Fic: There Is No Spoon - Part 2
Title: There Is No Spoon - Part 2 of 2 (Part 1 / Bonus Drabble)
Author: lostscore
Rating: PG-13/T
Wordcount: I'm guessing around 1500+
Warnings/Spoilers/Pairings: Yaoi. Some language. AU. Demyx/Zexion. Some passing references to various people/places/events that actually happen in-game, but if you’re not aware of them you’re not going to be able to pick them out.
Author’s Notes and Dedication: There's been pairing wank and wars as of late. I started writing this fic not because I love the pairing but because I actually don't care for it at all. Dedicated to fans of this pairing in hopes of a wank-free fandom...but particularly dedicated to villanelle_koi as a very late birthday gift. In addition, I appologize for spelling and formatting errors. I've tried my best but I'm using a very old laptop that doesn't have word installed. I don't have a fancy spell-check function on notepad so please bear with.
Meditating in a strange mix between foolish and vindicated, Zexion finished sabotaging Demyx's things and picked up his well-earned water, hurrying from the scene of the crime as fast as he was able. He didn't care if he was caught but he also figured it would be better not to draw attention to himself unnecessarily. He affected a limp as he drew up to Vexen, who had found some lawn chairs to sit on in the shade.
"Bastard got me harder that I thought." he said by way of explanation, taking a seat and a sip of his water.
No soon had the words left his lips than a harsh, angry voice rang out behind him. "What are you doing here?"
Vexen raised an eyebrow as Zexion jumped a mile and slopped water down the front of his top, apparently very startled. "We're merely enjoying the shade, Saix. Neither of us have any talent on waterskis, nor any desire to make further fools of ourselves."
Saix was the company's security guard and to suggest he took his job seriously was something of an understatement. Xemnas liked to say he cared more about the job than some of the CEO's but most were of the opinion he was something of a kiss-ass.
Even at the company camping trip he was apparently dedicated to company unity. Vexen knew for a fact he didn't like swimming yet Saix had all too obviously been participating in the watersports. His blue hair was stuck in matts to his scalp, giving him the appearance of an angry, wet cat.
"Have you forgotten who you're speaking to?" Vexen asked, clearly irritated that he was being lectured. Whenever he lapsed into high falutin, holier-than-thou language, it was a sure sign he was getting upset. "I might remind you that I helped found this company. Larxene's in the cabin, go bother her."
When Saix had stormed away looking sour, Vexen finally turned back to Zexion. "So what's the latest about Demyx LaCoste?"
"He confessed." Zexion said simply, then explained the happenings during the paintball game.
When he had finished the story, Vexen stayed silent for a long moment. "Why would he confess? It doesn't make sense and it's a stupid move on his part."
"That's what I thought." Zexion replied, "Maybe he figures nobody would believe me...or maybe he's just lying."
"Trying to get you in trouble?" Vexen mused, but skeptically. It was common knowledge that the two hated eachother but even the cyncial head of research and development had to admit he couldn't see Demyx deliberately antagonizing Zexion. It just wasn't his style.
"So I'm planning on getting to the bottom of this." Zexion finished up.
"Don't go getting yourself in trouble now." It was only half a joke.
"I..."
There was a sudden yell from the direction of the tents. Vexen looked around sharply. "What the hell?"
Zexion remained blank but followed his co-worker in the direction of the disturbance.
***
"All my stuff is soaked!" Demyx could be heard explaining over and over to each new group that arrived to see the source of his distress. He held up his sopping sleeping bag to demonstrate. Zexion kept his face neutral, but that didn't stop the accusatory stares that inevitably came his way. He didn't really care if anyone guessed it either. The sooner Demyx was intimidated or angry, the faster he would get to the bottom of this.
He couldn't explain why exactly he hadn't predicted retaliation.
Before the sun went down that night, his pillow had been found stuffed with several species of goldenrod plants he was highly allergic to. As a result, he spent the next morning in a haze of allergy medication. The only good thing that came of it was that he was exempt from the latest round of team-based games and ample opportunity to devise a revenge scheme.
