Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Planting
Growth
Bloom
Withering

The perfect replica of human life or maybe... a human heart.

~•~

They looked up sadly as the raven haired soldier paced the room, back and forth to the door of the isolated and abandoned farmhouse that the young soldiers found refuge in. His hands were clenched tightly into fists, almost tight enough to the point where his sharp fingernails left crescent-shaped indentations in his skin, heavily tensed coupled with the fervent muttering of a name they've come to familiarize themselves with.

Tiny rivulets of crimson liquid seeped from the indentations, but Yuu didn't even notice, too livid to care.

“Why the hell did you think it was a good idea to let him go alone?!” His eyes blazed with such intensity, it made the lilac leader flinch at its heat, as if burned. His hands propped themselves on her shoulder and in any situation she would have swooned at her love touching her like this. But there was no love in it. Mere desperation to know the whereabouts of another.

“He was strong enough to be the only one who could do it, Yuu-san. We need information if we want to save guren. Don't you want to save him?” She knew what she was doing and could very well pay the price for it if she wasn't careful. She was handling a very unstable soldier right now.

“I do! But... if something happens to Mika I swear...” his gaze flickers to the ground, a snarl suddenly ripping through his throat as his imagination runs wild, his grip tightening.

Shinoa smiles sadly, the briefest reflection of pain flickering in her irises but with his head bowed, he did not witness the change in her demeanor.

The rest of the squad was silent, with Kimizuki's glasses obscuring his gaze and schooling a stoic look, he did not allow his emotions to run rampant, trampling on them so they stayed docile and tamed.

Yoichi sported a smile so cheap and fake the others could not dare look at him any further. He hid his expressions well but in his olive gaze swam a whirlpool of negativity and darkness, no light could be seen as the longer you gazed, the deeper you would fall in its abyss.

Mitsuba's emotions- like a tornado causing havoc- could not be tamed. Her hands were balled into fists, desperate to strike and hit the longer she hid them. White teeth visibly grinding down her lip, drawing the slightest bit of blood, a mere drop in the ocean of her bleeding heart. Her violet eyes held fury and indignant, love and hurt and so so much pain. Her lashes coated tears but did not allow herself to let them fall. She was not weak, after all. She hid behind her armor but the raven always found a way to dent it until a mere sliver of a hole could be seen, so tiny and unnoticeable to the rest, to her a gaping wound.

She stalked up to the teen and pushed him away, tired of always hearing about his worry for the blond, knowing it was not directed at her. “He's fine baka Yuu! He's strong enough to take care of himself and you know that! Heck! He's stronger then all of us combined, so stop worrying already!” She yelled, barely pausing to breathe.

‘It hurts to know you care for him so deeply you would want him safe and sound even though with his strength he could fight an army of soldiers and win with no problem.’

“I can't help it! Its Mika! Of course I'm going to worry, he could be hurt and hungry and I'll be here being useless and unable to help him!”

"Baka! Its only been two days since he left and you just woke up from another possession, so you're weak and in need of rest, don't overdo it!"

‘Stop. To see you so concerned and ask for him the minute you wake up, hurts. Its like I'm not even there, like I don't matter. Its always him isn't it? Why would you go so far to hurt yourself? Don't put yourself in danger for the low possibility of him being hurt.’

He growls, “I still can't believe you guys would let him go somewhere without asking my permission first.” His tone goes low, a dark look shadows his face.

“Why would we need your permission? Shinoa's the leader, not you! And you were unconscious and possessed or did you forget? We couldn't even if we wanted too!” A pang of fear and anger stabbed her heart at hearing his words.

‘Why would you say that? Why would you LOOK like that? As if I had no right to question you? Are you so obsessed with him that he would need your permission to go somewhere first?’

He turns away from Mitsuba -completely forgetting her existence, not even seeing the hurt contorting her face - to Shinoa, who's been watching the scene with blank dull eyes. Her face unreadable and robotic, seemingly having shut down. He stalks to her direction, looking down at her with his advantageous height, he looms over her as his eyes demands Mika's whereabouts, not in the mood to play anymore games.

She promised Mikaela that she wouldn't tell Yuu just where he was currently residing, no matter how much he begs. As just like her, he wanted him to rest and regain his energy. But what Mika nor the squad didn't know was that Yuu wouldn't beg, he would command them to tell him, not caring in the slightest of the hurt he causes as long as he got what he wanted.

• The rose was writhing, and every time they tried to grasp it, desperate to soothe, its thorns pricked them and caused them to bleed. •

She wanted to say no but one look to his face told her he wouldn't hesitated to run around like a maniac just to find him.

So she had no choice but to give in.

“He is currently heading to a desolate city close by, he said he sensed a flock of vampires a while back and wanted to check it out, you were unconscious at the time.”

“And you didn't stop him?” He demands.

“No. I agreed with him at the time.”

‘But now I see it was a mistake, for you to be this angry with something so simple as him in another city on a mission was a rare and frightening sight.’

“You're telling me... you let Mika go out to a city where there could possibly be a nest of festering vampires alone?” His shoulders tense, he waited for her confirmation.

“…yes,” for the first time she hesitated, scared to make him angrier. Guilt was not an emotion she experienced often but not so little to know what it didn't feel like.

“…really now?” He sighed in what she would call disappointment. She flinched, expecting him to be angry not disappointed. She could handle an angry Yuu but she's never dealt with a disappointed one. Her bangs obscured her face, not allowing the world to know what she was feeling at the moment.

“I'm going.”

Everyones head turned up, different levels of concern and disbelief could be seen.

“What?!” Mitsuba screeched, disbelief written all over her face. "What the fuck are you talking about?!"

“I'm going to go find him.” He clarified, locking his gaze to the bristling blonde, daring her to back off.

“Ohhh no. You are staying here, where we can see you and not try to fucking kill yourself a second time!” Her face was almost as red as the eyes of the vampires, glaring daggers at him.

“Two days. He's been gone for two days and I just woke up today and frankly its driving me to the point of insanity to know that he's been gone for that long without me KNOWING!” He was trembling, body ceased with overexerted and rampant emotions corrupting his better judgement.

“Yuu-san,” the violet haired leader began.  “I know you're worried about Mika, but he promised he'd be back.  Please believe in him,” she tried to soothe him, hoping her calming words reached the anxious ravenette.

Yuu looked at her in disbelief. 

“Shinoa, I just can't wait here. What if something bad happened to him? And I'm not there to rescue him? What if he.. what if he..” he paused, trying his best to bite his lip as an attempt to stifle the fresh round of tears that threatened to escape from his emerald irises. He couldn't help but jump to conclusions. He's become so sensitized to the threat of something happening to Mika. What if he was in danger? What if he was dead? What would Yuu do?

He doesn't know if he can carry on if he were to lose him again. All of the pain, heartache, loss, and... there was something else there too that made him want to rip the door off its hinges and find him as soon as possible. He had to be SAFE, his heart and mind screamed at him. They could not rest until he knew the beautiful blond was safe in his arms. He couldn't quite label the emotion quite yet, but he knew one thing for certain;

He had to find Mika.

And damn anyone that got in his way.

“I can't let him slip through my fingers again.” He whispered to the now quiet room, ignorant to the wavering smiles of his family.

His heart twisted, flopped, and restricted itself in ways its never done before. This was different from when they were children. The thought of losing his beloved Mika was increased tenfold from that cursed day in Sanguinem when that bastard Ferid Bathory took everything away from him that gave him a reason to continue living.

That's right.

Mika was his reason for living then, and even more so now.

Yuu marched toward the door, and braced the doorknob tightly with a force that would put the tremulous elements to shame.

“Wait, Yuu!” Shinoa quickly jumped from the tattered loveseat, and grasped Yuu's wrist. The rest of the gang preparing to pounce on him and hold him down if they had to, waiting for an order to strike. “Please, wait..”

Yuu looked at her with a heartbreaking expression, pooling so much sorrow that Shinoa could not resist. He looked absolutely devastated, yet sheer determination gleamed in his eyes, one that only resurrected when Mika was in the equation. She knew from experience that when he was in this state, there was no way of consoling him with words or persuading him with any logic, rationality, or reasoning. She sighed, defeated.

• Goodness. There's no stopping him is there? •

Yuu's willpower and determination was always a feature to be feared and a flaw at the worst of times, and his unbound courage never faltered when he had his decisions made, and Shinoa knew better then anyone that she could not sway him, no matter how much she wanted to have the power to do so, she simply didn't.

She sighed in defeat, and released her grasp from his wrist, ignoring the ache in her heart with the parting.

“You better come back in one piece with Mika by your side, Yuu-san.” She smiled tight lipped.

“Shinoa?!” Mitsuba balked at her.

The rest gathered around her, screaming in disbelief at her hesitance to stop him as Yuu twisted open the door handle and let himself go out into the harsh unknown.

Yuu had looked at her, with his eyes beaming. And in that moment she could have sworn the radiance from his smile had her falling all over again.

She huffed.

• What cruel love. •

 ~•~

It had taken less than a day for the pair to return, the door opening with a reverberating bang, shaking the walls of the fragile establishment. The squad was on high alert, careful as to see if the ones on the other side of the room were of enemy forces.

“Guys!”They lowered their weapons at the familiar voice of their fellow squad member, recognizing the cheery tone recorded by their hearts immediately.

They gather, eager to see the beautiful emerald they've grown to love. They round the corner, ready to great his return, all the members feeling a bit giddy with bliss when they rush to a stop. Yuuichirou stood in the doorway, a crazed look in his eye holding an unconscious Mikaela, both their clothes tattered with slashes that eerily resembled that of a vampires sheath claws, Yuu's torn while Mika's completely been ripped away, a horribly painful wound in the center of his torso.

They gasp, wincing at the state the vampire's been left in, completely battered. Mikaela was incredibly strong for a newborn vampire, ranking as high as a high class noble, just one step shy away from a progenitor. The rest guessed that the rumors were indeed true and that he'd been ambushed the second he stepped foot unto enemy territory, instantly marked as a dangerous outsider.

They gather round the pair, unconsciously giving them enough space to not make them feel crowded.

“I knew it, I knew it. I just knew it something just didn't feel right.” Yuuichirou muttered furiously, commanding everyone to help relocate him to his room, gently placing him on the bed. He cooed at the blond, gently caressing his taut cheek, whispering reassurances, but it was unknown if it was directed to Mika or himself.

“Yuu... are you okay?” She eyed the bruises and cuts littering his tan skin, tearing the flesh apart like rusty scissors to an artwork, damaging the priceless beauty. The dried blood mating to his clothes and face was like watercolor carelessly spilled by an amateur. He swirled around, disbelief written all over his features.

“Me? You're worried about me? Mika's the one that was found laying in a pool of his own blood. And your worried about ME?!” He was mindful to keep his tone on the low, not wanting Mika to wake up to careless screaming. But he was nonetheless pissed.

“Yuu, Mikaela's a vampire and he can heal a stab wound faster than our demons can take care of a paper cut.” Mistuba huffed out but flinched as she grew red, whispering an apology, no doubt having offended her demon.

