Author Notes: Thank you all for continuing to read No Matter What and letting me know your thoughts. Hope you enjoy this chapter too...!
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-- Chapter Start --
On Saturday night, Aido and Yori met up again and walked to their usual place - the small clearing beside the lake. Chairman Cross had banned all outings to town for the Day Class students this weekend since the exams were scheduled for the following week, but the Night Class students were exempted since they didn't follow the same syllabus and weren't required to sit for exams in any case.
Lucky them.
Yori had been quiet for the past hour, content to sit quietly with her cheek resting on Aido's shoulder and his arm around her waist as they watched the moonlight on the still waters of the lake.
"Yori…" There was a soft longing in Aido's voice and his gentle fingers tilted her chin up to his. Yori responded willingly and trustingly to his kiss and he deepened it, his tongue seeking hers out, teasing it lightly… but he longed for more. It wasn't always easy for him to keep things light between them especially when Yori was pliant and willing in his arms, her slender fingers threading through his hair to pull him even closer to her. The young noble knew that Yori was an innocent just from the way she kissed, from the way he had to lead and teach her - not that he minded - and from the way she seemed to trust him implicitly.
Aido also knew Yori's trust was, in a large part, due to the fact that he was always very careful not to overstep himself or be too forward… but yes, it wasn't easy for him. And knowing that there would be a six week holiday break after next week, his arms trembled with the effort of holding back. Yori both smelled and tasted so sweet... Aido released her and stood up, his breathing a little quicker than normal. "I guess it's time to go back, huh?" he said reluctantly. Before I kiss you like I've never kissed you before… He pulled her to her feet then bent down to retrieve his backpack.
"Hanabusa?" Yori asked suddenly.
"What?"
"Kiss me"
"I just did…!"
"Again"
Aido shrugged, then dropped his backpack and obliged with a smile. But Yori broke the kiss a few seconds later, shaking her head. "No, I mean kiss me. Really kiss me"
"I am…!"
"It-it's not enough!"
"What do you mean?" Aido frowned, puzzled and more than a little hurt – he couldn't believe she was complaining about his kisses! And here he was, thinking her a complete novice too... Yori saw that frown and her look softened. "I mean… a bit more passionate, perhaps?" she explained, her tone gentler.
Aido just stood there looking completely nonplussed, and Yori smiled. "I mean… as if you haven't seen me in a hundred years" she tried again. Or after six weeks of holiday break, attending gala parties and dancing with beautiful vampire ladies…
Ah - it was uncanny sometimes how Yori just seemed to know what he was thinking. Aido shoved his hands in his jeans pockets, his frown clearing. Then he bit his lip and the frown reappeared. "I – I don't want to scare you, Yori" he finally said. You're good and innocent... you're not like the other girls I've known. And you're special to me.
Yori guessed what he referring to – that time when he found out that Zero had bitten her and he'd bared his fangs at her in anger and jealousy.
"You won't scare me… I trust you" she reassured him now and her words struck at Aido. It could have been her complete trust in him, it could be her absolute naivety in his seeming gentlemanly behaviour. But all the same, something snapped a little inside him.
Damnit! How dare Yori ask him for a more passionate kiss? How dare she insinuate that his past kisses were not good enough? Did she honestly think it was easy for him to hold her at arms length all this time? And had she forgotten what he was? What she was?
Especially when she was so close to him that her scent teased him endlessly? When her soft creamy neck, shoulders and bare arms begged for his touch and his kisses? When her slender throat drew his undivided and rapt attention each time she arched her pretty neck to look at the moon or the stars? When she let him kiss her hand? Or even snuggled up to him trustingly and let her head rest on his shoulder and time slowed down until he was blind and deaf to everything except for the temptation of her blood rushing in her veins and the sweet warm wildflower scent emanating from her very skin? Did she honestly think he was so… detached… that he could remain unmoved and unaffected by all this? When he hungered to do so much more? To kiss her and touch her all over and do oh so much more…
A faint but unmistakable growl escaped Aido's throat now and he grasped Yori's upper arms, tugging her closer to him. Then his hands slid up to her shoulders, fingers reaching for and digging into her soft blond curls, holding her head captive for a more thorough, plundering and definitely passionate kiss. One hand slid out of Yori's hair after a moment, gliding down between her shoulder blades before fingers splayed wide in the small of her back to pull her even closer, holding her body flush against his.
"Yori, can't you tell?" Aido's throaty whisper sounded against her parted lips. "I've been dying to do this…" The deep admission seemed to be wrung from him before he kissed her again, his tongue thrusting deep, his other hand curling around her shoulders, bringing her even closer to him.
But still... it wasn't nearly enough.
