CHAPTER 4
A/N: I bet a few people out there are feeling sorry for Demyx at this point, so here's a chapter to lighten the mood, as well as see how this German blonde manages to make others in the Estate feel important! D. As well as learn some valuable skills he'll need later on...
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"What looks better? This shade or that shade?" "I think the darker shade of red will suit you." Demyx pointed out as Axel stared himself at the mirror. Demyx was first surprised to see that the myth of vampires not having reflections disproved, since being in a coven house of weathly vampires, one had to look their best to please the crowd. Axel slipped the crimson velvet coat over his black poet's shirt and metalic gold vest, adjusting it slightly to his fitting. He turned side to side, gazing at himself in that full body mirror in the corner of his chambers. Demyx held over his left arm a small stack of Axel's personal coats, different shades of red and golds mostly. But it seemed the young fledging vampire prince favored red more than the golds. "How do I look?" He asked, gazing at Demyx with a smirk. "You look... well...good." Demyx replied, his cheeks pinking up a bit from slight embarrasment. For the past five days, he was stuck under house arrest as Axel ordered and tended to his every whim for those days obediently. The red head rose an eyebrow at Demyx, clearing his throat slightly. "Demyx, you know you can tell me anything. I won't judge what you say." The young blonde gazed back up with Axel's emerald eyes and nodded. "Beautiful... you look beautiful." A smile rose from Axel's lips and he nodded. "Thanks... I just hope Lord Xemnas won't think I'm trying to look the same every day. But then again, he's not one to complain... blacks, whites, silvers with red trims.. Same thing with Marluxia and Saix... blues and pinks. I guess you can say we have a favorite color."
Demyx nodded, smiling lightly. "Indeed." Tying on his jabot collar, Axel gave one last look at himself before slipping his boots on. "Yeah, that'll do." Demyx rushed over, being the servant that he had to be and help Axel slip the unique boots on. "You don't wear these often. Why do you wear them anyways?" He asked as he adjusted the buckle. "Riding lessons around the gardens. I won't be long, probably an couple hours or so. I need to get out of the house anyways." "Why not ride to Paris? You get to see all the artwork and buildings." Axel shook his head to Demyx. "I think I'll stick to here for now... I'm... not ready to face the world again." A small hum escaped Demyx's throat, finishing the last buckle and went to place the remaining garments up in the closet. "Anything else?" He asked. Axel gazed up to his ceiling to think. "Well... nothing I can think of. I guess, practice your English and French more while I'm gone, you're such a fast learner, you're nearly an expert now!" Demyx grined wide, happy to see that he was accomplishing something to make Axel proud of. "Okay, I shall! You go and have fun. I'll just fix up your room for when you get back." Demyx said, waving off to Axel. The other saluted him, shutting the door behind them for a long tiring ride with Sora. Once his master was gone, Demyx turned to fixed the bedsheets, tidying them up neatly on the large bed. Once it was neatly placed, his mind wandered off back when he and Axel slepted together after the little scare with him leaving the house without leaving Axel a message. When night came Demyx was surprised that Axel had not bit him in the middle of the night, but had his back turned in bliss sleep. He almost appeared normal to Demyx's eyes, just a young man sleeping in lush expensive linens and satin bedsheets. Someone who was lonely and needed companionship, that somehow found its way to him...but then there was the fact he was not normal when he had yawned in his sleep, those fangs protruding from his mouth like a yawning lion. But he was still someone to consider something... special with.
The memory was broken when Demyx suddenly heard the faint sounds of a piano far away. But as far as his knowledge of the estate was, there was no piano in the parlors or party rooms. Could there be a piano in one of the rooms he had yet to enter? Rising to his feet, Demyx honed his hearing to the mysterious music, leading him out of Axel's bedchambers. He followed out the hallway, leaning over the balcony and gazing down at the main enterance way at the door. Hmm, no piano there. Yet the haunting melody was still in the air and he allowed his ears and heart to find it. It was too interesting not to hear. With one hand to the top floor hallway walls, he trailed down, listening to the sound as it slowly grew in volume. He came to a deadend, branching off into two smaller wings. He glanced back and forth, trying to see which winged hallway to choose. One hallway seemed to be themed in a garden while the other, decorated in paintings of some place with snow covered mountains and buildings in bright colors and domed caps. He listened, and the music picked up again, stronger now down the hallway with the paintings. Cautiously he approached the only door, painted blue at the end of the hallway. The music was stronger now, and when Demyx leaned on the door, the music was loud and beautiful. He pressed his ear to the door, listening to this sweet, but haunting song. It was not of this orgin, neither French nor Germany or any European type music he had ever heard of. It was, strong, bold, powerful, almost lively. Taking one hand, he grasp the doorknob, opening it slowly and silently to see what laid inside.