“So you're all just going to disregard his injuries just because he's a vampire? Don't you care?”  He had a crazed look in his eye, spouting doubts he would normally never say. The rest took a moment to assess his fierce reaction.

He was unstable. That much they knew.

• The thoughts of losing Mika again had him spiraling down a hole and now all he can see is darkness. •

She huffed, ‘you've given him quite a scare Mika-san.’

”we do care Yuu, never doubt that. Its just that right now you are more fragile with your demon possessions getting out of control and we don't know what could trigger it, so you have to calm down.” She hoped the soothing words could help cool his temper.

“You were right,” she began, “we shouldn't have carelessly let him go out of his own, that's my mistake as a leader, to let one of her own man go unprotected in unknown territory, knowing there could be enemies lurking every corner, I'm sorry,” she bowed her head, shocking the raven to stillness.

“Its fine Shinoa... just...! Next time we go together, and we stick together, we're family after all.” He gave her an insecure smile, still shaken. She could still see the rampaging emotions clouding his irises, no doubt knowing they were going to stay like that until Mikaela woke up to calm him.

After all, he was the only one who could.

 ~•~

It didn't take long for Mika to wake up, just a few hours at most as Yuu had already fed him blood before he came back with Mika. He'd been worried sick as he'd expected Mika to wake up the second he was given blood, almost tearing out his hair at the excruciating worry that consumed him as the blond never woke up, fearing he was too late.

That's why Shinoa and the rest of the gang ordered Yuu to go lie down, lest he destroy himself with the wait that would surely come to him agonizing over wether his friend would wake up, doubts eating him alive. He refused, obviously. Vehement on letting Mika be alone. The lavender leader saw this coming and proposed for a member would be beside him every few hours.

The first was Yoichi, next, the rambunctious blonde Mitsuba. They would switch members every two hours as the room Mika resided in's air was polluted and cramped with only one bed, a broken nightstand and a rusted window, covered to the brim with every type of filth imaginable. The next one to take their shift was Kimizuki, by this time Yuu would have calmed down significantly to where he agreed to go help the others in the house, clean and dust off anything dirty and take out things broken to pass the time and take his mind off the unconscious blond.

Kimizuki could hear the rambunctious bunch talking and conversing on the other side of the paper thin walls, keeping a stoic face to when he heard a loud thud followed by curses from the raven haired soldier, and laughter. So much laughter. He couldn't help but feel the corners of his mouth twitch upwards, picturing the idiot spiraled to the ground in a fetal position, cursing and holding back tears, the others slyly mocking him for his own ignorance and stupidity.

Shaking his head, he curiously wonders just how long it took him to be able to picture it so clearly.

In the corner of his eye he could see slight shuffling, breath catching in his throat at the first signs of the sleeping vampire beauty waking from his (non) eternal rest. He cautiously trudges closer, the gentle shuffling getting progressively more louder, now able to visibly see the familiar defiant hairpiece softly swaying sideways, reminding him of Yuuichirou's own. He stops and ponders if he should go get the rest, he spins to the door but is halted to a standstill as he hears a groan and more rustling. He looks back to see the blond with a pained expression, hands clawing at his throat. His mind is quick to give him the answer.

He's thirsty.

But didn't Yuuichirou say he fed him his blood before he got here? He peers at the boy, now writhing in the bed, the duvet now carelessly tossed to the floor.

Or maybe the blood he fed wasn't enough to sustain, only enough in treating his injuries first and leaving him again to suffer the affects of being bloodless. He sighs in pity. Being a vampire must be a nightmare. He couldn't even imagine how it would be like, but watching Mika roll on the bed in agony made him never want to experience it and move closer in sympathy.

• He shouldn't go through this •

It pained him to see the other like this. If there was a way to revert him back to a human he would, no questions asked.

He stopped at the bed, now having a clearer view of the bundle of misery curled into himself.

“Mika.“

The teen flinched, only now aware of another's presence in the room. He tried to blink the haze away but like a fog it would not leave just because you blew in its direction. He hazily saw a figure with a taut physique and pink hair.

“Kimi... zuki?” His words were slurred, his fangs obscuring his tongue and adding a lisp, giving him the effect as if he was only drunk in the first place and not a starved bloodsucker.

“Yeah, it's me.” He sat down on the edge of the rough mattress, giving him space.

“Wha... what happened? Where's Yuu-chan? Is he okay?” He was bombarded with questions left and right.

Course. Yuu would always be the first thing he asks about the minute he woke up, absolutely no care for himself. It's one of the qualities he despised about Mika, he would never think about himself first, like he himself wasn't a priority to consider. It was tragic and made him wonder if he gave a shit about himself. Stabbed? That's fine, it'll go away. How's Yuu? A paper cut? Is he okay? Does he need medical attention?

It was ridiculous.

“He's fine, he's still the reckless idiot we all unfortunately know. And as to what happened, Yuu found you unconscious, almost DEAD, laying in a pool of your own blood.” He deadpanned, waiting for a reaction.

“O...oh.” He looked down in shame, seemingly contemplating life before a hand ran up to his mouth, giving a low cry of pain.

“Mika, you need blood.” He stated the obvious and waited for Mika to reply.

“N...no I'm o-okay...” he wasn't fooling anybody, not even himself.

Kimizuki rolled his eye, having seen this game be played a dozen times already, “bullshit, you're starving and need to feed.”

“I-“

“Do you really want Yuu to see you like this?” He pulled his ace.

His eyes flickered with fear. And gave his answer with a reluctant nod.

He released an exhale and opened the buttons of his uniform, watching with bated breath Mika's eyes glaze over, latching on a nerve beneath the pale patch of skin.

Mika was completely and utterly weak, not having the strength to even tackle him, instead opting to whine pitifully until the dual wielder took mercy on the poor starved soul and drew closer.

“I'm sorry...” he whispered so lowly he had to strain to hear his apology, his breath fanning his neck. Then, the fangs pierced. He pretended to not hear the blissful sighs coming from him and held back any sounds that desperately wished to leave his throat, swallowing them back down with difficulty.

They weren't joking when they described the act as a sinfully pleasurable act against God.

He closed his eyes.

• Don't give it away •

They finish and go to the main room, silent for the most part.

“Don't tell Yuu-chan.” Mika tells him.

“I know.” He promises back.

They reach their destination in just a few minutes. Mika actively seeking out his family, everyone stopping what they're doing, now aware of the new faces in the room. Yuu turns around. They make eye contact, red meeting green. Magnetically drawn, they run and it's like finding one another for the first time once again.

• The garden watches as the stems fuse once again, wrapping themselves tightly and lovingly against each other as if apart any longer, they would not last. They flower and blossom at the first touch and continue to grow the longer they stay connected. •

He stands in the far corner of a shadow, dully watching Yuu glomp Mika and wrapping his arms around his back, giving him the biggest bear hug in existence. Mika smiled one of his rare smiles, ones that were considered a rarify and priceless. He watched, never nothing more than a bystander.

A distorted voice whispers in the crevices of his mind.

• Never let the Camellia know •

• I know • he whispers back.

 ~•~

After facing a lot of scolding - mostly from Yuu - he was ordered to not leave the building. He had no problem with the order as long as Yuu was with him, he wouldn't mind.

Yuu didn't waste time attaching himself to Mika's hips, keeping contact in some form of touch, holding his wrist (to go his direction) a hand on his lower back, (to guide him somewhere else) shoulders touching (accidental, he would say) or the most prominent, an arm tightly enclosed around his waist. (The last one they knew it was code to not bother them.) No matter how small it was, even a brush of the hands for a split second, he sighed in bliss at the marvelous feeling of being able to touch Mika, to know he was there, safe and with him.

The others scolded him for not doing his portion of his workload, instead goofing off and bothering Mika (who actually was doing his job.) He denied, expressing his worry for Mika. They didn't believe his bullshit.

They had to force Yuu to take up cleaning and rummaging the attic as it was one of the only places they still hadn't checked yet. The girls refused to go saying that as girls they couldn't go somewhere so filthy and said to let the boys go instead. He was pissed off, they were in a goddamn war and they're afraid of getting dirt on their clothes? The building had running water - which was a godsend to everyone - and they'd just showered so they refused to do any of the hard labor and risk becoming dirty again.

He fought for his right but was overwhelmed and forced to go. Everybody could hear his obnoxiously loud stomps up the stairs, like a grumpy child denied sweets he closed the door with a bang. Sighs of exaggeration could be heard all around and a loud ‘SHUT UP!’ Screamed from above.

Having been asleep a quarter of the day meant he now had a lot of energy. And was now taking his time cleaning around the place. As like every other barely functioning building they've come across so far, this one was littered with filth and furniture covered in dust. They came across a room not to long ago infested with maggots. Hence the reason the girls refused to go in the attic.

By the time they were done, they regrouped back in the living room.

“You find anything useful up there?” 

Yuuichirou plops on the sofa and sighs in exhaustion.

“Nope,” he pops the 'p', “but I'm pretty sure someone died up there.”

“Oh goody. How comforting,” Mitsuba deadpans.

“Where doesn't people die nowadays?” Shinoa ponders in wonder.

“Well that wasn't morbid at all.” He snorts.

"Its a serious question.”

“And one we're better off not knowing.”

Yuuichirou tuned them out as they continued to bicker. He briefly wondered where Mika was and went to search for him.

The gang soon realized Yuuichirou wasn’t in the room and sighed.

“There he goes…”

“God, would it kill him to stay in one place for just a second? He’s still recovering and he doesn’t have to go run ‘round the damn building every damn time Mikaela is gone.” Mitsuba grumbled angrily.

“What can we do? We can only stop him for so long.” Shinoa shrugged.

The rest stayed quiet, the air now somber.

There really was no way to stop him.

After talking for a while longer they slowly disperse and go their separate ways.

 ~•~

Shinoa had called them for an abrupt squad meeting, saying it was of ‘life or death’ and of great importance. Knowing her, they didn't know what they were in for when they walked in the main room but finding several pillows laying on the ground with a big brown bowl and a cup in the center, a ton of paper and pencils laid aside with Shinoa's arms open wide as if to say ‘tada!’ Was not one of them.

“What exactly are we looking at?” Mistuba deadpanned, breaking the icily-thin silence.

“Are we having a sleepover?” Yoichi clapped his hands, excitement evident in his voice.

“I came here for a meeting, for what our next move could be not a sleepover where we hit each other with pillows and tell secrets, giggling like freaks.” Kimizuki adjusted his glasses, a bored look on his face.

“Hey! We only did that once!”

“You broke a closet in half and a door, with your freakish strength. We got scolded for letting you do what you want, sleepovers were banned because of you.”

“Which makes sense if we want to do it now again cause no rules, baby!” Shinoa pumped her fist in the air, ignoring the looks of indignant.

“But no we are NOT having a sleepover, I know, I know, a tragedy. But bear with me here! We... are going to playy...” she grinned drumming her hands on the ground to increase the tension, “The King's Game!”

You could hear a pin drop with how quiet it was.

“The... the what?” Kimizuki squinted at her like she was a new type of species.

“You heard me!”

“But why?”

“The real question is why not? I've been so bored that I took counting leaves in a tree. Leaves!”  She exaggerated, her arms flapping wildly.

