It was in the early hours of the human morning as Takuma Ichijo sifted through racks of designer shirts; more to pass the time then actually look for something. He was waiting for his friend and roommate Senri Shiki to exit one of the dressing rooms to undergo scrutiny from the designers; they wanted the model to represent them and they wanted to know if he looked good in their clothes.

As he thought that, he scoffed lightly, 'Of course Senri will look good in them... He'll look perfect... He always does...' playing with the cuff of a hunter green fitted dress shirt that had the other sleeve completely torn off, a bit of a pout on his perfect lips. 'He sure is taking a long time though...'

At that moment the door to the dressing room opened and he turned around, the sight before him nearly making his jaw drop, Senri looked HOT; he couldn't stop himself from staring, or let a light blush spread to his cheeks.

Senri was wearing SKIN tight dark wash- nearly black jeans, with a little rip in the left knee, a white tank top fitted just as tight that showed at the collar and just below a short black v-neck vest that pulled everything tighter with a corset-style lace back, and a collar like their school vests; but it all still revealed his sharp yet somehow smooth collarbones. He 'topped' it off with a pair of dark blue and black Vans, a pair of black fingerless motorcycle gloves and a slight blush of his own.

"Something wrong?"

Takuma snapped out of it after a second, stuttering a little "N-no! Of course not!" he smiled charmingly, "You look amazing! You've got this contract for sure!"

A small smile graced the redhead's normally emotionless face, 'Leave it to Takuma to chase all the butterflies away with one smile...' he glanced at his charming and handsome roommate, 'and replace them with a whole different kind of flutter...' he was really blushing now.

The smile continued, "Should we go show those guys just how perfect you are for this?"

Senri nodded, straightening up and putting on his smouldering, sexy model look, walking towards the front of the store with the typical model strut, immediately looking 6 inches taller.

Takuma had to stand back, biting his lip. 'God if he keeps looking like that I won't be able to keep how I really feel hidden...' he waited a moment before fallowing and standing with the designers as Senri strut his stuff on the mock runway.

The designers were talking quietly amongst themselves, thinking the young men with them couldn't hear them, but with his enhanced vampire senses, Takuma herd every word; and he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"He's a little too thin." "He's too pale." "We need someone with more ass." "He's too short." "Not enough muscle on him." "Not enough pout." "Not enough sass."

It took every ounce of Takuma's self control to not start screaming, 'How DARE they say that! None of that is true! Senri is perfect!'

Senri knew something was wrong the instant he saw that look on Takuma's face, the beautiful blond looked like he was either going to kill someone or break down crying. Immediately his face dropped and he stopped his act. "You don't like me do you?"

The designer turned his head back to Senri, "We have come to the conclusion that you are not right for our lines... any of them... you're just too... wimpy looking..."

Takuma had never been so mad in all his life, "He is NOT!"

"It's alright Ichijo-san, that's the business for you..." he shrugged with a brave face before turning back to change again.

The blond noble shot the designer a rather unpleasant look, before following his friend back to the dressing rooms; only to find he's already shut and locked the door; so he let him get changed.

Senri emerged moments later in his casual jeans and baby blue polo, matching Takuma's midnight blue one. "Let's get out of here..." he walked straight past Takuma and out of the store at an unusually quick pace, hands buried in his pockets.

Takuma knew he should say something but he didn't know what, so he just followed Senri to their limo, sliding in the back seat after him.

The ride back the dorm was completely silent, Senri just stared out the window, and Takuma just stared at Senri. The walk back to their room wasn't much more exciting; Takuma stayed behind Senri the whole walk there, starting to feel a little guilty.

"Y-you're not mad at me are you Senri?" he said as he shut the door to their room, voice small and feeble.

The redhead looked up to him, "No, why would I be?"

Takuma looked down at the ground, "Because I told you that you would get that contract... and then..." he was trying to fight back tears, 'Oh god, what if he hates me now? I-I don't think I could handle that!'

Senri was silent a moment before he finally replied, "I'm not mad at you Taku, I'm just..." he sighed.

The blond let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding, "I really didn't think they would..." he started sniffling, "I thought you looked perfect, you DID look perfect... those idiots were just... BLIND or something..."

Senri sighed again, "It's alright Takuma... You don't have to lie to me to make me feel better; it's just the business... If you don't look good you don't get jobs..."

"Senri!" this was the second time today that Takuma couldn't believe his ears, "I'm not lying! You looked AMAZING! You ALWAYS do!"

