It's Christmas! Sadly I have bronchitis and a fever, so I wasn't able to enjoy Christmas with my family today. :( On the bright side, here's chapter five. :)
I hope you all enjoy!
The twenty-fourth of December had finally arrived.
Young Roxas bounced in his seat at the breakfast table while expressing his anticipation for the presents that would be rewarded to him the following morning.
Axel chuckled and asked, "Did your milk get switched with a triple espresso and ten sugars?"
Roxas shook his head. "Of course not," he said showing the near-empty glass of white liquid to his red-haired friend.
Axel nodded slowly with a snicker, having forgotten about the youngest nobody's inability to understand sarcasm. Instead he ruffled the young blond's hair causing him to whine.
Axel's gaze fell on Demyx who absently scraped his fork through the scrambled eggs and grits.
"You're awfully quiet," Axel commented. Demyx's attention remained on the mush in his plate. "Demyx," Axel said with more force.
The mention jumped and dropped the utensil. His cheeks reddened at the sound of metal clanging against plaster. He looked up to stare into the concerned eyes of Axel and an equally surprised Roxas.
"Are you okay?" Axel asked.
"Yeah, you're not spitting your normal nonsense," Roxas commented.
Axel discreetly, yet firmly, kicked Roxas' leg. The youngest nobody yelped then rubbed at the smarting area, with a glare fixed on Axel.
"Just thinking about something Xiggy said," Demyx said with a fake smile. He downed the rest of the milk. "I've got another mission in twenty minutes."
Axel lifted a brow. "I thought the bossman was giving everyone today and tomorrow off."
Demyx shrugged then replied, "Saix had a few that needed completion and offered them to whoever wanted." Demyx rubbed the back of his neck. "He's offering double pay and I thought, hey, why not. I've already finished all my shopping."
"Did you get me something?" Roxas asked.
Axel smacked Roxas on the shoulder. "That's rude," the pyrokenetic scolded.
Roxas grasped at his shoulder. With a pout he argued, "But he's my friend."
"And your superior," Axel retorted. He gently swatted Roxas on the head with the pronged side of the fork. "And that doesn't make it any less rude."
Roxas exhaled hot air through his nostrils at Axel. He then turned to Demyx to apologize.
"It's okay," Demyx said then winked at the thirteenth member. "Of course I got you something, buddy."
"You really didn't have to," Axel said while scratching his head.
Demyx shrugged. "I wanted to get something for everyone." The Nocturne smiled down at his folded hands on the table. "Everyone deserves something for Christmas, if they've been good or not." He looked up at Axel and gave him a full grin. "I really hope you like your gift."
Axel smiled softly. "I'm sure I will, Dem."
Demyx excused himself from the table. He cleaned his dishes then portaled to his bedroom. He grabbed all the bags and wrapped boxes, something for everyone in the Organization. He arrived into the Gray Area to place them beneath the tree. The Nocturne smiled at the final decorations. In his hands Demyx held the last box with Xigbar's name written on the tag. He kissed the present then placed it up front where the Freeshooter was sure to see it.
Taking one last look at his handiwork, Demyx hurried back to his room to prepare himself for the last mission of the day.
That night Xigbar portaled down to the entrance of the Gray Area. He surveyed the location to make sure the cost was clear before stepping into the room. Xigbar had purchased a cheap Santa suit and beard just in case his boyfriend got the idea to sneak down in hopes of catching a glimpse of the man in red.
The room was dark, perfect for camouflaging him from prying eyes. Judging by how exhausted Demyx looked when he returned from his mission, it was highly unlikely for him to creep downstairs.
He stooped down in front of the tree to place Demyx presents along the tree skirt. He looked down to see a box with his name on it. Xigbar picked it up and glanced over the package. Instead of "from Demyx" the Nocturne had written "Love Demyx."
"You're precious, Kid," Xigbar said in a whisper then put the present back down.
Earlier that morning, Axel asked Xigbar if he would mind taking care of Roxas' presents for him. Having no reason to negate the request, he tossed Roxas' gifts into the bag with Demyx's. The Freeshooter placed the youngest members gifts to the left of Demyx's.
Xigbar jumped and spun around at the sudden loud noise. He stopped himself in time from summoning his guns. Xigbar's gold eye searched for the source of the sound. His gaze landed on the couch where a constant, albeit obnoxious, noise originated. The nobody crept up to said couch to find Roxas fast asleep with a red blanket draped sloppily over him. A puddle of drool had collected on the couch cushion while the boy contently snored.
