A/N: Well, here is the chapter as promised! I am terribly sorry for the delay. *bows* Although, I dearly hope you will enjoy the chapter!
Thank you again Luna-chan for your help with this chapter! You, girl, seriously rock. (´･ω･`)
Extra Info: Ichiru does not exist in this universe, but Zero does have an older sibling that will be introduced later in the chapters.
Without further ado, the story continues!
Warnings: Lemonish-limes, Cursing, Crying/Sobbing, Manipulative behavior/actions.
Chapter 7: Bleeding Hearts Still Pound
(Zero)
"Why the fuck are you here, Isaya?"
His hands hastily wiping away the accursed tears, he grounded out through his gritted teeth, fixing a heated stare upon the bemused pureblood only when he was certain that his eyes didn't give his anguish away.
The smug face of the person before him was the very last person in the world he had wanted to see; to discover him in such a degrading state.
Was there a possibility that this damned day had the chance of becoming even worse? Wait, he was actually afraid of knowing the answer.
"Aren't you happy to see me." The pureblood's eyebrow arched at his hostile tone, turquoise orbs glinting with amusement, "Got dumped, huh?" The man had the nerve to smirk.
A well-defined brow twitching, Zero growled lowly in his throat, irked beyond words, as the intensity of his glare intensified tenfold.
"Shut the fuck up."
Isaya should consider himself lucky; why, because he would be nothing more than a filthy pile of dust if looks possessed the ability to murder.
The mere sight of the vampire and his mocking words had liquefied the misery within him, and fortunately enough, had alleviated his feelings of sorrow into a raging inferno, ready to scorch the man to ashes.
Was this, what people call, a perfect, god-given chance? Was this opportunity, perhaps, bestowed upon him so he could channel out his destructive emotions, brewing rapidly within him, towards this unexpected, and the exceedingly unwelcome person that happened to be standing right before him?
If that was the case, maybe he should start bringing his worries (Kaname) to the higher powers above him.
A huge, skeptical maybe though.
"So you did, huh." Isaya murmured, mostly to himself, and started walking towards him, sluggishly flopping down to the empty spot next to Zero. There was a pause, and then, the man's lips parted in a sigh, his eyebrows furrowing together. "Sadly, I know that feeling all too well."
There was a nostalgic note in his words, and Zero pursed his lips, leveling another deathly stare at the vampire. The sole idea that his Kaname had been connected to this man in the past, was in a relationship with him, never sat right with him; could never be accepted by him. Moreover, unfortunately, of all, the fact that all of his beloved's firsts (rightfully his) had been stolen by the said person made things worse – for him, at least. He didn't like it. He abhorred anyone who came between him and Kaname. Detested them to the point of torturing them ruthlessly; mercilessly, without a break – in his mind, that is.
And the perverse pureblood beside him was no damn exception.
"I didn't get dumped. Don't go around assuming things, Isaya." His tongue finally formed the words and uttered them out, voice surprisingly composed in comparison to his enraged inner turmoil.
"Oh?" Isaya turned his face towards Zero, regarding him with his infuriating knowing eyes, "Then I presume he refused to sleep with you?"
He remained silent and clenched his jaw, tightly and harshly, amethyst orbs growing hard. Was he that fucking easy to read? Or did this pompous, ill-mannered bastard knew him too well for his own damn good?
The answer remained unknown to him and nor did he have the desire of finding it out.
Before Zero could apprehend what was actually happening, strong warm arms snaked around his waist and yanked him closer to a broad chest, into a comforting embrace, the man's strong cologne fogging his brain, instantly and fiercely, "It's okay, Zero-sama. It happens. Not everyone is going to sleep with you right off the bat, you know," Isaya chuckled, holding him closer; eliciting another threatening growl from his captive, "Although, I have to admit, we have fallen head over heels with a difficult person, haven't we?"
Zero shot him a glare, his face twisting into a snarl. "He is mine. You will never have him. I will never let you have him."
Isaya-fucking-Shoto should know his fucking place. His cockiness would be the death of him, and he, Zero, would probably, most likely, be the cause behind it.
For some reason, he knew that day wasn't very far behind.
The pureblood's well-shaped eyebrow arched at him tauntingly, an annoying smile gracing his full lips, "No, he isn't." Long fingers caressed his damp cheek, almost too lovingly, Isaya's face only a breath away from him, "He belongs to Haruka...unfortunately. " The smile on the man's features faltered into a frown, but then, turquoise orbs blazed with fierce determination. "But I am going to have him, Zero-sama. Before you have him. You will let me have Kaname."
"You won't dare, Isaya." Amethyst orbs narrowed, ominously glowing crimson, and he gripped the offending arm tightly; warningly, his body trembling with rage. "He is mine. Kuran Kaname is mine." He repeated defiantly, jaw clenching, face flushing.
