Fate's Fool

His doorknob feels--

“ROSEMARY!”

He’s going to wash his hands. And the doorknob. And the door.

      Zexion sighed, exasperated. “For the umpteenth time, that man was not my father. Though, he most likely shares my father’s fate in being dead.”

      That stopped him. The conversation continued, and Zexion’s gaze narrowed with the next choice of words.

      “Too little too late,” they mocked, “Same with now. For a time mage, you never seem to be on time.”

“No. I was too late to save you.”

      Again, Ten was right. Again, Zexion refused to admit such. They turned as Ten walked away.

      “Even if I were, Nobodies should not possess the ability to care, especially you. Lourd certainly stopped caring quite a long time ago.”

Luxord stopped dead in the middle of the hallway.

      This game now? Fine.

      “As you should, Lourd. I am unsure why you bothered with me in the first place.”

“You were asleep.”

“And vulnerable.  Good night, Ienzo.”

      Zexion kept their frown. 

      “If you were missing old times, perhaps you should disappear.”

      Unfortunately, Ten had a point. Though, Zexion was not about to say such things. They pushed themself off the wall.

      “You do not have the authority to give me orders, Ten.” Their voice came through clear for the first time in the past few minutes. “Do you not have someone else to bother?”

Ah, now he was awake.

      A pout formed on Zexion’s lips as they glared at Luxord. Well, as much of a glare as they could muster while still half-awake. They believed it sufficed.

      “Anyone else may have left me alone. Why aren’t you?”

“Demyx would never have let you hear the end of it and you know it, Schemer. Go to bed.”

      How did they manage that? They stopped to rest their eyes, not sleep. Zexion shook their head.

      “I believe I would’ve noticed.” More mumbling, barely coherent. Using their hand, they stifled a yawn. “Why’re you here anyhow?”

      Zexion did not believe it to be possible, but they did, in fact, doze off while standing. Their eyes closed, and head leaning to the side, they did not notice Luxord approach. 

      Well, for a minute or two at least. They had not yet reached deep sleep. Squinting, they looked at Luxord before sighing, and closing their eyes again.

      “What d’you want?” they mumbled.

“You fell asleep, dear boy. Standing upright, as it were.”

He kept the teasing tone from his voice. Why would a Nobody, a Founder suffer from insomnia.