A/N: Hello, hello, dear readers of either sex. It's been a while and for that, I apologize. I have one more essay to do then a final exam (hopefully, I don't have to memorize any quotes). For that reason, I might have to stop writing – MIGHT!
Since none have responded to how far they'd like this to go, I'm not adding description. Without further ado, enjoy!
Zero scrunched his face and slid his hand over his eyes. He dared open one, glaring at the intrusive sunlight. Of course, since he had moved into Kain's apartments, the sun had become a lost childhood friend. One that he had preferred never to see again.
Still, he unwound himself from Kain's waist and held his head in his hands, waiting for the pounding sensation to release its hold. With great effort, he stood at the window, taking care to conceal himself from onlookers. As he looked out, using the curtain to shield his eyes, he caught a figure, standing at attention. He straightened, honing in on his Hunters instincts. The figure was too far to guess a specie but, if he had to, he'd assume vampire. In the daylight.
He turned away, rubbing his eyes as he slipped under the covers. Maybe the lack of sleep had drained him. He almost smiled at the thought, his eyes trailing towards Kain's sleeping figure. The smile froze, the bruising and scratches down his back still evident. He checked his arms, furrowing a brow. Carefully, he took Kain's hand in his, examining the raw skin. He gulped, solidifying his resolve to turn the other over. Although Kain's form remained intact (praise be!), he was covered in scars and bruises.
Zero lay back, listening to the slow, rhythmic sounds of a vampires' sleep. Most would have healed the second Zero lay a hand on them. He knew he had when the same was done to him. He studied Kain from the corner of his eye, fighting an older urge to shoot. What good would that do? He asked it, running a hand through his hair. Then, the truth clicked.
Kain wasn't like every other vampire Zero had come across. That much he knew. But, to what extent? How often did he drink blood wine? Blood tablets? Maybe a few times a month. At least, from what Zero had seen.
He resolved to stand and make breakfast. If nothing else, as an apology and a packed bag. He had even thrown the covers off. But, sleeping Kain had different ideas. He wrapped his arms around Zero's waist, resting his chin on Zero's head. All the Hunter could see was purple. All he could hear was blood.
He attempted to wrestle his way out of Kain's arms, finding himself closer to the jugular. His red eyes flitted to Kain's face then back to the veins that outlined the others skin. How long had it been? How many years had he denied it? The ache in his upper jaw began. Need overcame sense. He brushed the stray strands off his targeted area, wetting the skin after. His fangs glided, desperate to sink.
He found himself sitting up with his hands behind his back and Kain's form hovering over his. He panted, unable to tear his gaze from his target. He heard a crunch. He didn't remember biting – just Kain's blood flowed into his mouth and Kain's tongue stroked his. Nevertheless, it was enough to satisfy the Beast. Zero pulled Kain closer as Kain's hands lost their way in Zero's hair. The sharp points of Kain's fangs pierced Zero's lip.
Zero escaped Kain's grasp, reality sinking in. His boyfriend's usually burgundy eyes had lightened into the red he was accustomed to seeing. His gentler nature had been temporarily supressed as Zero flinched, the cracks in the wall appearing in front of him. "Ak-"
"Shh." Kain answered, tracing Zero's lips. Disappointment crossed his face once he realized the wound had healed. Zero analyzed the situation. Between a wall that would come down if he pissed Kain off and Kain's body. He had no weapons aside from a doorknob that was just out of reach. Arms? Trapped in front of his body. Mentally, he scolded himself. But, his arousal began again as Kain pressed against him, his fangs grazing his neck. Involuntarily, he shivered. Kain lifted his head, a dangerous smile on his lips. "Are you a bite whore, Zero?"
"Am… I a what?" Oxygen. More than anything, he needed oxygen. The name in itself was obvious.
"Bite whore." Kain mimicked a bite, sucking on the skin noisily. Zero held back a moan. "Or… Are you my bite whore?"
Zero had heard the term 'bite whore' but, never a possessive version. "I don't know what..."
Kain sank his fangs into Zero's skin. Zero bit down on his lip, more to suppress another moan than pain. He managed to free one of his hands and pressed upward on Kain's lower jaw, elbowing the vampire back. Kain laughed, mirthlessly as Zero threw a water bottle and a packet of blood tablets at his head. Then, he took his clothes into the washroom and changed, refusing to be in the same room as the other.
At least the washroom was nice and nothing like Kain would own. Zero couldn't imagine Gonkuro having heard last nights activities though, it might have helped if they were at the Manor house – least two against one might have made it a little easier.
He examined the bite marks, scowling at himself. He deserved that – especially after the hell he put Kain through last night. Probably drove him to the brink of insanity then expected him to behave as if he weren't a beast. He lifted his phone out of his pocket and rested on the bathtub rim and texted.
"Kaito."
"Zero."
"What's the advance on Ichijo?"
"You're done playing with Kain or something?"
"Explain later."
