It was the third day of his imprisonment. Kaito had still not answered his calls or his texts, and Zero was beginning to wonder if... Kaname was right, if Kaito had given up on him. If he had given up on the thought of them really being a family. The pale hunter laid in his bed, the same he had been for the last two days. He had refused to leave his room except on those times to go to the bathroom or get a drink from the sink in there. He had not eaten and the food that Kaname had slipped underneath the door for him to eat was still sitting there, rotting.
This entire place stank of that pureblood that had ruined everything. It made his body stiffen up to even think about him, and the arm that was slightly tucked around his swollen stomach only tightened as well. He was here to protect his baby and nothing else... So he hoped that maybe if he refused to take anything that Kaname was offering him that he would allow him to go home and see what the hell was going on with Kaito... His fingertips slowly tightened into the blanket as his head was overrun with possibilities if something had happened.
His fingertips slowly stroked across his swollen stomach, but he was beginning to realize just how... hollow he felt inside, as if he was dying. Maybe he was. Maybe this baby was killing him from the inside out since he had refused to take a drop of Kaname's blood... He hoped that Kaname was panicking as he tried to think of a way to make Zero eat. To try to save him and this baby that he was carrying, the one Zero didn't think Kaname was fit to father. It was why he tried to pull his strength from rubbing his swollen stomach... Because he knew that at least this life depended on him and he would do everything in his own power to help it...
And he knew that getting out of here was the first step to doing that. ...And getting some food. His stomach had been gnawing through his skin as if it was going to try to eat the baby for food, and Zero didn't need to be a doctor to know that it wasn't a healthy feeling to have.
So the hunter silently curled himself underneath the warm blanket he had covering his body, pulling it over his head in an attempt to keep the heat in. He tucked his legs up to his chest, careful not to put pressure on his precious swell, as if he was making an attempt to keep his baby nice and warm. But his fingers never stopped stroking his stomach, as if he was waiting to finally feel him stir, to give him a sign that he was still alive and well... And so he focused on the warmth beneath his fingers, the warmth of a life Zero would die for to let have a chance at living.
"...It's okay, sweetie. We'll be okay."
Kaname had indeed been fretting about Zero, in fact he had gotten to the point that he had called through to Kaien, explaining the situation at hand. Kaito had even been contacted, only to hang up the phone at the mention of Zero's name. And of course the only advice Kaien had to get was to just keep persisting with him, Zero was stubborn after all. But he knew better than to simply wait... Maybe if the doctor gave him knowledge of what was happening to Zero without his blood. That call hadn't quite been the most welcoming...
After all, the doctor simply stated that since Zero has been through nearly half of his pregnancy without the blood of the father, or even just slight amounts, that it could mean not only disastrous sickness but death to both him and the baby. Zero was literally starving himself to death.
So on the third torturous day Kaname had decided to form himself in that room, bringing with him food and drink, though he would be sure to make Zero drink from him in the mean time. Standing in the kitchen with a plate in hand, Kaname having just finished cooking the hunter yet another succulent meal, the male had debated on wether or not he should enter the others room now, he hadn't been sure if he was awake or asleep..
Not to mention the great frustration he had been feeling at the moment, why had he been acting like this? Unsure of his emotions and what to do next. This had been a first for Kaname, he had always known the next steps in his future, to have every step planned before he had even been in such a predicament. So it was with a sharp sigh that he forced his legs to move, all while figuring out just what about Zero makes him so unprepared and even flustered at times..
Eventually though he had found himself at that all too familiar door, pushing it open with his mind as he carried a drink and food in hand. Zero would listen to him today, whether he had to force it or not was up to the young and pregnant hunter.. Kaname could only hope that the male would be in a good mood today..
"I brought you food and a drink, Zero"
...Zero was not in a good mood today. Kaname could already tell.
The breath thick with Kaname's scent had almost choked the hunter as he uncomfortably shifted himself on the bed. He didn't need to move the blanket away to know that Kaname was here... He always was here, and like he had told Zero before, he was always watching to make sure that he had no chance of escaping. there would be no way out of this death trap... No way in hell.
Amethyst eyes stared underneath the blanket as Kaname soon said that he had brought him food and a drink. But the hunter didn't bother to even look back, even as the scent of food was pulled into his lungs whether he wished it or not. It made his stomach audibly groan out, as if his own baby was trying to tell Zero to eat. But he would refuse as long as he could... Until it started to hurt the baby of course.
