tampered | Whole Again - [IMCOMPLETE]

Whole Again - [IMCOMPLETE]

When; Evening today.
Rating; R [Again, it may or may not change (if it does, it will be to a NC-17 rating so, know in advance that the rating won't go down, meaning, read at your own risk)]
Characters; Xemnas & Saïx
Summary; Xemnas woke up in a strange place, a world he does not recognize. But, apparently, Saïx was sent there too...
Log;

He was still speechless, surprise at that sight.

Of all the things he was expecting to see, all the people he imagine he would sooner or later have to bump into after his objective was reached, he didn't think he would ever see the berserker again.

But there he was, a dark channel closing behind of him and a sort of happiness- Was it? - hit the normally stoic Superior.

He hadn't been the only one to survive. Saïx was there too and he had probably received his heart as well.

Or at least, he thought. After all, dead people weren't usually found on the streets.

They had managed.

"...Saïx." A first word exchanged, a step towards the other, a small smile coming to his lips.

Could it be?...

"I thought-" But his speech was broken right then and there. There was no need to talk about the past. That Sora boy had probably been too naïve when it concerned Saïx, because, he knew, Number VII was so much stronger than it seemed.

No more worrying about fulfilling Kingdom Hearts, no more fights, no more sorrow. They were whole now, they had a heart, and they were alive. All that was left to do was to keep obn living like the Somebodies they had become.

"...Are you alright? Do you need assistance?"

The questions as to where they were could be answered later, after all, wherever it was, there was still enough munny on the Organization's reserves (safetly kept in a secret pocket inside Xemnas' coat) to get a ride on a Gummy ship back to The World that Never Was. Back home. Home.

It felt great to think about it...

...So great his mind didn't even realise that the constant ticking of a clock in his head had stopped as soon as Saïx had showed up.

[ooc: Just to avoid confusion of who might read this thread, and just so you do not think rules are not being followed or something, no, Xemnas is NOT alive. Neither is Saïx. And no, they do not have hearts and they didn't manage to be whole again. However, Xemnas doesn't know this yet. Being that he is moving and breathing and all, he does think he is alive (he is a scientist, right?), and knowing that the last thing he remembers is the final battle with Sora, if he is alive after, then, to him, it means that his objective was reached and that KH gave him his heart, making him whole again.]

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As soon as he took his first step out of the dark portal, Saïx noticed that the irritating ticking that he had put up with ever since his arrival had finally ceased.

Finally. So what Xaldin had said had some truth in it, after all.

When Sora had defeated him and he had begun to fade, the berserker had almost resigned himself to his fate. Resigned himself to the fact that though Kingdom Hearts was so close, he would never regain his heart. Would never get to see Xemnas's plans through to their completion.

Yet, a few days ago, Saïx had arrived at this City. Still very much alive, but still very much lacking his heart. Xigbar, Xaldin, Zexion and Axel were there; and now Xemnas had turned up.

He let out a breath he didn't even know he'd been holding. "...Xemnas."

Was he alright... Saïx didn't even know the answer to that. Being alive was strange, still lacking a heart... was expected. But seeing his Superior again was the most suprising thing of all, and it took him a few seconds to decide on what to say.

"I'm... fine, Xemnas." Save a few bruises, but that was to be expected. "How are you faring?" He took a step towards the other, as if somewhat... anxious to check to make sure that he too was alright. He had heard of the outcome of the fight from Luxord who had spoken with Sora, and well. He wasn't about to go telling him what had happened; getting him settled was the first step.

It really was him!

Moving closer, Xemnas lifted his arm and placed his hand above Saïx shoulder, squeezing it slightly to make sure he was there, that he was not just dreaming.

"You really are-...Good, it relaxes me to know everything is alright." He said, removing the hand, eyes locking with those of the berserker. "I'm quite alright myself, why shouldn't I be? We've reached our goal, Saïx." The smile on his face got wider, a genuine smile that looked weird on his usually serious expression. "We are whole again. Are you adapting?"

He didn't say it, but Saïx face worried him. Maybe he was just tired.

Something inside Saïx twisted bitterly at Xemnas's words. He had fallen to the Keyblade master before he had had the chance to regain his heart; Kingdom Hearts had let him down, or had he let himself down?