Aido loosened the tight reins on his control a little, allowing his lips to wander where they would, trailing kisses and licks along Yori's pretty ears, her jawline and slender neck. He adored the delicate pulse beating erratically at the base of her throat as well as her fragile collar bones as his chin nudged aside the collar of her T-shirt. Aido couldn't help but be totally aware of the sweet blood that thrummed under her skin and his fangs lengthened but he wasn't afraid of his bloodlust this time - he had taken his tablets and it was within control. But Yori smelled and felt better than anything he had ever smelled or touched in his entire life, and he thought it might very well be his desire this time that was at risk.
Still, Aido relaxed his hold on his control just a little more and his hands wandered too, exploring the soft skin at the back of Yori's neck under her collar before spanning her slender shoulders. Gentle fingertips slid down slowly and lovingly over the soft ridges of her spine, one by one, until they reached her trim waist. Fingers splayed wide again to cup her trim buttocks and jerk her hard against his hips. There was a soft gasp from Yori as Aido held her there firmly against his taut body while his mouth dropped light kisses on her jawline and throat, leaving moist cool trails on her skin.
Aido knew why she gasped - even through the thick layer of both their jeans, Yori couldn't have failed to notice how much he desired her right now. He sighed in satisfaction as a low moan escaped her throat and he finally took a step back, trailing his hands around to her stomach, languidly sliding up over her ribcage, counting each slender rib, slowly but purposefully reaching for what lay above them. Yori's pulse speeded up as she gasped against his ear. "Hanabusa..." she whispered but he ignored it the soft plea in her voice, because she wasn't pushing him away and her slender fingers were still tangled in his hair.
And finally, Aido's hands reached her enticing curves, his fingers knowing, gentle, skilled… but trembling all the same. Yori's breasts were confined within the cups of her bra but they were as soft as he imagined them to be, her nipples already puckered with shivery awareness… and Aido's control wavered. Unable to help himself, his hands slid down to her hips, going round to jerk her against his body once more, groaning as it intensified rather than assuage the sweet ache building in him. Yori's fingers clutched at his shoulders now as she shivered in response but she didn't push him away and Aido held her there for a long, long moment before he finally released her and stepped back, holding onto her upper arms to keep her steady.
Yori's eyes blinked open a few seconds later to focus dazedly on him, her irises smoky and her pupils dilated. Her cheeks were softly flushed but Aido's expression was grim and tense as he noticed her swaying a little. "Here, sit down" he said and exerted pressure on her arms, pushing her down. Obediently, Yori's knees folded and she sank back down onto the blanket, not saying a word. Aido sat cross legged in front of her, letting go of her arms to rest his hands on his own thighs as he continued to survey her with that almost stern expression, his eyes still faintly crimson.
Yori wondered if she had somehow angered him – she couldn't have missed the light scrapes of his needle sharp fangs against her jaw line and throat earlier and she swallowed involuntarily, eyes still huge. But that one small movement succeeded in making Aido's stern look crumple and he groaned loudly as he hung his head, his breathing still a little ragged. Then he dragged both hands through his hair and looked up.
"Sorry - I went too far, Yori, I know, but you –" he broke off, his eyes an anguished blue. "... you felt so good, and you said you wanted more from me. I – I just–" he broke off again, shaking his head. Well, that was being gentlemanly shot right out of the window. He laughed a little but it sounded hollow and bitter so he stopped. Then he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. OK, calm down, Aido, and stop acting like a gibbering idiot.
Finally, he sighed and opened his eyes. "Are you all right, Yori?" he asked gently, solicitously.
Yori nodded, still looking at him without speaking - Aido took it as a good sign that she hadn't slapped him right across the face or run off screaming. Then finally, she cleared her throat. "Hanabusa… was that how you've wanted to kiss and touch me all this time?" she asked, sounding almost timid.
Aido sighed hopelessly. "Yes" he confessed softly. And more too…
"Oh" Yori's voice was almost a whisper now.
Aido swallowed miserably, aware of another dark smudge on his otherwise pristine record of dates with Yori. And waited.
Then a small smile trembled on Yori's lips. "I'm sorry, I never knew" she whispered.
Aido blinked in surprise. "Hey, you don't have to be sorry for that, I didn't want you to know… I didn't want you to be afraid" he pointed out. Hesitantly, Yori reached out a hand and Aido stopped breathing. She laid her hand over his, still resting on his thigh and squeezed it gently. "Well, you don't have to be sorry either" she said.
Aido watched her warily. "I don't?" he asked, even as he brought her small hand up to his lips. Another smile quivered on Yori's lips as his lips caressed her palm lovingly. "Nope" she said. Then she added a bit hesitantly, blushing "Actually, it felt good. Sort of…"
Aido's eyes closed briefly as he exhaled softly in sheer relief. Then he grinned and got up onto his knees before wrapping both arms around Yori's shoulders and dropping a chaste kiss on her forehead. "I'm glad, Yori" he said. That I haven't made you hate me or fear me.
