DEDICATIONS: This, as usual, goes out to all of my wonderful reviewers, Bob Da Peach especially. Also, to Dualism, and The BirdFox Hybrid Productions, for inspiring me and making me laugh with their stories. You all rock out loud.

ALSO: A name change has been put into place. Take note:

Demyx-kitty is now referred to as Myde.

Emyd Niikamura Demyx Niikamura.

Thank you.


How I Became the Gay Father of Two

Chapter Four: Songs for the Deaf

I didn't get any sleep that night. I was mesmerized. All I could see was Dem's angelic face, contorted with fear and anguish even in sleep. Myde came in during the night, mewled at Demyx's frown and tear-stained face, and curled up under his arm. I slept in the guest room, not trusting myself beside him. And somehow, I was still in denial about my sexuality. And how thick I was.

The week went by blindingly fast, and all of a sudden, it was Friday, and the kids were just getting out of class. I'd promised to wait for Demyx so I could take him out for dinner. He hadn't been home since Monday night, so we'd gotten a lot closer. I was thinking about the best place to take him, when I heard my name.

"Oi! Xigbar!!" Sora called, barreling down the hall as he usually did, Riku in tow, Kairi, Namine and Roxas trailing a little farther behind.

Riku pulled up beside me and smirked. "So I've heard you're coming to see us play." He challenged.

"No, I'm coming to pick up underage, hormone infested chicks. They're definitely my type." I said, smirking right back. Riku laughed, and Sora looked at us oddly.

"But you are coming aren't you?" Kairi asked, as she and the other two finally caught up.

I smiled. "Of course. I wouldn't miss it. You're sure to be great. And I'm bringing my friends, so start learning some self defense." Everyone laughed save Sora.

"Why?" He asked, looking at everyone else angrily.

Riku put on a boogie-man face and towered over him. "Because they're like vampires. They suck the virtue right out of you!" He said, then dropped his hands from where they were hanging over Sora's head like claws, and tickled the brunette mercilessly. I wondered how long it would be till they finally became an item.

Roxas rolled his eyes, obviously thinking the same thing. He looked like he was about to say something, when Demyx pulled up to me out of the English office. "Ready to go, Xigbar?" He asked.

I smiled. "Yep. See you retards tomorrow, okay?" I said, watching them all nod enthusiastically.

Demyx started laughing. "You know, most teachers wouldn't call their students that." He pointed out.

I shrugged. "I'm not most teachers, am I?"


We got to Boston Pizza, where I'd decided to take Demyx, and waited to be seated. When we were, we still had five minutes before someone came to take our drink orders.

"Good evening, and I'll be your server toni--" I recognized that voice. Somewhere inside me, an imaginary head banged against a hard surface. "Xig!" Meaghan exclaimed, before blushing and apologizing to her supervisor. "I didn't know you were coming!" She said.

"Not a mind reader are you, so it's no big surprise really." I said, trying to avoid her gaze.

"You know each other? Are you his student?" Demyx asked.

"Pfft! No. I just see him all the time and piss the hell out of him." She smiled, and then held out her notebook. "Alright, can I get you boys something to drink?" She said, giving me a 'you're so spilling all later' look.

After taking our entree orders and bring them to us, she excused herself, and left to service another table. Demyx smiled at me over his Thai bites. "So who was that? A rape victim fallen in love?" He snickered.

I rolled my eyes. "Please! If it were like that, she wouldn't be so annoying!" I fumed jokingly. "She and I are just close. She gave me the fur-ball, actually."

Demyx nodded, and we both got to eating. Then he looked up. "So, you're bringing your drinking buddies to the concert tomorrow, right?" He asked. I nodded. "What are they like?"

I smiled. "Well... Xaldin's pretty normal I guess, compared to the rest. Kinda intimidating, actually. But he's a laugh. He's a bonds agent. You've met Luxord. He's pretty much the insane rapist who comes to your window and watches you change. Strangely though, he's a psychiatrist. Larxene's got testosterone coming out the wazoo, and if she didn't have breasts, you'd think she was just some gender-confused, giant, blond cockroach. She's an interior designer, and does some pretty neat arrangements. And Axel... Axel's a pedophile."

Demyx choked and spit out some of the drink he'd just taken a sip of. "Excuse me?" he wheezed.

I snickered. "He's got this insane crush on Roxas. Had it ever since he graduated, with the kid still in Junior High. Poor guy."

Demyx was still looking at me strangely, but started laughing anyway.


That night, we got home a little buzzed. I'd found the bar, and Demyx had shared a few drinks with me. I don't remember what happened that night, and Demyx wouldn't tell me in the morning.


When morning did roll around, I smelled pancakes again. We ate in silence. Mine was because of the insane headache I was currently trying to ignore. Demyx, probably out of embarrassment, though I didn't know it then.

The phone rang.