He couldn't help but close his eyes and lean into the touch a little, though; call it instinct, call it a friendly face, call it what you will. He was grateful for the other's presence more than he could really say. Saïx held Xemnas's gaze for a few seconds, but at the mention of reaching their goal he had to look away. We are whole. Oh, if only...

How could he tell him? How could he possibly tell Xemnas the truth when he was so... so happy, so pleased about all of this? ...No. He had to. He had to end the charade.

"I'm... trying to adapt," he admitted, which was true enough. He was just having incredible difficulty doing so, that was all.

"You were always like that, slow to adapt... But ever so determinated." Xemnas said, like remembering old times, giving a small step back. "I can help you. I'm sure you will be able to adapt, it is not something completely new, after all."

Together, we can do it, I'm sure.

Looking around, the Organization's Number I frowned. It was getting dark by the minute.

"I believe we can settle in this place, for a while. To rest, to celebrate. We have a whole world to build back at the castle but I believe... A short vacation wouldn't hurt, would it? If destiny brought us here, I believe it is trying to tell us something as well." He continued, his gaze still on Saïx.

He couldn't help but notice how the other had turned his face at the last words he had said. Narowing his eyes, Xemnas' hand made its way back to Saïx's shoulder.

"All will be alright. Do not worry, Saïx. There is nothing to worry about now, anymore. Nothing beyond staying alive, that is." Nodding, he squeezed the other's shoulder again before continuing. "You were going to show me where we would be staying?... This City hits me as being an awkward place, we should hurry to what is ours to avoid getting it taken away from us."

Xemnas was so focused on what was to come and what it would be that he hadn't even realised yet how his powers had gotten considerably weaker...

If it were anyone else saying it, the comment about his slow adaption to things would have irritated Saïx. But as it was Xemnas, he let the comment slide for now and merely nodded, even though he silently disagreed about the situation not being entirely new. It was somewhat similar to when he had first become a Nobody; when he was sure he was going to fade into nothing and be nothing, but then again it wasn't. It was a problem all its own.

"I have talked to a few of the residents, and they have mentioned that it is indeed possible to leave..." ...if you are considerably lucky, he finished in his head. Saïx very much doubted that it would be a 'short' vacation, but who was he to say anything about it?

As Xemnas's hand rested on his shoulder again he turned his gaze to his Superior once again, frowning a little at the other. "I doubt we will encounter any problems of such a nature here," he mused. Some of the City's inhabitants seemed as harmless as flies as far as he could see.

Ah, yes. The apartment. "Building seven, apartment nine." It had been the first one he'd stumbled across, and the irony of the number building he'd chosen hadn't even registered in his mind for a good few hours. "Shall we go now, then? I do suppose you've been out here long enough without this dragging it out."

Whether Xemnas was going to just... follow him, or walk beside him or what, he wasn't sure. It seemed almost... awkward, or would if Saïx could feel such a thing.

Awkward, indeed. And Xemnas couldn't stop with the impression that something was wrong. For someone who had managed to reach something he had fought for so hard, Saïx didn't seem very happy.

...Maybe it was not as important to him as Xemnas once thought it was?

"Yes... Yes, lets go." He answered, again, moving his arm away, eyes looking to the floor as he followed the other at first, moving to stad by his side next.

He stood silent for most of the way, mind thinking about too many things, having too many questions. However, there was something that really was troubling him...

"Are you sure everything is alright?" He asked, now looking to the front, focused on the number of the buildings.

They had a chance to live now. Why did Saïx look so sad...?

As they approached the seventh building together, the windows shining eerily with the dying light reflected off them, Saïx sighed. Paused. Took a deep breath, and then turned to answer Xemnas's question.

"...no. Everything is not as it should be," he noted, as calmly as though he was merely discussing a low-key mission with the other. "But I would prefer to wait until you are settled in the City properly before we discuss it, if that is alright with you."

He then kept walking towards the apartment building; not irritated with the other nor ignoring him, just... as frustrated as his state of Nothingness would allow. Saïx wanted his heart back, more than anything. But not telling Xemnas about the failure of Kingdom Hearts and getting their hearts back was a close second -- but the man deserved to know, he supposed.