Nails dug into his skin, and Zero winced. "Keep telling yourself that, Zero-sama." Droplets of blood descended down his cheek, and Isaya brought his face closer to his wound, greedily lapping on the ambrosial nectar. "Although, I detest him being with Haruka as much you do. If not more than you do."
Slender fingers dipped under the silken lapels of his kimono, grazing the skin of his bare leg boldly, "I have a proposition for you, Zero-sama. One which you cannot refuse."
Shuddering involuntarily due to the coldness; the suddenness of the touch, his eyes met the pureblood, puzzled, and in response, Isaya shot him a devious smirk, sliding up his hand between his thighs, massaging him roughly; teasingly through his undergarment, the man's puffs of breath hot against his flushed skin, "I will help you break them apart, Zero-sama. Permanently this time around."
There was a pause, before Zero snarled his answer, batting the repulsive hand away; feeling extremely disgusted. "Do not fucking touch me. You have already failed me. Do you possibly think I will trust you again?"
He was not going to trust Isaya – again. It was a mistake. A big, fat mistake to trust the pureblood with his feelings and his intentions. The man was a pathetic failure, and the tasks he failed to carry out only confirmed his incompetence.
He was a fool to look for a twinge of hope in the man. A desperate, pathetic fool, indeed.
"I know I have disappointed you...many times with my failures," Isaya sighed, gently caressing his rejected hand, looking slightly guilty, slightly pained, "But I promise you that this time my plan will work."
"No. Shut up. I refuse to hear another fucking word out from your mouth. I know all about your little encounter with Kaname earlier. You met him without my permission and even dared to tell him about the affair between Haruka and myself. Have you forgotten the conditions of our deal, Isaya Shoto?"
He glowered and glared, features contorting with anger, and Isaya averted his face to the side, chewing on his lip contemplatively; stuttering with his response, "I...Kaname...It had been a long time...I could not help myself..." The pureblood looked at him again, turquoise orbs defiant, "I told him about the affair because I knew that it would put a strain on Kaname and Haruka-sama's relationship, and urge Kaname to leave that sickening, cheating bastard, once and for all. Isn't that what you also wanted, Zero-sama?"
The pureblood's snarky retort only managed to fuel his anger further, and his eyes flashed, lips drawing back in a furious snarl. He was extremely close throttling the man to death – here and there, without feeling a pinch of remorse.
So damn close that he nearly had to stop his rapacious hands from carrying out their desires.
Hats off to his self-control, seriously.
"That was not your call, Isaya. You broke the first two rules of our agreement. You even failed to have a proper discussion with me about what information you should and should not have Kaname be aware of. Your incompetence has made me lose any faith I had in you, Isaya. Get the hell out of my sight before I kill you, here and now. I don't want to have your fucking presence near me a moment longer."
Zero turned his face away from the pureblood, harshly planting his hands on his face; groaning audibly, attempting to squelch down his colossal irritation.
He wanted to be alone, left to his own devices, abandoned to drown himself in his endless misery; in his thoughts of Kaname. Isaya was making things worse rather than the exact opposite.
Was asking for privacy too much to ask for?
It seemed so – because his wishes were once again not taken into consideration; not respected when he felt strong arms enveloping him into a tight embrace, again, holding him close, as a series of vehement kisses were laid on the side of his face.
He groaned, exasperated, and wildly thrashed around, to no effect, as Isaya held him closer, his grip on him tightening, burying his face into the crook of his neck.
Great. Fucking great.
"I won't let you go until you hear me out, Zero-sama," Isaya said, voice soft; soothing, turquoise eyes smoldering as they bore into his furious amethyst orbs.
The assuasive statement didn't manage to placate down his raging nerves, and instead, increased his adamant struggles against the vice grip that held him captive; that refused to let him go.
I am going to kill him! I am going to fucking kill Isaya!
Seconds changed into minutes, struggles changed into submission, and to his greatest displeasure, the pureblood hadn't budged a single fucking inch.
Splendid. Fucking splendid, indeed.
With a long, withdrawn sigh, he slumped against the broad chest, his lips compressing together bitterly, his aggressive stance losing its vigor, and his eyes forsaking the irritation; the helplessness he felt.
The man was stubborn, Zero would give him that, but the fact that Isaya's physical strength was on a higher margin than his, grated on his nerves; caused his long-forgotten vulnerability to reassert itself, and he hated that.
He hated it with every fiber of his body.
"Done already, Zero-sama? I was honestly expecting more of a fight." The pureblood said, a smug smirk twisting his lips, his eyes mocking and amused.
Isaya's response was met with silence, a deathly glare in his direction, and a rough bite on his arm, before Zero wrenched his face away from the wincing man, his face burning with shame.
Fuck this piece of shit. Fuck him to hell.
