SO here's the update... finally... real life has socked me again. i'm getting ready to move so it's been packing and donating and yard sale. i'll do my best to update soon but i can't quite promise. i love you all and thanks for the comments!

The Doorman

Chapter 4 – Be Mine

Zero leaned against the breakfast bar and sipped his coffee. He had just been switching shifts with Aiko when Kuran had come in and invited him for coffee. It had become sort of their routine once or twice a week Kaname came back just as Zero was leaving and they would talk. Usually it had to do with Association business or they complained in general about things, or Yuuki. Sometimes the girl would join them but that was over now, she had moved out two days ago.

Tonight it was just Kaname and Zero. The Pureblood smiled, there was no chance of someone interrupting.

"Did you get an invite to this fucking shit?" Zero asked pulling out a pristine white envelope and dropping it on the counter.

"Of course. Everyone loves rubbing shoulders with me. I'm just so important." Kaname grinned.

"You wish." Zero scoffed.

"Who is the association sending to guard me?" Kaname asked.

"Kaito." Zero answered and sipped his coffee.

The Hunter wasn't quite sure how it was managed but Kaname was unaware that Zero was on the mission with Aiko and Kaito. The Pureblood assumed that it was just the two leaving Zero free to interact with him free of suspicion.

"How did you manage an invitation this time?"

"No clue. I think someone's enjoying playing with me. I have half a mind not to go."

"Don't skip out on it. It's fun to have you around at these. It makes the night interesting."

"Thanks. You make me sound like an accessory." Zero rolled his eyes.

"Never. You're my personal body entertainment." Kaname sipped his coffee.

"You're a complete ass. I should skip it just to piss you off."

"You'd make Yuuki awfully sad if you didn't go. She likes dressing you up."

"Just because I'm an ex-human doesn't mean you Purebloods can entertain yourself with me. Between you and your sister I'm always doing this or that. And dressing up or gallivanting about on your every whim." Zero pursed his lips.

"Not true."

"Very true."

"Well if you had something to do for the Association I'd leave you be."

"Aren't you just a charmer. From one sore spot to the next. I don't know why I give you the time of day."

Kaname threw Zero a brilliant smile. "Because I'm handsome."

Zero rolled his eyes.

"Because I feed you all the best information. Once the Association stops being a prick about you being a Vampire you'll have the perfect set up going. Contact with a Pureblood which will always make a mission easy."

"Yes. Well that might be another stigma they've saddled me with. Kaito leaked that I'm hanging with you so people are asking weird questions."

"Talking to me should be a bonus point."

"Well I'm Zero Kiryu so it hardly helps."

"I hope it changes soon."

"Me too." Zero said. Kaname walked over to the window to look out and Zero couldn't help but check the man out.

He bit his lip. It would be nice to have this time with Kaname…. As a couple. Their schedules sort of worked together so it's not like there would be a strain for time. The more time Zero spent with the Pureblood the more his list of reasons they should be together grew.

"Not to be rude but I have work to do. You're welcome to stay." Kaname turned to look Zero in the eyes. "You're also welcome to stay over, but there will be a price."

"Thanks, but I'm too tired for your mind games." Zero took the last sip of coffee before walking to the sink and putting his mug in it.

"What a shame." Kaname said seriously.

"Thanks for the coffee."

"Till next time then." Kaname leaned on the counter and watched Zero leave.

When he was on his own he sigh. It would have been nice to have Zero stay over.

Kaito was leaning on a pillar keeping his eye on Kaname. Zero walked up and leaned next to the Hunter.

"Yo." Kaito said and looked to his friend.

"Hey. You look like you're having a barrel of laughs over here."

"You know it. Lucky bastard getting to drink and flirt."

"I'm not flirting." Zero said indignantly.

"I see you batting your eyelashes at him."

"I do not bat my eyelashes."

"Whatever you say princess."

"Fuck off." Zero shoved Kaito.

"It looks to be a quiet affair tonight. It's all of Kuran's allies milling about. It's like Cross all over again except I'm not teaching these bastards."

"You loved teaching admit it."

"It was nice. A lot better than playing babysitter to Kuran."

"It's not so bad." Zero finished his whiskey.

Kaito just laughed at his friend. "You should just confess to him already. He gives you information and you have coffee dates. You've got to be missing a hint if you think he doesn't like you."

"There's other factors."

"Like what?"

"Like that." Zero jerked his chin toward Kaname.

Kaito looked over and saw Takuma leaning in close to whisper in his ear. It was true that the blond was almost always near Kaname. In Cross they had been insufferable in class, constantly talking and whispering to each other. Kaito could tell from the body language that the two Vampires were close. But it didn't seem that they were intimately close.

