The cavernous suite she had been so generously provided echoed with hushed, bitter tears. These episodes had been sparse when she first arrived in the Kuran family mansion, increasing in frequency as her days roaming the lonely halls drew on into months. Amidst grandeur beyond her wildest dreams, Yuuki's trembling from reining in her sobs was beginning to still. She now only hiccupped slightly, trying to preoccupy herself by entwining her fingers in the plush fibers of an oversized rug that protected her from the chill of the polished marble floors.
Nearby, a door left ajar clicked shut. Frantic elation and arduous remorse surged through her when she caught his scent. Then paralyzing fear. She waited completely silent until, at last, he found her and knelt down before her, his hands radiating warmth as they hovered just above her elbows.
His desperation for her closeness wasn't even a thought anymore. It had become innate, like a need for air. If only to let his lips barely brush the skin on her left shoulder before moving to her neck. As if in response to his thought, she tilted her head to allow him access. Her blood's heady call now more intense with the recovery of her memories. He breathed her in so deep his chest burned and fought himself to keep from holding her too tightly.
"We agreed this has to stop," she said, yielding under his strength, but not returning his passion. Her sanguine eyes unfocused, "Why do you continue to come to me?"
His lips left her an invisible brand of fervor and shame, "I don't know." Errant strands of her long hair tangled around his fingers, delight smoldering in his eyes when her chest restrained a sigh in response to his touch. He pulled her into his lap, savoring the feel her skin against his own. She cradled his head in her arms against her chest while his arms wrapped around the small of her back. Couldn't she hear the clamor of his heart when she wouldn't meet his eyes? Zero's barely parted lips met hers in a kiss devoid of emotion. More tears slipped down her cheeks, splashing onto his collar.
His hand cupped her cheek, brushing away tears with his thumb. She turned her gaze on him, almost as if she was seeing him for the first time. "It's lonely here, Zero. I'm lonely here. I can barely stand it. Kaname gives me everything I've ever wanted, and yet..." She bit back the words. He closed the distance between them, silencing her, protecting her from words he knew she felt were too selfish, too ungrateful to say.
I'll be the selfish one, he thought as she moaned softly into his mouth, her hands already greedily tangled in his silvery hair. I'll do anything, say anything for this. For you.