Welcome to Gaia! ::

"There's plenty exciting about you!" Demyx argued back playfully with a laugh right before the bell rang. "Oh! You, too!" the blond chattered happily as he picked up his own tray to go put it up. He would be in a cheerful mood for the rest of the day, he knew it.

He made it through his classes smoothly, completely paying attention for once, before it was time to go home. He jumped up out of his desk and hurried towards the buses, even though he drove. He wanted to see if he could catch Zexion, since he was almost positive the small underclassman didn't drive. So he stood off to the side, gazing over the bustling students to try and spot Zexion. He frequently glanced back at the buses, making sure he hadn't missed him, when lo and behold, he spotted the head of almost-purple hair. "Zexion! Hey, Zexion!" he called, bouncing in his direction, fighting his way through the crowd of eager students waiting to get home. When he finally made it to him, he grinned. "Hey, I can just give you a ride home if you want," he offered hopefully, dangling his keys in front of Zexion's face as he kind of shielded him from getting shoved over since his back was to the onslaught of students, and he was so tall. Peole kind of steered clear of him. Plus he was on the swim team, so he was pretty built, and no one dared to bump into him for fear of breaking their nose on his wall of a torso.

Roxas had sat mostly content through his last class then headed home, nodding to the music in his car as he drove. Once he got home, he took his time to water the plants carefully, making sure he didn't drown any of them and adjusting the stakes for some accordingly. He picked the ripe jalapenos from the plant and smiled slightly at them. Axel loved jalapenos. The man could put them on anything and be perfectly happy with his life. It seemed no matter how hard he tried to rid his thoughts of the redhead, he failed. Shaking his head at himself, he picked a few of the tomatoes and banana peppers and brought them all inside, washing them off and baggying them up to bring over to Axel when he went to hang out. He returned to his garden, double-checking to make sure he didn't miss any ripe vegetables and then returned inside to feed the cat. He set the dish down for the small cat and ran his hand down her back a few times, listening to her pur before she began to eat. Then he set off to clean the house, sweeping, mopping, vaccuuming, washing any dirty dishes. Tomorrow was the day he waashed the windows and deep-cleaned the bathroom. The next day would be mowing the lawn and weed-eating before he went to work.

Once he was done with that, it was just around the time school was to be let out. He washed his face off and fixed himself a sandwich to eat while he did his homework. He wanted to get it out of the way before he went to Axel's so he didn't have to worry about it later. He did his English and chemistry homework, which took about an hour, which should have given Axel enough time to get home and get settled in. So he closed his book and slid his homework in their respective binders neatly before putting it all up and changing out of his clothes and into some more comfortable ones. Then he grabbed his wallet, phone, the bag of vegetables, and his keys and headed out the door, saying goodbye to his tiny cat and leaving a note for his mom. He plopped down in his car then texted Axel that he was on his way before starting up the engine, putting on his seatbelt, and driving down the road in his 2013 royal blue Chevrolet Corvette Convertible, top down because it was such a nice day.

The drive was only about five minutes, but he enjoyed it nonetheless. He had his music on full blast as he rounded the corner into Axel's driveway, parking next to the redhead's beloved car. He turned the volume down and put the top up as well as his windows before getting out and grabbing all of his things before locking the doors. He then took a deep breath and let it out before walking inside Axel's house without knocking, just like he used to. It kind of shocked him a little to see the redhead sitting right there on the couch waiting for him, but it made him smile slightly. He held up the bag of peppers and tomatoes to show him. "I bring gifts of freshly-grown jalapenos. And banana peppers and cherry tomatoes," he told him before walking over and plopping down on the couch next to him. "There would have been some okra in there, too, but it wasn't ripe yet. Sorry," he explained, dropping his keys, wallet, and phone down on the coffee table.

"Oh, come on. I'll drive you home,a nd then I'll leave you alone until you want to talk or text or whatever me again. Promise," he told the small teen, grin subsiding into a genuine smile. "I know I'm kind of overbearing, and I don't want to lose you as a friend...or what I'd like to think is one. So I'll give you space. I just wanted to do one last thing to possibly see you smile today, if you'll let me drive you home," he said in a calmer voice, shoving his keys back into his pocket. "I mean, you're more than welcome to ride the bus, too. It's a free service with a bunch of jerk-wads surrounding you for twenty-or-so-minutes, so I can see the appeal. But if you want to catch the bus, you'd better hurry. They'll be pulling out soon," he let him know, nodding towards the army of vehicular twinkies, as he liked to call them.

