A/N: YAAAAAYY! Guess who's back? It's summer so I actually got off my lazy butt to write things so here's the chapter I promised you! I am so so so sorry for this delay but I promise I will write as much as I can this summer. I might even get the whole thing done because my writers block went away! YAY! I also will be updating the Failure to Object very soon as well. The chapters just need to be updated and such. So thank you guys so much for waiting! LOVE. (Also, monopods89 says HI! And also, Jo.)

Chapter 4

Zexion practically skipped on his way to the beach to see Demyx. Friends. He smiled as he crossed the grass of the park. I get to see him whenever I want and actually talk to him now. Zexion could hear the cello already. But, why is the music so slow today? He usually plays music a bit more upbeat than this... he thought as he neared the beach.

Zexion approached a solemn looking Demyx and rushed to him as he finished the current song.

"Demyx?" Demyx's head popped up and he gave Zexion a faint smile.

"Hi." Zexion was worried.

"Demyx? Are you alright?"

"I'm okay. I'm just going through some rough times. Nothing I can't handle!" He brightened a bit. "How're you, Zexy?"

"I'm okay. Thank you, Demyx." He smiled at the blond but was still concerned. He pushed away the thought and just tried to enjoy his time with the beautiful boy.

~~o0o~~

"So, Zexy, since we're friends now, I thought we could tell each other more about ourselves!" Demyx turned toward Zexion excitedly. He was back to his old self and it was easier to forget about the sad music that had come out of the cello sitting at Demyx's feet. Zexion smiled.

"What did you have in mind?" Demyx tilted his head slightly and thought for a moment. Zexion thought it was kind of adorable.

"Umm...oh! What's your favorite color?" The corner of Zexion's lips lifted at such a simple question so eagerly asked.

"Uhhh.. Blue, I suppose." And more recently, ocean blue, the same color as Demyx's eyes, but he didn't need to know that.

"Me too! Look, we have things in common already! Okay, another one! Where do you live?"

"Just a few blocks down, on Cherry." Zexion didn't find harm in answering, especially since he would probably find out where the man sitting next to him lived as well. "Where do you live?" Demyx suddenly looked stricken: panicked and unsure. What did he think I was going to ask? Why does he look so scared all of the sudden?

"Um, I, uh, just live d-downtown?" Well, that's odd. Zexion sighed.

"Demyx, if you don't trust me to know yet that's fine. I am a stranger after all." As much as it pains me to say. Zexion understood. He just didn't like it, but he didn't want the beautiful man to look like that anymore either.

"Oh! It's not that it's just. Uh, never mind. Listen, I have to go, Zexy, can I meet you here again tomorrow?" Demyx still looked panicked and even more distressed at Zexion's answer. He spoke the words quickly and stood straight up suddenly, picking up his cello and trying to put it into its case as fast as possible. What in the world...? Zexion stood in confusion.

"Demyx, what-"

"Bye, Zexion." Demyx picked up the cello and scattered away from him and that was that. Zexion. He used my full name. He knew it had only been a few days since he met him, but Demyx had never used his full name before. Something must be wrong.

Zexion sat down on the bench again, putting his head in his hands and looking down at his shoes. What could I have done to make him react that violently? All I asked was where he lived. Why did he panic so quickly? I don't ever want to see him that distressed again. Zexion sighed and sat up again, looking around in vain for any sign of Demyx. He had hoped he might have come back but it was a long shot. Maybe I should just go home. Zexion looked down again, thinking. Maybe Riku could help me figure all this ou-

What's that?

A burgundy-colored corner edged with gold, buried at his feet, was reflecting a small amount of light on its shiny surface. Zexion grabbed the corner and shook the sand off of the book that emerged.

