Disclaimer: Dear whoever needs me to write this: You make me cry myself to sleep for making me admit I do not own Kingdom Hearts.
Be polite, proper, and act your best whenever guests are over.
The blond stared emptily at his apartment. He had nothing to come home to- it was just a messy house, which he tried to avoid the most he could, because he knew, every day that he went out, he would come home to find it empty of any value.
Sometimes, there were moments were he felt like he was empty himself. Hallow, deprived of anything important, just Demyx. All he had set in life was crossing out those stupid rules on the list, and in all reality, it wasn't enough.
Demyx twisted the door shut, repositioned the lock, and flicked the light on. His eyes stung for the first moment, but readjusted soon after as he made his way over to kitchen counter- where he carelessly tossed his keys onto the marble and hit play on his voice machine.
Five new messages.
"Hey Demyx," a soft voice breathed, "It's Namine... Mom wanted me to call and remind you about dinner plans for Saturday, though I'm sure she's just going to call you herself. Have a nice day, alright? I love you Dem."
He smiled down at the machine, wishing his sister was right there just so he could ruffle her hair. Letting his finger linger over the delete button, he finally pressed it, ready for the next, which of course was none other than his mother.
"Demyx, where are you at this hour? It's six, I'd figure you'd be home feeding yourself. Maybe you're out with a nice girl? Oh that must be it, fingers crossed! ...So, dinner plans-" The blond hit delete before he could finish the message. She was so nonchalant, no, oblivious.
"Dem-" No mom, I don't want to hear your voice at the moment, please don't leave a message after the beep. He rubbed the back of his head, erasing the third one almost instantaneously after hearing his mother's singsong voice for the second time.
The fourth and fifth messages were his mother again, reminders he guessed, seeing as he didn't really listen. He got it- tomorrow, have dinner with the family, risking setups and awkward moments- it all sounded like a delight to him.
"Shit. Shit shit shit shit shit." Oh, and he wasn't really 'allowed' to swear. But this situation required a dirty mouth. He slammed his hand onto the counter, pain rushing through his palm as he glared at the machine, now devoid of messages.
He had work tomorrow. How was he going to explain this one to his new boss?
"Damn, that sucks. Hope Xemnas doesn't fire your skinny little ass."
"Thanks Axel, you really know how to cheer up a guy." Demyx buried his face in his arms, not wanting to look at his friend, nor anything else. The darkness his arms created proved a nice shield from the world. "But seriously, I don't know what to do. Xigbar has every intention of keeping me here for hours upon hours. I have to be there at six, in order to help with our seven o' clock dinner."
The redhead pressed his lips together, resting an elbow on the bar table. "Well, one thing you could do, is ask."
"Oh thanks," he replied sarcastically, "I hadn't thought of that. Look, Axe, it's my first day on the job, and asking to leave early won't cut it."
"You're such a wuss. You don't know that. You come here every night, Xigbar knows you like the back of his eyepatch," Axel attempted not to laugh, failing as his words were interrupted by fits of giggles, "and Xemnas liked you enough to hire you personally, without you even applying. Everything seems to be swinging your way, so make like fucking Tarzan and get on that vine."
Demyx peeked out from his little nest. "Have I ever told you, how you don't have a way with words? That made no sense."
"Shut the fuck up and I'll talk to Xiggy for you." Not one to resist an offer that would help him avoid an awkward confrontation, he pretended to zip his lips, locked the door, and threw out the key. Sometimes, he had to love redheads.
Axel beamed as he slithered in behind the bar, where the blond was being trained by an overly irritated Marluxia. "No, the Caruso is the one with the mint, blondie. Be careful! Damn, let me get paper towels." He was rubbing his temple as he left to go find something to pick up the mess.
"Ouch, looks like you fail at mixing drinks." He teasingly nudged him, though all he received in reply was a glare." So guess who is the best, best friend, in the whole freakin' universe?"
"Let me guess," his cerulean gaze was locked on the spill, fingertips brushing along the edge of the counter to avoid dripping, "you. What did he say?" His eyes flashed to him, hopeful.
"He can get you out at six. Which means, since your mom lives like, an hour away," Thank the Lord for that, Demyx mentally sighed, "you'll get there around seven-ish. Which, is still a bit late, but at least you're making it there, right?"
