Summary: They are undercover passion on the run, chasing love up against the sun. They are strangers by day, lovers by night. Knowing it's wrong, yet feeling so right. Inspired by Stevie Wonder's song, "Part-Time Lover". Axel/Larxene. Some Roxas/Naminé. Minor Sora/Kairi. AU. There's also Marlene, and Axel/OC.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Axel, Larxene, Roxas, Naminé, and basically every other character that appears in KH, or FF. It belongs to SquareEnix, Disney, Tetsuya Nomura, and any others affiliated with the game and its properties. I also do not own the song "Part-Time Lover" by Stevie Wonder. Really, if I owned any of this, I wouldn't exactly be here, Larxene will still be physically nonexistant in all her glory in KH2, and all the Org. members will still be breathing, because everyone loves them…as do I xP.

Author's Notes: First of all, this is my first fanfic concerning Kingdom Hearts, or in fanfiction in general. So for my readers…take it easy on me. Second, this isn't a songfic, but the idea was inspired by it, and some of the words will fit into the story (the summary is even from the lyrics).

I was a bystander floundering through YouTube, who was searching Stevie Wonder songs (cause it is Stevie Wonder, and I felt like going back to the days), yet one particular one caught my eye, and when I heard it, a concept magically came into my head. And since Larxel's are scarce…might as well. I absolutely adore the couple anyway, for all its fanon. My reasons why, I'll probably explain later, though it has to do with Re: CoM a lot (other than the fact of Larxene's touchy feely. Hell, who wouldn't be touchy feely when you have Axel near you? If I was her, I would have jumped on him already. The girl has good taste). Anyway…it has to do with chemistry. But moving on, I like the song, the beat was really catchy to me, and I needed to vent it out someway, so I wouldn't be doing the "dadadarararum" mumbling/beatboxing of the music for the rest of the week, though I probably will. If you're curious, feel free to listen to it. I think it would nicely set the mood for the story. The wonders of Stevie Wonder.

…bad pun, I know.

Hope you enjoy!

Part-Time Lover

Prologue

By: Destiny's Heroine

Axel sighed.

His bright jade colored eyes gazed at the crescent moon from his balcony, the white marble rail surprisingly cool under his hands, and the gentle and soothing summer breeze caressing his face in the warm night. Taking his eyes away from the sky momentarily, he looked over his backyard, clean, big, fresh with flowers, and trees. One particular one that stood out the most from the rest, was the cherry tree, a particular favorite of his. He enjoyed going under its branches when it was in bloom in the Spring, resting under its shadow, just inhaling the serene atmosphere while he watched in a haze the sakura petals scattering. Then there were the flowers, tulips, roses, Forget-Me-Nots, Irises, Daisies, Poppies...all lined up in place and in order, enhancing the quality by its deep colorful hues. The said flowers were inside symmetrical squares filled with pure soil, only separated by the red cobbled lanes that people took strolls through, not one leaf or petal out of place. There were also cut and trimmed bushes, some shaped like angels, some like unicorns, others were twirls, all positioned at the middle of each square too, as planned by the contractors.

And the grandeur fountain smacked in the core of it all, a marble statue, larger than life, placed in the center, a circular deep pool surrounding it, its bright lights shining over what would have been an obscure garden. The figure was suppose to be the sculpture of Aphrodite, an accurate depiction of the Birth Of Venus painting by artist Sandro Botticelli, the seashell rightly placed to grace the bottom of her feet, little jets of water glittering around her nude body; a sight of beauty indeed.

All perfect. All flawless. All ideal.

Just like everything else in his damn life.

He sighed again as the wind picked up, flailing around his bathrobe that covered his bare chest. He must really be bored to actually appreciate the "beauty of nature". This whole thing must truly be getting to him.

"Axel?"

He turned around slightly to meet the eyes of his wife, those deep, hazel pools now covered in worry and concern. She didn't bother to wear her robe, noting that it wasn't exactly cool to bother with it, and let her pristine silk nightgown wave with the wind, her mid-waist long, ebony hair blowing around her sculpted face, moist and delectable rosy lips set in a frown. Axel knew she was a prize just by a glance, any men would give up everything to be in his place, honestly, with a beautiful woman whose love was undying and unmatched for her husband.

It was a shame, such a shame, he couldn't say the same thing for himself.

And seeing the distressed expression on behalf of his fourth sleepless night...it killed him. She shouldn't be troubled, not for him...if only she knew...

