AUTHOR'S NOTE: All Final Fantasy VII/VIII characters are property of SQUARE software and their subisdaries. Please do not sue me. I have no money. I just love gorgeous video game bisien. This is a YAOI fan fiction piece. So if you are under the age of 18 or are offended by male/male sexual relationships, quit reading now. I will not be responsible for you if you don't. Now, with all that out of the way, on with the good stuff!! ^_^ Big thank you to Seiya Kou and Dark Ki for everything they have done!

"No!"

Squall sat upright in his bed, the sweat sticking to him like a thick haze. He couldn't control his breathing. He felt as though his chest was going to explode. It had been the same dream again, but something new had appeared. Black wings. There had been black wings. He could feel them pressed against him. They weren't hurting him.

Somehow, they were part of the person that he was holding. The blood was still there. The blood that was partially his, but mostly wasn't. He finally took a deep breath and managed to get control of his shaking body. He stared at the clock. It read 8 a.m.

"Wha...? I've been asleep that long?"

Squall was eternally grateful that Cid had excused him from his classes today. He wandered into the shower and turned the water on. He stripped off his sticky clothes and slipped underneath the warmth.

He began to mull over the images that he had seen in his sleep.

"Man, I wonder if that incident with Vincent last night affected my dream any?"

Squall instantly felt his chest tighten at the thought of Vincent. He couldn't shake the image of him staring at him with those ruby eyes, pleading for help. If only he had been not so quick to judge, not so swept up in fear.

"I have to see him. I have to apologize."

Squall quickly turned off the shower and dried off. He grabbed some clean clothes and slipped on his bomber jacket. He exited his door and quickly headed to the professor's private quarters. Students of GARDEN weren't allowed in the professors area unless accompanied by one of the professors. Squall snuck quietly into the building and looked at the main listings hanging on the wall.

"Valentine...Valentine...Vincent Valentine, room 2 level 4. Great, top level nonetheless."

Squall hit the elevator button and waited nervously. He kept his fingers crossed that no professors would be stepping out and instantly demanding an explanation. He was in luck. The doors slid open revealing an empty elevator. He slipped inside and hit level four.

Within a few seconds, the ride stopped and Squall stepped out. On the right side, the first door read number 2. Squall felt a lump form in his throat. He stepped forward and stood in front of the door. He felt very small suddenly. He lifted his hand, seeing that it was trembling. Very softly, he knocked on Vincent's door.

"Enter." came a weak, soft voice.

Squall took a deep breath and opened the door.

______________________________________________________________________________

Squall slipped inside and closed the door behind him. He looked around the lavishly decorated room. It was much fancier than Cid's, with a touch of Baroque to much of the furniture and tapestries. He glanced around until his eyes fell on a frail looking man resting in a large chair, wrapped in a heavy blanket. His eyes immediately made contact with Squall's and a frown crossed his face.

"Is there something you want, Mr. Leonhart?" Vincent's voice was weak, but suprisingly sharp.

"Um, yah. I wanted to apologize for last night."

"Why?"

"Because I didn't know."

"You didn't know? Of course, you didn't know. This isn't exactly something I tell everyone, you know." Vincent's words were dripping with sarcasm.

Squall flinched at Vincent's tone. He had meant to apologize, not get Vincent more angry than he already seemed to be.

"Um, Professor Highwind told me about your condition."

Vincent threw the blanket off himself and stood quickly. He moved to the window and threw the curtains out of the way. The sun shone down on him, making his skin look even whiter.

"Condition?! Is that what Cid calls it? Wouldn't 'freak' be better? Or vampire? There! That seems to be the word you were looking for, wasn't it, Mr. Leonhart?"

Squall felt tears begin to come to his eyes. Why was Vincent being so cruel? All he wanted to do was make peace with the man.

"I...I'm sorry. That's all I can say. If I had taken the time, maybe I wouldn't have run away..."

"You would have. Everybody does. It's part of my 'condition.'" Vincent spoke bitterly.

Squall bit his lower lip and looked down at the ground. He didn't want to give Vincent the satisfaction of seeing him crying. He carefully blinked the tears away and looked up at the pale man. Vincent was gripping ahold of the curtains, burying his face into one of his arms. Squall could tell he was fighting back tears.

"Vincent?"

"You may leave now, Mr. Leonhart."

"But, Vincent, I..."

"LEAVE!"