Fingers glided across a grand piano, seemingly lost in a world only the music could tell. Golden eyes were focused in their work, ensuring no mess up, no missed note. Perfection was key, and the player made sure that was all he would get out of this escape from reality. Demyx could not believe his eyes. Lord Saix playing the piano? Here he had come to believe the vampire was so evil, playing such a instument would seem childish. Yet here we was, playing haunting music that lured Demyx in like a moth to a flame. He stood there, peeking through the door to listen to Saix play, his music constantly growing into a haunting melody, one right after the other. Demyx seemed to lose his thoughts, daydreaming off to a world he'd pictured to the music of a place with snow covered mountains and cities with colorful domed caps like the ones in the paintings. He smiled, hummed lightly to the song, forgetting he was eaves dropping on a vampire's bedchambers. Demyx was so lost that it took him a full three minutes to realize the music had stopped. He opened his eyes, gazing up into Saix's golden gaze of ice. "What do you want?" He asked in that cool, errie voice of his. "Oh! I'm sorry! I...I didn't mean to listen. It's just that your music was so beautiful, I had to listen and well, I forgot this was your bedchambers! I'll leave immeditately, I promis.." Demyx started to explain to save his neck, literately. But his lips were sealed by a clawed finger, and returned back up his gaze to the other. "Hush." Saix spoke monotonic. His gaze seemed to stay fixed on Demyx, causing the boy to shiver slightly even as Saix removed his finger. There was a long silence between the two, Demyx readying himself for a blow to the head. "You say... my music is beautiful?" Saix finally spoke. A quick, silent nodded from Demyx was all that was need to reply. "Get in here."
Saix grasped Demyx by the collar of his shirt, pulling the boy inside his bedroom and shutting the door. He shivered more, keeping his head against his neck in this darken room. Only one candle was lit, to light the piano keys and music sheets. As he gazed at the piano, Saix walked about his room, lighting it more with candles everywhere, allowing Demyx to get a better look at his bedchambers. They were completely different from Axel's with a display shelf full of swords and daggers from around the world from nearly every culture. A bookshelf loaded with every accounts of war, of battles both fictional and real, and a few on the astronomical theories and veiws. There were items he was not familar with, more pictures of the strange country. His eyes gazed everywhere, falling onto a thick furred hat on the end of Saix's lavish blue satin bed. Demyx slowly approached, forgetting where he was and picked up the hat. "Like it?" Saix spoke from behind him suddenly, catching the boy offgaurd and setting the hat back. "Well, um... that is to say... uh... yes? I've never seen hats like this." He replied, trying not to upset the vampire. Saix smiled slightly and picked up the hat. "It's called a ushanka. A hat worn quite often in the winter and cold months of my country. I wore this on the day I came into my Master's keep. Ever since then, it's not cold enough to wear my furs." Placing the hat down, Saix returned to the piano, then glanced back at Demyx. "Come... sit." Demyx nodded and obeyed without question. Once he sat down next to Saix, he dared to speak slightly. "Where did you live before coming to France?" Saix sighed, looking up at one of the paintings. "My old home? Hmm... Russia. A frozen land to the north, but with the snow, it is a lovely realm if you know how to live it." Demyx nodded. "I see... is that why you have the pictures?" Saix hummed and nodded. "To remind me of home."
Before Demyx could pry his eyes off the paintings, now understanding their meaning, he felt his hands being grasped and placed onto the keys. He blinked in surprised at the gentleness Saix held as he position Demyx's fingers on a certain key. "Now then... follow the chords I play. We shall work each at a time until you are able to play at the true speed." Saix explained, placing his fingers to another area of the piano keys, and begin to play a few notes on a deeper scale. Demyx watched intently and started to copy Saix's moves, carefully so was not to miss a note, lest he anger the older vampire fledging. The notes slowly meant nothing, just dots on airy paper to Demyx, but the more and more chords Saix played, the more Demyx continued, never giving up until he was told to stop. Two hours had gone by and Demyx was reading the music sheets now, instead of Saix's hand. A smile rose in the vampire's lips and patted Demyx's shoulder. "You have a musician's heart." Demyx smiled back and replied. "Well.. I use to play wooden flutes when my father made them for me... nothing special. I do enjoy music though." "Practice more... You might prove useful come New Year's Eve party my Master puts on every year." Demyx almost messed up a note as he played, not sure how to take in the news. Play in front of a party size room full of vampires!? What would they like? He found out the ones of this mansion did not like the believed errie, haunted, mournful music everyone believed in, but more moving music, music to dance to and feast and be merry to one to like normal people. Though the feasting might be more of captured victims to be shared around until they were drained of blood. "Thank you for teaching me how to play." Demyx spoke up, looking up into Saix's golden eyes which were seemingly drifting off somewhere. He closed them and nodded. "You may go now... if you need any more practicing, come to me." He said, waving a hand off to Demyx as the boy left. He smiled, and felt... good to have some company admire his music which most found distasteful... It would be the only time he would smile in such a warm way.
Walking out of Saix's room, Demyx felt more at ease with the man. So what Axel said months ago was true, no one was interested in bitting him so long as he was Axel's personal servant and since he went mad at his dissappearance, it was without a doubt he would be twice enraged if something happened to Demyx. Could this mean that deep down... the vampire prince... trully... maybe... WHAM!
