"Rosaries left under the mattress of the memories
Who could bear the witness?"
x
Chapter 9: BITTERSWEET
Kaname's pulled his wrist free easily, despite Zero's firm grip. Zero was torn between demanding that Kaname tell him more and finding out who was at the front door.
Kaname glanced over his shoulder at Zero, gesturing with a slight nod of his head for Zero to step out of sight.
Zero crossed his arms and stayed exactly where he was.
Kaname sometimes wished he were an eye-roller. He ignored the childish stubbornness of the boy and opened the door.
No one was there. Kaname glanced down, and quicker than lightning, stooped to pick up the letter that was resting on the front steps. He felt no presence, and the stillness of the vampire hunter behind him confirmed his observation.
"What the hell?" Zero snarled, striding forward as Kaname simultaneously closed the door and opened the envelope. He stepped next to Kaname to read the letters contents.
Lord Kaname Kuran
You are cordially invited to attend a soirée hosted by a select group of elite vampires tomorrow evening at approximately eight o'clock. The event will take place at the Ichijo household. We hope to see you.
"You're being invited to a party?" Zero asked in disgust.
Kaname breathed out a soft laugh. "How crass." The tone of his voice caught Zero's attention.
"You think she's there."
The invitation suddenly burst into flame. Ash rained down on the carpet at their feet as Kaname's hand dropped to his side.
Zero cut his eyes towards Kaname, suddenly very aware of the close proximity he had put them in. He stepped back a little as Kaname said, "She is definitely there."
"Tell me why she was taken."
Kaname strode towards his bedroom once again. "No."
"Kaname!" Zero found himself hurrying after him. "You owe me that much, Kaname!"
"I don't owe you anything."
Zero could not believe he had just said that. "You—!"
"I didn't have to let you come with me," Kaname said sharply, turning around when he made it to the doorway of his room. "You don't think I could have gotten away from you? You are here because I let you be here. In more ways than one," Kaname added coldly. "You're going to have to live with what I give you."
Kaname turned to open the door of his room. Zero's hand shot out and pulled it shut. They were very close now. Zero could small Kaname very clearly. His blood, mixed with the scent of some expensive sort of cologne—Zero felt momentarily light-headed. Focus.
He wanted very badly to pull back, but he wouldn't take his hand off the door for anything. Not until Kaname gave him something more.
"Kaname," he said quietly when the pureblood made no move. "You and I both—" he stopped, inwardly cringing. He hated this. "We care about Yuuki." His hand spasmed on the doorknob, and it clicked a little, giving him away. "I told you that I came with you for her. And I did. But I won't put up with your shit. I want to know why she was taken."
Kaname was quiet. Then, "She was taken to hurt me. Couldn't you guess that, Zero?"
Zero ignored the question. "She was taken by hunters, working with someone you know, to get to you. And why—"
"They don't like purebloods." He heard the wry smile in Kaname's voice. "You can probably understand them."
Zero clenched the doorknob more tightly. "I don't care what they like or don't like. If they hurt Yuuki—"
"That's right," Kaname breathed.
Zero stepped closer, inexplicably. His front was now pressed against Kaname's back, his right leg settled in between Kaname's.
"Are you worried?" Zero asked quietly.
Kaname didn't answer, but he placed a hand over Zero clenched over the doorknob, which was rattling almost constantly now in synch with Zero's trembling. "I'm like you." He dug his fingers into the back of Zero's hand, leaving bright pink scratches on pale skin. "I'm angry."
Zero let his hand slip off the doorknob, turning it so the door opened accidentally. Kaname pushed it open more fully, looking over his shoulder to cock a smirk at Zero.
"You're almost being civil towards me, Zero.
Zero stepped back, his heels knocking into his own door. "Don't kid yourself."
Kaname tilted his head, turned, and stepped forward, leaving his door open behind him as he swooped down on Zero. "You hate me, don't you?" he said into Zero's ear. "I am sure you tell yourself this fact constantly."
