Okay, you guys... two chapters after this and WM is done. Will probably start the sequel in my spare time this week, or maybe after A-kon, but I'll be busy with cosplay and whatnot once I'm out of school (since we have to rehearse the skit and everything, y'know?).

Love you people!
...SeventhSenses: A bit? I think 37 is borderline obsessive, or crazy, whichever fits. -giggle- You're a brave, brave person if you do, I wish you the best of luck on all those coasters...
...Shattered Sanctuary: I feel like I'm going through choco-withdrawal... I haven't had a 2ChocFrapp since splurging on Friday... man, I crave... oh, and random is just in Demyx's blood. -snork-
...Lunaa: Yay! I'm glad it made you happy! And dun worry, Zexy's past gets spilled pretty soon.
...hanakitsunechan7: Dun worry about it! And yay for spelling! We're gonna have an entertaining time... ooh, NY? Sweet! My college is in Queens, teehee. It's a great state, but I'm on the other side of the US, basically. You seem like you're having a blast, that's always great.
...Hikari Aiyano: Oh wowaz... Goku's girl007 mentioned Cedar Point too, teehee. Poor thing, no throwing up on people... or dying, we kinda need you alive here! -snork- am glad you enjoyed the missing chapter, was trying to keep it semi-comical...
...Dearie: Nuu, no withdrawal! It'll be, like, un-crack...? Hmm...
...thexrealxdemyx: Dun worry, education comes first (sometimes, lol!). W00t, chocolate! -munches, heads first- I'm happy it's making you grin, yay! I'll make up my mind sometime...
...Goku's girl007: Loomer! I saw your name on the list! -giggle- Big coasters are awesome to watch, the structure's amazing--how these things don't break surprise me (but we had some scares, so not so much, lol). Am glad you reviewed, thankies! Hey, Hikari Aiyano mentioned Cedar Point, too...
...sesshomaruhasafluffytail: Except for the batman?! I really just go on the Titan... almost had a panic attack when my friend dragged me to the batman, then it rained, Thankfully. You're a brave brave person...
...Shot Hunter: Niiice. Now, if only creators used our ideas and made things, I think we'd have one happy world...
...Overlord Crys: The roller coaster to sleep thing is, like, a lack of oxygen to the brain. I think... I only go on around two, and they can't go upside down, but I'm so brain-dead when I'm done, just going "weee, again, Mommy, again!" And it's so NOT my mommy next to me... I feel your pain.
...Riceball the Second: Don't feel stupid, everyone makes mistakes! And A-kon's pretty cool, but the convention's cheaper than his concert tickets... and Yeah, Zexy belongs in a psych ward, fo sho.
...Eyes-of-Crimson: Oh, you reviewed?! Whoa... bravo for you! FINALLY GOT CAUGHT UP, EH? Jeez, I send you stuff ahead of time so you can READ then! -facepalm- Silly silly Violin Axel...
...Ranchdressing: Zexy's just a fluff ball of Jealousy. And bingo! -gives cookie- Foreshadowing is so delicious!
...Launch shinra: Dun worry, we can't end the Dem fixations! It's too yummy...
...Butter fly soup: Aww, poor thing... but walks are good. Am glad you likey, and yeah, I saw the review, it was great, thanks! I'm happy I'm not utter suckage, that makes me happy! Yay!
...Final Remix: Yay for rocking! But as you noticed, I'm on a schedule (which I plan on keeping), so I shall most definitely actually finish it!
...Honto.Kawaii.Neko-chan: Yay for fluff! You'll miss it this chappy... Roller coasters are horrible... I just wanted to torture Zexy with 'em. And Zexy's got JealousItis or something...
...Broken TWiLiGHT Lullaby: Thankies! I had to add something "KH2-Related" to the story, and the Rides that Never Were made me think of Castle Oblivion, for some reason, like when you're flying around it... -giggle- I'm just being weird.
...Frozenwithoutfear: Poptarts! Yay! Something to feed the muses with! -gives the muses poptarts and watches them work- Yay! I'm glad you're loving! It makes me happy!
...blackkeyblade: Pity for Zex, it's so needed, isn't it?
...Evil Genius of the COCA: -gives a buttload of glowsticks- Yeah, Zexy has some messed up dreams... but, well, they're fun to write, lolz.
...Silva-trees: Oh nice, hehe. Don't we all wish we had cool TV? -steals Mello back- Mine! You're so sweet, though, yay!

