A/n: Hey, I'm still writing this… I've just been working on Stockholm Syndrome cos I didn't want to kill the mood I was going for… and this story is vastly different. Sorry if you were waiting on me.

~o~

Axel smiled as they luxuriated in another kiss. He spoke when they broke apart, their noses brushing. "Tomorrow at nightfall, we will leave. I don't want your father to be near you for some time yet," he murmured, his fingers stroking blond hair slowly, the motion tender and soothing. His gaze was gentle and his green eyes searched cerulean for a long moment. "We will arrive at the castle before sunrise." Roxas nodded uncertainly.

"Isn't that impossible?" Axel's eyes sparkled in amusement and he shook his head, leaving Roxas flustered. "I mean… Hollow Bastion is so far from here. That's why my father chose Twilight Town… to keep you away." Axel smiled just as wryly.

"Indeed. How very foolish to assume such a thing." At the blond's confusion, he murmured, "It's not impossible if you're a Vampire." He watched as his mate shuddered.

"But I'm not yet and…" Fingers pressed to his lips and Axel watched him intently, sensing his concern before opening his arms to the blond, intending to sooth him. Roxas accepted his embrace and nuzzled against him, comforted by the gesture and feeling a wave of exhaustion. "…and I'll be weak, won't I? Will I make it that far?" Axel stroked his skin and remained silent for a long time.

"Are you still underestimating me?" he asked amusedly before sighing softly when the blond tensed. "To answer your question, Roxas, yes you are vulnerable, especially right now. That is exactly why we need to leave as soon as possible," he explained. "I will carry you if I have to, but we can't remain here. Cloud can still take you from me." the caresses became softer, gentler. "I'm not going to lose you," he said quietly. Roxas nuzzled into the red-head, soothed by his touches, completely relaxing in his embrace. "I will do whatever is necessary, to keep you safe."

Cerulean stared into darkened emerald depths, lost in those deep green pools. Axel's gaze was soft and tender. Roxas sat up slowly and smiled softly, stroking soft fiery locks. "Thank you."

"For you, anything," the red-head murmured gently. Shuddering, Roxas nodded. He watched in silent fascination, tracing the curve of Axel's face with his fingers, touching soft ivory skin. He was rewarded with a soft smile as the red-head nuzzled into his touches. Burning green eyes watched him wryly as his hands explored. "Hmm are you still burning up for me?" he asked quietly. "Did I not satisfy you?" Blue eyes widened and Roxas pulled his hand away. He clenched the sheets and stared at the floor, fighting the embarrassment that was staining his cheeks. "Roxas?" Axel asked gently. When he didn't move, the red-head raised his chin, searching his eyes. "What's wrong, loveling?" he asked gently, leaning close enough to brush their noses together.

"I just… haven't been able to touch you like this before," he said softly. Green eyes widened and Axel blinked down at the little blond. He smiled wryly, melting at the earnest expression on the boy's face.

"There's no need to wait for an invitation, you know," he answered. Blue eyes widened and the red-head's smile stretched into a grin. He pulled the smaller boy on top of him until Roxas was straddling his hips, and the gesture comforted the blond. When they were eye to eye, he spoke again. "I am yours, as you are mine. Whatever you want, I won't deny you." The blond gasped reflexively.

The lanky man smiled, taking smaller hands in his larger ones. He brought them to his lips, kissing them gently. Roxas stared, transfixed, and those beautiful green depths never looked away as he guided them to touch his body. The blond jolted, staring in silent fascination as his hands met pale flesh. Slowly, Axel's fingers slid away from his, and he allowed himself to trace a clavicle with one hand and a dusky nipple with the other, marveling when it peaked at his touch but, despite the encouragement... what he wanted, more than anything was just to take his time and enjoy Axel.

Very slowly, his hands and his eyes trailed up and he cupped Axel's face. The red-head's lips parted, his brows furrowing as he tried to sense Roxas' emotions but found that he couldn't determine what he was thinking. Then, the blond kissed him. Just like before, it was slow and gentle, and the red-head wasn't quite used to such a loving, reverent gesture. Roxas took his time, indulging in sweet little kisses, backing off when the red-head attempted to hasten them. "No, Axel," he whispered against slightly swollen lips, and stroked fiery hair gently.