Zero felt like responding would be a mistake. So he opened the door behind him, half-stumbling back into his room. Kaname smiled before turning and walking back into his room.
x
Zero woke up all at once, sitting up, Bloody Rose in hand and looking around the room with alert eyes. Nothing out of place. He exhaled loudly, back thudding against a bedpost. He put the gun back on the nightstand, glancing towards the curtained window. Not a shred of light was trying to bleed through. It must be nighttime. Morning or later for the vampires. He rubbed his face, not believing he'd actually fallen asleep. He supposed actually having some sort of purpose, somewhere to go, to find Yuuki—had given him brief reprieve.
He sat down on the bed with another sigh, letting his mind wander towards Ichiru for the first time since they'd left. He wondered if Cross had explained to his brother why he was gone. He felt badly for taking off—Ichiru probably felt somewhat…cast off.
"Ugh," Zero groaned, pushing his fingers roughly through his hair. Fuck.
Trying not to dwell on the inkling feeling that Ichiru wouldn't be as understanding on Zero's return as he hoped, he walked out of his room, hesitated outside of Kaname's for a split second, then rapped his knuckles roughly on the door.
No answer. Zero made a face, then opened the door and walked in.
He stopped short, a few feet away from the foot of Kaname's bed, where the pureblood lay sleeping.
His feet seemed rooted to the spot, and his eyes had a mind of their own, raking over Kaname's frame, taking in his ivory pants, which covered slender legs. His black shirt was only partly buttoned, leaving the top of his chest visible. The skin there drew his eye up smoothly to the skin of his neck, where dark, wavy strands of hair brushed, contrasting as starkly as the black and white of his clothing.
He'd moved to stand next to the bed without even realizing it. This was the man—the animal—the being—that had irrevocably changed his life. He thought back to what Kaname had said to him earlier. He'd saved Zero's life. He'd been selfish, had not wanted to see Zero…die.
Zero's lip twisted into a grimace as he thought. Did Kaname, on that winter night, truly act out of compassion? Did he turn him to save him? The thought sent Zero's head reeling. He blocked out the thought with the notion that it didn't matter. It had been unforgiveable.
Zero stepped forward silently, his shin quietly brushing against the edge of the bed. Did Kaname ever feel remorse for it? What exactly was Zero to him? And if—if he'd bitten him to save him—why? What the hell had he done? To deserve such attention from a pureblood.
Zero's eyes, oddly steady, roved over Kaname's face. Being a vampire, he could see just as well, if not better, in the dark. Kaname's eyelashes, black in color, brushed and twitched delicately against his upper cheek bones as he slept. Dreamed. His lips were closed, slightly pouted, and Zero inhaled quietly, thinking of those lips in ways he really, really shouldn't didn't want to be…
To pull his mind away, Zero thought of what Kaname seemed to have let slip earlier. He'd suggested that he had originally come to the Kiryuu's that night…for Yuuki, he'd said. How did that make sense? Why would Yuuki be at Zero's house? Or…why would someone tell Kaname that?
Kaname was sleeping on his side, the left side of his face pressed deep into the pillow. He shifted a little, causing dark hair to fall over face, obscuring much of it from view.
Zero automatically reached out to brush it back, tucking the hair (it really was soft) behind Kaname's ear and wondering why the pureblood wasn't awake yet, when Kaname's eyes snapped open.
Before Zero could even think to pull back, Kaname had hold of Zero's hand, keeping it firmly in place where it was, Zero's fingers tickling the back of Kaname's ear.
"I—" Zero started, and then he was abruptly yanked forward, nearly falling completely on top of Kaname. His right hand managed to keep him hovering, fingers splayed and digging into the pillow right next to Kaname's head. Dark, brown-red eyes stared up at him, and Zero struggled to get the rest of his body onto the bed, merely for comfort sake, so half of it wasn't hanging off the edge. His legs ended up on either side of Kaname's waist, making him very ready to leave, but Kaname was still holding his hand to his head, and he was still staring at him.
