Corruption,
Chapter Three
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Bonjour, classe,” Mademoiselle Marlene
said, and began discussing the plans for today.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Psst,
Demyx.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I looked to my right.
Marluxia was about to fall out of his seat, trying to get my attention. “What?”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Did you talk to him?”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I sighed. “Yes.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“What did he say?”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“That he’ll think about
it.” Marluxia seemed satisfied with that answer and moved into a more
comfortable position.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“—But before we get
started, we need to finish up the skits from Friday.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Mlle Marlene continued. “Demyx, Marluxia,
you’re up.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I stood grudgingly and
walked to the front. Damn it, damn it,
damn it…I’m so screwed. Marluxia looked calm and confident as he faced me
with his arms casually crossed.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
lang=FR style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic";mso-ansi-language:
FR'>“Salut, Demyx, ça va?”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Hi, Demyx, how are you?
lang=FR style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic";mso-ansi-language:
FR'>
lang=FR style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic";mso-ansi-language:
FR'>“Uhhhh….. ça va…et toi?” style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I managed to say.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Bien. style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic";mso-ansi-language:FR'>Je
veux parler avec toi.”
lang=FR style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic";mso-ansi-language:
FR'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I slowly translated what
he said in my head. He wants to…play with me? I gave a mental slap to my forehead. How
could I be this stupid? It wasn’t ‘play’. He wasn’t speaking English, after
all. “Uh, okay.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
lang=FR style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic";mso-ansi-language:
FR'>“Est-ce que tu aime le printemps?”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Do you like the spring?
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
lang=FR style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic";mso-ansi-language:
FR'>“Uhhh….oui,…mais….je prèfére
l’ête…parce que j’aime nager.” Yes, but I prefer the summer because I like to
swim. I was surprised about how quickly I was able to form the sentence. I
actually felt…sorta smart!style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I racked my brain for something to say. lang=FR style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic";mso-ansi-language:
FR'>“Pourquoi?” Why?
lang=FR style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic";mso-ansi-language:
FR'>
lang=FR style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic";mso-ansi-language:
FR'>“Je ne sais pas…parce que…j’adore las
fleurs.”
lang=FR style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic";mso-ansi-language:
FR'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Of course you adore flowers…. “Um, well, style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>à bientôt.” I said and darted to my desk.
Marluxia casually followed suit.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“That was good,” Mlle
Marlene said encouragingly.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I nodded and opened my
textbook as we continued the day’s lesson—conjugating verbs and such. The rest
of the class passed by quickly. Before I knew it, school was out. I was
thoroughly glad that it was. Nothing was more boring than school, except for
maybe chores, but that was beside the point.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I grabbed my bag and flew
out of the door to catch up with Marluxia. He didn’t answer me when I called
his name, so I ran up behind him and jumped on his back.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“AHH!” Marluxia squealed,
almost falling over. “Demyx! What are you doing? Get offa
me!”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I slid off and grinned.
“I’ve got an idea.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“What’s that?” He asked
as we walked to the parking lot.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I paused. “I go home with
you…and you introduce me to your neighbor.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>Marluxia’s smile faded.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I frowned. “You owe me,”
I reminded him. “And this is how I want you to repay me.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>Marluxia looked uneasy.
“I don’t think Axel would like that.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Axel doesn’t have to
know,” I insisted.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Axel doesn’t have to
know what?” Axel asked as he strolled over. “You guys aren’t planning on
hanging out without me, are you?” He feigned a hurt expression.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I smiled meekly. “We
thought you were going to be with Roxas this afternoon.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“I was,” Axel sighed. “But he has to babysit
his stupid brother.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I shook my head. “And
he’ll probably end up watching Riku, too. Sora’ll
throw a fit until he gets his Riku.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Sucks for him,” Marluxia
said. He paused, and then said thoughtfully as he leaned against his car. “Why
don’t you go help him, Ax? You could get some experience in…style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>child-rearing.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>Axel scuffed his shoes.
“I would, I guess, if he wanted me to. But, uh, ever since Roxas came “out,” I
haven’t been exactly welcome over there while he’s babysitting. ‘Rents think
I’ll turn little Sora gay or something.” He snorted at the thought.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“How can they be sure
that he isn’t already? He’s always whining for Riku,” Marluxia said. “And I’ve
seen first hand that it’s not one-sided. It’s not wonder Zexion moved out.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Jesus, Mar!” I wailed.