Unless he wanted Sora and Riku to get there first and tell him first, which would be disastrous enough in itself.

If Xemnas still had any hints of a smile on his face, they were quick to disappear. Back to the usual stoic, feeling-less expression, the Superior's eyes glanced at the floor once again, silently this time.

"I see." He answered, but his voice was low, lost.

He had fought for something he believed in, he could probably have done more, yes, but he had done enough. He had been tired many times, about to explode even, but he never gave up.

...And this was the result? This... slumber?

He knew most of the members of his Organization had no faith in him or his objectives towards giving everyone a heart, hence the borning of traitors, but Saïx?

...He was probably just overreacting. He should be focusing on being glad to have found the other.

Yes.

Moving towards the 9th appartment, Xemnas stood at the door, waiting, unsure if he should appologize or not - After all, he was not ashamed of his fight or how things had turned out.

Losing his temper was easy enough when it came down to it; and despite Xemnas being his Superior, Saïx was half a step short of going berserk and trashing something. It wasn't easy, knowing he'd failed. Knowing he'd been so close to his goal and yet hadn't reached it, and was now stuck in this... half-existence. Having Xemnas there was reassuring, made things the tiniest bit better and more bearable -- for the both of them -- but...

Saïx rubbed his scar with one hand, and unlocked the door with the other, irritated and tired and a lot of things all at once. He'd have to get a duplicate key for the other man at some stage, but right now he really wasn't in the mood to.

"The room on the right's as good as yours," he murmured, moving out of the way so the other could step inside the apartment and take a look around. His claymore was leaning against the door to the left room, so Xemnas probably could have guessed as much, but Saïx didn't want to be difficult.

"...Are you hungry, Xemnas?" Changing the subject seemed like a wise idea.

Stepping in, Xemnas did notice the Claymore on the left side, and Saïx0s words came to endure his thought - He was to go to the right one. Nodding, he moved towards the room, giving a glance to the rest of the appartment while doing so.

Opening the door, it revealed a rather small room, with a window, which didn't surprise him since the whole appartment seemed to be rather small. He was not complaining or anything, much the contrary, he found it interesting how suddenly, he had changed from a never ending castle to such a tiny space, a space he would be sharing with probably the only person he would ever be able to share a tiny place with.

Taking a deep breath, he proceeded to get himself a bit more confortable - He felt amazingly tired - By taking off his boots and his coat, keeping the trousers only, a sort of improvised pajama, until he had time, on the day after, to get one and some other clothes.

Moving out of the room, he heard Saïx voice again, following it until he found the berserker.

"Yes... It feels like I haven't eaten for a long time." He answered, looking at the other still. "Do you want help?"

It had been a wise change of subject. The more he said, the more he felt like he was making Saïx irritated even though he couldn't really understand why. Maybe this change of subject was for the best.

Moving closer to the other, after offering his help, Xemnas couldn't help but stop a few feet away from him, the side of his eye catching something weird on a mirror in one of the walls. He turned to it, his eyebrow raising slightly, there was something that he could swear had not been there before - He had an enourmous scar on his belly. The small scars all over his arms and chest he knew would be there, since he still remembered battling Sora. But not that one on his belly.

...Hm.

Blinking, he moved his head to face Saïx, making his way towards him again. He would have to give this new finding a thought, later.

As Xemnas disappeared into his new room to get comfortable and take a look around the small space that was now his, Saïx took the opportunity to calm himself down. It wouldn't do to lose his cool in front of the other; he could count the amount of times he had before on one hand.

He wanted it to stay that way.

Beginning to search through the cupboards almost mechanically to see what he had left to offer Xemnas -- he had only gone shopping once in the few days that he'd been there to get a few necessities, so there was hardly any food left -- he heard Xemnas's voice and tried to turn to look at him, almost hitting his head on the overheard cupboard in the process.

...graceful.

"There isn't all that much food left in the apartment, and I know that you are quite worn out, but... I thought that I could portal out and get you something more... sustaining. Unless, of course, you're content with a mere sandwich."

