Author Notes: Thank you again for all your reviews! The last chapter was a record breaker as far as TOHOM is concerned, LOL... Here is the next chapter, posted a day earlier as a thank you to you all. Uhm, you know how I usually write sweet and sappy? Well, this chapter is extra sweet and extra sappy so be warned! –cringes- Still, I hope you enjoy it and don't forget to let me know!

I've also updated my profile so do take a peek!

Appreciation: I've had many lovely reviews but VaneCaos' one especially for Ch23 is worth its weight in gold. You always make me think harder, dear! :D Thank you!

Summary: Zero is understandably hurt and confused by Kaname's actions but the pureblood is happily oblivious of it and gets a shock when he finally finds out what he had inadverdently done. It's up to him to rectify matters between them now.

- Chapter Start -

The following morning...

Zero's eyelids fluttered as he slowly slid from a deep sleep into half wakefulness. He was lying on his back and automatically, he started to turn onto his side. Halfway though, he froze and his sleep soft features tightened in unexpected pain.

Ouch. That hurts.

The pain shooting up from his rear and the unusual soreness of his insides abruptly reminded Zero of what had happened last night and he winced as he slowly continued rolling onto his side. The side of the bed he was facing was empty and Zero suddenly remembered why he had been lying on his back while he slept. Cautiously, he glanced over his shoulder. Kaname was also lying on his back on the other half of the bed, one bare arm flung above his head on the pillow and the other stretched out towards Zero. The silk sheets were tangled around his waist and his bare chest rose and fell with deep, even breaths.

So that's why I'm feeling cold...

Zero had managed to tug some of the covers over them last night, despite Kaname lying on top of him. The action made Zero more than aware of the aches in his body and the unusual and uncomfortable feeling of something seeping down his thigh when he moved his legs. Kaname rolling off him later had resulted in the pureblood taking the covers with him and leaving Zero naked and feeling a bit chilled.

Zero swallowed at the sight of the deeply asleep pureblood, the ache in his chest awakening with sudden intensity. It had been hours before he finally dropped off to sleep but even after crying his heart out, it still hurt. It hurt even more than his body did. Zero rolled out of bed as quietly as he could, trying not to wake Kaname up even though the pureblood was obviously deeply asleep and did not even stir.

As Zero stood up and took a step, the pain in his lower body registered again and even more unsubtly this time.

Ow... Damn.

Biting his lip and feeling his cheeks grow hot again, Zero escaped to the bathroom. He closed the door firmly behind him before switching on the smaller, shaded light over the mirror. It lit the large bathroom with its soft glow and Zero surveyed his appearance numbly in the large mirror that ran the entire length of the wall. Physically, he looked pretty much the same as he ever had, except that his hair was sticking up rather more than usual.

But Zero knew better. He wasn't the same inside. He had been changed. Irrevocably and irreversibly changed by Kaname. By his kisses, his touches, his tenderness, his passion... and his possession. Zero knew he had the bruises however mild they were, as well as the soreness and the physical evidence to show for it. His head fell forward and he wrapped his arms around himself, trembling violently, his face even hotter than before. He had willingly surrendered his virginity to Kaname last night. Very, very willingly in fact, but he felt as if he was going to explode with all the mixed up feelings crowding his mind and heart.

It wasn't that it had been forced – Zero knew it was what he wanted, as much as Kaname did. In fact, he was the one who had asked Kaname to make love to him.

It wasn't that it had been unpleasant or distasteful - on the contrary, it had been truly, mind blowingly wonderful. Amazing.

It wasn't that Kaname had been rough or inconsiderate – no, the pureblood was the epitome of gentleness last night; he had been understanding, patient and loving.

It was just - just - Zero's shoulders slumped and a heavy sigh escaped his slightly trembling lips. It was what had happened after that. It was what Kaname had said. Or rather... what he had ordered Zero to say.

More of the same warmth that had stung his tender, bruised flesh earlier started to slowly trickle out of him now that he was standing upright and Zero's flush deepened as he grabbed tissues from the box on the vanity counter. Quickly, he pressed them to his rear to wipe away the thickened liquid. Like he needed any reminder on what the pureblood had done or where he had actually been.

But it wasn't as if Zero hadn't known that this would happen when two males made love to one another, right?

One would take... and the other would give.

One would claim... and the other would surrender.

Zero's shoulders started to shake again.

One would dominate... and the other would submit.

He hunched over the sink, choking down a sob that was trying to escape past his throat.

One would assert his superior position... and the other - the other would beg for it.

Zero knew that he had begged last night. He had begged for it, plain and simple. He had given up his pride and just... pleaded for Kaname to take him. He had shouted out the pureblood's name again and again because he knew he couldn't bear for Kaname to stop what he was doing.

