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x…O…x

It turned out that Yuuki hadn't had truly evil intentions. She was just a little selfish, that's all.

After narrowly escaping back to her room when frantic footsteps sounded following her unceremonious introduction to the floor, Aya and Zero had met up again (clothed this time) to talk about the night before. Of course, all that happened after she'd explained that the reason she undressed them both and invaded his bed space was because, "You were freezing! That's what you're supposed to do when your body temperature drops too low! I think…"

Zero had just rolled his eyes, rubbing the mark on his neck and fighting down a blush. He had been quiet for several long minutes, forcing Aya to stare idly at whoever happened to walk by, but then he began recounting the events leading up to her discovering him at the gates.

Yuuki truly seemed to have had no idea that Zero returned Aya's affections, to any degree. She knew that Zero had feelings for Yuuki, and that Aya had feelings for Zero, and so she'd been concerned to see that Zero was 'using' Aya to get back at her.

Her words hadn't been the usual, comforting, "Oh, it's okay, I just wish you would have come to me." No, it wasn't anything like that. Yuuki had been spitting mad, her words clashing with violent hand gestures and narrowed eyes. She and Zero had been through a lot, and she had been a lot of Zero's 'firsts.' His first non-related friend, the first girl he had feelings for, and so much more. Yuuki had just assumed, after all this time, that she would also be his first kiss. They'd come close many times, but she had always pulled away…afraid.

Slowly, it dawned on Aya that Yuuki had not truly chosen Kaname 100%. She went to him because to disappoint Kaname-senpai was a horrible thought for the girl, but a part of her held onto the tall prefect she'd grown up with. She understood, vaguely, but that didn't mean Aya was happy about it. Yuuki had to choose between the pureblood she'd always wanted and the half-vampire she came to love…and she hadn't been able to choose yet. Not really.

Aya clasped her hands together, frowning at the ground in worry. They were seated on an old bench under the shade of the forest. She had chosen a turtleneck sweater and jeans today; dress code be damned, it was cold. Zero was lounging next to her, one arm slung over the bench behind her neck. To any passersby, it would look like they were just having a casual moment together between classes. It looked that way to Aya too, except the dark look in her companion's eyes wouldn't fade.

Eventually, he had grown annoyed with Yuuki's constant, scathing accusations and misguided assumptions. In no uncertain terms, Zero told Yuuki that he had kissed Aya because he wanted to; because he had feelings for her, not because he was on some petty revenge mission.

Yuuki had recoiled as though he'd struck her, and tears welled up in her eyes. Pain, rejection, guilt, and most of all a soul-deep anger sent the girl sprinting away from her lifelong friend, vanishing into the night. He hadn't seen her since.

Aya supposed she understood… if she tried really hard. Yuuki had assumed Zero cared enough to wait for her decision. After all, Zero had been the one who had leaned in for kisses all those times. In her eyes, it was like being replaced without so much as a backward glance. Like his feelings for her weren't real.

Tentatively, Aya scooted closer to her silver haired …boyfriend? She wasn't sure, actually. After a quick glance to make sure it was okay, she rested her head on his shoulder. Zero shifted slightly, moving to rest his cheek on the top of her head.

"What are you gonna do?" He shrugged shallowly, but didn't respond. As much as she wished she did, Aya didn't have any suggestions she felt like offering him. Usually when a girl was devastated over something like this, you showed up on her doorstep with heartfelt apologies and an extravagant, but well thought out gift.

If Zero took her suggestion and did that for Yuuki, Aya was basically giving up what little amount of love she'd managed to get from the stoic man beside her. Or maybe she wasn't…either way the words were stuck in her throat.

Did it make her a bad person to want Yuuki to disappear forever? Probably. Aya remembered vowing to help restore the bond between the two, and fisted her hands in Zero's jacket when she came upon a solution.

"I could…talk to her?"