Chapter 5: It Was Worth the Wait

One week. That's all it took. One week was all Marluxia had to suffer through to get to his reward: a date with Luxord. By this point, he was about ready to say "No, thank you. I need to use this weekend to recharge." Of course he wouldn't admit to it. He was too proud and too stubborn to give that up.

"-luxia. Marluxia, you in there?" a snap was what finally brought Marluxia to come back to his seat in the library. Luxord had his hand on the slightly smaller shoulder, shaking it softly.

Marluxia looked to him for a minute, trying to focus. He couldn't help but notice that the blond looked genuinely concerned. "A-ah, sorry Luxord. I guess I went off for a bit there."

"A bit? You looked about ready to go to sleep on me. Maybe we should stop for the day," he said, closing his folder and book.

"N-No! I'm fine really! I want to finish…" this was accompanied by a small pout. Surprisingly, it was honestly sincere. He was almost finished and he knew that if they stopped, Luxord might cancel their plans. His weekend will be boring he'll be beating himself up over what might have been.

A smile spread under the blond goatee. "Hey, there is nothing wrong with stopping early. We did a lot of work this week and you were really focused on the work. Besides, you keep working you will fall asleep."

That's what he feared. He sighed in defeat and began to pack up as well. "Well, maybe it just wasn't meant to be. Dammit, I really thought that-"

"What time should I pick you up tomorrow?"

Blue eyes whirled in the blond's direction as if pulled by some magnet. "What? You mean we can still go on that date?"

"Yeah, you've earned it. I said as a reward, I'd take you on a date. For now, go on home and take it easy. There's no school tomorrow so I can take you out tomorrow night. Though, I need to know the time." The blond smiled at him as he slung his pack over his shoulder.

Inside the pinkette's stomach became a knot. He had a date and he got to leave early. If he was any giddier, he would have spun and giggled like a little schoolgirl in this case, the little effeminate schoolboy that he was. "Around 7 would be great! I can't wait."

"Heh, I can tell. Let's go then. Sooner we can go, the better." Luxord walked on to the door.

Marluxia happily followed him. "I-I can't believe it! Maybe I can do this after all. Ooh Axel is SOOO gonna be kissing my ass for this one." He smiled and looked up to him. "So, should we make plans for tomorrow?"

Luxord didn't seem to hear him. Instead he took out and looked to a pocket watch. That was one of the things Marluxia learned anything about him that he liked. Instead of cranking his neck to look at the time, he merely pulled out his pocket watch. It made him seem… sophisticated. More sophisticated than most other high school juniors. The downside was that was only one of a few things the other knew about him. Aside from he had a total of 4 piercings, he was forward on the soccer team, he was the secretary for the chess team (which by no means sounded important but in the club it was right there next to President apparently), and he valued punctuality, there was little else Marluxia knew about him. The man was a complete stranger. Then again, whatever data about any student that he wanted he easily flirted with the keeper of the student records to distract them so Axel can sneak in and pull them out. Needless to say they were a great investigative team. Most days. "Luxord? Are you in there?"

A couple of blinks brought the blond back. "Huh? Gah, sorry Marluxia. I was just thinking, is all. What were you saying?"

He chuckled a bit. That was another thing that was entertaining. He was in his own little world when looking at his watch. "I said what plans should we make for tomorrow?"

"Oh! Hmm, yeah okay."

"HAHAHAH! That was soo funny! Then the part with the potato salad and the dog! Man, that was hilarious!" Marluxia wiped a tear as he held onto Luxord's arm. They were coming back to Marluxia's house after a trip to the movies. It seemed like a good way to end a day of hanging out at the mall, taking a look at the exotic plant display at the zoo, eating dinner and watching a movie. It was the first time in a long time Marluxia chose what they did. It was usually him being dragged to a skate park or a wrestling match; nothing quiet or enjoyable. "That was a pretty good movie."

"Yeah, it was. I like the part in the end when the main guy went to the house and he finds-"

"OH! Yeah, that was funny." Sighing, the pinkette unlocked the front door and walked in. he turned on several lights and walked to the kitchen. "You thirsty? I have water, soda-"

Luxord looked around as he sat on the couch. "No, I think I'm-"

"-uncle's rum…"

"Rum's good. Just a shot."

