Author Notes: Hello again! Thank you once more for your wonderful reviews for the previous chapter. As promised, here is the next chapter and earlier than usual too. Enjoy! :D
- Chapter Start -
Zero stared at Kaname as silence swelled between them. Anyone looking on would inevitably think him the dominant party given Kaname's adorable clinginess and open vulnerability, but Zero knew better. He was nothing short of complete putty in Kaname's elegant hands. Even now, he was captivated by the pureblood's trepidation displayed so obviously in those soulful eyes, in the tense set of those slender shoulders, in the absolute stillness of that regal figure.
Slowly, Zero shook his head. Not in answer to Kaname's question per se, but in realisation that it was time to face the music at last. Time to admit he was well and truly caught. Time to accept the fact that this person standing in front of him now was what he wanted. Yes, he wanted Kaname Kuran. He wanted to be with Kaname. Zero found that he could admit that freely to himself now. He wanted to eat his meals with this enchanting creature sitting opposite him, beguiling him with liquid eyes and happy smiles. He wanted to watch TV with Kaname's dark head resting on his shoulder and those long, elegant fingers entwined with his. He wanted to wake up in bed with Kaname's sleep soft body beside his, waiting to be roused with kisses and caresses until the pureblood thrilled him with soft gasps, incoherent cries and ecstatic screams.
He wanted to be with Kaname. Full stop.
Feeling the familiar longing tingle through him, Zero's lips thinned in resolve. He had made his move by going to see Kaname earlier. It was absurd to back down now, especially when he didn't want to.
"No, Kaname. That wasn't the only reason," he stated quietly. He was admitting that they were more than just brothers-in-law related by marriage. He was admitting that he wanted more out of this than just an arrangement of mutual comfort. He was admitting that he wanted to be... involved.
Kaname started breathing again, quick and shallow drawings of breath that did nothing to slow down the frantic beat of his heart. Cautious relief replaced the anxious expression on his face, his stance relaxing just a little.
"So why else did you come to see me?" he whispered. Zero took a step closer, listening intently to the resultant hitch of that soft breathing that suddenly seemed more important than anything else in the world.
"Because I missed you," he admitted in a low voice. Kaname's eyes fluttered closed in relief. Zero didn't need the voice in his head to tell him just how much Kaname was clinging to his words because those chocolate eyes had opened and the pureblood was again staring at him as if nothing else in the world existed.
"Zero, what did you - I need to know - what did you miss about me?" he asked. A small frown drew Zero's brows together - what was there not to miss about Kaname?
"Was it my blood?"
Zero blinked in surprise, hearing the thread of apprehension in Kaname's voice. Then he shook his head. He loved Kaname's rich blood, he was addicted to it! But it wasn't the first thing that jumped to his mind. Zero frowned. Biting Kaname now seemed less like a necessity and more of a prelude to a delightfully sensual make out session. Geez, he was either one hell of a stabilised Level D... or one crazy anomaly of a vampire. Zero ignored the surprised giggle sounding in his head.
"Was it my body then?"
The apprehension in Kaname's voice had given way to barely concealed hurt. Zero blinked again. He found Kaname's physical form alluring and unbelievably sensual but although his body certainly was one of the reasons, it wasn't the most important one. When Zero shook his head again, Kaname's eyes widened a fraction. He started worrying unconsciously at his lower lip, drawing Zero's immediate attention.
"My... kisses?"
Kaname's voice dropped to a whisper on the second word. Zero shook his head in sheer disbelief. How could Kaname sell himself short like this, thinking that the only things he had to offer were his physical attributes? Kaname clenched his hands tightly by his sides. His composure was crumbling once more and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
Zero, I can't take the suspense anymore…
Seeing that silent plea in those eyes, Zero knew he had denied them both long enough. The reward was right in front of him, if he only dared to reach out and grab it with both hands.
"No - yes - all of them but they're not what I missed the most!" he groaned in frustration. It was Kaname's turn to blink, the tip of his pink tongue coming out to moisten his lips. His heart was about to burst right out of his chest from the suspense.
"What then?" he breathed. Zero glared at him before giving up with a loud exhalation. He was going to hear more nonsense in his head in just a few moments, he just knew it!
"I missed your smiles, OK? I missed every single, perfect one of them," he ground out. Kaname's eyes widened in surprise in the same instant that a soft 'Oh!' sounded in Zero's head. He ignored it.
"I missed your eyes, the way they light up when you look at me," he added. His voice had softened a little despite knowing he was well on the way to waxing lyrical. Kaname's perfect mouth fell open and another 'Oh!' sounded in Zero's head. He ignored that as well.
"I missed your lips, the way you pout them when you want your damned way," he went on doggedly, his cheeks already burning. That little mannerism of Kaname's actually annoyed him as much as it entranced. Oh my, whispered the little voice in his head in seeming awe before following up with a tiny giggle. Zero gritted his teeth, almost developing an eye twitch.
