When he first opened his eyes in the morning, Demyx was not quite certain where he was. As he gazed around the room, taking in the fireplace, chair, and ornate walls, however, he recalled the events of the night before. He sat up rapidly. Oh, my Kingdom Hearts! I fell asleep! Superior will have my hide for not RTCing! He stood up and promptly sneezed.

This sound drew the attention of the candelabra, Lumiere. "Quoi, alors? Tu es malade?"

Demyx merely stared at him like he had grown another head. "Uh, what did you say?"

"I said, 'What, then? Are you sick?' It must be because of last night. Please allow us to take care of you."

The Nobody shook his head. "No, I'll be fine. Thank you."

The candelabra shrugged in a way that only inanimate, yet somehow magical, objects can. "Very well. Are you su—"

At that moment in time, Mrs. Potts entered the room. "Was he awake, Lumiere? Oh, I see he was. How did you sleep, dear?"

It took Demyx a moment to realize that the teapot was talking to him and not Lumiere. "I slept just fine, ma'am. Thanks for worrying about me. I was just leaving."

Mrs. Potts gaped. "Well, at least let us offer you some breakfast first."

Demyx truly did not want to be a bother and opened his mouth to say so. Just then, his stomach interrupted with a loud protest. Demyx thought wryly, Eh, why not? What's a few more minutes when I'm going to be restricted to the castle for life anyway? "Thank you. Breakfast sounds really good!" He followed the two into the dining room and sat down in an empty seat at the rectangular table. He tried valiantly to not cough a few minutes later.

"What would you like to eat?" Lumiere asked him.

Demyx shrugged. "I—Um, what do you have?"

"We can make anything you like!"

Demyx ended up eating his fill of French pastries, baguettes with butter and grape jam on them, and an omelet. His pulpless orange juice, just the way he liked it, was the perfect complement to such a meal. He felt horrible making them do so much for just him. His guilt was alleviated when, moments before he finished, Belle joined him. Her meal consisted of blueberry pancakes, milk, bacon, and eggs.

"I'm almost certain the Beast will be down shortly." Belle's eyes danced. For some reason, she seemed to be rather excited to see this creature. From what Demyx had seen, despite the beast's temper, he seemed to hold some sort of affection toward Belle. Demyx really wanted to know how things played out. He had this sneaking suspicion that the two would end up together. If he ever escaped the Castle that Never Was, he would have to come back to this world.

Demyx ate his last bite and stood. After thanking his hostess and the household items, the latter of which not being something he had ever thought he would do, he bid them farewell. "I'm sorry, but I have to go back home. My . . . My family is waiting for me."

The ottoman footrest-dog ran up and barked at him playfully. It wagged its little tassel-tail happily when Demyx petted it. After that, it stood on its hind legs and put its front legs on him.

The Nobody laughed. "Sorry, boy, but I do have to leave. I'll try to be back soon." He waved at the residents of the castle. "Thanks again for your hospitality. I really appreciate it!" With a two-fingered salute, Demyx turned and left the building. Once he was positive that no one could see him, he summoned a Corridor of Darkness and headed to the Castle that Never Was.

The face that met his was one belonging to a worried Axel. "Demyx, you do realize that Saïx is on the warpath, right?"

Demyx gulped. "Is he after me?"

Axel nodded. "And everyone else," he added, rolling his eyes.

"Drat." The blond ran his fingers through his hair. ". . . So should I report to him or hide?"

"Either way, you're dead. When he did room check, I covered for you last night by saying that you were sick. Of course, I was only in front of your room 'cause I'd been making sure you weren't dead yet. I told him that you get really zonked out you get when you're sick."

Demyx grimaced. "Yeah, I get so tired and collapse wherever I am. At least, I did when I was sick as a Somebody. That was a good excuse. Thanks!"

"Yeah. Just so you know, you owe me big time. It isn't easy to fool Saïx. I'm honestly surprised he believed you could get sick, since we're not built like humans anymore. Next time I'm in a pinch, help me out, okay?" The redhead rubbed the back of his neck, uncomfortable with his show of affection. His gruffness was only a façade to hide the kindness he inevitably showed to his friends. "I'd probably just get it over with now. I mean, what can he do? Banish you from the castle?"

Demyx laughed nervously. His more active imagination had conjured up far worse ideas. "Y-yeah," he gulped. He straightened and walked into the White Room.

"Demyx!" Saïx thundered. "Where have you been?"

The Berserker was truly frightening to most Nobodies. Therefore, Demyx's inner terror was perfectly acceptable. "Uh, I was sick?" He reasoned out his guilt by telling himself that he had felt ill earlier.

"That is only an acceptable excuse for a short time. Continue to use it frequently and you will be like the Nobody who cried, 'Sora!' Do you understand?"

Demyx gulped. "Yes, sir." What happens if I really get sick? he mused. "Do you have a mission for me?" Wait, can we actually get sick? Like, as Nobodies?

The taller Nobody nodded gravely and began to state the details of the mission.

~\•/~

When Demyx stepped out of the corridor of darkness, he was hit by a wave of sand. He groaned, "I always get so dehydrated in this world. Does Saïx hate me?" He pretended not to know the answer to that question. The Berserker had made his feelings (on non-feelings, as Saïx would surely say . . . just not in those exact words) on him quite clear. Demyx had always been, and would continue to be, a nuisance to the Organization. At least, that was what Saïx thought.

Demyx sighed at this deep retrospection. At least he had friends who cared for him! He told himself that he could endure anything (temperatures aside) if he kept his friends in mind. Axel . . . What would Axel do? Well, I supposed Axel wouldn't be in this predicament. He doesn't mind heat at all. Hmm . . . Demyx groaned. The heat must be affecting his intelligence. He scampered to the shady area underneath the canopy of a store. "There! That's better!" He could hear his voice echo. "What was I supposed to do again?"

At once, a cry rang out. "This way!" a voice exclaimed.

Demyx slowly approached the sound. He was just about to peer around the corner of the wall when something bumped into him. "Oof!" he grunted. When he looked down he saw the something. Wait, two somethings, he corrected.

The two people appeared worried. The guy turned to speak to Demyx, who froze.

Don't be seen. Don't be seen. Don't be—Aw, rats! It's way too late for that. Demyx smiled awkwardly and raised a hand as if in greeting.

"I am so sorry, sir. Just let us—" The man whipped his head around at the rapidly approaching company and blanched. "Ugh. 'Scuse us! We've got to go!" He tightened his grip on his companion's hand and bolted.

"Wha—?" Demyx cocked his head, puzzled. What was that about? He crouched. He was curious now. Well, the only way to find out would be to catch them. Wiping sweat off his face, he ran after them for a few feet, panting with the effort until a burly hand at his shoulder made him turn away from the two. Just as he moved his head to see what had stopped him, the person belonging to that hand shoved him roughly.

"Get out of the way, boy!" The meaty guard sneered. He broke into a run.

Demyx, in the process of rising, found a barrel flying his way. He just barely dodged it. I never thought I'd be thankful for that Dodge Roll move Axel taught me on my first mission! Well, when in doubt, run away! That's fine. I'm already melting here… He hopped to his feet and raced up a flight of stairs. The nearest spot of shade was at least ten yards away. The Nobody felt like he was dying from the heat! His knees buckled, and he hit the sand. He crawled all the way to the shade and collapsed. All his previous energy had been sapped by the heat and the exertion of running.

Again, this was updated on February 17, 2022.

Man, it's been forever! Sorry to anyone who might've wanted this to continue. I know I haven't posted in a long while. I can't promise a quick update, but I will be trying to continue this soon!

Soli Deo gloria!

~LHDD