#*apples

Vexen either needs Marluxia fully dressed or naked. Can’t handle this in between. 

But there Marluxia was, arms bare, hands brushing dirt onto his pants, "You came." and a dazzling smile.

Vexen swallowed and willed up all his professionalism. "You said you wanted to show me something, Eleven."

"I did." Marluxia nodded and straightened himself before turning away. "This way."

Vexen followed and willed his eyes to focus on the back of his head instead of his shoulder blades let alone ass. He hated Marluxia. He reminded himself sharply. He was there because the man had left him a letter of invitation.

Not that Vexen needed an invitation to visit the green house that Xemnas had gifted Marluxia. He dashed the thoughts over why and his own feelings on what Marluxia got up to in his free time. Those accusations had only ever gotten him troubled looks.

"Here." Marluxia stated as he stopped abruptly.

Vexen nearly walked into him, strides longer than the Assassin's, and he had gotten much closer than he intended. Underneath the smell of the green house was Marluxia. It would be so easy to lean closer and take in his scent further. He hid his fumble behind a soft cough and stepped back before he looked up. “You wanted to show me a tree?” 

Marluxia’s smile turned a little sharper. “An apple tree.” He clarified and gestured to the tree and its light pink blossoms. 

Vexen was positive they were in the middle of the green house and he gazed up at the tree. There was surely something he was missing. About nature. Or faith. Or just Marluxia in general. Some hidden joke or meaning. “An apple tree without apples.” 

“A fruit tree does not need to be presently baring fruit to be a fruit tree.” Marluxia hummed. He nearly made a quip about sexuality but he doubted Vexen would find the amusement in it. “That and come closer.” 

Vexen weighed his options and accepted that he was already in too deep in whatever game Marluxia was attempting to play. He walked forward as Marluxia took a few steps back until they were actually under the tree. The perverse part of his brain that the assassin seemed to activate so easily made a note on how easy it would be to back Marluxia up against the trunk. The rest of him followed Marluxia’s hand as he pointed upwards. 

Marluxia’s smile had softened as he pointed to an apple amongst the branches. He had seen it earlier in the day and decided that he really must share it with Vexen. He should have realized that the blond would not appreciate it the same way the roset it. Marluxia had tended to the tree since it was a mere seed. His magic had nursed it along, speeding the process considerably, but he still had every reason to be proud of it. 

Vexen and Marluxia reached for the apple at the same time. Vexen could only reason that that was why Marluxia had invited him. It was a brilliant shade of red. 

The artificial lighting made Vexen look as much like an angel as it did a corpse. They were hollow husks after all. Pale imitations of their Somebodies held on by sheer stubbornness.

He was beautiful to Marluxia either way. It made it so easy to lean up, to stand on his toes, and press his lips to the blond's.

Vexen startled after a few seconds, face turning a shade to match the apple, as he stepped back only to turn quickly and flee. 

Marluxia watched the blond's back as he vanished into a portal, dumbstruck, as his hand closed around air.

Vexen had just stolen his apple. His first apple. And while he had been weighing the option of giving it to him that had been a plan after kisses and banter. After correct payment.

He looked up at his now apple-less apple tree and heaved a sigh. It was still so young. The apples still growing. He doubted the blond understood the significance of having the first apple.

He knew not how fragile a tree could be.

He was not mad. It would take more than that to make him genuinely mad. Vexen was constantly rude while reprimanding others for their manners.

He was not sure what to call what he was. He was... Frustrated. But he always was when it came to Vexen. Agitated, perhaps. Annoyed.

He pondered letting it go. Vexen would surely realize what he did and come find him. He would not apologize. The blond so rarely let the word sorry pass his lips. But he would make it clear that he felt remorse.

He sighed and turned fully from his tree and its bees. No. No, Vexen had stolen from him. He had stolen from him and not returned his kiss. He could not let both of those injustices go.

Vexen: IM TOO GAY FOR THIS *flees*

BASICALLY.