A/N: So this wasn't voted on, in fact, this wasn't asked for literally at all but I really wanted to put it out because it's done and I think it's super cute. Plus I would like to stop staring at it in my In-Progress vault so I apologize, I know it's not a new chapter, I'm nearly done with chapter 9 of My Name, Is Zero but I've been writing this and a few other things on the side pretty consistently. Plus, if I ever want to get through my list, I'm going to have to start working seriously on at least two fics at once. It's also given me a much-needed break from some of the heavy plots going on in my other stories so here ya go. A cute, sick fic fluff romance between Kaname and Zero and some bromance like thing between Kaito and Zero. Please read: I'd also like to mention I started a Discord server called Let's Talk Vampire Knight where you can chat with me, get updated on when I am posting, some art, a bunch of fun stuff. I would love to see you there if you have some time on your hands and want to drop by for a chat. You can find that using this: htpp:/ discord. gg /VmM5mxrA72 (only with no spaces because ffnet won't allow me to paste full links) Apologies if you've seen that message before (it's going on all my fics so yes you will see it more than once and are welcome to ignore it) but I thought I would put it out there. I believe that's all, no warnings for this one, just me having some fun with the boys. Please enjoy! ~Len
Ch. 1: Price of Pride
"Stop looking at me like I'm going to fucking keel over..." Kaname bit his lip, looking away from the open doorway of his bathroom where Zero was holding the counter in order to stop his free arm from shaking as he brushed his teeth. They both knew he was sick, too sick to be doing anything but sleeping and drinking tea or soup in Kaname's eyes, but the hunter had rejected his pleas to stay in the dorms with him four times already before threatening to charm him out of the room.
"You're sick." vampires didn't get sick unless they were weakened for a prolonged period of time, Kaname had never been sick nor had anyone in his inner circle he didn't think, to his former knowledge he didn't think hunters got sick either. Zero informed they generally don't but seeing as he was an ex-human and a cursed hunter due to him being a twin things were a bit more complicated than that when it came to his medical record. He was much stronger than Ichiru, but he was more susceptible than a full hunter at times, he blamed it on the sun and heat weakening his body since he only ever seemed to get sick in the summer or early spring.
"I can take care of myself." he snipped in response, it was true, he had done so for years before Kaname was around and he would continue to do so with or without the pureblood there. He knew his limits but he also knew he could push them a little here and there in order to make things easier on himself in the future. Kaname sighed audibly, worry bubbling again when he heard the teen go into a coughing fit, Zero's entire body shook from the violence his lungs were inducing making him seem much smaller and much weaker than Kaname initially thought. Should they be going to a hospital? Or at least the infirmary for something like this? That's what normal humans did he was pretty sure.
"You'll come back afterward?" he wanted to make sure, he wanted a promise from the hunter that he would come back to the pureblood as soon as his mission was over. He didn't like the thought of Zero going out to fight bloodthirsty level E's on a normal day but his chest clenched, making it hard to breathe at the image of his boyfriend out there in a state like this. Zero sighed as he finished washing up as best he could to make it seem like he wasn't closing in on death's doorstep and fixing his clothes before returning to the worried vampire prince.
"You can't constantly be worried about me like this, Kaname, we've been over this countless times," he gently reprimanded, the pureblood refused to accept that Zero's life was more fragile than he made it seem. The reality of being a low-status vampire was hard to accept for the immortals. Seeing his boyfriend silently plead with him pulled the strings of guilt from the back of his mind, realizing that allowing the pureblood to take comfort in a promise however empty Zero knew it to be was the least he could do. Standing in front of the prince the hunter wrapped his arms around the older's shoulders, his head resting against Zero's chest. "Yes, I will come back right after, and I'm not going alone. Kaito is coming with me, he will take care of the mission report so I can leave once we're done. It's only one level E between the two of us, you don't have anything to worry about." Kaname's eyes shut, taking in the sound of the heartbeat that belonged to his partner, his bond mate, the being that had become his world and continued to give him more reasons to live and rule with pride. The person that had cured the ancient loneliness he hadn't been aware he carried with him for so long. He didn't want to let go of that security.
"I will worry, I will always worry..." he mumbled out, muffled by the fabric of Zero's hunter uniform but he was sure the silverette heard him when he snorted in bemusement. A hand ran through Kaname's hair, dipping down to his chin and coaxing it upward so he could place a short kiss on his prince's forehead before pulling away. Kaname knew better than to follow him regardless of how much his body screamed at him to not let the other leave their room. With a defeated sigh he laid himself on their king-sized bed, he tried to block out being able to feel exactly when Zero left but that was impossible when everything around him screamed of the life they now shared. 'Dammit!' he huffed, pouting was not something he would ever do in front of his followers or anywhere in public but in his room, he couldn't help but act a little spoiled at times. It wasn't fair. A knock on his door signaled that Takuma had finally gotten worried enough to check on the brunette, composing himself enough he went to open the door revealing the blond. He didn't need to ask what his vice president was there for and Takuma didn't need to tell him, instead he gestured for the shorter to enter his room and shut the door behind them.
