Chapter 14: Yuuki Cross Part 2

by lightpathetic

KANAME SMILED INDULGENTLY at the laughing guests at his table and excused himself, taking his i-assistant from his pocket. He noted with some satisfaction that his last minute guest did not look up from her enthralling conversation with the WGB President Asato Ichijo as he walked briskly away toward the restrooms.

She had probably forgotten about Zero by now, he'd wager. Between the new dress, shoes and jewellery he'd gotten her at a local boutique, the makeup and hairdo at the local salon – since she hadn't come prepared to go to a formal reception and she really didn't have to come to the actual inspection – and the introduction to some of the most famous people in the world, - WGB board members, politicians, models, actors, at least four shipping magnates to name but a few – a small thing like a visit to an ex-boyfriend was pushed quite far to the back of her mind.

But not Kaname's. He'd been quite distracted looking at his automatic updates during the walk-around, his speech, the President's speech – during which he had been caught, but his friend had only made a joke about it at his expense – and during the reception. Kaname, all during this auspicious occasion, knew Zero ate his spaghetti, took a half hour's nap, rose to go to the toilet then went into the workspace to finish an assignment he'd begged him for yesterday, finished it after forty-five minutes, several bathroom breaks and two sausage wraps, stretched, went back into his room to the toilet, took his early afternoon medication while Kaname ached to be there to help him with the shot, went to bed, had been dozing for over an hour, the medication often making him drowsy, and was now in the kitchenette deciding on his late afternoon meal.

It was interesting how much was going on around the intense brunette but yet, even while the Vice President's wife fell off her nine inch heels, Kaname's attention seemed more riveted by the length of time Zero spent in the loo...

"Zero?"

"Who else? Having a good time?"

Kaname knew it was an allusion to how long he'd been away. It was coming up to four hours but it had been quite difficult to escape. You'd think people could get smashed and gorge themselves on finger food without his presence.

However, it was bad form to leave your own party, particularly when such praise - and monetary contributions - was being heaped onto you. Highly suspicious to wave away the million dollar "chips" and leave. How would they know you were expecting? Nor should they know.

Kaname checked the other stalls before pushing open the door to one and closing it behind him. He locked it and leaned against it as the image of Zero projected onto the wall over the basin.

"I'm sorry. I didn't think it would take..."

"Don't be. We... We're fine," Zero replied.

Zero felt silly referring to himself in the plural but it always relaxed Kaname and reassured him. Even now Zero saw as the frown line disappeared from Kaname's brow and his shoulders dropped an inch. His head tilted to one side as he smiled.

"Really? What are they doing now?"

"Kaname!" Zero cried in exasperation. Why was he such a nutcase? And the way he said it, the way he looked... Zero fidgeted uncomfortably, trying not to respond to what he'd seen in the other's frank gaze. The youth was fairly certain that Kaname's unusual obsession with his body had been outlawed somewhere. He was with child, not modelling the NC17 version of the Victoria's Secret catalogue!

"Isn't there anything left to inspect, Mr. Kuran? Are you sure...?"

"Tell me," Kaname ordered, pushing off the door to close in on the sharp image, wishing he were there in person.

"...Alright." Zero sighed and resisted looking around him to see if anyone was looking. "Charlotte's asleep..."

"Was she up at all while I was away?"

"Yes," Zero growled through his teeth. His frustration was evident. "I must have gone to the bathroom eight times while I was working."

Six, Kaname thought but didn't volunteer the correction. He only motioned for Zero to go on.

"Stephen and Emily are just shifting occasionally, probably because Dean's now rediscovering his legs and is keeping them up."

"That bad?" Kaname didn't pretend to commiserate. He couldn't even stop his dimples from showing and he normally had very good control over them.

"See for yourself."

The view lowered to Zero's stomach a small bump could be seen moving around just over his navel. Zero obliged by lifting his pyjama top and it can be clearly seen, the impatient rubbing of a tiny limb amongst the vivid streaks of red stretch-marks. Zero lowered his pyjama top after a minute to the vociferous protest from the electronic voyeur.