Demyx slammed his face into something and fell flat on his back, dazed and started to see double. "For the love of Roses! Watch where you're going servant! I could of fallen and hurt myself! I... wait a minute... you're Axel's servant boy aren't you!? Yes, you are! Ah, can't forget what happened a few days ago, can't we eh?" Demyx slowly picked himself up, shaking his head side to side. Once his vision returned to normal, he gazed up to find himself staring at the fashionable vampire prince, Marluxia. "Uh... um... no sir." He tried to say, his head slightly throbbing. Marluxia smiled, laughing almost. "Well, at least you're not as hard as Axel! He knocks you down, and you stay down. I know.. I have the bump on the head to prove it!" He said, rubbing his head, but then looked puzzled. "Okay... so I had the bump... That's one good thing about being a night walker, your wounds heal much faster than your healing time." Demyx merely nodded, trying to past Marluxia back towards Axel's room. "That's uh... good. Please excuse me I need to..." "Wait a minute, blondie! You might just be the person I need. I'm redecorating my chambers to make room for some really nice stuff imported from Asia that's coming in, and I need to open up some space! Come on and help me." The pink coated vampire said, grasping Demyx by the shirt sleeve and taking him down the garden themed hallway to a equally empty hallway with one door painted pink. Once inside, Demyx was taken back at how bright the room was, and how... feminine. Everything was either romantic Italian themed or garden themed. Marluxia's bed had been already stripped of it's sheets, off to the laundry evidently. He shifted to the left side of the bed frame, waiting for Demyx to take the other side. "Lift and place it in the corner, at an angle."
It took alot for Demyx to lift up the heavy bed, why couldn't they of taken it apart and reassembled it? Marluxia lifted it up with no problem, as if it was a bag of feathers while Demyx huffed and puffed, relieved when the bed was placed in the new position. He wiped away the small bead of sweat off his brow, and even went ahead and place the sheets on the bed, arranging it into a nice design. Marly watched and hummed, crossing his arms across his chest. Demyx noticed this and attempted rearranging the pillows like that of a flower. "Ah! Much better, for a minute, the design started to.. well... you know.. look like Axel's room. I swear from the time he came to owning that room, he has yet to change the decor, rearrange any of the furinture and flat out ignore everything! No wonder he's so bored and meloncholy with his life!" Demyx merely shrugged, not really getting what this guy was trying to say about Axel. "Well, if there isn't anything else you need, I'll be going then..." Demyx spoke softly, about to bow and leave the bedchambers. "Hold on a second." Marluxia started, beckoning Demyx to follow him towards a sliding panel door on the other side of the room. The blonde hesitated, but followed him in silently. He could feel his pulse rise in beat, something telling him something bad was about to happen. He wrung his hands together, nervous at what could be lurking behind that rose painted door. Marluxia grasped the handle, pulling to the side in one hard pull. Demyx gasped, then relaxed...though his eyes were still wide. Clothes, lots and lots of clothes from fancy shirts to lavish coats and pants in all sorts of details to overwhelm the mind. "You seem to be in need of a makeover! If Axel's so into you, you should at least look halfway decent when he gets back from whatever he's doing right now."
Before he knew it, Demyx was sitting on a chair with Marluxia above him, pampering his hair with a silver comb and some speical items to stiffen his hair with. "Hmm... something tells me your hair will look good like this way." Marly seemed to chirp as he spiked up Demyx's hair. Eventually, the blonde's hair went from going everywhere to having his hair on the top of his hair spiked upwards, but the sides trimmed to a fuzz, and his remaining hair to flow down like golden rivers. "What do you think?" Marly asked, as he held up one of his prized mirrors to Demyx's face. "Umm... I kinda... like it. It's unique." Demyx said, with a small smile. Marluxia seemed to lavish on his accomplishments after being ignored by others. "Oh good! Now then.. let's see..." He paused, walking to his closet stuffed filled with clothing. "Hmm... you seemed best in blues, let's see if I have any... Ah hah! Here we go..." Pulling out, he reveiled five coats in a brilliant shade of blue, unlike Saix's dark blues, they were of the shades of the sea, if Demyx was to ever see what the sea was like. "Treu you!" He added and placed the coat against Demyx. "Yup! Just as I thought, light blue is so you! Now then... you need some nice shirts and pants..." Demyx leaned over to the side as Marluxia went through that stuffed closet. "Lord Marluxia... I'm grateful for your help.. but... shouldn't these clothes best suit you?" "Demmy-face, I've got over one hundred and twenty two different sets of clothes, missing five pairs isn't going to affect me. Besides, you need to look nice for that party Lord Xemnas was talking about sometime ago.." He said, flicking his hand about as if it was no big deal. But for Demyx, the guy was THE fashion freak of the vampire world... maybe just the vampires of Paris. "Most of what I wear now, so much reflects my personality much better. Ole Xemmy didn't know what colors to give me so he just handed me a slew of coats until I told him I wanted more... floral colors." The pink haired vampired continued as he handed Demyx five pairs of black pants that were a size too small for him, but perfect for Demyx as well as five pairs of yellowish white poet shirts similar to the designs Axel wore, but with different collars.
