Tim Fortune
Presents
Apartment Complex XIII
Previously…
(Luxord's POV)
He never got a chance to finish, as right that moment; Dem came bursting through the door.
His hair was all a mess and he was sweating profusely.
"Dem," I said going towards him with Axel right behind me "What's going on?"
"We have to play tonight." He said "My sex life depends on it!"
And now Chapter III of Apartment Complex XIII…
(Roxas' POV)
"…and when I was kicked out of Art school, I wandered around Europe for a bit, but that grew boring after a while, so I decided, 'why not Africa?' Big mistake!"
Whoa. She just keeps talking and talking and talking. Cool. Very cool.
Oh look. Mullet is here and talking with Red and Limey. Cool. Very cool.
"First off, there are mosquitoes that size of grapefruit over there that leave welts of proportionate size…"
(Axel's POV)
"Ok, calm down Dem." Can you believe it? We were just going to test the kid and now Dem's talking about throwing him to the mercy of the crowd.
"Seriously guys! We need to do this!"
"Did another Russian threaten to cut off your dick again if you don't play?"
"That was your fault Axel!"
"…No. I think I'd remember getting you into something like that."
"You were so shitfaced that that entire week practically never happened!"
"Gentlemen, gentlemen!" Lux shouted, trying his best to be diplomatic "Axel, rein it in a bit. Now Dem, kindly explain why we need to go up on stage tonight of all nights?"
Yeah. Explain away Dem. I'm dying to hear. I was expecting a nice quiet evening of drunken debauchery, but now I got to turn on sex god mode. Granted, it's always on; I just have to kick it up to eleven.
Eh. I guess it doesn't matter what Dem's rationale is. I was still going to get some tonight anyway.
(Demyx's POV)
"Because… because…because" Geez, I'm stammering. Deep breath Dem, deep breath.
"Because…" I didn't even get a chance to finish as she walked in the door at that exact moment.
Lux and Axel looked right at each and huge grins spread across their faces.
"Oh ho! What is this?" Axel said with the largest smile imaginable across his face "Has Demmy had enough with abusing himself night after night to her face in his mind, so now he wants the real thing?"
Contain yourself, contain yourself.
"Yeah. Sure that."
"Dem," he said, as I prepared myself for more verbal jabs "That is underhanded, desperate and utterly pathetic. High five!"
Huh?
"What?"
"Think about it. You need some tail right? And not just any tail. The kind that you've been practically stalking every since she first moved into the complex. You finally work up the courage to speak to her instead of either staring her in direction when you think she's not looking or completely ignoring her when she is, so you invite her to watch you do the one thing in this entire universe that you completely dominate so that maybe she'll see you're a great guy and you'll get a pity fuck out of it.
"That is…" I sighed "Completely correct."
(Axel's POV)
Don't I have such an insight into his mind? I'm always there, feeling around, making sure I know him better than he knows himself.
(Luxord's POV)
So, it's to be a show tonight then? I haven't touched my bass in a few days. I was just going to practice with them as we tested Roxas out.
Oh!
"So now we're giving Roxas a trial by fire then?"
"Huh?" Dem had a look of absolute confusion.
"Roxas! The new guy!"
"Oh." Recognition hit him "OH! I completely forgot about him."
"You sure did." Said Axel, still smiling "But anything for pussy right?"
Dem had nothing to say and instead retreated towards the back room so he could tune his guitar and mentally prepare.
"So where is the kid anyway?" asked Axel looking around.
I pointed towards the center where he was, looking like he didn't have a brain in his head as that blonde chick kept talking and talking, as he kept nodding and nodding.
"Jesus Lux," Axel exclaimed "What did you give him?"
"Courage."
"Ahhhhh."
"So should I get him?" I queried.
"Give him a few minutes. He's this close," he said holding his thumb and forefinger a few spaces apart "to sealing the deal."
"Hey!"
