Kingdom Hearts Fan Fiction ❯ Behind the Smoke Screen ❯ Salutations ( Chapter 3 )

Note to Disclaimers: I do not and never will own Kingdom Hearts 1, 2 or CoM so…please do NOT sue me. I have nothing to give anyone and no profit will be made from this...unless reviews are considered profit...er...anywayz...yeah, enjoy!

A/N: Ok, I think I have an idea of where this will be going but I guess there isn't too much to say just yet. Read and Review, flame, whatever. I take all at this point. Hahaha. There is still Boy Love, Yaoi, M/M relationships; I don't think i can make it any clearer. That is all folks. Please enjoy.

Word coding: ' Thoughts' , "Speaking", Random flashbacks

Salutations

“Did you get the supplies?”

She looked up lazily from her reading. “Did you?”

“Why do you always have to be a smartass?” Came the response from the red-head standing in the bleak doorway, hand on his hip. “But yeah, I did, for your information.”

She nodded. “Good, then. Now you can just tell Roxas that he needs to find the rest of the parts and we can complete our plan.”

He raised a delicate, finely shaped brow. “And what plan is that? Since when do you even scheme? That’s Zexion’s trademark, isn’t it?”

Once again she nodded, this time bringing her gaze up towards him, lazily watching as he walked further into the room. “What’s your point, jerk-off? People change. Isn’t that what you’re always telling me?”

“I don’t think we’re on the same page…” he trailed as another figure bounded into the room. He immediately grabbed the smaller, shorter figure, taking it into his arms possessively until it whined loudly and persistently. “Shut up. I’m hugging you, and you know you want to stay here.”

“Yes, quite the display of affection—how gross,” she snapped irritably. “Now take it somewhere else before I die of disgust, thanks.” She returned to her reading of her beloved book, The Marquis de Sade, as the red-head gave her a death glare, dragging his counterpart into a different, more secluded part of the house. Once gone, she relished in the silence it gave as she leaned back against the hard, stucco-like surface of the wall. The places where dap was still in need happened to be the only places where she could lean back. Annoyed, she fluffed her pillow and tried to block the crud from sticking to her ebony night shirt. The silence was short-lived, however, when a cry filled the air, one she would have preferred never to hear, and made her cringe. ‘I do NOT want to hear that EVER again!’ Grabbing her headphones from the bedside, she shoved them forcefully on her ears in order to block out the rising noise. ‘Geez…some people have no courtesy whatsoever.’ Nevertheless, she went back to reading her book, trying desperately to become engrossed in the pages like when she was younger.

Outside the calm breeze swept through, not entirely cool or hot but with a distinct humidity to it that made her skin crawl, which is why she stayed inside so much. The sun was not high in the sky but it wasn’t quite close to setting just yet either, shading the sky with soft yellows, oranges and pale blues that made her long for the outside. ‘Not enough though,’ she thought as she yawned, staring through the opened curtains. Only during the daytime did she leave them ajar, and only if she was not standing there in plain view. Unlike her housemates, who were busily “pleasing” themselves in another room, she tended to stay inside most of the time, only visiting the peaceful but somehow bustling crowded town when it was nighttime. This was mainly so that she could retrieve food and living supplies; she only went to one place and they knew her well there—they didn’t seem to mind her at all. And on certain nights, when she was feeling friskier, she would wander about the streets with her companions, who ignored her when around each other—relationships, blah—and scope out the new stores that popped up from time to time. Or she would just walk around with them, reminiscing about the past or about family or about a lot of different things.

The peace reigned for a moment more before the noise level rose and penetrated the silent shield created by the headphones and music filtering through them, ticking her off. ‘THAT DOES IT!’ Growling in frustration, she tossed the wired objects to the corner before stomping her way to the room adjacent to the entrance, throwing the door open in a furious rage. She promptly ignored the position that Axel and Roxas were in—Axel towering over Roxas, who was pinned against the wall, legs wrapped around Axel’s waist where his pants were undone and hanging off, slightly—as she glared, daggers in her eyes. She fumed angrily as she pointed an accusatory figure at her companions. “Can you TRY to keep your shit under wraps, at least for a few minutes? I don’t care who you fuck, where you fuck or how you fuck—fuck all you want! But dammit…can’t you at least let me fall asleep first before you fuck Roxas senseless? He is so damn loud! So either you get me thicker headphones, a pair of earmuffs or you gag him every time you guys want to fuck each other into oblivion!”