“I've played it before, it's really fun!” Yoichi beamed, happy to the idea of finally doing something fun as a family.

“See? So you guys gonna play?” Her eyes go wide and unblinking, silently willing them to accept.

“Well I mean... why not?” Mitsuba shrugged.

“Kimizuki?”

“Sure. Sounds interesting... not like we have anything better to do.” He nodded.

Shinoa looked over at Yuu and Mika, “Yuu-san, Mika-san, are you guys playing too or what?”

Yuu beamed, clenched his fist in excitement, “yeah, let's do this! Come on Mika, you playing? It's gonna be fun!”

The blond male blinked before looking away, a little redness decorating his cheeks, shamefully whispering, “but I don't even know how to play.”

Smiling tenderly, Yuu affectionately patted him on the head, “don't worry, they'll teach you! Wait... come to think of it... I don't know how to play either.

Shinoa looked puzzled, “you mean you guys never played the King's Game before, not even once?”

Yuu scratched his head and chuckled nervously, “No, they never really taught us that many games at the orphanage.”

“Oh well it's not a difficult game just so you know, it's fairly simple. First we gather the six pencils we have and number them one to five. The last one will have a star on it and the one who gets that will be the king. The king takes a random paper and whatever it says, the one who has the number on the paper will have to do it or they will be punished for disobeying the king. If they refuse to comply they are extracted from the game and are dubbed 'DEAD.'” She finishes explaining.

“Huh... sounds simple enough...” Yuu concludes.

“Oh but wait! I decided to add a little twist. I wanted to incorporate the famous truth or dare in here too, so everyone will be given time to write down three dares and three truths and place them in the bowl. So instead of one you get to jot down six possible truths and dares.” She claps her hands, proud of her idea.

“Since there's six of us it'll be... at least thirty-six truths and dares to choose from?” Yoichi's eyes crinkle in concentration.

“Yes.”

“Isn't that a little excessive?” Mitsuba asks.

“Hey, go home or go big! That's what I always say,” she grins.

“Lies. You've never said that.” Mitsuba rolls her eyes.

“Anyways! Lets get started! Yoichi hand out everyone six pieces of paper, I already cut them before you guys came in here so just take a pencil and write down your dares and truths!” They all do as instructed and place the folded papers in the brown bowl. Shinoa takes the pencils and begins to label them with number and the last one, with a star. She places them in a colored mug, their shiny points giving them the sense of indistinguishable alikeness and no dissimilarity. Now they had no way of knowing which one was the king.

“Now everyone take one in three! Two! One!” They all scramble to take an identical pencil, holding the bottom end to their faces.

“So who has the star?” Yoichi asks, looking at his number 2.

“Me. I'm the King.” Mitsuba shows them the pencil and pickd a randon paper. “Okay, number 5... who's number 5?” She looks around.

“I am!” Shinoa exclaims.

“Okay uhh... have you ever let someone take the blame for something you did?” Mitsuba questions her and Shinoa grins.

“Always.”

“I didn't expect anything less.” She deadpans.

“Next! Three, two, one, go!” The next one to be King was none other than Shinoa herself. She unfolded the small piece of paper and read out loud. “Number 4, what is the stupidest thing you have ever done?”

Yuuichirou anxiously chuckles, “uhh... the stupidest? Well I mean, I once pulled a prank on Guren because he was being an ass. I basically glued 5 different pairs of woman's underwear to the back of his uniform and was throughout the day, repeatedly hit and slapped by different woman in the face, one of them even aimed for his crotch! He had no idea why the female population has suddenly gone out to hurt him when Goshi told him what was on his uniform. He was livid and somehow knew I was the culprit responsible so he forced me to run 50 laps around the school and do 100 push-ups with no break! I was dying by the end of it. Tch! Asshole...” he grumbles, crossing his arms and pouting like a child.

“Wait... how did you have access to woman's underwear?”

He doesn't hesitate, “Shinya.”

“Oh my God.” Mitsuba's jaw dropped.

“I don't even wanna know.” Kimizuki shakes his head.

The next round had Yoichi as the king. He couldn't help but blush as all the attention was placed on him, carefully unwrapping the paper. He read the command and paled.

“Ano... who's number 1?” He nervously peeks through the paper, suddenly feeling dread pool in his stomach.

“I am, why?” Mitsuba cocks her head, suddenly very afraid.

“You have to... lick the floor...” his voice was low and afraid but they heard it all the same.

“What?! NO!” She shook her head in denial, “there is NO way that is happening!”

“Ah but Mitsu... if you don't obey the King, you'll get punished.~” Shinoa smirked.

“So?!”

“So the punishments are usually a lot worse than the dares, you know?” Her smirk grew wider with evil intent.

She gulped, “FINE I'll lick the stupid floor!” Everyone held their breath as she lowered herself down. Tongue sticking out and eyes screwed shut.

“FIVE SECONDS!” Her tongue made contact with the disgusting, filthy ground as they started counting down. It began to travel upwards, beats of sweat could be seen as they finally reached zero. She wretched her head away and began spluttering the dirt and flicks of grim that stuck to her tongue. She shivered.

“Never. Again.”

They try to hide their laughter as they move to the next round.

“Who has the pleasure of being the King now?” Mitsuba grumbles, leaning in her palm with a sour mood.

“I do.” Yuu waved the star-stickered pencil for everyone to see. Grinning, he shoves his hand in the bowl non to gently, ignoring the exclamations of ‘hey!’ And ‘watch it baka Yuu!’

“Number 3 has to dance the samba with no music on for 1 minute!”

“Oh hell no.” They look at Kimizuki shaking his head, keeping a stoic face. “Do you have any idea how awkward that is? There's no way.”

“And don't you need a partner?” Yoichi asks. “He can't do it alone.”

“Any takers?”

No one answers.

“Well you have your answer so I'll tell you the same thing I told Mitsuba, If you don't do it you'll have to receive punishment~!” That terrifying grin was back.

“Okay and... what is this 'punishment' you so fondly speak of?” He challenges.

If possible her grin stretched wider, a mischievous gleam in her eyes, “me and Mitsuba get to make dinner for a week.”

As if she's spoken the words of the devil, the boys begin to scream.

“THERE IS NO WAY YOU ARE GETTING ANYWHERE NEAR MY KITCHEN!”

“If they cook, we'll die...” Yoichi whimpers in horror.

“TELEPHONE-POLE, JUST MAN UP AND DO THE SAMBA, WE COULD POSSIBLY DIE BY NIGHTFALL!”

“Hey! We're not that bad at cooking are we?” Mitsuba blushed.

“You set an omelette on fire.”

“Hey that was one time!”

“You used gasoline to make pancakes.”

“How was I supposed to know it was gasoline?! It didn't have a label!” She screeches with an angry blush.

“So Kimizuki? What's your answer?” Her eyes twinkle, already knowing his answer.

“I'll fucking dance.” With the pride of a dying man, he resigns himself to the devil and moves to the center of the room. The girls begin whooping and clapping while the boys stay silent and give a prayer of respect. Let's just say when he was done, they could all agree that that had been singlehandedly the most awkward thing they had ever witnessed. Everyone beside Shinoa stayed silent as he made his way back to his seat beside Mitsuba, fighting the urge to get up and snap Shinoa's little neck with her loud almost deranged evil cackling.

“I'm done.” He spat out of his grinding teeth, eyes like a hawk as he turned to Yuu.

“You're going down Haykuya.”

“What?!” He blanched, “news flash, I wasn't the one who gave out that dare, I'm just the one who said it out loud! And I bet Shinoa's the one who wrote it!”

“Nu-uh buddy,” she waved snorting, “I wasn't the one that came up with that but man do I wish I was!”

Nobody noticed Yoichi fidgeting.

It went on like this for five more rounds, in one of them Kimizuki and Yuu and to battle it out in who could curse the longest. It went on for so long Yoichi had to be lead out of the room as the things they were screaming at each other could make a sailor blush. Yuu won but it came back to bite him in the ass when Kimizuki was dared to smack Yuu every time he cursed for the next 3 rounds. It only made him angrier and Kimizuki, hit harder. Shinoa had to grope Mitsuba, who was rolling on the floor trying to escape the mad woman.

She was then forced to ruin another soul as she had to whisper something in Yoichi's ear to make him blush. To give their condolences, the gang didn't dare ask what she said, and even if they did, they were sure he wasn't going to respond. His blush came to a permanent stop when Yuu had to hug Yoich for 10 seconds, he was dying in the end and could not function for a few more rounds.

Mikaela was not pleased with the direction of the game the longer it was played. Partly because he still hadn't been chosen as the King or and an obedient follower (he doesn't know if that's actually a blessing or a curse) but mostly because Yuu had to do ridiculous things.

“Number 4?” Mika snapped his head and looked down at his number. 4.

“Ye-yes?” He cursed himself for his stuttering.

“What is the most awkward romantic encounter you have ever had?”

He looked down in his lap, wracking his brain. What? Romantic encounter? He wasn't even sure what that even means. But he'd be damned if he doesn't give an answer for his first turn in the game.

“Are you sure this is an appropriate question? I mean, Mika's been living in the vampire city almost all his life, I don't think-“ Yuu was cut off before he could finish.

“I got it.” He nodded, finally getting one. They stare at him in disbelief. It couldn't be true. Mika had a romantic encounter before? Yuu unconsciously leans in.

“It was back in Sanguinem when I was still newly turned. I'd noticed someone follow me around from the shadows a few months after becoming the queen's pet. At first, I thought he was ordered by Krul to keep an eye on me, as in the beginning I was quite... destructive. But even when I was out of line, he just watched me so I couldn't be sure. One day, when I was on my way to my chambers, he cornered me and kissed me. I knew he was trying to court me but I was insulted when he started undressing and touching me. He also didn't know I was half vampire as he started rambling how he was going to turn me so I could be his forever, telling me how he fell for me at first sight and how cute I was. Fortunately Krul came in and apprehended him just in time, she took him away and I never heard from him again.” He takes a breath and looks up, quite proud of himself when he notices the faces of horror and gaping open mouths.

“What?” His brows furrow in confusion. Was it something he said?

“Mika-san that wasn't... an awkward romantic encounter... that was stalking and assault of a minor...” Shinoa breathed out shakily, face pale.

“Oh...”

“Mika.” He turns to Yuu who's smiling face has gone grim and dark.

“Yes, Yuu-chan?” He says politely.

“You're never leaving my sight again.” His eyes narrow with his promise, voice filled with dark conviction.

“Eh?” He tilts his head cutely, unsure how to take this.

“Who knew Mika was so innocent and naive?” Mitsuba mumbles to Kimizuki, who curtly nodded.

“O-okay guys, lets continue!” Everyone agreed, desperate to disperse the tense atmosphere.

“Finally, I'm the King again!” Mitsuba pumps her fist in the air, victorious. “Number 5?”

“Me again,” Mika says.

She silently begs for a normal command as she unfolds the paper. “Who's blood tastes the bes-! Wait what the?!”

“Wow.” Shinoa raises a brow, “what kind of coincidence does it take for the only person here who drinks blood to get this ask?”

