A/N: Aye, the new chapter is here. I apologize for the delay. Please enjoy. (:
Final Pairings: [Haruka x Kaname] [Haruka x Zero] [Rido x Zero] [Kaname x Zero] [Isaya x Zero] [Isaya x Kaname]
Beta Reader: Benevolence Black
Warnings: Sexual Harassment, Mentions of blood, Unstable Kaname
Chapter 4: Venomous Love
(Kaname)
"Isaya-san." He murmured softly, clenching his hands into tight fists; as forgotten, bitter-sweet memories flooded through his head.
Fate either has a cruel sense of humor, or it gets off by screwing my life up, every single time. Kaname admitted, almost too bitterly,
"Antisocial as ever, I see." The pureblood said with a smirk, turquoise orbs twinkling mischievously; tauntingly as they eyed him.
"No thanks to you." Kaname snarled darkly, nostrils flaring up; irked. Why did he have to run into him of all people?
"Sure." The man's smirk grew, and Kaname clenched his hands into fists, eye smoldering. What did Isaya think of himself?
As the pureblood approached him with a step, Kaname took a step back, too quickly for his liking, letting a few curses pass his lips as a result.
"Did you miss me, Kaname?" Isaya continued to advance towards him, only stopping when they were a mere inch apart from one another. "Tell me, to what extent you have craved for my presence in your life?"
Backing on the railing as far as possible, without having to fall over, Kaname shot him a glare, daring him to come any closer. "I haven't missed you at all, Isaya." Burgundy orbs narrowed, Kaname spat haughtily, his venomous words causing indecipherable emotions flash across the man's ocean blue eyes – though they were gone as soon as they had appeared.
The pureblood's smug smirk slipped slightly. "Really now, Kaname?" Isaya clamped both of his hands on the railing, on either side of Kaname, trapping him; preventing his attempt to flee, as the man leaned in closer, warm puffs of breaths ghosting over his parted lips.
Kaname shot him another glare, wrenching his face away from the man's disturbingly close proximity.
"I know you have missed me too, Kaname. I can see it in your eyes." Isaya brushed a dark strand of hair from his face, stroking his cheek, causing Kaname to cringe away from the intimate touch. "Because I have..." The words trailed off from his lips, and Isaya eyed him; eyes hard; tone accusatory as he continued, "...since the day you left me."
Eyes widening slightly, a pang of guilt shot through Kaname as he studied the pureblood's soft features in the dim light. The man seemed distressed, his turquoise eyes miserable, his lips compressed together, and his light brows furrowed, deep lines appearing on his forehead.
The reason behind the pureblood's affliction was his fault. And his alone.
Kaname clicked his tongue and averted his face to the side, burgundy orbs desolate as they stared off into the distance – finding himself unable to meet those eyes he had once come to treasure.
"It's been seven years, Isaya." He started, keeping his face averted, and braced himself when the sentiments of grief overflowed within him.
He quickly and effectively squashed them down.
"I am a married man. I have moved on, and I am sure you have to. There is no point in bringing up the past now, Isaya. We are over. We have been over for seven years." He said, voice steady; composed, much to his utter surprise.
He had never loved Isaya. Not even once since they were together, for so many years. He tried to, god knew he did, but he just couldn't. He wasn't able to. Many attempts were made by him to break things off with Isaya for good, but the pureblood wouldn't let him go, not even after knowing that his heart belonged to another man.
Isaya was stubborn, he had always been. And Kaname always liked that about him. One of the few reasons he had decided to be in a relationship with his best friend – well, a former one now – in the first place.
The one he loved was Haruka; the one he cherished was Haruka. Since the day he met the brunette – when he was at the tender age of ten. But he still felt somewhat of an attachment; somewhat of an attraction towards Isaya, and Kaname abhorred himself for that.
How horrible could he get?
The day he left Isaya, the day he had abandoned their relationship; their friendship, the day he had put this one-sided romance to a final end - Kaname knew he had done the right thing. Because he knew forgiveness would never be given to him - from Isaya, as well as from himself, if he continued to drag Isaya along with him any longer; if he continued to lead the man on and never reciprocate his feelings. The excruciating agony of unrequited love was known to him, and believe it or not, he would rather suffer it alone than have anyone else experience the same pain.
Kaname was remorseful; ashamed of what he had done to Isaya; he should have let go of the latter sooner, but he was too young, too inexperienced, too selfish, and his actions reflected his personality. And now the guilt, the regret haunted him day by day, minute by minute, second by second until who knows for how long.
"Then why are you trembling, Kaname?" Isaya snapped him out of his thoughts, cold fingers pushing the hair away from his neck, sizzling a hot trail in its wake, "Why are you not looking at me?" The same fingers grabbed his chin, turning it around to face the man, "What are you so afraid of?" The pureblood murmured, softly; curiously, turquoise eyes gleaming with familiar amusement.