A loud feminine said from behind us. We turned around and there she was. What's-her-face, uh, room 12, right next to mine. Ah, fuck I forget.
"Yeah Larxy?" Axel said with a mischievous smile on his face.
Larxene! Yeah that's it.
"Axel, you knock that shit eating grin off your face before you get a face full of Mace."
"Whoa! Calm down Larxy." Axel stated, taking a step backwards with his arms raised in defensive positions.
She gave a stare that if it were possible would have electrocuted him right on the spot. So I decided to intervene before Axel had his ass handed to him.
"Axel, go back with Dem." Adding a layer of menace to my voice I also contributed "Now."
"Alright, alright."
He turned and left.
"Now what can I do for you?"
(Larxene's POV)
Well, already this evening seems to suck. Demyx coaxes me to the deepest part of Rape Alley to see him perform, he's nowhere in sight and what do you know? Axel's here being his usual self. Fan-fucking-tastic.
"You're in Demyx's band right?"
"Yes indeed ma'am." Axel's friend, I forget his name "I am the Gambler of Fate himself, Luxord Ace, bassist for NoHeart, the greatest music sensation to hit the town in ages."
At least he's modest.
"Is that all you want Oh Savage Nymph?"
"Yeah. Just checking. Is Axel a part this too?"
"Can't have it without our keyboardist."
Fan-fucking-tastic.
I exhaled a bit "Okay, fine. Guess I'll get a drink."
"Zexy!" Luxord yelled toward the bar "Get the lady a drink!"
The long hair guy behind the bar ducked under and came out with a large fruity concoction. It looked…interesting.
"Thanks." I said to Luxord as I walked over to the bar.
(Demyx's POV)
It must be perfect! Perfect! Tonight's the night I will win my fair beloved.
Jesus, I sound like something out of a fairy tale. Anyway, back to tuning my guitar and setting up amps and running wires and setting up the mic and drum kit and Axel's keyboards and the other millions of things that Axel should be helping me with. Instead, he's got a crowd of women around him.
Since he's not going to help and Lux'll do his own work when he gets over here, so that just leaves…
"Hey!" I said tapping Axel on the shoulder "Where's Roxas?"
"Right over there." Axel pointed towards the center of the bar, where sure enough there he was talking, well more like listening, to some girl.
I went up to him.
"Roxas! Roxas!" I said as I snapped my fingers and tried to get him to pay attention "C'mon! We gotta go on!"
"Huh? Wha?" He had look of complete absence on his face.
"AXEL!" I bellowed "What did you give him?"
"Don't yell at me." Axel said defensively "I was attempting to get some poon. Talk to Lux."
"'Bout what?" said Lux as he walked over.
"What. Did. You. Give. Him?" I said as I pointed at Roxas, who was currently trying to keep his balance.
"Courage." He said nonchalantly.
Oh fuck.
(Axel's POV)
I don't see what Dem's got his panties in such a bunch about. Sure, he has to win over Larxy while competing against the supreme sex god, moi, but he shouldn't be freaking out this much just cuz the kid had a little too much (okay one) drink.
"This can't be happening, this can't be happening, this can't be happening…" he just kept repeating as he held his head in his hands.
"The kid's fine Dem." I said as I went in front of Roxas. I held up three fingers and asked "How many fingers am I holding up?"
"…six." He said as he fell to the floor. The girl he was talking to just put her hand to her mouth to suppress a laugh.
"He's fine." I stated as I helped him off the floor.
"Fine? Fine?" Dem practically shouted "He just lost his balance! How can he drum like that?"
"How can I play my 'boards after eight tequila shots, 2 bottles of Corona, five Incredible Hulks and 17 Margaritas? Alcohol will not stop talent!"
"Ah, geez I'm gonna regret this," said Dem under his breath. He held his head up and said "Get him on stage! We have a show to do!"
3 and a Half Hours Later…
(Roxas' POV)
Wha? Huh? Where am I? Am I back in my room?
