be respectful and when it was alright to play around. As such, he spent much of his time divided between the groups. With the Senior members, also including Saïx, he was quiet, courteous and he received his intellectual rations. With the Neophytes, he had fun.
The Superior often called upon him during this time, but the details were unclear still.
--- ---
It was during the time Larxene arrived that Demyx first started training with Lexaeus. These two hadn't necessarily even spoken with one another before then, but orders were orders, and they began training as soon as possible.
With the hulking man's help, Demyx learned his element and quickly mastered it, honed his skill in battle—meager as they were—and made his body into a temple. It didn't matter how hard he worked out though: he was always lithe and reedy, but he did harden himself to a point where his muscles were like so much rock and steel.
Lexaeus was pleased.
--- ---
"We don't have hearts… but when I'm with you, Axel… I don't know what I would ever need a heart for. You'll always be all I ever need."
Axel smiled and pulled the blond close against him.
"I know," he whispered, pressing a kiss on the younger man's cheek, "I feel the same way."
But that was the very day that thirteen shattered the moment and took the life of their love as the sacrificial lamb to spill on the alter of nothingness.
--- ---
"His name is Roxas, and he's ruining my life…"
--- ---
"Demyx! Take it easy!"
"No! You need to choose! Who will you love, Axel?" Demyx cried, pulling his wrist out of the redhead's grasp, "Who is it that you will choose? You can't have two things. There has to be a sacrifice."
"I have to save him, Demyx…"
"You do?" Demyx breathed, "Is that what you want?"
"Yes…" Axel sighed, looking away.
"You love him more than you love me."
"Never!" the redhead roared, "It's not the same kind of love!"
"I see," Demyx said sadly, "Do what you have to… but when you return, I might not be here."
"What do you mean?" Axel said softly.
"Orders are orders."
--- ---
"Silence, traitor!"
--- ---
"No… No way!" he cried…
And though he didn't have the strength to say it, he wanted to cry out… he wanted to tell this broken world how much he loved his lover… heartless or no, he loved his lover so.
--- ---
There was pain and Demyx wrenched his hand from the older man's grasp, curling in upon himself on the couch. He fingered the spot where he felt the key blade shatter his breastbone, shivering.
"Jesus Christ…"
"Demyx!" Axel cried, running to the kid's side, "Hey… hey, you okay, love?"
"I'm so glad," Demyx laughed, "that Roxas isn't here… and I'm glad I beat Sora up that summer when I was eight!"
"Welcome back kid," Saïx mumbled, "Nice to have a heart, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Demyx agreed, smiling up at his lover's green eyes, "But still… you two got some 'splainin' to do."
"Do we, now?" Axel laughed.
"He deserves it," Saïx said matter-of-factly.
"Well... let's make some coffee first," Axel suggested, "It's a long, long story."