The rest shrugs.

“And I wonder who's the one that asked it?” She eyed Yuu as he begins to whistle.

“So whose blood is the best Mika-kun?” Yoich asks, quite curious to know the answer.

“Well... to be completely honest, the one that tastes the best is surprisingly Kimizuki.”

“What?!” Yuu screams, indignant.

“What.” He deadpans, brain frozen.

“I was surprised myself. Mitsuba's is really spicy and bitter while Shinoa's is sour and a little bland. Yoichi's is sweet but... its become... tainted somehow. Its strange, I can't explain it. The one that rivals Kimizuki's blood is Yuu-chan as you both have very strong emotions with Kimizuki wanting to save his sister and Yuu; Guren, but with the frequent demon possessions, it's not really at its best.”

“It's bland?” She places her hand on her heart and forehead dramatically. "Oh my wounded heart!"

“What do you mean bitter?!” She screeches.

“Tainted...” yoichi whispers, an eery look on his face.

“O-oh.” Kimizuki stutters, avoiding eye contact. He tries to stomp the happy boastful feeling in his chest, that compared to the others, his blood reigned supreme.

Rivals Kimizuki. Those words haunt his head like a broken record, replaying over and over again. He couldn't help but feel like he's lost somehow. He glares at Kimizuki, not ignorant to what he was likely feeling, of triumph. He could see it in his face and the way he tried to hide it. He bawls his hands into fists. ‘I'll show you.’

For the next few rounds the squad could feel something had changed. There was something brewing in the air, something sharp, something dangerous. It put them on edge, it was like the calm before the storm and they had no way of stopping it from causing mass destruction. Yuu glared and began to take the commands seriously while Kimizuki grew smug and eager for more. Something was bound to happen.

“WHO'S THE ONE THAT KEEPS COMING UP WITH THESE BULLSHIT DARES?!” Mistuba screeches, her face flaming red, was close to bursting.

“They're not bullshit Mitsuba... they're life-changing...” Shinoa awed, starry-eyed.

“Life-changing my ass!”

“Come on Mitsu...”

“I AM NOT DOING THE TANGO WITH A GODDAMN BROOM WEARING MENS UNDERWEAR!”

“But it's not like you'll be naked right?”

“SHINOA HAVEN'T YOU SEEM IT, ITS FILTHY! HONESTLY WHERE DID YOU EVEN FIND THEM ANYWAYS?”

“Ahh~ you know... around.”

“That doesn't make me feel better! And I'm not dancing with a broom!”

“Aww don't say that they might hear you...”

“They are a FUCKING OBJECT!”

“You wanna serenade a cockroach instead?” She raised a brow.

"FUCK YOU AND THESE PUNISHMENTS!”

“Guys... please no fighting!” Yoichi tried in vain to stop their argument.

“WHO EVEN GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO BE THE ONE THAT GIVES OUT THE PUNISHMENTS ANYWAYS?!” She pointed an accusing finger, fuming.

“Nobody. I just give my ideas to the King that's all. Yuu-san?”

“No problem here.”

“You fucking TRAITOR!”

“I was never on your side though...” he mumbled, leaning away from the hysterical girl.

She refused to do the dare so Shinoa personally searched for a rat. The second Mitsuba saw it, she screamed her lungs out, spooking the rat and deafening the others. She then spend 10 minutes of her life trying to serenade to a rat. At the end she grew lifeless and refused to play anymore, forcing them to eliminate her from the game. She spent the rest of the day hunting for the unfortunate creatures who dared cross her path.

“We may be one player down but we can still have fun!” She goes to sit in Mitsuba's previous seat between Kimizuki and Yuuichirou, she could tell the tension between the two had simmered down but didn't want to take her chances.

The next 3 dares were the most nerve-wracking and dangerous ones yet. First Yuuichirou had been dared to give Shinoa a quick peck on the cheek, he had denied the dare but was threatened to not eat curry for a week and the punishment proved to be too much for the poor boy to handle. It lasted no less then a second, fast and innocent but it made her body and face light up with flames.

Next she had to give Yuuichirou a lap dance, the two teenagers practically dying with shame while blushing even more so at the lewd act, especially Shinoa. To give her crush a lap dance was possibly the best and worst thing to ever happen in her life. His reactions, the bashful wide-eyed stare of his made her feel confident and beautiful, like she finally had the control that she's always wanted. She stood at the pinnacle. And she reveled.

Honestly, what were the chances of her getting her own dare?

The next one was another one of her dares, who Yoichi had the honor of getting. Yuuichirou had to transfer a small edible item from his mouth to Yoichi's and hold it for a few seconds, lest they fail and receive punishment. Shinoa knew for a fact the sniper also had a crush on the oblivious idiot, like her- and could tell he was embarrassed but beyond ecstatic at the close contact with Yuuichirou's lips to his own. The poor thing had no way of reacting and almost passed out halfway through the dare to the possible thought of what could have almost been.

A selfish part of them, so black and delirious with pride and envy reveled at how in the entirety of the game, they both had more action with Yuu then Mika, the one who possessed his heart. Their envy did not allow them to feel remorse for thinking something so selfish and inconsiderate, saying it was valid, for her vines had been wrapped on them for as long as they knew of Mika. She polluted their hearts and minds.

• Petty envy whispered poison, “you won.” •

And they listened.

They couldn't help it, they smiled and giggled, twirled a lock of hair and hid their blush, because for the first time since Mika came in the picture they were wining.

Shinoa and Yoichi were to busy drowning in their thoughts, gleefully replaying the dares they got with Yuu to notice Mikaela's steadily dropping mood. Yuuichirou grumbling about having to do embarrassing things for almost every dare, ignorant to Mika shuffling a little ways off from Yuu. But not Kimizuki. He's been watching him, how in just a few minutes his eyes grew shadows, shoulders righting themselves a little straighter, the slight smile, now a tight line. He was closed off, his mind floating away, and he had no idea if he'll come back.

“Hey are we gonna keep doing this or what?” He couldn't help but snap at them, the bite in his tone flying over their heads. Their eyes flew open, coming back down from their fantasies and back to reality.

“O-oh right, of course! Lets keep going!” They all took their respective pencil, both Shinoa and Yoichi silently hoping against hope for another dare with Yuu, it came to the point where it didn't matter what it was as long as they had to touch.

“Oh, I'm the King. Number 2?” Shinoa's eyes darted around.

“Yeah, That's me. Let's get on with it.” Kimizuki leaned his chin in his hand, wanting nothing more than for this game to end already.

“Okay Kimizuki, you have too... lets see...” she opened the little paper, eyes skimming the words. Her breath caught in her throat as she took a second to read it again. No. Her gaze flickered up as she counted. No no no. Her fingers scrunched the phrase written, mashing the ink and blotching her fingers. This couldn't be happening.

And just like that, the high she floated on, popped like a bubble and had her crashing down.

She knew it would happen, but never so soon.

Now karma has come and took it away.

“What are you waiting for? I don't know what it is, but I'm sure I can handle it, alright? I won't back down.” He promised.

She looked at him.

• But you should, who knows what could happen. •

“You... you have too...“ does she say it? Does she lie? The game itself stood at stake, but it's their friendship that she worried about.

She was selfish. She asked for too much. Karma saw this and punished her.

She asked herself: • Why couldn't I have just thought of a normal dare? •

She asked karma: • why do you favor him so? •

He replied: • because he is suffering. Remember, I not only take, I also give. And this one, I have taken too much from his life, so I only give one thing in return. •

“Shinoa?“

• What did you give? •

She knew.

“Shinoa!”

• A red rose •

She knew.

“SHINOA!“ Kimizuki screamed her name.

“Ye-yes?” She stuttered.

“Just say the fucking command already!” He exaggerated.

She gulped, “you have to french kiss the third person to your right.”

He blanched and whips his head up, counting. Shinoa, Yuuichirou and... his eyes widen.

Mikaela.

He can't describe what he feels. Elated? Yes. Fear? Definitely. Disbelief? Absolutely. He sees Mika silently count too and points at himself in disbelief, wide-eyed and jaw dropped. Shinoa solemnly nods.

“Oh...” well... he doesn't sound disgusted so that's a plus.

It's dead quiet, no one utters a word. The tension was now at its highest since the beginning of the game. Heads turn at the sound of an audible sigh. Kimizuki walks up to Mika, stopping in front of him.

“What's the punishment?” He doesn't break eye contact, watching Mika's lashes flutter.

“Th-the same one as b-before.” She stutters out, a beat of nervous sweat gathering.

“Mika?” His eyes search his own, seeking his permission whilst almost losing himself in its crimson beauty.

“I... don't know how to do this... 'french kiss.'” He almost laughs at his worried expression, like Kimizuki was going to be angry at him for not knowing. He swallows it down but cracks a smile to help ease his worries.

“Its okay, I'll teach you.” He doesn't miss the snarl of his name behind him. That wasn't any normal snarl.

It was a warning.

‘Sorry Yuu,’ he silently thought. ‘You might be family but...’ he sees Mika's wide scarlet eyes and soft pink lips, ‘just like Shinoa and Yoichi, I'll do anything to get the scraps of affection he has infinitely for you. It doesn't matter if they are layered with honey-coated lies and dipped in deception, I will take it.’

And even with knowing that the flame could consume everything in its path leaving nothing but ashes of rage and sooth with pieces of heartbreak, he lights the match and counts the seconds until the destruction that was bound to happen comes in all its fiery green rage.

• Careful my tulip, that deep love could be your downfall •

Chapter Text

At the first touch, they are hesitant and slow, both scared to go faster. Kimizuki places his hand on his cheek, tilting his head, getting a little boost of confidence. He presses closer and licks at his bottom lip, asking for entrance. The blond hesitantly opens his mouth, the duel wielder's tongue slithering in, widening it further. Like given a drug, he is intoxicated and loses himself. He pricks his tongue on Mika's fangs, the drop of vermillion enhancing his senses. He can't contain the moan of want as the blood is gulped down, Kimizuki shutters, goosebumps raising at attention to the vibrations of his moan in his mouth. One of his hands travel to his waist, rubbing circles in the fabric, the other to his thigh, unconsciously placing him to his lap. Pressing himself closer, Mika becomes drunk on that sinfully delicious elixir. He is given no time to breathe as the pink haired man's tongue caresses his own, a delicate pink decorating his soft cheeks. The man's hand trails lower, lower...

CRACK!

Yoichi and Shinoa flinch violently, heads flying to where it resonated. Breaths hitching sharply, a dagger pierces their hearts, leaving bloody carvings of sorrow and heartbreak behind. It plunges deeper, until they are left empty and bare.

As one would do, they've come to familiarize themselves with the different expressions of anger that Yuu possessed. When someone insulted him, or when Guren made fun of him. The burning hatred he once expressed towards the entirety of the vampire race. The fury that washed over him when his family was hurt or in danger. They were all known, has been viewed before. But this one. This one was new.

This was possessive anger.

Yuu was breathing heavily, body tense and positioned in a way that made him look like he was ready to pounce the second the duel wielder stepped out of line. The bowl that previously sat in the middle of the circle lay broken in dangerously sharp pieces, his fingers convulsively twitching with the urge to rip Mika away from Kimizuki and cleanse him with his lips instead.