It wasn't that he didn't care for her. It was the opposite really, he'll be willing to risk his life to keep her safe, no second thoughts, no hesitation, and it wasn't as if he didn't love her, even if his feelings for her wasn't love precisely, or at least not that strong. She was attractive, her curvy and model like body something women would scowl in pure envy for, her olive colored legs toned beyond compare. He was attracted to her, there was no way any sane man alive wouldn't. She gave him everything he wanted, she was amazing, she was understanding...

She was an angel.

So why? Why couldn't he love her?

He didn't understand it. What was missing?

Axel wanted, just for once, to mean those three words everytime he whispers it to her ear. And each time she believed them, a peaceful smile gracing her face as she heard her lover's feelings pouring through his mouth, he regretted ever saying it, knowing that they were empty and hollow.

Anything that he did with her was empty.

And she didn't deserve that.

But there was nothing he could do, just hope that as time passed by, his feelings will grow with it, and finally take away the anguish and guilt that he felt from living a lie, for her to live a lie.

Axel got a bit startled when he felt small arms wrap themselves around his hips from the back, his wife's chin resting on his shoulder. He relaxed and closed his eyes tightly, satisfied, but not completely. Opening them again slowly, he heard her muttering in his ear, "Baby, are you okay? I'm worried about you. This is the fourth night you haven't slept."

Oh, I'm just fine. Just drowning in my resentment about how I don't really love you, how this marriage is fake on my part, and how I'm getting bored and sick of it now, Axel dryly thought to himself, but his answer, of course, was different. "Nothing."

"You don't exactly expect me to take that for a answer, do you?"

He winced inwardly. Well, then, he just needed to make something up and sound tired and anxious as possible. He's been told by people he was an amazing actor, so he made good use of the gift. "I guess...I don't know, Lydia. Monday is a big day, official Vice-President and all. Soon, the company and business is going to be mine. This is too fast...I'm only 21. I should be in some University, irresponsible, with my friends, having college parties and getting wasted, only to wake up the next day in the afternoon with a major hangover, resorting for me to sleep in my classes."

He felt her squeeze tighter at this, and giggled at the notion. "Is a good thing you're not in a University then. You would have dramatically failed."

"Hey!" he exclaimed indignantly, quickly turning his face sideways to look at her. "I-I still would have passed. I'm more advanced than any of those low IQ twats anyway."

She full out blew into laughter after this. Axel grumbled annoyed, and once she calmed down, she gave him a grin. "Whatever you say, Axel."

"Damn right."

This time smirking, she traced her hands tantalizingly from his waist, to his chest, to his collarbone, and finally rested them on his stiff shoulders, giving them a soft, sensual massage. Axel groaned, and Lydia gave another giggle at this. "It is a lot. You didn't really enjoy your youth, and bethrothed before we were even out of our mothers' wombs. But look on the bright side, you'll still be free after the half day, you only have to be present only four days a week, and really, you can do whatever you want after. All the while you're set for life."

"Yeah, but not the way I wanted," he muttered hopelessly, stiffling a yawn and looking back again at the yard. He whimpered playfully in protest when Lydia suddenly stopped her actions, and was about to ask why before she interrupted, in a quivering and hesitating voice Axel had only heard two times before.

"I've been thinking abou-Axel? Do you you regret marrying me?"

His breath caught in his throat.

How the hell did she get this conclusion from what he said?

"How the hell did you get this conclusion from what I said?" he repeated incredulously outloud, fully turning around to face her, his eyes narrowing. He didn't shout, he didn't raise his voice, but his tone held a hidden hint of anger. Perhaps because of the accusation thrown in his face while it was true to his senses. Truthfully, it actually startled him, not knowing she doubted to that point, it made the looming thought of her figuring it out come closer.

She appeared to shrink under his inflection, not expecting this reaction among the ones she guessed, and started fiddling with her fingers nervously. Lydia faithfully knew Axel will never hurt or yell at her, but when he sometimes got agitated, a dangerous and uncomfortable tension surrounded the area, which was the cause of her apprehension. She wasn't one to go head to head with it and pin it down with her own hazardous aura, and didn't think she could. Lydia fumbled for the words, trying to find a specific way to explain what was plaguing her mind these past few days. Axel had been restless ever since they moved into their new mansion, and though now it showed in his current insomnia, she always speculated it had something to do with her somehow.

They've been only married for three years, both only 18 and straight out of their private schooling, and stayed in Axel's parents' home for two years until her husband wanted to move out. Knowing the reason behind it, she complied. She wasn't blind, she did notice some hidden coldness. To her it was less vague...however, there was a evasiveness ranging from him. At first, Lydia figured it was because of the straining relationship between father and son, their fights usually a daily occurrence, yet it was in one of those arguments that she picked up her name being mentioned. It was the last fight between them in the household, because after that is when they left.