Darkened emeralds stared into silvery blue. Roxas was watching him intently in the moonlight, and there was a longing in his eyes for something… something more. He smiled gently in understanding. Their encounters had always been fast, full of lust, brief. Roxas wanted more than that. While it wasn't something Axel was used to, he knew that Roxas needed it and that was enough. Slowly, he leaned back, resting on his elbows, smiling up at the blond invitingly.

Roxas bridged over him, and green eyes slid shut as they indulged in tender kisses. Axel didn't touch him, he let Roxas initiate everything. He let the blond touch him, he let the blond explore his body with his hands and his mouth. He gasped softly when fingers trailed across where his heart should have been, but there was no pulse. He expected Roxas to be repulsed by the reminder of what they were but instead, a tongue trailed up his jugular and his eyes lidded when the blond bit, the feeling of fangs penetrating his skin flooding him with ecstasy. Axel moaned loudly and Roxas sucked harshly, reminding them both of the proof of their existence, that they were still alive. Vaguely, the red-head wondered if that was why it always felt so good, embers crackling through the air and swirling around them in a flurry as he lost control, moaning helplessly. He was trembling from arousal by the time the blond pulled away, and when their eyes met, Roxas was watching him intently.

The blond let himself be pulled into a string of fiery kisses. He hissed softly. Axel's lips were absolutely burning. When they pulled apart, the blond halfway smiled, the pain fading as his lips healed, realizing the depth of which the red-head enjoyed being bitten. Carefully, he licked the lingering blood away from Axel's neck, disappointed to find that the wound had healed. So, he made another, making the red-head squirm and moan as he experimented. With a sharp suck, he shuddered, feeling his lover's pleasure more intensely as he pulled him close. Each time he got a taste of Axel's blood, he felt closer to him and less and less human. He took a moment to breathe, to remind himself how, but when he looked into Axel's eyes again, he forgot all over again.

Intense green eyes were flooded with pleasure. They were swallowing him up. A hand found his hip, grasping tightly, and Roxas hissed softly as it singed his skin, burning him from the intense heat, but he forgot the pain when he was pulled down as Axel rolled his hips forward, hissing instead in pleasure. At the abrupt reminder of their state of arousal, Roxas pressed down against the red-head hard, making him rumble in pleasure and he searched those green eyes as he realized that Axel was still letting him take the lead. The red-head simply smiled in response, waiting.

Roxas let out a harsh breath as he stared at the crimson haired beauty. Axel's brows arched and his smile widened. His fingers traced Roxas' spine in delicate little touches before he laid back, resting against the pillow, his eyes lidding, his pale skin illuminated by the moonlight. Roxas sat back on his haunches, staring down at him in confusion, wondering if he was allowed to...

Axel laughed amusedly and Roxas gasped at the reminder of their mental connection, feeling completely embarrassed. It was a genuinely pleasant sound and soon, the red-head was watching him wryly. "Do you want me to say it?" he asked, humming softly. Roxas' face flushed, making the red-head's smile soften. "Or…" he murmured, catching Roxas' hips with one lanky leg and then the other, "should I just show you…?" The blond gasped as Axel tugged him forward, cradling his hips between his legs. Impossibly wide blue eyes widened when the red-head positioned them so that his arousal was grinding into that perfect ass. Axel grinned, moving his hips in a slow circle. Roxas could feel himself pushing forward but not in, not yet, and it was tantalizing. His face reddened in embarrassment.

"Shut up, I haven't done this before," he hissed back. The red-head's grin became cunning and he craned his neck forward as he tugged the blond down, meeting Roxas' lips briefly.

"Then by all means, indulge yourself as much as you'd like," he whispered back. Roxas froze, absolutely terrified. He didn't know what he was supposed to do and suddenly he was completely frozen in fear. Sensing this, Axel pulled him in, thrusting his hips at the same time and joining them in one fluid movement. He grimaced in pain, but Roxas' shock of pleasure was well worth it.

