Alright, this is actually a new chapter, but I've had it half done on my comp for like.. a really really long time now. After this chapter, there will be some time before the next chapter comes up, because I need to start that chapter from scratch. But yes. Enjoy~

Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom hearts or any of the characters used. They belong to Disney and Squeenix. Furthermore I do not own the song the kill by 30 seconds to mars.

Sorry if this chap is a bit confusing.. it's hard to rewrite an old roleplay into a chapter and make it make sense.

Starlight High

Chapter 8 The Kill

Demyx's Point of view:

I woke up from the alarm clock playing an awfully upbeat song. Too upbeat for this time in the morning. With a groan I rolled over, took the alarm clock, and threw it into the floor before slowly, oh so slowly, gave myself up to the chilliness of the room.

"Uuughh…" I walked like a zombie towards the bathroom for a nice, waaaaarm shower.

The warm water rinsed over me and it certainly helped to improve both my mood and my state of consciousness. I cleaned my hair, rinsed it, and then turned the shower off before I wrapped a towel around my waist and walked out of the bathroom to wake mom up. When she was awake, I returned to my room to find some decent clothes. I pulled on a pair of boxers and then danced around a little while I browsed through my closet to find clothes.

I decided on a pair of dark jeans that I'd worn yesterday, before I found a clean, simple white tee and a black hoodie with a zipper all the way down. I went to get some breakfast and found some toast. A tune went through my head as I slowly munched on it. Afterwards, I headed into the bathroom, gelled my hair into perfection and then started brushing my teeth. Since I'm a wanderer, I walked around half the house while doing so, slowly humming. Mom smiled at me and I gave her a toothpasty smile back before I went into my room and started some quiet music that I danced around to, while still brushing my teeth.

I briefly checked through my emails since I had some time and was bored as hell. Nothing worth mentioning though…spam, spam, spam, chain letter….spam, spam, oh hey, a newsletter…spam, spam…eh, fuck it. I turned off the computer and went out onto the patio. It was a rather nice morning. It looked like it was going turn out to be a beautiful, warm day. A refreshing breeze ruffled my shirt as I went back in again. I yawned before I grabbed my bag, went outside, grabbed my bike, and started going towards school. Zexion sent me a text message yesterday saying he was sleeping in, so he wouldn't be joining me. I plugged in my headphones to my iPod and spun the click wheel, finding a nice song and set off. It was like any other morning, nothing out of the ordinary.

And I was fucking sick of it. The same thing, every day, over and over.

I softly sang along to the song from my headphones, parked my bike by a tree, the same tree as I always do, and always done, for the last three years that I've attended Starlight High, sitting down by the fountain to wait for Axel.

"'Sup my bitch?"

And there he was. Speak of the devil… I pulled my headphones off.

"Not much really…tired as hell, but I'm starting to wake up. I could kill for a coffee, but yeah…how are you? You're kinda pale and look like you've seen a ghost."

Grinning, he sat next to me and opened the bag he'd brought. "I've got something better than coffee…want a ginger thin?" he held out the packaged to me. "Oh, and I've got a cig, and, kick ass guy that I am, I've decided to share with you."

I stared at the box. What the hell is ginger thins? "A cig does indeed sound nice…gonna go and buy a package during lunch, but that'll be a later problem." I placed my headphones around my neck and yawned again. Hell, what is it with me and early morning…we do not mix well.

"You look like shit," he pointed out, pulling out a cigarette and handing it to me. "And ginger thins are…like…cookies…yeah…dunno what the fuck they really are…but they're good and I skipped breakfast on account of Reno's…um…thing…I don't even know what to call it." He shook his head, eyes getting a faraway look.

"Wow, gee, thanks Ax, nice to know I have supporting friends." I flipped a Zippo from my pocket and lit the poor sucker on fire. Sometimes I wondered why I still smoked, other times; I wouldn't quit to save my own life.

"Knowing Reno…do I wanna know what this breakfast thing is about?" I took a….cookie or whatever, from the box and sniffed it.

Axel laughed nervously, trying to light his last cig. "Erm…he said he found it in the fridge somewhere…might've been milk or something…though it smelled like lunch meat…" He plucked a ginger thin out of the box and slid the whole cookie into his mouth. Yuck. "It's not gonna bite you, Dem." he muttered, mouth full.

I fell off the fountain, sprawled over the ground, laughing my ass off. Forgetting everything concerning burning cigarettes and ginger thins. "DUDE!" I rolled over to lay flat on my back, staring up at the redhead-still laughing, mind you- "That is fucking EPIC!" I continued laughing, even though it was wearing off. But I still just laid there before slowly taking a drag from the cig. "Thanks for making my morning." I laughed again.

Shrugging, he seemed unable to keep from grinning at me. "Welcome?" he took a drag and another ginger thin. "And you wouldn't think so if you'd been there…"

I sat up before flicking away the bud and took a bite from the cookie. "What is our…hey these are good…what's our first lesson today?" I stretched out before I rose and sat down beside Axel again.

"Like I care?" the redhead stuffed another cookie in his mouth "Um…I dunno…my brain don't function this early." he took a final drag before flicking the remains of the cigarette away with a sigh." It will forever haunt me…" He whispered to himself.

I completely misunderstood the situation, since I'm not a mind reader, thank you very much, so I patted Axel's back. "There there, it's okay…but I still wanna know what lesson we have, so I'll know if I should skip it or not."

"I wrote the schedule down somewhere…could possibly be in these pants…you can look if you want." Axel continued to ponder something as he ate his interesting breakfast. "I think Zexion's come out of the closet." he said bluntly.

"I don't wanna look in your…wait what?" hang on, rewind, what?

"Zexion WAS in the closet to begin with?"

Axel jumped up in indignation. "Oh, so my pants aren't good enough to root through?" He blinked, pausing, "What…?" I just stared at him. "Demyx…what…I'm totally confused now." I shook my head. God, I hate mornings.

"Yeah, yeah, your pants are hot, but rewind. Zexion coming out of the closet." Gyah…mornings. Who likes them? A rather catchy song started playing from my headphones and I hummed along. "

She clings to me like cellophane, fake plastic submarine, she's driving me insane, but now that's over. Why, why you always kick me when I'm high."