It was then that her suspicions began.

But soon forgotten.

Axel had never given her any sign over their short years together for her to question him, sometimes he seemed at peace, that she was the world to him. So Lydia blamed it on his constrived childhood, because she knew well that Axel loved her. From there, she was dead set on getting rid of that coldness. She did succeed to get him to be more open, and the smell of victory was close, give another year or two. She'll do anything for her first love, like she dreamed to the minute she laid eyes on him. Perhaps, finding a way to help the broken relationship with his father might also speed things up, or place it permanently.

Though the skepticism was still at the back of her mind, gone, yet haunting, and now was the right time to put her disturbed unsettled heart at ease as it will be out in the open.

Putting on a calm face, she stared at him seriously, her hands still tinkering with each other. "I don't know, sometimes I just get the feeling that you are distant from me, that...I'm not...what you want. Or, what you expected. Or...something Axel! It's like you don't want me! And...I know that isn't true, but I wish you could at least show me that my suspicions are false! That I mean..."

She couldn't go on after this and lowered her head, not knowing exactly what to say to express it properly, a overwhelming ache passing through her body at her lack of assertiveness.

Axel eyed her closely for a moment, seeing unshed tears in her eyes, trying to get his contemplations in order on what she revealed. It seems, she wasn't that oblivious as he thought her to be. And then the temptation racked him.

Should he tell her? Now, most of all?

No...

He didn't want to hurt her. He knew she'll be heartbroken, she had told him many times that he's the reason she appreciated her life, that without him, she's nothing. Lydia loved him the deepest anyone ever had, maybe the deepest she had anyone. She reminded him every day, showed it to him every day. Even before they were married, Axel was aware about her feelings for him. He remembered seeing the happiest smile she had made as she walked down the aisle, her face positively glowing, so much, that it shocked him. In reality, Lydia scared him. Scared him into thinking all the possible things she might do if he left her, if he took back all the words he didn't mean and label them falsification.

His wife wasn't emotionally strong. He had seen it first hand when her mother had died.

She became an absolute wreck.

Locked herself up in her room, refused to eat, never came outside for months, cried in her sleep everytime, whimpering about why did her mother leave, why did the only person who showed her affection had gone. She became quiet, unfeeling, almost like a shadow, and Axel was unfortunate to find her bawling around the toilet in despair, skinnier than she had been, and looking sick. He had never been so frightened in his life, so horrorstrucked. With the help of her family, they managed to get her counseling, and he was in the front row in helping her heal. Axel never wanted to experience that again. If that death caused her to go that far, imagine...

A foreboding shiver went through his body.

So no, he couldn't. He can't.

Axel feared for her health.

He didn't want to be the cause of her grief, and if taken far, depression, then...

He moved forward, as she had backed away in her anxiousness, taking tentative steps as possibilities twirled in his brain. Once he reached her, he tenderly wrapped his arms around her petite body, pulling her closer, pressing her tight against him. His face cuddled her neck briefly, before resting his chin on top of her head gently. Lydia didn't waste a second on hugging him back, shakingly placing her head his chest.

"Don't ever, EVER, think that way again. I will never hurt you, and I care too much about you to regret anything. So don't you dare lose faith in me," Axel croaked into her soft hair, finding his throat dry, and only making it harder for him to speak. He had the act of deceiving her down, packed along with his charms, and she'll swallow every letter and take it as truth. Though he was forever proud of his slyness, it didn't make him feel any better now. "I'll try harder, I will..."

"I know," Lydia spoke softly, her tears streaming down her face, more on the fact that she was getting the soothing answer she wanted, and her distress can cease.

"I'm sorry if it doesn't seem that way, but you mean everything to me, Lydia, I could never live without you."

Lie.

"Marrying you was the best moment in my life."

Lie.

"I love you."

You're a LIAR.

Axel shut his eyes tight, willing away his conscious, begging it to leave him the hell alone. He already felt like the worst scum of the universe enough, he didn't need his mind to mention it constantly. But, he didn't have a choice. If he had to live life this way to keep her sane, he would. He could never be the cause of someone's demise.

Lydia, inattentive of her husband's penitence and self-reproach, smiled warmly, his words putting her demons to rest in a blink of an eye. She felt at peace, just hearing the confirmation out of his lips. Happily, she closed her eyelids softly, drowning herself into him, meaning her words deeply in return. "I love you too..."

And Axel realized he might become a insomniac after all.