His entire body was vibrating with black rage, barely able to keep it under control, Asuramaru's poisonous whispers echoing in his ears, 'let go, show him who Mika actually belongs to.' He could feel his sanity quickly dissipating the longer he viewed them lip-lock. A feral growl rips through his throat at a particularly high pitched whine from Mika, a sound so erotic it should've stayed in the confines of his bedroom, only to be heard by his ears.

They watch in horror as Yuu's eyes flicker between luscious green and crimson red, whispering in a haunting voice, “get... him... off.”

They wasted no time in jumping to their feet, “kimizuki-kun, Mika-kun, you guys win! You can let go now!” Yoichi frantically tries to break them apart. Kimizuki ignores them and nips his bruising lip.

“Get him off!” Yuu roared in a booming voice. They flinch and grabs him by the shoulders, trembling fingers pressing fearfully in his skin, crescent-shapes appearing, quickly separating the two.

“Hu...h? What's-“ Mika's slurred words are cut off by a powerful tug on his arm. Locking Mika's lips with his own, he wraps him in his arms, locking him in and minimizing his chances of escaping to a low. They had never kissed in front of the squad, they knew they kissed, they weren't stupid. In the privacy of closed doors and blinds shut, with soft whispers and hurried touches, they knew.

They watch as Mika crumbles like sandpaper in his possessive embrace. Every sound imaginable escapes his throat as Yuu forcefully claims his mouth over and over again until Mika's limbs turn to goo and falls to his chest. Yuu shushes him with promises as he whines at the loss.

“Shinoa.” His voice is firm as he says her name. She wants to look away, fear and hurt swimming in her irises but his stern gaze captivates her, trapping her as its done many times before in the past.

“We're done for the day.” He doesn't wait to hear her answer as he gathers Mika in his arms. He leaves with a bundle of goo wrapped around his neck and waist, the door to their room slamming shut.

“You fucked up.” Her dull eyes don't leave the door, the memory now forever ingrained.

“We all did.” He fires back.

• What a sad thing for how true it was. •

 ~•~

The atmosphere is dyed in tension and suffocating suspense. After the game ended it was almost like they were in the heat of the battle once again, of war and death. They waited for something to happen- a look sneered, a punch thrown, a fight breaking out, anything. To the point they agonized over it. Conversations were awkward with Yuu, even though he smiled and cheerfully conversed with them, they could see the irritation and brooding anger flicker to life at the pinkette's presence.

But something was strange, it was a little too tense. They couldn't help but wonder if something occurred after that fiasco.

Desperate to escape it, Yoichi excuses himself with the excuse to clean the dishes. The girls do the same and disperses, off to their own business.

Ever since the game, Yuuichirou stuck to Mika like a child to your leg. He also didn't want Mika to be left alone with Kimizuki so they couldn't get Yuuichirou alone themselves even if they wanted to. And when the duel wielder was present in the room Yuuichirou would make sure to kiss him and hold him possessively.

It reminded him that no matter how many steps he climbed up the stairs to his heart, as long as Mika was there it was only a waste of his time. The steps would be endless and he would never reach his goal.

“Can I help?” A soft though strong voice asks.

“Eh?” He jumped, startled and looked behind his shoulder.

“Oh...” he calmed down when he saw a head of short blond wearing the familiar white cloak. “Sure, I don't mind.”

Yoichi handed him the sponge and quickly got to work.

“Sorry... I... I didn't mean to cause a rift in your friendship with Yuu-chan.” He breaks the silence with an apology.

He knows he should say something to calm him but he focuses on another point.

Yuu-chan. Such a intimate nickname. A part of him wanted to call him that too when he became aware of Yuuichirou's nickname. He wondered that if he did, if they would also have a very intimate relationship. A stronger one, like theirs. But he knew he wasn't worthy for something like that. Only Mika was. Shinoa once called him that but he looked at her with disgust and told her to never call him that again. He said it was almost like she was mocking him and that it didn't hold the same tender endearment that his best friend's tone held. So she never tried again and he didn't even bother.

“Its fine, Yuu-kun's not the type to just leave us hanging when he's angry. He'll go back to normal when he calms down, he just needs time you'll see!” He kept his act with false voice cheeriness and an upbeat tone, a smile stapled perfectly.

“Yeah, he's been a little weird lately but it must be the stress.”

The sniper just nodded.

They continued to wash in silence, and Yoichi couldn't have been more grateful. Silence was a rarity in this world nowadays, and nothing could rival it in worth. He always loved the quiet, especially in the morning dew, before anyone else was up and the birds sang melodies of nature and life. He took comfort in nature and pretended that beyond those trees with singing birds there was still life in those ruined cities.

While the two were so engrossed in scrubbing and cleaning they both didn't notice a third individual. He crept from behind, his feet barely making a sound and opened his arms out to catch his target.

Yuuichirou suddenly pulled Mika into a hug, his strong, tanned arms weaving around the blonde's slender frame from behind. Mikaela jumped, and was almost prepared to push the intruder away, when be inhaled. He stiffened into the contact. The scent pulsating through Yuuichirou's neck, though enticed the vampire to no end, also calmed his nerves. Mikaela unintentionally leaned back a fraction of an inch, discreetly inhaling his floral bloodscent, keeping his eyes on his task.

“Watcha' doing?” His voice drew a shudder from Mika and a jump from Yoichi, not having noticed his presence.

“Cleaning the dishes, is it not obvious enough?” Mikaela rolled his eyes.

“Want me to help?” There was a hint of hope in his tone.

“You usually tried to avoid doing dishes when we were kids, what made you change your mind?” Mika muses in amusement.

“Thats only because you and Akane always forced me to do so much work! Obviously I would hate it! Especially since you both ran away when I complied!” Yuu yelled indignantly.

Mika felt his lips twitch but smoothed his features, “you were a lazy bum, it was the only way.”

Yuu scoffed and mumbled insults in his hair, snuggling closer.

This ache in his heart, the one that's grown familiar. Was like rain falling on a freshly cut wound, hurting and hurting until it all but finally becomes numb. There was so much familiarity in their banter that it was like they were never apart from the beginning.

It hurt to look at them.

But his eyes perceived nothing of the sort.

He only stared at his hands, now cakes with soap and a sponge, grabbing another dirty plate, he began to clean.

Pretending.

Pretending he couldn't see them.

He smiles.

It didn't hurt.

His grip on the plate tightens, a disgustingly romantic sight unwanted in his peripheral vision. Yuu hugging Mika from behind, an almost undetectable blush decorating his cheeks as Yuu mouths an ear, a smirk ghosting at the red tip. He says something and Mika squeak.

It didn't hurt.

He could feel the sensation of something pushing its fingers against the skin of his chest, right over his lungs and heart, crushing it. They curled around his ribs, ripping them out and left him breathless.

• Don't let jealousy corrupt your innocence. •

He was suddenly reminded of Mikaela's words.

'Yoichi's is sweet but... its become... tainted somehow. Its strange, I can't explain it.'

“Ah.” His hands stop scrubbing a plate, the giggling beside him fading away at his revelation.

“So that's what he meant.” He whispered softly under his breath, his eyes were blinking but it was hard to open and close them for some reason. He looked at them again.

The tighter Yuuichirou's arms wrapped around Mikaela's waist, the sharper the thorns elongated, the longer and thicker they became.

He smiles wider.

Huh.

How strange.

These bitter feelings.

 ~•~

They trek down a hollow path, the stairs creaking, as if to give a cry in pain. No matter how quiet they made themselves to be, their ears still quirk with the echo of rustling chains, once quiet now a clang of attention.

“Ah, you've come.” A purr of a voice so familiar, yet off.

They say nothing, a facade of confidence.

He chuckles, cute, he thinks.

Not that, but the longing. The desire. The naked adoration their eyes fixed upon Yuu with, when those he counted among his friends thought he wouldn't notice.

Kimizuki steels himself as he trudges closer, a plate in his hands, utensils clanking, a weapon at arms, carelessly hidden. He sees the horns and flicks to his eyes, no green to be seen, hidden beneath a sea of red, hooded with malevolent intent.

They never leave his gaze as he puts the plate of food for Yuu on the ground. He takes a step back.

“Yuu's not happy with you.” He sings with a smile like knives in a bouquet.

They knew this was coming.

A demon not only preys on their human contractor but also those around him.

“No shit.” He could hear the frantic whispers behind him telling him to be cautious and don't say anything stupid.

“You kissed his boy, you know what that does to a man?” His smirk grows cruel at the flinches and stuttered heartbeats, his choice of words ripping them apart. He wants it slower.

He plays his part of the typical demon, snarling it's base pleasure, watching the love in their eyes bleed through with crimson fear or hurt- he can pretend he's tasting blood like this.

Kimizuki shields his tender emotions behind a dead-eyed façade, but he knows it, they both know how this works; he may try to force them down, but he is doomed to feel the things that hurt him the most until he can't, no longer feel anything at all.

• You've fallen too hard •

And he wants it to hurt.

He sees the pain in their eyes. Conflicting love. Complicated feelings. Their hearts are bared, raw, like an agitated wound, and he's a feral animal picking it with no concern, punishing them for baring it in the first place.

“You took advantage of his boy, exploited his one weakness and stole his sacred lips, lips who should never caress weak mortals like you.” He growls, genuinely offended. The stronger and potent the host's emotions, the more the demon reacts.

“Yet he never pushed me away, he liked it.” He glared.

“Kimizuki!”

“Because, it had the one ingredient his body aches for and can never deny.” He retaliates. “Who's embrace did he crumble in? Who's marks does he bare? Who's touch can make him whine like a needy cat in heat? You're not special Kimizuki,” he licks his lips, savoring the remnants of Mika, tilting his head, two minuscule punctured holes can be seen, a dark gleam in his sadistic eyes, “and you never will be."

“Why you little-!”

Yuuichirou cackles, loud and cruel at the sight of shaking fists laying compliantly at his side, it must be taking immense control for Kimizuki to not just start throwing punches.

He wanted to break him.

“After all...” he smiles with teeth, jagged and glinting like a knife, “he didn't let you keep his kiss."

The demon wins.

Kimizuki loses it.

With a snarl Kimizuki throws a punch to the demon, he hits the back of his head to the wall with a thump. The chains screech, his wrists dripping red. The demon snarls back at the human who dared hit him, who was currently glaring at him with fury in his magenta colored eyes. There was something looming in the air between them, coating it in sharp hostility.

“Yuu! Kimizuki! That's enough!” Shinoa booms in an authoritative tone, she stalks to them and pushes Kimizuki away from the demon. “I don't know what's going on between you two, but Kimizuki this is not the time!” She glares at the pink soldier before standing in front of Yuu. “Yuu-san, we know you're in there, don't let the demon win, please come back to us!” She begs, desperate to see his kind smile, soft eyes. I'm okay, he would say with a carefree laugh, and she'd do nothing more but believe him.

He blinks, now aware of another flee in the room.

