A/n: Oh my, I haven't cackled evilly like that in a while, guest. Bwahaha. Here you go, enjoy. Stay tuned, I'm on a roll.

~O~

"Cloud! Don't you dare die on me!" Reno pressed his forehead to his fading fledgling's. Even though Cloud had been rushed to him, he feared it was too late. He'd seen this poison at work before. He know how close to death Cloud was. "I'm not going to let you die," he hissed fiercely.

Meeting with the resistance had been a disaster. Not only had Lea and Roxas shown up but they had also taken Cloud and Tifa away without explanation. There had been chaos and fighting. The mistrust between the two factions was palpable. Roxas could sense that attempting to meet again would go very badly. However, his primary focus was on his mate. He could feel the chaos swirling inside of Axel, right to his core.

"Don't be foolish," Axel warned. Reno didn't look away from his blond, absolutely uncaring of his brother's order. Green eyes flashed in annoyance. "You'll die," he snarled. Roxas watched them mournfully, sensing more than he could see, as Reno closed his eyes for a long moment.

"I'll die if I don't," he answered emotionally. Just as Axel's temper rose, Roxas' hand slipped into his. Beautiful blue eyes met emerald green and the red-head was filled with an overwhelming sense that they should let them be. Roxas knew that Axel didn't want to accept it, so he murmured,

"I know..." then his eyes met Reno's. "However I can help, I will. Please… save him..." His eyes met Axel's and again he beckoned his mate. "It will be okay. The transformation might be enough. We are strong," he reminded.

He smiled in approval as Reno strived to reach his father though their mental connection. Cloud grimaced, his eyes fluttering open and Reno laughed breathlessly. "Hey," he murmured, stroking his hair gently. "Its gonna be alright, okay?" Sensing his mate's displeasure, Roxas peered up at Axel, his smile softening.

"What if it were me?" he asked softly, and green eyes softened marginally. "You would do the same."

"Reno is..." Roxas stood on his toes, pressing his lips to Axel's for a long moment.

"I know," he murmured again. He took his hands reassuringly. "I have made a decision," he told Axel, squeezing. Green eyes widened and Axel smiled at his little blond, sensing how certain he was, absolutely pleased. "Let's go see mother," he murmured, willing the darkness to come around them.

Axel's eyes met his brother's one last time. "Call to us if you need us." Reno nodded in appreciation, smiling down at his blond.

"I'm going to bite you, 'kay?" he murmured soothingly. Cloud's breathing had become pained and labored. "Can you hear me?" he asked. Sensing that Cloud was fading, he acted, making the blond whimper and moan in pain and pleasure as he drank. The blond clung to him as Reno drained the life from him. When his heart stopped, Reno released him. "Can you hear me?" he asked again. Cerulean eyes blinked open. He felt so tired. Gently he brushed red hair away from Reno's face, not sure of what was happening or why the red-head looked so heartbreakingly sad. Cloud smiled gently, his eyes sliding shut. The red-head grasped his hand, squeezing painfully hard. Feeling Reno's desperation and sensing his pleas to look at him, their eyes met once more. "I can't lose you," the red-head pleaded softly, pouring all of his will into his next command. "Bite me, drink, be with me forever. Even if you hate me for this, so be it. There's no time to waste," and gasping and losing himself, Cloud did. Reno sighed in relief as Cloud latched on to him, only letting go when Reno guided him to. The Vampire's lips pressed to golden locks, painting them crimson, and Reno pulled him close as the transformation began.

~O~

Cloud awoke with an alertness that wasn't his own. His vision and hearing were sharper. His teeth ached. His canines were sharper, longer. He could smell blood. It made him hungry. It was so wrong. A body shifted underneath his own and he realized there was someone there with him when the loss of contact left him burning up. He groaned in agony, flushing when he realized that they were completely naked. He recognized that pale flesh well, by now.

"Reno..." he murmured. A pale hand found his face, lifting it in response until their eyes met. The red-head said nothing, his blue eyes simply glimmering gently. Cloud automatically shuddered in relief and nuzzled into the touch. His golden brows furrowed. "Oh God what have you done to me?" he moaned in despair.

"There wasn't much time," Reno answered a moment later. "Your altered blood was being purged, so I took it for you. When you drank my blood to survive, you became like me."

