Title: Be Still My Heart (Thou Hast Known Worse Than This)

Rating: M FOR MATURE! I mean it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naminé, Roxas, Axel, or vampires. Though if I did, this would be what they would do...

Warnings: Male x Male interactions, if you know what I mean. Vampires, blood, sexual scenes, foul language.

Notes and such: Oh my GOODNESS!! I can't thank you guys enough for all the reviews you sent my way! Thank you guys for all the support! I was so happy I updated super-quickly, and with a long chapter! Haha! This chapter is really long, though. I was going to include the last part of it in the next chapter, but I didn't want to have Roxas fainting at the end of BOTH chapters! So since you all pretty much wanted me to continue from that little sexual rendezvous between Axel and Roxas, this is what I cooked up! Nothing really happens, like in the last one until the end, but it starts off the story aspect of it. Enjoy!

-

"Roxas, honey, wake up."

Groaning at the voice that had awoken him from his dream—such a good dream—he peeked an eye open to see his mother frowning at him worriedly. He sat up in alarm, eyes wide as he watched her carefully. His mother never gave him that look unless something bad had happened, and she certainly never did it when waking him up. "Mom, what's wrong?"

Her light brows furrowed curiously, and she hurriedly slapped her hand onto his forehead, holding it there as she checked his temperature. "You're not sick, are you? Oh, I knew I shouldn't have let you stay out all night with your friends! Birthday, or not, you should have been home by curfew! You know how dangerous it is at night, with all those burglaries."

Why would she think he was sick?

Petite arms were gesturing wildly in the air as his mother went off on another tangent, berating him for not being careful of rabid dogs or some sort. He shook his head, blond locks falling around his face and covering his eyes as his body shook with laughter.

"Mom, you're crazy." He announced once his laughter subsided.

She gave him a stern look, before her arms crossed in front of her chest and she huffed indignantly. "Well, some nerve you have young man, accusing your mother of such things!" Her charade fell quickly, however, and she gave into the laughter that took over. It didn't last long, and she sobered up, speaking quietly with a solemn face. "Honestly, Roxas. If you're sick, just let me know so we can get you all better. Are you feeling alright?"

"Yes, why wouldn't I be alright?" His mom was confusing him, and not making any sense.

"You've been asleep for a couple days, honey. We were getting very worried, but you would move around in your sleep, so we figured you were just really tired. What did you do the other night?" She was petting his head soothingly while Roxas was processing the information.

Was he really asleep for days? Sure, it was one of the most satisfying and peaceful sleeps he'd had in, well, ever, but surely it wasn't that long! Yesterday—the other night, according to mom—had been his birthday, so he went to celebrate with his group of friends, and then—

Smirking down at the man, he slowly crawled on top of him, his pant-covered legs maneuvering themselves to straddle the vampire. He sat himself on the stiff lap, his arms swinging around the neck that now had little spots of his blood staining it from his adventurous lips only seconds ago.

"Shit," he muttered, a strangled noise emanating from his lips that were pulled so far back into a scowl that his jaw ached. His head pounded uncomfortably, and out of instinct his hands moved to apply pressure to his temples.

What the fuck was that!?

Shaking his head, now that the pain in his skull had eased a little, Roxas stared hollowly at his mother who looked on the verge of tears. "Mom, I'm fine. I just overexerted myself with the guys. We did a lot of racing and competitions. You know," he shrugged, "guy stuff."

To him, his voice sounded empty, as though he was horribly reciting a script like a bad actor. Why was he lying, anyways? It felt almost forced, like he had no control over what he said, the words just happened to come out of his mouth.

His mom didn't look the least bit believing, but thankfully she didn't push it. Wiping her eyes quickly, she smiled sadly at him before letting him know that breakfast would be waiting for him in the kitchen.

Roxas' stomach growled longingly at the invitation of food but his mind couldn't have cared less. Growing more than the hunger in his stomach was the thirst for knowledge that was overpowering his brain. He needed to know what happened a few days ago, and why he had practically been in a coma for days. The fact that he had no recollection aside from the snippet that had mentally attacked him did not sit well with Roxas.