Kaname remained silent, his features devoid of any emotions, and stared back at Isaya, gracing no answers whatsoever to the man's queries.
A defined brow twitched, and Isaya's grip on his chin tightened; Kaname winced slightly, though his emotionless mask still prevailed. The man brought his lips closer to his, barely touching, barely away; whispering mockingly against his lips, "Your statement is absolutely correct, Kaname. I have, indeed, moved on from you."
Kaname pursed his lips bitterly, burgundy orbs hard.
"I have seven different lovers to entertain me - every night of the week." Isaya chuckled, "And trust me, they are extremely good in bed." The man eyed him, licking his lips sensually, turquoise eyes taunting. "Unlike someone I know."
A trickle of jealousy moved through him, but Kaname effectively dismissed it, reluctant to think about the detestable, indecent whores that his former fiance screwed. He had broken up with the man in the first place. The fact that Isaya slept around should not bother him. It should not, but it still did, and Kaname felt ashamed of himself.
"But my favorite one has to be my silver-haired angel." Isaya continued, arms suddenly around his waist, "What a beauty he is, so pure, so innocent, yet such a beast when matters move to the bed." Isaya's hands were suddenly under his shirt, dragging his nails up his back. Kaname's frown deepened, inching away from the touch. "I cannot seem to get enough of him. His ass only seems to get tighter whenever I plunge myself into him, and whenever I have my wicked way with him."
A sneer crossed his lips. "Then why the fuck are you touching me for? Why aren't you with your 'silver-haired angel'? Let go of me this instant!" Kaname growled in response, irritated, and thrust the man away, making his way back to the hall. The man had no decency so whatsoever, throwing his sex life on his face like that, and then having the audacity comparing him to his pathetic excuse of fuck buddies. Kaname had the understanding that his intercourse abilities sucked, utterly and absolutely, but that fact gave Isaya no right to rub it on his face. He was working on it.
Screw him.
If Isaya absolutely adored having sex with that person so fucking much, why bother him in the first place? The pureblood ruined his moment of peace for no fucking reason.
Fucking prick.
Strongs arms slid around his mid-section, stopping him from moving on forward, pulling him back against a sturdy chest. Kaname groaned, his irritation blossoming, and twisted frantically within the man's grip. The pureblood never learns, does he?
Warm lips descended on his neck, halting his futile attempts to escape, and began planting hot open mouthed kisses there - licking; mouthing the sensitive skin. "Because Zero-sama is not you." Isaya's arms tightened around him, his body pressing firmly against him, grazing his fangs against his bite spot.
Burgundy eyes widened. "Zero-san?" His hearing organs were playing a trick on him. He couldn't have heard that right, now could he?
"Hmm, I am one of his lovers."
"But...how?" Kaname stuttered, a puzzled look on his face. "How is that possible?"
"What do you mean how?" It was Isaya's turn to sound confused. "Purebloods are allowed to have many lovers, Kaname. We are considered a rarity nowadays, you know."
"But he is married to Rido-san." He shot back; tone accusatory. "He is not allowed to be unfaithful!"
Isaya chuckled, deeply and amusedly, and shook his head, fingers easing up his shirt, stroking his sides. "Kaname, Kaname, you are so old-fashioned." The pureblood smirked, dipping his head to Kaname's collarbone; licking a tantalizing strip up to his ear, and whispered, warm puffs of breath tingling against his skin. "Rido-sama has a number of concubines on the side too." A sharp nibble was executed on his earlobe, followed by another amused chuckle; Kaname shuddered against his will. "I am pretty sure Haruka-sama has some too."
Kaname narrowed his eyes, frowning disapprovingly. "Haruka-san has always been faithful to me, Isaya. He solely belongs to me, while I solely belong to him." He claimed; voice annoyed, and made another aggressive attempt to squirm out of the man's firm hold.
Isaya was a blabbering fool, not a convincing one. The pureblood's sole purpose of feeding him these blatant lies was because of his jealousy; because Isaya wanted him to doubt Haruka. His former fiance was evidently not over him yet, it was freaking obvious.
Haruka would never do such a detestable thing to him. It was not in his nature.
"Really?" Isaya asked, hints of anger evident, as the man yanked him back against his chest, once more making his escape futile, "I saw him coming out of a motel room the other day. Disheveled and all. " His fingers slid against his chest, stroking vigorously, and Kaname gasped, biting his lip roughly. "...with Zero-sama following closely behind. Appearing as unkempt as Haruka-sama." A breathy chuckled escaped the man's thoughts when his fingers came into contact with the twin set of nubs, holding them captive. "He is cheating on you, Kaname. "
Isaya was lying. Kaname told himself, not believing a word the man said, yet his heart ached at the same time. What if it was the truth...?