"I don't think you have to worry about him. Just do something so you stop moping around."

"I don't mope."

"That's not what Aiko says."

"Fuck off." Zero pushed off the pillar and walked away.

He wasn't exactly angry at Kaito after all his friend was only stating the truth. Taking another sip of his drink Zero looked over to where Kaname was talking to Takuma. Zero would have made a move on Kaname if he knew he wouldn't be rejected. But that bastard was so damn aloof that the Hunter wasn't sure. They had been getting along better as of late but still…. It could just be an act. There might be something that Kaname needed from him.

Finishing his drink Zero walked off to get another. He really didn't want to be here. But since he had been roped into taking the limo with Kaname and Yuuki he couldn't leave just yet. Well he could but it would be a long walk home. If he was going to have to deal with Kaname later he might as well do it drunk. The Vampire was always such a dick after these events. Even when Yuuki was trying to be nice Kaname would snap at her. The ride home always sucked.

"Zero."

The silverette turned.

"You look like you're brooding over here."

"Shouldn't you be with your brother?"

"Nope. He and Takuma are talking about something and something that's sooooooo boring."

"I see. So you've come to annoy me. I'm not here to babysit you."

"You're here to babysit Kaname." Yuuki smiled. "Or grope him. Whatever you prefer."

"I'm not in the mood." Zero growled.

"You and Kaname are both in such a bad mood tonight."

"What's eating him?"

"I was hoping you could tell me. Did you two fight?"

"No." Zero threw back the whole glass of whiskey before ordering another.

"Well it seems that something is brewing between you two. So fix it or leave him alone." Yuuki fixed Zero with a hard glare.

He looked at her. Never before had she defended Kaname. "I didn't do anything."

"It's clear he's to scared to make a move. So you should or stop leading him on."

"I'm not leading him on."

"You always say yes to coffee."

"That's hardly leading him on."

"I could strangle the pair of you!" Yuuki seethed as she walked off.

Zero looked into his glass. He wasn't sure how he felt about what Yuuki had just said. She was becoming more protective of her brother. There was no way Kaname was in a bad mood because of him. That was crazy because he hadn't done anything out of the ordinary or anything more offensive then normal. He sipped his whiskey and watched as Yuuki walked up to her brother and handed over a drink. Kaname took the drink and leaned in to whisper in Yuuki's ear.

He knew they were siblings but there was still a pang of jealousy every time he saw the two interacting. Checking his watch Zero noted they would probably be leaving soon. Kaname rarely stayed more then two hours, he hated these sorts of gathers even though his friends were here.

Sure enough twenty minutes later Kaname caught Zeros attention and the Kuran's made their excuses.

Kaito watched the three leaving. He text Aiko to have her text him when Zero got home. He had watched Zero pound drinks all night and didn't quite trust the inebriated Hunter.

Zero slid into the limo. Yuuki smiled at him. "Did you have fun?"

"Don't I always." Zero grumped as he looked out the window.

"I'm still looking into who gets you all the invites." Kaname said.

"That would be great if you knew. I have half a mind to start turning them down no matter how essential you say I am."

"No Zeroooo! You have to come! You make it fun!" Yuuki pulled a pouty face.

"And you're fun to watch."

Zero glared at Kaname.

"I saw you talking with Takamiya-Kun tonight."

"What of it?"

"What did he want?"

"None of your business."

"I was simply curious."

Zero looked at Kaname and his heart ached. He had loved this man for so long and he was always just out of reach yet right in front of him it was torture. "Well stop being curious or I'll mistake it as you caring."

"I do care. I can't have a Rabid E running about. It's my duty to keep you sane."

"Oh yes what a task that must be. How ghastly."

"It's not so bad as you would think."

Zero scoffed. "Not so bad. I'm so sorry I'm such an inconvenience. I'll try my hardest to stay out of your way."

Kaname looked at the Hunter. He wanted to say something but he couldn't think of the right response besides his sister was in the car and he didn't want to confess with her around she'd just critique his poor approach and point out why Zero turned him down. So the Pureblood just looked out the window.

Zero was angry. He wanted to break something. He couldn't take the site of Kaname right now. "Stop the car." He called to Seiren and she pulled to the side of the road. "Have a good night Kurans." Zero said as he got out of the car.

"Zero wait!" Yuuki rushed to the door and hoped out. "What are you doing?"

"I can't stand the atmosphere. I'll walk from here."

"Don't be silly you're ages from your flat. Let us drive you."

"No thanks. I'm headed to Headquarters actually."

"Why?"

"There's a shooting range there. And punching bags. I'm pissed off."