"Now, go try them on, Im sure they'll impress Axey way more than those old clothes you wear all the time." Marly shooed Demyx into his own bathroom, which HAD to belong to a woman at one point. With the door closed behind him, Demyx merely gazed about, spotting that box of various perfumes Lord Xemnas had given Marluxia months ago. Setting the clothes down on a bench he removed his regular clothing and slipped into one of the sets. The shirt and pants were the same shade, but the coats were slightly different shades of light blues, all reflecting water of some sort. He fingered through each coat, looking at each detail until he selected a satin aqua color with gold fish painted on the fabric, trimmed in black velvet ends. He slipped it on, finding it a perfect snug fit. Looking in the three sided mirror, Demyx turned side to side like Axel, admiring the higher class garments. "I look like a prince..." He whispered, smiling to himself. Off the corner of his eye, the blonde spotted a row of other perfumes that seemed to be neglected and a rack of hair ribbons. He gingerly took a black ribbon, and with one hand, collected his flowing hair while placing the placing the ribbon underneath the dirty blonde locks. Letting go, Demyx then tied the ribbon until his hair was in a nice ponytail that many aristocratic men kept their long hair. He smiled, and then eyed about the older perfumes. Was it okay to try a sample? Surely Lord Marluxia would care less, as long as it wasn't the newer ones Superior Lord Xemnas had given him. Picking up a tiny blue bottle, Demyx opened the cap and sniffed lightly. It was a heavenly scent, almost as if he could picture himself at the ocean, seeing the endless horizon he always wanted to see. "I'm sure he won't mind... I'll won't use but a few drops." Placing a finger to the opening, he shook it once and rubbed the liquid on the sides of his neck, just below his coat's collar. He smiled, enjoying the scent while placing the bottle back and stepped back out into Marly's room for the other's verdict.
Marluxia gazed up from his bed's end, smiling that wicked smile the kind that he often used to lure women into becoming his prey. It caused Demyx to freeze, unsure what to do, but just stood as still as stone. The vampire approached him, circling around like a hawk to a mouse. "Stunning.. absolutely stunning. You could past for royality so long as no one asked the details of lineage." He commented, seemingly pleased with his choices in the fashion for this boy... until he stood behind the boy and leaned foward, noticing a light scent on the nape of the blonde's neck. Demyx's heart raced again, throbbing deep in his throat and causing the vein on his neck to puff out as he stiffen. Marly's eyes caught that sight and thought it was very tempting... he knew what would happen if Axel was to discover any mark. Instead, he simply allowed his nose to take the lead, not his stomach. "Hmm... do I detect sandelwood? Did you use one of my old perfume bottles?" He asked leaning back up while stepping away from Demyx. "If you please Sir, I didn't mean to use it! I liked the scent and since it was one of your older perfumes, I thought a little wouldn't be noticed so long as it didn't come from your newer batches." The vampire hummed slightly, thinking over this predictament. Waltzing back into the bathroom, Marly reappeared a few seconds later, leaning back over Demyx's shoulder. He opened his coat's left side, and slipped something in the hidden pocket. "Keep it."
Demyx was shocked, why was this vampire being so generous to him all of a sudden!? "Sir... if you mind me asking... why so much generousity? Don't you think Lord Xemnas will... find this all unapealing?" A light chuckle rose from the pink vampire prince. "I've got bets with a friend of mine in Paris that Axel will either fall for you instantly or... bite you to become his. Nothing is more entertaining than watching a homosexual in denial. Ha ha! I've been watching him lately. He's over you like a swarm of bees on a sweet flower! Always making sure you're alright, unturned and whatnot like some mother hen over her only egg. It's quite funny really!" Demyx turned around, blinking slightly. "You mean.. Axel's..." "Buttercup, Axel wouldn't be here if he was a straight guy. Lord Xemmy here... takes a fancy to foreign queers. Axel's just been denying his senses and moods for as long as I've been here! He doesn't want to admit he's not normal in sexuality because that'll bring him one step closer to playing Xemmy's game. But like it or not, he has to take part of it... just as I have to... though what's the rush!? I say 'lollygag all night and fight when the time is right!' So I just lavish up the spoils of this place and strenghten my powers." The blond nodded, seeing how Marluxia was a reasonable vampire, if there was such a thing. He also seemed to know the norm of the estate and what was going on. So maybe his lounging on couches wasn't wasting time, but observing it. If only Axel knew... "Wha, wait!? Axel? He's... not truely straight!?"
With a shrug, Marly sat cross legged on his bed. "Well... from what I've been told and been watching thus far. Only one way to find out is to kiss him and find out... and I don't mean a peck on the cheek. Really put some umph into it!" He explained, thrusting his hips once to get the point across. A eyebrow raised on Demyx's face, but politely nodded as he did not wish to say anything. "Well... I sappose I could...but..." He started, his mind wandering off to questions locked in his head. "But what? Afraid he might not want you as a lover? Trust me sunflower... you're the water to his fire to make some nice hot steam in winter! In fact..." Marly rambled, flicking a hand through his hair. "I have a question... if you say that Lord Xemnas adores those with homosexual tastes... then why do you come home with women?" The vampire smirked now, his eyes seemed to gleam like dark saphires amongst the candle lights. "Because..." He said, sitting up and slowly walked towards Demyx. Now the air seemed to grow darker as Marluxia took on that errie dark look upon his face that cause Demyx terror in his heart. It beated wildly in his chest, one arm curled up against it, hiding it in a fatal attempt. The floral loving vampire leaned forward, smiling all the more wickedly while grasping the blonde's shoulders so he wouldn't get away. In that moment, he whispered in Demyx's ear. "Because women's blood is much more sweeter when they are treated like royality... it sweetens the blood like honey... Almost as sweet... as..." He paused, sticking his tongue out to lick up the edge of Demy's ear. The boy shivered, eyes wide and heart racing, which caused a vein in his neck to pop out. Marly's blue eyes caught this, smirking and allowed his hot breath to trail down Demyx's frail neck. He whimpered slightly at the vampire's mercy. One bite was all that it would take... one bite and Demyx would be death from drained of blood.
