Six Two Nine... Three's Company!

[kain_du_ciel]

So I'm bizarre.

How this came to be:

Eyes-of-Crimson is a XigDem fan, even though we’re both major Zemyx fans. It’s peculiar, I know.
But then one of the Re:CoM or Final Mix plus cut scenes basically proves that Zexion is Xigbar’s bitch.
And then I had this idea. II owns VI, VI owns IX, so technically, II owns IX with permission. So I started writing.
Really, it’s not as angst as it starts. I was just in a… mood. And I write angst when I’m… having those moods.

If this hasn’t scared you, read on.

Three’s Company

part one
S i t u a t i o n

Another rainy night. Though it wasn’t unheard of, it was rather rare for Castle Oblivion to receive more than two consecutive days of precipitation. At first, it had been a mild drizzle which had progressed into a slight downpour, and overnight, there had been thunder and lightning. It diminished for only an hour before the clouds began to release more droplets, and it hadn’t stopped for three days now. A few occupants were suspecting Number IX, for not many had seen him in a few days.

Zexion, however, knew it wasn’t the case. IX had been called away on a mission with VIII--an odd combination for the Superior to send together--but there hadn’t been any complaints. Axel and Demyx were good friends, possibly because Axel found some sort of security in his first subordinate and Demyx liked having someone close to his ranking to hang out with. The storm couldn’t be blamed on Demyx, though Zexion had been hoping it could.

He was capable of dealing with those storms. Demyx’s emotional whirlwind--shadows of emotions overwhelming his mind and causing him to believe they were true--brought rain which subsided along with Demyx’s false emotions. These storms… subsided whenever they were meant to decease. The lack of control bothered Zexion. He couldn’t control this sort of rain. He could only watch and let it exist.

It unnerved him.

The constant pitter-patter of the rain on his window that looked out to darkness, minus the one crack of light from an unknown source above, made him frown and stare up calmly. He didn’t wish to leave his room today. The Superior was out, leaving those without missions to do as they pleased, so Zexion figured he would be fine if he didn’t move.

He brought his knees to his chest, the stained mattress creaking as he moved. A spring moved underneath the thin layer of fabric, and Zexion knew he’d have another rip in his bed. Already, two springs had forced their way to the surface, and he knew more were to follow. The bed was old and in need of trashing, sullied by previous use and his own spilt blood from his fits and breaking from pressure, but he refused to ask for more. This was his bed, and it fit.

It just went with the rest of the room. A rusting bed-frame stood sturdily, though flaking, previously black and now stained a faded silver and burnt orange. On the floor lay many sheets of paper, old theories and previous thoughts and speculations he found were no longer needed but wished to keep. A pile of books lay in the corner, his Lexicon laying on top of the lowest stack. He had one small round table near the door, a chess board of unmatched pieces pushed aside to leave room for two black pens and a few sheets of paper covered in more writing. The walls and ceilings were black, the floor a midnight blue, leaving the room in a dark tint all day. Just as Zexion preferred it. Another underground room for him.

But on nights like these, it took much energy to keep himself in his room. Wide awake, staring at the mattress, the walls, the broken springs glistening in the light… He bit his bottom lip and tried his best not to whimper.

Demyx was usually around. Demyx often convinced him to leave his room and dragged him about the castle, and Zexion would end up spending most of his nights with IX. Even if they weren’t sleeping, it was always better than in here. Strangely enough. Zexion felt a sense of forgiveness in his room, and it calmed him and said nothing through his bouts of confusion and lack of self-control. Then he found comfort and companionship in Demyx’s room, sitting with a bubbly, cheerful nobody who refused to think that he lacked a heart. It was like a dream in Demyx’s room, one of those dreams Zexion longed to have and couldn’t believe they were reality.

He missed it.

He couldn’t dream when it rained. He couldn’t do much but sit quietly and watch as old thoughts and memories floated through his mind until he couldn’t bear it any longer.

Half an hour passed.

One hour.

Two hours and Zexion lay on his bed, dragging his arm along the long, sharp end of a spring. Blood seeped onto the cloth and the sponge below, and Zexion took a calm breath, looking down. Pain… a feeling. Physical and existent because he had a form and agony reached him. The trick of nobodies. For those who came to terms with the shadows of emotions and wished not to deal with them, pain an pleasure were their ways of feeling. Zexion often teetered on the edge and continually reminded himself of this fact.