Roxas blinked at how serious Axel was being with him right then. Was he really that worried about the blond? He seemed so worked up. Why did he seem so nervous? Roxas thought they had gotten past the fighting and stuff...more or less.

Roxas stiffened slightly as Axel asked his question. Had Roxas said something that had given it away? He had made a point to keep his family falling apart, and in turn himself falling apart, a secret from his friends so they wouldn't have to worry. He just buried himself in work and distractions in order to keep himself together at school and in front of his friends. His eyes dulled as he realized...Axel knew something was wrong with him. And if Axel knew something was wrong, the redhead wouldn't give up until Roxas spilled the truth to him, or he would just get really edgy and eventually angry at the blond, and they had just stopped fighting.

Roxas bit his lip and practically huddled into himself, twiddling his fingers in his lap. "Axel...I..," he started softly. He then took a deep breath and let it out slowly, readying himself for an explanation. "You know...how...how happy my family is, and how much...we, uh...we love each other, right?" he started at almost a whisper. He hadn't spoken about his father leaving him and his mother, or any trouble since. He had kept it all buried inside him, trying to forget. Just trying to live normally. He looked up at his friend, tears slowly pooling into his eyes as he tried to blink them away. "Dad left," he forced out to get himself started on it, but it allowed a tear escape, which he furiously wiped away and sniffled, looking away from Axel again. He shook his head at himself. "He stayed for my birthday. You know...like a good ******** father...and then left the next day," he spat, and then crumpled into himself once again. "I don't know why... He didn't give us a reason, just that he was going to move out of state and get married to a woman he met online. It was...towards the beginning of school this year," he finished in a whisper. "I didn't want to worry you guys with it, so..." He trailed off, sniffling a little more. "We've held up fine since it happened, I guess. Mom put more hours in at work, I got a job to...to help out," And distract myself from you... he thought as he paused. "It's just been hard at some points... We almost didn't make the mortgage payment last month, but I took some out of savings and..." He sniffled again, wiping at his face with trembling hands.

"Don't tell Demyx," he suddenly pleaded with him. "Please. You know how much he worries over stuff, and he already has enough problems with money. I don't want him trying to help out. Please," he pleaded once more, grasping onto Axel's arm tightly. He slowly let him go, and looked down again. "Now can we...can we be done talking about this now? And hang out 'like we used to'?" he asked him, done showing his vulnerable side.

Demyx just let out a giddy laugh as Zexion accused him of being a psycho. "I may be crazy and have few friends, but I'm not a psycho murderer-rapist. Or am I?" he teased, raising an eyebrow at him playfully. "Come on," he laughed lightly. "If I kill you, at least you'll know you died by the hands of beauty and intelligence," he teased, straightening his poise to a kingly manner as he strutted backwards to his car, face changing to grin at Zexion who trailed behind.

Roxas sniffled and stood, following Axel back to his room. It was true, he hadn't been here in a while, but he hadn't expected such drastic changes. He took in the new chairs and more wall-space. But most of all, he took in the photos of just Axel and Demyx littering his room. It struck his heart, piercing it with hurt as he looked at them all. He swallowed down guilt. He knew it was his fault he had been distanced from them, but it still hurt knowing that he had missed out on so much. He held back tears once again, this time being successful at keeping them from spilling over. He walked over to one of the chairs and plopped down in it, taking in his surroundings.

"I guess you've changed more than I have in the last few months, huh?" he said, voice slightly hoarse, causing him to clear his throat. He glanced over Axel's videogame collection, marveling at how expensive it must have all been. Then his eyes fell onto the map. He stood once again and walked over to it, eyeing the pins scattered across it. "Places you want to go?" he asked, voice hoarse once again. He remembered that Axel was going to leave once again. He looked over the map. "Some far away places, huh?" he added softly. "Meet a whole lot of people... You'll have fun," he ended, going quiet afterwards as he stared blindly up at the different countries. "Maybe you'll come across my dad one of those days. You can punch him in the face for me," he whispered, eyes sliding around the map slowly.

Demyx's eyes lit up as Zexion invited him inside for food. "No, yeah! Yeah, I can come hang out for a little bit! I just thought you wouldn't want me to stick around too long!" he said happily, grin widening even more as he stopped at his beat-up, colourful pick-up truck. The main body of it was a dark, dark blue, and beginning from the front of the truck, there were bands of colour going back towards the bed, all in rainbow order. The blond grinned at Zexion as he patted the hood. "Zexion, meet f*****t. Alternately known as Pride," he said with a proud smile, running his hand over the surface of the vehicle then opening the door and climbing into the driver's seat. "This is your last chance to run away and tell me to never speak to you again because I'm a creepy stalker-rapist-murderer that's also beautiful and intelligent," he warned him playfully as he stuck his key in the ignition and started the thing up with a rumble.