Also, the chapter of this is kinda... oxymoron-like. Either, it works for Demyx or it's a pun on Zexy's situation, or something...

Have fun with it!

Whispered Melody
.xxiv.
Always Make Me Feel Much Better

Tuesday.

Soap, laundry detergent, Demyx...

Zexion wasn't a very happy camper when phones disrupted his sleep. He liked getting at least eight hours (wanting more because of his latest disruption), the euphoriic scents of Demyx in his mind as he curled up next to the blond. Only... the blond, wearing just his boxers, was busy climbing off the bed to dig for phones. Zexion sighed, burying his face in the pillow.

"Can't we just ignore it?" he asked, his voice muffled; it came out as something along the lines of: 'Can... jus' nurt?'

Demyx grinned as he pulled out two cell phones, cheerfully staring at the blue and silver Nokia screens to declare which was glowing. At the silver one's soft buzzing in his right hand, he declared that Zexion had a call and handed it to the smaller one. Zexion hadn't even bothered to lift his head, merely extending an arm for the phone, and he moved it to his ear and flipped it open once Demyx handed it to him.

"Whoever you are, I was sleeping," he said calmly.

Demyx bit back a giggle, crawling back on the bed with his own cell. Zexion shifted closer to him.

"Oh! Right, the time difference," the other voice spoke. "I forgot you were out of town..." The college student immediately identified the person as his therapist, and he almost groaned into the phone.

"What is it? It's late."

"Your father's missing."

Zexion sat up quickly, causing Demyx to look away from his game of building water pipes. He stared at the older one for a second, then glanced down, frowning into his phone as he spoke. "No, he's in an asylum..."

"He escaped last night," Aerith explained. "They're not sure how he managed to get so far from the institution, but we've been looking all day and he's nowhere in the city to be found. And from what his psychiatrists have told me, you and your brother might be in danger. I have no contacts for your brother. Do you?"

"I don't," Zexion replied. "But that..." His eyes stared in confusion at the bedspread. "That makes no sense..."

She sighed. "I'm sorry... Just be careful, alright? It might not be wise to look for him, since we don't know if he's truly dangerous or not," she continued. "I just want you to know, to be careful, okay?"

Zexion reached over to grab Demyx's hand. "Thank you for telling me," he replied. After an exchange of good-bye and good luck, he hung up and turned to Demyx. "I have to go back home for a day or two," he said calmly.

"Why?" Demyx reached over to hold him, but Zexion quickly shook his head. The blond frowned. "What's the matter?" he asked. "Is something up?"

"My father escaped," said Zexion. "He's been gone since yesterday, and I want to make sure he's not going after my brother."

Demyx sat up, looking slightly confused. "Why would he go after Saix?" he asked. "How'd he get out?"

The slate-haired teen shrugged. "They don't know how he got out. But he's crazy, and Aeruth has little to no idea where Saix is. I just want to make sure he's okay."

The blond nodded, understanding his concern. And Zexion was sure that if Larxene were in trouble, Demyx would probably want to help her, despite their hundred-a-day arguments. Zexion slowly moved from the bed, Demyx quickly shifting behind him.

"Let me go with you."

He spun around. "Are you sure?" he asked. "You love the beach."

Demyx nodded. "But I love you more." Leaning forward, he kissed his forehead gently. "When are we leaving?" he asked.

With pink cheeks, Zexion looked towards the clock. Red lines bleared "2:16 AM" and he frowned slightly. "Tonight, hopefully."

Demyx's emerald eyes widened. "Tonight? But it's, like, two in the morning!"