Larxene wasn't exactly fond of cooking.

The irony of it being the fact that it was one of the qualities she was good at.

She always hated irony anyway.

Fanning herself from the heat that the smoke and moisture exhaled, she lowered the fire on the burner that was cooking the spaghetti, and set to work on the rice next to it. Usually, she wasn't the one who did the food in the house, it was the chef that's paid for who did. Rarely, does she ever go near a stove, and if she did, is only once every two months, the specific motive being her adoring husband.

She snorted.

Not that he wasn't. In fact, the things is, he was a little too much. He spoiled her rotten, and at first it was hard to appreciate, as the fact of having everything didn't sit well with her, as she was set on the believe that nobody has everything, and she raised herself to prepare for having things taken away, or never having them at all, and still continues now. But she decided to give him rewards for his efforts. Another one of those rarities she gave. He constantly mentioned that while the professional cooking was all good and grand, there was nothing better than a homecooked meal made from the hands of a wife. And so, she'll give him that satisfaction when he gets home from work sometimes. He never expected anything more from her, and dare not ask.

It was utter boredom though. And she was already tired of standing here, checking how the food is, cutting and slicing the vegetables, stirring, just...boring. Not that she was lazy, she considered herself to be independent, and even if she was born in riches, didn't fit the role of one of daddy's little princesses. Her parents were almost never there, her father too busy on business trips (he was the head of board directors in one, if not the, biggest international company, Flame Corp., headquartered where she lived, under the rule of the President and CEO, as all his lineage have done before him, Maximo Kajiwara), and her mother was a news anchor, but she never cared for her first daughter. She was, as she had called her ever since she could remember, a mistake, and therefore should be unheeded of her motherly affections.

Larxene is what you would dub a bastard child, and in her mother's eyes, will remain that way.

From what she had gathered over the years, her mom, Alexia, had her when she was 17, luckily after she finished high school. The father was the one she was married to up to this day, seemingly falling in love very young, and definitely not expecting the baby girl when the news strucked them. Larxene was confused at first, because Alexia married who she wanted, and even if it was hard path, she got the job she dreamed of, so she didn't understand the harbored dislike she held for her first born. She later learned by "accidentally" eavesdropping on a conversation with her mother's friends, that she regretted having Larxene, as she didn't manage to go to college, her parents kicked her out of the house, and it was a long time before she got the news anchor life that she wanted after some crucial sacrifices.

She was simply bitter.

It was why Larxene guessed that she gave her love to her younger sister instead, who wasn't born out of wedlock. Fortunately, Larxene didn't grow to resent her, or be envious to the attention she was given. It was mostly due to her late nanny, Mia, who was the one who brought her up, and more of a wise mother figure than the real one could ever be. And because Larxene could never blame her sister, as she had nothing to do with the problem, and shouldn't be at fault. Despite not showing it, Larxene was level-headed, and though cruel and cold to most, there were also exceptions. She is extremely close to her sister, forming a strong bond ever since her little 3 year old self held her tiny newborn hand. In fact, she was the person she was thoroughly "kind" to. Her sibling was a frail looking thing as well, so fragile it felt that even if you touched her as soft as a feather, she would break. She was made of their mother's beauty and cornflower eyes, but had inherited her father's pale blond hair. She was quiet, a doormat, and wouldn't do anything when people pushed her around...she was weak. And when Larxene saw this, she made it her job to change it; no relation to her will be portrayed as a weakling, and it hurt to see her sister bullied while she did nothing, but take it. Through the years, she managed to toughen her up a bit, told her not to be afraid and be strong, be wary on who to trust, and to take care of your own self, because in the end, life doesn't leave you any other choice.

She was 17 now, still appearing like the porcelain doll she is and meek, yet with a resilient strike in her eyes that Larxene took pride in. They still talk, after she moved out, usually in a daily basis, and Larxene somehow always ended with giving her sisterly advice about boys, friends, clothes, school, etc. The usual life of a teenager.

