Disclaimer: I suppose I should slip one of these in here huh? Well then, seeing as I don't currently possess the rights to Kingdom Hearts, I think it can be safely concluded that I own nothing.
"So."
"So..."
"So."
"So-"
"Would someone get to the point already?" Roxas snapped, interrupting Riku.
Axel sighed. "That's kind of the problem here Rox. We don't really know if there's a point to this little meeting or not." he informed the impatient blond.
"Oh, there's a point." Sora contradicted. "We just don't know what it is yet!"
Roxas rolled his eyes. "Well, that makes everything better. Not."
"Well what are we supposed to do Your Highness?" Riku asked. "We're supposed to be coming up with a way to thank Zexion and Demyx for putting up with all our crap over the past few days but no one's making any suggestions."
"Speaking of Zexy and Dem, haven't they gotten closer recently?" Axel asked.
"Well they've kind of had to. You can't take care of six kids any other way." Riku pointed out.
"That's not what I mean!" Axel tried to make himself clear. "It's like…different. Between them, that is. Sora knows what I'm talking about!"
All eyes turned to Sora, the resident emotional expert. He just shrugged apologetically. "Actually, I don't. Sorry Axel."
"But I do." Roxas said. "What Axel means is that it seems like they're starting to become more than friends, or at least heading in the direction of thinking that way. I don't think they realize it yet though." he added.
"That's my best friend!" Axel threw his arms around Roxas in a half tackle, half hug. "See? We're so connected that he understands exactly what I'm thinking!"
Testily, Roxas pushed Axel off. "Uh…no. It's just so blindingly obvious that only an oblivious fool like Sora and a self-centered maniac like Riku wouldn't notice."
"Hey!" they cried in unison.
"Sorry." Roxas glared at the redhead who was refusing to move out of his personal bubble. "I get meaner the closer I am to him."
"It's fine." Sora assured him. "I really didn't notice it but looking back now, I feel like I should have."
"Right? Like, Demyx is the only one Zexion doesn't snap at for calling him Zexy." Riku said.
"And, and! Zexion is always the first person Demyx goes to for help." Axel added.
"Did you see how he was clutching onto Zexion in Vexen's house?" Sora asked.
"I'm pretty sure Zex was blushing." Roxas was always good at remembering those sorts of details.
"So!" Sora shouted. "It's decided." The other three teenagers nodded. "Our way of thanking Zexion and Demyx is to meddle in their love lives like the nosy busybodies we are!"
"When you put it like that, it almost sounds bad…" Riku smirked.
"Someone should call Cloud and Leon!" Axel shouted.
As Sora (the most persuasive out of all of them by far-not even Demyx could beat his pouting expression) dialed the phone, Roxas sat back. Even though he'd agreed to this, he was sure something bode unwell for the two absent people (who weren't Cloud and Leon). "Best of luck to the both of you." he muttered.
Exiting the store with his purchase, Zexion stopped in his tracks at the sight of a very determined looking Sora approaching him. Some little voice in the back of his head told him to run away, run away very quickly like he should have done that one time in front of the science room. However, seeing as a voice in his head wasn't necessarily the best thing in the world, Zexion ignored it and waited for Sora to reach him.
Once he did, Sora started talking. As fast as Zexion should have run.
There were many things Zexion could understand in the world. What Sora just said was not one of them. The only words he'd been able to get out of the whole thing were Roxas, present, and help. Luckily for Sora, he could fill in the rest. The slate haired teen barely had enough time to nod before Sora was off like a shot, dragging Zexion behind him like a rag doll (except much more reluctantly and a lot better looking).
Demyx was lonely. Which was strange because usually Demyx was one of the more sociable people in his group of friends. He almost always had someone to spend time with. But this loneliness was different. It was more than just the fact that he was actually on his own for the first time in a few days. It was just that after having his house filled with the sounds of six little kids (only four of which were actually making noise), the abrupt silence made it seem…emptier than it was before.
Honestly, although Zexion hadn't seemed to like the situation much and of course he felt bad for Axel and the others, Demyx had been enjoying himself. It wasn't often that he got to take part in activities that could be considered part of "family bonding". But that was over now. He'd just have to make sure to invite people over to his house more often.
But just as he was making up his mind about that, Demyx was distracted, for here came someone to get rid of the loneliness! It was Axel.
"Hey Dem. What's up?"
"Axel!" Demyx rejoiced. Now he could finally get rid of those pesky thoughts. If you hadn't noticed yet, Demyx wasn't overly fond of either thinking unnecessarily or analyzing the deep psychological shit that spawned it.
Axel smirked. It was a kind of smirk that just promised future suffering but unfortunately for Demyx he was too busy celebrating to notice that the path of his future well-being had just taken a sharp curve downwards. "So Dem. What with all the chaos going on,"
"Caused by you." Demyx helpfully pointed out. Axel cleared his throat meaningfully. Obviously he'd been hoping people would forget about that.
