A/N: Hi guys. So, sorry about last weekend but, like I said, I had an evil encounter with an update. And then, Roomie wouldn't stop hogging the computer and talking to me and I'm just annoyed. And, depression's back. I'm having fun this week.

This chapter will be switching between past and future continuously. Until I figure out a better design, line across will be the switch. Also, I'll put the word Present. Before the present.

Also… I may have googled traditional Japanese breakfast…

Hope you enjoy ^.^

Present.

Kain tapped his glass, drumming his fingers against the bar as he waited for Touya. The hotel lobby wasn't the best place to meet but, Kain preferred it the most out of their haunts. At least it was quiet and had a nineteen twenties vibe. The bartender glared at Kain but took his glass, muttering under his breath.

Kain had barely glanced at the clock when he felt a foot connected with his shin. "Hello to you, too."

"This." Touya glared at him, her usually pleasant face scrunched into something unrecognizable. She slammed her phone in front of him. Kain knew what it read but leaned toward it anyway. I messed up. Meet up? She slipped into the seat next to him. "Daiquiri. Now."

Again, more grumbling. "You're late, you know."

"I came as quickly as I could." She stole his shot glass, downing it fast. "Pay back for worrying the crap out of me."

"It's fine." The bartender huffed and placed the bottle on the table. Kain helped himself.

"So… You're just going to ignore me?" Touya scoffed. "This is so like you. I go away for a week, come back and you're not you."

"What was the second to last text you got from me?"

Touya lifted her phone to her face, the steam escaping through her ears. "Second to last was… A week ago. 'Zero and I have to talk… Doing so in the morning.' So… How did the talk go? Wait… Was it the sex talk? Cause that's awkward. Is that how you messed up?"

Kain snorted. "I wish it had been the sex talk. It's been one hell of a weird week."

"Still not getting any details."

Kain downed his shot before he started sharing.

We'll talk tomorrow. The words echoed through Kain's tired mind, creating an insomnia. He had heard Kiryuu stay up, the television playing softly. He could get the conversation out of the way. But no, he had agreed to talk to him tomorrow. He needed to sleep. Sleep.

He held the word longer and longer, trying to entrance himself. Sleeeeep, Kain, sleeeeeeeeep. It seemed like hours before he heard the guest room door close. Deciphering sleep to be a deserter, Kain soundlessly paced the floor.

Naturally, his mind slipped into the conversation at hand. Did he want to move out? No, he said it was a deal with Shiki. Unless, he thought that Shiki would want to move in and Kain was doing a great job of it.

He shook his head, forcing his hands away from his body. Kain did what he always did with Shiki – and, if that had changed anything, the brunette wouldn't hesitate to say.

Ruuka, then. Again, Kain shook his head. Ruuka is happy with Hanabusa, he reprimanded himself. Even if she wasn't, she'd willingly be Kaname's mistress. It would never be me.

He opened the door of his room, dodging the furniture until he reached the kitchen. He opened the fridge, somewhat surprised to see his collection of water dwindling and replaced with actual food. Grabbing one of the remaining bottles, Kain slipped in a blood tablet, grimacing. He always hated the blood mixed with water but, drinking blood wine seemed pathetic. Binge drinking like a human… Hanabusa was the first to mock him on that.

His thoughts doubled back to Zero. He had said it was to do with his situation, right? Kain wasn't misremembering? He bit the inside of his lip, hard enough to draw blood. It satiated his nerves momentarily, filling the nausea. Nervously, he surveyed his surroundings.

Did he feel he wore out his welcome? Kain's eyes widened, running a hand through his hair. He had always strived to be a good host, even if he seemed a bit ridged. Then again, he knew Kiryuu liked food and he made him spend his own money on it. But then, he thought as he continued his pacing, we're roommates, aren't we? Why should I be expected to make sure there's food in the fridge that he'll eat?

