[Part II]

Accommodating the uncooperative

XXX

It was more of a guiltless overture, really. Kaname predicted the available conclusions in this episode, must he engage. At one point he considered it would damage Zero further which he hasn't foreseen to be his problem at all. On the other hand, must he damage the boy beyond repair, he may not return to Yuuki like the way she hoped and Kaname may never forgive himself for causing pain to the girl. It infuriates him that Zero was precious to Yuuki. But there was something different about this sudden interest on the youth. Zero was always around Yuuki and this made Kaname tolerate him on ordinary occasions. He was familiar with the look of apprehension mixed with hatred in his eyes whenever their paths crossed. After some time, Kaname hardly cared and he met this with apathy. However, circumstances had changed and the young boy grew to ignite something dormant in Kaname he was never supposed to encounter again. Everytime he lays his eyes on him, he was reminded of the times he craved a human's flesh not solely for the purpose of digestion. It only happened once during his lifetime; he once looked at a young man around nineteen and found him extremely tempting.

And that's exactly how it makes him feel whenever he looks at Zero's face; those large, stale eyes that look old for his age because of suffering...it somehow reminded him of his own. This kept Kaname up at nights, seeing images of himself ravaging the youth, hurting and taunting him until he makes him surrender to his needs. It doesn't make it any easier that Zero is turned into a vampire. It would've been less dangerous if he was human because Kaname would be able to see the limits of the human form and not indulge himself. He pretty much considered himself a wicked creature; but not wicked enough to inflict harm on that nineteen-year old boy from a lifetime ago.

But with Zero Kiriyuu...it's as if his blood coos him and sends him subtle signals to be lavished. It was that intoxicating aroma of blood that attracted not just sense of fleeting thirst to be slaked. Kaname blocked it out. He succeeded during that unimportant session with the youth biting on his neck to help him survive. But this time he didn't. When he asked for Zero, he had his mind focused on satiating his libido. He wanted the boy because he was unconsciously asking for it. Kaname could've bragged that, could've exploited the weakness. He didn't. While alone on that room with Zero, he watched him for two hours as he struggled with his own hunger. He knew that Zero didn't know that Kaname is irresistibly drawn to him because he was recently turned into a vampire and this makes the games a lot more engaging. He knew that Zero didn't know that Kaname had a right to him now since his blood is in Zero's system; that once he drank the liquid, he was bound to it. He didn't want to tell the youth even as Kaname was plunging himself inside the boy, not even stopping for air, he didn't say anything. He simply held the youth in his arms and sang to him. As if he was a child he cared about. No, he only cared about Yuuki.

Zero Kiriyuu, to his bitter disapproval, comes with the package.

That was until that afternoon.

"A word, Kiriyuu-kun?" Kaname glanced at some girls with him and they smiled. He returned the pleasantry and then he looked at Zero's expression.

The boy in question simply cleared his throat and nodded. They walked to a corner, mindful that there are students surrounding them. Zero crossed his arms and looked down on his shoes. He seemed rather bashful and less surly. This earned a smirk from Kaname.

"You look cute when you act your age, Zero." He teased.

Zero snapped his head abruptly and glared. "I don't need to hear that kind of statement from you."

"You continue to surpass my curiosities of you." Kaname remarked, a glint flickering on his eyes as he observed Zero's face closely.

"Well, I guess there is something to be thankful for since I do expect to be ahead of you once in a while, regardless that I only surpass your 'curiosities,' whatever the hell that means, sempai."

Kaname looked around them and then he muttered. "Nobody is watching us, Zero. You can drop the cordial hypocrisy."

Zero's glare hardened. "All right then, Kaname."

The older vampire suddenly laughed because he couldn't help seeing the comedy to their situation...especially when Zero reacted to his amusement with more vehemence. He looks as though he wants to stomp his foot!

"My, I don't know about you but it's quite endearing that you refer to me by first name—"

"Rest assured that I do not mean it as an endearment of sort—"

"Yes, yes, of course!" Kaname grinned. "I'm quite aware of that—"

"Then what in god's name are you being so happy about?" Zero shouted and a couple of students looked at them.

Kaname only continued to laugh quietly and he covered his mouth and shook his head dismissively. He could tell that Zero is puffing and his cheeks are red.

"I demand an answer, sempai..." Zero lowered the volume of his voice and gritted his teeth. Kaname was finally able to control his laughter and he smiled wearily at the younger vampire.

"There is nothing to be ashamed of, Zero." Kaname remarked. "I know I've announced that whatever happened two nights ago doesn't change the status of our acquaintance but it does, quite naturally so. You see..."

