When The Truth Collides
The Case of Zero Kiryuu #4
Everyone wants to be rich, but no one wants to work on Monday.
Ah, what beautiful philosophy, Zero thought sarcastically, glaring at the 'Phrases of the Day for the Cynical' calendar Senri got as a gift for him last Christmas through tired lilac slits. He slumped ungracefully across his work desk and contemplated skipping out of work, wondering why he had even bothered to show up, with that horrid nightmare still etched on his mind –
He slammed an angry fist on his table, before groaning from the pain and embarrassment, and ran a hand down his face. He was pretty sure it was a nightmare, by God, but the sleek box containing that darned phone smirked at him from the side of his desk, confirming his suspicions that the 'nightmare' did occur. Ooh, shit just got real.
Whatever, Zero thought, I'm just going to return that damn thing to the Kuran devil and pretend as though nothing had happened.
"Good morning, Kiryuu," Aido yawned as he entered the office, breaking Zero out of his train of thoughts. "A beautiful day, wouldn't you agree?"
Zero stared at him pointedly.
"Yes, indeed," He remarked dryly. "Mondays. Love 'em."
Aido nodded his head sleepily, rifling through the stack of papers he held in his arms and sat himself at his own work desk.
"We're having a meeting at eleven, Kiryuu," He informed Zero, watching intently as the latter groaned and rub the sleep out of his eyes.
"I'll be looking forward to it," Zero stated bitterly.
"Ah, you'll get used to it." Aido let out another yawn. "This damn paperwork got me working till three in the glorious morning."
"Am I receiving any of those anytime soon?" Zero asked worriedly, fearing the impending workload and that his lazy self would be unable to handle it.
"I guess," he replied blithely. "I got mine about three days after I started work here."
Yeah, Zero felt really assured at that.
"I've got to go report now," Zero stood up, grabbing his scheduler and slid the Box of All Evil into his pocket. "Kuran-sama should have arrived already."
"See you later," Aido waved him off.
Yeah, Zero thought sourly, if I ever make it back alive.
Zero found his boss sitting pompously on his leather armchair behind his work desk, a pen-equipped hand dancing across documents in strokes with a concentrated look, looking as effortlessly handsome as ever –
Jesus, he does not want to be here.
Sighing, he knocked on the dark Victorian-styled door, before hearing a distinctive 'enter' in a low baritone. He took a deep breath and pushed his way through.
"Sorry for intruding, Kuran dev– sama…" Zero said, shoving the horrid memory down to the trashcan in his head. Nothing happened, Zero. He smiled to himself. Yeah, nothing happened, let's just act that way.
Kaname looked up and set down his pen, scrutinizing the silverette. Zero gulped, wondering what was on his mind.
"Good morning, Kiryuu-san," He said pleasantly, much to Zero's surprise. "How can I help you?"
Thank God he played along, Zero sighed in relief, and coughed into his hand.
"Good morning," Zero started nervously. "I'm…here to return something to you, because it really isn't necessary –"
The receptor rang, and both their attentions were diverted towards the (GOD DAMN IT!) electronic device.
"Kuran-sama," Sayori's electronically distorted voice sounded out through the speakers. "There's a request for the meeting to be pushed forward by the sales department immediately. Is it alright to go with that plan?"
"Go ahead, Wakaba-san," Kaname replied. "I'll be present at the meeting right away. Kindly inform the other Department Heads about this."
He ended the call and stood up, gathering up a few files as Zero stood brick-still, a little confused and flabbergasted that he got cut off by a mere gadget.
Kaname dumped some large ring-folders onto Zero's arms. He looked up at the taller man quizzically.
"Bring those along for the meeting," Kaname said, picking up his paper-thin laptop and tucking it under his arm.
"Y-Yes sir," Zero stuttered, surprised by the sudden turn of events. Kaname turned his back on him and Zero, seizing the chance, placed the Box of All Evil on his boss' desk stealthily, before tagging along behind.
Yes, everything is going according to plan, Zero smirked, acting like James Bond from those Mission: Impossible movies.
"…thus, I propose that we increase the production costs and budget of the new K. Kuran x Shizuka casual sportswear collection," the beautiful blonde Sales Department Head concluded her speech, took a bow, and sat back down into the comfy leather chairs.
Good sashimi, that woman can talk, Zero thought tiredly, his fingers reaching desperately for the last few alphabets which would imprint her words in digital format forever.
"Has Shizuka Hio agreed to this yet?" Aido asked skeptically, raising a questioning brow. "She is, after all, the designer and partner for this apparel collection. It'll be bad publicity for the company if we went ahead without her consent."