.vi...ix.

Airports wwere rather empty at four-thirty in the morning. They found one flight heading to Twilight Town at five thirty-six and now had around an hour to walk about. After checking in their luggage, they strolled about the terminal in a lazy, tired manner. Demyx tried his best to look concerned and serious as they attempted walking off Zexion's nerves, but his yawns gave away his true demeanor. Zexion was calmed either way, enough to crack a smile at Demyx's "gotta go!" bathroom dance and point out the closest restroom.

As Demyx rushed over to a urinal in the back, Zexion moved to stand near one of the mirrors. A line of mirrors had been placed along a wall in the front, probably for anyone who had to make a quick change before catching another flight, or any narcissist. Zexion just used it as something to stare at, looking at his plain choice of clothing for the day. Plain as always, in a black shirt and dark jeans and sneakers, only with a bright pink and yellow flower-print tie Demyx coerced him into buying one afternoon in the gift shop. His hair was slightly mussed from the taxi ride, and his eyes looked tired--and... a person stood behind him? Zexion looked up warily, slowly opened his mouth, but he quickly silenced as he felt something cold and sharp at his back. Metal...

Gunpowder...

A gun?

The man behind him had long, silver-blue hair, pulled back into a careless ponytail. He had a five-o'clock shadow and dark bags under crimson eyes. His clothing was rugged and old, a faded maroon top with a tan jacket and grey pants. His dark glare glimmered maliciously at Zexion in the mirror. Zexion didn't understand why this man was harassing him, but he kept still and stared at the mirror quietly. The man prodded him in the back.

Zexion had to fight to keep calm. The man had a weapon to his back and would most likely attack if he struggled, and nobody would notice. Nobody had noticed. With the classical music loudly singing from the speakers, and the sinks and toilets and urinals going off behind the wall behind him, as well as one noisy little boy with his father, Zexion doubted anyone would overhear. Just what the man had planned. Most likely. Zexion couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity about this man--though hidden somehow... Zexion smelled the air slowly.

Chemicals, tobacco... something common yet unknown...

"Why...?" Zexion asked in a hushed voice.

The man prodded him sharply in the spine, then carefully leaned forward. He whispered, his voice cold and dangerous," Don't make me kill you, like I killed your mother."

Zexion's pale eyes widened, the color draining from his face as he tried to spin and face the man. He heard a soft click and froze in place. "You..."

The identity of this man immediately came to mind. This was his father, the man who had abused him as a child, who attempted to 'raise him properly', who had been sent away after catching Zexion holding the knife covered in his mother's blood. But Zexion thought he had killed her. He could remember the plastic handle in his hand, the silver metal covered in crimson liquid, the look of shock and fear on his mother's emptying eyes... he didn't understand.

His father clicked the gun. "Give me your cell phone."

Zexion obliged. This man was crazy--he broke out of an institution and found his son on the Destiny Islands. Zexion knew it wouldn't be wise to go against this man.

"Why are you doing this?" Zexion inquired softly.

His father ignored his question. "When you go back to Twilight, ditch the blond. I'll come get you personally."

"I..." Zexion blinked and looked up in slight confusion. "Are you following me?"

Kuja sighed, as if resorting to last measures. Zexion wasn't sure if he had expected him to willingly come along or not, but if he had, then he was probably very disappointed. The man spoke after a short pause. "If you want your little blond friend to remain alive, you will do as I say."

Zexion's eyes widened and he felt a chill in the air. This man... was threatening Demyx. He was threatening Demyx's life to get Zexion to comply. And Zexion refused to allow Demyx to get hurt on his behalf. He slowly nodded and looked down.

"Alright," he said softly.

Kuja smirked and looked up. "What's the matter, Ienzo? You're not scared of your dear old dad, are you?" he asked. "Coward... but you've always been a coward, haven't you?" He looked up, a mock expression of fond reminiscing forming on his face. "I remember when you were five and you saw that spider on your wall and cried until I came to get it. Then you cried even more when I tried to kill it, didn't you?"

