Disclaimer: I still do not own Kingdom Hearts even though I wish I did.
Chapter II: I hate talent shows and snow, I think.
Zexion glanced at his watch. "Only five more minutes" He thought as the teacher wrote some sums on the blackboard. It wasn't that he didn't like school, in fact he liked to learn new stuff. No, it was the fact that everything was just so easy. For him at least.
He mindlessly doodled on the side of his paper, he had already finished all the given sums fifteen minutes ago while the other students were only about halfway. He sighed as he leaned back in his chair. If his parents would have let him he might be in his last year of university instead of high-school. But no, they hadn't let him because they thought that if he would already go to university he would have much more homework and no time to practice his music. Their music actually. Ever since he had been a little kid they had made him take music courses and learn various instruments. They wanted a son who would follow in their footsteps.
He quickly stuffed his things in his bag as the bell rang. Unlike the other students he didn't go towards the exit, he went to the school's library. He had finished the books he had borrowed earlier and wanted to get some new ones.
He took a deep breath as he entered the library, the paper scented air making him feel as if he came home. That's right, he felt more at home in a library than in his own house. He quickly strolled over towards the librarian to check in his books.
"Ah, Zexion. " The librarian, an older man said. "You really love books, don't you?"
Zexion nodded at this as the handed the man his books. "That's right, sir." The librarian knew him a little. Not all that strange considering the fact that he spent an lot of time in the library. He came here on a daily base.
"You know, some new books arrived today and there was one which I thought you might find interesting." The older male said, smiling kindly as he reached beneath the counter, revealing a thick blue leather book.
Zexion couldn't help but stare at the book, something about it just drew him towards it. He gingerly took the book from the librarian, running his fingers over the cover as he read the title Illusions, portal to a new world.
The librarian smiled as he looked at Zexion. Yes, the boy definitely liked the book.
Zexion shook his head a little as he clutched the book to his chest, trying to shake the weird feeling off if him. He nodded lightly at the librarian, indicating that he would be taking the book before disappearing between the racks of books.
Soon enough he was holding several books in his arms as he headed towards the counter to check them out. He carefully put the books in his bag after doing so, fingers softly stroking the blue leather cover of the book that he wanted to read so eagerly. A sigh escaped his lips as he closed his bag and headed towards the exit.
He cursed a little under his breath as he stepped into the cold, crossing his arms and putting his hands under his armpits. He really shouldn't have forgotten his gloves this morning, his hands already felt as if they were going to fall off. He snuggled into his coat as he left the school's premises.
He wasn't paying any real attention to where he was going as he walked the streets, his mind empty. Suddenly he stopped and blinked his eyes in confusion as he felt something cold and wet on his nose. "Great, now it started snowing. God, I hate snow." He snarled at the little flocks of white as he looked up at the sky, realizing that it had started to snow. He quickened his pace a bit as he hid his face in his scarf, one cobalt eye the only thing left visible.
When he got home drops of molten snow were dripping down his hair and coat. He quickly discarded of his coat and shook his head, drops flying everywhere. All he wanted right now was to take a long hot bath and read afterwards. Of course, things didn't go as he wanted, they never did.
The moment he had put a foot on the stairs he heard his mother calling out his name. He closed his eyes for a moment and pinched the bridge of his nose, taking a deep breath before turning around and heading towards the living room . What would it be she wanted now? Was it too much to ask for him to simply go up to his room and be let along?
The moment Zexion entered his mother grabbed his wrist and dragged him over towards where his father was sitting. Judging from the smug looks on their faces he was positive that he was not going to like this.
A flyer was shoved into his hands and his gaze travelled from his mother to his dad to the flyer. He had to suppress a groan as he read it. A talent show? His parents wanted him to participate in a talent show? No. Way. In. Hell.
"Isn't it wonderful?" His mother cooed. "When you win, which I have no doubt about, it'll be very likely for you to be discovered. A first step towards fame."
