Chapter Text
So, who blabbed private information to the council and association? Probably some fool who did not know they'd earn the ire of two quite powerful people. This was the first time Kaname had been outmaneuvered this spectacularly. With his sister waking, he had thought the vampire council would back of for a while, on the assumption that he would do the same thing as many purebloods and marry her in a desperate act to continue the bloodline. He hadn't contradicted them, had let them believe what they wanted. He loved Yuuki, but as a sister and had no intentions of trapping her in the old and outdated customs and council politics. Alas Kaname was the one who should have been careful with his supposition. So this came completely out of left field and by the looks of it not only for him. Zero was quiet, however, if looks could kill the council would be in ashes and the hunter senate dead on the floor.
"We come from tumultuous times and with the rise of more Level Es and power grasps and struggles on both sides, it was decided to form a closer alliance between vampires and hunters. As a show of good faith this contract will be sealed with a marriage with partners of both fractions, to lead by example. As we want them to ensure this treaty is taken seriously both parties need significant political standing. It was decided this union will be between the Kiryuus and the Kurans. But as Yuuki Kurans upbringing by a former vampire hunter might influence her more towards the hunters side it'll be between Kaname Kuran and the last living Kiryuu, Zero Kiryuu. Furthermore Zero Kiryuus situation will ensure some other complications won't arise."
With this bombshell dropped the politician sat down. Kaname wanted to laugh. This was beautifully done. They just got rid of multiple problems at once. Even for Kaname refusing would be akin to declaring war on the vampire and hunter society in one strike. They probably had multiple intensives to get Zero to agree to. Zeros "situation" meant Kaname couldn't turn him, since he already was a vampire, guaranteeing there would be no further turned vampires at the end of this.
The senate also thought this would weaken the Kuran standing, with the perceived loss of a future union of two purebloods.
And if they heard anything from Zero and his relationship from the academy, they probably also thought the chances of them trying to kill each other were rather high. Truthfully Zero trying to off him was a fair chance.
The pureblood king looked at the silver-haired hunter, his future betrothed and found he was almost ... glad. Zero didn't play games - oh he knew the hunter was more than capable of those - had the Intelligence-, but he didn't bother to with Kaname. And Zeros insolence had never irked the pureblood as it had his nobles. It would be a non-issue with them being married anyway, it elevating Zeros social status in the vampire world. The biggest problem was going to be that they had no time to talk at all after Ridos defeat, before the hunters and senate had swept in. He knew Yuuki and Zeros relationship had taken its toll by her revealed pureblood status, so maybe them not having time to interact had been a blessing. And Zero was, most likely, hating him more than ever - not a good start for a marriage. Not an impossible one though.
Had the senate tried to set him up with almost anybody else, he would have fought tooth and nail to avoid it. This ... as irrational as it may seem, he minded a lot less. The hunter was smart, strong, beautiful, not one to hold back and had Kanames interest for a long time. The brunette nearly smiled, he had just described the hunter as beautiful. Maybe he had more of an interest in the man than he expected. He would just need to convince Zero this was not a new tragedy thrown into his way and that Kaname could be a good partner.
Kaname was distracted from his musing, when he heard his nobles whisper. They, as well as a lot of hunters and some other high nobles, were in attendance. He could feel the outrage coming from them. They were loyal, verging on protective and currently angry at his behave.
Takuma and Yuuki were missing from the scene - he had managed to order Takuma to whisk her away, so the vampire senate couldn't get their hands on her.
They had been in and out of "emergency meetings" for multiple hours. This was the first time so many people were back in one room again. Now he wished his best friend was there to manage his court and be his best man at his impending wedding. The brunette was unsure how long his friend would need to get back to him, consequently hoping for Takumas support was wishful thinking - there was no way the senate would wait to go through with their plan on anyone's request.
"Do you accept the terms of this treaty", came the rhetorical question from the front. Kaname inclined his head. And his court went dead silent. Zero did not move a muscle, which was taken as agreement.
"You may retreat to the provided rooms and get ready, the ceremony will be held momentarily."
At the very least they didn't drag in an officiant right this second. Kaname reasoned sarcastically. Now they just needed someone reliable to give them a secure location to talk. Should Zero be so inclined to listen and not use the first chance to take Kanames head off.
As if summoned Takuma came into the room and asked Kaname and Zero to follow him. The pureblood was relieved, his best friend had somehow managed to show up on time. Once they rounded the corner, he spoke. "She"s safe. I prepared a warded room for you to prepare." "Thank you, Takuma. Can you secure us some proper clothes?" "I don't know if I will have enough time for that." Kaname mulled that over for a split second. "School uniforms will do." "Understood", Takuma replied, gestured for them to get into a room and left.
The door closed and Kaname and Zero were alone. Zero sat down heavily on the sofa, the only furniture fit for sitting in their vicinity. The hunter had just been through hell, emotionally as well as physically after all.
