"Good morning, Roxas."

Roxas stood in the doorway of the lab, frozen in place, trying to force himself not to run away.

"... something on your mind?"

Roxas cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably, still struggling to spit out words. He began to feel nauseous again, now biting his lip to stop himself from vomiting. He finally couldn't take the anxiety anymore and decided to take off back to his room. "Uh, never mind. Sorry I disturbed you."

"Wait!" Zexion called out to him as he turned to head back down the hall. He quickly caught up to Roxas, laying a hand on his shoulder in the hopes that he would turn around. "You came down here for a reason, Roxas. Tell me what's wrong."

Roxas drew inward, close to the wall, hiding his face. Zexion stepped around to the front of him and gasped when he saw it. Roxas was pale and thin, his hair matted with sweat, and his eyes bloodshot.

"Good lord, Roxas, you look terrible. Are you in pain?"

Roxas shook his head rapidly. The nausea had built to dangerous levels, and he dared not open his mouth lest he become sick yet again. He doubled over, clutching his aching stomach and trying to breathe through his nose. His efforts ultimately failed, and he vomited right there on the floor. Zexion jumped out of the way, narrowly missing it. Thankfully, Roxas' stomach was empty, and there wasn't much left to expel. After several seconds he slid down to his knees, succumbing to seemingly endless dry heaving. His stomach writhed and clenched relentlessly, and he longed to vomit again just to feel a glimmer of relief.

Zexion gently patted his back, still stunned by the sudden change in Roxas' condition. He could feel the boy's abdominal muscles spasming violently, even though the vomiting had ceased. Roxas, coughing and sputtering, curled up on himself in pain. The retching began to gradually fade, but Roxas remained still as stone, wheezing, sweat falling from his face onto the floor.

"There now, it's alright…" Zexion whispered to him, still rubbing his back and letting him stay still for as long as he needed. Roxas looked up at him, panting and with eyes watering, silently begging him for help. Today was the final straw. He simply couldn't take it anymore.

"Breathe through your nose… there, that's good. Roxas, when you're ready, let's go inside and talk."

"Zexion… make it stop… please…"

Zexion stared at Roxas with pity in his eyes, feeling some peculiar aches in his chest as he witnessed the boy's suffering. "I will, but you've got to come inside first."

After a minute with no more spasms, Roxas let Zexion help lift him back to his feet. Slowly, they made their way into the lab, where Roxas was led to the same cold metal table he'd laid on several times already. He curled up immediately on his side, pulling his legs to his chest and trying to catch his breath.

Zexion pulled up a chair and sat beside him, fiddling with a device for injecting potions. "Roxas… how long has this been going on?"

Roxas stared at him, dreading what his reaction would be when he learned the truth. After a long exhale he relented and spoke with a hoarse voice, pausing frequently for breath. "This happens… every day… two weeks now…"

Zexion's eyes widened in disbelief, his mouth hanging open. "Two weeks? Roxas… why didn't you tell me?"

Roxas sighed and looked away, lost for words. He was tired of people hovering over him, and he didn't want to give them another reason to do so. He couldn't bear the thought of being confined to his bed yet again.

"You didn't have to suffer so long, Roxas." After giving Roxas the injection, he removed his gloves and laid his hands over Roxas' cheeks and forehead. Roxas pulled his legs in tighter, waiting for the nausea to subside.

"Zexion… what's happening to me?"

"I don't know. You're not feverish. I don't think you're sick. I need to run some tests. Lie still, I'll be back."

He took off into the next room, leaving Roxas alone on the table. You still have time to run, Roxas thought to himself, but immediately pushed the thought away. Zexion was helping him, and he had no reason to run.

Zexion soon returned with an electronic notepad and a few other instruments. He spent nearly an hour cycling through each one, frantically typing notes in between. After being scanned with nearly every piece of equipment in the lab, Roxas was certain Zexion was about to just send him back to bed with no answers when he heard him gasp abruptly. Roxas opened his eyes to see Zexion staring at a nearby screen. Roxas stopped breathing, shuddering to think what had the scientist so spooked.