"Aren't you being feisty tonight, Zero-sama." It was more of a statement than an inquiry, and Zero growled aggressively towards him, cheeks flushing a deeper shade of red.
This, whatever it was, honestly was very humiliating. Isaya was literally a pain in the ass, an annoyance that needed to be terminated from this world. What he would do to let that happen...!
The pureblood gave out a little chuckle, tone amused, kissing the back of his neck fondly, teasingly, "But let's leave that aside for a later occurrence, shall we? Are you ready to hear me out now?"
He turned to face the pureblood, once again, staring (more like glaring) at him for a long skeptical moment, before shooting him a curt nod to continue.
What more of a choice did he have? The faster he was done with this bullshit, and this sorry-excuse-of-a-man, the faster he could be left alone in peace that he was in desperate need of.
It was a win-win situation, for him – at least, according to his mind's standpoint.
A wide grin highlighted the pureblood's strong features, as Isaya brought his face close to his ear, disclosing the plan in soft; secretive whispers, and Zero found himself listening closely to each detail, nodding mindlessly; engraving the tiniest of information deeply into his mind.
It could work. It could fucking work.
"What do you think?" Isaya backed away from him, only slightly, and stared down at him, his grin widening excessively, turquoise orbs sparkling and looking a tad bit too proud for his tastes.
"It's a good plan," Zero admitted, a hint of doubt still lingering in his eyes; not giving the pureblood the satisfaction of his approval – yet, "What is the percentage of its success?"
"It is hundred percent!"
Another skeptical look was thrown in the man's direction, and Isaya stared at him back, eyes serious, lips curving into a sheepish smile.
He frowned deeply, amethyst orbs narrowed and irresolute. Should the pureblood be trusted again? What if his plans only manage to increase the distance between him and Kaname? What would he do then? What will become of him if Kaname was lost to him forever?
No, he didn't even want to think about it.
Positive thinking, Zero. Positive thinking only. He reprimanded himself, seriously and harshly, his clenched fists trembling slightly.
After an extensive moment of silence and a tentative exchange of doubtful glances (mostly from him), Zero sighed in defeat, reluctantly nodding his head.
It was worth giving a shot. No stone should be left overturned in his fight for Kaname. Not a single one.
"What's the catch?" Zero asked through gritted teeth, glaring at him with unmasked disdain; hatred gleaming in his eyes. When Isaya was concerned, nothing came without a price.
Another of the many reasons he disliked the very existence of this man.
"Tsk, tsk, Zero-sama." The man chuckled, fingers on his cheek, trailing downwards to his neck in a heated trail, "Do you think I cannot do this for you out of goodwill?
Zero gave him that look, clearly not impressed.
Isaya chuckled again, turquoise eyes smoldering, fingers stroking the side of his neck. "I want your blood." The pureblood licked his own lips, eyes changing into a glowing crimson, as his wandering hand reached down to the front of his kimono, slowly; teasingly untying it. "And another chance to embrace you."
Zero pushed his hands away, feeling revolted, and leveled another blazing glare upon the depraved pureblood, his jaw clenched tightly. "You can have my blood, but I am not giving you the chance to have sex with me again. Our deal was once a month, and you already had your fun this month, Isaya."
He finally managed to squirm out of the firm hold, but before he could escape, Isaya threw his body to the ground, pinning him down; straddling his hips, grave turquoise eyes meeting his own bewildered orbs, desperation contorting the man's features, "Please, Zero-sama. This one time only. I need you. As I have never needed you before."
"Go fuck yourself."
"I will leave Kaname for a whole month," Isaya blurted out, lowering his head towards his neck, trailing soft; open-mouthed kisses down his chest, shivering in anticipation, "Allow me to make love to you, Zero-sama. I am in desperate need of your comfort. Of your heat. So, please, allow me this one chance. " The pureblood rested his hands on his thighs gently, lips parted slightly, eyes silently asking (begging) for permission to continue.
He averted his face away from the plea, chewing on his lip contemplatively, while at the same time, loathing the fact that Isaya's desperate look; plea reminded of his own one of his encounter with Kaname mere hours prior.
The pureblood was unfortunately similar to him in many fucking ways, and the simple idea of it, made him nauseous; dizzy; afraid.
If Isaya (personality and intentions wise) was alike him, would that not make the both of them have an equal chance of acquiring Kaname as their own?
No, he couldn't allow that to happen. Over his dead body. He was better than Isaya. Hundred times better than him.
But to be on the safe side, he needed to take necessary precautions.
With a sigh, Zero raised his eyes, distant and reserved, to meet the forlorn turquoise orbs, and with a saccharine smile, he raised his hand towards the soft cheek, caressing it gently.
"Two months."
"Huh?"
"You will leave Kaname for two months. I don't want to see you anywhere near him. You are not allowed to even talk to him. If you comply with my conditions, I will give you whatever you desire. My blood. My body. Great offer, isn't it? Take it or leave it. Your call, Isaya."