Kaname sat up, fluidly letting go of Zero's hand at the same time he wrapped his other arm around Zero's waist. Zero fell back a little, knees squeezing around Kaname's hips to balance himself, feeling his resolve falter at the same time. He later blamed the disorientation of being rudely pulled off his feet for letting Kaname kiss him.
True, he didn't have an explanation for responding in kind, for pushing his hands into Kaname's hair, or for pressing his entire body forward into Kaname, but the details were conveniently fuzzy.
But for the feeling of lips, slowly moving against each other, warm and soft.
Kaname broke away first, his eyes glowing so dully, it was almost imperceptible. "You were watching me sleep?"
"I came in to talk," Zero gasped, his head spinning. His hands were still in Kaname's hair. He didn't move them. "About tonight."
Kaname's eyes narrowed very slightly as he looked up at Zero thoughtfully, then he kissed him again.
Zero's fingers tightened, pulling at Kaname's hair, and he pressed back against him harder, accidentally knocking their teeth together. Kaname murmured something low in his throat, and Zero didn't really know or care what had been said, because right after that, Kaname's tongue slipped into Zero's mouth and rubbed dangerously against his canines.
They felt the blood thrumming and ached sharply in hunger. Zero nearly pulled out Kaname's hair as he rode the brief flash of thirst, kissing back even harder in his attempt to ignore it. Kaname pulled back, only to lean forward and kiss Zero again, and again, and again. Zero moaned quietly, feeling light-headed, feeling both of them fall back onto the mattress with a soft thud. Kaname arched up into Zero's body, his hands weaving into Zero's hair as well, running a finger down his neck. A loud rip jerked Zero to awareness. He felt cool air on his back, and he realized Kaname had continued to run a finger down Zero's body, ripping his shirt in two pieces with a single nail.
"You couldn't wear that to the party anyway," Kaname murmured into Zero's ear. He firmly kissed the sensitive skin right below Zero's ear. His slender nose nudged at one of Zero's silver earrings. He seemed to have developed a fascination for them.
Zero shivered. "K—"
Kaname lifted his head and bit down on Zero's lower lip, pulling back slowly before releasing it with a flick of his tongue. Zero's shoulders hunched up and he turned his blushing face into one of them, mortified.
"Do you look so coy on purpose?" Kaname whispered. He placed his hands on Zero's hips, pulling him more flush against his own. Zero's face darkened, his breath hitching. "Or are you really that adorable?"
"I'm not adorable!" Zero snapped, lifting his head to glare at Kaname. God, what was he doing? Kaname placed his hands on either side of Zero's face, pulling his head down so their lips could meet again. Zero's body had mind of its own, rubbing down against Kaname and slipping his own tongue into the pureblood's open mouth. His hands shook as they slid up Kaname's neck and into his hair, pressing Kaname's lips even closer to his. The kiss grew in heat, in intensity. Zero could barely breathe, felt his eyes roll back for a second when Kaname sucked his upper lip into his mouth, rubbing his tongue over the bruised, pink flesh.
"Mm," Zero mumbled, moving back and nudging Kaname's head over so their cheeks were pressed together. Kaname wound his arms around Zero's waist and squeezed the boy against him tightly, his eyes falling shut. He could feel his heart racing in his chest, pulsing in his wrists. In his neck.
Zero could feel Kaname's breath there. It was startlingly unsteady.
This was the creature that had turned him into a vampire, holding him in his arms in nearly the same way that he had held him when he had bitten him. Zero's breath stuttered, but he did not pull away. Yuuki's kidnapping—him hurting her—him being the cause of all of this—the pain was eating at him from the inside. Ironically, the person he hated being close to most in the world was the perfect distraction in his closeness. So he did not pull away.
x
Kaname felt Zero's heart rate steady. He was not sleeping, but he was more relaxed than Kaname suspected he'd been in a long time. He felt almost at peace, holding the boy close like this. He had not been able to calm his thoughts since he'd seen the empty square, felt Yuuki's presence disappear. But being with Zero was like entering another world.