Zexion set down his notepad and approached Roxas cautiously, masking his nerves behind his excellent bedside manner.

"Roxas… would you remove your coat?"

Taken aback, Roxas did what he was asked, pulling the coat over his head and waiting to see what Zexion wanted to examine. Zexion guided Roxas onto his back and gently pressed his fingers over several spots on his abdomen. Roxas, feeling thankful that he was no longer nauseous, watched Zexion's face intently for any clues as to how serious he seemed to think the situation was. Zexion was quiet as he poked at Roxas' stomach, concealing his reactions quite well.

After a few minutes of prodding, Zexion stood, speechless, staring at his notes. Roxas found it difficult to settle the rapid fluttering in his chest as he waited in silence for his diagnosis. Judging by how Zexion was reacting, it must have been pretty bad. Finally, Zexion set his notepad down and laid a hand on Roxas' shoulder, speaking with a calm and comforting tone.

"Roxas, I don't want you to be worried. But I don't quite have any answers yet. I need to study this information some more. I think you should go back to your room and rest until I have something to report. You'll be more comfortable there."

Roxas sighed heavily, having dreaded such a prescription. Zexion helped him back up so he could redress himself. Although he was disappointed, he followed Zexion's orders and made his way toward his room, trying to decide what he'd do with his day now that he couldn't go anywhere.

Lying in his bed and staring out the window, Roxas contemplated Zexion's reactions during the examination. He prodded at his own belly, hoping to feel whatever it was that startled Zexion, but he couldn't feel anything that wasn't supposed to be there. He rose from the bed to go and look at himself in the mirror, once again finding nothing to be alarmed by, save for his pale skin and bony figure.

Still feeling sticky and sweaty, he decided to pass some time in the shower. He sat on the floor as the warm water poured over his head, soothing the drumming in his chest and allowing him to feel relaxed. He lost track of time as he rested there, eyes closed, deep in thought. After a long while, when his skin began to wrinkle, he decided to return to his bed and take a nap.

Drowsiness struck him as soon as his head hit the pillow. As he drifted off, he thought he could hear a voice calling his name. He didn't recognize it, but it sounded vaguely familiar.

Roxas…

The sound startled him awake, and he sat up quickly and whipped his head around the room, searching for the owner of the voice. To his dismay, he was alone. When seconds passed in silence and the voice did not return, he laid back down, deciding that he had likely dreamed up the voice. He closed his eyes, succumbing to his fatigue, letting his mind file through pleasant memories to lull him to sleep. The sound of Axel's laughter. The taste of sea-salt ice cream. The warmth of a tranquil beach. The friendly face of a girl with dark hair…

Axel took his time making his way up the stairs after a long day doing recon with Xigbar. They were instructed to stake out a new world, one which was so vast it took all day just to cover a small portion of it. He wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed and crash, but he had to check in on Roxas. He'd thought about his friend all day, wondering if he was doing okay.

When he reached Roxas' door, he knocked lightly, calling out to him. "Hey, Roxas. It's Axel. You awake?"

"You can come in, Axel."

Axel entered the room to find Roxas lying in bed and staring at the ceiling, looking bored out of his mind. He didn't turn his face when Axel came through the door, his eyes remaining fixed intently on the metal pipes high above his head.

"You okay, buddy? Did they stick you on bed rest again?"

Roxas heaved a sigh before finally giving Axel a response. "No. I got sick again today. It was really bad. I went to see Zexion about it but he couldn't figure out what was wrong."

Axel stepped forward and seated himself on the edge of the bed, joining Roxas in his ceiling watching. "Zexion's a smart guy. Vexen, too. I'm sure they'll figure it out soon enough."

