A/N: Okay, second part of the scene now, unforgivably long as usual and Yaoi lemon warnings apply for the whole chapter, along with certain elements of kinkiness, so if you don't like, or if you're tired of my lemons (don't blame you!) then don't read please. Thanks! *sweatdrop* Also, please be patient with our boys. Yes, Zero doesn't fully understand what's up with Kaname, but even so he is still exactly what his lover needs right now. I know everyone is waiting for things to just come out already, but it's not yet time for that and right now it's just important that Kaname knows Zero loves him. :) I swear next chapter we'll get back to the plot. *locks the lemons in a closet and buries the key*

Chapter Eleven: "To Turn your Tears to Roses"

Zero watched Kaname as the pureblood slid carefully off the bed, hands still bound in front of him. Kaname had seemed to be goading him before, but there was something hesitant in the pureblood's eyes that made the hunter pause and lean in to kiss him softly and thoroughly.

Kaname read the silent question in Zero's kiss. His lover was asking him if he really wanted to play or not. Kaname realized that he must be sending mixed signals again, but instead of feeling frustrated this time, he instead felt oddly reassured. The truth was, he knew that whatever Zero had in mind, if he truly didn't want to do it, all he had to do was say so and Zero would stop. But stopping certainly wasn't what he wanted to do right now. After all, Zero may have found relief already, but he hadn't, and now that his initial panic was wearing off, that was something he definitely wanted to rectify. Kaname smiled deeply at Zero, dark eyes sparkling with curiosity and invitation that were genuine. He gave his eyebrows a little raise as if to ask "well... what now?"

Zero smiled too, quickly sliding back into the mood. He used the edge of the sheet to wipe himself clean and gave Kaname's shoulder a little push downwards. The pureblood got the message and obediently knelt on the floor in front of him, struggling just a trifle to find his balance without his hands. "Okay then, first... get me ready to take you again," he instructed, stroking Kaname's hair lightly and tugging the dark head forward slightly to convey his meaning. That was hardly necessary since Kaname was now very obviously eye-level with his lover's navel. The hunter was trying to act all smooth and dominant, unconsciously attempting to mime the confidence that Kaname often seemed to exude so easily, but he felt his face heat over the words as soon as he said them.

When Zero vamped out, he was very dominant by nature and had no problem taking over and doing all kinds of things. But he wasn't in that state at the moment. His vampire instincts were definitely there, but they weren't in control. This was just him, attempting to be a little kinky with his lover. Kinky was usually more Kaname's territory, but Zero was not uninspired in that realm, especially as he grew more comfortable in their relationship and especially when, like now, Kaname was challenging or egging him on.

Kaname certainly didn't seem to find anything lacking in Zero's behavior and he gave a warm little shiver as he gazed up at him from the floor. The pureblood did not hesitate to comply with the demand, quickly leaning forward and licking Zero's semi-hard flesh, sucking and teasing him with relish until the hunter was quite fully erect once more.

As he did, Kaname felt a certain level of hesitant confidence return. He had pushed through the fear and not let it stop him from being with Zero. That was very important to the pureblood. On some level, he had needed to prove to himself that he could do this, that he was not so damaged he couldn't be good to his lover. It was like taking back a piece of himself which had been stolen. This reassurance was helping to quell or at least mollify the rising cycles of apprehensive fear that had been afflicting him before. The first time was the hardest, having that come off all right made him a little more relaxed, even heading into whatever unknown Zero had planned for them.

Actually, as Kaname shifted on his knees and licked Zero deliberately, he had to admit that the unknown in this case was a more enticing prospect than the known. There was less chance of Zero thinking there was something wrong with him if they were branching out into unconventional territory. If Zero intended to "punish" him, then he would be expected to be apprehensive and hesitant, it could be part of the game and not something he had to be petrified of showing. Ironically, that mere fact meant that Kaname was already feeling much less apprehensive - or at least, less apprehensive in a negative way. The good kind of apprehension was still there. It was rather difficult to try and explain, but it was rather exciting, kneeling here and wondering what his lover had in mind.

Zero panted softly as he watched the graceful form at his feet, the dark head bobbing with devote attentiveness. Kaname's hot mouth and the erotic quality of watching the kneeling, naked body tugged at his instincts and somewhere in the next few breathtaking minutes Zero's sense of awkwardness vanished away like fading mist. Kaname was just that incredible.

He swallowed his lover skillfully, tongue swirling against him and intentionally getting him very wet as Zero's instructions regarding what exactly Kaname was getting him ready for rattled around in his head, bringing a light flush to his face and a warm, fluttering pulse to his groin. The soft ache between his legs and the wetness trickling down his thigh as he knelt emphasized the point and Kaname shifted, breathing a little more rapidly around the heated flesh that he was lathing with mouth and tongue.

It was hard for Zero to stop the lovely stimulation, but finally he did, pulling Kaname's head away when he was ready enough. He helped Kaname back to his feet and found the pureblood looking at him with a hesitant but intense need for approval written all over his flushed features. Zero leaned in and kissed his lover again lightly. "Perfect," he murmured, wanting Kaname to know that he adored how willing the pureblood was to play along. "Now let's go find some place... interesting."

