Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Zero felt Kaname’s comforting aura wrap around him as the hands of waking gently pulled him from the depths of the dreamworld—for the second time that day.

As his senses returned, he felt his pureblood shift beside him. The fingers intertwined with his own tightened.

“Zero…”

Even Kaname’s voice was a soothing balm to his soul, lifting his spirits.

His physical presence eased the ache left by the absence of their connection.

When Zero opened his eyes, a beautiful pair of deep red orbs—worried, hopeful, and full of longing—gazed into him. Before he could speak, the pureblood leaned forward and pressed their lips together.

Slow rubbing and pulling of lips stirred Zero’s body gently, but just as he opened his mouth to deepen the kiss, Kaname pulled back, resting their foreheads together.

“Don’t make me hard…” Kaname murmured like a prayer—one Zero was sure wasn’t just for him, but for Kaname himself.

Zero let out a soft laugh from his chest, appreciating his mate’s self-control. He gently pushed Kaname back into a sitting position at the edge of the bed, then crawled over and straddled his lap—Kaname nestled between his legs, with Zero’s arms wrapping around his shoulders. This had become his favorite position.

He cupped the back of Kaname’s head and combed his fingers through his silky, dark hair. He loved the feel of it against his fingertips—but even more, he loved Kaname’s reaction to it.

Kaname let out a low grunt, eyes fluttering closed, a soft moan escaping his lips in pleasure.

“You’re going to make me hard, Zero,” Kaname’s voice was deep and warning. When he forced his eyes open, the familiar fire behind them had intensified. “Someone could walk in at any moment—and I wouldn’t mind showing them how I fuck you.”

Zero sat up straighter. He knew the pureblood would do it if dared. “You won’t,” he said with a sharp glare—the kind he used to give Kaname back when he hated him to the core.

Slowly, a fond smile curved Kaname’s delicious lips. “I won’t,” the sultry brunet replied softly.

Zero hummed as Kaname wrapped his arms around him. The dryness and tightness in Zero’s throat was undeniable now, and Kaname’s warmth and scent only made it worse.

Kaname, already knowing his need, tilted his head to the side. “Get your fill… then go back to sleep.”

Overcome by a sudden surge of bloodlust, Zero leaned in and sank his charged-up fangs into the offered flesh. Kaname’s rich, luscious blood filled him like nothing else ever could. If it weren’t for Kaname’s steadying hands on his hips, Zero wouldn’t have realized he was grinding against him—already panting, already needing more.

He carefully retracted his fangs and licked the skin clean as he tried to steady his breathing. His face felt hot. “You’re too much for me…” Zero said, nuzzling the side of Kaname’s neck and inhaling his scent—taking him in so deeply it felt like he was reaching every nook and cranny of his body, inside and out. “Everything…” He remembered everything before losing consciousness. “Everything about you just overwhelms me.”

Kaname’s arms around him tightened. “And you to me,” the pureblood whispered against his skin. “But you can’t get rid of me.”

Looking at Kaname looking at him felt like embarking on a journey—an exploration of the deepening, more intense feelings the pureblood held for him, feelings that Zero found himself mirroring.

“Today, and in all your birthdays to come,” Kaname said, gazing into his eyes with a pleased smile as he took Zero’s left hand and kissed his knuckles.

He knew!

Zero gasped, ready to ask how—but the words caught in his throat when he felt something sharp press against the palm of his hand.

Kaname had slipped something into his hand. Zero pulled his hand away to see what was poking his skin—only to find his hoop helix earrings.

Puzzled as to why Kaname would take them off, Zero instinctively reached up to touch his left ear, needing to confirm they were really gone—but to his surprise, he was still wearing them.

But before he was able to ask about it, Zero felt an approaching aura.

Someone’s coming.

He pushed Kaname away. "You should leave. Yuuki is coming."

The look of confusion on the pureblood's face was so adorable that Zero wanted to rain kisses on his furrowed brows and pouting lips—but not right now. Especially because Yuuki didn’t know yet.

"Why should I?" Kaname asked, already sizing him up.

As Yuuki drew closer, Zero began to panic.

"It'll be weird for you to be here. She’ll—"

"No." Kaname’s stern reply made Zero’s heart beat even faster. “What’s so weird about me being here?”

"Please… just go." Zero pleaded, but Kaname held his gaze, standing stubbornly, clearly refusing to budge.

He could hear Yuuki’s footsteps now—fast and uneven. She was running!