Zexion's jaw tightened.

"You wanted that ugly spider to live, didn't you, Ienzo? Very gentle... you're very gentle for a murderer--"

"I didn't--" Zexion began, his eyes narrowing. "I didn't do it..."

His father had.

His father had killed his mother and framed him for the murder. For years, Zexion had nightmares of that day; he could reemember when the police had gotten to him, three streets down and mumbling incoherently in an alley; he could remember Aerith struggling to get answers from him; he could remember school and therapy and nothing more, and how he depended on that sort of strict stability since his mother was gone and it was his fault. But here... his father stood, smirking, sneering, telling him that he had only been framed. Zexion had only walked into the room.

Zexion had only walked in...

"You cruel..."

Kuja smirked. "Like what you did was any better," he replied. "I saw when you ran to Naminé's, saw you try and attack her. Were you going to kill her, Ienzo? You tried, were you planning on killing her?"

He kept silent and stared at the mirror coldly. His father was right--he didn't know what had happened, but he had pulled the gun on his blond friend. He could remember when he tried to aim it, her scream ringing in his ears, and she dove behind the kitchen island. He ran towards the back door. Kuja prodded his spine sharply and gave a slight smile to the cell phone, dropping it into his pocket.

"Good boy... I will get you two hours after we land," Kuja informed. "Just be at the street corner."

With that, Kuja pulled a rugged basebal cap from his pocket and tugged it over his hair, then calmly left the restrooms. Only a few seconds after his simple exit, Demyx cheerfully bounced over, paused, and frowned.

"Zexy? You're really pale again," the blond said softly.

Zexion stood stiffly for a few seconds, then leaned on Demyx and frowned. He could smell the mixture of soaps--from the hotel, from their luggage, from the restroom--and the mingling made him nauseaus. Demyx hugged him and he quickly buried his face into his shoulder, shaking.

"Oh no, Zexy, what's wrong?" Demyx asked immediately, tightening his grip around his boyfriend. "What's the matter?"

Zexion couldn't answer. He wasn't sure what lie to create and didn't think he could manage going through the idea of lying about this situation. He didn't know if he'd get through unscathed, or if he'd even live through it... but he couldn't tell Demyx, that was certain. Frowning, he clung harder, then quickly let go. Despite how much he wanted to be held, it wasn't in his nature to be clingy. This would appear abnormal, and the blond would find out. Zexion moved away, looking up at Demyx's worried expression.

Demyx frowned and gently stroked his cheek. "But you're so nervous... is it because of the flight? I won't drug you, promise!"

Zexion sighed and slowly nodded. "Yeah... sorry. I trust you..." He looked away, glancing towards the doorway. "Come on, Demyx, let's board."

The blond took his hand and held on tightly as they made their way to the terminal, and Zexion was glad to have something to hold on to. Demyx kept him calm by his presence alone, giving him something to worry about and someone to protect. He worried about how Demyx would react--he knew it wouldn't be a very pleasant thing to listen to, a lot worse if anything too horrible happened to him. He could only wish he'd return to Demyx once this was over--but knowing his dad...

No... he didn't know his dad. His father was a crazy man, he had no idea what his father was capable of. He could only comply, to keep Demyx alive, and hope his father left him alone.

Once on the plane, Zexion clung, tightly.

This could be the last time Demyx ever held him...

He couldn't be sure how his father would treat him. He feared the worst immediately and told himself to expect what could result from this. He couldn't let his father intimidate him too much, he'd have to be brave. And for that, he'd have to tell himself the worst could happen. He couldn't panic, or he knew his father would definitely kill him. That was the thing about his father--he teased to the point of suffering. If Zexion suffered more, Kuja would definitely kill him. If it didn't faze him, Kuja would taunt until it did.

A sick, twisted family reunion...

"Zexy... wha'cha thinkin' about?" Demyx's voice whispered softly, his emerald eyes turning to the smaller one. He had already made himself somewhat comfortable, leaned back in his seat, head on the verge of falling onto his shoulder.