He held the nervous chuckle, continuously shifting his shoulders and rotating them. It soothed some of the anxiety, but not much. Maybe it's because I'm not here often… But, he doesn't seem to enjoy my company… Unless, he does and I'm misreading something…

Again, the nervous rotation. He tried to focus on his breathing, annoyed that he was rocking back and forth. Wide awake, he stood outside the elevator and pressed the button.

The doorman stared at Kain in bewilderment as the latter stepped in. "Good morning, sir."

"Mm…" He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Gym, please."

"Certainly, sir." The doorman did as was instructed. Kain caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. Dark circles hung under his eyes. His hair dishevelled. Around his mouth was dried blood that he knew to be his own. He shrugged and stepped out of the elevator into the hotel gym.

Present.

"Wait…" Touya held up a finger. "Lord Kaname didn't even register?"

"Not at that moment. Later on, he did."

"Why do you always jump to the idea that you did something?"

"I internalize."

"So… You just… jogged or lifted weights until…"

"Until around… six pm, yeah."

Touya stared at him in disbelief. "You could have just—"

"I know. I could have crawled out of bed and said, let's have the talk now. But, he might have been tired, too. And then, I'm being rude."

"You're being rude? He's the idiot who used the whole 'let's talk tomorrow' line."

"I feel that was my fault… I think I said tomorrow." Kain sighed and rubbed his face.

"You're not sleeping, are you?" Touya asked. Kain shook his head. She lifted her hand to the bartender. "Another daiquiri and some water."

Kain cringed. "Blah."

"You're on your drinking binges, aren't you?"

"… Maybe."

"Water it is." She sipped from the straw. "Go on."

Kain ignored the pain in his shoulders and legs as he slipped through the elevator doors. He was surprised to find that the place was clean. He was about to curse the cleaning lady when he recognized the smell of… breakfast? Steamed rice, miso soup… grilled fish?

He followed the scent, studying Kiryuu as he washed pots and pans. On the table lay two breakfast platters. Kain raised an eyebrow, finding himself pouring two cups of green tea left out on the island.

Kiryuu turned around, his eyes on Kain's door. Kain assumed it was peripheral vision that caused Kiryuu's head to turn. "You're up."

Dark circles. His hair sticking up in weird places. Pale. Blood shot eyes. He didn't sleep, either… "Hi."

Kiryuu shook his head. "Hi?"

"Sorry." He bowed his head, sipping the tea. "Thanks."

"I know you don't eat but…"

"No, I don't eat." Kain lowered his cup, raising his eyes to Kiryuu. "But, you do. And, I'd hate for you to eat alone."

Kiryuu extended his hand to the table. Kain followed, placing the tea pot in the middle. Silence. It wasn't the awkward silence he was expecting – more like a comfortable, routine silence. Kiryuu spoke first. "You don't seem to make a sound when you walk."

"Does it startle you at times?" Kain asked as Zero spooned out some steamed rice.

"Just curious as to how."

Kain grasped the bowl and set it on his placemat. "Kitashi."

"What does your father –"

"The only things Kitashi ever taught me where find the creaks and cracks in a new place. And, of course, judge everyone cause everyone's out to get you." Kain smiled half-heartedly. "It might have been a metaphor but… I was four so…"

"You took it literally."

"After that… I've always been light on my feet." He finished his steam rice, confused as Kiryuu stared at him tentatively. "You're a good cook. Is it because you miss being human?"

This time, Kiryuu avoided Kain's gaze and busied himself with the next dish. Kain opened his mouth to apologize when Kiryuu started speaking. "My mother. She'd always need a helping hand and, Ichiru was always sick. So, I helped her."

"So, partly because human tendencies and partly because of your mother?"

"Exactly." Silence. Kain pressed a finger to his lips. Kiryuu disturbed it again. "Do you have any other memoires of your parents?"

Kain lifted the green tea, his head swimming. Touya had assured him once that all relationships were like this – discussing the past not known. Thus far, he wouldn't have to lie. "I don't really have memories with them. Kitashi was the more attentive parent, always dragging me out on business trips when it was needed. And mother… She doted on me when she was home but, I was raised more by Gonkuro and Himari."