"I missed the way you blush when you're embarrassed," he continued flatly, his voice increasing in volume to drown out all unwanted sounds. It was a close call as to which gasp he heard first - Kaname's or that dratted voice's.
"I missed the way you're always chasing after me to bite you." In just a heartbeat, Zero's voice had gone from strident to soft, from flat to earnest. Kaname's lashes lowered almost shyly to hide his eyes, fanning against creamy skin that was imbued with the most enchanting flush ever. Was the voice inside Zero's head blushing as well? He took an impulsive step forward, arms already aching to drag the pureblood into his arms.
"I missed the way you always wait on me even though you needn't. I missed the way you treat me like I'm someone important to you. Someone special," Zero continued, his voice now starting to shake. Kaname's vision blurred immediately in response. He wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.
Someone special? Just someone special? Zero, you can't still pretend ignorance...!
A soft thud echoed inside Zero's head, rather as if something had fallen over. Hoping it was that voice and not part of his unraveling brain, he shook his head - not to awaken the former - but because he was so frustrated. The feelings inside him were growing and escalating, while words were so... so useless! They couldn't convey what he really wanted to say, the sheer depth of how much he had missed Kaname. The groggy grumbling inside his head wasn't helping either.
"All of you, Kaname! All right? I missed every single thing about you!"
That did it. Kaname sucked in a sharp breath but his eyes welled up anyway. By now, Zero's chest was aching so hard it hurt to even breathe. He just held out his arms and Kaname uttered a little cry as he threw himself into them. The resultant hug was needless to say, much too tight for comfort and precisely because of that, absolutely blissful.
"God, this past week's been hell!" Zero groaned, his face buried in fragrant silky hair, his arms happily full of Kaname at last.
"T-tell me about it," the pureblood choked out, his face pressed to Zero's shoulder. He was a right mess now but it was hard to really care about unimportant things like propriety or pride or even the fact that he was ruining Zero's T-shirt when he was this deliriously happy. He just soaked up the solid warmth of Zero's embrace and his beloved scent, feeling it wash away the stinging loneliness of the past week. No, not just week. Months. Years.
Zero was supremely content to just hold Kaname as the latter choked back his sobs but as soon as Kaname raised his head, he swooped in for a kiss. A deep and thorough kiss that lasted just half a minute before Kaname tasted his own blood. It was followed almost immediately by a regretful groan vibrating into his mouth, Zero having realised that one of his fangs had dug into the inside of Kaname's full lower lip.
"Sorry," he mumbled. The unexpected taste was bright, sharp and oh so delicious that sudden hunger rushed through him. Unbearably tempted by that tiny taste of heaven, Zero rubbed the tip of his tongue almost compulsively over the healing cut, causing Kaname to shudder delightfully in his arms.
"I was wrong," Zero said huskily, his words causing his lips to slide erotically against Kaname's. The pureblood squirmed in delight.
"A-about what?" he demanded in a shaky whisper that created yet another kiss. With another muted groan, Zero pulled his head away. Kaname opened his eyes, mesmerised as he always was by the sight of those crimson eyes staring fixedly on him. He was mesmerised by the promise of those needle sharp fangs, mesmerised by the lust for blood he could see painted on Zero's face, lust for his blood.
"About not missing this," Zero growled, his hungry gaze flicking to Kaname's neck before returning to his eyes. Kaname reacted instantly, throat going dry, heart rate speeded up, blood rushing in a swift downward flow, every adrenaline filled molecule seemingly determined to reach its destination first.
"Bite," he managed. "Bite. N-now."
Hardly the most eloquent thing Zero had heard coming from Kaname but certainly succinct enough to convey what they both wanted. Ignoring the triumphant squeals echoing in his head, Zero all but dragged the pureblood down the corridor. Before Kaname's bedroom door had closed fully, Zero was already whipping his tee shirt off of his head. He tossed it down onto the bed before pushing Kaname's hands away, dealing with the shirt buttons rapidly. As soon as Kaname was done shedding tie, jacket and shirt in a frantic blur of action, Zero tugged him close. Kaname obeyed willingly, head already tilted to the left, a radiant smile blossoming on his lips.
Hurriedly, Zero ran his tongue over the familiar bite area again and again, heedless of the torment of his ragged breathing buffeting pale, sensitive skin. Kaname whimpered and pressed even closer, eyes sliding shut in sweet anticipation. It seemed an eternity before those beloved fangs staked their claim on him and he moaned his relief, legs going weak almost immediately.
Zero's feeding was almost lacking in gentleness after a week's abstinence. He wasn't injured or starving but he was aroused and he felt different. Consciously admitting to himself and to Kaname what he wanted made for a strangely liberating sense of freedom and relief. His resolve in confessing how he felt, the lack of guilt accompanying his words, Kaname's charming uncertainty, the sweetness of his response culminating with that unexpected burst of Kaname's gorgeous blood on his tongue just made everything that much better, the sensations amplified multiple fold.