He leaned closer and this made Zero step back and rest against the wall, his eyes wide. Kaname enjoyed that reaction and he smirked. He has an alarming effect now and this gave him an opportunity to exploit the situation a little bit.

"...how should I put this delicately," Kaname allowed himself a dramatic pose. "You and I had sexual intercourse. By practice, we're almost lovers. We have attained a relationship that's—Zero, dearest, you've suddenly turned pale, what—?"

Kaname couldn't begin to describe how immensely entertaining it is to witness the youth unable to form coherent words while his eyes are almost popping out of his sockets. When he mentioned 'sexual intercourse' it was as if Zero lost the will to breathe. And then he mentioned 'lovers' and Zero's jaw kept dropping, his eyes impossibly large. He chuckled and continued. "As a matter of fact, I think we shouldn't be insecure about this although, of course, we have to keep it a secret between us. It's not something we could flaunt in public. Do you follow?"

"Stop shitting with me, bastard!" Zero was able to move at last and the first thing he did was to try punching Kaname but the older vampire is too quick for him. He grabbed Zero's arm and twisted it gently. They were close together and Kaname felt that strong urge and he could feel that Zero did as well. This is getting dangerous for their own good so Kaname released him.

"It would be awfully preposterous to inquire about your health now that I'm quite aware of how it has been for you." Kaname started speaking slowly. "I do trust that your wounds have healed?"

"My shoulder's fine."

"And the other—?"

Zero blinked. At first he failed to understand the question until it dawned to him and he turned away. He gritted his teeth and said nothing.

"Zero?"

"None of your business."

"Not entirely so." Kaname frowned. "I have caused it so it does concern me."

"Well, it shouldn't, dammit!" Zero hissed. "I'm fully capable of taking care of myself. I don't need—"

"You hold your tongue, Zero." Kaname glared. "You can go ramble about not being a child and that you can handle yourself but we both know damn well that you cannot. You need Yuuki all the time, from what I've observed. And as far as the sentiment goes, I find it repugnant."

Zero looked like he was about to attempt punching him again but Kaname could see that he would not so both men kept their arms to their side and their eyes on each other.

"Furthermore," Kaname added. "I didn't come here to antagonize you. Please...it definitely exhausts me to repeatedly explain myself around you."

Zero scoffed and looked away.

"However, must you constantly try to aggravate me, I could easily shred you into pieces but I would not. And you're smart enough to realize that." Kaname crossed his arms. "Now I'm here to make sure that your body has adjusted."

"My wounds are fine, Kuran-sempai."

"Good." Kaname turned away from the young man and sighed. He collected his thought and once again faced Zero, his expression soft.

"What now?" Zero inquired grudgingly.

"We should trust each other at least." Kaname suggested.

"I'll chew my foot before I do that."

"That sounds visually promising."

"Why should I trust you?"

"The very fact that you followed me that night to some old building without reluctance shows that you wish to let your guard down around me."

"Well, forgive my indolence, sempai, I'll make sure it won't happen again." Zero spat that out bitterly but Kaname chuckled dismissively.

"You're stubborn." Kaname said. "But not close-minded. I realize that you just needed a little more affection, that is all."

Zero's jaw clenched, prepared to retaliate a sardonic statement but Kaname pressed on. "It is in my experience with you two nights ago that you're quite a fragile thing that needs to be sung to just so you can attain comfort—"

"I won't stand here to be disparaged." Zero proceeded to leave but Kaname swiftly took his left arm and pulled him towards his direction. Zero gasped and before his muscles could react, Kaname pushed the two of them against the wall as silently as he could, so not to entertain glances from students walking by.

"Kuran-sem—!"

"Enough of this." Kaname hissed against Zero's ear. "I despise engaging in trivial talks, Zero, most especially if I would not gather merriment from them."

"Then what do you want? Haven't you gotten it from me that night?" Zero's voice sound pained and Kaname loosened his grip but he still kept him in place.

"Suppose I really need to make you understand." Kaname whispered gently. "Would you listen without interrupting me just so we could bicker?"

Zero exhaled and nodded, his body started trembling again.

For Kaname, that uncertain response was enough. He tugged Zero's arm so they could get away from public sight. Zero tried to keep up with Kaname until the older vampire stopped. He faced Zero and without a word, he roughly pulled Zero closer and claimed the young man's mouth. The sound of Zero's shriek was muffled as soon as their mouths clamped together. His hands were on Kaname's shoulders, trying to push him away but Kaname secured the position by pulling on Zero's hair while his other arm tightly gripped Zero's wrist. Kaname kept his eyes closed and was aware of Zero's resistance but he was firm and stronger than the boy so it was almost pathetic to struggle like that. Their tongues brushed harshly against each other, each stroke produces a tingle on Kaname's spine. Zero was moaning and gasping during this and he was still pushing off Kaname without success. Kaname could feel Zero's heart beating hard against his chest and the vein on his neck was also pulsing nervously; the rhythms merging into one that it made Kaname's need more urgent than before. He pushed Zero to another wall and withdrew his mouth for a while just so he could lick on that luscious neck blurring his common sense.