But just as the darkness of air around the two seemed to reach a climax, Demyx was freed. Those clawed, perfumed hands released his shoulders. He nearly fainted as he watched Marluxia leave him, his back turned while he opened another side door of a hidden closet. "S...ss..Sir?" Demyx dared to push out a word to Marluxia. The fledging paused, turning to look over his shoulder with a smile. "Yes? Oh! Right... let's see now... Ah! One last thing I'll give you since I don't know why Xemmy gave me this, I have no love in making music myself like Saix does." Demyx approached where Marluxia stood over, digging through his closet for something. Without warning, a large stringed instument landed in Demyx's arms. "Indian music... I have no love for... bleh. Anyways.. keep it, see if you can make it sound nice for Axel... Do please try to get him out of his boring state of spacing out? The longer he does it, the more of a insane vampire he'll become later on in life." Demyx glanced at the large instument and gulped at the idea of Axel becoming a monster of himself. "So.. what is it?" He asked. "Uhh.. what's that word? Ah! Sitar... yes... a sitar. You may have to tune it or whatever. Saix and Xemnas are better experts in music than I am. I like gardens! I do not like to make music, but I like to listen to it." Demyx nodded with a smile. "Thank you very much my Lord for all your help. And of course for the gifts... I can't thank you enough." Marly merely laughed and waved him off idly. "Oh shush! I'm only doing it just so I can win my 85,000 Francs..." The blonde quickly nodded, finding this time to collect his new clothes with his sitar and return to his and Axel's chambers. As he approached the door, he turned back, craddling his items tightly and glanced up at Marluxia. "I have one last question for you... who are you placing a bet with that lives in Paris?" The fledging smiled, raising a rose from a vase to his nose to sniff it. "Hmm... " He paused, before matching his eyes with Demyx's. "My lover Vexen. He's a alchemist and scientist of sorts... and my first turned. But don't tell Lord Xemnas I said that, I'm not techincally "of age" enough to turn my own flegdings... but love is blind... so he's in Paris trying to come up with a way to walk in sunlight. So far, nothing, but he'll get there eventually. So clear this memory from your mind. I hear Saix is slowly starting to develope mind reading. It's one of many vampiric traits... so lying in this house is a big no no." Demyx merely licked his lips and nodded. "I understand, thank you Lord Marluxia.
Demyx raced back to Axel's chambers, finding the redhead vampire no where in sight. It was a relief to the blonde as he quickly placed his new clothes away in a secret spot so when Axel did came home... he would not discover the outfits right away. Demyx instead wanted to surprise him, taking Marly's advice. Sitting on the sofa, he plucked the sitar strings, listening and tuning it until he was able to produce wonderous sounds. Slowly but surely, he was able to translate his piano teachings with Saix into the chords for the sitar. The melody was beautiful, far past dreary that Saix seemed to play at. He continued long into the night, until he swore either his fingers were falling asleep or himself was fallen asleep. His body just couldn't stand the idea of staying awake at night and sleep during the day when he barely got any hours of rest anyways. He was just about to take a small nap on the bed, when he could hear noise from outside the bedroom. Demyx slowly stepped out, leaning over the balcony edge to listen in on who came in the front door. "...I could of sworn it was wild turkey I had. You sure we didn't pass a flock by chance?" Axel asked Sora, who was helping Axel take off his muddy riding boots. "I don't know my Lord. If Riku said there was wild turkey, surely he would of gone after some for you?" The stable boy said in conclusion. "Well... tell him in the morning that I want him to go into the city to buy traps for wild turkey! I want a cup of their blood tomorrow night." Sora nodded, bowing before Axel and lefted for another room. "Well... lookie who's back! So Axey, how'd the horsey ride go? You didn't get thirsty and suck the horse dry did you?" Marly said as he appeared downstairs as well from a parlor. "No! I did not! You know I normally have chicken or cattle... horse is too... bleh!" "Oh... well, my mistake then." "Listen Marluxia. I'm tired, I want to take a hot bath and then go to bed early."
The pink vampire blinked. "How far did you go?" He asked with his hands to his hips. "I don't know.. about a good twenty miles in the woods behind the estates. Found a lake there... be nice to have a boat house there." "Oh? Who's going to use it? Certainly none of us here.. I just don't think Xemmy is going to fork over enough money to pay for a vacation house." "Call Master Xemnas that pet name again, and I'll have your head by the locks." Demyx's back sent chills as he heard Saix's voice now, as he joined in this verbal fledging war. It almost looked like baby birds, chirping madly to get attention to be fed first. "Oh come on! I give pet names to Axel here, and he doesn't mind!" "Actually, I do." "Axel is nothing... but when it comes to Superior Lord Xemnas, referring to him as 'Xemmy' is out of the question. I will not allow you to disrespect him in such a manner." "Oh Saix, give it a rest will ya? Marluxia here is just a pansy, you know that." "That's right! Wait... hey! I'm not some low life flower!" Demyx tried not to giggle at the quarry. It was just too funny watching the trio of fledgings just puff their chests out at each other and bark. He rested his head in his hands, elbows propped on the railing to watch the ordeal continue. But it seemed his getting comfortable was timed too late as Marluxia started to wallk toward the stairs. "Okay fine! I give, no more for me! You two are just a couple of arrogant meanie heads! I see how it is!" He whined, though it was all a fake, to get the other two to feel sorry for themselves. At least it work with Axel. "Oh Mar... come on.. you're not.. Oh come on! Geeze...Thanks alot Saix, you and your cold mood just has to ruin the night, did you?" The Syberian sneered. "My fault? Upsurd! I do believe it was your part that played the foul hand in causing him to whine like a spoiled child." "Well you were in it too ya blue... bear!"