Zexion zoned out as his mother blabbered on. He did not want to participate in this talent show. His parents may have an undying love for music and wanted nothing more than for him to become famous as a musician. Honestly, he couldn't care less for all of that. He'd much rather do something different.
"I'll…..participate." He said softly, voice monotone. He might not really want to do this but look at how happy his parents were, he couldn't disappoint them, now could he? It would break their harts for sure.
His mother hugged him tightly before pulling him into the hallway. "Put your coat back on. Selections are today." She said happily as she took her own coat from the hook.
Zexion stood there confused for a moment before reluctantly putting his coat back on. He didn't want to go out into the snow again.
His mother was chatting happily as they walked, Zexion nodding and uh-huh-ing every now and then as they walked to indicate that he was listening . Apparently his parents had already put him on the list for those that wanted to participate before telling him. This was so like them, he wasn't even surprised at it anymore.
Zexion was sitting on a chair, waiting. He was plucking at the sticker that hung on his chest in a bored fashion, VI it read. He was actually glad that he would be one of the first to perform, the sooner this was over the better. He stretched his legs and leaned back in his chair. Glad that he had forgotten to leave his bag at home he took out the blue leather book. The only good thing about this talent show was that he would be able to read a bit while he had to wait. It wouldn't start for another half hour. The smell of the paper invaded his nose as he cracked the book open, soon being absorbed into it.
He didn't really registered the person who sat himself on the chair beside him. "What're you reading." A musical voice asked, leaning down and twisting his head to read the title. "A book." Zexion answered dryly, not taking his eyes off the letters for even a moment. He turned the page and continued to read as if the other wasn't there.
"Illusions, huh. You like stuff like that?" The stranger continued after sitting up straight again, now looking at the book over Zexion's shoulder. "Could you please not do that." The slate haired male told the other, finally looking up from his book and looking at the stranger. He recognized that weird hairstyle immediately, because really, how many people walked the earth's surface with something between a mullet and a mohawk. Not that many. "You're that guy who ran me over a few days ago." He stated, trying to remember the other's name, it had been something with a D and it had been a rather unusual name, that he could recall. But his exact name? He, Zexion, could recite whole books but remembering names? That that was a whole other story.
"That's right, Zexy. So, you also participating in the talent show?" The dirty blond asked, looking at the number on Zexion's chest. "I'm only a few after you, I'm number nine." He happily pointed at the sticker that read IX on his own chest.
"Yes I am and my name's Zexion, not Zexy or anything else." Zexion said, eyebrow twitching at the nickname. He wanted the blond to go away so he could continue reading.
"Awesome! What're you going to do? I'll be playing my sitar. I really hope I'll win this thing. I'd love to become a famous musician. Making money by doing what you like seems really fun, I'll be able to play when and what I want without having to worry about some boring job like putting things in place for performances, taking care of light and sound and other stuff like I'm doing in this theatre now.
Zexion had to suppress a chuckle as he heard this. The blond that sat beside him reminded him of his parents and how they wanted him to be. And a sitar? That wasn't a very usual instrument, it made him a bit curious to hear the other play. "You work here?" He asked after a few seconds. Well, it would explain why they had run into each other behind the scenes.
"Yup, but not that long yet. I used to work in my uncle's music store, which was much more fun by the way, but I had to find something else because he retired." He told Zexion excited. "But you still haven't answered my question. What are you going to do?"
Zexion nodded at this. To his own surprise he sort of liked to hear the other talk, he had a really nice voice. He wondered what it would sound like if he were to sing. "I'll be playing the piano."
"Ooh, can I listen to you play? I'd like to hear you play." The blond asked excited, almost bouncing in his chair. After all, if he was good he could ask him to join their little band. He would love to have someone play the keyboard again.
"Uuh…sure, if I can come listen to you." The smaller of the two said, tucking his bangs behind his ear, only to have them fall back again. At least now he had a valid excuse to go and listen to the other's performance.
Both of them stopped talking and their heads shot up as they heard the intercom telling everyone that they would start in five minutes and that the first ones should get themselves ready.
