~O~

Silvery blue eyes gazed up at the stars. A smile curved Roxas' lips upward as his mind drifted to Axel. He licked his lips. He had indeed possessed every last inch of this gorgeous creature. He was considering doing it again. He would at this very moment if Axel weren't asleep. He smiled in satisfaction, finding that he enjoyed seeing his beautiful red-head come undone. Very much. He purred softly and stroked incredibly soft red hair, reveling in the knowledge that he was the only one allowed to touch Axel like this and he was the only one that there ever would be. Moonlight was spilling into their room from one of thirteen paned windows. Roxas' eyes slid shut as he smiled warmly, simply enjoying Axel, simply enjoying being. His fingers stroked gently and he hummed softly, seeing, hardly realizing what he was doing. When Axel had discovered Roxas' ability, he'd felt it: Axel's desire for the thing he couldn't have. The warmth of the sun engulfing them, his gaze meeting Roxas' at sunset while their fingers intertwined. The ability to be free from the fear of losing Roxas to its burning rays. His eyes slid open just as the red-head was enveloped in a golden light. It was gorgeous, just like the vision of Axel at sunset that flashed before his eyes. Hues lightening the variants of red in his hair, gold flecks illuminating gorgeous emerald green eyes, and a happiness on his mate's face that he had never dared to dream of. He purred softly in satisfaction, pressing his lips to those of his sleeping, beautiful Axel. He blinked, staring at his hand and feeling a spike of panic as he realized what he'd done. Axel sensed him, and he felt Roxas' fear before he spoke.

"Roxas?"

The blond's lips parted. "Axel I-I..." Beautiful green eyes blinked up at him. He was still faintly glowing and such a vision. Roxas couldn't look away.

"I feel different..." their eyes locked for a moment.

"I-I did something. I don't know I..." Roxas stopped thinking when the red-head gave him a gorgeous smile and a shock of pleasure radiated though his body. He gasped when Axel grasped has hand and kissed the backs of his fingers.

"I'm okay. I can feel your element radiating within me." Pleased, he nuzzled against Roxas' fingers. "Did you have a vision?" he purred sweetly. The blond held him close, imagining him in golden twilight of his hometown. Axel hummed softly, seeming to understand, to see.

"You were there with me, watching the sunset." The red-head's lips curved upward.

"Then we should go," he purred.

"In the sunlight…?" he asked, hopeful but apprehensive. Smiling sweetly, Axel nodded. "How long can we withstand it?" Humming softly, Axel's eyes slid shut and he let Roxas feel the experience in his memories. Sensing the concern Roxas felt, he allowed their eyes to meet.

"Somehow, I can feel it will be different. I trust in you, even if you do not trust yourself yet," he murmured, continuing to sense Roxas' doubt. "Trust me, trust how I feel for you, for your ability." Softly, Roxas replied,

"How can you have so much confidence in me?" Axel smiled for a long moment.

"We are one, how could I not?"

~O~

When Cloud came to this senses, a jolt of panic swept though his heart upon realizing what he'd done. Again. His face was steadily overheating. A stormy blue gaze nullified his fear and he was swept away by an undercurrent of calm that overwhelmed his body and his mind without his permission. As he stared into the beautiful red-head's eyes, the creature rubbed their fingertips together sensually, casting him deeper under the spell they cast. They lulled him, and as if in a waking dream, his body moved without his permission, relaxing against the body beneath his own. Luscious lips parted and he shivered uncontrollably at the sound of his name being purred.

"Be at ease. Don't fight, my love," Reno murmured sweetly. The red-head's eyes slid shut for a long moment, breaking the spell that they cast on the blond, but the calmness remained. "Do you feel better?" he asked quietly.

"I do," the blond answered, unsure of himself. The Vampire was silent for a moment longer.

"Preparations are nearly complete, enough has been done. All that remains is to transport you to Twilight Town," Reno murmured softly. "Until then, will you stay with me?" the red-head asked. Cloud's face flushed, realizing what the Vampire was asking. True to his word, he had helped Cloud. There was nothing more to be done. He flushed warmly, remembering how his expressing of gratitude had turned into another round of love making in his room. Now dawn was approaching and Reno wanted him to stay… to rest with him. How long had it been? Over two decades…? And he could still remember how it felt… He bit his lower lip, overcome by temptation. He rolled onto his back and closed his eyes, just breathing as he sank into soft bedding.