Zero grabbed the pureblood's tied wrists and released the bow part of the knot, freeing one end of the sash to use as a leash. Giving it a little tug, he led Kaname out of the bedroom and into the bathroom.

"Hm... let's try here," the hunter mused aloud. Before Kaname quite understood what he meant, Zero had bent him over the sink and kicked his legs apart, necessitating that Kaname try to grab onto the inner lip of the sink bowl with his bound hands for balance. He felt Zero enter him in one swift move and was quickly spreading his feet wider apart, struggling to keep his balance and ease the rapid, demanding penetration as Zero gripped his hips and took him again.

For a moment, Kaname reeled for mental balance, the unexpectedness of the situation catching him off guard. But this time at least the jolt of fright was less nauseating and far more arousing. There was an uneasy moment of struggling to keep away the past, but then Zero's voice reached in and pulled him firmly to the present.

"Look up, Kaname," Zero ordered bit breathlessly. Kaname did and found himself staring into the bathroom mirror, with a clear view of Zero behind him and of his own body... including the part where Zero was joining with him. Their eyes locked, and Kaname felt the knot inside him start to melt away as he was captured by the intense desire and love in his partner's gaze. This was so different and unique that there could be no other association with it. The only face he saw looking back at him was Zero's.

After a moment, Kaname's gaze in the mirror was inexorably drawn downwards. The pureblood's eyes darkened in lust and arousal as he watched, almost mesmerized by the sight of Zero's body sinking in and out of his own.

Zero smiled as he saw where his lover's attention had been drawn. He shifted a little, pushing Kaname further over the sink counter and lifting his hips so his lover was presented with an even better view of himself being taken. "You look so hot like this, Kaname..." he groaned softly, thrusting in slowly and showing the pureblood how deeply was being taken.

Kaname groaned, feeling fire spike sharply through him. Zero started slow, but was swiftly unable to resist moving faster and harder. The hunter's hips slapped rhythmically against the pureblood's backside. Kaname gasped, the cold sink edge digging into his stomach. He couldn't take his eyes off the mirror, his attention divided between the sight of Zero possessing him and the hunter's beautiful, burning eyes which were black with desire, but still rimmed with a wide band of the amethyst color he loved so well. Zero was definitely vamping out a bit... but he was not out of control. The fact that Zero was beginning to manage the merging of those two states was an incredible turn-on to the pureblood.

Kaname realized suddenly that Zero was watching his face in the mirror, drinking up the glazed, contorted expressions of pleasure washing over him every time the hunter thrust into him. The pureblood's cheeks colored attractively. This whole situation was rather unexpected and it was damn erotic. Kaname felt himself responding strongly, the pulse in his groin quickening in excitement as Zero rode him.

After a few mind blowing minutes of silent panting and the sensual sound of slapping flesh, Zero stopped and pulled Kaname's hips back, away from the sink edge. Kaname bit his lip in pleasure as Zero's warm hand closed around his aching length. It was standing quite readily at attention and there was obviously nothing lacking about it now.

Zero grinned, glad to have captured Kaname's interest and that the pureblood was enjoying himself. Zero might be in the mood to play and pay Kaname back for what he'd done to him earlier, but he never wanted to do anything that Kaname didn't enjoy too.

The hunter ran his lips down Kaname's spine. "I guess you aren't too bored now, huh? Am I doing better?" He pulled Kaname upright again and the pureblood turned towards him, their lips meeting hungrily and urgently. They kissed hard, Kaname trembling a little against Zero as he pressed into him, arousal humping and rubbing against the hunter's thigh. The pureblood's body seemed to be re-awakening to the delight of Zero's touch with a vengeance and he felt consumed with an almost giddy hunger.

Zero shuddered too, sucked deeply into Kaname's needy desperation as it heightened his own desire. After a moment they separated and Zero was breathing hard. He grinned a bit shakily as he wiped a trail of saliva from the corner of Kaname's mouth. "Well, much as I like this location too, I think we should keep looking. Maybe we'll find one you like even more..."

Zero took hold of the leash dangling from Kaname's bound wrists and led him out of the bathroom into the hall. He paused for a moment, looking around. He didn't have any firm ideas about where he wanted to go next and was playing the situation as it came. The window at the end of the hall gave him inspiration and he led Kaname in that direction.

The window was tall and Victorian, running almost from the floor to the ceiling. Naturally, it was shuttered during the day, but at night it could be opened onto a lovely view of the stars and the grounds. Zero yanked the cord to un-shutter the window, flooding the hall with waning starlight that was just starting to give way to the first hints of grey dawn. It was still dark enough outside that the dimly lighted interior of the house would clearly and visibly display their naked forms to anyone who might be out there. Of course, at this hour, and on Kaname's private estate, there was not likely to be anyone out there, but it was the principle of the thing.