"He is having an affair with Zero-sama behind your back. Because to him, Zero-sama is everything. While you, Kaname, are nothing to him. Absolutely nothing."
Those words pierced through his heart sharply. Searing pain flashed across the burgundy orbs, and his body shook terribly, shameful tears slipping down his cheek. That wasn't true...he meant something to Haruka... he mattered to Haruka...he wasn't 'nothing' to Haruka...
Caught off guard, a whimper passed his lips when the ministrations became rougher; harder, and Kaname balled his hands into fists, trembling further. "Does Haruka-sama play with these sweethearts?" Fingers resumed their teasing: rubbing and pulling until the peaks started becoming erect; pinching the bundle of nerves sharply. "Or does he know that you can get off if they are touched continuously? Hm? Tell me, Kaname." Isaya let his thumb roll itself over the tortured nub, watching in amusement as it reacted to his touch.
Kaname groaned through his gritted teeth, more tears escaping down his cheeks from his narrowed eyes, as sensations of humiliation; sadness flooded across his brain; his senses.
No, no, this was terribly, terribly wrong. He had to stop this...He was betraying Haruka for letting another man touch him...He had to put this to an end...He had to...
"Zero, Zero, Zero."
Haruka would never cheat on him. He would never...
"Kaname, Zero is the one I love. I am sorry."
Haruka's muffled confession floated through his mind, slowly; torturously, as if it was mocking him for forgetting the undeniable fact he had buried deep within him.
His husband loved Zero-san, not him. Never him. He meant nothing to Haruka. Absolutely nothing.
Haruka would have sex with Zero-san without a second thought, without feeling any remorse for betraying him, not even an ounce of guilt. Because Kaname understood him; his way of thinking to know well enough what his husband would do if such a golden chance had been presented to him.
His eyes stung, and his heart broke more, as he stared listlessly at the wall, mind unable to get around the newfound, shocking information.
So all of this time, whenever Haruka departed for business trips, he had private rendezvous with Zero-san?
He was having an affair with Zero-san behind my back when he knew I was waiting for him to return home?
How many more lovers did he have? Why was I not aware of this until now? How could I be such a damn fool?
"Kaname," Isaya's soft voice startled him out of his excruciating thoughts, and Kaname found himself staring deeply into the ocean of gorgeous, blue eyes, blinking confusedly. When had he turned around?
"I said too much. It wasn't my intentions to hurt you. But I needed you to know Haruka has been unfaithful to you. All these seven years. He doesn't deserve your love nor does he deserve you."
"Who deserves me then, Isaya? You?"
"Yes, me. " The man murmured, catching him by surprise, and burgundy orbs regarded Isaya impassively. Isaya shot him a slight smile before continuing, voice soothing; calm as the pureblood placed his thumb on his cheek, gently wiping his tears away. "If you had married me, you would have been my only one. I would have treasured you day and night, until the very last of my breaths." His fingers caressed his cheek and it took Kaname all he had to not break down completely. "I loved you...and I still love you, till this day."
They both stayed in silence for a few moments, and Kaname swallowed the uncomfortable lump in his throat, eyes cast on the ground.
Why did that confession only managed to increase his pain tenfold?
"I am sorry," Kaname started, fresh tears brimming in his eyes, "I am sorry."
"Kaname, it's okay. I should be the one apologizing."
But he paid no heed, the series of apologies escaping his mouth continuously; non-stop. He was far too gone; far too hurt to think rationally. What was he doing? What the fuck was happening? Why was it happening to him of all people? What had he done to deserve this - all of this?
"I am sorr-mphhh." Isaya's mouth covered his, stealing the last of his words, last of his protests, and a small part of his heart.
Blood-shot, swollen eyes widened in surprise, tears halting abruptly, and Kaname flushed slightly, averting his face to the side; burying his face into the pureblood's shoulder: avoiding the kiss altogether. He couldn't do it...He wasn't able to do it, even if Haruka cheated on him, he just couldn't...Not like this.
"I can't, Isaya." Kaname murmured, voice muffled, rubbing his face, as well as his tears away, against the broad shoulder. "I am sorry."
Isaya looked down at him; eyes fond yet slightly disappointed; hurt. "I understand, Kaname." The pureblood held him closer, showering the side of his face with vehement kisses, and Kaname pressed his lips together, warm feelings rising within his chest. Embraces were nice...soothing...calming...especially if they were filled with love. Something he hadn't felt from someone else in ages.
Several minutes passed in peaceful silence, only broken by the sounds of their breathing, and he fluttered his eyes close, embracing the calmness; the comfort those warm arms so freely offered.
Although, the tranquility of the moment came to a halt when Isaya retreated slightly, causing Kaname to groan in disappointment; in protest. Burgundy orbs widening, he snapped his lips shut quickly, the realization of what he had done – or more likely uttered out – slowly bringing a brighter flush on his face.
