Hooray! I managed to add some backstory with more knowledge of FFVII than I had a year ago. Now only a very select crowd of people can threaten me for raping their favorite characters...yay? TwT

Oh well. enjoy what i got so far...and if it's not too much trouble...PLZ REVIEW :)

Vexen was positively livid with rage. He had come so close to killing not only Roxas, but his meddling friend as well, and once again, that perfect opportunity slipped right through his fingers!

"Damn them! Damn them all!" he cried, burying his face against the splintered wooden table. He wanted to cry those harsh tears of anger, hate, and frustration all over again. The Strife lineage was made up of filthy little cockroaches; each one harder to kill off than the last!

But how could that be? His first assumptions of the boy had been all wrong. Roxas was young, and even more of an idealistic fool than even his father had been. He wasn't wise or battle-scarred; just an unshaven, untried youth that barely had any inkling of the world into which he'd been born.

The boy hadn't even tasted the true sting of betrayal yet! The confrontation with Demyx had only been a mere taste of the searing pain; the unbearable anger, guilt, shame, and hatred that a single person could feel in just one life time. And for all of his honors and achievements, Cloud was little better than that...

The old blond growled, the hand beside his head almost clawing at the table now. His revenge wasn't complete until he forever wiped the seed of Strife from the face of the earth. It was the least he could do for the man who had completely destroyed his life, his kingdom, and every thing else he had ever dreamed for...

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It was many years ago, when he was an apprentice scientist and sorcerer in the country of Jenova. It was customary in his trade that science and magic be learned, for the two could go hand in hand seemlessly if well researched and used properly. He was apprenticed in the infamous company known as Shinra, whose purpose was to develop new ways of harnessing the life energy of the land and its people. It sought to power itself, and indeed the kingdom as a whole, on a strong, renewable power source, and the men and women of Shinra worked tirelessly day and night, testing and gathering data from the numerous volunteers waiting and eager to assist in the betterment of their country.

And though it was not specifically a government-owned business at first, Shinra was soon working closely with the reining government, under the command of a cold, silent man named Sephiroth. Despite his typical demeanor, however, the man adamantly supported the company's endeavors, also hoping to ascertain the most efficient and cost-effective ways to produce energy. With the king's strong influence and affluence, the company prospered for many years, and Vexen moved up the organizational ladder slowly but surely, finally making his way up to chief supervisor of Shinra's top priority projects. He even went so far as to advise the king himself, now and again, though of course he was never one to brag...

Then, one faithful day, a large amount of information was leaked to Sephiroth from an outside source, claiming that another kingdom had finally learned the secrets of unlimited power. It was a tiny country in a rich, green land, known as Lockhart; an otherwise insignificant little place reported to be weak militarily and economically. This find would certainly have been something to boost them to a higher position of power and up the interest on trade and exchange among the other surrounding kingdoms. Needless to say, upon hearing this, Vexen and his associates tried to reason with the king, to secure a treaty and search peacefully, with the Lockhart royal family's help. There would be a promised alliance; protection and other such promised legalities to satisfy the tiny kingdom. But Sephiroth was a strong, militant man. Brave and intelligent, indeed, but quickly prone to anger and violence when the subject or object was of consequence to him. And Sephiroth wanted this power source; he desired it for reasons he would never fully explain, though Vexen always felt there had been something more...

So without heeding their words, the king led a military assault on Nibelheim, burning everything on the way before completely demolishing the capitol city. He drove into the city like a man possessed, murdering innocent women and children left and right; so intent on this merely supposed power source. But his men did not question him, for they were loyal and well-broken; and the scientists were powerless to stop the ruin...

Sephiroth beat, threatened and finally killed the young Princess Tifa Lockhart and her family. He found nothing that supported rumors of the alleged power source, and left in ruined state in fury and despair. But the deed was done, and he payed dearly for his rashness...

In his attack, he had angered the young and arrogant King Cloud Strife, a close childhood friend of Tifa's and the leader of much larger, more powerful kingdom than Lockhart. With his men now scattered and his forces low, King Sephiroth was unable to regroup and develop an efficient counterstrike, and thus, all of Jenova suffered for it. Cloud led his men into the kingdom, revenging Tifa and her kingdom with double the bloodshed; burning everything just the same. Shinra was scattered, and her workers and associates all fled in terror, disappearing into death or obscurity. Vexen could not guess who survived and who had not...

