Warnings: This is yaoi and contains mature content. You've been warned!

Preview Line: He felt Zero's strong, pulsating heartbeat against his back, and any words or doubts flew from his mind

Error: Sorry. I made another mistake in Chapter 13. Go to "Drink, Zero," he whispered. It is towards the very end and it is very important!

The Stained Marble

Chapter Seventeen, Part One

Trust

With a loud, deafening echo, Zero pulled the trigger. Kaname disappeared and reappeared beside Zero, avoiding the gun's blast. The pureblood's supernatural strength kicked in as both vampires collided with one another and zipped across the room in a blurry speed of movement, growling and snapping at one another like wild animals. Zero still held the Bloody Rose in his right hand, trying to aim it at Kaname, but the other vampire held him by his shoulders and twisted his arms so the hunter couldn't aim properly. The two of them grappled for the upper hand. However, with Kaname's superior blood, he easily hurled Zero into the far wall, causing a visible indent as the plaster and wood caved with the impact of his body.

Aido thought the fight was over as he noticed a stream of blood gushing down Zero's forehead, but the hunter raised his head and weakly lifted his right hand, which miraculously still grasped the Bloody Rose. He aimed it at Kaname, who leisurely approached the wounded hunter. Zero shot off the gun again, the sound piercing in the echoing silence. Even though he did not mortally wound the elite vampire, Zero did manage to hit Kaname in the shoulder blade, which caused that precious blood to seep out and filled the room with its intoxicating scent. Yet, Kaname did not falter and continued approaching Zero. In fact, the pureblood charged forward and clutched Zero by the throat.

"You can't kill me, Zero," Kaname said, and even though he had the hunter by the throat, Zero managed to snarl and raise his gun again.

Kaname gave him a wicked grin. "I love how you try, though," he said, and in one swift gesture, he yanked Zero's body forward and then thrust the hunter back into the wall.

In that one movement, Kaname forced his entire body through the wall, creating a giant hole in Aido's bedroom wall. And Zero and Kaname went flying out of his second story bedroom.

Aido stared at the new hole utterly horrified and stunned. Shakily, he got out of the bed; still unsure of what had just happened. Was Zero really here? Had Zero really just seen him and Kaname doing that and even seen him orgasm from it? Everything was just a horrible mess and now Kaname and Zero were fighting… and this, too, was his fault. Zero was fighting because he'd seen Kaname touching him, right? But that didn't make sense. Zero wouldn't come back here after all this time for him. If anything, he'd come back for Yuuki, not him. So why was he fighting Kaname? Zero had given up on him, right? He'd let him go… right?

The young noble didn't know what to think anymore, and as he approached the hole in the wall, he tried to scan the outside area to see if he could find the two vampires. He could still smell both Kaname and Zero's blood, but as his eyes scanned the Kuran property, all he could see were trees and bushes. If Kaname and Zero were out there, they'd stopped moving, or they'd moved to the other side of the mansion.

But now that he could no longer see them, he worried Kaname would do something to Zero. He'd always known Kaname was stronger than Zero, but he hadn't known how much stronger. But when the two of them had been fighting, he could tell that Kaname had just been playing with Zero. If the pureblood had wanted to, he could've easily killed Zero.

Aido's heart skipped a beat, terrified at the mere possibility of Kaname hurting Zero. He definitely didn't want any harm to come to Zero, especially since it seemed he was the one responsible for all of this. Although, he didn't think Kaname would really kill Zero because if he did, Yuuki would be sad and angry.

Still, it seemed Kaname had known Zero would come to the mansion, and he'd purposefully goaded Zero into a fight. But why? Aido couldn't figure that part out. He knew Kaname had given Zero his blood and the pureblood never did things without a reason, but he still wasn't sure what Kaname had planned. The only thing he did know was that he didn't want Zero to end up dead, or worse, bound by Kaname's chains just like he was. He had to stop Kaname and save Zero.

He turned to run out of his room, to run down the stairs and outside. However, when he turned around, he saw Yuuki standing just inside his doorway.

"A-Aido? Where are your clothes?" she asked and blushed.

He looked down at his decrepit state and remembered that he was still naked. He remembered all the things Kaname had done to him, but there was no way he could tell her about that. Still, the evidence was all over his stomach, and even dry blood lingered all over his backside. He didn't know what to say. His mind was so jumbled that he could hardly deal with Yuuki's shocked expression. He was too worried about Zero. And yet, he realized if he rushed out to find Zero and Kaname, he had no idea what he'd say or do in order to get them to stop fighting. Perhaps, he was hesitating on purpose. Perhaps, he doubted Zero's motives and whether or not he could truly believe in Zero.

Frustrated by his own worthlessness and his own indecisiveness, Aido felt the first tears swell up. Yuuki ran to his side as any previous inhibitions vanished from her round face.