Oh god. I feel sick.
I turn my head to in an attempt to vomit and wha huh?
Who's that sitting there?
"Oh! I was wondering when you were going wake up."
In a chair next to my bed back in the apartment is some girl.
"Uh, hi." I said as I straightened up in my bed "And you are?"
"You don't remember?" she looked a little saddened by my statement.
Wait! Something familiar, back at the bar…Oh yeah! Her! So why don't I recall ever talking to her? Ok, ok, retrace your steps. You were sitting at the bar talking with Lux, he pointed her out, he talked to Zex, and then…
"I'm gonna fucking kill him!" I shouted. The girl beside cowered away for a second.
"Who?" she seemed a little frightened by my outburst.
Jesus calm down a bit Roxas I think to myself.
"No one." Alright, I'm calm now "Just someone who gave me the drink before I began talking to you."
"Oh." Was all she said. There was a long awkward pause before I finally decided to say something.
"So what happened back there?"
"Your two friends, at least I think they were your friends. The red haired one didn't seem to care too much."
What a fucking surprise.
"Well, they wanted you to do a show or something, I wasn't paying too close attention, but that one guy with the haircut that resembled a mullet was freaking out as you were drunk or whatever and kept nearly falling over. He and the red head had some sort of argument, in which Brit guy came in and attempted to calm everyone down, but Mullet was still kinda freaked out. You fell over, Red and Brit laughed and Mullet flipped. Eventually he calmed down, they practically dragged you to the area that looked like a stage, duct taped the drumsticks to your hands…"
I looked down at them and saw red marks where the tape must have ripped off. Fucking Axel.
"And propped you up at the drum set. At first all seemed well. Mullet must have had some insight into your abilities, as he just began a song. You seemed to recognize it, so you did your little thing. Everything seemed fine until you collapsed off the stool. Red picked you up and carried you out the door and told me to come along, as he needed someone to watch over you."
"And how exactly did we get in here?"
"Red kicked the door down."
Fuck.
"Don't worry." She said with a smile "I managed to put it back on its hinges. Your landlord won't suspect a thing."
"Good" I replied "Cuz that's the second time today that he's done that."
"Interesting person this Red."
"Oh yeah." Was my response "Axel's real interesting."
Yet another awkward pause. Christ, I'm bad at this. I'm not good at talking to people! Sure, I made friends with a grand total of three people so far, but that's only because Axel ambushed me in the hall and then introduced me to Lux and Dem. All three are, well, unique. Lux seems to be the most normal out of all of them. I don't know Dem that well. Most of my encounters with him tonight have been while I was piss ass drunk. Thank you very much Lux.
While I was lost in my thoughts, this girl did something that I wouldn't expect. She leaned over on my bed and kissed me! Huh?
As soon as our lips parted I asked "What?"
"It didn't seem like you were going to do anything, so I made the first move."
"And what did I do to deserve it?"
"You listened." That was her response. "No one's ever done that before. Mostly when I begin rambling, most walk away. I'm supposed to stay silent and look pretty. Most think I'm…odd."
Poor girl.
"Well, I think you're not odd at all."
She gave a look that corresponded to You're lying.
"Seriously. I may have completely off my ass, but some of what you said had to be interesting."
"You mean that?" she looked genuinely touched by my words.
"Of course."
And with that, she jumped right on top of me.
"Well, then. I think a thank you is in order…I'm sorry I didn't catch your name."
"It's Roxas. And, if it doesn't offend you too much, may I ask yours?"
With a smile she responded "Naminé." And turned off the light.
Naminé. What a nice name.
(Demyx's POV)
"Another!"
There was already a multitude of glasses surrounding me, but I don't care. I'm a failure. Failure, failure, failure! How desperate was I?
"Too fucking desperate." I muttered under my breath as I took my 12th (or was it 13th?) glass from Zex and drained it. I'd rather not be alone with my thoughts tonight.