"Obviously, Hana-chan, I have," Blondie assured sarcastically. "I am, after all, a highly efficient Department Head, unlike a certain midget secretary I might know."
"Wow, Ruka-chan, since when did you develop such a sense of humour? That was so funny, I actually forgot to laugh," Aido replied drily. The two blondes proceeded to hiss and growl at each other, at the expense of the other workers, who, oddly, seem to all be at comfortable ease. Even Kaname seemed to be bored by the scene taking place.
Just as Aido looked as though he was about to pounce on Ruka and tear off her golden locks, Zero grabbed him by the suit and dragged him back into the leather swivel chair.
"Hey hey, keep it easy," Zero whispered to a teeth-baring Aido. "It's a Monday morning; cut us some slack, would you?"
"Ah, well, we're used to it," a familiar fiery-haired being yawned loudly, and Zero wondered where he had met him before. "Where's Takuma-nii anyway? He could've kept these two gorillas at bay."
"Excuse me, Akatsuki!" Ruka snapped, and Zero's eyes widened and paled visibly as the name registered in the darkest part of his memories. "I am not a gorilla! By all means, call him one, but not me! I am too poised and elegant and –"
"Oh, shut up, Souen," Aido rolled his eyes in contempt.
"I'll knock some inches off your measly height –!"
"Enough," Kaname commanded, his irritated voice catching the attention of everyone in the meeting room, and both blondes shut up immediately, glaring instead at the papers in lying in front of them. "Ruka, about your proposal; I think it is a good idea. We shall go on ahead with an increased budget of ¥800,000. If everything goes well, we shall go on with the proposed budget."
"Thank you, Kaname-sama," Ruka bowed deeply, earning a jealous(?) look from Aido.
"Meeting closed," Kaname announced, and everyone left the room at different paces, some chatting with their colleagues, others walking out of the room hurriedly. Ruka, for her part, brushed past Aido hotly, but not before sticking her tongue out at both Akatsuki and Aido, and took off towards her office.
"She's a right bitch, that one," Aido commented dryly, picking up his files and entering the elevator, jabbing the button with unnecessary vigour. "I swear she's the Medusa of the 21st century."
"Hanabusa, don't say that about her," Akatsuki scolded. "We've known her for years; she just got too used to us to be polite."
"When was she ever?" Aido retorted, and left the elevator at their office level in a huff, Zero behind him in awkward silence. He was having a raging war in his head, with the newly acquired knowledge of the fiery-haired man. To say he was surprised would be an understatement; Zero felt like he was going to have a fit.
"By the way, nice to meet you again, Kiryuu-san," Kain greeted amicably. Zero paled two shades lighter, a complete feat, considering his natural skin tone.
"Yes, nice to meet you," Zero said with a forced smile.
"Oh, you know him?" Aido asked inquisitively.
"Met him during my punishment as Kaname's bodyguard," Akatsuki frowned. "God, I'd never want to do the whole bodyguard act every again. Felt like you and Ruka, calling him 'Kaname-sama' all the time."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Aido yelled into his ear, and Akatsuki flinched, escaping through the doors of the elevator to his office.
"Bye!" He called out.
"Get back here, you bastard!" Aido yelled.
"Aido-san, everyone's looking at us," Zero covered his face in embarrassment for his colleague.
Aido finally quieted down, obviously conscious about his image as 'Kaname-sama's favourite employee', although Zero still heard mumblings and a few curses from under his breath.
Zero sighed. What a lively workplace he had gotten himself into.
Lunch break hours were over, and the two secretaries walked through the entrance of Kuran Corporation, all the while having a heavily-worded debate on which baseball team would make it to the championships.
Just as Zero was defending the Giants and how they could easily squash Aido's favourites, a huge combination of female squeals and swoons cut him off mid-sentence. He glanced around, observing his surroundings, which seemed to have a sudden surge of female employees surrounding them in drastic numbers. Zero raised a questioning brow.
"Is there something wrong?" Zero asked Aido, thoroughly confused by the odd scenario.
"Don't think much about it," Aido shrugged, a winning smile spread across his face as he waved to the masses, and were those kisses he was blowing at them?
On closer inspection, it does seem like the female employees are obsessively interested in the blonde right next to him. Zero shuddered. It reminded him of the zombie apocalypse.
"Aido-san!"
"Idol!~~~"
Women, Zero groaned, gliding a hand down his face, while a glowing Aido pranced around as they made their torturous way to the elevator lobby.
"Ladies, I'd really wish to spend time with all of you, but duty calls!" Aido called out while they were inside, the whole bunch of women crowding at the elevator doors, crying out objections and proposals of marriage and to father their young.
