There is some angst in this chapter as well as the mention of battle injuries.

Thank you guest for your reviews on the previous chapters. :)

Xigbar strolled down the plaza of Twilight Town. He was dressed in civilian clothes containing: blue jeans, a red shirt, and a leather jacket. He allowed his hair to fall freely over his shoulders. With hands in the jacket pockets he pushed his way through crowds. There was no doubt in his mind he would be covered in fresh bruises and his boots scuffed by the time he returned to the castle.

Earlier that morning Marluxia had warned him to stay away from commercial venues so close to Christmas. The Organization's second member wondered if it was safer to face an army of heartless.

An irate woman pushed into him. Xigbar turned awaiting her apology only to receive a harsh glare as if he had been the one in the wrong. The Freeshooter wondered if he pulled out his guns would he reach his destination sooner. The nobody grunted and let the thought pass from his mind; it was not worth the hours of paperwork, and hearing Saix chew his head off for unnecessarily disrupting the peace.

For two hours he browsed through various shops and met plenty of others in a similar predicament. At the end of that adventure, he lamented having found nothing mentioned in Demyx's list, nor anything the Nocturne would like. The second member of the Organization chided himself for making such a ridiculous promise to the neophyte. In hindsight he figured he should have just told him the truth that Santa would never visit a nobody's place of residence.

Somehow news of Xigbar's plan had reached Xaldin's ears. Before Xigbar headed out for the dreaded shopping trip, the third member suggested he reveal the truth to the boy and spare the both of them needless grief. At the moment Xigbar considered his friend's words of wisdom. He was then hit with the image of Demyx weeping in front of the tree Christmas morning when he realized there sat no packages assigned to him. Xigbar closed his eyes and sighed. He wondered why he cared so much about the young man's supposed happiness when they lacked the ability to feel.

Xigbar stopped in front of a music shop. He approached the entrance, holding the door for two exiting customers. The older woman smiled at the nobody and gave him a wink and a smile. Xigbar smiled back awkwardly and slipped inside before she decided to continue flirting.

The interior was cramped, appearing even smaller with the heavy congestion of people. Xigbar eyed the various musical instruments, wondering if his boyfriend would be interested in any of them. Demyx had once mentioned that he was accomplished with the piano and guitar, nearly as skilled as mentioned as he was with the sitar. He had also confessed to having mediocre experience with the flute and violin.

Before meeting Demyx, Xigbar would have never found sitar music entertaining. Were he to be honest with himself, Xigbar would state that he found its sound annoying. However, when the Nocturne's nimble fingers strummed delicately over the tight strings, he transformed the melody into that of an angelic choir. Xigbar could sit and listen for hours, despite having done something of late to make the younger man believe he was not interested in his songs.

On the other side of the store Xigbar spotted shelves of sheet music. He maneuvered his way through confused buyers, music connoisseurs, and screaming children. The Freeshooter browsed through the various books for anything Demyx would like. He decided on two: one containing classical selections and another filled with classic rock tunes.

Before leaving the section, he found a notebook for original compositions. Xigbar had no doubts that if they ever regained their hearts Demyx would make a successful musician. He held the notebook in his grasp as he was hit with that same selfish hope that Demyx's dream would fail due to his irrational fear that the Melodious Nocturne would leave him for someone better, and younger, if he ever gained his desired fame and admiration.

Xigbar scoffed at his own folly and tucked the item beneath his arm. The folded paper in his pocket reminded him of the kind words Demyx had written several nights ago. The fear was only a pathetic remnant of his betrayed old self who had died years ago.

After asking a salesperson to help him find suitable sitar strings, and making his purchases, Xigbar was glad to be out of the crowded area. With the hardest part accomplished, he could only hope Demyx appreciated all the effort he went through.

Xigbar stepped back into the frigid air and held his purchases close. His lone eye surveyed the area for his next stop, while wishing Demyx had been more specific on where to find that desired tie. Feeling guilty he laughed at the thought that if he found something similar, the Nocturne would never know the difference.

Xigbar glanced up when he noticed a familiar figure standing two feet in front of him. Those green eyes narrowed him when their gazes met. With a smirk, Xigbar greeted him with a wave.

"You know it's your fault I'm out here on this cold day with all these idiots stomping around," the redhead snapped when he stopped a few inches short of the Freeshooter.

Xigbar laughed heartily then asked, "And how is that my fault?"