The show was a disaster. Everything seemed to be going well, but then Roxas passed out. Show stops. Axel scoops him up and takes him out of the bar and everything goes back to what it was before. But my one brief shot is gone. I was unable to impress her completely and I will never have that chance again. It's gone. I am doomed to be pathetically lonely for the rest of my life.
"Another!"
"A little much there don't you think?"
"Personally, I don't give a rat's ass…" I began to say as I turned around to find myself face to face with…her.
"Oh, hi." I said rather meekly. I was not expecting this.
"Mind if I sit here?"
"By all means." I said. I just don't care anymore.
We just sat there for a while, not saying anything. We're practically the only ones still here. Even Xaldin is gone. When Lux left, he took him with him as usual. No one here but us and Zex. And he's left me alone with her. Lot of good that'll do me.
"Interesting show." Was all she said.
"Yeah real fucking interesting." I said "What was your favorite part? When Roxas passed out or when I just stood there like a complete ass?"
I really, really don't care anymore.
"You know Dem," Larxene began "You really didn't need to go through all this trouble."
Wha?
"If you had just talked to me in the hallway instead of ignoring me like you normally do, we wouldn't be sitting here in this dingy place in the middle of Rape Alley having me trying to stop you from drinking yourself blind."
My face dropped.
"Seriously?"
"Oh yeah." She said with a smile "Out of all the guys here, you're like the nicest one."
"What about Marly?"
"Marly's great and all." She said and noticing the look on my face had gotten a little more depressed, she added "As a friend."
My eyes lit up upon hearing that.
"C'mon. I'm the only woman living there. Those other guys are creepy and psychotic. But not you. You're…somewhat normal."
Best I could hope for tonight. I lunged right in for a kiss. Her eyes widened in shock and then closed in contentment. I am back!
After a blissful eternity, our lips finally parted. We just stared at each other for a bit.
"Wow." Was her only response.
I smiled. Maybe tonight wasn't a waste after all.
"Wow." She said again "it took you two years to finally work up to the courage to do that?"
"Yeah." I said sheepishly. Maybe it was a little impulsive. Of course, I didn't expect what came next.
She leapt right at me knocking me over onto the floor and she stared right into my eyes as she hovered over me.
"Uhhh," I stammered "My room or yours?"
(Luxord's POV)
Looks like the night isn't a complete waste. Dem and Larxene just came in and what's this? They're both going into Dem's room!
"About bloody time." I said as I took another drag on my cigarette. Took you long enough Dem! But, he finally did it.
"Hey Lux!"
I turned and there was Axel standing right in front of me.
"Can I bum a smoke?" he asked and I threw the carton over to him.
"Thanks a bunch pal." He took out the lighter he was so fond of flipping and lit up the cig in his mouth.
"So Dem and Ol' Sparky finally got together huh?" he asked after taking a drag.
I nodded as I held my hand up to keep Axel silent. Since I'm Dem's neighbor, I can hear most of what goes in that room and I was waiting for just a simple…
I got it soon enough. Just Dem shouting rather loudly "Ah Wham Bam Thank you ma'am!"
Me and Axel doubled over in laughter. After we calmed down a bit, Axel asked "You think Dem knows about that camera we put in his room?"
"Not at all my friend," I answered "Not at all."
We high fived and turned to look out at the moon as we enjoyed our smokes. It was a good night.
TO BE CONTINUED…
A/N: There! It's finally finished. I began work on this two weeks ago and worked on it on and off. Pretty damn good in my opinion. Particularly the last few segments.
So, I need at least one review to continue. And while I appreciate you people telling me you like it, I want to know why. Also, are there any lines or scenes you particularly liked? I just want to know. It fills me with pride when someone likes my work and takes the time to say what they liked and why.
So, review. Chapter 4 is imminent and the story will continue.
Excelsior True Believers,
The Magnificent Tim Fortune