The blond buried his face in Axel's neck, trembling and unable to stop moaning. He couldn't get over the amazing pressure or how wonderful it felt to be inside the red-head. It was absolutely incredible and that tight ring of muscles was spasming around him. That's when he remembered how much it could hurt and he sat up concern and guilt filling his eyes. "Are you alright?" he whispered. With a small grimace at the movement, the red-head hummed softly.

"Roxas," he sighed softly in exasperation, and with a small breathless laugh, he rolled his hips, his entire body trembling as he brushed a spot inside. Biting his lower lip, Roxas groaned in pleasure, sensing what the red-head wanted, and, before Axel could command it, he thrust forward hard. The red-head threw his head back, moaning loudly, his face contorted in bliss. It was all the encouragement the blond needed to pull back and push forward again and again. The high desperate moans and the pure expressions of pleasure written all over Axel's face were addictive and Roxas went crazy at the sight of them. He lost control, taking the agelessly beautiful red-head beneath him, his hands touching his lithe frame, their lips seeking each other in desperate kisses. His fingers trailed quivering muscles, finally finding and then stroking Axel's neglected arousal.

Their eyes met, Axel's delirious from pleasure, lost in a daze, flames sparking to life around them. It was as if they were an extension of the red-head himself, neither burning nor flickering out of control, and the sight was breathtaking. Their lips met in a heady kiss and the red-head pulled him closer, moving desperately with him as their mouths devoured one another, tongues brushing fervently. Then, Axel arched his back with a high, frantic moan, the flames burning brighter, and just as abruptly as it had started, it was over. The red-head's body clenched around him as he trembled through the orgasm, pushing the blond over the edge as well. With a groan, Roxas deepened the kiss, never wanting it to stop, adoring the red-head with everything that he was.

He didn't know how long the kiss lasted, but by the time it was over, the flames had died down and Axel was smiling gently, petting his sweaty skin. Roxas fell forward, completely exhausted and the red-head's chest rumbled softly with laughter. He pressed his lips to golden spikes, stroking gently until the blond completely relaxed against him, silently coaxing him to rest.

"Alright," he murmured softly in agreement, nodding tiredly. He felt completely safe in those lanky arms that were so soothing, just for him. He rested his hand on the red-head's taught stomach, letting his fingers trail along the muscles there, just barely teasing the fiery trail of crimson curls. He'd never been allowed to touch him like this before, and it was thrilling, every single moment. Even now.

He was just beginning to fall asleep when Axel tensed, his muscles tightening. It jolted the blond to awareness and Roxas' brows furrowed. He didn't sense anger towards him, but something had made the red-head more alert. Frowning thoughtfully, he asked, "Axel…? What's wrong?" The red-head growled lowly in the back of his throat and Roxas tensed at the inhumane sound. Axel felt threatened. He barely registered that he was moving until Axel was in front of him, shielding him. His beautiful, nude, body was on full display and it left Roxas in a state of confusion and arousal.

"Axel?"

Sensing this confusion, the red-head cautioned, "Stay back." Then, Roxas heard it, his over-sensitive ears picking up on the sound of a door slamming, and then another, voices were approaching their room, arguing, and he realized in amazement how much better Axel's hearing was, still. He grimaced at what sounded like a struggle and the red-head held his hands out on either side of himself in response. They trembled for only a moment before darkness swirled around them and spoked wheels appeared in them. Flames were swirling around them and illuminating his pale skin in a soft, golden glow. Axel readied himself and Roxas gasped softly in alarm.

The door clamored open and green eyes narrowed dangerously while Roxas' widened. The red-head hissed warningly at the wide-eyed blond who was suddenly frozen in their doorframe, staring at them and gasping Roxas' name. Reno appeared behind him, finally getting ahold of him in an attempt to subdue him. Cloud snapped out of his initial shock and struggled against the Vampire while Axel glared vehemently. Roxas stared for a full minute but was quick to hug the red-head from behind when he sensed his fury. Axel bristled further, staring into familiar yet unfamiliar cerulean depths that looked so much like his mate's. Sensing Roxas' wishes, he hissed in displeasure.

