Zemyx: The Babysitter

    I let out a heavy, exhausted sigh, sinking into the creaky rocking chair, my temples throbbing. He just would not shut up. I had tired everything I could think of. Ooh, was I the wrong guy for this job, but I need the money to buy a book. Wow, did I really say that? I'm saving money, working, none the less, to buy a book. There is really something wrong with me...


I surprised myself by even carrying on a sensible thought process for more then a second or two with this wailing rattling my skull. I squeezed my eyes closed, shaking the baby in my hands.


'Ooh~ just shut up already!' I screamed at it, only making the thing cry louder. I groaned and rested the agonizing thing against my shoulder, patting its back.


I was baby sitting a little fourteen month old named Sora, a rightful brat he was. I had better things to do, like practice my sitar, or write a song, or even clean my house, but no! Here I am, inches from suicide with a scratching, smelly, crying, ball of annoyance drooling all over my favourite band tee, which he had also barfed on earlier. I really like kids, it's just that I don't want to spend all day and the greater part of the night and early morning with them! But I really needed the money to buy this book that this dude is dying to read. Did I mention I have a crush the size of the god forsaken sun on said dude? Yeah, that sorta changes things.


I'm gay, get over it.


As I rocked the little insect back and forth, it started kicking and screaming even louder and I groaned, sinking farther into the seat. Some thing's gotta give sooner or later, right? Wrong. I couldn't do this by myself, I realised this the fourth time the little tyke kicked me in the face. Then it hit me. Oh, the irony. I knew just who to call.


I hopped up from the chair, with Sora kicking and screaming and now bending backwards, trying to fall out of my arms. I squeaked and caught him, little idiot. I swear, much more of this and I will never like kids again.


I dashed to the dresser drawers across the room from the recently vacated rocking chair,  searching frantically for my cell. Sora was twisting and turning in one arm as I searched with the other. Was there really this much shit in here to start with?


After what felt like hours I finally found it, sliding it open and slamming speed dial, catching the ever irritating child by the back of his onesie. This, of course, made him scream louder. It would not surprise me if the neighbours were calling the cops right about now.


It felt like forever standing there, phone balanced between my head and my shoulder, the little baby kicking and screamin' as I held him as far away from me as I could as I myself danced up and down on one foot, feeling the uncontrollable need to wee now that I had stood up. The whole time I was desperately whispering, "C'mon, C'mon, pick up, pick up, PICK UP!!!"


Much to my relief, I heard that all too familiar drone on the other end. I perked up. I never thought I would be so happy to hear that disgruntled moan in my life.


'Oh, Zex, I really need your help!' I hollered over the sound of the baby sobbing. I whimpered, trying to adjust Sora so he wouldn't end up on the floor.


'It's the baby, isn't it?' His voice was calm and gentle, almost soothing, would have calmed me down other then the fact I really, really had to use the little boys room.


'...Yes~!' I croaked, shrieking as Sora flipped in my hands, thrusting himself to the floor again. Jeez, did this baby really wanna die that badly?!


Zexion sighed, 'You know how much I hate kids....'


'Aw, c'mon Zex, just come help me out! Please?!' there was a moment of silence over the other line, what I wouldn't give to have that here, every time this sack of skin opened its mouth, it screamed louder then the last. I think it crapped itself, too. Joy.


After several moments of an agonizingly silent line, and I began to think I hung up on him, a defeated sigh of '....Fine...' came through and I jumped with joy, my body reminding me of my urination issue.


'Oh, thank you so much! I love you for ever and ever Zexy!' I yelled, Sora still managing to wash out most of what I said, my ears are really ringing now, but not enough to miss the click of Zexion hanging up, it would only be about ten minutes before he got here. Great, ten minutes. I can't do that. I had to pee. NOW. But I couldn't....


I stared at Sora as he continued to screech. I got an idea, I would jut stick him in his cri-...wait, never mind, he had broken the wooden bars earlier, that's why I was still holding him, I remember now! I felt kind of stupid of forgetting but, there again, you can't really blame me, it's hard to keep your thoughts straight with a fat screaming baby in your arms. I looked down at the child.


'...I'm so sorry little fella but...' I pulled a knee to my chest, my brow creasing, 'I gotta wee real bad~!'


Sadly, Sora didn't let up one bit, he just kept on hollerin' and I hopped to the bathroom, baby in tow.


I set him on the tiled floor and unzipped my jeans. Good god almighty, this is awkward.


I couldn't believe I was doing this; it was so beyond wrong, but what choice did I have? I had to pee and I couldn't wait till Zex got here. I would be better off in a diaper. Ha, that would be fun, explaining to Zexy why I was wearin' a diaper.


I finished as quickly as I could. I could tell my face was beet red as I flushed, washed my hands and scooped the still screaming baby off the floor. There was one bright side to this, tomorrow Sora will have no voice left at all. Too bad that couldn't kick in sooner.


As I pushed through the door, I heard the ancient bell chime, something that seemed so out of place in the extremely modern house.