"I'll be back in a few minutes." The blond said while standing up from his chair. "I'm just going to get my sitar."
Zexion watched the other until he disappeared into the crowd before returning to his book for a bit, finger still between the pages he had been reading. He wondered if he and the other could be considered friends now. He never had any real friends so he wasn't exactly sure of when people could be considered friends. He had always been a loner, ever since preschool. He had always been very smart and ahead of the other students in his class. Reason why he was often bullied and let out of everything. They were probably just jealous. Not that he had really needed any friends, he had been happy to be left alone and do what he wanted.
When Demyx returned he smiled when he saw Zexion reading again. "I guess you like reading, huh, Zexy?" he said, standing in front of the other.
Zexion's head shot up as he heard that musical voice again, tensing a little at the nickname again. He couldn't help but stare a little as he looked into those oceanic orbs. It was such a pure and beautiful colour. "Y-yes, I do." He managed to get out as he realized that he was staring. He averted his gaze and took a bookmark out of his bag, carefully placing it between the pages before slipping the book in his bag. His eyes landed on the big case that the blond was carrying as he looked back up. "Is that your sitar?" he asked, a little curious about the instrument.
"Yup. Wanna see it." He answered, already starting to open the locks on the case before he saw Zexion nod. "This," He said while taking out a bright blue sitar, "is Arpeggio." A smile played on his lips as he lovingly stroked the instrument.
Zexion couldn't help but smile a little at this. He stood up as he realized that he would be next. "I'll be next so I think I'll be best for us to go and wait at the doors.
A few minutes later they were called in and Demyx went to stand to the side while Zexion sat himself down behind a grand piano. The slate-haired teen took a deep breath before letting his fingers hover over the keys for a moment. He closed his eyes as his fingers knew exactly when to hit which key. His fingers danced over the keys as he played, music filling the air.
Demyx's eyes widened as he stared at Zexion. The music enchanting him. It was one of the most beautiful things he had ever heard. He felt sad when Zexion's fingers fell still, the last note dying out. Still, he couldn't tear his eyes away from the other.
Zexion opened his eyes and stood up from the stool to bow at the judges before walking over to the blond so they could go back to the waiting area. He noticed the way the other was still staring at him, it made him slightly uncomfortable. "Is something wrong? Was I that bad?"
The blond shook his head as they entered the waiting area. "It was perfect, I've never heard anything so beautiful." He said in a soft voice, still touched by the song.
Zexion couldn't help but blush a bit, he really didn't think he was that good. "It's not that good, really. It's just a random thing I wrote a while ago."
"You wrote that? That's amazing." Demyx replied, starting to regain his trademark bounciness. All of the chairs in the waiting area seemed to be taken so he sat himself down against a wall, motioning Zexion to do the same. "I'll be glad if I'll be a tenth as good as you were."
"You'll do great, I'm sure of that." The smaller teen said, giving the blond a small and rare smile. He had never heard him play before but he was sure that it would be good. After all, in contrary to himself the other really loved music, it would come out of his heart, where music was supposed to come from.
"I hope so." Demyx muttered as he stroked the case of his sitar as they waited for his turn.
A bit later it was Demyx' turn and this time it was Zexion who stood on the side, curious to what the other would play.
Demyx carefully took his sitar from its case and sat himself down . "Hi, my name's Demyx and I'll be playing a song I wrote myself. He took a deep breath and stroked over the sitar's body once before starting to play. It was a cheerful song and soon enough Demyx started singing as well.
Zexion's eyes widened for a second as the other said his name. Demyx, yes, that was what his name had been. Soon he found himself enjoying Demyx' song but most of all his voice. He had been right when he had thought that he would have a beautiful singing voice. A soft smile graced his lips as Demyx finished his song and headed over towards Zexion.
"So, was I any good?" Demyx asked a bit nervous.
"It was beautiful, Demyx." Zexion reassured him. "You have very nice singing voice."