Zero's heart constricted painfully as he choked down another sob. He hadn't thought that Kaname was the sort of person who wanted or needed that. The pureblood's control was usually so impeccable, especially last night and he was almost always very gentle and caring with Zero but... perhaps that's what came from him being a pureblood - the innate need to control, to subjugate, even if it was someone they loved with all their heart as Zero knew Kaname loved him.

Yes, Kaname did love him. But that was precisely what made it so painful. Zero drew in a shuddering breath and palmed away the moisture on his cheeks. He just felt so... so ashamed right now. He drew in another shuddering breath before taking one of the freshly laundered towels neatly folded on a nearby rack and wrapping it around his waist. Zero knew he should probably shower first... but he was feeling too lethargic to do so. Besides, he didn't want to make anymore noise than was strictly necessary.

He - he just wasn't quite ready for another bout of Kaname's attentions at the moment.

Zero tucked in one corner of the towel and just stood there in front of the sink for a few more minutes, wanting all traces of Kaname's possession to escape his body before he went out again. Zero knew that the capsules would hide the unmistakable scent of their passion but he hadn't realised another embarrassing aspect of making love with a fellow male. He bit his lip as he realised that this would be a common occurrence in their relationship from now on... or at least unless Kaname took to using condoms.

If he didn't...

Zero found himself uneasily wondering how long it would take each time before it was safe to put on his clothes again without staining either his pants or his underwear. For the first time, he sympathised with females in a way he never had before.

Perhaps pharmacies have those – uh, 'tampon' thingies for males too? Hidden right at the back of the shelf somewhere, a private and embarrassing secret that only the shop assistants or males like him would know about?

Zero flinched a little as another drop of liquid slowly going down his thigh made him grab for another tissue.

Was this how it was going to be for him from now on then? Waiting at their home while he recovered from their latest making love session... preparing for Kaname's return by cooking for him... letting himself get bedded by the pureblood again, just like some - some...

No!

Zero very nearly slammed his hand down on the marble top of the vanity, his dormant anger at long last flaring up in his heart as brightly and as fiercely as the flush on his face.

No.

No, damnit, that was NOT how it was going to be!

He had pride too! He wasn't just anybody, he was a Kiryuu and he was a vampire hunter! Yes, Zero knew he no longer had a wish to kill a certain pureblood - no matter how tempting the idea was at the moment - or even a certain bunch of nobles but that didn't mean that there were no Level Es out there that should be left running around and killing others, right?

But that was beside the point! Zero fisted his hands, crumpling the damp tissues in one fist and breathing hard as he glared at his suddenly stern and angry reflection. He loved Kaname, he did, but he was not going to spend the rest of his life just pandering to the pureblood's whims and fancies. Zero was one hundred percent male, he had needs of his own, too. And not only of making love to Kaname...

The fierce look wavered and Zero's gaze fell from the mirror to the marble top. He knew he wasn't an expert in sex. After all, he had just lost his virginity a few hours ago but well, he... he wanted his turn to claim his lover, too. It wasn't really for the manly pride of being the 'male' in the session or for wanting to see Kaname 'beneath' him or anything like that but... it was more of wanting to give pleasure to Kaname, to see him writhe around in bliss like how he himself had, last night. It had felt unimaginably good despite the pain and Zero wanted Kaname to feel that pleasure, to know it as intimately as he had.

After all, Kaname was a pureblood but while he certainly could be controlling and dominant on ocassion, he had never before given Zero any indication of wanting to be that way when it was just the two of them. He had a tender and vulnerable side that drew Zero to him. If it was merely those perfect looks and that cool, remote personality the prefect had known for years, he could very well have fallen in love with Kaname long before now. But it wasn't that. Zero had only come to love Kaname after he had seen and gotten to know the real person behind that exquisite face and figure, behind that calm, implacable exterior.

Zero looked up at his reflection again and sighed. He really did love Kaname and he wanted them to be together. But he was going to have to think and think hard about whether he could really accept the way Kaname demanded his obedience in bed or not. And if he could not accept this, then Kaname was just going to have to change this very annoying aspect of himself.

OK, enough of hiding in the bathroom! Taking a deep, fortifying breath and letting it out again, Zero squared his shoulders and nodded firmly to his grim-eyed reflection. He disposed of the used tissues, switched off the light and went out. Zero found his T-shirt and jeans on the bed and put them on as quietly as he could, deciding to shower only when he got back to the Sun Dorms. Besides, the capsules would hide the scents on his body so it's not as if the slumbering nobles in their rooms or even the ancient watchman at the Moon Dorm gates would get a single whiff of what had happened last night.

Zero was determined not to look at Kaname as he got dressed but in the end, he gave in. Kaname was still lying in the same position as previously, he hadn't moved at all. Zero twisted his head away from the deliciously tempting sight and his eyes fell on the basket lying on the small table. For a moment, he hesitated but then he deliberately turned away. Who cared if those dishes stayed there another day, he thought rebelliously. Kaname could wash them himself or get someone else to do it!