Zero was lost the moment his fangs found refuge deep inside Kaname's neck. The warm coppery nectar flooding his mouth tasted like the sweetest ambrosia, he literally groaned in pure vampiric bliss. There was so much power, so much love imbued in that silky warm liquid that he was suddenly and rapidly ravenous for it. Kaname was unsurprisingly ecstatic, his mouth opened in a soundless moan of never ending delight, his eyes tightly closed as if to better savour the utter bliss of his beloved's almost rough bite.
Zero rocked his hips forward, thrusting aggressively against Kaname's, thrilled to find a mirroring hardness against his own. The breathless, hitching gasps going past his ear left Zero in no doubt of Kaname's reaction. He loosened his hold around Kaname and slid his hands downwards over a slender back, worshipping impossibly silky smooth skin as he went. The two faint indentations at the base of that graceful spine soon alerted Zero to his destination. Reverently, he trailed his fingertips past the charming dimples, causing an adorable shiver from Kaname. Zero paused only to gulp another mouthful of that sweet, rich blood and blinked in somewhat dazed surprise when the waistband of Kaname's trousers prevented his hands from moving any further. It wasn't Kaname's fault of course but Zero retaliated with an almost harsh suck that pulled a surprised yelp from the pureblood.
With a triumphant smirk, Zero pushed Kaname's hips just back enough to get his hands between their bodies. In the blink of an eye, belt buckle and trouser zipper were both undone. In the blink of another, Kaname's trousers and underwear had been pushed down to his ankles where he stepped out of them instinctively. Zero growled as he slid his hands around to the pureblood's taut buttocks, fingers splaying wide against the taut, rounded cheeks with nothing between them at last.
Kaname's current moan turned to a choked off cry as Zero held him fast and ground their hips together with a total lack of shyness. He pulled his fangs free and plunged them back into the unsuspecting neck, making Kaname jerk violently as he let loose a delighted shriek. The feel of their hard lengths rubbing and sliding against each other defied description. Kaname clutched desperately at Zero's arms and when he felt his body slide further down, he grasped the hunter's shoulders instead.
"C-can't stand..." he gasped into Zero's ear.
With superhuman effort, Zero dragged his fangs out, his chest heaving as he tried to control himself. He had obviously taken more than he intended. Drawing deep gulps of air into his lungs, Zero ignored the arousal pounding through his body and focused on licking the puncture wounds closed instead. He knew what was coming next but he would get to that soon enough.
"Put your arms around my neck," Zero rasped. Kaname obeyed instinctively and Zero somehow managed to shove and wriggle his own track bottoms down, stepping out from them. When he straightened up, Kaname froze upon seeing the sensual intent in Zero's face.
"Together, Kaname?" the hunter whispered, the husky tone of his voice sliding over Kaname's highly strung nerves like raw silk.
"Y-yes," Kaname nodded his hasty agreement without quite knowing what he was agreeing to. He just knew it wasn't something he was going to regret. When Zero saw the slight bewilderment on the pureblood's face, he gave a tantalisingly slow grin.
"Hold on then," he murmured. He shifted even closer to Kaname, boldly wrapping the fingers of both hands around their erections. Kaname blushed furiously, eyes darting to Zero's in shocked comprehension, mouth falling open.
T-together. I - I see...
He was only just in time to suck in a breath before those strong fingers were in motion.
Massaging.
Stroking.
Rubbing.
Fisting.
The glorious, thrilling friction that resulted sent need tingling along their nerves and desire burning through their veins, muscles almost cramping in response. A soft gasp escaped Kaname's lips as he hung onto Zero's neck for dear life. He looked down between their bodies, enraptured by the unbelievable sight of his pale length in Zero's grasp, right next to the hunter's own erection. He was almost undone by the unbelievable sight of their flushed, sticky heads sliding and rubbing together as Zero fisted them both with tight, mercilessly sharp jerks. He wasn't in the mood to tease, titillate or torture Kaname this time. He just wanted to ride the shortest possible path to release and drag the pureblood along with him.
Their breathing left their parted lips in an increasingly ragged cadence in time to Zero's almost frenzied movements. With their emotions roused to fever pitch by the weeklong wait, it took only moments before soft cries started spilling uncontrollably from Kaname's lips, cries that escalated to near wails as Zero brought them closer and closer to an earth shattering release.
"Ze –Zero!" Kaname sobbed as he pressed his face into Zero's shoulder, eyes watering at the unbearable pleasure of knowing Zero was undoing them both at the same time. His insides were clenched tightly with tension and Zero had taken a lot of his blood, leaving him lightheaded, shaky and unbearably aroused. With a deep groan, Zero tightened his grip and almost immediately, Kaname's cries escalated to beautifully abandoned screams, the sweetest of sounds to Zero's ears. They both erupted just seconds later, Kaname a screaming, sobbing mess of ecstasy as milky liquid spilled out from between Zero's fingers, marking their heaving chests and abdomens.