The only sign that he was awake was as the hunter slowly pulled the blanket tighter over his head to hide himself from Kaname. He shuffled himself on the bed as he curled himself up into a tighter ball, concentrating on keeping himself warm and his back to Kaname. He wondered how long it was going to take for Kuran to get the hint... That he wanted to be by himself more than anything else.
His thumb continued to slide across the swell, feeling the stretched fabric underneath his fingers. He needed to get new clothes soon... Or just stretch out the ones he had. Who knows how big he was going to get soon, all he hoped was that he could hide it from anyone else seeing him as much as he could. Zero didn't want people to stare at him... But he also didn't want Kaname staring at him this moment either.
Kaname hadn't expected any less of course, Zero was always like this, every time he came in to see him with food or in an attempt to talk. But today would be different, Kaname wouldn't allow Zero to go without food, medications or blood merely because he was sulking at the truth. If he kept this up the child would die.
"Zero.. The baby needs food and the pregnancy medications, and especially blood. You don't wish to harm her by not eating or drinking do you? Allow me to do this for you, everything is going to be alright.."
Slowly but surely the pureblood started to step over to the bed, placing the food down on the night stand as well as the drink, hoping that the closer the food was the more alluring the smell would be to the young hunter. He really did need to eat, there was no way around it. When Kaname had caught sight of the young male, his skin had been terribly pale, yet another sign that he needed this. It was Kanames job to take care if him after all, so he would do his best for his disjointed family. Because wether Zero liked it or not, that's what they were. A family.
Kaname always called him a her... As if he knew more about the baby than Zero did. He had done his research, he knew what a male's part looked like... if he could actually see anything on that stupid ultrasound... His eyes burned into the blanket as he heard Kaname's voice again, telling him that everything was going to be alright...
Everything was not going to be alright as long as Kaname was here and this baby was being demanded by him. Though he did smell the food, causing his stomach to make an even louder roar... This was pathetic, he was a hunter. He was supposed to survive weeks without food while on a hunting mission, not be starving after three stupid days... Then again, he had another life sharing his food and being quite greedy about it.
His hand halted on his swollen stomach as Kaname's scent got sharper, causing the familiar urge for blood to rush over his body. But he shrank himself into the blankets, doing his best to hide his lust... "...I don't need you," Zero grunted, though his voice was trembling with the amount of effort it took to speak. He wasn't quite wiling to let Kaname get any closer to him... Not when his desire for blood would rule over him. Not when he could feel the urge for blood willing to snap whatever will he had left.
Zero never would be one to think rationally.. It wasn't a surprise to the pureblood at the obvious hint to 'go away' , but as he told himself before.. He wouldn't give up, not now. Not when Zero and the child needed him most. Kaname couldn't begin to imagine the hurt he was feeling from Kaito abandoning him, to think that the person that loved you had taken off merely because the child was not his own.
"You may not need this, but the child does. If you go any longer without food, blood or water the baby will starve. I know you don't want that so why are you fighting this? I will not harm you or do anything without asking first" Placing his hand on the blanket and slowly peeling it back, only to get the hunter to yank it back up, Kaname let out an exasperated sigh. This was hard, but in the end he hoped that Zero would open up slightly..
"Please, Zero I beg of you."
The hand on his stomach paused as Kaname continued to speak, telling him about how he was starving his child... But why should he take Kaname's help. Why can't he go make the food by himself or get a drink by himself. Why did Kaname have to think that Zero would forever be relying on him for everything...
Zero's body slowly shifted beneath the blanket, though, as Kaname begged him to get something inside his body to take care of this child. Whether it was blood, food or just water, he needed something... Though he would still refuse the pureblood's blood as much as he could. If not for the fact that it was his, then for the fact that he wanted to keep his humanity in check. He was not a bloodsucker like them...
Amethyst eyes soon peeked out from underneath the blanket, though cold and hard as chips of ice. But he seemed wary as well... Maybe this was all a trick. But he kept his eyes straight onto Kaname as he slowly sat himself up onto the bed, though keeping the blanket around his body the entire time. He knew how sickly he was starting to look, the skin clinging to his bones and body... He was wasting away but he refused to show Kaname. This was the only way he could go home to Kaito, after all.
His eyes narrowed threatening at Kaname as he reached out for the water slowly, waiting for the vampire in front of him to grab him at any moment. Soon he grasped the cold glass, and he quickly pulled it back to his side and turned himself around so his back faced the pureblood. Only then did he drink the water, free from Kaname's prying eyes.
It was childish... but at least he had water.