"What with all the chaos going on," he continued, "I didn't get a chance to ask you but there's this concert today I have tickets for. Want to go?"
"Eh?" Demyx was rightfully shocked. "There was a concert I didn't know about?" He had thought he knew everything that was going on, music wise. Hell, he seemed to know about new bands appearing before the members themselves!
For a minute Axel seemed to be scrambling for something to say. "Uh well, it's pretty far away so…um if you want to go we'll have to leave now…?"
Demyx relaxed. "Oh. Well alright. Where is it?"
"Just follow me. I'll drive us there." Axel started to walk away.
"Axel…you're not allowed to drive anymore remember?" Demyx looked at him in confusion. "You know, after the…incident?" he whispered.
Axel stiffened at the mention of the little mishap that had cost him three thousand dollars, two months of the silent treatment from Roxas, and most of his eyebrows. But he recovered quickly, whirling around to face Demyx with an evil grin that he actually noticed this time. Clapping his hands, Axel announced in a not so reassuring voice, "Don't worry! Roxas gave me special permission to drive today!" And with that he grabbed Demyx and shoved him in the car.
Neither of them noticed a brunette woman watching them from across the street. Twirling her impossible flippy hair around a finger she wondered aloud, "Isn't that Demyx from the mall? I wonder if I should go say hi…but it looks like he's busy being kidnapped…oh well!"
"Selphie!" Her blond friend exclaimed from beside her. "Doesn't that mean we should be calling the police?"
Selphie just laughed and playfully hit her friend on the shoulder. "Oh, come on Tidus, I was just joking. There's no way something like a kidnapping that I've only heard about on TV or in newspapers would actually happen so close to me! They look like friends!"
Tidus sighed and turned to Wakka next to him, intent on pleading for some common sense to intrude in the world of their female friend. The taller man just shrugged. "It looked like they knew each other so isn't it fine?"
"Whatever, man. If this shows up in the news tomorrow we're keeping quiet got it?"
"Sora…Sora!" Zexion tried once again to gain the brunette's attention. Once again, he was duly ignored. Finally, Zexion had to put his foot down, which nearly started a very intimate relationship between his face and the ground but at least got Sora to stop. Once Zexion wasn't flying behind him, it was easier for Sora to realize he had been trying to speak to him.
"Yes, Zexion?" he asked a bit timidly.
Zexion sighed. "I just want to make something clear really fast. You want me to help you pick out a present for Roxas yes?" Sora nodded. "Okay, I can help with that. What did you want to get him?"
"A book!" Sora chirped.
Zexion just had to stare for a moment, astounded at the sheer unawareness Sora exhibited. "You do realize that the place you just dragged me away from was a book store right?" he felt the need to ask.
This time, Sora stared. "Uh…" Zexion sighed. Sora, bright red, tried to save himself. "Of, of course I did! I just didn't want to go in that one since you were just in there! Besides, I'm pretty sure Riku mentioned a book store around here somewhere…" Sora trailed off, looking around. "Ooh! Speaking of Riku, there he is! With Roxas!" Sora cried, pointing to a little café where Roxas and Riku were indeed located.
As Sora once again grabbed Zexion's wrist and dragged him away, the disgruntled teen tried to ignore the faint irritation at the fact that the one holding his hand wasn't blond and considerably taller. Instead, he distracted himself with thoughts of how Sora was such an airhead.
Ahead of him and where Zexion couldn't see, Sora grinned mischievously. Zexion had no idea just how much of an airhead Sora wasn't being right now.
"Axel?"
"Hmm?" Axel glanced over at Demyx in the passenger's seat questioningly.
"What are we doing at a café?" the blond asked.
"Oh, well it's going to take a while to get to the concert so I figured we might as well eat now." he explained. "I would've suggested take out but that's a lot of money to pay for food that tastes like cardboard. On the other hand, this place has good food and both Rox and Riku work here so with whatever discounts we get from both of them, we could probably save a whole bunch!"
Demyx nodded in understanding. For once, Axel had come to a conclusion that made a lot of sense. "Somehow I feel like something is about to go horribly wrong…" he mumbled.
"You say something?"
"Nope. Not at all."
Sora and Zexion reached the entrance to the café at the same time as Axel and Demyx. Sora, who spotted the other two first, was just in time to call out, "Ah! If it isn't Demyx!" His words were flat and sounded like they came from a script.
At the same time Axel called in a terribly unconvincing surprised voice, "Oh look, it's Zexion!" He and Sora immediately gravitated toward each other.
"Fancy seeing you here huh?" Sora laughed.
"Yup. What a surprise…" Axel replied.
"Were you going to eat here too?"
"Uh-huh. Actually, do you mind if we join you?" Axel asked.
Sora grinned and insisted that they do. Meanwhile, Demyx and Zexion looked on in confusion. Somehow it ended up with the two of them sitting at a table while Axel and Sora made their excuses to escape. "Sorry!" Sora said, giving them a mildly realistic apologetic look. "Roxas is calling me, so I've got to go."
