Kingdom Hearts Fan Fiction ❯ Out of My Element ❯ Into the Open ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 2: Into the Open

 

It was about six thirty in the morning, the day after Demyx had arrived. Axel was up and ready to head out for work but a phone call last night was preventing him from leaving. He really wished he hadn't answered it, a day absent surely wouldn't ruin the kid for life; that had probably already happened. The shower was running in the bathroom and, since his brother certainly wouldn't be up, Axel concluded that Demyx was in there. At least he was up. Well, maybe that wasn't such a good thing; Axel didn't do well with morning people.

Approaching the door he raised a hand and tapped on the door. There was a pause then a “Door's open!”. Axel turned the knob and entered. It didn't look like he'd been in long, but, still, morning people were the worst.

“Reno called last night,” He began as leaned against the sink, placing both hands on the cool surface, “He said that Rufus has you enrolled in a school nearby. I'm guessing you don't know how to get there yet because he suggested I drive you. I've got to be to work pretty soon, so you need to hurry up. You might be a tad early, but being early really isn't something you need to worry about.” The shower turned off as a hand reached out and snagged the towel hanging beside the curtains. It didn't look like one of theirs; Demyx had probably brought it himself. Odd since every household had extra towels.

The curtains came open and Demyx emerged, smiling brightly. How the hell did he make the light look so good on him?

“Thanks, I really appreciate it.” Grinned the teenager running a hand back through his short hair, “Hey, what was you're name again? I'm not very good with names, so I forget them a lot.” Admitted the teenager bashfully, turning his head down a little in embarrassment.

“Axel, A-X-E-L got it memorized?” Voiced the red head, a finger to his temple in a gesture.

“Thanks, Axel.” Demyx voiced cheerily as he slipped slowly by Axel, once past him he walked backwards both hands behind his back childishly as he did, “You're a real nice guy. I'm glad I didn't have to stay somewhere else.” Funny, that's not how he'd acted the other day. It was about then, Axel noticed he was staring, and not in a good way, at Demyx and he covered his eyes with a hand. Silently he scolded himself for doing that to a teenager and a boy no less.

He heard a soft giggle before the click and snap of the guest door opening and closing. Letting his hand drop, he exited the bathroom without a second thought and headed downstairs. Before he could even sit down to wait, the pitter patter of feet coming down stairs sounded, “Kay, Axel! I'm ready!” Demyx called, but in a quiet voice. Maybe he'd remembered Reno was asleep in his room.

“That was fast, have you eaten?” Axel questioned turning towards the stairs. Why did that kid have to look so good in any lighting, it had to be the light, no one looked that good naturally. Axel was kind of jealous, he was sure he didn't ever look so, ugh- he needed to stop thinking about it.

Demyx was wearing so white and blue tennis shoes, jeans again, a shirt with ocean designs on it, and a short jacket that looked to be hand embroidered with ocean waves and fish. It was sure a strange wardrobe, but to every man his own, “No, I'm not very hungry. It's my first day and all, so I'm a little nervous.” Voiced Demyx dropping his backpack by the stairs and jogging over into the kitchen.

“Sit down,” Axel commanded as he took his cell phone from his pocket. Finding his friend's name in the address book he called up his coworker.

“Hey, Ax! What's up? You don't call me in the morning much.” Came a voice over the device, it was on speaker phone. Axel set the phone on the counter.

“I might be a little late today, cover for me.”

“What?! Cover for you?! You little rat bastard! You never cover for me! This is the second time this month, what the hell are you doing in the morning that's so important! You know you can eat here at work, right?!”

Axel smiled wryly, leaning on the counter a little, “That not a very nice way to talk to me, Luxord.” Pushing himself off the counter, he began to pull out some pans, “I suggest you be a little nicer to your friends.”

“I am being nice! You're one being mean, Axel! If I get caught we'll both be in big trouble! I can't afford to be fired again Axel! I've got to pay for my tuition!”

“Oh, I know, but recall I'm the one who sweet talked our boss to hire you.” Axel reminded mockingly as he retrieved eggs from the fridge, “Besides, if you get caught I'll take the blame; you've got nothing to worry about. All you need to do is cover my orders until I get there and the more you stall now the more you'll have to cover for me, got it memorized?”

“Wha?! Come on! Don't do this to me! Please, I'm beggin' ya!”

“You know I love you Luxord, nothing bad will happen to you, I promise…” He assured pulling out the sugar, cinnamon, butter, and bread. “Unless you don't cover for me, at which point I might just let something slip during our Military Science class. Wouldn't that just be awful?” Axel's grin widened as a soft squeak was heard on the other end of the line, “Now be a doll and get to work, I'll see you when I get there.”