“Sora is only nine!”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>Marluxia shrugged,
fumbling with his keys. “Are we going?” He looked to Axel. “You are welcome to
come, of course.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>The redhead nodded.
“Sweet.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>Out of all of us---Mar,
Ax, Roxas, Zexion, and I---Marluxia definitely had the best lawn. No matter
what, Marluxia and his mom were able to keep the grass a healthy, dark green
year-round and there were always flowers in bloom.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I got out of Mar’s pink
Bug as Axel parked his station wagon on the curb. I absently thought of how
life really wasn’t fair. Axel spent years hiding away money he earned to be
able to afford his piece-of-junk car while Marluxia got a brand-new car for his
birthday. I didn’t blame Mar or anything, it wasn’t his fault. It just…wasn’t style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>fair.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“You okay, Dem?” Axel
asked, ruffling my hair.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I jerked away, trying to
fix my hair. “Yeah, I just zoned out for a minute there.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“I can tell,” Axel said as
we walked into Marluxia’s house and made ourselves at home. I grabbed a bag of
chips from the pantry and kicked back on the couch while Marluxia put his
things away and Axel did...Well, I didn’t even want to know what Axel was
doing.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>A while later, we all sat
in Mar’s living room.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“You know what?” Axel
said, breaking the silence as he puffed on his cigarette. “I want style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>The Nobodies to be a famous visual class=SpellE>kei band.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“What?” I asked. “Dude,
what the hell is in your cigarette? We can’t
be a visual kei band.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Why not?”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Well…you have to be
Japanese. And, uh, save Roxas, we’re all Gardenian.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>Axel snorted. “So? That
can be used to our advantage.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“And you have to dress in
drag.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“I’ll wear a dress.” We
stared at Marluxia, who had been silent all the while. He slowly added, “That
is, if you want me to.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I started giggling and
couldn’t stop. Eventually, I was able to calm down some. “Ha-ha…but…we have to
have five people. It’s like a rule or something. Malice Mizer
had five people, and Direngrey has five—”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>Axel waved his hand for
me to stop. “So we need one more person. That’s no matter. Who do you want to
recruit?”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I couldn’t believe that
he was serious. “Well, Zexion is really good at the piano—”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Alright then,” Axel
said, cutting in.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“—But I doubt he’d agree
to joining.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>Axel grinned, almost
maliciously. “Then we’ll have to convince him.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>Marluxia turned on the TV
and popped in one of my Invader class=SpellE>Zim DVDs that I had left over here from my last visit. By
the time the opening clip started, I was entranced in the show. I loved style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Invader Zim.
No matter how many times I watched it, I never got tired of it. Axel was the
same way. He was as glued to the TV as I was.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>Marluxia nudged me and
looked at me pointedly. It took me a minute, but I then realized that he put
the DVD in so I could slip away unnoticed. He’s such a good friend. I nodded
and stood. “I uh, have to take a leak” I
announced.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Don’t fall in,” Axel
mumbled, not really paying any attention.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>Marluxia grabbed my elbow
as I headed out of the living room. Speaking in a low whisper so Axel couldn’t
hear, he said, “If you’re not back in twenty minutes, I’ll be over there with a
bat.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I looked at him
quizzically, but nodded. I walked outside and walked next door. I was pretty
much positive that this had to be the house, considering no one lived across
the street and the house on the other side of Mar’s had been vacant for a while
now.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>My stomach was in a big
wad of knots as I rang the doorbell, and even more so when someone actually
answered. The man standing before was much taller than I was, with broad
shoulders and a muscular chest—which was completely obvious as he was
shirtless. My eyes followed the lines of his muscles. Even if I were a straight
guy, I wouldn’t have been able to not
drool over his bod.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Can I help you?” He
asked with a sardonic tone. My eyes trailed up to his face. It was harsh and
rugged, but in a totally attractive way. The scar and eye patch topped it off.
So this was Xig.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“I, um…” I faltered,
unable to form words.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>Xig raised an eyebrow.
