AN: Insert witty excuse here.
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"I need a shower after all that," Zero announced. The wet wipe he'd run over key areas before the tailors had been allowed in had only been a quick fix. He felt… sticky.
Kaname's eyes said a shower was pointless, but Zero's return glare said how much he didn't care.
"Master, please," Zero crooned maliciously, "I'd be so ungrateful if I immediately ruined your latest present to me because I was all sweaty and," he touched his upper lip with the point on his tongue, "dirty."
That got him a smirk, which said sucker not victory. Fuck.
"I suppose I ought to show you to your rooms," Kaname mused aloud, still eating those fucking cherries. Zero was going to develop another complex.
"My…rooms."
"Oh yes, pet. I know you prefer to sleep in my bed, but as you ought to remember, I had my staff prepare rooms for you ages ago."
That first night… hadn't Kaname said…no way. Then again, he had an actual freaking castle; it wasn't like he was running out of bedrooms anytime soon.
"I know you've been so busy lately, master, by any chance was that all to do with Mr Fujiwara's visit? How long has that been planned for anyway?"
Kaname rolled his eyes.
"Only a few weeks, my suspicious pet. Passion gives your eyes a delightful fire. If you want to bathe alone, put it away."
Zero pasted on his most winning smile. "Oh master, there was no need to go to so much trouble for me. You know I'm happy to sleep anywhere, I hate to inconvenience you, why I could even sleep in the city."
"Oh sweetheart, how forgetful you are. How would you be able to attend to me from so far away?"
Glare met smirk.
"Come along pet, I had them redecorated just for you, you know."
"You're too kind, master."
Kaname threw on a dressing gown over his bare chest and trousers, and cheerfully led Zero back up to a familiar corridor.
Oh OK, it was a relief to know Kaname was just bringing them back to his bedroom. The bastard probably wanted to fuck on a bed this time… and that relief lasted for all of thirty seconds before Kaname opened the door next to his.
Zero had a guest room here. That was not alarming at all. He had a whole new appreciation for fucking in budget motels and getting kicked out once they'd gotten theirs. That was immensely preferable to this… disgusting display of commitment.
This being an entire fancy suite of rooms. Next to Kaname's room which was obviously the master bedroom, which meant Zero's rooms were massive and way too posh.
The bastard had genuinely redecorated too. There was a certain shade of lilac about, which Zero just knew Kaname would say matched his eyes, interspersed amongst antique looking dark furniture, and proper thick rugs and way too many chairs for a bedroom.
"Master, you shouldn't have," Zero croaked.
"You know I prefer having you nearby Zero. Moving you into the mistress' chambers just made sense. That door leads to my rooms," he nodded towards a door that was too plain for what it represented. A massive iron gate, lit with infernal fires would have been more appropriate than well-polished mahogany with what he hoped wasn't a real gold handle.
The mistress' chambers, Zero consulted his memories of some period drama he may have accidentally watched six series of when he'd still had a TV, and knew that Kaname wasn't referring to a lover on the side, but mistress as in wife-to-the-master.
He did this just to fuck with him, Zero knew. All that money, and the bastard uses it to redecorate as a practical joke. His priorities were completely fucked, but he was a vampire, so maybe he couldn't help it.
"Oh master," he tried to think of a way to thank him that wouldn't sound like he secretly wanted to strangle him to anybody listening and failed. He resorted to sex. "How can I ever repay you?"
Zero swayed over to Kaname and pulled him down by the lapels of his dressing gown, kissing him desperately so that he didn't have a chance to speak.
He still felt Kaname's smirk as their lips met. Thankfully it was only a few seconds before Kaname was distracted enough to stop gloating. Zero pressed up against Kaname, and kept kissing him as he felt Kaname's arms around him, hoisting him up effortlessly. Zero decided to be agreeable since he'd stopped talking and wrapped his legs around Kaname's waist, and then they were moving and a second later he felt softness as his back as Kaname laid him flat on one of the endless sofas. Another second and Kaname was beside him, still kissing.