Judging by the small preview of what had happened, he was expecting the worst. He swallowed the lump that seemed to lodge itself in his throat, blocking off his breathing. Or maybe he was hyperventilating for a different reason…

A shower was needed. If he had been asleep for days, that also meant he hadn't showered in days as well, and Roxas could practically feel the grime caking his skin, despite the fact that all he'd done was sleep.

It was a half-hearted action, stepping into the shower. Despite the fact that he wanted to get clean, he just couldn't actually bring himself to actually turn on the water. His hand hovered over the knob, his mind screaming at him to just do it, but his chest was fluttering uncertainly. It felt almost wrong to wash himself even though he had no idea why.

Ugh, this is stupid, Roxas. Just turn the damn water on.

He did, though his fingers felt as though they were burning from the simple action.

In fact, his whole body felt like it was on fire and the water, which was barely warmer than room temperature, was boiling his skin. Immediately, his hand reached over to twist the knob the other direction, the water drastically dropping in temperature and making his body tremble in pleasure.

A sigh passed his lips that turned into a quiet moan at the end and his brain felt all mushy and soft. Oh, God.

Why was his body reacting so strangely to everything?

He loved hot showers, the steamy water on his skin always felt so relaxing, never unbearable.

Shaking off the unwelcome feeling his body was having to the cool water, he hurriedly washed his body with the bar of soap. Once he felt clean enough, and his hair was freshly shampoo and conditioned, he stepped out of the shower, wrapping the waiting towel around his hips.

Why was his neck itching?

His fingers delicately pushed against the skin on the side of his neck, where the flesh felt so tender and sore. Only, there was something else there, too. Furrowing his brows, he flattened his palm against his neck and felt the contours of something small and square-shaped sticking to the spot where the pain seemed to be radiating from.

Picking carefully at whatever was attached to him, he successfully pulled it away and stared at it curiously. For a moment, he thought he had plucked off some of his skin, but when flipped over, the little rectangular piece of flesh-colored something was colored a deep brownish red.

Is that blood?

Rushing over to the mirror, he twisted his head painfully to the side and stared in wonder at what was being shown to him.

Two dark circular wounds were embedded into his lightly-tanned skin. Surrounded by the pinked irritated skin was an even bigger question that Roxas didn't have the answers to.

Why the hell are there holes in his neck?

It looked like he had been attacked by a vam—

He screamed out when sharp teeth penetrated his neck again, in the same spot as before, and his body shuddered powerfully, a warm liquid pooling on his stomach. Little white specks fogged up his eyes, fading in and out as his chest heaved with his large gulps of air.

His body felt numb, and cold. Limbs like lead, he laid there unmoving, and barely noticed the quiet sucking noise he heard to his right.

—pire. Fuck.

It wasn't until four o' clock when Roxas was able to leave his home.

"Be home no later than eleven," his mother insisted. She had practically tied him to the couch all day, forcing him to spend time with her and the rest of the family. It was sickening, the games and activities they made him do for "family time."

Dropping his light blue, detailed skateboard onto the cement, Roxas hopped on, his right leg pushing against the concrete to give him momentum. It was still pretty light out, and the breeze was brushing along his face in a never ending whisper, his hair tousled gently with the movements. He loved this, being on his skateboard, riding to who knows where, feeling the wind against him.

That's why people called it a hobby, he guessed.

But enough about his skateboard, he had more pressing matter to attend to.

He needed to find that man. That vampire.

Where was he to begin? He had no idea where he had been taken, or even by whom. Everything was a complete and utter mystery, to which he only had indecipherable clues.

Just go to where you last remember being in town.

It wasn't far from his home, and he skated there quickly.

"C'mon, Roxas. You're an adult now, you gotta do it!"

"But Hayner, it's haunted, I don't want to die!"

"Don't be a baby, all you have to do is go in there for 10 minutes and try not to get lost! It's probably not even a big area, you'll be fine."

"I think this is a bad idea, guys…"

"Olette, this is none of your business! C'mon, you agree with me Pence, don't you?"

