"I can stand her not loving me. I can't stand her loving him."


Ayato didn't sleep a wink throughout the night. He checked into the nearest decent motel he could find, but there was no way he's able to rest, not with all these thoughts swarming his head.

He had never felt this way in his whole life, so lost and so…left behind. It wasn't even this bad when he discovered Cordelia was just a terrible excuse for a mother, and that she might dispose of him if he ever disappointed her. This time was different.

Ayato transversed between anger and confusion throughout the night, right up to when he found out that his legs had taken him to Subaru's cottage out of town. It was barely daybreak; but now's simply not the time to worry about appropriate timing. It was dark inside, and quiet everywhere. He would just have to break down the-

"Oh my goodness-," Yui nearly screamed when she opened the door just at the right moment. She certainly hadn't been expecting any guests, not at this hour.

"Chichinashi! I-," Ayato had opened his mouth to say, but Yui had emerged from within the cottage, forcing him to back up.

"Shh," she'd cut him off, "Subaru's sleeping."

The sound of his name even rolling off her tongue like that made him clench his fists, the thought of ripping his brother apart not far away in his mind. But Ayato decided that the girl right in front of him was far more important, and so he forced himself to calm down.

"Also, stop calling me that," he heard her complain.

"Calling you what?"

"That. Chichinashi."

Yui shifted her eyes to take a quick glance at her own breasts, suddenly cautious about their smaller size. It didn't slip him by.

"I'm just stating the truth, aren't I?" he retorted.

What a rude person! Yui thought, but she decided that wasn't the point. Right now, she had more important things at hand to do.

"Look, whatever it is, I'm sorry, but I can't help you. I really don't remember anything, and I've tried for the longest time, but I just can't. So, please just leave."

She stormed right past him, but didn't get more than a few steps in when she could feel him come up beside her, keeping the same pace as she did, whilst shooting her questionable glares.

"What do you want?" she said, hugging her small bag and baby pink cardigan to herself, not stopping.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"I need to get medicine for Subaru, so I have to go into town."

"Stop right there," Ayato zipped in front of her, effortlessly blocking her way.

"W-What do you want now?" she sounded a little annoyed, but Ayato could hardly care.

"What do you think is gonna happen, huh? If you go into town – and that's if you don't run into anything else before you even get there – they're all gonna smell you. It's not gonna be pretty when you get discovered by some of these other vampires. Besides, going by foot? You're gonna be walking for at least 2 hours."

The earlier determination that Yui was feeling earlier waned all of a sudden. It's true that she hadn't been out before, not anywhere farther than the quiet area behind their cottage, and that was when Subaru was present. This time, she was taking advantage of Subaru's kindness, when he had undone the spell that bound all access of the cottage's exits to its owner, roaming around outside where she shouldn't.

But when the scene of how Subaru had been struggling through the past night flashed through her mind, and she knew. He was suffering from his injuries, and as much as he assured her that vampires are able to heal themselves, she didn't know how long that's going to take. And it breaks her heart, seeing him have to even struggle.

"I have to do something," she said, "I can't just sit around and watch Subaru be in pain."

"He's gonna heal. He won't die from that."

"But he's suffering! I just… I can't take feeling so helpless."

A couple of thoughts flashed through Ayato's mind. Can't take feeling so helpless, huh? That was exactly how he's feeling, but all Yui is just clueless.

This was not the situation he anticipated getting himself into when he stormed his way over, but it seems like he doesn't have a choice. It's either that, or this girl might just get herself killed out there.

"You're sure you really want to go?"

Yui nodded determinedly, and Ayato let out an irritated sigh. "Fine. Then I'm going with you."

Yui's eyes widened. "What, no! You don't-."

"Shut up," he barked, already getting a familiar out to call for some quick transport. He figures he'd see this through, and then he can get back to his original intention – getting Yui's memories of him back. "Like you're gonna last two seconds out there without yours truly."

He's so rude, Yui frowned to herself. Am I really going to have to go through this, with him?

"Look, firstly, you're not gonna go anywhere unless I say so, y' got it?" Ayato turned to her, as they both waited. "Secondly, you're staying in the carriage. You don't even get out or try to do anything."

"I sound like a prisoner…"

"Hey, I'm not going to let you get attacked by some lowly vampire while I'm not looking, okay?!"

The carriage pulled up just at that time, landing perfectly right in front of them. Ayato had grabbed Yui's wrist and pushed her into the carriage, before getting in himself and shutting the door. Yui briefly wondered about the thick scar he's got on his arm, but Ayato looked positively foul, so she dismissed any questions.

As they rode, silence hung in the air, until Ayato broke it, unable to stand such distance between them. He'd wanted to see her for the longest time after all, and even if the atmosphere isn't right, she's still here.

