#*zexion

And these days he made sure Zexion did the same.

A cracked window was an easy invite from a witch. The bit of bread and honey. It was good to make friends with the creatures around him.

Nothing could have prepared him for Zexion shaking him awake with a panicked look. For his insistent hands and clinging shadows. The Dark had always curled close around the boy. Kept him safe.

It had stormed the night before and it was perfectly common to wake to waterlogged wings on his table beside the candle made for guests.

It would go out if they meant harm.

This was different.

The candle shied away from the pair as much as it tried to help them.

Fairies were common in these parts. He took great care of the plants around his cottage to aid them.

He recognized the pink-haired one faintly. He kept around his roses and had a way with thistle. He was on high alert as he stood firmly before a blond fairy.

"You're safe." Zexion whispered. Vexen knew his tone to mean he'd said it many times before.

It was not normal for a fairy to show fear or anger.

"What happened?" Vexen questioned carefully. "You may call me Vexen."

Blue eyes were sharp on him even at hardly a foot tall. "You can call this place safe as much as you want but I've seen humans capture us. Know our rules."

"I only offer hospitality." Vexen countered. "You've given my son quite the fright. Do you not think it right to say why?"

The fae stared at him before turning to his companion. "Go ahead."

The blond moved away and sat down beside the candle.

"In your language my name is Marluxia. His is Demyx." The fairy started and walked towards them. "I am a nature fairy while he is water. He thought it smart to go out in the storm."

"Wings a bit too fresh for that?" Vexen set a hand down on the table.

Marluxia started at it carefully before walking around it a few times. "Yes. But even the oldest fairy has their limits."

"True." Vexen hummed. "I seek only explanation."

Marluxia stepped slowly onto his palm and sat down. "I enjoy walking at night. When all the flowers are asleep. I found him half dead by a pond."

"I wasn't that bad!" Demyx huffed. "You're the one that shouldn't have been out!"

"That is all there is to say." Marluxia responded. "You're a peculiar human. Hardly warm."

"My specialty is water, ice particularly." Vexen explained and slowly lifted him to offer his shoulder. "Child, start on breakfast."

Zexion gave him a look and turned away. His name was precious.

"You offered your name but fear his," Marluxia mused "Peculiar indeed."

"I did not offer it."

"Mm, but you would." Marluxia carefully climbed onto his shoulder and nestled against his neck and hair. "Thank you."

"Why were you out?"

"Because I could be." Marluxia responded. "Allow us to stay longer?"

"As long as Demyx needs to recover." Vexen was careful.

"He looked ready to kill me." Zexion whispered as he waited for the kettle to boil.

"It's normal to be cautious. We can each steal the other's soul." Vexen responded. "They'll be gone soon enough."

"You did not fear that from him." Zexion stared up at him.

"Nothing for him to own." Vexen blinked down at him. "I thought you knew as such."

"I still think it unfair."

"You were worth everything."

Zexion sighed to himself. "Yes, father. But you still let him close."

"I don't believe this fairy is sleeping. A nature fairy should not be out at night."

"You casted a spell on him?"

"Not as such. I knew my body temperature would work." Vexen smiled at him. "Go check on our other guest."

Zexion gave a little nod and walked away.

Vexen focused on making tea and bringing down his enchanted tea set so their guests could join them.

He warmed bread and brought down various jams.

He froze when he turned to Zexion speaking to a very human sized fairy. It was common for them to be able to control their size. His translucent wings glimmer with blue as they fluttered behind him.

"S-sorry," Demyx hands moved with his words "I didn't mean to startle. I thought I might startle less like this. I-"

Vexen shook his head. "I ask that you stay longer for his sake if you are feeling better."

"Yeah. Yeah, I can do that." Demyx nodded. "He's asleep?"

"He is." Vexen replied and set down what he carried upon the table. "Did you know him before this?"