Axel blinked before actually registering that she was standing in the doorway. “Uh…could you close the door?” Roxas squeaked, hiding his face in Axel’s shoulder as he turned about six different shades of red. She simply rolled her eyes before slamming the door. He chuckled as he turned back to his lover who was still hiding. “Now…where were we Roxie?” Roxas pouted as Axel claimed his lips again, this time muffling the moans leaving his mouth. ‘There…that should make her happy…for now.’

Meanwhile, she rubbed her temples as she walked back to her room, settling herself on the bed and grabbing her book again. ‘Is there even a point?’ The day had started off brilliantly; they were going to trick Demyx, with Zexion’s help, into spending the night so that they could tie him up and play dress up—Axel’s idea of course. Larxene didn’t resist the suggestion but with her friends taking care of certain “needs” in the rooms over, she found that her interest in the plan had waned; and her book was forgotten. She stood up, stretched and walked to the window. She was feeling slightly sadistic at the moment, and so took a look outside only to see a thin, young blonde girl walking towards the house. A sigh threatened to escape her lips as she took the stairs to the entrance, wondering how she was going to deal with the girl this time around. Her temples were throbbing as she waited by the gate.

“Larxene,” came a timid voice. “Are you here?”

The older female of the two stepped forward, her arms opening as the smaller girl darted into them, tears falling down her pale cheeks. Larxene gave a half-hearted smile as she smoothed out the younger girl’s hair. “Namine.” If there was anyone she truly cared about in the world, it was her little sister. True, she’d been labeled as a heartless bitch countless times, which she knew was partially true; she was pretty sadistic, cold and generally indifferent—nothing would change that. However, Namine was her sister, her little sister, and she held a soft place in her heart that only a few of her close friends knew of. She patted the younger girl’s head as sniffles were heard. “It’s ok Namine, it’ll be all right.”

“No, it’s not ok,” Namine replied, wiping her tears futilely since more kept fallings. “Dad is horrible…I miss you! Please, please come back!”

“You know I can’t do that,” Larxene replied stonily at the thought. Namine took no offense to her tone. “Listen,” she glanced back at the house. “When you turn 18 in a few months, then you can come live with me by your own choice. I know it’s not much, but it’s what mom left us.”

“I don’t care what the house looks like. I just want to get out already!” Namine burst into tears all over again as she hugged Larxene’s waist, crying over and over again. “I hate it there! I hate him! He’s not even our real father!” She was still crying when Roxas and Axel came into view, Roxas’ face brightening at the sight of his playmate. Namine would have kept crying had she not heard him call her name. Immediately she let go of the older girl and grinned through her tear-filled face. “Hi Roxas, Axel! I didn’t know you two were here!”

Once they’d finished exchanging greetings and had started talking to each other, Axel walked over to where Larxene was leaning against the gate’s metal bars. “So,” he started conversationally, “how is she doing?”

“It’ll be so much better when she can live here,” Larxene answered, rubbing her temples. “But at least…Roxas makes her happy.”

“Makes all happy.” Axel nodded, the tattoos under his eyes shimmering in the setting sun; Larxene ignored the implications of his comment. “Say, is Demyx still coming over?”

Larxene stiffened. “Uh…isn’t it YOUR job to find that out?”

“No,” he retorted as he started to walk away. He would’ve made it far had Larxene not grabbed one of the spikes sticking obnoxiously out on the back of his head. “Hey, you sadistic bitch! Let go of my hair!”

“Not until you do your part of the job, flame boy!” She shouted back, tugging at his red mane. Axel yelped when she pulled his hair and suddenly poked his back with the sharp little knives she carried in her coat sleeves. “Just do it before I let Namine sleepover! You know you won’t be getting any if she does stay here!”

Axel paled. “You wouldn’t!”

She smirked evilly. “Like hell I won’t! Do it, fire starter!”