The conversations led Larxene to wonder about her looks, not that she really cared, but as a female it was like second nature. She knew she was attractive somehow, her sadistic tendencies only giving it more flame, and as a guy said, "kinkyness", to which he got a painful punch to the cheek for, only to shout with a bloody mouth, "Man, that was sexy!". Yes. That actually happened, go figure. High school boys were weird, or maybe it was her school that was full of unsanitary idiots, yet from what she had heard her sister say over the phone, it seemed to be a normal epidemic. Larxene definitely knew she had a body, not to mention she was proposed to be a model by a agent who spotted her in the beach, and who was declined, as Larxene already had plans and dreams to be a lawyer after the ideal thoughts of being a dancer stopped. While her sister had their father's pale blonde hair and their mother's eyes as forementioned, Larxene got the opposite. She got her mother's sunny blonde hair, that was cut short, and her father's amazing icy blue eyes, that had a turquoise hue in them. What was odd about her hair, and was rightly picked on for it in her private elementary school before she taught them personally to be careful what they say, was her forelocks. They were like "antennae" that streaked backwards, and how in the world that happened, let alone be natural, was anyone's guess. They were there before she ever slicked her hair back at what would be her usual chosen style, so they weren't cowlicks or stubborn stray hair sticking out. And were with her when her newborn self began growing strands of blonde tuffs on her scalp. Admittingly, she was quite fond of them anyway. Otherwise, her lips were "rosy", she had ivory soft skin, something she definitely knew as she took care of it herself with creams of all assortments, and a light, natural blush to her cheeks. But, as whether she was pretty, she went by people's opinions, because she couldn't come up with her own. She didn't think of herself as much, truthfully, yet, she really did refuse to dub it insecurity. She just wasn't as self-conscious, was all.

If what they said was true, maybe she should have thought over the idea of becoming a model, not that all models were pretty per se. It paid good money, but the temptation of having the power to condemn and prove by evidence and words that someone is guilty, true or not, was way too hard to give up. Larxene always looked for ways to be respected, and as a lawyer, she wanted to be admired and feared, wanted to build a reputation as the one who never lost a case. It was why she pushed herself more than she's capable of in her studies, it was why she chose to go to the most prestigious university she could find close to home, and that's why she won't take anything else, but the top. Even when little, her family noted the domineering and confident personality that resided in her, and she was going to make use of it.

Those qualities was what enamored her husband in the first place.

She was merely in high school when she met him, she was a freshman, he a senior, and from first glance, unlike most men, captured her attention. He was gorgeous back then as he was now, with deep, striking blue eyes, with rare puce colored hair, layered perfectly all the way to his shoulders, yet all the while having testorone portruding from every vein of his body. He was built and toned, and his face was flawless, that males were left in awe and jealous rage with the flamboyance he presented. He was beautiful just as he was deadly, and that was what drove her to him. He had this ruthless and dangerous aura, murderous and completely toxic, that it reminded her of those trained assasins. Cool, calm, and collected will describe him, and Larxene contemplated how in the world did she catch his eye. Not that she was insecure.. she was never insecure for one thing...never, but it sounded like it would never work, only to be proved wrong later and find out that they did have some things in common. He had a thirst for power, just like her, albeit for different aspects, and shared the thrill of rebellion. He had a hidden hunger that made Larxene infatuated, so when he proposed when she was 17 (damn that irony), all she could do was say "yes" on a whim. She wasn't sure if she even loved him by that time, but it was different from his side.

She knew he loved her by then. Larxene was sharp, and was hard to lie to by even the most cunning mastermind, another trait that she posessed for her work as a lawyer. Perfected more by the psychology courses she had taken for four years while in high school. The only possible thing that could cloud her senses was her foolish level of trust. She was blinded by it, it was the only thing she was afraid of, her only weakness, and so she was attentively careful to who she gave it to. So far, it was her sister, and now her husband. But on that fateful day when he got on one knee, she didn't trust him until she grew to later on, and when he told her how much he loved her, the thoughtfulness in those words left her stunned for the first time in her life. He didn't only show it in words, he showed in his kisses, his touch, his eyes...

If Larxene didn't know better, she would think he was obsessed.

Her parents didn't take the news lightly, especially her mother, going by experience (that surprised Larxene to see that she somewhat cared). Too young, too unaware, was what they said. They couldn't stop her, of course, they knew that, so they accepted in the end, and prepared the plans for the wedding. Larxene immediately went to her sister for the role of flower girl, but for the maid of honor, since she didn't have a best friend (and wouldn't want to), her cousin Elena was chosen. They got along fairly well, and if there wasn't anyone else to turn to, Larxene could go to her and she will receive her with open arms.

So now she found herself here, as Mrs. Teien, normal, content, few disagreements here and there, but they made up for it later in their bedroom. No babies, and truthfully, she rather not have any...for about a million years. Larxene was...comfortable, to say the least. Did she love him though? Yes, she did. There couldn't be no other explanation to describe her feelings, but she didn't know why she always became uncertain of that piece. It was like her mind said yes, but her heart said no, or was, rather, confused. He never bored her, oh no, not by any means, and Larxene didn't want anyone else so far. The trouble laid in the fact that she didn't feel...complete. She just didn't feel satisfied. And considering who she was married to, that was saying a lot.