Zero squared his shoulders again and exited the bedroom, trying to walk as erect as he could and ignoring the nagging soreness between his legs. He was going to shower and go right to bed. To hell with classes - he would be late if he went now and it wasn't as if he hadn't skipped them before!

- o -

A few hours later...

Kaname awoke slowly and reluctantly from a long, dreamless sleep. Slowly, his eyes blinked open. Even with the drapes tightly shut, he knew it was afternoon now and a quick glance at the clock on the nightstand confirmed it was a quarter to two. Kaname quickly turned onto his other side but Zero was nowhere to be found. Only the deliciously erotic scent that lingered on the rumpled silk sheets and in the room confirmed that the most wondrous night Kaname had ever had in his life had indeed happened.

The pureblood stretched slowly and luxuriously on the silk sheets. He grabbed Zero's pillow and buried his face in it, breathing in his lover's scent with a happy, almost silly smile on his lips. Kaname eagerly let his mind replay last night's very special event, pausing to linger on Zero's reactions – the way he had looked as he writhed about on the sheets, pale skin glowing with the heat of passion, the enticing little sounds he made, the shy, embarrassed look in his pleasure glazed violet eyes as he was being prepped and stretched. It was all so delicious to play back for Kaname and he especially reveled in Zero's obvious trust in him, the way that tight body had felt around him, the way they moved together and speeded up to achieve that spectacular release at the end. It was all utterly, wonderfully delicious.

Kaname even felt a slight warmth creeping up to his cheeks and he knew why that was. Despite the tight and careful hold on his control, it had still slipped towards the end and he recalled urging Zero on with his voice and his body until their bodies exploded with that perfect, perfect bliss.

But where was Zero now? Kaname released the pillow and leaned up onto one elbow, his pureblood senses already busily searching for the prefect's presence in the bathroom and outer room but both were empty. A soft, bemused smile touched his lips as he sat up in bed. Perhaps Zero was still shy and had scooted off to his room to hide that adorable blush of his? Kaname's smile widened into a grin but his eyes remained soft and tender. Well, he couldn't have Zero thinking that he didn't care about him...

Kaname threw off the sheets in a decisive movement and swung his legs out of bed. He would have liked to sleep a little longer but the need to see Zero again far outweighed his need for more rest. Besides, Kaname was belatedly realising that Zero might need some of his blood to alleviate the discomfort he could still be feeling.

Most importantly of all though, Kaname just wanted to see Zero again. Still smiling, the pureblood started walking towards the bathroom. Yes, he definitely wanted to see Zero again but a shower first was essential to wash off his perspiration as well as the sticky, half dried substance on his chest, stomach and groin area. But right after that... Zero.

Who cared if it was now two o'clock in the afternoon? Kaname had umbrellas, overcoats and pureblood speed at his disposal. Besides, it also meant that the Day Class students would be safely in class and Kaname was quite sure that Zero had skipped class and in all likelihood, was now alone in his room in the Sun Dorms.

It was perfect.

- o -

Ten minutes later, Kaname paused outside Zero's room door and smiled to himself, having sensed his lover's presence inside. He knocked quietly on the door.

"Zero?"

Zero didn't answer immediately but Kaname knew that he couldn't have been napping or hadn't heard the knock since the familiar heartbeat from within the room had suddenly increased. Kaname was starting to frown by the time Zero's voice finally answered him.

"Come in..."

Feeling strangely cautious now, Kaname opened the door and stepped inside. Zero was sitting at his desk near the window, dressed in a collarless, long sleeved T-shirt and a clean pair of jeans. He looked up with a nod and a small smile but did not stand up. Kaname closed the door behind him, feeling even more uneasy although he could not have said why. Was it because he had expected a more enthusiastic welcome from Zero and didn't quite know what to make of the strangely wary look on his lover's face now? It couldn't have anything to do with last night, could it?

Oh.

Kaname's brow cleared. Perhaps Zero thought that he had come here just to make love with him again? Somehow, the thought caused a strange, soft ache in Kaname's chest. There was no denying that he wouldn't mind making love with Zero again, of course, but it hurt to have his lover look at him like that, as though it was the only reason why Kaname was here. It wasn't. He was here because he wanted to be with Zero, because he loved him and wanted to know if he was OK or needed his blood. Of course Kaname wanted to make love too but that was only if Zero was up to it as well. Kaname had waited for him all this while, surely Zero couldn't think that the pureblood would force him now just because he had said yes last night...

Zero was still looking expectantly at him so Kaname stopped going over his worries and walked over casually, his quick eyes catching the almost invisible movement of the prefect's shoulders tensing up under the T-shirt.