Eyes widening slightly, hesitation crossed the pureblood's features, and Zero inwardly smirked, already knowing he had gained a victory of their bargain. Isaya was desperate for his blood and his comfort. Surely Isaya would not be able to refuse a proposal that offered him both, now would he?
His tactics were cunning; manipulative, Zero had realized that a long time ago, but he was prepared to do everything in his power (yet again) to keep this pureblood away from his Kaname – as long as it was needed for, as long as he wanted for.
The chances of acquiring Kaname as his own were greater if Isaya was not in the picture. Any logical person would want to keep their love rival away from their love interest as far away as possible, right? He was no different, unfortunately.
After a long moment of deliberation, Isaya nodded, a withdrawn sigh escaping his lips, turquoise hardening as they regarded him with disdain; with unabashed lust fueled with anger.
"Fine. I agree with your conditions, Zero-sama."
Swallowing down a chuckle, Zero slowly; teasingly slid the kimono off his shoulders; licking his dry lips, a red flush dusting his features as he averted his gaze to the ground, softly murmuring under his breath, "What are you waiting for then? Comfort me, Isaya. Drink my blood. Make love to me."
Seductive; inviting was what he despairingly wanted to sound like; to appear like because this was nothing more than a fucking act. An act to snare Isaya in his trap, so deeply so, that the pureblood would think twice before leaving him. An act that needed to be done to keep Kaname safe from danger; from lurking adversaries. And an act, a selfish one, that was executed to keep potential suitors (like Isaya) away from Kaname, away from his soulmate.
Although, at this current moment, he hoped that his pretense was convincing enough for the man to foolishly fall for it. After all, Isaya Shoto was not a man someone would want to easily mess with, and that made the man more formidable, more intimidating, much to his distaste.
He had to retain the distance between Isaya and Kaname. Isaya should be kept away from Kaname. All the time. At all fucking costs. He would be damned if the man was able to snatch his beloved away from him (again) right under his nose.
Damned to loneliness; heartbreak for eternity.
No. Never again. Kaname was destined to be his, and he would keep it that way. Isaya, Haruka, or anyone else would never able to love Kaname as much as he did.
Not in a fucking million year.
His sacrifices were nothing compared to his dilemma. If they guaranteed his chances with Kaname, he would do them over, and over, and over again.
Insane, impractical, possessive, wasn't he? And yet, he gave no damn. No care. Why should he? Why should he care for himself when Kaname was out there, belonging to someone, who was not him?
Isaya swallowed the lump in his throat, his eyes darkening further with lust, and the pureblood trembled, slipping his hands between the conjecture of his thighs, biting his lip, "I won't disappoint you, Zero-sama. I promise you." The pureblood managed to say, with great difficulty, voice husky; heavy with emotions, as the man spread his legs further apart, running his fingers into his silk boxers, squeezing; stroking him roughly.
"You better not..." He grounded out, clamping a hand over his mouth as a gasp escaped him when Isaya swiftly removed the last of his clothing, eyeing his exposed lower regions with unmasked desired.
"Zero-sama, you will not regret this. I will make sure you enjoy our passionate love-making as much as I do."
This sole warning was what he received before he was suddenly enveloped in a warm, damp cavern, the moist tongue wasting no time in relentlessly lapping off the slick fluid out of his engorged tip.
The suddenness of the action startled him, and without his own consent, Zero arched his back, digging his heels back into the ground, squeezing his eyes shut tightly; squeezing back the tears that formed with the corner of his eyes.
This will be over soon. They never last for far too long. He comforted himself, chewing on his bottom lip roughly, as another assault of anguish assaulted him; his heart.
Everything was for Kaname. As it had always been. Even then, these sorts of encounters always left him empty; soulless. The only thing he could pray for was redemption; for his efforts to not go to waste.
Kaname would belong to him soon. He would never have to do this again. Never again. Soon. Very soon, this would be nothing but a horrible memory of the past.
In no time, he would finally be happy.
(Kaname)
Fire flashed into existence in a wash of red and yellow sparks. Deep enraged flames surrounded him, suffocated him, scared him. He couldn't breathe, he couldn't see, he couldn't even hear the racing of his heart. He was going to die, he didn't want to die, not like this, not without seeing him first.
In a flash, he was folded in a warm embrace, eager lips seeking his for comfort, for remembrance.
Amethyst orbs, distressed and sorrowful, flashed across his sight, and he gasped, taken aback by the deep profoundness of them.
'Kaname, will you wait for me? Will you still love me after what I have done to you?'
The mysterious man asked, voice soft and grave, the tightness; the desperation of his embrace increasing, breaths coming out in short; ragged puffs.