"Then why the FUCK haven't I gotten ANY jobs these last few months?" the redhead snapped, raising his voice.

Takuma was shocked, and he stepped back a little. 'Senri NEVER yells... ever...' he tried to think of something to say but the sound of Senri yelling at him hit him hard and he could only stutter, "I-I..."

Senri took it the wrong way, "See? It IS because I'm not good enough! Ever since my stupid father took over my body for that short while, NO ONE has even LOOKED at me! I'm not attractive anymore, I'm completely WORTHLESS!" he stormed into the bathroom, locking the door.

The blond just stood there, staring at the door, his breathing uneven. 'How could he SAY that? He's not worthless! Not to me! And he's not just attractive, he's GORGOUS! More than anyone!' he started to pace after a few moments, trying to figure out how to convince Senri that it was just the designers being blind, it had been several moments before he smelt it. Senri's blood. His heart stopped, "... no!"

He raced to the door, pounding on it. "Senri? Senri?" when he got no response he started tugging on the door handle hoping he could pull it off, all the while the smell of blood was getting stronger. 'Oh god what happened? Did he fall? I didn't hear it though... I didn't hear anything break... so what that hell happened?' he was nearly in a panic and it was clouding his judgement, he never even thought to use his powers.

By the time he got the door open the smell of blood had wafted to the entire dorm, but he couldn't hear the other students getting restless; he was much too focused on Senri to care. As soon as the door was open he felt his heart stop and drop to the floor before jumping up to pound in his ears. He couldn't breathe or think for a second.

Kneeling on the floor of the shower was Senri, he was clawing at himself, long gashes down his arms, chest and legs. By now his movements were slow, having lost a LOT of blood, the fact that the smell was so strong even when the water from the shower was so quickly washing it away a testament to just HOW much.

"Senri you IDIOT!" his voice came out in a rush and he ran just as quickly to his side, pulling his hands away. "Are you TRYING to kill yourself?"

Senri just stared blankly at him.

Takuma started to shake at that, "You were... You..." he looked down, "W-why?"

Senri shrugged, "I'm not worth anything to anyone so why be a burden?"

"...Burden?" Takuma shook his head, ignoring the fact that he too was now getting soaked, "You're not... never..." 'And you mean everything to me... that's not worthless is it?'

The redhead went to refute back but he'd lost too much blood so he swayed, leaning heavily on Takuma's hands on his shoulders.

The blond suddenly pulled Senri to his neck, "Drink Senri..."

"..but..." 'Stop acting like you care, like I MEAN something to you! It hurts!'

"But nothing! You'll die if you don't... and I..." 'I can't live without you...' "I won't let you die Senri..." he pushed him closer to his neck.

Senri was far too weak now to fight, he'd just have to wait until Takuma was away to end his own miserable life he guessed. So he sank his fangs into Takuma's soft skin, holding back the pleasured sigh that rose from his chest as he tasted both that skin and the blond's hot, rich blood. 'I shouldn't feel like this, I know he hates this; it's hurting him... and I don't want it... I want to die... but he's so warm and he tastes SOO good... I can't stop myself... I almost feel like I AM worth something when he's holding me like this... Even if it's just an illusion...'

Takuma was crying, but not because it hurt to have his blood taken- the contrary was true in fact- he was crying because he'd been blind to Senri's torture, his self-loathing and sense of self-worthlessness. And he'd almost lost Senri because of it. He needed Senri, needed him more than he ever needed anyone or anything, and he'd almost lost him a moment ago. 'What if he tries it again someday?' he pulled Senri closer, hand tightening in his red hair. 'No! I won't let that happen! I won't! I won't lose him!' The thought alone sent a dagger of intense pain through his very soul, "Senri..." he let out a pained whisper, not realising it.

The redhead mistook it for physical pain in his voice and though he hadn't taken nearly enough blood yet, he pulled away; licking at the wounds he made, whispering apologies to his friend. "I'm sorry, you see? I AM a burden..."

Takuma was so busy hiding the shivers and biting back the soft moans that Senri's tongue on his skin were bringing very close to the surface, that he almost didn't hear Senri's depreciating words... again... 'I'm such an IDIOT!' "No no, it's alright Senri... It wasn't hurting!" he reassured him.

"Then why were you biting your lip? And that whisper... you sounded like you were in pain!"