"He told me he wouldn't be gone long but to check on you if you didn't come out after half an hour, why don't we get new bed sheets and pillows at least? I know Zero prefers to cook for himself but I worry he might cut himself in his current health so I asked the chef to make him something for when he returns. Miso and some tea will at least get something in him." Takuma smiled, he sympathized with his friend, it was not particularly easy to take care of someone like Zero. The nobles struggled to understand why the hunter never allowed butlers or maids to do things for him, their chef never cooked for him, the group was slowly getting used to it but it was such an oddity compared to any normal vampire's behavior. He was worried too, Zero had become a good ally and a fairly good friend for him to go to when he was fed up with the Council or anything else. He would vent his annoyance knowing he would never be judged nor would the conversation ever leave their company. It was ironic that the being he once assumed was losing his sanity was the same person he went to in order to keep his own composure.
"Thank you, Takuma," his words were more mumbled than usual but it was expected, laying a gentle hand on a slumped shoulder the vice president handed his friend one of the pillows from Zero's side of the bed before he went to work on changing the sheets. He didn't miss the way the prince curled up on the couch and shoved his face into the pillow, the silverette would often occupy that couch when doing paperwork or lounging on his nights off, he didn't know it but Kaname rarely slept in their bed when he was away. Preferring to stay close to the scent of his lover for comfort. The blond wished he could do more to ease the worry that dampened the room but he knew he couldn't, Zero was the only one that had managed to breach Kaname's inner emotions and calm his fears. Everyone else was kept at an arm's length. Before Takuma left the room, bedding in hand, the brunette was asleep.
His world was spinning, head painfully pulsing with every footstep as they rushed the oblivious level E. Allowing his partner to take the lead Zero made sure the vampire wasn't able to hurt them or run away, sick or not he could still aim, but he hung back from the action this time. Kaito didn't ask questions, thankfully, but he did toss Zero a look every few minutes that the silverette would wave off. Once the thing was nothing more than dust particles the ash-brunette approached and pinned him against the nearest tree. An odd way to display concern according to most people but Zero was used to the older's tendencies. "You shouldn't be out here when you're this sick." he clicked his tongue as his free hand pressed against Zero's burning skin, eyes narrowing at the heat rolling off the teen he pulled away and all but dragged Zero to their pick up location.
"It's not as bad as it looks..." came the slurred lie but he didn't protest or attempt to pull his arm back, he was too exhausted and would likely fall over if he tried. Zero knew when he was beat, it was better to go along with Kaito's orders and avoid an argument than hold onto his pride.
"Bullshit," he flinched at the cold tone, but he knew his partner was right. He had underestimated how weak his body would become as the two kept pace with the vampire. He knew he had pushed himself too hard, he was lucky he didn't put either of them at risk because of it. Pride. He hated his pride at times like this. Gritting his teeth as he slumped against the wall while they waited for the unmarked car. He knew better.
"Sorry," the whisper came shortly before the vehicle appeared, Kaito hummed and ushered him into the back seat before getting in himself. Narrowed amber eyes didn't miss the barely audible moan of pain as Zero's head rested against the cool window nor did they miss the visile tremors that shook the lithe frame next to him. How hadn't he noticed how bad Zero's condition was before they even got going on their mission? He knew Zero was sick as soon as he saw the dull mop of silver and slightly flushed facet the previous evening during briefing but he had allowed the younger to assure him he was fine and not to worry about it. Kaito rolled his eyes, he should know better by now that Zero's version of "fine" was skewed at best.
"Take us back to the academy first," he ordered the man in the front, uncaring that it wasn't protocol, the driver nodded after he glanced in the rearview mirror at the left side of his backseat. Kaito took the liberty of pulling out the silverette's often neglected phone from the sleeping hunter's pocket and scrolled through the contacts until he found the one he was looking for. He wouldn't say he necessarily approved of his partner dating a pureblood but he supposed he rather Zero be dating the highest level of vampire to exist than going after one of the day class students or some no-name hunter that would only use him for a power trip. Pinching the bridge of his nose for a second he pressed the call button and waited for less than two seconds before someone picked up. He wouldn't give him time to talk, Kaito didn't care that much about vampire courtesy. "It's Kaito, Zero's passed out, we'll be at the academy in five," he informed, glancing again at the sleeping form that began to shake. "You might need to come get him, I don't trust he'll be able to walk all the way to the moon dorms," he added on, after receiving an affirmative from the other end he hung up and slid the mobile back into some random pocket. The rest of their ride consisting of him watching the young elite sleep.
A/N: That's where I will leave the first chapter, hope you enjoyed it, there's probably only one more chapter to go which will be coming up soon. If you didn't read the author's note above I ask you to please do so or if you want to contact me directly/ask questions feel free to PM me and we can chat there too. I will have the next chapter of MNIZ out really soon assuming I post this before I post chapter 9. I can't see why I wouldn't but in case I don't chapter 10 is in the works by the time this comes out. As always it's a pleasure to write for you all, I thoroughly enjoy this one and hope you all did as well. Have a wonderful evening/day and always remember to keep reading, keep writing, and live creative. Until Next Time! ~Len