A/N: I'm sorry that my update has taken longer than usual. Although I had the summary for each chapter, but this chapter is so dry that I couldn't gather my muse to write it. Anyway I've realized that I only want to sneak in their bedroom, listening to their pillow talks. I wouldn't write fanfics about political/serious things anymore.
Zero had an eventful, but uninspired day, so I decided to... stay home with Kaname. Forgive me that I didn't describe the meetings in details.
Tie 9: Compromise
Zero hesitantly, cautiously picked up the small vial with a colorless, smell-less liquid inside. Looking exactly like water, it miraculously was a result of many chemical, biological, and medical researches which could even neutralize a pureblood. Its effect was fading on Kaname, his powers was going to return tonight. In this age, vampires didn't practise magic in daily basis, the HA believed Zero would be able to prevent his spouse from finding out his current condition with enough carefulness. By a coincidence, some normal human was trying to take the pureblood's life, which had incidentally disclosed his powerlessness. The bitter sarcasm was Kaname assumed to be pregnant instead of getting on alert and conducting an investigation.
After ten years, Zero finally acknowledged the nature of their relationship, they were not enemies, nor sex buddies, but lovers, who would like to live with and for each other. It seemed their feeling had already reached its highest. This morning, the hunter surprisingly realized it had grown even stronger. He and Kaname were not only two individuals, deeply in love and bound in life, despite of all natural laws, but they're two halves of one, that could combine, blend with each other and blossom. At last Zero found himself embracing his new destiny. He wouldn't mind his kids being half hunter, half vampire at all, on the contrary, it's a big pride, because their vampire heritage would be from his beloved pureblood, to prove their love, bond and commitment.
The deepest desire flared up again. If only he could get Kaname pregnant right now and make mistakenness become fact. However, it wasn't easy, considering they had made love countlessly in ten years, and this was the very first time his spouse became powerless, yet it wasn't for pregnancy. Somewhere in a corner of his mind was vaguely giving him a suspicion that he was incapable of impregnating a pureblood. Tonight, the revelation would crush Kaname. A thought of continuing poisoning him to hold this beautiful illusion popped up. But in how long? One week left to their wedding anniversary. The massacre would uncover Zero's two-faced behaviour. Lose the child that he was imaginarily expecting and lose faith in the man he wanted to share life with at once would probably drive Kaname insane, and incite him to seek vengeance.
Can't do. Putting that vial back to its place, Zero walked out of his bathroom. Their experiment seemed successful, it had actually failed. With subjectivity, they had overlooked the chance of Kaname figuring out what's happening to him. Zero decided to plead guilty and convince his spouse to let things happen as planned, fake their deaths, then run away together. In somewhere remote from everything they had known, a serene life without any conflict between vampire and hunter would start.
His spouse was still sleeping on the bed, naked under warm blanket. Zero sat down, lovingly touching his relaxed, beautiful face, fixing some soft, brown hair strands which were covering pale cheek.
"Kaname!"
Tender rubs slowly dragged the pureblood out of sleep, communicating who was calling his name. He grabbed that hand, pulling it to his lips for a kiss, closed eyes lazily trying to linger on the drowsy feeling.
Zero would normally prepare for work in silence, avoiding waking his spouse up in early morning, however, he wanted to talk a few words before leaving today, "Kaname!" his fingers unintentionally brushing on juicy lips, one of numberless favorite features on his perfect pureblood that he loved so much "Stay home! I'll manage to come back soon. Wait for me here!"
"I have an important meeting at four. I'll bring Seiren with me." Kaname murmured, kissing those fingers again. His spouse was worried, but he's racing against time. Only three months left until his body changed considerably, and there's a lot of works that needed to be done before it. Moreover, this shouldn't be considered a careless act, Seiren was tough, well-trained, she could sense imminent dangers and react quickly to solve them.