"Aido! What's wrong?" she asked as she placed her small hand on his shoulder.

She was so tiny, but she wasn't fragile or weak like him. He tried to stop sniffling and wipe away his tears in order to explain, but for some reason, her sympathy only caused more tears to flow. He couldn't stop them, and Yuuki just nodded as if she understood completely.

"Come on, Aido. Let's get you cleaned up," she said and led him towards his bathroom.

She didn't even ask about the hole in his room, or the obvious smell of Kaname and Zero's blood. Unable to resist Yuuki's sweet touch, he allowed himself to be led by her and into his bathroom. He stood next to the small shower, while she turned the water on and messed with knobs, adjusting the temperature. Once she found a lukewarm temperature, she turned back to the whimpering Aido and gave him a sympathetic smile. She gently nudged him to get in.

He could feel the steam rising off the warm spray and was tempted to step inside, but he was still worried about Zero and what Kaname might be doing to him. He knew he should go out after him, but still, his doubts about Zero's motives kept him glued to that spot.

He looked at the girl in front of him, the girl with chestnut hair and wide brown eyes, the girl who'd been the cause of all his problems from the very start, and yet, the girl who was the answer to everything.

"Yuuki," Aido said hoarsely as their eyes met, "will you please stop them from fighting? I beg you."

Her brown eyes widened a bit, but she finally said, "I will try, but I don't think I'm strong enough to stop the both of them."

"You are Yuuki. All you have to do is tell Zero you'll hate him if he kills Kaname. Or, you can tell Kaname you'd hate him if he kills Zero. Whichever you'd prefer," he said, his eyes looking solemn as the realization crossed Yuuki's face.

"Aido…" she tried, but his expression stopped whatever she'd been about to say.

"Please, Yuuki. They both love you," he said and his chin began to quiver again as he tried to hold back the tears.

Yuuki leaned in again and softly brushed his shoulder. She nodded and said, "All right."

He should've felt relieved, but as he watched her leave and close the door behind her, he felt as if there were some sort of finality to it. It was as if she were saying, "Yes, I know. They both love me, and not you." He'd known this from the start, but still, it stung to have it thrown back in his face. This was why he'd left Zero in the first place. He didn't want constant reminders that Zero still loved Yuuki. He couldn't be around the two of them. It was too painful, and that was why he wished the hunter hadn't come back at all. It was why he'd hesitated to run out after him. It was why now—as he climbed into the shower and washed the filth from his body—he hugged his arms to his chest and wept. His tears mixed with the water's droplets, but he could barely keep himself together as his shoulders heaved and his heart tore into a million pieces. He hadn't been prepared to see Zero again. He wasn't ready for such an encounter, and he didn't dare hope. He didn't dare think Zero was here for him. Even if he was, there was still a part of Zero that had also come for Yuuki. And Aido couldn't forgive that part. He couldn't trust that part.

Damn it. Why the hell had Zero come? Aido tried to toss the pain aside and focus on washing the stickiness off of his stomach and backside. He didn't get very far in the process, though, before his legs started to tremble and his vision blurred, yet again. His sobs turned to hiccups, and his breath hitched as a large lump formed inside of his throat, making it near impossible for him to swallow.

Abruptly, the door to the bathroom burst open, and he froze as thudded footsteps approached the shower. In three rapid steps, the curtain to the shower was swept aside and a dirtied and bloodied Zero was revealed.

The hunter panted and looked at the naked, sniveling Aido. A guilty expression crossed his face, but it quickly changed to almost sorrowful, yet longing. Aido instantly assumed his plan must have worked, and Yuuki must have told Zero that if he killed Kaname she'd never forgive him.

His heart gave another painful lurch as he realized the only reason Zero stood before him was because Yuuki had probably told Zero it had been Aido's idea to get them to stop fighting. But regardless of what Zero was about to tell him, the truth was Zero had only stopped fighting when she'd threatened to hate him forever, which meant he wasn't over her. Aido knew that, and yet, he'd still hoped that wasn't the case.

His ocean colored eyes met Zero's. "You should go back to Cross Academy," he said harshly. "There is nothing for you here, Zero."

Those purple irises widened, but Zero's jaw clenched and hardened. "Hanabusa, I don't know what you are talking about. You are here, and I'm not leaving you again… Not ever," Zero said, inching closer to the corner in which Aido huddled.

The noble tried not to let his slick words get to him. He tried not to feel the heat and promise of those words. He didn't want to be swept away in Zero's arms only to feel the loss of them again. He clasped his arms to his body and shivered, avoiding Zero's gaze. This way he was able to choke out a simple statement.

"I'm staying here with Kaname," he said.

"I know," Zero replied, giving an immediate response as if he knew Aido would say that.