I grumbled, and got up to answer it. "Mmm, whatcha need?" I muttered.

"Hey!! Xigbar! We're still going to Roxy's concert right?! Come oon! When are we going? Should I dress up? Do you know if he's gay? Should I call Marluxia for fashion advice?" From the sound of his voice, I guessed that he'd been up for a while and had already called the others. I hung up.

"Who was it?" Demyx asked.

"Jus' some pedo." I said, waving it off and sitting down to continue enjoying my pancakes.

Demyx stared at his hands, until we both heard an annoyingly digital tone from his pocket. He whipped out his cell phone, checking the number. He sighed, and opened it up slowly. "Rikku? Hey, darling. ... Shh! Shh, calm down, sweetheart. ... Yeah. ... Yeah I know he is. ... Listen he said he didn't want me around, so I won't be." there was a long pause, and I heard a worried female voice on the other end. "Why the fuck did you stay?!" he screamed, and I cringed. "You know what to do when he does that! You don't need me there to remind you, you're a big girl." He calmed down, looking balefully at his soggy pancakes. "Yeah, I'm sorry. I'm just worried sick about leaving you with him!" There was a screamed answer on Rikku's side. "I can't" Demyx whispered. "I can't go back. Not yet. ... No, I know. ... I'm at a friend's place right now, and he's taking good care of me." All of a sudden, his face went red, and he studdered a bit, before snapping his cell phone closed. His face was still bright red.

I looked at him, as Myde did the same from his lap.

"My sister. She's fourteen. And... Yeah." He said.

I didn't pry. And his eyes thanked me for it.


Around six, I realized what time it was, grabbed Demyx's hand, dragged him to the door, then back again so I could call Megz to watch Myde. I didn't let go of his hand while we were in the car, and he didn't pull it away. Although his face kept going pink every so often. We got to the place a half hour before they started, but Axel was already there. I still hadn't let go of Demyx's hand.

And Axel noticed, if his smirk was any indicator.

Of course, the smirks were sparse as he was busy ogling Roxas. I saw the blond lean over to his brother and point Axel's way. The stupid pyro went insane and ran out of the room. What he missed was the disgusted look Roxas gave afterwards. Demyx laughed when I pointed it out.

I pointed a lot of things out to Demyx, as my friends started filtering in. I showed him how close Riku was with Sora, and how oblivious Sora was to it. (He'd already noticed that one. Who hadn't?) I brought his attention to Kairi and Namine, and just how deep their "sisterly love" went. I pointed Hayner out in the crowd, and the looks he threw both Seifer and Roxas's way.

After all this Demyx looked at me wonderingly. "You sound like a stalker, silly." he said, batting at the arm that was holding his hand.

I smiled. "I just notice what other's don't. Hello, Lux." A soft 'shit' was heard from behind us.

We turned around, and Demyx dropped my hand. I didn't welcome the cool air. "Ey, Xig. Brought your boyfriend, did you?"

Demyx studdered. "N-no! I-i-it's not... We're n-not li--"

"Oh, so your assmeat's up for grabs? Sweet." Luxord said, leaning in closer, and reaching around to said area.

I shoved my arm across his chest and forcefully pushed him away, taking a step in front of Demyx. "Yes. Yes, I did bring my boyfriend, so kindly keep your ruddy paws off." I snarled, managing to stay angry when Demyx brushed his hand against mine.

Luxord scoffed. "Dunno what he sees in you, but, boyfriends or not, he'll come 'round. This accent's irresistible." He said, and flashed a perfect white smile.

Demyx didn't bring up the "boyfriends" thing, but he didn't hold my hand, or get too close to me again either before the show started. But when it did, it didn't matter.

When Roxas sang, everyone listened.


Kairi pulled out a drum intro, before the guitars came in shortly before Roxas opened his mouth. He sang in Japanese, which suited everyone just as well.

"There's a beat in my soul; it just won't stop.

There's a beat in my soul; it's the rhythm inside you,

Your heart,

Beating next to mine, in the middle of the night,

With the moon in your eyes, you're beautiful.

With this fire, I will burn,

So pleasantly and peaceful,

And come what may,

My love will burn,

Until both hearts fail to keep time,

Or the harmony fades.

We keep the music; it lives in us,

I'll keep the music; it plays for you.

I'll keep time; we'll never miss a beat,

We'll keep the music, safe in our hearts,

'Cause the music won't stop,

So long as we love.

I hear the melody in your soul; it makes me tremble.

You have the harmony from my soul;

We meld together,

So perfectly, and even in the dark,

I know your figure like my own.

With our fire, we will burn,

So peaceful and pleasant,

And say what they will,

That love will burn,

Until both hearts fail to keep time,

Or the harmony fades."


Beside me, Axel was going insane. "I FUCKING LOVE YOU ROXAS!" He kept shouting.