The thunder in his voice made Squall stumble back against the door. He stared with wide eyes at Vincent. Vincent looked at Squall for only a moment and then buried his face back into his arm.

Squall turned to open the door. He stopped himself, but didn't turn around.

"Do you know that I don't have anyone, Vincent? I'm all alone. I don't have a family. I don't have anyone that I would call a close friend. I'm just like you. You don't have anyone either."

Squall then began to turn the doorknob.

"Squall."

His name made his hand slide off the knob. He slowly about faced to see Vincent. He had released the curtains, and his arms dangled loosely at his sides. His eyes were filled with tears that refused to be shed. Shaking, he lifted up his arms and held them in front of him. That was all the invitation Squall needed.

He took only a few quick steps before he was in Vincent's arms. He slid his arms around Vincent's waist, burying his face into Vincent's neck and hair. Vincent squeezed Squall tightly, careful not to get his claw pushed into his back.

"Vincent." Squall quietly whispered.

Vincent stroked Squall's hair gently. He placed a soft kiss on the top of his head. Squall leaned back and offered his lips to Vincent. He felt his heart almost stop when Vincent's mouth descended on his. It was a long kiss, innocent in intention, and when it broke, Squall felt empty.

"I'm sorry, Squall. I'm sorry for treating you like I did. I know that you were just trying to be kind. I...I don't know how you can face me after what you've seen."

Squall let out a soft, nervous laugh.

"I've seen Seifer without his clothes on. Trust me, seeing you with vampire fangs wasn't half as scary."

Vincent couldn't repress a giggle and soon he was laughing, even though tears were sliding down his cheeks.

Squall leaned up and silenced Vincent's laughter with his lips. Vincent almost immediately slid his tongue into Squall's mouth. The young soldier jerked back for a moment, shocked by the intrusion. Vincent caught some of Squall's silky auburn hair and held him there. Squall soon was sliding his tongue into Vincent's mouth. The kiss became unbearably long, the other trying to make the other break first. Finally, Vincent pulled away. It wasn't because he was for at a loss of breath, he was suddenly taken over by a dizzy spell.

Squall caught Vincent from falling. He manuevered so that the taller man was resting against his side. He guided Vincent to the chair he had been sitting in. Very carefully, he let Vincent relax into the soft material. Squall kneeled in front of him.

"Are you all right?"

Vincent nodded weakly.

"I, uh, I don't think I've quite recovered from last night yet. Cid must have given me too little blood."

"Professor Highwind didn't give you the blood."

"What? Did Shera then?"

"No, Vincent, I did."

Vincent's eyes froze for a moment in utter shock. He blinked and then slowly shook his head.

"Squall, I...how?"

"You were almost completely unconcious, so Professor Highwind had me cut my hand on my Gunblade. You lapped up some of the blood and then you went really stiff. You fell into such a deep sleep that I thought my blood had killed you. Professor Highwind told me that you fall asleep after you drink."

"Not all the time. Just if I haven't had a swallow for a long time."

"Anyway, your saliva healed my cut right up. Kind of a neat trick you do."

Vincent's gaze fell to the floor. Squall grew concerned. He very gently tilted Vincent's chin up and saw the look of absolute melancholy on the man's face.

"Vincent, what's wrong?"

"Your blood saved me. There was something about the taste. I,...I shouldn't be talking about this."

"No. Go on."

"It was so sweet. I thought I was tasting honey." Vincent's face flushed with embarassment. "I'm sorry. I probably disgust you."

"Quite on the contrary. I think bad eggs are disgusting."

Squall gave Vincent a quirky half smile.

"Do you ever not make a sarcastic comment?"

"It's part of my dysfunctional, maladjusted personality. In least that's what the GARDEN conselor told most of my professors."

Vincent couldn't help but smile. Squall gently moved some of the loose raven black strands out of Vincent's crimson eyes. He found himself looking deeply into the ruby pools.

"Vincent, I..."

Before Squall could finish, Vincent trapped his mouth with his again. Their tongues became twisted and Vincent was pulling off Squall's bomber jacket. The young man struggled, trying to help get the cursed tight clothing off of him. Vincent began to caress his back, pulling Squall's t-shirt out from his black pants. He slid his good hand underneath and began to feel Squall's finely muscled back.

Squall broke the kiss gasping. Vincent placed smaller kisses on his cheeks, his foreheard and his chin. His mouth wandered down to Squall's neck. Feeling Vincent place a kiss on his throat caused Squall to stiffen. Vincent pulled back quickly.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that." Vincent's voice shook.