The young noble's eyes flicked up toward the hunter, who was now stripping off his muddy clothes. Zero hastily pulled off his jean jacket and the holster for his gun, which had mysteriously gone missing. Without looking up for Aido's approval, the young hunter then stripped off his black t-shirt, revealing his chiseled abs and hard pecks. Aido wanted to speak out at this point. He knew where this would lead, and he still had questions, still had doubts. However, his mouth wasn't working, and instead, he watched as his ex-lover kicked off his boots and pulled down his tight jeans, taking off his black boxers in one swift yank as well.

Aido tried not to show any visible reaction to that large member in between the hunter's thighs, but he couldn't stop staring at it as it remained somewhere between half-hard and curved against Zero's thigh. He desperately wanted to trace his hand up and down the curved shaft until it straightened out into a pointy arrow against Zero's stomach. He wanted to bend down on his knees and take that pink tip into his mouth and…

Aido snapped his eyes away from Zero's crotch as the hunter stepped into the shower, coming extremely close to his huddled corner of the shower, which was on the opposite side of the showerhead. The water cascaded down Zero's backside, wetting him thoroughly and making him look all the more tempting. He took a step closer to Aido, but the noble hurriedly brought his hands up, stopping the hunter's advancement.

"Y-You came for Yuuki, right?" he blurted, and realized in the context of things, he wasn't making much sense, but he couldn't help it. Staring at a naked and wet Zero was confusing him.

He squeezed his eyes closed and tried again. "I mean, she asked you to stop fighting and you did, right? But then you rush up here to see me. You are still confused on who you want to be with Zero. I can't keep doing this with you. You can't keep showing up like this and messing with my heart. It's too—"

"That's not it!" Zero said, suddenly interrupting him and gripping his shoulders tightly as the hunter moved in next to him. His eyes burst open as he stared up into Zero's all-to-close violet eyes.

"Yuuki didn't ask me to stop fighting Kaname on her behalf. All she told me was that you were hurt, crying, and all alone up stairs. She asked me what was more important: revenge or love. I chose love. I wasn't going to make the same mistake twice and let you slip through my fingers again. I'm never letting you go, Hanabusa," Zero explained.

Aido felt foolish because he knew Zero was telling the truth. Yuuki was no longer in Zero's heart, and Zero had really come for him, not her. But wait, why had Zero decided to come after all this time? And how had he known Kaname had been doing that to him? Didn't Zero mention something about a deal between him and Kaname? What sort of deal and how did it involve Aido?

A million thoughts raced through his mind at once, but he finally settled on, "What was the deal you spoke of?"

Zero's eyebrows furrowed but he loosened his hold on Aido's shoulders, and he lifted his left hand to stroke the side of Aido's cheek.

"Come here," Zero said and gently pried Aido's arms apart.

The blond allowed his arms to fall open and placed them at his sides. The hunter slowly turned him around and had him face the corner of the shower, away from the spray of the water. Zero leaned in against his back, pressing his chest against him and placing his lips next to Aido's ear.

He couldn't help but notice the heated twitch between his cheeks as Zero throbbed against him. But the hunter didn't thrust his hips, he didn't stroke Aido's semi-erect organ, nor did he tease Aido's hardened nipples as he wrapped his arms around the noble's waist from behind. Instead, Zero simply told him everything.

"On the day you, Kaname, and Yuuki left the Academy, I approached Kaname. I told him if he touched you, I'd hunt him down and kill him. At that time, it was just an empty threat, but later, I found a witch and put a spell on him. All that was needed was a hair from Kaname and a hair from you as well. It was easy enough to find some remaining hairs within the abandoned dorms," Zero said as his idle fingers began to playfully circle over Aido's wet stomach.

The blond perked up and half-turned to Zero. "Oh! That must have been that weird spark I felt."

Zero nodded and continued. "Yes, well, I knew that bastard couldn't keep his hands off you forever so I had to make sure you were safe. I couldn't let you go with him knowing Kaname might be all over you. I know that makes me selfish, but I still loved you and wanted you all to myself, and even now, I still do," he said, leaning forward to kiss Aido's cheek.

He felt Zero's strong, pulsating heartbeat against his back, and any words or doubts flew from his mind. Aido fell back into those secure arms and sighed contentedly.

"You idiot. You took too long," he murmured.

Zero gave a half-laugh and his deep rumble vibrated from his chest and through Aido's back. "I know. I'm sorry, but I'll make up for it right now," he said and his voice was rich, sultry, and filled with promise.

Zero's hands moved from Aido's belly up to his now softened nipples. Those fingers briefly grazed over his pink nubs, but it was enough to harden each one, perking them into full awareness. Their ultra-sensitivity sent pricks of pleasure throughout his body and caused his member to thicken against his stomach.