He tucked it back into his pocket, listening to the third bottle and tablet combination. His first didn't need that much replenishing. Then again, Watsuji was in his mid-fifties, had several women on the side, and had information Zero wanted. All things Kain didn't have – apart from the experience itself.
After ten minutes, Kain knocked on the door. Zero knew before he opened it that the Beast was contained. But, when he did open the door, Kain was dressed, several feet away from the door and staring anywhere else. "Room service came."
He turned on his heel, heading straight for the couch. Zero followed closely. "What's a 'my bite whore'?"
Kain froze. Zero almost collided into the others back. He suddenly wished he hadn't said anything – there was food and Kain was blocking the entry way now. The vampire turned, his gaze on Zero. "I apologize profusely for my behavior this morning."
He continued his journey to the couch. Zero helped himself to the cart then sat next to him. "Still doesn't answer my question."
"I had no right to call you that. Or insinuate it."
"Not answering my question." Zero lifted Kain's head, his fingers under his chin. "Just answer it."
Kain swallowed audibly, reddening. Zero dropped his hand. "Well… Bite whore is… Yeah. It can be used against a victim or a perpetrator."
"So, the possessive is someone who only wants to be bitten or bite one person?"
"Not quite… Close, though." Kain ran a hand through his hair. "It's more like an agreement, more between a vampire and a human than two vampires."
"An agreement that…?"
"That the human will be bitten only by that vampire and that vampire will only live off the human's blood." Kain dared a sip of his coffee.
"So, you want… that kind of relationship with me?" Zero asked. Kain spit out his coffee, coughing. Zero smirked, congratulating himself on his timing. Then again, it wasn't hard to get Kain flustered.
"No, no. I shouldn't have said it."
"Then, why did you say it?"
Kain fixed him with a look that softened. He brushed the hair out of Zero's face, resting his hand on his cheek. "Last couple of days… You've been smelling like food."
"Come again?"
"Since you let me feed off you… What? A month ago? Three weeks ago?" He bit his inner cheek, contemplating the passage of time. "Anyway… I've been craving you."
"And… How long will that last?" Zero wondered how many times he had fed Kain without his knowledge. How often should he be doing it? Unlike the Kurans, he didn't have an unlimited life span. And, as much as he hated to admit it… there was pure bliss in Kain's bite. The act itself was primal but, he couldn't shake his head of the stirrings it had caused.
"Probably four feeds… If they're close together."
"Four feeds a year?"
"Not a year… More like… Four feeds every two months would start the cravings." Zero nodded, pressing his hand against his newly mutilated neck. Kain slid his hand over Zero's, leading it away from the area. He searched Zero's face. "Do you trust me?"
Zero nodded. Kain brushed the hair away from Zero's neck. Zero regretted his answer, tensing as Kain pressed his lips to the wound, working towards Zero's ear. Then, a slow wet sensation not entirely unpleasurable that tingled the marks. Kain backed, pressing a kiss to Zero's cheek. "You know I'd never intentionally hurt you, right?"
Zero saw the chance to lighten the mood. "What if I said not knowing where we're going is painful?"
Kain laughed, returning to his former position. "No way. Not giving into that."
"Oh, come on! I don't like surprises."
"I don't either but I let you choose last time."
"Yeah and you bought a bunch of crap."
"Oi! My new jewelry isn't crap!"
"It's cheap crap."
"It may be cheap but that doesn't make it crap." Kain muttered, a smile on his lips.
They're
not
taking
my
line
breaks
seriously
"A café." Zero shook his head as Kain sidled next to him. "You're taking me to a café."
"The coffees not bad, the sandwiches are… Lacking. But, it's what's inside that matters." Kain countered.
"Do you own it?"
"It's one of my places to send the kids I help. Those who want the experience. Course, they know about vampires so, it's a nice balance."
"I'm here so you can meet a bunch of kids you helped?"
"No, no." He opened the door, a secretive smile on his face. Zero sighed and stepped through, engulfed in a hug.
"Oh, my son! He's so good looking, isn't he?" Kaien Cross gushed. Then, he grabbed onto Zero's ear, dragging him to the table. "You don't call, you don't visit! Honestly, you could've been killed or dead in a ditch and I wouldn't know because you don't tell me anything!"
Zero turned a stink eye towards Kain, grateful for when Kaien forced him to sit across Yagari and Kaito, taking another seat himself. "Honestly, it takes Kain to drag you screaming to find out you're alive. And, Yagari never tells me anything."
"I tell you that he's alive." Yagari lit a cigarette. Kain sat across from Kaito.
"Well, that puts that to rest."
"What puts what to rest?" Kaito asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Our first encounter, Zero threw me over his shoulder and… As Rima likes to remind me, handed me my ass." Zero grinned. That he had done. Kain continued. "'Course, if I knew Headmaster Cross could own him, my strength scale is better than what Rima says."
Kaito chortled as Zero sunk in his seat. "Please – the Headmaster never owned me."