The redhead popped me upside the head, gently mind you, he wasn't trying to be an ass, just trying to get our minds back on track…and no, that doesn't mean he hit himself…just other people…

"Well, I think he did…he cornered me in the kitchen and asked if I was gay, just out of the blue." he snorted. "We all know the answer to that. Then he asked how I found out."

"Aww… Hm…well…there's nothing wrong with it…and eh…well…it was kind of a shock though." I laughed. "Gimme another cookie thing."

Pouting, Axel held the box to his chest. "I…but…noooo," he whined petulantly. "My cookies…and you wanna talk about shock; you weren't the one he was asking! Which I thought totally weird…I mean, sure, he's a pal, but he hangs around you more than me."

I grabbed a cookie anyways before wiggling my eyebrows suggestively. "Well…maybe I'm not as flamboyant as you are, my dear Axel." I grinned, threw the cookie in my mouth, got up, and started running towards the school. Didn't want to be there when it finally hit him, what I said

Axel was still dumbfounded over the stolen cookie. I was already a fair distance away when it finally sank in what I said and he jumped up to his feet to give chase. "HEY! You bitch!"

I just laughed and ran. No way am I gonna slow down, not with an Axel who had his manliness crushed by none other than yours truly. So, therefore, I ran.

"You know I'm right!"

I was fast, but sadly the redhead had longer legs. Axel tackled me to the ground from behind, driving us both into the grass. "Take it back!" he shouted, wrapping an arm around my neck and mussing up my hair. It was the only thing he knew could get me back.

"Oof!" I'm tasting the dirt, I swear. Oh fuck it, I'm the swimmer, he's the lanky. "No way, girly boy. Nice hips by the way!" I tried holding his hands. "And leave my hair the fuck alone!"

"Compliments will get you nowhere!" Axel shouted, trying to keep me from grabbing his hands. "And you stole my cookie, so NEVER!" he rumpled my hair some more before deciding it was satisfactorily limp. "Ha…"

I rose and dusted myself off before I did what could be done with my poor hair. "You OFFERED me the damn cookie." I sighed. "Oh well…gotten rid of your sexual frustrations on poor little me now? Maybe you can finally start acting normal."

"EXCUSE me? Sexual frustrations my ass!" the redhead glared at me for a moment. "And there's no such thing as normal. I know nothing of normal." he grinned "Want a cookie?" he asked, holding the box out again.

I raised an eyebrow. "No, I'm fine. But we all notice you're so sexually frustrated that it's painful to watch. Just because you can't get Blondie to pin you to the floor." I backed away from the cookie box. Didn't want to get my hair ruined again…

Axel frowned at that. "Is it really that obvious? And I was trying SO hard to hide it." The statement was full of sarcasm. He glanced down at the cookies. "Do you think Roxy likes ginger?"

I just grinned at him, raising an eyebrow.

"Shut up," he finished lamely with a pout.

I cracked up again. "Axel…I love you, you know that, but you suck dude!" I laughed again. "And yes, we all notice how you're trying to get into Blondie's pants." I kept laughing and took another cookie just to annoy him.

"Crap.. but… If Zex really is gay… How do you think Fuu will react? I mean, she doesn't like ANYBODY around him. I can only imagine if he found someone."

"Fuu.. I don't know.. but she would be scary as hell… Who do you think he's gay for?" Shrugging Axel flicked the box, watching it teeter.

"I don't know. I mean, he wasn't opening his soul to me, just asking those two questions. Then you showed up and he left…" Axel looked like he got a revelation, but then it just ended up as a sneeze.

"Huh…bless you…when did this happen?" I stared off at the sky, slowly spacing out. I checked my watch. "Well, would you look at that…we've missed half of our first period."

"I don't know…yesterday? The day before? Somewhere around there…no, I know it was yesterday, because that was when Roxas was wearing that cute sweater that barely fit him!"

Well…so much for coming across as a non-Blondie stalker…

I raised an eyebrow. "No Axel…you're not at all totally infatuated with Roxas…yesterday huh? Wonder what's gotten into him. He skips and then comes out of the closet?"

"Stop bringing up my 'infatuation'. And how should I know what's going on in Zexion's head? Maybe he's gotten over teenage insecurities and his true personality is finally coming out...good thing too...no offence since he's a good buddy of yours...but he's dull."

I was thinking over everything and didn't really listen, my gaze trained on some gum that was stuck to the concrete

"But you know, it's not a big deal what I think, not like my opinion matters...I'll just go talk to the wall..." I rolled my eyes and his over-dramatics.

"Yeah, that's good…"

Yes, I was totally spacing out. Zexion? Gay? Naah… I'd have to see it to believe it.

Suddenly struck with an idea, Axel snapped his fingers. "I got it. We'll test him. See if he's really come out or if he was just genuinely curious...for some unexplained reason!"

I looked up finally. "Sorry, you were saying?" I grinned sheepishly at his glare.

"I hate you sometimes...We. Will. Test. Him." He tapped me on the forehead. "Got it memorized?"

"... test who and why? Sorry, I was thinking about other things..." I laughed slightly and scratched my neck.

"What the hell 'other things' could be more important than finding out, once and for all, the sexuality of Zexion?"

".. The sexuality of Zexion?" I laughed again. "Because that was what I was thinking about. But yes…I wanna know."

Axel blinked blankly at me. "Oh...well why didn't you just say that was what you were thinking about?" He laughed as well. "We'll do it at lunch. How do you think we should test him? Shove gay porn in his face? One or both of us hitting on him...although, that might not work very well...even if he IS gay, we're still his friends..." The redhead began to stroke his chin, looking devious.

That would actually look menacing if he had a beard, I thought absently.

"Hitting on him sounds awesomely fun! Imagine the look on Fuu's face! But how do we know he is gay if we hit on him?"

"Look for the signs...blushing, stuttering, fidgeting, and even possible returned flirting." Axel listed each off on his fingers. "Trust me on this, even if you don't see it, I'll know."