"The fire ants were a nice touch there. Really balances the water trick from Friday." Zexion jerked his hand away just in time for it to avoid being crushed by Axel's bony frame which had suddenly lighted on the end of his chair's armrest. The redhead dangled a tissue in front of his face and he snatched it to blow his nose. He didn't bother to question how Axel knew the specifics of his latest prank. Even if the circumstances had been different and most people didn't suspect him, Axel would have known everything anyway.
"I'm warning you. Don't get involved." The last thing Zeion wanted was the salesman's insight.
In response Axel slid off the side of the chair, kneeling and resting his chin on the plastic. Zexion chose to ignore the unspoken dig at his height. "Wake up."
"What's your problem?" Zexion liked mindgames of course, but only when he was dishing them out.
"If this was kindergarden, you'd be pulling Demyx's pigtails and kicking him off the slide. You have his attention. The question is: why?" With that, Axel pulled himself to his feet, dusted grass off his knees and strolled away. Zexion was almost willing to forget the incident after that, partly out of sheer spite. Axel being right about anything was practically an occupational hazzard in and of itself. He very neerly succeeded too, but only until he was tracked down by Xaldin and Xigbar shortly after the Saturday evening cook-out.
"Axel's just been by. This business with Demyx has got to stop." Xaldin pronounced, glaring down at Ienzo sternly.
Most new employees at XIII Corp. would argue that with his intimidating size and voice, Xaldin was the CEO to be concerned about. The original partners, Zexion included new however that this was not quite so. You always knew where you stood with Xaldin. Xigbar on the other hand, tended to be more sociable and appeared on the surface to goof around. Then, he'd smile that same friendly smile as he fired you for thinking you could get away with screwing around. It was his way of weeding out the new hirees and he didn't hesitate to try the same on his friends.
"I'm sorry." It would be wise not to make excuses or lie but he couldn't help trying to point out how he was right to be upset, at least. "He confessed. He told me himself what he did."
"That's bullshit." Xaldin had opened his mouth to reply but Xigbar had jumped in. Fortunately he seemed to be vaguely amused by the situation though his tone left no room for argument. "I know for a fact that Demyx couldn't possibly have confessed to plagarism of your idea."
"But he did!" Zexion's outwardly calm facade was beginning to crack, a sure sign that something was truly wrong.
Xigbar seemed geared up to continue the argument but it was Xaldin who settled the issue for the present with a reasonable degree of calm. "Zexion, Xigbar's right. Demyx mentioned the whole idea to me when he arrived. As in the first day." he added shortly as Zexion's mouth opened to protest further. "Now it's entirely possible the two of you came up with a similar idea independantly, but neither of you were trying to steal ideas. Get over yourself."
Neither of the CEO's said anything more after that but they gave Zexion a look that clearly said they were both currently being reminded that he was still the youngest member of the group that had founded the company. That angered Zexion more than anything that had happened thus far, but it did beg the question as to why Demyx had lied yet again.
There was only one way left to get to the bottom of this, and that was to ask Demyx outright. He got him on his own finally, heading down to retrieve his waterskiis from the lakeside. This time, he wasn't going to mince words.
"So why would you say that, exactly? I know the facts, Xaldin told me it wasn't true."
Demyx paused, refusing to turn around and face the other man. For a long time, it seemed as though he wouldn't be saying anything at all. "Fine. The truth is that I was attracted to you, okay? I guess being gay might get me some financial benifits but it doesn't change thought processes. I said it because it would make you angry. I said it because it would proove you right. If you hate me, I don't have a chance. I can keep my job and focus."
Zexion turned. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard." If he had been anyone else, the statement would have come out catty. As it stood, it was still utterly derisive. He meant to conclude the conversation there, spinning on his heel and stalking away. Instead, he found himself noticing for the first time since their war had begun that the blonde was quite possibly the worst liar he'd ever met. He wondered how he hadn't realized it before.