It was nice, the kiss had mellowed from frantic into something calmer, and it kept going. Kaname wasn't even trying to undress Zero. He wondered, as he pushed against Kaname's tongue to stop the bastard going for his fangs again, if it was possible that Kaname was fucked-out for once.
A knock on the door interrupted them, which had Zero scowling. That had been nice damn it.
Kaname pulled away an inch and sighed, tipping his head forward until it rested on Zero's.
"That's Seiren. Duty calls. Have your shower Zero, order some food up or do whatever you want. I won't be back for a few hours at least. Stay out of trouble."
Zero watched him go, with an alarming feeling of reluctance.
To get rid of it, he swiftly pulled himself off the couch and went to find which door led to a bathroom. He avoided even looking at the shared door.
His assigned bathroom was as luxurious as he could have feared. It did not stop him taking a boiling hot shower and pouring himself into one of the offered robes. It was incredibly fluffy and Zero sighed as he put it on. It was almost a novelty to be fully dressed in Kaname's house. He'd better enjoy it whilst it lasted.
Surprised to find himself actually alone, Zero immediately made a strategic decision and crawled into the bed for a well-deserved nap. He'd worked most of the night before Kaname broke into his flat and despite all the fucking, he'd not slept in between at all. He was utterly exhausted, and he knew the bed would be divine. It was.
He was also certain he would need his rest.
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The new clothes were… something.
Zero took one look in the mirror and decided he was better off not thinking about them any further.
Except of course, his mind betrayed him and he could think of nothing else.
They were nice clothes. It had been a long time since he could say that every single item he had on was good quality – and these were all excellent. What was troubling him was that they were not the sort of clothes he'd imagined Kaname wanting him in. Nothing was translucent. There were no trails of airy fabric. Nothing sparkled. There was a distinct lack of revealing cut outs and only one belt. It wasn't even a chain belt.
One traditional hakama, two suits with matching shirts and waistcoat, and the rest were all comfortable casual clothes. He had new jeans. Tailored jeans even.
If Zero wore these about the castle, it would be because the castle meant casual clothes, because it was…familiar.
He rolled his eyes at himself in the mirror.
Most of his new clothes were what he would wear at home not out. There. He thought it.
Kaname had hired a tailoring team for this – he had paid for this effect. Whilst Zero was sure it was also to sell the point that Zero was a long term pet of Kaname's, at this point it was fair to say that he knew Kaname and Kaname was all about two birds one stone.
It meant that Kaname wanted to see Zero in his home, dressed like he belonged… and Zero regained control of himself right there and stopped thinking about it.
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"Kaname!" Ichijo called cheerfully, signalling the true beginning of Zero's oh so awkward high school reunion weekend as he peeked at the blonde from his position against the wall.
Ichijo looked… the same. He was a vampire, so Zero should have expected that. He might have had a different haircut and new clothes but apart from that, he looked the just as he did at the Academy. It was weird; Zero looked at him and saw a kid. They were the same age, but… life had taken them down different roads. Zero didn't feel like a kid. Kaname had never looked like one. Ichijo though, he seemed so young. Maybe it was the trace of baby fat in his features? Or just the look in his eyes. Like he was still an optimist.
That was the true sign of a privileged upbringing, right there.
"Takuma, welcome, have a seat. Wine?" Kaname waved towards an open bottle on the table.
"Thank you."
Ichijo poured himself a glass, and Zero was suddenly curious over the etiquette of all of that. His best guess was that a pureblood didn't serve others – except that Kaname had poured drinks for him multiple times. Did the fact that he often followed it up with mocking commentary on Zero's taste negate the gesture? Or was that just Kaname? Maybe he was mocking him deliberately in a way Zero couldn't understand.