"No! Don't apologize. It's okay."

With that, Squall guided Vincent back down to his throat. He closed his eyes, focusing only on Vincent's gentle caresses, not the fear that edged at his stomach. Vincent slid his tongue across Squall's nape, enjoying the salty, cologne tinted taste of his skin. He shuddered when he felt Squall run his hands down his chest. Even through his thick turtleneck, he could feel the hands wanting to explore.

Vincent finally pulled the white t-shirt over Squall's head. The material went falling carelessly next to his jacket.

"Stand up." Vincent softly commanded.

Squall obediently did, and threw his head back releasing a soft cry. Vincent's tongue pressed into Squall's navel, leaving a hot slick feeling. His pants were becoming too tight and he reached down, undoing his first belt quickly. Vincent worked on the second, taking a little longer due to his claw. But, the second fell to the floor. Vincent leaned forward, kissing the material that covered Squall's aching length.

Squall sucked in his breath. He undid his button on his pants and slid down the zipper. Vincent leaned forward and gently kissed him. The very soft movement of Vincent's lips almost made Squall's knees go out from him.

"You trust me this much, Squall?" Vincent softly whispered.

"Yes..." Squall's voice trailed off into a whimper when Vincent pulled him free from his restraint. The first touch of Vincent's hot lips on Squall's erection make him cry out. Very slowly, Vincent drew him in, holding his arms around Squall's waist to keep him from dropping down. His movements were careful, manipulating, and Squall was always a breath from the brink. His fingers were tangled tightly in Vincent's thick hair and he moved with Vincent's tongue.

"Please, Vincent, I need to."

"Not yet." Vincent whispered wickedly as he drew back. Squall sobbed at feeling himself so unsatisfied. But, a warm hand soon came around him and he fell forward, bracing his arms onto the chair rests. He was leaning down and Vincent took the opportunity to lean up and claim his mouth again. His hand moved with gentle, sharp strokes that had Squall moaning softly.

Squall reached down and disconnected Vincent's hand. The older man looked at him with some confusion.

"My knees are going to give out if I don't have somewhere to lay down."

Vincent couldn't suppress a grin. He stood carefully, making sure that his dizzy spell didn't return. He led Squall into the next room, which contained the bedroom and a master bathroom. Vincent placed Squall on the edge of the bed. He dropped to his knees. Squall reached down and pulled at the edge of Vincent's poorboy turtleneck. He was shocked when Vincent suddenly grabbed his wrist.

"Don't." came Vincent's plea.

"Why not?"

Vincent looked down again. He laid his head into Squall's lap. Squall could see by the movement of his shoulders that he was sobbing silently. Squall began to caress the man's raven locks.

"What's wrong?"

"I can't take off my clothes."

"Why not?"

"I...I get too cold."

Squall understood then why Vincent dressed the way he did. The malady he had came from not having enough blood or blood flow. His body temp was always different from everyone elses. Squall leaned down, kissing the top of Vincent's head.

"Ssh. It's all right. You don't have to worry."

Squall glanced up and the bathtub in the bathroom caught his attention. He thought for a moment and an idea suddenly struck him.

"Wait here. I think I have an idea."

Vincent slid his head off Squall's lap and Squall leapt into the bathroom. He turned the water temp nozzle almost directly to hot. The bathtub filled quickly, creating a thick steam in the small room. He reached his finger in and flinched at the heat. It might not be exceedingly pleasant for him, but he wanted to see Vincent without his clothes on.

He pulled off his pants and left them on the floor. He peaked his head out from the door and motioned to Vincent. He arose and entered the bathroom.

"I think I've solved our problem."

Vincent looked at the hot water.

"Won't this hurt you?"

"Yah, a little, but I know it'll be worth it." there was a hint of mischief in Squall's words.

Squall took great lavish in removing Vincent's clothes. He was careful not to get the turtleneck sleeve caught on Vincent's claw. He enjoyed seeing that he was not the only one who was feeling heavy arousal. He reached down, letting his fingers slide over Vincent. Vincent drew in his breath and pulled Squall against him.

"We'd better get in before you get too cold."

Vincent stepped in first. The swirling water was a step below scalding. To Vincent, it felt like a normal bath. Squall flinched as he set his foot into the hot water.