"That's it. Show's over. I have other things to do..."

"Zero! I..."

"What is it, Kaname?"

Zero folded his robe over himself and held it there, unconsciously hiding his body, unconsciously placing a barrier between himself and Kaname. Kaname ground his teeth, irrationally annoyed by this.

Who was he saving himself for? Yuuki? That's what he'd said, right? What he clung to like a life preserver? Firm evidence of his so-called manhood. Miserably steeped in the denial of what was obviously a part of him and what was right in front of his face.

Was it pride? Or was it fear? Fear of what? What was Zero so afraid of? Kaname had protected him this far, had taken care of him, had promised him more money than he'd ever see in his lifetime and yet Zero didn't have the courage to take what was blatantly on offer. Himself. Why? When any other woman would have leapt at the chance...

But that's just it. Zero wasn't a woman. But Yuuki definitely was. Kaname's eyes narrowed as he deliberately stared at the tightly crossed hands ahead of him on the image. Zero shouldn't be hiding his body from him, shouldn't be trotting out lies and hiding the truth underneath so much bullshit. Those tightly laced arms were almost symbolic of all the obstacles he needed to get rid of to get to what he wanted, what they both wanted.

Kaname was adept at demolishing obstacles.

One at a time.

"Nothing. I didn't want to see you go so soon, that's all."

"...Okay. I'll see you when you get home..."

"You'll be taking your medication in about another hour. Right?"

"...Yes...?"

"Just checking. I don't want you to take any chances."

"I know, Kaname! God, you're worse than a..."

"And, I want you to go over the Depp analysis for the North-Eastern sector. All the variables. There is an error in it somewhere but I can't find it..."

"You can't find it...?" What chance did he have?

"I'm only human despite what the press says about me, Zero." Kaname smiled again, the charm practically oozing onto the Polyplast flooring of cubicle. Zero looked away to save himself but not before his heart rate sped up.

"Okay."

"And I want to see the results as soon as I arrive. I have to mail them to the President first thing."

"I'd said 'okay'! Goodbye!"

"Goodbye, Zero."

Kaname said this last the no-one in particular, Zero having hung up on him. He lifted his i-assistant and accessed the home computer-assistant, deftly changing many of his calculations after saving the original on his personal drive and doctoring the time stamp. There. The trap was set.

"THAT WAS WONDERFUL! I haven't had so much fun in ages!"

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. I really appreciate your coming with me..."

"What?! It should be me thanking you! I can't believe who I met tonight! President Ichijo gave me his personal messenger address! And he's not the only one!

"Why didn't Zero come? He'd always had a thing for Bianca Jolie and she was there...!"

"That's my fault. I needed something done urgently."

"In that case, I'd better not mention that to him, then. There'll be no living with him!"

Yuuki laughed at this and settled to look out at the barren landscape still drenched in the reddish glow from the setting sun. She couldn't believe the day she was having! It's a good thing she'd taken pictures or the girls at work would think she was crazy...

"Are you and Zero good friends?"

Yuuki looked back towards the handsome man with the equally suave demeanour. For once he wasn't nose deep in his i-assistant. Yuuki knew of his drive and workaholic tendencies from all the articles she'd read about him in the Vogue and People. And, she knew he had split from his wife. Yuuki watched as that dark, bewitching gaze turned to her as he awaited her answer. That's it. The clue. It wasn't just small talk.

"We've known each other since we were children. We were in the same class up until we started university and used to live three apartments apart. He can be very moody but don't let that fool you. It's because he's really soft-hearted. Sensitive. Sometimes I wish..."

"What?" Kaname prompted, again looking over at her, meeting her eyes with ease.

"Nothing. That's... in the past..."

"I guess what I'm trying to ask is..."

"No. We're not involved," Yuuki replied softly, turning toward the adorably hesitant man. "Not anymore. We've been over for years now. My fault, really."