Demyx was staring at him. Zexion wished he would stop. "So it didn't help, right?" he wondered why he was asking. It didn't come as any surprise when Demyx shook his head.
Zexion stood there yet, staring blankly at the other man. His eyes were hard and provided a false exterior to what he really felt. He tried to convince himself it was surprise, but it was Axel's words, of all people that drifted back to him.
'You have his attention. The question is: why?'
He'd never forged connections with others easily, preferring to stay within the comfort circle of relationships he knew. It hadn't occurred to him that anyone would want a romantic realationship with him, let alone hope that he might be gay or even be upset if he wasn't. He wasn't sure if he felt or even wanted to feel anything for Demyx but it was nice to express something for the man beyond raw, seething hatred for a change.
"I have no clue whether or not this is even right." Zexion voiced his thoughts. "But I suppose it couldn't hurt to at least try."
The expression on Demyx's face was truly priceless and for one awful moment Zexion was certain that he'd just been the victim of another prank.
"No, listen: I mean it." The designer protested, catching sight of Zexion's skepticism.
In reply Zexion sat down, not willing to initiate anything but suspecting just walking away at this point would be in poor taste.
"Not very good at this, are you?" Demyx pointed out bluntly after practically a full minute of silence. Zexion's face predictably darkened and the blonde waved his hands. "A joke! It was a joke! Say something!"
"Sorry."
"Look. There's only one way to figure this out." The blonde shook his head slowly. Without further warning he leaned over and kissed Zexion.
It was a terrible kiss, Zexion decided. Demyx actually licked his mouth before he figured out he wanted him to open it. Nothing whatsoever about the exchange was perfect or world-changing or mind-blowing, but Ienzo figured he could live with it. Maybe even do it again.
It wasn't true love but it was a step forward. They had all the time in the world to figure out where it would go from there.
"By the way, unless you're particularly cozy with fire ants, you might not want to sleep in your tent tonight."
"Is that an invitation to come sleep in yours?"
"No."
***
"So, what am I up here for this time?" Larxene asked. It had been a week since the camping trip and the XIII Corp. employees were adjusting back to civilization. "What are you doing here, for that matter? I heard something about a bug with the printers? Xigbar was kind of vague."
"Shhh. DOn't let Lexaeus overhear. He's lurking around somewhere and it'll spoil the entertainment if he finds out. Where's Roxas?"
"What, you don't think I can handle this on my own?" The tech-support representative's voice was rising with her temper.
"I said shhh!" Axel protested. "I just meant he shouldn't miss this. Listen. Luxord wrote a printer Daemon that automatically sends any print job to the print center on this floor...Ah. Right on time."
Larxene looked up to see Saix coming down the hallway.
"Axel..." Larxene warned.
"Oh no. Zexion and Demyx seem to think that the office is oblivious to the fact that they have suddenly started doing a lot of printing. We all know that Saix wouldn't want to miss a serious breach of company policy."
The blonde looked back at Saix and smirked. "Neat."
"Thought you might see it that way."
There were a couple of alternately embaressed, angry and frustrated yells, followed by the very wise slamming of quite a few office doors as employees of XIII corp. rushed for safety. Nobody wanted to get in the way of their security guard when he inevitably recovered from the shock and got angry.
"Seeing as how we don't have an office on this floor, the generally accepted practice at his point in time is to run like hell." Axel pointed out wisely. For a change, Larxene didn't argue and the two blew by the just arrived and thouroughly confused Roxas. "Sorry!" Axel called back at him as they dissapeared into the elevator.
***
The next morning found Axel in the coffee shop during break time, watching with a sort of sadistic bemusement as Marluxia dumped sugar packets into his cup.
"Something the matter?"
"Yeah. The printer room's still occupied."
Axel leaned over the table. "If printer rooms aren't your thing, why don't you try the broom closet near the tech support department?"