"Zero? Are you OK?" Kaname asked softly and the amethyst eyes finally dropped.

"I'm fine."

The soft words didn't sound very reassuring and Kaname stopped beside the desk, one hand automatically reaching out to touch Zero, needing to touch him. Instantly, the prefect stood up and slid out from his chair on the other side, going to stand by the windows instead. Zero tried to be casual about it but he was still looking at Kaname with that same, wary look.

The curtains had been pulled shut to block out the bright afternoon sunlight but they were of a thinner material than the drapes in Kaname's rooms and some of the warm light still filtered through. Kaname didn't like to stand there but he took a step forward nonetheless, his quizzical frown deepening as Zero started to cross his arms, appeared to think the better of it and shoved his hands into his jeans pockets instead. The tense set of his shoulders was more obvious now.

Kaname's eyes closed for a moment. Something was wrong, he knew it. Something more than just Zero feeling shy.

"Zero, what's wrong?" Kaname's brow was puckered with worry.

"Nothing's wrong," Zero denied quickly before turning away. His shoulders drooped on a soft sigh and to the increasingly worried pureblood, that posture suddenly made Zero look rather forlorn. Kaname's uneasiness increased again. He couldn't understand it. This was not how he had expected Zero to be, especially after sharing the most incredible experience with him last night. Something was wrong, he knew it!

Zero could sense that Kaname was starting to get worried about his strange behaviour but he couldn't help it. He hadn't moved away from Kaname just now because he was afraid of him, but because he was afraid that the beloved face with its soft, concerned expression and that deliciously familiar scent would make him fall into his lover's arms again. Zero knew he should just tell Kaname what was bothering him but it was so difficult trying to get the correct words out without sounding horribly stupid into the bargain. He had spent a good few hours trying to put his concern into actual words but even in his mind, they sounded stupid. Childish. Even petty.

"Zero, look at me. Please..."

Zero stubbornly shook his head but Kaname wouldn't have it. He reached out to place two graceful fingers under Zero's chin and purposefully turned his lover's face around to meet his troubled gaze.

"What's wrong?" Kaname whispered, his heart clenching even more at how his lover looked like up close. Why was Zero looking so... so sad of all things? Had it not been satisfactory for him? Had Zero found it wanting in any way? Oh God, had he suffered more than he had enjoyed?

Cold, unreasonable fear caught hold of Kaname's heart and his breathing quickened in response. But Zero couldn't have! Kaname had washed off the evidence of the prefect's pleasure from his own skin not more than a few minutes ago...

"Did I do something wrong last night? Did I hurt you?" Kaname's words tumbled out one after another in a swift rush, his mind again going over the long, delicious minutes of last night but rapidly now, not relishing it like he had earlier but urgently, trying to remember if there was a time he had inflicted pain, real pain on his lover without realising it, discounting the inevitable discomfort of being taken, of course.

Inflicted pain again, don't you mean?

A shiver passed through Kaname as a sibilant whisper seemed to mock him out of nowhere. He tried to shut it out, focusing only on Zero. The prefect shook his head quickly in response to his question, jerking his chin out of Kaname's fingers and turning away again.

Say it! Kaname's asking you, damnit! Say it!

"I'm fine," Zero said quietly.

Kaname didn't buy it for a single second but after a moment of uncharacteristic hesitation, he decided to let it go for now. Perhaps Zero would tell him after a while, once he relaxed and didn't look so worryingly... tense. For now, Kaname pushed away his own fears. He reached out and squeezed Zero's shoulder gently, more relieved than he cared to admit when the prefect did not pull away from him.

"Well, that's good then," Kaname said with a soft smile and added a little teasingly, "But you were wonderful last night, Zero. Fantastic..."

Unexpectedly, the shoulder that had just started to relax under his hand tensed up even more and Kaname frowned again. Something was definitely not right and he changed his mind abruptly. He wanted to know what it was. Now. Kaname swung Zero around to face him again, expecting to see a blush or one of Zero's trademark glares or even both together, but the anguish in those stormy eyes shocked him. Oh God. He had done something wrong, he knew he had! But what was it?

"Zero? What's wrong? What did I do?"

The prefect merely shook his head, looking away.

"Tell me!" Kaname insisted. But still, Zero only shook his head again, his cheeks warming with colour. Kaname saw the blush and wondered if Zero was shy about something. That could only mean one thing...

"Are you hurting? Is that it? You're in pain?" Kaname asked urgently and Zero finally looked at him.

"No! Well, yes - a little... but no, it's not that!"

Kaname blinked, confused.

Zero saw that confusion and gave a sudden laugh. It sounded hollow, even desperate. It wasn't the soreness in his lower body that he cared about. Not really... after all, he had known it would happen ever since he read up on the subject and however embarrassing the location of it was, physical pain was something Zero could deal with - he was used to pain. Besides, this was a part of making love and the ache would fade with time. In fact, it had already eased up some since this morning.