“Kaname, please go… I’ll explain later!” Zero pleaded once more. But when the pureblood still didn’t move an inch, Zero practically jumped back onto the bed, pulled the blanket up to his chin, and shut his eyes. This was his last resort.

He could hear Kaname seething under his breath. “You really test me, Zero.”

Zero didn’t move, not even when Kaname walked over to the bed and reached down to touch his face—just as Yuuki opened the door.

Fuck!

He’s doing this on purpose.

She can’t find out—not like this. Not before he even has the chance to tell her.

Zero’s breath hitched as Kaname leaned in further, his fingers brushing gently against his skin.

What are you doing, Kaname?!

“S-sorry, I-I was told he woke up…” Yuuki stammered. She always did around Kaname.

Zero felt Kaname pull back to properly face her, and he exhaled a careful, silent breath of relief.

“He did. He just fell asleep again,” Kaname said smoothly.

Zero listened as they exchanged pleasantries—Yuuki sounding as flustered as ever in Kaname’s presence.

“Kaname-kun…” she said, her voice soft, “It seems you’ve grown quite fond of Zero.”

Zero froze. His heart thundered in his chest so loudly it felt deafening.

…Could it be?

“Indeed, I have,” Kaname replied.

At those words, Zero felt his heart swell—overwhelmed by both adoration and fear. He knew exactly how much Kaname meant to Yuuki. And he wasn’t ready to tell her the truth: that he had stolen Kaname away from her.

“I’m glad,” Yuuki said.

Zero’s body finally relaxed, nearly sighing out loud from the relief.

“Thank you, Kaname-kun… for trying,” she added.

He heard some soft shuffling, and although he didn’t dare open his eyes, he waited tensely for what came next.

“We gave you a hard time, didn’t we?” Kaname said gently.

There was the rustle of fabric and the whoosh of air—Yuuki, most likely, running into Kaname’s arms.

Kaname means so much to her. Zero knew it. He understood her feelings and what that embrace meant for her. The guilt gnawed at him.

The pureblood returned the hug. And honestly, Zero didn’t mind. He trusted Kaname’s intentions.

He listened as they spoke a little longer until Yuuki’s eager voice rang out:

“Please, please join us for Zero’s birthday dinner tonight!”

Oh… right. It was his birthday. And while it was usually just him, Yuuki, and the Headmaster—this year, there would be more people at the table.

“I’m glad,” Yuuki said softly. And she truly was.

She had hoped and prayed for this—for Kaname and Zero to get along. Maybe, just maybe, they could finally sit down and share a peaceful dinner together.

“Thank you, Kaname-kun… for trying,” she added with a grateful smile.

“We gave you a hard time, didn’t we?” Kaname murmured gently, his fingers lifting her chin with the lightest touch, coaxing her to meet his gaze.

She was so full of joy and excitement for the days to come that she leapt into Kaname’s arms—arms that were always ready to catch her and welcome her into his warm embrace.

++++

Yuuki blinked and shook her head slightly, pulling herself back to the present.

Her eyes had been following Zero discreetly for a while now. She didn’t even know why, exactly—only that she couldn’t look away. As if by watching him closely, she might catch some subtle clue that would tell her whether her childhood friend had finally opened his heart to Kaname.

She was curious. After everything… had Zero finally let him in?

Kaname had saved Zero.

Maybe that was where it began.

Yuuki had always believed Kaname-sama was good and kind. He didn’t have to save Zero. He owed him nothing—not for the crimes of another pureblood—yet he still went out of his way to help.

Maybe that was it.

Smiling to herself, she stood and made her way toward the silver-haired boy who was not-so-secretly stealing confections from the large tray of bite-sized wagashi. The chairman had prepared them especially for Zero, knowing just how much he loved sweets.

Yuuki sat on the stool beside him at the counter, where they could both see the headmaster bustling around the kitchen like a whirlwind.

She reached for a soft manju and popped it into her mouth before turning to him. “Happy birthday! Did you open my gift yet?” she asked, voice muffled by the treat.

Zero gave her a sideways glance, mildly disgusted. “You’re talking with your mouth full. That’s gross.” But there was no real bite to his tone.

“Not yet. The headmaster took it. But… thanks,” he added awkwardly. Very much like the Zero she knew.

“You’ll love it! I’ll have you know, I ordered it from abroad. It got here just in time!” she grinned, clearly pleased with herself.

“You shouldn’t make me expect so much,” he replied. “You know I’m not easily impressed.”

But then he looked her in the eye—and smiled. His eyes softened, glistening faintly with appreciation.

It was rare. But not the first time.