Axel pursed his lips. "Your boyfriend told Roxas about Santa, and before I could say anything, he promised Roxas he would get lots of presents." The response made Xigbar laugh harder. Axel's glare hardened. "If you want to torture yourself with this sadomasochistic activity, knock yourself out, but don't drag me into it."

Xigbar's lips formed into a smirk. "You didn't have to do anything. You could've told him Santa never got his letter."

"Oh, because that's what I want to hear on Christmas morning and for the next year," Axel groaned. "That Demyx was good enough to get presents, and he wasn't." Axel sighed and shook his head. "No, I'm not going to put my little brother through that."

Xigbar smacked Axel on the shoulder. "You're a good friend."

The look in Axel's eyes displayed disbelief. Softly he replied, "I've heard I have a different reputation among some of the other members."

There was no need for Xigbar to ask Axel to who he was referring.

"You can't keep beating yourself up over that," Xigbar said. He turned from the pyrokinetic. "No one blames you for the choice you made."

"But what if…"

Xigbar waved a hand, cutting him off. "Life is full of 'what if's,' kid. Dwelling on them will only make you miserable." He turned his head. "He made his own choice and so did you. It doesn't make either of you a bad person."

Axel stood dumbfounded.

Xigbar waved as he continued to walk past the redhead. "I've got some more shopping to do. Later."

Hardly an hour had passed since the trip to Twilight Town. By the time he returned and hid the presents in a place where Demyx would never think to look, the Nocturne had left for a second mission. Xigbar held his tongue while watching Saix pass by him, despite the temptation to find out where his boyfriend headed, and beg for the details of the danger.

Saix noticed the Freeshooter out of the corner of his eye. He sighed then passed on the news that Demyx had returned in one piece, and was on a safer mission at the moment. A part of Xigbar gave him reason to disbelieve the Luna Diviner, but his nerves pleaded to accept that explanation for the time being.

Demyx returned from his recon mission hours later and hurried off to his room to finish the report before Saix retired to his and Xemnas' shared room.

From the ceiling Xigbar watched the exchange.

"Good work, Number IX," Saix said while skimming the document. "That will be all."

"Are you sure you don't need me for anything else?" Demyx asked with that same cheerful smile.

Xigbar gripped at his opposite arm. He's letting you off, Dem, let it go.

Saix stared at the blond. "That was your second mission today," he reminded his subordinate. "However, if you seek another task, I have several." He shifted, still surprised that it was Demyx who requested extra work. A part of him wondered if this was part of an elaborate prank, or if he would eventually wake up.

He reached into his pocket and glanced over the following tasks. There was only one with an immediate need, something he had planned on reserving for Lexaeus. However, since Demyx no longer seemed to mind battle quests...

He slipped the card into the ninth member's gloved hand.

"Demyx," Saix said. Demyx glanced up, still not used to hearing the Diviner call him by name. "This one will be difficult and dangerous."

Xigbar had to keep himself from interfering once again.

"Do you feel confident?" Saix asked.

Demyx nodded and gripped the document harder. "I won't let you down," he said with his usual grin.

He took a few minutes to read the details of the mission before placing the card into his own pocket. Demyx turned from Saix and his smile fell for a moment. He mumbled something and ran a hand through his hair. Several golden strands fell onto his face. He took a deep breath then summoned a portal.

With gritted teeth Xigbar watched Demyx disappear. He felt Saix's gaze on him. He glared down at the younger nobody before disappearing into the ceiling himself. The Freeshooter headed for his own quarters with one thought on his mind. Demyx, what are you thinking?

Xigbar woke to the sound of giggling and arms coiling around his torso. He smiled down at the blond.

"Hey, babe, whatcha doing?" Xigbar asked.

Demyx cuddled his face against Xigbar's bare chest. His unstyled hairs tickled the older man's solid abs. Xigbar leaned into the embrace and inhaled his lover's scent of vanilla combined with the lingering smell of ash from a recent mission that had not been entirely washed away. The aging nobody wrapped his muscular arms around the smaller man's lithe body.

"When did you get here?" he asked softly.

"I couldn't sleep last night," Demyx confessed. "So I wanted to snuggle."

"Really?" Xigbar asked as he tightened his hold on the blond. A muffled pained groan caused him to loosen his grip.

Xigbar positioned himself on his side to look into the face of his lover. His smile faded at the sight of red lining the whites of the other nobody's eyes. There were various fresh cuts on his face, neck, and arms. Demyx had carefully washed away the blood and from the look of the healing skin had properly disinfected the wounds.