Marluxia looked after Axel with an incredulous stare. This company was going to the dogs. He'd have to talk to Xemnas about this.
End.
Author: lostscore
Rating: PG-13/T
Wordcount: I'm guessing around 1500+
Warnings/Spoilers/Pairings: Yaoi. Some language. AU. Demyx/Zexion. Some passing references to various people/places/events that actually happen in-game, but if you’re not aware of them you’re not going to be able to pick them out.
Author’s Notes and Dedication: There's been pairing wank and wars as of late. I started writing this fic not because I love the pairing but because I actually don't care for it at all. Dedicated to fans of this pairing in hopes of a wank-free fandom...but particularly dedicated to villanelle_koi as a very late birthday gift. In addition, I appologize for spelling and formatting errors. I've tried my best but I'm using a very old laptop that doesn't have word installed. I don't have a fancy spell-check function on notepad so please bear with.
Meditating in a strange mix between foolish and vindicated, Zexion finished sabotaging Demyx's things and picked up his well-earned water, hurrying from the scene of the crime as fast as he was able. He didn't care if he was caught but he also figured it would be better not to draw attention to himself unnecessarily. He affected a limp as he drew up to Vexen, who had found some lawn chairs to sit on in the shade.
"Bastard got me harder that I thought." he said by way of explanation, taking a seat and a sip of his water.
No soon had the words left his lips than a harsh, angry voice rang out behind him. "What are you doing here?"
Vexen raised an eyebrow as Zexion jumped a mile and slopped water down the front of his top, apparently very startled. "We're merely enjoying the shade, Saix. Neither of us have any talent on waterskis, nor any desire to make further fools of ourselves."
Saix was the company's security guard and to suggest he took his job seriously was something of an understatement. Xemnas liked to say he cared more about the job than some of the CEO's but most were of the opinion he was something of a kiss-ass.
Even at the company camping trip he was apparently dedicated to company unity. Vexen knew for a fact he didn't like swimming yet Saix had all too obviously been participating in the watersports. His blue hair was stuck in matts to his scalp, giving him the appearance of an angry, wet cat.
"Have you forgotten who you're speaking to?" Vexen asked, clearly irritated that he was being lectured. Whenever he lapsed into high falutin, holier-than-thou language, it was a sure sign he was getting upset. "I might remind you that I helped found this company. Larxene's in the cabin, go bother her."
When Saix had stormed away looking sour, Vexen finally turned back to Zexion. "So what's the latest about Demyx LaCoste?"
"He confessed." Zexion said simply, then explained the happenings during the paintball game.
When he had finished the story, Vexen stayed silent for a long moment. "Why would he confess? It doesn't make sense and it's a stupid move on his part."
"That's what I thought." Zexion replied, "Maybe he figures nobody would believe me...or maybe he's just lying."
"Trying to get you in trouble?" Vexen mused, but skeptically. It was common knowledge that the two hated eachother but even the cyncial head of research and development had to admit he couldn't see Demyx deliberately antagonizing Zexion. It just wasn't his style.
"So I'm planning on getting to the bottom of this." Zexion finished up.
"Don't go getting yourself in trouble now." It was only half a joke.
"I..."
There was a sudden yell from the direction of the tents. Vexen looked around sharply. "What the hell?"
Zexion remained blank but followed his co-worker in the direction of the disturbance.
***
"All my stuff is soaked!" Demyx could be heard explaining over and over to each new group that arrived to see the source of his distress. He held up his sopping sleeping bag to demonstrate. Zexion kept his face neutral, but that didn't stop the accusatory stares that inevitably came his way. He didn't really care if anyone guessed it either. The sooner Demyx was intimidated or angry, the faster he would get to the bottom of this.
He couldn't explain why exactly he hadn't predicted retaliation.
Before the sun went down that night, his pillow had been found stuffed with several species of goldenrod plants he was highly allergic to. As a result, he spent the next morning in a haze of allergy medication. The only good thing that came of it was that he was exempt from the latest round of team-based games and ample opportunity to devise a revenge scheme.
