Axel's p.o.v:

Screams were running tape in my head while I sat on the couch writing in my notebook. Nothing's wrong, just the singer is currently screaming on my iPod. What might I be writing you ask? Just the usual poetry, a story here and there, nothing major. Just writing to get the thoughts out of my head, pass the time until Reno gets home from work. To this day I still don't know exactly what he does, and I don't think I ever will.

Did I mention the living room is currently only lit by candles? Yea, super creepy.

The sound of a key in the lock brought me out of my monologue. I looked up and right into Reno's smiling eyes. "Hey babe."

Reno pecked my nose and plopped next to me on the couch, putting his head in my lap. "Hey Axe, how was your day?"

I put the notebook down and ran a hand through Reno's hair. "Boring, yours?"

Reno groaned a bit.

I laughed lightly. "I'm guessing not much better?"

Reno nodded.

I pulled a Twizzler out of my pocket, watching Reno's eyes light up further. "Will this make it better?"

Reno smirked and grabbed the twizzler, biting off a piece.

"That looks so wrong you know."

Reno kissed my cheek. "But ya love it."

I smiled softly and kissed his cheek. "True."

I fished around in my pocket for my phone when i felt it buzzing. Reno looked up from staring at my shoes. "What's up?"

I opened up Messages. "Got a text, probably from Demyx or Roxas or something."

I started to read the message and began to pale at the one sentence I saw:

"I know where you are. I'll find you when he's not home, and you'll get what you deserve."

Reno saw what I was reading and pulled me into his chest. "Axel?"

Tears started to form in my eyes. "I think my dad knows where I live."

Reno's face lost any color it had left. "The fuck? How?"

I ran a hand through my ruby hair. "I don't know, but he found out somehow."

Reno looked at the number on my phone. "What if he lives closer than ya thought?"

I paled. "He did say he had moved...you don't think he could've moved here!"

Reno wrote down the number on a piece of paper he got from his pocket. "I'll get some help on this, ask Tseng to have Elena to come be here for a bit. He'll understand."

I sighed in a bit of comfort and anxiety. "I've got a bad feeling about this..."

Reno hugged me gently. "Don't worry, you're gonna be okay."

Reno grabbed his phone and went into the kitchen. "Besides, Laney isn't that annoying."

I laughed a bit, but there was still a tinge of bitterness in my voice. Something just didn't seem to sink in fully. What if that really was my dad trying to find me? It definitely sounded like my dad, he was never really that nice to begin with. I thought I had seen him around town recently, or someone who resembled him. Xigbar said he had seen someone like him recently, didn't seem like a bad guy...but my dad always appeared like that on the outside.

Reno snapped me out of my thoughts by setting a plate down in front of me. "Axel, i know you're worried, but at least be worried on a full stomach."

I grinned at his odd humor and dug into my stir fry. "Thanks babe, I'm glad you're here to help me out with this."

Reno smiled and nuzzled into my hair. "It helps when you love the person as much as I do, and when you have as many resources."

I smirked. "Don't forget lack of sanity."

Reno laughed. "Guess that helps too."

I sent a text to Demyx asking him to come over. I need a bit more support with this. My phone buzzed immediately after sending it.

Demyx: how soon do yo need me to be there?

Axel: Reno's here now, but he'll be going back to work in a minute.

Demyx: what's wrong?

Axel: I'll explain when you get here.

Demyx: alright, be there in five minutes.

Axel: thanks.

I slid my phone in my pocket and kissed Reno before he left. "Hope they can help."

Reno smiled and hugged me tightly. "Don't worry, we'll figure this out. Elena texted back, Tseng sent her here, she'll arrive in fifteen minutes."

"Thank you Reno."

Reno gave a sloppy salute. "No problem angel."

I watched Reno walk out the door and saw Demyx run in and hug me. "Hey Axel!"

I returned the hug and plopped us both down on the couch. "How are you so damn happy all the time?"

Demyx pulled his legs up. "Positivity and Pepsi. Works wonders man."

I shrugged. "Fair enough."

Demyx turned to face me. "So what's up? You seem anxious."

I breathed shakily. "I think my dad knows that I live with Reno."

Demyx went paler than his hair. "Shit! Really?"

I pulled up the text i had gotten earlier. "This is what i received before I texted you. That's why Reno went back to work."

Demyx read the text, looking at me with concern. "Will you be okay here?"

I nodded. "Reno said a woman named Elena is coming to stay here while they figure this out."

Demyx nodded, rubbing my back. "How did he find out where you live?"

I shook my head. "No clue."

A knock on the door startled me for a moment until I heard a female on the other side. "Mr. Flynn? I am Elena from Shin-Ra, here to guard you until further notice."

I walked to the door and opened it. "Can I see your badge for a moment?"

She fished it out of her pocket and placed it in my palm. "Good, asking to verify."

I smirked and handed it back to her. "Reno said the logo behind yours was misprinted, that your hair was 1inch shorter on the right side, and your head was tilted at a 45° angle."

Elena nodded and stepped inside, shutting the door behind her. "All the flaws in my photo. Good memory."

"Thank you. This is my friend Demyx, he shall be here for the time being."

Demyx rose and shook Elena's hand. "Pleasure to meet you Ms. Elena."

Elena sat down across from us. "Pleasure to meet you as well Demyx."

"May I ask something Mr. Flynn?"

I nodded. "Go ahead."

Elena straightened her tie. "What is your father like?"

I took a deep breath. "My father is abusive, alcoholic, and sadistic. He's been like that towards me since I was born."

Elena tilted her head. "Why such behaviour?"

I breathed deep. "My mother died giving birth to me."

Elena's expression softened a bit. "I'm so sorry. So he blames you for losing his wife?"

I nodded.

Elena tapped her arm. "What does your father generally look like?"

I scrolled through my phone to find a picture. "6'4", mid-back length red hair, he keeps it in a ponytail for his job. Medium amount of muscle, green-grey eyes, both ears pierced with cross earrings, angular face— a little more than mine, and a guitar tattoo on his neck, left side."

Elena studied the picture on my phone. "What does he tend to wear?"

I thought briefly. "Sleeveless shirts, black, gold or red with a front pocket for his iPod or his phone. Khakis or silver basketball shorts if he had a day off. Grey and aqua checkered converse or lilac hi tops if he went running that morning."

Elena nodded and kept typing. "Any other jewelry besides the earrings?"

I nodded and flipped through my gallery. "Dragon wraparound bracelet, usually to work. Sterling silver cross for most days, emerald silk choker he wore as another bracelet. He still wears his wedding and engagement rings, both white gold dotted with sapphires and emeralds. He wasn't really a diamond kind of guy."

Elena nodded. "Any other identifying marks? Scars, birth marks, recent injuries?"

I nodded again. "He has a scar over his left eye from a year or so ago, tripped on a table when he was wasted."

Elena finished writing and pocketed her phone. "All details are recorded and accounted for, I sent them to Tseng and Reno and Rude, who will forward them to the appropriate departments for further progress in this investigation. In the meantime, I say we should change the subject to something more palatable."

Demyx and I nodded in agreement.

Elena pulled a soda from inside her jacket. "How long have you been in a relationship with Reno for?"

I smiled minutely. "Its been six months."

Elena caught my small gesture and returned the smile. "You have my congratulations."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome Mr. Flynn."

I clasped my hands together. "Please, you may address me as Axel."

"Very well then Axel."

I leaned in closer. "Can I ask you something Elena?"

Elena nodded. "Go ahead."

"What's Reno like at work?"

Elena looked at her watch. "How much time do we have?"

I smirked. "As long as it takes."