I dashed to the front door, baby hangin' from the crock of my elbow. I squinted, my brow creasing, don't drop the baby, don't drop the baby, DON'T DROP THE BABY!


Quickly I flung the door open, shrieking as the baby fell from my arms, and caught him all in one not so smooth movement. After securing the child, I looked out to the stunned face on the other side of the glass. I hadn't noticed earlier, but it was now pitch black outside and chucking down with rain. Zexion was drenched. Smiling shyly I held the glass door open. Sora was still screaming his bloody head off.


The sopping wet bluenette stepped inside, shrugging off his hood and hanging his hoodie on the hall stand.

'Demyx, you hold the baby this way up...' he sighed, taking the rug rat from me and cradling it against his soaked chest. I looked at the baby and saw no change, but I kept watching and slowly but surely I began to hear the slow, melancholy lullaby as he swayed with the child.


After about five minutes or so, the screams and wails had been reduced to sobs and whimpers. I gaped at him. He was like, a magic man or something!


'Could you get me something dry to wear?' Zexion finally asked, dancing in small circles with the boy. Heh, the irony, I was getting jealous of some booger nosed brat. I sighed inwardly and walked into the living room where my bag was. I had brought an extra shirt in case Sora happened to barf on me. Good thing for Zex I was able to clean off most of it, after all most of it hit the towel not me.


I took the baby from my life long friend and crush as he slipped out of his shirt. I couldn't help but notice, first of all, how he didn't make a deal out of stripping in front of me and secondly, how extremely muscular he was. It was a shock, everyone had always assumed he was weak or at most flimsy, but he was actually rather toned. He could take on almost any one I knew, and yet he didn't. Hmm, something else to remember for later...


As I held the baby, it began to kick and scream again, even though I had only been holding it for a few fleeting seconds.


Zexion rolled his eyes and sighed, pulling on the shirt I handed him. It was a little large, but that really didn't matter. He took Sora from me and began to hum to him again. I shook my head and rolled my neck; my back was killing me.


'I swear Zex, you never told me you were good with kids. Hell, I thought you hated them!' As I was talking, I cracked my back, arms, and fingers. He sighed and opened his eyes,


'I'm good with them. But I still hate them.' He shot a disgusted look at Sora, but the child was too calm to notice.


I laughed and scratched the back of my head, he could be so confusing some times. I ushered him into the living room.


'Have you fed it recently?' Zexion rocked Sora as the baby gurgled and giggled in his arms. I hid my face, I knew there was something I was forgetting...



'...Or did you even change its diaper?!' He added, shooting me an irritated look. I laughed nervously and scratched the back of my head.


'…Its what?' Zexion sighed but laughed lightly, and not wanting to feel awkward, I joined him.


'You always were the forgetful one. How'd you get this job anyway?' He looked up at me, his face lightening somewhat from when he first arrived. I shrugged.


'Hmm~ beats me. They just came over and asked me to baby sit, seeing as I live across the street and everything. Being the only teenager in the neighbourhood does come with its perks.'


We both laughed and I showed him to the kitchen. I made up a bottle of milk, watching with interest as he fed the little guy. It shocked me; he knew so much about children, he even remembered to burp him. It was eating away at me and, finally, I asked, 'Hey Zex....how come you know so much about the little guys?' He shot me a deadly look, but I only tilted my head, seconds later he cracked a cocky grin.


'I've knocked up my fair share of girls in high school...' We both burst into laughter. You see, there was this thing about Zexy; he's so homo, he shits rainbows. 'Seriously though...' He was silent for a moment then shrugged.


'My little sister. You know my mother couldn't care less and my fath-.....well, you know...' His voice drifted off as he stared into Sora's eyes, more then likely thinking of his beloved sister.


You see, this little emo had a reason to be so dark. You see, the dude's mother is a prostitute and his father was just some client who knocked her up. Zex doesn't even know who it is, hell, his mum doesn't even know! I can't help but feel sorry for the little guy; he doesn't show it but I know it kills him inside every time someone mentions a father.

Soon after his birth, his mother began to slip, turning to drugs and alcohol, and everyone blamed Zexion. He hid all the time, and even when I met him back in preschool, everyone would tease him for having a druggie mother and no father. He wouldn't smile, no matter what happened. It always brought me down. As we grew older, his mother got worse and worse, sometimes beating him for no reason other then the fact she was drunk. I will never forget one evening I was walking my little brother home from a film and we found him, beaten an inch from death, unconscious in the gutter. The literal gutter.

After that, he would spend days, some times weeks at my house; he had became one of the family.

I must have gotten lost in my thoughts for when I came to, Zexion was calling my name impatiently. I shook my head and snapped up, a startled 'huh?' escaping me as I looked at him, then the baby blubbering in his arms.


'Return to the living yet, Demyx? Jeez, where are the diapers?' He bounced the baby in a desperate attempt to calm it down again.


'Oh, yeah, sorry,' I laughed nervously and scratched the back of my head, pointing towards a bag on the counter. 'In there...' He gave me a sort of half smile and went digging through the bag to find a clean diaper and the supplies needed to change Sora. I simply leaned on the counter, watching his nimble hands work. He made me smile.