"How could you do that to me," Cloud asked brokenly. "You should have let me die." Lanky fingers stroked his face.

"Not just me… Roxas and Lea also intervened. We were both in danger." He paused for a moment, carefully asking, "Can't you see how loved you are?" Cloud froze, staring up at Reno with wide eyes.

"What?"

The red-head's eyes slid shut. "It's okay. Mourn the decision I took from you," he murmured gently. "I would wait a thousand years for your anger to cease. Just don't run from me. You need me now, more than ever."

"What if I do?" Reno hummed quietly. "What if I don't stay?"

"What if you return to that woman who tried to kill you?" the red-head asked for him, quirking a brow as their eyes met. "You will lose control and kill her. Is that what you want? Would you be satisfied then?" Cloud bit his lower lip, shivering as a gentle thumb massaged the pain away.

"I just… didn't want things to end that way," he admitted. Reno smiled softly.

"They won't," he answered. "So don't be stubborn… I don't want to see you go through that."

"What if I make you wait ten thousand years?" he asked scoffing. Reno chuckled softly.

"Is that the price for your heart?" he asked, trailing his fingers along Cloud's cheek and brushing back golden hair. The blond's mind blanked as he was pulled into a kiss. "Darling, you belong to me now. Time is irrelevant, I would wait a hundred-thousand years if I had to," he purred into Cloud's ear, "You're a part of me as I am a part of you." The blond gasped, his cheeks flushing as Reno trailed down his neck with this lips and tongue. "Giving every last bit of yourself to me will become as natural as your instinct to survive." Cloud's head lolled to the side automatically, and he was startled to realize that his body was submitting to Reno, even without the dreamy haze he usually found himself in. Before he could do more than realize this, Reno bit. His body shuddered at the shock of pleasure and his eyes lidded. He felt himself surrendering. Reno released him and a hot tongue caressed his skin, teasing the spot and tasting his blood. He purred pleasurably, making the blond shudder.

"The poison appears to be gone. How do you feel?"

"H-hot… why am I burning up?" The red-head chuckled for a moment, peering up at Cloud when he sensed his annoyance.

"Fate, my darling," he answered elusively. "Now you must rest," he murmured, and Cloud found himself powerless to fight the gentle command.

~O~

Cloud quickly learned that being apart from Reno was agonizing. He also learned that he couldn't hide even the smallest amount of discomfort from Reno. Gentle hands were stroking him, lulling him closer, comforting him. He whimpered softly, unable to stop himself from wanting it more than anything, with every fiber of his being. All while his anger at Reno burned like hot coals.

"Dear one," the red-head purred, and it lulled him softly, making him relax against his will. His anger flared as he realized this and he hissed in response, hating how inhumane it sounded. Reno chuckled softly in response, unable to stop himself. "Intimacy and blood are the price for what you desire," he suggested softly, knowing that Cloud wanted to feel better and to be away from him. The blond completely stilled against him. Red brows furrowed just before cerulean eyes met his own. He could feel the chaos swirling in his little love and his gaze softened. "Take it out on me," he purred in agreement, "I'll be alright."

"No," Cloud hissed back stubbornly. Reno's lips quirked up as he shifted, peering down at the blond.

"Fine," he answered. His red hair fluttered as darkness swirled around him. Cloud held his gaze, captivated, just before the red-head disappeared from his lap. His eyes slid shut and he bit his lower lip. Reno leaving him filled him with dread and misery. He refused to give in.

"No," he muttered, "I don't care how gorgeous you are, whatever game you're playing I won't give in." He knew that Reno had heard him and was reveling at the chase to come. Cloud scoffed. As if. "Not gonna happen," he muttered darkly. What he hadn't realized was that he would eventually go out of his mind and seek Reno out on instinct alone.

He could vaguely recall stumbling as he was drawn by an intensity he'd never felt before, still naked as he fell at Reno's feet. He was unaware of anything but the need to delve into Reno and never withdraw. He could sense that Reno knew that if he allowed such a thing, he would never reach Cloud's heart. Instead, the red-head hushed him softly, trailing his fingers through blond hair. Relief surged though his mate.

"Don't be stubborn," he commanded softly. Cloud dug his fingers into red hair and tugged Reno close.

"Why is this happening to me?" he demanded tensely. Reno watched him calmly.