“That's low, really low.”

“Good bye, Luxord.”

“Low as-“

CLICK

Luxord was always good for covering at least. He always gave him a hard time, but he always ended up doing it. Axel couldn't ask for a better friend or a better secret to dangle in front of his face when he tried refusing him.

“Who was that?” Came Demyx voice from behind him.

“A friend. He goes to the same school as I do and is taking Military Science with me. Obviously he works with me as well.” Axel replied casually as he placed a slice of bread, soppy with egg and cinnamon and sugar, into the pan, “There's some syrup in the pantry over there. Third shelf.” Demyx dutifully retrieved the bottle and sat back down, “Do you have anything to eat for lunch?”

“No.”

Axel sighed, “I guess I'll have to fix you something while you're eating.” He voiced quietly bowing his head, the kid was hopeless, “Don't think I'm doing this to be nice or anything. You're my responsibility and as my responsibility I've got to make sure nothing bad happens to you, so I can't let you starve and get sick because of it.” Axel paused so Demyx could say something, but no objection or comment came, “Anyway, don't you know how to take care of yourself by now? You can cook right?” Another pause, no answer, “So I'm guessing your parents and Rufus have always just done everything for you-“ Axel glanced back at Demyx and he fell silent. Once again, Demyx was sulking quietly, looking miserable. This was going to get real old, real fast, “You know, if it's true you've got no room to be upset about it. Anyway, while you're here I'm not going to baby-sit so you're going to have to learn.”

“Whatever.”

“Here.” Handing over the plate Axel turned his attention away from the moody teenager. The boy's emotions just randomly did a 180, it wasn't his fault. The kid needed medication or something.

“I told you not to ask me about before.” Demyx muttered miserably before silently eating. If Demyx had to know, Axel didn't ask about `before'; if he'd mentioned anything about this `before' it had been a statement or rhetorical question.

As he prepared Demyx's lunch, Axel glowered at the newcomer. He hadn't been anything but kind to him; Demyx was just a spoiled brat. If he wanted to be that way, fine! It wasn't Axel's problem, all he had to do was make sure Demyx didn't get sick or hurt; psychological problems were not under his care.

Taking out a bag, he carefully packed the homemade lunched and set it on the counter, “Don't cause any trouble at school, I don't have a lot of time to come back here and deal with you if the principal calls, that goes double for Reno and Rufus.”

“I don't care; I can sit in detention for all I care. I wouldn't learn anything just the same.” Grumbled Demyx irritably.

“My, aren't you an unpleasant one?” Axel sneered.

“I wasn't aware I was supposed to be pleasurable for someone else's sake.” Replied Demyx crossly getting up and leaving the kitchen. He'd eaten what he was supposed to, so Axel didn't object. The redhead simply took up the plate and placed it in the sink before picking up the lunch and heading out the door for the day.

The drive to the school was a fairly uncomfortable one and because of that seemed ten times longer than it actually was. Demyx leaned against the car door, turned as far away from Axel as humanly possible while still being buckled in, “Hey, watch how fast you're going. I don't want to be killed because you suck at driving.”

“You know, even good drivers die in car crashes.” Axel scowled, “Now shut up before I deliberately wreck the car.”

“Don't joke about things like that you asshole.” Snarled Demyx angrily now turning in his seat, “Pull over, I want out now!”

“No, we're almost there anyway, so calm dow-“

“NO! Let me out!” Demyx demanded.

“Too bad, I'm not pulling over.” Axel said sternly. Demyx let out a growl of anger but sat back in his seat in a huff and fell silent. However, now he clutched the seatbelt with both hands, like it was his lifeline.

The car rolled to a stop out in the front of the school. Demyx didn't move to open the door, probably because he knew that Axel would lock him in if he did, “Want to tell me what your problem is?”

“No.”

“Then don't act so foul, if you're not going to talk about it there's no use in making everyone else miserable. We've all got our own problems so deal with yours in a way no one else has to be burdened with. Now be a good boy, go to school, sit in your little desk, and act like the world isn't a miserable place just like everyone else. Got it memorized?”

“Fine. I'll be good. Can I go now?” Demyx glanced out the window and frowned, a little more out of sorrow than anger.

“Yeah, get out.” Opening the door, Demyx picked up his backpack and got out of the car. Axel stopped him before he closed the door, “Lunch.” He reminded, and Demyx turned back around and took the sack lunch, “It's Tuesday so I'll come by and pick you up when you get out. You're on your own on getting home tomorrow.” Demyx nodded and closed the door. However, once out it seemed he was reluctant to go inside the building. Axel rolled down the window, “You want me to take you in?”

