A/N: Sorry for the delay with this chapter, and that it's kind of short and doesn't move things along too far. The next chapter will be longer and will hopefully be along with much less delay. ;) As always, don't forget that my review responses are in my forum. You can find more details on my bio page.
Chapter Two: "Orchids and Roses"
"Well, what do you think?" Zero asked with smile that was meant to be wry but betrayed a little more hesitancy than he'd intended as he leaned in Kaname's doorway. "Do I pass muster for the dress code?"
Kaname was still finishing dressing, being a step behind Zero who had already showered. The pureblood was wearing dark trousers and a silky brown dress shirt with French Cuffs that almost matched his hair. Zero saw a suit coat that matched the trousers carefully hanging on the back of a chair. Kaname had his back to him, apparently in the middle of deciding on a tie. Zero enjoyed watching the graceful line of Kaname's figure and the way the dress clothes clung easily to the pureblood's body like a second skin. Kaname looked good in anything. Heck... Kaname looked great in nothing... Zero gave a little mental cough and steered away from that thought. Zero had to admit though, that the pureblood could really look delicious when he dressed up.
The pureblood seemed to have an innate sense of style and elegance, making Zero a bit nervous about living up to standards, despite what he said. Fashion was not really Zero's thing. Not that he couldn't put himself together nicely when he wanted to, but he just usually didn't give it a lot of thought. Tonight though, he had this stupidly nervous feeling, like he wanted to impress Kaname and was afraid to disappoint.
Get a grip, Kiriyu, you're taking this whole "date" thing far too seriously... he chided himself ruefully. It was true. He was trying not to show it, but he felt almost as nervous as if it was his first date. Well... okay, actually it kind of was in a way.
Kaname turned around at the sound of his voice, and the look in the pureblood's pleasantly surprised and delighted eyes said that Zero needn't have worried about what he was wearing.
The pureblood stared at Zero in open appreciation. He was going to have to stop teasing Zero about his wardrobe if the hunter kept dressing this way. Zero was wearing a dark charcoal suit and a crisp white dress shirt. The dress shirt had a collar that nicely framed Zero's neck, but it was not one that was meant to be closed. The neck was in the shape of a V, falling casually open down to where about the second button on a dress shirt would normally be. It left the hunter's neck delightfully on display and left a nice patch of the creamy skin over his collarbones visible as well.
To the casual observer, it was a nice, relaxed dress shirt. To a vampire, the exposed, dipping neckline and the collar that just teased the sides of the throat as if begging to be pushed back was delightfully provocative. With a wide smile, Kaname wondered if Zero realized that or not.
Kaname gave a soft, slightly trembling exhalation of approval. "You certainly do," he said, returning Zero's grin. With self-deprecating amusement, Kaname had to tear his eyes away with a chuckle, instinctively covering his mouth with his hand to hide the fact that his fangs had become aroused. He acted like his nose itched, rubbing the underside lightly with the edge of his palm as he gave himself a moment to recover control.
Zero knew exactly what the pureblood was doing and Kaname's honest body-reaction proved very eloquently just how nice his lover thought he looked, making the hunter hum with happy, embarrassed pleasure that he wasn't about to cop to.
Zero entered the room and picked up the cufflinks that were sitting on Kaname's desk, obviously waiting to be threaded into the French Cuffs of the shirt he was wearing. He turned the small, graceful little gold and diamond studs over in his hand, wondering if the stones were real and guessing they probably were while allowing Kaname a moment of privacy to collect himself.
When he turned back around, Kaname was watching him with a delighted, but no longer predatory smile. "Maybe I should start letting you pick my clothes for me, hm?" Kaname said with a twinkle in his eyes.
Zero grinned and shook his head. "I'm not sure you'd like the result," he teased with a warning eyebrow raised. "Besides, I think you look great." Stepping closer, Zero took hold of Kaname's right wrist, lightly bringing it up and turning it over so he could fix the cufflinks for him. The ex-human folded the cuff neatly and worked the small, round head of the link through the now overlapping holes. Kaname could probably do this himself with ease, despite it usually being a somewhat tricky proposition to do one-handed, but Zero wanted to. It was a good excuse to be close to the pureblood and the hunter liked taking care of him.
Kaname's shirt was silky under his fingers and Zero enjoyed the sensation against his skin. The fabric was a little softer and less starched than was usual for shirts employing cufflinks though, and he had to concentrate a bit to not let it slip away from him or to let the cuff get messy as he worked. Once he was satisfied with one cuff, he took Kaname's other arm in his hands and repeated the procedure.
Kaname was once again pleasantly surprised and he stood patiently, perfectly happy and content to let Zero do as he pleased. His expression was soft and radiant as he watched the silver head bent over its self appointed task. Zero's warm fingers brushed his wrist and palm as they worked with his shirt cuffs. The soft, fresh scent of Zero's shampoo mingled with the boy's natural scent filled his senses and Kaname breathed it in deeply.
