Kurahi Catch-All: Unspoken Thing

[sinningtree]

Unspoken Thing

The hardest thing about life is
when the person who gave you the most memories
becomes a memory.

CODE

CODE

how odd it is to be

date chronologically pending

haunted

visuals blank playlist

by someone that is still alive

Date
※ 01/27/24 Injured: ⋙ Dark Tournament
※ 01/29/24 Insomnia: ⋙ Dark Tournament
※ 02/11/24 Intimate Bathing: ⋙ Post Series
※ 02/25/24 Loss: ⋙ Post Series
※ 03/04/24 Unspoken Thing: ⋙ Resurrection [completed]
※ 03/19/24 Defrosting: ⋙ Post Series
※ 04/17/24 Garden: ⋙ Resurrection [completed]
※ 06/03/24 Kurama's Return: ⋙ Resurrection [completed]
※ 08/06/24 Picnic: ⋙ Post Series
※ 08/22/24 Domestic Fluff: ⋙ Post Series
※ 09/20/24 Sickness*: ⋙ Resurrection
Chronologically
※ 01/27/24 Injured: ⋙ Dark Tournament
※ 01/29/24 Insomnia: ⋙ Dark Tournament
※ 02/11/24 Intimate Bathing: ⋙ Post Series
※ 02/25/24 Loss: ⋙ Post Series
※ 08/06/24 Picnic: ⋙ Post Series
※ 03/19/24 Defrosting: ⋙ Post Series
※ 08/22/24 Domestic Fluff: ⋙ Post Series
※ 03/04/24 Unspoken Thing: ⋙ Resurrection [completed]
※ 04/17/24 Garden: ⋙ Resurrection [completed]
※ 06/03/24 Kurama's Return: ⋙ Resurrection [completed]
※ 09/20/24 Sickness*: ⋙ Resurrection
Pending
※ MM/DD/YY Kissing Scars: ⋙ Timeline
※ MM/DD/YY Eating Together: ⋙ Timeline
※ MM/DD/YY Swear To Me: ⋙ Timeline
Blank
※ <b>MM/DD/YY</b> <b><a href="URL_HERE" style="color: #93151B; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold;">MEME TITLE</a></b>: ⋙ <a href="THREAD_LINK">Timeline</a>

Comments

Nursed Back to Health

[sinningtree]

[From here.]

Kurama would always put his life on the line to protect those he cared about, they were never going to be on the same page about that. Of course, it bothered the fire demon far more, unfamiliar with experiencing concern for others when the world, for so much of his life, had consistently taught him he only had himself.

He didn't think much of it, not for the same reasons as Hiei - assuming others wouldn't care for his well-being - more that the fox had a history of always getting out of things, even at the last second, so it took a lot for him to feel seriously threatened

While Kurama is aware of the hesitation, that something is off, he can't tell what seems to be bothering the fire apparition. From his position, these wounds are minor, nothing to fuss over and sure to be healed in time for their next fight. Surely, that was also Hiei's priority, perhaps they looked worse than he'd realized.

The words give him pause, hesitating in his own actions and focused instead on Hiei as he spoke. “I didn't have much of a choice, with only Yusuke and myself eligible to fight he would have had to take what I could not on his own.” As far as he's concerned, things definitely could have gone differently then. He's not oblivious to Hiei's discomfort, but he is unaware of the actual cause. That is, outside of frustration that they could lose if they're careless.

As Hiei resumes his work and turns the conversation to Ruka instead, the fox nods. “Quite an unexpected turn of events.” He moves to examine another wound as he continues, almost flippantly. “It seems she did more for your energy than those she worked for, you might want to give her your thanks next time you see her.”

[jaganshi]

"Koenma has such faith in him - why not make him test it?" Beyond the fact that they both know by now that Hiei is at least partially bluffing when it comes to Yusuke - Hiei wants to see what he spirit detective has learned. By his own 'tests' (aka attacking him somewhat when the group had come together) Yusuke is faster and stronger, but to what extent the fire apparition is unsure. Curiosity digs at him, of course, to know what the teen is now capable of if pressed.

.. He is less curious to see what Kurama is capable of if pushed to back-against-the-wall tactics, particularly after this last set of fights. Hiei is not particularly fragile, when it comes to battling and knowing that death is inevitable, but being forced to stand and watch had pressed far more uncomfortably into places and emotions Hiei has never quite felt or explored previously, nor is he jumping to explore them now.

"I'll turn her into mince meat if she crosses paths with me again." Hiei says it resolutely, a low growl in the back of his throat. Shady tactics were not unusual in the demon world, or tournaments such as these, but it chafes at Hiei's unstable set of moral codes all the same. Yes, their gambit had helped Hiei with the impossible obstacle of healing his arm in any sort of feasible time frame, but that had been their miscalculation.

"Their tricks giving us some help is convenient, though I would have preferred not to be trapped in a tent."