But for some reason, instead of returning the gesture, he roughly pushed the man away, petrified to the core, his heart lurching wildly against his ribcage as stumbled backward, disoriented; sobbing, fingers clutching his hair tightly; painfully.
It hurt. It hurt. It fucking hurt.
Something was definitely not right.
But the man did not let him go. Did not offer him a single piece of solace. He brought him closer and closer, until his furious anguished eyes bore into his, a cruel sneer forming on his flawless features.
'Why are you backing away from me, Kaname? Why are you leaving me again, Kaname? Don't you love me anymore? Are you disgusted with me? Tell me, Kaname. Why? Why? Why are you like this? Why did you forget me? Answer me, Kaname! Do not ignore me!'
With a gasp, burgundy eyes snapped open, startled; terrified. A dream? What kind of fucked up dream was that? Why was he even there? Who was that person?
And ... most absurdly of all, why did the man feel so damn familiar to him?
A pounding headache suddenly overtook him, and he groaned, the intensity of the pain overflowing his senses mercilessly, torturously.
What the heck?
With great difficulty, Kaname blinked and blinked, and blinked some more, trying to alleviate his pulsing headache, trying to remember what he was attempting to remember in the first place.
What was it again?
A shuffling sound alerted him, and with dazed, not-focused wine red-orbs, he looked around, puzzled and dumbfounded; mind groggily collecting his whereabouts.
Books...shelves...more books... Was he at the library? What was he doing here again? Why was he feeling so hot? Where was Haruk–
A sharp jolt raked through his body, cutting short his countless of inquiries, and without his authorization, a small whimper passed his lips, as he reached out for something to grab on; to hold his sanity on, his fingers tangling themselves in a mop of silky, dark hair.
...Hair? What? Whose fucking hair was he grabbing?!
Kaname shifted his bewildered stare downwards, and a startled gasp was brought out of his mouth, as he was rudely taken wholly in a moist cavern, much too suddenly for his liking, losing himself into the assault of blissful sensations.
"Aah..no...stop...I am still mad at you...Haruka...no...let me go..." He managed to ground out, a task that proved to be strenuous, voice far from steady, far from composed, as he, with shaky hands, attempted to push the persistent mouth away from him, breaths heavy and labored.
As a silent protest, Haruka only gripped his hips tighter, pulling him closer to him, his moist tongue flicking around his swollen tip, as the pureblood sucked him harder, deeper; slowly, teasingly engulfing him to the back of his throat, holding his gaze as he did so.
Painful jolts of pleasure gripped his flesh, and Kaname fluttered his eyes shut, body quivering in anticipation, mind forsaking itself to the realm of pleasure, as his slender fingers intentionally twisted the brunette's hair to the point of being extremely painful.
A tiny grunt was given to him for his efforts, and Kaname let out a breathy chuckle, eyelids parting to reveal his bemused wine-red orbs, as they steadfastly met with the similar yet slightly irritated eyes of his husband.
Revenge tasted exceedingly sweet.
Although, his one-moment victory did not last for far too long when the pureblood swallowed him deeper – the ministrations of his lips, his tongue, his teeth becoming rougher, faster, blunt fangs nipping the side of his shaft in vengeance.
Pants, groans, whimpers and every sort of humiliating sound escaped his lips, and Kaname squeezed his eyes closed, face burning hotly with embarrassment.
This was not fair. Haruka was not fair.
The pureblood must have known damn well what his actions were doing to him when a throaty chuckle was given to him before the treatment around his sensitive groin developed to be more relentless; more vigorous, the pace quickening at the same time.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
To his extreme humiliation, it did not even take a second longer for him to become completely undone under Haruka.
To his extreme mortification, he convulsed into the awaiting mouth, eyes rolling in the back of his head; lips parting for a silent scream; his painful grasp of the pureblood's dark locks tightening even more.
Not. Fucking. Fair. At. All.
Aftershock tremors ran throughout his body, breaths ragged through his clenched teeth, trying desperately to draw in oxygen to his lungs, as his eyes groggily cracked open, hazy burgundy orbs studying the grinning brunette before him.
A dark eyebrow twitching, irritated and angry, Kaname pursed his lips, suppressing the strong (and very tempting) urge to smack the eye-offending grin off the pureblood's lips. He was better than that. He had to be better than that. His self-control was impeccable and well-known – to him, at least.
"That was quite fast, Kaname." With a devious smirk on his amused features and a wink of his right eye, Haruka wiped the remaining fluid away from his lips with the back of his hand – damn him for still managing to appear so fucking bewitching; and Kaname averted his eyes to the side, cheeks flaming red with embarrassment – and exasperation of some extent.
A moment of mishap – that was all there was to it. Sneaking up on him, especially when his defenses had been the lowest, was a crafty (and definitely not well-appreciated) move by Haruka.
But what more could he have expected from the man? A person of no decency and morals?