As he finally managed to turn and face Xemnas without hitting his head again, Saïx noticed two things -- one, that the other was wearing nothing but his trousers, and Saïx thanked his lucky stars he didn't get embarrassed -- and two, that he seemed... troubled? by the scar on his belly.

Saïx swallowed. Yet more questions to add to the other's probably already quite long list, he suspected. Ones that he would have to answer; unless, of course, Xaldin would help out. Which he wouldn't.

Xemnas kept looking at the other, a troubled expression on his face indeed, until Saïx turned to face him, almost hitting with his head.

That, somehow, cracked a smile on Xemnas' lips. This was awkward, indeed, but finally, it felt real, just like... whole people, living their lives.

Approaching, Xemnas closed the cupboard, noticing that the kitchen had no table, whatsoever, making a mental note to build one in the morning with pieces of wood they could probably manage to find around town. Also, painting the old looking appartment was starting to feel like a good idea too - If they were going to live now, they should do it in the right way.

"I can wait until tomorrow to eat something else, a sandwich is more than enough at the moment." He answered, looking at the other still. "Tomorrow we can go and shop together, I hope you don't mind but I recon the house needs maybe a little more furniture... The munny isn't much, we have to save for the stronger necessities, so I think some of the things we needs, like a table, we can do on our own. The rest though, we will have to buy."

Well, Xemnas did have a liking to make the places the best for living. The castle, for instance, was made for Nobodies and yet, it had the most weird architecture, but always with some kind of meaning - All Xemnas' ideas.

Saïx was quick enough to scowl at the 'offending' cupboard, and then he noticed Xemnas smiling -- he wasn't quite sure of the cause, whether he was amused at his own private joke or something else entirely -- and he didn't quite smile in return, but almost.

This whole situation was so... unusual; it wasn't a position the diviner had ever thought he'd be stuck in, but having one of the more bearable members of the Organization to live and exist with made things a little better. Saïx suspected that if he'd been landed with Demyx or some such person as a roommate, he would have offed him within the week.

At the mention of munny, however, a smirk made its way onto Saïx's face. Oh, the wonders of this City.
"Trust me when I say that money will not be of concern to us, Xemnas," he shook his head, and busied himself with finding the ingredients necessary to make them both some food. "Of course it does. We can certainly... redecorate, Superior, if you so wish it."

Saïx couldn't help but idly wonder if it was going to turn into a mini version of Never Was as he retrieved a knife from one of the drawers.

"I see. Well, all for the better then." He answered, moving to sit on a chair, close to a window, while Saïx was dealing with the food. "Do you not wish to? I just believe that it will be good for us."

He stopped his speech then.

Us? It felt awkward saying so. But that was the way it was going to be from now on, it seemed, and well, as time passed, Xemnas was starting to realise that there was something about that place, something that, like that girl had said, wouldn't let them out that easily. It would be 'us' not only for a week, but probably for some good time past that.

Not that he really minded, if there was someone he didn't mind spending time with, that would be Saïx. It had always been like that, even when the Organization was still a very much real fact.

Giving a soft sigh, he looked outside.

Why had they ended up in there to begin with, anyway?

Destiny probably wants us to be here, together.

"I'm glad the sound of the clock stopped." He commented, out of nowhere - He felt like he needed to break that silence. "But now that it has, I still can't feel my heart beat." He added, still not looking to the other.

Another pause, eyes still fixed outside, on a moon that was new to him, wide and beautiful, but not heart shaped.

"I failed, didn't I, Saïx?"

His question came as dry as it sounded. He had been the leader of the Organization and while his hope and faith on Kingdom Hearts was big... He was not stupid.

"Ah, don't misunderstand me. Of course this place could use a good... make over. And I would be more than willing to assist, of course."

Good for us. Just as Xemnas was, Saïx couldn't help but feel a little... unusual referring to the pair of them as 'us'. But that's what it was; they were staying in the same apartment, living together. Redecorating the place together; everything was 'together'. Not that, personally, Saïx minded this sudden change in terms.

Kingdom Hearts had failed them -- from the little bits and pieces that Xaldin had told him, DiZ had destroyed most of it shortly after his defeat. And Xemnas...

...he too had failed.