"You don't need to be afraid," he answered. His blue eyes lidded and he tilted his head to the side, offering an expanse of pale flesh. Cloud clenched his teeth as he was overwhelmed with the urge to bite. "I told you what you need, remember?" Scowling Cloud hissed,

"If I don't, are you going to force me to?" Reno smiled wryly.

"I can't make you do anything you don't want to. We are equals now." He sensed Cloud's confusion. "...but you will go crazy from bloodlust," he warned softly. "You need blood." He could sense his little blond's displeasure and scoffed. "Shall I send you Tifa for your first feeding? Would that be the poetic ending you craved?" He hissed softly when Cloud tugged his hair and pulled him closer into a submissive position.

"I didn't know you were capable of being jealous," he breathed into Reno's ear, forcing him to moan breathily.

"You're mine. I never wanted to share you," the red-head hissed back. He gasped when Cloud bit him, shuddering and biting his lower lip at the feeling of fangs penetrating his skin. They withdrew and the blond sucked at the wound sharply until he was writhing in pleasure. Lips trailed up his neck and Cloud whispered fiercely in his ear,

"I'm not your possession."

"You are my mate," Reno whispered back just as fiercely. Their eyes met. Cloud's were wide in confusion but he could feel it. Every fiber of his being, every instinct, was screaming Reno's words.

"What?" he whispered breathlessly. His thoughts ceased when Reno kissed him passionately.

"Try to lie to me all you want, I know you can feel it." His gazed softened as he sensed Cloud's racing thoughts. How? Why? What did that mean? Didn't he have to consent to something like that? "Loveling," he purred softly, drawing Cloud's gaze to himself and silencing his mind, "I had to take every drop of corrupted blood for you." His fingers caressed Cloud's body and the blond shuddered. "You drank more than enough to replace it."

"But I didn't want to," he protested. Reno nodded.

"I know. I made you do it." Cloud's eyes fluttered as he remembered Reno's terror of losing him. He groaned softly, leaning into the red-head's comforting touches. "I love you," he told the blond firmly, kissing him deeply. Cloud got lost in the feeling, whimpering into Reno's mouth.

"I love you," he whispered back weakly, "and I hate that you did this to me."

"I can live with that," the red-head answered. He took Cloud's hands in his own, leading them to his body. "Whatever the price, you're still here." Blond brows furrowed and Cloud whimpered as the red-head took possession of his mouth once again before guiding his hands to undress him. "I love you, Cloud," he whispered again. "I want you. I need you. Allow me to show you, every day, until we are no more." His touches left the blond weak.

"I…" Reno's tongue slid up his neck in a slow glide, his lips caressing sensually. "I want," he murmured, trying to focus. He grasped either side of Reno's face and stared into his eyes for a long moment. "I want you to ask for my permission," he said weakly, not knowing how to make the red-head understand. He melted a bit, realizing that Reno did. He knew in an instant what the red-head was feeling.

Stormy blue eyes glistened as Reno gazed at him affectionately and nuzzled into his embrace. "Will you be my mate?" he purred softly, watching Cloud for a long moment before murmuring "No… Will you be mine until we cease to exist?"

"Its so sudden… so much…" Reno watched him patiently, but Cloud shuddered, knowing that he wanted to devour him.

"Okay." He touched Cloud soothingly. Blond brows furrowed in confusion and Reno chuckled, catching his thoughts, "No, that's not all." His hand slid into golden hair, pulling hard. Cloud hissed in pain and pleasure as that gorgeous creature held him close and straddled his hips. "Until you say yes to me, you will let me take care of you."

"What makes you think I'm going to say yes?" Cloud hissed. Chuckling, Reno kissed him gently. It sent a rush of ecstasy through him. Cloud could feel the absolute certainty. Like it was destiny. It charged through him, like an electric jolt and left him tingling everywhere. Reno deepened the kiss. When he broke away, he smiled down at Cloud affectionately. He purred softly when his little blond's hands caressed his sides sensually,

"We have such a strong bond already, why do you fight it?"

"Because I didn't choose this, and despite that," he hissed, clenching his teeth as he fought his instincts, "I want you. So much."

"It's only a matter of time, loveling. Your stubbornness will not win against your instincts, will you not consider me before then? I didn't do this to hurt you." Cloud laughed breathlessly.

