Flower Child Ch. 5

The next day started off without too much of a hitch, with the exception of Marluxia sleeping through breakfast and yet another meeting which did not appease Xemnas or Xaldin. Xigbar understood, mostly after talking to Demyx about the whole Marluxia almost freezing to death issue that happened the day before. A light frown crossed his lips as he looked down at the blond nocturne who was just taking a break from watching Marluxia.1

“How is Marluxia doing? I don’t know about Xemnas, Xaldin or Saïx… but I was worried about him. He looked like death warmed over yesterday, which I hadn’t seen since he lost his breakfast a few months ago before we even found out.” Xigbar asked, putting a hand on Demyx’s shoulder. He was sure the other would eventually head back in to check on the assassin.2

“He’s still cold, which is still unusual you know? We’re used to Vexen being icy cold. Just not Marly. He was talking about warming him up somehow, but I don’t know if it will work.” Demyx frowned, looking up at the taller. Aqua blue meeting up with one golden eye, but that didn’t bother the young nocturne. He still liked Xigbar, despite the fact of the older having one eye and scars covering his body.3

“He’ll be fine. Marluxia is tough, despite having pink hair.” Xigbar chuckled softly, putting his arms around Demyx lightly. He knew how the assassin was; he did recruit him after all. And he was actually quite impressed with how far Marluxia had come from his past. But he was also still worried for the younger, knowing that the cold was not Marluxia’s friend let alone best corresponding element.4

“But what exactly is Vexen going to do to warm him up? And don’t tell me sex. That’s your answer for everything. And I think that’s what got Marly pregnant in the first place.” Demyx spoke, leaning against Xigbar. He knew the other wasn’t always thinking about sex, but it must have crossed his mind when he asked about warming Marluxia up.5

“It doesn’t involve sex. But I heard him say that he was going to try and get Marluxia in a warm shower or bath to help warm him up a little from the outside, and in turn that should help warm up his muscles slowly. We’ll see what happens though.” Xigbar replied, putting his chin on Demyx’s head.6

“XI, wake up. That is an order. Now wake up or I’ll have to be forced to pull you up.” Vexen spoke, standing next to Marluxia who was still fast asleep on his bed. He sighed, wanting to try and get the younger assassin up and on his feet so he could try and make the other feel better, and warm him up a little more from his encounter yesterday. That and he still had a few choice words for Xemnas, but he’d deal with his superior later.7

Marluxia looked up at Vexen through half lidded eyes; he felt worn out and looked worse than he felt. He sighed as he got up slowly, still feeling a bit cold and his arms felt numb along with other parts of his body. He stood up slowly, almost stumbling against the taller man. He sighed, holding Vexen’s hand.8

“Easy Marluxia… just lean against me. I’m taking you to the shower so I can get you warmed up. And don’t you dare find any innuendo in my statement.” Vexen started, helping the other toward the bathroom. But he knew full well that Marluxia was going to find innuendo, he always did.9

“Too late, Vexen dear. I already did. But I believe that’s what got me pregnant in the first place.” Marluxia smiled softly, walking slowly toward the bathroom. He wasn’t that far along yet, only five months. But his muscles hurt from the exposure to the cold among other things. Some of it from the weight of the baby as well, and the fact he hadn’t walked around much since before he got frozen.10

“I told you not to. I should have known better than that… can you stand there while I get the water heated up?” Vexen spoke, thinking he heard another snicker. He sighed, knowing Marluxia even took that statement the wrong way. So there was definitely nothing wrong with the younger assassin. Only physical problems, nothing mentally at all.11

“Of course. Don’t let me stop your fun.” Marluxia snickered, leaning against the wall. He knew to be careful with what he said though since he read the baby could hear him now. And he really didn’t want his daughter’s first word to be something she picked up from him or Vexen.12

Vexen just muttered under his breath as he turned on the water, making sure that it was just the right temperature before he led Marluxia into the shower. He looked over at the assassin, who was just leaning against the wall, his eyes half closed. He frowned, moving over toward Marluxia as he let the water heat up.13

“Please, don’t go to sleep. I know you’re tired, but try to stay awake.” Vexen spoke, taking Marluxia’s hand and leading him toward the shower once he removed the other’s night clothes. He was shocked by a few bruises lining the other’s back, and the side of his rounded stomach. What had caused them and why didn’t the other mention them?14

