#*zemyx

[floriswrite]

"Those are /not/ Marluxia's hands." Demyx whispered when his eyes were suddenly covered after entering Marluxia's apartment.

"That's correct." Zexion grinned and removed his hands. "What are you wearing?"

"I, uh, Mar just told me to come over and I-" Demyx looked down at himself. His overworn shirt and shorts. "Figured it was just to hang... Please don't tell me you planned a surprise date."

"I have clothing for you on my bed." Marluxia stated from the couch before he stood. "Please have dinner before enjoying yourselves. My home is yours."

"We planned everything." Zexion responded. "Is it too much?"

"No, no, just feeling really underdressed but overdressed at the same time. What are /you/ wearing?" Demyx finally looked at Zexion. At the fact he was wearing pants and an apron and nothing else. He doubted the pants were going to last long.

"I might have raided Marluxia's closet for ideas and then we went shopping. Dinner is-"

"12 minutes. There's three timers going that are not our phones."

"Thank you." Zexion laughed a little. "I haven't done anything for you in a while."

Demyx hummed a little and curled his arms tightly around Zexion. "What did you make?"

"I learned way more about goat cheese than I ever planned to. I'm still trying to understand vegan cheese. And the farmer's market is way too early."

"You went to one?"

"I took him. Meals completely vegetarian and locally sourced. You two have fun."

"It's appreciated." Demyx whispered.

Marluxia nodded and walked over to kiss their foreheads.

[floriswrite]

“He’s falling for Demyx.” Marluxia mused. 

“I’ve always been prepared to lose him to the fae.” Vexen replied softly. “What are you looking for?” 

“All your books are spell books. I was hoping for something more recreational.” 

“You can read?” That brought Vexen to pause. 

“I am close to your royal court. Sir Brain taught me how to with Lady Ava’s permission.” 

“And you call me peculiar.” Vexen laughed. “I thought you disliked humans?” 

“Some are okay.” Marluxia frowned. “But most are awful.” 

“I see. My son has all my books. You can ask him for them when he returns with Demyx.” 

“He travels with them?” 

“His magic is amazing, Marluxia. A simple pocket dimension is nothing.”

[floriswrite]

"Can I speak to you privately? Ienzo?"

Even had first perked up when Lauriam entered the lab but the man was tense and did not look at either of them.

Ienzo turned from his calculations to take in Lauriam's appearance. He hadn't seen him this closed since he stumbled onto the basement cells. "I'm sure whatever it is Even can know as well."

"It is about Myde. I need... To talk. We need to talk. Privately." Lauriam responded, voice shaky.

Ienzo looked to Even and nodded after some moments. Myde was a sensitive topic. Ienzo had fallen into Zexion's past times with ease. Because Myde made it easy. Aeleus and his relationship was still tricky. "Okay."

“What was your Nobody and his’s relationship?” Lauriam did not waste time once they were in the hall.

“So this is about before,” Ienzo whispered “We passed time together. Demyx never truly believed himself to be Heartless. He was easy. There’s little more to it.” 

“And now?” 

“Now?” Ienzo rose a brow at him. “He’s always done what I needed him to. Even now he’s... convenient.” He turned away from him. “I am still trying to understand myself, Lauriam. What I feel. What my heart means. Myde knows this. Knows I need time.” 

“Too much time.” 

“What is that supposed to mean? Can you really talk about needing time? Do you have any idea how long Even waited? Myde’s been here. Demyx was working for /me/ while you could barely remember who you were.” He scuffed and turned on him, arms outreached. “Myde will be my boyfriend when I’m good and ready. But right now I have a Kingdom to keep together and my work.” 

“You do have those intentions. Truly?” 

“If he wants it, yes. But we were thrown together by circumstance. We’re not even from the same time. I do harbor the same doubts as Even. So, for now, I cannot be distracted.” 

“I see. That’s all I needed to know.” Lauriam nodded. “Our Keyblade is an extension of our heart. He’s been... having trouble. It’s hard enough getting him to fight in general, but now he can’t even summon his strongest Keyblade. I would like more than ever for him to not have to fight, but the Worlds are still not safe.” 

“I’ll talk to him. I barely like to summon /His/ Keyblade. So I understand.” 

“It has always been your destiny.” 

“What? To try to bring forth another Keyblade War? I much preferred my life before I even knew the Keyblade existed.”  

“What? When you were six?” Lauriam scuffed “Ven did tell me about that.” 

“That’s not the point...” Ienzo sighed. “I don’t want to be a spectator. I don’t want to be like my uncle. I want to help too.” He pressed a hand to his chest. “I’ll set our hearts right. Trust me.” 

“I want to.” Lauriam closed his eyes. “I need to trust you, Master Ienzo.” 

“I told you not to call me that.” 

“It is the truth.” Lauriam smiled at him. “I am done avoiding destiny. You need to be as well.” 

“I know.”