The two downstairs continued to bark back and forth, Demyx frowning to see Axel upset again. But at least he wasn't steaming mad like before. Still... he wished he and Saix would get along like he did with the piano. Without warning, he felt a pair of familar hands on his shoulders again. He turned to see Marluxia, winking before ushering the blonde towards the stairs. Now or never, Demyx guessed, and followed next to Marluxia, down the stairs. It was amazing how Axel and Saix took no notice to the fact Marly returned with Demyx, still bickering back and forth. Just when the insults couldn't get any better, suddenly Saix and Axel started cussing each other out in different languages. Saix was a rough, Russian dialect while Axel was a quick, yet slightly slurred Creole French from the southern American state of Louisana. Rolling his eyes, Marluxia was not impressed with the non-understandable dialect and cleared his throat. "Ahem! Axel... I think there's someone here to meet up with you." He said, in a tone of voice that seemed to mock a childish taunt. "What is it now Mar...luh...luh..." Axel snapped, only to have his speech come to a hault as his emerald green eyes widen. The pink vampire pushed Demyx gently forward with a smile. Demyx in turn approached Axel and bowed respectfully in his new clothes and styled hair. "Welcome home my Lord... I hope your ride went well." He said as he returned back up. But, alas... all Axel could get out of his lips, which he swore had turned to rubber, was, "I uh... um... ah..." Saix glanced at Axel then to Demyx in his new clothes before his golden eyes trailed to a very giddy Marluxia who seemed trilled at the reaction. "Your old sets?" He asked, receiving a session of nods from the other.
Axel approached Demyx, their eyes never cutting away. Now nearly on top of Demyx, the red head vampire brought a hand up. At first, Demyx froze, ready to expect a slap to the face again. But no... instead he felt the cool backside of the other's hand gently brush down the side of his cheek, mesmorized by the smooth touch of skin. "You... you look... good. Real good Demyx... I'm impressed. Did... did Marluxia really give you those clothes?" Demyx nodded. "He didn't need them, so he said I should wear them... Do I look that good? Almost like you?" He asked. Axel licked his lips, trying to get some feeling back into them to actually speak a descent conversation with him. "Yeah... like... like a little prince." That was enough to put a smile on Demyx. "Indeed... so very far away from the little peasant boy you still are." The whole room froze as all eyes turned to see Lord Xemnas appear from the shadows of another room. He approached the group, orange eyes locked on Demyx the most and smiled his evil smile, fangs protruding over his lip. The fledgings all bowed respectfully, yet Demyx was so petrafied, he couldn't tell his body to move. Yet, this didn't seem to faze Xemnas as he stood in front of the boy, raising a hand towards him. "Lord Xemnas... he's done nothing wrong, it was Marluxia's idea to..." Axel started, trying his best to protect Demyx from Xemnas. "Silence!" Xemnas snapped at Axel, who stood back shocked, and feeling powerless. Demyx whimpered slightly, but quieted down when Xemnas merely placed a hand to his forehead. At once, Demyx felt like ice, frozen, cold and unmoving. The world around him seemed to spin and he was close to vomiting. But just as quickly as the contact began, it ended. Xemnas closed his eyes with a hum, smiling with content. "You are not in trouble. In fact, I'm taken back at the fact of what you've done." "Done sir?" Demyx asked, his arms uncontrollably shaking. "You've brought some happiness to my two young fledgings while the third was out. I am impressed. When I host my New Year's Ball, I want you to play us some music, both at the piano and with the sitar since your skill with it is very interesting. You no longer have to consider yourself a servant of the house, but in a sence.. our guest. You may still take orders from us, but if you refuse, then it shall not be punishable. Nothing enlightens me than to see my..." Xemnas explained, pausing to eye Saix with a smile. "..my heirs able to express themselves in the company of someone willing to listen to them."