Kaname's eyes widened as he seemed to guess what Zero intended. He balked slightly, but Zero was having none of that. "Up against the window, come on..." he half ordered, half coaxed, his voice managing to be commanding and yet surprisingly gentle at the same time. It turned out to be somewhat awkward to manage what Zero wanted to do with Kaname's hands bound in front of him, so he untied and then re-secured them behind the pureblood's back instead.

Kaname found himself pushed flush against the window, face first, his hard, pulsing body pressed against the cool glass and every inch of him on display. Behind him, Zero pressed against his back, guiding Kaname's legs apart until he could get enough room to enter him again. The hunter pressed his hands to the window on either side of Kaname's body, his chin resting on the pureblood's shoulder as he thrust deeply and deliberately into the trapped body.

He couldn't really go very fast or very hard in this position, with Kaname standing like this, but what the location restricted in movement, it made up for in visibility. Kaname shifted and squirmed uneasily, his heart thudding, skin burning in embarrassment that fed directly into his skyrocketing desire as Zero fucked him against the window pane. There wasn't anyone out there to see, but there was that tantalizing little thrill that there could be.

It was a lovely view spread out before them, with rolling green lawns and woody hills under the fading stars, but Kaname was a little too focused on the warm body pressed against his back to notice much else at the moment.

Zero liked the embarrassing potential of the location, since he felt it was fitting given the mortification Kaname had put him through earlier in the men's room. But he was swiftly feeling the need to go somewhere where he could take his partner a little more thoroughly, so eventually he pulled Kaname away from the window. Again, he grinningly checked his lover's state of arousal, standing behind the pureblood and sliding Kaname through his fist several times. "How's this?" He murmured devilishly. "Am I doing better? Feels like I must be..."

Kaname resisted the urge to swear at him or to groan as that hot, strong hand pumped him, warming skin that had been chilled by the window. "All right, I suppose..." he managed to gasp out around the tremors of sensation.

Zero gave his ass a swift little whack for that, which made Kaname inhale and whimper very prettily. "All right, come on. If you're still complaining, then we've got to find some place extra special."

It was a little more awkward leading Kaname with the leash when his hands were bound behind him, but they made it down the stairs all right. Zero cast around thoughtfully for where to go next. He almost went to the kitchen but opted on the dining room instead.

There was a long, formal table in there that the two of them used occasionally, although it was more usual for them to eat in the kitchen or in front of the television when it was just the two of them. Actually, that was Zero's fault. Kaname had always taken his meals at a proper table with all the proper place settings until he'd moved in with the hunter. Since he wanted to eat with Zero, he ate where Zero ate, and the ex-human had taught him the joys of being causal.

Right now, however, Zero had a much different use in mind for the long, empty dining room table. It wasn't completely empty, there were two candles burning on it that one of the serving staff had probably lit earlier in the evening. Zero moved the candlesticks down to the far end and threw back the tablecloth, leaving one end of the dark, highly polished wood table exposed.

Kaname watched these preparations with some anticipatory trepidation, wondering what came next and able to make some pretty good guesses as the hunter pulled him over. Still, he managed to be caught off guard a little and yelped softly as Zero hoisted him onto the table and deposited him on his back, his hips just hanging off the edge at a very handy height. The ex-human grabbed his knees and held them apart, grinning devilishly as he stepped between the pale legs, enjoying the way the candlelight played upon Kaname's creamy skin. "Maybe here, huh? Let's try it..."

Without preamble, Zero pushed into his lover's body, thrusting rapid and hard enough to scoot Kaname farther back onto the table. The pureblood keened in intense stimulation. The shiny surface of the table was cool and hard against his back and his bound arms, trapped under his body. Bound as he was, with Zero holding his legs apart in the air, Kaname could do nothing but toss his head back and forth against the table, groaning in embarrassed ecstasy as Zero screwed the daylights out of him.

The pureblood was almost painfully hard now. The sheer novelty of all this combined with Zero's lovely, playful domination and his own "helplessness" was an incredible turn on and Kaname was almost hyperventilating from the desire throbbing through him. He was so close he could taste it and his body shuddered in a coiling spasm.

Zero stopped moving suddenly, pausing with Kaname's legs held firmly and his body deeply impaled. "Don't," he warned, giving his lover a warning look. He gave a slow, deliberate thrust and Kaname all but writhed on the polished tabletop. Zero glanced down at Kaname's ridged and freely weeping arousal and felt his pulse jump a little. Nice to know he was finally getting the reaction he wanted. However...

"Don't come," he ordered, using the no-nonsense tone of command that he'd learned Kaname responded to very well - in bed, anyway. Pulling out of his lover, Zero stepped back and bent down, still holding onto Kaname's knees while he pressed a light, teasing kiss on the exposed underside of Kaname's throbbing flesh. "Don't come until I say you can, or I'll be angry," he murmured, intentionally letting the words buzz against the sensitive skin.

Kaname squirmed, whimpering desperately at the almost overwhelming stimulation as Zero's hot breath brushed over him. The hunter sensually flicked him with his tongue, licking a slow, deliberate line of blissful torture from base to tip and back again. "God, Zero!" he groaned, trembling. "Don't do that if you don't want me to... aaah!" Kaname almost screamed as Zero took him into his mouth, bobbing his head once before letting him slide free again.