Pain and pleasure.

Pain and pleasure.

Pain and--

Zexion’s nose picked up on the soft smell of leather and gunpowder.

Someone knocked on his door. “Eh, Zexion!” a voice called out to him.

Number II. Xigbar. Xigbar had always been a fairly happy individual. Playful and cocky, he liked games and challenges, and pranks. Zexion could remember years before, sitting on his stool in Ansem’s laboratory and finding out that Braig had coated it with some adhesive chemical. Zexion felt weary of answering, sure Xigbar had another joke in store for him, but he knew he had to.

Xigbar was number II. His superior, and the one who had rescued him. That cold evening of snowfall in one of the worlds--Ienzo never knew where he had come from, only that Xigbar had found him and brought him back. And for that, Ienzo was eternally grateful… and eternally in Xigbar’s debt. Xigbar gave this a different term, one Zexion didn’t wish to answer to, but knew he had to.

He was Xigbar’s bitch.

That basically meant Zexion had to answer to Xigbar’s call, whether it be grunt work or hard labor or trading missions or… other things Xigbar wished to have Zexion do.

Zexion just didn’t think he could deal with anything tonight. He let his head rest on the mattress next to his bleeding arm and then moved no further, his eyes closed. He would heal eventually, it didn’t bother him. The pain was somewhat comforting to the young nobody as he stared and watched his cool blood pour from his newest wound.

There was a slight pounding on his door. “VI! I know you’re in there!” Xigbar called. “Come here!”

Zexion didn’t move. He planned on being disobedient. He lay quietly and stared as blood seeped through his arm, his head beginning to feel light and empty. Then more pounding, more calling, and Zexion knew this would bring him peace for only a few seconds before Xigbar found a way in and all but killed him. He sat up slowly--if he moved any faster, he would’ve rendered himself unconscious--and grabbed his coat, sliding it over his slender shoulders. Rising to his feet, he shuffled towards his bed and moved to his door, calmly unlocking it.

Xigbar pushed it open on an attempt at kicking it, and blinked. “What took ya so long?” he asked.

Zexion blinked slowly, his eyes attempting to drift out of focus. He refused to look away from Xigbar and hoped the higher-ranked member would stop moving about so much. He sighed softly, keeping the door close to his small frame. And with the darkness from his room, he doubted Xigbar could see behind him.

“Did you need something, Number II?” he asked slowly.

Xigbar’s visible eye narrowed at him. “Well, you’re supposed to answer when you’re not under direct orders from the Superior. We discussed this, did we not?”

Zexion frowned. “We did. Let me rephrase: what is it?”

Xigbar smirked slightly. “I want entertainment. You’re usually pretty entertaining, and I’ve been uncommonly bored.” He blinked, leaning forward a little. “Little dude, you look kinda pale,” he commented. “Feelin’ okay?”

“I’m fine.”

Number II didn’t believe him. Calmly, the freeshooter placed his gloved hands on Zexion’s cheeks, leaning forward to press his forehead against the schemer’s. He blinked curiously. “You seem kinda cold… sure you’re okay?”

Zexion knew that no matter how many times he insisted he was fine, Xigbar wouldn’t listen. He sighed softly and lifted his left arm, moving his sleeve back. “This is it. I’m fine.”

With a frown, Xigbar gripped Zexion’s wrist, pulling his arm closer. He had to squint and run his fingers along VI’s arm to figure out the length of the wound, clearing blood from his scarred flesh to find the source.

“As you can see, I’m not in the mood,” Zexion muttered calmly, tugging his sleeve back to his wrist. He yanked his arm from Xigbar’s grip and looked away immediately, wondering if his act of noncompliance would result in a beating as they did with the Superior.

Number II, however, sighed. “Okay, so I guess I’ll entertain myself by watching out for you, little dude.” Xigbar grinned, draping an arm over Zexion’s shoulders.

This wasn’t the reaction Zexion had been hoping for. If Xigbar had no real use for him, what was the purpose in forcing him to follow? He decided it wasn’t worth asking. Taking a step forward, he shut his bedroom door and allowed for Xigbar to lead him away. They took a portal to a room aboveground, and Xigbar calmly pushed open his door, holding it open for Zexion to enter first.

