When Akane had dragged Aido to her room, she had not counted on how difficult it would be to then get him to leave. Sure, he'd complained about her hitting him, about the way Ichiou spoke to Kaname, and for looking at Akane at all. He'd raged and protested around her room for a solid hour before throwing himself down on her bed and making a convincing impression of a nearly full-grown man, having a hissy fit. Aido hadn't appreciated Akane's comments on his performance either, telling him, 'throw the pillow harder. I didn't quite feel the emotion in that last toss.'
Once he'd calmed down enough to make more coherent arguments he tried to explain to her why, what Ichiou had implied, was so terrible. Akane had pointed out to Aido, she had fed from Kaname, twice, and no one had been about to rip her head off for it, though she did admit what the elder had done, had been inappropriate.
"Lord Kaname turned you!" he snapped irritably at her. "It's completely different! He's your sire, you're expected to feed on him, so you don't fall to a Level E. What that old Jack Ass wanted was to take Lord Kaname's power by drinking his blood, and you, to do God knows what to. You expect me to keep quiet when he talks like that!" This had been the gist of the argument that lasted the hour until Aido was flopped on Akane's bed, ignoring her.
Akane ground her teeth in irritation at the blond before she climbed onto her lavish bed, pushing Aido's legs out of her way so she could sit up against the wall. She ignored his glare as she got comfortable, pulling a pillow from under his head to prop behind her back before looking back at him blankly.
"You know, you're not cute!" Aido growled as he climbed up and sat beside her in a huff.
"Good! I wouldn't want to be cute to you anyway!" she replied snidely. Aido crossed his arms and turned his head away, looking out of the window to the starless night sky. Silence reigned as Akane waited for Aido to cool off enough to not snap at her. Bastard's gonna get it when he's calmed the fuck down! Yelling at me in my own room for a God damn hour!
Akane's ankles were crossed, her legs, stretched out in front of her, jerking back and fore quickly in her irritation. Her arms were folded, and her face was turned to the door, the furthest point she could look at, away from Aido. She knew his anger wasn't meant for her. Kaname had stopped him mid-rant in that elder's face and Akane had been quick to get him out of there. Striking him had not been her intention, but the stupidity of the blond! Giving someone like that a tongue lashing and not expecting to be reprimanded. The look on that Vampire's face when he glared at Aido had been terrifying!
Aido glanced over at Akane's crossed feet swaying vigorously, shaking him slightly on the bed next to her. He turned his head to look at her and saw her gaze directed towards the door, ignoring him. His anger had eventually, subsided after sitting in silence and seeing Akane's irritated frown. He sighed loudly before letting his head fall onto her shoulder. She nudged him away and turned to him with a glare when his head landed on her shoulder again, and his arms wrapped around her middle and squeezed.
Akane's eyes narrowed at the sad pout Aido used to placate her but sighed when she couldn't keep her exhausting anger simmering. She raised a hand to rub her face, but Aido's arms were in the way. She sent him a tired glare from the corner of her eyes when he just grinned at her cheekily. Nope! That leg's still going. I let you go know, you might hit me again, and you hit hard! was what Aido thought as he beamed up at her.
Akane heaved a sigh again, letting Aido snuggle back down on her shoulder.
"You're an idiot!" she said quietly. Aido sat up, loosening his grip. "I was mad at him too, everyone was! But you and Souen had to go and make a scene. You're lucky Kuran slapped you before you got yourselves into even more trouble."
"You don't understand," Aido said tiredly. Akane's annoyance rose at his tone as if he were about to explain something she would not grasp. I understand alright! A little more than I should, I reckon!
"Purebloods…" Aido began as he sat up to be level with Akane's frowning face. "Are more powerful than other Vampires, even us Nobles."
"I know that!" Akane interrupted. Aido shifted so his legs were crossed. He ignored Akane's interruption and continued. "Some of the things they're capable of, are beyond, even our comprehension. No one even knows how long Purebloods live. But they can be hurt and killed." Akane knew this too. Purebloods were covered extensively in class, but she continued to listen.
"To be offered the blood of a Pureblood, it's considered to be the highest honour, and usually only happens within families. To request or take the blood of a Pure-blooded Vampire is disgusting behaviour!" He spat the words out harshly before collecting himself again. "A Pureblood's blood and power are temptations one can easily be swayed by. You've noticed Lord Kaname's scent is different from the rest of us?" Akane nodded, with a reluctantly thoughtful frown.
"I guess," she admitted. "To me, he smells like bourbon, not wholly appetising, but there is an underlying smell that's nice. It's hard to explain, blood smelt different when I was Human."
Akane looked up at the ceiling in thought, pondering what Aido had said, not realising he was staring at her with his mouth hung open and his eyes popping.
"You can't say, Lord Kaname smells like bourbon!" he cried as he scrambled to his knees in front of her.
"To me, he does," Akane defended.
"I can't believe we're talking about this! Lord Kaname does not smell like an alcoholic drink!" Aido argued defiantly.
"Look, that's just what I have to compare his scent too. I'm not insulting the guy, trust me, he's big and ugly enough to defend himself if I upset him."