No, it was the invisible wounds that hurt Zero the most, the wounds that Kaname had inflicted directly on his heart. Surely the pureblood must know that, how could he not?

"I... I'm sorry."

Immediately, Zero's expression became guarded.

"What for?" he asked cautiously and Kaname hunched a shoulder, looking a bit awkward.

"I don't know," he admitted quietly. Zero stared at him, lips parting in surprise.

"You don't know but you're apologising?" he asked in a disbelieving tone. Kaname only shrugged again.

"I can tell that I've done something to upset you, Zero. I just... don't know what it is."

Zero knew that admitting to not knowing something did not come easy to anyone, particularly someone like Kaname, and he couldn't help staring even more at the strangely unsure looking pureblood.

"Well... then why are you apologising?" Zero asked again, sounding as perplexed as he looked. Kaname held his gaze fearlessly as he slowly lifted a hand and caressed the other's cheek, smiling a little when Zero instinctively turned his face into his palm.

"Because the last thing I want to do is hurt you, Zero. So whatever it was that I did, I'm sorry. Please forgive me.''

The solemnly spoken words were completely unexpected and Zero's throat swelled up. Quickly, he pressed his lips to the palm of the hand stroking his cheek and felt the tight, painful knot in his chest loosen just a little. Zero was still hurt to know that Kaname really didn't have a clue as to what he had done wrong last night but at the same time, he couldn't help feeling touched that the pureblood was still willing to forgo his own pride and apologise all the same. Didn't that show that Kaname hadn't really meant to hurt his pride like how he thought he had?

Zero's eyes started to sting a little and he swallowed. This was the right time to tell Kaname about how hurt he had felt last night but once again, the words just refused to come out.

"Zero, please. Tell me what it was that I did wrong..." Kaname whispered as he continued to hold the prefect's gaze steadily. "Tell me," he repeated softly, his eyes reflecting his own pain that he had actually managed to hurt Zero even when he was so resolved not to.

Zero stared at his lover. He suddenly didn't want to admit to his own shattered pride but what the heck - it had been nagging at him all this while and he realised that he didn't want it to be between them anymore.

Well, fine then!

But only because Kaname had asked so many times...

"So - I was wonderful last night? And fantastic?" Zero echoed Kaname's words earlier and took a step back. He felt a renewed stab in his heart at those words that seemed to have a double meaning of their own. How could the pureblood still look at him like this, in complete bewilderment as if he truly had no idea what he had done? As if he didn't know he had stripped away Zero's pride so ruthlessly and completely?

Zero tried to harden his heart against the confused look in Kaname's eyes.

"Did I perform up to your standard then?" the prefect asked sarcastically. "I'll bet I did!"

"What? What are you-"

Zero laughed again and this time, it was a brittle, mirthless sound.

"Why don't you tell me just how wonderful I was?" he rasped and then exhaled loudly when he saw that Kaname was still clueless.

"Damnit, it wasn't what you did, Kaname. It was what you said. You – you told me, you ordered me to shout your name, over and over! So tell me, was I 'wonderful' because I screamed your name again and again like how you insisted I did?" Zero demanded, feeling his face warm in a sudden rush. "Or was it... was it..."

Zero drew in a trembling breath and forced himself to continue as evenly as he could, "...or was it when I begged for you to take me?"

There – he had said it at last. Zero's throat was aching sharply and his breath hitched painfully on what sounded like a sob. Quickly, he swung around, hunching over himself and feeling his face flushing deeply with renewed shame. In the painful moment of silence that followed, Zero's eyes started stinging again as he waited for a reaction from the man who had made his world so beautiful these past few months.

"Dear God...! No, Zero, no!" Kaname's voice sounded shocked, stunned. Zero didn't want to turn around but those beautiful, elegant hands that clamped onto his shoulders spun him around almost roughly, holding him still so that Zero had no choice but to look into Kaname's burning eyes.

"What are you talking about?" the pureblood demanded in a shocked whisper and Zero had to swallow hard before he could get any words past his tight throat.

"Isn't that what you wanted, Kaname?" he replied bitterly. "I begged you! Last night! Isn't that what you wanted? For me to be at your feet?"

There was a sharp inhalation from Kaname and in reply, he shook Zero hard. Hard enough to rattle his teeth, hard enough to make the welling up tears fall from his eyes. Zero didn't say or do anything and after a few moments, Kaname gasped as if just only realising what he was doing. He snatched his hands off Zero's shoulders and took a step back. They stared at each other in mutual shock, mutual pain.

Finally, Zero dropped his gaze, feeling another shameful tear escape down his flushed cheek.

"Oh no, Zero, please..." Kaname whispered. "I can't bear to see you like this..."

