A/N: Sorry! I was doing essays – I have about a month to finish this one freakin' essay and do my final. Boooooo!

The jet was easier to deal with than his crumbling life. There were less crowds at this time of night – and Kain was on edge. He allowed the Stewardess to guide him to his seat, his heartbeat racing in his ears. He turned his head to the glass, tired eyes reflecting in the window.

Zero had been expecting him. But, not in the way Touya would have thought nor insinuated. Kain stepped through the doorway, taking off his shoes as his eyes wandered the apartment.

"No one has been in since you left." Zero told him, his voice coming from the balcony. Kain's eyes drifted to the open door. All the talk from Rima had left Kain needing two things: the Hunter who was hiding his cigarette habit and the old itch. Zero chuckled mirthlessly. "Go."

Gratefully, Kain thoroughly checked each room, lingering longer in the old master bedroom. He had lived here a full year – longer than he had lived anywhere else (apart from the Academy). He slipped to the floor, removing the fake shelf. He knew he hadn't been careful but, he was glad for it. Still, he slipped the phone into his pocket and stood at the door, the night air ruffling his hair.

Zero was crouched, a cigarette in the ash tray and a drink in front of him. "Touya tells me you leave tomorrow."

"At midnight." He lowered himself. "Wait, how did Touya-"

Zero remained silent. Kain sighed. "Got it from my phone when she was doing something. Okay."

"Why are you going? Other than Kuran's orders."

"Everyone needs something to fight for. I have many and this is something I wanted to do."

"I'll never get over that."

"Get over what?"

"A vampire with a heart." The smile didn't reach Kain's eyes. He slipped in front of Zero, careful not to close any distance between them.

"I regret more than you know." Silence. Kain bit down a shudder. "So, Ichijo."

Zero's head snapped to Kain. "If you know, Kuran knows."

"It's a bold choice. Ichijo is a follower through and through. Course, he is closer so… Tactical." Kain poured himself a drink. "Just glad I'm out of it."

"Out of it?" Zero's voice was harsh.

"I mean, out of all the planning, the plotting, being the double agent."

"Being Kuran's bit boy?" Zero tilted his head. "Or out of this relationship."

Kain sighed and met Zero's accusatory glare. "This relationship was based on those things."

"Well… Maybe your next relationship won't be so… convoluted." Zero stood and downed his drink, purposely stepping around Kain.

"Zero…"

"Kain." Again, the cold voice.

"Kiryuu." Kain amended, taking a step toward Zero. "We were as honest as we could be."

"No, we weren't."

"It meant something to me."

"Yeah, the idea that someone could be into you." Zero spat.

Kain opened his mouth and closed it again. He tried to summon the words in his head. He knew many but none that were eager to leave. "It meant a lot more than that."

"Right." Zero became stone-faced, his eyes hardening. "You know, it was just business with me."

Kain gulped, his throat tightening. "It was just business?"

"Of course."

Kain scoffed. "Sure… Just business."

Zero tilted his head. Kain slipped his shoes back on. "Well, thanks for clearing that up."

"No problem. Have fun in America."

Kain slipped past the elevators, not bothering to answer. He texted Rima that no, it wasn't what she had assumed. He nodded to the concierge, storming away. It felt good just to walk in the night air. He was lost. He stopped, checking his surroundings. Zero's words echoed. Just business. He gulped and pulled out his phone.

"Akatsuki."

"Ruuka." He dodged the coming group, escaping into the nearby park, surprised as if it had been summoned just for this purpose. "I just wanted to say that I'm happy for you."

"You are and you're not." Ruuka read.

"I am."

"A part of you wishes you had told me that you loved me." Kain gasped as Ruuka laughed. "You think you're unreadable. And, that's true. To Shiki and Ichijo and the Kuran's… You are. But, not to me. And, Aidou chooses to be blind."

"You know everything, then." He rested against a chair.

"Not everything. I don't see why you love Zero so much. But then, I don't know him, so."

Kain swallowed. "Will you update me?"

"Sure." She gave him a number. Kain scrunched his face.