"No!" The hunter protested with resolution "You're not going out!" Staying home was safest solution for this whole last day. Seiren could make a great bodyguard, however, he didn't want his spouse to encounter any other attack, even if able to overcome it at the end. "Please, Kaname! I'm going to question that guy and erase the idea of harming you in his client's mind. I can't work, thinking something might be happening to you." Zero had planned to stay with him all day, but would lose the chance to interrogate that assassin if not showing up at work. Kaname would be invincible tomorrow, not meaning he wouldn't help to resolve his problem. More important was a sudden summons for an extraordinary meeting from Yagari, something big had happened, there might be some unfavorable move to his spouse without his awareness when he wasn't around.
The pureblood opened his eyes, seeing love, concern, insecurity filled in Zero's expression, and not wanting to put more pressure on his beloved's stressful mind "Okay!"
ZxK
Kaname was shocked seeing his wound had turned into a new scar. Though it hadn't disappeared completely, it's restoring too fast as if healing power was weakly working. Power… still… worked? Touching on the pink, soft skin which covering his three-day wound, pain had already gone, a sudden worry rising up inside him. Miscarriage? He had been very careful these days, not walking fast, not carrying anything heavy, not working late. Those attacks might have caused some foetal derangement, nervous state of mind or their love-making, what was the reason? However, he didn't bleed or feel pain, then it should be okay? Kaname was panicked, trying to remember what he had read in a book for pregnant human women, though his case was totally different, he's a vampire, and on top of that, a male. Morning sicks had never happened, but blood thirst was getting out of control, while blood tablets were like toxic drug. He decided to try one more time by plunging one into a glass of water, then took a little sip. Taste was as disgusting as the day before, still he held breath to empty it. Ill feeling quickly revolted in his stomach. And throw up. Until the last drop of that bloody liquid got out of his system.
Staying home turned out to be a good idea. Kaname called to re-arrange work schedule, then got on phone with Aido. The noble was in charge of taking care of his dear leader's pregnancy. Unfortunately, this might be the first case in vampire history, so he couldn't find any useful information in ancient or modern books. Nevertheless, he had done a lot of researches, applying his medical knowledge and everything, to calm the pureblood's nerves, answer his many questions, consult him about what were right to do. Their conversation finished two hours later. Then Kaname had a light meal, and started working in the study.
Time passed in quiet. Darkness finally fell down. The pureblood glanced at the clock when its hour hand was pointing to nine. Door shifted open, his spouse appeared in a serious, rigid manner, a hunter keeping him company. Kaname stared at them carefully to make sure Zero wasn't being constrained by any means, a feeling of something bad was going to happen boiled up in his heart. Zero had said he needed to do many works and wanted Kaname to stay home. Truth seemed to be more complicated, considering it's the first time in ten year, another hunter, except himself, stepped in this house.
"Hi, Kuran!" Kaito greeted.
"Takamiya! What are you doing here?" Kaname rose from his chair, walking around the desk to face them.
"Don't be rude!" The hunter smirked, moving forward until their distance was comfortable for a talk. Zero clicked the door shut, also stepping up to create a triangle with them.
"I'm supposed to say your spouse invited me to stay with him during my trip. But they don't know you understand him enough to find out my lie easily." Kaito was Zero's childhood friend since he had followed Yagari after his mentor got injured. They were close and understood each other pretty well. Kaien had recently assigned him to manage his other campus which was getting ready to open on the opposite side of the country. Kaito was back for their anniversary, however, he appeared to be in a mission tonight. "So I'll be frank. I want a talk with you before our official meeting."
"Are you representing the HA? Why didn't pass your messages to me through Zero?" Kaname asked with an arrogant attitude. He's feeling ill, all powers inside him were somehow strange and out of control, his only advanced ability in this moment was a self-possessed, conceited façade to deceive this uninvited visitor of his current condition. In fact, what Kaito said was weird, Zero had always been the one who communicated the HA's words to him because they didn't expect them to be a real couple, but two representatives of opposite sides living together under an agreement.
"Him? They won't trust him with any task now. Thank to you, he's being called a traitor."
Kaname looked at his spouse, examining his reaction when the older hunter revealed such big news with an even tone. He used to want that, though never intended to admit. "What do you mean?"