Kaname's gut churned and ached, fire burning through every nerve as if he were a piece of paper set alight at the edges and quickly being consumed inwards. He could have come then, his body wanted to... but he struggled hard for control. Zero had forbade it, and although he knew quite well that Zero wouldn't have seriously been upset if he failed, still, another part of him was desperate not to disobey or let his lover down.

Zero felt the muscles in Kaname's thighs straining. The pureblood's head tossed back against the table, exposing his neck. Perspiration stood out on his pale skin as he struggled with the pleasure trying to claim him. Kaname was incredible. Zero didn't know anyone else who had so much control over their own body, and the pureblood always tried so hard to please him. Zero figured he was the luckiest man in the world, to be so much in love with such a wonderful partner.

The ex-human knew he was being wicked, but he couldn't help blowing softly on the flesh he had just wet. Kaname mewled like a trapped cat and squirmed, shuddering hard. Zero shuddered too, fire eating at his insides. Damn, this was much too fun. Kaname was far too beautiful when he was aroused and totally lost pleasure like this. Zero wanted it to go on and on. He licked Kaname again and the pureblood nearly choked.

"Nope, I'm going to do what I want to do. I'm punishing you, remember? You just have to be good and do as you're told..." Zero instructed with a grin, the warmth in his voice not letting the teasing seem too harsh.

The pureblood somehow managed to obey, forcing himself to hold back from the edge as Zero licked and teased him before finally straightening and slamming back into the pureblood's sensitive passage. Zero grinned as Kaname's cries of desperate, repressed pleasure rattled the dining room as he took him very hard. It was going to be difficult to eat in here again for a while without remembering Kaname's beautiful, spread body writhing on the table, screaming himself hoarse from pleasure as his lover impaled him. Oh yeah, it was definitely going to make formal dinners more... interesting.

After a while, Zero knew he himself was reaching the edges of his much expanded endurance and he stopped, stepping away from the table to cool down and leaving Kaname lying sprawled on the edge, trembling, flushed, drenched in perspiration and fairly glowing with arousal and need.

Kaname shifted, groaning almost incoherently as he found himself alone. His eyes opened and he saw Zero standing back and looking at him like he was some exotic sacrifice laid out on an alter. The pureblood stifled another groan, biting his lower lip against the thrill of excitement that that sent through his already far too stimulated body. He shifted uncertainly, dying with the need to feel Zero's touch on his over-fevered skin and not sure what to do with his legs now that Zero wasn't holding them. He felt foolish holding them up in the air like this but he couldn't put them down or try to stand without falling very ungracefully off the table.

"Keep them up," Zero murmured, his eyes locking with his lover's. Hesitantly, Kaname obeyed, earning him a heated smile from the hunter. "Yes, like that. But spread them a little more. No... wider..." Zero grinned as he saw Kaname's face flush even more deeply as the pureblood haltingly obeyed. "Yes, perfect." He caressed the brunette thoroughly with his eyes. He couldn't pretend it wasn't fun to make Kaname flush for a change. His lover did so enjoy doing that to him, and at the moment, he couldn't pretend he didn't understand why.

Zero's breath came hard and fast, he had almost pushed too far and he needed to let himself cool down for a few moments. He rather guessed Kaname did too if he was going to continue being able to obey Zero's command not to find release until permission was given.

Kaname couldn't take his eyes off Zero. His face continued to flush ever deepening shades of scarlet as he held the position Zero wanted on the edge of the table, his hips just perched on the hard lip, his bent legs held up and spread as if waiting to be claimed. His passage throbbed from the recent, ardent use that had been made of it. His body was on fire and he ached for Zero. He rather wished his lover would come back and continue, it was torture being left alone like this, and yet, with Zero's eyes raking over him like this, it was an exquisite torture indeed.

It seemed an eternity before Zero finally returned to him. When he did, however, the hunter hooked his arms around Kaname's shoulders, embracing him and carefully pulling him up to sit, and then helping him off the table. He kissed Kaname's trembling lips warmly for a moment before grabbing hold of the pureblood's painfully throbbing arousal and giving a little tug, smugly content to use it as a handle with which to lead his lover around.

"Zero!" Kaname protested, with far too much squeak in his tone for his dignity, leading to more intense flushing. His cheeks felt like they were on fire as he quickly shuffled after Zero, but it could hardly be denied that the hunter's hand felt far too good there.

Kaname didn't even realize that he was so focused on Zero and the enjoyment of this game they were playing that since it started he hadn't once thought of the past or had to struggle with the threat of flashbacks that he had feared earlier. Zero had distracted and engaged him fully and it was just the two of them now, nothing else. Whether it was a serendipitous accident, or some level of intuitive instinct, Zero was giving Kaname complete respite from his inner torment, something the pureblood had badly been needing.