He wrapped his arms around Axel in a tight hug, practically bouncing. "Thankyouthankyouthankyou."
"Hey shitheads, stop molesting each other and help me pick this up before Xigbar has all of our asses. Both figuratively and literally." Pulling away from the other, they scrambled over to assist the pink haired man in picking up.
Only four more hours until he was out, and five until he was sitting down, waiting for the hell he called family dinners.
In the Cerise household, family dinners were held every night. You had to eat with your family, at the table, like a traditional family, and you could never, say nothing. Lyza Cerise made sure that everyone contributed to the conversation, no matter the atmosphere, or the person's mood- another tradition of sorts, in which she used to keep track of her son and daughters.
When her eldest, Larxene, moved out to live with her boyfriend, they hardly talked. Which also meant, she was no longer in control. That was something that the woman feared, but she would not let consume her. So, two nights a month, she invited the older sibling home for a visit. And when Demyx moved out as well, he agreed to the visits, though he knew their actual purpose.
Soft eyes looked upon the picture their owner held dear, three little blondes, crowded around their parents in a pumpkin patch. It was taken a week before Halloween, years ago when the holder, Namine, was merely seven, Demyx had been nine, and Larxene fourteen, new to the experience of being a teenager. There had been a fight later that day, one the petite blonde vaguely remembered, though she knew it was about Larxene being able to take her younger siblings out trick or treating by herself. Dad had been all for it, enthusiastic about his little girl growing up, whilst her mother, was not.
That was when the fighting became apparent. Sure, Namine being the quiet observer, had noticed the tension between their parents before their fights took on a more verbal approach, but at the young age she was at, she couldn't place what it was. She just knew it was there, lingering and choking, and ripping their family apart.
They never had a genuine family interaction after that again. It was all so neatly fake, but they dealt with it. At least their parents could stay in the same room with each other. At least, for a little while. They divorced roughly around fifteen months later, a little bit after her brother's tenth birthday. They said they waited so Demyx could get one last good birthday before the divorce papers where signed, and while she had been upset with them for putting it off, she also had been thankful they kept her brother's feelings in mind.
It was the second Saturday if the month, meaning a family dinner, which also meant drama would ensue. At least Demyx tried to act civil, but Namine's older sister didn't know when to keep her mouth locked tight.
"Namine! Come help! I want it to be extra perfect for your little friends and Larxene's boyfriend! Maybe I should call Demyx and tell him to invite his girlfriend... Where is that boy..."
"Mom.."
"You're right, what if he doesn't have one? But that worries me sweetie, boys his age should have girlfriends! All he does is hang out with Axel all the time and I get this really big vibe that he's-"
"Mom! Calm down," her daughter smiled, placing the picture in its frame back down on the side table. "Xion and her older brother won't think any less of you if it's not perfect, which it will be. And stop worrying about Demyx, alright?.. He's not dating Axel, and you know that." Anymore.
This seemed to ease her mother. She returned the smile gratefully, knowing that soon her final daughter would grow up to leave her, just like her other babies. "Where is he? It's almost seven for crying out loud!"
"Slow your fucking horses down, mom." Namine slipped into the room just in time to hear the familiar ring of Larxene's vulgar language. Their mom shot a glare in her direction, a warning. "Sorry mum, I'll keep it PG at the table."
The doorbell rang, and the younger of the siblings scurried off to get it. "By the way mum, my boyfriend won't be coming over tonight. I dumped the sh-craphead. I thought about telling you sooner, but I chose later."
"Oh..." The woman sighed softly, "So this means no grandkids anytime soon?"
We may fuck like rabbits, but we don't breed like them. "Even if we were still together, no grandkids anytime soon."
"Xion and her brother are here," Namine peeked in, disappearing not too long after to keep their new arrivals company. Larxene looked to her mother, noting the 'we'll talk about your boyfriend later' look, though she would of course, just avoid the whole subject like always.
"Let's set the table, Demyx will be here soon. At least, I really hope so..." And she began babbling, like any other helpless mother would.