Bach

6 Suites
For
Solo Cello

Zexion read the gold writing carved into the cover, not fully understanding where the book came from until he read the haphazardly taped label stuck to the corner:

Pretty Please Return This To:

Demyx Ashbury
1309 Coral Ave
Apt # 6
Treble Beach, DI 48556

Zexion smiled at the neat handwriting and the "pretty please" that seemed so much like Demyx. He bit his lip then. Zexion had his address now; he could just go over there and return the book but Demyx was upset at something involving his home. A small part of him wanted to just leave it alone and try to apologize while returning the book tomorrow at the beach, but a bigger part of him was being eaten out by the guilt at causing this beautiful, energetic, usually happy man to be so distressed. That's it. I'll go down there and try to talk this out.

I won't forgive myself if I don't.

~~o0o~~

Zexion glanced down at the book again, double checking the address.

This can't be right.

The GPS currently sitting on his dashboard alerted him to the arrival at his destination. It had driven him to downtown Treble Beach. It wasn't exactly a pleasant area. The buildings around him were slowly disintegrating into gravel. Windows were smashed, some covered with home-made repair methods, and there were bars on all that weren't. The street was littered with garbage and nothing was very well groomed. Zexion didn't particularly like this area. It made him a little nervous and he wondered if Demyx really lived here or if his GPS was malfunctioning again.

Zexion cautiously made his way up the crumbling steps, avoiding the major cracks and the moss covering almost half of the pathway leading toward the apartment building. The building itself didn't seem as bad as the other buildings so Zexion felt slightly better. Opening the outer door, he stepped onto the haphazardly placed door mat reading: "Your Home is Always Beautiful." Zexion felt it was slightly ironic with the state of the run-down entrance-way. Of course, it wasn't as bad as it could have been, but he still didn't feel comfortable with Demyx living here. If he really did live here.

Looking over to the old buzzer system, Zexion looked for apartment #6 and hesitantly pressed the button.

"Hello?"

"Um, is this Demyx?" Zexion attempted to wet his lips as he waited for Demyx to reply.

"...Yep! Who is this? I know you're not my landlord, so..."

"Um. This is Zexion, actually."

"Zexy? Um h-how did you find me?" Oh great. Now I probably seem like a stalker.

"Oh! I just. You left your music book on the beach and I thought...you just seemed unhappy today so I..."

"No! It's fine...C-can you just bring it to the beach tomorrow?...Please?" Zexion had never heard Demyx's voice so small before.

"Of course but Demyx, are you alright? You seem-"

"What are you talking about Zexy? I am perfectly fine! I'll see you at the beach tomorrow, thanks for saving my book, bye!"

The line went dead.

"Demyx? What in the-" Zexion tried pushing the button again several times before giving up and trudging, defeated, back to his car.

What could have made Demyx act that way? It didn't make sense. He seemed to be hiding something but what?

Zexion sighed on the way home. I guess I'll see what happens at the beach tomorrow...

~~o0o~~

Zexion hopped out of his car, grabbed the music book, and threw his lab coat on the backseat of his car. Work was still torture. It HAD been getting better, though. The problem was that he couldn't avoid him forever. He'd accepted the fact that Lexaeus wasn't the nicest person, but it didn't change the fact that Lexaeus was Lexaeus and that Zexion was in love with distraction with work had been working okay but he needed his best medicine: Demyx.

It was just...a really long day.

Straightening his clothes and running his fingers through his bangs, Zexion made his way down to the beach. To Demyx.

He was there like always, thankfully, playing his cello in earnest with a different book than the one Zexion held at his feet. Zexion stayed at a distance, though, not wanting to disturb the piece. There seemed to be a few people loitering around listening too (looks like Demyx was getting more popular) but Demyx ignored everything but his cello, swaying slightly to the music with his eyes closed. Zexion smiled warmly at the sight. At least if any part of Demyx had changed, this part hadn't.

The last measure ended in a minor key, leaving the mood bitter-sweet.

Demyx's face matched his piece as the people around him applauded and he lifted his head, spotting Zexion standing off to the side.

"Zexy! And you brought my book!" Demyx face lit up as he carefully set down his cello and ran to Zexion full force.

"Ooof!" Zexion stumbled back slightly at the force of Demyx's hug, blushing lightly.

"Hi, Demyx." He mumbled into his shoulder. "How are you?"