Meanwhile, Zero hid in the corner, trying hard to blend in with the glass interior, pretending as though he does not know Aido at all, although the grimace on his face that refused to be wiped off was a dead giveaway.
"I'll see you lovely things soon!" He blew a final kiss at them as the elevator doors finally closed shut. Zero heaved a heavy sigh of relief.
"Thank the high heavens, what the hell was that?" Zero said exasperatedly.
"Fangirls," Aido said as a matter-of-factly. "I got used to it since pre-school; you should too. It's all about adaptation. You know? Biology. Evolution of species."
"You seem to enjoy the attention though,"
"Yeah, well; who doesn't?" Aido replied with a smirk.
They finally reached their designated level, and made their way to the office, until Aido made a sudden stop on his tracks, startling Zero. He turned his attention towards the blonde, who looked extremely flustered, a blush rising up to his face at a rapid speed.
"What's up?" Zero asked, wondering if another zombie apocalypse was coming their way.
"T….It's…She's…" Aido seemed to be unable to form a comprehensible sentence, causing Zero to frown.
"What? I can't understand you. Speak Japanese!"
"Oh, good afternoon, Aido-san, Kiryuu-san," Sayori materialized out of nowhere in front of the both of them, smiling the gentlest smile he has ever seen, and Zero heard Aido make an audible gulp.
"Good afternoon, Wakaba-san," Zero greeted. "What brings you here?"
"Just checking in with the other workers' schedules; did you just come back from your lunch break?"
"Yeah, we just got back. Have you had your lunch yet?"
Sayori shook her head, her pale matte curls swinging in all directions.
"Unfortunately not, thank you for asking. I had a lot of things to take care of –"
"You shouldn't skip meals!" Aido suddenly burst out, surprising both Zero and Sayori, the former staring at him as though he had grew out another head.
"Ah…thank you for your concern, Aido-san," Sayori smiled. "But I'll be fine. I had a heavy breakfast this morning –"
"Are you hungry? I'll get you something to eat! Do you want Italian? Or Chinese? Or are you more comfortable with Japanese?" Aido rambled on, seemingly oblivious to Sayori's flustered attempts to dissuade him from troubling himself.
Zero nudged him at the ribs – hard – before cutting in. "We have some sandwiches in the office refrigerator. Would you like one?"
"Oh…that would be nice. Thank you!" Sayori's smile wavered as she noticed a grimacing Aido. "Aido-san, are you quite alright?"
"'m al'ight…" He managed out weakly, as Zero pulled out the promised sandwich from the fridge and handed it to Sayori.
"Thank you…well, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go. Thank you for the sandwich," Sayori smiled at the both of them, casting a final worried look at a (painfully) smiling Aido, and walked away.
The two males watched her slowly retreating back, before Zero turned his attention towards the blonde.
"So. Wakaba-san, eh?" He smirked.
"…What's your problem with that?" Aido retorted, his face reddening.
"Nothing. Good luck, my friend," Zero smiled as he patted his back, while Aido groaned. "Looks like Idol-san is pinning away for a simple downtown girl. Sounds like a shoujo manga in brewing."
"Don't call her that," Aido swatted his hand away, returning to his desk. "Back to work, you bum!"
"Alright, alright…"
Zero sat back down onto his swivel chair, pulling out his cell phone, checking the home screen. One new message: an advertisement for a new what's-it-called product.
He sighed and put the device away. He hasn't heard from Shiki all day, and this was something new; the model usually pestered Zero with a daily text, but he hadn't received any today. Did something crop up? Zero frowned at the thought, but shoved it aside. He was a busy guy after all, and probably didn't have the time.
Feeling considerably better, he got back to the task at hand: The Letter-To-The-Boss-Of-That-Other-Company-That-He-Needs-To-Write.
Zero yawned tiredly, stretching his stiff limbs from the hours of organizing schedules, planning conferences, and finally! finishing that blasted letter, with the help of a highly irritated Aido.
"I can't believe you don't even know this! This is so elementary!" Aido said exasperatedly, shaking his head in disbelief. "No, no, the address doesn't go there! Add in your formalities!"
Zero groaned and banged his head on the work desk, before Aido whacked him squarely on the head with a rolled up stack of paper.
"No slacking! Get up before I make you!" Aido growled.
"I can't do this!" Zero fumed. "Make me write reports, proposals, anything! Just not the letters!"
"That's why I'm teaching you the basics now, aren't I? Stop making me feel like I'm reasoning with a stubborn kid!"