The blond blushed heavily, 'Oh god if I told him his bite was... turning me on... he'll...' he looked at his friend, who looked very much concerned for him, and sighed. 'Why must I love him the way I do? I want to tell him but... I couldn't stand it if he rejected me and we lost what we have now... I can't... I can't say a word...' "I-it was nothing, I was just upset that you would try to hurt yourself like that..." – it was partially true.

Senri's eyes dropped, "Oh, I see... but..." he looked up again, "You... care that much?" 'Please say yes!'

"Of course I do! You're my friend!" 'And that's just the beginning!'

Senri nodded, "Yeah... friend..." he sounded... blank...

"Senri?" fear shot through Takuma's heart, 'does he not think we're even friends? B-but!'

The redhead caught his mistake right away, "No! I didn't mean we aren't friends Takuma... I just..." he froze. 'I just want to be so much more than a friend to you. I want you to love me... but I know you never could... It's impossible...' he smiled bitterly, 'Another reason I don't want to keep living... I could never stand to see you with someone else... as selfish as that is...'

'You just?' his heart jumped. Takuma shook his head to clear it, 'Don't you DARE get your hopes up Takuma, you KNOW he could never love you, EVER!' he pulled on a smile, and turned off the water. "Well, let's get dried off before either of us catches a cold..." he stood and offered a hand to his unrequited love and pulled him to his feet when he took it.

Senri was still a little dizzy from blood loss, having not taken enough of Takuma's and he immediately stumbled, falling against Takuma's chest. "Uh... sorry..." he went to push off but found he was trapped by Takuma's arms again. "T-takuma?" he was blushing again.

The blond pulled him closer, his voice was low and pained again. "Don't ever pull a stunt like this again alright?" 'You have no idea how much you mean to me... If I lose you, I'll go completely insane...'

When Senri caught the pain in his voice, he was confused. 'Does he WANT me to suffer? Living with this love in my heart for someone I can never have?' "Why do you want me live so bad Takuma? I'm unhappy... do you WANT me to be unhappy?"

Takuma felt another dagger of pain, "Of course not!" 'If you only knew how badly I want to be the one to make you happy! But I know I'm not!'

Senri scoffed a little. "I don't understand you Takuma... Do you even know how miserable you make me?"

Takuma's face went pale, and he let go of Senri; walking to sit on his bed. 'I make him miserable? Am I the reason for his pain? Am I THAT annoying?' he couldn't stop the heart-wrenching sob that broke loose from him.

Senri followed him slowly and unsteadily, wondering why he was sobbing.

"Why?" his voice was determined through his tears, "What is it about me that makes you miserable? I swear whatever it is, I'll change it!" 'I'll do anything for you!'

"The problem isn't you..." 'It's the fact that I'M in love with you at all, when I know you won't ever love me...'

"Then what IS it Senri?" his voice was desperate, "How do I make you miserable if the problem isn't me?"

Senri opened his mouth to respond but was cut short by another wave of dizziness, collapsing to the floor.

"Senri!" Takuma instantly shot up and to his side, pulling him up to sit on the bed, "You should lie down."

Senri nodded, "Can you grab me some boxers?" he started to wiggle out of his wet ones.

Takuma yelped, "Senri! Don't strip in front of me!" 'I won't be able to keep my hands off you if you do...' he tossed a pair of boxers at him, turning around.

The redhead sighed, 'So he really doesn't want to see me naked...' he sighed again, 'So I guess that leaves even the option of friends with benefits out...' that depressed him all over again, sitting there in his fresh boxers; he flopped down, hugging his pillow.

Takuma turned back around at that, standing to pull the covers gently over Senri. "Get some sleep okay?"

He nodded, closing his eyes tight; more to hide his tears then actually sleep. He surprised himself by grabbing Takuma's arm when he went to get up. "Stay 'til I fall asleep?" 'Or forever...'

Takuma's face softened, "Of course." He sat on the edge of the bed, softly stroking the red hair. 'You have no idea how badly I want to just lay down beside you and hold you close to me... I want it so badly it hurts...'

Senri immediately felt soothed at the hand stroking his hair, 'His hand is so warm, if only he would love me...'

After several moments, he fell asleep; leaving Takuma to his imagination and fears. 'I really DID almost lose him today...' It also left him to be able to show his tears as he started to sob softly, resting his head on the headboard. 'I'm scared, so terrified that I'll lose him if I tell him how I feel but... It hurts so much to have him by my side and not be able to touch him or kiss him like I want to...' he sat sobbing until he heard a soft knock on the door.