He suspected nothing good was keeping Zero in his arms. The boy was so stupid in his self-hatred and masochism. Always finding a way to hurt or blame himself. Or Kaname. He hid a rueful smile. The boy drove him crazy sometimes. He supposed it was his own fault. He had ignited the fire with that bite.
He shifted, adjusting his legs so they wrapped lightly around Zero's. Still, Zero did not move, though Kaname heard his breath hitch. He couldn't deny for much longer that there was…something more between them. He had balked, at first, but Kaname had long ago accepted that he had created a weakness with creating a vampire to save his life, had soon after accepted he wanted the boy's blood, and then ultimately realized that he just plain wanted Zero.
You care for him.
Kaname finger's tightened for a moment against Zero's back. Desire and love were two very, very different things, two feelings that he needed to separate.
But sometimes he didn't know which feeling applied to the person in his arms, or whether they were separated at all. And that ate at him even more than Yuuki's disappearance.
x
Zero blinked, realizing he must have dozed off for a little while. The room was still very dark, so that told him the day had not arrived yet. But he did find he was still in Kaname's arms, and Kaname was still breathing steadily into his hair, sending shivers down his spine.
Zero jerked away from him, feeling mortified. The fact that his shirt was ripped and hanging off one wrist did not help things. Kaname didn't try to pull him back, but he remained laying down, lifting an arm to drape it across his forehead. "You wanted to talk?"
Zero rolled his shoulder, deciding that even sitting on the bed was dangerous. He stood up, turning around to look at Kaname when he was a couple feet away. "About tomorrow."
Kaname dropped his arm so his eyes were covered. "We are going to get Yuuki back."
"How?"
"I trust they will tell us."
Zero stared at him. "Are you serious? We're just going to show up and wait for someone to threaten us with Yuuki?"
"Tell me who the hunters were and we will not need to go through this farce."
Zero crossed his arms. He could say nothing.
"So then, the farce," Kaname continued. He sat up, pushing his hair out of his eyes with a hand. "You're going to be my partner."
He might as well have dropped a brick on his toe with the look Zero gave him. "What?" he growled.
Kaname smirked. "You do want to come, don't you?"
"Not as anything that suggests—"
"We are going to a private vampire soirée," Kaname said blandly. "Everyone there, enemy or not, will know me as a pureblood and you as the human I changed. You will not be welcome as a hunter or anything else except my property."
"Is it common knowledge to you all that you turned me into a vampire?"
"Word started spreading around the time you came to my dorm and bit me. Someone in the Moon Dorm, no doubt gossiping. Or maybe your brother? Anyway, they won't care. They will just see you as…mine."
Zero's eyes flashed. "I don't belong to you."
"You belong to me more than anyone."
Zero turned around. "I won't go into the party. I'll circle the perimeter."
Because his back was turned, Zero didn't see the look that passed through Kaname's eyes, or he might have understood Kaname's next words. "You aren't going to leave my side."
Zero turned back around to glower at Kaname. "Are you going to make me stay?'
Kaname's brow furrowed just slightly, a movement Zero did catch. "Just stay close."
x
Zero resented being treated like a little boy who could not take care of himself, and shut himself in his room after that, stubbornly taking the scraps of his shirt with him, ignoring the little jabbing thought that his temper tantrum probably wouldn't help the situation. His stomach rumbled loudly the minute he shut his door, reminding him in the most untimely manner that he had not eaten in almost twenty four hours, and commanding him to go right back out and get food.
Well, that would explain why he'd fallen asleep. But Zero would rather starve to death than risk running into Kaname before it was necessary.
