Happy Christmas! Just a little present to tide you over.
#
Zero looked at the single entry in the phone's address book – for the fiftieth fucking time.
Should he call first - a hint of surrender? Then Kaname would take him for another night, thinking that if he just pushed a little harder he might have a chance – and Zero would live for another month.
Ugh. Even thinking about it made Zero nauseous.
He wouldn't beg.
Moreover, whom did he think he was kidding? Kaname would see through it in a second. That creature was way too fucking used to games like this. For the love of blood vampires had made a whole society that revolved around lying through their fangs. Did he really think he could beat them at their own game?
No, he wouldn't win on that board – it'd be better to just not play.
Calling was not an option. Besides, he was fine. He ate almost every night – there was no need to make a fuss. He could wait Kaname out. Easily.
#
The 29th came like a drunken frat boy.
Zero glared down at the silent phone as he dressed for the night. Tight trousers because fuck was he wearing the booty shorts in this weather, and his favourite shirt.
Despite his best efforts, he wasn't going to make it this month.
He'd done everything he could. He'd scrimped every penny, enough to make him blush at what he'd spent in the months previously. But there was just no helping it. It didn't matter how much he saved if he wasn't earning.
It was winter, and it was way too fucking cold. To cold for fucking even. Zero didn't work in a fancy brothel – he worked for himself alone, and the only people who came to him came off the streets. Not even the usual club-goers wandered the pavement casually in the freezing weather, and it wasn't like Zero could advertise.
He strode to his corner, feeling grim and kept a sharp eye out for trouble. Fujiwara's lot had been quiet lately, and that was bad. He hoped none of them had Fallen to Level E. They were a pain – but no one deserved that. Still, Falling was their most common disaster and Fujiwara's leftovers were a big group, statistically, someone had to be pretty close to the Edge by now. It had been a good few months since the last slip.
Even if it was nothing as bad as that, there were the usual thieves to consider. Kaname's phone might be the cheapest model out there – but Zero knew how far even a few quid could stretch, and there were dozens around who wouldn't mind bashing him over the head for the extra cash or for no reason at all, if he were honest.
It was ridiculous really. Kaname's personal phone number had to be worth a thousand cheap phones, maybe a thousand thousand.
He wondered how the stuck up prick would react if Zero sold it? Or better yet wrote it in the men's room down the local pub.
He snorted. Kaname would kill him, brutally; it would still be funny though.
His corner was quiet, but the Council had finally seen to fixing the dodgy streetlights so at least the place looked less like the setting of a horror film.
Zero waited, and waited, and waited.
For fucks sake if nobody came soon he was going to freeze to the metal pole.
He was not quietly panicking when he felt his pocket vibrate.
Zero kicked away from the lamppost, groaning and stretching as if he'd had enough and was going for a fag, meandering around the corner – where he dashed to a nearby alley and pulled the phone out, heart racing.
A text, thank god.
I'll be at your place in half an hour – K.
Zero nearly cracked the screen – relief turned to irritation in an instant. Oh, he'd order Zero around would he? Fucking entitled vampire. Who did he think he was?
You meant, Zero, are you free in half an hour pretty please with a cherry on top – Z
Mmm, Zero, be lying on your bed naked when I arrive, with cherries. Do you have any or should I bring? – K.
Zero was furiously tapping out his reply when Kaname interrupted as per fucking usual.
And whipped cream? – K.
Fuck you. You're far too late for my cherries, Kaname. Why aren't we meeting at one of your places? – Z.
Twenty minutes – K.
Cursing, Zero hurried home. Presuming leech. Why he ought to –
He forced open the dodgy door with his shoulder and hastily examined his apartment. He'd never had guests here before and he was not ready for them.
He did not like this. Why did Kaname want to meet here? What was wrong with Kaname's dozens of houses?
He grimaced. His apartment was shabby as hell and there was absolutely no hiding it. He didn't even own a rug to cover the mysterious stains on the floor with.
Well it wasn't like Kaname didn't know he was dirt poor.
Still. There was no reason to show it either. Maybe if he moved the bed –
Knock Knock.
Zero glared, and stomped over, throwing the door open and hissing at the other vampire, conscious of his neighbours and the really thin walls. "You said twenty minutes!"
"I was eager to see you," Kaname purred back, eyefucking Zero from head to toe and successfully raising his hackles from nought to sixty in one slow glance. "You didn't follow my instructions," he added, looking pointedly at Zero's clothes.
"I've only been back a minute!" Zero protested, and, catching himself, "and I wasn't going to anyway." he said stoutly.
"No?" Kaname sighed.
"No."
"Pity." Kaname looked him up and down again the tosser. "Are you going to invite me in?"
"Are you Dracula now?"
"I'm just being polite."
Zero scoffed, but stepped away from the door, holding it opening and waving an arm.
"Please come in," Zero smirked. "May I take your coat, Kuran-sama?"
Kaname smirked back as he dutifully handed it over – cashmere or Zero was a human. "What a wonderful idea, Zero. How do you feel about role-play and maid costumes?"
In answer, Zero dropped Kaname's hideously expensive coat onto the floor – right on top of the mysterious stains.
"Oh no," he drawled, "I'm so sorry Master."
Kaname's answering smile was as sweet as a dagger. "Not to fret, Zero, I'm sure you can make it up to me."
He advanced. Zero retreated.
"Nuh uh. You aren't getting one lick of this until we've set ground rules."
"I'm listening," Kaname murmured, still advancing. The look in his eye was all intent and despite his best intentions, Zero smiled.
His back hit the wall and a second later he had an eager pureblood kissing his neck.
It was so fucking unfair that vampires had a weakness for necking. Zero was groaning, tilting his head back and fisting a hand in Kaname's ridiculously soft hair before he knew what hit him.
"Rule one," he gasped, "No tearing me up. I'm sick of your possessive bullshit. If you make me bleed, I'll – oh fuck – charge double."
Kaname laughed into his throat, and there was a sneaky hand reaching under his shirt.
"Oh fuck you, rich boy," Zero snapped, using his grip on Kaname's hair to force the pureblood back to the necking. "If I bleed then I'll start treating you like any other John."
That got a reaction alright. Whatever they were doing – it was not just business, and Kaname definitely preferred it that way.
"Rule two," Zero continued; riding the wave of his victory, "You keep it down. I do not want my neighbours knowing I've got one of your lot in here."
"How prejudiced," Kaname nibbled on his ear, there was a click as Zero's belt came undone, and then Kaname's hand was down his pants and making himself at home.
"That includes your freaking aura," Zero hissed reaching for Kaname's buttons.
"You realise, Zero, that if Mashiro knew you were mine, all your problems would disappear?"
"I'm not yours," Zero tugged Kaname's shirt off. "And you were the one who said I'd get fucking kidnapped if anyone found out you were fucking me."
"You're protecting me now? Cute."
"Fuck you."
"Not happening – but perhaps –"
Zero shivered from the wind rushing past him and suddenly he was lying on his bed, shoes off, trousers around his ankles and Kaname's mouth on him.
Fuck, his memories had not done this justice.
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