Xigbar chuckled at the sight. The older nobody grabbed the blanket and covered the younger one. Roxas never stirred and his snoring increased in volume.
Xigbar walked over to the table where cookies and a glass of milk Demyx and Roxas had left for him. The first batch had been severely burnt and the second one melted due to Roxas neglecting to add flour to the mixture. Lexaeus had entered the kitchen to make cookies for Zexion and Demyx (he felt it was only fair to give him something, since Demyx had bought him a gift). Seeing his two defeated teammates, the fifth member offered to help them make Santa's cookies.
The Freeshooter munched on the treats. The bottom was somewhat burned, but for the most part they tasted fine. In three gulps the black-haired man finished off the milk.
Roxas moaned and shifted against the arm of the couch. His blue eyes slowly opened and he sat up and stretched. Remembering where he was, and why, the youngest nobody nearly cursed himself for falling asleep. His ears caught the sound of a glass touching the table. Roxas looked over and his mouth formed into a smile.
"Santa Claus?" Roxas asked in a soft voice.
Xigbar halted. He slowly glanced over his shoulder to see the Key of Destiny sitting up on the couch, being supported by his hands, with wide eyes and a similar smile.
"I knew you'd come!" Roxas exclaimed.
Xigbar smiled and put a finger over his lips. He lowered his voice and said, "You should be asleep, young man."
Roxas' smile faltered. He looked away. With a small grin he replied, "I just wanted to see you for myself—that you'd actually come."
Xigbar chuckled. "You've been a good boy this year, I wouldn't forget about you." He patted Roxas on the head. The older nobody stepped back and added, "I've got a lot more houses to get to, so you get some rest." He waved then said, "Later, Kid."
Xigbar vanished into the darkness. Roxas sat there dumbfounded for a while. He laid back down on the couch with a wide smile.
From where Xigbar stood on the ceiling he heard the teen say, "Axel's not going to believe this."
Demyx woke with a smile. He hurried to style his hair and dressed in a green Christmas sweater, blue jeans, and striped socks. Since it was a holiday and they had no missions or meetings, they were allowed to dress more casually. He hurried to the Gray Area and dove to his knees, skidding to the front of the tree.
The commotion woke Roxas with a start. Demyx glanced back at the boy with disheveled hair, dressed in blue pajamas, rubbing at his eyes.
"What are you doing?" Roxas asked groggily.
"Merry Christmas, Roxas," Demyx cheered. He glanced over the presents and gasped at the parcels with his name. "Oh my goodness!" Demyx shouted. He bounced on his knees. "Santa came! Santa came!"
Roxas leaned forward with a large smile. "He did, Demyx!" the boy exclaimed. "I saw him!"
"What?" Demyx asked, turning to face the younger nobody. "When?"
"Some time last night," Roxas replied. "He talked to me."
"You're so lucky," Demyx stated. He turned back to the tree. "Well come on, have a look at your presents."
Roxas threw the blanket from him and sat down next to the Nocturne. They both searched the packages for the ones meant for them.
"I'll never slack off again," Demyx said with a giggle.
Roxas never heard him as he ripped at the wrapping paper.
"Well you two wasted no time," came a voice from the entrance.
Both turned to see Xigbar standing there with a cup of coffee in hand. He was dressed in a red sweater with brown pants, and his hair pulled back in his trademark ponytail.
"Look, Xiggy!" Demyx exclaimed. "Santa came! Just like you said!" He rushed from the tree and pulled his lover into a hug. Xigbar jumped and placed the coffee cup down on the nearest table before returning the embrace.
Within the next hour most of the members made their way to the Gray Area to receive their presents.
Around nine Marluxia dragged a reluctant Larxene with him. She wore her lips in a frown and rolled her eyes at the merriment of her comrades around her. She glared at Demyx's voice that she deemed too loud for the early hour.
Xigbar had an arm around his boyfriend as the latter lit up with each package he opened. He showed the item to Xigbar, who made the effort to look surprised each time. A genuine smile formed on the older man's face to see his lover in such a state of glee. He wrapped his arms around Demyx's small frame causing the mentioned to cry in squeak.
"What'cha doing, Xiggy?" Demyx asked and turned to give his love a smile.
"It was worth it," Xigbar said more to himself than Demyx.
The Nocturne shrugged it off. When it came to Xigbar, sometimes it was best just to leave certain things in the dark. He kissed his lover on the nose then resumed opening his presents.