Zero led Kaname into the living room and looked around for another likely spot. "Okay... where shall we try next, any preferences?" he inquired conversationally, intentionally pumping Kaname's hardness a little when they stopped moving. The pureblood's legs felt weak and his knees actually faltered, making him need to lean back a little against the couch behind him.

Zero smiled brilliantly. "Good idea." Turning Kaname around, he bent the pureblood over the well padded arm of the leather couch, nudging his legs apart before summarily claiming him again.

"Aah!" Kaname's voice was slightly muffled by the couch cushion as his aching body was filled once more, both exacerbating and soothing the burning need inside him at the same time.

Zero hoisted his lover's hips a little higher and then grabbed his bound hands by the wrists, using them as leverage to pull the pureblood back even harder into each powerful thrust of his hips. The hunter sobbed slightly in ecstasy. He knew this was going to be it for him, he couldn't play this out much longer. "Yeah... this is good..." he panted a bit hoarsely, plunging even more ruthlessly into his lover as he felt his control slowly starting to slip. He held onto it for as long as possible, screwing Kaname into the couch for a good long while before it finally became entirely too much.

Kaname was nearly delirious with repressed pleasure. Zero's almost violent thrusting was rubbing his hard, needy flesh firmly back and forth against the padded leather arm of the couch and it felt unbearably good. "Zero!" he sobbed desperately, needing to find release so badly he was almost in pain. "Zero... please!"

Zero lifted Kaname's hips enough so that he could slide a hand under him, gripping his weeping arousal tightly as he leaned over his back. "Come for me, Kaname," he whispered in the pureblood's ear, his own voice trembling with need and with how close he was. "Come for me now."

Kaname released his control with relief, screaming softly as the repressed pleasure inside him broke free, surging with inhuman intensity through every nerve and fiber of his being. His senses seemed to desert him, whiting out with the sheer force of his climax. Kaname whimpered in ecstasy as he came in Zero's hand, body almost convulsing as he pushed back and forth against his lover's hardness in rapid, disjointed moves, completely undone from pleasure. "ZERO!"

Zero trembled, enthralled by Kaname's beautiful, desperate little motions and sounds as the pureblood's body exploded in bliss, warmth covering his hand as the lithe body writhed over the arm of the couch. It was far too lovely and stimulating and Zero found himself not far behind. With a hoarse groan, he found his second release inside his lover's trembling body, stomach muscles tightening so hard he doubled over the pureblood's back, gasping lips pressed warmly to Kaname's spine. "Kaname... Kaname...!"

Neither of them was sure how much time passed after that as they lay exhausted, sated and deeply fulfilled over the arm of the couch. Kaname's back rose and fell rapidly against Zero's chest, which was doing the same. Finally Kaname winced slightly and shifted, a bit dizzy from the way the inverted angle was making blood rush into his head and the way the arm of the couch restricted his breathing. His hands were still bound behind him, trapped between his and Zero's bodies, and he had no way of supporting himself.

Zero quickly regained enough brain function enough to realize that this probably wasn't the most comfortable position in the world for the pureblood and straightened, removing his weight from his lover's back. He pulled out of Kaname's well used body a little too quickly and the brunette gasped sharply before he could stop himself.

Zero quickly slowed his movements, caressing Kaname's back tenderly. "Sorry," he murmured, unbinding his lover's wrists and helping Kaname up. The pureblood still felt weak from bliss and his feet had fallen asleep. He couldn't find his balance right away and Zero didn't make him try. The ex-human was still pretty shaky and exhausted himself, but he caught Kaname up in his arms and guided him to the couch, setting him down carefully before sitting down beside him. They were both still naked, but their bodies were radiating heat from their recent exertions and the soft leather of the cushions quickly warmed under them.

"We're going to have to clean the couch..." Zero mumbled, his brain not entirely functional again yet.

Kaname chuckled breathlessly, voice almost slurring. "Mm. Worry about that later, won't you?"

Zero gathered Kaname into a side-ways embrace as they sat curled up next to one another on the large, comfortably padded couch. The pureblood curled his knees up so he was half sitting, half reclining on his side, pressed against Zero's body. He let his dark head fall to rest comfortably on the hunter's chest.

Kaname was still trembling softly and Zero's arm trailed gently down his smooth side. When his trembling did not abate after a few moments, the hunter looked around for something to cover him with. Not seeing anything within reach, and not feeling up to going to look for something suitable, the hunter instead caused light blanket of interlocking vines to spread across Kaname's curled up shape. The vines were warm with Zero's own body heat and they flowered silently, as they usually did when he was happy like this.

Kaname found himself clothed in a blanket of roses and lifted his head, smiling softly up at Zero. "And you say I'm the romantic one..." he murmured, tracing the nearest delicate bud gently with his fingertips.

Zero smiled guiltily and leaned down to softly kiss the upturned lips. "I can't help it if out of all the possible abilities there must be, I ended up with flowers..." he retorted with a twinkle in his happily exhausted eyes. He slid his arm around Kaname's back, stroking the pureblood's naked shoulder slowly with his fingertips as they rested together

Kaname returned his kiss and then dipped his head to brush another one across the rose in his hand. "I love your flowers," he admitted with a contented sigh. "They're so beautiful, just like you."