Demyx looked back at him with a pitiful look before bowing his head, “Yeah.”

With a soft sigh, Axel rolled up the window, got out, and locked the car, “All right then. Come on.” He beckoned as he headed for the doors, Demyx close on his heels, “You really don't have to worry about being new. I used to go to this school, it's pretty nice here.”

“When you went, there were different people.” Objected Demyx quietly.

“Even so if nothing else I can assure you the teachers are pretty nice. They're good people and they don't permit bullying or any of that kind of crap.” Axel voiced, not sure exactly why he was trying to comfort and calm Demyx but doing it none-the-less, “If you ever need help or support, just go to them and I'm sure they'll help you out. If that doesn't work out, I could probably get someone to look out for you here.”

“I don't need a bodyguard, I'll be fine...”

Axel almost commented on that but kept his mouth shut. If he said what he'd wanted, no doubt Demyx would have gotten angry and run off. The kid was pretty sensitive, he was like a two year old, seriously he needed to calm down, “All right, then I'll just get your paper work and send you on your way then.” He said as they slipped past the masses and into the quiet office, “Excuse me, I need to get the schedule for a new student.”

One of the women behind the desk turned to him, smiling, “Sure thing. I'll need a name.” She said as she picked up some folders.

“His name is Demyx- Hey, what's your last name?” Axel turned back to Demyx. Inside he cursed, “Hey, quit sulking like that, I need your last name to get your papers.” Demyx let out something of a groan as he bowed his head even more. There was just no working with him. No matter what Axel did, no matter how nice he was, he just couldn't get this boy figured out. Turning back to the woman he gave her an apologetic look, “Sorry, he's not too happy about how things are going today. He just moved here and my brother and I are stuck caring for him until his uncle gets the place ready.”

“Oh, no problem at all. Demyx isn't a common name, so there's only the one file.” The woman replied, “Here it is. Please check the information and you can be on your way.” She voiced handing Axel the file. Of course, the file was only in his hand for half a second before Demyx snatched it away from him and retreated a few feet.

The teenager quickly flipped it open, took out the schedule that he needed and closed it, “Here.” He muttered as he placed the file on the countertop.

“Oh, did you check the profile information? You're current residence?” She asked.

“Doubt it.” Axel muttered moving to pick up the file and change the information in it, he was sure that his address wasn't listed in the current address section so that needed to be fixed.

“Don't look in that!” Snapped Demyx, slamming his hand over it, “It's my stuff; don't look at it!”

“I was just going to fix the address, I'm sure you don't already have it memorized.”

“I can do it myself.” For a moment they were silent, Axel analyzing the anger in Demyx's eyes, before the redhead finally withdrew and allowed him some space. Demyx visibly relaxed and took the folder from the counter again and sat down in one of the chair in the office. Then he proceeded to fill out the second blank profile with current information. He skipped over the address section and returned to it at the end, “Tell me the address.” Axel did, “And your work phone and home.” Axel did. Then Demyx got up and returned the file.

The woman looked through it and smiled tenderly at him, “If you need to talk to someone, the counseling center is just next door. You can go there anytime.”

“Thanks, but I'm not a kid. I'll be fine. This sort of thing happens all the time, right?” Demyx voiced in a docile tone a small smile touching his lips. The woman frowned sympathetically.

“You should give it a try.”

Demyx rubbed his eyes and let out a forced sigh, before turning his head up and smiling brightly, “I'm completely totally fine, but if I need to I'll drop on by-“ A bell rang out and he looked up curiously, “Is that the bell to get to class.”

“Ten minutes.” Confirmed the office lady.

“Ah! Well, I guess I'd better go find my class, huh? Don't want to be late on my first day!” He said cheerily, “Thanks a lot; you've been really helpful and kind. See you later Axel; pick me up out front where you left the car. Bye!” Then he dashed out of the room and down the hall.

“Strange kid.” Axel shrugged before seeing the time on the clock, “Shit, Luxord's going to be pissed!” Then he was out the door and off to work.

 

 

And there's chapter two. As a quick summary, Demyx's actions are confusing the hell out of Axel.

Also, Axel doesn't love Luxord that way; he loves him as a friend. During this conversation Axel is talking pretty condescendingly which accounts for the `lovy dovy' way of talking over the phone. He's basically making fun of his friend.

If you don't understand a saying or something, just ask because I might use some sayings that are only common where I live. I'll try to keep things like that to a minimum.