Disclaimer: I do not own VK. All rights belong to Matsuri Hino.

Warnings: none

Author's Notes: I'm honestly not sure how long this will be. However, please enjoy and feel free to leave comments!

Pairings:Kaname X Aido….and later, Aido X ? I think you'll figure it out ;-)

Preview Line: Aido gulped and knew he didn't have a chance in hell of ever winning against Kaname.

The Stained Marble

Chapter Four
Lovers

Kaname's cold words continued to ring in Aido's ears, traveling straight down into his heart, and brutally piercing it like a dull knife. Aido bowed his head, avoided Kaname's gaze, and fell silent.

He only wanted to escape. Kaname had confirmed his worst fears. Aido was nothing more to him than a physical release for his own pains, a way to ease his own suffering, and nothing more than that. Actually perhaps, something less than that since Kaname insisted that Aido keep their new relationship a secret from the others.

Kaname cleared his throat purposefully, drawing Aido's attention, and continued further explaining. "I choose you a long time ago to fulfill this role, Hanabusa. I wanted you to one day become my lover," Kaname said and paused briefly, letting that one word hang about the air as if he could taste the very texture of it on his lips.

Aido's bright blue eyes widened and a quiver surged down his body at the mere possibility of being Kaname's lover. Was Kaname being serious, or was he just teasing Aido again? But when Aido's eyes met Kaname's darkened eyes, his thin yet thoughtful lips, and his slightly furrowed brows, Aido knew Kaname was serious.

Kaname's gaze drifted from Aido's, and he began speaking again as if he had never even paused. "Even though you were stubborn as a child, I saw the fire and passion in your eyes. I knew you'd always be by my side and that you'd never betray me. I'm sorry if I did some things that made you uncomfortable, but it is necessary. In order for me to continue here at Cross Academy, I will continue to rely on you, Hanabusa."

Damn it. Kaname wasn't playing fair and he knew it. Aido wanted to hate Kaname for saying the words that would ultimately bind Aido to Kaname forever, but of course, he didn't really hate him for it. Instead, Aido could feel his heart thumping loudly from pure excitement, the happiness about to burst straight out of chest.

Kaname said that he'd chosen him. Since arriving at Cross Academy, Kaname had been suffering because of Yuuki, but Aido never would have guessed that Kaname had this all planned out since their childhoods and had already chosen Aido as his future lover. It made him feel somewhat dizzy just thinking that Kaname had thought of him all those years ago.

Then a depressing thought crept through Aido and all his blissful feelings vanished. Even if he were Kaname's lover now that didn't mean he'd continue to be his lover forever. Aido was just a way to ease Kaname's suffering until the real person, Yuuki Cross, could take Aido's place, right? But why didn't Kaname just take Yuuki now and make her his? Why did he need Aido as well? It wasn't like she wouldn't go with him willingly. Aido didn't understand why Kaname still hesitated.

But Aido realized he was a hypocrite since he couldn't even ask Kaname such questions. For now, Aido was content that Kaname had thought of Aido at all, and as his lover no less. The thought of it caused Aido's cheeks to grow warm, and he suddenly realized he was blushing.

Kaname was watching Aido with growing suspicion, but when he saw Aido's brightened cheeks, a mischievous smile crossed his beautiful face.

"You promise to keep this a secret, Hanabusa?" Kaname asked and arched one eyebrow questioningly.

"Yes," Aido answered immediately, feeling the warmth slowly fade from his cheeks as he tried desperately to gain Kaname's trust.

"Good. Now here are your slippers. Head back to your room. Night Classes are about to start, and I have something I must attend to," Kaname said, handing over Aido's slippers, and coldly turning back to his desk without a second glance at Aido.

Aido squeezed the bunny slippers to his chest and frantically tried to hold back the tears that welled up in his eyes. He was an idiot. What had he been hoping for? Was he really hoping Kaname would sweep him up in his arms, kiss him, and tell him he loved him after having sex?

Aido was being delusional and he knew it. Still, why did his heart have to hurt so much? It wasn't like he had come to Kaname's study hoping for a romantic relationship with Kaname. He'd only ever loved Kaname as a friend and respected him as a pureblood, but now, Aido's heart was in turmoil.

Aido clutched even harder at the slippers near his chest as if he could relinquish the pain that welled up there. Had Aido already fallen so totally in love with Kaname that it hurt this much? But perhaps Aido had fallen so deeply for Kaname simply because Kaname was his first. Aido didn't really think that could be the only reason, but a part of him thought that was why he felt so betrayed at that particular moment.