She chose to dismiss her skeptical emotions and not dwell on them, and she didn't particularly want to either. Ignorance is bliss, isn't that what they say?

Her marriage was at ease, she has a gorgeous and loyal husband, and that was final. It was what left it so stable, and she wasn't going to disrupt it without a damn good reason to.

Larxene gave out a yawn as she finally finished the last of her delicacy, and turned everything off as she silently gave a uncharacteristic inward cheer. She'll leave it there for the servants to bring to the dinner table in the dining room once her husband gets home, that would be in about half an hour. There was also that 10 page essay that she had to finish by tomorrow...

It was then that she heard footsteps coming from behind her. You wouldn't normally hear it, but Larxene was born with an uncanny sense of hearing, so people who wanted to sneak up on her were severely disappointed. This was recognizable, however, very light and eerily graceful, and then she felt gently placed lips on her soft shoulder, as they took leisurely time kissing up her neck, licking and biting so miserably slow. Larxene grinned.

"You're early."

He grabbed her from behind and with ease, and sat her in the countertop, only getting a slim and well shaped eyebrow as a reply when his arms straddled her waist and he pulled her closer. "The thought of your cooking today made me hungry. And wouldn't leave my mind."

"Really, in what way?" she whispered seductively, as she gingerly rubbed his shoulders and circled her arms around his neck.

He eyed her with a simple stare, the only hint that he was interested being a glint of something appearing in his eyes that made Larxene's nerves excited. "In what way do you want it to?"

She knew he wanted to taste her, and it was up to her whether she'd give it or not.

It wasn't a challenge, he was just simply waiting, confidently.

And he didn't have to wait long as Larxene's lips clashed with his in a heated kiss. Their tongues probed each other passionately right on touch without bothering to linger, their kiss deepening every second, every moment, and Larxene wasn't surprised to find his hand agonizingly moving up her thigh and going under the skirt she was currently wearing. She groaned between the small breaks from their lips and she started unbuttoning his white dress shirt, the wild desire leveling up faster than anticipated.

"Sorry to disrupt you Miss, but there's a phone call for yo- OH-MY-GOD!"

The shrill shriek snapped them both of their lust, the two of them flushed in the face from the affections and their ragged breathing making their chests heave dramatically, startled as their ecstasy was cut short. Larxened bristled, pissed as her pleasure was quickly interrupted, and her attention was directed to the now frightened looking servant who held a phone tightly, appearing like she walked into something naughty.

Which, technically, she did.

Her husband, being his ever composing self, gradually started to rebutton his shirt, looking like he hadn't been caught at all, and not even bothering to see which one of their employees was standing at the kitchen entrance. Larxene, anyhow, just deathly glared at the woman, who on top of being horrified, was nervous, and trying to open her mouth to explain herself, find an excuse, or give anything to avoid from being lashed out on, or worse, fired. All the workers from first day learned of their Mistress' inhumane and vicious ways. All of them needed this job, and their living quarters were stationed in the clean, huge, and pristine basement, in case there was need of their assistance. Some of them in reality, had nowhere else to go.

Larxene cut to the chase, her foul mood increasing at her illiterate hired hand. "This better be good, or you'll find your ass unemployed, thrown, and Gods forbid if I-"

"Relax," was all her lover muttered, cutting her off from whatever threat she was about to enlightened the two people in the room. He began massaging her arms in a attempt to calm her, and he sucessfully felt her loosen up under his hands. "Don't be so angry all the time. We can continue this after you're done with that phone call."

"We won't until you eat the dinner I so graciously made and slaved over for you, Marly," she sarcastically reminded him, poking a finger hard into his rock of a chest.

Used to his wife's venomous tones, Marluxia sighed at the use of her nickname for him, reserved for when she was decidedly displeased. It didn't bother him like it would most. Certainly, he wasn't particularly fond of it, but it created a sort of amusement and not one ounce of annoyance. "What if I say I want desert first?"

"What if I say no desert until after dinner?" she retorted back seethingly. Now that she remembered that she had been preparing his precious food, bored out of her mind, there was no play unless it was completely gone and eaten away.

"Then I'd like to personally see on how long you can resist."

Larxene pouted cutely at him, knowing he hit the target right on the head, and returned her concentration to the still fumbling servant. She waved her over, and not wanting to refuse an order, cautiously walked forward, thrusting the phone to her boss, and watched it being snatched unceremoniously out of her grip, making her squeak. "Who is it?"