"The fire ants were a nice touch there. Really balances the water trick from Friday." Zexion jerked his hand away just in time for it to avoid being crushed by Axel's bony frame which had suddenly lighted on the end of his chair's armrest. The redhead dangled a tissue in front of his face and he snatched it to blow his nose. He didn't bother to question how Axel knew the specifics of his latest prank. Even if the circumstances had been different and most people didn't suspect him, Axel would have known everything anyway.
"I'm warning you. Don't get involved." The last thing Zeion wanted was the salesman's insight.
In response Axel slid off the side of the chair, kneeling and resting his chin on the plastic. Zexion chose to ignore the unspoken dig at his height. "Wake up."
"What's your problem?" Zexion liked mindgames of course, but only when he was dishing them out.
"If this was kindergarden, you'd be pulling Demyx's pigtails and kicking him off the slide. You have his attention. The question is: why?" With that, Axel pulled himself to his feet, dusted grass off his knees and strolled away. Zexion was almost willing to forget the incident after that, partly out of sheer spite. Axel being right about anything was practically an occupational hazzard in and of itself. He very neerly succeeded too, but only until he was tracked down by Xaldin and Xigbar shortly after the Saturday evening cook-out.
"Axel's just been by. This business with Demyx has got to stop." Xaldin pronounced, glaring down at Ienzo sternly.
Most new employees at XIII Corp. would argue that with his intimidating size and voice, Xaldin was the CEO to be concerned about. The original partners, Zexion included new however that this was not quite so. You always knew where you stood with Xaldin. Xigbar on the other hand, tended to be more sociable and appeared on the surface to goof around. Then, he'd smile that same friendly smile as he fired you for thinking you could get away with screwing around. It was his way of weeding out the new hirees and he didn't hesitate to try the same on his friends.
"I'm sorry." It would be wise not to make excuses or lie but he couldn't help trying to point out how he was right to be upset, at least. "He confessed. He told me himself what he did."
"That's bullshit." Xaldin had opened his mouth to reply but Xigbar had jumped in. Fortunately he seemed to be vaguely amused by the situation though his tone left no room for argument. "I know for a fact that Demyx couldn't possibly have confessed to plagarism of your idea."
"But he did!" Zexion's outwardly calm facade was beginning to crack, a sure sign that something was truly wrong.
Xigbar seemed geared up to continue the argument but it was Xaldin who settled the issue for the present with a reasonable degree of calm. "Zexion, Xigbar's right. Demyx mentioned the whole idea to me when he arrived. As in the first day." he added shortly as Zexion's mouth opened to protest further. "Now it's entirely possible the two of you came up with a similar idea independantly, but neither of you were trying to steal ideas. Get over yourself."
Neither of the CEO's said anything more after that but they gave Zexion a look that clearly said they were both currently being reminded that he was still the youngest member of the group that had founded the company. That angered Zexion more than anything that had happened thus far, but it did beg the question as to why Demyx had lied yet again.
There was only one way left to get to the bottom of this, and that was to ask Demyx outright. He got him on his own finally, heading down to retrieve his waterskiis from the lakeside. This time, he wasn't going to mince words.
"So why would you say that, exactly? I know the facts, Xaldin told me it wasn't true."
Demyx paused, refusing to turn around and face the other man. For a long time, it seemed as though he wouldn't be saying anything at all. "Fine. The truth is that I was attracted to you, okay? I guess being gay might get me some financial benifits but it doesn't change thought processes. I said it because it would make you angry. I said it because it would proove you right. If you hate me, I don't have a chance. I can keep my job and focus."
Zexion turned. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard." If he had been anyone else, the statement would have come out catty. As it stood, it was still utterly derisive. He meant to conclude the conversation there, spinning on his heel and stalking away. Instead, he found himself noticing for the first time since their war had begun that the blonde was quite possibly the worst liar he'd ever met. He wondered how he hadn't realized it before.