As Aido's mind continued to swirl, he realized in the heat of the moment he'd promised Kaname that he belonged to him, and only him, while Kaname had no such obligations. Now that the fog had cleared from Aido's head, he began to question his logic.

Foolishly, Aido swiped at his eyes with the backside of his sleeve, wiping away any lingering tears. He gritted his teeth, more angry now at his own stupidity than anything, and bent down to slip on his bunny slippers. Like a shamed college girl, Aido tried to bolt from Kaname's study, but as Aido reached for the door handle, Kaname grabbed Aido from behind and leaned in next to his ear.

"You can't leave if you are going to look like you hate me," Kaname said, his voice low and sultry.

"Ah, no, I—," Aido began, but he couldn't manage to form a coherent sentence.

How could he fight against Kaname's seduction? How could Aido continue to stay angry with him if Aido was constantly turned on him? Aido turned his head slightly, peaked out of the corner of his eye, and up into Kaname's dangerous dark eyes. Aido gulped and knew he didn't have a chance in hell of ever winning against Kaname.

Kaname chuckled in his ear and gently turned Aido to face him. "It's my fault," he said and leaned in to kiss Aido on the forehead. "I didn't give you a goodbye kiss."

Aido's blood pumped at full speed and color returned to flush his face. Was he that transparent? This was bad, and it was only the beginning of their relationship, if you could call it that.

Aido didn't want to become so attached to Kaname that it hurt. Akatsuki had commented to him several times how he thought his "obsession" over Kaname was unnatural and unhealthy for a noble. Aido didn't want to become any more attached to Kaname than he already was, but Aido felt as if he were being consumed by Kaname's mere presence.

Kaname opened the door for Aido, but at the last second, Aido gripped his sleeves nervously at the realization that he might not get to see Kaname as his lover again. Aido quickly turned on his heels, almost crashing into Kaname, but the words already tumbled out of his mouth.

"When can I see you again?" Aido asked, knowing his blue eyes looked hopeful.

A knowing smile fell across Kaname's lips, indicating that he knew exactly why Aido had asked such a question.

"I'll call for you when I want to see you again. Don't worry. It won't be long," he said and gently pushed Aido through his office door, out into the cold hallway.

Aido's heart plummeted, feeling the weight of Kaname's iciness at his back. A heavy weight squeezed around his heart, threatening to crush it. Aido's vision began to blur as stupid tears welled up yet again. Aido wanted to turn back, scream and yell at Kaname, and call him a damn idiot. But suddenly, Aido felt wary and depressed, not to mention tired from his and Kaname's earlier activities.

Grudgingly, Aido managed to shuffle his feet down the long corridor and into his room. He wanted nothing more than to take a warm shower before he had to go to class. A warm shower would wash away all of his foolish thoughts towards Kaname. He could forget all about Kaname and how Kaname had practically used him for sex. How Kaname had only selfishly wanted to end his own suffering by touching Aido, licking him, sinking his fangs into his flesh. Ah yes, his fangs!

"Hey, watch it," a loud, male voice said. It sounded vaguely and annoyingly familiar.

Aido looked up into Zero Kiryu's violet eyes. He was inches from Aido's face and stood an entire head's length taller than him. How annoying. Zero and that girl, Yuuki, were the main reasons that Kaname always suffered. If it weren't for those two, then Aido would have Kaname all to himself.

As if reading Aido's mind, Zero's eyes narrowed and asked, "Hey, where is Kaname? I need to speak with him."

"What? Why?" Aido blurted out.

He realized all too late that he sounded like a jealous lover. Zero looked down with a puzzled expression but was unfazed by Aido's questions.

"Personal reasons," Zero said and smirked.

Before Aido could retort anything, he heard the click of a door open from behind him, and from Zero's hardened expression, Aido knew it was Kaname. Aido turned to face him again and saw his eyes were only on Aido, not Zero.

Kaname's lips did not move as he stared straight into Aido's soul. The air surrounding Kaname's entire body vibrated menacingly. Kaname looked furious, and Aido could only guess why. Kaname must be angry because Aido had been questioning Zero when he was supposed to be back in his room. Aido trembled underneath Kaname's threatening gaze and tried to keep his legs from shaking.

"Hanabusa," Kaname said, using a strict tone with a raw, rough edge. "I thought I told you to return to your room."

"Yes, my lord," Aido said and bowed.

Aido turned and began to move past Zero, but as he did, Zero stuck out his arm, blocking his path.

"Why do you let him treat you like that?" Zero asked, completely ignoring Kaname's presence.