Yuuki reached out and ran her hand down Zero's arm. "Don't let Kaname hurt your feelings. He's just pissed off about god knows what. I'll make sure he behaves. So come along."

"Yuuki you've always been such a sweetheart. You do too much for me. Go have a nice sleepover with your fiancé. Braid each other's hair and talk about the people you have a crush on. Just have fun or whatever." Zero leaned down and kissed Yuuki's cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow or something." And Zero walked off in the direction of the Hunter's Association. She stood watching till Zero had rounded the corner.

The short brunette got back in the car. "I hope you're happy now." She seethed.

"It's not my fault he took it the wrong way."

"You're so mean to him. No wonder he thinks you hate him."

"He thinks I hate him?"

"Of course you baka! You've never been nice to him."

"Well I can hardly change now he'll know something is up."

"I'm getting so fed up with you. Stop sulking. You spend so much time with him now. So just pull up your big girl panties and confess. Or leave him alone."

"Leave him alone? I couldn't if I tried."

"Then tell him. Stop stringing him along."

"I'm hardly stringing Kiryu along."

Yuuki just growled in frustration and went silent. She was floored that they were both so dense. She had just had the same conversation with both of them tonight. If they didn't do anything then she was done. Totally over it and there was nothing she could do for them. There was only so much a girl could do.

Kaito and Aiko were slightly frantic when they got into the Association the next day. Zero had never made it home the night before and no one seemed to know where he was. They were going to Yagari to set an all points out for the silverette.

The two pulled up short when they walked into the older Hunter's office.

"Perfect I wasn't sure if you would get the memo so early." Yagari said.

"Memo?" Kaito looked from Zero to his sensei.

"Yes I figured since you were all free this morning we could meet about the Kuran case. We've had some new information in."

"I see." Kaito looked to Zero. He was still in his tux shirt and pants from the previous night. "Where did you go last night?"

Zero looked to his friend. "I came here."

"You slept at the association? That explains your early start." Kaito dropped into his seat.

"Why come here?" Aiko asked

"I wanted to shoot something and I figured since we were trying to prevent Kuran's assassination I better distance myself."

"Did something happen?"

"He's an ass." Zero crossed his arms.

"Well onto the case." Yagari diffused the situation before it could get any worse. "We've had information in to solidify what we were suspecting. We're going to gather further information but it looks like we could be in a position to send one of you three on a side mission. Since you are all well versed in Kuran's movements and the such it would be wise to send one of you instead of catching a new Hunter up on it."

"Where would we be sent?" Zero asked.

"We're unsure at the moment. As I said this could be a ways off. Three or four weeks. But we'll see when the time comes."

"Does Kuran still think you're being shunned by the Association and that you're just there as his friend?" Kaito asked.

"He does. As stupid as it is. Sometimes he's so fucking stupid." Zero said.

"So are you." Kaito said and pulled a smile.

"Are we continuing with the same roster for the Doorman?"

"Yes." Yargari said.

"Good. I'm off then. I need sleep." Zero stood and left.

It was four in the morning when Kaname walked into his building. Zero had opened the door and was holding the door to the lobby but not making eye contact.

"What are your plans after work?"

"Sleep." Zero replied finally looking at Kaname.

"If you're not too tired would you come up for a coffee?"

Zero held his breath for a second and debated. "Okay. I'll see you when Kaito gets here."

"Excellent." Kaname flashed him his most stunning smile. "I'll have your coffee ready."

And he walked to the elevators.

Zero slumped into his chair and waited. His heart was pounding. He should probably stop making it a habit of having coffee with Kaname. Yuuki didn't know what she was talking about, stringing Kaname along indeed. It was doing worse for Zero then for Kaname. Sighing the silverette heard a tap at the door and looked to see Kaito.

"Where were you?" Kaito asked when Zero let him in. "You seemed pretty spaced out."

"I was just thinking."

"About Kuran?"

"Something like that." Zero rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm going to have coffee with him."

"He's already been through? Odd he's early."

"Right?" Zero pulled a half smile.

"Maybe he's going to pop the question tonight." Kaito waggled his eyebrows.

"Oh shut up." Zero grabbed his jacket. "I'll see you later."

"Have fun tiger."

Zero flipped Kaito off as he walked to the elevators. Zero picked at his fingers nails as the elevator went to the top floor. The door slid open and he walked into the kitchen. Kaname was sitting at the breakfast bar drinking coffee and reading a thick book.

"What chya reading?" Zero asked as he slid into the empty seat and pulled the coffee mug toward him.

"Vampire history." Kaname marked his page and closed the book. "How's the coffee?"

"You've got it perfect. Just the way I like it." Zero smiled and sipped it again.