They launched into a couple covers, Namine taking the microphone and belting out an amazing Inner Universe, and Roxas pulling out a perfect Gackt imitation. It was all together amazing. I was glad I came.

I invited the band to come out for some non-alcoholic drinks, and brought Demyx and my friends along. We kipped over to a restaurant across the street, and got a booth in the back for eleven. We ordered a couple of appetizers and entrees and shared. Demyx was on my left, with Sora on my right, Riku next to him, then Kairi, Namine, and Roxas, who was beside Axel, then Larxene, then Xaldin and Luxord to Demyx's left, much to my dismay.

"So... Xigbar." Luxord started, a look that sent shivers down my spine was plastered on his face. "How long have you and the kid been going out?" I could feel my brain smacking itself against my skull.

I was starting to studder out answer, when Demyx spoke up. "Let's get one thing straight. I'm not a kid. I'm twenty-three." He said angrily. Everyone looked at him strangely. "What?"

"Twenty-three?" I asked.

Emyd blushed, but managed to keep his voice angry. "Yeah. I look young for my age, 'kay?"

Larxene laced her fingers together and rested her chin on them. "Interesting as that is, the question remains unanswered." She stated, staring right at us.

I blurted out the first thing that came to my head. "Since September."

Demyx looked at me with an emotion I couldn't read on his face. Axel tore his gaze away from Roxas for the first time that night to look at me. "So, who takes it then?" He asked casually. Roxas, Xaldin, Sora and Demyx all spluttered at the same time, Sora sending some of the milk in his mouth to the center of the table.

I was bright red, I could feel it. "N-now... Who said it was like that?!"

Axel shrugged. "Just wondering. I thought that maybe if you were really together, you'd have mentioned him. Or introduced him to your dearest friends-since-the-orphanage sooner."

Demyx gaped, and looked at me. Oops. Forgot about that. "Axel, would you kindly shut it the fuck up?" I hissed, lifting Demyx's chin for him. I let my hand fall to his shoulder, and slowly snaked it around to the other. He leaned against me, still looking at me wonderingly.

Xaldin narrowed his eyes. The kids and Demyx all stiffened. "Haven't told your boyfriend about that? Embarrassed, Xigbar? Or is he really your boyfriend?" Shit.

Way to get stuck in between a big fat boulder, and an even bigger Hard Place.

"I... I—uh..." I started, before Demyx jumped to my rescue.

"Neither of us really talk about our pasts. We live in the moment, you know?" He said, flashing that winning smile. I sighed with relief and placed a kiss on his head without think about it. Thankfully, he didn't say anything about it either.

After that, they dropped it. But then Larxene had to be the prying, stabbity bitch. "Axel, I don't think little Roxy enjoys your pining. Why don't you give the poor boy some space?" She said sweetly, and I wasn't sure if she was feigning the innocence or not.

Axel went as red as his hair and shuffled away from Roxas, and Sora's death glare. Roxas didn't seem fazed. "I—I was not! What the hell?" He said hurriedly.

Namine placed a hand on Roxas's shoulder, and whispered something in his ear. He smiled and shook his head, and she smiled too, then leaned over and relayed the information to Kairi. They smiled at each other, almost perfect mirrors of each other, and then snuck their hands under the table, probably to hold hands again.

Axel was now sitting flush against Larxene's side, but still looking longingly at Roxas. I felt sorry for the guy.

We sat in light conversation for a bit, before Sora turned to me. "Hey, Xigbar..." he said slowly.

I cringed a bit. I hoped this would be good, not disastrous...

He leaned in closer, and I bent down, realizing this was not for other ears. "Are you and Mr. Niikamura really dating?" He asked, blushing a bit, and looking at the man in question.

I laughed. And then I started laughing nervously, realizing what answering that would entail. "Er... Well, it's complicated..." I said, going to turn away.

"So spill! I've got time." He said, yanking on my sleeve.

I sighed. "No. I just said that to Lux to shut the stupid Brit up. He was making passes. And... And for some reason that just rubbed me the wrong way. I'm just a good friend like that."

"But what about all the stuff you keep doing?" He asked, cocking his head.

"What 'stuff'?"

Sora lifted up a finger. "You always hold hands with him, you did on the way to the restaurant, although that seemed really subconscious. I don't think either of you noticed." Hmm... I didn't remember that... "And you both are never more than arms-length apart from each other. And... There's this thing the two of you do... When you talk really intensely, you get all close. Like... Your foreheads are close to touching, sometimes. There are like... magnets between you, pulling you always closer to the other." He scratched his head. "That doesn't seem like something a friend does."

My mind was reeling. Surely none of that happened... right? I brushed the thought off. "Then Riku must be more than a friend to you." I said quickly, and turned back to the group, leaving Sora blushing and completely bewildered.