"Go slow." Vincent instructed.

Squall did as he was told. He lowered himself slowly down, facing Vincent. The hot liquid engulfed his waist and he bit back the urge to whimper again. He finally relaxed down into the water, adjusting himself carefully so that not too much of it would splash his dry skin.

"You didn't have to do this."

"I know. But, I wanted to take off your clothes."

"Was it worth it?"

"Mmm, yes. You have a great body for looking so skinny."

Vincent moved forward carefully, so not to disturb too much water. He kissed Squall's lips lightly. Squall parted his lips and Vincent gladly deepened the kiss. Squall lifted his partially submerged arms and slid them around Vincent's neck. Vincent returned to kissing Squall's throat and then moved to his shoulders. He slid down farther, trapping one of Squall's nipples with his hot mouth. Squall arched, the sensation so new that he didn't feel the slosh of hot water strike his skin.

"Vincent, I want you so bad."

To hear those words made Vincent's soul soar. He hadn't heard those words since Cid and him had met all those years ago. He hungrily began to kiss Squall's mouth again. His hand slid under the water, beginning to stroke the young soldier again.

Squall felt himself growing more anxious. He reached under the water and also began to slide his fingers over Vincent's length. Their lips were barely apart now, and they could hear and feel each other's erratic breaths.

"Squall, I want you too."

Squall sighed and laid his head forward. He covered Vincent's shoulder with butterfly kisses, his eyelashes barely brushing Vincent's pale skin. The sensation electrified Vincent, and he drew his hand back. He moved out of the water slightly and reached for something above Squall's head. Bringing it down, Squall looked at Vincent curiously.

"What is it?"

"Oil I use for my baths."

Vincent poured a generous amount in his hand and coated his fingers heavily with the substance. Squall watched with a mix of lust and fear. He knew what Vincent intended to do and felt himself get a little stiff.

Vincent pulled Squall closer, so that the young soldier's legs were straddling his. The touch of Vincent's body so close to Squall's made him groan. Vincent slid his slick fingers down Squall's dry back and into the hot liquid.

"Relax." Vincent commanded.

Squall closed his eyes and waited. Vincent slid his first finger in, careful not to go too fast. Squall's eyes flew open and he gasped. He dug his fingers into Vincent's shoulders.

"Are you okay?" Vincent was concerned.

Squall nodded. He pressed against Vincent a little more. The friction his body caused made Vincent moan. He began to caress slowly. The sensations Vincent's finger was causing made Squall gasp. He tightly clenched his eyes, ignoring the slight pain that accompanied Vincent's caress. Slowly, Vincent slid in a second finger. Squall moaned loudly.

"I don't know how much more of this I can take." Squall gasped.

Vincent continued until he was satisfied that Squall was ready. Squall felt a hunger inside him like none before. Vincent looked Squall directly in the eyes.

"Turn around, Squall. If it hurts too much, I'll quit."

Squall nodded, feeling another pang of fear after Vincent's comment. He shifted slowly in the water, no longer feeling the sting. He could see that his flesh was tinted pink and red in some places. Vincent's was still pale.

Vincent poured the oil into his hand. He hissed through his teeth when he touched his length. Coating his aching erection, Vincent raised Squall up and positioned himself.

"Are you ready?"

"I think so." came Squall's nervous shaky response.

Squall closed his eyes. Vincent moved in slowly and would stop occassionally to check on how Squall was doing. Squall was shocked to find that it didn't hurt as bad as he had expected. There were spikes of pain, but when Vincent began to rock inside of him, the pain receded.

Vincent's hand moved forward, stroking Squall in the same rythm. Squall's moans went from soft to much louder. Vincent muffled his own gasps in Squall's shoulders. They continued to move, Squall finding Vincent's rythm some how and keeping pace with it.

Vincent felt something prick his bottom lip.

"It can't be! Not now!" Vincent cried silently.

Squall felt a sudden erratic movement in Vincent's body. Something was wrong.

"Vincent."

"Squall, my teeth, I...they've come through." Vincent's voice had fear that echoed loudly.

Squall felt a tightness in his stomach. It was now or never. He had wanted Vincent and now he was going to have him completely.

"It's all right, Vincent, you can if you want to."

"Squall?!" Vincent whispered weakly.

"I want you to."

Vincent felt tears stream down his cheeks.

"I won't take much."

"I know."