The thought of his Superior failing was a completely foreign concept to him, and Saïx... honestly hated to think about it. He paused the sandwich making and turned his head a little; he hadn't really noticed that the clock had stopped ticking until Xemnas had mentioned it. It had been irritating him almost to the point of going berserk ever since he'd arrived, but he hadn't thought to ask one of the residents how to be rid of it.

The company of others removed it, then. Interesting.

"It seems to stop when you are in the company of others," he commented, but at Xemnas's question he stopped. And sighed. Putting down the knife and the sandwich he was in the process of making, he took a deep breath and went over to Xemnas, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"...yes, Xemnas. You did."

It was all he could say. He was never good at reassuring other people.

"I am sorry."

The words came, slow still, to Saïx last words.

So it was true then, thos images that had come to his mind once he had seen the scar - No wonder it was big, and rather nasty - It had killed him after all.

Such a foreign concept. To be dead and yet to speak, to breath, to eat.

And worse yet, to be dead and having to face the people that had trusted him and to who he had failed. He had failed them all, he had lost the battle against Roxas' Somebody and that friend of his, Riku, two Keyblade bearers. Well, three to be precise, since he could hear Roxas' voice from deep inside Sora.

So, he was nothing but Nothing still. Heart-less, a shadow, a ghost even. He had let the ones that trusted him and his objective die, and objective that had revealed itself as a failure of its own, Kingdom Hearts, the thing he looked up to the most, even that, had betrayed him.

And this City... This place was probably what kept them 'alive'. Leaving was not an option if they wanted to continue to be like this... If they wanted... a 'second chance', like that girl had said.

So what should they do now? What could they do? What could he do? He couldn't fail them again...

The hand on his shoulder was appreciated and reassuring. It had prevented him from doing the first thing that came to mind at Saïx answer, get up and leave, closing himself in that room, forever, until that Eternal City grew tired of him. Until his sould was of no longer need, for whatever needs the City had.

Because Xemnas was not only ashamed, he felt weak, he felt useless, he felt, most of all, lost. The only thing he had truly believed in had betrayed him, his dream, his objective, shattered, right between his fingers. He was of no use to anything now.

"You needn't apologise, Xemnas," Saïx murmured softly, probably the quietest his voice had ever been and ever would be. After all, they had known the risks of pursuing Kingdom Hearts; death had been the cost for underestimating Sora.

It had been for all of them.

Now that the truth was out, Saïx suspected -- no, knew -- that Xemnas wouldn't take being dead all that well. Being Nobodies, they were practically dead anyway; however.

He sighed a little and started to massage Xemnas's shoulders, trying to calm him a little and relieve the stress that he could feel and sense in his tense muscles. Having to absorb so much information at once was never good for anyone to have to put up with, and the knowledge that you had failed not only yourself but the twelve others who had put their trust in you...

Saïx couldn't even begin to imagine how the other must be feeling at the moment. When he had first arrived at the City, he was merely grateful to be alive again; as alive as this was, anyway. Given another chance at life. Why didn't Xemnas see that this was a good chance to right those wrongs, or at the very least, accomplish what he hadn't been able to before and show Riku and Sora who was boss?

Dying here wasn't permanent. Therefore, killing them as a lesson and a warning should be sufficient enough, but somehow Saïx didn't think suggesting such a thing right now was so wise.

"We still have the chance to get our hearts back. Do not be so quick to despair, Xemnas. You are the Organization's leader still; there are at least five of us here. We still need you to guide us."

Again, the massages were appreciated, but Xemnas' expression didn't change.

Indeed, it was hard. It was a... tough feeling to deal with. Wasn't it ironic? A feeling. Even if just shadows, they were still very present. Very hard to deal with, even.

"I am not fit to lead anyone, anymore, Saïx." He answered, quietly.

Despair? Despair was a constant word on his dictionary. Those without a heart cannot do much more than that. How could they have their hearts back, even, if there was no Kingdom Hearts anymore?

"Kingdom Hearts was destroyed. And even if there was another way for us to get our hearts back... I do not think I should lead that movement. I do not wish to fail twice."

No, he was not doubting his powers. But now, he knew the others' powers as well. And, most importantly, he felt like his own were slowly leaving him. Like... The City was sucking them to itself, somehow. He probably wouldn't even manage to make a wall explode now, if he wanted to.