“Did it feel good Shinoa? To finally know what Yuuichirou's lips taste like?” He presses further, wanting her to break in the sweetest most destructive form, with a carefree smile and a sweet laugh on tip of his tongue. “Did you want more? Did you want him to fuck you?" He mocks her further by kicking his feet apart for a gratifying glance at the insides of his long legs.

Her throat constricts and she can't breath, his words were poison and his smile was a mockery of Yuuichirou. Her face flushes in mortification and humiliation as she tries to not let the demons' words get to her. “What?! N-no, why would you-?!”

“Save it.” He snaps. “I don't need to hear your words, your face told me everything.”

“N-no that's not...”

“Shinoa! Calm down, he's just trying to get in your head!” Mitsuba yells, she gripped her shoulders and she could tell the blonde was desperate to leave. She was hurt and didn't want to stay any longer.

“Yeah Shinoa, stop trying to get me in your head like your trying to get in my pants.” He taunts her.

“G-guys lets just go... lets just wait until Yuu comes back, there's nothing we can do to turn him.” Yoichi gestures to the door, visibly tired.

“That's right, we can only wait.” Kimizuki grinds out of clenched teeth, his expression somehow pained. They watched him stalk to the door, tense and rigid, he leaves the room with an oppressive atmosphere, not looking back once. He slams the door, and the walls shake with his turbulent emotions.

“Ah! Before you all go, where's Mika?” His eyes widen in curiosity. The question was innocent enough and so were his eyes, if they didn't know any better they would've believed he was.

“Why the hell should we tell you?” Mitsuba glares at him.

He lifts a brow, “he is my lover, I should know where the hell he is.”

“Mika-kun is currently busy at the moment,” Yoichi looks away, not caring to say any more.

“Busy with what?” His eyes twitch and he scowls, his fangs now showing his irritation, “with another mission? God, your all just so desperate for his attention, aren't you?” He taunts them, “The first time wasn't enough was it? So you have to make him angry- again- for him to even look in your direction, because your needy little hearts can't take it. The fact that Mika is the only one who can get his attention without even trying, all he has to do is be in the room, call his name with that sweet voice 'Yuu-chan!' And he'll be at his beck and call. You hate it, because it's not you and your black with jealousy because of it.” His mouth has no limit and hits them where it hurts, “Its pathetic."

He laughs.

And it's Yuuichirou's laugh that rips the apart.

It's his face that snaps the strings.

It's his smile that tears them completely.

It's his words that breaks them.

And it's the truth that kills them.

They leave and their silence says enough.

 ~•~

There are feelings inside of her and she's haunted everyday, with her heart screaming in the silence of her ribcage, she sheds tears without gasping, under the safety of her covers at night where no one can see and pity her. Because she knows they do, just as she to them. She is haunted by the fact that no words could ever describe them, the pain for a love she can never have and disdain for the one that does. She muffles the pain as it is screaming in anger and agony, she wants the silence to absorb the grief but with a pain so strong and deep it demands to be felt and cannot be silenced with the covering of ears.

It grows stronger with every moan through the walls, the whimpers shake her soul and the deep grunts make her gasp for a breath. A keen and groan does it to her as she desperately presses her hands to her ears, biting a lip to halt a scream.

She is not the only one to bare the torture of their love, the one on the separate bed beside her quakes, and ruffles of covers can be heard and she almost laughs. A bitter laugh. She spares a glance at the ball of blonde hair, her maroon eyes do not see the tears that must be falling and she is glad. She would break faster if she did.

She grips the pathetic excuse of safety and count the minutes till sunrise.

• Lavender, my darling, this is punishment. •

 ~•~

The next day she hid.

She didn't want to see his beautifully sculptured face wearing a sheepish lazy smile and sharp jawline littered red or how his gorgeous hair tugged by greedy hand perfectly matched with his forest green eyes, tired and sated. Underneath, cheeks dusted shy.

Yet she did and it destroyed her.

It sickened her.

Her blood runs cold when she think about his hands in Yuu's hair. She can't help the jealousy. Every day, she wonders how she could compete with his almost luminescent skin when she's just a ghost that drifts in and out his view. She knows she's important to him, why else would he have stayed? But she can't touch a dream and it eats her. Like a fool she hopes for more, an illusion, a promise of something that will never come to be. Like a cycle it lives and dies, withering with the truth and resurrecting with false hope.

Over and over again. It never truly dies.

How can she overcome the ambrosia of his kiss when all she can offer are words and not lips?

When he passes by, she brushes her shoulders with his.

Humans live off skin yet this is the closest she could ever be.

And the distance between them kills her more every day.

Later that night she remembers how they met in the classroom, rewinds the memory of their meeting and every meeting after that. To her the scene was dull and full of constant buzzing noise, it annoyed her but all she could focus on was him. She could never understand what she felt in that moment, the second their eyes connected, something fell into place but like a fool she ignored it until it was too late.

His voice in the memory felt like a dream in midday. The way he smiled eventually, beneath his stubbornness, spoke of love. A love for all things very few people could understand. Most wouldn't even take the time to understand and take for granted, it hazardously made the feeling grow.

Her mind was consumed by his silken words, so softly spoken. Her body began to ache for his mouth on her skin, breath hot. And so with that in mind, she bridged desire's path with her fingers, throbbing to the rhythm of her fantasies, until she released his name into the dawn- a whisper of a dream, a wish, relishing in the illusion of his silken words still warm on her skin.

She couldn't help but think of him, and it killed her more the next day.

 ~•~

They've just come back from a supply run, all content with their findings of edible canned foods and (believe it or not) actual clothes. Ones that were still intact and not torn to shreds by whatever element of nature that thankfully weren't able to target them. The girls had been especially eager to change into their 'new' clothes, even if technically they knew they were faded and old, it was a lot better then the bloody uniform they were forced to bare wearing for so long with nothing to change out of.

As girls, even in the midst of war, they had to take care of their looks and hygiene- Shinoa insisted, so the second they got back, they ran to one of the two bathrooms and locked themselves inside.

As the waited for the girls to finish their insanely long trip to the bathroom the boys thought of a way to pass the time. Yuuichirou has been jumping to fo something and kept whining in boredom.

“I'm so booored~“ Yuuichirou whined like a child for the millionth time and Kimizuki has just about had it.

“If you're so bored...” Kimizuki began softly, “why don't you go fucking do something?!” He screamed.

“What the hell should I do then pinkie?!” Yuu leaped up from the loveseat.

“Guys...” Yoichi sighed.

“Oh I don't know, maybe go bother someone else huh? Maybe go kill a vampire out there with your incessant whining!”

Now it was Mika's turn to sigh.

“Okay okay!” Yoichi trudged in between the two fuming soldiers and turned to the pink haired human.

“Lets not feed the fire Kimizuki!”

He turned to Yuu.

“And Yuu, if you want to do something, would you mind helping me with target practice?” He asked politely.

He blinked and a smile overtook his features. “Sure!”

“Great,” he rolled his eyes sarcastically. “Now both of you, get out of my kitchen so I can cook you ungrateful shits some food. Don't be surprised if I spit in it.” He spat.

“Just try that telephone pole and I'll fucking-“ Yoichi anxiously chuckled over Yuuichirou's warning, carelessly grabbing his hands in his.

“Kimizuki would never do that to us, he cares for us too much Yuu-kun no matter what he says, so don't worry!” Yoichi cried out in a hurry, secretly melting at the warmth radiating from their hands clasped together. Yuuichirou drew his gaze away grumbling under his breath.

The pinkette rolled his eyes and finally turned to Mika, addressing him. “Wanna help me make some food, Mika?”

The two stopped talking and glanced at Mika in varying degrees of interest. Everyone knew that since the girls were a force of natural disaster in the kitchen and Yuu and Yoichi had absolutely no cooking experience, Kimizuki usually never let anyone else in his kitchen. Yuu glared, so why was he inviting Mika to do so? He had an inkling but he didn't want to be right.

The vampire drew back in shock, never did he consider himself to be particularly good at cooking. He cooked in his younger years and helped in the kitchen on multiple occasions but Akane was usually the one behind the stove, he was merely a helping hand. But as a vampire he no longer had a need for it. So he never cooked. He badly wanted to say no, but...

“Sure. I'd be happy to help,” was what instead came out of the blond's mouth. It might be good experience for him, to finally properly learn how to cook and he'd also have something to do. He didn't just want to sit around while Yuuichirou was busy sparring with the sniper.

Kimizuki smiled at him in appreciation and gestured to a thinly dark cabinet on the right. "First things first, you'll need an apron. They're in that little cubby over there." Before Mika could take a step Yuu placed a hand on his shoulder.

“You know Mika, you don't have to force yourself to do something you don't want to, right? You can spar with both me and Yoichi if you want? You don't mind do you yoichi?” He looked back at him.

“N-no I don't... the... the more the merrier right?” No one noticed the slight tremor in his voice.

Yuu smiled gently back at him. Mika blinked and could feel a small blush forming. Yuu-chan was just so kind. Always attentive to him, and sensitive to his emotions and reactions. He never wanted Mika to be uncomfortable and for that he was grateful. But he wanted to do something for Yuuichirou in return, for all he's done for him.

He smiled back and went to reply but Kimizuki beat him to it.

“He's not forcing himself, Yuuichirou. Maybe he really does just want to help me, is that so hard to believe?” Kimizuki glared at the raven. “And besides he already agreed, if your not eager to eat then I guess your willing to wait more than an hour?” He leaned forward on the dining island, arms crossed.

The corners of Kimizuki's mouth curled slightly upwards at the flash of annoyance in his green eyes, his posture gaining a rigidness that caused him to grind his teeth.

“I know, but I'm just making sure Mika knows that if he really doesn't want to, he doesn't have to do it.” He says back, eyes sharp.

Yoichi stood awkwardly at the doorway. Staring in awed silence as the vampire crossed the crumbling archway to the kitchenette, brushing Yuu's hand off and walking to Kimizuki's side.

“Yuu-chan its okay, I understand your concerns but...” but he wanted to do something for him. After all, he continuously encouraged Mika to accept the squad and now he viewed them as his own family, and while that fact still scares him and makes him want to recoil back into his shell, his safe though isolated shell, Yuuichirou kept pushing. It makes him happy that Yuu never gave up on him. “But, I don't want to bother your sparring with Yoichi, so I'll be helping Kimizuki with the cooking.” Is what he settled with instead. It would be very embarrassing to voice his thoughts out loud.

“But you're not-“ Yuu cut off.

“You heard the man.” Kimizuki adjusted his glasses, pushing it further up the bridge of his nose, hiding his grin behind the act.

“Does Mika-kun even know how to cook?” Yoichi voiced his opinion softly from behind Yuuichirou. His tone wasn't negative or accusatory at all, not in the slightest. More curious than anything else. Eyebrows furrowed, olive green eyes met his red ones briefly.

“Even if he doesn't, he's going to learn.” Kimizuki defended matter-of-factly. “I have no problem teaching him.”

Yoichi nodded in acceptance and turned to Yuuichirou. He gulped whatever was left in his dry mouth and hesitantly pat his shoulder to gain his attention. “We should get going Yuu-kun, there were clouds a little ways off, we should begin our spar session if we wanna beat the weather.” He spoke softly.

