Chapter Text
(Directly after chapter 143)
Kou had finally returned to his room at the hotel after recounting his heroic rescue of Sac-chan, and the ensuing events to Akira. He’d also just trudged back after his crazy bath experience and recent fight with Nazuna-chan. All his roommates had long since fallen asleep. But for Kou, it was still the middle of the night, and his thoughts were restless.
‘Haruka… Nanakusa Haruka,’ the name rattled in Kou's brain like an agitated snake. An abandoned underling still in love with his creator. Waiting in the same town for 40 some years, just on the hope she'd return someday. It was all so… tragic. And his fight with Nazuna also related to Haruka in a sense.
As he began to fall into his thoughts, Kou made his way to the window and pulled back the curtains to look at the street lights below in the snowy street. It was gently snowing again now, covering everything in a powdery dust of white, which concealed any footprints or marks made by the comings and goings throughout the day. It was pure and pristine. Maybe even something like love… real love which he'd yet to come to understand.
Vampires were created by humans falling in love with one and then having their blood sucked. But if love was the key, why were most vampires he’d met thus far mostly alone? Sure there were those like Hatsuka-san and Midori-chan but there didn't seem to be a whole lot of reciprocation of love on the vampire’s parts. Just using their underlings for whatever they needed. Be it blood, or adoration, or being cared for in every possible way, it seemed if an underling was kept around it was just for the vampire’s needs.
But then there was Seri and Akiyama. Kou thought that when he saw them together, he might actually start to understand what loving someone else really meant. They had a friendship built on fun and enjoying each other's company before Akiyama was turned, (much like the friendship he and Nazuna have). And Seri had cried at the thought of possibly no longer being able to be with him anymore, to the point she would have either killed him or as had happened, turn him. And they were still together as vampires. They stayed with one another and seemed to still be in love. When Akkun was shot by Anko-san, Seri-chan was pissed!
‘WAIT… Did Seri-chan Love Akkun?’ That thought clinked like an old gear grinding to a halt on rust and dirt, on a different concern he’d been turning over in quiet moments alone. The working theory they had was that Hoshimi Kiku was trying to prove or disprove if she actually loves Mahiru-kun. But their theory was that if she also loves him, he'll die instead of being turned, proving Kiku loved him. But if he turns then she'll abandon him as yet another underling left behind in her search for love. But did Seri-chan love Akkun when she turned him? The moment in that alleyway had been so heartfelt and they truly seemed to both care a lot for the other. But did it only go one way? Maybe she began to actually love him after he turned. But if it was before… was she crying back then because she loved him too, or was she just happy he would remain her friend and become her underling? Not to mention she wouldn't have to kill him. Maybe it was relief, but to him, in that moment it really looked like pure love between them both as she turned him.
Now Kou was shaking with these thoughts and theories. He felt he needed to go find and talk to the others right away. Add in his convoluted feelings about Haruka and Nanakusa Haru-san, what Kou really wanted was to see…
“KOU-KUN!” The shout was luckily muffled by the thick glass so as not to wake the others sleeping nearby, but what really surprised Kou and caused him to nearly fall back on his backside was Nazuna’s face suddenly popping in front of his own directly on the otherside of the window he’d been absently staring out of. Talk about irony that he had just been thinking of her and had placed one hand over his wrist where the walkie talkie watch sat, wondering if he could risk trying to call her and see where she was. Instead, she’d popped up in front of him and nearly given him a very premature heart attack. Luckily he had managed to stifle his yell of surprise into a strangled gurgle, as he wind milled his arms to avoid a tumble, as he stumbled backwards several paces. Once he regained his footing and his composure, he looked back to the window to see Nazuna giggling into her fist at his expense and her delightful prank.
She’d been bored and the others had all headed back to their own hotel rooms, so she'd decided to go see if Kou was still awake. By the time she had reached his room though, she realized she couldn't risk knocking and waking all his roommates. Thank goodness he was just standing dumbfounded looking at his hotel window. And as he continued to stand there lost in oblivion she decided on playing a quick prank. As Kou returned to the window and threw it open to the chill night air, she wondered if her prank had upset him.
Kou lifted the window and grabbed her hand then hissed under his breath, “Nazuna, what the hell are you doing! You could wake the others! And if you hadn't I might have had I screamed.
“Sorry, sorry,” she flippantly whispered back, “I saw you in the window though and couldn't resist a bit of fun.”
Fun… Kou began to lift himself up and out the window and before Nazuna could ask anything, he simply stated, “Take us to the roof.” He still had hold of her hand and trusted her so much he didn't even hesitate sliding himself out of the window into the air. She caught his weight easily and without question kicked off from the wall ledge where she’d been clinging and they flew quickly up the several stories to above the hotel’s roof. As they landed gently Kou relaxed his grip on her hand almost completely but then chose not to release it entirely and instead twined their fingers together.
“K-k-kou-kun,” Nazuna blushed and stammered at the lovey gesture. They'd done it before but this was so sudden and unexpected, she turned her face from him and used her other hand to lift her hood over her head to hide her red face.