But he did have to be in prime condition if he was going to save Yuuki. And not as Kaname's date, he thought.
He leaned against his door, feeling heavy. Then, with a groan, he opened it back and made a beeline for the kitchen.
The fridge was stocked with the basics, and Zero managed to scrape together a decent meal that would hold him over for a while. Kaname did not make an appearance, and for that, Zero was grateful. He went back to his room, after grabbing a random book off the bookshelf, and sat on his bed to read. The sun was almost all the way up when he finished the book. Blinking blearily, Zero collapsed onto his pillows, shutting his eyes against the cool material. He was going to save Yuuki tonight. He was going to save her. He inwardly cringed, thinking of the look that would come on her face when she saw him. She thinks I'm a monster.
All his secret fears that Kaname would end up biting Yuuki, condemning her as he had him, were put to shame. He had been the one to hurt her in the end.
x
A light touch on his shoulder woke Zero up effectively. He turned onto his back. Kaname was standing by his bed, holding a large bag in his hands.
"What time is it?" Zero asked, sitting up.
"Six-thirty," Kaname answered, handing Zero the bag. "These are your clothes for tonight."
Zero made no move to take it. "Kaname—"
Kaname dropped the bag into Zero's lap. "Arguing is going to get you nowhere. Swallow your pride for her or don't come."
Zero shoved the bag onto the floor. "This has nothing to do wi—"
"Liar," Kaname said calmly. He tilted his head. "What do you think you'll accomplish circling the building? You won't be able to get close enough to help take her back. Would you just like to leave it all to me?"
Zero glowered at him for a minute. Then he stooped down and picked up the bag.
"Come out when you're ready," Kaname said with a smirk, shutting the door behind him with a snap.
"Bastard," Zero growled under his breath. He grimaced at the bag, then ripped it open, revealing a set of evening attire, including a navy jacket, matching slacks, and a white button down shirt. He found it odd that there wasn't a tie or anything of the sort, but he put it on anyway, albeit reluctantly.
Zero ran a hand through his hair, hopefully shifting it into something passable, then walked stiffly out of his room.
Kaname was sitting on the couch, his elbows on his knees, chin resting on his fingers. His dark eyes flicked towards Zero when he stepped from the small hallway, and Zero felt his cheeks get hot when the pureblood smiled, a different sort of smile from a few minutes ago.
Kaname was wearing similar attire, in black, although there was some additional fluff around the sleeves and the collar, where a slim black blow was tied loosely. He looked despicably perfect, and Zero was abruptly taken back to their first meeting. Kaname had been dressed similarly, even though he had been much younger. Zero had thought he'd been beautiful then too.
Zero gave himself a quick mental headshake, walking forward and stopping at the end of the couch. Kaname gave his hair an appraising look and told him to sit down.
"Why? What time is it?" Zero asked, staying exactly where he was.
"It's only fifteen minutes before seven," Kaname said. "The driver is picking us up in forty-five minutes. I admit, I expected you to put up more of a fight before putting on the clothes." He paused. "They look very nice."
"You aren't exactly encouraging me to keep them on," Zero said snippily.
Kaname smiled again, but there was a devious glint in his eyes. "Clever, isn't it?"
Zero chose to ignore that. "Are we just going to sit here until the driver comes? Is there a plan?"
"I'll tell you it once you sit down."
Zero hesitated, then roughly sat down as far from Kaname as the couch would allow. As usual, Kaname ignored the obviously preferred distance, reaching over to push a hand through Zero's hair. He picked up something that was sitting next to him on the couch with his other hand, and only when Zero felt the bristles brushing his scalp did he recognize it as a brush.
"You're brushing my hair," Zero growled, too surprised to push him away.
"It needs it," Kaname said softly, trailing a finger down the back of Zero's neck, making the younger man shiver. "It looks like it hadn't been brushed in days."
