"As far as diners go, this place is surprisingly nice." Axel stated in a slightly bored tone as he leant casually against the podium placed directly in front of the double doors that led outside to a sketchy little shithole town the redhead had come to regret thinking would be a suitable place to live. He was neither a drug addict nor an abuser, and was in fact a nice kid with a slight attitude; but that was to be expected considering he was a twenty two year old with the world at his fingertips.

"Don't get used to it." The snotty blonde waitress, Larxene, scoffed with a roll of her green eyes as acidic as her attitude. She had grown up her entire life in this town, and it was a tough life for a girl in a town where all of the men either wanted to get her either completely shitfaced on cheap alcohol, doped up on some drug or another, or take her home and pump a few kids out of her while they smacked her around a bit and di the same to countless other women. She needed tough exterior to survive a place like this.

"Why do you say that? I see a lotta nice old folks come in here every day." Axel offered back with a shrug, trying to make it so the savage nymph besides him wouldn't ream his ass out. "It can't be that bad."

Larxene, in all of her cynical pessimism, scoffed again; her posture changing from rigid to disinterested. "Just you watch, pretty boy. All of those alcoholics, and drug deals, and abusive fucks will come in here and trash the place; same as every other place around here. In case you haven't noticed, we're in hell. And because this shithole is poorer than poor, once you're here, you're stuck for life. Look at me! I want to be a model, not some nasty pig's eye candy. But that's all I'll ever get to be. Also, have you even seen our paychecks? They're less than minimum wage! I'm barely squeaking by on the shit money from this shit job."

Axel sighed heavily and shook his head, focusing his attention elsewhere. Although, it was true what Larxene said. The waiters and waitresses working at the diner were making just a little more than six dollars an hour. Living in a poverty stricken town was a rough life, but those who lived here managed. Some by less ethical means than others, but you do what you need to do. Survival of the fittest.

A slow day in the diner was commonplace, but Axel sure did see some heart and gut wrenching things working here. He'd witness a couple of people very obviously high, some going through withdrawal, others doing little more than tweaking out, and one guy was caught smoking a joint as he ate his omelet! Humorous as that was to the redhead, unfortunately, loud alcoholics with their battered wives came in every now and again, and that really bothered Axel. He'd had complaints filed against him by the abusers on numerous occasions, but the manager was pretty infatuated with the redhead, and he was let off the hook with little more than a warning. But each time he said the same thing, "I can't let those men treat those women like that." And Saïx, the manager, would simply shake his head and assure him, "It's none of your business, Axel." But it was his business if he had to serve these monsters with kindness. That wasn't going to fly in his book.

Drifting off into his own thoughts, Axel almost didn't acknowledge the door chime do its thing to alert the host or hostess of incoming customers. Finally, happy to be working than standing around doing nothing, Axel perked up and plastered his trademark grin on his lips. But the rabble coming in had his face falling slightly. Three males came in behind the door chime, and they were clearly part of the drug, alcohol, and abuse factions. The first male, who appeared to be a leader, was huge in his stature and physique; clearly a body not earned through good genetics or hard work. He was tailed by a dirty blond haired kid that clearly smoked up regularly. Hell, Axel could smell the pot on him from a couple of feet away.

But the person that really stood out to him was the smallest male who was staring at his feet. The brute was leading the poor kid along like a ragdoll, and it was pretty obvious there was trouble in paradise here. Axel felt his heart clench for the little bluenet, and couldn't seem to tear his eyes away.

"Hey! Servant boy!" The ginger haired male slammed a meaty palm onto the podium, startling all of the few other customers, looking angry as Axel's emerald eyes met the angry blue. "Are you going to seat us anytime?" He griped in a gravely voice.

"Of course." Axel nodded through gritted teeth, collecting three menus and three napkin-wrapped silverware settings. "Right this way, sir." He said with a sickeningly sweet grin on his face as he led the three to a nearby booth. Even if he cocked an attitude now and again, and was a major smart ass, Axel hated rude customers. Especially those that he could tell were smacking somebody around behind the scenes.

"Cut the attitude, boy, or your manager will hear a complaint." The brute growled behind him as he slid into the booth; roughly shoving the silent little male on the inside of the booth closest to the window. The little bluenet went along without complaint, and appeared to be ducking behind his slate bangs to hide his face. Axel wondered what his story was, and why he was hiding his face. It wasn't uncommon to see victims hiding their face in such a manner as they appeared in public eye. It was a shameful place in this society to be somebody's puppet of punishment.

Setting down the menus and silverware, the redhead tired to appear casual as he pulled out his order pad and a pen from the pocketed apron around his waist, falsifying his cheery demeanor in the process. The customer is always right, even if they're wrong. "Now, what can I get you guys to drink?" He asked in a gentle voice, hoping that maybe if he showed kindness that the bluenet would come out of hiding. Axel figured that if he couldn't feel safe at home, the place he was meant to feel so, might as well feel kindness elsewhere.