“Can I sleep after this?” Marluxia asked softly as Vexen led him into the shower. Almost surprised that the other was stripped down to nothing as well. Deep inside he was afraid that Vexen was going to try something while he was in this prone state. However right now all rational thought went out the window, since his mind was still somewhat foggy from the near death experience in Land of Dragons.15

Vexen frowned, leading him under the water while letting it gradually warm up. He moved a little closer, only to help put some of the warmer water over the other’s back and front. His intentions were only to make Marluxia feel better, and warm him up gradually not anything sexual at all. He just knew that the other must have been afraid that he was thinking in that manner, or something along those lines.16

“Of course, Marluxia. Just not right now. Can you tell me how you got the bruises? Did you fall, or did someone strike you? I find the second hard to believe since you’re still fairly quick on your feet, considering your condition.” Vexen spoke softly, running a warm washcloth over Marluxia’s back slowly. Careful to avoid the green and purple bruises, especially one rather dark one near his shoulder blade.17

“Fell… I hit my shoulder after slipping in the snow. The one on my stomach... I don’t know how that happened. But the baby is okay… I felt her move earlier. The hit wasn’t that hard. Just hurts like hell…” Marluxia spoke softly, leaning forward a little so Vexen could continue his actions.18

“Yes, she’s fine. I checked on you last night while you were sleeping. She’s quite active, which is excellent. But I’m sure you can attest to the activity. I just want you to take it easy, and I’ll explain things to Xemnas. I’m saying this as I guess… friend? Not sure if lover is the right term.” Vexen started, moving the washcloth around Marluxia’s chest.19

“Yeah… keeps me up most of the night. You should sleep next to me one night and let her hit you. As for what you are… how about a friend with benefits? Although I personally like the sound of lover.” Marluxia chuckled softly before he leaned back against Vexen, trying his best not to fall asleep but he was already feeling quite relaxed with Vexen’s actions combined with the warm water.20

"I'll have to think about it, Mar. Just relax alright?" Vexen smiled as he continued his actions, moving the washcloth along the other's stomach and sides. He looked into half lidded deep blue eyes, praying that the other would be feeling better after this. Right now though, it was hard to tell how the assassin was feeling.21

-- Skippage -- (I hate doing that, but I can’t go much further with that scene. So now a totally new scene, but don’t worry. Marluxia is safe in his room. For Y! Gallery I'll put more on the scene.)22

Vexen sighed softly as he left Marluxia in his room; he was still concerned about the younger assassin and was actually quite upset with their superior. The older man knew full well that the rose haired man was sensitive to cold, and staying in that area for three days was idiotic for one who was not accustomed to the climate. He decided to portal to the hall that led to the Altar of Naught, seeing Saïx in front of him as expected.23

Saïx turned his head, hearing someone portaling in behind him. He knew it wasn’t Xemnas since the other was actually outside, talking to Kingdom Hearts again. The berserker was planning to join the superior, but decided to see what was going on first. He knew full well that Xemnas didn’t like to be disturbed unless it was something of dire importance.24

“Vexen? You’re never here to see the Superior unless you have discovered something, or want to complain about something. What is it this time? Did your experiments get turned into ashes, or did XI send a giant fly trap to your lab again?” Saïx asked, crossing his arms as he half glared at the scientist. The other reason he didn’t want Vexen here was that he’d cut into the time he would spend with Xemnas alone.25

“And I expected to see you with Superior, Saïx. No, he didn’t send a fly trap to my lab again, but XI is part of the problem. I’m concerned about him and I need to speak to Xemnas about the mission that he sent him on. He should know that the world he was sent to was not suitable for him.” Vexen spoke, looking up into gold eyes.26

“Superior meant no harm, Vexen. Perhaps he just was not thinking when he sent XI to that particular world. You know he has a lot on his plate, especially with these allegations floating around. And rumors of a pregnancy… that is just absurd. Plus you know that we can’t feel concern.” Saïx chuckled softly, stepping back from the green eyed scientist.27

“No, he is well aware that he can’t handle extreme cold. As for the rumors of a pregnancy, they are true. I’m sure you would have heard it from Xemnas, Saïx. I must speak with him in regards to Marluxia’s condition. Yes I am quite aware that we can’t feel concern.” Vexen spoke, crossing his arms over his chest lightly. He had no time to waste, especially with Marluxia still feeling quite weak. But perhaps in the next few days or weeks the younger assassin would be feeling like his old self again.28

“Very well. Tell Superior that I’ll be speaking with him after you.” Saïx spoke as he watched Vexen, backing up so the scientist could go past him. Then again he could always portal as well, but what was the fun in that? He didn’t ask Vexen who was pregnant, but he was sure that the scientist was sure to tell him in time. Or at least Xemnas would, that much was a given.29