I nodded. This was going to be soooo much fun. A grin snuck onto my face just at the thought of what would happen come lunch time.

-Lunch-

"How does everyone manage to get to our table before us?" Axel asked as we caught sight of the entire gang, sans me and him, already sitting at the table and eating lunch.

I stepped up behind Axel, tray in hand and sighed. "Because we're seniors and therefore, get lunch last? Come on, they're waiting for us," I walked up to our friends and sat down. "Hey guys!"

"As seniors, we should get it first," Axel bitched before sitting. Normally, he'd sit near Roxas, but today, we had a mission. So he sat next to Zexion instead. "'Sup peeps?"

I had placed myself on the other side of Zexion and waved a hand around before I started to munch at my food, watching him while Axel got settled.

I saw Axel purposefully shift so his leg brushed against Zexion's under the table, and I took it as a cue to start the fun.

"So…heard you skipped yesterday."

I smiled to myself. "Hey Ax, just gonna steal a fry," I leaned over Zexion's place to take a fry at the same time as I made sure my chest made contact with his arm, my face near his. I smiled towards him before I got back in my seat and munched on the fry happily.

"Yeah Zexy, skipping is not good for you."

Though I had just made possibly the greatest tease move of all time, Axel still wasn't happy that I'd stolen his food, though he went along and laughed quietly, leaning his shoulder into Zexion's, sliding a fry into his mouth slowly. "Mm...Yeah, makes you a bad boy..."

I slid a finger down Zexion's now red cheek. "Yes…and do you KNOW what happens to bad boys Zexion..?" I whispered his name in his ear.

Time to pull out the big guns. Though Zexion had long ago gone stiff between the two of us, his face beet red, he had yet to utter a word. Stroking the other teen's thigh under the table, Axel leaned closer.

"Bad boy's get punished, Zexion..."

I put my hand on his other thigh and leaned closer as well. "Believe me Zexy… That kind of punishment is not fun…" I whispered every word in his ear. When he looked over at me, I gave him a seductive smile and went back to munch food, orally molesting the poor unsuspecting burger… Poor sucker. He never saw it coming.

Zexion was stubborn. I didn't think it would take this long to get him to crack...if he were gay, he would have responded by now. If he weren't, he would've killed us both. I just didn't get it. Axel removed his hand too, and resumed eating, taking a more subtle approach like me. The others were gaping at us, and we didn't want any of them getting suspicious...

I picked up my phone and sent a quick text to Axel that said, 'What do we do? He's as stubborn as a friggin donkey' before I slid it down again and sighed deeply.

Axel involuntarily jumped as his phone vibrated. Damn, I could hear it from here. I watched him pull it out and glance down at the screen. I quickly read the reply he sent a few moments later.

'I don't know. I didn't think it would be this hard.'

Zexion just kept pensively staring at the table between us.

'me neither... what should we do?' I ate my food in silence while pondering. Axel sighed on the other side of Zexion as he chewed before writing a new reply.

'one of us have to pull out the big guns.' I furrowed my brows.

'big guns?' I rose and walked to go and get more soda..

'someone have to kiss him. Doesn't have to be on the mouth. But it's all I can think of.' I could only stare at the screen.

'get over here you ass' Axel jumped and walked up to the blond.

"Don't call me an ass, stupid." I turned to glare at him.

"Let me go. Kiss him? Are you fucking serious Axel?" my voice was just a hiss, laced with anger. Axel sighed and did as he was asked, crossing his arms over his chest instead.

"Yes, I'm serious. Even just faking going in for one. If touching him and sexy whispers won't crack him, we'll have to get hardcore on him."

"but what if you were wrong, Axel? How would you feel if a girl did all those things to you?"

"I'd feel sexy and wanted...even though I like guys." He answered, but something told me that he understood the point. "I could've been wrong...I have been before...but I just get this feeling that he's messing with us!"

"Why do you get that feeling? It is totally explainable that's he gets stiff and blush like a fucking beet! He's fucking shy, may not even be gay and then two of his best friends start to totally touch him up and molest him. He's not you Axel." I sighed

"...point taken... now what? Not like we can just go up to him and say, 'oh, sorry about that, we thought you were gay'."

"Not we. But yes, you will" I shoved my index finger into his chest "You'll apologize for the inconvenience and then things will be all right again" I started to walk against the table again.

"WHY DO I HAVE TO DO IT!" Axel screamed after me but I only ignored him, taking my place at the table again and went back to my food. After a while, Axel came shuffling back and sank down, staring at the remains of his food. I continued to ignore him, talking a bit to Roxas.

Axel gritted his teeth. Not only did the blond dump everything on him, he started to steal Roxas' attention from him? He was going to kill that stupid blond. He didn't care that Demyx was the one who opened his eyes, nor that he'd had the biggest crush on him and still kinda did. That blond was dying. Tonight. With a sigh Axel leaned his head towards Zexion's shoulder. "Sorry." He muttered before leaning back to his seat again.

I rose and stretched.

"no, I'm gonna go and buy myself some cancer sticks. Later." I gave Axel a glance to tell him that I still was watching him before leaving.

xXx

When I came back into the cafeteria, Zexion ran past me. I tried to catch him but he ignored me and went out. Squinting my eyes after him I turned and walked up to the table.

"Axel, dear, can I talk to you over a cigarette?" Axel flinched and slowly looked up.

"Uh.. would you believe me if I said I quit smoking like… 2 seconds ago?"

"… No. Come on now." I grabbed his arm and pulled him with me outside to the school yard where I turned to him. Axel only stared up at the sky.

"So.. uh… what's up? I did apologize to him."

"Then why was he storming out the freaking building, refusing to talk to me when I was gonna ask!" I grabbed his precious red locks

"do tell me Zexi.. I mean Axel" luckily enough he was too scared I was going to tear his hair out, he didn't notice the slip of my tongue.

"AH! PLEASE DON'T TEAR THEM OUT!" He sniffed. "I apologized, I swear! And he got all mad and stormed off. I told him I was sorry!" When I just glared at him, his eyes went wide.

"Dude… No.. no way!"