"Why? What do you look for in a man?" Kaname again met her eyes and held them. There was nothing around them for miles, the stretch of beaten track going on without interruption for some time. Kaname could afford to hit all the behavioural cues without fearing an accident. He eventually overcame his unease and subjected the tantalisingly close feminine knee to a warm, encouraging caress, his fingers just a little too high on the exposed thigh through the slit in her shimmering bronze-coloured dress...

Yuuki had giggled coyly at the question but was brought up by the feel of soft, warm fingers gently tracing her left knee and... She swallowed audibly as she decided to take his question seriously. Was Kaname Kuran... interested in her? She could hardly breathe.

Don't blow it. Don't say anything stupid!

"I certainly like a man that knows what he wants and goes after it," she replied, acknowledging the bold caress. Yuuki parted her legs a little and the hand, thankfully, took the subtle hint...

"And Zero wasn't... that man?"

"No. He was entirely too laid back. He was more into me and his family than ambition. He would enjoy being a cog in the machinery his entire life. Drove me crazy. Do you see today? Left to Zero that would never have happened..."

"It's strange you should say that. If it wasn't for Zero, you wouldn't be here."

"True... Don't get me wrong. He is wonderful. Kind. Thoughtful. Considerate. I do miss him sometimes..."

"Sometimes?"

"Yes... He's familiar, you know? And loyal. But then... I would remember how his love just... smothered me. I want more. I've always wanted more..."

"Like today."

"...Yes..." Yuuki's voice trembled as fingers traced meandering designs just below her... She wanted to know how they would feel inside her. She wondered what it would take to make that happen...

"Then why did you want to see him? There must be something..."

"No! Not really... I wanted to make amends and perhaps see if there was anything left. He'd called me recently and… it brought so much back. It seemed like too much had happened between us to simply toss it away…"

"Yet… you did toss it away."

"I know. It might have been a mistake. Maybe I was too impatient. Maybe he needed to mature. After all, he's here with you. Maybe he has changed…"

Yuuki stopped and shuddered as tender fingernails slid back down her thigh and her knee was squeezed. A reminder of the present. The other option on the table.

"So you do want to try again. Perhaps I should… respect that."

"No!" Yuuki cried, as his hand returned to the steering wheel. "It's not like that! I just wanted to see him. To be sure. But it is over. Knowing Zero, he would never trust me again. Or love me the same way. It... would be..."

"What? Tell me."

Kaname returned his hand to her thigh, prompting her to answer. Yuuki placed a hand on his, indicating her approval of this action. Kaname leaned towards her, his lips parting...

"What?"

"It would be a mistake. I... don't love him. But... I wanted someone to love me. I missed being taken care of and Zero was the best at doing that."

"I don't think that would be fair to him. He deserves much better than that." Than you...

"Uh... yes..."

Yuuki, to say the least was damned disappointed. The hand withdrew from under hers and were placed without further compunction onto the suited knee beside hers. Yuuki sat up wondering what she had done wrong.

Stupid!

"Kaname. What...?" she began. She could tell that something had changed from just a few moments ago. He seemed… distant…

"Zero has become a... very good friend of mine. I don't feel comfortable doing this just before you see him. If it's okay with him, we'll arrange an opportunity to get better acquainted later. Alright?" Kaname met her eyes again, smiling reassuringly, although… she had the feeling it didn't quite touch his eyes. Yuuki could only nod in agreement.

Don't worry. You'll get another chance. Don't blow it!

"Okay." Yuuki smiled as she settled back, her head rolling against the headrest to look outside of the vehicle at the subtly glowing landscape. It was only the beginning.

The beginning.

Yuuki fought her own grin unsuccessfully. She felt happier than she'd ever been in her life. That nagging expectation somewhere at the back of her mind seemed to ease. It was going to happen. Something other than just surviving her humdrum life. She was going to be finally somebody. Sensational. Remembered!

Immortal.

"COME IN. DON'T BE SHY."

Yuuki stepped over the threshold but anyone could see she wasn't enthusiastic about it.

The apartment smelled of stale milk and sausage but, if Kaname were to hazard a guess, he'd say Yuuki was put off by the large man with the resonating snore fast asleep on the recliner.