"They…" Zero said.
"They suspected his loyalty after Shirabuki escaped the explosion, and more importantly, he's ignoring a vital mission." Kaito interrupted his comrade "But those are recent events. For years the young hunters have envied his high position, his luxurious looks and lifestyle, there are even rumors of his sneakily drinking from the others. Except Yagari-sensei, chairman Cross and me, nobody likes him. Are you saying it has nothing to do with you?"
The ex-human didn't look angry, but his eyes was demanding a straight answer from his spouse. He had been careless and used whatever Seiren, under Kaname's order, prepared for. Not being an outgoing, friendly person, he didn't care much about making a lot of friends or letting people understand him properly. Little by little, Zero fell into his spouse's scheme and was isolated. In ten years, he had hung out with Kaname's friends more than his fellows. Hunters considered him a vampire rather than one of them. Yet he had entirely been worn out after all accusations and slanders in their meeting this afternoon. Now was time for confession, understanding, and hopefully forgiveness. "They've known about our relationship. Be straightforward, please!"
The pureblood felt a knot in his stomach, knowing his spouse wouldn't be telling them about their relationship at his free will. It's obvious that the HA opposed to their love and was making things difficult to him. Did Zero lose trust and reputation for falling for him? Would he feel regretful finding out Kaname had manipulated their internal division? What would he choose between love and responsibilities? The hunter wouldn't leave him and their baby, would he? Kaname was scared and vulnerable, but couldn't manage to deny his spouse's request while those solemn violet eyes were fixing fiercely at him. "I don't want them to use you against me with or without your consent." It's his ultimate purpose. Because he didn't want to beware of him, but to be at ease, to trust and put his own life in the hands of the man he loved. So he had to separate their solidarity, pulling the hunter to his side. What they could give Zero, he would give much more and better. Love, care, loyalty, status, everything. In ten years he had proved that Kaname Kuran wasn't the vampire leader to Zero Kiryuu, but a lover, a giver, even a slave who would live and use all of his abilities to satisfy him.
"You're quite successful." Kaito commented. "Anyway I'm here on behalf of Yagari-sensei, not the HA. We had a severe meeting this afternoon at our headquarters. Yagari-sensei tried to protect Zero from the others' condemnation, and now they want to throw both of them out. Once it happened, nobody was respected enough to be elected to the next president and handle the future. I bet it's also a part of your plan." Kaito showed a keen, sarcastic smile and continued "How could you make Zero happy in such a situation?"
"After thousands of years, we realized that open confrontation wasn't the right way to win. This contract was to give both of us time to figure out the best solution to victory once and for all." Kaname turned to his spouse "But I fell in love with Zero, and started considering how my actions would affect him. I wanted to divide the HA so that we wouldn't be separated, they couldn't put him into a dilemma, because Zero will never want to betray his mentor or hurt me." Their looks met, love glistenning in brown eyes, but misery glooming violet ones. Kaname didn't think it's necessary to hide their relationship any longer. When their baby was born, everybody would know they truly loved each other. One of the things he would like to settle before leaving for a 6-month seclusion was to undo all defamation toward Zero and strengthen his position in the HA. His spouse needed to become the president to keep their family intact. He turned back to Kaito "As for you, there's no reason to spare me and my kind. When does the battle start? Our anniversary day?" Kaito and Zero were stunned that he could predict their move exactly. Kaname had always worried about that and determined to destroy them beforehand. However, seeing his spouse's desperation on that night had pulled him back. Zero was totally out of mind and didn't care about how his body was getting injured when thinking Kaname had been dead in the explosion. He was strong, yet there were things he treasured more than his own life and unable to overcome the loss. If the HA collapsed, he would be broken. Kaname couldn't take that risk and decided to postpone his plan. Then Yuuki's interference had triggered a bad-timing desire. His pregnancy would be a fatal disadvantage if war happened, he had no chance to survive without Zero's protection, so they really needed an open and honest talk.