"Uh-huh. You gotta do it, Roxas. Be a man!"

Gulping silently, Roxas threw a wary glance to the foreboding trees that were visible through the hole in the wall. It wasn't a huge hole, just big enough for him to fit through. The wall, a boring orange color that most of the town was painted in, separated the townspeople from the rumored haunted forest that was said to take people from existence.

All nerves and anxiety, Roxas crouched down through the hole, his shoes sinking into the muddy dirt on the other side. It was dark out, nearing midnight, and the trees which seemed to be shouting at him to turn around were barely discernible from the darkness that cast around them in an eerie silence.

He'd be lying if he said he wasn't scared.

"Guys, I don't think I can—" Turning around, he found himself staring into the darkness that had blocked his vision just a second ago of the trees. Was it just him, or did it seem to get even more dark? He couldn't even see the sky anymore.

His heart was pounding in his chest, and he felt the adrenaline coursing through his body, heightening his awareness of everything. A sound behind him caught his attention, and he whipped his head in that direction. He expected to see nothing, but he hoped, oh how he hoped, that it would be someone to help him.

"Hello?" His voice was shaky, but he didn't care. "Is anyone there?"

There was no response.

"If someone's there, please say something. I think I'm lost, and I can't see anything."

He heard that noise again, and the leaves were rustling and crunching beneath shoes that did not belong to him. He had long since become a statue in the forest, refusing to move in fear of getting more lost. They tell you in scout camp that if you're ever lost, stay where you are, and someone will find you.

Maybe someone had found him, already.

Even though it's only been a couple minutes?

Hey, anything can happen, he mentally berated himself for talking to, well, himself. He was going to go insane.

Let's just hope whoever's here with me knows the way out.

Roxas stared through the hole, examining the contents of the green and brown forest in front of him. It didn't look dangerous, but then again it was actually light out.

Not so scary, he thought to himself as he slid through the big crack in the wall, officially leaving the town behind. Though he couldn't actually remember this being where he was kidnapped, he didn't remember leaving the forest, either. But where did he go from here?

The ground was no longer muddy and thick with soggy air like it had been the other night. Everything was crisp and dry and the air felt so fresh in his lungs as it swirled around every time he breathed. It was nice, and not at all like being on the other side of the wall, in Twilight Town.

Maybe I should come here more often…

But what if he was attacked again?

Surely this monster—a vampire?—wouldn't be so lenient with letting him escape again, would it?

You technically never escaped, last time.

That's right, he had no idea how he had even gotten home the other night. Did the vampire take him back? How did he know where he lived?

His could practically hear his head throbbing with each new question he thought of. He had so many, and absolutely no answers, something he was determined to change.

After a few more minutes that seemed to drag on and on in the silence of the forest, Roxas was positive he had gotten himself lost yet again. Maybe he'll come for me again. Spinning in a slow circle, he examined his surroundings. Everything looked the same, all the trees seemed to have been cloned or something, and it was unnerving to stare one way and look the other, only to realize they looked like exactly the same path. What was this place?

"Hello, Roxas," a serene voice called from behind him.

He spun around quickly, his feet nearly tripping over themselves as he faced this new presence.

"Who are you?"

A smile was the only answer he received, before the girl turned around and headed in the direction he assumed she came from. He followed warily, studying her as she walked slowly ahead of him.

The hair on her head was such a platinum blond color that Roxas wondered if she dyed it that way. Her dress, a simple white that had a tint of blue to it, fell on her thighs, shifting this way and that with each sway of her hips. The shoes she wore were ridiculous for this outside environment, and barely covered her feet from the dirt below them. She was spotless, though. Not a speck on her, and if the sun hadn't been so bright today, he would have been sure she was glowing.

"It's very sunny today," she whispered, as though she had read his thoughts. He wasn't sure if she was talking to him or not, since she had spoken so quietly, so he didn't reply.

Before he knew it they had arrived at a tall brick fence which housed a thick black-iron gate in the middle that the blond girl pushed open effortlessly. She turned and motioned for him to continue on the path, her blue eyes sparkling at him when he passed her.

This place is beautiful.

