Roxas winced, pressing his hands against his mouth. "Nn…my teeth," he mumbled through his fingers.

"Roxas?" Zexion questioned as he sat on the coffee table across from the couch, gently putting a hand on the blonde's shoulder.

"My fangs are going away," Roxas whispered in shock.

Zexion picked up the empty glass bottle, examining it. "What could have been in this?" he wondered out loud. He brought it to his nose, smelling the rim. "Chamomile, sage…that's all I recognize. What did it taste like?"

"Roses," Roxas said lowering his hands.

"Well, whatever was in it, it cured you in more ways than one," Zexion said with a smile.

"I'm…human again," the younger teen said slowly, as if the words were foreign.

"You're not happy? I thought you hated being a vampire."

"I do- did. But…" Roxas sighed looking at the bluenette. "You're in danger Zexion."

"Well, I know that-"

"I mean even more. I'm human again. Our connection is broken. It was the only protection we had."

Zexion looked at his hands that were folded in his lap. "I'll be okay. I've been a vampire for one day. How many hunters could know where I live?"

"Xigbar knows. It won't be long until they all know." Zexion sighed, sitting up straighter. He winced in pain and rubbed his lower back. "You okay?"

"A little sore. Marluxia wasn't exactly gentle," the bluenette said leaning forward so his weight was on his thighs.

"I'm sorry. Lay down and rest." Roxas stood pulling the other toward the couch.

"I'll be okay. You need to rest more than I do."

"But I'm okay now. I don't hurt anywhere." He pushed Zexion onto the couch. "I'll get you a rose or something…Do you want tea?"

Zexion shook his head. "The only tea I have is rose water and I'm sick of the taste of roses." Roxas gave him a puzzled look. "He tastes like roses…roses and wintergreen."

"Oh."

"I'll be okay, Roxas. I'm just a little tired and sore." Zexion sighed and closed his eyes. Roxas laced their fingers, squeezing the other's hand. Zexion suddenly started coughing, wincing in pain between breaths. He groaned and wrapped his arms tightly around his stomach. "I feel so weak," he muttered.

Roxas's eyes fell as he looked away. He fingered the bite marks on his wrist that had been reduced to tiny scars. He pressed a fingernail into his flesh until it broke through the skin. Zexion opened his eyes, a coppery aroma tickling his nose. "Here Zeku," Roxas said holding his bleeding wrist out. The bluenette stared at the scarlet on Roxas's wrist, licking his lips. He shook his head slowly and turned his head away. "Come on. Get your strength back."

"No. I'm not going to drain you. You're human now. You won't recover as quickly."

"I think I can spare a little bit." He moved his arm closer. Zexion bit down on his tongue and closed his eyes. Roxas sighed and brought his own arm to his mouth, kissing the wounds. He smeared blood on his lips and sat on the edge of the couch. "Zeku…"

The older teen looked at him and Roxas quickly kissed him, smearing the blood on Zexion's cold lips. The bluenette groaned and wrapped his arms around the blonde's neck, licking at his lips hungrily. The blonde pulled away, looking down at Zexion. "Roxas-"

"That's nowhere near enough." Roxas dug his fingernails into his flesh, making the wounds deeper. He winced slightly when he licked the cuts, sucking harshly to get more blood. He bent down and kissed Zexion again, forcing his tongue past his lips, blood dripping into Zexion's mouth. He swallowed the liquid, pulling Roxas closer, kissing back. Roxas straddled the slate-haired teen who winced slightly. The blonde pulled away, panting. "Sorry. You okay?"

"Yeah," Zexion replied, gently touching the other's face. "Your skin is tan now. That's so weird."

"My blood isn't cold anymore."

Zexion smiled and reached up, brushing Roxas's blonde bangs back. "Your eyes look even bluer."

The younger teen looked away, a tinge of red coming to his cheeks. "Thanks."

"You look adorable when you blush!" Zexion exclaimed touching Roxas's cheek.

"Zexion!" The blonde's face became redder as he swatted the older teen's hand away.

The bluenette smirked slightly. You embarrass so easily," he said pulling Roxas down, their noses touching. "I could say you have a cute ass and you'd probably faint." He pinched the blonde through his boxers. Roxas whined loudly, burying his face in Zexion's shoulder. The bluenette wrapped his arms around the boy and kissed the top of his head. "Hey, can you get up? I need an aspirin."

"I'll get one for you," the blonde said climbing off the older teen, standing.

"Thanks," Zexion said smiling, "They're in the medicine cabinet, top shelf." Roxas nodded and hurried into the hallway, disappearing. Zexion picked up a fallen couch cushion and hugged it tightly. He closed his eyes, exhaling loudly. He ears twitched and he sat up slowly, hearing footsteps outside. He looked at his front door, gulping. He held his breath, listening. The footsteps ceased and he sighed in relief, coming to the conclusion he imagined the noise as he lay back down.

Knock knock knock. The bluenette's eyes widened and he sat up quickly, hissing in pain. He looked down the hallway…no sign of Roxas. He stood slowly, cringing as pain shot up his spine. He put his hands on the front door, standing on tip-toe to peer through the peephole. A woman dressed in a business suit was standing on his porch. She had her arms crossed and was tugging a lock of her dark blonde hair impatiently. Zexion hesitated, but opened the door a crack, keeping the chain on. "Yes?"

The woman lowered her arms, a forced smiled pulling the corners of her mouth. "Hi. I know we haven't really met…I'm new in the neighborhood. The damn electricity just went out and I can't find the circuit box. Can I borrow a flashlight?"

Zexion let a small sigh escape his lips. He carefully unlocked the chain and opened the door wider. "Sure. Would you like to come in?"