"I will tear them out if that's what it needs for you to tell me what you really did!" I glared at him, my face close to his. "No way what?" I was so mad even I didn't notice my slip. His hands came up to cover mine where they were ready to rip his precious hair out of his head.

"I said I was sorry, then I asked what he thought of us putting on that show for him...I was trying to soften any offense!" I let go of his hair and crashed my fist into a nearby wall.

"Great Axel, just great" I sighed deeply. Axel rubbed his head.

"What is your problem? He'll get over it…" I ignored him; standing leaned against the wall, not saying anything more.

"You… you like him… don't you?" His words shocked me, made me freeze. Then I unfrozed and turned around, staring at my best friend.

"Wait, come again? Sure; I like him. He's a good friend." When he backed me against the wall, placing a hand on each side of my head, I got slightly uncertain.

"Riiiiight, he's a good friend… but that's not what I mean, Demyx. Don't play dumb.

"um Axel.. No I don't like him that way." I don't, do I?

"Uh-huh...then why did you just almost call me 'Zexion' when you were bein' all rough, eh?"

I was quiet for a few seconds before I sank down along the wall.

"oh dear... I do like him, don't I?" when I thought about it I realized that I might just actually like him. Axel smirked down at me from where he stood.

"Yeah...seems that way...HA! now you can't make fun of me liking Roxas!"I blinked dumbstruck a few seconds. This was too much. This couldn't be right.. I didn't even listen to Axel.I couldn't like him? Zexion was one of my best friends, and I'm… well… I am gay but... it's Zexion... this was too much for me to digest. Axel crouched down in front of me with a sigh.

"Guess I could've been nicer about all this. But hey, at least you aren't deluding yourself anymore! And hooray, there's a slight possibility Zexion's gay too!"

"it's easier to delude myself... it hurts less that way.." I gave him a painful smile. "and y-you don't understand… there's... gah, even I don't understand... and I think we made it clear he's not gay.." Axel kissed my forehead.

"Aww, sorry kido, but life in general hurts...and we can't entirely give up, I mean, he was awfully quiet and zoning out when I talked about the 'show'. That's gotta mean something, right?" Axel said and I smiled towards my friend.

"I dunno… I'm gonna pretend like nothing until I know something." I gripped him and gave him a hug, clinged to him.

"And thanks Axel" He hugged me back with a small smile.

"Eh, we'll figure it out, one way or another...and you're welcome...I guess...erm...what are you thanking me for again?" He pulled back to raise an eyebrow. I laughed and turned away and rubbed my eyes before I looked back

"and you people call me dense" I gave him a cigarette "it's on me" I smiled. He took the cigarette with a grin.

"Hey thanks. And no, this doesn't forgive you calling me dense...but I'll forgive you anyways. You're too cute not to forgive." He ruffled my hair, knowing how much it got on my nerves when he did. I laughed and caught a spike of his hair and pulled it slightly.

"We always do something to each other so we always get even"

"True enough." He batted my hand away. "And leave the hair alone. It's had enough abuse."

"The same goes to you handsome" With a grin towards him, I leaned against the wall, stretched my limbs in the sun and took a drag from the cig. Axel lit up his own and took a drag.

"Why did we never end up going out, Dem? People keep telling me that we're cute together." He was just curious. Sure, his feelings for Demyx were double-sided, but he doubted he'd ever been more than his friend. Especially with Roxas around.

"Wow...no clue where that thought came from." He laughed and took another drag.

"I have no idea actually… I've been thinking but I can't really remember..." I smiled towards him

"Oh well...at least we're best friends, right?" He gave me a one-armed hug. "And as such, I promise we'll find a way around the Zexion problem. If he's gay, it's a go. If not... we'll find you someone else." I chuckled.

"yeah.." I leaned my head against his shoulder and exhaled slowly while staring at the sky.

"I wonder what everyone must be thinking... first, we totally snog Zexion at the table, and then we sneak off, I come back alone and then he storms off...and that oh so dramatic exit..." He absently stuck his nose in my hair and inhaled.

I laughed and took a deep drag before I exhaled.

"And if someone would see us now they'd think we're whores" This felt nice... I had missed Axel... sure we always see each other but it was a long time since we had one of these close friends moments... I thought back and tried to figure out why we never really became a couple… His words had stirred up the thoughts inside of me.

"Yeah...but who cares what they think right?" He chuckled and purposefully leaned closer when a couple of students wandered a little too close.

"you got a point there" I glared at the by passers. Axel had a special scent about him that made me feel comfortable... maybe 'cause it had always been there, or at least as long as it had mattered. It smelled warm and spicy. Homey.

It felt strange, that was all Axel could say about how he felt. This moment was...strange. Not in a bad way...but he guessed it was because it had been so long since the two of them just...held each other. That may sound wrong, but really, when he thought about it, they just greeted with words. Old familiarity. Yay for awkward moments in which old feelings stir.

I sighed. I guess the saying was right 'old love never rusts'

"it's gonna be a long day" I just had to change the subject. This was getting too awkward. Which was weird.

Glad that he'd changed the subject, the redhead quickly agreed, pulling away.

"Yeah. I feel bad now about what we did to Zexion." Maybe it was purposefully done to remind them both that Demyx liked him. Axel wasn't sure. But it was a great distraction.

I kind of missed the warmth from his body but I shrugged. It was getting awkward. This was getting too close. When we hadn't been this close in a very long time, and his talk about us never getting together… I needed something to distract myself with.

"Yeah... me too... but hopefully he'll get over it…"

"I'm sure he will." Why did the side that had been pressed against Demyx tingle? Axel mused and tried to think of a different topic.

"Think we should head back inside and see if he's come back?"

I nodded quickly. Yeah… no more being alone. God only knew where this could lead and not with Axel... I didn't want to lose him as a friend.

"hopefully... or we'll find the others"

"Yeah...oh man, I guess we have to explain to them too..." That... Axel didn't look forward to. Especially Roxas. How could he look at him after what just happened? Sure, Axel thought; he was probably the only one freaking and reacting to old feelings, but still. "Crap."