"That's not your number." Kain added it into his phone anyway.

"It'd be better if you had a new phone as well."

"Is… Are we using burner phones?"

Ruuka sighed. "Before you showed up, Kuran said that we were to only tell you about frivolous things. Wedding planning, Ichijo's business… Nothing about Kiryuu."

"And, what do you think?"

"Well… I ain't going to tell you if Kiryuu's in love with Ichijo but… Kaname's overstepping a bit." A nervous giggle. Kain could almost see her scratching at her arm, the same anxiety that ran through him controlling her momentarily. A honk interrupted the image. In a flash, a blond wound up by his side, smacking the back of his head.

"Kain, ass in!" Rima. Kain held up a finger.

"Will you-"

"Tell Hanabusa that you love him so much that you wish you were marrying him?" Ruuka scoffed then laughed. "I'll pass the love."

"And Ruuka?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you." He pressed the end call button as Rima stared at him, dumbfounded. "What?"

"That is the first time I've ever heard you say those words. To anyone. What are you thinking?" She was herding him back to the car.

"I'm thinking… That Ze… Kiryuu could kill everyone in his way. I'm thinking that Ruuka and Hanabusa and you and Sayori are going to be in danger, pawns in a final death match." He paused, causing her to turn. "You know I love you, right?"

"Sap." She spat at him, a smile on her face. "We've survived worse. Now, in the car and you can whine all you want. I don't know when I'll hear that again."

He did as he was told, waiting for her to remerge. "Whine about what?"

"You should be up in your apartment, seducing your boyfriend."

"Not my boyfriend." He kept his face neutral. "I was just business."

"Please. If you were just business, he would've done that tight ass much sooner."

"That's his wording, Touya."

"And, I'm currently wondering," she started as she buckled herself in and started the car, "why he hasn't acted against the Kuran's yet. He's never been all talk, no action. And, why he spent so much time with you instead of manipulating you. And, why he didn't ask what the Kuran's were up to."

"He was obviously choosing his moment to rank up." Kain answered.

"True. But then… Why wait until you were going to America to do it?"

"Because…" Kain blanked.

"Let me put it this way." Rima turned to him once they pulled up to a stop sign. "If you were 'just business'," Kain grimaced. She was using air quotes. "He would have done you, drank from you, killed you and then marched on into Kuran's home like there's nothing to lose."

She drove through the stop sign. Kain shook his head. "Well, two out of four ain't bad."

Screeeeech! Kain covered his ears, flinching at the sound. Rima turned to him. "He's done you, I can accept. But, he's fed on you?"

Kain shrugged. "Technically, I bit down and fed him."

"Don't scare me like that." She continued, ignoring the angry man behind her.

"But, it's not like I haven't been thinking about it." Rima stared at him, purposely causing another Screeeeech to Kain's sensitive ears.

"Come on, lady!" The angry man behind them shouted.

"Suck it, d-bag." She whispered under her breath then turned to face Kain. "You wanted to be bonded to Kiryuu?"

"Would it have been so bad?" Kain asked. "I found… Thought I found someone who loved me for me. Saw me outside the context of just a friend. And, if you really wanted Sayori, you would have let it happen."

"Sayori and I aren't you and Kiryuu's business, Kain." She jabbed him with her sharp nail. He flinched. "And, you've been dating… What? Six months?"

"Eight." He calculated. Yeah, eight. Pretty sure. "And… I don't want to be alone for the rest of my life, Rima."

"You just used my first name."

"You've been more family to me than Ruuka and Hanabusa." He chuckled in spite of himself.

"It just sounds weird you calling me Rima."

"Sorry, Touya." They were silent for a few minutes, Rima now moving on into the apartment parking lot. "You know why I'm a lousy double agent?"

"Because you fall for the dude you're supposed to be investigating?"

Kain shook his head. "Kuran was right. I'm muddled because I can see both sides."

"Kuran's right. But, it's what I've always admired about you." Rima rested a hand on his shoulder. "You pick and choose which side you want to fight. You always have and you're loyal not to the person but to the cause."