Vincent began to move into Squall again. His hand continued his stroking. In a flash, Vincent's teeth pressed through Squall's neck. Squall felt himself stiffen for a moment from the quick pain. Then, his body began to react like never before.

"Vincent, I...it feels..incredible." Squall's words were broken by his gasping.

Vincent licked at the wounds. Squall's blood coursed through him and he sank his teeth in a little deeper. His hand moved faster and Squall had to grip the sides of the bathtub to keep from slipping.

Squall was crying for release. The intensity of Vincent's bite mixed with his hand and Vincent inside of him were attacking every pleasure center in his body. He was rocking hard and his body was thick with sweat that didn't come from the hot bathtub. Vincent stroked harder and in a moment, Squall came almost violently. His body shook and he sobbed Vincent's name.

Vincent moved quicker inside Squall. He had taken a couple swallows of the young man's blood and the fire it created inside of him couldn't be matched. He thrust hard, hearing Squall crying his name again. He finally reached his peak and his essence poured out. He withdrew his fangs at the same time. Squall suddenly came again, the feeling of Vincent beyond intense. He shuddered as the last of his climax slipped over Vincent's hand and into the steaming bathtub.

Squall slumped back against Vincent's body. Vincent licked Squall's neck, the wounds healing on contact. He had taken a couple mouthfuls, not enough to even make Squall woozy. Squall groaned as Vincent reluctantly slid out of the young soldier. They remained in the bathtub, the water now cooler, but far from being cold.

"That was the most intense sexual experience I have ever had." Squall whispered.

"Are you okay? I didn't take too much blood, did I?"

"Mm, no." Squall purred. "That was really erotic. If I had known it was going to feel like that, I would've let you do it to me last night."

Vincent laughed quietly and mussed up Squall's hair even more. He watched as his young lover's eyes became heavy. Squall snuggled back against Vincent and soon his chest was raising and lowering in a deep sleep.

Vincent smiled sadly. He still couldn't believe that he had almost thrown the beautiful young man out. How lucky he had been. Squall accepted him, malady and all. He hadn't found anyone who had done that since Cid.

"I will protect you at all costs, Squall." Vincent silently promised.

With that, he relaxed back against the bathroom wall, enjoying the heat from the tub and the warmth radiating from Squall's body.

______________________________________________________________________________

Squall opened his deep blue eyes to see that he was lying in a big bed. He shifted a little to look up at the pale face that rested quietly. Vincent must have carried him to the bed after he had fallen asleep in the bathtub.

"He looks so innocent." Squall mused.

Squall slid down and rested his head on part of Vincent's lower chest. He let his fingers trace the fine lined muscle tone of Vincent's side. That little process woke him up.

"You know, I'm particularly ticklish there."

"You are, huh?"

Within moments, a tickling match to end all matches erupted. By the time that Vincent had called mercy, they were both wringing wet again. Squall laid on top of Vincent and ran his fingers through his rich black hair. He chewed on his bottom lip nervously. Vincent caught the touch of nervousness.

"What are you thinking about, Squall?"

"Vincent, do you believe in love at first sight?"

Vincent looked at Squall thoughtfully.

"Sometimes I do."

"When I first saw you, I thought you wierd, but really beautiful. Then, after what happened last night, I couldn't stop thinking about you. It wasn't because of seeing your fangs or anything. It was because of the way you touched me. No one has ever touched me with such caring hands. I don't trust anyone." Squall's voice began to crack and tears began to form in the corner of his eyes. "But, I trusted you enough to give you not only my body and my blood, but I gave you a part of my soul. I gave you my trust."

"Squall, are you telling me that..."

"I love you, Vincent." Squall interrupted. The tears came then and Vincent was quick to kiss them away.

"Ssh, it's okay. I love you, too, Squall."

"Wha...?" Squall couldn't hide his shock.

"I think I fell in love with you the minute you went to the trouble of guiding me off the training grounds even though I could've easily done it myself. I knew that there was more to you than just an angry young man. You've given me your trust and I've given you my heart. Looks like you're stuck with me."

Squall smiled a full smile and kissed Vincent deeply.

"But, we really need to get up Squall. I promised Cid that I would view a Guardian Force training session."

Squall had already begun his trail of kisses down Vincent's chest. He slid underneath the sheets.

"Squall, I need to...ahhh...or we could stay in bed a little longer." Vincent gasped.

He grabbed the sheet and pulled it completely over his head, joining Squall underneath.