"I'd heard of him. Rumors.” Demyx rubbed the back of his neck. “The weird nature fairy that's out at night. Sounded like a ghost.” He looked to the floor, legs kicking in front of him slowly as he sat on the edge of the table. “So, I, uh, thought I'd try to find him."

"In a storm?" Vexen rose a brow. 

"The forest was probably trying to tell me it was a bad idea..." Demyx laughed. "And now we're here." 

"Did he bring you here?"

"I'd seen your place before. Heard about it from others you've helped. He... He wasn't happy." 

“Were you happy?” 

“I was hurt. My wings useless. The forest is... scary at night. I’m not really used to all the creatures like he is. But I was curious and he was real. He... he showed up right when I needed him.” He played with the seaweed of his pants, enchanted to size with him and never dry out. “He’s special.” 

“I see.” Vexen gently picked Marluxia up from his shoulder as he sat down to rest him on his lap. “How do your wings feel now?” 

“Much better. Your candle does wonders.” Demyx jumped down from the table as he spoke and beamed at him. “Thank you.” 

Demyx and Marluxia had proved themselves helpful ever since they had wound up in their home. He knew Marluxia came many nights to sleep. That Vexen’s  natural chill helped the fairy. 

Demyx often came by with rare and hard to find mushrooms and berries. While Marluxia showed with flowers. 

He hadn’t expected Vexen to say yes to him leaving with Demyx. To the fairy settling on his shoulder and tugging him around. 

The fairy had left his side once he spotted something useful. 

It was a good hour into their hunt that Demyx stopped and stared up at him.

"Did I get something in my hair?" Zexion questioned as he brushed his hands over it.

"I heard you're not human." Demyx responded and flew up to look him in the face.

"Oh. Father did mention his nightly conversations." Zexion hummed and tilted his head at him. "I am father's son. That's all. That's all he knows." His head tilted one way than the other as he spoke.

"But what do you know?"

"Mmm." Zexion's head stopped tilted just a little bit too much to the right. "Balance. There's a prince in the castle to help do the other half."

“Balance?” Demyx frowned. “I don’t-” 

“You don’t need to.” His head tilted the other way. “As long as the forest is safe that is all that matters. Lord Ansem put me here to balance out the dark. Ventus was put in place to balance the light. We were created for that. What more is there to know?” 

“That doesn’t answer my first question.” Demyx’s arms crossed over his chest as he pouted at him. “What /are/ you?” His foot stomped in the air. 

“Do you know why babies are so important to witches?” 

“What?” 

“A baby is innocent. Moldable. A child is already coming into shape. Vexen asked for a child knowing this. He gave Lord Ansem the opportunity to make me useful.” Zexion’s voice was slowly going into sing-song “Not that he really knows. Vexen doesn’t need to know. He’s safe. You’re safe. So why ask?” 

“Because I want to know.” The fairy couldn’t see past that want. The bigger picture.

“Mm, but you have nothing to trade.” Zexion’s smile was too wide. “Unless you want to give me your pretty heart.” 

Demyx stared at him before changing size to stand before him. “You’re kinda scaring me now.” 

“Good.” Zexion hummed and closed his eyes. “That’s your answer.” 

“You’re... fear?” Demyx’s shoulders shrugged. “Jus’ tell me.” 

“Nah ah, trade first.” Zexion shook his head. “Want it.” 

“You have to earn my heart, Zexion.” 

His head shook more. “Want it.” 

Demyx looked around them, at the forest that seemed brighter, at Zexion who did not seem himself. “You take all the negative emotions. You’re- you’re-” 

“Good.” Zexion placed a hand on his chest. “I am nothing more than a vessel. A container for the dark. But Vexen’s want gave me more than that. Shaped me like this. Made ‘Zexion’.” 

“I see.” Demyx swallowed and reached out a hand to place on his chest. “You’re calling the forest to you. You may hold and take the negative, but you’re over doing it. I think.” 

“Mm, maybe.” Zexion breathed deeply. “I didn’t know I wanted a heart.” 

“What?” 

“Vexen’s soul shaped me. That is all I am.” 