"That's the plan." Kaito confirmed "But things have changed. If Yagari-sensei wasn't on board, I'm afraid what happened after the battle would be a big disaster, you know, how they would chase the survivors, handle the night-class students, appropriate the assets, etc. Chairman Cross was angry to find this plan out, he has sworn to protect his students, and all hunter-vampire couples out there. In fact, it's only Yagari-sensei, chairman and I know about your relationship. To be fair, let me tell you I'm Tsukiko Aido's boyfriend, she's pregnant. I want to marry her."
Kaname nodded, he had been reported Kaito was one of the pro-vampire hunters, plus Zero trusted him enough to allow this conversation in such a close distance, meaning the ex-human considered what Kaito was offering was a way out for them. Kaname surely believed in his spouse's analytical mind and willing to hear it.
"I trust you, and you can trust me because Zero won't let any of us down. In the way our hearts feel, we would like a meeting to discuss about a true co-existence against the HA's plan."
"Okay. That's also my intention. I've understood Zero is a hunter as well as a vampire. He can't be whole with only one of them." Kaname agreed.
"Good. Now I can tell you about what we planned for the anniversary." Kaito started talking about the power-neutralizing 'perfume', how it was invented, how to use and its effect. Zero clenched his hands into fists, head lowering to hide guilt and embarrassment which were invading him. He couldn't help feeling sad when Kaname admitted to spliting him from the HA, but his worry was correct. Zero had been ordered to harm him, and didn't refuse. The pureblood was probably the one who got more hurt between them. At the end he had canceled his plan, worrying it would damage his spouse. At the end Zero had chosen to poison him, though tried his best to make sure it wouldn't damage him too much.
"They assigned me to come here and test this solution on you since Zero has ignored the task. But to prove my goodwill, I'm not putting it on." Kaito said.
Kaname smiled at his spouse but the ex-human wasn't looking at him.
"I did." Words were unwillingly escaped in a weak, low tone.
"Huh?" Kaito asked.
72 hours had passed, it might not be precise, but the effect must have been gone or almost there. Zero gathered all courage to look at his pureblood "I tested it. He was powerless." That's why he was so quiet tonight, as all words which waiting on his lips were to reveal this ugly truth. Knowing he had to go through this part, yet it's too disgraceful to face properly.
"It's not the reason." Kaname argued, unwilling to accept it.
"Shizuka told Ichiru she and her lover wanted a baby, but they couldn't make it." His brother's blood was flowing in his body, memories were storing in his mind as subconsciousness - something he did know but was unaware of. This particular knowledge had never struck him before, it somehow revived in the first time when Kaname said he was pregnant. Vague as a feeling at the beginning, it's gradually clear up. Ex-humans were sterile, nothing could change it. Shizuka had surely fed her lover a lot, yet pure blood still couldn't cure him. Though Zero didn't understand thoroughly, their case should be harder, because Kaname was a male. "Aren't you feeling your powers coming back?" Ironically, he seemed to hope the answer was no.
Kaito wasn't sure what's going on, suddenly, glass on the clock face and coffee table cracked, Kaname turned ghastly, eyes unfocused, and the hunter saw what he never thought would happen in front of him, the pureblood passed out. Zero hastily rushed to catch and lead him to the sofa, holding him in his arms, gently caressing him with his shaking fingers. He expected a blazing anger, critical words, even an attack, just not this, which getting him more guilty and regretful.
"Kaname!"
The pureblood pressed a hand on his stomach, blinking his eyes open, tearfully. Zero wrapped his spouse's hand, relieved a little bit. It's pretty fast, purebloods were so strong, their power could soothe emotions and help them re-gain control in a wink. "Forgive me, please! I'll never hurt you again, I swear." The ex-human found his words extremely graceless at this moment, but what else could he do right now? He didn't want to lose the love of his life. "I'm sorry we can't have children together. But you can have yours. I'll love them as my own ones. Trust me!"