Gasping for breath, his body wracked by violent shudders, Zero continued fisting them nonstop. Kaname's legs gave out completely, almost pulling them both to the carpet. Too breathless to curse, Zero hurriedly moved them onto the bed, falling onto it and twisting sideways as Kaname collapsed onto him. He released his hold on their spent flesh at last and scooped the shaking pureblood into his arms, listening with utmost satisfaction to the soft cries still tumbling from those flushed, parted lips.
Kaname always, always made everything worth it.
- o -
It took a long while for heartbeats to slow down and shivers to recede. Zero eventually opened his eyes and smiled, breathing in the heady scent of their passion lingering in the air.
"Well, was that as good as you remembered?" he asked teasingly. He had never really thought of doing it simultaneously like this but coming at that same instant - wow. Zero could still feel the small, pulsing echoes of Kaname's bliss within him, as if his body was rendered sensitive by his donor's gift over the years. In answer, Kaname looked over his shoulder and nodded, a shy smile dancing about his lips. He turned around fully and pushed Zero onto his back before crawling on top of him. With his hands braced on either sides of Zero's head, Kaname lowered his head and gave Zero a kiss - a deep, lush and bold salutation that left no part of the hunter's mouth unexplored. When he finally raised his head, Kaname smiled into Zero's somewhat stunned eyes.
"It was better than good, Zero. It was amazing," he said huskily. "I love you."
Zero's smile turned a little shaky.
"You said that already," he mumbled. Kaname hunched a creamy shoulder in a shrug.
"Oh, I plan to say it a lot more from now on," he promised Zero seriously. He saw the 'why' in the soft amethyst eyes and smiled.
"I've kept it inside me for so long," he murmured softly, his gaze turning unbelievably earnest yet almost sad. "Waiting for the day I could finally tell you how I feel. Now that I can, Zero, I - I'm not going to stop saying it. I love you. I love you so much."
Zero stared up at him, his throat closing up. How could taking care of this bewitching creature be wrong in anyway?
"It's all right if you never say it back to me," Kaname said. "I'll say it for both of us."
Zero's glance flicked away.
"It's not fair to you," he mumbled. A soft laugh brought his gaze back to Kaname who smiled at him.
"Not fair?" he echoed softly. "Zero, I'm finally with the person I love! What's unfair about that?"
Zero's eyes turned anguished. He reached up to grasp Kaname's shoulders, shaking him slightly.
"Because I don't know if I can ever -"
In an instant, Kaname's slender fingers were held to Zero's lips, hushing the hunter.
"I'll say it for both of us," he repeated. "I know you care for me, Zero. I - that's good enough."
A few moments passed before Zero nodded and offered Kaname a crooked smile, his eyes smarting.
"I do care," he mumbled. "I... all right."
He settled back on the pillows with a sigh. Kaname sat up and scooted to the side of the bed, returning with a handful of tissues which he used to judiciously clean them both up.
"Shower," Zero mumbled a half hearted suggestion. He cracked open one eye to see Kaname shaking his head adamantly.
"Later," he said. Placing the used tissues on the night stand, he lay back down and pillowed his head on Zero's shoulder in the determined manner of a child demanding to be indulged. He didn't care about the lazy chuckle above his head - it was too small a price to pay for the incredible cocoon of sleepy wellbeing he found himself in.
"Kaname?" Zero asked after a while. He felt the pureblood stir, silky hair brushing his chin. A soft yawn sounded.
"Yes?"
"Did you... touch yourself? I mean, in this past week?"
Zero fought not to squirm as Kaname quickly sat up, eyes wide at his words.
"You mean, did I masturbate?" he asked with a confused frown. Zero averted his gaze, allowing the soft rise and fall of Kaname's chest to catch his attention. The suggestion of ribs under that pale skin was more pronounced. Despite himself, a tendril of guilt curled through Zero. It was obvious Kaname hadn't been eating well, to have lost noticeable weight in just one week. Zero's mouth twisted ruefully. He was going to cook spaghetti tomorrow. With seafood. And cream sauce. Extra parmesan too, he decided absently. And it would be grilled eggplant the next day... probably with -
"Zero? Is that what you meant?"
Zero looked up, jerked out of his planning this weekend's menu. He nodded at Kaname's innocently enquiring look.
"Yeah," he muttered. "Did you?"
A delicate flush suffused Kaname's cheeks but he nodded readily.
"When I was showering and if I happened to think of you," he confessed.
Which was only each time I showered, every single day...
Kaname dipped his head, peeping up through his lashes at Zero as if confessing to something naughty. Zero chuckled at the sight, pulling Kaname back down to kiss him soundly on the lips.