Zero convulsed in his clutches and he was gasping for air, unable to get the upper-hand. All this fight in the younger man was stunning and pleasing to Kaname. He kissed Zero's lips softly but Zero turned his head away, cussing under his breath.

"Stop, just—stop!" Zero slammed his arm on Kaname's throat to fend him off. The older vampire choked slightly and then he grabbed both Zero's wrists to dissuade him. "I don't know what Yuuki sees in you, you freak!"

Kaname frowned, obviously not expecting such a demeaning remark. "Well, dearest, I certainly can fathom what she sees in you."

"Get off me! It's—this is—for fuck's sake, we're in broad daylight!"

"And must I express my advances only during the night?"

"This isn't happening!" Zero angrily shook his head and using his knee, he kicked Kaname on the stomach. Kaname coiled a little but he didn't let Zero's wrists go.

"Zero," Kaname murmured his name to subdue him because it's getting harder trying to keep him in his place. "Zero, please cease."

"No!" Zero managed to get one hand pried off and he used that to throw a punch which Kaname easily avoided. He took Zero's free hand with his own and interlaced their fingers together as he smashed their hands on the wall.

Zero glared at him, eyes burning with sickening fervor. Kaname isn't enjoying this anymore. He wished not to leave the wrong impression so he took a deep breath and started humming the song from two nights ago. This made Zero stop squirming as his eyes held that confused expression, mouth agape. He blinked and inhaled, listening to Kaname's melodic sound. At that moment it seemed as if they're both wondering what the other one is thinking.

"That—that song is a spell, isn't it?" Zero's eyebrows furrowed.

Kaname held their gazes and hummed louder this time and he could see Zero's body relaxing, the stiffness disappearing with every note. Zero's eyes were drooping and the pace of his breathing is calm.

"Stop that..." Zero murmured. "I—don't want to hear it...please—"

And Kaname obliged. He could see that a quarter of Zero's life force was drained. Both the younger man's arms circled around Kaname's neck, his forehead colliding on his. The position was not as uncomfortable and tense as Kaname thought it would be. He was surprised that their bodies intertwined naturally so.

"Please...please leave me alone." Zero was begging incessantly, tears forming behind his closed eyes. "I— I don't want this anymore."

Kaname felt a pang of guilt all of a sudden which was unsettling. He held Zero around the waist and tried to keep him standing on his feet. He moved to the right, still holding Zero in place and the younger man followed, dragging his feet. They went around in circles twice until Kaname felt a presence looking at them.

"Kaname-sama?" It was Yuuki. Somehow she appeared out of nowhere and she was standing there, expression lost, unable to make sense of what she has stumbled upon. Kaname's eyes widened.

"Have you been there long?" he asked.

Yuuki shook her head. "I heard a noise. I thought it was Zero so I—what are you doing to him, Kaname-sama?"

"He collapsed and I managed to catch him." What an outrageous lie! He wasn't sure if Yuuki will buy that.

But Yuuki smiled and remarked. "When I got here, I saw the two of you like that and then you started moving in a slow pace. It made me think you were dancing with him, Kaname-sama."

Kaname blinked, his cheeks warm for a reason he couldn't think of. "Oh my, is that so? I believe that's an excusable presumption."

He heard Yuuki giggle as she approached the two men. "Do you need help?"

Kaname hesitated. He peered at Yuuki's honest face and smiled. "No, I can handle this. You shouldn't bother."

With a rapid motion, he carried Zero in both arms like he was a sleeping baby. Yuuki tilted her head to the side but said no more. Kaname gave one last smile before he started leaping to a large branch among the trees behind Yuuki. And then he disappeared with Zero.

XXX

Zero, as he surmised, didn't sleep soundlessly at all. He gathered that nightmares visited him often and this is no shock when he watched Zero shaking and cussing while in bed. Kaname felt almost sorry for the troubled youth. It occurred to him that his pursuit is selfish but not completely harmful. Somewhat perplexed that he couldn't understand this particular passage of his life whenever he is around the younger man, Kaname summoned his self-mastery and left the room, deciding that it's favorable to leave the youth alone for a while. As he walked along the halls of the dormitory, he thought about the kind of dreams that visit the feverish youth and if they're diseases that cripple the mind that neither of them can possibly get away from. It fraught Kaname to no end. That boy Zero is far too detrimental than he originally conceived.