Demyx was amazed, what an honor in the company of vampire nobility! "May I ask a question?" He asked, his eyes wandering up to Xemnas's stare. "Why I know what happened without being present? Simple.. I have the ability to read one's thoughts and memories, as I did when you were about to ask the question. As my fledgings grow older and mature, they will gain abilities such as the mind sight. But not all will possess the same abilities. They will each have unique talents that will help them to become the Lord vampires they are to uphold." The blonde stood there, nodding quickly. "I see, thank you Sir." He replied. Xemnas then turned around, his eyes now deadly focused on Marluxia. "I extend my party invitations to any "friends" you might have Marluxia.. they are more than welcomed to come." The pink vampire gulped but slightly nodded, he secret now found out. Then again, Lord Xemnas didn't seem to upset with it, so prehaps he had nothing to worry about and nodded to his superior. "Now then... before the three of you start prattling on again, need I remind you all I do have coven guests in my mansion and none of them wish to hear the wracket you trio seem to display almost nightly! I will decree that if I heard so much as one peep of an arguement, I'll send you all packing for either the stables or garden shed to spend your day sleeping there!" All three gasped, knowing there was little protection from the sun in the stables. The garden shed was a slightly better choice, but it was angled in with the rising and setting sun. It would be either torture or death out there either way. "I see the point has been crossed. Well, then.. with all that announced and said, I shall returned to my guests. You may either join me or return to your own businesses... but no more arguing!" The master pointed out. All the silently nodded, Saix trailing behind Xemnas like a loyal dog, since the invitation to join him was open.
When there was silence once again, Marluxia merely bowed to Demyx and Axel before he wandered off to a lounge to waste some time. The remaining two glanced at one another, then after a moment, Axel smiled and nodded towards the stairs. "Let's head upstairs." Demyx nodded, smiling as he followed behind his lord and friend. Once inside the bedchambers, Axel locked the door so they wouldn't be disturbed. "You really look sharp. I'm still shocked at how you managed to get Marluxia to give you those clothes!" He said as he removed his own, one article of clothing at a time. Demyx nodded, heading for the bathroom to draw Axel a hot bath. "I know... I'm really glad to like them. I find them real comfy. Maybe we should go out to Paris sometime. Just to walk around and enjoy the artwork, you know?" He replied, feeling the hot water flow into his hand while it filled the large tub. When he stood up to turn around, there was Axel at the doorway... in the nude. Poor Demyx's eyes went wide before he had to advert them while one hand flew to his face as a blush came on. "I..it-it's ready Axel." He mumbled and quickly walked out the bathroom. That image of Axel was now burned in the blonde's head, and the more he thought of it, the more he admire Axel's body more and more. Indeed, he was almost like a living porcelian doll. The redhead watched him dart out, rolling his eyes slightly. "Oh psh... Come on Demyx... I'm not a girl here... it's not like I'm offend or anything. Dem! Oh fine!" Axel pouted as he slipped into the hot water, sighing as it soothed his sore legs from riding so long. "I'm sorry Axel! I just... um.. got a little nervous." Demyx explained in the other room, stuffing his nose with a handkerchief as his own blood started to drip. "Nervous? Over what? Never saw another guy's 'jewels' before!?" Axel called out. "Well, no!" "I thought you said you were gay?" "I am!" "Heh... must be a virgin gay then..." Axel huffed under his breath and smiled in content, as he slipped under till the water touched his chin.
Once Demyx halted his nosebleed, he removed his outer clothes and crawled into the bed. He stared up at the ceiling, enjoying the paintings upon it. Glancing over to the night stand, Demyx noticed a small silver box with a key sticking out of a side. He leaned back up, and reached over to scoop up the box. With a smile, he started to winding it up till it was near tight. He placed it back on the stand, listening to the song that chimed. It was almost sad, but at the same time it carried on a melody of everlasting longing. He watched the key slowly turn round and round while the music box continued to play it's haunting song. Axel had heard the faint music and seemed slightly distressed, frowning as he slipped down against the rim of the tub. "He found mother's music box..." He whispered, shutting his eyes and allowed only his ears to soak in the sounds he had not heard in so long. It seemed, amongst this lull of silence say for the music box in the other room, Axel almost appeared to be holding back tears. With a hard gasp, he submerged himself under, allowing the warm bath water to wipe away the red tinted tears from his closed eyes. Meanwhile Demyx started to drift off, his body tired from staying up so late. Just as the music box started to slow and end it's roulette, the blond snapped to attention when he could hear the splashing of the tub, indicating that Axel was done with his bath, and was drying off. A small smile curled on his lips, if only he could tell all the myths about vampires were not true. They could withstand water, religious icons held no power on them when they would rather admire them, garlic may of been a strong scented herb, but it was not enough to cause any harm, and they didn't need to sleep in coffins so long as they were protected from the sun's light. Axel returned with a bath robe wrapped around himself while taking a towel to dry his hair. Demyx had never seen Axel with his hair down, and it almost made the vampire appear like a girl with long flowing red hair. But then, when Axel shook his head side to side once, suddenly his hair poofed back to being spiky with out the use of hair styling products. "But... how did your... your hair...?" Demyx started, pointing at Axel as he began to place clothes to sleep in from his dresser. "When you become something like me... whatever you look like during the change stays with you... so if I was to cut my hair off, it would grow back in a matter of seconds." He explained, shrugging slightly. Demyx lowered his eyes, understanding and nodded. "Can I ask you something?" "Sure... what?" "What's the song on this music box? I like it." Demyx cradled the small silver box in his hands now, holding it to Axel for him to see.