This went on for about half an hour, and before the both of them knew it, it was already five, and time for them to make their ways home, with the letter made up of blood, tears and sweat clutched tightly in Zero's shaky hands.
"Alright, we'll continue this tomorrow," Aido announced, slamming a book in front of a grouchy Zero. "And make sure you read this. Don't even think about sleeping if you can't finish it by tonight!"
"Understood, Aido-sensei," Zero replied, glaring daggers and the thick book which cover gave away the notion that it is all about the basics of being a secretary.
"I'll be leaving now; see you tomorrow," Aido said, and disappeared into the elevator.
Zero sighed, and started clearing the papers on his desk up; he had to pass the letter to Kaname for a final check, before mailing it.
What if he found out about the phone? Zero frowned. What should I say then? Why is he making my life so hard! Think, Zero, think; you have a brain for a reason! Shit, I think that I really did sleep with that that devil! Shit shit shit, okay, don't panic now, fake it, yup. Nothing happened. Or maybe a little. Maybe not. Oh, shut up!
He had an internal war with himself, and before he knew it, he was standing right in front of his boss's office.
His hands were sweaty and shaky as he reached up the knock on the door, before waiting for the deep voice to allow his entrance. And so he waited.
A minute had probably passed by, before it finally occurred to Zero that no one might be in the office at all. He knocked a second time, louder than the previous one, before being met with silence.
Well, I suppose this is good news, Zero thought to himself. I'll just leave it on his table, he'll surely notice it.
Gingerly, he pushed open the doors, and his eyes widened in surprise.
There, in all his glory, was Kaname Kuran, sleeping soundly on his desk. His brown waves cradled his angular bone structure gently, giving his usual sharpness softer approach. Long eyelashes graced his cheeks, his face an expression of peace. He looked like an absolute angel, his arms folded underneath his chin, supporting and cushioning his weight.
Zero felt his face heating up, and he shook his head furiously.
Just place it on his desk, and go! Zero yelled to himself in his head, and he made silent and careful steps towards the soundly sleeping man.
One step, two steps, another step…Zero finally made his way towards the impossibly large mahogany table, and placed the letter he held in his hands gently at the side, right next to Kaname. Casting one final glance at him, Zero turned to leave, before –
A hand reached out to grab him by his wrist, and Zero literally jumped, spinning around in shock, losing his balance and falling onto the large desk, his face just inches away from the fully awaken brunette.
Said brunette smirked, and reached out his hand, his slender fingers wrapped around Zero's chin.
"And what brings you here, Kiryuu-san?" Kaname's deep baritone clouded Zero's mind, playfully toying with his rational thinking, the side of his lips curled upwards.
Zero…well, let's just say that he didn't take this new turn of events easily. His eyes were as round as discs, thoughts thrown all over the place, and a full out red face to boot.
"T-The letter…checking…br-brought it h-here…" he managed to stutter out, frozen in place. Move, Zero, move! He though furiously. Move or you'll end up as Kuran Food!
"Hmm…wasn't the answer I was looking for, but you'd do perfectly fine."
And Kaname leaned in towards the tiny inches between them, catching his lips into a deep kiss.
If it was anything but possible, Zero's eyes widened even more.
"Mmph…mmmphh!" Zero shoved against Kaname, who had somehow made his way from the other side of the table and is currently pushing the silverette against the furniture, breaking into his barriers, blatantly violating his personal space.
He was just about to deliver a mighty punch at the towering man, when he felt a flicker of tongue grazing the surface of his lips. He gasped in surprise, and Kaname, seizing the chance, slipped in his tongue, invading Zero's warm cavern, licking and exploring every nook and cranny, not leaving a single space feeling left out.
Zero had totally melted at the sensation, and moaned, his fist dropping to his side, submissive towards the taller man. A million thoughts were swimming around in his lust-induced mind, but none really registered through him, except for the fact that it felt impossible good.
Kaname's tongue trailed down to Zero's tantalizing neck, licking and sucking, leaving a spattering of bruises all over, and a heavily panting Zero, everything that was happening to him at the moment being extremely foreign to him.
It was when Zero felt Kaname's nimble fingers working on his belt that the fog in his head started to clear up, and the long overdue panic finally sets in.
"Kuran…Kuran-sama, we can't –" he voiced out in between pants, his hands working on pushing and shoving at Kaname's strong chest, failing pathetically. The man was impossibly strong, and even Zero couldn't make any difference in the distance between both of their bodies.
The brunette caught his lips yet again, biting and sucking on Zero's bottom lip, earning a pained whimper, effectively shutting him up.