"Wow, that was an instant change. Hm, maybe he can hold his liquor. Some people can't." The thought of the last guy he dated plastered on his floor after only one beer flashed in his mind. He poured the shot and got himself some soda. He himself was a lightweight and he knew it. It seemed a bad idea to show his worst side on a first date, right? He crinkled as the smell hit his nose. He never had a taste for rum and Marluxia doubted he ever will. It was too bitter and too strong. He wanted something that was more… filling, in a way. He picked up the glasses and walked to the couch and sat by him. "Here, you go."

"Thanks." The blond took it and drank it quickly. He sighed and wiped his mouth. "Mmm, this is a good brand."

A pink eyebrow quirked at the motion. He sipped his soda and watched him with slight interest. "Oh, you're a drinker? I thought it was strange you rejected everything I suggested."

The blond chuckled and cocked the corner of his mouth as he did. "Yeah, my uncle thought it was a good idea to build an immunity to it while I was young. I have never been so sick in my life." He set the glass down and leaned back, spreading his arms on the back of the sofa as he did.

Taking advantage of this situation, the young boy slid close to the other and curled up a bit, half interested in his story, half trying to see how close he can manage to get to Luxord before it became to awkward. "So wait, your uncle let you drink rum? But it's illegal."

The blond chuckled and sat up, shifting to face him. "Let me drink? He forced me sometimes. Said it would help build an immunity to it."

"Okay, now you have to tell me this story." He chuckled a bit and set one arm on the back of the chair, waiting for the story."

Luxord chuckled a bit before holding out his arms to talk. "So, there I was this kid, only 13, and my uncle had just taken me in his ward. He tells me that I'm 13 and in his eyes, I'm a man now. So he tells me I should drink like one. So, he hands me a shot glass full of rum. I being a kid, sniff it and he tells me to drink it." He chuckled a bit "So, he puts the glass in my hands and forces me to drink it. I-I down the shot, not knowing how to even drink it right. My uncle, pulls the glass outta my mouth and I just stand there looking at him for about 2 seconds and total spew the drink and my lunch on the floor!"

Marluxia laughed at the image of a young boy throwing up on his uncle. "My god that's horrible! What did he do?"

"My uncle starts swearing up a storm as he cleans me up and the floor. From then on he taught me different ways to drink without getting sick. Then I developed my own habits."

"Really?" The pinkette pulled his hair to one side as he leaned on the couch. He didn't remember having this much fun. Well, on the first date. "Now, see I'm not much of a drinker. Everything's too bitter."

The junior sighed and moved closer softly. "Maybe you should try mixed drinks. Some are sweet and watered down. They aren't strong like if you take a shot."

"You sure know a lot about drinks, Luxord. Much more than a high schooler should," he gave him a sly grin.

The grin was equally returned. "Yeah, with family like that, you learn a thing or two."

Marluxia chuckled a bit and looked to him. "So, just how much can you handle now before you lose it."

Luxord took a deep breath and held it for a few seconds as he thought it over in his head. "Depending on the type, now I can go maybe 2 or 3 shots before I start feeling the side effects."

"2 or 3 shots? How much alcohol is that? This guy must get drunk every night. –sigh- He's soo cool…" light blue eyes stared at the other for a minute. "Isn't that a bit much? You could have liver disease by the time you're 30."

A shake of the head and a shrug was what Luxord gave back. "I only drink once in a while and its mainly rum. I'm completely fine." He smiled and looked to the clock. "Hm… It's kind of early."

"Yeah, we should do something. I have noo idea what, though." Marluxia sighed to himself as he sat back and put his head on the back of the chair. "Gawd, this is so boring… I don't know what to say. Usually by now the guy's trying to get into my pants and I'm kicking them in the nads." "Sorry, I am totally bored."

Rubbing his neck, Luxord thought. "Not to seem like a lush, but why not a drink? It's a good way to break the ice and we'll relax a bit and just talk." He gave the other a slight smile that made his stomach turn in a knot.

"Uh, Okay… I'll just have one shot. Just to settle my nerves."

"That's fine. This is just two people talking about ourselves…"

Two shots in Marluxia and the young man was an official chatterbox. He sat there for an hour (one shot each half hour, mind you) and he was giving his life story. He was finishing the story about the last guy he dated. "… and then that was it. We 'broke up' if you want to say." He looked over at the semi drunk blond and giggled. Luxord was given 4 shots and he was nodding off. "Hey… wake up." He leaned close and whispered. "Luxy… wake up."