"Don't be scared of him. He's just a little mad because I haven't cleaned him out in two weeks. Or given him a bath, for that matter. I need to do that some day soon," he told Zexion with a carefree laugh. "I just haven't had a chance to stop and do it. This is my first free day in a while," he told Zexion, eyes sparkling. "I actually think my next one is the day I'm taking off work for prom. My life is basically school, work, sleep, repeat. I barely have time to eat most days. That's why I'm always scarfing everything down at lunch," he explained to him as he watched him climb into the truck as well. Demyx rolled the windows down since it was such a nice day and began humming as he opened the middle console which held about thirty slim CD cases, all with a different colour and/or marking on the tiny spine. He fingered through them, nodding his head to the song stuck in his head, and finally yanked one out with a bright orange spine. He grinned at the cover that he had written AWESOME DAY on the front of in fat black marker, a slip of paper being slid in place of where an album cover would be. He opened the case and pulled the CD out, the white disc decorated with an intricate sun in reds, yellows and blues, and pressed EJECT on the CD player. He pulled a disc that was decorated with a dark sky and a stormy sea. He then popped the happy CD in and replaced the case before leafing through them again and pulling out a case with a grey spine. The cover read BAD DAY, and he replaced the CD into it before putting the case back in it's place and shutting the console.

He grinned over at Zexion and strapped his seatbelt across himself before shutting his car door completely and putting it into gear as he saw Zexion was buckled in as well. As he was backing up, the music began playing quietly. He shifted into drive and with ease spun the volume knob up five notches, "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" playing through his speakers at a comfortable volume for the two to talk as well. "So, which way to your abode, good sir?" he chirped, practically vibrating in his seat from happiness.

Roxas smiled softly at Axel's words. He hadn't realized Axel had thought of them joining him in his journeys. He was silent a few more moments before he spoke softly, running his fingers along the map. "It wasn't selfish... I'd tag along behind you practically anywhere, you know that." He paused for a moment and dropped his fingers from the paper. He looked up at the redhead with a frown. "But I can't leave my mom behind, not right now, and I know you want to leave right after we graduate, so..." He trailed off sadly then turned away, walking over to the chair he had been in previously and dropping himself down in it. "As long as you tell me goodbye and don't just leave out of the blue, I'm fine. I support you as long as you have the time of your life, plus some for me. He smiled softly down at his lap then frowned once more. After a second, hHe breathed in deeply then let out a sigh and leaned forward, checking out Axel's games. "Let's re-kill some zombies or something. I'm sick of emotional s**t right now," he told his best friend, turning back to him with a small smirk. Obviously he was still upset, but he wasn't going to deliberately let Axel worry about him. He knew there was nothing he could say to make Axel stay, and he wouldn't want to make him stay anyway. Axel would be miserable if he couldn't go and travel like he wanted. All Roxas wanted was for Axel to be happy. And Axel would only be happy if he got to see the world.

Demyx had heard Zexion ask his question, and hesitated to answer, instead set his course towards the apartments he knew all too well. He chewed on his lip nervously as he drove in silence, nothing but the music playing. It went on that way for a good five minutes before Demyx reached down and turned down the music to a tolerable level. Then replaced his hand on the wheel.

"Yesterday wasn't that great of a day for me," he told Zexion, looking over at him quickly. "I don't want to...to bring you down or anything, that's why I'm kind of hesitant to talk about it, but I'm an open person. Plus, friends don't have secrets from other friends. It's unhealthy," he told him with a small smile. He chewed on his lip briefly again before speaking up. "I've basically dated every willing guy in the school by now, Zexion. Dated or got drunk and had sex with them. I...I kind of thrive on love, you know?" he said, grinning nervously at him. "I guess...you could label me as a slut, but it's just in my nature to want attention and affection. I guess it's because of how I grew up, but I don't really know. Anyway. One of my exes...he gets a thrill of tormenting me, and while I just brush off his rude remarks and nasty words in public, it does all build up. The only time I really show how sad or upset I am is when I'm alone with my music. The music helps, that's why I have different CDs. To help boost whatever mood I'm in at the time." He smiled over at him as they drove down a long road. "You're welcome to look through them all. I have one for sad days, bad days, awkward days, crazy days, days where I think I might off myself... There are plenty of them, some I listen to more than others. They don't have a list of songs on them, because I know what all of them are, but if you're curious, I can spout some off to you," he told him, opening the center console for Zexion to file through if he wanted. "And they're all color-coded so I know which one I'm grabbing. And I hand-draw the covers of them. I like to think I'm creative like that," he told him with a small laugh. "Anyway, yesterday was just one of those days I felt targetted, so I listened to that mix. It's how I deal with all the negativity and still look as chipper and beautiful as I am," he joked with a bright laugh, bouncing to the music. "Music is just so amazing, you know?" he chirped, practically glowing as he recovered from his minor drawback of a wonderful day.

