She had spent all morning trying to find him and now that she had, she was left unsure of what to say.
"How are you feeling today?"Yui knew that was a stupid question to ask him but he hadn't said anything since she sat down. Honestly she was worried he'd just get up and leave soon.
Subaru didn't look at her but kept his eyes fixed on a near by patch of grass. She had spotted him in the garden and approached him without saying anything.
"Don't ask stupid questions"Subaru brushed off her attempt at conversation and then inwardly scolded himself for being an ass.
He had left that rose in her room as a slight apology for being harsh to her lately, but still couldn't face her directly.
'I'm being so stupid! Just look at her!'Subaru thoughts were just screaming as he turned to face her. Yui wasn't looking at him but played with the hem of her skirt instead.
"Do you want to maybe do something together today...? Even if we just sit here that's fine"Yui didn't want to push it, she would eventually try to bring up things with him but right now was too risky. She couldn't help but feel like she was walking on needles.
Subaru didn't answer her so she took that as a no
"Here"Subaru stuck his arm out to her, his sleeve rolled up so she could see his wrist. Yui looked at him unsure of what exactly she was supposed to do
"Drink and then get lost"Subaru knew she hadn't been drinking blood lately, she didn't smell of it and likely didn't want to. He could feel her hand on his wrist as she pushed it away.
"Subaru... why are you pushing me away like this.. if it's about what I said before.. I.. I understand you don't feel the same way and I won't push it on you.. but please don't treat me like this... don't you still want me...?"The sound of pain in her voice left Subaru feeling wounded himself. She had already assumed he didn't return her feelings and was just fine with that.
Yui waited for his response as Subaru pulled his arm away from her
'I can't keep doing this to her.. it's not right! Dammit she's so sad now!'Subaru didn't need to look at her face to know she was hurting. Everything about her body language said she was scared.
Subaru took a breath, his throat feeling a bit dry but he pushed aside that feeling of thrist. Sitting this close to her always made him thirsty.
"Go be with Ayato, I know you've been with him lately"Subaru's tone was flat as he looked away from her.
He felt the sudden tug of his shirt as Yui pulled him, but he refused to look at her
"Subaru please don't say that.. it's not like that at all!"Yui tried to convince him but Subaru seemed unmoved
"Get off me, I have no use for you anymore just leave"Subaru pushed her aside as he stood up. He began walking back to the mansion in a hurry as Yui followed behind him.
Entering through the back doors he didn't bother looking at his brothers, all of them seemed to be watching him as Yui came running after him.
"Subaru please I'm sorry! I don't know what I did wrong but just tell me how to fix it and I will"Yui could hear the desperation in her voice as she pleaded to him. He was really cutting her off, an as much as she didn't want to admit it now she loved him. She loved him deeply and being by his side was all she wanted.
"Oh Subaru, you shouldn't make Bitch-Chan cry like that"Laito commented as he watched the scene play out. Subaru shot him a dirty look but Laito didn't seem to care
Yui went to touch his arm, she gripped him as hard as she could in hopes he wouldn't run away again
"Subaru please.. I just want to be around you.. that's enough that's all I'll ask for"Yuis voice came out as a trembling whisper that broke his heart. He was putting her through so much pain.
"Ayato"Subaru turned to look at Ayato who was laid out on one of the couches. He had also been watching their little spat and curiously looked over to him.
Subaru turned to Yui and for a moment she thought he was going to embrace her. A hopeful glime sat in her eyes as he looked down at her.
Subaru's eyes scanned her face, trying to take in every detail while her eyes were still on him. Her beautiful pink eyes, the way her hair fell against her cheeks, the puffiness of her lips and the sweet scent of her hair.
"Take her, I'm tried of playing with her"Subaru didn't say anything more and was gone from her eyes in an instant.
'Playing...playing with me..?'Yui thought as his words echoed in her head. Had he really been playing this whole time? Her heart screamed no but her ears had heard him.
She fell to her knees in shock and didn't bother to get up when she felt someone tugging on her shirt
"Come on pancake, looks like you belong to Yours Truly once again"Ayato pulled Yui up by her arm and practically dragged her out of the room. She didn't say anything and barely moved her legs as he walked.
Yui wasn't paying attention as she followed him, well walked as he dragged her. She felt the cold steal at her legs and looked around to see his room. The Iron Maiden he slept in at her feet.
"Ore-samas hungry so hurry up and offer me your blood" Ayato pushed Yui to take a seat on his metal bed and she complied.
'Why bother fighting him.. I'm just food.. I've always been just food..'Yui thought as she felt Ayato pushing her hair aside. The feeling of his breath against her skin let her know what was to come.
'Vampires can't feel guilt... sympathy... kindness... love...'Yui remembered all the times she had been told things like this, she never truly believed it. But as Ayato sank his fangs into her neck she cried, not out of pain from him but pain from her heart.
Yui cried softly as Ayato continued to drink from her, she could feel herself getting dizzy but didn't bother trying to push him away. She didn't care.
