#*attention

mikey: so...welcome wakasa and benkei.

benkei: thank you, boss.

wakasa: ...

benkei: /*nudges wakasa's shoulder with his elbow*/ come on, say thank you.

wakasa: /*glares at mikey

koko: so about the-

mikey: it's not my fault anniki died-

wakasa: did i say it's your fault?

mikey: it looks like it-

wakasa: you're nothing but a brat who steals shin-chan from me and-

mikey: but he's my brother-

wakasa: takes all the time for me to have him. even in his last minutes, you were with him-

benkei: you know it isn't his fault for being his brother-

koko: about the-

mikey: /*dark impulses*/ HE WAS MY BROTHER

wakasa: and you keep stealing him away from me!

koko: /*whispers to benkei*/ what is going on?

benkei: they're rivals for shin's love

"Hm?" The roset made a sound and did not look up from the journal he had.

"Why do you spend so much time here?" Vexen asked carefully. He had long stopped writing to stare at Marluxia.

"Do you reference the lab or yourself?"

"Both." Vexen admitted.

"I like to read. I find comfort in your lab. In the sound." Marluxia set down the journal. "I'm not sure why. But at my core it is calming."

"A memory from when you had a heart most likely." Vexen responded.

"Most likely." Marluxia nodded.

"And me?"

"When you are not coming to horrid accusations I find your company enjoyable."

"You were right about before." Vexen swallowed. "About me being jealous."

How many times have I lifted some part of my clothing tonight to show off a tattooooo?