Demyx was staring at him. Zexion wished he would stop. "So it didn't help, right?" he wondered why he was asking. It didn't come as any surprise when Demyx shook his head.
Zexion stood there yet, staring blankly at the other man. His eyes were hard and provided a false exterior to what he really felt. He tried to convince himself it was surprise, but it was Axel's words, of all people that drifted back to him.
'You have his attention. The question is: why?'
He'd never forged connections with others easily, preferring to stay within the comfort circle of relationships he knew. It hadn't occurred to him that anyone would want a romantic realationship with him, let alone hope that he might be gay or even be upset if he wasn't. He wasn't sure if he felt or even wanted to feel anything for Demyx but it was nice to express something for the man beyond raw, seething hatred for a change.
"I have no clue whether or not this is even right." Zexion voiced his thoughts. "But I suppose it couldn't hurt to at least try."
The expression on Demyx's face was truly priceless and for one awful moment Zexion was certain that he'd just been the victim of another prank.
"No, listen: I mean it." The designer protested, catching sight of Zexion's skepticism.
In reply Zexion sat down, not willing to initiate anything but suspecting just walking away at this point would be in poor taste.
"Not very good at this, are you?" Demyx pointed out bluntly after practically a full minute of silence. Zexion's face predictably darkened and the blonde waved his hands. "A joke! It was a joke! Say something!"
"Sorry."
"Look. There's only one way to figure this out." The blonde shook his head slowly. Without further warning he leaned over and kissed Zexion.
It was a terrible kiss, Zexion decided. Demyx actually licked his mouth before he figured out he wanted him to open it. Nothing whatsoever about the exchange was perfect or world-changing or mind-blowing, but Ienzo figured he could live with it. Maybe even do it again.
It wasn't true love but it was a step forward. They had all the time in the world to figure out where it would go from there.
"By the way, unless you're particularly cozy with fire ants, you might not want to sleep in your tent tonight."
"Is that an invitation to come sleep in yours?"
"No."
***
"So, what am I up here for this time?" Larxene asked. It had been a week since the camping trip and the XIII Corp. employees were adjusting back to civilization. "What are you doing here, for that matter? I heard something about a bug with the printers? Xigbar was kind of vague."
"Shhh. DOn't let Lexaeus overhear. He's lurking around somewhere and it'll spoil the entertainment if he finds out. Where's Roxas?"
"What, you don't think I can handle this on my own?" The tech-support representative's voice was rising with her temper.
"I said shhh!" Axel protested. "I just meant he shouldn't miss this. Listen. Luxord wrote a printer Daemon that automatically sends any print job to the print center on this floor...Ah. Right on time."
Larxene looked up to see Saix coming down the hallway.
"Axel..." Larxene warned.
"Oh no. Zexion and Demyx seem to think that the office is oblivious to the fact that they have suddenly started doing a lot of printing. We all know that Saix wouldn't want to miss a serious breach of company policy."
The blonde looked back at Saix and smirked. "Neat."
"Thought you might see it that way."
There were a couple of alternately embaressed, angry and frustrated yells, followed by the very wise slamming of quite a few office doors as employees of XIII corp. rushed for safety. Nobody wanted to get in the way of their security guard when he inevitably recovered from the shock and got angry.
"Seeing as how we don't have an office on this floor, the generally accepted practice at his point in time is to run like hell." Axel pointed out wisely. For a change, Larxene didn't argue and the two blew by the just arrived and thouroughly confused Roxas. "Sorry!" Axel called back at him as they dissapeared into the elevator.
***
The next morning found Axel in the coffee shop during break time, watching with a sort of sadistic bemusement as Marluxia dumped sugar packets into his cup.
"Something the matter?"
"Yeah. The printer room's still occupied."
Axel leaned over the table. "If printer rooms aren't your thing, why don't you try the broom closet near the tech support department?"
Marluxia looked after Axel with an incredulous stare. This company was going to the dogs. He'd have to talk to Xemnas about this.
End.