Author Note: I was going to do this for my ShikiXRima one-shot collection, but it seemed more fitting for Kain and Ruka. Also, it's late and I'm extremely stupid, so alert me to any typos please and thank you. This is Ruka's point of view.
Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Knight or make any profit from this.
Thunder clapped outside and I clutched at my blankets. I hated storms, and I had since I was a kid.
I tiptoed my way out of my room, and then snuck into Kain's. He was fast asleep, sprawled on his back, domineering most of the bed.
Lightning lit up the room and I flinched. I pulled down the covers from Kain and crawled into bed beside him. A real lady wouldn't do this. But I had never been a real lady, and I doubted I ever would be.
"Mm? Ruka?" Kain's eyes opened, just barely, and he studied me.
Thunder boomed and I couldn't help the yelp that escaped my throat. Understanding crossed Kain's face and he pulled me close.
"I won't let the storm get you." He didn't say anything about how it was stupid to think the storm could get me. He didn't chastise me about my stupid worrying. He just pulled me in and held me close.
When I woke up the next evening, I was on my back with Kain half overtop of me. I managed to squirm out from under him, and then debated if I should make a run for the door while he was still asleep.
"Are we just going to pretend like this never happened?" Kain sighed, only half awake, while I debated, and ran his hand through his hair. "Is that what you want?"
"Kain..." I began, but then hail started to hit the window. I nearly jumped out of my skin and grabbed Kain by his open pajama shirt and clutched at him in terror.
"Shh, you're alright." Kain stroked my hair and put his other arm around me. "I won't let anything happen to you."
"Promise?" The hail continued to pound at the window, almost drowning out my words. "You swear?"
"I swear. I promise." Kain held me closer. "I won't let the storm get you. I'm right here, always."
Why wouldn't Lord Kaname do this for me? Why was I here, in Akatsuki's bed, clutching at him?
Moreover, why was he letting me lay in his bed, clutching at him?
As the hail tapered off, I closed my eyes and lay still. I was pressed up tight against Akatsuki; his hand was in my hair and the other on the middle of my back.
"Are you alright now?" He asked, and when I opened my eyes, he was staring into them with his worried orange orbs.
"I'm ok, Akatsuki." I watched his eyes go wide and quickly realized my fault. "S-sorry." Ladies do not stutter! I had to get out of there. Quickly.
"Is there something you want to say?" Akatsuki untangled himself from me, giving me a chance to run, but I couldn't move.
"Why... are you letting me be with you, in your bed... and you're holding me... and stroking my hair... why?" I wanted to run, but A) it was too late and B) I still couldn't move.
"Because I love you." There. He said it, the L word. I knew the truth. So why was I still panicking?
"I..." I tried to push myself up and away from him with trembling hands, but I fell twice. "I don't know, Akatsuki..."
"You don't know what?" Akatsuki pulled me down after I fell for a third time. "Just stay still for a minute, you're going to hurt yourself."
"I don't know if I can love you..." We were lying face to face, and looking into his eyes I was afraid I might cry, but I was scared to close my eyes.
"I just want you to be happy, Ruka." Kain ran his hand through his hair. "Whether you love me or not is not the issue. It's just... seeing you lust after Kaname makes me mad when he treats you with nonexistent respect. You need someone who loves you, not just wants to use you for your blood."
"I don't know..." I bit my lip. "Lord Kaname is just... I don't know he's..."
"A pureblood." Akatsuki finished for me. "And your family wants you to go for it, try to be with him. But he doesn't see you that way."
"I know." Thunder clapped outside again, and I panicked. I hugged myself tightly, laying beside Akatsuki Kain, but not touching.
"You're scared." He sighed. "Come here." I let him draw me in, pull me close to his chest.
"But... classes..." I tried to protest.
"Classes aren't for an hour. Just try to relax." He held me close and tightly.
It was then I finally recognized the feeling I had whenever Kain held me.
Safety.
Author Note: I'm not exactly sure why I think Ruka would be afraid of storms but it just seemed reasonable. This would've been up sooner, but I got distracted on youtube. I love your reviews and PMs; they're what keep me writing! Lastly, thank you so much for reading my story, it means a lot to me.