But I wasn't left as carefree. I started paying close attention to my subconscious actions around Demyx (Which is really hard, by the way.). And then I noticed it. The hands, the proximity, the intensity of just how deep this friendship went, and only after a couple months. 'It's no big deal. It's okay to hold someone's hand once in a while. I mean, we're really, really good friends. So I kissed him on the forehead, and I kinda fantasize about changing the location of said kiss, that doesn't make me a homo.' I felt my eyes widen at this. "I really am..." I said, not realizing it was out loud.

"Really are what?" Demyx said, squeezing my hand. And after my little revelation, I noticed the flips my stomach did, the racing my heart started, and the effort it took to put together a coherent sentence when I looked into his eyes. I loved him. I was a poof. I was gay. For my assistant teacher.

I groaned and rested my hand on his shoulder, my hair sliding down my shoulder. Demyx tucked it back for me. "It's nothing. Nothing to worry about." I didn't see his face, but he started petting my hair and rubbing my back. I relaxed immediately.

"Hey, listen." Dem said. I straightened myself, ashamed for the moment of weakness. "Um... I'm going to make a stop at my house, kay? You can drop me off, and I'll take my car back to your place, but I have some stuff to take care of." He didn't look at me, and I disentangled our fingers, stroking them through his hair. He leaned against me, sighing contentedly.

We finished what was left on our plates, my friends and I paid for the food, and we all got rides home. I got into my car, reaching over and taking Dem's hand. It was shaking. "Hey, you okay?" I asked, giving his hand a squeeze.

He smiled, staring ahead. "Yeah. I'll tell you later." The smile was solemn, as if he was going to accept a terrible fate. He directed me down several streets, all of them mostly grungy bungalows and middle-class two-levelers. He squeezed my hand, not looking at me. "This one," was all he said.

I watched him walk up to the dark door on the unlit walkway, which opened into a tiny not-even-bungalow. It was as if someone had taken an apartment, cut it out of it's building, and placed it in the empty lot to save time. He waved at me once, as the door opened to reveal a burly man who yanked him inside forcefully.


I pulled into the driveway, being sure to leave room for another car, and stepped inside. I sat on the couch, taking Myde into my arms when he hopped up, and stroked him meticulously, obsessively, worriedly, as I waited for the door to open. I knew that Dem hated his father, and I could probably guess why from that first nightmare he had on this couch.

What could his father possibly have done to him? What father would--

I stopped. At least his father didn't abandon him.

I shook my head, and looked down at the ball of tawny fur in my arms. He looked back. "What a mess I'm in, De." I said, and felt him snuggle closer...

Only to bound away in fright at Demyx bursting through the door. "Xigbar! I need help!" He said, sounding strained.

I hurried over, and saw him hauling a suitcase inside, a sheepish look on his face. "Wha--"

"I can't stay with my father anymore. I'll tell you about it tomorrow, but right now, I need to get my stuff out of the car. I'll stay here tonight, and get a hotel room later, then I can--" I pulled him against me, effectively cutting him off.

"You're staying here, Dem, and I'm not letting you go anywhere." I said, and, acting on a whim, I tilted his chin up, and our eyes met. Surely he sensed my intentions, but his face was confused, or questioning. Yeah, that's what it was. I leaned in, and closed the already diminishing distance.

His lips were as soft as I'd imagined them to be, and their warmth nearly invited me to molest his mouth with mine. But I kept it brief, and looked at his face. He was smiling, his eyes still closed, a look of pure content on his face. "That was much, much better than the first one." He said. I faltered. What? "Yesterday night. After Boston Pizza? Yeah, I didn't know how drunk you were until you had your hands up my shirt." He blushed wildly, and I realized how much I would enjoy keeping that look there. I leaned in and kissed him again, feeling him press against my chest.

"Are you not comfortable with this? I can stop. I'll never touch you again, I swear!" I said hastily, putting some distance between our flush bodies.

He smiled. "No, the touching is all well and good, but we're in the middle of the hall, the door's open, and my stuff to move in is still in the car, and not in my room." I laughed and grasped his hand.

"Let's get started on that then." And that's how my family jumped from one, to three.


A/N: HAHA. The story title comes into play. Can YOU guess what happens next?

Now on to my issues.

Insert incredibly long-winded sigh here

Well. I know it's late, but here it is. Finally. You'll note that a "Name Change" has occurred. Yeah. Logic finally caught up with me.

LIST OF LOGIC THAT HAS ENLIGHTENED SHARPIES:

ONE: All stories go much smoother when NOT posted until the first few chapters are done.

TWO: When using nobody names, using ALL nobodies with their nobody names it better.

THREE: Chocolate and Vodka do not make a good mix.

So yes, all the chapters previous to this have been edited, and the names replaced. I apologize for the confusion but, it really needed to be done for me to EVER be happy with ANY of this story.

/capsrape

siagr; or the harmony fades.