Chapter Text
What is reality? Some may say reality is simply 'what is real' or 'that of which can be observed', but does that truly answer the question? Truth be told, reality seems to be different for everyone, as everyone perceives the world around them differently. So that poses the question: Can reality truly be defined? If so, then where is the line drawn? Are there boundaries?
These are things Vexen often ponders, especially after the events that have transpired within the past several years. Many things that seemed impossible; things that Vexen's former self may have laughed off and deemed to be irrational and illogical, had happened to him and his peers. Why on earth would Vexen think one can lose their heart and still retain their original form as well as their sense of self? The multiple experiments that he and his fellow apprentices conducted in secret never led him to believe it was possible... yet, here he is. One might say that the occurrences dehydrated the man, furthering his seemingly unquenchable thirst for knowledge and answers.
After all... Vexen is a scientist. Experiments are what he does, yes.
Naturally, Vexen's role in Organization XIII was to do exactly as he did when he was whole: form hypothesis, research, experiment, record his data, and adjust as needed. Often by his side was Zexion, a young man with the patience of a saint to put up with Vexen's constant nagging and bickering as well as a comparable thirst for knowledge, and Lexaeus, though to a lesser degree. Lexaeus was often sent on combat missions, as he was arguably the strongest member of the Organization, why have him stay back and be bossed around by the mad scientist? That's nonsensical.
As per usual, Vexen was in his lab, looking over the many research notes and reports on the Replica Program. He and Zexion were so close to perfecting it, but it was still with it's flaws. Focused, he sat hunched over a desk, papers in one hand, the other hand balled into a fist and pressed firmly against his temple. The man's face contorted into various uncanny expressions as he read, the cogs in his mind turning. Watching him blankly was Zexion, wondering what the Chilly Academic could be thinking.
"You know, I, too, prefer to be as thorough as possible, but don't you think we sh-"
"SILENCE, ZEXION!" Vexen barked, not moving his eyes from the papers. Zexion sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he shook his head.
"I just don't understand why you won't try my suggestion... Vexen" the younger male glanced up as he spoke, his expression showing what seemed to be annoyance.
"How dare YOU try to boss ME around! I'm Number IV! You're Number VI! That is no way to speak to your superiors, young man! Know your place!" Vexen squawked, his green eyes seeming to almost protrude from their sockets. For someone who apparently lacked a heart, thus lacking emotions, he sure was easily angered by such minuscule things.
"All right. I'll leave you to it, Number IV. I'll see what else the Superior needs to be done. Good day, Vexen." Zexion vowed as he summoned a portal, leaving the Academic alone to study the notes once again.
Vexen looked back to the notes, his face twisting into odd expressions once more as he examined what he and Zexion wrote. "Absurd.." he grumbled to himself, tossing the papers down on the desk before burying his face into his hands. He wasn't giving up, but rather letting his mind rest for a minute or so. It couldn't hurt to recollect his thoughts before continuing to ponder what his next steps might be.
Suddenly, Vexen sees movement out the corner of his eye. He turns, expecting to see someone, maybe Zexion returning, but he saw... Nothing. Quirking a brow, he hummed, as he knew he saw something. Perhaps, he was overdoing his thinking and he was seeing things. It's happened before, Vexen becoming hyper-focused on his experiments to the point that he slowly drives himself mad. Perhaps he was doing it again... until he saw movement again, whipping his head to see... absolutely nothing. Again. Knitting his brows and clenching his teeth, he groaned, thinking he may have figured out what was up. Someone, most likely Xigbar, Demyx, or Axel, was attempting to rile him up with some sort of prank. It wasn't abnormal for certain members of the Organization to mess with Vexen, ironically causing the Chilly Academic's temper to become hot.