Kaname looked up at the screen in satisfaction. The complicated Depp analysis was half-way through but Zero hadn't stood a chance with the medication he was on. He was out cold in the middle of the work area in plain sight of any women that may have had any lingering designs on him...

"Zero?!"

She couldn't believe it. He was huge! He was lying there with a half-eaten sandwich on a trolley next to him, crumbs stuck to his lips and wet spots on his chest...

Oh God! They were right! He looked terrible!

"What happened to him?" Yuuki was whispering. She probably didn't want to wake him up. Kaname smiled. She didn't see what was right in front of her. She was too self-absorbed for that.

Good.

"Why don't you ask him? He wanted to tell you himself.

"Zero?" Kaname called loudly, walking up to stand right next to the "slumbering slob", running his fingers through his immaculate hair as he leaned over in order to brush it away from his eyes. He knew the contrast between the two potential male prizes wouldn't be lost on her. On cue, Yuuki ran over and grabbed his arm.

"No! Don't wake him. Don't bother. It isn't necessary...!"

"Are you sure? He may want to see you..."

"You'd said you hadn't yet told him I was here. Then don't. As I'd said: I was just being selfish. I see that… now..."

"Yuuki..."

"'Let gone-bys be bygones', as they say. It's over."

"Okay," Kaname finally conceded, searching her eyes. "I believe you.

"I'm sorry that I can't offer you a place to stay tonight," Kaname said, immediately breaking eye-contact and walking back to the door, not sounding a bit sorry. "I'll call ahead and have them hold the six o'clock shuttle for you."

"Thanks."

Kaname pressed his hand to the panel and waited for her to come to the door. He wanted her gone. It was as if her presence offended him in and of itself. But he was in control of his emotions. He showed his body to advantage as the girl eventually turned away from Zero and walked toward the door.

"It's for the best..."

"Of course."

"I'll see you...?"

"Yes. You will. I promise," Kaname intoned deeply. Yuuki smiled and stepped outside.

"When can I...?"

Kaname closed the door, pretending he hadn't heard this last, and walked over to where Zero was snoring noisily.

His face showed the complete opposite reaction to Yuuki's. His adoration was evident as he leaned in to "hug" Zero's stomach pressing four kisses in greeting before dropping to his knees beside him. He was all his. There was no doubt. None.

ZERO GROANED and twisted. In his dream he was nursing a baby. A disturbing baby. One that massaged his breast firmly as it suckled, one that caused some disturbing sensations to course through him. He was hard, he was sure. His hips moved as the baby drank greedily, his nipples aching sweetly... He was terribly disappointed when the baby stopped but then the sensations increased in his lower regions. He gasped as his length throbbed and the baby disappeared, coming awake to a see a dark figure kneeling next to him, his head bobbing vigorously against...

"Ah! What…?"

The figure pulled away to shoot a dark, dilated, hungry glance at him as he lapped at the engorged head of his… – was that his? Damn! – before resuming his previous position. Zero groaned loudly as he was sunk back into that hot mouth, his hands pushing at unyielding clothed shoulders, as his body began to thrum with the heady, expansive, devastating sensation of...

"I'm coming! I'm... Kaname!"

Zero's body heaved, his legs tensing, his stomach clenching, his behind almost shooting off the cushion as he cried out, the consequence being that his hard member was forced a little more into the brunette's mouth. But Kaname only groaned and drank his fill. He'd winced a little at the taste, but he would get used to it. That and anything else Zero had to offer...

"...Kaname! What... are... you...?" Zero managed between breaths.

"Why don't you take some time and catch your breath? I'm not going anywhere."

"Kaname!" Zero bellowed, pushing to get up but Kaname got off his knees and sat on the arm rest, applying a little pressure to Zero's shoulders, which was all that was needed to beach the younger man in this state. He leaned in, meeting his eyes.

"Just relax. I'll get you what you need. Are you hungry?"

"No! I'm livid! What the hell are you doing?! Haven't we talked about this...?"