"I know," he muttered in agony. He could feel Reno's concern for him and groaned softly, surging forward to kiss the red-head. Tongues battled and Cloud's mind blanked. He vaguely felt hands guiding him, pushing him back gently as Reno broke the kiss, extending his neck instead as his eyes slid shut. He gasped softly when lips found the pale flesh, kissing and sucking.

"Bite me," Reno pleaded softly. He moaned, trembling in pleasure when Cloud viciously sank his fangs in, breaking the perfect skin. His soft cries of pleasure were arousing the blond. He rolled his hips into Cloud's, begging, "Drink your fill, my love," and as he did, Cloud shuddered, feeling his mate's intense arousal. He released the red-head, driven to make Reno fall apart and hissed in pleasure when lanky legs wrapped around his waist.

"I'm so confused," he whispered. "I...I…" hands gently framed his face. Reno watched him in understanding. He kissed him slowly, beginning to understand what exactly it was that Cloud needed.

"You aren't over me, you aren't over her… you're worried that how Tifa reacted is your fault and feel guilty about your feelings for me now," he murmured softly. "You feel betrayed. You feel lost. I know." He kissed Cloud gently. "It's okay." He took a moment to stroke blond hair. "I know it hurts. Mourn however you need to." Cloud held him, his emotions hitting him hard. Reno held him, trailing his fingers across paling skin as he fell apart, crying into his chest. He could sense the deep hatred Reno had for Tifa. That he hadn't wanted this for Cloud. He could feel Reno striving to calm himself, to merely comfort him.

Cloud held him, even when he couldn't cry anymore. "Thank you...for saving my life. I'm sorry for being so terrible to you." Reno simply stroked his skin and his hair in slow, reassuring touches for

moments longer.

"You have had many decisions made for you. I understand your anger," he answered. "You have every right to be angry, darling." Cloud gazed up at Reno, feeling vulnerable. "Whatever you need, I will give it to you. Please let me," he pleaded softly, pressing his lips to Cloud's forehead. "You don't have to be strong for anyone anymore. Let me take that burden for you." Cloud's eyes fell shut and their noses brushed.

"Okay," he whispered back. Reno gently brushed his lips against Cloud's. He hummed in pleasure when the blond surged forward to kiss him deeply. Cloud stared into his eyes helplessly. "I love you, Reno," he murmured. "I've always loved you. Part of me always knew." The red-head kissed him deeply. He smiled endearingly, his hand caressing his blond's face gently. He could feel how much Reno adored him, and it left him trembling. There was so much love and affection, he could hardly wrap his mind around it, he couldn't understand.

"In time, you will," Reno whispered back, "and then you will understand why I couldn't live without you."

~O~

Tifa's wrists were shackled so that she couldn't be a danger to herself or anyone else. Axel regretted the pang of agony it sent through his mate.

"Get away from me you disgusting monster!" she screeched, spitting at Axel. He hissed warningly, but found himself calming when fingers trailed along his skin in a gentle caress. Roxas stepped forward, out of the shadows from behind the red-head and she gasped, tears trailing down her face. "Roxas… Roxas my baby," she sobbed. Axel watched them calmly. Roxas wasn't stirred by her words. He smiled at her gently, unafraid.

"Hi mom," he murmured softly. "You don't have to worry about me anymore, okay?" Tifa was incoherent, shaking her head.

"I lost you, I.. I killed, oh God, I killed Cloud! It's all my fault!" she moaned, completely hysterical as Roxas gently touched her face. Light engulfed the room and silence enveloped them. Axel's eyes widened in amazement. Tifa was completely calm.

"You didn't lose me, I'm right here," he told her softly. "Dad is okay, too." Tifa continued to just breathe as she nodded her head. Roxas touched the top of her head gently. "Dad can't be with you anymore. He's like me now," he told her. "Don't be sad anymore. I chose this." Roxas reached up, breaking the lock holding her wrists with his hand. Her arms fell to her sides. Roxas took her hands, squeezing them gently.

"Why?" she whispered softly.

"I'm in love with Axel," he answered. Her brows furrowed.

"Axel?" Roxas inclined his head gently toward the red-head.

"Yes. Axel is my mate. Be nice to him," he commanded gently.

"Okay, baby," she whispered back.