Reno was apologizing profusely, but it was Roxas that he kept hearing over and over. His eyes snapped to Reno's stormy depths. "I'm so sorry, I couldn't stop him!" he gasped, just as Roxas' father slammed his head backwards and into his jaw, hard. "Goddamnit Cloud, stop!" Axel watched the scene unfold, twirling the spoked wheels in his hands dangerously. The motion stilled Reno, who stared at his brother with wide, pleading eyes. The air was absolutely buzzing with energy from Axel's pryokenisis and all of the red-head's fury was directed at Cloud.

"Roxas wants you to let him go," he snarled back. Startled, Reno stared at his brother and then at Roxas for a long moment. Nodding in subordination, he released the blond. Exhaling in relief, Roxas held Axel more tightly, nuzzling against the red-head.

"Oh my God, it's true," Cloud gasped weakly, taking a shaky breath. Axel raised his chakram, readying to attack, a column of fire manifesting on either side of their intruder. Reno tried to pull him back but the blond jerked away angrily.

"Not another step closer, Cloud," he hissed, his voice absolutely venomous.

"Please… don't," Roxas begged. Axel exhaled angrily and Cloud glared back, trapped by the encroaching fire.

"What exactly am I going to do, Lea?" he hissed back acidly, quick to challenge him. "It's obvious that you've already seduced my son and then you fooled him with your lies!" Roxas tensed, at the reminder that they were both naked and in bed together. Axel smirked maliciously.

"Oh, are you just noticing that he is mine, now? What, oh what would Squall say about your observational skills, Cloud?" He taunted. He felt Roxas tense at the mention of his grandfather while Cloud cringed. The red-head sighed and then tsked, shaking his head and glaring scornfully. "I could have had him at any time over the past year, and yet I let him decide. You know what he is to me, now, and what that means. I did not entrap him with this."

Cloud stared at them, impossibly wide-eyed. "How… how could you do this, Roxas? How could you betray us like this?! How could you do this to yourself?!" Axel snarled, baring his fangs warningly. "Answer me, Roxas!" he demanded, and just as the red-head readied himself to lunge, the little blond spoke.

"I love him," he said softly, calming the red-head that he was clinging to instantly. His eyes were filled with so many emotions, silently pleading his father to understand, only to be met by gentle green. Axel lowered his arms, the flames dying down, the moonlight giving him a softer, ethereal glow. Roxas was lost as he stared at his crimson haired beauty. "I love him," he repeated, his voice softening even more as his gaze gentled, "and if you can't understand that, please leave."

Cloud covered his mouth, his eyes impossibly large. He watched his red-headed foe and the way he was looking at Roxas, in complete disbelief. Lea was completely untamable, yet he yielded to Roxas. Lea was beautiful, proud and terrifying. Yet when he looked at Roxas, he was vulnerable. They were… in love…

As quickly as the thought crossed his mind, he shook his head to dispel it. He turned abruptly and crashed right into Reno's chest. Lanky arms pulled him close, and into a comforting embrace. He tensed at Lea's voice.

"Keep him under control, Reno. Do not let this happen again." The words themselves were harsh, but the red-head's voice was soft, and as Reno led him out of the room, he glanced back one more time, watching as Lea comforted his child. His heart clenched as Reno shut the door, blocking off his view.

He glanced up into that beautiful but furious face before looking away again, making their way down the hall in silence. "You are way too stupid, yo," the red-head finally snapped, "consider yourself lucky that he didn't set you on fire!" Cloud cringed but remained silent. "What were you thinking?! Were you thinking?!" Cerulean eyes slid shut. Honestly, he didn't know the answer, himself. All he knew was that when Reno had told him that his son was mated to a Vampire, the king of Vampires and when their contract hadn't been broken, he'd lost it and had demanded to see him. When Reno had refused, he had stormed out of the room, determined to find him, himself.