The columns that led to the Mansion at the end of the path were covered in vines, some of them cracked and broken. How long had this building been here? It looked old and prestigious, but he had never even heard about a Mansion being on the other side of the forest. But why not? Surely a Mansion that was so gorgeous and fantastic was made to be fawned over by passerbies and tourists.

The girl had made it to his side, and they finally reached the high wooden doors that lead to the inside of the impressive building. Whoever lived here must be filthy rich.

Roxas stared in awe as he passed through the foyer and was led through a barely visible door behind the staircase. Everything inside of here was so luxurious and exquisite. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, fancy light fixtures lit up the areas where the chandeliers left a hint of shadow. The couches that filled the rooms were plush and comfortable looking, making Roxas have the longing to just sit on one, to test if they were really as soft as they looked. Wooden bookcases, grandfather clocks, and small tables filled the rest of the room fittingly, decorated here and there with trinkets and sparkly things Roxas couldn't make out, but shined in the light.

Three sharp knocks brought him out of his ogling, and he turned to see the girl opening a door that was pitch black on the other side. His stomach twisted nervously, but she smiled at him before stepping past the doorframe and flicking on a light. A mumbled curse came from the other side, and Roxas' ears rang loudly, oddly reminding him of that old superstition his mom told him about biting your tongue if you hear that noise, because it meant someone was badmouthing you behind your back.

"Naminé," growled a voice from the other side. "What are you doing? It's not even seven."

The voice, though angry in tone, sounded incredible in Roxas' mind. It made his stomach flip-flop in the most confusing ways, and he longed to match a face to that wonderful sound. But should he go in?

"I'm sorry to wake you, but he was looking for you," the girl—Naminé, he guessed—replied, not sounding sorry at all.

"Who's 'he'? I think you're losing it, Nam." There was shuffling and the sound of footsteps padding gently across the floor.

"Roxas. He's right outside the room."

How did she know his name, anyways? He hadn't said more than a couple words to her, and none of them had been, "Hi, I'm Roxas."

"From the other day?" was followed by a deep sigh, before the man continued, "Well let him in then, I suppose. You brought him all this way, which I don't appreciate, I might add."

The blond head poked through the doorway and she waved a pale hand for Roxas to come in, her teeth shining white beneath her pink lips. He followed her in, eyes fixed forcefully on the ground. What was he going to say to this man who had kidnapped him? Bit him, and who knows what else.

"So, you're back, are ya?"

Despite all his efforts to not look up, he found himself staring into eyes that were a deep, dark forest green and not at all like the bright emerald from his vision. That flipping feeling in his stomach was back full-force, and he even felt his heart beat erratically, something that was entirely new to him.

"What's happening to me?" he whispered before he could think to stop himself.

The man frowned, looking beautiful as ever, and sighed once again, his cool breath washing over Roxas' face and making him lean forward unconsciously. He smelled so enticing, like Roxas' favorite meal that he couldn't wait to dig in to.

Unfortunately, the man stepped away from him, his spiky red hair bouncing lightly in response to the action. "I'm a vampire, Roxas. You got that?"

It was information he had suspected, but never expected to be true, and he found the admission very unsurprising regardless of the fact that he didn't believe in vampires. But this guy was having such an effect on Roxas, and not just because of his flawlessly good looks and alluring voice.

Well, okay. That might have something to do with it, but there had to be something more.

"How?"

He gazed at Roxas levelly. "You don't need to know the logistics of it, kid. You shouldn't even know in the first place."

"Why can't I remember anything?"

"Because I blocked your memory," was the simple reply.

"How did I get home?" He didn't care if he was switching topics suddenly, he had questions and he was demanding answers.

"I took you there, of course."

"How did you know where I lived?"

"Naminé knows everything."

"Why do I," he paused, thankfully, not finishing that question with, want to touch you so badly, "feel like this?"

The man smirked, one of the marks underneath his eyes moving up slightly from the action. "What exactly are you feeling, Roxas?"

If he hadn't caught himself before it happened, a moan would have escaped from his mouth from the sound of that voice, so low and husky in front of him. The sound went straight to his groin, and he knew that if he kept on in this direction, he was sure to embarrass himself one way or another.