Roxas closed his eyes with another heavy sigh, turning on his side and absentmindedly picking at a stray thread on his sheets. "If it doesn't stop, Saïx won't let me go on any missions. I'll just be stuck here all day, every day."

Axel struggled to think up a response to put his friend's mind at ease. Roxas was right. The Organization wasn't about to risk their whole plan falling to ruin for Roxas' sake. They'd lock him in his room and tie him to the bed if they thought it would help them reach their goals.

"I'm sure this won't go on forever. They'll fix it and then Saïx will let you go on missions again. And we can go have ice cream afterwards."

"Can't wait for the day when I can keep it down…"

Axel smiled at Roxas with pity in his eyes, giving him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. He missed having ice cream with Roxas — most of the time he was too sick to join and never seemed to have any appetite. He hoped that Vexen and Zexion would come up with something soon before Roxas died of malnutrition.

Roxas took notice when Axel failed to suppress a yawn, unable to hide his exhaustion any longer. "You're tired. You should get some sleep, Axel. Don't worry about me."

Axel rubbed his eyes, nodding in agreement of Roxas' observation. "You're right. I'm dead on my feet. I'll see you tomorrow, buddy. Goodnight!"

"Goodnight Axel."

Axel smiled at Roxas as he rose to his feet with an enormous stretch. Yawning, he made his way to the door and traipsed down the halls with shoulders slouched, dragging his feet beneath him. When he finally reached his room, he found he didn't even have the energy to undress. Struggling to keep his eyes open, he trudged past his closet and collapsed onto the bed. He let his limbs hang off the edges of the mattress while his head sank deeply into the pillow. Just as he closed his eyes, he heard the door open, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps entering his room. He didn't have to look to see who it was.

"Haven't we had this discussion about knocking before? You just make a fist and—"

"Axel. We will need to send you back to Castle Oblivion."

At this, Axel sat up and swung his legs over the side of his bed, curiously glancing in Saïx's direction. "Me? What for?"

"Lord Xemnas wants to reopen the investigation there, now, while we have the upper hand. We need to find that lost heart before they do."

Axel crossed his arms, contemplating. The Organization had pulled out of Castle Oblivion months ago when Naminé was taken from them. They had successfully unlocked and scrambled Sora's memories, and their job was to keep it that way, but their plans were dashed by Naminé's escape. "But why send me? I don't have any better chance than Marluxia and Larxene."

"You will be going with Roxas. Xemnas believes even just entering the castle may trigger something. Best case scenario is that he leads you straight to it."

"Does he? Does he also realize that the last time I tried to bring Roxas in there, he collapsed?"

Saïx closed his eyes, having little patience for Axel's interruptions. "That is why you're going with him. He was overwhelmed by Sora's memories before, but since we retrieved him from the simulated town, the work on restoring Sora has reached a standstill. Now is our chance to continue."

Axel glared at him, "And suppose something happens to Roxas?"

There was a pause. Saïx's cold stare remained unbroken, as if etched in stone. "You can expect the orders soon."

Axel rose to his feet to face him, only inches from his face, their noses practically touching. He could have burned right through the man's corneas with his fiery glower, but Saïx's unblinking expression did not falter, appearing almost bored at Axel's display of dominance.

Axel, accepting that he simply could not intimidate Saïx, scoffed and turned his back to him, stepping around his bed to look out the window. After a beat, he realized that, despite Axel's clear disdain for his presence, Saïx had not left. Clearly, he had more to say, but for some reason was not saying it.

In a deep, sinister tone, Axel decided to break the ice for him. "You didn't come all the way up here just to tell me that."

There was silence, heavy with anticipation. Axel smirked, glad to finally have the upper hand. He let Saïx stew in his discomfort, waiting patiently for his response. It was several seconds before Saïx, sounding smaller than when he had first entered the room, finally gave his answer.

"I... have need of your services."