He gasped in shocked surprise when Reno shoved him up against the door to that dreaded room again, absolutely certain he'd be locked away until Roxas was far away from him. Just as he scoffed at the red-head, hands framed his face. "Dammit Cloud, you can't do that," Reno hissed.

"Why?" he sneered back, "Because it isn't my place? Because I'm just your prisoner? Your slave?" Reno blinked, staring into his eyes searchingly.

"No, you idiot," he hissed back, clutching the blond hard, "It's because I love you! So stop pissing my brother off before he kills you!"

They both knew it was true, despite Reno's promise, and that he had done the worst thing possible. Not only had he barged in on them, but he had reacted badly. He'd treated Roxas the same way his father had treated him, when he'd found out about Reno, in his shock. He shuddered. He could still remember his father's angry blue eyes, the disgusted scowl that had transformed his handsome face. His mother, Rinoa, had begged him to go easy on their son and Squall had just made it harder on him, the more she'd pleaded. He'd made sure he'd known his place and that this would never ever happen again in their family. He flinched when he realized that Reno was shaking him.

"Cloud? Cloud! Answer me damn it!" the red-head hissed. He stared up into those stormy blue eyes, feeling so much pain. He'd treated Roxas the way his father had treated him. He knew that they were in love and he hadn't cared. He hadn't cared that Roxas had chosen Lea or that he'd been brave enough to tell him. He hadn't cared, even after he'd seen it for himself, how they felt for one another. It had been just like his father hadn't cared about the heartache he'd felt when he'd been separated from Reno or how much pain he'd caused. They'd been forced apart and Cloud had married the woman who'd closest resembled his mother, who had been the kindest to him through it, to try to get over the pain. He'd fallen into line and he'd had two beautiful children. One that was just like him. He'd tried to kill the red-headed Vampires multiple times to redeem himself in his father's eyes. Yet, despite everything, Reno was still here, just as much in love with him as he always had been.

Cerulean eyes rimmed with tears, startling Reno. Overwhelmed with emotions and drowning in them, Cloud buried his hands into crimson hair and pulled Reno close as he surged forward into a kiss, crushing their bodies together, his eyes sliding shut as tears trailed down his face, completely overwhelmed with regret and confusion, leaving the red-head stunned. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm so sorry, Reno, I shouldn't have done it but I..."

Stormy blue eyes filled with agony before sliding shut, and the red-head's face twisted in a grimace, leaving the blond feeling cold. "Is that another one of your lies?" he whispered. Their eyes met and Reno laughed sardonically. "You say the most beautiful things when you lie, you know, and I always believe you," he muttered, sighing in irritation. "No matter what you say, I'm not letting you go back there, you know." Cloud's pulse jumped and he stared at the red-head in horror. He shook his head.

"N-no Reno, I mean it, I'm sorry," he whispered back, "you're right, I'm stupid and thick headed and I shouldn't have done that. Not to Roxas," and the sincerity in those words left Reno weak. Red brows furrowed, his expression softening. Cloud's mouth opened as he searched for the right words. He wanted to fix what he'd done somehow, some way, and Reno could feel it. He groaned helplessly, lurching forward and kissing him until he was breathless.

"I can't promise you anything right now, but I'll help you, okay?" he said softly. Tears broke and the blond nodded in resignation, already knowing that Lea was never going to let him get close to Roxas again. With a soft exhalation, Reno smiled tentatively, stroking Cloud's face. It was a start, at least. "Never say never, Cloud," he murmured encouragingly. The blond winced reflexively, reminded of their mental connection. "Just give it some time, okay?"

"Yeah," he murmured back. Reno's smile widened and he squeezed the blond's shoulders encouragingly and hummed softly.

"Speaking of promises…" he murmured, taking the blond's hands in his own. "I want you to meet someone who will be happy to help. Golden brows furrowed but Reno simply beckoned him gently and he found himself following without another thought. Reno stopped at a room just off of the main foyer, knocking gently and opening the door silently.

There was a young woman with long brown hair and Cloud's eyes widened. He stared at her profile, absolutely shocked.

"Aeris?" The woman stiffened, turning quickly, large green eyes locking with cerulean.

"Cloud?"

~o~