Zero inhaled shakily and forced himself to look up. Kaname looked crushed, completely stricken, the way he used to look when Zero had inadvertently said or done something to hurt him. Zero was arrested by the compelling sight. He knew he could never be immune to this particular look on Kaname's face, the look that made him want to go over to him and hug him until his vulnerability disappeared and he once again became that self assured, infuriating, teasing and adorable pureblood.

Kaname's burning eyes fixed on Zero's face, his hands now tightly clenched by his sides, nails digging into his palms almost hard enough to draw blood.

"Zero," he said huskily after a moment. "Listen to me, I never... no, listen, please! I never meant to make you beg like that! How could you even think...?"

Zero's lips pressed tightly together again and Kaname held out a hand to him, uncaring of how much it trembled.

"Is that why you're hurt?" he whispered. "Because you thought I was making you beg? That was never my intention, Zero! Never!" he insisted raggedly. Zero turned his head aside. His broken pride was warring with the equally strong urge to take away the pained look in Kaname's eyes, the look he knew he had no defense over.

"Then what was your intention, Kaname?" he asked at last, mentally kicking himself for doing so and hating how his voice quivered at the end. There was silence and Zero finally chanced a look at Kaname. His heart stuttered for a moment. Wait - was Kaname actually blushing?

The pureblood saw Zero's mouth fall open and the unexpected colour in his cheeks deepened. He turned away for a moment, as if wanting to compose himself before speaking but he swung back again almost immediately, as if afraid that Zero would turn away once he did.

"I... wanted to hear my name coming from your lips," Kaname finally confessed.

Only 'wanted' is far too mild a word...

Zero blinked even as his stupid, traitorous heart tingled with warmth. Ruthlessly, he squashed it. Kaname wanting to hear Zero say his name wasn't anything new, the pureblood had certainly mentioned it quite a few times before. Zero hardened his gaze.

"Just like you wanted to hear me beg?" he replied quietly.

Kaname's eyes widened as he realised that Zero had misinterpreted his meaning.

"No, Zero! Not beg... but I... I just..." Kaname bit his lip, the faint colour in his cheeks deepening attractively. He had another confession to make. Actually, he had a lot and Zero had already heard so many of them... but suddenly, Kaname didn't care. To hell with it – hadn't he told himself that if anyone had to hear them, he would rather it be this stubborn, strong, grouchy, honest and most caring person more than anyone else in the whole world?

Zero was still staring as Kaname straightened up, shoulders going back, chin lifting. He stepped closer to the window and with a sudden movement, pulled one of the curtains aside. Bright sunshine flooded in and Kaname winced immediately, turning away from the brightness that stabbed his sensitive eyes mercilessly and started a pounding in his head. But almost as immediately, he turned back to face Zero, braving the burning rays that felt like fire on him. It was important that Zero not only heard his words but saw and believed them to be true as well.

"Zero?" Kaname said softly. "Please hear me out, all right?"

Zero's eyes flicked to the windows then back to Kaname. He squinted a little - the bright sunshine was painful to his eyes too, but nowhere near as painful as how Kaname seemed to find it. Despite himself, Zero reached for the curtain and tugged it closed again, eliciting both a puzzled look and a very relieved sigh from the pureblood.

A very slight smile tilted Zero's lips upward.

"There's no need for dramatics, Kaname," he said a little wryly. "I can still see quite well with the curtains closed."

Kaname couldn't help a soft, slightly deprecating smile at that remark. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, mentally stringing his words together. Then he looked straight at Zero, keeping his gaze open and unguarded so that Zero would know he was being nothing short of truthful.

"Zero, I wasn't ordering or commanding you to do anything last night when we made love. Actually, I was asking. Requesting. I'm sorry... I realise now that it may not have sounded that way but I was asking you to call my name, and to tell me what you want."

Zero stared at him in silence. Kaname inhaled again, a shaky, more deprecating smile twisting his lips.

"In fact, I was the one begging you, Zero." Kaname's dark eyes were burning with an intense, glowing light that held the stunned prefect completely spellbound.

"I was begging you to say those things that I needed so much to hear."

Zero drew in a trembling breath in turn, hopelessly lost in the compelling, irrefutable sincerity in those brown eyes.

"But why, Kaname?" he asked wonderingly. "Why did you have to beg me?"

Another faint smile wavered on Kaname's lips and he sighed.

"Ah, now we come to the heart of the matter," he murmured softly before chancing a strange, endearingly shy look at Zero. "Because I wasn't sure if you wanted me."

Zero blinked. Of all the things he had expected Kaname to say, this was definitely not one of it.

"You were not sure?" he echoed disbelievingly.

Kaname shook his head slowly, his gaze still holding Zero's.

"No, I wasn't," he confirmed gently. "Oh, I knew you were... aroused, Zero."