"Oi, Chichinashi. Why'd you leave the mansion?"

She thought about it for a bit, and answered, "Because I couldn't stay there. Not when my father…" her voice trailed off. Only bits and pieces remained in her mind, as if a fog was preventing her from seeing the big picture.

"…But I'm glad Subaru was here with me," she continued, "Or else I don't know what could've happened, or what I'd have done."

Ayato clamped his mouth shut and just gazed outside. Everything she said now had to either begin or end with Subaru's name. It dawned on him that the past month had changed a lot, much more than he'd expected. There were a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts that swarmed in his head, and he was struggling to keep it together.

Just then, the carriage pulled up someplace abruptly.

"Stay here," Ayato commanded, and then he turned to the bats in front, "Make sure she doesn't go anywhere." And then he hopped off, slamming the door swiftly behind him.

Yui had no idea where he's gone or how long he's going to take. She felt like a prisoner, trapped within a tiny, pumpkin-shaped flying vehicle. She waited, and waited some more, listening to only the hustle and bustle that's going on outside. There was a single window next to her, and it really didn't feel like it'll hurt if she just opened it a little for a tiny peek-

Outside, she could see that she was in town. There were creatures and people everywhere, and it seemed like a friendly, ordinary day. She spotted what looked like a café, where people were exchanging conversation, and more other shops down the brick street. It really didn't seem as bad as Ayato described.

She dared to push the window open just a tiny bit more, trying to get more than a glimpse. It hadn't been even three seconds since she made the decision, when two ladies that were strolling past stopped in their footsteps.

"Do you-," one of them began.

"Oh, I smell that alright. It smells like…" the other replied.

Yui could feel herself break out in instant cold sweat, and she quickly closed the window. She could see from the silhouette, that they were out there, peering into her direction. She could hear their voices too.

"Who's inside this, hmm? Hello?"

Yui had a hand to her mouth, and was glued to her seat. Ayato, please come back! Please! She prayed.

"I want to know who's inside this~" one of the ladies laughed, tapping her fingernail on the window. "Whatever you are, you're a special something, aren't ya."

Ayato, where are you! She hated the tone of their voices. They sounded as though she's something delicious, ready to be eaten…

When the door swung open, Yui took everything in herself to not let out a scream. She nearly wanted to pass out, from either nervousness or relief, when Ayato's face came to view.

"Go," he barked at the bats, which immediately raised the carriage into the air, much to the dismay of the ladies back there.

"Chichinashi," he turned to her, "Are you deaf?! What did I say about keeping still?"

"I didn't know! I didn't even know what they are. And all I did was open the window a little, for some fresh air…"

"Those things are vampires! They smelt you and they could've taken you. By force. You don't know what they could've done to you."

"You and Subaru are vampires too…"

"Tsk, we're used to humans. Most of them here, they've never seen or touched a human in their damn lives. Even if they did, they'll have sucked them dry and killed them."

"So," Ayato continued, as he removed his jacket from himself, "From now till the rest of the way, you're staying put." He tossed his jacket over her, as an attempt to mask her smell in case they passed by anymore overly curious folks with a keener sense of smell, something that he felt he should probably have done earlier.

"Wait, are we going back already?" Yui asked

"Waddya think?," he replied, as he waved a small little bottle of liquid in her face. "No way I'm sticking around when the job's done."

He pressed the little bottle into her hands. "That shit's gonna help him tide over. Although the bastard deserved what he got coming."

Yui nodded, and instantly kept it in her bag, in case she did anything stupid like drop and spill it. The carriage was enveloped in silence again. Ayato was looking away, like he was thinking about something, and Yui kept at her end of the seat. She still had Ayato's jacket over her, and it smelled just like him. At the very least, she didn't hate it. In fact, it smelled kind of comforting…

Ayato turned to look at Yui after a while, and it seems she'd already dozed off. Her fringe covered part of her face, as she kept his jacket draped over her, holding it against her body. He inched closer towards her.

That's the way things are supposed to be. Nothing should've changed.

Yui stirred when she felt a presence closing up on her. She never intended to doze off in a carriage next to a practical stranger. When she peeled her eyes open, her breath hitched in her throat as she came face to face with him. His eyes were a deep shade of emerald, and it was impossible to look away. Before she could so much as say something, he closed his eyes and pressed his lips softly upon her own.

Ayato was kissing her, barely, but so gently and tenderly, something she'll never expect from him. It was the oddest feeling in the world. Her heart thumped in her chest, but at the same time, she felt incredibly calm, as if there's nothing to be worried about. His fringe tickled her face a little, but his scent was that of a masculine, clean one, and above all, as weird as it sounds, she couldn't quite remember why she should be afraid.

She almost wanted to return the kiss, but then, a sudden wave of sensibility hit her, and she opened her eyes, forcing herself to push him aside. He didn't look mad. His eyes simply followed her, watching how she'll react. Yui swallowed.

