Archive of Our Own ^beta

“C3 is a total nightmare!” Said mahiru as he yelled in frustration.

“Just find an escape button..”

“This is no escape game?!” Mahiru was very stress, especially after being kidnapped and forced to walk through multiple doors to get out. But in the end he found another way and used his weapon to fly the ceiling.

He was still stuck somehow by another ceiling but before he could react, the ceiling broke and a person made his face lit up. Kuro. And now they’re standing infront of a map of the floor they’re on.

“What time is it even? I lost my phone after getting kidnapped!” He turns to kuro, and the vampire just looks like everything that happened was normal. Well, he is an eve to a Servamp so might as well be.

“Let’s see.. they took us last night so is it already noon?”  If it is, mahiru would’ve had been late to school but luckily it was a Saturday.

Speaking of time.. he remembers Tsusuki talking about something like things will happen to him after 24 being apart from Kuro. He vaguely remembers Kuro mentioning it but before even going through half of the information he dozed off. He might as well grab the opportunity to ask him.

“By the way, kuro.. what happens when we’re apart?”

“Ah, well… in six hours the bad times begin.”

“No kidding! My body felt like lead..” Mahiru can still recall his body feeling so heavy his knees went out.

“Your legs go numb, the heart races and you ache all over.” Which kuro was saying in such a normal manner it makes mahiru think he’s making things up.

“18 hours later, we turn into cats.”

“What?! Even me?” He’ll keep that in mind even though it such utterly ridiculous

“After 20 hours, you die or something i dunno.”

“Gee, thanks?! It was a close call you know, warn me next time!” He still can’t believe Kuro left out such an important information. Isn’t this the kind of things they should go through after making the contract?

“Anyways, you’ve got any more secrets, vampire? Now’s the time.” If theres anything more, he must know.

That died down when he saw Kuro’s face change. It’s not his normal ‘im too lazy’ face. He looks nervous, scared even, like he’s hesitating to answer. But why ?

“I have.. lots of them but.. i can’t tell you” Kuro knew that someday Mahiru will find out. He knows , but the fear of Mahiru disliking or even hating him is scary. He’d rather keep it a secret right now and when the time is right, he’ll tell him.

“Huh?” He looks slightly confused, surprised at the vampire’s hesitation at speaking

“Some things you shouldn’t know. Some things.. could kill you.” He felt right to at least say the truth.

“So you just, wanna keep me safe?”

More like keep myself safe

“Yeah kinda.. you got it.” Kuro yawn and acted like nothing was wrong, even though it was eating him inside.

Kuro’s face was down towards the floor. He hasn’t made eye contact since he said he had secrets. Because the thought of seeing Mahiru’s disappointed eyes made him shake, the floor was much more pretty looking. Not that Mahiru wasn’t pretty tho- he’s nice looking, for a human.

“No problem.”

Kuro was caught off guard by the sudden voice and looked towards Mahiru.

“I don’t need have to tell me. I trust you. And I’ve always been there, Kuro..”

Oh god

“ I’m your partner and im always here to help you out. Don’t forget that!”

Mahiru gave him the most sweetest and prettiest smile Kuro has seen after these pass decades. His words were so comfortable and genuine, he never would have thought those kind of words would be told to him .

Panicking, he turns back into his cat form. Rolling around on the floor trying to ignore it.

“We done here?” He said, finally able to speak.

“You little..”

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‘Ahh.. you’re happy right now. Silly cat’

‘Mahiru made you feel good, right? But C3 brings back bad memories.’

‘If Mahiru discovers the “incident”.. will he ever trust you? Are you worried ?

Of course he was.

‘You contradict yourself. You keep it all inside. You poor pathetic, boy!’

He should’ve known better to get attached to a human

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“You’re my big brother’s eve and yet you know nothing.. so let me entertain you as i educate.”

Everything infront of him somehow turned into a play with props and lights. Showing a small kingdom with large castles and trees. This must be illusions made by lawless, quite flashy if your asked him.

There were so many changes happening that he can’t help but get confused. The atmosphere felt off.. like he could feel negative energy coming from somewhere. It felt right infront- no, it was besides him. He turned his face to his left and saw Kuro standing still with an unreadable expression.

It was filled with so many emotions, Mahiru can’t tell which it was. But he knew one thing, it was the look of something close to anger.

Mahiru has never Kuro show any emotions other than laziness and happiness. What could have cause Kuro to look like that?..

“Once upon a time, there were 7 servamps. The siblings got along. In fact, they were happy as can be!”

Well, that’s no surprise. Even after years of not meeting each other, the servamps siblings seems to get along without any problem.

Everyone expect for lawless.

“But one day..” Lawless kneed down while holding up a letter dramatically.

“a letter arrived! An order from the neutral group C3.. and it said to kill a certain person .”

“What?” A letter from C3 to kill someone? Why? Was there another vampire? It couldn’t possibly be Tsubaki since Kuro didn’t recognise him when they first encountered him.

As lawless continue explaining the story, he could feel Kuro getting more angrier and nervous. To the point, that mahiru could feel bad energy releasing in the room. Was this story.. too personal for him to know?

Some things you shouldn’t know. Some things.. could kill you

Immediately, Mahiru felt like being shallowed. He stands still, shock by the sudden atmosphere. He couldn’t move, not a single muscle. It felt like it was going to rip him apart. He could feel Kuro’s desire to kill

“It was a 3-3 tie! And sloth’s vote? Take a wild guess..” Lawless said, completely aware of what he’s causing.

“He coldly and calmly stood up and said-“

Wham!

Before he could even finish his sentence. The loud sounds of the floor breaking interrupted him. Mahiru turns around to see the position kuro was standing empty. His head snaps back to the stage with cardboard cutouts of prop. Kuro’s body was tilting fowards with his arms drooping down. He stomped so hard the floor started cracking. His usual black tentacles were surrounding him, ready to fight.

“Temper, Temper! Did you not want this story to be told?”

Why is lawless doing this. Mahiru thought that lawless would help them, given that he’s one of the servamps. But seeing him purposely fooling with Kuro’s emotion. He doesn’t know what to do.

“Poor brother would never again have a moment of peace.”

His hand went to his hip and takes out a rapier, swinging it carelessly.

“There is nothing i hate more, than that which you and the others have forgotten!” Lawless made a cruel smile, one that you’d find from a sadistic person. But Mahiru could tell, it was filled with so much hatred.

He couldn’t do anything before they started running towards each other. Lawless had his sword pointing at kuro, and when they met at the middle. The sword pierced through the servamps hand, almost touching his chest.

Mahiru could hear lawless saying poems, something about hands and blood but all he could focus right now was his partner. What would cause them to be at each other’s throats? Was this all just because of the vote? Who were they.. supposed to kill?

Mahiru needs to stop them but he doesn’t know how. The only thing he could think of was to get his attention.

“Kuro!”

And for a moment, kuro stopped and look at him. They made eye contact and Mahiru’s eyes were filled with concerned and distress. Everything was tensed. It felt like as if the whole world had stopped and he could see every specific details that’s on Kuro’s face. His eyes showed that was afraid. Just looking at how hurt he looks, Mahiru’s heart can’t help but break.

“I dont know why you guys are fighting but it relates to the vote.” Kuro flinch at the mention of it.

“I still don’t know the details but it isn’t worth all of this. Kuro, i dont know what emotions you’re feeling that’s driving you to do this. And I know you said I’m not ready, for any of this. But i want to help, whatever regrets or anger you feel, you can talk to me about it. We’re partners aren’t we?”

Kuro’s eyes softened a little and slowly opened his mouth-

“Hey, i said keep it down!”

A figure appeared mid air and landed in between the servamps. After getting a better look at his face, the figure turned out to be licht. He swiftly moves, like an angel he always describe himself as he knocks down lawless and pinned Kuro against the wall with mahiru’s broom. Luckily, the fight was over before things escalated.

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He let out a small sigh before knocking on the pitch black cube. The cube felt like titanium. The sound of his knock echoed through the abyss.

“I’m me. Shirota Mahiru. I came here to help you deal with this!”

Getting into the situation he was currently in was merely his mistake. He had drank juice from a beaker that was given to him by a man he met just 10 minutes ago. So, yeah you could say he’s a little stupid for doing that.

But he was finally able to reach Kuro. Mahiru was sure that he’s right inside of the cube. And he wanted to help him. After seeing his memories.. and his regret. He went through alot to get here so he’s not backing down now.

Mahiru..

Suddenly, a door handle appeared. Mahiru’s eyes slowly followed the moving outline that drew a rectangle. He can do this, he finally got the change to understand Kuro. To understand his secret. He won’t let him run away from again.

No, i had no choice. The world was doomed from the start anyway. What should i have done?

Would it… have been better to try and talk?

“Have kuro.. been regretting it all this time? Alone?” He couldn’t help but feel his heart hurt a little. Keeping this kind of feeling to yourself, And having no one to vent it to. It must’ve felt suffocating.

Mahiru walked and walked until he could finally see Kuro’s figure. He stayed a good distance from him because he’s still unsure of what’s to happen. Poor kuro was sitting on the ground while hugging his knees to his chest. Mahiru could hear faint sounds a mumbling.

“I’ll never do anything again. No more decisions. If someone tells me to do something, I’ll do it. That’s all there is to it.” His bangs covering his face, making mahiru unable to look at his expression.

“Please… im wasn’t wrong.” Kuro finally raised his head up, making eye contact with him. Mahiru couldn’t do anything but just stare at the vampires expression. His eyes were wide and round, as if he just saw a ghost. His eyebrows draw together and curled slightly. It was one of the moments that Mahiru thought he would never see.

“Please, someone say if! Tell me.. what i did wasnt wrong!”

At this point, Mahiru can’t take this anymore. He could feel his face curling into a more sour expression.

“You’ve got it all wrong!” Mahiru’s voice snapped Kuro back to reality.

“I’m not the one who can say if it was right or wrong.. the world cant either. Because its for you to decide, kuro!” He can feel Mahiru  walking closer and closer to him, until the point that he’s only inches away.

Kuro still doesn’t have guts to see him. He doesn’t know what kind of face he’s making right now. An angry face? I mean, he killed someone that was important. He did something terribly wrong.

“You are the one who thinks what you did may have been wrong!” He flinched

Oh

“It’s brave to admit you made a mistake. Until now, you denied and let it pester.. but it’s okay!” Mahiru jumped and hit his head hard on kuro’s. What the hell.. was he trying to do?

He puts his hand on the soon to be bruised part and looked at him. All these compliments and all these comfort, all just from him. How did he not dislike him? How did he not hesitate when talking to him even after what he saw?

Why is he still with him?

“You don’t have time to sit here and pout over it. Let’s deal with it, okay? You’re not alone.” Kuro was met with the same sweetest smile he saw from C3. The way it made him feel safe and secure. It’s like Mahiru helped him carry decades of regret off his shoulders.

Mahiru rest his palms on top of Kuro’s hand, which shocked him and made him flush a little. Mahir gave him a small smile and pulled him up from the floor. Kuro was still confused and worried but when he saw the reassuring face from mahiru, it made him feel so much better.

“You know you’re very troublesome, right?” He can’t help but blush a little

“If that makes you feel better i guess.. I said a lot of things and is this your only response? Haha! You’re back to normal now.” He was of course, happy Kuro is a little more better. But now that he rethink about it, what he said made him blush in embarrassment.

“It’s not..“

“Huh, what’s not?”

“It’s not the only response i have.” Mahiru looked at him surprised

“Oh well, you can tell me anything. I’d gladly listen!”

“Thank you, mahiru. I.. appreciate you helping me with my problems. You’ve made a big change..”

“Of course, we’re partners anyw-“ Suddenly, the feeling of a cold hand was wrapped around Mahiru’s palm. It was pulled towards Kuro’s face and he felt soft and gentle lips land on the back of his hand.

Not even 2 seconds later, his hand was dropped and Kuro started fast walking towards the exit. Mahiru was left alone, he was speechless. Did.. did he just kissed his hand? No way, right? Even when he denies it, he could still feel the nice burning sensation on the back of his hand.