Roxas bowed his head and kept a smile on his lips, blush on his cheeks as Axel sounded hopeful for that day to come. "Yeah. I like that," he told him, looking over with a bright smile on his face. Then he grabbed the controller that was handed to him and waited for the game to get booted up. "Prepare to get your a** kicked, Ax. I bet I kill at least ten more zombies than you do," the blond teased, burying the hurt and the guilt and the pain all the emotion for this moment--spending time with Axel, making memories, being friends.

Demyx about slammed on the brakes when Zexion asked his question out of the blue. Luckily, he had just pulled into a parking spot, so he just put it in park then turned the car off so the music wasn't a distraction for him. He undid his seatbelt and turned towards Zexion, a hidden hurt in his eyes. "Zexion, I may be an attention slut, but I'm not a terrible person. At least, I like to think I'm not. I'm as genuine and open as they come, and I do not use people," he told him, a deep frown set on his lips. "You can ask me anything, and I'll answer truthfully. You can call me any time you need me, and I'll be there, whether we've just really met or not. I'm not...mad that you asked, before you start feeling guilty. It's an honest question, I get that. I'm just...a little upset that you would think I would do that," he told him softly, looking directly into his eyes.

"I like you, Zexion. A lot," he admited, voice straight and even. He gave him a little smile as he added, "Probably a little more than either one of us is completely comfortable with. You're not the only one that's been alone. I may have Axel and Roxas, but they're not always there. And I haven't had a real relationship for over a year now. This is as awkward for me as it is for you, and I just... Right now, I'll take any kind of relationship I can get--platonic or romantic. And you just happened to give me a chance, unlike everyone else in that hell of a school. So I'm in for this friendship if you are; no games, no lies, and definitely no using each other. Okay?" he asked, holding his hand out for the smaller teen to shake as he gave him a hopeful smile. "Careful: this is the point of no return. Once I'm invited in your place, you won't be able to keep me away. Proceed at your own risk," he told him quietly, playfully.

Roxas cursed as Axel jumped into his lap. "You ******** cheater! Get the hell off me, you a*****e!" Roxas screeched, laughing as he simultaneously tried to shove Axel onto the floor and kill zombies at the same time. He had to fight to look around Axel's back at the television. He kept shoving at him with his elbows, and finally bucked his body upwards, successfully knocking the redhead, who barely had his balance in the first place, onto the floor. Roxas quickly slid forward and plopped down right on top of Axel's back, laughing in vistory as he trapped him. He hadn't had this much fun in a long time. Leave it to Axel.

Demyx's grin returned as Zexion took his hand. They were friends. Demyx had made a new friend. He was so caught up in his little world that he didn't notice Zexion retracting his hand and exitting the vehicle until he turned back and spoke. "Oh! No, I'm totally coming in! If not for the free food," he laughed, hopping out of his truck and locking it, shoving his phone and keys in his pockets. "Don't worry about it. We have plenty of time to 'bond'," he told him happily as they approached the door. Suddenly, it opened, freaking Demyx out a little. A raven-headed woman appeared in the doorway, eyes a little wide as she looked over the two of them.

"Hey, honey. You're home early," she commented, eyes sliding over to Demyx as she stepped aside, inviting them in. "Oh! Yeah, I gave him a ride home. The bus sucks," he told her with a grin, her almost-red eyes brightening slightly. "I'm Demyx. Demyx O'Donohue. I met Zexion today and thought he was the beez-neez," he said happily as she shook his hand. The woman smiled, a little surprised at his words, then looked at Zexion and back at the blond. "Oh, well, you can call me Paine. I'm Zexion's mother," she introduced herself. "I'm glad to see you've found friends in each other, it seems. Anyway, I've got to go get ready for work. Make yourself at home, Demyx. Treat it like your own," she said with a miniscule smile, walking back to her room. Demyx laughed. "You probably don't want that!" he called to her, pushing the door closed behind him. He looked down at Zexion happily. "If I treated it like it's my home, you won't have a home by the end of the day," he said playfully. "I break everything."