"Just attracted," he announced breathlessly.

"To what?" The man had walked around him in a lazy circle, much like an animal stalking its prey before it pounced. He finally settled behind Roxas, the chilly breath coming up against the side of his neck where the puncture wounds were located.

"Everything," he panted, the feeling of this man so close to him making everything in his body go crazy. When had he closed his eyes?

"Be more specific."

Be more specific? Hell, he could barely breathe, let alone give him an exact description of what was making him react in all the right ways. "Your voice," he had to pause, his head swimming from the lack of air in his lungs. "The way you look, your scent, your—"

Roxas gasped loudly and a quiet moan extracted itself from him as he felt something wet and cold press against the overheated skin on his neck. Instead of dousing the flames that seemed to be lapping across his body, they seemed to fuel it more. Knees weak and unable to keep himself up, Roxas crumpled against the man's inviting body.

Strong, secure arms wrapped around his waist, pressing him closer as the tongue trailed from his neck, to his jaw and ear. "Just a quick snack," the sultry voice whispered, sending shivers all along his insides.

He cried out when he felt sharp teeth sink into his skin. It was painful, at first, and Roxas could feel tears forming in his eyes, but that was quickly washed away as that amazing sensation hit him that he remembered from his vision earlier.

His body was overloaded, too many things to comprehend, too many feelings going through him at once, and he could feel himself fading out of consciousness. Fighting to stay awake was taking too much energy, and Roxas gave into the darkness that consumed him.

Roxas woke up to hushed voices speaking from somewhere beside him. Groggily opening his eyes, he was met with a dim room, and two bodies huddled together, arms waving frantically in the air. Or that's what he thought he saw. He couldn't be too sure, since he was still sleepy and the images were a little hazy.

Sighing loudly, he sat up from beneath the thick blankets that covered him and rubbed at his eyes, wiping away the sleep from his nap.

"What time is it?"

"A little past eight," replied that silky voice that was suddenly right in his ear. He jumped a little, staring widely at the man who was sitting cross-legged beside him, his knee resting against Roxas' thigh.

"Would you like something to eat, Roxas?" Naminé asked, getting up from the chair she had been sitting in and walking towards the door.

"You guys have actual food?" he asked, incredulous. Naminé giggled and nodded, stepping through the doorway and shutting it behind her.

"Naminé's gotta eat too, ya know?" the man stated obviously, inspecting his nails.

"What's your name?"

"What's it to ya?"

He grinned, flashing his white teeth, his fangs protruding more prominently than the others. Roxas felt his heart sputter.

"Well, considering what we've done," there was a blush on his face, and he knew it.

"Axel," he said quietly, his face losing it grin slowly.

"Axel. That's different." As an afterthought he added, "But nice."

Those eyes bore into him, seeming lighter than they had earlier, but still a lot more dark than what he remembered. Had he said something wrong? Maybe Axel hated his name…

There was a knock on the door, and Axel tore his gaze away, leaving Roxas to nearly fall forward. He hadn't even noticed that he had been leaning closer, and he felt ridiculous for being so… so uncharacteristic. He wasn't like this, all drool and moans.

"Here you go," Naminé said cheerfully as she set a tray on his lap. Axel had moved, choosing to sit in the chair that Naminé had been sitting in early, bringing it closer to the edge of the bed.

"Thank you."

She nodded and left the room slowly, throwing Axel a look that Roxas didn't understand. The food on his plate looked delicious, and tasted even better, he concluded when he had a mouthful of everything. Axel was watching him, amused, and Roxas looked away, ashamed for him lack of manners. He was hungry, he couldn't help it! He was making up for two days worth of not eating!

"So Namine isn't a vampire?"

"No," Axel replied, crossing his legs. "She owns this Mansion. It belonged to her parents, but they both died, and she hates being alone, so she offered to let me live here."

"In exchange for what?"

Axel smirked, his eyes narrowing. "In exchange for me letting her live."

Roxas nearly choked on his water, but recovered quickly. "What do you mean?"