She heard him start to giggle gently and looked back. “I figured some payback was in order after the prank you just pulled on me at the window,” he smiled at her as he dropped her hand, albeit slightly reluctantly. He found he liked when they were touching, be it their hands, or cheek to cheek as she sucked his blood, cuddling as they slept together, or their lips… The thought caused blood to rush to his cheeks, though he hoped Nazuna would think it was from the cold.
It was only a few hours until sunrise and the brisk wind swirling around the hotel rooftop reminded Kou that he was only wearing shorts and a light jacket. Earlier when he’d gone out to save Sac-chan he was in his half- vampire state and hadn’t felt cold at all. He had started to feel chilly on the walk back though. The gently drifting snowflakes were icy as they touched his skin and then instantly melted. Kou looked to Nazuna and her jacket was visibly damp with melted snow and her long eyelashes were almost icy looking making her eyes even more ethereal.
He decided to move under the small space near the door that would lead inside. The roof of the small building gave some shelter from the wet snow. With everything going on, he couldn't afford to wind up ill from this escapade. He leaned against the wall and sighed deeply.
“Something on your mind, Kou-kun,” Nazuna said as she came to join him.
“Yeah,” he said after a brief pause, “too many somethings. I thought I wanted to talk to you about it all, but now I don't know where to even begin.” Mahiru, Kiku, Haruka, Haru-san, his half-vampire state… the list of concerns were growing longer.
She nodded a few times in agreement, “I think I understand because I’m the same right now. All these confusing things jumbled around in here,” she briefly points to her temple with a long fingernail. As she continues she's looking down at her feet, “Then I thought, all I really want is to hang out with Kou, have some fun in a new place together, drink some beers, cuddle when we're tired” she pauses then looks directly at his face, locking eyes, “drink some of your blood.”
Kou feels a familiar shiver down his spine that has nothing to do with the cold air, but has everything to do with the cold blue eyes currently locked on his. Nazuna was feeling confused and thoughtful too but she had decided to find solace with him, doing things they both found enjoyable. He was so filled with emotions that he couldn't find words to respond to her. So instead he decided to pull down his jacket and shirt and expose his neck, a gesture that Nazuna often called lewd. A silent invitation for her to come have a bite.
Nazuna blushed at his action but decided not to ruin the moment with commentary. This felt different somehow, like the still, white world around them was demanding they be quiet and sincere. She shuffled the couple steps to stand in front of Kou and placed her hands on his shoulders, drawing herself to him. She nuzzles against his neck for just a moment before latching her fangs into him. As usual his taste is divine, and also like usual, she tastes his emotions. Confusion, fear, pain, pleasure, joy, jealousy… why is he jealous right now? Haruka? Was he really jealous of her mother’s obsessive underling? I mean Haruka did want her to go out with him but that didn't mean anything. Ko's emotional state was definitely all over the place. She could relate.
As she pulled away satisfied and licking her lips, she opened her eyes to see Kou staring at her strangely. More specifically he was staring at her lips, “Kou-kun, i-is something wrong? Something on my face,” she asked with more confidence. She went to reach her arm up and use the back of her jacket sleeve to remove the blood stains she guessed were on her face. The blood had never bothered him before but maybe it was particularly messy this time? But in a blink Kou caught her arm to stop the action. His grip on her was firm but not painful or unpleasant and he was still staring at her mouth. “K-K-Kou….”
His heart was beating furiously. Nazuna’s bite was usually pleasant but for some reason this time set his body on fire. He knew he was staring. Her lips were glistening as she stepped back, with a wet combination of His blood and Her saliva. It drew him to her mouth. He gulped hard, still holding her arm after she’d attempted to wipe her face. “Nazuna-san, can I kiss you? “He had expected to sound nervous or stutter but the words came out calm and confident.
The vampire before him flushed bright pink. It was especially noticeable in the white world surrounding them. She stammered and tried to fumble over a response but nothing intelligent came out so she stopped and just kept her eyes on their feet. He waited patiently and even let her arm go to see if she would calm down. Then as he was going to turn away and try to will his heart to slow down, she nodded almost imperceptibly.
“Nazuna…” he was going to ask if it was really OK but drawn in by her mouth, he gently pulled the blushing beauty back against him without more wasted words, in a reverse of how she’d held him while feeding. Pushing her back against the wall, he tentatively brushed his lips to hers. A sensual shock went through him as he hovered centimeters from her red, wet lips. He was going to gently kiss her again when, with a huff, Nazuna pressed their lips together hard. The sensation and her initiative sent all thoughts and hesitation from his head. He kissed her back and from nothing but pure instinct, he deepened the kiss, nipping with his teeth at her plump lips.
Despite her hesitation from embarrassment, now that they were kissing, Nazuna enjoyed it and wanted to take advantage of the feelings she was experiencing while they both were being bold. His nipping spurred her further and she teased by flicking the tip of her tongue against Kou's mouth. Something had definitely snapped, because that was all the encouragement he needed to plunge his tongue deep in her mouth, twisting and exploring her mouth and battling her own tongue with a level of furious desire that bordered on anger. He was acting on instinctual sexual desire right now and it occurred to her that her lips and mouth had just had his own blood all over them.