Zero ducked his head a little self consciously. He still wasn't used to the way Kaname liked to call him beautiful. "You okay?" he asked, his hand slipping hesitantly down the pureblood's back to his hip. Zero's vines shifted automatically out of his way when he moved. "I didn't hurt you?" His warm hand slid across the firm, toned curve of the pureblood's rear, caressing it before his fingers dipped between the pale legs. He could feel the wet stickiness of his own passion there, making Kaname's thighs slick.

Kaname shuddered at the soft, intimate exploration of his body. The tendrils of pleasures still sparking contentedly at his nerve endings spiked a little as he felt Zero's fingers sliding through the creamy wetness that was proof of how thoroughly his lover had filled him. He inhaled shakily, feeling dizzy from satisfaction as Zero's fingers traced wet, delicate patterns against his inner thigh. He shook his head against the hunter's chest. "No, not at all," he assured contentedly. "It was great. I had no idea you could be so... inventive." The teasing twinkle in his voice was clear.

Zero gave a fond scowl, his face heating slightly. His hand slipped up a little higher and gave his lover's naked butt a reproving smack. "I learn from the best, I guess." Actually, Zero could be fairly inventive in the heat of the moment, it was just that after that moment had cooled he felt kind of embarrassed about it. Damn it had been good though.

Kaname chuckled, squirming pleasurably at the curiously warm and enticing sting that Zero's hand had left behind. He tipped his head up again, grinning devilishly at Zero. "I'm complimented that you recognize I'm the best..." he teased with intentional arrogance, earning him another wry little spank from his lover.

Kaname groaned softly, his eyes momentarily going black as they held Zero's. He hadn't meant to react so visibly, but he rocked into Zero's body a little, sliding against his lover as he responded to the strangely delightful stimulation.

Zero's blinked curiously, feeling his body tingle slightly at Kaname's reaction. "You... like that?"His amethyst eyes showed surprise for a moment.

Kaname had the grace to blush slightly and duck his head, tucking it between Zero's shoulder and chin again. He gave a little nod. "Maybe," he murmured. There was no maybe about it, but he didn't want to weird Zero out if the hunter disapproved.

Zero stroked Kaname's hip and backside before giving it another, slightly hesitant smack with his palm. He felt the color rising in his cheeks, it seemed kind of a weird thing to do, but Kaname curled harder against him with a little moan that was definitely not pain.

The hunter hesitated and Kaname nuzzled him encouragingly, humming softly in his throat in wordless entreaty. Slowly, Zero gave him a couple more spanks, not very hard, but harder than before as he confirmed that Kaname definitely liked it. The pureblood whimpered and groaned against his neck, squirming delightedly against Zero's body. The hunter's hand left warm little handprints of sweetly stinging sensation and his breath caught. He couldn't explain why the sensation was so erotic, but it was, especially in his currently over stimulated and exhausted state. Yes... he did like it. And someday, when he thought Zero was ready, he'd show him how good it felt.

Zero stopped after a dozen or so and rubbed the warmed rear. He could feel the heat of Kaname's flush in both the cheek against his neck and the one under his hand. Arousal tingled through him at the sensation. "It doesn't hurt?" he murmured in questioning concern and Kaname quickly shook his head.

"No... yes... well, in a good way," the pureblood murmured with a tinge of embarrassment, not sure how to answer. He actually would have liked more, but he could tell Zero wasn't entirely sure about this - yet. Give him time.

"Hm," Zero made a soft, pondering, interested little sound that gave Kaname reason to hope that that time wouldn't be too far off. The pureblood's face was still nestled against his lover's neck and the sound of the hunter's pulse was enticing. Kaname licked the pale throat slowly, kissing the graceful, corded muscle where it met his lover's collarbone.

Zero sighed audibly and tipped his head back against the couch, lids drooping in contentment as Kaname slowly worked his neck. He felt the brush of his lover's fangs and then felt the pureblood still. Zero opened his eyes and looked down to find Kaname looking questioningly up at him, mouth poised sensually over his bite area. Zero smiled softly, his eyes giving the permission Kaname was looking for before the pureblood's long, graceful fangs sunk into his neck.

Kaname sucked his blood with sweet reverence, like it was the most delicious thing on the planet - which in point of fact, it was, to Kaname. The pureblood straightened a little, without removing his fangs, and slid a knee over Zero's thighs, shifting to straddle his lover's lap. Zero groaned softly as Kaname's warm body pressed to his, the pureblood humping slowly and sensually against him while he drank. His vines retracted automatically to allow the movement, mostly disappearing except for a few loving tendrils that remained curled around Kaname's body, snaking along his back and down one leg.

Kaname felt dizzy and excited, both of which increased when he felt the telltale pressure against his stomach which said that Zero was getting hard again. Zero's blood filled his senses and connected him to the hunter's pleasure, and to the deep feelings of love and adoration that his partner felt towards him. It was liquid bliss. The pureblood drank very, very slowly so he could prolong the contact.