[sinningtree]

His immediate response is troubling, but Hiei has been a lot of bark for little bite when it comes to Yusuke, more than he'd ever admit. Setting their human team leader up for slaughter just to check his limits was not on Kurama's to-do list, and he would not entertain the idea even in jest. Those fights had left him unconscious and Yusuke was a far less experienced human teenager.

He is, of course, unaware how much his previous fights impacted not just Hiei, but everyone. He's also - unlike Hiei - already fully aware of what he's capable of, when backed to a wall. He has had the experience of escaping death before ever entering this tournament and if they'd already been pushed to this extreme, the fox is certain that stakes will only increase considering nearly everyone there wanted them dead.

“Now, Hiei, Ruka isn't any real threat.” He still wasn't fully aware of how the fire demon's code even worked, but he did know that it typically meant not fighting someone unable to fight back as she was, with all of her power in defense. Perhaps her behavior had earned her an exception, but it seemed just as likely that Hiei was bluffing out of irritation.

The fox resumes assessing his injuries, bandaging some of the smaller wounds as he continues.

“Unfortunately, this won't be the last of their underhanded tactics. The majority here don't want us getting out with our lives, they will likely have to be smarter about it next time considering how this hardly went as they had planned. You should save your energy.”

Insomnia

[sinningtree]

[From here.]

He doesn't respond to that accusation, sensing how troubled Hiei was by the whole thing and not wishing to provoke him further. There wasn't anything they could do about the tournament, being there by force their only option was to survive long enough to make it out.

Neither of them would be in this position if they hadn't robbed Spirit World, but Kurama had no regrets. He had been willing to offer his life in exchange for his mother's, and he was willing to do what he must in order to see this tournament through to the end.

The fox tilts his head at Hiei's words, seeming to consider them for a long moment before answering simply.

“It isn't going to come to that.”

If anything, the threat only reinforces Kurama's mindset. He has no intention of dying, Hiei. Despite what his actions and previous behavior might suggest.

[jaganshi]

"You sure as hell have a way with showing it." The fire demon grinds out, though he is, at least passably, assuaged for the moment. Hiei is not, by and large, the type of demon that places much value on connections with others, but.. Kurama has proven to be a reliable and strong partner. He would hate to have to shop around again and possibly risk his neck in the meantime. Not to mention... what a pain in the ass to have to do again.

Off the back of his tournament, he at least had gained something powerful and new, though it would take much concentration to gain at least some measure of control over the Dragon. At least enough that it wouldn't turn eyes on him as fodder for its next meal.

"If anyone is taking on multiple rounds moving forward, it will be me." Hiei pauses, then, and decides to perhaps derail a bit of his irritation in to an attempt at a joke repeating Kurama's own words (ish). "I can't let you have all of the glory in the arena. Your head will get too big."

Intimate Bathing

[sinningtree]

[From here.]

Kurama had, at the time, satisfied himself with the human life he'd been living. He hadn't exactly been in the market for new demon partners over the last several hundred years, a fact that benefited Hiei when he sought out his help obtaining the treasures of the spirit world.

Centuries, and his human life, had changed him. His aspirations were no longer for greatness or power, interest in ruling any portion of demon world having long since faded from his priorities. His focus now seemed to be on nurturing patience and affection out of a certain fire apparition.

Even in this, their differences are highlighted. Hiei's impatience and disinterest made him more inclined to view longer hair as a problem, where Kurama had only had a problem with how long it had taken him to grow it out. The spirit fox had long hair for hundreds of years, the fourteen without it felt stranger to him than he'd care to admit.

Once he's done with the knot, Kurama moves back to his previous position. He gives Hiei a moment to resume his work in silence after that brief hesitation before the question comes.

"I could." It takes effort not to glance back over his shoulder again, "Does it bother you?" He didn't think Hiei was very concerned about the length of his hair, but the wording suggests otherwise.

[jaganshi]

Patience may be the longer haul of a goal, really. Though the fire demon is not necessarily quick on the uptake when it comes to affection, he is amenable enough to be bathing in close quarters so soon after their original meeting. The situation had not been what Hiei had expected upon hearing who this (by appearance, anyway) normal human teen was. In fact, he at one time thought it was an overembellishment that he would unwind at some point or another. Of course that had not come to pass, and instead here Hiei is resuming the thorough work of scrubbing the Youko's thick hair.

Kurama asks his question and Hiei snorts, the sound alone indicative of the answer that naturally follows.

"Why would it bother me?" It is not Hiei's to take care of most of the time, after all. Except for this situation exactly, Kurama's hair is not his to dictate, and even then he knows better than to be too blasé about it.

"It's your hair, it just seems like a pain in the ass."

Reluctant Romance

[sinningtree]

[From here.]

Hiei's apparent pain from whatever he'd dealt with before arriving here was not on the list of things Kurama expected to deal with tonight. Hiei being alive wasn't on that list either, but he's quick to adapt to the situation and the hissed breath prompts him to inquire about it, even as the fire apparition speaks up again.

Green eyes regard him quietly for a moment before he asks the question, knowing the best leverage he was going to have on the subject. The fire demon wasn't about to assuage his concerns for the sake of it, after all.

