It is the scariest thing Yukashi has ever done and despite how silent and passive Zero seemsâYukashi knows he is angry. He smells the anger hidden by a fog of shock, riling up further as they continue to near the Shoto Mansion. Yukashi glances to Zero, averting his soft blue eyes when he doesn't take notice of him.
He's scared for good reason.
He tries to relax his nerves, the mark on his neck wouldn't allow him to ignore Zero's presence when it aches for his attention. He stiffens as soon as he hears Zero move, holding his breath as if expecting him to say anything at all with his heart pounding so rapidly in his ribcage.
The last thing Yukashi has ever expected is to have his soulmate meet his sonâTaji. As a matter of fact, he was hoping to introduce them to each other after things between Zero and him became more...definitive. Unfortunately for Yukashi, being concerned about his ill son and his vexed soulmate is beginning to pressure him.
He could have sworn he nearly died when the car pulls up in front of the familiar Shoto Mansion; it is of a traditional gothic architecture, made of bricks and pointy, cone-shaped roofs, white broad windows which are blocked by thick, red curtains. Yukashi is not concerned over who may see what is inside his home since it is far from human civilization-far enough to need a car in order to reach the nearest town.
Yukashi's driver announces their arrival, exiting the vehicle and walks around to open the door on Yukashi's side. The Pureblood flashes a calm smile, more for his benefit than his driver as he climbs out of the car and turns to Zero. The silver hunter follows Yukashi in suit, gazing at a large mansion in front of him right above Yukashi's head.
The blonde hesitates to say anything, the tension throughout the entire car ride lingers to the point it clenches his throat rendering him useless to attempt to spring up a conversation to soothe things between them. Facing his home, he ascends a series of steps leading to a broad white door with windows blurring the inside view; he barely manages to open the door when it is yanked out of his hand and a small body collides with his stomach.
"Daddy!" Taji shrieks in excitement burying his face into Yukashi's abdomen, the shock that hit him instantly melts as his lips curves into a real smile and his heart flutters. He pushes the small blonde boy and hoists him up in his arms kissing him all over the face earning fits of laughter and giggles. "Taji." Yukashi coaxes, pressing their foreheads together with a large smile on his face when his six-year-old son throws his arms around his neck.
"I missed you." Taji mumbles in sorrow, lacerating Yukashi's heart with agony and remorse leaving his son in solitude. "I missed you too. Have you been a good boy while I've been away?" Yukashi's attention is entirely on the blonde boy bundled up in his arms as he steps in trying his best to relax, pushing back his earlier anxiety.
"Yes! I do my homework, I eat all my food, I brush my teeth, I take a bath, and I go to bed like you told me to." Taji's voice is innocent, cheerful, and brings a cozy feeling in Yukashi's chest as he comes to realize how much he missed his son. The situation with Zero at Cross Academy had consumed his entire attention due to his mate bond except it serves as no excuse.
Thankfully, the Chairman understands fairly well and allows Yukashi to make phone calls one or two times a week. When the door closes behind Yukashi it causes Taji to perk his head up, large soft blue eyes stare over Yukashi's shoulder and immediately he knows who it is he is looking at. "Taji, this is Zero Kiryu-my soulmate." Yukashi turns slightly in order to meet Zero's eyes.
Lavender eyes are stunned, uncertain, yet he can see how the fury brewing within his soulmate melts as soon as his attention drifts on Taji. Yukashi flickers his eyes to Taji when he begins to wiggle in his arms as an indication to be put to the ground; he does as Taji wishes and instantly his son darts to Zero wrapping his arms around the taller vampire's waist.
Zero looks at Yukashi bemused to what to do with the boy hugging him out of the blue, Yukashi merely narrows his eyes in amusement giggling softly to himself. Zero places a hand on Taji's shoulder unsure how he should respond to the subtle gesture of a little boy.
Taji is small, appearing delicate with a refreshing air of innocence and carefree. His platinum blonde hair is wavy pouring down the nape of his neck, his skin is a soft pale, eyes large and blue matching the virtue on his round face hugged by his long bangs. "Thank you for making my daddy happy," Those words shock Yukashi as much as it shocks Zero.