Feel free to kill him, anyone.
Isaya had most likely picked up that embarrassing sound too since a soft chuckled escaped his lips. "You haven't changed, Kaname." The pureblood bumped his forehead against his and rasped out, voice heavy; seductive, "I know you will come back to me one day. Just don't make me wait for too long."
"You are too full of yourself, aren't you?" Arching a defined brow, Kaname shot him a teasing glare, a slight smirk gathering around his lips.
"That's what you liked about me in the first place." Isaya's profound gaze met his and held him a prisoner. "That's what you still probably like about me."
"Yeah, sure, okay," Kaname responded, his voice heavy with sarcasm, wringing his hands; averting his eyes in a silent protest.
"I know you do." Isaya chuckled again and set a delicate finger on his lips, "Like I know that some part of your heart still craves for me; my touches, my kisses. "
Kaname gave him a blank stare, lips pursed into a thin line yet again. The man was too cunning for his own good; his uncanny ability to read people would be the death of him someday.
"My house in always open for you. Come anytime, Kaname." He threw Isaya a strange look, his brow arching further, and the pureblood added; voice exasperated. "We don't need to have sex. We can just chat." A grin lit up on the man's flawless features, and Isaya bit his lip, eyeing him suggestively. "And then maybe have sex later."
Expertly avoiding the punch directed his way, Isaya was already inside the ballroom, sending him a flirtatious wink when he was safely on the other side of the door.
Eye narrowed, nostrils flaring, Kaname shot the man one of his infamous heated glare, blood boiling when Isaya had the nerve to grin at him before disappearing into the midst of the crowd.
He would get Isaya for that. He promised upon the graves of his dead ancestors.
But before that, a confrontation with Haruka was essential. Kaname had to hear the truth from his mouth. Words of Isaya shouldn't be trusted hundred percent. The man could be lying, the man could be telling the truth. He wasn't sure, he couldn't be sure, but the former option appealed to him more.
Even now, somewhere in his heart lingered a believe that Haruka would never betray him, never hurt him intentionally.
Was he a fool? Maybe.
But he had no desire to fall into a heap of unnecessary misunderstandings with his husband, and therefore, destroy their marriage permanently.
He needed to know the truth from the source, even in the process, his heart would be nothing more than bread crumbs on the floor.
He would figure this out. Somehow, Kaname knew he would.
Gathering his aloof-composure with some difficulty, Kaname sighed for the umpteenth time and headed towards the ballroom. He didn't obtain even one pinch of solace because someone extremely galling had to interrupt his precious, private time. And cramp his mind with information that he would rather have not found in the first place.
A perplex frown graced his features, and Kaname looked around, brows furrowing together. How long had he been outside? Not that he was complaining, the lack of presences made it easier for him to breathe, easier to be relaxed. Isaya had been right about one thing, he was indeed antisocial.
The dance hall was nearly empty, few guests lingered here and there, engrossed in their petty, so-called important conversations, the servants were less rigid, more relaxed, the fake smiles plastered on their face dissolving into small frowns as they tidied up the place, some still fulfilling the requests of their guests. All in all, the atmosphere was serene; less suffocating, something Kaname was momentarily grateful for.
"Kaname, where have you been?"
Haruka suddenly appeared right in front of him, his dark eyes steadily fixed on him, hovering over him; blocking his way.
He was startled for a moment, and then composed himself, tentatively peering up at Haruka to stare directly into his stormy, mahogany eyes.
Kaname was certain his eyes mirrored the same calamity as Haruka's.
"Out on the balcony."
"With whom?" Haruka inquired and narrowed his eyes; his expression grim.
Kaname flinched at his question; his tone, and looked away, mumbling softly. "With Isaya."
Haruka's mood darkened visibly. Mahogany eyes hardened to cold marbles, as the pureblood stared down at him, features contorted with anger.
"What were you doing with him?"
Kaname shifted his eyes from the wall to Haruka, his expression unreadable as he regarded his husband in silent contemplation. The one to question here should be him, not Haruka. Why was Haruka playing the role of a jealous husband now? Like, seriously, why?
"Are you having an affair with Isaya, Kaname? Is that why his scent is all over you?" The venom in the man's tongue was clear, words coated in repugnance as he asked, slitted eyes brimming with madness.
The question startled him vastly, and with wide eyes, he looked at Haruka, dumfounded; struck by the man's sheer absurdity.
What. The. Actual. Fuck.
His silence seemingly increased Haruka's rage, and without a further warning, his shoulders had been grabbed, nails painfully digging his flesh.
"Are you fucking cheating on me?"
That was the final straw.
Kaname finally snapped; his voice harsh with anger; jealousy – the very same emotions he had suppressed – for far, far too long.