He didn't bother knocking, nor ringing the doorbell, when he arrived on the front steps of his childhood home at seven fifteen. Fixing his hair in the reflexion of the glass panels of the door, he jiggled the doorknob, thanking whoever for it opening.
The room was decorated just the way he remembered it. He had only been living out of the house for a little bit over a year now, but it all seemed like a distant memory. The pale yellow walls lined with family portraits and school pictures, the faint scent of lavender, the pencil marks on the doorframe between the dining room and living room- where a set of furious eyes observed him- it was exactly the same.
"Sit down, your food is getting cold." He swallowed, nervously fixing the sleeves of his hoodie over his knuckles as he walked into the room. There were guests. He wasn't expecting guests. It was one thing to be late to a family dinner, but when there were guests over? Demyx was screwed royally.
Namine, Larxene, his mother, Zexion, some girl who looked just like-
Wait a minute.
"Shit."
This could not be happening.
Zexion Iliuzija was sitting at the dinner table, looking straight at him. And he was anything but comfortable. "Demyx!" His mother hissed at his choice of language, hitting his arm and motioning him to sit beside the slate haired male. So, there he was, on the path to breaking the guest rule without even trying. He wasn't sure whether he should be proud or terrified.
"Sorry I'm late," the blond mumbled, sliding into the seat next to him. "I got out of work later than I wanted and well, obviously, it's an hour long drive. So... sorry. Again."
He almost forgot about how much his mother hated overly done apologies, until her sharp gaze sliced through him like a blade. "Just don't let it happen again. So, where do you work?" He could have lied, no, should have, but his mother would find out eventually, and he much rather deal with the less severe scolding than the latter options.
"The club Axel works at-" He tried to ignore the look his mother shot Larxene as he continued, "-I serve customers and clean up. It's a job." Partially a lie. But, it would have to do if he wanted to live before the night ended. Though, Demyx's attention returned to his right, I'm not sure that's possible with him around.
"Your son plays well."
"Do you know each other?" Lyza Cerise poked idly at her dish, a mix of curiosity and possibilities plagued her. Worst case scenarios. A flash back to Demyx's father.
Zexion shook his head. "I only saw him play at open night in Oblivion."
"It's not 'open night'. We audition and sign up for those gigs, thank you. And why are you even here, anyways?" The musician snapped. Demyx knew his family would question him- his reaction was anything but one, that a person would give to an ordinary fan in the crowd. But at that moment, he didn't particularly care too much. Anger overtook his emotions, and sensible thinking.
"Demyx... This is Xion," his little sister spoke, letting him turn to face them before going on, "I invited her over for dinner.. And her brother was supposed to take her out anyway, so we invited him too. Please Dem, calm down.. I'm sorry, I didn't know-"
"It's alright, Nami. I'm just, overly stressed. First day of work, y'know?" Demyx gave a light chuckle, scratching the back of his head. "Sorry, Zexion, Xion. You remind me a little of someone who I struck a wrong chord with, and I just freaked. It won't happen again." The look on his mother's face agreed with the statement. It wouldn't happen again, or else he would bein serious shit.
"Now, let's eat." Her tone was charming again, which he was grateful for, but Demyx knew; he'd somehow be punished afterwards. He smiled at his mother, reassuring her that the rest of the night would go off without a hitch. But the damage was already done.
And he was in for an awkward and painful night.
A/N: ...I am so sorry. Please forgive me.
I had a birthday, cosplay plans, work, summer reading. Life can be a bitch. Mur. But I hope you like it? ;_; I know it isn't much, but it's mostly building up things I need for the story. Mmsorry. Again. I love you all for reading and reviewing, and it makes me all happyfais, really.
Also, I would like to tell you this: I'm not sure how I'm going to pick or anything yet, probably a question, or maybe just have you voice your opinions, buuuuut, I will be asking for a bonus chapter/rule, just for the people who read my work. Like, you suggest something funky and I'll do it just for you. But that's later on, and this is just a warning for that. Either that, or free oneshot (any couple!). I'll keep you updated? Mur. Not sure.
So, please enjoy this chapter, and expect a more Zemyx based plot next chapter. :) Please read, review, shit your pants, throw bricks, y'know.
p.s. Lots of love and cookies. :I