"And I just remembered something I have to take care of in the area. You two eat together and we'll come back to grab you when you're done." Axel said before taking off, Sora following closely.
"Huh? What's with them?" Demyx asked, looking at Zexion.
The teen just sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Ugh, I get it now. They had this all planned out. Their motive from the beginning was to get us together."
"So there isn't really a concert?" Demyx exclaimed.
Zexion raised an eyebrow. "Planning on ditching me for a concert with Axel, Dem?"
"Oh! No!" Demyx waved his hands in a gesture of innocence. "I would've been back in time to meet you tonight." he assured.
"That's good. I had something important to ask you tonight after all." Zexion admitted. "Although, I could probably ask you here just as well."
Demyx looked interested. "Then ask me!"
Zexion smirked. "You sure? It might be shocking. And there are people watching." Four familiar heads quickly ducked down behind the row of plants within earshot of their table.
Demyx just laughed it off. "I'm sure it can't be that surprising! You didn't murder anyone did you? So just lay it on me!"
"Okay." Zexion agreed. "While we were looking over Roxas, Axel, Riku, Sora, Cloud, and Leon last week, I realized I liked you. The six of them probably noticed this and decided to set it up so that we'd get a good chance to romance it up but I suppose they weren't aware that I had everything perfectly under control." Demyx stared. "Which brings me to my question," Zexion continued. "The four over there were probably hoping for some sort of show but I've never been one to beat around the bush so I'll come straight out and ask you. Go out with me?" Zexion stopped himself before he could really start babbling.
"Uh, um this is pretty sudden! I mean, I don't even know if I…! Err…" Demyx fidgeted awkwardly.
Zexion sighed. "It's fine if you want to refuse. I just thought I'd ask…" But his words didn't hide the faint disappointment in his voice. Demyx made up his mind.
"No!" he cried. "I mean yes! I mean, no I don't want to refuse. Yes I do want to date you because…well, I like you too." By now the blonde's face could rival even Axel's hair. "I'm just not sure if I really deserve being this happy."
For once, Zexion smiled a true smile. In public, no less. "Trust me, you deserve much more than that." he said.
They sealed the deal with a kiss.
From behind a certain row of bushes four teenagers were busy celebrating for their two friends. As Sora and Roxas high-fived each other, Riku remarked to Axel, "I have to admit I was hoping for something a little more dramatic but I'm glad they got things worked out."
Axel nodded. "Yup. Those two are good for each other…just like Rox and me!"
Riku cut him off. "Uh…no. Don't bring your delusions into the real world please." he deadpanned.
Axel pouted. "Whatever. You'll see. One day you'll all see!" he shouted. In his head that is, if he had really shouted Demyx and Zexion would have discovered their friends' hobby of eavesdropping.
"Hey, come to think of it where's our food?" That sudden remark sent Roxas and Riku scrambling for the kitchen. Only Axel and Sora were left behind to hear the follow-up comment.
"Don't worry, if the food doesn't come, I'll gladly eat you."
"Hey! You're not allowed to say something so suggestive! I'll eat you!"
"In the end…" Cloud remarked as he leaned against his precious motorcycle, "the only part we played in this was getting Tifa to lend us her café for the four of them to use."
Leon sighed. "Well, isn't it best this way? It leaves us free to do some…other things." he trailed off.
"Yeah." Cloud agreed. "Like study for that test Vexen's giving in science on Tuesday."
A double sigh echoed around the parking lot.
AN: Okay, here it is! The very last chapter. The final part of this story. Is this what a parent feels...? But I really have to admit I've owed you guys this for sooo long. I'm sorry it took me such a while to write it. But it's done now and hopefully I haven't disappointed? I really don't know how long I've been writing this story but it certainly has been an enjoyable run. A lot of great people have reviewed, favorited, and alerted this and for that I shall be eternally grateful. Truly, thank you. Here's a list!
SharinganWeasel, The . L O S T . Paperclip, Froggiecool, Alex Wraithborn, UndineAlice, miano53, Blue October, The Cloaked Yu-Gi-Oh Schemer, Anon aka Chicken, MayaDarkling, 0Wishful-Thoughts0, and ObsessiveShikaTemaFan.
Those are just the reviews but that's the only list I can get to right now. If you favorited or alerted but your name isn't up there, know that I am just as happy!
Lastly, it's not like this is the only thing I'll be writing! I actually have a new series in mind. Think cakes! And there's a little sidestory that goes along with this brewing in my mind...but that'll probably come much later, like Halloween later. Just because the idea goes along with that holiday. (Please don't ask why I'm thinking of this stuff in May).
But whether you read my other stuff or not, thanks for reading this particular story! If you were to give me one last review, I'd be extremely happy. Just tell me your thoughts on the chapter, the story as a whole, or whatever criticism you have. I'll smile at it all! Thanks~!