"Cheating on you? Seriously? Is that the only thing you could come up with? I have yet to degrade myself to your level Haruka-san. Something as detestable as infidelity is what you would do with Zero-san when you are presumably out on business trips." Burgundy eyes brimmed with anguish, his cheeks turning a darker shade of red, and Kaname clenched his fists tightly, continuing, through gritted teeth; his tone gaining a higher note; and also a few curious glances from the former preoccupied guests. "How could you betray me like this, Haruka-san? How could you?!"
There. He said it. He talked back to Haruka. He finally did it.
And he felt fucking great.
Mahogany eyes widened in sheer shock, and Haruka stared at him, a hand over his chest; stunned speechless, an expression akin to guilt flashing across his features.
The air grew silent; uncomfortable, and the answer was loud and clear to Kaname's ears.
Isaya had been fucking right all along.
His eyes stung again; tears threatened to fall, and Kaname felt himself shaking terribly, heart sinking into the depths of the ocean along with his leftover hope.
How could he have been so dense? How couldn't he have noticed it sooner?
But even if he was aware of Haruka's scandalous relationship with Zero-san prior to this day, what could he have possibly done about it?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Broken inside, heart shattered to fragments, Kaname pushed Haruka away, with all the leftover strength he had, and made his way out of the ballroom; out of the hallway; towards the place that he offered him solace and tranquility on dire occasions - exactly as this one.
The library. His sanctuary.
He would get through this too, not sure when, but he would.
Kaname always did.
.
.
.
.
As he left in a hurry, Kaname paid no heed towards the pleading calls of his name by a guilt-ridden Haruka; nor the intense gaze that had been fixed on him, all night, from a certain silver-haired pureblood following him out of the room.
He had been sitting on the floor – back against the wall, legs bent and close to his chest, arms around his knees, and head buried in the warmth of his folded arms – for quite a while now. Minutes. Hours. He could not tell. Time seemed meaningless; as well as the book laying beside him, one which had always brought him the greatest of joys.
He had to reluctantly acknowledge, to a certain degree, the fact that he, Kuran Kaname, had pathetically cried his eyes out – for a good half and hour, non-stop, until his bloodshot eyes had been pulsating, threatening to burst out of their sockets at any given moment.
Weeping, day by day, week by week – if he was lucky, was inexcusable for him. He was a pureblood, after all. His kind did not just cry, at least not as much as he did. Kaname was like them, in the beginning, not shedding a tear after he reached the tender age of three – until a certain pureblood decided to barge in his life, and make his life an endless roller coaster of pain, and sorrow.
Therefore, it shouldn't come off as a surprise that bawling his eyes out had become something akin to a regular routine for him.
Although, that fact didn't make it less shameful; less pathetic.
A resigned sigh left his mouth.
He felt weak; naked, his self-worth dropping six feet below the ground.
Kaname closed his eyes as tremors coursed through his frame, knocking his teeth together, as he desperately fought against the pain welling up inside of him. It hurt. It hurt so damn much.
The excruciating agony twisted and tortured his heart, his sorrow far too great to be expressed in mere, simple words.
Harka betrayed him. Emotionally and physically. Shoved his unblemished love right back on his face. Why though? Especially, when he presumed things were finally getting better for them, the presumption that their marriage was finally working?
Why did Haruka have to go ruin all of that? Why did he have to succumb to an act more despicable than murder? With a person who didn't even give two shits about him?
Was he too weak? ... or was I just that deplorable, that unlovable?
Burgundy orbs brimmed with droplets of heartache, and Kaname adamantly shook his head, refusing to weep yet again. There was no point. Sobbing didn't have the ability to change the past, nor would it make the present any more worth living.
Although, it still managed to give him a severe headache, and a slight ache in his eyes. Just what he needed, a cherry on top of his sundae, or in this case, misery.
Fuck it.
A heavy sigh left his lips, and Kaname snuggled his face deeper into his arms. Everything seemed pointless, mainly his life, his very reason for existing.
Was this what it felt like to have a broken heart?
If it was, he might have given a second thought before falling in love - especially if the person concerned was Haruka. Why did it have to be him, of all pretentious people that his heart could choose?
"How long are you planning to sit there?" An unpleasantly familiar voice interrupted his thoughts, and his head shot up, eyes widening with a strange combination of surprise and resentment.
Hio Zero was leaning against the bookshelf, arms folded on his chest; amethyst orbs fixed on him; staring, contemplating, judging him. The moonlight, slyly peeking through the parted curtains, highlighted the pureblood's frame and features, causing him to appear more ethereal than he already was; causing Kaname to feel more inadequate than he already was.
The silver-haired pureblood's depraved presence did little to nothing to put Kaname at ease. If anything, it only made him more furious, realizing how imperfect he was compared to the man; how much better looking the pureblood was in comparison to him; and how could Haruka never love him like he loved the person before him.