"Zero?" Kaname directed the Question at the hunter. "So Yuuki is your sister?" Zeros voice was flat. "Yes", answered Kaname and came to stand in front of him. The pureblood closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Mother sealed Yuuki away to keep her safe. Rido has been pulling strings for years and ... and I couldn't fight him myself. I had to get rid of him no matter what. I am not proud of what I had to do, but I couldn't and can't change it. I will answer all your questions later, I can't now and here is not the right place either. This room should be more or less safe or at least soundproof, but some things are to delicate to discuss here."
Zero had raised his head while Kaname talked. "Ok", came the simple reply. "And how do we get out of this?" Kaname watched Zeros face, his eyes looked sunken in and he had circles under his eyes, his jaw was clenched tight. "I don't think we will", answered Kaname honestly. Zero reared back as if slapped.
Taking a deep breath Kaname knelled in front of Zero who looked at him with disbelieve. "I'm going to be as honest as I can." " You really want me to believe your being frank with me?" The hunter interrupted. "You better get used to it, since that is how it's going to be if we go through with this," Kaname smirked, before getting serious again. "I don't see a way to stop this unless we want a full out war. They want to get rid of us, but I think we can turn this on them." "I am done being your pawn Kaname," the hunter interrupted. Kanames brows wrinkled as if that thought displeased him too. "And you won't be. In fact this would ensure I could treat you as an equal. It would be good to be allies." He smiled. Zero still looked disbelieving, or more accurate, he looked at Kaname as if the vampire had grown a second head. "We don't have much of a choice here, however I need you to understand I do take marriage seriously - no matter how these vows came to be." He paused. "It's also why I avoided any matchmaking or arraigned marriage." "But not now - why?" Zero really didn't know what Kaname was thinking, they always acted as if they hated each other and now Kaname was ok with them marrying?
The brunette looked to the side starring at a painting in lieu of there being no window. "I´m getting weary Zero. There is only so long a being can hold things together on their own." "You want me to trust you turned into a team player?" Zero scoffed. "Not if you picture me trusting a huge bandwidth of people and letting them handle my affairs unchecked, however I did think I would have family or a partner I could talk to in confidence." "So that was supposed to be Yuukis role - what changed?" The silverette concluded. "The same reason why I have so many problems with the senate to start. I think for myself, I make the rules, I do not accept somebody's word as gospel just because." Kaname paused. "Yuuki, would be both my sister and my wife, if I was following pureplood tradition. These traditions are flawed, still existing unquestioned since powerful people kept on practicing them. I do not presume keeping relations this close comes without consequences - it does not for any other species. Yuuk is also to innocent to be thrown to the wolves right now. I perhaps shielded her to much. I do not want her to be as corrupted as all those old council members. So she can not act as my confidant, an advisor. I love her as a little sister and I will treat her as such in the future." The mans eyes fixated back on Zeros face. "I wont lie and say this is optimal, fair to either of us, or not a burden to you. I can promise you a partnership, fairness however I can give it to you in day to day life, and a lot more freedom than the hunter association is probably willing to give you, I´ll also ensure you will not fall to level E." "If this was a business deal we had worked out without any other people involved, I´d almost sound tempting", Zero huffed. "But it is not. It is a marriage, orchestrated by the senate and the association. I don´t ...", Zero trailed off shaking his head. In this moment Kaname saw the slight tremble in Zeros hands. The brunette took Zeros hands in his. The hunter tried to recoil, but the other man held on. "I think taking my hand is something you would have to get used to" Kaname stated, slightly chagrin. "I´ll not force you into something you don´t want, hurt you or will take your bodily autonomy away Zero. I have no interest in making this worse for either of us. And as much as I would prefer we could decline this, I am in no position to and I guess neither are you. I guess there were some personal ... incentive other than the political situation and a refusal definitely ending in war?" Zero nodded. Somewhat dumbfounded that he was pretty sure the vampire tried to comfort him right now. The burgundy eyed vampire was in turn surprised he somehow pinpointed the heart of the issue for Zero (apart from the obvious) and that the hunter listened. Kaname could have sworn he would not get out of this conversation without Zero trying to at least cause him bodily harm.
The door opened and Takuma entered with two clothing bags. Both men looked at the newcomer. The nightclass student did not let on he had basically seen them hold hands and Kaname was never more thankful for Takumas professionalism, "It´s time to get ready. I managed to arrange for you too look at the binding documents before the ceremony, but I do not know about altering them. I´m sorry Kaname," Takuma stated. "It´s not your fault old friend and thank you." The pureblood replied. The newly betrothed men changed into the new clothes quickly, while Takuma prepared small flowers for the to wear at their revers. "Only had access to the nightclass uniforms", Takuma addressed the hunter after he had changed. "It´s fine", he replied. "May I?" Kaname had already added the small bouquet to his suit and after Zero nodded, added the other one to Zeros. "We need to go", Takuma rushed to the door. Kaname looked at the hunters face and saw how hurt and fear washed briefly over it before his expression smoothed out to a neutral mask. They both fell into step with Takuma, knowing there was no way out for them this time.