Zero's head swam, more from pleasure than blood loss as Kaname drew from him with sensual skill. The sensation of the pureblood straddling his lap was too much to resist and after a few minutes, his hands slid to Kaname's hips. He lifted him, guiding the pureblood forward onto his length. Kaname obliged willingly, lifting himself up on his knees and allowing Zero to pull him down again, penetrating his still softly shuddering body.

The pureblood moaned against the ex-human's neck as his tender body was filled again. He was very well slicked by now and it was an easy motion, like two puzzle pieces fitting together. It felt very right and Kaname's giddy euphoria heightened as he continued to drink. He pushed his hips down in contented, languid motions as Zero rocked up into him with equal contented slowness. The hunter's warm mouth caressed Kaname's neck and the pureblood fairly hummed with gratification when he felt Zero's sharp fangs slip gently into his neck. Joined together in every way possible, the amazing sensation of mutual blood sharing flooded them and entwined them together in an incredibly deep kind of intimacy that could only exist for bonded vampires who were as deeply in love as they. There was no sense of beginning or end between them. In those moments it was as if they had one soul and heart. Their bodies moved together in perfect unison, hips slowly thrusting and pressing together in a rhythm that deeply satisfied them both, fangs, tongues and mouths caressing and sucking as their blood co-mingled.

Zero's hands ran worshipfully up and down Kaname's sides, guiding his hips up and down as he claimed the pureblood tenderly. Kaname pressed against Zero's body, feeling the perfectly synced beating of their hearts as their chests rose and fell together. It was like living inside a beautiful dream and Kaname surrendered himself happily to it as pleasure hummed between them.

Zero felt like he was floating, entwined in Kaname's blood, the pureblood's hot body gripping and stroking him intimately. It was beautiful, and when he eventually found completion inside his lover once more, the fire pulsing through him was somehow almost as relaxing as it was exhilarating. He held Kaname close, hands splayed across his lower back, their fangs still buried in one another's necks.

Zero felt like he could stay like this forever. For the first time in a while, Kaname was completely open to him, and the hunter hadn't realized until now how much he had missed that.

Kaname was alone in a large bed. The sheets were rumpled and bloody. The pureblood was curled on his side, tangled up in the covers, but you could just see blood streaking his back. It looked like he had been either clawed or beaten. Whether or not the wounds were still there under the ugly stripes of blood was impossible to tell, and improbable given his healing rate, but the amount of crimson suggested that the tears had been deep.

The pureblood's face was turned away and Zero couldn't see it, but the body seemed somehow too small. The huddled frame was not quite developed enough to fit with the picture of Kaname that Zero knew. It was a younger Kaname, perhaps a little younger even than the first memories that Zero had of him from his visits to the Chairman's house.

The young Kaname was sobbing silently, his whole body shaking with his agony. He was so curled into himself, it looked as if he would like to hug his knees to his chest, but he couldn't because his arms were trapped over his head... and it was then that Zero saw the silver chains on the young pureblood's bloodied wrists.

Zero's eyes opened with a soft, sobbing inhale and he realized that tears were burning down his cheeks. He didn't really understand what he'd just seen, and like one waking from a dream, the details fogged away into vague uncertainty the moment he came back to himself. But the little he did remember and the sensation it left behind broke his heart. He knew whatever it was had come to him from Kaname's blood, some glimpse of a past trauma that the pureblood had suffered. Zero had learned that the things one glimpsed in blood visions weren't always to be taken literally, because sometime they represented the emotions of the person you were drinking from more than any kind of concrete reality. But whether the exact scene had actually ever happened, or whether it just represented feelings of extreme helplessness and pain, it was clear that Kaname had suffered deeply at some time in the past. Unfortunately, that wasn't exactly surprising. Zero already realized that his lover had not grown up the pampered and spoiled little pureblood prince that he had always assumed when they were younger.

Kaname had frozen and disengaged from Zero's neck. He must have sensed Zero's sudden distress and guessed at the cause. There was fear in the dark eyes when Zero's gaze found them.

Kaname trembled. He was too worked up, too open and too vulnerable. He couldn't have mentally pushed Zero away from him now if his life depended on it. He needed this lovely intimacy and closeness too much. He realized now that he had been almost starving since he had started trying to keep Zero at arm's length to protect his shameful secrets. But he could see in Zero's eyes that the hunter had seen something in his blood. What he might have seen Kaname had no way of knowing and fear made him feel ill and weak. The pureblood's eyes filled with tears and one escaped down his cheek.

Zero didn't even understand what was going on, but that look in Kaname's eyes made him feel as if someone had just hacked his heart out of his chest with a dull blade. He never, ever wanted Kaname to look at him with fear like that. He wasn't sure what had brought this on. He could guess that it was because of how vulnerable Kaname was feeling over this whole business deal and maybe because their blood sharing had reminded his lover of the dreadful wager hanging over him or something. Perhaps that was why Kaname looked at him with fear, looked at him like he expected Zero to blow up at him or shove him away.