Watching with careful eyes, the redhead couldn't help but notice as the brute leant in and whispered menacingly to the small male, who then nodded his head in response. He tucked away the long bangs covering his face and revealed a large, hand-shaped red mark across his pale cheek. That was very recent, and clearly painful and embarrassing to the bluenet; it was no wonder he was hiding his face.

"I'll get an orange juice, dude." The blond said with a nod before looking to the brute. Axel, trying not to stare, nodded before looking to the abusive 'roid junkie.

"Bring me a beer." He grumbled, and Axel cocked one of his short red brows.

"Sir, it's ten a.m. and this is a diner." He stated flatly. "We do not serve alcoholic beverages here. Especially not in the midmorning."

"Fine then. Get me an orange juice." He rolled his eyes in a fashion that made Axel feel a bit undermined before turning to the small male and shoving his frail looking shoulder harshly. "What do you want? You're keeping us all waiting here!"

Without meeting Axel's eyes, the small man uttered something unintelligible. Axel shook his head in response, unable to understand his words. "You'll have to speak up, man." He asked softly, watching as the brute leant in and whispered something in his ear that caused the young male to sit up straight as his eyes widened.

Immediately, his broken blue eyes, the saddest thing Axel had ever seen, met his emerald ones. "I'd like a black coffee." He stated in a dead voice, clearly not comfortable being here. His face was as dead as his voice; void of emotion with sunken in features. But still, Axel couldn't help but find him tragically beautiful.

Axel nodded in acknowledgement, and jotted their orders down on his pad. "Alright, guys, I'll be right back with that and you can have a little bit to look over your menus. My name is Axel, so just holler if you need anything."

He gave a two finger salute and made his way to the kitchen to fill the drink orders, and more importantly, have a chat with Larxene. She had dirt on nearly every single person in this town, and Axel wanted information.

"Yo, Larx!" He called, procuring two cups to hold the juice. "I need some dirt!"

The unamused blonde came out from the corner room, carrying a couple trays of clean plates. She set them down, giving Axel a look. "What about? I'm busy, Axel."

"Yeah, yeah, be busy later." The redhead rolled his eyes. He didn't care for Larxene's attitude, but he'd have to deal if he wanted answers. "Okay, so the three guys I'm serving. What are their stories?"

Larxene held up a finger, peered around the corner, and then ducked back into the kitchen. She shook her head. "If you know what's good for you, butt outta that disaster."

"Oh come on!" Axel whined, crossing his lanky arms across his chest. "Just give me something."

"It's your funeral then." She shrugged indifferently. "The big guy? That's Lexaeus. He's a heavy steroid user. Came to this town a couple of years ago looking for cheap drugs. Rooted himself here and never left. The blond kid is Demyx. You want pot? You talk to him. Found himself in some legal trouble last year. Jailed for sentence of a couple years. Lexaeus bailed him out in return for Demyx to be his lackey. Nice kid though."

Axel nodded, but he wasn't yet satisfied. "What about the short guy? The bluenet?"

"Him? Oh, everybody knows who he is. Zexion Alexander. Poor kid had his life ruined. He used to be really well-to-do; you know, good college education, rising fame as the nicest person here, et cetera."

"So what happened to him? What's a kid like that doing with such a brutish asshole?"

"They used to be a couple. Zexion fell for Lexaeus hard when they met. Used to come here and have lunch together every day. They'd hold hands and act all lovey, it was kinda nice to see in a loveless place like this, even if it annoyed me. But just as everything in this shithole does, their relationship went to hell."

"So, what?" Axel asked. "They broke up?"

"Pfftt, are you kidding? If Zexion ever tried to leave, he'd probably be maimed by the big fuck." Larxene's words were cold, and for some reason, it caused an unexplainable tightness in Axel's chest. Hell, he didn't even know the kid, yet he felt deep concern for him. Like he needed to be the hero for the lost and damaged boy. "Anyways, Lexaeus got obsessed with him; following him everywhere he went, tracking everything he did, yadda, yadda, yadda. He forced the kid to drop out of college and move in with him where he's basically a prisoner. Took everything Zexion had and then started beating the crap out of him. Sometime after that Demyx joined the gang. I really don't know anything besides that. But Axel, if I were you, I wouldn't get involved. Look at Zexion too long ad Lexaeus will coldcock you one." She added the last part with a warning glare before walking away and leaving Axel a bit mystified. What didn't Zexion just leave?

He didn't have too much time to dwell on the subject, however, as he knew it was time to bring the drinks out to the table. He set the cups in front of the correct person before placing the falsified, friendly smile on his face again. He held his pen and pad at the ready and looked to all of the faces at the table; trying to heed Larxene's advice and avoid letting his gaze linger too long on Zexion's marred face.

"Are we ready to order?"

"Yeah, man, can you bring me a bacon and cheese omelet, an extra side of bacon done up crispy-like, and two blueberry muffins?" The blond, Demyx, asked with a lopsided stoner grin. Axel nodded, jotting it down before turning to Lexaeus.