Mika silently put on the pastel apron while Kimizuki debated on what to cook. He heard the pattering of two sets of feet leaving and a door closing, but instead observed his apron for a moment. It was a little worn out and looked aged and it seemed to have a little decal of a kitten with a pink bow. The cat looked familiar, especially the shape of the kitty and it puzzled Mika on why it did. He couldn't put his finger on whatever memory the image threatened to surface, and he assumed he had seen the kitty when he was younger.

“Alright. It's settled, then. We're making curry.” Kimizuki's affirmation snapped Mika out of his hopeless attempt at recollection. “Mika, can you get out the vegetables Yoichi dug out this morning and start chopping those up? I'll get started on the meat.”

The blond nodded, and set forth to get the vegetables. He grabbed one of the three knives Kimizuki had found in one of the drawers on the way, unsure which one would work best but wasn't willing to bother Kimizuki for something so trivial so early. With all his supplies gathered, he started to wash the vegetables thoroughly. This was one thing he remembered to do from his time with Akane in the kitchen. He carried the wet greens to the side counter, and gently set them down. If he didn't want to crush the delicate stems or leaves of the plants with his vampiric strength, he had to be careful. Mika took up the knife, and started haphazardly chopping the carrots, green beans, onions and celery.

“Whoa, hold on a moment.” Kimizuki rushed over to Mika, placing his hand on top of the one that held the knife. “Keep slicing the ingredients like that, and you'll slip up and cut your hand open.” Kimizuki molded his hand over the vampire's, and held the knife in the proper position. Mika could feel a warm pressure on his back, Kimizuki's chest pressed firmly from behind, but he found that he didn't mind it too much. He also didn't bother to correct him on his assessment with the knife, how even if it did cut him it wouldn't hurt but left it go unsaid.

“Now, you've just got to chop them evenly, like this.” He murmured, concentrating on guiding Mika's hand slowly up and down, the knife sawing cleanly and swiftly through the vegetables. It escalated into a swift, fluid motion until the first carrot was evenly chopped. “See? Easy.” Kimizuki removed his hand with a nod.

“Thank you,” Mika mumbled quietly, a little unused to thanking people. “So, for the onion, is it the same way?” The vampire part of him sneered at him, asking a mere human how to do things, but Mika forcefully shoved that thought away.

“You could, but the easier way to dice it, is like this.” Once again, Kimizuki took Mika's hand to show him the way to precisely dice the vegetables. Mika watched, enraptured. He had never learned anything like this before. The more Kimizuki showed him and taught him how to specifically cook certain think, it started to actually be kind of...fun.

How strange.

Now chopping onto the last vegetables, he grew a little more confident in his skills. Not only was he a fast learner, he also had a stubbornness that rivaled Yuuichirou's own, so he never gave up until he could conquer his challenges. This being cooking.

In the distance he heard shouting, and couldn't help but roll his eyes. Only Yuuichirou would scream like that. No one else on the squad would charge at the enemy with such a roaring war cry.

His ears prickled with the sound of his voice, loud and clear. He smiled softly as he pictured Yuuichirou running towards the opponent, sword poised for glory. Suddenly he heard a cry of pain and a loud thump.

Distracted, Mikaela's head shot up, and he threw a worried glance at the window at the two. His grip on the knife gone sloppy.

“Mika, watch your kni-“ Kimizuki swore vehemently. “Fuck! Damn... the knife slipped...” He drew his hand back, cradling it in his palm. Barely a second later, Mika forgot all about the window and felt the air in his lungs constrict as every breath suddenly became tainted with a lovely familiar smell.

Mika's scarlet eyes went wide with hunger, pupils dilating as his eyes fervently took in the way Kimizuki's blood flowed freely down his index finger, trailing lightly down his palm.

Drip.

Drip.

A bead of blood splashed onto the scuffed tile floor, and the sound resonated in Mika's ears like a falling coin, almost in slow motion. A piercing agony, one so familiar to Mikaela, almost like an old friend greeting him after so long, flooded his chest, seizing his movements and locking them in place. He was inhaling smoke, and a scream threatened to rip out of the very depths of his soul from the sheer pain, the flames of intense desire licking at his parched throat.

He so badly wanted to give in to his vampiric instincts and lap up all that delicious blood, but just as desperately, he wanted to resist. No, needed. A voice not his own, shrieked at him to give in and drink, drink and never stop. He held his breath and tried to calm himself down.

Kimizuki hadn't moved, becoming stiff and unmoving at the vampire's sudden change. He stood there, numbly feeling the blood dripping down to his palm, all logic flying from his brain. There was a tiny voice that insisted Kimizuki to leave the room, but he didn't listen to it.

• You keep falling. But do you know the consequences? •

He calmly breathed through his nose, his resolve slowly hardening. Straightening his posture he looked back at the vampire. “Mikaela.”

"No." He breathed out. His head was bowed but he must of heard the assurance in his tone.

“Its okay.”

"Stop.” He begged, desperation lacing his voice. Don't make me do it again.

“Mikaela. Look at me.” His eyes met his own, and he felt the hair raise on the back of his neck at the way the blonde glared at him. Unfocused. Hungrily. Fervently. Yet underneath the hunger laid pain, suffering, defiance, fear, sorrow. So many emotions clashed together and he had to stop and wonder.

Was he really not human?

There was many things that Mikaela was, so many thing that he expressed that defied the natural order of vampire nature. He could just chalk it up to him reborn as a new vampire, still having his emotions as he was still a half-ling just a few months back. But thats not how it goes, not how they were taught on their biology.

He defied his own kind. He defied his own nature. One that was forcefully placed on him.

Mikaela was a wonder.

A beautifully tortured wonder.

His heart couldn't help but go out to him.

“No, no, no, no. Kimizuki...” Mika's cheek quivered under his touch, so delicately he had to take a breath.

“It hurts doesn't it? So why bare it?” He whispered, closing in on Mika.

“G-geez... you sound like Yuu-chan...” he trailed off, gaze pinned to his bloody hand.

He brought the hand up and saw Mika trail after it, side to side, he followed.

“Its not like you have to bite, your just cleaning it up and it'll stave off your hunger for a little while, right?” He ignored his comment, not in the mood to think of the raven idiot right now. He hoped Mikaela would drop his guard and give in, it hurt to watch him writhe in pain because of something he couldn't help. A vampire's thirst for blood was an almost impenetrable force, always demanding to be fed and clawing at his throat when denied. To bare this curse, the thirst's hunger for blood, was it ever really satisfied? It didn't look like that to him.

Mika bit his lip, contemplating.

He held his breath, waiting.

“Um I-I... o... okay fi-“

“Shinoa I swear to god, I will END YOU!” They hear Mitsuba's scream, Shinoa's cackling breaking the haze that set itself over Mika's conscience.

“You have to catch me first darling~“ Shinoa skipped down the stairs with a hum.

“Then why don't you STAY STILL!” Mitsuba clashed against the door and bolted after Shinoa with clumsy steps.

“Where's the fun in that?”

“FUCK OFF!” They both trecked into the room, now wearing casual clothing.

They froze in their tracks as the scent of blood spiced the air immediately, gaze drawn to Kimizuki's bleeding finger.

“K-Kimizuki...” Mitsuba gasped.

Mika gnashed his teeth, nearly moaning out from the sensitivity of his fangs clashing against his bottom teeth. He swallowed down a whimper of pain.

As for Shinoa and Mitsuba, they had summoned their weapons, but hadn't made any move to attack. They crouched and positioned themselves in a defensive pose, waiting for something.

They didn't dare to breathe.

Mika squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. A harsh choking erupted from his chest where a disgusting mix of shame and self-hatred seared in his gut.

“Guys its fine, I was the one to offer him some blood.” Kimizuki answered uneasily. He walked slowly in front of Mika, silently telling them that he trusts him not to hurt him from behind.

All eyes were on Kimizuki, disbelief written all over their faces.

Funny, how quick they were to question their trust in the vampire.

“I was being an idiot and cut my finger.” He announced, breaking out a small grin and lifting the tension that set.

“Though it's my fault,” his throat was clogging up, the thirst demanding attention. He tried his best to talk while he stepped towards the pink haired human, “I wasn't paying attention.”

With that, he snatched a hand towel and wrapped it around Kimizuki's bloody hand. His hands without his permission, shook when he got the human's - captivating - blood on his fingers, but he wouldn't dare let his thirst win, no matter how it screamed and agonized him, so he forced himself through it.

A little breathless, he said with whatever control he still had, “I'm going to go check on Yuu-chan and Yoichi...”

Barely processing Shinoa's mute nod, he raced out the door with inhuman speed. With him no where in sight, Mitsuba looks back to Shinoa.

“Was it really smart to let him go to Yuu and Yoichi when... he's like this?” Mitsuba kept her voice down, just in case.

“If he wanted to hurt us, he would have done so when Kimizuki got cut,” Shinoa replied carefully, hardly audible. She didn't want to Yuu to overhear, no matter how little the chance. “I trust him.”

• Do you now? •

“Come one we gotta hurry and finish dinner, Kimizuki. You know how Yuu-san gets.” She chuckled, but it sounded a little dead even to her.

Kimizuki could only stare at the bloodstained towel. It might be his imagination but he could almost hear the echoes of distorted laughter.

But of course, its just his imagination.

 ~•~

There was no warning as they came in strides. They didn't know how they found them, as they took great care to hide their presence when scouting. But before they knew it, when Mika turned to them and screamed a second too late to warn them, they were already surrounded by them.

Surrounded by a nest, an entire colony of vampires.

It was an ambush.

And they realized too late.

They fought with all their might, treaded it just like any other fight and encounter they had before. But they underestimated their numbers and they took advantage of that.

Their unit grew weaker with every new wave, their numbers taking a toll on their formation, they grew sloppy and stuttered with every clash. Their lungs breathed in fire while spots would come in and out of sight every time they blinked the longer the fight stretched.

Their resident vampire took out most of them and without him and his inhuman strength they might have already fallen but even if he was strong and capable and a fierce fighter to boot, he was undoubtedly growing weaker and with his back turned he didn't see a stray vampire slash his back.

They recognized the veiled fear in those green eyes, when he thought no one was looking and their stomach dropped. They recognized the paranoia, the spreading fire. He of course never wanted to see Mika get hurt, and it made him vicious in battle, made him as frantic as a scurrying animal that took action before thinking through with a plan.

They tried to stop him before he did anything stupid but high on the thought of someone taking Mika away he ignored them. He couldn't allow it. Mika was strong and could handle himself better then all of them combined, so something like that was nothing to him but even so Yuu himself was a protective person, and with Mika viciously so. It was a thrum, a need to keep him safe and it made him malicious when it felt threatened.

Without thinking he stood with foolish confidence and impaled himself.

• I will ruin the world for you and destroy my own humanity, if only to see you live and smile another day. •

They screamed as the flames arose.

The curtain had risen for the show of whatever raging God had allowed its airing.

Their tears formed a hurricane, swirling in an ocean on their feet, their emotions pouring above them from a red cloud. They drip, making the hurricane stronger, with a raging cry of anger.