Axel chuckled at his former friend's reply. It had been years since he'd heard those words — a secret code Saïx used back when they had reason to use it. Axel wanted nothing to do with the man, but he couldn't let him leave now that he had something Saïx wanted. Axel endeavored to particularly enjoy this rejection. "I'm all booked up for today, you'll have to make an appointment with my secretary."

He waited for the sound of footsteps but could hear only silence. "Lea... what has happened to you?"

Axel did not answer right away, caught off-guard by the use of his human name. In his eyes, it was Isa who had changed the moment he committed to being Saïx. He was darker and more cruel than he had ever been. He was withdrawn and resentful. He barely resembled the friend he used to be.

"Not sure what you mean. I'm still the same guy I always was."

"You are different, Lea. Ever since—"

"Have you ever considered that maybe it's you who is different?" Saïx said nothing, taken aback by Axel's accusation. "You're not the same man you were before we joined up. Oh sure, you're fiercely loyal, and you're ambitious as ever, a real testament to your work ethic. But when did you get so damn cold?"

Saïx dropped his head and was silent, lost for words. Axel continued to stare out the window, waiting to see if he would get an answer to such a piercing question. He heard a shuffling behind him and finally turned around to see his former friend standing completely naked before him. Stunned, mouth agape, Axel gazed up and down the man's body, as flawless as it ever was. The moon beams reflected off his porcelain white skin and danced through his silky blue hair. It was several seconds before Axel came to his senses, clearing his throat nervously.

"Not even going to wine and dine me first?"

Saïx sauntered seductively toward Axel, locked onto his eyes with a sensual smolder. "You know.. I remember a time when you had to wine and dine me."

Axel chuckled. "And I remember very few times where it was so easy to get you to disrobe."

"It's been a long time, Lea."

He delicately placed his hands on Axel's chest. Axel shuddered at his touch, trying to resist his desires. Saïx slowly pulled the zipper of Axel's robe down, one tooth at a time. His eyes never left Axel's, and his cold expression shifted to one of hot seduction. Axel remained frozen, his chest fluttering and his breathing shallow. Saïx made slow, meticulous work of unzipping Axel's coat, and all the while Axel grew more aroused every second. Finally having slipped the coat off his shoulders, Saïx brushed his fingertips over Axel's bare chest, leaving goosebumps in their wake. Axel felt as though his skin were vibrating.

He took Saïx by the chin and turned his face up. Saïx did not resist, parting his lips just in time for Axel to meet them with his own. He kissed Saïx deeply, running his fingers through his blue hair. Axel had nearly forgotten the taste of him. He tried all his tricks on him but still found his own knees weakening. He had bedded half the Organization dozens of times over, but not a one could curl Axel's toes like Saïx.

He nibbled at Saïx's bottom lip, eliciting a barely-audible whimper from the man, his hands traveling over Axel's body. Axel pulled away from the kiss to collect himself, still trying to rein in his arousal. Saïx began planting kisses all over his neck and chest, until Axel snapped and grabbed Saïx's wrist. "On your knees, comrade."

Reacting quickly to Axel's command, Saïx obeyed and knelt to the floor in front of him. Hastily unbuckling Axel's belt and releasing the zipper, Saïx pulled his pants down until at last, Axel stood naked and ready. Saïx stared longingly at Axel's handsome body, barely able to keep his hands off of him.

"It's not going to suck itself." Axel crossed his arms impatiently, waiting for the submissive Saïx to begin servicing him. Saïx quickly attended to Axel's needs, a glutton for his enormity and his authoritative performance. But Axel was only half-performing. Although Saïx was irresistible, much of the anger Axel displayed was genuine, as he had years of resentment to blow off, and this was the perfect opportunity to do so. Just how could Saïx have the audacity to come begging for gratification now after all they'd been through? Saïx had incredible gall to act so cold and distant by day, treating Axel as if he were beneath contempt, only to come knocking on his door at night looking for a warm body to lie with. And just how did he know Axel wouldn't be able to refuse? Axel sank into his self-loathing, internally scolding himself for giving in to Saïx's advances. His former friend would not go unpunished. Axel would take Saïx to bed tonight and give him the sound thrashing he both requested and deserved.