Zexion would miss seeing that face if this ended up how he was guessing. He smiled sadly. "Us... that's all..."

Demyx let a small frown form, shifting to his side. "But you look all depressed... what's the matter?" A brief moment of silence passed before he sat up and turned in his chair quickly. "You don't wanna break up, do you?" he asked quickly.

A tiny smile tugged at Zexion's lips and he turned around. "No, nothing like that," he replied. "Just thinking... Demyx, where do you think this will take us?" The blond stared in confusion, so he elaborated. "Where will we go in the future? Will we move in together? Live together? And your career, and mine..."

Demyx looked down and bit his bottom lip, thinking hard on answers. He soon smiled and turned to look at Zexion. "But that doesn't really matter... we'll get through it together anyway, right?"

Zexion nodded slowly, even though he didn't feel so sure about that. Demyx picked up on it immediately.

"Zexy... really, please. Don't act like a pessimist. I love you, and I don't plan on leaving you, that's that." Demyx crossed his arms and looked away, then turned back to Zexion and grinned. "Really, though. Don't think about it. I don't!"

"I can see that..." Zexion said, rolling his eyes slightly. Demyx huffed and roughly leaned on him, as if planning on using him as a pillow, and Zexion would've said something if he didn't spot a ruddy looking man walking onto the plane.

His father...

The man looked at him for only a second before passing them, taking his seat four rows behind them. He said nothing, merely pulling out a cell phone as he fiddled with his seat belt.

Worry immediately flooded into Zexion, but he only stroked Demyx's hair. He couldn't let the blond catch on.

They were in the air within twenty minutes, and Zexion was easily sicker than earlier. It could've been the emotional turmoil, the turbulence, or the stress, but he clung almost immediately to Demyx, who seemed like the only thing to keep him from losing his entire stomach. But with the promise not to sneak sleep-aids into his water, he couldn't do much but hold him gently and rub his back. And with Kuja behind him, watching this...

Zexion truly wasn't sure about much anymore. He had ended up catching a three-hour nap curled up and using Demyx as his pillow, and when he woke, he snuck a glance over his shoulder. Demyx's deep breathing alerted him of his boyfriend's slumber, and he doubted the blond would notice. Kuja sent him a sharp glare and mouthed the words 'Look Away'. He was certain if he looked again, Kuja would do something not so pleasant, and calmly turned around, returning to Demyx.

Now what... around three hours left and Demyx was asleep and unable to distract him. He stared simply for a few seconds, then an idea came to mind--Aerith.

If he were to be gone for a while, he wouldn't want to vanish forever. Plus, he did decide to tell her if he found out anything about his father. But he didn't have his phone... calmly, he snaked a hand into Demyx's jacket and withdrew the other one's cell phone. Flipping it open, he tapped buttons until he saw the blank screen of a text message staring at him.

Aerith wasn't great with newer technology. She could manage once she got the hang of it, but she rarely used text messages. She'd have a coworker or friend access them when she noticed the symbol on her phone, and he was sure she'd try to figure it out once she received the message. He just wasn't sure what he'd tell her.

He worried that somehow, Kuja would find out. Then Kuja would kill him... especially if they swarmed. But if he told nobody... he wasn't sure how long he could be gone.

Demyx moved, mumbled something, and turned his head the other direction. Zexion sighed softly. Still asleep, good...

He calmly began to type.

Aerith... By the time you get this, I'll be gone. I found my father. Just make sure he doesn't get to Demyx. Take care, I don't know if I'll be back. -Zexion

He sent the message, then calmly shut Demyx's phone and returned it to his pocket. At least she'd know, that was good. With a soft sigh, he curled up closer to Demyx and stared out of the window until woke and insisted on making plans for continuing the rest of his summer vacation.

.vi...ix.

Freshly cut grass, laundry, air freshener.

