A/N: Just wanted to get this one up. I've been working on it for three days – mentally, of course. Also, I watched the Munters… No one knows how much I love that. Big shout out to Blemm for listening to me whine and helping me decide which way this should go.

Zero woke to the bang on the wall. Not for the first time, he cursed his partner mentally. Still, he was awake now and that's all that mattered. Slowly, he opened his eyes.

Maybe it was because the position was second nature to him. Or, maybe, because the cravings and dreams he had built up over the course of the years willed it. It didn't stop the surprise flooding the Hunters system. The Aristocrat had one hand resting on his hip, their intertwined fingers resting just below his lips. With every breath, the ends of his hair brushed against Zero's forehead, tickling the skin.

Zero was cautious. The bed still creaked under his weight, muted by every pause until his feet touched the ground. He ran a hand through his hair, sighing softly. If he looked back, his resolve would crumble. He'd lay back against Kain's body and lose himself in his arms.

Focus. He scolded himself. With the renewed energy, he lifted himself to his feet, the dizzy spell passing over him. His own fangs extended, Ichijou's deprivation kink being the hardest for him. He sat again, waiting for it to pass. "Kiryuu-kun?"

Zero swallowed, turning his head towards the foot board. At least he wouldn't be tempted with his face. "Mm?"

"You good?" The mix between the early morning husky voice and his hand on his forearm… Focus, his mind demanded.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He hated how fragile and forced it sounded. Forcing a distraction, he stood and stretched, the decision causing his stomach to lurch forth. "Get some more sleep."

"I'll come with." Again, the tired voice. Zero shook his head, trying to find an excuse.

"It's just Hunter talk."

"And?"

"We'd get a lot more done without having to spell out everything." He was teasing. Still, he could hear the defeated sigh.

"I'm not stupid."

"Didn't say you were." Zero squeezed his eyes shut.

"The implication was there."

Great… "Whatever. I'll bring you some coffee."

"I can get my own."

"Of course. You're a big boy." He tried not to grimace as he meandered out the door, slamming it behind him.

"Where's Kain?" Kaito questioned, his legs resting on the booth and his phone next to his cup.

"Just us." Zero answered, sliding in next to him.

"Mm…"

"That sounds like an inquisitive 'mm'." Zero muttered. Out loud, he began. "Hostages are attracted to vampire power."

"No shit, Sherlock. We tested and proved that yesterday." His partner leaned forward. "When are you two going to make up?"

Zero glared at him. "Not your business."

"No but, somehow, Mama, Rima and, even Papa are all confused why you two aren't boning every chance you get."

"Starting to understand Kain's annoyance with being talked about."

"And, you're still evading the question."

Zero gulped down his coffee and set the cup on the table. "We're leaving now."

"What? Why?" Still, Kaito started eating faster.

"I have to find the altar of the bug I squashed that gave me the bad karma of having you as a partner."

"You suck." Kaito spoke, spitting out half of his food and racing after the silverette. Zero thought that might be the end of it as the hostages grew quiet with Kain's presence. Instead, it seemed to egg the brunette on. "Kain, question."

"Shoot." More awake than before, Zero glimpsed his bored expression, his normally open hands digging into his skin.

"If you had to choose, where would you go with Kiryuu – spa or museum?"

"As it stands? Neither." Ouch… Okay, fair but… ouch.

"You have to choose."

"… Hmm… museum." Kaito nodded, texting something into his phone. Zero glared at the other Hunter.

"And you, Kiryuu?"

"… What's the catch to the museum?"

"You have to look at the same exhibits. And, take in an Imax 3 movie." Knowing the group, they'd make it something about the stars and constellations. Both of them could keep quiet for an hour but, inevitably, they'd start arguing and cause a scene… And the damage would be hard to repair. On the other hand, pure silence and letting a stranger touch him… Which would be worse? "Kiryuu?"

"… Spa, I guess." Kain growled softly as Kaito clicked his tongue, probably texting the answer. "What are you planning?"

"Planning?" Kaito used his charming, vague smile on him. Zero's glare deepened. "Moi?"

"… Touya says that when she's about to do something I don't want to do…" Kain replied, turning his head back to Kaito. "What are you two planning?"

"No-thing." Kaito sang. "Just getting some ideas of where to take Shindo."

"If that's all, I change my answer to museum." Zero replied. "Then, you have something to talk about rather than watching some person touch her."

"I disagree." Kain answered. Zero could feel the eyes on him. "If she has a hard job, maybe she'd appreciate the massage and think it's thoughtful."

Why are you playing into their trap? Zero thought, taking the corner towards the Association. Kain tapped on the roof of the car. "Just here."

"What? I thought you wanted to see this through." Kaito questioned. Zero pulled to the side of the road, glad for Kain's departure.

"Vampires and Hunters don't really mix that well." He answered, fidgeting with his phone. "Talk later."

"Mm…" He waited for the car door to slam, Kaito sliding into the front seat. Instantly, the Hostages became restless.

"Whatever you're planning, it ends. Now." Zero insisted, pulling back into the traffic.

"I don't understand why you have an issue with it." Kaito answered, clipping his seatbelt. Zero hated that he didn't have an answer.

"Seriously? Couple's massage?" Zero whined as Touya grinned at him, already breaking the speed limits. It instantly turned into a pout.

"Mama and I think it's cute."

"Why? Why would that be cute?"

"Why not?"