Aido looked up into Zero's swirling violet eyes, and for the first time, Aido was captivated by the man's beauty; his shinny silver locks, his pouty bottom lip, and his perfectly sculptured collarbone. Aido quickly squeezed his eyes shut and thought, no, I was just caught in the moment.

"I don't let Kaname treat me like anything. I only live to serve Lord Kaname," Aido told Zero, glaring back up at him.

"You truly are pathetic," Zero spat at Aido, his words hitting Aido like daggers.

Aido's cheeks immediately flushed, knowing that Zero had hit Aido's weak spot dead on. Aido had often thought of himself as pathetic simply because he could never say no to Kaname. When it came down to it, he would do whatever Kaname asked of him. Aido had no will of his own to break free from the chains that Kaname had wrapped around him. And even if Kaname did one day release Aido from his chains, Aido feared that he'd still continue to follow Kaname like a sad puppy with no where else to go.

Aido was Kaname's kept pet, but the horrifying and pathetic truth was that Aido didn't mind at all. Nothing would break Aido free of Kaname's chains.

Still, Aido never thought he'd hear those words spoken out loud. He'd only heard them in his own head, and even then, he was ashamed. Aido was not only rendered speechless, but again, he wanted to run away. However, Zero's tall build and arm still blocked Aido's path.

"Zero," Kaname's voice rang out from behind Aido. "Let Hanabusa go. You've teased him enough, don't you think?"

Aido brought both of his hands to cover his bright red face, but this only embarrassed Aido even more, making Aido want to cry. Stupid Zero! Aido eyes began to water at the corners, but vaguely, he heard Zero mumble, "Oh, ah, yeah. Sorry."

Aido peaked in between his fingers to see if Zero had moved. He saw the path was now clear, but as Aido made a hasty retreat, he made the mistake of looking up into Zero's face as he passed. Perhaps Aido looked up at Zero because of the unusual way Zero had mumbled, but it seemed Zero's tone had changed from demeaning to bewildered.

Aido almost stumbled as he noticed Zero's expression. His violet eyes seemed wider with what appeared to be shock and his cheeks were flushed like Aido's. Why in the world would Zero's cheeks be flushed? What did he have to be embarrassed about?

Irritated, Aido thought about it all the way down the long corridor to his room. Did Zero regret what he said to Aido? Had Aido's reaction made him embarrassed?

"Ah! I just don't get it!" Aido cried out in frustration and plopped onto his bed.

Aido glanced at the clock on his nightstand and realized it was almost 5 o'clock. The sun would set soon and the first Night Class would start immediately afterwards. Aido didn't have time to take another shower and wipe away the stickiness of what Kaname and him had done earlier, but a part of him didn't mind. He wanted to keep Kaname's scent on him a little longer.

Aido sighed and rolled his eyes at his own pitifulness. He was only confirming Zero's words.

Somehow, Aido managed to shove thoughts about Kaname to the side and open his closet to find his Night Class uniform. However no matter how fast Aido tried to hurry and change, his mind was still preoccupied with thoughts of Zero and his words.

Ever since Aido had come to the Academy, Aido and Zero didn't get along. Aido viewed him as a rival, or at least as someone who could potentially take Kaname away from him. But more than that, Aido didn't like Zero because he was jealous of him.

Aido was jealous of the way Zero could approach Kaname with absolute confidence. Zero had an air of superiority about him just like Kaname. Zero stood on equal ground with Kaname, and Aido had to respect and admire him for that. Still, Aido wanted to be the one on equal ground with Kaname, not Zero.

Aido wondered if Kaname would ever respect him like he respected Zero. If Aido gained more confidence in himself, would he respect Aido more? And when the time came for Kaname to leave him as his lover, if Kaname respected him and saw Aido as his equal, then would it be more difficult for him to leave Aido?

Aido's mind kept wandering around in circles, and even though his thoughts had started out centered around Zero, they always, always came back to Kaname. And yet, that only made Zero's words ring even more true in Aido's ears. Pathetic, pathetic, pathetic.

Aido had decided to be by Kaname's side the moment he told Kaname he loved him after Kaname's parents had died. But it wasn't until today when Kaname had declared Aido his lover that Aido realized he was truly and deeply in love with Kaname. From that moment on, the chains that bound Aido to Kaname were forever sealed. Even if Aido was just Kaname's lapdog until Kaname got tired of him, Aido didn't mind and would continue to follow Kaname.

A familiar yet painful twinge shot through Aido's heart as he finished straightening his tie. This time he ignored it, put on his shoes, and opened his door.

Like an evil yet irritating presence hanging over Aido's head, Zero's words continuously echoed in his ears as he walked down the hallway and out of the Night dorms.

Pathetic, pathetic, pathetic.