Kairos
The perfect, delicate, crucial moment;
The fleeting rightness of time and place that created the opportune atmosphere for action, words, or movement; also weather.
Zero shifted uncomfortably from where he was straddling Kaname's legs unconsciously tipping his head back as Kaname's lips hovered just between the junction between his neck and head.
The false smirk on Kaname's face widened until it was nothing short of the devil's own wicked smile, "We wouldn't be in this situation if it weren't for you, so please refrain from protesting."
"No, I'm pretty sure that's not how it happened. It's your fault, Kuran." Zero murmured.
"And pray tell how that is? I'm afraid I can't comprehend how this is my fault." Kaname remarked shifting Zero in his arms so that he appeared to be holding the other up.
There were a few clicks before they followed the instructions the director was giving them. Shiki slept peacefully on a small makeshift bed oblivious to what was going on around him.
"Have you forgotten already?" Zero asked, absentmindedly moving into the pose suggested by the director.
"Enlighten me." Kaname deadpanned.
"Well for one it started with your lackey."
In his room Shiki sighed, snapping his phone shut, rubbing his eyes before standing up brushing off his clothes and walking towards the door.
Yuki had been insisting he does every small thing for her. He had constantly been running around for every wild whim she had. She hadn't often timed even given him a chance to sleep for the past three days and while normally this wouldn't be a problem he had only been drinking blood pills during this time.
Shiki was practically dead on his feet, it didn't help that his manager had scheduled yet another modeling shoot.
It was time to see the chairman. Shiki would need permission to leave campus. Upon arriving at the principal's office he gently knocked on the door before entering.
Cross looked up and beamed. Kaname who sat across from him had a deep frown set onto his handsome face.
A sense of dread settled over Shiki as he looked at the Chairman's over-enthusiastic smile he shut the door behind him vaguely aware that he was sealing his fate.
Kaname had been annoyed, the Vampire and Hunter Councils had once again managed to get on his nerves. Going as far as going behind his back and insisting that Cross's academy comply with their orders as well under the pretense of 'peace'.
Due to the new law Kaname who needed something in town, and Shiki who was needed for an early magazine release would have to be escorted by one Kiryuu Zero.
"Well, yes I know that Kiryuu-kun. What I don't understand is how this is all my fault when you just admitted that it was the council."
"Be quiet I'm getting to that part."
Tense silence radiated through the limousine as Shiki shifted uncomfortably, glancing between the two people he was sitting in between. Both Kaname and Zero wore heavy frowns and fierce glares on their faces, clearly displeased with the situation.
Rubbing his eyes with the palm of his hand Shiki slumped desperately praying for this day to be over. Never too soon the limousine driver arrived at Shiki's modeling agency. Zero and Kaname both got out on opposite ends and the model followed quickly.
Entering the building he held a brief discussion with secretary Shiki walked towards the elevator. Only to realize that he had once again trapped himself into an awkward silence.
Upon entering the room Shiki was whisked away and his dressers started to prepare him for his shoot. Zero and Kaname stood next to each other in silence.
Both contented to watch from the sidelines. Zero leaned back against the wall taking a glance at the pureblood next to him.
"Do you know when this will be over, Kuran?" Zero asked as he watched several people walk by.
Kaname's eyes slowly slid over to the young hunter, "No I'm afraid not, from what I understand it should last about an hour or so."
Zero hummed in response, showing that he had heard despite his annoyance with the whole situation. Letting out a sigh he slid down the wall to sit.
They both watched as people fluttered around them, the almost contented silence was soon interrupted by a loud yell.
"Please, sir calm down." A woman who Kaname vaguely recognized as Shiki's manager begged.
"I will not! This is a disaster! How am I supposed to get anything done working with these amateurs!" A man yelled, getting several affronted looks.
Zero raised an eyebrow giving the man a quick once over, he was tall, slightly shorter than Zero and Kaname with somewhat decent looking features and some muscles.
"What the hell is this guy?" Zero muttered feeling oddly insulted.
Even the hunter knew that Shiki took his work very seriously. To hear a young and therefore probably inexperienced model insult the night class student was both amusing and ridiculous.
Shiki and someone who appeared to be the director walked up to the angry model to try and defuse the situation.
The argument got louder and Zero could feel Kuran's body tense fully prepared to intervene if necessary. Almost hesitantly Zero placed his hand on the purebloods arm.
Kaname relaxed slightly as he was brought out of his inward seething. Giving a short nod to Zero, the brunette took several deep breaths to calm himself.
It wasn't until the unnamed man lashed out arm swinging towards Shiki who had momentarily looked at the director. A loud thunk sounded as the man's fist collided with the other model's temple.
Shiki stumbled back the other side of his head hitting the wall with a sickening thunk. The room fell silent as Shiki lost the battle with gravity and fell to the floor.