He squirmed against Zero and felt that large organ pulse against him. Impatient, he grabbed Zero's hand, which had been lightly tracing his chest, and forced it down onto his erect member.

The hunter did not deny him, or tease him, as Kaname would have. Instead, Zero grunted at his assertiveness, and Zero's shaft rubbed even more against his backside. The young hunter closed his fist around Aido's engorged member.

"Mm! Aah!" Aido moaned and leaned his head back against Zero's shoulder.

He could barely see Zero out of the corner of his eye; however, he could tell that Zero's fangs were fully extended, and he remembered Zero had lost quite a bit of blood from the fight. But as he craned his neck, he noticed the wound had healed on Zero's forehead, and of course, Zero's eyes remained a darkened purple. The hunter was undoubtedly fighting his urge for blood because he was afraid of hurting Aido just like last time. But the young noble wasn't afraid and he wanted Zero to give in. In fact, he longed for it. He had longed for those dangerous fangs ever since Zero had first bitten him.

"Zero," Aido called out in a raspy whisper and raised his left hand towards the hunter's face.

Zero continued to masturbate Aido's dripping member, pumping him with a slow, firm grip. But his hand paused the moment Aido's fingers reached inside of his mouth, pried his lips apart, and began to trace those forbidden, pointy fangs. Those violet eyes hesitated, alarmed, and unsure. He turned and looked over at Aido.

"Zero… please… bite me… please…" the young noble begged as Zero's eyes took in his heady state.

Aido bucked his hips forward into Zero's motionless hand, urging him to continue, but the hunter seemed too distracted and perhaps, terrified, by his suggestion. Yet, Zero's eyes shifted downward towards his exposed neck and those eyes immediately began to glow with a red colored hue.

Aido licked his lips, removed his hand from those alluring fangs, and turned his head again, offering a better angle on his neck. Zero's hand resumed a tormenting, slow stroke. He was already near his breaking point, and deviously, he arched his body into that tight fist, further exposing his neck to Zero's thirsty lips.

The hunter seized him with his other hand and wrapped his arm around Aido's chest, pinning him and stilling his motions all together. Zero lowered his lips, kissed him tenderly against his sensitive flesh, and slowly, his hand began to pick up speed.

Aido tried to thrust up into that skillful hand. He wanted to create a more delicious friction as his member was battered up and down in between Zero's firm grip. But Zero's other arm around his chest held him completely immobile. He could hardly move his hips an inch or so, but each time he did, the hunter tightened his grip further. Still, there was something about being totally defenseless and under Zero's control that thickened his member even more.

Aido's stomach quivered and his hole clenched. He knew his orgasm was near as a tingling wave of ecstasy washed over him and surged straight down to his crotch. Clear liquid seeped from his slit, but at that exact moment, Zero's jaw parted and those succulent fangs sank deep into his flesh.

Aido flinched, expecting the usual sting of pain, but surprisingly, there was no pain, even as he felt Zero's fangs withdraw and his blood gushed freely. He was overwhelmed with warmth, which flowed down his neck and throughout his body. It singed his body and, gradually, began to pump his blood faster, eliciting heavy breathing and causing him to arch his back. He couldn't control this reaction, and the more his blood flowed and Zero licked his wound, the more he lifted his hips and moaned. But this time, Zero didn't restrain his bucking movements.

Zero's hand stroked him feverishly, and his slick tongue assaulted his neck, delving into his wound and almost gnawing at his tenderized flesh. Aido's face construed as his body was racked with the desperate need for release.

"Aaah! Feels… sooo… aah… good!" he cried.

His heart rate doubled, his knees threatened to give out, and his whole body convulsed as he humped his hips into Zero's unrelenting fist. Tiny sparks shot across his field of vision as his orgasm exploded from him and out onto the ceramic tiles. He huffed as small spasms rippled through his body in the orgasmic afterglow.

He leaned forward on shaking knees as Zero detached his lips from his neck. Aido was glad that Zero didn't try to heal him or do something weird with his wound like Kaname always had. He didn't want Zero worrying over such things and thinking he was weak, especially when he'd thoroughly enjoyed it and wanted Zero to do it again. Still, it would probably take a day or so for him to heal the wound, so they'd have to be extra careful when Zero bit him. They couldn't just do it all the time; otherwise, he might actually end up killing Aido.

Zero's hand released Aido's shriveling member, but he could still feel that stiff and pulsing member pressed into his backside. Aido smirked to himself and grinded his ass relentlessly against the hunter, nearly spreading his cheeks wide open in the process.

Both of Zero's hands clutched him by his fleshy bottom and forcefully spread his cheeks wider. He pressed his leaking, aching tip against the noble's flexing hole and hissed with pleasure as he pushed his tip past Aido's rim.