"I don't wanna explain it to them either but we have too..." I shoved my hands deep in my pockets and pulled my shoulders up, keeping a distance from my friend. "What's crap?"

"Nothing!" Came the redhead's response a little too quickly.. Great...now we were walking further from each other...ugh. "Let's just go get it over with, okay? I'd rather not draw this out."

".. I don't belive you.. Tell me Axel, I know you too well to know when you're lying and right now you're lying straight into my face" I stopped walking, waiting for an answer

Why does he have to have random moments of complete lucidness when it was inconvenient for me? Axel thought to himself.

"I'm just...feeling awkward...about what happened back there." He waved vaguely towards where we'd been sitting. "That's all. Now let's go." I blushed, I just know it.

"well.. then we're two about it.." I focused my gaze on the asphalt and started walking slowly after him

For some reason, when they got back into the cafeteria, Axel felt like everyone was staring. Everytime someone glanced up at them, Axel wondered if it was obvious on his face that he was crushing hard on Demyx... all over again. Demyx had been right earlier... He wasn't the best liar when it came to people who knew him...and they were about to sit back down with their friends.

I couldn't focus on anything... Sora was talking to me at random occasions, but I don't really know what he said.

I found a notebook in my bag and started doodling, while I pulled up my headphones from around my neck. I couldn't stand this, and needed some own time.

Axel drummed his fingers on the table, somewhat jealous that Demyx seemed so settled and normal. It wasn't fair. He cleared his throat and tried to involve himself in conversation. Good distraction, right? "Nice shirt, Roxas." Roxas gave him an odd look before returning to his chat with the two brunets. No reply. Great. "I'm in so much shit." He grumbled, running his hands through his hair.

The song in my headphones was just over and I heard Axel's statement and glanced over at him.

Axel noticed that Demyx was looked at him and made an effort to look normal. Unfortunately, biting your thumb nail while purposefully avoiding someone's stare is far from normal.

I found my phone and sent Axel a new text.

'eh, cheer up.. it's okay'

'easier said than done. I feel like I've blown our friendship.'

'why?' I returned to my doodle before my gaze fell through the window

'i don't know. doesn't it feel awkward now?'

I bit my lip

'well.. yea it does... but it'll pass..' hopefully... I hummed along with the song from my headphones.

'hope you're right.' Axel sighed and stared at the floor. For some reason, he wasn't bothered by what people must think, seeing him, Axel, the forever cocky, arrogant, overly-confident...slumped over and silent. I felt bad for him. I pulled my headphones off and rose.

"Axel come..." I started to walk away from the table. Axel followed without complaint...or even a sick remark on the 'come' command. Wow, he was really out of it. With a deep breath I turned to him.

"Axel.. it is alright.."

"No! It's not! It's not alright! I feel so weird now, and that's bad! How can we keep being close friends like this?" I stepped forward and hugged him in silence.

"shhh…" His arms remained limp at his sides, but he leaned his forehead on my shoulder. Hooray for over-reactions. But maybe it wasn't an over-reaction. After all; I did note how he stopped breathing in that split second when I first wrapped my arms around him.

"Ugh..." I gently stroked his back and remained silent.

"Say something...please..."

"what do you want me to say?"

"Anything, nothing...tell me it's alright again. Maybe it'll work this time." His hands hesitantly rose and rested on the my waist.

"It is alright Axel. it really is. Nothing has changed… we're still best friends. I still love you as I've always done" I hugged him closer

"Okay..." And it did make him feel better. Just knowing their friendship wasn't over because he was a dork made him feel infinitely better.

"I feel like a total retard..." I chuckled

"it's alright. . don't. You're still my airhead Axel. But no one can call you that except me... not even you.. grr"

"easy tiger, I get it." Axel lifted his head.

"Pet names now, huh? You sure we aren't goin' out?"

"if you wanna call airhead a pet name then sure" I let go of him, the scent lingered still. The smiled stayed on my lips.

"you smell really nice you know.." Axel straightened and tried to ignore that small disappointed part of him that missed the hug. Demyx's words surprised him and he blinked silently at him for a moment.

"You...like the way I smell?"

I nodded. "yeah... you smell... warm... and spicy... you smell safe" I kicked my converseclad toes against the stone floor. No way Axel was blushing... "Um...thanks..."

I looked up under bangs

"soo.. everything's good again?"

"Yeah..." He nodded and smiled at me.

"Let's head back then" I started walking back. For some reason, Axel grabbed my hand with but let go the instant our skin touched. "Okay..." He finally said and took up a spot next to me as we walked.

"There are going to be some serious questions by the time today is over." I looked at him in question.

"yup.. definitely" I laughed "we've surely acted weird today… it's been a weird day"

"Yup, it really has… and I totally blame Reno's discovery in the fridge. Something THAT strange has to have the ability to make everything around it odd." He grinned. "If they start getting too into their questioning, just say something random and sexist...that's what I do." I laughed

"I almost forgot about that" I slung an arm around his shoulders

"Axel.. you ARE a sexist... and that's why we love you" I grinned. Axel wrapped an arm around my waist.

"Aw, I love you too, Demyx." For some reason Axel glanced up at saw Zexion stand nearby, just staring, eyes glossed over. If pensive way he was staring at them was any indication, Zexion was still mad at them.

"uh… Hey there Zexion… I'm sorry, again." Axel squeezed my hip before he withdrew his hand, hoping that I would get the cue to go and talk to the boy with the icy lavender hair.

I froze when I heard Axel use Zexion's name and spun around quickly.

"Uh.. Hi Zexy" Zexion seemed to snap out of his daze and he suddenly seemed angry… or… hurt?

"What?" He snapped and I didn't really know what to say. I was too shocked; this just came in the wrong order

"Oookay, he's still mad. Look, we're sorry, alright? Well...I'm sorry, it was my idea after all..." Axel muttered.

"Shut up!" Zexion shouted. Everyone went quiet and began to stare, but all Zxion did was stand there and glare at us"Just shut up, Axel!"

"Zexion.. what is it? Are you alright?" I tilted my head to the side.

