Zexion re-appeared in Xigbar's room. Demyx was handcuffed to the bed, naked, breathing heavily. There were blood lines down his legs and tear lines down his face, but other than that, he appeared fine. He opened his eyes upon hearing the portal. "Zexy?!" he screamed seeing the state the Schemer was in. Zexion collapsed against the bed. Demyx pulled against the handcuffs. "There's a key on the night stand," the blonde said, "Can you unlock me please?"
Zexion reached for the key with bloodstained fingers. He slowly reached up and unlocked Demyx's wrists. The blonde bolted up and gently pushed the Schemer against the sheets. "What happened?" he whispered, tears rolling down his cheeks.
"Marluxia," Zexion said with great difficulty, his voice cracking.
"Why can't you talk?"
Zexion fingered the cuts on his neck from where the thorns had cut into his flesh from the inside of his throat. "Thorns. Severed. Can't-"
"Shh." Demyx pressed a finger against Zexion's lips. He got up and hurried to the bathroom, returning with a dampened cloth. He gently wiped Zexion's cuts clean. The ones on his neck were still bleeding. He pressed the cloth against the Schemer's neck. "Keep pressure on that. I'm going for help."
Zexion nodded, gripping the cloth. Demyx kissed his forehead. He pulled his cloak over his body and vanished through a portal. Within seconds, he returned with Vexen who gasped at the sight of Zexion. "What the hell?"
"Marluxia-"
"Never mind," Vexen said sitting beside Zexion. He examined the cuts on his thin body, then fingered the incisions on his neck lightly. He sighed. "Demyx, I need you to get me peroxide and a sewing needle and the black thread in my lab. On second thought, just bring the whole first aid kit up here." Demyx was crying. "Demyx! Pull yourself together and go!" The Nocturne nodded and vanished in a portal.
"Wha-he-"
"Don't talk Zexion," Vexen said sharply. "I can tell by looking at you that a few of your vocal cords have been badly damaged...cut into, a couple even severed."
"I thoug-"
"Shut up! You'll make the damage worse!"
Demyx reappeared with a small white box. He handed it to Vexen and sat on the other side of Zexion, holding his hand.
"Demyx," Vexen whispered, "I need you to leave. I don't want you to see this."
"See what?"
"Just go. Zexion'll be fine. I promise." Demyx was about to protest but the glare from Vexen stopped him. The Nocturne bent down and kissed Zexion's cheek before walking out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Vexen sighed and threaded a needle from the first aid kit. He handed a cloth to Zexion and said, "You might want to bite on this. I don't have any anaesthetic." Zexion stuck the cloth in his mouth and braced himself for the pain as Vexen put the needle against his throat.