"Good to know I wasn't the only one," he said dryly. Kaname's soft laugh made Zero smile in spite of himself. With a happy sigh, the pureblood shifted closer, lifting a leg across the hunter's thigh. He hummed in utter contentment as Zero's arm curled around his shoulder, the hunter's soft scent surrounding him, making him feel loved and safe. He adored Zero's sensual attentions of course – the mere memory of what had happened just minutes ago was enough to make him blush - but as far as Kaname was concerned, the quiet bliss of cuddling up after really was the best part of it all. It was the only thing which could negate the profound loneliness that had been his one companion for so many years.
"Let's go visit Yuuki this evening?" he murmured sleepily after a while, unable to keep his eyes open. Another soft yawn followed. Kaname was well on his way to dreamland by now.
"If you like," Zero replied softly, his fingertips moving gently over Kaname's impossibly smooth shoulder. The pureblood shifted closer with a sound that a satisfied cat might make.
"'Course I do," he mumbled and promptly fell asleep. Zero was tired too. He had gone for a long run around the campus after coming back from Kaname's office but the pureblood's words left him awake and just a little uneasy. He had visited Yuuki's grave three times in the past week but each time, he found himself withholding certain information from her... information pertaining to her beloved onii-sama. Zero had never kept secrets from his dearest before. He sighed, pressing a kiss against the tousled curls resting on his shoulder.
Was Kaname going to tell his sister the things her husband couldn't?
- o -
The cemetery was quiet at half past ten. It was technically closed but the old caretaker making his rounds recognised Zero from his dutiful early morning visits and just waved the two vampires in. Kaname had brought white roses to accompany Zero's daisies and the two of them slowly walked past the many tombstones shining in the light of the half moon. When they came to the one they sought, they knelt down beside it and placed their offerings upon the grassy surface.
"Hello, dearest, Kaname is here," Zero murmured. He was used to the grief that clouded his eyes and tightened his throat each time he came here. But this time, he felt something else as well - something... something new, something sweet. A poignant tug at his heart that was somehow separate from the familiar ache of his grief. It felt almost as if... well, as if something had changed. Zero frowned to himself, wondering if it was due to Kaname's presence beside him but it couldn't be. Kaname had accompanied him here before.
It was only after ten minutes of silence that Zero realised that Kaname hadn't said anything beyond a hushed greeting to his sister. He had never run out of things to tell her before but when another ten minutes passed by in the same soft silence, Zero grew concerned. Gently, he nudged Kaname's shoulder.
"Are you all right?" he asked softly. Kaname nodded but kept his head bowed. Zero shrugged and turned to look around them. There was nothing remotely frightening about being in a graveyard at night. It was cool and comfortable without the heat of the sun. As he feared neither ghosts nor spirits nor the long deep shadows cast by the moon shining on the marble slabs, Zero was able to appreciate the quiet serenity of his surroundings. He almost didn't hear Kaname's words a minute later, so softly were they whispered.
"Forgive me, Yuuki."
Before Zero could say or do anything, Kaname had risen to his feet with his usual grace. Zero found himself torn between wanting to ask... and wanting to pretend he hadn't heard those words. Even if Kaname had wanted him to hear them, Zero knew they were meant for Yuuki and Yuuki alone.
- o -
Akira arrived at Cross Academy late Monday evening, pleased to find a much improved in disposition employer than the one he had driven there three days ago. Kaname was as composed and approachable as ever but he looked so much more relaxed. The dark eyes seemed to sparkle with good humour and his lips were more often than not lifted in a smile. Akira happily stowed Kaname's bag in the car boot before letting Zero pull him in for coffee. The hunter was in just as a good mood as the pureblood was - both of them a far cry from the subdued, unhappy vampires he had ferried to different destinations just ten days ago. In minutes, Akira found himself comfortably seated at Zero's kitchen table with a steaming cup of coffee and a thick slice of warm chocolate cake awaiting his delectation. He breathed in the heavenly aroma and grinned to himself in satisfaction.
Half an hour later, Akira was back behind the wheel and Kaname was settled in the backseat of the limousine, lips still tingling from Zero's passionately delivered kiss. He couldn't wait for their relationship to develop further, but right now he was content... happy... no, thrilled. Thrilled that Zero seemed to have finally let go of his mountain of unwarranted guilt. With a contented sigh, Kaname fished out his hand phone and started reviewing his schedule for the next couple of months. He would try to keep Friday nights free from now on. Or failing that, Monday evenings.
- o -
The next couple of weeks passed quickly enough, with intensely satisfying weekends spent at Cross Academy. As Zero seemed most comfortable at his home, Kaname travelled to his previous school each weekend without complaint. He never failed to bring gourmet take out despite Zero's somewhat resigned protests. Kaname's charming reply was inevitably the same - that he didn't want Zero to cook for him when there were better things the hunter could occupy his time with. Or his fangs? Zero would deadpan, bringing forth a familiar smile from Kaname. Zero would then shake his head and give in, imbibing his appetizer of fresh pure blood right there and then, followed by a tugging of hands towards Kaname's bedroom for more delicious activities. It would be an hour or so later before they reappeared to unpack the food and have an intimate supper before dawn arrived.