"What do you mean, 'what is it?'" He stopped himself there. Demyx had no clue what he was feeling. That he was struggling with both his sudden possible change in sexuality and growing feelings for his friend. Zexion rubbed his forehead tiredly. "It's nothing...I guess I didn't get enough sleep." 'great excuse' He thought bitterly to himself.

I stepped towards his cautiously.

"Did something happen? Do I need to beat someone?" Yes, I try to make a joke out of everything, but it makes it easier to cope that way

Zexion managed to smile faintly. "Nothing's happened. It's fine. Sorry for blowing up like that."

I tilted my head to the sure "For Sure?"

Noting that things had simmered down, Axel felt it safe to speak up. "Like, fer sure maybe?" I snickered at the reference. Zexion nodded, pausing to glare at one particularly annoying redhead "Yeah, for sure."

"alright then..." I turned to Axel

"Fer sure maybe"

"Fer sure not."

"Fer sure eh"

"Fer sure bomb"

"Pulled up at a stoplight, did drugs on the dashboard, look at the mess we made tonight"

"Kick off your stilettos, kick off your stilettos, and fuck me in the backseat, fuck me in the backseat" I snickered while Axel just about fell over laughing. With a grin I tried to keep Axel standing "easy there"

"Okay, let's try and get things straight, because I feel better and don't want any more crap to have to deal with later." Axel turned to Zexion. "You made me suspicious with your questions yesterday, so Dem and I tested you. We apparently failed. Welcome back to the fold!" He held his arms open to the stunned teen who just stared.

I looked at Zexion with an embarrassed smile.

"sorry"

Zexion crossed his arms. "You are forgiven...YOU however," he turned to Axel.

"Are another story. Am I right in assuming that this was YOUR grand idea?"

"Er...noooo?"

"it wasn't?" I scratched my neck

"Demyx, we both know an idea as dumb as testing me to get a bead on my sexual preference has Axel written all over it." Zexion said mildly.

"I'll talk to you about it later, Axel, for now, I believe it's almost time to get to class. Lunch only lasts so long, after all."

"...shit." Axel whispered. I was silent before I yelled "PWND AXEL!" I almost fell over laughing "lol, come on Ax. Zexy's right.. we have a class to get to"

"yeah, yeah, stupid class...and don't EVER, yell PWND at me again." Axel growled at me lightly. I poked him in the forehead

"I can yell pwnd at you any moment I feel like it"

"So you say," He grabbed my hand and brought it to his mouth in a threat to bite it.

"NOOOO!" I started flailing my arms. "Don't bite me Ax?" I made some huge puppy eyes

My voice had Zexion turning from where he was gathering his things. He glared and felt that same bitter jealousy flare up in his chest as he saw Axel holding myhand against his mouth and laughed. Zexion walked over and stepped between me and the redhead.

"Come on, boys, it's time to get to class. So behave." Though he tried to sound like he always did, I noted a faint tremor in his voice.

"Alright, come on Axel, he's right. And we've already skipped a class today" I had to admit I felt slightly uncomfortable around Zexion when I had feelings for him and didn't know where I had him

"Oh woe is me, I swear, one day, I'm just going to burn this whole place down." Axel headed towards the doors, eyeing the walls for some sort of flammable piece that could start an inferno. With a sigh Zexion followed us out.

I bumped Axel "Don't. We wanna keep you here, right Zexy?" I smiled towards the younger slate haired boy

"Sure, Demyx..." He muttered in agreement.

I smiled. "So, what class do we have anyway?"

xXx

The bell finally rang and I quickly gathered my stuff to get out of the class room. Urgh, me and maths do not mix well. I had my headphones on when I exited the classroom having accomplished nothing but doodlings and random notes, qoutes and songlyrics

"Demyx!" I jumped at least a foot up in the air when someone grabbed my arm. I turned around as I took of my headphones.

"Jesus christ superstar, you scared me. Hello there Zexion"

"Hi...I, uh, thought I'd walk you to your next class...if that's alright with you?"

I smiled "sure company's always nice. what class do you have?"

"English" He replied, returning my smile.

I nodded "alright, english is nice.. I have home ec." Zexion looked like he was going to laugh but he only smiled.

"Home ec? YOU take home ec?"

"what's wrong with me taking home ec.?" I exhaled. "A smoke would be nice right about now.."

Zexion just shrugged, "Nothing's wrong...i'm just amazed that there hasn't been an 'epic fuck-up' as Axel would say."

I laughed "there's been alot of epic fuck ups... not all 'caused by your's truly. Besides, I was me who came up with the epic fuck up... So Axel can go screw himself" I turned my steps towards an exit. Zexion followed me, to my great surprise.

"So...you and Axel have a sort of...kinship in delinquency?"

I smiled gently "yeah.. he's a really good friend" I lit a cigarette and sat down on a bench "we have a lot of fun"

"Yeah...you have so much fun, I end up cleaning the messes you guys make." He smiled to soften his words. "But it's nice to have a close friend like that...kind of like what you and me have, right?"

I scratched my neck "sorry 'bout that..." I smiled towards him and ruffled his hair. I was taken a back for a second of how soft it was "well... I think it's a different sort. Because all of you are special in your own ways and therefore I have different relationships to you"

"That's rather insightful of you... So, even if one of us changed...you'd still think that way?"

I chuckled "I have my moments." I took another drag. "yeah sure. you're still my friends"

"So even if, say, someone started liking you as more than a friend...you'd still think they were just unique and treat them the same?"

I furrowed my brows. "I guess. it might become awkward if I didn't feel the same, but I'd still accept the person"

"That's comforting, in a way... You know what Axel said back during lunch? About your test failing?"

I tried to think back "Yeah, what about it?"

Take the plunge or try and cover up the blunder? He swallowed hard and twisted his hands together. "He...wasn't exactly correct in saying that..."

I almost choked on the smoke "excuse me?" wait what?

"Well, I acted angry, but I was just embarrassed is all. I mean, I felt like you guys knew more about me than I did...am I making any sense?"

"oh... yeah sure you do" something felt like a rock in the pit of my stomach. I lowered my gaze and took another drag

"Well, I guess I should just come out and say it then...Demyx...I think...I think I might be gay."