She pointed upwards. "And, right now, there's a hot dude who's confused, sad and, I mean… I'm pretty sure he's only ever screwed to get information. And, he's fighting for something you believe in. Sure, his tactics are deadly but… He wants the same thing as you do."

"And, what exactly, do I want?" He turned to face Rima.

"Two things. The first: to be free, living a life without the Kuran restrictions. The second is to… Well." She winked and clicked her tongue. "Giddup."

Kain flushed as she unbuckled his seatbelt. "I can't face him and I'm not giddying – up."

"You can. Or, I will knock you on your ass, pull you by the hair and drag your unconscious body up to the top floor."

Kain held up his hands and opened his door. "Jeez, you're mean."

"I know."

He bought a bouquet and chocolates on his way up, knocking on the wall as he entered even though he knew Zero would hear him. He listened for any sign of life, catching a sigh. "Second fight the charm?"

"Hello to you, too." Kain muttered, taking off his shoes and placing them neatly on the rack. He never noticed that Zero left his on the welcome mat. Smarter move than mine… He entered, finding Zero on the couch and set his recent purchases by the door. He gestured to the seat next to him. "May I?"

"Go ahead." Zero slid over. Kain sat, mulling his words carefully.

"I'm sorry," he began.

"Sorry for…?"

"For making it seem like our relationship was a sham." He held up a finger as Zero opened his mouth to speak. "Just… Okay?"

Zero nodded. Kain continued. "Obviously, you're my first real relationship. No, you agreed to let me speak."

Zero covered his mouth, glaring at him. Kain sighed. "And, I know it doesn't help that I was playing the worlds lousiest double agent."

"You can say that again. Even Kaito's a better double agent."

"But…" Kain held Zero's gaze. The violet eyes held a sorrow, even now, matched with annoyance and curiosity.

"But?" Zero raised an eyebrow.

"I love it when you look at me like that." Kain rattled, a blush rising on his cheeks. Shut up, mouth! "The way you act like you're above all things fun and childish but find the enjoyment in it when no one else is looking. How easily you laugh at others and get mad at the TV when the SWAT team isn't checking something correctly. And, that you cook even though you don't need to."

Finally, Kain regained control. Zero's expression became suspicious. "Are you saying…"

"At least, I think…" Kain offered his hand, his resolve crumbling under Zero's eyes. He cleared his throat. "Yes. I'm saying…"

Zero slid further away. Kain stood. "That is… If you feel the same way. And, I know we're not…"

Zero stared at him, his eyes blank. Kain sighed, running a hand through his hair. He stood. "Never mind… It was… I should… Yeah."

"No." Zero stood just as Kain had started putting his shoes on. Kain's head snapped to the Hunter, sensing vulnerability. Stupid vampire instincts, he cursed. "I mean, this is your home."

"It's your home, too."

"My point is, your last night… You should be home." Zero looped his fingers in his pockets. Kain slid off his shoes, examining the other. Was he hearing correctly? "You still have your bed."

"Thank you… Zero." He waited for the snarky retort. None came as Zero headed into the kitchen.

"You want anything?" He asked, his back to Kain.

"If you're having something, sure." He picked up his purchases, setting them on the barstools. Coward. He rested against the island, not sure what to do first.

"I could go for breakfast." Zero answered. Kain thought about wrapping his arms around Zero's waist, biting his neck. Instead, he set the table for two, leaving the flowers on Zero's seat. Then, hiding them with the chocolates beside him. Once breakfast was done, Zero set it down, the tension between them awkward.

"Thanks." Kain whispered. Zero nodded as the formers' thoughts wandered to having Zero in his arms. Even if that was as far as it went tonight, it was fine with him. Gathering his courage, he pulled up the bouquet. Zero raised an eyebrow as Kain flushed. "Sorry… I just…"

"Wanted to apologize like any other rom-com? Aren't you supposed to be shirtless and standing in the rain with a soulful look in your eyes?" Zero mocked. Still, he chanced a sniff and kept them on his lap. Kain grinned inwardly. He likes them. "No chocolates?"