That caught his attention. "h-huh, Luxy?"

"Uh-huh~ tha'sss your new nickname, Luxy~" Marluxia giggled obviously out of it he chuckled as he arm gave way under him and he was now leaning on Luxord. "Pffft, hahah! S-sorry, that… was an accident." He sat up and grinned a bit as he looked in Luxord's eyes. "Y-you wanna know a secret?"

"Tell me one."

Completely forgetting the art of subtly, Marluxia craned his head and whispered in his ear. "I think you're reeeeeally cute." Of course, he was too drunk and in a good euphoria to notice he managed to make his classmate blush. "N-not just that, but really cute and I reeeeally really like you."

Luxord smiled a bit and helped the pinkette sit up right on the couch instead of completely on him. "Here, you're leaning all over me."

"N-no… I wanna lean on yoooou. I like you…" He was stubborn yet he hardly put up a fight. He sat up but just to prove his stubbornness, he set his head on Luxord's shoulder.

"And no more rum, either. That's enough for you." Chuckling, Luxord put his arm around him and stroked his hair a bit. Even though he was drunk, Marluxia seemed like a stubborn child that wanted to stay up and sneak a peek at Santa. "Hey Marluxia."

"Wha?"

He looked to him and sighed a bit. "It's nothing."

"N-no, tell me." That woke him up. "What does he have to tell me that's 'nothing'? Maybe he's rejecting me. Gawd, I hope not." He tilted his head up and almost felt his stomach sink. "What is it? Tell me."

"It's fine. I'll tell you later."

He pouted a little bit at him. "Y-you won't tell me… you don't like me like that, do you?"

Luxord blinked in surprised, caught completely off-guard. "No no, I do like you, Marluxia."

Marluxia smiled a bit and hugged him. "Good I was scared you didn't." he sighed and leaned on him a bit.

"Of course I do, I wouldn't have gone on a date with you if I didn't." He chuckled at Marluxia's motion and hugged him back. he sighed a bit and slowly nuzzled him.

Looking up, Marluxia leaned close to him. "I really like you, Luxord… you're not like the others I dated."

Luxord leaned just as close. "Yeah?"

"Yeah… I like it," was all Marluxia said before closing what little space there was left between them to press his lips to Luxord's quickly. It wasn't long enough to be called a kiss. It was the equivalent of a peck on cheek. Whether or not he got a kiss back, he didn't mind. He had done it and that was that.

Luxord held Marluxia's face in his free hand and guided him back to his own. He smiled and he himself gave the other a real kiss.

Marluxia blushed softly and kissed him back. He smiled a bit as he wrapped his arms around the blond's neck. He didn't want to let him go just yet.

Said blond entwined his arms around the smaller body and held him close.

For what seemed like minutes, though it was only seconds, each finally pulled back for air. Marluxia wiped his mouth as he panted. He could taste rum and it was strong. It wasn't bad because it came from Luxord. It was bad he could feel the effects working his mind. He closed his eyes and leaned back up to kiss him again when his target pulled back. "Hm?"

"Mmm, no. Marluxia, no. We shouldn't."

The pinkette whined a bit. "B-but I want to…"

"I-I know but we can't. I don't want it to be like this. Besides, it's late and I gotta get home."

Sighing but nodding reluctantly, the smaller male leaned back on the couch. "You're right… But will we still-"

Luxord chuckled and nodded. "I'll still see you around. I'm still going to tutor you but if we do this now, it'll be awkward later."

"Damn him… I was soo close too." Marluxia pulled his hair back and sighed. "Okay, I guess…"

Chuckling, Luxord gave him another kiss before standing up. "I'll see you on Monday, Poppet."

"Y-yeah, see you Monday," He said not even thinking. He just stood and walked after the blond, watching him as he went. As he did he kicked himself a bit as he leaned in the doorway. "Gawd… I don't know what it is about that guy but he goes right to my head. Maybe that's the rum that's making me drunk… Screw it I'm going with the middle man and saying its both." He stood up right and walked back inside.

A/N: and that's chapter 5. Yeah... nothing witty n this note... i'm sleepy... Q_- so R/R,please! Luxy needs reveiws to get paid to buy rum.