"Who and who?"

"Gonkuro was… Kind of a paid friend. He's now butler at my parents' estate."

"And… Himari?"

"Himari…" Kain shook his head. "In laymen's terms… She… was a nanny."

"She passed away?"

"Few years ago." Hating the attention, Kain switched tactics. "What is the best memory you have of your parents?"

Kiryuu's countenance shifted from relaxed to tense. There was a look in his eye that became bittersweet. Then, it was gone. "I don't really have memories of my parents."

The answer mirrored Kain's exactly. Furrowing his brow, Kain leaned closer. "Yagari, then."

A real smile crossed Kiryuu's face. The predator found his loop: Yagari's acceptance. Possibly the Headmasters. Kain shook it from his mind, focusing on Kiryuu's tale of the first successful Hunt he had ever been on. "Tracking has always been my strong suit. Most of the Association believes it to be a stupid skill but… Master listened. He dragged me into his car and, while the rest of the Association went with the usual 'hunt first' mentality. Anyway, the job finished and he bought me a pack of his cigarettes. Kind of as a graduation gift."

"Graduation gift?"

"Yeah. I was… ten? Give or take?" He smirked at the thought, quickly dissipating. Breakfast done, he set them in the sink and started the tap.

"Did your mother take them?"

"… No. Headmaster Cross did. Said it wasn't an appropriate gift."

"Sorry." Kain leaned against the counter. "I guess we're on that talk…"

Kiryuu sighed. "What's your plan for Shiki?"

You. Kain shrugged. "Stare at him until he succumbs to my good looks?"

Kiryuu hid a snort, starting to wipe out the dishes. "Has that worked?"

"Not as such." He took one of the unsullied dishcloths and started drying. "But, who knows?"

"So, you're not going to use my advice?"

"I'm not… good at… using people like that." He awkwardly shifted from one foot to the other.

"What if it's mutual benefit?"

"What do I have to offer?"

"Kain." Kiryuu turned his upper body to him. "You're good looking. And, you're far more generous than people give you credit for."

As Kiryuu turned back to his task, Kain mulled the situation. "So… I… Pay for a prostitute?"

"…"

"What?"

"… That would be freaking hilarious to watch."

"Why?"

"Some handsy chick or dude touching you? You'd probably be running the hell away within twenty seconds."

"… I bet it's thirty seconds." Kiryuu snorted again, his shoulders shaking. Kain poked his bicep. "You have a better idea?"

"Better than your 'get a prostitute and hope they don't try to screw you'? Much."

"I'm all ears."

Kiryuu pulled the drain, his face thoughtful. "What if it was me?"

Kain slowed down his drying. "What if what was you?"

"The mutual benefit." He raised an eyebrow as Kiryuu audibly swallowed. "Hear my pitch and you can have as much time as you need to decide."

"I'm listening."

"Obviously, Kurans are convinced I'm only here to kill them."

"Aren't you?"

Kiryuu shook his head. "If I were, wouldn't I have already?"

"… I kind of assumed you were waiting for a function."

"No or I'd have done so in the bar."

"Or, you're just biding your time."

Again, the head shake. "You weren't lying when you said you were helping me become accustomed to vampire life."

Kain knew he was lying. Still, he nodded. "Okay, so, what would you get out of it?"

"Security." He paused for several minutes.

"Security can't be all that you want." Kain finally asserted.

"… It's not."

"Then, what is it?" Kain folded his arms across his chest.

"… A hot, generous boyfriend."

Kain raised an eyebrow. "So… Huh?"

"Oh for…" Kiryuu met his eye, his hand on Kain's. "I like you."

"Because… We're both antisocial?"

"No." Kiryuu ran the same hand through his hair. "Forget it."