"Well," the redhead paused, pushing his fingers together and staring at Roxas through the cracks. "I met her a little less than a year ago. I was hungry and desperate for someone to feed off. She had been walking through the forest, and I grabbed her, but she didn't fight back, which I found odd. So I stopped, and all she did was smile at me and said, 'So you're finally here.' I thought she was crazy, I mean, there's a vampire ready to eat you, and all you can do is state the obvious?

"I asked her what she meant, and she pointed to this Mansion and led me inside. I was confused as fuck, didn't know if she was off the rocker or what. She told me that she had been expecting me; she had drawn me up in her sketchbook showed me the pictures and everything. She's got some kind of special ability. When she draws thing, sometimes they happen."

"Really?"

Axel nodded. "She's drawn you before."

Roxas looked up from his food, bewildered. "She has?"

"Yeah, about a week before you came here."

"What does it mean?"

"Er, well I'm not the one who knows everything about her and her freakish powers. You'd have to ask her." Roxas nodded, making a mental note to corner the girl for answers. "Anyways, she told me that she knew I was in need of food and a place to stay, and that she was the one who was supposed to help me. As long as I didn't kill her, she'd let me stay here and feed off of the people in the surrounding towns. I figured, what the hell, right? And now," he sighed. "Now, you're here."

"What's that supposed to mean?" he responded angrily. This guy had the audacity to complain about him being here, when he was the one who had so rudely drank his blood twice, without any permission?

"Hey, hey. Calm down, kid," Axel chuckled, his hands in front of him in surrender. "I didn't mean any offense."

"I'm not a kid," Roxas grumbled insecurely, stabbing at the meat still on his plate.

"How old are you?"

"Eighteen, thank-you-very-much!"

"Barely. It was your birthday when you came here the other day, wasn't it?"

He nodded. "Why did you block my memory?"

Axel looked thoughtful for a moment, his finger tapping against his chin. "I couldn't risk you giving me away, telling your family and friends about the local vampire who attacked you and took advantage of you."

"You took advantage of me?" He gulped, afraid of the answer. Surely he would remember losing his virginity, right?

"Well I suppose I didn't really take advantage of you."

Roxas thanked the Heavens. He didn't think he could take it if he knew he'd been—

"After all," Axel interrupted his thoughts, "you were the one who sexually attacked me. I should get a restraining order put on you or something. You're a sexual fiend."

Roxas stared at him silently, his eyes wide and mouth agape. He was not a sexual fiend! He had never touched anyone like that before, or even tried. Axel must be lying, it was simply not true.

Before he knew it, the tray had been lifted off of his lap, and set on the ground, and Axel was looming over him. Those long fingers rested firmly on Roxas' shoulders, and the weight caused Roxas to lean back until his head hit the pillow softly. Axel was above him, the situation feeling strangely similar to Roxas. Had this happened that night?

"How about I show you what happened that night, Roxas?" Axel whispered into his ear, that skilled tongue sliding along the shell of his ear. The beating up his heart sped up in record time; the seductive voice Axel used having its desired effect on him. Teeth nibbled lightly on Roxas' earlobe on their way down to his neck, and when he felt the other man's lips pressing slow, lazy kisses along the abused flesh where the wounds were still fresh, he lost all reasoning and coherent thinking.

"Yes," he nodded, breathing shallow, the wind being pulled into his lungs nearly hurting from the speed they were being forced in. "Please, Axel."

Axel growled and pulled back to stare at him, his eyes sparkling mischievously as he licked his lips invitingly. Roxas whimpered at the loss of those glorious lips, and slipped his arm around Axel's neck in order to pull the man back down.

"As you wish," Axel gave a low chuckle before planting his lips on Roxas' in a heated kiss.

How'd you guys like that chapter? Not too much action, I know, but I surely you're not reading it JUST for the hot man-sex, right? ;P

Also, I have a question. What are your guys' thoughts on Xion? Like her? Hate her? Don't give a damn? Let me know in a review, as well as anything you have to say about the story!

Really, it's just one button... Click it! You won't be sorry!