"There," Zero straightened up after a few more moments, satisfied with his work. He glanced up and caught Kaname's intensely adoring gaze, causing him to color slightly and look away, even as he smiled. "Um, all set," he finished, finally glancing back towards Kaname as if his gaze was being drawn by a magnetic force.
Kaname leaned forward, his finger tips brushing Zero's neck and sliding sensually beneath that delicious collar as his hand slid around behind Zero's head. He kissed Zero chastely but with deliberate slowness, letting their lips just linger against one another's for a few heart-thudding moments. "Thank you, Zero," he murmured against the other boy's mouth, his tongue flicking out and just lightly tracing the contour of the ex-human's delicious lower lip before Kaname straightened and withdrew, reaching for his suit coat.
Zero found himself standing still as a statue, breathing hard in the wake of the pureblood's incredible, gentle touches. Wow. Damn... his trousers were now uncomfortably tight and he was glad that his suit coat came down as far as it did. It was Zero's turn to need to get control of himself and Kaname let him do so as he shrugged into his suit coat. The pureblood opted not to wear a tie after all. Zero wasn't and he preferred for them to be similarly attired. Besides... he really didn't want anything around his neck right now. He'd rather keep it open and... inviting.
To that end, Kaname undid his top button, letting the smooth fabric pull gracefully away from his throat a little. Crossing the room, Kaname picked up something from the table that Zero hadn't really noticed was there. Carrying the small clear plastic, ribbon-wrapped box over, the pureblood gave it to the hunter with a small, slightly hesitant smile. "I got this for you. You don't have to wear it if you don't want to though."
Inside the box, which bore the gold emblem of a local florist, lay a small orchid boutonniere. The inner petals were a pale violet color that matched Zero's eyes, fading to white at the edges and the stem was done up in silver ribbon. The boutonniere was elegant and tastefully understated. Kaname had stopped short of actually getting Zero a bouquet of flowers, thinking that showing up at the door to the guest bedroom with a swath of blossoms in hand to pick Zero up for their date might be pushing the hunter a little too far for their first attempt at this. But lots of men wore boutonnieres, Kaname certainly did, so this was a manly way to give him flowers, right...? It had been worth a try, anyway.
"I think it would match your outfit very nicely," Kaname added when Zero said nothing. The hunter was staring at the flower with something between surprise and hesitation.
Zero's first reaction to seeing the flower was surprise. His second was a flustered embarrassment. First they were going on a date and now Kaname was giving him flowers? Oh geez... But, the flower was pretty, and the arrangement wasn't gaudy or anything. He'd worn flowers in his button hole before, although he hadn't put them there. In the past it had always been Yuki who tucked them into his suit, like she had done at the school dance in another lifetime.
The recollection softened his initial reluctance. There was always a warm, wistful pain when he thought of her, there probably always would be, but there was also the warmth of precious memories now and it helped temper his initial reaction, giving him another perspective. There was really nothing unusual about Kaname doing this at all, was there? The pureblood was just showing that he cared.
Slowly, to Kaname's surprise, Zero slid the ribbons off the box and removed the flower without a word. He looked at it for a moment, turning it over and seeing the long pearl headed pin piercing the ribbon clad stems. It was obviously meant to be pinned rather than put in an actual button hole, which was good because Zero's current suit had decorative, non-cut button holes only.
Kuran actually meant "nine orchids" didn't it? The random thought crossed Zero's mind briefly as he held the flower out to the pureblood. "Can you pin it on?" he asked quietly. He could have done it himself, but he kind of felt like Kaname would like to... or maybe... he kind of wanted Kaname to do it.
Kaname smiled deeply, relieved that Zero was okay with this and very pleased to be asked. He took the flower from Zero's hand and leaned forward, carefully and deftly pinning it to the lapel of Zero's jacket. He took time with it, making sure it was seated just right and that the pin was tucked carefully into the fabric in a way that would not show or risk jabbing Zero. His knuckles lightly brushed Zero's throat and chin as he straightened the lapel and ghosted his long fingers down the length of it to smooth it back into place.
"There," Kaname whispered softly. "You look more irresistible than ever." He turned Zero around, towards the mirror in the corner. His arms slipped around the hunter's waist, his chin resting lightly on Zero's shoulder, holding him as he guided the hunter to view his reflection.
The flower did match Zero's suit perfectly. The pale white-violet showed nicely against the dark color of the suit and complimented both Zero's white shirt and his amethyst eyes. The sight of Kaname holding him with tender possessiveness in front of the mirror, watching him in their reflections, sent a hot shiver fingering through Zero's stomach and out through the rest of his body.
Zero swallowed hard, just breathing for a moment, his pulse quick and rapid. "Thanks," he croaked softly. Then suddenly he was turning in Kaname's arms and they were kissing hard. Definitely not chaste this time, but wild and hungry - fingers in one another's hair, tongues, lips and teeth searching, chests heaving and breath panting between them. When they came up for air a minute later, Zero felt dizzy. A thought made its way through his somewhat slowed and distracted psyche and he quickly looked down to check his flower. It was fine, having escaped their passionate embrace unscathed.