"I think it would be best if I didn't," he answered, teasing his lower lip between his teeth as he hesitated, "...but if you would like to stay here you can," he answered tentatively. He felt the bed shift and when he opened his eyes, he saw Reno gazing down at him, smiling gently as he propped himself up on his elbow. He was so beautiful that Cloud's heart nearly stopped.

"And would you protect me from danger?" the red-head teased with a wry grin.

"Yes," Cloud answered without thinking. He had caught Reno off guard, he could feel it. He could see it, as Reno's grin faded. It was what grounded him, what made him realize what he had said… and when he didn't regret it, he could feel Reno's vulnerability as he considered doing just that. Reno gazed down at him, perfectly calm and serious.

"Then shall I trust myself to you?" he asked.

"Would you?" Cloud whispered breathlessly. Gentle fingers caressed his face.

"I would," he answered, bending down and gently pressing his lips to Cloud's. The blond let his hand find the back of Reno's head and he tugged the Vampire closer to deepen the kiss.

"Okay," he whispered back. Reno smiled at him warmly, settling down on top of the blond. It was only when the red-head had stilled on top of him that Cloud dared to relax. He let himself take in Reno's gorgeous face and admire his beauty. To think about the mind-blowing sex they'd been having. About how good it felt to open up to him and to have Reno's trust. He could feel his heart pounding but he had to be sure. He had to see Tifa. He held Reno close, and the red-head nuzzled closer to him instinctively. It felt so good. Like he was protected and safe. He hardly realized that he was falling asleep.

~O~

Roxas closed his eyes, sighing softly in pleasure.

His head was resting in Axel's lap as they sat on the edge of the clock tower in Twilight Town, watching the sky turn crimson, enjoying every moment as they remained unaffected by the sun's burning rays. It was something he hadn't realized he'd needed. This moment and every moment that would come, free to enjoy his mate in any way he chose to. He reached up, his fingers playing with crimson hair. Axel smiled down at him in contentment. He was indeed breathtaking in the fading light.

"You are… simply amazing, Roxas," he murmured in delight. The blond could sense that more than anything, Axel longed for freedom. Freedom from fear and from suppression. He could feel what was on Axel's heart, but what he was hesitant to ask. His eyes slid shut and he hummed in agreement, a vision of him using his light and Axel using his darkness to launch a surprise attack during the daylight. It would be crippling. Their opposition would fall and those that would be left would be left in a blind panic. It would finally be over.

"Yes it would," he answered dreamily. Fingers stroked his hair lovingly and he hummed in pleasure.

Their moment was interrupted as Roxas gasped, his senses on fire. Something was wrong. So so terribly wrong. His father, he was dying... His wide blue eyes met Axel's and the red-head took his hand, squeezing reassuringly without a moment of hesitation.

"Let's go," the red-head answered in agreement as darkness swirled around them.

~O~

When Cloud came to his senses again, he could feel every fiber of his being ablaze. He knew even before he opened his eyes that Reno was gazing at him affectionately. He blinked open his eyes to meet an endearing smile that was even lighting blue eyes. Cloud rubbed at his eyes tiredly. "Reno..." he murmured with a yawn. The red-head hummed softly in response. "Sorry for falling asleep I..."

"Its fine," he purred back. After another moment he broke the silence between them. "It's nearly time, you'd better get dressed." Cloud's face flushed a soft pink at the reminder that he and this gorgeous creature were currently naked and so intimate. Reno chuckled softly in amusement. "Will you ever cease to be shy?" he teased. Cloud gazed at him, weak to Reno's beauty. His heart nearly stopped when a warm, soft, wet pressure caressed his lips. "You're complimenting me?" said beauty teased. Cloud kissed him back in response, their limbs tangling together as tongues delved and battled for dominance. The blond broke away with a moan. "Be careful or I might not be able to let you go," Reno answered huskily, reveling in the rush of arousal the promise sent though Cloud's body. He pulled the blond close to rub their aching arousals together. Cloud whimpered in pleasure.

"I-I can't," he protested weakly.