“Okay,” Number II started, “take off your coat.”

Zexion spun around quickly. “Seriously now, Xigbar. I already told you, I understand but I’m not in the mood.” He crossed his arms and stared coldly.

Xigbar easily ignored the look. “Relax, would you?” He smirked and approached, tugging down Zexion’s zipper as he stripped the boy of his first layer. “We won’t do anything, honest. I’m just gonna take care of your arm, okay? You haven’t healed it.”

Sighing, Zexion looked down. “Xigbar…”

“Aw, pipe down and stop bein’ a baby.” Xigbar rid himself of his own coat and gloves and led Zexion into the bathroom. By the time Xigbar had begun trying to flush out any foreign substances from the cut and tried wiping away the blood, Zexion didn’t really care anymore.

… maybe …

Demyx grinned as he lowered his hood. He just loved the rain, and he loved the unhappy look on Axel’s face as they finally made it to the castle. The pyro was busy trying to shake the water from his coat like a cat who had been pushed in a lake. Frantic, jittery movements of the redhead made the musician laugh and watch in pure amusement.

“Need any help there?” he joked cheerfully.

Axel glared and threw a black bag at Demyx, which he successfully caught. Their mission had been to head to the peculiar place of Hollow Bastion and explore. Notes were taken as well as slight speculation and a few results, all placed neatly in folders and tucked into the black shoulder bag Demyx held carefully. They had come back with a bored Axel--who was now bothered by the weather--and the always-happy Demyx.

“Hey, just offering my help, y’know!” Demyx replied, smiling slightly. “But that’s okay, you just stay there and be wet, okay?”

Axel glared darkly. “I’ll burn you so bad your sitar will just make steam,” he threatened lowly.

With a pouting look, Demyx glared. “I wasn’t being mean to you, why’d you have to go and threaten me?!” he whined. “Fine! You take the report to the Superior!” Unhappily, Demyx tossed the report back at Axel, and before the redhead could comment, or even catch it, he portaled his way downstairs.

He wanted a hug. He wanted to know someone was glad he was back and ask if he had a good mission. Zexion, his Zexy, always listened to him, and if he didn’t, he gave a heads up. Demyx could only hope nobody got to Zexion during his absence--it wasn’t uncommon for the organization members to find solace with others. Solace, companionship--Marluxia had been blunt and called it ‘sex to pass the time.’ As some argued through their feelings, others would find peace in bed with another. Zexion had claimed Demyx and they had agreed, for the most part, not to have relations with the other members so long as they had each other.

Demyx liked to think it was romantic and couldn’t wait to find him. Quickly, he knocked on Zexion’s door, hoping that Number VI was inside and excited to see him. A few seconds passed. Then a minute. Then three, and Demyx frowned.

“Zexy?”

Maybe… maybe he wasn’t in. He did tell Demyx that he didn’t have any missions--maybe the Superior had given him some? Yes… that seemed likely. Demyx sighed softly. He’d just have to wait, wouldn’t he?

With a slight frown, he portaled to the aboveground chambers and walked about aimlessly. A few seconds of this pointless waste of energy had him drifting into the kitchen for a snack or four, finding the room already filled with organization members. Luxord sat across from Xaldin at the table, probably kicking his ass in another card game; Marluxia had basically cornered Vexen and tried talking him into getting a social life--or a trip down to the gardens, whichever the blond wished to translate the meaning as; Axel was warming up over a steamy mug of hot coffee, holding a conversation with Xigbar, who was placing items on a tray.

“Y’know, Xigbar, I don’t think you’ll ever make sense to me,” Axel murmured, taking a sip.

Xigbar smirked at him. “That works for me,” he replied. “You’re pretty peculiar, yourself, little dude.” Before Axel could complain about the affectionate term Xigbar used with the younger members, Number II had turned around and grinned at the sitar player. “Little dude with the musical ‘tude, how are you?” he asked.

Demyx smiled. “I’m okay,” he replied. “I was trying to find… something and couldn’t.” Demyx had almost said Zexion’s name, but caught himself. He and Zexion hadn’t told the others about their relationship yet, as many of the couples there were doing. Secrecy made it all the better, Zexion had explained one night. It was fun just trying to guess and know others were trying to figure it out. He kept quiet and looked at Xigbar, almost as if the other had an answer for him.