It was a battle of tongues. Kaname's pushed and invaded its way into Zero's mouth, whereas Zero resisted, fighting the intruding muscle out. The end result was miserable for the latter; instead of removing the brunette's tongue out of his mouth, the little act of French kissing turned him on, earning him an aching erection. Very effective, Zero winced.
Kaname's fingers finally worked their way through, wrapping themselves around Zero's weeping member, slick with pre-cum. He smirked into the heated kiss.
"Looks like someone's getting excited," he whispered huskily, earning a blush and glare from Zero.
"I…unf…not…stop…" Zero panted into Kaname's mouth, still trying to wheedle his way out of this sticky situation, struggling futilely under the taller man's body.
"Your body's not corresponding with your words…I think I'd trust your body more, Kiryuu," Kaname replied, gripping the younger man's thighs and hitching them on his hips, much to Zero's reluctance. "Human nature…a natural form of reaction."
To his horror, Zero felt Kaname poised and ready right at his entrance, and he bit into his arm hard, squeezing his eyes shut as the dark-haired man entered him slowly, languidly.
An excruciating pain, a flicker of guilt, the tumble of emotions…finally, the incomparable pleasure. Zero wanted to cry out, but he all could manage out was a whimper, which was certainly welcome by the brunette.
"Loosen up for me," The taller man breathed into his ear, and Zero almost complied.
Zero leaned into Kaname's shoulder, having lost the energy to keep himself up, breathing in heavy pants at irregular intervals.
"We can't…do this…" Zero panted. "Yuuki…"
Kaname shot Zero a look, a flicker of emotion evident in his auburn eyes. Zero couldn't exactly place what it is, but it seemed like…anger?
"Yuuki who?" He responded coldly, and thrust into Zero forcefully, earning a cry of pain from the silverette.
Zero intertwined his fingers in Kaname's silky brown locks unconsciously, earning a grin of approval from Kaname, who started placing butterfly kissed up Zero's neck, nipping playfully at the pale skin he held captive.
He continued building Zero's pleasure up, thrust after thrust, and finally, Zero cried out in his orgasm, followed closely by the brunette, who shuddered into Zero, capturing his lips for yet another bruising kiss.
And it was the last thing Zero felt before passing out from the intense pleasure, for the second time he had sex with Kaname Kuran.
A/N: Hey guys, it's been three months… *hides* Well, life's been busier than ever! Not to mention, 180 days left to my GCEs! *tears hair out frantically* Also, I'll be to replying some reviews here from now on, since I don't really have the time to reply to you lovelies…it makes things less awkward as well (perhaps for me :/).
Alright…quite a mundane chapter, besides the smut scene *shameless*. I hope that I did better for this than the previous one…? These scenes are so hard to write! and anyway, it's Senri/Takuma for the next chapter! Look forward to it! (^-^) and that Aido/Yori pairing! i just can't help it, lul~~
Also, just to keep a heads up – I might be starting a new multi-chaptered fic! It won't be out anytime soon, though. Nothing's really confirmed at this point of time, but I'll try not to disappoint! more info on my profile page, honeybees ~
Oh well, it's time for me to shut up! I hope you guys enjoyed the fifth chapter of wttc! Have a nice day (^-^)
Review replies
Ilovesmiingfools:yes, absolutely adorable, isn't he? *melts*
Jinku:thank you, I adopted this style because I felt that it fit the flow of the story nicely I'm glad you enjoyed it as well!
LuanRina:Yes, Mr. Kuran can be such an asshole. I honestly felt rather angry at him during times while I read the manga *grumble*. Hmm, looks like that's an advantage for Shiki against Ichijou, yeah? *snickers*. I'm glad you enjoyed this!~
Sasu-Sama' Sarukiji-Sempai:I thought it would be fitting for a modern fic, considering how up-to-date Japan is now towards the American industry. (ref: slice of life mangas, forums, news)
anon:yep, exactly why I portrayed him this way (^-^) no one likes a i-want-to-kill-myself-everyday Zero, huh.
Miyuki1393:it plays a part here. Read on! (^-^)
mochiusagi:haha! *high-fives*
hotxhotguy:*shifty eyes*He never lets a single chance slip by. Haha~
ShadowsOfPenAndPaper:Glad it made you happy! (^-^)
WhiteEnsigma:Prolly because Kaname is one horny bastard. Thank you!
…and many thanks to all my reviewers!
ben4kevin, ilovesmilingfools, KxZ fan, ReiFa91, Jinku, LuanRina, Brookie cookie17, Sasu-Sama' Sarukiji-Sempai, anon, Miyuki1393, mochiusagi, hotxhotguy, ShadowsOfPenAndPaper, WhiteEnsigma, hwari01, treie
Rusty xx