"Y-You're s-sister, Ma'am," the woman stuttered, visibly shaking. Marluxia shook his head as the end of his mouth shot upwards. A savage one he married indeed.

At the respond, Larxene widened her eyes a little, confused as to why she'd be calling at this time, especially on a Friday, and placed the phone in her ear, "Hello?" Noticing her worker was still standing there, Larxene covered the mouthpiece with her hand, and with a glare, hissed, "Get out of my sight!"

There was no need to think twice as she hurried out of the room in a quick scurry, heading onwards to her other duties, and not wanting to be anymore under her Mistress' presence than needed. Larxene watched as she disappeared with a frown, then took away her hand and went back to her conversation, a more lighter and cheery tone taking over her menacing one. "My bad to leave you hanging there, you were saying?"

"One of these days, you're going to scare your employees into quitting."

"Do they work for you?"

"Uh...not...really...?"

"Then it shouldn't be your business. They have nowhere to go anyway. You were saying?"

"Alright, alright...I just called to tell you that...I decided to switch schools, around where you live."

"Why? Something wrong? Anybody I need to clobber again?"

"No! Those girls left me alone after your...disciplining. I just want to switch because I hate it, the people here are boring, and they know me since I was in grammar school, so...I kind of don't fit in already in their eyes, even though I'm more...harden, I guess?"

"...you only have one more year of high school left, that you're starting very soon, actually, next week," Larxene evidently pointed out. "Why don't you try finishing over there instead of switching?"

"I...I can't take it, Larxene. Besides, your senior year is suppose to be memorable, and I want to have nice memories of it. Not spending it depressed and going to prom alone."

"Okay, okay, I understand. Did you talk to mom and dad about it?" Larxene inquired first and foremost, though not really caring for her parents' answer.

"Yes."

"And they agreed?" she inquired in disbelief, not remembering her said parents to be so flexible.

"It took awhile...a whole year, actually, but I managed to convince them. I already enrolled to the more educational and most known for their career induced training, called Coeur de Light Academy...they have a impressive reputation on Art too. It's where Kairi goes to, remember? I begin Monday and I leave tonight to head to Radiant Garden. It's not that far from Twilight Town, so I'll make it there in 20 minutes..."

There was something in her tone that made Larxene question, "And you called to tell me this now. Why?"

"Well...um, I need a place to stay?"

And there it was. Not that Larxene didn't mind, she felt the need of a female companion, but that meant that she had to be careful on her private time, especially for someone to spot them akin to what happened a moment ago. She made a mental note to send somebody to fix up the biggest guest room, as it was going to have a new recipient. "You're welcome here anytime. I told you that. Who's taking you?"

"The chaffeur, of course. Mom will get extremely angry if she knew I could hitch a ride."

"I thought she was already flipped out of her rockers the second she had me," Larxene snapped bitterly, the treatment of her mother over the years suddenly engulfing her. It was a good thing her anger from before had started to recede or else she would have thrown the phone into the white wall and smashed it to pieces.

"Larxene..."

"Forget it. The faster we get you out of that cage, the faster you won't be overprotected. Just don't enjoy your newfound freedom too much. I'll keep a eye on you," she warned sternly. The last thing she wanted was to find out her sister was 3 months pregnant. Not only will she beat the shit out of her, baby be damned, she'll hunt down the bastard who did it and kill him, father be damned.

"This is going to be so much fun! You and me. It would be just like old times. You never visit anymore, you know...it gets boring up in this wide mansion. You know how mom never lets me go out, and when you're here, I have a chance to get away."

"So I'm used as your ticket out of your prison? Thanks," Larxene grunted in annoyance.

"You know it's not like that. I just miss you...you and your scariness. Why haven't you come?"

"It's hard. I'm not exactly welcomed with open arms, from mother's side anyway. I'm not going to put up with her bitching anymore, I've been patient enough, and I'm not a very patient person. And since the last visit, I've had it with her and her nagging of my mistakes, my marriage, and how I never obeyed her, how she knew I was trouble and never should have had me, blah, blah, and blah! Go burn in hell," Larxene snapped irately, her breathing quickening as her blood rushed through her veins. She took a while to calm her nerves enough to continue speaking, knowing the person on the other line will understand the pause. "Anyway, even so, I'm surprised that the parents hadn't called me yet to tell me this piece of news."

"Oh...uh, they're actually right behind me. They said, since I'm the one who wanted this so much, that I needed to ask your permission."

"Pfft. Like you needed to ask. They don't know me at all, do they? Did you eat?"