The rest of the weekend would pass in the same relaxing manner. Zero would cook for Kaname, fussing over the pureblood and making sure he took second helpings of everything from soups and stews to chicken pies and casseroles to spaghetti and rice, making Kaname feel as if he was being fatted up for a reason. Good thing his clothes still fit.
Kaname refused to think of work during those weekends, refused to think of anything except Zero and how much pleasure he could bring him. They even made out on the couch one early Sunday morning since the Headmistress was not around. Most of the time though, they ended up in Kaname's room and would doze off in each other's arms after bringing blissful release to each other. Kaname was growing equally adept at employing his hands or mouth or even both as he made Zero blush and moan his way through a series of shattering orgasms. More often than not, another sensual session would occur after lunch with a quick catnap following that one.
Kaname would then arrive back at his office with a smile on his face and a spring in his usually sedate step. This was the life he had dreamed of for years - the knowledge that he was no longer alone, that someone was thinking of him, that someone cared for him. He was ecstatically happy with how much Zero had changed as well. There was no more talk of guilt over what they did, Zero was openly willing to pleasure him. The only thing that remained was the fact that Zero never seemed interested in... well, in going further. Having longed to be in Yuuki's place for years, Kaname was more than ready for added intimacy, but Zero seemed perfectly content with what they indulged in.
It was on their third weekend that Kaname brought up his next plan. Seiren was once again overseas to overlook a couple of problems one of his subsidiaries was facing. She wouldn't be able to fly back in time to accompany him to a dinner party but perhaps it was just as well. Kaname wanted to involve Zero more in his life and this dinner was the perfect excuse, seeing as how Zero had posed as his bodyguard before and even better, had garnered Seiren's rare trust.
A small smile tilted Kaname's lips. Seiren hadn't missed the marked difference in his behaviour these past two weeks either. It wasn't her place to comment on his personal life but she seemed satisfied over the outcome. In fact, when Kaname left his office last Friday night, Seiren had given him her almost smile with a most unexpected 'Enjoy your weekend, Kaname-sama'. Kaname had smiled all the way to the car.
He loved Zero and he wanted Zero in his life everyday, not just on weekends. He wanted the hunter to be more comfortable in his world. That would of course take some time but getting him to stay at his penthouse in the city was the first step.
- o -
A few days later…
"Do you have to attend this dinner, Kaname?" Zero sighed. Kaname gave a casual shrug, stirring the tea in his mug. They were rounding off a lazy lunch of sandwiches and Caesar salad with the pureblood happily dressed in one of Zero's shirts and jeans, his hair still damp from a recent shower.
"This is one of the few I can't avoid," he said softly. Zero shifted uncomfortably knowing how much Kaname valued his privacy.
"I wouldn't actually have asked you," Kaname began with a perfect amount of apology in his soft voice that had Zero squinting at him suspiciously.
"But?"
Kaname's enchanting smile could charm a bird right off the tree. Or a hunter from his home.
"Seiren is overseas. You're the only one she trusts."
"Riiiight."
Kaname wasn't the only one who could control how his voice sounded - Zero was quite proud of the perfect amount of polite sarcasm in his. Well, whoop-de-doo, intoned the voice inside his head with a dollop more sarcasm than his. Zero ignored it.
"My penthouse has a stunning view of the city and an indoor pool," Kaname added, the invitation in his eyes blatantly innocent.
"I can swim here. We have a lake, you know," Zero returned as casually.
"The bed in my penthouse is much larger than the one I have here and very, very comfortable," Kaname pouted, the invitation in his eyes morphing from innocent to sensual in an instant.
"Why would we need such a large bed?" Zero managed that whole question without blushing but a sudden sharp pain in his temple left him wondering if voices could kick.
"The kitchen is outfitted with every known convenience but sadly, they've never been used." Kaname murmured, the invitation in his eyes now unapologetic and determined. He knew that in Zero's eyes, having a kitchen like that but eating out every night – or not at all - was nothing short of a crime. One more sharp pain in his other temple and Zero found himself caving in with embarrassing swiftness.
"Fine."
That voice was pure evil and its snicker was sure to drive him mad one day.
- o -
The next weekend…
The dinner party was everything Zero expected. He had attended enough of them in the past to know what they were like - exquisite homes, sumptuously prepared food and drink, the works really. It took Zero almost twenty minutes to realise that he hadn't once felt like whipping out Bloody Rose and that his eyebrows were behaving like distant acquaintances tonight. In other words, everything was as it should be. Every single person in the mansion was a vampire of course, from the only pureblood guest, to the nobles that made up both hosts and guests, to the Level C servants... but they were all on their best behaviour. A bit disconcerting, but true.