Their eyes meet as Zero gapes trying to come up with words to respond to the clever child; he does not have the opportunity to do so when Taji looks over his shoulder to Yukashi, "Does this mean I have a second daddy?" Taji questions curiously with glistening eyes of happiness. Yukashi raises a hand to cover most of his face, he can feel the blood rushing to his cheeks and his heart pounding so hard at how happy he is.
His blue eyes looking at how the tall, fierce silver hunter is with his son, hugging as if Zero is the missing piece to make Yukashi's family complete. Of course, the hunter is-after all, they are soulmates. Bound for all eternity.
"Welcome home. I have prepared a room for our guest, dinner shall be served in an hour, My Lord. Young Master, you must clean up your toys." Yukashi's Butler and Taji's caretaker greeted them with a bow in the small entrance with doors on either side and one behind the butler leading to the inner mansion. The lofty man is immaculate, neat, perfect to the last detail, "B-But I want to stay with Daddy and-"
Yukashi interrupts his son's complaints, composing himself with a gentle smile dazzling the little blonde, "Now, now. Clean up your room first and come back so we can play."
Taji's lower lip pokes out into a childish pout, "Promise you won't go anywhere."
Yukashi holds back the awe of his son's cuteness, "I promise." He assured. Taji turns his head to Zero who seems uncomfortable with the situation and grins; Zero makes an awkward expression, moving his hand from Taji's shoulder to his head petting his wavy blonde hair. "I'll make sure he keeps his promise." Zero murmurs.
Taji giggles to himself moving away from Zero and pad his way back to Yukashi; he leans down pressing his lips on Taji's forehead and the little boy proceeds-taking the hand of his caretaker back to his room. "I thought he was sick." Zero advocates causing Yukashi to settle his entire attention on his silver hair soulmate.
Yukashi musters a small smile, "I suppose he missed me and that's why he has been down lately."
Zero walks closer to Yukashi-noticeably keeping a calculating distance, "That's what I don't understand. Why would you leave your son here and go to Cross Academy?" Zero's question throws Yukashi off, but it isn't as if he wasn't expecting this. Which is why he managing to maintain a cool expression staring into the hunter's lavender eyes, "Kaname called me. He needed me and like any older brother would do, I am helping him." He answers passively.
The silver hair vampire blink in confusion, "Wait, older brother? You're older than Kaname?"
Yukashi shifts awkwardly realizing how Zero may view him as an ancient who should have stopped existing thousands of years ago and there was once a time Yukashi has thought so as well. A very dark, despairing time. "Only by a few years." The brief response makes Zero narrow his eyes and Yukashi knows he is aware of him holding back things he needs to know.
At the moment it isn't something he wishes to discuss-especially at the entrance, "Where's Taji's mom?"
"Deceased."
"Oh," Zero shifts awkwardly turning his head, "Taji looks a lot like you. I can't be angry about him being your son, but I can be angry at the fact you kept this from me for weeks."
"I was going to tell you after you came back from shopping with Yuuki." Yukashi declares, Zero faces Yukashi once more with a blank expression.
The silence settling between them begins to suffocate Yukashi once more and he grows anxious. Afraid. Zero is angry with him and Yukashi expects it, aside from it he fears Zero leaving him. He fears anything that can drive Zero away from him and take away the one thing that can grant him happiness in his long, immortal life filled with loneliness, sorrow, pain, blood, death, and hopelessness. Yukashi has seen those who have risen, those who have fallen, those who pursue their desire, those who don't, those who dive themselves too much with life, those who do it too little.
He has seen humans multiply, divide, and die for thousands of years. He has seen humans regret and humans be content. In this case, Yukashi is content. Yukashi regrets. Despite the regret, Yukashi decides to be selfish for once in his life. He cannot bear to live any longer without a soulmate despite loving a son with his very soul except one day Taji will be an adult, will part from him.
And when that day comes, Yukashi will no longer be staying at this time. Not unless Zero is with him-Yukashi will do anything to ensure Zero will be with him.
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