Yuuki liked to think that this kind of endearing smile was reserved for her and her alone. She took pride in being the closest person to him. Closer even than the headmaster, in her own heart.

“Exactly. I know you’re not easily pleased… and I do know what pleases you.” She raised a brow at him with a smug little grin.

He rolled his eyes, and she responded by playfully punching his arm.

“I hope you don’t mind… I invited Kaname-sama tonight.”

She caught his eye roll again and quickly added, “I just thought, since you two are slowly getting along, I want to be there as it happens.”

Leaning further into his space, she tried to look cute just to annoy him—but also confident, knowing full well that Zero was weak against her charm. She giggled.

“Pretty please? He’s really trying to be nice to you!”

Zero looked away—but Yuuki knew that, despite appearances, she was going to get her way anyway.

“...Happy birthday, dear Zero. Happy birthday to you!”

Everyone sang—or rather, just Yuuki and Kaien Cross , while the rest politely clapped along.

The headmaster tried urging everyone to join in, but even Zero wouldn’t. He never liked being the center of attention.

So, he did what he always did—he frowned at everyone, though the gesture had long lost its edge. In return, they simply gave him nods and encouraging smiles, especially Yuuki , who carefully placed the cake in front of him.

“Make a wish before you blow the candle!” she chirped, as excited as ever.

Zero grunted, resigning himself to his fate tonight.

The cake’s design looked oddly familiar. A memory flickered—voices from the past cheering him on to make a wish, urging him to blow out the candles. It all felt like déjà vu , except that the last time he had a celebration like this… it was also the year he lost everything.

But now, here he was, surrounded by the people who had stayed by his side. Despite everything, despite what he’d lost… he’d gained something— someone —years later.

His gaze drifted across the table and locked with Kaname’s .

Those dark ruby eyes looked at him intently, a small smile playing on the pureblood’s lips. There was something about the way he looked at him now—like every part of Zero was something to be treasured.

Zero felt a rush of gratitude. And yet… part of him just wanted to grab his mate and get out of here—to have him all to himself, all night long.

Embarrassed by the thought, Zero smacked the side of his head with his own hand, a little too hard. Pain shook him back into the moment.

My gods, what have I become?

His fingers brushed the tiny weight on his ears— the earrings Kaname gave him earlier . Gemstones that perfectly matched Kaname’s mesmerizing eyes. The same eyes that once looked at him with disdain now held nothing but affection.

He could feel Kaname’s presence, like a whisper against his skin.

“Come on, blow it!” Yuuki nudged him impatiently, pulling him back again.

He closed his eyes. Just for a second.

And made a wish—quiet, private, a whisper from a heart that had known too much pain and was only now learning joy.

Then, with a single breath, he blew out the candle.

Zero looked away so fast the moment he met Kaname’s eyes.

It was difficult—being in the same room with the pureblood while surrounded by others. A part of him wanted to be close, drawn by an irresistible pull, while another part wanted to leave altogether. Kaname was just too much for him to handle.

Admittedly, Zero worried about Yuuki’s reaction to their bond. He still didn’t know how to tell her what happened… or how to begin.

He forced his attention back to the ladle in his hand, dipping it into the mixed fruit juice bowl that Kaito had helped the headmaster prepare earlier. He poured another serving into his glass, still chewing on the bits of sliced fruit.

It was sweet. The tang of orange slightly overpowered the mix, but the blend of other fruits gave it texture and depth. He quite liked it.

Everyone around him was talking at once, but Zero couldn’t follow the conversations. Then suddenly—

“Open it, please!” Yuuki burst into his space, practically shoving the gift box into his hands. The motion startled him and some of the juice sloshed out of his glass.

“Ah!” Yuuki gasped, letting go of the gift (which landed on the floor with a thud) and instinctively cupping her hands together to catch the juice.

For a second, Zero stared at Yuuki’s cupped palms—holding a small pool of spilled juice—then looked up and met her eyes.

They just… stared. And then both of them broke into uncontrollable laughter.

Did she really expect him to drink it from her hands? Or was she going to pour it back into the glass?

Zero didn’t know. He didn’t get Yuuki sometimes. But it was hilarious. So hilarious he couldn’t stop laughing. Neither could she.

He wanted her to stop so he could stop—but she wouldn’t. And soon enough, his stomach started hurting from all the laughter.

His cheeks were hot, his vision blurry from the tears in his eyes, and Yuuki was pointing at him, gasping between laughs, “You’re so red! Oh my gosh—your face!”

“What is going on with you two?” came the headmaster’s voice from Zero’s left, right before he plucked the glass out of Zero’s hand.