Damn him again.
His hands unconsciously clenched the hair of his captive even tighter, even fiercer, and a groan of protest was awarded to his ears, peeking his attention, and his eyes, towards the pureblood ever so inconspicuously.
"You will make me go bald at this stage, Kaname." Haruka chuckled, eyeing with a brow arched; rosewood orbs brimming with amusement. "You don't want a bald-headed man as your husband, now do you, dearest?" The pureblood had another chuckle, sounding more pensive this time around; and with sheer gentleness, one that should be applied while handling a porcelain vase, Haruka untangled his clenched fingers away from his wavy strands and pressed his soft, plump lips upon his knuckles, mahogany eyes regarding him silently; tenderly.
Unbestowed to the pureblood, at that moment, against his will, a parade of butterflies decided to erupt within his stomach, and Kaname bit his inner cheek, annoyed and frustrated with himself.
Seriously? Was this for real? Why the fuck was he having this 'love-dovey' moment with Haruka when he should be signing off the divorce papers, and once and for all, leaving the pureblood for good?
Damn Haruka to hell and back. He was done with the absurdity of this so-called marriage.
"Maybe you would have fewer people trying to get into your pants if you were indeed bald." Kaname shot at him, venom on his tongue clear as day; the reason of his anger reasserting itself, and then the memory for it. "Maybe I would have preferred having a faithful bald-headed person as my spouse for a change, Haruka-san. A husband who belonged to me, and me alone." Unveiled rage shone brightly through his eyes, as he, with no regret, held the bewildered gaze of his husband with hostility.
Feel my pain, Haruka. Feel the despair you have caused me. Feel the intensity of my wrath, until your last breath, until you cannot help yourself for begging for my forgiveness. Because this will not be forgotten. It will never be forgotten.
The smile on Haruka's face faltered upon his words, as well as the soothing touches on his hand, and Kaname observed him with silence; with apathy, wine-red orbs expressing the anguish his heart had undergone through.
Haruka blanched, eyes widening considerably; features contorting with apprehension. "I...am sorry..." The pureblood began, voice soft and hesitant, eyes downcast, fists clenched; probably debating the next choice of his words.
Nothing else followed his words, and meaningless moments rolled away, the heavy silence prolonging the inevitable.
Sighing dejectedly, Kaname decided to pull Haruka out of his misery. Once again, he was being too merciful, wasn't he?
"I think we should take some time apart from each other, Haruka-san. Maybe see other people in between. It will do us good – both mentally and physically speaking. Our marriage might have a higher chance of reconciliation. Am I not in the right, Haruka-san?"
The suggestion was nothing but a hoax; a provocation to observe the reaction of his husband; an ultimatum to decide if he should continue to stay with Haruka – or leave him for good this time, regardless of the fact that sheer misery would accompany him in the long run.
He still loved Haruka, with and without his flaws, but the idea that his husband was having an affair behind his back was something he couldn't live with, especially if it continued for the rest of their lives. He refused to be someone else's side bitch. He had more honor than that, thank you very much.
But even then, the brutal desire to hurt Haruka, the vehement want for him to feel the same worth of his pain did not leave him; instead, it amplified and amplified, until his breaths became ragged; until his hands were shaking for vengeance, for blood, for pain.
And to his greatest relish, the desired effect of his words had worked on Haruka splendidly.
More. More. More. Let me see more of your pain, Haruka!
Haruka's response was instantaneous. Without a word of warning, the pureblood grabbed his shoulders and shook him, rough and aggressive; eyeing him with a scorching rage muddled with pleasant desperation ... and a hint of fear?
Kaname could not be certain, but a warmth, one like he had not experienced before, spread throughout his heart; the madness and the rage that he suffered from diminishing to a certain extent.
Did Haruka love him without even realizing it himself? Was that even...possible?
"Kaname, you promised! " The pureblood whispered harshly, his entire frame shaking.
"You promised you would not leave me. You promised, Kaname!" Haruka repeated; tone distressed, eyes anguished, and Kaname had to avert his eyes, an emotion akin to guilt overwhelming him mercilessly. He shouldn't feel this way. Why should he? Haruka was the one who cheated on him, and not the other way around! There was no reason for him to feel any sort of guilt towards the man.
Not a single fucking reason was acceptable!
"I cannot live without you. You are the reason I am still alive today. Don't take away the only thing that brings me happiness, Kaname. I beg of you!"
Kaname gritted his teeth, clenching his hands into fists, as despair surged through him, but he held his tongue, refusing Haruka the relief of his answer. Yes, there was no need for him to feel sympathy for Haruka, the man deserved it; the man deserved his anger and much more for his act of infidelity.
He was honestly being compassionate given the severity of the situation; if it was any other pureblood, Haruka would be nothing more than a pile of irrelevant ashes, on the floor and left to be forgotten.