Hio Zero, the conceited incubus, the immoral harlot who stole his husband away, and added to his prized collection of men he presumably slept with.
Kaname resented him. With all his heart. With all his soul. Zero Hio's very existence on this planet earth was nothing more than a horrendous plague, lecherously eradicating; consuming every minuscule element that laid in its path.
His anger returned with full vigor, and Kaname shot him a menacing glare, pupils dilating, narrowing to cat-like slits.
"None of your business, Your Highness. Please leave. Your face is the last one I want to lay my eyes upon." Kaname spat, venom coating every word he spoke, before planting his face into the safe haven of his arms again, blatantly ignoring the eye-offending pureblood.
Kaname heard the man sigh, followed by fading footsteps, causing him to give a relieved exhale of his own. At least, the man had some decency left in him to take his leave when asked, or more like, ordered by him in this case.
'Click.'
Although, his repose was short-lived when the ominous sound of the door being locked alerted him, causing his head to snap up, and when the pureblood walked towards him, casually taking a seat beside him, the man's shoulder meeting his own one.
Are you kidding me, now?
Kaname swiftly took all his words back, the ones that presumptuously claimed the man having any sorts of decency. The pureblood had none. Absolutely zero.
He scooted away, disgruntled.
"I won't bite, you know." His tone sounded exasperated, and the man shifted closer to him, causing his dismay to increase. The close proximity of his body to the pureblood's agitated him, prompting his heart rate to increase correspondingly. From hatred or excitement, Kaname had no fucking clue.
He made to move away again, wanting to keep a considerable distance between him and pureblood, but the man effectively thwarted his attempt to flee with a simple, grave threat. "Move again, and I will bite you. Hard. I am not kidding."
And Kaname knew he wasn't.
He bit his lip and remained silent, digging his nails into his arm. The pureblood needed to leave him alone, go far away from him when he had the chance, or god forbid; what he might do to the man if he continued to persistently stay beside him. It won't be a pretty sight after he was done with him, that was for sure.
"Do you hate me, Kaname?" The pureblood inquired, scowling, amethyst orbs regarding him, relatively morose.
"Yes." His reply was short, clipped, and straight to the point. Kaname saw no point beating around the bush, and sugar-coating his words. The man didn't deserve an ounce of his generosity.
The scowl deepened. "I see."
An awkward few minutes passed.
"I heard you and Haruka fighting." Zero-san started again; his voice low; nauseatingly concerned, "Are you guys okay?"
A defined brow twitched. "Okay? No, we are not okay. We are far from okay. And it's your fucking fault." He snapped, irked beyond words, and threw his head to the side, leveling another deadly glare upon the infuriating silver-haired pureblood. Was the man seriously asking him that? Did the pureblood have a death wish or something?
If Kaname hadn't refined a perfect control over his feelings, and actions, Zero-san would be sprawled on the floor by now – dead, his fragile neck viciously snapped.
He deserved some credit, for god's sake!
"Me?" The man's well-shaped eyebrow arched, and he inquired, seeming genuinely surprised.
But Kaname was having none of that. Purebloods could be very cunning; deceiving, because, unfortunately enough, he happened to be one himself.
"Yes, you, Zero-san." Wine-red orbs narrowed, while amethyst ones widened immediately; innocently, and Kaname grunted through gritted teeth; voice hoarse. "Just leave. I want to be alone. You can have Haruka for all I care." He chewed on his lip, eyes brimming with anguish, and he added, after a second, silently. "I don't want him anymore."
Burn in hell. Both of you.
A look of gratification crossed the pureblood's features, although, it vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
Kaname threw him a puzzled stare, but then, slammed his face into his arms, again, waiting impatiently for the man to leave him alone to his own devices. He had no desire whatsoever to converse with the exasperating pureblood a second longer. There were other means to entertain himself, ones which pleasantly didn't include the bothersome incubus.
Seconds changed into minutes, and Zero-san hadn't budged a single inch.
His dark brow twitched yet again, and Kaname growled threateningly against his arm, annoyed beyond words, ready to throttle the pureblood. The man was swiftly rising to the top of his I-want-this-person-to-die-a-very-very-painful-death list.
The menacing sound didn't seem to have fazed the pureblood a single bit since the man made no attempt to move, expression aloof, and just sat there, languidly – much to Kaname's chagrin.
His lips parted, tongue ready to give the pureblood an earful, but Zero-san beat him to it, his next words bewildering Kaname further, causing his head to snap up, burgundy eyes widening to their brim.
"I don't want Haruka..." Zero-san mumbled, his eyes cast down, posture stiff, playing with his fingers – almost too nervously.
Kaname choked back a gasp and stared at him, perplexed, unable to process the newfound knowledge. "I beg your fucking pardon?" He asked, sounding much too delirious to his liking.