"Really? Cause, I'm pretty sure we have video evidence to the contrary." Kain pointed at one of the security tapes. Zero scowled. Where would they be keeping the evidence?
"Oh, that's nothing. Yagari can still carry him by the scruff of the neck when he's annoyed."
"That is something I'd pay to see."
"I'll video the next one!" Kaito shared a real smile – one of the few that he only gave to people who amused him. A server brought over a pot, wary of Kain. He didn't seem to mind.
"So, why'd you call this meeting, Kain?" Yagari asked, blowing out the smoke in the aristocrat's face. Zero shook his head. That was his question but, coming from Yagari, he was looking for a reason to kill Kain.
"Right." Kain straightened, his hands laid in front of him. "I'm not sure if you knew but, Zero and I have been seeing each other."
Zero reddened, glad to have something to distract him. Why Kain felt this necessary, he had no clue.
"Aw! If only Zero managed to get over his prejudice sooner! I always said that you two would make a lovely couple!" Zero choked on his drink as Kaien started scheming the wedding plans. Kain rubbed Zero's back, easing the tension and turning away from Kaien.
"Lunatic." Yagari muttered under his breath. Kaien didn't seem to hear the comment as he turned his eyes on Kain. "What does it matter to us?"
"My son has found someone!" Kaien informed one of the passing waitresses. Zero wondered who he should kill first: Headmaster or Kain. He decided on neither and instead wished for the meeting to reach a conclusion faster.
"You're important to him. Like his secondary family."
"We're more like coworkers. Cause my mum had her perfect, handsome son." Kaito chimed in.
"Either way, he loves his work more than most. You're a reason for that and thus, a secondary family." Zero hid his face as Kain spoke the last. "And, for that reason, I'd like to ask permission to formally court him."
Zero breathed in, holding his breath. How far could Kain run before Zero could pull out Bloody Rose? Kaito burst out laughing, holding his sides. Yagari stared as though Kain had just eaten a bug or challenged him to something ridiculous. Only Kaien smiled. "That is Zero's decision."
"You forget, Headmaster-"
"Ah, ah. You're dating my son. It's Kaien to you."
"… Headmaster, my ways are different than yours."
"What would the 'formally courting' him," Kaito mocked, a playful glint in his eye, "consist of?"
"I guess in your world it would include the steps of getting to know you up to the point of a proposal… With less vows and bowing and blood." He dropped his voice as he said the last, the waitress in ear shot. Zero stomped heavily on Kain's foot, glad to see the grimace cross his face. Yagari held a smirk as Kaien nodded thoughtfully.
"Well, it is Zero's ultimate decision. I suppose it's like a blessing?"
"A blessing to continue doing whatever you two do?" Kaito asked.
Kain nodded as his phone began to ring. Zero caught a glimpse, noting that Kuran was phoning. "I'll let you talk it out."
He stepped outside of the café. Kaito leaned forward. "So, will the same thing happen when he asks for your hand?
Zero scowled.
"Well, I'm happy if Zero's happy! And, they are so cute together!" Kaien answered.
"Oh… Go get a cup of coffee."
"Yes! One to celebrate!" Kaien waltzed… Literally, to the counter.
Yagari's playful demeanor turned into a serious one. "He seems to be taken with you."
"And we learned that from his profession of love." Kaito remarked.
"Watch your tone." To Zero, he nodded. "Do you want to continue to involve Kain?"
To anyone who didn't know Yagari, this would be a straight forward question. Zero knew better as he studied his boyfriend's figure, resting against the column. He shook his head. "We're still similar. And, he is the most tactical, considering."
He looked at Yagari who nodded. "But, he's been through too much. If I fuck something up…"
"Oh God…" Kaito cut in, ignoring Zero's wince. "You have feelings for him. You caught feels!"
"I may be a Hunter but… He's almost… Human."
Yagari snorted. "They're beasts in human form, Zero. And, the more human they appear, the worse they are."
"Which is exactly why I need to end this. See if Ichijo is a way in for me."
"That's what that cryptic message was about." Kaito added.
"It wasn't cryptic."
"You're so forward that you ruin your messages." He jutted out his chin. Zero glanced back to where Kain had been, understanding that he was approaching. "Talk about this later."
Kain rested his elbows on the table, pressing his finger against his bottom lip. After a minute or two, he came to his senses and forced a smile. "Sorry about that."
"Not to worry! I brought more coffee." Kaien answered, a smile on his face. Zero had almost forgotten his attendance at the meeting.
"So, what's the verdict?" Kain asked.
"I think it's too soon for this kind of… Thing." Yagari answered. Zero almost sighed in relief. "I mean, this relationship is still pretty new. And, lots of things could happen."
A/N: So, six pages (just). I do plan on adding some drama next time. I know my BCD chapter drifted away from Yuuki's main character but, I can't honestly see her working with Kaname as innocent as she is. Not well, that is.
I'm assuming maybe… 4-5 more chapters (not including Rima's BCD chapter) before this one is done. I might do another one in the near future – just bear with me!