Huffing, he marched away once she’d released her hold, disappearing into the house. Moments later Roxas and Namine were pointing to the sky and giggling together, loudly. She watched the scene with a sense of serenity that hadn’t filled her in ages. The sky had now turned a slighter darker shade of blue, signaling that the sun was about to set, and that it was time they headed inside. Whistling to the two teenagers jumping madly about the ground, she pointed to the house and mouthed one word. “Inside.” Namine and Roxas nodded and ran inside the dilapidated house, content to be with each other. Namine was more than glad that she didn’t have to go home; Larxene was sure the younger girl had made and excuse of some sort to present to their “father” while she was away. ‘Well, she has some cunning, though she doesn’t always use it.’ Once inside the warmth of the house she saw Axel teasing the two by dangling a box of cookies over their heads. Roxas was pouting and Namine was huffing as they both tried to grab the box, which was entirely too far out of their reach. Snorting, Larxene walked by, deftly grabbing the box from Axel’s waving hand and proceeded to stuff them into her own mouth.

“You’re such a sadistic bitch,” Axel growled as Roxas stared in surprise.

Namine simply shook her head. “That’s my sister for you.”

“Yes, I’ve been meaning to ask you about that,” Axel said as he leaned over until he was eye level with Namine. “How exactly did you live with THAT thing for so many years?”

Roxas blanched when Larxene walked up and tossed a cookie at the red-head. “Shut it, Ax. You’re grating on my nerves.”

“And you’re pissing me off ant-head!” Axel shouted back, smirking.

“Oh yeah? Say that to my face prissy boy!” She yelled back, the cookies forgotten as she reached for her little knives.

Axel popped out his lighter and can of hairspray that he kept in order to burn things fast, and properly. “You bet I will, you lightning bug! C’mere so I can char your antennae!”

“That’s it, Flame boy! You’re so dead!” She snarled as she lunged at him. Axel caught her midway, reversing the roles so she was knocked backwards. He straddled her and waved the lighter in her face as she tried to stab him with her little kunai. He almost laughed at his success when she managed to put a nice rip right through the right sleeve of his favorite black coat. Roaring, Axel shoved her back into the wood flooring, pinning her hands above her head with his right hand. With the other he flipped open the lid of the hairspray and sprayed her hair, generously. With that done, he reached for the lighter, popped the lid open and held the bright, orange-red flame to the long strands of hair he’d mentioned before. She let out an indignant huff as she settled down—a little, so as not to get her hair burned. “You are such an asshole, you red-haired alien freak!”

“I win,” he answered, smiling madly.

“Like hell you do, jerk face!” She lifted her legs, bringing her knees up so hard that they knocked his back and sent him flying over her head. Scrambling to her feet as quickly as possible, he barely had time to recover before she had pounced him from behind, her knives pinning him to the floor, face first, by his coat sleeves. She dug the heel of her boot into his back, until he yet out a yelp. She heard him let out a string of obscenities soon after, then leaned close to his ear and whispered, menacingly. “Uh-uh, my dear, flame child…I WIN.”

“Bitch.”

“Whore.”

“I hate you.”

“I hate you, too.”

Roxas shook his head. “Hey Namine, want to go play “who’s the better killer?” She made a face to which Roxas could only shake his head again. “Ok, fine, no violent games. How about…we just go get some food?”

“Great, I’m starving!” She smiled as they went to the refrigerator while Axel and Larxene continued to argue like a married couple. “You know what?” Roxas blinked at her, awaiting her response. “If I didn’t know you and Axel were together already, I’d say those two wanted each other.” Roxas chortled at the scene as they looked again. Axel had somehow managed to free himself and was trying to corner Larxene; he failed when she pushed him up against the small table in the middle of the room. “Hm…but I don’t know what I’d do if Axel was going out with her. I think everything in this house would’ve burned down already. Or if my sister could’ve, she would’ve trapped electricity in a jar and fried him with that.”

“Or stabbed him with her knives,” Roxas offered as he munched on the now available cookies. He was about to take her to his room when he heard a door slam from somewhere in the lower parts of the old mansion. He looked back to Axel and Larxene who had paused mid-battle at the noise; Namine had stopped eating her cookie and was looking around as well. “Um…hey Axel, Larxene…do you think Demyx decided to come after all?”

Larxene opened her mouth to cuss out Axel when a resounding shout was heard around the hollow, echoing mansion walls. “HEY! AXEL, LARXENE, WE’RE HERE FOR THE SLEEPOVER!” When they didn’t answer they heard him shout again. “ARE YOU GUYS EVEN HERE?”