They had gone to Demyx's house. It had been Zexion's decision, in the hopes that Larxene or Cid were around. Though he didn't want his father knowing where Demyx lived, it was much safer having him with people than in an apartment by himself. Little did he know, the house was empty, also.

But he had one hour and twenty-six minutes...

He and Demyx chose to use this time to enjoy the comfort of Demyx's bed and test the spring power, and, oddly, Zexion felt as if it were more of heaven than it ever had been before. They could keep screaming "I love you" at the other until someone squealed--which was mainly him--or making the most random of noises--they were laughing about those once they finished.

That was when Zexion checked the clock and bit back a sigh. He and Demyx had kept themselves busy for an hour, and although the sheets were dirtied, Zexion didn't want to move from the bed. But he had to. For Demyx to stay safe... damn. He let out a soft groan.

"What's the matter, Zexy?" Demyx asked. "I didn't hurt you, did I?" He ran his hand along Zexion's side, touching a fresh cut. "This one looks like it's bleeding... want me to fix it up for you?"

"We need to find Aerith," he said calmly, moving to sit up. He turned to look at Demyx. "Okay... Demyx, you go shower, and I'll make some hot cocoa. You like cocoa, right?"

Demyx nodded childishly, moving to his knees. "We can do that! Sure you don't wanna shower with me, Zexy?" He leaned forward seductively.

Zexion pushed him back. "No... Demyx, no more, please. I'll break..."

With a small nod, Demyx grinned and made his way towards his bathroom. Satisfied that Demyx would be okay for a little while, he tugged on his clothing and trudged down to the kitchen. There, he grabbed a pencil and the notepad--often, the pages were gone from random notes from Larxene and Demyx for Cid to buy certain food items missing from the refrigerator, but tonight, there were enough sheets for him to take one, writing a simple message:

Love You Always and Forever, Demyx.

With a sigh, he placed the note on the counter next to a cup of hot chocolate, then laced up his sneakers and calmly left the house. He took a few steps down the sidewalk, the sound of a car slowly inching behind him.

He slowly approached the car, which rolled down its windows slowly. Kuja sat in the front seat, staring at him calmly. "Hop in." The man smiled cautiously, and Zexion inwardly cringed. He couldn't do anything, though. This was for Demyx. For himself. For his mother. For finding out the truth on what really happened.

He calmly climbed in and Kuja drifted down the street. Zexion could only hope that he hadn't just written his will.

.xii...vi.

Larxene glanced over her shoulder. Two hands filled with groceries, she made her way back towards the house. Her car was currently out of commission, and the corner store was only around three blocks away. Plus, it was a nice evening. She calmly walked down the street, but kept a keen eye out for anything peculiar--people, vehicles, odd antics...

'Hey, was that Zexion?'

.xxiv. end .xxiv.

This is great! I'm finishing on schedule, and Graduation's gonna be great, and I'm going to New York for college, and my life is just so great! I'm soooo happy...

Of course, still gotta worry about coat-making... aw damn...

But rain!

Erm... Reviewers get Cake!

And so you all know... The reviewers count is high enough to promise you all that I will, indeed, write a sequel to Whispered Melody. Choices of title currently are... "Schemes and Dreams" and "Rockin' Lullaby". Where these came from, I have no clue. Just keep your eyes open--they won't be posted as much as this had been because I had a goal for this, and, well... I don't even have a plot for the sequel as of yet, so just deal, okay?

Love you guys! You always deal and don't throw bricks or napalm. So I'm one happy (unburnt) little buffalo (if anyone catches the Digimon reference from 02)!

Quotin' time!
"Um... I didn't want you to leave... And I wasn't sure how else to get your attention..."
"Just ask! Just say, 'Hey, Yugi, could you stay a little longer?' Don't lob a freaking harpoon at me! Seriously, that's like the rudest thing ever!"
"Oh. Uh... hey, Yugi! Could you stay a little longer? Maybe--"
"Well, it isn't going to work now, not after you almost skewered me!"
- Mako and Yugi, YGOTAS (by LittleKuriboh)

:Darkness Princess.