"I'm good actually!" Demyx released pulled back from the hug "Sorry about yesterday. I was...uhhh...sick and I didn't want you to catch anything, yeah." Demyx seemed pleased with his explanation. He wasn't a very good liar though.

"Demyx, listen, I-"

"Hold on a sec, will you? That was my last piece for today so I need to pack up." Demyx walked briskly back over to his cello. Zexion sighed and followed. Something was wrong and this talk needed to happen.

"Demyx, I really think we should talk about what happened yesterday."

Demyx hummed a tune and ignored him completely. Zexion took a deep breath. He was used to people ignoring him because he tended to be quiet but it had never happened with Demyx. It hurt a little. Just a little.

"Demyx? We really need to-"

"Hey Zexy, can you hand me that-"

"DEMYX!"

Demyx stopped mid sentence and stared wide-eyed at Zexion, finally silent.

"Thank you. We need to talk. Please?" Demyx nodded solemnly and slowly got up from where his cello case was to sit down on Zexion's bench and gestured for Zexion to sit as well.

"Demyx, I-I know something is bothering you and you're my friend so I. I'm really worried." Zexion began in a quiet voice, looking down shyly at his lap.

"Why would you think that, Zexy?" Demyx tried but kind of failed at looking cheerful for Zexion.

"That's why. You're. You're sad at completely random times and I know I haven't known you for too long, but today and yesterday you just seem off from how I've known you. And I-I'm sorry. I'm not very good at this. I'm probably wrong anyway, you can just ignore everything I said I-"

"Zexion!" Demyx grabbed his face to force eye contact. He was close and it made Zexion's heart beat faster. "It's okay. You. You're not wrong."

Demyx let go of Zexion's face and mimicked Zexion's previous position.

"I am upset. It's just a little problem with my apartment. But really. Don't worry about it Zexy because it's not that big a deal. I swear, okay? A lot of people have it way worse than I do, so. So, I'm totally fine." Demyx straightened up and flashed a grin.

"Demyx. Are you sure? What's wrong with your apartment?"

"It's really nothing, Zexion. I promise." Demyx used his full name again.

"It's not nothing, Demyx, it can't be nothing."

"I'm fine really."

"No, you're not."

"How do you know? I'm just fine really." That stung quite a bit more than being ignored.

"NO, YOU'RE NOT, DEMYX! You're right. How do I know? Well, I know I've only really known you for about a week but I feel like it's been months, Demyx. You're one of my best friends already and I really care about you. I don't want you to be sad, because I already know it's not the person you are. So please. Just. Tell me what's wrong. Please."

Zexion crumpled in defeat, breathing hard from his outburst. It was all in the open now. God, what was wrong with him? He never talks like that. He's Zexion. Quiet, shy, reserved, Zexion. What was he thinking?

Daring to peak through his curtain of hair and expecting to see hurt or rejection, he saw Demyx in silent shock for the second time that day. Zexion looked back down at the ground.

"I-I'm sorry Demyx, I didn't mean to-"

"No. N-no you're right I'm not okay. And I feel t-terrible about 's not that big a deal. It's not. I'm lucky. I'm so so l-lucky and I'm so s-selfish to feel this way I just-. I can't-."

Demyx broke.

Zexion watched in horror as tears clouded and escaped Demyx's beautiful ocean-colored eyes and went streaming down his face. Demyx slumped forward as quiet sobs racked his shoulders and Zexion couldn't take another millisecond of it.

Scooting closer to Demyx immediately, Zexion pulled his friend into his arms and tried to calm him down. Whispering encouragements into his ear and running his hand up and down his back seemed to calm Demyx little by little.

Wiping his nose on his arm, Demyx pried himself from Zexion's grasp.

"I got an eviction n-notice from my landlord yesterday morning. I have nowhere to go but I don't know why I acted so s-sad about it, some people have it so much worse. I'm l-lucky to even have lived somewhere for so long at all. I'm sorry Zexy. I didn't mean to break down like that. I'm just kind of selfish sometimes so I get sad about it. It's no big deal."