Roxas was the first to come to his senses as Larxene raised a knife in Axel’s direction, hissing something unintelligible while Axel backed away. “Demyx, we’re up here, in the kitchen by the den.”

“Great, we’re coming up.” His footsteps echoed around the house as he asked them random questions from whichever direction he was coming. “Hey, are there enough beds?”

Larxene paused as Axel put his lighter away, signaling that they were through—for the moment. “Course we do, you idiot. Why wouldn’t we? You two sleepover all the time—it’s just you two, isn’t it?” Silence. “Demyx?”

“Uh…well…you see…”

Larxene had pretty much had it. Putting her knives away she stomped forward until she was in the doorway, a figure to be reckoned with from where Demyx was ascending the staircase. “You bastard! You know how I feel about you bringing random fucking people here, especially since our happy little ass always forgets to let me know in advance! That’s why I live here, because it’s away from that place and those people!”

Demyx raised his hands in defense as Zexion pushed past her to go see what there was to eat, leaving the musician to fend for himself. Demyx had passed her as well, though she was following him behind his back. “Listen, if you’d let me explain, then maybe—”

“Explain? What’s there to explain? It’s my house you idiot!” She fumed.

Zexion had already started looking in the cabinets for something to eat while Namine and Roxas kept talking, Axel quietly hugging Roxas the entire time. As for Larxene and Demyx, they were so engrossed in their argument that Demyx almost forgot what he was trying to say. Larxene raised a fist to pound Demyx into the ground when he smiled happily and waved. Taken aback, she gave him a puzzled look. “Hiya Mar! Glad you didn’t get lost here! Larx’s house is kinda big…and falling apart…” A glare. “But it’s great for sleepovers and parties, like today’s!”

Larxene dropped her fist as she turned around, mentally preparing herself to cuss out this person Demyx had brought. She whipped around, face set in an angry frown and light blue eyes met Sapphire. She took a step back as the man standing in the doorway gave her a passive look, his brown hair contrasting nicely with the wall behind him. He blinked and she found herself stumbling for words. When he said nothing, she turned away as she tried to regain her composure though her cheeks wanted to show fire. “Who is this, Demyx?”

“Marluxia, come here!” The man walked forward until he was standing beside the hyper-active blonde. “Larxene, this is Marluxia. Mar, this is Larxene, the woman of the house. Those people over there are Axel, Namine and Roxas.”

“Are you two dating?”

Larxene blanched as Marluxia pointed from her to Axel. ‘Who does he think he is asking questions like that?’ She was furious beyond all measure and was about to answer him with a snappy comment when Axel cut in, waltzing over and being the biggest flirt ever. “Hey there, tall and handsome. The name is Axel, got it memorized?” Marluxia nodded. “And no, we’re not together so if you’re available...”

“Hey, you asshole! You and Larxene may not be dating but we sure as hell are!” Roxas quipped as he jumped Axel, hugging him fiercely and somewhat possessively. Marluxia nodded, stepping away a bit as Roxas smiled happily. “Hi! I’m Roxas! Don’t mind Axel, he’s the biggest flirt in town.”

“Yeah, but I’m your flirt,” Axel replied, pinching Roxas’ nose.

“Nice to meet you,” The brown haired man greeted, shaking Roxas’ outstretched hand.

“Hi…I’m Namine,” the young girl smiled as she shook his hand as well, though she seemed rather timid; she was still polite. “It’s very nice to meet you Marluxia. Do you live here or are you visiting?”

“Um…just visiting. I’m a friend of Demyx’s.” Marluxia leaned down until he was on his knees, ruffling Namine’s hair, granting her a grin as she giggled shyly. “Something tells me that I’m going to really like you.”

“You sound like a pedophile,” Demyx remarked as Zexion reached for him. “Hey, not right now!”

“That’s my little sister you’re talking to, you damn pervert!” Larxene shouted as she pushed Namine out of the way, glaring daggers at Marluxia. The man being accused slowly stood up to his full height, towering over Larxene as he looked down at her, impassively. She continued to glare up at him until his lips formed into a smirk. Suddenly annoyed, she turned away, abruptly, cursing him under her breath as she stomped away towards the hall. Once she’d reached the doorway she whipped around and gave him a sadistic smirk. “By the way, the name is Larxene. Don’t piss me off. You’d do well to remember that.”