Demyx curled his hand around Zexion’s and brought it to his chest. “Well, you can’t go around stealing them. You’re not used to being around others, are you?” 

“Marluxia was the one to convince father to let me leave with you.”

“True... So, you’ve always just been cooped up in that cabin?” 

“Any of the creatures we’ve helped have never visited so much...” Zexion responded. “Father’s always handled the court. I’ve never met Ventus. I just know he’s there.” 

“Okay. The dark is trying to fill in gaps then.” Demyx smiled at him. He didn’t really understand, but emotions were weird for him too. “Let’s take you home. Being away from your father must be having weird side effects.” 

“It must be. At home I know the dark is there. I feel it. I keep it at good levels. But out here. With you. All I can think about is that it needs to leave. I need to take it all. That’s what I’m for. That’s-” Zexion’s words froze when Demyx stepped closer to him and his other hand settled on his lower back. “Demyx?” 

“Focus. You’re more than that, Zexion. You’re Vexen’s son. Forget about the forest.” Demyx’s smile was kind. “Before you get all scary again.” 

Zexion breathed deeply. “Do you know the way back to my home?” 

“Are you lost?” Demyx hummed. “I should be able to find it.” 

“I got turned around and... the forest is...” he swallowed and stepped out of Demyx’s light hold “Hard to look at right now.” 

“Okay. Focus on me. I’m going to shift my size back. I’m not really used to looking at the forest like this.” 

“Okay.” Zexion breathed deeply and kept his gaze on the fairy. Zexion. He was Zexion. He had to keep his shell together.

It took some time for Demyx to find their way back to the cabin. He kept looking over his shoulder to make sure Zexion was still there. He looked okay. The shadows were doing the pooling he was used to around him, and his head wasn’t at a weird angle. 

“Thank you.” Zexion whispered when the cabin came into view. 

“Yeah.” Demyx nodded and shifted back. He had a sinking suspicion that Marluxia expected them to be out longer. He could feel his lust. The energy of the home. But Zexion needed to be here. 

“Is everything okay?” 

Demyx swallowed and stopped before the door. “Yes. It’s just, uh, geez,” he rubbed at the back of his neck “I’m pretty sure Marluxia wanted to be /alone/ with Vexen. If you catch my drift. Which you totally don’t.” He sighed and turned to slump back against the door. “Have you ever seen Vexen with someone?” 

“Only customers.” Zexion tilted his head at him. “Father has been happier these days.” 

“Yeah, yeah,” Demyx breathed deeply “So, um, how about we stay out here a little longer, okay? Being close to him should be good enough, right? We could, uh, pick berries?” 

“If you think that is best...” Zexion frowned. 

Vexen gave him an exasperated look on both account that it was 1am and he really should take his key back and that he was in the middle of a match. "Give me six minutes," his focus returned to his screen and the literary of command icons. "Yes, that's Xigbar. Yes my windows are all still intact."

"That Zexmeister?" Xigbar flopped down on Vexen's bed to wait.

Vexen hummed in reply.

It was seven minutes when Vexen removed his headset and turned to look at him. “Why’d they dump you this time?” 

Xigbar shot up “Hey, hey, who’s saying he dumped me?” and then he deflated and looked to the floor “We just weren’t compatible or somethin’. So, cookies?”

“What kind would you like?” Vexen asked as he got up. “Xaldin sent me a recipe for cranberry orange ones I haven’t had a chance to try out.” 

“Oh, fancy.” Xigbar grinned and wiggled to the edge of the bed to stand. “I was kinda feeling oatmeal.” 

“I did pick up golden raisins and more chocolate chips.” Vexen hummed. “You’re doing dishes.” 

“A small price to pay.” Xigbar’s grin grew as he fell into step beside Vexen. 

His kitchen was down the hall on the right. Xigbar liked Vexen’s apartment. With it’s too many rooms and mixed matched colors from everyone else decorating it. It didn’t scream Vexen. No where Vexen had ever lived had. 