"Thanks," the woman said stepping into the home. Now that she was in the light, Zexion could see she had piercing, jade green eyes. Her short, blonde hair was styled in an unusual way, two pieces gelled back like antenna.

The bluenette closed the door and gestured toward the couch. "Feel free to sit." The woman nodded and sat on the couch, crossing her legs. Zexion winced in pain as he knelt by the coffee table and opened the small drawer. He moved stacks of paper, mostly old bills Saix had left behind.

"Larxene."

The teen looked up. "Huh?"

"My name," the woman said tapping her foot in midair, smirking. "What's yours kid?"

"Don't call me kid. I'm seventeen," the bluenette said scowling.

"You look twelve." Zexion groaned, plunging his hand back in the drawer. Larxene laughed. The teen cringed at the high-pitched noise, his ears twitching uncomfortably. He withdrew a small, black flashlight and handed it to her. She took it, pressing her lips together. "You never answered my question."

"Zexion," he said simply, standing. He bit his lip and rubbed his lower back.

"Nice to meet you," she said in a too sweet voice. She leaned back, uncrossing her legs. "So…how long have you lived here?"

"My whole life. Why?"

"Just curious. I'm new and want to get to know my neighbors. Is that a problem?"

Zexion shook his head slowly. He sank into the armchair, keeping his weight on his thighs. Roxas suddenly re-entered the room, keeping his eyes on the two little white pills in his hand. "Sorry I took so long, Zeku. I couldn't find the-" He cut himself off as he looked up, seeing Larxene. "Oh. Um…"

Larxene's eyes immediately locked on Roxas, looking the tiny blonde up and down. "Uh, this is our new neighbor, Larxene. And, this is Roxas."

"Hi," Larxene said smiling her strained smile.

"Um, hi." Roxas looked back at Zexion, walking over to him. "Here, Zeku," he said pressing the pills into the other's palm. "Let me get you water-"

"I don't need water," Zexion said sticking the pills in his mouth and swallowing.

"Do you want me to rub your back?" Roxas asked, gently touching Zexion's hand.

The bluenette squeezed the other boy's hand before replying, "No. I'll be okay."

Larxene cleared her throat causing the two to look at her, Roxas blushing slightly. "Anyway, thanks for the flashlight, Zexien."

"Zexion," he corrected, "With an o."

"Whatever. I'll see you two later." She stood and made for the door. She opened it and paused, keeping her hand on the knob. "You know, Roxas," she said turning to look at the teen, "You look different than your picture…a lot different."

"Huh?" the blonde boy questioned, raising his eyebrows.

Larxene laughed through her nose and let the door swing shut. "Your wanted picture back at headquarters. My superior officer tells me you've been on the wall for three years now."

Roxas's eyes widened fearfully. "Wh-what?"

"Oh don't worry, little one," she said chuckling, "I wouldn't harm another human. Emo kid over here however…" She pulled a silver spike from the inside of her jacket. Zexion leapt up from the chair and backed away slowly. Larxene laughed, smiling a malicious smile. "You're dead kid."

"Run Zeku!" Roxas yelled, lunging himself at Larxene with the intention of getting the spike from her. The bluenette didn't need to be told twice. He took off toward the hallway.

Larxene grabbed Roxas by the arm, twisting it behind his back. "Nice try," she said pinning him to the floor. He struggled under her, kicking his feet wildly. She snarled, stabbing Roxas's arm with the spike. He cried out and she slammed his head against the floor, knocking him out.

Zexion stopped at the doorway, turning around slowly. "Roxas-"

"Just you and me, vampire," Larxene hissed, pointing the sharp blade at Zexion.

He gulped and took a step backward, his back colliding with the wall. He looked at Roxas lying on the floor. The small blonde groaned, his body twitching faintly. Larxene advanced toward the bluenette, smirking. She made to grab his arm, but he ducked, crawling between her legs. She growled and seized him by the ankle, the teen collapsing on the floor. "No! Let me go!" Zexion begged trying in vain to crawl away, his nails clawing at the carpet.

Larxene flipped Zexion over, pinning him down by straddling him. He looked up, seeing her raise the spike. Tears streamed down his face as he begged strength to return to his frightened form. Roxas, he thought as the blade pierced his flesh, searing pain erupting for his chest. Larxene withdrew the spike slowly, Zexion screaming as he felt the blade cutting his tender muscle. She glared at the teen who was gasping for air. She stood slowly and took out a thin, black cell phone, flipping it open. "It's Larxene. Specimen number 162 has been eliminated. I'm returning to HQ now." She closed the phone and left without saying another word.

Zexion gasped in air. He brought a hand to his chest, covering the wound as if trying to get it to stop bleeding. His vision was growing fuzzier as the pain slowly spread throughout his petite body. He closed his eyes, whimpering. "Zeku?" Zexion opened his eyes, seeing a fuzzy outline of Roxas bent over him. The blonde had a deep gasp on the side of his head. Tears were falling from his blue eyes, landing on Zexion's cheeks. He gripped the bluenette's blood-soaked hand, squeezing it.

"It hurts," Zexion whispered, his other hand fisting his slowly reddening shirt.

"I'm sorry," the blonde said choking back a sob. He bent down, burying his face in the crook of Zexion's neck. "Please don't go."

The bluenette looked at him, still trying to take in a good breath. A sharp pain seared through his body from the wound in his chest. He gasped out, squeezing Roxas's hand tighter. The younger boy sat up, looking at him, more tears splashing down his face.

Zexion was finding it harder and harder to breathe. His entire body felt numb and his head was spinning from blood lose. He looked up at the blurry outline of Roxas and reached up. Roxas took his hand as Zexion whispered, "I love you."

Roxas choked back another sob before replying in a shaky voice, "I love you too, Zexion."


A/N Before I get killed, there is an epilogue on the way. Just saying .-.