"Your point?" Zero said stiffly, jerking his head away.
Kaname laughed quietly. "It was cute. But not the way to go for an event like this." He slid a little closer, pressing the brush against his head more roughly. Zero stopped resisting only so Kaname wouldn't move in any further.
Feels nice, Zero found himself thinking as Kaname continued to slowly brush his hair. He had to give himself another mental shake. "And how long exactly are we going to actually be attending the event?"
Kaname continued to brush his hair as he spoke. "I suspect we'll have to play the roles of sincere attendants for about halfway through the party."
"And then?"
Kaname smiled at him, pulling the brush through his hair one last time and placing it on the arm of the couch behind Zero. "Do you ever plan so extensively on hunts? I suspect we'll have to improvise a little."
Zero cut Kaname a look. "I'm not stupid enough to believe that you don't have a plan."
Kaname's lips twitched. "Ah. It seems you know me too well."
Zero frowned. He wasn't going to tell him, that much was obvious. "Whatever. Don't need your help anyway."
They still had about thirty minutes to go.
"Have you ever been to a pure vampire soiree?" Kaname asked him.
"Obviously not. The ones I've been to have always had hunters patrolling."
"Forgive me. That was a thoughtless question. I suppose I meant do you know the kind of mannerisms that are usual at a pure vampire soiree?"
Zero turned his head to narrow his eyes at the pureblood. "Is this going to end in you asking me to act like a docile dog?"
Kaname propped his elbow on the back of the couch, resting his chin in his palm. "You do know that you aren't typical, don't you?"
Zero pressed himself against the arm of the couch, further away from Kaname. He didn't answer.
Kaname didn't seem to mind or care. He continued. "For a couple reasons. One, the most obvious, is that you are not docile, and are in fact overly repellant of a being that should be the equivalent of a god to your mind."
"A god? You—"
"Second," Kaname continued calmly. "I bit you."
Still fuming over the god comparison, Zero took a moment to register and then not fully understand the words.
"And what does that have to do with anything?"
Kaname smiled, leaning forward. "It means you are a fascination for many. The highest of all purebloods, choosing only one human to change, take, and keep as his own. Choosing you."
Zero bared his teeth. "You bastar—"
"That's what people think about," Kaname cut him off again. "They wonder what is so special about you."
"They probably all assume I'm a damn good fuck," Zero said without thinking.
Kaname's eyes glinted, taking in the darkening of Zero's cheeks. "Perhaps. It would shock older vampires, outside of the Academy to know that we don't have a physical relationship of that kind.
"For them to not take you as a threat, and therefore make you more useful," Kaname continued, and his voice took on a more serious tone. "We have to make them believe that."
Zero narrowed his eyes.
"I am not expecting you to completely change demeanors and bend to my every command. That would make you like every other pureblood pet. Forgive the term," he added carelessly at Zero's expression. "I just ask you to try and play the part to your best ability." Kaname smirked. "I trust you."
Zero scowled. "Many vampires there have seen me patrolling other parties. This sudden change in roles doesn't make any sense."
Kaname tilted his head slightly. "That's true. But since you've bitten me, we haven't been out together in public. We haven't been out together to an event like this."
Right. Zero still hated the entire idea. He said so.
Kaname laughed. "There is no other alternative if you want to come with me. They won't question me bringing a "pet," even if they are suspicious. I just ask that you not be so conspicuous in your murderous intent."
Zero made another disgusted noise, but he didn't blatantly refuse to go along with the "plan", even though it made him physically nauseous. He bit his tongue to stop himself from saying anything more and anxiously ground his foot into the ground.
"Kiss me."
Zero's head flew up and around to stare incredulously at Kaname, who was looking at him quite seriously—and expectantly.
"Why? What are you playing at?"
Kaname watched him seriously for another moment, then shocked Zero even further by chuckling.