He stormed past Kain, who was still calculating what the meaning of words were, and slipped onto the balcony. After a moment, Kain followed. "So, instead of having a pretend girlfriend or boyfriend…"

Kiryuu lit the cigarette, setting it in the ashtray. "I can literally see your train of thought. Keep going."

"You…" Kain furrowed his eyebrows. "Want to be my boyfriend."

"Not the pretend kind."

Again, the loading bar was hovering over Kain's head. Perhaps it was the lack of sleep. "You want to be my actual boyfriend?"

"Is that you asking me out?"

Kain blinked stupidly. Twice. Three time. Definitely the lack of sleep. "Why?"

"I said why."

"But…" He gestured to himself. "Why? I'm not good at stuff."

"You're generous, smart – when it's not about relationships – and, we have a kind of…"

"Kinship." Kain finished. Was finishing each others' sentences a sign of compatibility?

Kiryuu nodded. "Or… Am I the only one who thinks that?"

Saved by the text. Kain held up a finger, his face falling. "I have to…"

Kiryuu sighed and nodded. "Yeah. You take as long as you need."

Present.

"Touya, quit laughing." Kain scolded.

"A prostitute…" She snorted, covering her mouth. "I can see how that would be amusing."

"Did you even hear the rest of it?"

"Yes. Why do you think I'm laughing?"

"Wha… I just figured you got stuck on the call person."

"I am stuck on that." She held her side. "Woo. That is funny. Kiryuu should write a joke book."

"If you're not going to take my concerns seriously…"

"Kain…" She placed a hand on his shoulder momentarily. "I am taking your concerns seriously. Regardless of anything else… This is your first relationship."

"Want to announce that louder?"

"I mean, I could." She inhaled deeply. "Hey –"

"You!" He covered her mouth, beet red.

"My point is," she continued in a lower register, "you're used to people confessing their feelings to everyone else and think someone's lying when they see how amazing you are. Stop over thinking it."

"… I haven't finished my story."

"Yes, tell me who texted you."

Kain slipped into the lobby, certain that if Kiryuu had heard the conversation, he would run. He pressed the phone to his ear. "Lord Kaname."

"Kain, are you free?"

No, I'm bloody expensive. "Tonight?"

"Perfect."

Present.

"Really? You went all the way down to the lobby to have a five second discussion?"

"Just let me finish."

"Fine, fine."

The club was full. Even with his ability to control the mind, Kain had to wedge himself between dancers to find the VIP booth. He ignored the awe-struck faces of several people, turning his attention to Seiren. Sure enough, she was in the rafters. Seeing him, the crowd he had tried to sway had managed a pathway. He nodded towards her, slipping through easier.

Lord and Lady Kuran sat with their backs to the wall. Yuuki's head rested on Kaname's shoulder, his head lying on hers. They smiled politely at his approach, not bothering to lift either of their heads. Kain seated himself, helping himself to the water on the table.

"Quitting drinking?" Kaname asked.

"For the time being."

"Right." Kaname straightened, holding Yuuki protectively to his side. "Progress report."

Kain rubbed his thigh, not bothering with holding eye contact. "He's asked me out."

"And…?"

"I haven't given him an answer."

"Playing hard to get. Strange tactic but, it does put the decision on you." Kaname halted one of the waiters. "A whiskey for him and two wines for us."

Kain remained silent. Kaname continued. "Good progress. I assume, in the coming weeks, you'll be faking the honeymoon stage. Dying without each other, lots of making out…"

Kain did his best to cover his blush, the nails digging into his flesh. "The real question is: when do you see yourself screwing?"

"I…"

"Kaname!" Yuuki playfully hit his chest. "You can't ask things like that."

"Not with a lady nearby." He covered her ears as she giggled, his eyes intense.

Kain raised his head, trying to control his breathing. He knew this was a part of being a double-agent. Still, he may as well have been Kain's parent asking when he was having children. "I… I mean to say, I'm not…"

"I assume within the next two months, then." Kaname lifted his hands off Yuuki's ears. Kain accepted the whiskey from the waiter, wondering how much information he'd have to divulge if he and Kiryuu were busy. He shook the train of thought from him. "Now, remember to treat him well. Let him do whatever he wants. Let him believe you love him. And, let him feed off you."