'I'm so stupid... why did I have to fall in love with him... why did I have to say anything..'Yui could feel Ayatos fangs withdraw from her as he sucked against her skin. The grin that sat on his face was wiped away as he looked at her.
'The hell...'Ayato studied Yuis expression, she neither looked at him or seemingly at anything. Her tears left a trail down her cheeks as she remained still.
Ayato felt a sudden tugging in his chest, it made him uncomfortable to see her like this.
"Hey pancake, what's with the face? Come on you're much better off with me anyway"Ayato wasn't sure why he was trying to comfort her but chalked it up to her being mostly vampire enough now. Yui made no attempt to answer him but turned her neck to the side for him to see.
"Please just take what you want"Yui whispered softly as she exposed her neck for him.
"Fucking shit, alright come here"Ayato pulled Yui up into his arms and held her tightly against his chest. To her surprise he wasn't biting her, just holding her.
"Ayato.."Yui said him name unsurely, what was he doing? He wasn't one to comfort people.
"Just shut up and cry, I'm only giving you today to be sad so don't expect this kind of treatment everyday"Ayato held her close and gently rubbed her back as he smelt tears. The feeling of her clinging to him brought him a odd sensation of joy and pain.
Yui gripped his shirt hard and let her tears fall. She trembled in his arms as he soothed her. The feeling of cold metal touched her back as darkness surrounded them.
"Don't go thinking you're special to me because I'm doing this... but don't go leaving anywhere without telling me either" Ayato held her until he heard her breathing become even again. She was still against his chest as she slept, her face finally relaxed but stained with tears.
He leaned forward and kissed her cheek softly, tasting the saltiness of her tears and sweetness of her skin.
'I can see why Subaru loves you' was Ayatos thoughts as he laid there beside her, seeing her perfectly in the dark.
—With Subaru—
He stood at the edge of the forest, kneeling before a tree. His familiars flapped around him concerned.
"She's better when him.. she'll be happier with him"Subaru tried to convince himself as he dug his hands into the dirt. The sound of rocks and roots cracking echoed through the forest
'I hate myself.. I hate myself so fucking much! Why couldn't I just accept her feelings?! Because I'm a disgusting monster... I could have made her happy but instead I just made her cry and cry all the dam time! Yui...'Subaru pressed his head against the trees bark and smashed it for good measure. He could feel the blood trickle down his face but didn't care.
"I need to get away from here.."
—At sun raise—
"Hey pancake... Hey pancake get up"Ayato shook Yuis shoulder as he tried to wake her. She had been asleep for hours and Reiji kept bugging him about feeding her.
Yui finally began to stir as Ayato pushed the Iron Maiden Open. She light from the sun shines through and hit her face.
'So it wasn't a dream..'Yui sat up in the Iron Maiden and climbed out. The feelings of emptiness she felt made her realize it was true, Subaru had given her away. Her fingers touched the bite mark Ayato had inflicted on her earlier, the pain from it didn't seem to bother her now.
"Oi are you listening to me?! Hurry up and come with me before I give you to someone else"Ayato noticed how Yui flinched at his words. She seemed genuinely hurt but stood up to follow him.
'She's being so obident.. how dull'Ayato liked her better when she fought and got angry with him, right now she was just listening to him blindly.
This wasn't the Yui he wanted
They reached the gameroom where everyone seemed to be gathered, with the exception of Subaru. Yui kept her eyes to the floor and didn't bother greeting anyone.
"Glad to see you've finally joined us, we have a problem"Reiji began as Ayato sat himself on the pool table, he motioned for Yui to come join him and she did so without argument
"Bitch-Chan's being very docile now, would you fight me if I took a bite?"Laito picked up Yuis hand and kissed the inside of her wrist. He looked up at her excepting to see that lovely look of fear but instead saw nothingness.
"Yui are you okay?"Laito had never once used her name since she had arrived at the mansion but her sudden change in attitude caught him off guard. He cradled her face but she made no attempt to move or answer.
"Yeah she's been refusing to talk to me too, just does what I ask and no complaints"Ayato rolled his eyes at Yuis attitude, it was really pissing him off.
Reiji observes their interaction and looked over to Shu who seemed to be watching as well
"Yui, carry Shu to his room"Reiji pointed to Shu who was sitting up now. To everyone's surprise she got off the table and made her way over to Shu, he placed his arm around her shoulders and she did her best to carry him.
Once they had effectively left the room Reiji let out a sigh
"Seems we should have taken her feelings more seriously, in any event Subaru has left for now and I'm assuming Ayato will be her keeper for now? If you don't want the position then we can draw straws"Reiji looked over to Ayato who had his eyes closed, obviously checking the mansion silently for a hint of Subaru's presence
'Seems he is gone'Ayato confirmed as he couldn't feel his presence anywhere
"Yeah I'll keep her, but if she keeps being a drag I'm going to kill her"Ayato half heartedly said, he had no intention on actually killing her and Reiji knew that.