"I do not know if the other members wish to see me. I can only imagine-..."

He knew now. He had failed the others and he had failed himself. A shell without a cause. All he could focus on now, all he had left was... this.

"Thank you for bringing me inside, even knowing about the truth. I was foolish, and naïve, to believe that-..." A pause. Quite a painful one too. "I think... I've lost my appetite." He added, swallowing.

He was dead after all. What could food do to him now?

He didn't know what else to say to Xemnas, to try and reassure him or make him feel better or... or anything really. Saïx knew all too well that dealing with the knowledge that you had failed your goal was difficult; his pride was still hurting even after having a few days to get used to the information that had been thrown at him.

"You won't know how they feel about this until you talk to them, now will you?" he said slowly, as patiently as if he were trying to convince a five year old child not to fight with their sibling. He tried to resist the urge to just take some painkillers and leave the other be; he had to have patience. Xemnas relied on him to supply him with knowledge about this unusual place, to help him find his feet. No doubt he wouldn't appreciate Saïx... bailing on him now.

"Kingdom Hearts may have been destroyed, but there are other ways," he murmured. The deities he had heard of were another option, although he didn't want to speak with the other about them until Saïx was absolutely certain they could help their cause.

"You needn't thank me," Saïx murmured, keeping up the massage. He couldn't tell whether or not it was actually helping the other in any way, but it was helping keep him calm and stopping him from yelling at someone, or breaking something. Or even breaking someone, he was so frustrated.

"As you wish. I won't force you to eat if you don't want to." Slowly, Saïx let go of the other's shoulders, and moved to put the food away.

Nothing was going very well right now, was it?

Xemnas' eyes narrowed. He was right - There was no way he could know how the others felt without talking to them. But he could imagine, if it was him...

...And Saïx was being extremely helpful. He kept there, massaging his back and trying to make him feel better with his words even though Xemnas knew hewas probably not that well himself, knowing he hadn't had his heart back, and even if Xemnas had succeeded, it was too late for him to receive it.

So, in a sense, it was good to e in the same boat again. He wouldn't like to find that place, living and with his heart to discover that the other members of his Organization, that Saïx, were dead and still heart-less.

If there were other ways, like Saïx had said, then...

"If we discover any other ways... I'll help with what I can." He said. He didn't say they were going to make it, or even try it, and he didn't say he was going to lead anything. No. This time he wouldn't allow himself to fail again, it was personal, really. And well, even if they got their hearts back, they would never be able to leave the City, or they would disappear. And with him, his studies would be gone, his theories.

So, the only reason for him to want a heart now was not his studies or experiences, but the want to be whole again - To be able to feel more strongly.

Getting up a little after Saïx moved away, Xemnas placed the chair back against the wall and moved, calmly, towards the other. There, he leaned his head against the berserker's back, without saying a word for a long time, eyes closed.

It was warmer there. His whole body was cold but like this, it felt warmer.

"Thank you, Saïx." He repeated, whispering. But this time, he was reffering to everything.

It was time to focus on the now, he knew. At night, he would probably still blame himself for most of the things happening, but he needed to adapt... If he was going to stay there, he was going to do his best to pay his debts, to make life easy and good in there, to replace the life they never had.

Who knows, it could work.

A soft sigh, a swallow. If he put his mind into it, they would surely make it. Of course, he would need Saïx help, mainly to approach the others and to learn everything the other knew about the City. But what better company could he ask for?

"I was thinking about pink for your room. What do you think?" A soft snort. A new door opening...

Xigbar, Xaldin, Zexion, Axel. They were here, too; and even if he knew Axel would no longer co-operate with the Organization Saïx knew there was a high possibility that the other three would. The goal of every Nobody was to get their hearts, and even if it took them a while, even if it seemed impossible at the moment... the diviner believed that Xemnas could lead them once more, lead them to success.

He was exhausted, mentally and physically, but he had accomplished the important things -- getting Xemnas a place to stay, and keeping him safe. With the nature of the City, however, Saïx only hoped that he could keep it up.