"You are so purely you," he said quietly. He stood too, but didn't attempt to approach Zero, who was watching him warily. "Realize that if I were to say that at the party, you will need to react a little more delicately. Our driver is five minutes away. Are you ready?"
Zero was staggered. He clenched his fists though, straightened, and tilted his head forward in what appeared to be a bow of acquiescence.
"Don't enjoy this way more than you should," Zero snapped to Kaname, making the pureblood smirk in spite of himself.
They stood in silence, and while Zero was still cursing the fact that he walking into battle blindfolded and weaponless—fuck it. He would rip open anyone's throat who threatened Yuuki.
x
There was virtually no communication with their driver, but Zero and Kaname did not speak once in the trip to where the event would be held. Kaname had at least told Zero that it was an out of the way sort of place, another forty-five minutes away. The silence in the car was tense, and Zero had to work very, very hard to keep himself calm and not bomb Kaname with snide snaps and questions.
He was not by any means trusting him. Kaname had just given him no other option, if he wanted to help save Yuuki. Well, no other option other than getting away from Kaname and saving her my own way.
His gaze flicked over to Kaname. She'd probably prefer he be the one rescuing her Zero thought, staring down at his clenched hands.
He was kidding himself—there was no probably about it. As he watched, his fingers relaxed, and he thought that it didn't really matter. As long as she was safe. Again, he looked subtly through his eyelashes at Kaname, sitting across from him.
If he really didn't trust Kaname, he wouldn't be doing this, not even for a moment. Was it really all for Yuuki?
That question scared him, and he turned his eyes back down to his twisting fingers.
x
Although it was dark outside, Zero could clearly make out the trees outside the window. They had been driving deeper into the forest at the edge of the town for about fifteen minutes now. Zero's senses started to pick at his brain uncomfortably, and he knew that they were nearing their destination. Only a horde of vampires made him feel that way, like a prickly blanket was being pressed tightly over the back of his brain.
As there was a black, tinted window blocking the backseat of the limousine from the driver, and the setting of the soiree was straight ahead, Zero did not see the palace until the driver pulled up parallel to it.
It took his breath away, for a moment, and he had to put serious effort into controlling the widening of his eyes. It was a literal castle. High, grey stone walls and classic ridged turrets made it looked like something from medieval times, and clashed oddly with the glass in what should have been glassless windows, and the clearly electric lighting emanating from them.
The door opened, the driver bowing lowly as Kaname stepped regally out of the car. Zero was frozen, randomly unsure of himself.
"Come," Kaname murmured; his voice was different from usual. A purr, seductive, but commanding, and expecting nothing less than to be obeyed. It wasn't the same, somehow, as his voice usually was, and Zero wasn't sure if he should be thankful that Kaname was pretending, worried that he wasn't, hateful towards the way he was talking to him, or—
There is no time for this Zero thought. He quickly stepped out of the car, hoping the driver hadn't thought the brief moment of hesitation too suspicious.
"Be back here by midnight," Kaname told the driver, who nodded once before getting back into the car and driving back up the deserted road.
Zero opened his mouth but stopped short when Kaname took his chin in his fingers, rubbing his thumb roughly over Zero's bottom lip. "Be a good boy, now," Kaname murmured.
Zero blushed hotly, glaring at Kaname furiously, but biting his tongue (literally) to stop himself from retorting.
Kaname leaned close, whispering quietly against Zero's cheek, "You really cannot ask questions now. You are going to have to trust me." He pulled back, just a smidge, so their lips were barely an inch apart. Zero almost felt Kaname smile, and his lips parted, tongue pressing against the back of his front teeth.
The large wooden entrance doors behind Kaname suddenly swung open, washing bright, golden light onto the pair of them, at the bottom of a small set of stone steps.
"Kaname-sama. I'm so glad you could make it."
Only because his back was to the speaker did Zero assume he could see a clear darkening of Kaname's eyes.
"I wouldn't have missed it, Great-Uncle Shiki."