Zero didn't know, but right now, it didn't matter. All that mattered was wiping that hurt, fearful look from his lover's beautiful face. All that mattered was doing whatever he could to try and sooth the hurting heart he'd seen a moment ago. All that mattered was making sure Kaname knew how deeply, completely, and utterly he was loved.

Zero kissed Kaname's eyes, gently tasting the salt of his tears. "I love you," he murmured a bit hoarsely. "I love you so much, you know that, right?"

Kaname wrapped his arms around Zero's neck and clung to him, feeling relief sooth the daggers cutting up his stomach. Zero's beautiful words warm him, coaxing him back to the lovely place he'd been a few moments before. Zero must not have seen what he feared. Whatever Zero had sensed, the hunter's response was both kind and beautiful. "I love you too, Zero. I don't deserve you, but you are my heart. You're the only one who has ever touched my soul. Please... please always believe that..." his voice hitched softly.

Zero didn't fully understand the soft desperation in his lover's plea, but he wished that he could make up for any and all pain the pureblood had suffered in his life. "Kaname, you deserve the whole world," he murmured tenderly, earnestly. Cradling the back of Kaname's head in his hand, he shifted them both. He laid Kaname down on the warmed couch, gently sliding out of his body but still lying comfortingly atop him, caressing him. "You deserve to be happy, to be loved... you are an amazing, wonderful person, and I love you so much it hurts," he whispered, kissing Kaname's warm lips, his throat, his chest...

Kaname inhaled softly, like a drowning man drawing air. It was pathetic perhaps, how much he needed to hear that from someone whose opinion meant everything to him. He had so much reason to think otherwise... but Zero's words and his love wrapped him in a warm, contented cocoon that pushed the darkness away, at least for now.

Zero kissed and caressed his way down Kaname's body. Kaname was still aroused from before, and Zero realized that although he'd already sated his need, his lover had yet to find his second release. He shifted position, kneeling between Kaname's knees for easier access as he dipped his silver head between his lover's legs. He wanted Kaname to forget any and all cares and just remember the pleasure of their intimacy.

Kaname's back arched a little and his fingers quickly sought Zero's silver tresses as the hunter teased and licked him up one side and down the other, fondling and caressing before finally taking his lover fully in his mouth. Zero pleasured him slowly and thoroughly, swallowing the pureblood deeply, humming against him, teasing him with lips, tongue and teeth until he quite successfully achieved his goal and Kaname could think of nothing but the hunter and the incredible sensations being coaxed from his body.

Zero was well sated by this point, and he was perfectly content to take his time, lavishing Kaname's arousal with his full and undivided attention, wanting to give the pureblood every bit as much pleasure as he had been given tonight. The hunter took it slow, maintaining a constant level of sustainable pleasure rather than pushing for an ending. He varied his attention and his pace, keeping Kaname aroused and in a sea of pleasure for quite a long time without letting the fire either become too hot or too cool, mindful always of his partner's comfort and enjoyment.

Kaname felt incredibly pampered and achingly blissful as Zero tended to him with erotic thoroughness. Nothing was required of him save that he lie back and enjoy the amazing symphony of pleasure that his lover played upon his body. The pureblood's muscles rippled, his body undulating softly in time to the inaudible music that Zero seemed to play, his breath panting quietly between pleasure flushed lips, his fingers tangled adoringly in Zero's short, messy hair as the hunter's head bobbed mesmerizingly between his legs.

He warned Zero softly when the pleasure finally built so high he knew release was imminent, but Zero did not pull away. Instead he increased his motions, taking his lover deep and swallowing everything he had to offer when the pureblood finally exploded in a spasm of ecstasy.

Kaname sank back on the couch, smiling, boneless, and utterly content as the sparkling aftershocks of climax tingled through him. His lids drooped wearily. He was beautifully exhausted and sleepy. He didn't care if he fell asleep right here.

Zero was tired too, the long day was catching up with him, but Kaname was so damn radiant in the afterglow of pleasure that he could hardly take his eyes off him. Carefully, he staggered to his feet and lifted Kaname in his arms. Kaname could have walked, but Zero wanted to carry him. He wanted to hold him close a little longer, to treat him special... because he was special.

Once again Zero carried Kaname up the stairs to bed. But he took Kaname to his bedroom this time. Neither of them felt like showering right now, so the practical little part of Zero's mind told him to use the bed that they'd already messed up and would need washing anyway. Besides, the romantic part of his mind wanted to lay Kaname down on his bed and curl up with him, and that was exactly what he did.

Once they were curled up together under the sheets, Zero realized he'd forgotten to turn the lights off. Drat. He stated to stir, then looked at Kaname who was cuddled close, eyes sleepy but open.

"Hey... don't suppose...?" the hunter inquired, casting a glance up towards the overhead light.

Kaname smiled and an invisible force flicked the light switch off, plunging the room into comfortable darkness.

Zero draped his arm over Kaname's waist, burrowing his head into his pillow. "Mm, knew you were useful for something..." he murmured with a crooked smile, opening one eye.

Kaname chuckled softly. "Good night, Zero."

Zero kissed him on the nose. "Good night, Kaname."