That sent a chill, not related to the temperature, down her back and she pulled away. She observed him for a moment, he was panting from their activities and a string of their mixed saliva hung near the corner of his mouth, a product of their abrupt parting. “K-Kou-kun, are you alright? Did something happen?” She had to rethink back to when she drank his blood, she didn't taste Love, did she? Would she know what the emotion of Love actually tasted like though? She had never tasted Love, never made an underling. He wasn't a full vampire now, was he?!
It took a moment for Kou to work out that their passionate kiss had ended and Nazuna was now staring at him like he’d grown an extra limb. When she asked if he was alright, voice full of concern, he wondered why she would ask that? Wasn’t she feeling as wonderfully blissful as he was right now? They'd kissed before but this was on a whole other level and every nerve in his body was on fire with energy. But her worried look remained. “I’m fine,” he nearly shouted in his exuberant state! “Better than fine, better than I've felt in a really long time actually.” He flexed and stretched his arms above his head. He felt like he could fly!
“You seemed weird after my bite Kou-kun, and then we k-kissed and your blood was on my lips and mouth…” Nazuna trailed off. But her point clearly struck him as his eyes widened to saucers. His mouth gapped, showing off fangs in his mouth. He seemed frozen for several moments and she had an urge to poke him to see if he was still alive.
Kou fell into his thoughts. Am I a full fledged vampire? Did it finally happen?! How?! He strongly can recall now seeing the stark red of his own blood on Nazuna and being drawn to it, as if by instinct. Possibly even a fleeting thought of, What's it taste like? But vampires didn't drink their own blood so what's up with that?! And how could they tell if he had truly turned or if he was just in his half state? He ran his tongue over his teeth and definitely felt fangs there. A beat later, he recalled the voice of Miss Detective-san, “Vampires don't have a pulse.” He grabbed his wrist and waited a moment, squeezing and it took less than 3 seconds to detect the excited thrumming of his hyper elevated pulse. He proceeded to sigh deeply and drop his wrist. “Not a vampire, just my half-vampire mode.”
“Umm how are you certain Kou-kun?” Nazuna had watched his emotions play across his face like a mime practicing expressions, but was confused on how he had come to his conclusion.
“I still have a pulse, vampires don't,” he explained simply and a bit dejected after his rush of excitement moments before. He looked out to the horizon; the sky was beginning to lighten a bit, harkening the oncoming dawn. Maybe an hour or so and the sun would be peaking over the edge of the world. It brought an image to his mind, Hoshimi Kiku standing in the street as the sun rose behind her and the immediate feeling of powerlessness that had overcome him. The moment the sun had touched him he actually felt the power of his half-vampire state slip away, leaving him vulnerable and human.
Despite his momentary disappointment, he was still riding a rush of excitement and vigorous energy. And his kiss with Nazuna had given his mind a deep sense of satisfaction, despite all the current events. He couldn't be upset for long with his body humming with power and maybe a bit of lust too. He had to will his heart to calm down. “The sun will be up in about an hour or so,” he stated and sat down beckoning his companion to join him. He also noted he wasn't cold anymore. The snowy ground felt like damp pillows rather than frozen water. “I just want to spend this time with you. I’m pretty sure when the sun comes up I’ll be back to normal.”
Nazuna stifled a snicker as she sat beside him, wanting just as much as she suspected he did to be close to one another. “OK normal for me, or whatever. I get it I’m weird and now that I have this half-vampirization thing I’ll never pass as normal. GAH!” He ruffled up his hair with both hands. He wasn't particularly frustrated, just over stimulated and his thoughts were all over the place and there was still all the mess from earlier in the evening to address between them. But for now he wanted nothing to matter. He wanted to stop and pretend it was just him and Nazuna and nothing else had any meaning as they watched the sky turn brilliant shades of pink and orange.
Nazuna considered pointing out that the half-vampire thing couldn't be forever. He’d either become a vampire within a year from her 1st bite or he wouldn't. But in that moment she knew what they both needed, and it wasn't reminders of deadlines or more stress. Placing a gentle hand over one of his that he had been clenching into a fist, he glanced over at her smiling one of her big goofy grins at him and relaxed. “It’s OK Kou-kun, I like you as you, no matter how weird. We can be weirdos together.”
On a hotel roof in a puddle of melted snow as the sun was due to rise, the two companions sat in silence, their sides, knees, and hands touching as a gentle reminder of their presence to the other. Just before the light peaked over the horizon Kou spoke softly, “I have to save Mahiru-kun, but after that I’m going to devote myself to figuring out how to love you Nazuna-chan. I want to be like this and have a good time together, so you'll never be bored or unhappy again as long as I'm around. And that needs to be forever, that's what you deserve.” His smile at her was brilliant as the sun finally crested the horizon and as predicted, he felt the energy and power that had been driving him semi-crazy for the past hour, fade away.
The snow sparkled in the new dawn light and though most would find it beautiful, Kou longed for the way things had been moments ago, when it was still dark and he was Nazuna’s equal and his soul called into the night for hers.
As Nazuna slipped away behind the small rooftop building to avoid the sunlight, Kou had another realization, Shit! How are we going to get off the roof now?!