It had been quite childish.. But Kaname didn't expect any less, he had grown used to Zeros antics, proving to him time and time again that no matter what the pureblood asked he would deny it straight away. It was aggravating to say the least, but he also knew that if he was to complain it would make the situation worse.
"Thank you." The soft but strangely warm murmur sounded as Zero took the glass. Though Kaname would have preferred the stubborn male to take the food instead of water, it would be far better for the baby if he ate vegetables and meat. Blood of course would be the best. Perhaps he should bleed himself and place it in a glass, at least that way Zero wouldn't detest it as much, he wouldn't be near the pureblood after all..
This was extremely frustrating..
Zero had been too busy swallowing down every single drop of the water to sooth his burning throat at the time to really care if Kaname was thanking him or not. He was thirstier than he thought... Though the thought that it might help his hunger was something that he soon found wasn't going to happen as his stomach gave a loud roar, demanding food for both him and the baby. Though as soon as it was empty, he lowered himself back onto the bed, covering himself up with the blanket to retain his body heat and to keep himself covered.
Biting back a groan as he slid his hand out and put the completely empty glass onto the floor, he tried to think about if he should take the food or wait for him to leave... He was giving Kaname too many chances to snatch him up and take him back to his lair, to shove blood and food into him and then chain him up for the rest of this pregnancy, to make sure that the hunter would never disobey him. But he had to take at least one more chance...
Halfway sitting himself up onto his elbows, he once again slipped out a hand and grabbed onto the food, wishing he could simply lay down and eat. But he once again forced himself to sit up, and made sure that Kaname didn't have the satisfaction of watching him eat as he turned his back bluntly to face Kaname. Only then once he secured the blanket tight around himself did he begin to silently eat, trying to restrain himself from shoveling it in.
Keeping his eyes trained on the hunter as he continued to eat with his back faced towards him, Kaname stayed where he had been to ensure that Zero was not just going through the motions, making Kaname think that he was eating his food. It wouldn't surprise him if he did just that after all.. Something else to get the pureblood out of his hair.
"If you have any requests for each meal, just let me know. As well as if you want to do something in your spare time, I can buy anything you need" Of course Kaname hadn't said what else he had been buying while the hunter had been staying. There were times when he found himself making calls to humans to get things delivered.
After the first day Kaname had accumulated a multitude of different outfits for a baby girl, having called the doctor up to confirm the sex of the baby. And as luck would have it, the baby was indeed a girl. Moving closer to the others side, Kaname peered over the males shoulders and ensured he was eating.
Kaname probably shouldn't have done that... Because with a sharp flick of the wrist, a blade of steel suddenly launched its way towards the unsuspecting pureblood before the steel found its home deep within Kaname's lower arm. It was a familiar scene... One that reflected on the first day that Kaname and Zero had met, just as friendly as it seemed that Zero was being today.
"...Get me another fucking knife." Who knows what Zero wanted that for... But by the sound of his muffled voice, it sounded as if his mouth was full of food, without taking enough time to actually chew through his food and swallow before speaking. Then again, this was Zero... And he wasn't unprepared to break as many table manners as he cared to break.
The piercing eyes stared back at Kaname, though he was slightly surprised that his aim was still that good. That knife had been firmly into Kaname's arm... But thankfully for him, it was a dull blade, doing nothing more than to pierce the flesh. Though as soon as Zero caught the scent of Kaname's blood from the wound he had made, the unsuspecting hunter's eyes suddenly flashed red as he stiffened, and he instantly turned his head away from Kaname and focused instead on his food.
Maybe the stabbing idea hadn't been the best one after all...
Apart from the pain of the knife going into his arm, Zero had provided Kaname with a rare opportunity. So instead of doing as he was asked by the hunter, Kaname withdrew the knife and sat it in front of the hunters face. It would be hard for the falling level D to deny such pureblood, let alone the baby calling for it too.
Not only did he put the knife there though, he moved his arm closer, that blood dripping freely from the open wound on his arm. It wouldn't take long for it to heal, but the pureblood hoped that it would work just in time for the blood lust to get to the young male.
"Drink"
It was what Zero needed most after all, the baby needed this more than food itself. The life source from the father was of utmost importance. "Don't deny what your body calls for, its only going to get worse for you if you deny the lust."
The crimson blood that covered the blade was too tempting... Zero wanted it too bad... Swallowing hard at the sight if the blood, the hunter at first thought that he would be able to ignore it long enough to recover himself... But as soon as he started to slide himself away from the knife, he soon found Kaname had moved his arm in front of him, the precious blood dripping off...