He escaped with his life, disappearing into the border forest until the time when the war was over. And by the time he found his way out again, years later, he found a thriving natural landscape, growing from the ashes of the once great, proud kingdom. No people remained; only plants lived on, snaking up the long-deserted, charred buildings and growing on to the sky itself. Vexen saw it all; his beautiful home and all the things he loved were gone. His laboratory was gone, Jenova's king and her people slain or reduced to pathetic little refugees...

It disgusted him. The acts of one foolish man were not enough, in his mind, to damn an entire nation, and what Cloud had done was, in all truth, no better than Sephiroth's actions. Vexen swore revenge that day on Strife's kingdom and all its inhabitants. In all his wanderings, he never forgot that their king was a cold-blooded murder, and as he traveled from place to place, a vagabond with no real destination, years later, he was shocked and angered to learn that that murderer had borne a son. The child of a killer, and a sure sign that the reign of misery, indignity, and blatant murder for his people, and possible others as well, would continue through that line...

Everyone he met in the kingdom jumped for joy at the birth of the infant prince, but Vexen scoffed and turned away, listening to the celebrations with growing disgust. He would make every last one of them pay, especially the boy. They would pay in blood for what was done to his country, his great legacy...

So he waited. And listened. And learned. He reinforced his magical knowledge with new texts from the hated kingdom, and set a little place aside for himself where he could practice and work in peace. When the time was right, he would appear before the king and his foolish people. He would have control of everything one day, and by god, he was going to find the source that Sephiroth had been so blindly seeking for!

But this was the past. Now was the time to move towards that promised future; the one he had dreamed of for so long...

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Vexen raised his head slowly, glaring at the stone wall blankly, as he pondered his next move. Perhaps it was time to take care of the boy himself. The blond hairs were just about gone now, and knowing all too well that he was not much loved by many in the kingdom, he almost certainly couldn't trust an assassin to get the job done either.

So now he thought about it, wishing he could try another simple spell like the cold one and simply kill Roxas that way while the meddling redhead was out. It would be so easy, but still too impersonal for his deep-seated grudge...

And then he got an idea. It just so happened that he did have a very special spell in mind, just for Roxas. It would take even less than the other spells had, though a bit more time to prepare, and all he needed to do was deliver the object to the boy himself! No hair was needed, nor anything to tether the spell specifically to him; and, with the right disguise, the fool would never know it was him! As much as he hated to praise him, Vexen really had to thank his luck that the boy was so fair-minded and trusting. Simply change the face and voice a bit; that would be all...

Getting up slowly, a renewed cruel smirk stretching over his already wrinkled features, the old man sought out the last book he would need for his endeavors. Its binding was deep purple, with the words "Spells of the Dark: 3" scrawled on the front. He knew just the spell, and began flipping through the pages eagerly, his cold blue eyes glistening with malicious intent...

He would not fail this time...

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Roxas waved goodbye from the doorway as Luxord took his leave.

"Are you sure I can't convince you to stay for supper?"

The man smiled back at him kindly, shaking his head. "Nah, that's alright, kid. I got places to be. Just make sure you get some rest, okay? Same goes for the bum; he needs to come back to work already."

"Will do," the boy replied, offering a small smile back. "Take care then."

He closed the door slowly and stood there for a moment, sighing. Axel had woken up once or twice since they came home, mostly whining when Luxord applied the bandages and disinfectant, and to shoot quips back and forth with the older man. Roxas had stayed off to the side, watching and waiting, and he wondered faintly if Axel had really meant what he said back in the forest. He didn't dare come out from his hiding place, or even speak a word to him when he woke up; it was almost like he wasn't even there. He was afraid that the redhead would turn away from him after what he had put him through today. Did Axel really forgive him, or was he still angry?

Maybe I should leave now anyway... He wondered briefly, sadly. Axel's done more than enough for me. Surely I've worn out my welcome by now...

Whatever the case, he was too weak to leave now. He'd never survive out there in the shape that he was, and Vexen could probably send a creature like that again at any time. Even with a sword, he'd be at a horrible disadvantage.

Roxas sighed. What a hopeless case he was. After some more mental berating and debating, he decided to buck up his courage and go see if his friend was awake now. Then he could ask, instead of just worrying himself sick over it. If Axel was mad, then as soon as he was healthy again he would leave. It would be as simple as that, but the thought still brought a tear to his eye for one reason or another...