"Thanks. Zexy." He was glad that Zexion had liked his song. He took a quick glance at his watch. "Say, it you don't have anything to do or so, would you want to drink something together? There's this place where one of my friends works and he always gives me a discount." He was smiling now. He hoped that Zexion would say yes, it would be the perfect occasion to ask him if he want to join the band.
"No, I don't have anything to do." He said as he scanned the people in the waiting room in search of his mother. He didn't see her, she had walked away with some friends of her that had happened to be here as well almost immediately after they got here. He supposed they might not be here anymore. Oh well, if she would be looking for him he still had his cell phone with him.
Both of them put on their coats and scarfs before heading outside. Demyx was grinning like a small child as he skipped into the snow and headed for his car. He quickly put his sitar in the back of it before grabbing a hand full of snow and throwing it at Zexion, giggling like a kid.
Zexion let out a fairly high-pitched yelp as the snow hit him, he had not seen Demyx throw that snowball at him. He quickly spun around towards Demyx. "Demyyyyyyyx!" He blinked his eyes a few times as he saw the blond clutching his stomach and leaning against his car as he laughed.
"That was so funny, Zexy. You scream like a girl." He started laughing even harder now and had to make sure not to fall on the ground. He didn't notice what Zexion was doing.
Zexion huffed a little in irritation before deciding to get his revenge on Demyx. He scooped up two hands full of snow and pressed it into a big snowball. "Oh, Demyyyyx." He called out sweetly, throwing the snowball the moment Demyx looked up. The snowball hit him square in the face. Both of them stood there for a moment before bursting into laughter.
When both their laugher finally died out Demyx walked back to Zexion. "Come on, let's go." He said as he started walking, Zexion walking besides him.
A few streets farther Demyx pointed at a little café. "Here it is." He said as he held the door open for Zexion to walk inside.
Zexion wanted to quirk an eyebrow at Demyx for doing this but instead he felt himself blush a little so he let his bangs fall in front of his face.
He followed Demyx to an empty table and sat down. Soon enough a young man with ridiculously red hair, styled in gravity defying spikes walked up to them, note pad in his hand. "Hey Dem." He greeted the blond before looking at Zexion. "Who's this?" He had a cocky air around him.
"Hey Axel," Demyx greeted back, smiling. "This is Zexion. We met at the selections for the talent show."
"I see." Axel said, looking Zexion up and down once more before grinning. "What can I get you two."
"I'd like some tea please." Zexion said, wondering if all of Demyx' friends had weird hair.
"Hot chocolate." Demyx said. Axel scribbled it down and started to walk away. "And don't forget my discount." The blond added. Axel just waved his hand as he continued to walk away.
They didn't have to wait very long for their drinks. Zexion quirked an eyebrow as he saw Demyx add three packages of sugar to his hot chocolate, but decided not to say anything. He added some milk to his own tea and wrapped his hands around the cup, warming them.
"Zexy, there's something I'd like to ask you. You don't have to answer immediately, you can think it over if you want." The blond said rather serious after sipping a bit of his hot chocolate.
"What's it, Demyx?" Zexion asked, a little nervous about what the other could possibly want to ask him.
"Would you like to join our band? We need someone to play the keyboard." Demyx asked.
"Uhh…I don't really now." And he really didn't. He would like to do Demyx a favour but there was the fact that he didn't really liked playing an instrument that much nor would he now any of the other members. Would he be able to get along with them? Would they like him? "Wouldn't it be weird for me, a total stranger, to play in your band?" Honestly, at the moment he didn't really knew if he wanted it or not.
"I'm sure they'll like you. They're great guys and by the way, you already met one of them, Axel." He tried to reassure the smaller male.
"That guy?" Zexion asked, eyes widening a little. That guy had to have been at least 6' 2 and he had had a bit of an insane glint in those green eyes of his.
"Don't worry about him." Demyx said. "He may look intimidating and so but really, he's not. In fact, he's a bit of a wuss.