"Darling, you'll be more frustrated if you leave like this than if you take me," Reno purred back. The blond swallowed thickly and Reno smiled at him, watching for a moment. "How about… you close your eyes. Forget its me. Let your mind go wherever it wants to?" He could feel Cloud's uncertainty and pressed their foreheads together, shushing him softly. "Close your eyes," he murmured gently. When Cloud obeyed the gentle command, soft lips set about exploring, making the blond sigh and relax into their gentle caresses. He let out a shaky exhalation and breathy moans as those burning lips and that wicked tongue worked their way down until… he gasped harshly when he was surrounded by that hot velvety warmth. His thighs were grasped and parted as the owner of those lips sucked hard. Cloud threw his head back, moaning loudly and all he could think about was the red, velvety hair that his fingers were buried in and what their owner was doing to him. He was trembling as that tongue continued to pleasure him, Reno bobbing faster and faster until with a gasping sob, he came. He took a moment or two, just to breathe, still shuddering, but when he opened his eyes, Reno was gone. Gasping he sat up, his heart clenching as he looked around. He froze, hearing Reno's playful voice in his mind.

Get dressed.

Blinking, he nodded and forced himself to calm down. When he was ready, he followed his instincts as he searched for Reno. He found him, checking over the supplies one last time before they would be sent off. He glanced back toward Cloud, giving him a sweet smile and his heart nearly stopped. Lush lips parted to say his name and he found himself shivering but unable to stop himself from going to the Vampire. He gently trapped Reno in his arms from behind and the red-head froze. When he looked back at his little blond, he blinked, finding their lips caught in a kiss. A hand reached up to caress blond hair as Reno deepened the kiss. He laughed breathlessly, giving Cloud a sweet smile.

"Are you ready?" he asked gently. He gasped when Cloud pulled him closer.

"Almost," he answered, taking the red-head's lips in another deeper kiss. Shuddering, Reno kissed him back. Cloud gasped when darkness swirled around them and Reno shushed him softly. He blinked, realizing they were at the rendezvous as the darkness dispersed. Reno's lips curved up.

"On time, as promised," he murmured softly. The shadows swirled around him once more, his red hair fluttering gently around him. Cloud swallowed hard, memorizing every detail of the lovely red-head. "Remember to return," he purred with a wry smile," and then he was gone.

Cloud exhaled sharply. He'd never heard of such a power or dreamed that Reno would use shadows to transport them. He took in his surroundings, seeing crates of food there with him. He let the tension leak out of his body and leaned against them bonelessly. Twilight Town. It had taken a single moment to get here. His hand raked though his hair unsteadily. Distance really was nothing to these creatures.

He was in a haze as he met with members of the resistance, helping to disperse and direct goods. He gave a simple explanation of working with the Vampires and that this was a token of goodwill toward the resistance. He smiled and reassured everyone that everything was going to be okay until he was caught off guard.

"Cloud!" The sound of his name had him flinching violently and before he was ready for it a trembling raven-haired woman was in his arms. Instinctively, he wrapped his arms around her protectively, sighing softly as he held her close. She was the one person he wasn't sure he could lie to.

"Tifa..."

"I'm so sorry, I should have never asked you to go, I thought I was never going to see you again!" she sobbed. Before he could respond, a soft voice interrupted.

"I'm sorry but perhaps a quieter place would be best for your reunion?" Cloud visibly relaxed upon seeing that Aerith was there as well. He had been so preoccupied that he hadn't noticed that she had arrived with the second shipment. Tifa blinked up at Cloud and then, startled, met the woman's green gaze.

"Cloud..? Who is..?" The blond smiled at her reassuringly.

"A friend," he answered. "Come with me, there's so much to tell you," he murmured, tugging her to a quiet spot and trying to think of what to say. Before he could speak she was asking a question that overwhelmed him with guilt.

"Roxas, my baby, is he okay?" Cloud closed his eyes, grimacing. He was silent for a long moment. He knew that it was best that he told her himself.

"He's gone. He's one of them," he confirmed, holding her and listening to her heartbreaking cries as he told her the news. "I'm so sorry," he murmured numbly. All of this was so sudden, like he was in a daze. His eyes slid shut and he wasn't sure if he could handle the guilt of seeing her heartache. He held her until she had calmed, and then gently stroked her hair. "There's more that you need to know. The Vampires are offering peace if I stay with them as well." Tifa gasped, her watery brown eyes meeting Cloud's. They were full of heartbreak and he could feel it breaking him.