He clutched his make-shift walking stick tightly, wobbling back through the house and to the bedroom that he and Axel had shared before, and pushed the door aside with his shoulder. It was very late now, and the room was dark and quiet. The young blond almost couldn't tell if his friend were awake or asleep in such low light. He didn't see those brilliant green eyes glowing in the room, but he managed to make his way to the bed somehow and stopped in front of it, going down awkwardly until he was kneeling on the floor, careful of his broken ankle. The boy hissed softly, feeling a stinging pain in his back as he bent, but he didn't want to wake his friend and thus did not try to sit on the edge of the bed.

Axel's chest was rising and falling gently, but he was unusually quiet, even from where Roxas was. No snoring, no heavy breathing. Maybe he was just listening, or thinking. Either way, the blond boy worried that it was the cold shoulder, and that pained him. He reached out uncertainly in the dark until he clasped a larger, slightly cooler hand in his own, but he didn't hear a break or change in the silence.

"I'm sorry, Axel..." he said quietly, whispering more to himself than to the redhead. "It's all my fault that the both of us got hurt. I didn't mean to get in trouble, I just..." He sighed, feeling tears pricking in his eyes again, and stopped for a moment to gather himself.

"I wanted to come and apologize. I-I didn't mean to hurt you this morning, and I just thought that...if I could catch up to you, everything would be okay again." Roxas's tone then became slightly angry, berating himself again.

But I was stupid again. I just had to get lost-"

The hand he was clutching suddenly squeezed, and Roxas looked up, startled, and saw bright, almost glowing green eyes looking back at him. He let out a soft, choked laugh; so relieved to see that Axel was awake.

They had both been injured very badly during this ordeal, and seeing the extent of the redhead's injuries, though they weren't enough to kill him, it was enough to make Roxas decently worried about his friend.

"Axel..."

The older boy offered a small, still somewhat pained smile in reply, still squeezing Roxas's hand as if it would hurt him even more to simply let go. The young blond grasped his tightly with both hands now, leaning stiffly over the bed as he spoke.

"You're awake..."

The next moment was a blur of movement, too fast for Roxas to take in. The hand that had been squeezing his suddenly became tighter, though not painfully so. And just as that happened, the blond yelped as he was suddenly yanked closer, practically falling across the bed from the force of the pull. He landed on Axel's chest awkwardly, the redhead groaning at the impact, but before Roxas could even move, mostly panicking that he had hurt Axel and feeling pain himself, an arm locked around his neck and forced his head down against that same warm chest, while the other one locked around his waist in a firm grip. He was trapped.

Roxas found himself blushing darkly and was tempted to struggle, but doing so could end up hurting both of them more, opening those meticulously bandaged wounds that Luxord had worked so hard to apply. So he decided against it, pressing his head down and trying to hide from the growing awkwardness in Axel's warm, soft shirt. There was also the slight feeling of contentment, lying there in Axel's arms, that he wasn't completely comfortable to admit...

A moment of silence passed before Roxas found the courage to tilt his head up a bit, straining to see those gorgeous green eyes and what could possibly be going on behind them.

"Uh...Axel? Are you alright?" He was concerned by the pounding he felt beneath his friend's chest. It seemed too quick to be safe or healthy for one in his condition.

The redhead sighed deeply; although at their angle, Roxas was almost certain Axel was just getting a long whiff of his hair. The younger boy shifted a bit awkwardly, stopping when the older boy finally spoke.

"You are, without a doubt, the most reckless, spoiled, idiotic boy I think I've ever met in my life."

Roxas wasn't sure whether to huff in offense to that or to simply admit that he'd been wrong. In the end, though, it seemed he felt too bad about everything to defend his battered ego. He bit his lip and whispered back softly, "I'm sorry..."

The arm that had wrapped itself around his neck withdrew, and instead a hand came to rest upon his cheek, letting him sit up better to look his friend in the eyes. As Roxas propped himself up on his elbows, wincing at the strain he felt, he caught the look Axel was giving him and felt it strike his very core.

There was a swirl of sadness, pain, and protectiveness there that made his heart bleed with guilt, but there was also a strange joy there as well, and another sort of look that Roxas had trouble comprehending. It was sweet, almost cherishing as it looked at him; it was as if he were a precious treasure to the redhead, and not just his ignorant, ungrateful kid friend who kept wandering into trouble that was way over his head.

The hand on his cheek brushed it softly, the thumb hooking slightly on the side of his jaw as Axel tugged him forward. The swirl of emotions in both of them came to a head as Roxas felt his lips claimed by his friend's, and he was so shocked that it sent his already weary mind reeling from the surprise and sudden heat of it.

Axel moved the hand along his cheek, stroking it, encouraging him to kiss back. His lips moved in a slow, simple rhythm, nothing too sudden or harsh that might frighten the boy. He was almost too careful, and yet desperate for closeness.