Zero squared his shoulders under the plain but immaculately tailored black jacket he wore. It was his 'bodyguard suit', his uniform to such outings. Kaname had had the suit tailored for him many years ago. As Zero could still count on two hands the number of times he had worn it, he hadn't needed another and bluntly told the pureblood so.
Speaking of Kaname...
Zero looked around, craning his neck to catch a glimpse of that familiar head. Topped with the softest, most lustrous locks of dark silky hair, sighed the voice in his head which had up until now held its tongue. Zero sighed and took another sip of fine champagne. He was very well acquainted with said hair, he told the voice righteously. He had spent enough hours in bed with those lustrous, fragrant strands tickling his nose and chin, thank you. Zero scowled into his drink.
After a moment, he resumed his searching. Ah - there was Kaname in one corner of the ballroom, conversing easily with Lord Hideyoshi and Lady Hikaru, their hosts. Kaname seemed genuinely interested in what the elder, distinguished looking vampire was saying. Looking at him with those gorgeous, melted chocolate eyes framed with lashes that should be outlawed, helpfully supplied the same voice, obviously deciding that it had remained silent long enough. Zero wondered if it had inhaled invisible fumes from his champagne each time he took a sip. Well, he was very much acquainted with said eyes too, he told the voice dryly. He had been on the receiving end of that limpid, open gaze more times than he cared to count, and knew how they could melt his heart and the trousers off him faster than he could say his own name. He gave the contents of his glass another scowl.
When Kaname threw his head back to laugh at what had to be the punch line of a joke, Zero pressed his lips into a thin line. Don't even think of it, he told the voice grimly. He knew that beautiful, perfect, succulent mouth very well by now. Knew of its temptation and its taste, its teasing and its talents. Zero groaned into his drink when he realised that the voice hadn't actually said anything this time.
Right. I walked right into that one.
Ignoring the peals of hysterical laughter echoing inside his brain, Zero tossed back the rest of his drink, hoping that something would choke on it. It was a good thing Kaname was dressed in that perfectly cut suit otherwise... Zero took a deep breath and squared his shoulders again.
Fine. He had had enough of this dinner, as polite as everyone was. He was going to grab Kaname and head back home - to that swanky penthouse, he meant. He was going to sweep the pureblood up into his arms and carry him past that gleaming kitchen with all its conveniences, past the windows with the stunning views, and toss the pureblood onto that ridiculously enormous bed of his. Zero was going to fall right on top of him, and then he was going run his fingers through that lustrously silky hair, smile into those gorgeously melting eyes and kiss that beautifully perfect mouth.
Right after that, he was going to strip the pureblood of his suit, expose his long, graceful neck and - and -
Stop. Get him out of here first.
- o -
Kaname blinked when he noticed a very determined looking Zero Kiryuu making his way towards him. The hunter's face was lightly flushed but his eyes were focused, the amethyst colour brilliant and intense. Kaname saw Zero place his empty wineglass on a passing waiter's tray without even looking at it. A part of him was impressed but the other was busily wondering if that attractive flush was due to alcohol or something else. Something that could make his heart accelerate, for example. Kaname's pureblood control instinctively kicked into action, causing him to stand straighter while forcing his body's involuntary actions to resume their normal pace. At a place like this, anything out of the ordinary would instantly garner attention, and Kaname was the only pureblood here. The other guests might keep a respectful distance but not their attention especially when he had arrived with a well known vampire hunter.
Kaname knew his hosts would not be insulted in any way if he had turned down their invitation but he had accepted due to a number of reasons. He had a good working relationship with Lord Hideyoshi, the parties the elder vampire threw were decent and lacked the more traditional vampire customs Kaname and Zero detested. Besides, the invitation had come at the right time - Seiren's absence provided the perfect excuse for Zero to accompany the pureblood.
"Kaname-sama, you have an appointment in fifteen minutes," Zero murmured as soon as he approached Kaname. He stood at a discreet distance with his stance perfectly deferential but the brief look he gave Kaname was anything but submissive. Kaname stiffened his spine, instinctively stilling the shiver that had started to snake up it.
"Thank you, Kiryuu-san. I confess the company so pleasant, I had almost forgotten," Kaname gave Lady Hikaru a charming smile, lifting her hand to his lips.
"Well, you certainly know how to make your excuses, Kuran-sama," the older lady replied, her smile almost motherly as she regarded him fondly. "I didn't realise you had another appointment but please don't let us keep you. We have been honoured by your presence."
"Thank you, my lady," Kaname murmured. He made equally gracious excuses to Lord Hideyoshi and left the mansion swiftly with Zero a step behind. Heads turned to see the dashing pureblood and his equally eye catching bodyguard leave but Kaname did not stop, merely nodding to those he recognised. In less than two minutes, they were comfortably ensconced in the backseat of the limousine.