"Don't leave me. Please, don't leave me. You are the only one I have, Kaname. Please, re-think this." Haruka begged, his voice unsteady, moisture brimming within the corner of his eyes, as the man planted his face into Kaname's chest, clenching his shirt into his hands with urgency. "I am so fucking sorry. I was in the wrong here. I admit that, but I promise over my life that I won't ever cheat on you again. I have learned my mistake. So only for this time, give me another chance." Haruka paused, burying his face deeper into his chest, his frame shaking without a second of interruption. "I need another chance, Kaname. I don't want you to leave me. I cannot bear you leaving me. My life is meaningless if you are not in it."
His insides twisting into a painful knot, Kaname exhaled softly, feeling empty and exhausted.
Why was Haruka making this more difficult than it already was?
He swallowed another sigh, eyes glued to the ceiling, staring abstractly, as countless emotions cramped around his heart, urging him to forget the inconsolable misery and embrace the chance of joy that was offered to him yet again.
He needed to forgive Haruka, god forbid, he wanted to, even after the despicable act his husband had done. Everyone deserved a second chance, did they not? A part of him felt obligated to pardon the man, while a larger part of him recognized that it would be a huge mishap on his part; Haruka would never change, the man would repeat the same blunder again and again, and he would always be there to forgive him; to take him back, despite the obvious course of action – part ways with Haruka, for eternity.
Suddenly, a wretched sob erupted from the pureblood, and Kaname's heart fell into his stomach, knowing all too well what this meant.
"Kaname, Kaname, look at me. Don't ignore me, please." Haruka pleaded hoarsely, followed by a couple of hiccups, as the man raised his face, staring him with teary eyes. He shook his head, compressing his lips bitterly.
"Please, Kaname. Answer me. Say something." With trembling fingers, the pureblood caressed his cheek, shaking; fresh sobs threatening to escape, and from the corner of his eyes, Kaname found himself looking at him, an action that proved to be a great mistake.
Despair surged through him when intense agony, reflected from those wine-red orbs, made known to him, and Kaname swallowed uncomfortably, the ache in his heart reaching past its intended breaking point.
He really couldn't handle much of this a moment longer.
"Forgive me," Haruka repeated, voice shaky, droplets of tears descending down his damp cheeks, and once more, planted his face onto his chest, another sob taking a hold of his body, "Have mercy on me, Kaname."
Fuck this. He had enough, honestly!
An exasperated sigh slipped through his lips, and without a second thought, without the heed to his feelings, his arms went around Haruka, holding him tightly; his mouth pressed into the pureblood's mop of dark hair as he whispered softly, closing his eyes, defeated. "I ... am ready to give you another chance, Haruka-san."
The pureblood snapped his head up and with wide, disbelieving orbs, looked directly into his eyes for confirmation.
A wry smile slipped on his lips, and Kaname gave him a reassuring nod; burgundy orbs grave as he continued, "But I can't forgive you right away, Haruka-san. I need time. To forgive you. To trust you again. And speaking of that, you have to earn my trust, Haruka-san. It will not come off as easy, I assure you."
He might come regret this at a later date, but at the moment, he was sick of fighting Haruka. He wanted things to return to normal, as much as they could be, that was. Moreover, Haruka seemed genuinely remorseful; what kind of spouse would he be not to forgive his husband when the man was literally begging for his forgiveness?
A heartless, sadistic one – it seemed so.
Haruka shot him a crooked smile of his own, nodding hesitantly, and embraced him firmly, more tears tumbling down his cheeks clumsily. "Take as much time you need, Kaname. I will do everything in my power to regain your trust back in me. I will not let you regret this decision of yours."
A pause, and then, heedlessly, Kaname pressed his long fingers on the pureblood's face, wiping away the tears; caressing his damp cheek fondly. "I will take your word for it, Haruka-san."
Offering him another set of apologies, Haruka placed his hand over his, leaning against his touch, a glimmer of hope shining within his rosewood orbs, "I won't ever hurt you again." The pureblood promised firmly, a solemn; honest expression ghosting over his features.
The simple, yet endearing, gesture from the pureblood made his heart pound loudly in his chest, but Kaname, master of impassive masks, gave no signs of being affected by the act.
Instead, he narrowed his eyes and spoke; tone serious and warning, "You better not, Haruka-san. I won't be this gracious next time. If I happen to catch you in the act of infidelity yet again, or even see you romanticizing Zero-san, I will make you feel the same pain you made me experience, Haruka-san. This is my promise to you."
Haruka pressed his lips together, mahogany orbs taking on a slight edge, but then, after a long pause of silence, the pureblood gave him a swift nod of his head.
"I promise, Kaname."