Apparently, there were others in this City without hearts too -- not Nobodies; they had lost theirs under different circumstances. But he had talked to one that had regained their heart, and he was determined to find a way to get theirs too. Saïx wasn't going to just give up, his pride wouldn't allow it. Not now, not ever.

"I am sure that we will be able to find an alternate option, Xemnas," he murmured. Saïx preferred to work alone, to go about his business on his own; it was in the nature of the berserker, but while they were in the City, he had no choice but to rely on everyone once again. Though, he doubted that he would fully trust any of them save Xemnas; it depended on a lot of things.

It didn't take long to clean up the little mess he had made in the kitchen and to put all the food back in its proper storage; but his eyes widened a little in surprise as Xemnas came closer and leaned up against him. He let the other man be for a few moments, not at all minding the other's warm presence against his back. The diviner tried to resist the urge to turn around and take the other into his arms; he seemed he needed the reassurance and comfort right now particularly.

"...you needn't thank me, but. You're welcome, Xemnas."

No matter what decision Xemnas made with this whole... 'heart' and 'City' thing, Saïx would follow him in it. He considered the other as a comrade, a master, as many other things that he probably would never admit to anyone, but. It wouldn't be hard; there was no threat this time, and while Kingdom Hearts was no longer a possibility... It would work out.

At the pink suggestion, he almost choked. "Pink? Well... I'm not too sure it'll match the curtains."

"It certainly won't match your pretty hair." He commented, letting out a small smirk.

He was kidding, obviously. Pink was pretty much a colour that made him sick, mainly because it made him think of the traitor, Marluxia.

...He just hoped he didn't have the misfortune of stumbling on him here, where dead seemed to wander as well.

"How about baby blue?... Or dirty white." He continued, now speaking more seriously. They also needed paint for the living room and the kitchen. Wood for the fireplace, and, indeed, new curtains.

First of all, they needed to fill up the cupboards with food and new clothes though.

"...Let us take care of settling. Then, we can work on what we might find about getting our hearts back." He continued.

Only then did he gave a step back, moving his head away from the other's back, eyes observing his hair.

"Maybe we should rest for the night though. It has been... Long."

Saïx couldn't help but chuckle at the comment. "Pretty hair, Xemnas? Well, we'll have to find a colour for your room that suits yours, too."

At the mention of colours to paint the walls, however, he couldn't help but gaze around the apartment to see what other work needed to be done. Judging by the fact that it was in rather a state of disarray, the previous owner didn't take too much care of it -- but no matter. He was sure that between him and Xemnas, that they would be able to turn it into a comfortable, bearable living space that they could occupy together. Enjoy together.

Together. Saïx was beginning to like the sound of the word quite a lot now.

Saïx just shook his head, a hardly noticeable smile on his lips. "I'm sure we can decide on such things tomorrow, Xemnas. It is of little importance to us until the sunrise." He nodded at the other's comment about settling first. "That sounds like a wise idea indeed -- whatever you wish to do, we shall."

At the other moving away Saïx turned around to face Xemnas, and nodded. "I agree, it had been. You must be rather exhausted." He brushed a lock of hair away from the other's face instinctively, and then turned towards his room.

"...sleep well, Xemnas."

"Golden, but of course."

And a chuckle escaped his lips. Gods, if their words were true their house would probably win the prize for the ugliest house ever. Not that he mattered, Xemnas realised, all that he cared about right now was to make the place perfect for them. The two of them. Together indeed.

Letting out a content sigh at the thought, the Number I nodded at Saïx's words, allowing a small smile to come to his lips. He kept silent, just observing how carefully Saïx brushed a lock of hair away from his face, eyes narrowing in a warm motion. He had to fight the urge to lift his hand and caress the other's face with his thumb.

...Now that he thought about it, he had been fighting that urge long before they had even heard of the name 'Sora'. It only grew with time, it seemed.

"Thank you." He whispered, as he watched the other go. He followed, always looking at him. "You too, Saïx." He added, placing his hand on the knob of the door that led to his room.

Sweet dreams.

[ooc; D'awww. Xemnas should have gone for it! I mean. :x I take it we're finished our little log, then? ♥ is it so bad that I still want to keep going it's so cute? *wibble*]

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