"...d-damn you," Zero tried to scowl as he glared at the arm but Kaname would be able to easily see the way that his eyes followed the crimson as it slowly dropped down onto his plate, leaking all over the food he had yet to finish eating. Either way he was going to have to take it... He might as well have it fresh.
It caused a soft hiss to build up as he glared at his arm, but as his eyes grew deeper red, the more obvious it was that he was giving in. Moments later, the hunter finally struck as he immediately leaned forward and sank his fangs into Kaname's uncovered arm. There he started to greedily drink away at the blood that flowed in Kaname's veins... Maybe this would work out after all.
The pureblood didn't care how Zero got that blood, as long as he got it and plenty of it. So as the aggravated hunter sucked from his arm, Kaname stared intently at him. He was so.. Captivated by those hate filled eyes, the way they glared at him as though he wished nothing more than the death of the pureblood. Perhaps that was why he was so drawn to him, to be able to live next to this male without worrying about him begging or grovelling, to do everything the pureblood wished. In fact this was the first person Kaname had strived to please, to want to do anything in his power to make him look at the pureblood with kinder eyes.
"That's right, take as much as you need.. The baby will be perfectly fine now, shes going to be happy.." How he yearned to stroke his fingers through that feathery silver hair, to twine each lock between his slender fingers. But what had been the worst of all was how quickly these feelings had rushed into him, as if as soon as he admitted to himself what he felt there was no way to stop the attraction.
So he would try his best, do whatever the other wished of him. Zero just needed to be happy.
A growl slipped from his lips that were still sank deep into Kaname's arm. He wanted nothing more than for the pureblood to leave him the hell alone while he drank, or instead just rip off his arm and let him take the blood while Kaname went to die in the corner. Plus why the hell was he still calling the baby a girl... Even if he was a pureblood, it wasn't in his authority to decide the sex of the baby.
"...not a girl," Zero grunted between hard swallows as he gulped down the blood, only to chomp down onto his arm again to take more. The only reason he was doing this at all was to make sure the pureblood would stay off of his back all while getting his baby what he needed. Closing his eyes as he could feel the pureblood trying to meet his gaze, he sucked away at the wound for a while longer before eventually pulling away.
"Now leave me the hell alone," Zero growled out as he once again faced his back to Kaname, wiping off his lips with the back of his hand. Now he was out a knife because the one that Kaname had given back to him was now covered in his blood... Why the hell would he want that mixing into his food? ...Then again... Zero did like the taste of Kaname's blood recently..
It was with reluctance that Kaname left that room, only to return to his study and think about the events that had passed.. Zero despised him still, regardless of all the strings he had been pulling for the young hunter. Maybe that would change, or maybe not.. Time would tell such things and for once Kaname was powerless in this case. All he could hope was that Zero would allow him to come back, to repeat these actions and continue to give him what he needed...
A week had passed by, Kaname had repeatedly tried to get the hunter to eat or drink, to do anything in his power to help that child. But Zero wouldn't, he refused to even allow Kaname in that room any longer. The food the pureblood had left out was shoved back into the hall. If Zero stayed like this any longer the baby would be in grave danger... Perhaps it was time to force his way back in much like he had last week. He was really getting no where in letting Zero get close to him..
Minutes upon minutes ticked by as Kaname prepared yet another meal for the stubborn hunter, except this time.. This was going to be different. If Kaname had to make Zero pass out and force blood and food down his throat then he would do it.
It was safe to say that Kaname was slightly aggravated at the hunters display of rebellion, of course he should also think of the baby a bit more than what he had been. An aggravated sigh passed his lips as he trad up the stairs slowly, eventually making it to the hunters door and pushing it open without a knock. Zero needed to listen...
Kaname refused to give in... and Zero was wondering how long he was going to have to keep this up before it ended up killing him. The body underneath the blanket was barely stirring as he heard the steps go up the stairs, though he didn't seem to care... In fact he had been less likely to leave his bed other than the bathroom stops that he would need.
He had been in that room the entire week... Though it might not have always been for the fact that he had been refusing to leave Kaname. Because as the pureblood walked into his room, he would have found the hunter curled up beneath his blanket, his head resting against his pillow. But that was the only common thing that Kaname would have seen...
Zero's skin had paled extremely from when Kaname had seen him last. It seemed like he had already been losing weight and his eyes were barely open as he stared at the wall. His lungs struggled to suck in air as he took in the breaths, making his chest rise and fall... The only motion left in his body. His face was slightly twisted in pain from his hunger and his thirst... Though one thing was obvious.