Yori buried her face in Aido's T-shirt, listening to his slowing down heartbeat and breathing in his scent. She closed her eyes against the sudden sting of tears. Only one week left before the school holidays start, Hanabusa… and I miss you already…
- o -
"Yori" Aido bent forward automatically, brushing his lips against Yori's cheek and she smiled as he took her hand. "Hanabusa…"
It was Friday evening on the last day of the exams and both of them walked hand in hand towards their favourite spot amongst the trees. Yori couldn't resist teasing him now "Glad you see you're still alive…!" Aido grimaced, remembering all the glowering faces belonging to his 'Idol-sempai' fan club members earlier that evening. He and Kain had somehow found themselves roped into helping Yori maintain order outside the Moon Dorm gates during class changeover by none other than Kaname Kuran himself, since the two school prefects, Zero Kiriyu and Yuuki Cross had quite suddenly rushed off.
"Don't remind me of that fiasco" the young noble muttered now. "They probably hate me on sight now" He didn't sound too disappointed though, and Yori smiled. "Would you miss that?" she asked.
"Eh?" Aido shot her a startled look. "You mean all that - that crazy delirium?" he asked her. "Of course not!"
Well well... that was good news at least! Yori laughed happily at his seemingly outraged expression and Aido's smile lingered as he glanced sideways at her. "The only one I would miss is you, Yori" he said quietly before stealing a kiss from her. Then he dumped his backpack on the ground and started rummaging in it.
Yori glanced away, her expression suddenly solemn. She'd also been worried about her two friends, knowing that Zero had started displaying symptoms of falling to Level E since last week. It wasn't fair to Yuuki and to the silver haired prefect. Add the Dorm Leader into the mix and... Yori sighed. I hope everything works out OK for Yuuki and Zero-kun...
All the Day Class students had been so busy with last minute revisions and even Yori could only spare a couple of hours during the earlier part of the week to see him in the evenings. But the exams were over now and almost everyone would be leaving Cross Academy tomorrow morning. Yori shook her head briskly, not wanting to dwell on melancholy thoughts on the last evening she had with Aido.
"So… whose blanket are we sitting on tonight? Kaname-sempai's?" She kicked off her sneakers and joined him on the blanket.
Aido pretended to look hurt. "It's mine, of course!" he protested. Then he grinned. "At least, this time, it is…" He chuckled unrepentantly as Yori shook her head reprovingly at him then she gave up and laughed as well. A moment later, Aido stopped laughing and sighed as he threw an arm around her shoulders. "It's the closest I'll ever get to having you in my bed, Yori"
Yori's eyes widened immediately and the young noble winced at how it had sounded. "Uh, I mean - uhm, having you sleep with me…"
Yori sent him a startled glance and Aido winced again. Geez, that sounded worse!
"Uh, I mean... uhm..."
Yori laughed softly. "It's OK, Hanabusa, I know what you mean" she reassured him, her green eyes twinkling at his discomfort. Aido sighed in relief before digging into his backpack again, bringing out canned juice and neatly packed sandwiches and cake. Yori's eyes widened in surprise.
"You did say a picnic, right?" Aido asked, grinning at her now.
She had only mentioned it once but Yori was touched that he remembered. Especially since she had been too nervous to eat her dinner after ensuring that class changeover passed without incident earlier. Despite the two nobles standing stoically on either side of her. "Thank you, Hanabusa" she said softly.
"Don't be - I just swiped them from the Moon Dorm kitchens…"
"Hanabusa!"
"I didn't even have to swipe, just asked one of the staff and they immediately…"
"Hanabusa, stop it! You're ruining your own image…"
Aido chuckled at that, then they both ate in a companionable silence. When they had finished and Aido had stowed the empty containers back in his backpack, Yori felt the butterflies in her stomach flutter to life.
It was now or never.
After a moment, Aido glanced at her. "Yori, are you OK?" He reached for her hand again, giving it a small squeeze. Yori was a little startled – could he really sense how she was feeling? Aido saw the unspoken question in her eyes and a small smile touched his well shaped lips. "Your heartbeat has increased, sweetheart" he said softly. "And your hands are cold"
Yori swallowed nervously, his unexpected endearment making soft colour steal into her cheeks. She reached out her other hand to him. Aido caught it with his other hand. "Is anything wrong?" he asked, a small puzzled frown appearing on his face.
Yori dropped her gaze, biting her lip. Aido released one of her hands to placed gentle fingers under her chin, tilting it up to meet his searching gaze. "Tell me, Yori"
It was now or never.
Yori swallowed. "Hanabusa?"
"Yes?"
"Will you please do something for me?"
"Of course! Just tell me what it is"
Yori's eyes closed briefly as she silently prayed for courage. This was going to be so difficult to say. But…
It was now or never.
Yes.
Yori opened her eyes and looked directly at the expectant young noble.
"Hanabusa?" Her voice quivered.
"Yes?"
"Please make love to me"
-- Chapter End --