He knew right away that it was Kaname, and silently thanked him for not barging in despite his pureblood right to do so. He quickly wiped at his eyes before opening the door, trying to smile at the same time as awkwardly trying to hide the bite marks on his neck.

"Hey! Kaname! What's up?"

Kaname stared at him a moment before speaking, "He bit you again did he?" he looked pointedly at Takuma's hand on his neck.

Takuma bit his lip, "H-he need it Kaname... You know I'm the first one to support the use of tablets, but even you know that while they appease hunger they have no healing attributes and they don't replace real blood in a mass blood loss situation..." he trailed off, wincing. 'I said too much...'

"Why did I smell his blood first Ichijo?" the pureblood did NOT look impressed. "Did you bite him first?"

"No!" 'How could you even THINK that Kaname?' "That would form a blood bond, and I WILL NOT tie Shiki down like that!"

Kaname sighed, "It's not that I don't trust you, Ichijo. It's the others who are suspicious. Tell me what really happened so I can put their minds at ease?" his voice was soft.

Takuma ran his hand through his hair, giving in; gesturing for Kaname to enter the room, taking a deep breath as he closed to the door and began. "I went with Shiki to a fitting for a new clothing line. He looked... perfect... in their stuff, but they started saying really mean things and he got really upset and he yelled at me and he ran off to the bathroom and then..." he took a shaky breath, trying to slow down and stop himself from breaking down.

"Then what happened Takuma?" he put a hand on his friend's shoulder, reverting to concerned friend from formal pureblood at the sight of his childhood friend nearly breaking down.

"H-he... he was clawing himself... in the shower..." he sobbed as soon as it was out, trembling.

Kaname's eyebrows rose, "Why would he do that?"

Takuma took another shaky breath, 'Don't make me say it Kaname, please!'

The pureblood saw his friend's silent plea, "Was he trying to... end his own life?"

The blond whimpered and Kaname knew he had hit the mark.

"H-he thinks he's worthless because he hasn't gotten any jobs lately, but I SWEAR it's just because he's run into a string of blind or stupid designers..." he was sobbing again, "I was so scared, I thought I was going to lose him..."

Kaname smiled sadly, patting his friend on the back; he knew how close the blond was to his cousin. "You love him don't you Takuma?"

Takuma looked up for a moment before nodding, "I do... he means everything to me..."

"Does he know?"

Takuma shook his head, "I can't tell him... there's no way he'll love me back..."

The pureblood made an odd noise, "I... think I see the problem here..."

Green eyes looked up again.

"Shiki DOES love you Takuma... he thinks the same thing you do... that you could never love him... but he's a depressive type... he's probably been thinking about... suicide... for a while now, and this was the last straw... if those designers didn't think he was attractive... then he thinks you can't either... Even if you told him he IS attractive..."

Takuma's heart was racing, "H-he loves me? H-how do you know that?"

The pureblood chuckled, "Well to be honest it's just a theory based on observation, but I would definitely tell him..."

"B-but what if it... if he doesn't, and it ruins our friendship... I'd rather have him as a friend then have him hate me or feel awkward around me!"

Kaname put both hands on Takuma's shoulders, looking straight into his eyes, "Trust me, you NEED to tell him..."

Takuma stared at Kaname a moment before he nodded, "But how?"

Kaname shrugged lightly, "Introduce it slowly, start by giving a nice gesture... buy him something, nothing big though, you don't want him thinking you're trying to BUY his affection- and nothing directly related to love, like flowers or heart shaped chocolates... and nothing that would completely distract him like a book or anything like that... you want to be able to talk to him... just let him know your thinking of him without telling him... you're naturally charming so the rest should come naturally..."

"But I'm a mess when it comes to Senri..." he was blushing and looking nervous.

"You can do this Takuma... If you really love him, you'll know in your heart what to say to him; just don't let your mind overpower your heart..." he poked right where the blond's heart is, "And whatever you do, DON'T panic!"

Takuma nodded, looking suddenly but still shyly determined, "W-would Pocky be an okay gift?"

Kaname smiled, "Definitely..." he turned to leave, "Let me know if you need anything okay? Just don't... tell anyone I said that... not good for the pureblood rep..."

Takuma chuckled slightly, "Alright... Thanks Kaname..."

"Don't thank me until after you two are together!" he shut the door on his way out.

Seconds later Takuma dropped to his own bed, glancing over at Senri and thinking about what he could do for him besides getting him some Pocky. He drifted off to sleep thinking of the future; hopefully it would be THEIR future.