“Why don’t you come inside?”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Okay,” I nodded. Going
against better judgment, I followed him into the house.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>The man walked over to
his liquor cabinet, leaving me standing in the doorway awkwardly. “What’s your
poison?”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I shook my head. “I
shouldn’t be drinking or anything.” After what happened over the weekend,
drinking was the last thing I needed
to be doing, save being in to a strange man’s home, like I was now.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Oh, please,” he replied
sarcastically. “Don’t give me that load of bullshit. Whiskey or rum?”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Uhh….rum,”
I decided, giving into the ‘peer pressure’. As I sipped on the rum that was
given to me, I recalled wondering where I’d seen him before. And now, I
remembered.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>*~*~*~*
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>“An ‘F’? You got an ‘F’ in Biology?” Mom was flabbergasted
about the grade on my report card. “I can’t believe this. Science should be
like a second language to you, Demyx.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>I nodded slowly. “Sorry, Mom…I guess I wasn’t motivated.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>“We’ll fix that,” he said briskly. “I’ll start teaching a
Biology course next week. You’ll be attending.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>“But Mom!” I wailed. “It’s summer!”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>“You should have thought about that before you decided to
flunk Biology.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>I pursed my lips but knew not to argue. It was pointless to
do so. So, starting the next week, I began attending Mom’s class.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>“I expect you to be focused and on your very best behavior,”
Mom said before class. “From ten to eleven-thirty I am your professor, but
don’t forget that I’m also your mother. Act up and you’ll regret it.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>“Yessir,” I said, taking a seat.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>For the first few weeks, I actually did stay focused. I cued
in to what was being discussed and I finished my assignments. There was this
one day, though. I forgot to take my medicine because I was being rushed out of
the house. Naturally, I was constantly fidgeting and couldn’t be still. The guy
sitting next to me was getting annoyed, I could tell, especially when he shot a
glare at me. And man, he was scary when he glared.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Mom was discussing fish today, the most primitive of the
vertebrates. “Does anyone know what a baby fish is called?”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>“A fishlet?” Someone called.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>“Guppy?” A few other
random words were called out. By the look on Mom’s expression, he was ready to
smack every single one of us.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>“I’ll give you a hint,” Mom said. “You eat it at McDonalds’.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>“A nugget!” I called out immediately, not even thinking.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Mom’s eyes widened. “No. A fry.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>The guy next to me looked over at me and smiled cynically.
“You’re an idiot.”
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>“Thank you,” I said cheerfully. I leaned over towards him too
far while I spoke and fell out of my seat, then proceeded to giggle like crazy.
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>*~*~*~*~
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Are you going to stand
there like an idiot or you gonna drink?” He added, “I
know you can handle your alcohol.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Yeah…uh…” I took a gulp
of my rum. “Did you take a summer science course?”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Hm?” He thought for a
moment. “Yeah, Biology with vexing Dr. Vexen.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>My lip twitched. “style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>What?”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“I was kidding…”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“I can’t believe you said
that about my mom!”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“I said I was kidding.” He paused for a moment, smiling. “Huh…I do see
similarities now that you mention that.” His smile faltered. “We haven’t been
properly introduced. Name’s Xigbar,” he said, pointing to himself.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“I’m Demyx,” I said
quietly. I wasn’t sure of what to say now. I realized that I hadn’t properly
formulated my plan. Shit. I hadn’t
even thought of what to do after I
got into his house.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“So, what brings you
here?” Xigbar asked, setting his cup on the mahogany desk to his right. I
fumbled trying to form words. “You come back for more?”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“What?” I looked up in
alarm. “No!’
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>He walked towards me. A
part of me marveled over how someone so gruff-looking could walk so gracefully.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I felt his breath on my neck.
Hot and moist, it sent a tingly chill down my spine. I shuddered as his lips
grazed my neck. I looked at him in alarm. “W-what are you doing?”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Shut up,” he growled and
pushed me against the wall. His hips pressed against mine as he held my wrists
against the wall. He pressed his lips against mine, which parted in surprise.
His tongue found its way into my mouth, flicking over my tongue tauntingly.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>This was wrong, I thought. I had to stop this. But my body
overtook reason. I responded.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>My eyes closed and I
kissed him back, savoring his taste. What was a simple kiss escalated into
something much more. It was frantic, hungry.