“Oh no!” Kaien Cross groaned, turning toward Kaito with a dramatic frown. “No, no, no. What did you do?”

Kaito raised both hands in mock surrender, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “It’s my surprise for Zero!”

“You spiked the drink?!” the headmaster shouted, almost reaching for the man’s ear before restraining himself.

Instead, he stormed around to where Zero sat—his laughter finally beginning to die down—just as Kaito ducked behind him and clutched his shoulders.

“Zero, please!” Kaito whimpered, pressing his cheek dramatically against Zero’s back like a child hiding behind a parent. “Save me!”

“I’m fine,” Zero muttered, glaring at him. His cheeks were still flushed, and his voice slightly slurred. “But I’m going to kill you. Tomorrow.”

The headmaster reached for the man despite his attempt to hide behind Zero, but Kaito managed to dodge and ran off to the other side of the room. Yagari’s booming laughter echoed from the kitchen, clearly entertained by Kaito’s usual mischief.

Zero took another sip of the fruit juice, cheeks still tinged red, his lips slightly sticky from the sweetness. “It tastes really good,” he mumbled as he dipped his glass back into the bowl for a refill.

Kaname appeared at his side like a shadow, calm and poised—but his brows were drawn low.

“That’s your third glass,” the pureblood murmured under his breath, eyes narrowing slightly. “It’s been spiked with something. You should stop now.”

“I’m not drunk ,” Zero insisted a little too loudly, turning his flushed face up at Kaname with glassy amethyst eyes. “I just like the taste. You try it.”

Kaname exhaled slowly. He was trying to be patient. He really was. “Zero—”

“Shh.” Zero cut him off, placing one finger on Kaname’s chest before gently sliding it up to his throat, and then to his jaw. “Your hand,” he muttered, turning and reaching down until he caught the pureblood’s fingers. “Give me.”

Kaname blinked, startled, but let Zero take his hand.

Zero tugged it upward and pressed it flat against his cheek, eyes fluttering closed. “You’re warm,” he whispered, leaning into the touch. “My face is cold. Your hand feels good.”

Kaname stood frozen.

Every muscle in his body tightened as he watched Zero nuzzle into his palm. His thumb twitched instinctively and brushed along Zero’s cheekbone, just once.

The room faded. The noise, the guests, everything disappeared except the feel of Zero’s soft skin and the warmth radiating between them. Kaname’s eyes darkened, a slow-burning hunger flickering into life. His breath caught. His restraint began to fray.

He leaned in slightly—too close—until the faintest scent of Zero’s skin made him dizzy. He was going to kiss him. He could taste it.

And then—

From across the room, Yuuki’s eyes caught the moment. Her smile faltered. She tilted her head slightly, watching.

Zero, flushed and blinking lazily, mumbled, “Kaname…” And it wasn’t angry. It wasn’t dismissive. It was soft .

Yuuki blinked. Her lips parted. Something flickered in her chest—confusion first, then a strange, sinking realization. Her eyes flicked to Kaname’s expression, and her breath caught. That wasn’t concern in his gaze. It was—

She couldn’t name it. It wasn’t something she’d ever seen on Kaname’s face before. Not even when he looked at her.

His eyes, always composed and distant, were burning. Quietly, intensely. Not with anger. Not even affection. It was deeper, heavier—like longing wrapped in restraint. His whole attention was on Zero, as though the world had narrowed to just the silver-haired boy leaning against his hand.

Yuuki’s heart thudded painfully.

But then her gaze shifted—back to Zero. Drunk, flushed, laughing just moments ago. He wasn’t returning the look. He wasn’t even aware of it.

Before she could fully process it, someone slipped past her. A dark sleeve brushed her arm.

“Kaaaay,  time to pull the birthday prince out of the fruit bowl,” Kaito announced far too cheerfully as he swooped in, slipping one arm firmly around Zero’s waist and expertly tugging him away from the pureblood. “Let’s get you somewhere less flammable”

Zero blinked up at him. “I’m not drunk.”

“You’re slurring.”

“I just said slurring,” Zero mumbled, eyes narrowing.

“Uh-huh.” Kaito didn’t argue. He just gave Kaname a brief, knowing look and added under his breath, “Thanks for the warning signs,” before gently tugging Zero away from the table.

Kaito gave Kaname a look—not disrespectful, but firm. Protective. Then he turned to Yuuki with an easy grin. “Don’t worry, he’s fine. Just a little warm. Must’ve been the lighting. Or the fruit.”