"So, Fujiwara-sama's visit is tomorrow," Ichijo said. "I received the schedule, but what's the plan Kaname?"
"Was the schedule not clear?"
"Kaname, please, how am I supposed to support you if I do not know the real plan? Unless," he hesitated, and drank a gulp of wine. "Did you ah, want, the pet perhaps? Did you want one you could, um, use, without um, needing to hold back?"
Wow. You think you know a guy.
"In that case, we only need to worry about a pet leaving bugs or other devices. Unless you had other concerns, I'd assume he'd be ah, confined to your bedroom? Bugs would still be a risk, particularly if there were any recordings but I'm sure Fujiwara-sama would be content knowing you were ah, entranced enough to use his gift to the end. He'd make a few comments of course, but if you played it off as being genuinely pleased with the gift, it would all smooth out in a year or so. I would spread counter rumours to our allies and – "
Kaname sighed and Ichijo fell immediately silent. Zero was impressed.
"You should be more observant of your surroundings, Takuma. You're lucky we are in a cone of silence. Pet?"
Zero took his cue and rose from his kneeling position to approach Kaname with his head lowered. Once he was at Kaname's side he knelt back down by Kaname's feet and kept his gaze on the floor.
He didn't speak.
He heard Ichijo choke on his wine.
"Is that… Kiryu-kun?"
"This is my favourite pet, Takuma. I've kept him with me for months as Fujiwara will shortly be allowed to learn. He's not going to gift me a pet when it's clear it will no longer disturb me, and without that, there's just no point. He'll do the smart thing and gift me something from his art collection, which will nicely match my own gift and then we can get on with business."
"That can't be Kiryu-kun."
"Fujiwara has always been rather conservative with his plans if he has no clear advantage."
"That is Kiryu-kun."
Ichijo seemed pretty well stuck on that. Zero almost wished he could see his face; it had to be quite the picture.
"Since when was he yours?" Ichijo continued. Zero could feel his eyes on him.
"Months officially, years technically." Kaname hummed and he casually started petting Zero's hair like he was a dog. Zero dutifully did not recoil. He was a pet who was delighted by the attention. He leaned into it. Kaname tugged slightly and Zero stood up, gracefully sinking onto Kaname's lap when indicated and curling up, resting a head against his shoulder.
He could now confirm; Ichijo's expression was hilarious.
"Seriously? I'd not heard ah, that is to say that's good? I'm glad you finally found him."
Zero the Good Pet didn't react to that either. Real Zero wanted to choke on air.
Finally found him. Now that he was suspicious, he remembered Kaname saying something very similar their first night together.
Well fuck.
"Kiryu-kun," Ichijo addressed him and cheerfully ignored Kaname's hand sneaking up under Zero's shirt. "I look forward to catching up with you. We didn't hear anything after you joined the Hunters. My belated congratulations for passing your apprenticeship."
Since he'd been spoken to, Zero decided replying was safe. He was unsure about eye contact given Kaname hadn't mentioned any rules for what to do when he was sitting on his lap, but the situation seemed to allow it.
"If master can spare me, I would like that," he murmured softly. The last thing he wanted to do was talk about his time with the Hunters. He found himself praying that Kaname was feeling possessive and would not spare him.
"With Fujiwara aware of my change of beliefs, I don't anticipate a problem. Zero will be part of the formalities for him to see directly. If you have no other questions Takuma, you should go inform the others. I'll not have them acting surprised to see Zero back where he belongs in front of outsiders."
Kaname's hand had now ventured downwards and was playing with the skin under Zero's belt. Ichijo did a wonderful job of continuing to politely not notice. Zero wished he could do the same, but Kaname's touch had at some point instilled a Pavlovian response in him. The chilling effect of 'where he belongs' did not do enough to offset sheer lust in Zero's opinion.
"Of course, Kaname-sama. However, one small issue. Kiryu-kun is to be part of the formalities? That seems a little… blunt."
