I know, I know! It's been forever, and I feel horrible about it, buuuuuuuuuut…. I'm back now? (crickets chirp) Yay? (silence) Damn.

Anyway… fun-time!

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

"Superior?"

Xemnas glanced up from the papers on his desk and saw his lover, his precious and infinitely loyal Number VII, standing in the doorway. "Come in, Saïx," he said, setting the papers aside. The bluenette rarely bothered him for anything that wasn't important.

"I apologize, Superior, but I thought you might need to know. I was walking down the hallway when IX all but dragged me into his room where II was laying in the floor unconscious with a rather large bruise where his face should have been. Apparently, XI attacked him. Something to do with that rumor about II and IV…."

Xemnas raised an eyebrow. "There is truth to that?" That was surprising. In the entire time Xemnas had known him, neither Even or Vexen had seemed that interested in random sex.

"So it would seem, Sir. Under the situation, I doubt it would be… pragmatic to have IV or XI treat him, though they usually act as our physician and healer."

"Obviously not. Send VI. He has a small amount of skill at such things as well."

He expected for Saïx to bow and leave right to do that, but instead his lover hesitated. "What should be done about this, Superior?" he asked, finally. "If those… rumors are true, then I doubt it will end here."

"What do you mean?"

"May I speak freely, Superior?"

Xemnas nodded his agreement and Saïx sat down in one of the high-backed leather chairs in front of the desk. He pulled one leg into the chair and wrapped his arms around it. Xemnas sat up straighter. "Saïx?"

"I can only speak for myself, Xemnas, as I haven't taken it upon myself to get involved just yet, but…. I feel that if I found myself in Vexen's position, I would never let it rest at this. Whether or not it is true that Marluxia's relationship with Vexen is of a nature… that would allow Marluxia to invite Xigbar's participation, Marluxia also took it upon himself to seek vengeance for an injustice that was not his own. It maintains Marluxia's control and surely the others will see that as well when they hear that Marluxia was responsible for Xigbar's attack."

Xemnas sighed and slid down in his chair to get comfortable to think. "You think that Vexen might go after Xigbar as well?"

"… It's possible, but no. I think it's more likely he will go after Marluxia to repair his tarnished honor. Which, you must admit Xemnas, was rather lack-luster to begin with."

"Where is Vexen right now?"

"I'm not sure."

"Go find him."

Saïx stood and bowed at the waist. "Yes, Superior." He turned sharply to leave the room.

"VII?"

The bluenette paused. "Yes, Superior?"

"Find yourself in my room by nine o'clock."

Saïx smirked. "Yes, Superior."

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

Vexen twirled the bottle of amber liquid around in his hand, watching it slosh against the sides. It was a little late for him to be realizing that he'd probably drank way too much. Well, too late to do anything about it now. He sighed and poured the last swig down his throat. Might as well not let it go to waste.

The other two bottles laid already empty on the table. Vexen rarely ever drank, but when he did so, he did so to an excess. He had just finished off the last of his secret stash and decided he would have to sneak off to a different world sooner or later to restock for the next time he went on an alcohol binge.

Like before the next Organization meeting.

The blond was dreading it already, knowing that every other member who looked his way would be smirking, knowing that Marluxia had let Xigbar rape him. Like he didn't already get enough disrespect from the new members!

He was half-tempted to go freeze Xigbar's testicles into golf-balls, but that wouldn't change the fact that everyone now knew Marluxia called the shots in their relationship.

Knock, knock.

Before he could get up to answer or even mutter a 'come in', Saïx strode into the room like he owned it, brushing his hair back over his shoulder. "IV, the Superior has sent me to check up on you."

"Oh has he now?!"

Saïx raised an eyebrow. "Do we not have reason to worry that you will attempt to murder XI?"

"Is my sex life that interesting that it's all Organization XIII can talk about?"

"Don't flatter yourself. I just find it interesting that II is laying in IX's room unconscious because XI took it upon himself to fight for your honor."

"What does that disrespectful upstart know about honor! I'm sure you've heard what the others are saying."

"I have. Though I hope you are aware that your… 'sex life' is of no concern to the Superior, he is concerned about the relationship between yourself and XI. What are you planning to do now?"

Vexen turned a cold glare on the Luna Diviner. "You aren't in a position to ask me that."

"Speaking for the Superior, yes I am."

"… I intend to show everyone that Marluxia cannot push me around," Vexen said firmly after a slight hesitation. "If I have to challenge him in front of the entire Organization, I will."

"Do you really think that will help?" Saïx asked, calmly.

His tone of voice got on Vexen's last nerve! He was drunk and this one - yet again not a member of the original apprentices that didn't respect him! - was talking down to him, thinking that he had the right because Xemnas was fucking him.

"I'll do as I please and I don't need your approval!" He stood up and left hisownroom to get away from Saïx's arrogance.

Vexen wavered in the hallway, elbow bumping against the wall because of how much alcohol he'd had that evening. He decided that it would be smart to go to the kitchen and get something into his stomach to soak up all the alcohol before he ended up retching on the white carpet. Xemnas would hit the roof if he did.

Luckily, it was only Lexaeus and Zexion in there chatting over a bowl of strawberries on the table. They glanced up as he entered but they generally ignored anyone but each other.

"Things have gotten rather interesting lately," Zexion murmured. "I have a temporary guest snoring on my couch."

"That is no concern of mine?"

"Isn't it? Hmm." Zexion turned back to Lexaeus, apparently content to leave it at that. But Vexen was sure they would be the only two.

As if though fate was laughing at him, Marluxia walked into the kitchen as Vexen was making himself a sandwitch.

"Vexen."

Zexion stood up sharply and walked out of the room, Lexaeus trailing after with a nervous backwards glance.

"I'm not in the mood for you right now, XI," Vexen hissed. "Though I must thank you for only making the problem worse by attacking II."

"I told you - and him I might add - that he would regret it if he ran his mouth. I won't be seen as not following through with my threats."

Vexen pressed his lips tight together. "Yes, Marluxia, it's all about you seeming big and bad. Damn that everyone now thinks I can't stand up for myself!"

"You're shouting at me again," Marluxia said coolly.

The temperature in the room dropped sharply as Vexen's temper flared. "I should have known better than to think that you care what the others think about me with what you let Xigbar do!"

"I thought you'd enjoy it!" Marluxia said incredulously. "I know you can be pretty kinky. I made a mistake and tried to fix it."

"Nice work," Vexen snapped.

"What do you want me to do then?!" Marluxia demanded.

"I don't know," Vexen grumbled, taking a bite of his snack. "I'm too drunk to think right now."

"Were you drinking?" Marluxia reached out and without any warning pulled down Vexen's eyelid. "You know I don't like you drinking!"

Vexen grabbed Marluxia's wrist and turned his hand as cold as he could to make the Graceful Assassin leave him alone. "Like I give a damn what you do or don't like right now!"

Marluxia's blue eyes narrowed. "Vexen, I'd like to work this out but you're being difficult."

"I'm being difficult?!" Vexen jerked away from Marluxia. "I want you to stay away from me! We're done, do you understand?! If you ever try to get so familiar with me again, I'll freeze your blood in your veins!"

He turned and stormed out, leaving his barely touched sandwitch on the counter. Axel was leaning against the wall outside the kitchen doorway, giving him his usual cat-in-the-birdcage grin.

"You'll keep your mouth shut!" Vexen hissed at him.

"Or what? You'll sic your tranny on me?"

"I don't need him doing anything for me. I'll take care of you myself!"

Axel grinned and disappeared into a black portal.