Kaname's gaze flicked to the sudden wash of colour that flooded Zero's cheeks before it returned to those beautifully soft violet eyes he knew he would never tire of.

"But that could have been just... passion, you know. I wasn't sure if that passion was..." Kaname's voice broke off and he gave a little shudder before forcing himself to continue, "... was for me."

Zero closed his eyes, shaking his head in a disbelieving way. Kaname Kuran, revered and respected pureblood prince, an Adonis with beauty and strength beyond compare, possessing untold power and grace, eloquence and authority, gentleness and that fierce, pure protective love... unsure of whether he deserved Zero's passion?

Kaname's heart twisted in his chest and he exhaled softly, turning away. It was clear that Zero hadn't believed a word he had said and Kaname couldn't blame him for that. Just listening to his own words made the pureblood cringe inside... but it was the truth. He wasn't whole and perfect and pure and honest like Zero was. He was scarred, abused, tainted and unworthy. Even if the scars themselves couldn't be seen, they were there. Kaname didn't deserve Zero or anyone else. But he didn't want anyone else except Zero and he craved the prefect's love and acceptance.

"You bloody idiot!" Zero's voice was shaking with both laughter and tears as he strode forward. This time, it was he who swung Kaname around to face him and Zero shook the pureblood just as hard by his shoulders.

"How could you say that?" Zero demanded. "Who the hell did you think I was thinking of when we were doing... uh, doing all that?" Embarrassment had coloured his voice as well as his face now and Zero growled, shaking the pureblood some more.

"Who the hell did I want to do all that with, if not you? Geez, Kaname...!"

The pureblood didn't hit back or even shake Zero's tightly gripping hands off. He just looked... lost.

"Really?" Kaname whispered. "And do you think me... shameless... for begging like that?"

Zero paused, startled. How ironic it was that Kaname had thought his actions as shameful as Zero had thought his own. Instead of answering, the prefect raised an eyebrow.

"Were you begging?" he asked as sardonically as he could, even though his voice still shook a little. "It sure didn't sound like it."

Kaname blinked at him, wondering if Zero was perhaps actually trying to make a joke at this moment.

"I was," he admitted honestly. "I realise now that it might not have sounded like one but-"

Kaname's words were cut off when Zero gave a strangled groan and pulled him into a sudden, tight embrace.

"You idiot," Zero choked out, wrapping his arms tightly around Kaname's back. "I thought you were just playing me the whole time, getting me to beg you like that..."

Kaname shook his head immediately, his arms going around Zero's shoulders just as tightly.

"No, Zero, no! I was not making you beg just to laugh at you. I didn't mean to make you beg at all, believe me, please!"

"I know... shh..." Zero hushed Kaname and hugged him again, something the pureblood was only to happy to agree to. They stayed in each other's arms for many long, sweet minutes before Zero pulled back, sniffling a little. He wiped his damp face on his T-shirt sleeve and fixed a sudden glare at Kaname, who merely looked confused again.

"You're an idiot, Kaname, you know that? You should have told me why you kept wanting me to shout out your name last night, damnit!"

Kaname pressed his lips together and glared back, finally starting to feel annoyed.

"Well, why didn't you ask me then?" he challenged.

Zero's glare deepened - he felt more embarrassed and foolish than he ever had in his whole life. All those hours of agonising to himself...!

"You - you know why!" he blustered. "You're a pureblood! A pureblood idiot!"

Kaname raised an eyebrow, now looking cool, collected and infuriatingly undisturbed by the insult.

"Oh, really?" he countered silkily. Zero nodded grimly, not backing down an inch.

"The very worst kind there is, if you must know," he declared stonily as he crossed his arms and nodded righteously. Kaname very nearly pouted, only he would not have called it that, of course. This was not the sort of reaction he had expected after practically baring his soul to Zero.

"Well, you're a real-" Kaname then stopped abruptly, looking as if he wanted to bite out his tongue. A look of slowly dawning horror entered his eyes but Zero returned his look steadily.

"Go on. Say it, Kaname," he said softly.

You have every right to. I walked right into that one...

Silently, Kaname shook his head. There were times when he felt like he really couldn't understand Zero's complete honesty but no matter what, he appreciated it very deeply. He knew that that same honesty was something he very rarely got, if ever, from almost everyone else. Kaname was damned if he was going to trample on that fragile, beautiful pride anymore than he already had. He smiled at his stubborn, wonderful lover instead.

"You're my idiot, Zero," Kaname said softly. "The most wonderful one there is."

And all mine.

The startled eyes blinked twice before they softened to the most gentle shade of violet Kaname had ever seen as Zero inhaled shakily.

"Kaname..." he whispered, filling that name with a world of tender longing. Kaname uttered a silent prayer of thankfulness that Zero could still say his name like that.

"You can call me anything you like, Zero," he murmured huskily, "as long as I'm still yours."