Xigbar pet his shoulder with his free hand. “Sorry, little dude, hope you find what you’re lookin’ for,” he said with a slight shrug. “Say… what are you doin’ later?”

Demyx shrugged. “Nothing. Can I hang out with you?” he asked quickly, emerald eyes wide. He hoped for the company, someone who he could probably play games with or just chat about random things--otherwise he’d be stuck next to Xaldin, losing at card games against a skilled cheater.

Xigbar smiled and nodded. “Sure, Dem! Grab a bag of chips and let’s go!”

Cheerfully doing as told, Xigbar balanced the tray on one hand, hooking arms with Demyx as he opened a portal and elevated them into it. Demyx latched on tightly, still a bit anxious about the entire off-the-ground technique Xigbar seemed to have about… well, everything… but he still had fun. They portaled straight into Xigbar’s quarters.

Xigbar had been lucky. He had wanted a lot of space, and he had gotten almost an White-Room of space. Demyx was always amazed at the size, but he had fun. In the far back of Xigbar’s room was his bed, with sheets dark on one side and light on the other, and he’d flip them around whenever he was bored, and then he had a bookshelf of interesting material--and a stolen collection from Vexen’s laboratories--and many pillows and papers, and even some crayons. Sometimes, Demyx would play for Xigbar, and sometimes Xigbar would float him around.

Really, they were both like young children when they had a lot of spare time on their hands. And Demyx figured he had a lot of spare time. Snacks, and probably reading and chatting again. Xigbar smiled at him and moved to set the tray down on a square table he kept near his bed, and Demyx bounced over.

And blinked… and almost screamed.

“What’s he doing here?!” Demyx asked quickly. “Did he sleep with you? Did you have sex with him?!” He was immediately appalled and trying to figure out what had happened. Secrecy forgotten, Demyx had to wonder why Zexion was in Xigbar’s room and curled up in his bed in… Xigbar’s clothing… “Xigbar!”

“Whoa, show down with all the questions, little dude!” Xigbar had his hands up defensively as he tried to calm the Nocturne down enough to respond. “Look… Zexy’s not feelin’ all that great right now--”

“You mean he’s sick? How can he be sick?!”

“Demyx!” Sighing, Xigbar massaged his temples. “Okay, Demyx, sit down…” The boy would probably be completely irrational if Xigbar couldn’t calm him down and speak slowly when he had the chance. He was able to get Demyx to sit on the edge of the bed, then he placed his hands together and looked up, trying to figure out how to word this. Once sentences came to mind in a logical pattern, he explained.

“Zexion has these times when he’s just kinda… weirder than usual. And he’ll get hurt, and usually, he fixes it himself, but he couldn’t today so I brought him in here. He’s not sick, just resting a little.”

The blond seemed relieved by the news, and Xigbar calmly sat down next to him. “Okay… but that’s not it. Demyx, you’re his… fuckbuddy, right?”

“Lover,” Demyx insisted. “It’s not an empty feeling, I mean it, Xiggy! Zexion’s my boyfriend and I love him very very much.”

Xigbar had to smile. Demyx’s naivety, it was cute. He pat Demyx’s shoulder. “How charming. But look… I don’t know if you know or not, but you have to share.”

Demyx’s eyes widened and he turned to face the Freeshooter, his emerald orbs wide in confusion. “S-share? Share Zexion? With who, you? Why? He’s miiine! He said we’d only be with each other!”

Xigbar sighed. So Zexion had just lied to this cute little boy. For that, Xigbar wanted to get Demyx to dump the schemer, just to spite him, but he decided against it and chose to continue with his explanation. “I’m sure he’s been faithful, for the most part… but I guess there’s something you haven’t been told. I hold full and complete rights to Number VI.”

“Full and comple… how do you--?”

“I saved him. He pledged himself to me. Therefore, I can use him for whichever means I wish,” Xigbar responded. “He mentioned nothing of seeing another on a more… intimate level. For that, I’m sorry…”

Number IX was staring at the floor, the gears in his mind whirring as he tried to process the information. Zexion stirred behind them, turning in the blanket to find a more comfortable spot on the soft bed, and Demyx quickly looked over his shoulder, frowning. “How come he didn’t tell me?” he mumbled. “I get it… I don’t like it, but I get it… why didn’t he tell me?”