"What did you do to her?" Axel murmured in amazement. Roxas blinked.

"I brought her out of the darkness." Green eyes were swallowing him up.

"Can you do that again?" Roxas nodded, not quite understanding. Axel laughed gently, relief and excitement were radiating from him. The blond smiled a bit when arms wrapped around him, hugging him from behind "You are a miracle," he breathed in Roxas' ear, nuzzling against him affectionately. "The resistance is in chaos as we speak. Shall we?" The blond smiled, extending a hand to his mother. With a gentle smile she took it. As soon as she did, darkness swirled around them. Dawn had broken. Roxas sensed her concern for him as they stepped into the midst of human territory. He smiled at her gently.

"I'm fine," he reassured her.

"But the sunlight…" Roxas' smile widened. There were gasps of fear, horror, confusion as they stepped out of the darkness and didn't burn.

"Mom!" Roxas watched silently as his sister leapt between them, shielding Tifa. "Why are you here, traitor?!" she sneered.

"I am simply returning mother, Xion," Roxas murmured calmly. At his sister's distrustful gaze he chuckled softly. "Would you rather have her locked in our fortress for trying to kill our father?" Xion steeled herself readying to attack. There were many slayers surrounding them, doing the same. Axel watched in amusement as she scoffed at them, ready at Roxas' command to eradicate them all.

"Why did you bring that thing here?" she hissed in Axel's direction. Roxas took his red-head's hand, smiling at him affectionately. He simply ignored her. Axel sensed that he was ready and summoned a ring of fire around them to protect them from incoming attacks. There were cries of surprise and alarm, but Axel's fire shielded and protected them. Roxas summoned his element and they were engulfed in a brilliant, warm glow that encompassed the entire territory. Roxas knew it well. When it faded, so did the fire. There was a general sense of confusion but the hostility around them had lifted. Roxas turned to his mother and his sister.

"So long as there is peace, the shipments of supplies will continue on behalf of father. He is deeply concerned for your well-being." Then darkness swirled around the two vampires. Tifa and Xion watched Roxas in amazement. "You have until the end of the day to send word that you've chosen peace."

"Or we will come back with our resistance," Axel warned,

"And we will eradicate you," Roxas finished with him. Then, darkness covered them and they were gone.

~O~

The moment they returned to the castle, Axel's mouth connected with Roxas'. The blond could sense pure delight from his mate. Axel was extremely pleased that they were on the brink of resolution, and he was absolutely devouring Roxas as he showed his appreciation. Roxas couldn't think of doing anything less than please his beautiful red-head from this moment forward. He melted into the red-head, realizing that to Axel, he couldn't do anything to displease him. He was perfect.

"You are more than I ever dared to hope for," Axel purred to him, "more than I ever dreamed of having, my little miracle, my beauty, my mate." Heated blue eyes met green.

"I love you, and I can't imagine how I ever lived without you," Roxas purred with him. He whimpered when Axel took his mouth passionately. He could sense that Roxas wanted to feel their naked bodies entwining and summoned his flames. They licked at their clothing but otherwise didn't burn a single strand of hair. They sighed in pleasure, touching each other everywhere until finally Axel was taking his beautiful little blond and they were trembling in ecstasy, keenly aware of one another's pleasure, each of them drowning in the other. Pleasure became a feeling that existed outside of both of them, blurring from one body to the next, washing over them both sharply and crashing down as they climaxed together. They gasped intensely. Roxas nuzzled into Axel's warm body and hands pulled him closer, encouraging him. Green eyes fluttered just before Roxas bit. Axel moaned in consent, groaning in pleasure as the blond drank. Roxas' tongue drug along the bite, making Axel shudder as the wound healed. He smiled up at his beautiful little blond, his eyes beckoning him settle down on his chest. His chin rested on top of Roxas' head and he held him protectively, smiling softly. When they woke, all of this would finally be over. Roxas had given the humans a final gift, clarity, but if they refused, their resistance would be no more. Axel was undeniably pleased to be so in sync with Roxas. Their bond grew more intense with each passing day and he wanted nothing more than to be one with his lovely blond. He could sense Roxas' happiness at his desire as their fingers twined together. He lifted their hands, kissing the backs of Roxas' fingers, gently caressing him as they fell into a deep sleep together.

~O~