Author Notes: This is the last chapter for my AU for Crimson Door story and it is now complete!

I have really enjoyed myself writing out alternative or imagined missing scenes for my all time favourite VK fanfic Crimson Door. Thank you for reading this story and sharing your thoughts with me. And thank you once again, Blackened Wing, for your kind encouragement and lavish praise which I don't really deserve, but adore all the same :D

Summary: Those of you who are following Blackened Wing's ongoing and deliciously angsty Blood Moon story will recognise this scene from Chapter 6. This is the original version that was written before the actual Crimson Door Chapter 30 came out. Just bear in mind that it doesn't have the fine details Blackened Wing added in the much improved version that appeared in Blood Moon Chapter 6 :D

-- Chapter Start --

Zero rounded the corner and paused, hearing light footsteps coming down the corridor. After a moment, he knew who they belonged to – Takuma, Aido, Kain, and Kaname. He should have ducked back but something made his stop in his tracks. A sudden and irrational desire to catch sight of Kaname again. Ridiculous – hadn't he just woken up beside him not an hour ago?

He leaned back against the wall until the little party drew up beside him and stopped. All heads swung to him, the vampires having smelled his scent. Aido had that suspicious look on his face again, as did Kain. It was obvious they'd all smelled Kaname on Zero. Surprisingly though, Zero noticed a little half smile playing around Takuma's lips.

Kaname's eyes swept over Zero and their eyes met for a very brief second. I'm sorry… the dark eyes seemed to say. I know… replied the silver ones. Then the pureblood looked ahead again and continued walking. The other vampires glanced back to their leader and followed, Takuma shooting a troubled glance back at the ex-human.

Zero was unable to tear his eyes away from the long dark hair and the tall straight back. He'd known this all along, he'd known what they'd shared was something that could never be voiced out, never be shared. Only a few hours ago, he'd woken up to the soft look in Kaname's eyes as the pureblood had watched him sleep. Only a few hours ago, they'd been entwined in each other's arms, giving and taking pleasure, treasuring every second of that precious second chance, against all odds, of being together again. And now, Kaname was walking past him as if it had never happened. And despite knowing this was how it had to be, it hurt. Badly. Zero felt a sudden white hot stab of pain in his chest.

And wondered if Kaname felt the same thing because the pureblood had stopped walking suddenly. Only the super fast reflexes of Takuma and the others stopped them from all bumping into Kaname's back and ending up in an ignomious heap on the floor.

Kaname knew why he'd stopped. It wasn't the echo of Zero's pain in the bond they now shared. It was the pain in his own heart. And even though he saw the understanding in Zero's eyes, he couldn't do it. Zero meant too much to him. He'd willingly given up his life for both Yuki and Zero in the sugar factory. He'd given up his very soul to see them safe and he'd do it all over again if he had to. Kaname knew he… cared… for this boy and no matter what, he knew Zero cared for him too, even if he didn't exactly know how much. And having gone through all that, was he actually planning on hiding this bond, this - relationship - they now had? Surely not in front of the persons with them now, those he counted as friends, those he now knew he could trust with his very life?

All eyes were on Kaname now as the pureblood turned back to Zero and held his gaze. The silver eyes widened a little. Kaname, what do you think you're doing? they asked silently.

A very small smile played around Kaname's lips at the unspoken question. "Zero" he called softly and extended his hand out towards Zero, palm up.

There was a round of soft gasps from the others. Zero's eyes widened even more. What the hell was Kaname playing at, and in front of everyone? he thought indignantly, forgetting that a few seconds earlier, he'd been hurt at Kaname for ignoring him.

The pureblood continued smiling. "Zero" he said again. Come hereplease, his eyes requested. The realisation that Kaname had not spoken those three words aloud was not lost on Zero. He realised Kaname had not wanted to make it sound like a command. Hence, it was a request. And another thing - he was actually leaving it up to Zero to decide if he wanted the others to know about what he and Kaname shared. That idiot… Zero was suddenly torn between acute embarrassment, sheer anger and even astonished laughter at the devious pureblood.

Slowly, without knowing what he'd already decided, Zero found himself pushing off from the wall and walking forward, slowly approaching Kaname. The others parted silently as he approached, all eyes on him.

Kaname's hand was still held out steadily. That hand had pleasured Zero a while ago and the ex-human fought to keep the knowledge from showing on his face as he stopped about a foot away from Kaname, his eyes locked with his lover's. Slowly, hesitantly, he reached out and placed his own hand on Kaname's and he saw intense relief flicker in the dark eyes as their fingers intertwined automatically.

Zero couldn't stop the bright pink flush that spread over his face. "Kaname… you idiot!" he breathed, his voice shaking very, very slightly, his breath hitching in his throat.

Before the pureblood could say anything, there was an annoyed snort from behind them. "Hey Kiriyu, how dare you call Kaname-sama that?" asserted Aido angrily, blue eyes narrowing at Zero. He'd heard the presumptuous ex-human call Kaname that, back at the winery, but in that… chaotic… situation, it's been unchallenged. He couldn't let it go. Not this time.

Zero didn't give a damn about Aido. He was too busy glaring heatedly at Kaname. Do you want the whole damn world to know about us? he shot back silently at the pureblood. Kaname continued to have that small half smile playing on his lips. "Yes" he said, very softly. "Or least least, them…" he amended in the same soft tone.

Then, as Zero's lips parted in surprise, Kaname bent forward and kissed him. It was only a brief kiss, and a very chaste one compared to the others they'd shared but Zero felt it all the way down to his toes. He flushed even deeper but at the same time, he couldn't look away from the dark eyes that held him mesmerised. I'm gonna kill you after this… he promised silently. Kaname's lips twitched and he raised an eyebrow. I'm looking forward to it… Zero read his reply easily and he couldn't help the sudden hot flash of desire that burned within him.

Kaname bent forward again, almost, but not quite touching his warm lips against Zero's. "Calm down, Zero, you're blushing like a girl…" he murmured, very inaudibly, almost silently. He felt Zero's breath against his lips as the ex-human exhaled in stunned surprise.

Kaname's gaze slid away from Zero's now and focused on the highly indignant tousle-haired blond standing with his hands on his hips. "Aido… it's because he can" murmured the pureblood.

Takuma had to bite his lip hard to keep from grinning at the open mouthed astonishment on the young aristocrat's face. Even Kain's mouth had fallen open.

Kaname's gaze swept over the others. He'd made up his mind he wanted these few people to know about him and Zero. They were his friends, he knew they would never betray him. And besides, it was going to be hard to continue keeping their relationship a secret. Their support would definitely help in this matter.

The pureblood placed an arm around Zero's shoulders, keeping him by his side, before he took a deep breath and spoke again. His voice was as calm and compelling as it had ever been, and even Zero, trying hard to cool down, was spellbound.

"Zero and I share… a blood bond. I won't tell you how it came about, but we are bonded now. You have shown me your friendship and your support, which I appreciate very much and I trust you with our secret. I hope you will extend your friendship and protection to Kiriyu as well."

Takuma stepped forward immediately, offering silent support with one hand on Kaname's arm, his eyes radiating approval and admiration of Kaname's courage in voicing this out. After a moment, the Assistant Dorm Leader placed his other hand on Zero's arm. He met the startled silver gaze with an understanding one of his own.

Zero drank in the silent warmth in Takuma's eyes then turned around. Kain was still surprised but he managed a nod at the unspoken question in Kaname's eyes and another brief nod at Zero.

-- Chapter End --

-- THE END --