As soon as she’d vanished, Namine sighed. “Um…you’ll have to forgive her…she’s just…”

“I understand,” Marluxia replied, smirk growing ever wider. Demyx, Zexion, Axel and Roxas stared at Marluxia like he was nuts before he motioned to the TV. “So, you guys had some grand sleepover planned?”

Axel nodded as he pointed towards their supplies, which consisted mainly of junk food and various types of alcohol. “Yeah, a grand fuckin party!” His hands sought out Roxas, snagging the blonde by his hair as he swept him into a playful, sensual kiss before darting after Larxene. “Be right back! I’m gonna go retrieve the hostess!”

“She’ll be fine,” Demyx reassured as Marluxia stared after the fleeing young man. “Larx is always like this when it comes to sleepovers. She gets uncomfortable about…people she’s not used to; you shoulda seen her when she met Zex! I mean…you…uh…”

Marluxia nodded. “Yeah, I get it. Stop blabbering Demyx, it makes you sound stupid.” He moved to sit down on the couch just as Larxene walked in and sat where he was going to. She glared up at him, daring him to ask her to move; he simply shook his head again and sat opposite her as everyone else took their seats as well. “What are we watching?”

“Silent Hill?” Zexion asked as he held up the box closest to the DVD player. “Hm…a horror flick…I see. Who picked this?”

“I did,” Axel said. “I wanna see some people get thrashed!”

Namine shuddered. “I don’t like horror films…”

“Too bad,” Larxene snapped; one again, Namine took no offense as she latched onto Roxas’ other sleeve that wasn’t occupied by Axel’s grip. As for herself, Larxene scooted away as Zexion pulled Demyx into his lap. She made a disgruntled noise when she realized there was no more room on the couch—it was getting cramped. Sighing, she stood up and sat on the floor, desperately wanting to push someone off. She looked up at Axel, who was busily trailing small kisses down the side of Roxas’ face while Namine poked his cheek. When Namine and Axel got together, tormenting Roxas was their favorite hobby. The spiky haired blonde looked redder than his boyfriend’s hair, and Larxene had to suppress an amused laugh as she returned her gaze towards the TV.

And he was staring at her, though she had no clue as to why. His sapphire eyes were only half-open but he appeared to be thinking; so maybe he wasn’t staring at her? She ignored him as she returned her attention to the screen just as the opening credits began to roll. Demyx and Axel had already started drinking the bottle of Bacardi 151 while Roxas took sips from his cup of Bacardi gold. ‘Talk about alcoholics…’ She was returning her attention, once again, to the TV screen when she saw Namine sipping something. Normally, she didn’t care that everyone around her drank but she wasn’t fond of them corrupting her little sister. Nothing was said as she snatched the cup from Namine and tossed it out the window, giving her sister a look that said no. Marluxia looked up at this in time for the Larxene to leave his view and Namine to pounce him as Axel and Roxas started making out on the couch; so maybe she wasn’t as shy as he originally surmised. He caught the young girl in his arms as a sudden scream pierced the air, shocking her as she buried her face in his coat sleeve. Demyx raised a brow at this but his attention was pulled away when Zexion whispered something in his ear. Larxene, it seemed, had been gone for at least 20 minutes because Axel had all but dragged a very willing Roxas behind the couch for more entertaining activities. Marluxia tried to block out the noises of the two young men who were, not very successfully, trying to remain inconspicuous about their sexual endeavors.

Demyx was watching the TV again while Zexion took a drink from a flask that he was sure contained some type of brandy or whiskey. It didn’t seem to fit Zexion’s personality, but then again, Marluxia didn’t know too much about him. ‘At least they’re not making out like the other two.’ His thoughts were interrupted when Namine clutched at his arm in fear, watching from behind her fingers as the monster known as Pyramid Head ripped the skin off some woman. Marluxia would’ve cringed in blatant disgust had he not heard a gasp from the doorway. Four heads looked over to see Larxene, fist shaking furiously as she pointed an accusatory finger at the brown haired man. He didn’t understand why she was so pissed off until he remembered the young woman in his arms, and Larxene’s earlier disapproval of his talking to Namine. He was about to speak when Larxene marched over, snatched Namine up by her arms—Namine yelped in pain—and fled the room in a flurry of anger. “Stop touching my sister you pedophile!”