"Yeah, yeah." He set the chocolates on the table.

"Is there going to be a serenade later or do you want to do that now?" Zero asked, clearly taken aback.

"Well, I can't sing and I don't think Touya wants to be involved. But, if you're interested, we could turn on the radio and slow dance."

Zero scrunched his face. Two points for me, thought Kain as he sipped the orange juice that he slipped whiskey into. He turned serious just as Zero had finished. "Can I ask you two questions?"

"You already asked one so, I guess another wouldn't hurt."

"Yeah, I learned that trick. Hanabusa was an ass when he was a kid." Zero waited for Kain to find the words. "For tonight and only tonight… Can we be Zero and Akatsuki? Act like nothing happened?"

Zero stayed silent, his eyes downcast. Kain stood, offering his hand to Zero – the simplest form of communication he knew. He stayed in that position for several hours, it felt. Finally, the Hunter took his hand, grumbling. "Just for tonight."

Kain didn't know he could smile so big. He rested his hand on Zero's back rather than his waist. "What's after dancing?"

"Whatever you want." Kain reassured his partner, pulling Zero closer.

"Why are you smiling like that?"

"I'm taking this as a win." Because I'm happy, he thought. But, he sure as hell wasn't going to share that information with the other.

"It's just one night, K… Akatsuki."

"One night." Kain agreed, cupping Zero's cheek, his thumb rubbing along the bone.

"And I have to be up early." Zero continued against the fingers entangling in Kain's hair.

"Level E?" Kain questioned, his eyes flickering to Zero's lips. The other nodded. "May I kiss you?"

Zero stepped back, causing Kain's arms to fall to his sides. "I think that'd defeat the point."

"I'm not asking for the world."

"What are you asking for?"

Kain stepped forward, his hands resting on Zero's hips. "I'm asking you to be yourself with me. No games, no lies, no plots."

"See, you erased half my personality."

"And now, you're joking." Kain acknowledged with a mocking tone, swaying slightly.

Zero shook his head, his hands crawling up Kain's arms. "I don't joke."

"Yes, you do. Just like you think you don't smile."

"I don't. My face is neutral about everything."

"See? Such a trickster." Kain spun him, pulling him close halfway.

"Akat…" Zero's warning paused as the other pressed his lips against Zero's shoulder.

"Hmm?" Kain questioned, his voice a slight growl.

"What do you want?"

"I want…" Kain nipped Zero's earlobe, "to hold you all night."

"Just hold?"

"Like I said," Kain's voice dropped to a whisper, "whatever you want, I'm fine with. But, that is what I want."

Zero created a resolve around him, allowing Kain to slip under the covers. He'd never admit to enjoying the heat Kain emitted nor the security his arms provided but, Kain knew it all the same. He inhaled his partner's scent, memorizing his breathing pattern. For a moment, Kain slept and, during that doze, he woke to find the bed empty.

Only Touya came to wish him luck. He sat at the back of the jet, returning his attention to a newspaper on his lap though, his hand pressed against the phone in his pocket. "This seat taken?"

"I thought you weren't coming." Still, he slid his bag under his seat.

"And miss a chance to visit America with my favourite boy?" Shiki slouched in his seat next to Kain. "Never."

Kain lifted his gaze to Shiki's board expression, his attention on him as it had been so long ago – except without the clear judgmental statement. He folded the newspaper and set it in the pouch in front of him. "I'm not your favourite boy."

"Sure, you are." Shiki ordered a drink from the stewardess.

Another pawn, Kain thought. But, can't a pawn be an opportunity?

A/N: Sorry for the long wait, guys! I've been working on my essay, renovating, cleaning, working a full-time job, learning German (WOO! I win!) and, honestly, dealing with a depressive episode. I was thinking that Kain and Zero would have a little bit of what you were wildly anticipating but, I also thought that Zero would bite Kain and Kain would be chill with it. There's no story if that happens – unless I want to drive Kain insane and I don't want to do that to him. Baby Kain deserves the best of the best and his should be romantic – cause, let's face it, he hopeless!