Xigbar’s hands dropped to my waist and pulled me to him, as if we
weren’t already pressed against each other.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I wrapped my arms around
his neck, deepening the kiss. I ran my fingers through his black and grey
locks. Xigbar’s hair tie broke, causing his long hair to fall freely.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>He dropped his head to my
neck, kissing it again. I jerked my head to the opposite direction. He alternated
between sucking and biting. When he started to bite harder, I laced my fingers
in his hair and pulled, a small groan escaping from my lips.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I felt him smile against
my skin. His hands started to drift downwards….then we started to vibrate.
Xigbar lifted his head up and raised an eyebrow. I pulled out my class=SpellE>cellphone from my front pocket. Incoming Call: Marluxia. I looked up at Xigbar. “That’s Marluxia…I
better go.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>Xigbar grinned, almost
smugly, staring at me as if there was something completely hilarious about me.
“Of course.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I narrowed my eyes for a
moment then left Xigbar’s and walked next door. I slipped back into Mar’s
house. I walked past the living room to the bathroom, then walked to living room, to make it look like I had been there
the whole time.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Hey,” I said, sitting on
the couch.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>Axel was lying on the
floor, about a foot from the TV. The end-credits of Invader Zim
were on. He turned around and grinned at me. “Were you constipated or
something? We were getting worried about you.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I smiled wanly, but said nothing.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>While his attention was
temporarily not on the TV, Axel studied me. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“I’m fine.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>Axel narrowed his eyes
and crawled over. “What’s that on your neck?”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Huh?” I touched the side
of my neck.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“No, the other side,”
Axel said. “…Is that a hickey?”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “A what?” My eyes widened. That’s what that
jerk was so smug about!
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Mar, he has a hickey,”
Axel said, with a tinge of increasing anger.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“I can see that,”
Marluxia said quietly, not really seeing at all. He was looking at the carpet.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“How the style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>hell can you get a fucking hickey if you’re in the bathroom?” Axel’s green eyes narrowed.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Are you sure it’s a
hickey?” I laughed nervously. “I mean, it could be a mosquito bite…”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“I don’t know where the
hell you’re from, Demyx, but mosquito bites do not look like that,” Axel said pointedly.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I bit my lip. “Maybe I
should go home.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“That’s a good idea.”
Axel said, standing up. “I’ll take you. Don’t want Mar’s bathroom to come on to
you again,” he added sarcastically.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>*~*~*
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I sat in the passenger
seat in Axel’s car. There was an awkward silence between us. His angry aura
filled the car, nearly choking me. I guess I could understand that he was
pissed, but that understanding didn’t ease the stiffness in the station wagon
now.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Look, Demyx,” Axel said
abruptly. “I know what you did. I don’t fucking understand why you did that.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“What?” I felt a cold
sweat forming.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“You should be
considering Xigbar as the fucking plague and staying the hell away from him. I don’t
understand you.” He said fiercely, taking a sharp turn.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I was silent for a
moment. “I don’t remember what happened that night. I just wanted…to found
out.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“And by the looks of it,
you found and enjoyed it,” he said harshly.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I narrowed my eyes. “You
know, Axel, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say that you were style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>jealous.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>Axel slammed on his
breaks, stopped right at my driveway. He turned towards me, glaring. “Have fun
telling your parents about your ‘mosquito bite’.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I returned the glare and
slammed the car door, and stalked in the house. As soon as I walked into the
foyer, Mom popped his head out from the kitchen. “Dem-Dems,
you’re home!”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Yeah,” I replied. It was
the only thing I could manage to say at the moment.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“I’m so glad. Dinner’s
almost---Honey, what’s wrong?”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Nothing,” I lied.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>Mom walked over and
hugged me, trying to comfort me. He cocked his head to his side. “Demyx, do you
have a hickey?”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Think fast, Demyx, I told myself. “It’s not what you think. I went
to Roxas’s this afternoon to help him babysit. I
ended up falling asleep on the couch, and uh, Sora took it upon himself by
waking me up by playing ‘vampire’.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Sora style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>bit you?”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“Crazy little kid, isn’t
he?” I smiled slowly. I was getting good at lying and I didn’t exactly like that
fact.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>“I can’t believe that!”
Mom said. “What are they teaching that boy?” He shook his head. “Go upstairs
and wash up for dinner.”
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>I nodded and walked to
the bathroom. I was clammy and my stomach felt like there was a ton a bricks in
my stomach. I splashed water on my face, but it didn’t keep me from feeling
like shit. I never had to lie to my mom until now.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic"'>
