Disclaimer: We no own, you no sue.

Yoru: (glares at fanfic)

Kuronue: What?

Yoru: Gabe and I are so much farther on this in our roleplaying than I am on this fic.

Kuronue: How is that the fic's fault?

Yoru:…it's not.

Kuronue: Then get to work.

Lexaeus wasn't sure what time it was when Zexion first tensed. His hand squeezed Lexaeus' so hard that his knuckles went white, and a tic started in his neck.

"Nn…" He began to shiver, and Lexaeus knew he had to wake him up. He reached out and touched the boy's cheek.

"Shhh, Zexion. It's a nightmare, it's okay," he whispered soothingly. As the words were spoken, Zexion's grip loosened and his face relaxed. Lexaeus breathed a sigh of relief.

Poor boy. Who could do that to someone so innocent? he thought angrily. Zexion's eyes fluttered and he sat up, wincing. He looked down and slowly removed his hand from the older man's.

"Well, at least you got a few hours," Lexaeus said, forcing a smile, "Axel and Demyx are in his room, I think. Do you want to talk?"

Zexion leaned against the headboard.

"Okay," he said softly, not looking at Lexaeus. Lexaeus reached out and brushed some hair back from Zexion's face.

"I'm not going to force anything out of you that you don't want to say, but I do need you to tell me a bit about what happened."

Zexion's eyes widened a fraction, and he pulled his knees to his chest gingerly.

"L-Like what?" he stammered.

"I need to know how he…how he got you. And what he did to you, if you're ready to talk about it. I have to tell the police as much as I can, and that depends on you. But more than that, I think it would help you to talk," Lexaeus explained gently.

Zexion swallowed and allowed his hair to cover his face.

"H-he came up b-behind me while I was unlocking the d-door…and he g-grabbed me so I c-couldn't move. A-and then he said he was s-sane enough t-to know he had to t-take me by force, a-and he…c-cut off my air so I f-fell asleep…"

Lexaeus shuddered, thinking of how terrified Zexion must have been.

Zexion continued, "When I w-woke up, I was t-tied to a bed…s-so scared…when he t-tried to r-rape me the first t-time, my stomach growled r-really loud and he s-said that l-love…l-lovemaking was n-no fun on an empty stomach…"

He wiped his eyes, sniffling. Lexaeus reached out to touch the boy's hair, only to have Zexion shift away with a whimper. Lexaeus' heart broke in his chest.

"Zexion, you know I won't hurt you," he assured him quietly. Zexion looked at him for a long moment before leaning hesitantly toward him. Lexaeus let Zexion get closer before resting his hand lightly on the boy's head.

"I will never hurt you, Zexion," Lexaeus whispered. Zexion swallowed dryly and nodded, tears pooling in his eyes. Lexaeus slowly pulled him into a hug.

"And I'm not going to let you go."

Axel lay in his bed, letting Demyx use his arm as a pillow. The younger boy had borrowed some of Axel's pajamas, which were too long for him but fit well enough around the waist.

"So," Demyx said, looking up with curious eyes, "how old are you?"

"Twenty. How old are you?" Axel gave Demyx an affectionate squeeze.

"I just turned sixteen!" Demyx chirped happily.

"That's cute," Axel chuckled. Inwardly he was arguing with himself.

OH SHIT HE'S UNDERAGE! But I could tell that. BUT OH GOD HE'S A KID! Oh, whatever, who cares. It's not like you can reproduce. THAT'S NOT THE POINT AND I DON'T WANT TO HAVE SEX WITH HIM YET ANYWAY! Then what's the problem? HE'S A KID!

Demyx smiled, twirling a lock of Axel's red hair in his fingers.

"Thanks," he said, "Now what's your favorite band?"

"Kamelot. Yours?" Axel asked.

"Hmmm. I like Oblivion. I bought a hoodie with their band's name on it, but it's too big and sometimes it falls off one of my shoulders," he sighed, "But I don't want to go through the hassle of returning it."

Axel smiled as Demyx giggled.

"Off the shoulder, huh? That sounds really adorable," he said, touching Demyx's face.

"I guess you could say that. I'll wear it tomorrow and show you! It's one of my favorite things," Demyx giggled, nodding. Axel blushed slightly.

"I'd like that." He's gonna think you're a PERV!

But Demyx just smiled up at him.

"Yay! That'll be so awesome!" he chirped happily. Axel brought him into a chaste kiss.

"Yeah, it will be."