"You should be nicer to Yui, she seems hurt and Teddy doesn't like it"Kanato suggested as Ayato looked at him annoyed
"Kanatos right, her blood will taste sour if she's unhappy so I suggest you make her happy"
—With Shu and Yui—
Yui dropped Shu down onto his bed and bowed to him. She politely began to head for the door when she felt his hand on her wrist.
"Have you given up on fighting us now? You'll let us do whatever we want"Shu pulled Yui towards him and onto his lap. Yui didn't blush or gasp but just remained sitting on him, her eyes looking down at her hands.
"It doesn't matter what I do, I'm food, none of you care about me as more then that and... none of you ever will"Yuis tone was soft but emotionless as Shu eyed her. The normally bright eyes that looked up at him were dull and empty. It was troublesome.
"Then you won't stop me right? You don't care"Shu threw Yui onto the bed and she hit with a thump. At first he thought she'd attempt to get up but she simply laid there.
Annoyed with her lack of reaction he hovered over her, his deep blue eyes looking down into hers. His hand touched her cheek and felt the warmth of her skin.
"Trade blood with me"Shu dropped his jacket to the ground and unbuttoned his shirt.
Yuis eyes looked at him unsure, she didn't understand what he meant.
Shu leaned forward and grazed her shoulder with his fangs. No reaction.
"Drink from me as I drink from you, trust me you'll enjoy it"Shu whispered against her ear as he bite down. He noticed the slight winch of pain but heard no whimper from her.
'Delicious but slightly bitter.. her sadness taints it'Shu drank slowly from her shoulder until he felt her fangs digging into his neck.
The reaction was instant as her hands grabbed his shirt and she let out a moan.
'Finally..'Shu continued his actions, happy he finally got a reaction from her. Her blood now tasted sweeter and he could feel his body start to burn.
Pulling back from her was difficult
"Trading blood is like sex for us, if it eases your pain I suggest you continue with me"Shu looked down at her, tears were dotted in her pink eyes as she looked at him. The soft rose color returned to her cheeks and her lips were painted red with his blood.
"Yes or no Yui"Shu waited for her answer. Yui wiped her eyes as she felt tears starting to fall down her cheeks
She felt guilt wrap around her heart as she imagined how anger Subaru would have been to find out. A thought she pushed aside as she felt her heart tighten in pain.
'Why should it matter who I do this with? It doesn't matter anymore I don't care'Yui opened her arms and exposed her neck waiting for Shu to return to her.
He gave her an understanding look and he leaned forward. Yui closed her eyes and waited for the feeling of his fangs digging into her but instead she felt his forehead against her chest.
"Shu?"Yui questioned as she felt him resting against her body. She was ready to continue.
"You're emotions make your blood sour, don't ruin its sweetest with regret. We both know I am not the one you want and easing your pain this way will only taint it"Shu let out a yawn as he rolled over to lay beside her. She felt his finger wipe the tears from her cheeks as she took in what he said.
"Leave, I won't be kind a second time"
Yui understood and left, leaving Shu there to sleep. She walked back to her room and removed her blood stained shirt.
'I do feel a bit better.. but it's likely just the blood lust being fulfilled'Yui touched Shus bite mark on her shoulder, it wasn't deep and would heal on its own. She ran her finger over it slowly, would she really have been okay sleeping with him? Did she really not care anymore?
In the reflection of her mirror she saw the wilting white rose Subaru had left for her the other day. She lifted it to her nose but the scent was gone, the blood on her fingers staining the petals.
"Subaru.. You're not coming back for me this time are you..."Yui had heard them saying Subaru had left, for how long only time would tell. Maybe he'd stay gone until she died.. they didn't know if she was immortal like them yet.
She placed the rose inside her dresser drawer, wanting to preserve it
"You stink of Shus blood, how'd it taste?"Ayato appeared on Yuis bed as she walked around her room. She threw a shirt on but he noticed how she wasn't quick to do so.
"Good"
"You're more trouble then your worth you know that"Ayato walked up to her and pulled her towards him. She made no move to pull away. He could have her blood.
What followed next had Yui a bit surprised but she didn't fight him.
The feeling of his lips against hers wasn't something completely new but it wasn't familiar either. He could taste the blood stained on her lips and was getting annoyed at her lack of reaction. It was hurting his ego
'Come on! Feel something!'Ayato pulled back a bit to allow her a breath and then kissed her again. He swore that he had never put more passion behind a kiss before. He could feel the warmth of her body now and the sound of her heart was quickening
'Finally!'Ayato guided her hands to his hair and bite down on her lip slightly. She was finally responding to him. A small whimper escaped her lips as she pulled away from him for air.
Ayato smirked proudly at her swollen lips and the flushed look on her face. For a moment her eyes even seemed brighter.
"Direct all your wants onto me, all your needs I'll fulfill them. I'll wipe him from your mind if you agree to obey me, you'll think only for me"Ayatos words sounded tempting, like the whisper of sin into her ear. Yui looked into his green eyes, her heart wishing she was looking into red ones instead.
"I..I still love Su-" Yui began to whisper but was silenced by Ayatos kiss. He embraced her tightly and didn't pull away until she was struggling to breath.
"My name, only say my name"