"You can't say that either!" Aido cried pointing a finger at Akane's face.
Akane's eyes hardened at Aido's flushed face and wide eyes. She reached forward and grabbed his accusing finger and twisting it out of her face.
"Now, you listen to me!" she growled as she leant into his personal space, freezing him on the spot with her swirling green eyes, hints of ruby bleeding through in her anger. "Kuran does not compel me to kiss his arse, and you will not guilt me into doing it either. Got it? I have not been raised to revere his kind and see no reason to do so. If he has a problem with me, he can take it up with me himself. You are not here to defend him. That's the reason you got into trouble tonight, in the first place!"
Akane leant back into the pillow against the wall, and crossed her arms in temper, ignoring the blond again. Aido blinked, clearing the daze when he'd been lost within her eyes. He gulped. He didn't think he would ever get tired of seeing the deep red of her eyes. But, recognising a losing battle when he saw one, Aido changed the subject, taking the conversation in a direction he hadn't thought to question, until now.
"What did blood smell like to you when you were Human? I thought Humans had a terrible sense of smell."
The look Akane sent him, told him, that had not been what she'd expected out of his mouth. She seemed completely thrown until she frowned, shaking away her surprise and turned her body back to face him. She raised a brow at the genuine inquisitiveness on his face as he settled back beside her, against the wall.
"Metallic, like copper. Humans can smell the iron in the blood." Aido's eyes widened in amazement then his face crinkled at the thought of blood suddenly smelling like the change in his wallet.
"Grose!" he said with his tongue sticking out of his mouth as if he'd tasted something vile. Akane chuckled at his childishness, her irritation from before just melting away. Once he'd got over the shuddering thought, and internally grinning that he'd successfully got a smile out of Akane again, he asked another question, one he hoped would produce an entertaining reaction from the ex-Human.
"So, what do I smell like to you?" She certainly was entertaining. Akane's head whipped around like a viper, her eyes wide with shock as her face blooming scarlet.
Aido grinned deviously, sliding closer to the flustered girl.
"Come on," he breathed quietly, dropping his voice to a deep honeyed tone that he was surprised caused Akane's, already racing heart, to skyrocket! That's not what happened the last time I tried this? Interesting. "I'll tell you yours if you tell me mine." Akane was still learning the social etiquette of Vampire society, but even she knew, what Aido had just asked, was something highly suggestive and personal, not something you divulged on a whim. She recognised his attempt to get a rise out of her, but it didn't stop her shock or the maddening flush to her cheeks. Tonight, had been very much like their talks back in the dorm room she'd shared with Miu, minus the yelling earlier. She'd enjoyed the nostalgia of it, but he'd never been this brazen before. What do I say? He's getting nearer!
Aido moved impossibly closer, thrilled by the stunned expression on Akane's face. He plucked a section of her midnight hair and twirled it with a finger, his blue eyes never leaving hers.
"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue, Akane?" Holy Shit! What do I do? Blink! Look away! Do something other than gawp at him like a fish! He's fucking loving this! And he was. Aido was grinning like a Cheshire cat. He'd never had this strong of a reaction from her before. Sure, he'd flustered her, but this was different.
Akane was still gaping at him, speechless, a full minute later. She eventually managed to shake her head of her traitorous thoughts and pushed Aido away, back to a more reasonable distance. She shuffled off the bed to get some distance between herself and the laughing boy, glaring at him crossly before she threw herself into her chair. Aido was still laughing and crawled to the end of the bed before he calmed enough to speak.
"That was not funny!" Akane spat.
"Oh, yes it was! The look on your face!" Akane groaned and buried her head in her hands as Aido's giggles rose.
"Shut up!"
"Ok, ok. I'm done, I'm done," Aido wheezed as he leant over her footboard. He'd not expected that reaction. Usually, Akane would get just a little flustered and then tell him he was being stupid and brush him off. Rendering her speechless was a rare treat, one Aido remembered he'd only done twice before. Once in her room when he implied, he was interested in her, and the second time, after Rin had upset her, and he said, he wanted to make people think there was more to their friendship. This warrants investigating. Probably not with a centuries-old Vampire Elder in the building though.
Aido let Akane cool off before he asked again because he was honestly curious and didn't feel embarrassed by it, something he knew, some Vampires, would be.
"Seriously though, I want to know."
"Hanabusa!" His heart jittered. He grinned again. He still loved that she said his name now.
"Honest! I want to know. Just tell me." Akane looked at his sincere and relaxed expression, apprehensively. This was going to be so embarrassing and she knew he was going to make it worse by asking her more about it.
Akane groaned in defeat.
"Peaches, mostly" she mumbled, finally. Aido's eyes widened as a small blush tainted his cheeks, matching Akane's. He was grateful Akane had been too shy to look at him when saying that and fired off another question, replacing his flushed cheeks with a devilish smile.
"Do you like peaches?" Akane glared at him again at this point, causing Aido's toothy grin to widen.
"This conversation is over!"
"Aww!"
"No!"
"Don't you want to know what…?"
"No!" Aido sighed and dropped back onto Akane's bed.