Once selfishly asked Kaname to postpone it until his death, and got the promise to live and die together, nobody else could interfere in, Zero was very happy. It turned out that his spouse assumed they were capable of having their own kids. Now the ex-human realized he couldn't, and didn't have a heart to keep Kaname wait for thousands of years or give up on it.
The pureblood sat up, getting himself free from his embrace, looking at Kaito "It's quite effective. I was totally powerless." Within expectation, Kaito still felt amazed. "Coincidentally, we've just made up something that can counteract hunter powers. I'm not joking." Kaname continued firmly "I'd like to discuss with Yagari-sensei about making a solution to strip both vampire and hunter powers. Permanently."
Permanently? Meaning all of them would be almost like human, no more blood thirst, hunter weapons became useless? If joining hands, they could do it thoroughly. Then co-existence would be natural without any argument.
"It'd be great." Kaito said thoughtfully.
"Could you arrange the meeting tomorrow? We don't have much time to waste." Kaname suggested.
"No problem."
"Good. We can finish here. Now please leave us alone!"
Kaito glanced at his comrade, whose mind had been occupied with something else. Not wanting to tumble into their couple issue, he nodded and quickly walked out.
The two persons left sat side by side in silence, avoiding facing each other, an invisible gap seemed to be forming between them. Zero suppressed a sigh, taking a quick look at his spouse, wanting to reach out to hold him, but afraid it wasn't appropriate. At least Kaname had agreed on discussing about a true co-existence, and asked Kaito to leave, it might be a chance for him when the pureblood still wanted to listen.
"I am sorry for treating you terribly." He stared at those cracks on the table while arranging his words "My hunter part didn't allow me to neglect it."
Kaname turned his face to another direction to hide his tearful eyes. Quite confident to control emotions in any circumstances, he found it impossible to cover wretchedness when the reason was involved to Zero. The hunter's confession was like a piercing stab in his heart. Kaito said the HA planned to poison all vampires and kill them in their anniversary by using their new-invented solution. It worked very well on a noble, then they wanted to experiment on a pureblood. Zero had been assigned to carry it out, however, he never reported the result, which put his loyalty in question. Kaito concluded that he hadn't done it, the pureblood's heart jumped with happiness, thinking his spouse had chosen to put him on top priority. However, Zero admitted it had been tested. Finally the HA, his fate as a hunter was more important to him, regardless of how strong his feeling toward Kaname and how much the pureblood had tried in ten years. If there's no internal division and Kaito didn't show up tonight asking for his co-operation, Zero would let him go to the anniversary to receive his end as all other vampires?
"I understand." That I can never be the most importance to you. Yet Kaname wasn't able to separate from him. Anyway this disaster wasn't coming, their plan had changed, so he would try to forget it, because his spouse was the most importance to him.
"You don't." Zero could feel hurt in his spouse's tone which saddened his heart deeply "I was trained hard to loyally serve our great purpose all my life. Nobody has ever asked you to serve anyone or be loyal to anyone."
"I don't blame you." So please don't explain why you can't put me first. Kaname let hot tears fall freely on his face, afraid that the hunter would realize if raising a hand to wipe them off.
"If chairman Cross hadn't exposed our relationship and Kaito didn't come tonight, I would be a real traitor." Zero was looking at him, though all he could see was soft, curly brown hair which only reached a little longer than slender shoulders "Trying this solution on you was the last thing I do for them. When they were fighting in the anniversary, I would take you away. Let them think we're dead, we'd start a new life in another place."
Kaname was touched, turning back, face bathed with tears, but eyes brimmed with love and happiness "Really?"
The ex-human's lips moved lightly for a positive word, then pulling him into his chest "Now I have done with them. The rest of my life belongs to you, Kaname. Even if we would die together, you must let me go a minute before you, because a moment without you is worse than death."
Rubbing his spouse's back affectionately, Zero felt the other's arms around him tightened.
"Your soul must wait for me. I'll follow after a minute." Kaname murmured.