The pureblood sighed, shifting his gaze towards him. "He is not the one I want." He admitted softly, his eyes and voice strangely earnest.
"I am not sure how to ask this kindly, but can you please tell me why the fuck were you fucking my husband when you don't love him?!"
The man's gaze intensified, and Zero-san raised an eyebrow, lips curling into a small smile. "Because I can?"
Kaname erupted.
Before the pureblood could adapt to the situation, or even had the chance to react, Kaname grabbed him by the front of his kimono and slammed him against the wall, hard. The force of the impact caused cracks to appear on the wall, and as a result of that, caused a smirk to emerge on Kaname's face. The sickening yet oddly pleasant sound of bones snapping was heard, as he applied more pressure, digging the man into the wall more firmly, the curl of his lips becoming more pronounced; more twisted.
Zero-san had the audacity to ruin his marriage because he simply could? Out of boredom? And the man expected him to take everything lightly..? The nerve of him...! Doesn't the man realize who he was? He might be a distant one, but he was still a Kuran, through and through, and nobody messed with a Kuran and left without a fucking scratch.
Hio Zero was no damn exception!
Amethyst orbs widened silently, but then, they returned to their original shape, eying him solemnly – pitifully; and that only caused his own rage to increase.
He bashed the pureblood's head against the wall brutally; mercilessly. Again. Again. And again. Until the rich scent of his blood hit his nostrils, intensely basking him in the exhilarating fragrance it generously offered. Fangs lengthening on their own record, burgundy orbs changing into deep, glowing crimson, he drew the man closer to him, inhaling deeply; letting the scent of the pureblood surround him, plunging him deeper into his madness; his oblivion.
Thrusting his long fingers into the bloodied, silver locks, Kaname forced the pureblood's head to the side, planting lips on his neck, nibbling; sucking - all too roughly, all too greedily. The lump in his arms trembled, and the beast inside him rejoiced, causing him to drag his tongue along slower, teasingly; lapping the droplet of blood, and languidly savoring the sweet taste shooting through his buds.
He was delicious, intoxicating, and Kaname wanted more. So much more. The insane desire to devour the pureblood, inch by inch, until the man was nothing more than a shriveling mess, took a hold of him, strengthening his bloodlust; his madness. And he trembled, his insides shivering in anticipation and hunger.
A small whimper, escaping through those plump lips, was what it took for Kaname to abandon the last traces of his sanity, common sense rudely thrown out of the window. He slammed the man against the wall once more, straddling him, mouthing his bite area sensually; desperately - the beast within him moaning in gratitude; in anticipation. Fangs grazed along the soft skin, ready to plunge, ready to mark their new territory, ready to taste the intoxicating nectar yet again; and they were so close to doing so until...
Gentle fingers found his nape, stroking circles around it – almost too tenderly, too lovingly, and Kaname halted, confused, burgundy eyes meeting the man's nauseatingly fond amethysts orbs.
"It's okay, Kaname." Zero-san whispered softly yet firmly, soothing ministrations on his neck resuming, "It's okay. Bite me. Get your revenge. I deserve it. You know I do."
Kaname froze, flabbergasted, the realization of what he had done penetrating his consciousness like a red-hot knife. His fangs retracted, as well as the threatening glow in his eyes, and he slid back, eying the pureblood's bloodied, bruised face remorsefully. Terrible guilt shot right through him, plunging his soul into the depths of a blazing furnace, and his gaze dropped down to his trembling hands, feeling mortified by his own vile actions.
What had he done?
Zero-san looked lifeless, very well seeming to be near death's door: skin tone sickly pale, plump lips battered, silky, silver strands stained with his own blood, kimono disheveled and parted, droplets of crimson evident, and his neck, oh god, his pale neck looked the most dreadful of all – covered with horrible hickeys, purple-ish bruises, and painfully, painfully slowly-healing bite marks.
And he was the cause of it. A cause generated by the bitter feelings of jealousy, and wrath. He had done all of this. He had, god forbid it, nearly bitten Zero-san without his consent, nearly killing the pureblood in the process. An unforgivable act punished by law – with his death.
How could he have done this? How could he have lost control?
At moment, Kaname realized that he had officially become far worse than the man before him. A monster, that what he was.
His hands flew to his lips, covering them; hiding them shamefully, as he watched the pureblood strengthening up with wide eyes, the man's features devoid of emotions, his lips pursed into a thin line.
Zero-san was going to kill him. The pureblood had every right to. He had breached the line here, and he was going to pay the consequence for it – even if that so-called price would take his life away from him. The idea of death frightened him; rendered him speechless with fear, and yet, at the same time, beguiled him to embrace the warmness of it, to surround him himself with the feelings of nothingness.
And those sensations was what he craved for. To be in a void where he felt, heard, and saw nothing. Only pure, endless darkness.