"Oh Cloud, I should have never asked you to go, this is all my fault," she sobbed with tears in her eyes. Cloud shushed her, kissing her reassuringly.

"It isn't," he answered. "There are things neither of us knew or could have forseen," he answered quietly, "all that's left to do is decide what's best from here." Tifa blinked up at Cloud, alarmed.

"This isn't like you, what aren't you telling me Cloud? You're acting strange, I don't like it!" The blond bit his lower lip.

"Lea... has chosen to have Roxas by his side," he answered carefully. He cringed at his wife's gasp.

"That monster is forcing our own son against us?!" she spat hatefully in a fierce whisper. Cloud bit his lower lip.

"I understand that soon Lea will know Roxas' mind, whether Roxas wants him to or not." Paling, Tifa staggered against him wordlessly, clearly in shock.

"That means..." He watched defeat overwhelm her and silence engulfed them. She was trembling when their eyes met again and Cloud knew what she was thinking. "Why do they want you too?"

"Reno wants me," he answered truthfully, pressing his lips into a thin line. His brows furrowed at the horrified, but otherwise unreadable, expression on her face. Before he could ask she had drawn a knife and was stabbing him. He hissed in pain and surprise but before he could ask demand to know what she was doing, her trembling hands pulled the knife free. She dropped the blade, her eyes impossibly wide as the wound mended itself before their very eyes. Cloud hissed, looking for passersby but no one else had seen the incident.

Tears streamed down her face. "What are you doing?!" he whispered tensely, feeling an overwhelming sense of dread as Tifa began to lose her composure.

"No… no, not you too Cloud!" He found himself at a loss for words as she gazed up at him in agony and betrayal.

"I'm still human," he promised, shushing her, "It's okay, it's going to be okay, I promise you, just-"

"You've been bitten, Cloud!" she yelled, shaking her head, "How could you come here like this?!" Cloud heard a gasp. A quick glance had him relieved that of all people, Aerith was the one that had heard them.

"I had to save you," he pleaded with her staring into her eyes and begging her to understand, "Please, just listen to me! I had to help you while I still could!" She was sobbing as he pulled her into his arms. He cried out in agony and surprise as she thrust a blade into his left side, stopping short of penetrating his heart. "What are you doing?!" he hissed.

"No, Tifa stop! You don't understand," Aerith pleaded, staying back when Cloud motioned for her to stop.

"Yes I do! This is all my fault," she answered, fighting as they struggled. She fully realized that Cloud didn't want to hurt her or Aerith and was using it to her advantage. "Let me save you before it's too late, Cloud! Let me, let me purge the disease from you-" Hissing as she twisted the blade, he shoved her away, and she fell hitting the ground hard. Cloud was gasping in pain as he realized what she'd done.

"Cloud!" Aerith screamed, watching his knees buckle as he fell to the ground. She watched in horror as blackened blood dripped from the wound and it wouldn't heal as Reno's blood began to die inside of him. Cloud hissed in agony as he stared at Tifa's motionless form beside him, the irony of what he'd said about Roxas being better off dead than a Vampire hitting him hard. He chuckled breathlessly. There was no saving him. His blood had been altered already.

His eyes slid shut and he wondered if it would be better to let the poison attacking his Vampire blood consume him. He hissed, watching his veins blacken. The pain was excruciating. He felt a spike of fear for Aerith as she held him, and he looked up into her tear-filled eyes and grimaced. His senses sharpened and he gasped breathlessly, realizing that Reno could sense something was wrong… and he could sense something more… He smelt smoke before he saw…

"R-roxas..." he murmured, seeing his son appear just like a glowing vision, a vengeful angel surrounded by light and darkness.

"Dad!" Tears slid down Cloud's face just before Roxas rushed to him. "What happened?! You're dying," he hissed in agony. Cloud placed his hand on top of his son's head as he was embraced, smiling wistfully, his heart softening. Roxas keened into the touch and Cloud found himself sensing something his son had longed for- his father's pride and acceptance, just before he lost consciousness.

~O~