Zexion blinked at Demyx for a few seconds before finally speaking. "I guess I can try." Really, he had no idea why he agreed so easely.
"Yay!" The blond cheered as he jumped from his chair and ran to Zexion's side, hugging him tightly.
Zexion tensed at the sudden contact. "D-Demyx." He managed to get out as his lungs were being crushed. He felt uncomfortable and started blushing a little.
"Oops, sorry, Zexy." Demyx apologized. "Anyway, in our little band I sing and play my sitar and sometimes my guitar as well, Axel plays the drums, Roxas, who's Axel's boyfriend plays the bass and you'll be playing the keyboard. If you want I can introduce you to them. Tomorrow's Wednesday so if you don't have anything to do we can do that."
Zexion wondered how it was possible for a human being to say that much without breathing. "No, I don't have anything to do tomorrow." He said before drinking some of his tea.
"Great. If you tell me to which school you go I can come pick you up. We could eat something together and get to know each other." He cheered, bouncing in his chair. Demyx and sugar? Not a good combination, it leads to hyper spaztic Demyx.
"I go to Twilight Town High-school." He said, glancing at his watch. He didn't had that much time anymore, he had to make sure he got home for dinner.
"That's coincidental, I go to Twilight Town University. I wonder why I've never seen you, after all those schools are right next to each other and share most of the grounds. Funny." The blond said, chuckling softly before finishing his hot chocolate.
"I guess it is." Zexion replied, emptying his own cup. "I really enjoyed this but I have to go home now, I've got to be back in time for dinner."
"Oh, that's okay, Zexy. I guess I'll be seeing you tomorrow then." He gave Zexion as bright smile as the smaller male put on his coat and scarf. He was glad that he wanted to play with them, he really seemed like a nice guy. "Bye Zexy."
"Bye Demyx, see you tomorrow." He said, small smile tugging at his lips as he turned around and walked to the door.
"Seems like we found our guy." Demyx said to Axel as the redhead walked over toward him, grinning widely.
"That guy? Seriously? " Axel said in a surprised tone as he sat himself down in the chair where Zexion had been sitting. "I don't know Dem, he doesn't really look like someone who could get along with us." He raised an eyebrow at this as well.
"Oh, come on Axe. Zexy's a really nice guy and he can play amazingly." The blond said in a slightly whiney tone. "Give him a chance."
"Wait, his name's Sexy?" Axel asked with a startled look.
"Nu-uh, it's Zexy, with a Z. Short for Zexion." Demyx corrected.
"I see. Well, I guess I'll trust you on this one, Dem." The redhead muttered, stretching his long legs in front of him.
Zexion had his hands deep into his pockets as he walked through the already ankle-deep snow. It had started snowing hard while he had been inside the café with Demyx. He really had no idea why he had agreed to play in the band so easily, it was unlike him. But then again, he hadn't really acted much like his usual self since he met Demyx. He hadn't seemed to be able to. He wondered if it had anything to do with the fact that finally someone had been genuinely nice to him, like a friend. He never had felt the need to make friends but now that he had one, or at least he thought he had one, it actually felt kinda nice. He wondered if the cheerful blond had been what he had needed to finally do something out of his own instead of what his parents expected him to do.
AN: OMG, this is like my longest chapter EVER. It's even longer than any of my one-shots. I honestly have no idea how this happened. And Zexion and Demyx are taking over this story, there were several thing that I had in mind that I wanted to happen but I just couldn't write it, I always ended up with something different.
Oh, and I've never been to a talent show or anything like that so I had to make that part up.
And for those who are curious about what Zexion was playing, here is the link. It's a song O stumbled across and thought it would fit him. (just take out the spaces)
http: /www. /watch?v= l04epdSEvtQ
Thanks to Devangel, Roxy and XionAmmy for the reviews, they make me smile whenever I read them. Thank you!
Please review, I'd like to know what you thought about this chapter. Despite the fact that I wrote most of it while I was in terrible pain because I fell on my back I really enjoyed writing this chapter.