Zexion's eyes widened. Eviction notice? Selfish? What? Saying all this, the way I've seen him with me and with children, he's the least selfish person I know.

"Demyx, why didn't you tell me? I can help you..uh...Come stay with me!" Why not? My place is big enough...Riku would understand. But Demyx looked humbled and slightly panicked.

"No! Nononono. I could never intrude like that. I'll figure something out. Like I said. I was just being selfish really it's not a problem. Really. Other people go through it everyday." A few tears ran down Demyx's cheeks again.

Zexion-on an impulsive, last second decision, that he would probably wouldn't have done if he thought it through-grabbed Demyx's face, like he had done to Zexion earlier, and used his thumb to wipe away the tears that were still there. Being that close to Demyx it. It felt good.

Demyx rewarded him with a genuine, warm smile, and a giggle.

He would have to make impulsive decisions every day if he got to see that more often.

"You wouldn't intrude, and you wouldn't be a burden." Zexion said sternly as he removed his hands from Demyx's face. "My cousin, Riku-he's my roommate too-and I both have good jobs and a lot of space. It would be absolutely no problem with room or money. Please?"

Zexion thought about a good way to convince him when Demyx still looked hesitant.

"It would make me really sad if you didn't..." He knew he was playing dirty but he couldn't have this beautiful man in front of him, his best friend, out on the streets.

Demyx looked reluctant but nodded slightly anyway.

Zexion smiled big and unguarded so Demyx could see and gave him a hug. It was so unlike Zexion that it worked. Demyx let out a bright laugh and his signature, glowing, smile. Success!

"Anything to make my Zexy smile."

That big smile didn't disappear off Zexion's face the whole day.

"My Zexy"

~~o0o~~

Demyx decided he didn't want to move out until he had too, to lessen the burden Zexion insisted Demyx put on him, as he put it:

"I don't want to give you anymore trouble than I have to and that's that, Zexy!"

Zexion smiled at the memory as he went to visit Demyx at the beach a few days later, about three days until Demyx had to move out. What still worried him though is how Demyx called himself selfish. Several times. Absolutely ridiculous. Zexion sighed to himself as he wandered onto the beach. I suppose I'll just have to wait to see why he thinks that way. When he's ready to tell or show me, he will, Zexion told himself.

Spotting Demyx putting away his cello for the day, Zexion sped up his walking a little in anticipation for his favorite part of the day.

"Hi Zexy!" The bright smile was back and the sadness hadn't returned as far as he knew and that was all Zexion wanted.

"Hi Demyx. Done with your set?"

"Yup! I wish I could stay longer but I have a lesson soon." Demyx pouted a little and Zexion thought it was the most adorable thing he has ever seen.

"Oh! I'm sorry. I got held up at work and I couldn't come earlier, I just thought-"

"Zexy! It's fine, calm down! I can always talk to you tomorrow, okay?" Demyx laughed at his rambling.

"Oh, ha, right. Well, Okay, I'll see you tomorrow then right?"

"Yep! Bye!" Demyx gave him a hug-one he was still trying to reciprocate without blushing ridiculously-and started to walk away.

"Oh! Hey, Demyx, have you started packing yet?" He didn't mean to be insensitive but he had to make sure that Demyx was actually going through with moving in with him.

Demyx grinned affectionately back over his shoulder.

"Yeah. It's sad packing up my apartment but I get to move in with you, Zexy, so it's okay," He replied, turning around fully and walking back to where Zexion was standing. "Thank you for being so nice and doing this for me. You're wonderful."

Demyx kissed him lightly on the cheek before running off to his appointment and shouting his goodbye behind him.

Zexion stood with his hand on his cheek for what felt like hours, staring at the spot Demyx had previously been with a warm, amazed smile fixed on his face.

No. You're wonderful. An angel.

~~o0o~~

A/N: Thank you so much for reading guys! The next chapter won't be too far behind this one (monopods89 is writing the next one! :D) so you won't have to wait long I promise! Thanks again and please review yes? Jo says hi! (If you want a virtual marimo you can have one yes?) Love you guys!

~Mari-chan