"No, and I'm starving. I thought I would pick some fast food along the wa-"

"Yeah? Well, don't, because I have food prepared."

"Yeees. I missed your cooking. I'm telling you, is nothing like the chef's here. Yours has more taste and more of a home cooked meal type of feel."

"Yes, yes, I heard it all before. I guess I'll be awaiting your arrival then?"

"You bet!"

"Right then. See you later lil' sis."

"See you."

Scratching her neck, Larxene clicked the phone off, and placed it down on the counter, rubbing her eyes tiredly and stretching her arms. My, wasn't this a unexpected change of events?

Marluxia, pretending to appear disinterested and managing it flawlessly, questioned blankly, "What is it?"

"Naminé is going to live with us now," she stated, not bothering to talk with him or ask his opinion about the new addition to their house. They discussed that long ago concerning her relative.

Larxene had to give it to the man, as she looked at him. He had the art of being passive down pat, yet for the years she's known him, she was positive he was a bit surprised. "For what reason?"

"You're asking too many questions," she snarked offhandedly, hopping off the countertop, and moving to pat his shoulder lightly in a playful manner. "She wants to switch schools. And since we have room available..."

He nodded in understanding. "Guess our private time will be scarce from now on."

"Exactly what I thought!" Larxene exclaimed, and daintily hovered over to the doorway, swinging her hips teasingly as a sly expression spread over her face, her eyes half-lidding mischieviously. "And we need to make up for it now, don't we?"

Marluxia gave a small grumbling chuckle, smugly gazing over at her. "I thought desert was after dinner, isn't that what I heard?"

"Change of plans, call yourself lucky. We have to wait for my sister to eat now, after all. She gave us 20 minutes to spare, and we better make good use of it."

"Then let's not waste any time," he calmly agreed, and made his ever graceful way to her in all his gorgeous glory, grabbing her hips and pushing her to his chest, as she wrapped her arms automatically around his waist. Planting a kiss to her jaw, and working his way downwards, satisfactorily feeling her shiver beneath him, he mumbled against her skin, his hot breath sending tingles up and down her spine in rapid succesions, "I'm guessing it to be futile to try to be on top again."

"Always, dear."

"Thought so."

Parting Notes: There goes the first chapter. Axel is angsting (oh no!), Larxene is ignorant, and Naminé is coming. Roxas makes his appearance next chapter, you can't have Axel and not have that little blond twit around, and vice-versa. His role in this would be Axel's "voice of reason" (though he does a sucky job) and best friend (obviously). And for you to know, both of the characters' parts were on the same Friday, yet in different times. I knew I let out the fact that Larxene's husband is Marluxia since the beginning, lol, but I still wanted to be mysterious until she called him by name...or nickname. I can't help having Marluxia in this and make him play the role, it called to me. It was hard writing him when he's in love with someone though, and...has a Heart. With Naminé I was a little bit more vague, but I do wonder how many figured that one out since description too. Yet, I know I probably sucked on both. Oh well.

About Larxene's pout, watch Re: CoM videos very carefully from now on :P. Other than her being childish and playful (and she is in her own way, I've seen): she pouts. The first one I spotted is in the scene where Vexen appears after Axel taunts her about "losing the battle". Just check Vexen and Larxene talking, when she turns her head and looks away. She did it again in full body angle in the other scene where she and Axel team up to make fun of, again, Vexen (man, is everyone annoyed with that guy or what? Even Zexion in that new scene in the stairs in FM+ took a jab at him). I just find that...odd, since she's a sadist and all, too cute.

Then again, Larxene was always adorable to me, and not in a lesbian way. She just is. And those...forelocks and the fact that her Japanese voice is just as cute doesn't help. Though she's so eeevil. She's like one of those little girls you see in horror movies (ex: "They're heeeeere.").

Also, Axel isn't emo in this story, in case you're wondering (though his angstiness made me give Larxene's part a more lighthearted turn). He's just gets emo in some cases where you're suppose to. That would suck him being all gloomy, and Axel is Axel. He just feels guilty cause he really cares about Lydia. I think you can tell by now that my OC is naïve and blind, and somewhat selfish. But just because she's physically perfect (hint, hint), doesn't mean she is inside. I know people hate OCs sometimes, yet, she does have a partial role to play.

Guess our two main characters have a very tight dilemma. One young arranged marriage, the other a young willing marriage. I took this chapter to explain the circumstances and situations, hence...Prologue? Either way, hope you enjoyed reading the first chapter, and I'm open to any criticism, mistakes in grammar, and comments. And of course, if you want, a review.

Til' next time.

Destiny's Heroine