Kaname dropped his forehead to rest on Zero's shoulder, closing his eyes as his hands gripped tightly to the hunter's biceps. He panted slowly and somewhat harshly, struggling for control. Zero was irresistible, intoxicating... he wanted to push him backwards onto the bed and peal him out of his delectable clothing one piece at a time. But not yet, he told himself firmly. They really had to get going or they would be late. Later. There would be plenty of time later.
Zero felt Kaname shudder softly against him and brushed his fingers gently through his lover's hair. He was no less worked up than Kaname, but he knew that the pureblood physically had problems resisting the pull of the attraction between them sometimes. Especially when they were close and their pheromones were mixing. It was like Zero sometimes was if he got the scent of blood when he'd been a little too long without. He had more trouble controlling his blood lust than Kaname did, and Kaname had more trouble controlling his...well, lust, than Zero did.
Kaname straightened up with monumental effort, forcing himself to calm his racing heart as best he could. He smiled ruefully and smoothed Zero's silver hair back into place where his roving hands had mussed it up a few moments ago. They both had a little blood on their lips from their wild kissing and Kaname had to avert his gaze. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to Zero before stepping away to find something else on which to wipe his own mouth. Staring at the beautiful crimson on Zero's lips right now would be too much temptation. His hands shook slightly as he tried to find another handkerchief among the various items he'd left on the bed before.
Kaname was strong willed and very good at denying himself just about everything if he had to... everything except Zero. He usually seemed to have absolutely no ability for delayed gratification where the ex-human was concerned. Zero realized this evening must be pretty important to Kaname if the pureblood was fighting for it so hard.
Zero smiled and wiped his mouth on the handkerchief, licking his lips clean and tasting the delicious tang of his and Kaname's blood mingled together. It was a good thing he'd fed just last night, or his instincts would be playing up pretty hard too. Walking over to Kaname, he stopped the pureblood's slightly fevered movements and turned the other vampire gently back towards him. Kaname's mouth was still smeared red, matching his faintly burning eyes, and Zero used the clean half of the handkerchief Kaname had given him to clean him up. The pureblood leaned into Zero's touch as if drinking it up.
Zero smiled softly. "Kaname, if you want to stay home, we can..." he said softly, drawn to the pureblood's obvious need and wanting to let him off the hook if this was too hard.
Kaname returned his smile, forcefully expelling the red from his eyes and his mind. Zero's gentleness only strengthened his resolve. This boy was his life. Yes, he physically wanted and needed him, but there was so much more to it than just that. He didn't want Zero to think that his needs always had to come first... nor was he going to let him out of their date so easy.
"What, not trying to get out of this evening already...?" the pureblood teased a bit huskily, raising an amused eyebrow. He gave his head a little shake. "No. I want to go. We can... pick this up again later, yes?" his dark eyes twinkled in seductive mischief as he took the handkerchief from Zero and tossed it into the fireplace to burn later. It had his blood on it and that was difficult to get out of things.
Zero exhaled a bit shakily himself and grinned wryly. "Like I have a choice?" he joked. Kaname's hair had gotten tousled before as well and Zero reached over to smooth it with his fingers.
"Hey, if I have to wear one, you need a flower too," he commented, looking around to see if one was in evidence. He didn't see any, so he took matters into his own hands. Literally. Lightly biting the tip of his finger, Zero let a drop of blood fall into his other palm and a few moments later, he was holding a perfect crimson rose in the bowl of his hand. Normally, his roses were similar in color to the orchid that Kaname had gotten for him, but he'd found that adding blood could turn them red. He felt that red roses complimented Kaname's coloring more, and it would go better with his outfit.
Kaname inhaled a trifle sharply when Zero's blood hit the air again, but a deep, soft smile lit his face as he realized what the hunter was doing. Zero didn't usually produce flowers for flowers sake - they were more often a byproduct of his vines, at least when he was happy. The pureblood thought it was very precious.
Zero plucked the flower from his palm and quickly sucked his finger off so that he wouldn't stain Kaname's suit as he reached forward and pressed the gorgeous, velvety rose to the pureblood's lapel. He didn't have a pin to fasten it with, but he didn't need one. At a little urging, the stem of the flower grew into Kaname's suit, easily holding the blossom in place without damage the fabric any more than a pin would have. It would release as easily as it had affixed when he told it to.
Kaname turned his head, sniffing sweet perfume of the blossom. It smelled like a rose, but it also smelled uniquely like Zero. Kaname didn't think nature could make a more perfect flower in a million years. Zero was getting really good at manipulating and controlling his powers, and that pleased the pureblood too.
"Thank you, Zero," Kaname said softly and Zero smiled and looked away. He glanced at his watch, causing Kaname to do the same, both of them noting they had best be off.
"Well... shall we?" Kaname inquired with a dancing smile, gesturing towards the door in a grand, intentionally over-stated manner.
Zero looked amused by the flourish. "You're not really saying I have a choice, are you...?"
Kaname was the picture of innocence. "Nope."
Zero smirked. "Didn't think so."
A few minutes later the two of them were heading out of the Moon Dorms towards the waiting car.