Saïx hungrily devoured Axel for several minutes, with great skill and attention to detail. He knew his lover's every weak spot, and he thoroughly took advantage of each one. Axel stood back and enjoyed the view, stiffening at the degrading image below him; the Organization's greatest pain in the neck, on the floor, lips wrapped around one of his subordinates. Every so often, Saïx's eyes glanced up at Axel, as if seeking approval, but Axel showed him none, remaining expressionless and giving the man a taste of his own bitter medicine. He took Saïx by the hair and forced him to take more of his throbbing erection, hoping to hear the satisfying sound of his supervisor choking on him, or to see his pretty eyes water. Saïx didn't flinch; he drank in every inch that Axel presented to him, as if his throat were bottomless. He was truly an expert in this category.

Behind his authoritative mask, Axel was practically on fire. Every inch of him tingled with pleasure, and every touch from Saïx sent chills down his spine. He quivered inside his friend's mouth at every sinful draw of his tongue. It took enormous effort to conceal his enjoyment, and he finally could not bear the wait. He needed this man in bed, and quickly.

"All right. That was passable," Axel instructed with an uninterested tone and gestured toward the bed. "Get on all fours while I'm still hard." Saïx swiftly climbed onto the bed as he was asked, and Axel took his position behind him and promptly inserted himself. Saïx grunted, surprised by the speed of Axel's penetration. Axel wasted no time mercilessly thrusting into Saïx, who could not help but utter a series of hoarse whimpers at Axel's impressive size and unforgiving pace. Axel grabbed a fistful of Saïx's bright blue hair and pulled his head back, leaning over him until his lips were inches from his lover's ear.

"Pitiful Isa... always making me do your dirty work... What would Xemnas say if he saw you like this?" Saïx turned his head to face him but knew better than to say a word. After a minute Axel released him and let his head drop. Axel slowed his pace, giving his partner the illusion of mercy as he fought to control his insatiable lust, determined to prevent the premature end to this unforgettable encounter.

He dragged his fingers down Saïx's back, letting them slide through every curve. There was no denying the man was beautiful. It was too bad he was such a colossal bastard. Axel pulled himself out and laid down on the bed next to him, panting heavily and wiping sweat from his forehead.

"You work me too hard, Isa. I'm tired. Why don't you get to work for a change?"

Saïx obediently climbed on top of him, gracefully draping himself over Axel's chest as he straddled him. He crawled toward Axel's face to kiss him, sensually grinding his hips. Seizing control again, Axel quickly interrupted the kiss, pushing Saïx away until he sat upright, his imposing form casting shadows over Axel's skin. Axel gazed at the breathtaking view of Saïx's undulating silhouette as he plunged himself deeper inside of him. He could have spent hours just admiring Saïx's stunning physique, but his greedy eyes quickly settled on his prize. He casually brushed his fingers over it, dragging them up and down the length of him. Saïx moaned and whimpered with pleasure at his lover's touch, his torso writhing with intense desire. Watching the usually rigid and unyielding supervisor lose his composure was almost too much. Axel tried to avert his gaze from his amorous glare, but could not tear his eyes off of him. A familiar warmth began to wash over him as he drew closer to losing control.

"Hmm. I can't look at you. Turn around. I don't want to see your face."

Saïx quickly reversed position and eased himself onto Axel once again, the interruption buying him some time. Axel laid back and let Saïx have the reins for awhile. He watched the rippling of Saïx's backside as he effortlessly accommodated Axel's formidable size. He reached out and yanked Saïx's shimmering hair again, and Saïx gasped with surprise, pain, and pleasure. Axel propped himself up to a sitting position behind him and reached around Saïx's hips to stroke him slowly. Saïx threw back his head onto Axel's shoulder, his chest heaving with each breath as he sank ever deeper onto Axel. He rolled his hips back and forth wantonly, barely able to contain himself. Axel grazed his fingertips over Saïx's neck as he nibbled his ear, sending him into the telltale spasms he'd been waiting for.