"You talked about this. But you can't just decide on your own. I have feelings too."

"I told you! I'm in love with..."

"Good luck to her then. May the best man or woman win..."

"Win?! Are you insane?"

"I thought we had established that I was probably a little crazy. But that's not what going on here and you know it. I love you and I intend to win you over, no matter how long it takes. With love, good food, numerous bouts of undivided attention and sex. Not necessarily in that order..."

"No! I refused to be wooed like some..."

"Woman? Damn, Zero. It is clear you are not a woman. You don't have to go on with the labels all the time. I don't care about that. I care about you. You. Whatever you want. And when you decide who or what that is I will be here. No pressure. Okay... maybe just a little..."

"You're nuts. Absolutely..."

"Zero. You are repeating yourself, just so you know. I think that translates to your being speechless. I feel honoured."

"Get off of me!" Zero lifted his arms and pushed against Kaname in earnest, but Kaname grabbed them.

"Don't agitate yourself. You'll go into labour. And out here, they'll all have to come out the natural way."

"You... bastard..." Zero's chest heaved but he forced himself to relax and control his temper. Just the thought of that happening normally quietened Zero's savage spirit. Kaname's eyes lowered to Zero's bare chest but only to the droplets that still leaked from the nipple he'd been suckling. He dipped his head quickly to clean it up before Zero could react. It was sweet. He liked it.

"I should get you some breast pads but I'm not sure I want to."

"What?"

"You're starting to produce pre-milk. Hadn't you noticed?"

Kaname lifted Zero's damp pyjama top and let him have a look. Zero grabbed it and swore, staring in disbelief at the dark circles on the silk. What else? What else could go wrong?

"You'll have to wear a bra..."

Zero's mouth dropped open in sheer horror.

"Over. My dead. Body."

"Good. I'm glad we agree." Kaname's head dipped again, his mouth open...

"No! I mean... That's disgusting. Don't..."

"If it's good enough for my children, it's good enough for me. Don't worry. I'll let you return the favour."

"Let me up, you madman...!"

"Only if you promise you'll go ahead and undress me."

"What?"

"Take off. My clothes. I know you want to. Did you think I hadn't noticed how you looked at me earlier?"

Zero frowned in puzzlement, looking up at Kaname. He was serious but more than that. Desperate...

"No! Now get off...!"

The dark head descended to his lips, kissing him deeply, passionately. Kaname's breaths fanned his face. He was frustrated, hungry, aching...

"…Kaname!"

"You've used so much energy fighting what you obviously want. Like today. If you'd let yourself, you would have undressed me then and there. If you'd have let yourself… I would have let you do it. I wanted nothing more than to let you do it…"

"Please, Kaname. I can't..."

"You can. You can let me love you. You can. You... can..."

Kaname pressed in for another kiss, then moaned as Zero's tongue finally ventured out to taste him. He took it and drew it hard into his mouth, sucking as he shoved his jacket off. He briefly tugged at his tie before hands pushed his away, pulling at the knot. Kaname trembled and not only because Zero fingers, for the merest second, brushed his skin. It was... what it meant...

Kaname groaned aloud as Zero's hands eventually slid inside his shirt to touch his skin, the muscles of his stomach clenching visibly as the youth's lips broke the kiss and nuzzled then sucked at his throat. His joy seemed to envelope him more than the hot sensations of his arousal. Zero... Finally...

"This chair... I can't reach..."

"What?"

"We need to go into the bedroom."

Zero blushed as he said this. He was embarrassed by his simple desires. Kaname stood and pulled Zero to his feet. Honestly...

"Come on. This way," Kaname ordered, pulling Zero toward his own bedroom, his face already set with the determination to give Zero something to be really embarrassed about.

ZERO AWOKE AND STARED AROUND HIM, immediately noticing that the surroundings were unfamiliar. The sheets were silky and dark, the glow of the sun illuminating the spacious but Spartan decor. Zero smiled though and stretched, colouring as he remembered what it meant. Remembering what Kaname can do given half a chance to a narrow, damp, messy, misshapen but quite functional...