"Moonlight Sonata... Beethoven.You know.. German composer who died a couple decades ago." Demyx gasped and smiled wided. "It is! Why was my ears so deaf to my own countrymen's music!? It's..." "It was my mother's music box..." Axel cut in and a heavy cloud of depression sank in like lead over the two boys. Demyx went from cheery to shocked and saddened. "Axel... I'm sorry.. I didn't know." He watched as Axel turned towards the window, drawn tightly close only to shove aside one panel to veiw outside. He was silent, his mind leaving to another place and time. The red head was so out of himself, that it was touch of another's arms around his waist to bring him back. He glanced down, seeing Demyx somehow out of bed and hugging around his waist tightly with his face buried in his shoulder blade. Axel blinked slowly, reaching over to grasp Demyx's hands with his own, giving them a reassuring squeeze. "Tell me... if it makes you feel better... what happened then..." Axel glanced back to the window, staring at his reflection and Demyx's, enjoying the warmth the blonde shared with him. "I was five when Xemnas discovered me... My family had just moved from Savannah in Georgia in America to New Orleans in Lousiana because my father had recently managed to obtain a plantation small enough to manage but big enough for us to be supported. We had arrive by boat since there was too much going on inland for it to be safe to travel by cartiage. No sooner had we came to our new home, than we were told of a dark man who had been spotted at the harbour and followed us towards the plantation. A few weeks had past and with overseers to make sure this stalker would not intervene with our lifestyle... I think... I was a very wild child. I don't remember much about playing on the plantation, other than running up and down the tobacco plants and laughing. But the happiness was short lived when I decided to go catch fireflies and bring them back in a jar to show to my mother, only to have that dark man appear. I remember screaming for the house, the overseer nearby pulling a gun out to fire, only for him to be killed by the dark man... I managed to get inside, telling my parents of the dark man and they took me upstairs to hide. My mother stayed by my side while my father waited downstairs. I was told to be quiet... not breath loudly or speak a word. I was hidden in a secret panel in the attic, used to store extra items. But it would not be enough as my father was attacked. Some point... I clearly remember the shot gun going off, shouts from downstairs, my father rushing up to be with us as he searched for holy relic to keep the monster downstairs away, even got on his knees to pray. It was a matter of minutes and he... Xemnas, came in, as I watched through a small slit of two wooden panels, my parents cornered like rats, trying to deter the vampire away that there was no child to prey upon. But then..." Axel explained, paused when he needed to take a shuddered breath. "Xemnas attacked, he killed my father, bitting his throat out and drinking up the blood that poured down. My mother screamed, and went to sheild the door that hid me, as I stupidily as a five year old could only understand, opened the panel to her arms, we both crying as she was snatched from me, and was drained of her life leaving me alone with no family to return to. I tried to get away, but his powerful hands snatched me, and in the cold darkness of the night, I was taken away, leashed like a dog and kept like a pet. I was locked away in a prison like cell, and the waiting game began. Xemnas would not dare turn a child, but waited till I had just become of manhood with youth like features... I attempted to escape that night they opened the cell for Xemnas to come. I managed to make it as far as where you'll start to see the faint lights of Paris in the trees... when he came from the darkness once again... fangs piercing flesh..."
"Stop! No more! We share the same pain Axel!" Demyx cried out, hugging him all the tighter. Axel's eyes soften, seeing how Demyx must of been in the same situation. Family murdered before his eyes and taken captive. "Demyx..." He whispered, wrapping his arms around the other's shoulders while the blonde glanced up to him. "Thank you for listening to me and my past. And yes, we do share the same pain... When I was taken, I manage to take my mother's music box with me.. it's the only thing I have of my family. I use to play it every day in my cell, until I was trying to escape... I haven't heard it since... until tonight. Thank you for playing it..." Demyx smiled lightly, nuzzling his face back into Axel's shoulder, this time in the little nook of where his arm and shoulder met. "Come on... let's go to bed..." Axel suggested, nodded towards his bed. Demyx nodded, smiling as he and Axel walked over, crawling in together. The bed was a comforting item, holding two lost souls that shared a simliar troubled past. Demyx sighed contently while laying his head down, eyes closed white pulling up the blanket sheets. But just when sleep would take Demyx into a warm and safe security, his blankets no longer covered him. He opened his eyes, seeing them met with Axel's who was propping himself above Demyx, his arms on each side of the blonde' head. At once Demyx's heart paced quickly, body frozen. Did Axel missed drinking tonight and decided to drink Demyx!? He wanted to shiver, whimper almost but that body that floated above him was just to heavenly to be afraid of. Axel leaned down, his hot breath landing on Demyx's bare neck. He knew it was coming, the fangs against warm flesh. But it was not Axel's fangs that touched his neck. Demyx was caught offguard as Axel carefully and gently pressed his lips against the blonde's giving it meaning. So overwhelmed with emotions, Demyx wrapped his arms around the red head's neck, pushing him down to deepen the kiss as far as he could go. Soon, they parted, Axel laying on his side and whispered in Demyx's ear before giving the edge a gently lick, sending chills down his spine. "Okay... I will admit... I've been in denial for a long time.. I think I'm in love with you." He smiled and laid down, closing his eyes as sleep droved him off.
Demyx's heart was near bursting, as he turned to face Axel. He never felt so happy to have someone he admire to tell him they loved him just as much. "I love you too Axel..." He whispered back, snuggling up against Axel's chest, who raised an arm to cuddle Demyx until the new lovers fell peacefully asleep.