"Lea.. at least let me see you when I—"

"Who said you could talk?" Axel maneuvered himself out from under Saïx and threw him down on his back, interrupting his impending climax to deliver more punishment. Saïx's body squirmed and writhed with anticipation. Axel crawled over to Saïx and drank in the sight of him lying there, legs open with lustful yearning. How long had it been since Axel had seen him wear any expression other than contempt? He focused intently on every feature of Saïx's face, his furrowed brow, his gritted teeth, his watering eyes. Axel nearly broke as he watched the stony face of his old friend grimace with unfulfilled desire. He was running on borrowed time.

"Filthy slut," Lea slammed the man's knees together and penetrated him viciously from the side. "You'll finish when I give you permission to."

He reached between Saïx's legs again, feeling him clench and shiver inside his grasp. Saïx bit his lip, his fingers tightly gripping the sheets. Axel was brutal and animalistic as he threw all his weight into every thrust, burying himself deep inside of Saïx's quivering form. His spasms were nearly unbearable, and Axel struggled to maintain his composure.

He yanked Saïx's legs apart, suspending himself over him, holding him down firmly by the wrists, and burying himself deeper inside his gluttonous flesh. Saïx squirmed under Axel's grip, whimpering and pleading with his eyes. Axel smirked with devious amusement as he denied him his long-awaited release. How he longed to hear the man beg.

In a gracious act of mercy, Axel finally freed Saïx from his restraints, towering over his lover once more to watch him indulge aggressively. Saïx looked up at him with an expression Axel hadn't seen in years. Caught off-guard, he quickly looked away, unsettled by the memories that began bombarding his mind. He froze, paralyzed by the sudden distraction.

"Lea, please… look at me… I'm about to..." Saïx's raspy voice snapped Axel out of his daze. Rather than punish him for speaking out of turn, Axel obliged his former friend's request, hovering just inches above his face. Resuming his thrusting, he locked his smoldering gaze into Saïx's eyes.

"Fine. You have my permission."

Axel felt it before he saw it. Powerful tremors built up in Saïx's core. His hips bucked wildly and his eyes widened. To Axel's surprise, Saïx reached up and pulled him in for a final passionate kiss. As their lips touched, he felt Saïx explode with a shout beneath him, his moans and whimpers muffled by Axel's mouth on his. His climax sent spasms through Axel's body and he finally lost it. His chest heaved, his back arched, and a pulsing warmth spread from deep inside him to the farthest reaches of his extremities. He dug his fingers into the bedsheets so forcefully that his knuckles turned white. He broke the kiss, gasping as he came so strongly that he grew dizzy. He slammed himself violently inside of Saïx, throbbing as the pleasure peaked, the sounds of both men grunting and moaning without restraint echoing through the room.

The bliss and euphoria seemed to go on for hours before eventually winding down as their bodies went limp, sinking into the mattress with exhaustion. They remained there, panting and sweating, staring at each other in silence. Axel remained inside Saïx for a long time, wishing he didn't have to part with his former lover again. He remembered past nights they had shared together with fondness, longing for what they used to have. He wanted desperately to reach out and touch Saïx's face, to kiss him again. Whether he had a heart or not, looking at what the man had become now… hurt. It hurt more than anything.

He pulled himself out of Saïx, winded and wiping sweat from his face, rose from the bed and stepped toward his bathroom. Hesitating, he turned for one last glance at Saïx's naked form lying on his bed, wondering if this would be the last time he would ever see it. He forced himself to look away, refusing to surrender himself to false hopes and painful memories. The self-loathing had returned with a vengeance. Before secluding himself in his shower for the rest of the night, he gave one final command to his former friend and lover.

"Now get out of my sight."