They fell into a comfortable rhythm. Xigbar liked to watch Vexen work. He had teased him constantly about joining Xaldin at his bakery but Vexen much prefered being a teacher. 

Xigbar appreciated the normalcy. He appreciated the fact Vexen wouldn’t go into questions until the cookies were in the oven. It gave him more time to think. 

“Do you ever have trouble with boyfriends because of all the kinks?”

Vexen sent him a glare when the question left Xigbar two seconds after the stove was closed. “I have more trouble admitting it. Sometimes I pick up guys that want it done to them so I wind up feeling... neglected. I don’t mind being a Dom but I much prefer being controlled. What is going through your head?” 

“Guy got all pissy because I didn’t want to be blindfolded. We weren’t on that level yet. You know I hate my vision enough as is. Trying to angle my head right and all that in bed sucks. But he kept insisting and I- I walked out.” Xigbar’s shoulders slumped. “So, I guess, we might not really be broken up from his point of view. He’s probably waiting for me crawl back to his place.” 

“How is it today?” Vexen asked gently. “Any pain?” 

Xigbar shook his head. “I’ve adjusted, mostly. Just, eyes can only adjust so much. Doc keeps suggesting I get a glass eye but I really don’t want them messing with my face more.” 

“I think you work the eyepatch look.” Vexen teased. “I’m sorry your boyfriend is an asshole.” 

“Yeah, I probably should call him.” Xigbar sighed. “You want to call him?” 

“And say what? You’re an asshole and your boyfriend is dumping your ass?” 

“Ehh, maybe...” Xigbar wiggled a hand at him. 

Vexen leveled him a look. 

“Okay, fine. But, after cookies?” 

Lexaeus wished he had the size to leave the room quietly. He surely had the skill to but there was no way Vexen’s huge eyes or Zexion’s hyper sensitive nose would miss him leaving. 

So he sat at the table while the two of them argued about... honestly, he had no idea. The moment Zexion had lost his heart he had gained the ability to bicker with Vexen. It almost made them seem more like a family. 

But he knew, no matter the topic, the two of them would soon look to him as if they actually cared about his opinion and not to simply pick one of their sides to use as leverage. 

That’s all Lexaeus was. Leverage. A tie breaker. He’d stay neutral. Make them sort it out themselves. That was the best way to handle matters. 

Except he was staring at Zexion, and he was not sure when he had started to stare at Zexion more than Vexen. Perhaps the lack of heart had shifted him more than he had expected. 

Morals. Right. Was that not what Vexen was constantly going on about? How without a heart they lacked morals. 

So there was no harm in looking. It was not as if Zexion would look back. He had been raised by Vexen, after all, and he doubted him more observant than his father when it came to those regards. 

The only error with his plan was when the two of them did finally look to him to break their argument. 

New town. New school. New therapist. Same Vexen.

"She seemed... Helpful," Zexion replied. He had left the office hardly fifteen minutes prior but Vexen did follow him on his public Twitter. He had made a vague post about his appointment going well. "Thank you."

"That's good," Zexion could hear his smile. They had accepted many years ago that his brain would always be a touch off. Someone didn't watch their parents die and leave perfect. He had stopped seeing that therapist when eleven. Insisted he didn't need to talk to anyone and Vexen had allowed that.

Allowed it because Rikuto and Xion were there for him.

At fourteen Zexion had asked to see someone again. Had gone through three people before finding one that fit him.

And now he had to go through the process again.

Ansem gave him his Riolu and he leveled it up into a Lucario. Ansem is very proud of him for having such a good friendship with his pokemon. 

Zoroa (who is not in Pokemon Sword and Shield and thus does not have as pretty of a spirit)

Espurr. He met his espurr in the wild while on an outing with Ansem and Ansem caught it for him. 

Zexion is also known to borrow pokemon from his ‘family’ members for certain gyms. 

More often than not he has Vexen’s sneasel with him. 

He had Marluxia’s toxapex for his battle with Axel.