“Well, it’s not something many people would want to tell, Demyx,” Xigbar said. “I’m sorry… look, if you want to stay here with him, I’m fine with that. After all, I have rights to everything he owns--”

“What?”

“He told me you are his. So technically I have access to you, with your permission.”

“WHAT?!” Demyx shifted to his knees, turning around on the bed as he reached for his lover. Grabbing Zexion by the arm, he began to shake him, trying to force him awake. “Zexion! Where do you get off trying to loan me?!”

Zexion groaned slightly as he found himself roughly shaken into the world, and he slowly reached for Demyx’s arms, trying to understand what IX was yelling at him. He was met by a tearful look and soon his eyes landed on Xigbar and he realized what had happened. Xigbar looked away with a sigh.

“Demyx, I don’t make the rules,” Zexion murmured. “It’s just how it is. I’m assuming Xigbar’s explained our arrangement already…”

“Since you didn’t!” Demyx yelled at him. “Why didn’t you tell me?! And how come he gets rights to have me?!”

“The agreement. If you don’t like it, it would be wise to break up with me,” the Schemer spoke softly. “I apologize… I don’t mean any harm. I just… I am in his debt.” He slowly lowered his head on the pillow and let his eyes close. “Sorry, Demyx…”

Xigbar pat Demyx’s shoulder gently. “Little dude… I’m not sayin’ we have to do anything unless you want to. Zexy’s the only one I have, and it’s up to you whether you want to or not. Zexion’s given it his permission, basically.” Demyx was staring at him strangely, and Xigbar sighed. “We’ll talk in the morning, okay? It’s late, and after Zexion takes a potion, he’s probably going back to sleep. You’re free to join us. You’re encouraged to, actually.”

The blond glared for a few seconds, still trying to get used to the idea, but Xigbar was unfazed, moving to the tray. He lifted a potion and shook it, then reached over and nudged VI. “Zex, you’re not a sleep. Come on, drink this.”

Zexion rolled onto his side, and Demyx snickered. He had dealt with an injured Zexion before and knew about Zexion’s intense dislike of any concoction that had come from Vexen’s laboratory. Well, there was nothing wrong with helping Xigbar out… after all, it was for Zexion’s benefit, and he was Xigbar’s friend… he calmly reached over and pulled Zexion close to him, tugging the boy from his claimed space on the blankets. He lifted Zexion to sit up, then patted his cheek. “Come on, Zexy, wakey wakey. Potion time!”

Zexion lazily waved his uninjured arm. “Unfair, teaming up with Number II,” he mumbled as Xigbar climbed onto the bed. The oldest nobody merely snickered and uncorked the bottle.

“Unfair, you having sex with Xigbar behind my back!” Demyx replied. “Consider this payback, and take it like a man.” He grinned slightly.

Thinking of it that way made him feel a lot better than he had been, and he smiled as Xigbar forced Zexion to drink the potion. Zexion groaned when he finished, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

“Disgusting.”

“Good!”

Demyx grinned and helped Zexion move back under the covers, pulling the blankets to his neck. Zexion mumbled unhappily but soon went to sleep, and Demyx sighed, turning to Xigbar. It had gotten three times more awkward now knowing Demyx had permissions to have sex but wasn’t planning on it. And Xigbar didn’t seem like he knew what to do, shrugging off his coat and casually throwing it in his closet as usual. He was trying to act normal. With a soft sigh, Demyx stripped his own coat and let Xigbar toss it to join his, and then slowly began removing his boots.

“Now what?” Demyx asked. “It’s still early…”

Xigbar nodded. “Yup. Zexion’s probably going to be out, so, well, it’s just us.” He grinned slightly. “We do have snacks…”

Yeah, waste time eating, gaining nonexistent weight. Demyx shrugged and sighed, nodding. “Sure, why not.”

They took around four or five pillows and curled up on the floor, snacking on chips and cookies and whatever sugary items they had grabbed. Xigbar’s drink of choice: booze. He had actually meant to grab a bottle of green tea for Zexion, but instead, grabbed more beer. He doubted Demyx would mind and cheerfully handed the boy a bottle.

“What’s this?” he asked curiously.