Those in the room hushed each time a new presence appeared just incase it was one the superiors. Most resumed their conversation upon realizing it was only Axel. Roxas jumped up and waved his best friend over.
"You took your time," Xigbar commented when the redhead sauntered over.
Axel clicked his tongue and sat down on the couch behind Roxas. He rubbed the back of his freshly sculpted, spiky hair. "It's the one day I got to sleep in in ages."
Xigbar shrugged in response. It was no secret that Saix purposely gave Axel twice as many missions as the rest of the members. Axel gladly took them if it meant sparing Roxas from the Diviner's subconscious abuse.
"Looks like Santa came for you," Axel said. "Hopefully he didn't spoil you."
Roxas momentarily frowned at his brother before the recent memory caused him to smile. "I saw him last night, he was right here!" the Key of Destiny exclaimed. Roxas pointed his nose into the air and added, "He said I deserved it."
Axel listened with interest. Throughout the account he sent several glimpses in Xigbar's direction. The Freeshooter was too preoccupied with whatever Demyx was saying to blabbering on about to notice. Axel made a mental note to thank him later.
Larxene ,who had been listening to Roxas' account, scoffed. Axel glared at the woman.
"If Roxas said he saw him, then he saw him," Axel said before she had a chance to ruin the morning for him.
"Yes, you've seen the presents," Demyx added. He moved in between Larxene and Axel before the former could start a fight. He narrowed his eyes and added, "We've been good and have been rewarded for it."
Larxene leaned close to Demyx and said so only he could hear, "And your precious Xigbar had nothing to do with that?"
"Xiggy, of course," Demyx replied. "He was the one who told me if I was good I'd get presents."
Larxene laughed. "Roxas I can believe, but you?" She brought her hand to her mouth. "I went to get a drink from the kitchen and I saw a certain someone with gifts for you and him."
"Duh, Santa," Demyx replied.
"No," Larxene said with a cackle. She nodded over in Xigbar's direction. "Why don't you ask your boyfriend about it."
"What do you mean?" Demyx asked.
"Don't worry about it," Axel interrupted. "Just enjoy your Christmas."
Larxene ignored the redhead and smirked at the Nocturne. "I saw someone who wasn't Santa putting gifts under the tree." She stepped back and crossed her arms. "Don't believe me, ask Xigbar."
Demyx glanced over at Xigbar and then back to Larxene who had that sadistic smile on her face. Demyx separated from the blonde to make his way over to his lover.
"You know, you make me hate you more each day," Axel snapped.
"What is she talking about?" Roxas asked.
Axel smiled down at his friend. "Don't listen to her…" Axel's glare fell on Larxene. "She's just a grumpy Scrooge 'cause her stocking's full of coal."
The pyrokinetic managed to protect Roxas, but he felt pity for the Nocturne as he saw him tap Xigbar on the shoulder.
"What's up, babe?" Xigbar asked.
"Xiggy," Demyx said, clasping his hands. "What did Larxene mean when she said she saw someone giving out gifts…who wasn't Santa?" Xigbar displayed fright which soon switched to that of guilt. Demyx sighed. He stared down at his feet and said, "You were just making that up, weren't you?"
"Dem," Xigbar said grabbing for his love's arm.
Demyx moved out of Xigbar's reach. "You knew Santa wasn't going to come, didn't you?"
"Dem," Xigbar interrupted.
Tears began to well up in his eyes. "And you've led me on." He hissed, "You've been lying to me this whole month."
"Demyx, you have to understand," Xigbar said as he placed a hand on either side of the Nocturne's face. "I did it for you. You looked so sad that day. I wanted you to have a good Christmas."
"You should've just told me the truth!" the Nocturne cried and pulled himself away from Xigbar's hold. His fists were clenched against his sides. A tear trickled down his cheek. "But I'm so stupid and naïve that I believed you." With those words he took off down the hallway.
"Demyx, stop!" Xigbar shouted as he ran after him.
Those in the room began to talk among themselves.
Roxas tugged on Axel's jacket. "Why is Demyx mad at Mr. Xigbar?" he asked.
"It's just a misunderstanding," Axel explained. He patted Roxas on the shoulder then said, "Why don't you show me what cool things Santa brought you." When Roxas headed to the tree Axel sneered at Larxene. "You ruin his Christmas too," Axel snarled as he pointed at Roxas' back. "And you'll wish you never met me."
It looks like there will actually be one more chapter. This was going to be the last one, but I decided to split it into two chapters. The last one should be coming soon.
Merry Christmas, all. :)