"What time is it?"

"Ten-forty-five, Sir."

"Ten...?"

What the hell? The Depp calculations! He'd fallen asleep and Kaname needed them! He also needed to go to the bathroom. Zero threw his legs over the side of the bed and searched for his clothes. There were none. Odd as he'd distinctly remembered wearing some in here. He grabbed the bed cover and wrapped it over his shoulders.

"Which way is out?" The doors all looked the same.

"This way, Sir."

The door trundled open and Zero peeped out, a little shy and unsure what was happening outside. If his boss was on a call... Kaname. He needed to remember: Kaname. He hated his calling him "Mr. Kuran". He should know that well by now.

One aspect of last night involved Kaname clearly underscoring this point by the use of an exquisite torture he'd figured out himself, using Zero's unique… attributes against him. His sensitivity because of his condition, for one, and his abundance of erogenous zones. Kaname had watched him with some degree of sadistic fervour as Zero'd convulsed around his deeply sheathed fingers, his other hand, and occasionally mouth (although, his tongue had been reserved for his taut nipples most of the time), massaging his throbbing scrotum and sensitive head… He'd been in seizures. Intense, toe-curling seizures for much of last night. And the bastard had only stopped when he'd tearfully sworn on his mother he wouldn't call him "Mr Kuran" ever again…

Zero blushed as he recalled how comfortable Kaname now was with his body, as he recalled how quick he'd been to embrace just how unique he was, even if to manipulate him... He'd explored him thoroughly last night and their greatest "discovery" together was Zero's forward wall of his vagina, which not only stimulated that surprisingly resilient spot but also that sensitive nub of tissue most men would love their partner to discover…

Zero's body began to lubricate at just the memory. So you'd appreciate that they'd had to change the sheets twice last night just because of him. And he'd come so often his leg and stomach muscles were now sore.

All while Kaname'd revelled in it. The bastard…!

Anyway, although he'd briefly fantasised about his exiting the bedroom like this while Kaname was on a Visi-conference, just to pay him back, he supposed he really shouldn't. And it was as he'd suspected. He could hear a conversation. What was he going to do? He needed to…

"Hold on a second. Something just came up."

"Sure, Mr. Kuran."

Zero tugged his blanket tightly around him as Kaname stood and walked toward him. He was expressionless. Zero half expected another lecture on punctuality... before the kiss. The kiss that shook his world to the foundations. Just like that. Like... he owned him.

"Good morning," Kaname greeted on coming up for air, but still crushing Zero's nude body into the doorjamb with his own, the blanket... somewhere... "How are you all today?" Dimples.

"Good... morning. Fine." Another thing Zero had to remember. For some reason Kaname hated when he hid his body. Needless to say, all activity last night had been well lit. But did he really expect him to walk around here naked...? "Where are my clothes?"

"Laundry. I'll get you some."

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

Kaname kissed him again before reluctantly separating to walk across the work area to Zero's room. He soon returned with another pair of Zero's pyjamas.

"I'll need to shower first..." Zero informed, looking to see if it was safe to cross the room. Kaname moved to block him with his body. That body... what he could do with it… Zero instantly got distracted.

"Use mine."

"I... uh..."

"That door there. When you come out, I'll get breakfast for you."

"Kaname," Zero finally remembered why he'd rushed out here in the first place. "The Depp calculations. I forgot..."

"Good."

"I mean, they are not finished..."

"Don't worry about it. Don't worry about anything except what's happening inside of you, okay?"

"Okay."

Kaname kissed him yet again before handing him his clothes and pushing Zero back inside his room. He watched the other walk away with some appreciation, winking unabashedly at Zero as the other looked back and noticed. Everything he owned was in there. Everything...

"Zero! I almost forgot. The inspection was a success by all accounts. We're going back to the city tomorrow. For good."

to be continued.

lightpathetic wrote this as DramaticPause on AO3 but these are not my original characters. They are based on a manga called Vampire Knight.