Somewhere in the back of Zero's mind, he could feel something that he locked deep within his mind roar to the surface sending the hunter's natural protective instincts into a frenzy.
A low growl escaped from Kaname's throat as they both stalked forward. Neither said anything, instinctively knowing what the other was doing. Zero shed his jacket wrapping it around Shiki's shoulders pulling the other up and checking for any signs of injuries.
Only finding already fading bruises and signs of exhaustion. Zero slowly sat the younger vampire up. Taking a moment he glanced at Kuran who was towering over the dead man walking who looked six shades paler than he had been a moment ago.
No sympathy was felt as the hunter turned away choosing to focus on the sleeping model. "Senri," He murmured as softly and gently as he could, "Do you think you have a concussion?"
Zero could feel Kaname crouch down next to him. The pureblood's eyes flashed red as he gently brushed away a stray strand of hair.
Shiki shook his head, "No, I'm fine. Just tired."
"Tired of the concussion or tired from the fact that you obviously haven't slept recently?" Zero asked a hint of amusement making itself known in his tone.
Kaname jerked, raising an eyebrow and taking a good look at his cousin. Scowling at what he found. Shiki hummed under his breath slowly closing his eyes.
"Oi, Kuran let me borrow your jacket."
Wordlessly Kaname stripped off his white jacket watching in confusion as Zero bundled it into a ball. A pale hand gently cradled Shiki's neck leading the model gently down to the floor so he was sleeping on Kaname's jacket.
Behind them, the trembling mess of a man was silently escorted out off the building. The director buried his face in his hands and groaned.
"Now what am I going to do? I've lost both my models and the pictures need to be uploaded tonight." He yelled into the air.
Kaname stood, walking forward, "My apologies, I didn't mean to ruin your shoot." Absently waving his hand around the room, "I was understandably upset. Please let me know if there is something we can do."
The director paused giving both Kaname and Zero a once-over, a sly grin breaking out across his face."Why yes, there is something you and your companion can do."
Zero paused realization dawning on what the man had planned. Kaname continued to smile charmingly. The silverette glanced at the pureblood trying to stop the other from opening his damn mouth.
As soon as Kaname did they were soon whisked off to be prepped and pampered for multiple photos.
"And that Kuran is how it's your fault." Zero deadpanned.
Kaname let out a sigh, "I will admit my phrasing was poorly planned." He said.
Zero snorted, shifting himself off of the pureblood's lap, "Damn straight it was Kuran. I don't know how you convinced me to do this."
Kaname rolled his eyes as Zero turned clearly intent on changing his clothes despite looking rather suited in them but as soon as Zero tried to turn away he could feel a tug on his clothes from the many decorative tassel and beads.
The other occupants of the room froze, trying to warn them of what was happening. Zero seemed to realize what was going on, too late though because they both lost their balance a loud crack followed by an equally noisy thump.
Kaname lay sprawled across the prefect, he shifted a small pained groan slipped through his lips as he pulled himself off the prefect.
A low taunting whimper escaped from underneath Kaname. The pureblood jerked his head back turning to stare at the dazed silverette. Zero's eyes were squeezed shut and strangely attractive lavender eyes looking back at Kaname half-lidded and lacking their usual ferocity.
It took them very little time to realize their position, Kaname lay on top of Zero one knee settled in between the other's legs, dangerously close to the erogenous zone, the purebloods arms were on either side of the mop of silver hair and his own head had been resting in the crook of the other's tattooed neck.
Zero's right hand was gripping Kaname's kimono and the other lay carelessly at his side. The silverette's own kimono had come half undone slipping off his shoulder and exposing his chest and upper thigh of his right leg.
Kaname breathed in, unintentionally inhaling the hunter's oddly pleasing scent before moving away to try and regain his senses.
The resounding silence was deafening.
It was finally broken when Zero had recovered enough to choke out, "Fuck Kuran, how hard is your freaking head?"
After another moment of silence, several short and short laughs echoed from throughout the room.
Kaname hid a smile slowly getting off of the other careful as to not have the ornaments be tangled again. After a moment's hesitation, he grabbed the others hand to pull the hunter up.
The director beamed practically skipping towards them, "Thank you boys, I can never repay you. Give me a call if you two ever want to go into the modeling business."
They both nodded exchanging glances, a mutual understanding passing through them, 'Never again.'
Shiki woke up hours later placed in his own bed, gripping a wrinkled black day class jacket that was settled around him like a blanket covered with the sweet scent of white roses and lavender.
The model stared down at the jacket recalling the day's events, "Kiryuu's nicer than what he wants us to think isn't he?" Shiki asked himself an honest smile curling on his face. He fell asleep again still clutching the jacket.
Ephemeral (adj)
Lasting for a very short time.