The blond paused as a small female voice came into the room. "Zexy! You're home!" a small black-haired girl said happily yet quiet as can be. She ran over to Zexion on her short legs, the girl only being about six or seven, and wrapped her arms around Zexion's waist. When she finally noticed Demyx, she immediately hid behind her brother. She stared up at the blond with big eyes, little hands gripping onto Zexion's shirt. Demyx smiled and squatted down to be on her level, if not a bit shorter. "Hi. My name's Demyx!" he said in a friendly voice. "What's yours?" Though he smiled at the girl, she didn't move from her spot. He noticed her glancing up at his awkward hair style and laughed, leaning his head down. "You want to touch it? It's stiff as a rock," he invited, staying there for a few moments and watching the girl's feet as they slowly inched forward towards him. He felt the girl's hand poke at his hair, then heard a small giggle. Slowly, he looked up and grinned at her. "It didn't grow like that, I promise. I'll wear it down for you to see one day. Would you like that? It's longer than it looks." The girl nodded and hid behind Zexion again. "I'm Xion," she said softly. Demyx held out his hand for the girl to shake. "Well, it's very nice to meet you, Xion! I may be bigger than you, but I'm a kid at heart, so I think we'll get along just fine. What about you?" The girl giggled again and timidly took Demyx's hand, the blond shaking it with a grin, looking up at Zexion.

Roxas grinned as he felt Axel struggle beneath him, killing seven more to be beating Axel by two. He yelped as he was knocked backwards on the floor, grunting a little as he fell flat on his back. He looked up at Axel as the redhead mocked him, then his eyes widened as he knew what was coming next. "Gah! No!" Roxas laughed. His controller went flying as he wrestled with Axel, grunting and laughing as they fought for power. He had managed to shove Axel to the side in order to roll on top of him, but Axel recovered too quickly and pinned him again. "Damnit!" he laughed, bucking his body up however he could to try and get Axel to relent his grip on him just a little so he could get just a little bit of leverage. "Three wrongs...don't...either!" he argued back, shoving his body up against the redhead's, successfully flipping him over. He hurriedly rolled on top of him and straddled his waist, grabbing at his arms that were flailing about as Axel tried to retaliate. The blond laughed as he almost knocked himself backwards trying to avoid Axel's moves, still trying desperately to grab onto Axel's arms and hold him still.

Demyx stood at full height once more as Xion ran off. He followed Zexion into the kitchen and dat down at the counter as he listened to Zexion speak. He rested his chin on his palm, watching Zexion move about the kitchen. "No, I completely understand. It's not corny at all," he assured him with a smile. "That's like me and my guitar, Arpeggio. I don't know what I would do most days without my baby. She helps me clear my head, helps me sleep at night, and helps me get over negative thoughts or feelings that my music can't get rid of. She makes me feel beautiful and worth something in this messed up world, because she's a beautiful thing that allows me to make beautiful music," he explained, opening up even more for Zexion. He paused for a moment. "I could play you something sometime, if you ever make it over to my place. Or I can just bring her to school and leave her in my truck to bring over here afterwards. Oh! I'm playing a few songs at the prom, too, if you make it to that!" he said, seemingly just remembering that that was happening. "Though, none of those are going to be songs I've written. People in high school are stuck-up and don't want to hear anything new--just stuff that's already out there. I'll save my own songs for something more important. Like gigs when I'm actually able to get some. Or if I ever start up a band like I want."

Roxas groaned a little when his back hit the floor once again. He worked at a hardware store, so he was often lifting heavy things. Recently his back had been aching every now and then, and with this abuse, it didn't make it any better. He opened his eyes, feeling defeated, as he looked up into Axel's emerald ones. "You're such a cheater," he pouted, trying to avoid the dirty thoughts flowing through his mind at their position and that sexy-as-hell smirk on Axel's lips. Roxas breathed a little heavy, chest heaving harder than usual. "You always win, you dork," he said softly, eyes glancing down at the redhead's lips, feeling his own tingle from the memory of the kiss earlier that day. He looked back up into Axel's eyes again and relaxed his body in Axel's grip, heart beating a little faster. "Axel..," he breathed, trying to hint for him to either do something or let Roxas go, because the blond couldn't stand it.