With the partition safely up, Kaname turned to Zero. The intent amethyst gaze alone was enough to ensure him of another sensual session as soon as they arrived home. Kaname couldn't help smiling. Perhaps Zero could be persuaded to try the hot tub this time.
"So," he said softly as he edged closer to Zero. "This appointment I'm supposed to have in fifteen minutes..."
Zero didn't even blink.
"Thirteen."
Kaname swallowed, familiar tendrils of arousal curling through him. His blood hummed expectantly in his veins, warming his body.
"And what happens in thirteen minutes' time?" he asked innocently. Zero's eyes flashed.
"I'm going to throw you on that enormous bed of yours and have my wicked way with you."
Shocked out of his teasing, Kaname's mouth fell open. Zero stifled a groan. Oh God. That wasn't him, that was the champagne talking! All right, so he had thought about ravishing Kaname, who in their right mind wouldn't? But it was one thing to want something, it was another thing to know it was just... well, just wishful thinking. Oh, for the love of heaven! groaned the voice.
"You will? Really?" Kaname's smile was almost bright enough to warrant sunglasses. Zero's gaze skittered away, his brashness vanishing immediately.
"No, of course not" he muttered evasively. Brought down to earth with a silent thud, Kaname's heart almost stopped beating.
"Why not?" he asked. Zero glared at him. Was Kaname deliberately pretending ignorance?
"I was only kidding," he said shortly, turning to look out the window. A hand clasped his shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze.
"But I'm not," Kaname said calmly. Zero twisted around to face him.
"About what?" he asked warily. Kaname narrowed his eyes. Was Zero deliberately pretending ignorance ?
"About you ravishing me," he said evenly. Zero's eyes widened in shock.
"Are you serious? Kaname, you're a pureblood!"
"Who's in love with you," Kaname reminded him steadily. Zero shrugged and turned away again.
"That doesn't change a thing," he muttered. The slim hand on his shoulder tightened, forcing him to turn around.
"It changes everything!" Kaname insisted. He sighed a moment later, a deprecating smile playing about his lips.
"Well, in public, you know that -"
Zero snorted, cutting him off.
"I don't care what goes on in public, Kaname. I care about when it's just the two of us."
Just the two of us.
Kaname's mouth went dry at the incredibly tempting words. Zero took a deep breath. He wanted to know where he stood. He wanted more out of this - this relationship they had. But Kaname was a pureblood and while Zero wasn't, he had his own pride too. He wanted more... but he wanted it on his own terms, as selfish and illogical as it sounded.
"I'm ready for more intimacy, Kaname," he said quietly. The back of the limousine might be completely sound proofed but Zero knew his face was hot. Kaname swallowed again.
"Me too," he whispered. Oh God, Zero wanted more... Kaname's mind was a mess of mindless, shrieking happiness, of jumping up and down, of every manner of celebration possible.
"But I won't - I can't submit, not even to you. I don't care how it goes in public but when it's the two of us, I want to be the one to – to claim, to take. Always, Kaname."
Zero tried to sound confident but his words came out sounding rather forced. Hard. Demanding. Surprising really, considering how damned skittish he had acted for so long. He tried retracting a little.
"Uh, I mean - well, I know you've always been -"
Kaname shook his head, a wondering smile trembling on his lips.
"I've never thought of it as 'submitting', Zero," he said softly. "I've always thought that making love with someone is just expressing your feelings with that person. For that person."
Which is why I've never wanted anyone else.
Zero stared at Kaname, feeling horribly embarrassed after that outburst, especially in light of Kaname's calm demeanour. He stared at the pureblood and was once again, enraptured by his smile.
"I've always envied Yuuki for being able to give herself to you," Kaname continued, holding Zero's stunned gaze. He slid closer and put his lips next to Zero's ear, his hands reaching for the hunter's.
"I've always wanted to give myself to you the same way," he whispered shyly before drawing back.
"Zero, I want you to claim my body when we make love. Every single time," he said solemnly, holding the hunter's shocked gaze with his calm one, holding his shaking hands with his own surprisingly steady ones. Zero's breathing turned shallow at those surprising words, a blinding rush of blood and arousal flooding through his body. In a heartbeat, he found himself hard with desire and humbled almost to the point of tears.
"Why...?" he choked out. When Kaname's eyes started to shimmer, Zero knew there was no escaping this astounding, entrancing creature. Not that he would ever want to.
"Because I'm yours."
Zero's breathing hitched in his throat. He shouldn't be surprised - no, he wasn't surprised. He just hadn't thought it possible.
"Because I love you. So anytime you want me, Zero, I'm yours," Kaname added softly, his eyes glowing with the promise of his words.
I've always been yours. Even when you didn't know it.
- Chapter End -