"It's just as well," he said thoughtfully, placing his hands behind his head. "I can't describe yours adequately, anyway."
Akane was intrigued despite herself, but she fought her desire to question him on that statement. When Akane didn't ask about her scent as he'd hoped, he asked another question that could grant him some entertainment, and possible bribing material.
"What about Takuma, Akatsuki, Shiki, Yamiyo?" The last name he forced out as if it was an unpleasant word.
"Well," Akane began thoughtfully. Aido sat back up to watch her as she thought."V.P. smells like fresh grapes. Shiki smells like syrup and something tangy. Kain took a while to pin down, like Toya. His scent is more like dark chocolate and a little oaky, and Yamiyo…" Aido frowned at this. For some reason (that he was fully aware of but deliberately not acknowledging), he was worried Rin would smell better to Akane than he did. "Yamiyo smells a little like sweet pastry, freshly baked, like a crumble or a tart."
He couldn't stop himself, even if he'd wanted to. Aido threw his head back and laughed so hard his sides hurt.
"Ha, ha, ha, ha! A tart who smells like a tart. Oh, it hurts, it hurts!" He laughed until there were tears in his eyes and he was doubled over on Akane's white bedspread. Akane grinned, suppressing a giggle at the other Vampire's expense, but she was glad they were off the topic of their scents. She knew a conversation like that would change their relationship quickly, and she wasn't sure if that was a smart idea.
Aido may have said Rin was wrong about his obligations but Akane knew, the Vampire had been hinting at more than just their friendship. Akane recognised she was 'unsuitable', in that way, for Aido, and that thinking more along these lines would cause more trouble than she was either ready for or willing to deal with. I shouldn't be thinking of this, it'll only confuse and depress me. Hanabusa is my friend, no different than Nori or Matsumura. Oh, who am I kidding!
Despite her conflicting thoughts, Akane and Aido spent the rest of the night in each other's company, talking and bantering back and forth like they used to. Aido even convinced Akane to show him the clothing Miu had given her. She had denied his request for a fashion show, however, and his insistence she had to show him the new underwear too. By sunrise, Akane was more than ready for bed after the evening's excitement, but Aido wasn't willing to budge and refused to leave her room.
Ichiou had been gone for hours and Kaname hadn't come to either reprimand or collect him, so, Akane figured she was left to take care of him herself.
"But we haven't spent any time together lately," Aido whined when Akane said, for the fifth time, that she wanted to go to bed.
"Hanabusa, we've been talking for most of the night and you sit next to me in class, and study with me after school. We spend all of our time together!"
"Not for the last three days," Aido mumbled out childishly from her window seat, refusing to get up. "I was really lonely."
Akane groaned and rubbed her face tiredly. She honestly was exhausted and wanted to get some sleep.
"But I'm tired!" she complained, stamping her foot childishly. Aido chuckled, grabbing the unsuspecting girl around the waist and pulled her onto the seat with him. He placed her in front of him, her back to his chest and his legs on either side of her hips. Akane blinked, disorientated by the sudden movement, and attempted to sit up. Aido's arms wound around her middle tighter, causing her pulse to quicken as she felt him move to whisper in her ear.
"Go to sleep, Akane."
"But…"
"Shh," he commanded as he reached forward, bringing her up with him to reach the folded blanket by his feet on the window seat. Happy that she wouldn't suddenly spring up and away from him, Aido shook out the blanket before throwing it over the pair of them. She turned in his arms, once he got comfortable, to look up at him leaning against the wall. He looked down at her, resting on his chest, unable to read her expression fully. He could see she was nervous and confused, but there was so much more going on behind her eyes that she was holding back.
"This isn't a good idea," Akane said quietly, keeping her eyes locked on his. She was right, he knew, but he didn't care. Aido had missed her company and her scent more than he would ever admit to her allowed, but his actions were adequate to convey that for him. He wrapped his arms around her tighter. His right arm, going around her back to rest on her stomach, his left, he draped over her shoulder, so his fingers could glide through her hair. Akane, willed herself to relax, against her better judgment, not that it took much effort. She was comfortable and warm, and Aido was stroking her hair so gently, she couldn't help closing her eyes and sighing in contentment.
"Go to sleep, Akane," he whispered at her ear again, and she could have easily, but he wouldn't be comfortable, leaning against the wall like that, and her hip would kill her when she woke if she stayed in this position all night.
"You can move to the bed if you're not comfy," she offered in a small voice. Aido's eyes were already closed, enjoying the quiet moment, smiling at Akane's acceptance of him staying. He would move to the bed with her, but not yet, he was content to sit on the window seat for now and remained stubbornly wrapped around her.
He waited for Akane to drift off before gently picking her up and moving to the bed. He lied her down on the mattress and carefully undid her shoes, kicked off his own, and pulled the covers over them once he lay beside her. Akane turned to him, nuzzling herself back into his neck and inhaling his scent deeply, sighing happily in her sleep. Aido grinned and lazily wound his arms back around her, burying his nose in her hair and let himself succumb to sleep. Their little cocoon would be gone come the evening but for now, he could just enjoy the feel of her in his arms as he fell into blissful darkness.