Zero looked down, tenderly wiping all tears on his beautiful pureblood's face. Feeling his body warmth on him like this was so right. They had been through a lot to share such a moment, unfortunately, this happiness wasn't complete. "I heard we can rent a womb. Let use that way to have your children." Time might never be right to talk about it, he might never be ready, but for his lover's sake, Zero would provide his best support and encouragement.
Kaname straightened up "You don't want kids with me? You don't want me to carry them?"
"I do." Zero dodged his spouse's gaze. "But I can't." Hadn't they talked about it? A man never wanted to repeat that he's sterile.
"We'll have our own kids." The pureblood obediently leaned on him again, resting head on his shoulder. "Don't give up just yet."
Zero entwined arms around his spouse's body, sowing a soft kiss on his hair "Am I forgiven?"
"With a condition."
The ex-human inclined head to look into deep claret eyes "Anything I can."
Kaname smiled, gently touching the tattoo on the other side of his neck "I want to drink from you."
Why didn't he think it could be the condition? For ten years his spouse had fed him countlessly, but not even once asking for his blood. Due to that horrible event in his childhood, Zero didn't want to be bitten ever again. His conversion was against his free will. It's one of the reasons he hated vampires and had had a hard time adapting to be one. Speaking of it, he hadn't drunk for a while. Since Kaname gave him a lot to heal his burns, he didn't take anymore during their stay at the school. When they came home, the test thing happened, his spouse kept feeling uneasy and he couldn't bring himself to feed on him in such a situation.
Let him drink now? It's a right thing to do. After that poison faded away, his body was adjusting back to normal, real blood would surely shorten that process. On the other hand, Kaname hadn't had real blood for at least ten years, if they could make a solution to strip all powers off permanently, blood thirst would disappear forever. So he should let him drink now, to mix their blood with each other and let them flow in each other's bodies.
"Okay."
Though it would be his spouse's fangs, the ex-human couldn't help feeling all creepy thinking about the pain of being pierced and blood getting drawn out. Shizuka had left a horrible impression which seemed to be quite new even after fifteen years. Anyway he decided to fake his response, concealing how unpleasant and averse he would feel toward the bite. Kaname had always willingly invited him to drink his blood, even could get deliciously aroused by this action. Zero didn't want his spouse to find out this typical intimacy couldn't give him any pleasure. The love of his life was a vampire, it should be done for his lover's enjoyment.
Zero closed his eyes, trying to relax his muscles as much as possible, arms loosely wrapping around the pureblood. Sweet, wet kisses laid on his helix, earlobe, slowly sliding down to flirt with sensitive skin on his neck. His spouse's fingers gently caressed the tattooed side while hot, moist tongue was passionately licking on the other side. Zero felt a bit ticklish, a bit stuffy, predicting the bite was coming. Clever fingers started wandering to his chest, admiring it, then slipping down to his belt. Kaname exhaled a long, desiring breath on his skin, quickly unbuttoning his own shirt and removing his pants, then straddling his spouse's lap, leaning forward to let him feel how hard he got. The ex-human's zip was undone soon after, Kaname massaged his spouse's member to a good stiffness, then grabbed the ex-human's hand to take a hold on their members. When his neck was soaked all over again, Zero started getting impatient, hardness pressing against hardness hastened the need to satisfy his sexual crave.
"Hurry up!" He urged. Bite him and get it over quick! He couldn't wait to enter the fairy cavern now.
To answer his request, penetration was acute, but arousal seemed to be acting as a good desensitizer or at least Zero thought so. The ex-human found numb for one or two seconds before his blood was absorbed slowly through the small holes filled in by his pureblood's fangs, who was embracing him tightly, squeezing their manhoods along with his hand between their stomachs. Zero didn't realized falling backward on the sofa, eyes open with amazement as pleasure were like a violent storm attacking his body, orgasm unreasonably rushing in, forcing his male pride to reach its best and release sated juice in his own hand. In this moment, Shizuka and that frightful nightmare had officially been buried, he's feeling blessed, giving his own vital source - his blood to nurture the love of his life.
-to be continued-
One more chapter left to finish. Please leave a comment to encourage me!