Xigbar slowly began to pull the sleeve down Demyx's shoulder. The latter pushed away the immense hand and jerked out of Xigbar's reach.

"Not now, Xiggy," Demyx said trying to sound chipper, but the exhaustion seeped into his voice.

The Freeshooter inserted his arm into a small portal and opened a second behind Demyx. The Nocturne never noticed his boyfriend's arm emerge from a sudden opening in space. Xigbar removed the t-shirt from the unsuspecting nobody to reveal black contusions covering a third of his abdomen.

Demyx wrapped his arms around himself and snatched the garment from Xigbar's grasp.

"You had no right to do that," Demyx hissed.

"What happened?" Xigbar asked, now completely sitting upright.

Demyx stared down at his lap. Xigbar repeated the question with more force in his voice.

The Nocturne sighed heavily. "I was ambushed on my mission," he confessed. "They were stronger than I anticipated."

Xigbar leaned closer and pressed his lips against Demyx's. The young man was startled at first, but allowed Xigbar access to his mouth. Xigbar placed his hand on the side of Demyx's face and then pulled away with a disappointed look in his eyes.

"You couldn't sleep, or you didn't?" he asked.

Demyx bit down on his lip, wanting to kick himself for falling for the older man's trap.

"Okay, I stayed up all night working on the report," Demyx answered.

"That's what I thought," Xigbar said with a nod as the taste of espresso remained on his tongue. "You've been taking on at least three missions a day and not getting proper rest. When was the last time you even ate?"

Demyx stayed silent at that question.

"I thought so," said Xigbar.

"I think I should go," Demyx said as he draped his legs over the bed.

"I agree," Xigbar stated. "Straight to sleep."

"No!" Demyx cried. "Saix is expecting all my reports by eight. I can't…I have to…"

"Listen to yourself," Xigbar retorted. "You're exhausted. Your reflexes can't keep up and that's why you're battered."

"But the missions…" Demyx argued.

"I will talk with Saix and if he has any problems, he can take them up with me," Xigbar replied. He clenched his fist to better amplify his point.

"No, I can't," Demyx responded. "Please, not now." Xigbar opened his mouth to speak when he saw tears prickling in the corners of the Nocturne's eyes. "It's too close to Christmas." Demyx grabbed hold of Xigbar's arms. "I promise I'll rest after Christmas." He shakily smiled. "Xemmy promised we could take the day off. I promise I'll get some sleep."

"I can't let you take that risk," Xigbar argued with a firm shake of his head. "If you go out into battle now, I…I don't even want to think about what might happen."

"But, Xigbar," Demyx cried.

Xigbar gazed upon his boyfriend's pathetic countenance. When he used his full name, it was usually accompanied by something serious. The Freeshooter swallowed and closed his eyes, as he prepared a final move.

"Demyx," Xigbar said firmly. "As your superior, I forbid you to go on another mission until you've rested."

"You can't," Demyx said with a sob. "Please, I—I have to be good." He lowered his face to the wrinkled sheets. "I've worked so hard. Please, I'm good, Xiggy, I really am."

"What are you talking about?" Xigbar asked.

Demyx looked up to him with flowing tears. "I'm not bad. I have to prove it. I'm good, I'm good, I have a heart." He clutched at his own chest. "And it's a good heart." Demyx wiped at falling tears. "I know I'm a good boy, Xiggy, and this Christmas I will have proof."

Xigbar found himself unable to speak. Demyx stared down again and wept silently. Xigbar wrapped his arms around his slender boyfriend and pulled him close. He kissed Demyx on his right temple, then tucked his head underneath his chin.

"You are a good boy, Dem," Xigbar said then kissed him again. "I know you are, kid." Demyx returned the hug and snuggled against Xigbar's neck. "You don't need Santa to prove that." He moved to stare into Demyx's tearstained eyes. "I know you're good and that's why I love you." He kissed Demyx on the forehead then tightly embraced him a second time.

"But what about?" Demyx began.

"Shh," Xigbar interrupted. He gently said, "It doesn't matter. I'm not going to let you get hurt or worse because of something so stupid."

Demyx leaned his head on Xigbar's shoulder while the latter gently rubbed his back, careful to avoid the bruised areas. In the moment of comfort Demyx never felt himself drifting into slumber.

Thank you for reading.