The colony fell, dropping in numbers with each cleanly sliced head and unforgiving pulse of demonic magic tearing through their undead bodies as to get to the boy.

When all that stood around them was the remaining ashes of their enemies, the unholy screaming of Yuuichirou's seraph fell silent as he dropped to the ground.

Mika flashed forward and gathered him in his arms, ignoring the slight limp in his step and bloody bangs fraying his cold expression. They followed behind and prayed for the raven to wake up sooner rather then later.

He eventually did, with the additional horns he was almost back to normal.

They hid their tears as they were forced to chain him away once again.

He pollutes the room with a filthy tongue, screaming and wailing curses at the wall, the brick exterior muffling his cries laced in desperation at them to listen, unknowingly pushing them further off the edge.

It comes crashing down on all three of them all at once in the darkness of the room; the worry, the fear, and the helplessness they felt around him, but also the relief that he was alive, and the sudden need to keep him that way.

“When Yuuichirou loves for someone, he becomes stronger, ruthless even to the point he would willingly give up his humanity. He becomes a force to be reckoned with.” Shinoa whispered by the open window, seating herself on the window sill with her glaze planted firmly to the sky and waited for the darkness to reply, “He's different then us, he grew strong while we let ourselves breed insecurity and let it fester in our minds.” She shook her head and gave a humorless chuckle. “We became weak and it showed.”

“Of course we did,” she could hear a familiar scoff and can almost see her rolling her eyes, “we let his ambitions steer us from logic, his vengeance spoke of heartache and it made us blind to follow. He clouded our judgement without even knowing he was doing it in the first place,” she ended her assessment with a whisper.

“And yet I'm supposed to be the leader...” There was a reason why they never get involved with their partners. Funny, she wasn't even involved and he broke her.

“Shinoa...” Yoichi whispered from across the room, voice soft and tired. Shinoa could see the sad truth in his muddy olive eyes.

They were growing weak and it almost costed Yuuichirou's life.

The wind was quiet, and so were they, somber with the truth. They wouldn't cry anymore. They let themselves be drowned in their own chaotic hurricane for so long that they couldn't see the surface. They loved Yuuichirou, that was the undeniable truth but they were letting that love win. Love turned to bitter feelings and even bitter thoughts. So now they'll try to fight the storm that was their emotions. They had to remember there was more to it then their love for him, they were family. First and foremost and family protected one another. They will win, be at peace with the truth and won't let their efforts end in vain.

Human hearts were selfish but at one point they get tired of being hurt and instead yearn for peace.

So they would work towards that and stop letting his scented poison plant a bud with tears stewed in a shallow pond and bloom down the garden path like crimson flowers.

He would still creep into their thoughts like ivy strands from time to time but wizened with age, his thorns wouldn't be able to prick them anymore.

Time would heal them.

 ~•~

They didn't bother hiding, now that everyone knew of their 'secret' rendezvous they found it only a waste of time to keep it under wraps. Not like they didn't already know.

Everyone knew when Yuu got Mika back in Nagoya- before Yuu began to be possessed by his demon- something had already sparked between them. They knew that the two were inseparable as children, with the avid tales Yuu spoke of Mika. Mentioning him in every speech and almost every phrase, Mika was not only just a family member but also a part of Yuu himself. Soon, they unknowingly recorded the Mika to their own minds, his name now a familiar occurrence. So with him on the team, his bond with Yuu would be the glue keeping Mika to the squad.

But with the transformation of his nature they were ignorant enough to think with even with Mika now on the squad, their bond with the sunny soldier was firmer and elaborate, far stronger and more developed. After all, the 'Mika' Yuu so fondly spoke of was now a vampire, humanity's natural enemy and predator.

They peeled their eyes on the new edition, tracking his movements with hawk eyes gifted by their demons. They were critical and hesitant. They would not allow someone precious to their hearts to be hurt if the vampire was merely playing the part of Yuu's past family, acting on behalf of an elaborate plan.

So they watched.

And what they found was...

Extraordinary.

They were inseparable. Their bond transcended time and fate, the very thing that broke them apart could not keep them away any longer. Still, they were weary so they kept watch, but even with their enhanced sight they couldn't believe the miracle of Yuuichirou's own transformation.

They knew he had scars, like them. Fate played a cruel hand in all of their lives, taking those they loved from all of them. And Yuuichirou was no exception. Scars were things that could heal but only if you stopped poking it, and it was like he didn't want it to heal. To punish himself for something he could not change, he prodded the wound with a knife in hand and said this is how I'll get my revenge. He never allowed it to heal, took a sword and bathed himself in the blood of his enemies in retribution for the fall of his family.

And they watched in fascination, as even with salt in his scars, wrongfully weaved deeply into his heart by the cruel hands of fate, sowed with needles of regret he could never shake, Mika soothed them with a loving touch, a soft smile breathing life for it to beat once again. His presence the only thing needed to calm his vengeful heart.

It was fascinating.

Either connected by their hands or steps, they watched as Mika rarely left Yuu's side and vise versa, how he cared and fussed over the boy who always carelessly stepped on a ledge with a smile.

Bur even with his burst of rage and worry they soon realized Mika was fragile. And so did Yuu. Not the fragility of weakness, of unable to protect himself but his heart. His expression always mirrored his heart, standing frozen for four years, over the corpses of a past mistake made by a childish wish, it slipped away and never gave a beat to signify life. He'd been more distant and subdued and hesitant to come closer to the others. No matter how much Yuu wanted him to trust them and lean on them, he only did with him.

They watched how Mika would just light up when Yuu held his hand, unknowingly letting his guard down. He would be bashful and it was lovely. Such a simple act, fed the thawing heart with giddy neediness at the slightest of his touch. They watched as Yuu did it more, even when his family warned him to be careful of his claws, he refused to blanket Mika without the comfort and care of a family. He needed it, he would argue.

It was adorable and made him happy to help give back to Mika. And for a while they thought so too.

They also soon realized Yuu yearned for the vulnerability Mika showed on the rare occasions. He had reason to touch and comfort him for as long as he wanted and more so the longer Mika's anxiety overstayed its welcome. He loved that he could ease Mika out of that cold emotionless mask he constructed in the years of solitude he was forced to bare. It made him impossibly giddy and if he ever chose to dug a little deeper, a little smug.

By that point, fascination turned to something else and the less patience they retained the longer Yuu fed him affection. They grew jealous, he never comforted them like that and the thought finally struck them maybe our bond isn't as strong as I thought.

It was then that they took a closer look.

That despite Yuu loving his family as an equal, Mika was the only one who could make Yuu feel whole again. They could not rival the power and influence he had over the soldier.

• So beautiful. The Rose and the Camellia, how tragic the story and how beautiful the love that conquered fate, wouldn't you agree? •

And no matter how many times their demons whispers trekked the inside of their minds, lurking beneath the surface, they didn't hate Mika. They could never, He was family.

They simply hated the affection he received in their stead. The tenderness Yuu only displayed towards Mika made them grip the rails of love in desperation, to make him notice their shivering hands as they could barely hold on any longer. To make him notice they were hurting.

But no matter what they did to be noticed, his morals and priorities were elsewhere.

He loved them.

But they loved him.

And they always would. Their love sprouted from a seed of equal friendship and trust in a world that trampled over flowers with stained boots and rusted swords. But with him watering them every day with his promise of a new world, a new life, a new home, they grew more and more every day, love in their roots and hope in their stems.

And every day after that they came to accept their unity more and more, accept the fact that they will never be the have the object of their affections. But it didn't matter as long as Yuu smiled like there was hope for a tomorrow, they would be okay.

So they watched on, a smile in place as they moved to their new destination.

Shinoa laughed herself with dirty humor and fingers twisted behind her back, cracked jokes to add a layer to stop herself from thinking about what ifs. When she looked up towards the sky's orange horizon with a wistful smile, she waited for the future to unfurl. They had a mission and she would see to it like the leader she was.

Mitsuba's fury and stubbornness was something she took pride in, it made her appear brave and strong to the outside world, the exact thing she went for. But he saw the way she really never quite knew the right thing to say, how she clamped up to compliments, when she went her entire life never receiving one. She figured she could properly teach him how to treat a girl without being a goddamn sappy idiot doing it, or killing himself. Whichever came first.

Yoichi would try to hang on for another day. Everything was going to be okay, as long as they stood with each other and came on top. One day, things were going to get better. One day, he wouldn't be plagued by these thoughts anymore; so until then, no matter what happens, he would stay with him and be his eyes, his shadow, his archer.

Kimizuki would keep his guard up and make sure to stray a little ways off the duo. He wouldn't give up though, it wasn't in his nature. Just like it wasn't in his nature to let Yuuichirou win. And when he feels him glaring daggers at his back he can't help but crack a grin, can't help but feel a thrill run down his spine with the notion that he might have sensed the promise, the challenge in unsaid words. So he can't help the breathy chuckle as he strides forward.

“Mika,” Yuuichirou bumps his shoulder with Mika's and smiles to himself at the startled look. He trails his gloved hand into his and squeezes lovingly. He almost jerks away but instead gives a squeeze in return. His hand was like a warm blanket, always giving him comfort. It held such a loving nature that it made the blonde's heart flutter in his chest whenever he displayed it.

“Yes Yuu-chan?” He smiles and it briefly reminds Yuuichirou of that same smile from his childhood, one made of late blooming flowers and pink bruising petals and with a stuttered breath he squeezes a bit harder.

“You look a little tense, anything bothering you?” He spoke softly, gently like you would with a lover at night, whispered secrets kissed in the dark when every one is asleep and Mika felt compelled to do the same.

“No, nothing too important. Just the usual worries.” He could tell the raven didn't believe him for a second but kept his mouth shut.

“I'll get it out of you eventually.” He promised with a tug of his hand, pulling him closer to himself.

The blond rolls his eyes in amusement before his gaze traveled up his face where he was immediately entranced by his emerald eyes. They always caught his attention, no matter how many times he looked at them. They were the most beautiful shade of green he's ever seen, big and always just full of life. They were gorgeous and he wanted it to stay like that, to never turn into those sickeningly familiar inhuman red eyes, cruelly reminding him of his own. They were more beautiful than any priceless gem and would always be so. He wanted to protect that light and he would give up his life just for its survival.

His skin, kissed by the sun itself, glowed beautifully in the light and briefly wondered if Yuu himself was the sun.

He didn't say a word and he didn't have too. Together. That was enough.

They made sure to not look in their direction; with Shinoa cheekily teasing an easily-flustered Mitsuba, Yoichi praising Kimizuki's cooking and battling skills with stars in his eyes and hoping to learn more and Kimizuki stuttering out thank yous in embarrassment with foggy glasses; they instead look forward, up at the sky and thinks, that in the end they're content with where they were.

• We may form the garden but to him the Camellia is the center, full of vibrancy and honey fragrance, he was entranced. Always in bloom with seeded love in its soft pink petals, never to bruise as it is rebirthed in the rose's loving embrace, they thrived together. They share a kiss and they are home, and here it will always be spring. •

They were a family, first and foremost. that's what's important and no matter where they were or what happens, they always would be.

No matter what.