Xemnas turned around as he heard footsteps behind him, a light smirk crossed hips lips as he figured out who it was. It wasn’t Saïx, or any other member. Considering not many of the lower ranked even felt like bothering him up here, except for one certain scientist who was in front of him now.30

“What is it that you want IV? Can’t you see that I’m busy?” Xemnas spoke, letting amber meet up with green for a moment as he looked Vexen in the eyes. He knew exactly what the other wanted, but he just wanted to hear it from the blond first. And then draw his conclusions later.31

“Busy? Looked like you were talking to Kingdom Hearts again, Xemnas. This will be the last time I bring this up, but I want to know something. Why did you send Marluxia to Land of Dragons? You know two things. One, he’s pregnant. And two, he can’t handle extreme cold or heat.” Vexen asked, crossing his arms over his chest as he walked up to the other. Green eyes focused on amber.32

“I’m aware of that, but I needed him to get something for me. It’s not my fault he failed and ended up nearly freezing to death. I am keeping my word on having him do light missions for the next 20 weeks.” Xemnas replied, looking at the other with a somewhat annoyed if not malevolent grin on his lips.33

“Right… your search missions only last a day. If you wanted to get hearts, sometimes our missions last a good two days if not longer. All depending on where you send us. I’ll be checking up on him for the next few weeks, and making sure that XI is not out of the castle.” Vexen spoke, looking up at the other.34

“I give the orders around here, IV. I don’t care if you are his partner. We aren’t supposed to feel concern, or love. I will give him six weeks to recover, and let him do light duties around the castle. Like letting him do whatever he does in the garden, sans the weeding. If that is all, you are dismissed.” Xemnas spoke, turning his back on Vexen while he looked back up at the sky. He was definitely troubled if he was spending the majority of the evening up here.35

Vexen shook his head and left Xemnas to stare at Kingdom Hearts again for another few hours, or however long their superior wanted to take. He figured that this was probably a good opportunity to rest before checking up on Marluxia, since he knew the botanist needed his own chance to rest and recover without him checking up every half hour or hour.36

“So how is Marluxia doing? We haven’t seen him in a few days. Or should we ask how the baby is?” Roxas asked, sitting across from Vexen in the kitchen. Axel was sitting next to him, but surprisingly kept his mouth shut for the time being. The blond figured that he was just waiting for the right moment to say something.37

“Everything is fine. Marluxia will be fine tomorrow; he just needs a little more rest. Somehow our superior got it through his head that he should send Marluxia on a mission to somewhere he can’t handle. The baby is fine too. Still strong and healthy.” Vexen smiled a little as he picked at his salad.38

“I heard about that. And you never told us what the baby is did you? You told Demyx, but he didn’t mention it to us.” Roxas protested before he ate a bit of his chicken. Maybe Vexen did mention it, but he didn’t remember hearing the gender or anything else about the baby aside from when Marluxia confirmed his pregnancy.39

Vexen tilted his head slightly, thinking that he must have told Roxas about the gender of the baby. A slight wave of guilt moved through him, then realizing that he didn’t tell the younger male. He sighed softly, putting his fork down next to his plate as he looked over at the pair.40

“I thought I did. Well, we’re having a girl. Name is still undecided, but I’m going to try my damndest to keep Marluxia from naming her after a flower. Yet knowing him, he’ll find a way to make me agree with his decision. I hate his mood swings…” Vexen spoke as he picked his fork back up and continued to work on his salad.41

“I can see that. And now you have to find a way to put an x in Rose or Poppy.” Axel snickered to himself. He was good for 15 minutes, and the statement was just too good for him to pass up after all. But at least he didn’t say anything cruel, so that had to have been a good thing. Although judging from the glare he received from Vexen, maybe he found a way to push it too far again.42

“He is not going to name her after a flower, Axel. Just... do whatever you were doing earlier. Now if you’ll excuse me…” Vexen spoke before he stood up, nodding toward the others before he walked out of the kitchen. A million new questions went through his mind, mostly involving Marluxia and what he could possibly name their daughter. He prayed that it wasn’t anything that had to do with a flower.43

Axel looked at Roxas, then at Vexen’s back as he left the room. He didn’t really care what the baby was named; he was still amused by the fact that Marluxia was actually pregnant. He knew he’d have fun with that later on, but for now he could still easily plot against the pink haired male.