"Very funny. Whoever is there, you can come out. Now is not the time for games!" Vexen demanded, his bright green orbs scanning the room. No response. No one laughed or appeared before him. Was he really imagining it, or was the prankster just not giving up? All of a sudden, Vexen heard a noise from behind him, looking behind him to see nobody was there. This made him believe that the prankster was likely Xigbar using his spatial distortion ability to mess with Vexen. The Freeshooter was fond of using his abilities to prank the other members of the Organization, and Vexen was a prime target since his reactions could be rather explosive. Aggravated, he slammed his hands on the desk as he stood up, now shouting. "XIGBAR! I know it's you! Come out this instant!" The scientist's eyes were wide as he waited for Xigbar to appear from wherever he was hiding, wearing his signature smirk. However, Xigbar never appeared, nor was he anywhere to be seen. Before Vexen could yell again, he saw movement across the room near a shelf. Growling, he stomped over to the shelf, wasting no time to look and see who was messing with him. What he saw, though, was a shocking sight.
Not Xigbar.
Not Axel.
Not Demyx.
In fact, it wasn't even one of the residents of The Castle That Never Was. It wasn't any of the other Nobodies that could be found in The World That Never Was. It wasn't... anyone. In front of him, floating in midair was none other than the white lab coat he wore in his former life. Many hours he'd spend, conducting experiments, taking notes, the usual all in that very coat. He knew it was his by some of the familiar stains and markings on the coat. It hadn't aged well, just like the scientist himself, it had been through some shit, but Vexen was still able to recognize his beloved lab coat. Rubbing his eyes, he blinked a few times. Not imagining it... his coat was there, in the flesh... er.. fabric. Floating. No strings attached, no one manipulating it. Gulping, Vexen finally spoke, his voice shaky.
"H-how-" he began, but the coat brought it's ragged sleeve to his mouth, emitting what sounded to be a 'shhhh' noise. Vexen's eyes widened, the wrinkles on his face becoming more visible.
"Even... It's really you... I looked all over for you." a voice said. The voice belonged to the coat. Impossible! Coats don't talk! Vexen backed away, examining his surroundings again to be absolutely sure no one was behind this. The coat floated toward him, bringing a sleeve up to gently caress his cheek.
"It's... Vexen now.. How are you here... speaking to me?" Vexen asked, facial expressions wild as ever. The coat chuckled, bringing the sleeves up to where a face would be.
"Ah, about that.. You see, when you left Radiant Garden, I was due for a washing.. but you never returned. It made me feel very sad and neglected. Eventually, the overwhelming emotions I felt about your departure gave me the will to live. And once I was alive, I searched for you. I traversed many worlds to find you. I wanted to feel your skin against my stitches again, and have your hair tickle all of my fibers. I was afraid to find you for a while, though.. because you didn't wash me before you left. So I felt dirty and unworthy." the coat explained, emotion apparent in it's voice. Vexen listened, the cogs in his brain turning once again. While the whole situation at hand was strange, there was one question tugging at his mind. How did his coat have a heart... yet he didn't? Interesting.
"I do apologize.. It was unfortunate, but I had no choice in the matter. I was going to wash you, I swear." Vexen apologized, his voice softer and more tender than usual. The coat turned away, crossing it's sleeves.
"Ev-Vexen.. I want you to wash me. For old time's sake. I've spent years being dirty, and only becoming more dirty as I searched endlessly for you. No one else offered to wash me, and I can't wash myself, it isn't the same!" the coat whined. Vexen sighed as he placed a gloved hand on the fabric's shoulder. It wasn't lying, it was absolutely soiled. The foul scent of the coat scratched at his nostrils, and he had to back away as he failed to hold back a cough.
"Sorry, I swallowed wrong." he lied, fanning the air quickly, hoping the coat wouldn't notice. Apparently, it did notice, though.
"Liar! You can't stand me anymore! You used me and left me to hang around, collecting dust while you.. got a new coat!" it cried, slapping Vexen across the face with a stinky sleeve. Vexens face smushed into an expression or anger and hurt.
"HOW DARE YOU!!!" he shouted, wagging a finger at the nasty fabric in front of him. "Have you forgotten all that we have been through?! I could have never became the man I was without you! Look, I couldn't go back- it's a long story and I can't explain now! I have work to do! You can wait for me just a few more minutes, can't you?!" The coat sighed, facing him once again. For a moment, there was silence between Vexen and the coat. Vexen's gaze dropped to the floor as he turned to go back to his desk when the coat spoke again.
"Just promise you will wash me. Soon." Vexen stopped, looking back at the coat. A half smile pulled at his lips before he replied.
"Very well. I promise. Just let me finish up."