Roxas could feel it. Axel been terrified of losing him.

This is so weird... He noticed, cheeks flushing as his lips began to move on their own. Would it be taking advantage of Axel to continue on this way, especially when he was still weak from the fight? The younger boy could only wonder.

But as the redhead's tongue slipped over his lip and pushed inside, Roxas finally had to settle his inner turmoil, letting his eyes fall shut and leaning in to it as comfortably as he was able. The sensation made him shiver.

The blonde embraced these new feelings with surprising ease; th warm body pressed under him, the hand caressing his cheek with near feather lightness, and the feel of his other hand running over his side, almost tickling. And those lips felt so wonderful against his...

He wanted this. It was new and strange, but so wonderful, and he wanted it...

When they finally broke to breathe, Axel shifted so that Roxas could lie more comfortably beside him, still being mindful of the cuts and bruises lining their torsos. His other hand moved up a bit, brushing under fabric and over the bandages on the bare skin of the prince's back, frowning deeply. And the blond watched him with hazy, half-lidded eyes, panting softly as his mind began to slowly catch up. After a moment or two, Axel met his gaze and sighed again.

"I guess I have no right to pick on you..."

Roxas blinked. "W-What do you mean?"

Axel looked up at the ceiling solemnly, his fingers tracing over the wounds on Roxas's back tenderly, carefully. "I'm just about as stubborn as you are. I didn't want to act like what happened this morning was really that big of a deal. I wanted to just let it roll off me, but I couldn't. You made a good point; maybe I can't protect you any better than you can."

The blond shook his head and opened his mouth to speak, but Axel stopped him at once, placing a finger to the boy's lips firmly.

"Don't try to say that I'm wrong. You could easily have been killed last night, or today for that matter. I came as fast as I could, but I still just barely made it in time..."

Roxas remained silent, looking at him sadly.

"If Vexen really is behind this, I have a feeling there's a reason for his attacks targeting you alone. Whether I am immune to them or not, we've already established that I can't be with you all of the time." His eyes drifted back down to Roxas, keeping his gaze serious, but softer. "I'm sorry too. I just can't help but be worried about you, you know? I didn't mean to upset you or suggest that you're weak, but at the same time, you can't let your pride judge things for you; not now. It's dangerous out there, Roxas..."

"I-I know," the boy replied softly, "But there just has to be something I can do! I don't want to see you uprooting your whole life for me, even if it is for the good of the kingdom!"

"I'd happily do it, if it was for you. And not just for that." Axel's smiled warmed even further.

Roxas shook his head harshly, his eyes doubtful.

"But why? There's really no point! I haven't known you for all that long, and there's nothing I could ever do to repay your kindness to me..."

A finger touched his lips again before he could say more. The young blond looked up, somewhat surprised, to find Axel looking intently at him, a sparkling humor in those green eyes that made him tingle and smile softly, despite everything.

"You don't get it, do you?" There was a barely suppressed chuckle, half in humor and half in exasperation, that escaped. "I love you, kid."

"You do?"

"Yes, Roxas. I'm hopelessly, helplessly smitten with you. Got it memorized?" A wide smirk crossed his face as he spoke, and he pressed his forehead to the blond's, bonking it slightly. "And hey, just in case you're still not getting it, let me clarify some more." With that, he brought his lips to Roxas' again, making the boy gasp.

"I-It tickles when you do that.." he breathed softly, when they finally drew apart.

The redhead paused, watch his love laugh for a moment before chuckling with him.

"You'll get used to it, kid. Or if you don't like it..."

The boy said nothing for a moment, then placed a hand on Axel's mouth and held him at bay, merely inches away from his tantalizing prize.

"I love it...so let me try."

For a moment, the two lay still as Roxas shyly kissed Axel. The younger boy slowly emboldened, but flushed at his clumsy, awkward movements.

But Axel's eyes held no judgement, and he responded eagerly, albeit slightly restrained for the benefit of his beloved. He wanted to ease Roxas into things slowly; whatever the the blonde was comfortable with.

"You're cute, you know that?"

Roxas glared weakly as the redhead kissed the tip of his nose, feeling both his blush and his growing drowsiness spreading. All the craziness of the day was waring on his energy, not to mention his sense of humor, and he was more than ready to make the trek back to his room. Too bad Axel's arm was pinning him in place.

The blond sighed heavily and laid his head back down, willing sleep to take him away.

Whatever tomorrow would bring, they both had best be well rested to meet it.