"So have you been assigned any missions yet?"

"Yagari offered me a few Level E disposals but I didn't want too."

"You should take them. Show them you don't mind doing the small tasks."

"I do mind though."

"That's the wrong attitude is you want them to like you and give you serious missions."

"I don't care. Yagari know what I'm capable of. I have nothing to prove." Zero leaned back. "If they never give me a job maybe I'll ask Seiren if you need another bodyguard." Zero cracked a smile.

"You as my bodyguard?" Kaname raised an elegant eyebrow. He loved the idea but it would be torture and wouldn't work for long. But god was it tempting. "No thank you."

Zero's face fell. "Why not? I'd be perfect."

"Define perfect."

"I'm a pro marksman. I know Vampires. I can wield a Hunter weapon. What else do you think I need?"

Kaname bit his lip. "Lots."

"Like what?" Zero felt his anger boiling.

"You're a D."

"Fuck you." Zero seethed.

"Careful. Or I'll take that as in invitation."

"An invitation? Like hell." Zero said loudly.

"It's not like I'd accept anyway." Kaname seethed, as his chest ached.

"Oh yes how degrading and offensive that an ex-human should find you attractive." Zero slammed his mug on the counter.

"Degrading?" Kaname was shocked. How could Zero think like that.

"If I was going to make a pass at you you'd know, you arrogant bastard!" Zero snatched at the front of Kaname's shirt and he dragged the Pureblood forward. Their lips crashed together in a fierce kiss.

Kaname was shocked. The Hunter had actually made the first move. If this was a move?

Zero let go of Kaname's shirt and shoved the Pureblood back.

"That's an invitation, not that you'll be taking me up on it. And that's fine." Zero let out a sigh as the anger drained from him. "I understand the difference in our status. I've just had these feelings for you for years. And now I have to see you nearly every day. And Yuuki makes it worse with all her prodding's." Zero shook his head and looked up into Kaname's eyes. "I'm sorry. I know you have enough to worry about. So just forget it."

Zero spun on his heels and made his way toward the elevator.

Kaname's mind finally caught up and he was suddenly in front of Zero. "Wait."

"Just drop it." Zero growled.

"I won't. When you say years…"

"Since Cross."

"Me too."

Zero laughed. "You don't have to put yourself out on my account. You won't wound my pride because you turn me down. Just don't pretend."

"I'm not. I just never knew. I didn't want to make an advance only to have you draw Bloody Rose and blow my head off. Or embarrass me in front of the Night Class."

Zero crossed his arms and looked at the Pureblood. "Seriously?"

"Yes Zero. I don't think I ever really hated you. But god do you get on my nerves sometimes." Kaname let out a little laugh.

"The feeling's mutual." Zero smiled.

"As long as we're on the same page." Kaname smiled and took the step forward into Zero's personal space. He leaned down and ghosted his lips against Zero's.

"Yeah same page." Zero said and reached up to tangle his fingers in Kaname's hair.

Kaname leaned back and broke the kiss. A smile spread across his face. "Well this has been a long time coming."

"Yeah. Because you're a stuck up prick." Zero smiled through the insult.

"You're not exactly in the running for the most genuine man of the year."

"It's your fault for being so unapproachable." Zero scowled, then his face broke out into a grin.

"I'm a pureblood, unapproachable is what I've been raised to be."

Zero let out a small laugh before leaning forward and resting his head on Kaname's shoulder. "We're at this point and I don't really know where to go from here. Whenever I thought about confessing to you my imagination would always supply some manner of declining. I have a thousand and one comebacks for you declining me. I never thought you'd accept my feelings."

Kaname leaned his forehead on Zero's and let out a small laugh. "It's the same for me."

The two looked into each other's eyes and smiled.

"I suppose I should take you on a date." Kaname said straightening.

"I think that's do able."

"Are you free tomorrow night?"

"I can weasel out of my Doorman duties. So I'm all yours."

"Excellent." Kaname smiled one of his brilliantly stunning smiles.

"So this is happening." Zero sigh.

"This is most definitely happening." Kaname leaned in and kissed Zero again.

The two stood in the entrance hall kissing till Zero broke the kiss and stepped back. He was blushing fiercely.

"As much as I'd like to stay… one date would be nice before I try to get you naked." He smirked.

"Are you sure it won't be me getting you naked?"

"We'll have to see tomorrow night." Zero leaned in for a quick kiss before hitting the elevator button. "Have a good night."

"I look forward to tomorrow night." Kaname smiled and waved Zero off as he stepped into the elevator.

When the door closed Zero let his legs give out. That had gone in a direction he had never thought it would…. And he couldn't stop smiling.