"Bring me four eggs, scrambled, two sides of crispy bacon, two orders of white toast, and two orders of homefries." He ordered, shoving the menu at Demyx, who was making a pile in front of himself.

Axel then looked to the frightened bluenet, his emerald eyes softening. "And for you?"

"Just an oatmeal and a side of white toast, please." His voice sounded even deader than before, and Axel jotted it down and wondered what had been said at this table while he was talking to Larxene. It seemed like Lexaeus wouldn't hesitate to threaten the poor kid every chance he got.

"I'll have that right out for you." Axel nodded and walked back to the kitchen. His face fell as he handed the cook the order, and he couldn't resist peering out at the table. He watched as Demyx joked about something, and all three laughed. But something was off. Every action they did seemed forced and unnatural. Like it was all an act. It probably was.

Still watching with a careful scrutiny, the redhead noticed the bluenet, newly identified as Zexion, stand and head towards the washroom. He read Lexaeus' lips as he called to the young male not to take too long and come straight back to the table. This guy really did have full control over the poor kid's life.

"AXEL!" The redhead jumped as Larxene yelled at him. "Get your head out of your ass and go take care of the people that just walked in. Saïx said that somebody complained about you and that you aren't on waiter duty anymore today, and now I have to take care of your tables. Thanks, jackass." The blonde gave a hard punch to his arm as she left the kitchen to attend the tables Axel had been demoted from serving. He'd hear it later, but he didn't care.

Walking out to the podium to attend to the people who just walked in, he couldn't help but notice the sneer Lexaeus was giving him. Axel almost lost his cool then and there, but he ended up bumping into somebody as his attention was more focused on the table of despair.

"Oof!" A voice complained as Axel whipped his gaze to the figure he'd just bumped into. Wait a second…

"Zexion?"

"Huh..?" A look of bewilderment crossed the young male's features. The mark on his face looked even worse up close as noticeable purplish bruising was developing around the edges.

"That's your name isn't it? Zexion?"

The bluenet shook his head, his icy blue eyes looking petrified as they darted between Axel's face and the table he was seated at. "Shh! Don't say my name. I don't know how you know me, but forget my name. You can't talk to me."

"But I know who are and that you're abus—"

"Shut up!" The bluenet hissed, cutting Axel off. "Leave me alone! Do you want to die?! Just…just get back to your work, please." He begged, shoving past Axel as he came back to his table. Lexaeus shoved him back to the window side, leaning in and kissing his cheek. The sight made Axel's stomach lurch. What a load a shit.

"Excuse me, young man?"

Axel turned his head to an elderly couple waiting patiently at the podium. "Oh, excuse me, ma'am. Just the two of you?" He asked in a friendly tone, grabbing two menus and two silverware settings to seat the couple.

xXx

It wasn't until almost an hour later that the trio of despair finished up and were heading out. Axel was leaning against the podium in a bored manner; forcing himself not to turn around and scrutinize the table behind him. He was wondering what was being exchanged by word of mouth, what was being done, and what Zexion was feeling as he sat next to Lexaeus with the handprint marring his features. He obviously cared for the safety of others if he knew what the consequences would be if Lexaeus saw him talking to the bluenet. Or maybe he was worried about what would happen to himself if Lexaeus saw Zexion talking to another man. Either way, he couldn't be blamed for feeling fear no matter what. Axel was bothered by something that wasn't even his business, and he clearly hadn't gotten off on the right foot with Zexion. He wondered what he could do to help.

But his thoughts were dispelled by the sounds of shuffling feet as the trio of despair came up to the podium to pay. Lexaeus' face was still twisted into that ugly sneer, and Axel had to ball his hands at his side to avoid punching the brute in the face. He didn't want to lose his job— or his life.

"How was everything?" He asked in a less than hospitable tone and rang up the total.

"Could've been better if we had better service. The little blonde was so much more appealing." Lexaeus said, his tone acrid and hostile.

"Hmph. Your total is thirty three fifty eight."

Demyx handed over two twenties, and nodded. "Keep the change, man." He also gave Axel a knowing look that came across as, 'you're doing a good thing, but don't.'

Axel nodded a thanks and watched as Lexaeus dragged Zexion out; the bluenet reverting to staring at his feet once more. He sighed sadly and wanted nothing more than to grab the bluenet's arms and pull him back into the diner where he could take care of him. He felt guilty for letting him walk out with that monster. It was like he'd let down somebody who needed help more than anybody would admit.

Axel knew what he had to do. He'd have to get into their lives; do a little research. Find out what he could, and exploit the weakness. That was how he managed to get his mother out of the abusive relationship inflicted upon her by his father, after all. If it worked once, it could work again.

With another heavy sigh, Axel spent the rest of his shift counting the minutes until he could head home and do whatever he could to help the bluenet. But there was one question that lingered on Axel's mind for hours.

"Who are you, Zexion Alexander?"