Zero hadn't been staying in that room the last few days because he refused to see Kaname. He had been staying in that room because he couldn't move. Sickness clung to Zero's scent as his eyes looked back to Kaname for a moment before they closed once more. A slight sweat was on his skin as if he had a fever... But whatever was going on with the hunter, it seemed that it was something that was going very wrong.
"Zero!"
Darting over to the bed and placing the plate down upon the bedside table, Kaname was quick to kneel in front of the others sickly form, pulling him up quickly but gently into his arms. He was so.. Lifeless, like he had nothing to keep him going. It wasn't right, Zero should not look like this at all. But slowly Kaname realized that what the doctor had told him was exactly what was happening... Zero was dying without his blood. Even what he had taken a week ago had not helped. If he wished to keep Zero and the baby alive, he needed to get blood. Now.
It was only seconds before the pureblood pierced into his own wrist, making twin puncture wounds where Zeros could easily slide in.. From there Kaname moved his fingers up to the others lips, Parting them so he could place the hunters teeth over those marks. From there he did just that, moving the male to lay back so the blood would slide down his throat easier.
Why would he allow himself to get so sick? So close to death for both him and the child.. "Zero, do you hate me so much that you would harm yourself and the child? You mustn't.. No matter how you feel towards me you must live on for this baby, for her sake.."
Of course he didn't care whether Zero believed him or not about the gender, the next scan they received would show him that he was right.. But for now, he merely watched the lifeless body beneath him, hoping the blood would help him.
The amethyst eyes had barely stayed open enough for Kaname to pull him up into his lap. It wasn't that he wanted to die... Actually, Zero couldn't help but wonder what the hell had happened. He had felt perfectly fine few days ago, then woke up to... this. Barely even being able to get out of bed without pain in his entire body, his strength drained...
Zero's fangs slowly sank a little deeper into Kaname's arm, but not much. He just wanted to rest and relax as long as he could... and hope that things might get better. But it obviously was only going to get worse if he did nothing... So he instead began to swallow the blood as much as he could, though sometimes struggling to get it down his throat. He appeared so weak, so ill...
His body was burning with a fever as he drank from Kaname's arm, and it was obvious that he had even lost some weight, weight he couldn't afford to lose. But as soon as he got a few good gulps of blood into his body, he allowed his lips to move away just so he can try to respond to Kaname. "...I-I didn't want this... I don't know what happened..." he croaked out as his amethyst eyes looked up at Kaname.
Zero looked so helpless in Kaname's arms... He didn't even attempt to shove him brutally away, slamming him back. Instead he laid there, almost pleading for the pureblood to help him... and the arm that remained tight over his swollen stomach was proof. If not for himself, than for the baby. He had to survive... No matter what, he had to make it.
"Shh.. it's fine, I'm here.. You don't need to worry about a thing. I'm here to help you and the baby. Just drink and then I'll feed you after this" To have the fight taken out of Zero was something the pureblood didn't like to see, he hadn't even pushed Kaname in the slightest, instead he welcomed his presence and accepted the help. Kaname didn't want to see Zero like this, he did though want to see this behaviour, just.. Not like this. He wanted Zero to trust him, to want him close because he desired his company. Though it didn't matter now, all that mattered was his little hunters health and safety.
So he let him continue to drink, to have that blood slide down his throat smoothly in hopes that it would give their child the strength it needed as well as Zero.. After all Zero was the one needing to keep strong to keep this baby safe and protected. "Ill keep you close until you're healthy. I wont leave you alone.."
For once the hunter did not snap at Kaname, growling and spitting for him to go away. Whatever illness this was, it was strong enough to even knock down Zero, the vampire hunter, down a few pegs... Then again, he had been weak without Kaname's blood for a while. Maybe this had been something that had been waiting to happen and chose now to attack.
His eyes fluttered closed as he took Kaname's blood with little to no hesitation. It wasn't as if he had a choice anyway... Either he took the blood or he died, taking his beloved baby with him. That was just something he couldn't dare think about doing, and if it meant he had to take Kaname's help at this point, then so be it. Zero was smart enough to know when enough was enough, even when that was only half of the time...
His fevered lips didn't part from Kaname's arm as he drank the blood as steadily as he could. He could feel a little bit of strength seeping into his body but it was slow. He would need to rest a while longer... Though it didn't seem very comfortable for him as he laid in Kaname's arms, continuing to drink but starting to slow.
The longer they sat there and the more Zero started to shift a little in the pureblood's arms, the more Kaname felt the need move him to his own.. In fact he had decided to do just that, ensuring the hunter would be comfortable in the way he was sitting. Kaname's bed was the finest available after all, the best money could possibly buy.
So it was with a little hesitancy that the pureblood shifted his arms a little more firmly around the hunter, glancing down at him with worry in his eyes. "Im going take you into my room, its warmer and far comfier in there for you. The moment you get better and wish to leave you may, though you can certainly stay.." Gently lifting the male up, careful not to dislodge his fangs from his arms, Kaname started to step his way towards his own bedroom, leaving the food behind him without a care. After all he would make Zero more food, something easier to take down like soup or perhaps dry biscuits.
It wasn't long before the male was in the pureblood's room, only to be laid down in the fine bed..
Any enjoyment that Zero may have received to lay on such a fine bed was cut off as he soon coughed a few sudden hacks, unable to control himself until a few moments later. It seemed that he was still rather sick... But a bit of blood wasn't going to make him feel any better right away and it seemed like he was full. After all, he had been drinking for what had felt like hours from his arm, constantly taking down the blood...
"No more..." he almost begged Kaname as he swallowed down the remaining traces of his blood down. He wanted to relax and rest away his pain... But what if he was too weak to wake up next time. That could be a distinct possibility if things continued on like this... His eyes remained closed as he rested into the plush bed, knowing that this was easily the most comfortable thing he had ever experienced in his life...
The pureblood had been quick to pull up those warm and comforting sheets, to curl them around the sickly hunters form as he relaxed easily back into the mattress. At least he hadn't fought him at all, instead it was an easy transition into the pureblood's room. Of course when Kaname had wished to fall asleep it may be a different story, Zero may not want to share.
But sitting down on the edge of the hunters bed, keeping his eyes trained down onto the sickly male.. Kaname gave a small smile. It was a strange feeling having to look after someone like this, to know that he was being relied on for something as major as this. Hearing that mumble from the hunter though was enough to make him lean forward and push some hair gently from the others eyes. "Then how about some soup or hot chocolate. Something to warm your body up and keep you comfortable"
That would benefit the sickly male if he were to have soup, especially vegetable or chicken. It may even make the hunter a little more comfortable in his presence. Though he may wish to add a little bit of his own blood into the mixture... Kaname still knew that his blood would be the best thing for Zero, but he wouldn't force more than Zero could handle.
Vegetable soup...
That alone let a little warmth travel into his body and he gave a light shiver at the thought of his favorite kind of soup happy in his stomach. It was a shame that he couldn't have ramen... The hunter faintly shivered as he shifted himself in the blankets to try to find the warmest spot, though he had seemed to tense as Kaname had shifted his hair away...
Kaname may have pressed his luck a little bit with that, but it wasn't as if Zero could do anything against him right now. Instead all he could do was possibly grumble as he glanced back at Kaname, his head resting comfortably onto his pillow. "...vegetable soup?" Zero grunted, trying his best to not plead for it but knowing that he needed something in his stomach...
He still felt like his stomach was trying to eat his little boy. That might not be something they- ...that Zero would want. Zero quickly reminded himself that he didn't give a rat's ass for what Kaname thought, not at all. He was only here so that Kaname could help take care of the baby, even though he would much rather be with Kaito right now... To be in his warm arms, stroking his hair softly...
...then he remembered that those arms never wanted to hold him any longer anyway.
Nodding his head and giving a warm smile towards the hunter, something that may not necessarily be welcomed right now, Kaname sat up from the bed and began heading downstairs. He didn't care whether Zero didn't want him to touch him or console him, he was happy just knowing that the other male had accepted to let him help.
It left an uncharacteristic smile on his face as he found himself in the kitchen once more, pulling out the ingredients he needed for this soup. He just hoped that Zero would like the way he cooked it. So from there he began to cook away, putting each and every ingredient he knew would help zero into the dish. Though he couldn't help but think that he shouldn't be this happy that Zero had to become this weak before allowing Kaname's help... All he could hope next time was that Zero would continue to allow Kaname to help without such drastic measures.
After all, they wouldn't know if this had harmed the baby until the next scan in a few weeks.
It hadn't been long before it was complete, every vegetable cooked to perfection while leaving the kitchen smelling wonderful. Placing a rather large bowl onto a plate with two fresh rolls of bread, Kaname once more began to step his way up the stairs, this time making his way to his own bedroom.
By the time the warm smile had been passed, the hunter had already rested his head back down onto the pillow and closed his eyes, intending to try to rest while he still had the chance... But that actually hadn't been as long as he liked as he heard Kaname starting to work his way up the stairs once he had gotten himself suitably comfortable on the bed.
His eyes flickered open slowly as he smelled the aroma of the delicious food making its way closer to him... And he couldn't help but feel his mouth slightly water at the thought of finally eating. At least Kaname knew how to make soup without being too damn extravagant about it... The hunter soon started to pull himself up into a sitting position, only to immediately wince at the soreness of his back and slink back down into bed.
It looks like Kaname was going to have to help him with this as well... Unless he got a straw to drink the broth, it may even have to be to the point of hand feeding him, which Zero would probably want to refuse... it was only going to make it harder for Kaname to get the food into his child's mother, but hopefully he would find a way to get the food inside him...
The pureblood wouldn't hate feeding Zero, but he also didn't want to get his fingers bitten off in the process. Though if he couldn't eat then he truly didn't have another choice in the matter. His fingers would grow back if that were the case anyway so it really shouldn't matter too much.. He hoped.
Pushing open the door into his bedroom, Kaname glanced towards the bed and noticed how Zero was laying, yes.. He may very well need to feed the sickly hunter so he wouldn't choke or spill his food on himself. Sliding down onto the bed and placing the bowl onto his lap, Kaname grabbed the spoon and hesitantly held it near the others mouth.
"I have your food, please allow me to feed you so you don't have to struggle" This was a very strange scene for the two of them. When Kaname woke this morning he hadn't expected this to be the result. He was sold on the thought of Zero once again trying to push him out of the room and he having to force blood down his throat.
What a change of pace..
Kaname also hadn't awoken that morning thinking that Zero was at death's door only a few steps away from his own room... Though maybe Zero shouldn't lock the door all the time and keep help from getting inside. Hell, who knows how long it would have been before he would be gone... Maybe he would die of dehydration. But thankfully it seemed like Kaname had got to him just in time.
Wary amethyst eyes glanced back to Kaname as he slowly pulled the spoon up to Zero's lips, the ones still tightly shut with hesitation. He wasn't a child, he didn't need to be spoon fed... But as he tried to reach out for the spoon, he soon found that he was just too weak. It wasn't going to be Zero's choice at all if he could feed himself.
So he eventually opened his mouth, allowing Kaname to start feeding him bit by bit of the soup. Sometimes it would be hard to swallow with a bit of vegetable just too big to be able to swallow down without chewing, but he at least never got close to choking. But his eyes were already starting to droop as he ate bit by bit, and he was slower with every swallow... But was Kaname going to let him sleep alone?
That question Kaname had been very wary about answering, not sure what he should do. This was his bed after all but would Zero kill him if they slept in it together? It was a very big possibility. Though the hunter seemed to be too weak to even try do anything at all. But as he slowed down with each spoonful of soup Kaname gave him, the more the pureblood didn't wish to leave his side. What if he got worse during the night? It was a possibility all too real for him. It seemed as though he needed constant supervision until he recovered enough to stay on his own.
So he decided. He would be sleeping in this room with the hunter, in this very bed. Zero may just need more blood in the middle of the night and if Kaname were right next to him he would be able to bite right away. "Are you ready for bed now? I'll tuck you in and we can both go to sleep"
Zero's eyes were just barely open and focused on Kaname as he said those words that he wanted to hear more than anything else... He wanted to sleep... and as soon as Kaname had asked those words, he got his answer in a slight yawn and with the hunter finally closing his eyes. It seemed like all he had been doing lately was sleeping... But at least this time it was for a good reason.
He needed to recover as fast as he could to prevent his baby from getting harmed by his mistakes... And the thought alone made his arm tighten around his stomach. It was strange that the swell was still growing larger while Zero was growing weaker, as if it was a parasite... But Zero would never think of him as that. It wasn't his fault that the demands for a vampire child was much more than a human one.
Zero slightly shifted himself on the bed as he tried to find himself a comfortable spot, only to soon sink himself into that perfect sleeping position... Though that left more than enough room for the pureblood to lay down beside him. It already seemed like Zero had fallen asleep so there should be no risk to it...
Regardless of whether he had been sleeping or not, Kaname needed to see if that baby was alright.. And the more he glanced down at that swollen stomach the more he found himself inching forward. Perhaps he should warn the hunter before he did anything like he wanted though, he didn't want to scare him.
"Zero, don't be alarmed.. I'm just going to check if the baby is still healthy, try not to move for me." Placing the bowl down onto the night stand, Kaname started to lean his way down closer and closer, his head just about to press against the bump as he glanced up at the male. He just needed to make sure Zero knew what he was doing..
And as he didn't get abused or hit, Kaname let his head finally rest upon the rather large bump, listening intently for the sound he so desperately wanted to hear.
'b-bmp b-bmp b-bmp'
And once more the strong sound of faintly galloping feet reached his ears, the babies heartbeat as strong as it had been that first time he had ever heard it if not stronger. She was alright.. He could rest easy.
There was no sound at all from Zero as Kaname started to move himself closer, and for once, the weary hunter did not stiffen at his touch, even as he touched the one place he wished to protect from anyone. But Kaname wouldn't try to harm his own child... Not when he knew Zero would rip him apart if there was even the slightest error from Kaname's fault.
But as Kaname stayed and listened to Zero's stomach, soft amethyst eyes slowly opened up and looked back down at Kaname. And he caught the soft look that touched the pureblood's face as he listened intently to whatever he could hear... He watched him for what felt like an eternity before Zero slowly started to move his hand down, finally resting his palm against Kaname's shoulder.
"...is he okay?"
It was the only thing that Zero said as he watched Kaname, waiting for him to either tell that the baby was in fact injured or worse or he was going to be perfectly fine... His heart almost froze in his chest, though, at the thought that his precious angel could be laying there, dead, because his useless mother hadn't been able to get help... because he had refused it instead.
To say that touch had caught him off guard was quite the understatement, but he didn't flinch of freeze at the touch, instead he was content to stay in that position for all eternity. Though he knew the longer he didn't speak the more the hunter would worry for the safety of their child and that was something he didn't want at all.
"She is far stronger than the last time I heard her, the heartbeat is steady and far better than I would have ever thought" He spoke softly still, as though he were still in awe at the sound. Which he had been. If only Zero could hear it, it would make each and every one of his worries disappear. Slowly sitting himself up from being leaned over the hunters stomach, though being careful not to shift that hand away from his shoulder, Kaname glanced back up at the hunter with a softened smile. "We don't have anything to worry about, lets just focus on you getting better"
...He was okay.
Relief touched Zero's face instantly as he let his hand softly squeeze onto Kaname's shoulder, which was probably the most physical contact he had allowed himself to do with Kaname other than biting him. That was always more to harm Kaname anyway, never to touch him and enjoy it...
But Kaname may have not been expecting the soft smirk that crossed Zero's face as he slowly leaned his head back down into the pillow, allowing his eyes to close. Their baby was going to be okay. He was going to get much stronger than he already was, and even Kaname was surprised... Zero slowly allowed his other hand to run against the soft lump of his stomach, the one that was starting to get a little bigger.
"...Good," Zero murmured as he allowed himself to fully relax into the bed once more, his hand soon slipping down from Kaname's shoulder. He needed his sleep but he also needed Kaname to watch over him... and who knows how long that would be. But soon enough his hand on his stomach slowed to a stop and his breathing deepened, showing that he was indeed asleep.
Kaname had been waiting for a few moments, letting himself listen to the baby's heartbeat even after Zero's soft response. He didn't even have to look back towards the hunter to know that he was falling asleep... But he needed his sleep now more than ever. And so as the vampire regretfully pulled himself away from Zero's stomach, he carefully began to slide his way to lay beside the young hunter. His reasoning of course, in case Zero woke up, would be to keep an eye on his temperature...
Though as he slid his arms delicately around Zero's waist and pulled the slumbering hunter close, he knew that in his heart, the reasons were quite different.
Yaaaaay Kaname gets to help Zero! And they're even in the same bed together :o Cuddle cuddle!
But now hopefully things will start to turn around in Kaname's favor, even though it did take Zero being quite the baka to do so. Oh well, as long as they can attempt to work together~ Though how long do you think it will last?
-J
Reviews answered:
irmina: Hopefully he will! It seems like he's attempting to turn around with accepting Kaname's help, whether he likes it or not :3
Sake-chan: Kaname is able to take care of him now~ But Kaname is always so secretive... Plus who knows how Zero would react :3 he might just throw things at Kaname~
Larn555: I cried when I was writing that Dx I love Kairo, but it just didn't seem to be right for this story :3 I might explore that pairing later though~
ben4kevin: Well they're in bed together so that's a big step~
cherrypopper99: Have another~!