"I…" she opened her mouth to say, while desperately searching for the words in her mind, when the carriage gave a sudden jerk, as they touched down on the ground.

It only seemed appropriate to push open the door and leave, after having gotten what she wanted, and it was what she did. She grabbed her belongings, left Ayato's jacket on the seat, and avoided eye contact with him, as she exited. After all, she had made it clear countless of times that her only place is by Subaru's side. She had never asked for that kiss.

Yui took large strides across the green lawn, and didn't even look back once until she pushed the door into the cottage and was finally home. She pressed her back against the door and bit her lower lip, almost ready for someone to come yelling and hammering on the front door. But there was nothing.

When Yui looked out of the window next, she only got to see its door shut, and the carriage take off. He left.

"…Yui," she heard Subaru stir on the bed.

Yui rushed to be next to him, and quickly remembered the little bottle, which she fished out of her bag.

"Where'd you go?" he asked, but when his eyes shifted from her to what was in her hands, they widened, "And where'd you get that?"

"I'll explain later," Yui said, uncapping the bottle, "Quickly, have this."

Subaru gave her an uncertain look, but didn't refuse when Yui brought it to his lips. The liquid was just a mouthful, and was practically tasteless. Subaru gulped it all down at a go.

"Well…is it working?" Yui asked cautiously.

Subaru shook his head, "It's fast, but not that fast. I don't know. It basically speeds up a vampire's healing ability, and it's tough to get." He then turned away.

"Ayato helped you get it, didn't he?"

"How did you know?"

"You reek of him."

Yui honestly didn't think she had any scent of his on her, but then again, a vampire's senses are much sharper than her own, that of a mere human.

"I just wanted to help you… and Ayato, he happened to be there. But if without him, I wouldn't have gotten you the potion either."

"You're crazy," he said, "I shouldn't have undone the spell. You shouldn't have gone out there, especially not with Ayato-."

The way he was looking at her spoke volumes. She could see in his eyes that he minded, and it's only natural that he does. He could smell him on her from a mile away, and it's driving him nuts. As much as he was thankful for the potion, if it meant Yui risking her life out there, and her having to be with Ayato of all people, then he'd rather not have it.

But all these thoughts that he has, he won't say them.

"Hey," Yui couldn't help but notice the change in his mood. He was sulking and she didn't what else to do. The craziest, most straightforward thing she could think of hit her mind. She pressed her lips onto his.

Subaru closed his eyes and returned the kiss slowly. Immediately, it seemed to ease every doubt and worry that he had. He reached a hand up, cupping her face, drawing her closer to him.

Subaru's kisses grew hastier every ticking second. He wanted to erase the mental image of her being with Ayato so badly that it was torture. As they kissed, his hands tugged at her arm, silently egging for her to come from the chair and onto the bed, which she obliged. Without thinking, she hooked a leg over him, and ended up straddling him at the waist.

With his head propped up on a few pillows, it made things more convenient. Yui returned every kiss with as much emotion as she could muster, and Subaru couldn't stop his own hands from wandering as they kissed. One of his hands slipped under her top, feeling the bare skin on her stomach. He could feel her shiver beneath his touch.

"Fuck," he cursed under his breath, when he realised how turned on he was now. It didn't make things any better, when Yui looked ready to lift her own top over her head…

"S-Stop," he pleaded, as he took her wrists. "Please."

Yui paused in her actions, looking confused and slightly embarassed. "I thought that…"

He almost wanted to die of mortification, but he couldn't just go through with this out of the blue. Not when he isn't physically feeling his best either. If the experience isn't going to be entirely pleasurable for the both of them, then he doesn't want it.

"No, it's not that!" he tried hard to explain, "I-I want you more than anything! But, I'm just…not in the best shape right now."

Yui paused, then nodded understandingly, as she lifted herself off of Subaru, and decidedly settled for curling up next to him on the bed instead. She wiggled under the sheets, resting a hand gently on his chest. Although she lay facing him, she didn't look at him.

"Then I'll wait," she said quietly.

Subaru's eyes widened, before leaning in to give her a kiss on the top of her head. He guesses he'll never ever know why, but there's never a day where he doesn't think he's the luckiest bastard in the human and demon world, for being able to just be with a girl like that. He watches her turn to her other side, her back now facing him, and he drapes an arm lazily over her body. He chooses to believe her; he has, and he always will. All those things about her briefly meeting Ayato shouldn't matter, he figures, because he trusts her, and he wants her to trust him too, when the time comes.

Meanwhile, as Subaru slips into peaceful rest again, Yui stays awake. Her heart and mind hasn't stopped racing.

It hasn't stopped, ever since Ayato's lips landed upon her own.