Kain thumped his chest, coughing the burning sensation from his lungs. "What?"

"Feed off you."

"Bu.. I… The blood bond!"

"The blood bond…" Kaname shook his head. "True, it's the traditional marriage method. But, if only one person feeds, its rules change – unless, of course, you're trained not to share your emotions."

He glanced over to Yuuki who, in turn, kissed his cheek. Kain set his glass down. "So, what happens to the person who does feed?"

"Love. Obsession. Passion. Submissive… In the bedroom, anyway. But, most importantly, subservience to the person who fed them."

Kain downed his drink. Kaname held up a finger. "Do not. Let yourself feed on him. Never."

Kain toyed with his fingers. It hadn't crossed his mind to drink and if, on the off chance he did, it would create the unbreakable bond. Without the circus called marriage, it would be considered dirty. That was one thing Kain never wanted. Marriage. "Should be simple enough."

"Good. Now, then, how far have you gone?" Kaname asked, pressing his lips to Yuuki's forehead.

"We talked. And a five second hand hold."

"Coy." Annoyance crossed Kaname's face. Kain ignored the bubbling anxiety in his stomach. His drink finished, Kaname dismissed him.

Present.

"He put your relationship on a timeline?" Kain sensed she wanted to say more but, any insult to the Kuran's would have resulted in her death. "Does he know it's your first?"

"I think everyone knows it's my first."

"What happened after?"

Kain downed a shot. "I got in my head."

"And… That means?"

"Marriage." Kain stared at her. "If Kaname were to tell me to marry…"

"… You'd feel compelled to?"

"Exactly." He finished the bottle, ordering another. "I don't want the whole thing, Touya. Housemates, fine. Guest? Sure. But… It's making me sick."

"Stop drinking."

"Not the booze." He poured himself another shot. "If I'm to fall in love, I want it all. The romance, the inevitable annoying fight that's about the remote control. No supressing of feelings. Sex. And, I want it in my time."

"So… You told Kiryuu no?" Kain nodded. "And, you consider that a mess up?"

Again, the nod. "How?"

Kain scratched his arm, his eyes downcast as he entered the living room. Kiryuu glanced at him and stretched on the couch. "Ki…"

"You've come to a decision, then?" Kain, not trusting his voice, nodded once. Kiryuu studied him closer, his face falling slightly. "No, right?"

Somehow, Kain lowered his head further. Kiryuu tried to shrug. "It's fine."

"Please, understand –"

"I said it's fine." The voice that returned was cold, detached.

Kain tried again. "It's not that I don't –"

"Drop it."

Kain sighed, defeated. He bowed again then left the room, sitting on his bed. He rested his hands on either side of him, tightening the sheets. Dismissed.

Present.

"He did what now?" Touya questioned, teeth bared.

"I hurt his ego, Touya." Kain simplified, downing another.

"Ignoring that, then." She breathed out. "But, I don't see how it's a mess up."
"Does a mess up have to be a mess up if it feels like one?"

"All you did was delay the timeline. And, it's not like Lord Kaname can control most of this."

"I should have just said yes."

"No." She sat on the bar, her eyes boring into Kain's, her hands on his neck. Someone complained but, she ignored him. "Never question what you should have done. This is your life."

Kain's voice was soft, his shoulders sagging forward. "Then, what do I do?"

"Lie."

"To who?"

"Kuran."

"Shouldn't you be ripping my tongue from my ungrateful mouth?" Kain asked as she slid back into her seat.

"As much as I want to… As much as I probably should…" She clenched her fist and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, the emotions below were resolved. "You and Kiryuu deserve better than that."

Feeling better, Kain knocked his shoulder into Touyas'. "You're being nice. Stop it."

"I'm serious. This is your relationship. No one can take that away from you."