Kaname scowled, and by that alone Zero knew Kaname agreed but was being stubborn about it. However, as it seemed he was the it in question, Zero kept quiet. He had thought it a little unusual that a pet was invited to dinner, but he also knew Kaname's word was law, and that even between purebloods he seemed to have some sort of first amongst equals status.
Ichijo smiled at Zero again. "I'm sorry to say this in front of you, Kiryu-kun, but Kaname, if you've already ensured that Fujiwara-sama knows of his existence and your change of heart about D's then to have one at dinner would be throwing it in his face. He'd be angry, and the move is so blunt he might also see it as a taunt, highlighting that he'd been allowed to find out your private business. If he knew he'd been found out or anticipated, he'll lose face. If he feels insulted – there will be a response. If he realises you didn't want a pet, he'll gift you one anyway for the pleasure of knowing he outwitted you. It's a bad move Kaname, and you know it. Respectfully, please reconsider."
The silence after that was heavy.
Zero was so grateful that his only job was to sit on Kaname's lap and look pretty. It meant he could ignore the atmosphere entirely.
It was interesting that Ichijo spoke to Kaname so freely. He was the second in command, so it made sense, Zero had just assumed that Kaname wouldn't allow other opinions, but here Ichijo was telling him he was wrong. He'd been polite of course, friendly, and it was so weird to have to readjust his world view and remember that they were actually friends. He'd always thought of them as Kaname's minions, which was…unfair, he could admit now.
Just as interesting was the levels of deceit Kaname lived under. It was clear that Ichijo knew that Kaname didn't want a pet from Fujiwara and was aware of the scheme against him. It was equally clear he wasn't aware that Zero was not really a pet. He seemed to really believe that Zero had been with Kaname for months.
Ichijo shifted in his seat drawing Zero's attention back to him. He realised that Kaname had still said nothing and the other vampire was feeling the awkwardness. Would he recant? Or hold his nerve. It was quite the entertainment… until Zero thought about it and seized the opportunity.
"Master?" He ventured quietly, peeking up at Kaname from behind his hair with his head lowered.
"Yes, pet?" Kaname murmured, his hand finally moving to a slightly less intimate grasp on his thigh.
"I don't want to be a problem for you," Zero pleaded, "I don't have to go to all the fancy things if it will cause trouble. I could just… be there, in the background, like I should be. That would be enough, wouldn't it?"
Coincidentally, it would also get Zero out of any risk of having to talk to the other bastard, or be seen by every fucking vampire in the place as Kaname's devoted little piece of ass.
"Oh very well," Kaname sighed. "You're right Ichijo. It's too obvious. I'll arrange for Zero to be in sight when we tour the library or something. Now go get the others briefed."
"Yes, Kaname. Thank you." Ichijo flicked his gaze to Zero before he left the room, and Zero had to deal with the uncomfortable understanding that Ichijo's gratitude was for him. It was made worse by the fact that Ichijo had been decent to Zero the pet. Actually talking to him, not over him, and making no comment about the nature of his service here. They were in private… but Zero didn't think Ichijo would be cruel in public.
A decent vampire. Eugh.
"I've missed you," Kaname murmured, tugging him forward into a kiss.
Kaname had been clear that nowhere was safe, and a job was a job, so Zero swallowed down his first reply which would have been It's been less than two hours you maniac. Besides, he had a suspicion that Ichijo hadn't truly left.
"You're the one who wanted to be discreet, master, I hardly care if everyone knows I'm yours." He spoke softly, earnestly, and followed it with more devoted kisses.
He knew immediately that Kaname also thought they were being watched because Kaname didn't call out the bullshit. That comment didn't provoke a single raised eye brow, teasing comment or delighted I knew you'd finally agree. Instead, he got kissed into silence as if Kaname wanted to shut down a conversation with his needy pet without having to make any promises.
He couldn't wait for them to go back to normal. Zero actually missed their banter.
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