'What's that dorky look on your face for, Demyx?' He didn't even look up from the child as he asked this. I, however, shot up, a deep red dashing across my face. Even if I couldn't see it, I could feel it. Quickly I hid my face, trying to think of a reason I could give him. Something told me 'cause you're just so sexy wouldn't be a good answer.


'I'm just so happy you came, I don't know what I would have done without you...' Yeah, that should work. I felt something coming and I smiled, facing the shorter. He noticed, though didn't look up.


'I know what you're thinking and don't you dare...' his tone was venomous but I knew he was all bark and no bite as I spread my arms.


'C'mon, you know you wanna~' I chimed, scooting closer to him, he shot me a deadly look that I ignored. I finally engulfed him in a giant hug, squeezing his arms to his side, leaving the baby to simply lie on the mat on the counter.


I heard an angered sigh as he tried to escape, but I wouldn't let him go that easily. I breathed in, his so familiar scent filling my nose and head, eventually he gave in, standing still, looking over at me, I could tell he knew this hug had turned into something more.


I felt sad. I don't have the slightest idea why, but I did. I guess it was the thought of letting him go, the thought of telling how I felt. I couldn't control it, I wanted to say it, just to get it out there. But something held me back; what if he didn't accept me for it? What if he would accept me for liking him, but not return the favour? I would just have to take a chance, wouldn't I?


'Thank you Zexy, I don't know what I would do with out you...'

That wasn't what I wanted to say at all! What the hell!? I mentally slapped myself for being such a wuss, but stayed as calm as I could on the outside, just closing my eyes and tightening my awkwardly sideways grip on the shorter.


Then something happened, much to my amazement; Zexion hugged me back. And not a pathetic arm over my arm kinda thing, but faced me head on and buried his head in my chest. I couldn't help but look down at him, wide eyed and stunned. Something was wrong, I knew it. Something had to be in order for him to seek comfort like this. Slowly I lowered my arms around his back, pulling him closer.


I swear to god almighty, if you dare start crying you little brat I will sever your head and stick it on a wooden spike and put it in the front yard. I shocked myself with the aggressive thought, but it was true. I couldn't bear to have this moment ruined; he had finally hugged me. He hadn't even done this when he found out this guy his mother was paying to act like his father was really just some dude, and that not even his mother knew who, let alone where, his father was. This thought made me realise just how wrong things must be. I shivered at the thought. I wanted to know, but I knew that he would say it soon enough.


We stood there for what felt like only a few seconds but, when I glanced at the oven clock, I noticed it had been almost fifty minutes. I looked down the the head of blue hair hidden deep within my shirt. I stroked the wet dreads, not wanting to force him. But I had to know.

Luckily, before I could muster up the strength to say anything, a mumble vibrated through my chest. I looked at him closer, pulling his shoulders away from me. He looked at the floor, careful to avoid my eyes.


'She's at it again...' He mumbled so quietly I thought I might've imagined it at first. But then it sank in and I knew he was talking about his mother. I only squeezed him close to me, waiting for him to continue and, after many long, agonizing moments he did.


'The drugs, illegal and prescription alike, the alcohol, the beatings...' he looked up at me and I noticed his eyes were red and puffy, he had been crying, I knew it. '…Demyx, she got her job back...' My brow scrunched so tight it hurt, and I could also feel tears pulling at my eyes. I knew this only meant long nights and weeks alone for both him and his sister. He would have to look after both of them by himself, with no money and little food.


'You and Claire are always welcome at home, you know that.' I pulled him closer, tears spilling from my eyes. He laughed lightly, hugging me again,


'I know, I know you will be waiting at home for me...' my heart skipped a beat, he called it home. Just then, Sora began to babble and Zexion turned back to him, doing up his diaper and picking him up.. He then turned back to me, eyes still red and watery.


'I think he's about to fall asleep, we should sit down with him.' I showed him the way to the family room where I collapsed on the surprisingly deep leather L-shaped settee. Wow, this thing was seriously deep; it had to be at least two maybe even three feet from back to front, crazy.

I looked up at Zexion as he stood over me. I knew what he was waiting for, I don't really know how, but somehow, I knew what it was. I leaned against the arm, putting my legs up on the couch, spreading them as wide as I could. Zexion smiled and slipped in between them, resting his back against my chest as I wrapped my arms around him, peering over his shoulder at the small 'bundle of joy' wrapped in a throw in Zexion's arms.


'You'd make a great daddy...' I didn't even realise I said it until I heard myself speaking. I could tell my eyes were wide and I could feel my heart in my cheeks as I looked down at him. He relaxed into my chest.


'You too, Demmy....' I could tell he was tired and was too enthralled with the fact he had called my something other then Demyx in the sixteen plus years I've known him to say anything else.


So, with a content smile on my face and a lovely bluenette in my arms, I fell asleep on the couch, unaware that the next day, my life would be changed forever. But then and there, it didn't matter, I had Zex in my arms and he was mine and I wasn't about to let anything pull us apart. We were together now and we would be for a long, long time to come.


Or so I thought...