Stunned, Marluxia looked over to Demyx and Zexion who were shaking their heads. Axel and Roxas had yet to come up for air. The young man slowly fell back onto the bean bag chair he’d been occupying, rubbing his forehead. Whether it was in annoyance, frustration of humor, no one really knew. “Fuck me…”

“Damn…I haven’t seen Larx that pissed off since…” Demyx trailed off, trying to remember an instance. “Well…”

“Not since I fried a piece of her hair,” Axel supplied, reappearing from behind the couch, readjusting the strap of his wife-beater and looking around for his coat. All fell silent as they stared at the red-head; but moments later they heard Roxas panting as he tried to catch his breath. Axel smirked while looking down next to him at the young blonde, though no one else could see. “Wore you out already, did I?”

Roxas let out an indifferent huff. “No, don’t get a big head.”

Then there was a thundering of footsteps as they heard someone running, Larxene shouting and glass shattering. Demyx looked up from his cup of Bacardi 151 to give the hallway a curious stare. Zexion kept sipping from his flask, glancing every now and then from the forgotten movie to his boyfriend while Axel and Roxas shrugged their shoulders. Marluxia didn’t know what to do. He was saved, however, when Namine came running back into the living room—not necessarily smiling or frowning—to sit down in the spot next to Marluxia. He gave her a curious stare when she smiled up at him; more shattering glass could be heard from the end of the empty hallway. Namine shook her head as Demyx and Zexion started making out as Axel and Roxas resumed their positions of sitting on the couch, alcohol bottles in hand, both singing some odd tune, merrily.

“Don’t worry Marluxia. She’s venting. She does this…a lot.” With that said, Namine went back to the movie.

Marluxia shrugged and resumed watching too, the pair ignoring their friends’ rabid make-out session until it got so bad that Marluxia sent them to another room. Once gone, it left Namine and Marluxia there, on the couch, by themselves. Namine was quite pleased because, even though Roxas was her best friend and she liked to torture him, hearing him and Axel making out was not her idea of riveting company. As for Demyx and Zexion, well, Demyx was so drunk that he practically begged Zexion to take him to bed because he was tired. Marluxia had shaken his head at that comment. ‘Yeah right…you pull that one all the time Demyx, you kinky bastard.’ Sighing, he finally settled down next to Namine on the battered couch, a bowl of popcorn and a cup of soda in his hands. Of course, his had some Vodka in it as well; but Namine’s was soda-only. Larxene had yet to reappear in the den, having not resurfaced from her raging venting session in her room. At least the noise level had dimmed and they could actually pay attention to the movie.

At the scary parts Namine would latch onto his arm; and although he didn’t usually like people too close to him, he allowed this. For some reason he liked this girl—she was too sweet. When the movie had ended, Marluxia was about to stand and bid the younger girl goodnight but realized she had fallen asleep against him. Sighing—he’d been doing that a lot lately—he allowed her to stay there as he shut the TV off with the remote and turned his gaze to the window. The silence was deafening, only interrupted by Namine’s steady breathing that could be heard in steady intervals. Marluxia was staring at the moon, somehow feeling more peaceful as the girl snuggled against his chest, breathing in the scent of his coat. Normally, all signs would point that he should run, flee from the scene of what could become a potential crime; but when she muttered something, he could only let out a small smile.

“Riku…why…?” At this, she gripped the zipper of his coat as a tear slipped from her eye.

He wiped it away as he smoothed her hair, whispering soothing words into her ears even though he was sure she couldn’t even hear him; something about her reminded him of a memory he’d tried to forget. “Don’t worry Namine.” When her breathing evened out completely and she muttered nothing further, Marluxia felt comfortable enough to go to sleep. As he laid his head back on couch arm, he felt Namine snuggles closer, spooning herself against his chest. Too tired to push her away and not wanting to seem cold, he just stared at her for a few seconds. ‘This is my home now…this is…my…home…’ Sleep came at last.

In her room, Larxene stared at a frame of shattered glass that littered her once clean floorboards. Things had just changed again.

Home…just a bunch of useless, bad memories.

Sadistickunais