“Beer,” Xigbar replied. “A real man’s drink. And you, my friend, are a real man.”

Demyx giggled at that. And, after having Xigbar open the bottle for him, he drank a few sips and coughed. “Whoa… this is really strong!”

Xigbar nodded. “Yeah… but it’s the best stuff. I’m sure you can handle it.”

If anything, it would mellow him out a bit. Demyx needed to relax a little, for Xigbar was sure he was still tense from earlier. It only took that one bottle for Demyx to giggle and want a drunken pillow fight, but after throwing the pillow to a wall, he had another and almost passed out right there. Low alcohol tolerance… very low. Xigbar had to grin at that. He was a very cute drunk.

After his own third beer, his buzzed mind registered that Demyx had already begun mumbling about the ceiling and decided it was bedtime. It was easy to levitate Demyx to the bed, but he had a tricky time having to run over and stop the younger nobody from rolling onto the floor. After a few unsuccessful attempts at rearranging his subordinates in his bed, he settled with Demyx next to the wall, Zexion in the middle to stop any morning controversies should any surface, and he would stay on the edge to make sure nobody rolled off.

“XigXig… a twig…” Demyx mumbled.

“Go to sleep, Demy,” Xigbar ordered tiredly.

“Kay!”

Demyx fell asleep almost immediately after, curling up to Zexion. Stretching his legs, Xigbar smiled as he looked at the two, then he calmly slept.

… perhaps …

Their bodies were tangled in the bed sheets. Somehow, Demyx’s arm had found a way into Xigbar’s hair, his feet entwined with Zexion’s and held to the mattress underneath Xigbar’s leg. Xigbar had curled up close to Zexion, his arm also draped around both boys as he kept them near. The sheets, near forgotten, lay in a mild mess around them, covering them each only slightly.

Zexion was first to stir, at the sound of someone knocking loudly on Xigbar’s door. Someone was being rather persisten--oh… the Superior! Zexion sniffed to be certain, and declared that it was, indeed, Xemnas at the door, knocking unhappily. Zexion bit back a groan as he tried to move, feeling a bit stiff as he couldn’t free himself from the two nobodies around him.

“Xigbar,” Zexion said softly. “Wake up! The Superior’s at your door!”

Xigbar moved back a little, making a soft groan as he opened his eyes. “Who’s at my what, lil’ dude?” he murmured tiredly. “Ssh… gonna sleep some more… got wasted off my ass.”

“The Superior!”

“Superi--oh shit!” Xigbar sat up quickly, accidentally squishing both boys as he scrambled from the bed. He had to dislodge Demyx’s fingers from his head, groaning as a few strands remained with the boy, and quickly ran to his door. “Sir?”

Xemnas frowned slightly. “Did you forget about today’s meeting, Number II? Both Marluxia and Luxord came here and received no response,” he said coolly.

“I’m sorry, sir! My alarm, it… wasn’t on…” Or other things. Xigbar knew he was lying, and he had a feeling the Superior knew he was lying, for he only stood for a few seconds before Xemnas pushed his door wider and found the two younger nobodies laying on his bed. A tired Zexion sat up to look over in confusion, and Demyx whined and tried to hold him close again.

The superior was immediately amused by this. “Two… Someone was busy last night,” Xemnas said quietly.

Xigbar’s cheeks pinkened. “No--uh, sir--it… we… it wasn’t like that!” Xigbar tried to defend himself, but Xemnas smirked, unbelieving.

“Meet me in my chambers in two hours for details of your mission. You will be going with Number III. Number VI has kitchen detail this afternoon, and Number IX has training with Number IV in…” He checked his watch. “Half an hour. Tardiness results in punishment. See you later, II.”

Xemnas turned away and portaled without another word, leaving Xigbar to sigh. Half an hour… to get Demyx sobered up and ready for training? He sighed, looking at the whining boy--who was probably experiencing the first effects of his hangover--and knew it wasn’t going to happen. Maybe he could talk to Vexen over this? Maybe… he sighed.

“Leggo, Demyx, you’re gonna drool in my eye,” Zexion whined.

Two whiny boys? Xigbar sat down and knew this would be one long day.

… never ending …
to be continued

Okay, then, there we have it. Part one of my strange new pairing-ness. Hope you guys don’t want to kill me, but hey… three’s company!