"This is usually Mama's way of torturing me." He shuddered, the unknown hands on his bare body. Touya only snickered as he ranted about the unhygienic places those hands might have been previously. Still, under her and Souen's direction, Zero stripped and wrapped a house coat around himself. He glowered at every passerby until he was in the room, still somewhat surprised that Kain shared it. He felt the wave of power waft over him before subsiding, the aristocrat somehow healthier than he had been for their hunting expedition. He tried to keep his trailing eyes over Kain's shoulder, training them to remain there rather than on the confining fabric that somehow slid up. Zero sat across from him. Silence. Fifteen minutes passed. Twenty. It didn't help Zero that the other tilted his neck to his shoulder, watching his every move.

"Unfortunately, Hana and Ruuka will own my ass if I try to leave right now."

"And Rima will own mine." Zero replied.

"We can try to be civil."

"Haven't you noticed every time we try, we end up in an argument that goes nowhere?"

"It was a thought. We can remain silent, if you like."

"I just wish they'd hurry up and get this over with." It was clear there was a misunderstanding as hurt spread across Kain's face. "Like you relish the idea of someone touching you."

"Not someone. Just one person."

Zero wracked his mind for who that person might be. He doubted it'd be Lee but, maybe. After all, Kain seemed to enjoy his company. "Well, I don't."

"Yeah, that I know." Kain replied, his voice even. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. The ends stood straight up. "I get that I'm not your favorite person… We can try to figure out a way to lie about the entire thing…"

"What are you on about?" Zero questioned.

"… You do know that I'll be giving you a massage, right? I mean, once the instructor shows up…"

Zero tried his best to keep his deadpan expression. "Yeah. I knew that."

Kain nodded again, his cheeks slightly flushed. Zero glared at him. Don't act like you're innocent in this. You can touch me but I can't touch you? Just like… He exhaled trying to calm himself. As if waiting for the tension, awkwardness and big reveal to be unveiled, the instructor finally walked in. Zero threw the robe at Kain's head, glad he wouldn't have to look at him for the duration. The instructor sighed. "Mister Kiryuu, it's customary to lay down."

Zero ignored him. Kain answered. "It's fine if he doesn't want to."

He sat next to him, inhaling sharply. Zero hated that his eyes swelled as Kain traced the new bruises and cuts, the lashes still fresh in his skin. He rested his hands on Zero's shoulders, his thumbs rotating in small circles, working just under the base of his skull. The Hunter kept in a small moan as the vampire traced towards possible knots under the direction of their third party. Zero leaned forward, finding it hard to keep his eyes open. Kain worked upwards again, resting on his shoulders. He slid closer towards Zero, working down his arms… It was over too soon for Zero's liking. He couldn't help but feel cheated, glad that his want wasn't obvious.

"You're turn, Mister Kiryuu." The instructor informed.

"He doesn't have to." Kain answered. Zero glared at the tawny haired man but said nothing.

"If you're sure." The instructor asked. Kain only nodded.

Apparently, for being such 'good boys', Souen and Touya decided to escort them for drinks. Normally, Zero would have refused and gone home instead of sitting at their booth while Touya, yet again, forced Kain to share the stage with her. Zero downed another shot, his eye never straying far from the taller. One drink. Second drink. Fourth drink. Eighth drink. He made to stand as Kain approached the booth, Touya deciding on her next drunken lament. Zero stumbled to his feet, swaying. Perhaps his Kain was just beneath the surface, the concern clear on his face as he held Zero to him. He rested his warm hand on Zero's forehead, nodding to himself. "Touya."

"Hmm?" The blonde answered, lifting her head from the options.

"I'm taking him home. Think he's had enough."

"Home?" She waggled her eyebrows. Kain rolled his eyes.

"I'm not taking advantage." Is it really taking advantage if that's what I want? Zero questioned.

"Fine. Spoil my night." Kain smiled for the first time in a while, pressing a kiss to her head. He muttered something in her hair, being instantly dismissed by her. Zero was happy to have him as his support as they walked down the back alley, his hand sliding down from Kain's shoulder to his waist and lowering into his back pocket. Kain stopped and lifted his hand, letting Zero gain the advantage. He backed him against the brick, pressing against him.

"Kiryuu –"

"You have no idea what I want…" Zero answered, pressing kisses against Kain's neck. Kain's hands rested on Zero's hips, unsure of what to do.

"I know what you've been aiming for –"

"But not what I want." Zero emphasized, lifting himself on the balls of his feet. He knocked his hips into Kain's, the sweet growl escaping from the other's lips encouraging him. One of Zero's hands tangled in Kain's hair, the other gripping him through the fabric.

"We can't –"

"You said you'd be anything I wanted you to be." He let Kain rock into his hand slightly, pressing a hard kiss to Kain's mouth, his tongue intruding, sliding across his partners'. Kain moaned, breaking free from Zero, his chaste kisses somehow intense.

"What do you want me to be?" Kain whispered, the exhaustion of fighting their situation finally wearing on him.

"Tonight?" Zero's mouth curled into a smile. He traced his lips with his tongue. "I want to shove your cock in my mouth and choke... Or ride you dry."

Kain's fingers dug into Zero's hips, panting softly at the words. He shuddered, burying his face in Zero's neck. He was sure that Kain would start into another fight, denying himself the basic instinct Zero knew they both wanted. Kain wrapped his arms around Zero, squeezing him. "Just tonight."

A/N: Little bit more detailed than my liking but… to be fair, I did deprive both of them.. Behind Closed Doors chapter next. Probably working late tomorrow and the remainder of this week (if I have a job at the end of it, I'll be amazed).

Until next time, darlings!