"Good boy," He whispered, chuckling inwardly when a glare was shot in his direction, feeling the weight on his heart lifting to a certain extent. They were back together. Things were back to normal. All that was needed to be done was to leave this day back to the past and slowly start trusting Haruka again.
Something Kaname knew would not be that difficult. His husband, after all, was a man of his word.
Poking the pureblood's puffed up cheek, he allowed himself to snortle, attempting to lighten the mood; trying to lessen the burden of Haruka's guilt.
"Haruka-san, stop crying, will you? Sometimes, I find myself wondering if I got married to a petulant child instead of a handsome, hardworking man. Which one of the both are you, indeed?"
His chuckle morphed into an amused laughter when another heated glare was rudely shot at him, followed by a furious wiping of the eyes using the back of his hands, and Kaname grabbed the pureblood's cheeks, pulling his face closer, placing a fragile kiss upon those damp, fragile eyelashes, "I won't erase your memories this time, Haruka-san. I want you to remember every single detail of this evening, alright?"
A surprised look emerged on his features, and then, with docile eyes, Haruka shot him a nod, "Yes, Kaname." The pureblood's gaze dropped down to his hand, his shoulders slumped, before continuing, brows instantly furrowing together. "You have every right to do so."
He arched an eyebrow at the pureblood, feeling pleasantly surprised by the choice of his words. Wasn't Haruka being too compliant? He mused to himself, his amusement blooming without failure. Not that he minded, of course. The surreal idea that Haruka was being obedient, to him of all people, and agreeing with everything he said was enticingly fresh, and if he may blatantly add, rather entertaining.
If only Haruka would continue to comply with his wishes for the rest of their immortal lives... A highly doubtable wish, but a highly desirable one nonetheless.
But, for this moment, he felt content, and in his opinion, Haruka deserved a reward for his obedient-good behavior.
Snaking his hands up around the pureblood's neck, Kaname tangled his fingers in the man's lustrous hair, showering the side of his neck with soft; gentle kisses, "Now will you kiss me or what? Or do I have to do that for you too?" He asked, sarcasm; mirth evident in his words.
Before Haruka could come with a snarky retort of his, Kaname yanked his face closer to his, effectively silencing him with his lips, consuming the startled gasp rewarded for his action. The pureblood's struggle was scarce, and soon enough, Haruka was responding to the kiss, inciting the parade of butterflies to return within Kaname with extreme vigor, with extreme urgency.
A small smile crept onto his lips and Kaname sensually slid his fingers under the pureblood's shirt, stroking it up to his spine; receiving a delicious shudder from Haruka for his teasing efforts.
Got him.
"I will get you for this, Kaname." Haruka snarled, then shot him a grin, before recapturing his lips in another searing kiss, pushing him down, hands intervened with one another, squeezing and refusing to part.
Kaname eagerly complied, fluttering his eyes shut; smiling against the plump lips that were currently preoccupied with his eager ones.
His marriage was saved, Haruka still belonged to him. There was nothing more to ask for.
Maybe, good things always had the tendency to come to good people - at least eventually, right?
So maybe, just maybe, this night wasn't that horrible, after all.
Kaname mused to himself, as with half-lidded eyes; with an amused snicker, he watched his flustered husband undoing his buttons with shaky; clumsy fingers; letting out a couple of curses here and there.
An extremely lovely night, indeed.
.
.
.
.
Both of them were swept up in each other's presence, so much so, that neither of them noticed a pair of narrowed amethyst jewels, contemptuously observing them through the slightly cracked door.
A/N: Aye, the chapters seem to get longer and longer...haha. xD Damn, Zero really has a bad timing. I can't imagine what he is feeling having found Haruka and Kaname like that. ●︿●
But, now you all know, Zero's reason for sleeping with Isaya. It's sad, indeed.
My smut skills need to be improved before I write a full, hardcore lemon! T^T It's very embarrassing, really. So until that happens, you are going to get only lemony-limes for the time being. (ノ_・。)
Do you think Haruka was faking his 'apology' or was he genuinely remorseful? To clear a possible misunderstanding, Kaname has not forgiven Haruka, but he is willing to give him another chance. So Haruka could possibly redeem himself. Although, I am not sure if Haruka is up for the challenge...
In the next chapter, we will see Rido, Zero, Kaname..and maybe Isaya's perspectives. Stay tuned. (◠﹏◠✿)
Also, I will like to show my sheer gratitude to those who alerted/favorited my story, those who reviewed the previous chapter (ben4kevin, LuanRina, alisjackson59, VeronicaChase, WeirdBlackCat, MonkeyGrapes, horrorstar100, Kay Queen, perce-neige, and LunaLovesChoccy) and those who read and enjoyed it. Thank you, guys!
Feedback/Reviews are always welcome! Thank you for taking your time in leaving them! (◕‿◕✿)
A good day/night to you all! ｖ(⌒ｏ⌒)ｖ