Please make this as painless as possible, Zero-san.
Kaname clenched his eyes shut, searching for the strength to get through this, though none came, and he felt his body trembling as a result. It would be all over soon. He didn't need to afraid, not anymore.
But nothing of that sorts happened. Not a single punch was directed towards his direction.
Instead, the pureblood took Kaname's hands into his, and threaded his fingers with his own ones.
Kaname choked back a startled gasp.
"Look at me. It's okay." He heard Zero-san say, voice calm; gentle, as he felt the slender thumb stroking circles on the back of his hand.
Kaname shook his head, eyes remaining shut. He couldn't...He wasn't worthy of forgiveness. Not after what he had done.
"Please Kaname, look at me." The pureblood said again, tone pleading; sounding nearly desperate, "Please."
Kaname's heart ached at his tone, and he stilled himself, preparing for the worst. Burgundy eyes slowly lumbered open and he found himself staring right into the violet orbs, brimming with feelings akin to... affection?
Zero-san...was not angry at him?
Eyebrows furrowing together, he quickly looked down again, puzzled, his remorse and self-condemnation temporarily mitigating.
Why though?
Plump lips curled upwards, and the man's pale hand moved to his cheek, caressing fondly.
He raised his head up, startled by the gesture. Soft, wide mahogany met with loving amethyst, and Kaname took a sharp breath in, heart thumping loudly within his chest.
Where did he get this feeling before? Why did it, again, feel so damn familiar?
"Kaname," Zero-san's soft voice gently interrupted his thoughts, regaining his attention once more, "I haven't been completely honest with you."
Kaname shot him a puzzled look, voice lost and not knowing what to say.
The pureblood's hand left his cheek, and Kaname nearly protested, already feeling the loss of that gentle touch. First Isaya. Now Zero-san? He was becoming too needy.
"Hmm..." His gaze shifted on their hands, and Zero-san spoke; voice hesitant; low, "I did not have sex with Haruka because I could." Th pureblood breathed out, his grip on his hand tightening.
His confusion intensified further, not knowing where the conversation was heading towards.
"Haruka stole something far too precious from me. Far too important. I was furious, I wanted to destroy him."
Renewed knowledge hit Kaname like thunder, and it took him a whole minute to piece everything single fact together. When the meaning behind the words finally made some sense to him, his eyes nearly fell out of their sockets.
"So you had your revenge by playing with his feelings? You led him on, knowing you could hurt him anytime, anywhere? Was your anger at him that great that you had to destroy my marriage with him? He snapped, feeling incredulous; hurt. Was that thing so precious that Zero-san had to play with so many lives; ruin them?
Why would Zero-san do such a horrible thing? Who gave him the right to?
The pureblood pursued his lips together, violet eyes turning into hard stones, and then Zero-san nodded after a moment of silence. "Yes." The man admitted, though not a trace of guilt could be seen on his features, "Because I can't have him falling for the person I have relinquished my heart to. I can't have him snatch away the only person I deem important in this god-damn world."
"Who is that person?" Kaname asked, bewilderment deepening, while his anger; his irritation towards the pureblood began diminishing.
Haruka-san was having another affair? Burgundy eyes narrowed in disgust, and he nearly blew off the library. Again. Almost too nearly.
As if hearing his thoughts, Zero-san chuckled warmly, amused.
"You haven't changed the slightest, Kaname. You have always been on the dense side."
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing." A heavy sigh passed over the pureblood's lips, but then a warm smile bloomed on his features, amethyst orbs glinting mischievously in the moonlight as Zero-san brought his face closer to his, warm breath tingling against his lips.
"I assure you I am far from – "
"Shut up."
Kaname shot him a heated glare, but pressed his lips shut.
"Since I have to spell this out for you..." The pureblood pressed his lips against his jaw, his voice seductive; alluring as he whispered, eyes darkening, "Will you have intercourse with me, Kaname?"
Without giving him the time to process the words, Zero-san sealed his lips with a fierce kiss, rendering his train of thoughts, cutting short the start of his protests, and causing his eyes to widen with shock.
What the actual fuck?
A/N: Dun, dun...LOL. Zero finally appears on the scene. Should Kaname say yes? No? Maybeeee?
I apologize for the length of the chapter. It turned out to be quite long...Unintentionally, of course.
A big gratitude to ben4kevin, horrorstar100, kanamexzero fan, alisjackson59, WeirdBlackCat, KBL101, and VeronicaChase for reviewing. As well as to the readers for reading. (': Thank you. It really means a lot to me.
Side note: Kaname is usually more reserved with his emotions, but the poor guy was tipsy on wine when he found out about Haruka cheating on him. And then the whole ordeal happened with Isaya happened... So yeah. I just wanted to state that.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and please do leave a review. *-*
See you guys, soon. (: