Vampire Knight Online

I dunked the flannel into the sink, and lifted it towards Zero’s neck. “M-May I… wash the blood off?” He didn’t respond. The mask of despair stayed on his face. He looked so helpless, I felt he would just collapse right in front of me. I started to wash the blood off of his neck, slowly, trying to make it gentle for him. He didn’t move, he just stood there, staring at the floor. I knew he felt horrible, as Father earlier said that his family had been killed by a bad vampire. All I could do was stand back and watch, doing the small things that twelve-year-olds should be able to do, just for him.

A few times he would look up right in my eyes, but whenever I looked back, he would quickly duck his head. When I had finished cleaning his neck, I encouraged him to lift his head. “All done!” I smiled at Zero, patting him on the shoulder. A look of enlightment and gratefulness lit up his face, until he looked back at the floor and nodded slowly.

That night, I couldn’t sleep. How was Zero? Was he alright? I did my best to slide off the bed and leave the room in silence, though the floorboards creaked once I withdrew my feet from them. I walked until I reached Zero’s door. I had no idea what to do, so I just stood there. I could faintly hear Zero’s breathing. I froze when I heard him mutter “Ichiru”. Then a moan, until silence.

“Hey, you! Go to bed!” He yelled hoarsely, seeing as he just woke up. I paced the floor many times before opening the door. Zero was curled up, lost in his many blankets, glaring at me. “Sorry… I just got worried… may I come in?” I asked softly, not sounding too nosey. Zero shrugged. “It’s your house, do what you want.” 

I felt Zero tense when I quickly sat on the bed and started to stroke his head, gently. He looked at me with wide, amethyst eyes. “It’s okay, I could only sleep if someone patted my head… gently…” I whispered. Zero stayed still for a moment, before getting comfortable in his bed and closing his eyes, seeming satisfied with the warmth of my hand. He soon fell asleep, and I didn’t leave him, not for a second.