Zero blinked.

"You? Mine?" he choked out.

Kaname nodded solemnly but Zero was still looking bewildered so the pureblood elaborated.

"Do you remember that... pervert at the piano recital and the art gallery we went to?"

Zero nodded. It could only be Mr. Lecher, who else?

"Do you remember what you said to him then when he approached us in the gallery?"

Zero frowned as he thought back to that conversation.

"'Back off'?"

Kaname couldn't help smiling ruefully.

"You told him 'He's mine', Zero," he said and it was the soft but unmistakable note of pride in his voice made Zero's breathing hitch. He shrugged awkwardly.

"I don't know why I said that," he mumbled and Kaname's smile faltered.

"Why, didn't you mean it?" he asked and Zero realised that Kaname was not joking - he was serious. But they had had this conversation before... outside the gallery itself...

Zero shoved his hands into his pockets, hunching one shoulder awkwardly.

"I... I did mean it, Kaname," he murmured, glancing shyly at his lover. "I just thought you'd think it ridiculous, that's all."

Kaname looked genuinely puzzled as he shook his head.

"Why would I think that?" he asked and Zero shrugged again. "Dunno," he mumbled but that wasn't true. He did know why he thought it ridiculous.

Kaname, how could a pureblood - especially one like you - ever belong to me?

But the pureblood only smiled, as if he had read Zero's thoughts.

"But I am yours, Zero. I do belong to you. I want to belong to you."

Zero gazed wonderingly at him for a long moment before he gave a strangled sob and threw his arms around Kaname's shoulders, letting the pureblood feel the shudder that shook his body.

"Kaname," he choked out softly. "I remember thinking at that time, how could someone like you ever belong –" Slender fingertips found his lips and pressed against them.

"Shh... "

It was Zero's turn now to keep quiet and a few tender kisses later, Kaname sighed happily as he rested his chin on his lover's now completely relaxed shoulder.

"I'm so sorry, Zero. I was so happy when you said those things that I'd asked you to last night," he murmured. "I didn't realise that I hadn't said the same things back to you. I promise to shout out your name the next time we make love," Kaname whispered shyly. "I promise to say whatever you want me to say..."

He smiled a little as he felt Zero squirm in his arms. "Just tell me what you want, Zero. I'll do it."

Zero pulled back a little, adorably flushed and trying his best to scowl. "Easy for you to say," he growled. "You were not the one taken last night..." Nor the one still aching now...

It was obvious Zero was remembering how he had breathlessly begged for Kaname's possession and a faint smile appeared on Kaname's lips.

"Ah, you mean when you were begging me to take you?" he asked innocently, chuckling in utter delight as Zero's blush deepened and he struggled to free himself from the pureblood's embrace.

"Let me go, Kaname!"

Kaname just shook his head and made soothing noises as he hugged Zero as tightly as he could without hurting him. He knew what the prefect meant, though.

"Make love to me, Zero, if you want to hear me beg," Kaname whispered and Zero stopped struggling at once. Again, he pulled back a little to look at Kaname.

"Do you mean that? The uh, taking, I mean... not the begging..." he asked and Kaname had to smile.

"Yes, I do," he said and nodded earnestly. "I've always wanted you to claim me, Zero, the way I claimed you last night. I thought you knew that."

No, Zero hadn't, he really hadn't.

"Really?" he whispered, just to be sure.

Kaname nodded gravely and gave that gentle smile again, the one that melted Zero's heart each time, no matter how often he saw it.

"Did you think that this would be a one sided relationship, Zero? Because it's not. I don't want it to be... to be fixed like that. I don't want you to think that I have to be the one taking all the time."

More tears welled up and Zero blinked them away, giving Kaname a brilliant, trembling smile. This was exactly what he had wanted, a relationship he could accept and treasure, a relationship that was made up of trust and giving, loving and taking...

"I belong to you, Zero," Kaname repeated softly. "Just like how you belong to me. When we make love, I want you to know that, to feel that."

More tears appeared and Zero sniffled softly, making Kaname's eyes shimmer in turn. Slowly, his hands came up to cup the prefect's face.

"One of the things I love about you, Zero, is that you never treat me like a pureblood. Please... don't start now."

Zero stared at Kaname as if he were the most beautiful thing the prefect had ever seen before he uttered another choking sound and they were hugging again. After a while, the desperate embrace loosened and Kaname kissed Zero lovingly.

"Make love to me," he whispered. "Right now."

Zero blinked. "Right now?" he echoed.

Kaname nodded solemnly, letting Zero see the teasing twinkle in his eyes. He smiled as Zero nodded with shy eagerness, his eyes lighting up. It was only when the prefect turned away that Kaname's smile faded and a look of trepidation flitted briefly through his eyes.

Only... please be gentle, Zero. Please be gentle with me.

- Chapter End -