Oh the joy. I think I can hear angels sing.

..

No wait.. it was choir practise.. but still.

"well" I smiled "there's nothing wrong with that now is it?"

"Y-you think so? It's kind of new to me, so I guess I'm a little ashamed to admit it."

"ah, well yea.. it's kind of a big thing. But who would i be to judge you? Hell I am gay myself" I smiled and stretched "urgh.. I'm tired" I leaned back and closed my eyes. Rested my head against the wall behind me

"You're really going to sleep...right here...right now?"

I shook my head "naah.. just gonna rest my eyes for a few minutes"

I must've fallen asleep,'cause I had a strange dream. The soft voice of Zexion was whispering words to me. But it must've been a dream. 'Cause there was no way he would say those words to me for real...

. "I don't love you, Dem...but with feeling the way I do now...I know that I could...I wish I could tell you out loud...but this is as close as I'll ever get..."

"I'm off to class. Stay out here and sleep if you want." Came Zexion's voice and I came back to reality with a jerk and looked around before I stretched once again before I drew my hands through my hair and rubbed my eyes "naah.. I need to get to class too.. as I said.. can't skip anymore today, already skipped one class today"

Together we walked inside. Finally Zexion's voice broke the silence

"Is it really risky to skip more than one a day? Axel skips multiple classes all the time."

"well.. that depends.. I still wanna keep decent grades.. Axel's a little more careless than I am.." I shook my head "gah, I think I actually dozed off because I think I had a dream"

"Yes, Axel IS rather careless...care to tell me about your dream?"

I felt a slight heat on my face "naah.. it's nothing interesting" no Zexion, I am not telling you I dreamt that you expressed your feelings towards me. I've already made a big enough fool out of myself

"It must be something interesting if you don't want to talk about it." He chuckled but before he could pry further, we reached the home ec room. "Oh well, I'll have to pester you about it later." He laughed.

"well, either way I'm not telling you" I blinked my eye and tapped him on the nose before I disappeared into my classroom

xXx

I tossed and turned in my bed for the umpteenth time. I just couldn't fall asleep. I think that I at some point fell asleep but awoke by a nightmare and hadn't been able to fall asleep since. I found my cell phone on the bedside table. Might as well disturb someone else.. I flipped through my contacts. Axel would just be pissy. Seriously.. you don't wanna wake that guy.. Roxas I don't know enough. Sora is not the kind of person I wanna talk to..

..

Zexion..

I found his name, hesitated for a while and then pushed the call button and waited for it to dialect

"Hello?".

"Zexion..? It's me, Demyx.. I'm sorry, did I wake you..?

"Uh...not really... Why are YOU still up? Did something happen?

"no.. everything's fine" lies. All lies. "but I just couldn't sleep. Why are you awake?"

"Same reason. Must've been something I ate at dinner..."

"ouch.. I'm sorry. so uh.. what are you doing?"yeah that's a great question Demyx. It's two AM. I wanted to hit my face against something hard for being so stupid. I heard him chuckle slightly.

"Not much...just sitting here...wondering if a piece of the house might find it convenient to fall on my head and render me unconscious. What are you doing

"Lying in bed, but can't really fall asleep." Der. "why do you wanna be hit in the head with a piece of your house?" I really should've thought this through more before I actually called

"I don't know," He answered with a laugh. "Might make the night at least interesting if it doesn't put me to sleep."

I smiled to myself at his answer. "well.. that's true." I was running out of subjects and panic kicked in because I didn't really want the call to be over

"Want to talk about that dream you may or may not have had?" He offered and I blushed. Well.. Why not? As long as he couldn't see me it was okay... Tomorrow would be a later problem.

"well.. Um.." I coughed nervously "It's a little funny actually. I was dreaming about.. well.. uh.. you.."

"O-oh...heh...w-what about me?" Did Zexion just stutter? Oh well.. might as well go the whole hog...

"well.. I dreamt that you admitted.. that.. you had feelings for.. me.." the last words was naught but a mere whisper.. Oh god I was going to regret this later

"You heard that? I-I mean..."

"wait.. that wasn't a dream?" Oh great. Thank kingdom hearts for darkness and loneliness. I just know I was turning a red formerly unknown to mankind

"No..." He whispered. "I thought you were asleep enough not to hear it..."

I didn't know what to say. I pulled up my legs and sat like a ball against the wall in the darkness of the night in my room.

"I..eh..." I wanted nothing more than to tell him he wasn't the only one with feelings but the cat got my tongue. Silence laid thick and I could hear Zexion cough. I wanted nothing more than to break the silence as panic ran through my veins. Then suddenly came Zexion's voice and he sounded angry as he grated out into the phone.

"You said that you'd accept your friends, even if they changed or started feeling differently about you."

"Zexion.. you don't understand." my voice was back and I panicked.

"I.. I do accept you" oh fuck it, that didn't come out right. "it's just.."

"Just what?" He demanded, wiping away a tear. Oh, now I'm crying? God, this sucks...I wished in that moment that I didn't even have a heart...then I could be spared these painful, traitorus feelings. Zexion thought to himself.

This is it Demyx. Spit it out. You got everything you want at your feet. It's just to take it. Accept it and admit you also have feelings for him.

"It'sjustthatilikeyoutoo" I spat out in one breath and I so hoped he caught that.. There was no way I'd be able to repeat it.

"W-what? Did...did you just say that...you...like me...to?"

I nodded and then realized he couldn't see me. God I felt so stupid. "yeah" my voice was thin, patethic and I didn't recognize it. My heart broke when he suddenly started laughing manically.

"Really?" He got out between the laughters.

"yes" I lost more and more confidence of each second of laughs. Had he just been fucking with my mind when he said that he liked me to be able to make a fool out of me? It sure as hell didn't sound as the Zexion I knew but what if? I remained silent, not daring to say anything, unsure if my voice would hold.

"And I was so scared to say it...I never thought that it would happen like this...I...Demyx, I don't think I've ever felt like this before. Tell me this is mutual, right now, before I completely believe it."

Hearing his voice, sounding so happy I suddenly found myself with a lot of confidence.

"Do you wanna go out with me someday.. like.. a date..?"

"I...well...yeah...I mean...that is...if you want to." My smile faltered at the insecurity in his voice

"otherwise I wouldn't have asked..." my voice died out at the end

"R-right... I...I'd love to go out with you sometime, Demyx," Though it was somewhat confident sounding, the statement was barely above a whisper.

"A.. alright.. then it's.. decided..." I cleared my throat, unknowing what to say. It sounded like we were making a business deal instead of making a date.

"Um...I guess...we'll talk more about the details at school?" He asked with a nervous laughter.

"yeah.. that sounds good" Oh god I'm never going to be able to look him in the eyes

"I'll...I'll come over to your house early and we can...walk there...talk on the way, maybe..."

"yeah.. sounds good" Oh dear god, how am I going to do this? Just him and me. It's going to be fun yes, but oh dear god, I'm not going to be able to talk to him

"O-okay...so it's settled..." He trailed off.

I was both anxious for tomorrow...yet dreading hanging up the phone, knowing that that would make all this final and there would be no going back. Was it always this awkward and heady when you first started out? I took a deep breath and didn't want to end the phone call. That would mean we had to start all over again

"soo.. uuh.."

"Yes?"

"uuh.. " I seriously had no idea what to say, but I really didn't want the call to end.

"what are you wearing?" oh yeah Demyx, THAT'S gonna charm him.

"I-I...what am I wearing?" Zexion almost wanted to giggle girlishly at that, but he decided to play along...after all, it seemed we were both fishing to keep the call going. "Um...boxers...what are you wearing?" tit for tat.

"how.. classy" I couldn't help myself from snickering at the ridiculous subject but I chose to continue it anyway..

"same.. plus one sock on my right foot.."

"Wow...that's...original...never known anybody to wear only one sock to bed." He was silent for a few seconds. "I'm glad...that you heard me, I mean...I never would've been able to say it again."

"well.. My feet usually get really cold, but if I have two socks I get too warm and get nightmares so therefore one sock works for me" I couldn't help but to smile. "I'm also glad... because I'd never dared to say anything if you hadn't started"

Zexion laughed. What a strange person, Demyx was. And it really occurred to him how little he knew about him personally. Sure, he knew little things, like his likes and dislikes, but nothing really PERSONAL. "Hey, Dem? You...you wouldn't mind if we kept this...between just us, do you?"

I smiled at his laugh. It was really contagious and so rarely used. "Not at all.. But do you mind if I ask why?"

"I...I don't know...we're still tentative with each other...it would only be more awkward with everyone else knowing...I mean...think about their reactions...what if they all...don't approve?"

"well yeah.. that's true. yeah.. a secret it is." I smiled to the dark wall of my room, even though I knew he didn't see it

"Okay. We'll tell them when things have settled down...though they'll probably figure it out for themselves." He pushed his hair back and yawned. "Amazing how such a strange day turned into this, eh?"

"yeah.. Axel reads me like an open book." I laughed. "uh huh... god.. this morning was weirdest ever.. Axel and this ginger thins"

"Ginger thins?" He echoed incredulously. "Lord, don't ever let Axel near those again...probably the cause of his so called 'test'. Ginger is beyond powerful stuff. Paired with Axel..." He trailed off. "Fuu's the same way with me..."

"no, that is one thing that is sure.. Axel is banned from everything that contains ginger from now on..." I bit my lip "how do you think she'll react..? She doesn't exactly seem to like me.."

"Fuu doesn't exactly like anybody... There are just some persons she hates less... And I'm sure once she gets over the initial shock...she'll be happy that I am." H said with more confidence than he felt.

"Well, if you say so, then I'll believe you" I yawned and I heard him yawn as well. I glanced over at the clock. Wow...how did our conversation last for almost an hour?

"Dem...I really think it's time we called it a night..." Zexion said sullenly and I guessed he realized what time it was as well.

"yeah... we probably should.." But I didn't want to

"...we should...hang up now... I suppose..."

"yeah.. we should" I didn't want to hang up and didn't want to be the one to the end so I cuddled down under my cover, still phone against ear

Zexion pulled the covers up and settled the phone next to his ear on the pillow. He could still hear Demyx breathing, so he knew when he spoke he'd hear. "Yeah..." Zexion laughed again, feeling drowsy. "we should..." but we wouldn't.

Sleepines was coming over me and I knew that if I didn't hung up I'd soon say something stupid. But that didn't matter.. I'd already said so many stupid things, what's one more. I yawned again and just laid there, listening to the boy's breaths from the other side of the line

"I like hearing you breathe... I like knowing that you're alive..." Zexion whispered on the other side of the line.

I chuckled softly, half asleep, eyes half lidded. "don't worry pretty boy. I'm alive and I'm planning on staying like this for another few years"

"mmm... Only a few?" This was getting ridiculous. "We're crazy...ya know...?" His words were getting slurred and I laughed at the way that everything's funny when you're half sleeping. "why?"

"pfft...because..." More sleeping than awake I giggled "why Zexy..?"

"Why Demy?" Another yawn. "Because is why...that's it. Because is why." He sighed. "Why don't we hang up on the count of three, hm? Otherwise, we're going to fall asleep with the phone still on." Zexion was already hovering in that void between awake and asleep, everything warm and blurry.

"Alright but don't complain tomorrow when I won't dare to meet your gaze" I didn't even knew what I was saying anymore, I was probably already in a light sleeping state

"poetic of you...well, if you won't, then I'll just have to meet yours." Did that even make sense? Possibly. He didn't know anymore. "Alright, ready?"

"mmm..." was the only sound or word I could muster. "Zexion..."

"Hmm? One...two..." why couldn't he bring himself to say three?

"I'll be thinking about you.. Or dreaming.. but still.." I chuckled

Zexion smiled and reached up, thumb hovering over the end call button. "I'll be thinking about you too...no more dreaming...because they've all come true already." I sighed happily. "Goodnight, Demyx...three..."

"Three"