"Not even for Yukina's peace of mind?"

Kurama waits for a response, certain Hiei will have an argument at the ready, if he doesn't stew angrily over it first. Then he can worry about the severity of those injuries.

[jaganshi]

The fire apparition's injuries aren't all that deep or unusual - mostly left over aches and pains from his training in the Demon World. While Mukuro held no further lust for power or the throne, she did not go easy on him when he finally roused her to face off against him. Even in a friendly match, Mukuro is not one to take lightly. She is, however, a good gauge for how his training is progressing, even if he never really fully intended to win a King's Tournament.

No one wanted that - least of all Hiei. He just liked the bloodshed of it all, like most demons.

Hiei snarls at Kurama's mention of Yukina, the reaction nearly immediate.

"Do you always need to use her as leverage, Kurama?" It works, though, and Hiei knows why it keeps happening. Usually, if it involves keeping Yukina happy, Hiei will acquiesce. There is still a chance he might, depending on how she reacts to the news that he is alive or hears of the possibility of him and a way to communicate while he is away.

Unspoken Thing

[sinningtree]

[From here.]

He watches Hiei in confusion with that explanation, not sure what to make of it. It wasn't much of a surprise that the fire apparition recalled such a detail - maybe, that he'd acknowledged it out loud, though.

Before he can even think of a response, Hiei continues and Kurama's left momentarily speechless. The fox had often spoken of the plant, but the conviction and accusation to the demon's tone suggests that he's been directly offended by its neediness, himself.

“… It can be quite fragile.” There's a pause as he considers his next words, thrown off by this whole encounter and trying to parse his way through it. That Hiei seemed as if he was personally invested in the welfare of this specific plant, especially.

These are your favorite.

The last thing that the fire apparition says, that they'd died first, takes a minute to sink in and for a moment the fox simply stares at him. He'd watched over them. That was the only logical conclusion, that he'd tried to keep up with them in the redhead's absence and this overgrown wilderness had been his reward for whatever effort that work entailed.

The realization left him dumbstruck. So much being said between the lines that Hiei would be unable - and unwilling - to say out loud, himself.

Without thinking, as if without remembering how delicate this situation is, Kurama steps forward - paying no mind to any boundaries it might be crossing - and wraps his arms around the fire apparition, practically crushing the smaller demon to himself, wordlessly.

[jaganshi]

Hiei would never say that he had been here more often than he was now to watch over Kurama's garden. Despite his conflicted feelings surrounding everything to do with Kurama choosing to move on to the spirit world despite his many impassioned, insistent conversations to convince him otherwise, Kurama's garden had been something. Some kind of connection, something he'd craved in the rift of having something he hadn't even really thought possible only to be on his own again. He knew that, technically, he was not fully alone again, but Yusuke and Yukina could never fill the rift that Kurama had left.

At the time, the fact that he couldn't keep Kurama's favorite plant of them all alive had been salt in the gaping wound. If nothing else, the garden had been an attempt to be close to the fox again, somehow, even if it wasn't literally physical. The scent of flowers had been soothing while they lasted, on the occasion that Hiei took a moment to try and seek such a solace.

Eventually, he'd grown jaded with the work, the way that his effort seemed to only give him wilted and dead plants, the wilderness encroaching on something beautiful Kurama had made. It had withered and died in the same way the Youko had, and Hiei had only grown more bitter at the realization. That he should know better, that things in his hands, eventually, withered and went away.

The fire demon catches on to Kurama's movements quickly enough, a hand reaching upward and out as Kurama closes in. His claws dig into the redhead's torso, teeth grinding as his every muscle tenses, but he doesn't force the Youko off of him. Yes, he could have violently rebuked this move, of course he could have, but -

But nothing, there is no excuse for his resistance to forcing Kurama to let him go other than he is at war with himself. A part of Hiei really wants to sink in to him, to take the Youko in again, but the other, now thrice shunned in some format or another, allows a growl to roll up his throat, low and threatening.

"What the hell are you doing?" It doesn't sound nearly as angry as he means it to, one fist clutched at his side and the other hand poised to shove him away. None of this has made sense since Kurama had opted to pass, and continues to make no sense as time moves on. Hiei makes a paltry attempt to pull away, pushing at Kurama at the same time.

"Get off of me!"

Defrosting

[sinningtree]

[From here.]

Kurama has always been one to prepare for every outcome, and over time that included Hiei's appearance in Human World, factoring in his need for appropriate attire when the occasion called for it. After all, he couldn't wear the same black cloak every single time someone saw him without raising some form of suspicion.

Still, an eventuality he had not been prepared for - not yet, at any rate - was the fire apparition arriving unannounced at his hotel. An oversight that might seem silly at the moment, considering his current situation. Hiei can probably read the confusion at his frown, Kurama trying to parse out exactly what he was missing as the fire demon attempts to work out how to ask for what he actually wants.

The tug of his hair combined with upward tilt is indication enough, thankfully - the redhead leaning in easily to answer said request. The fox responding with his typical sly smile as food and change of clothes are both seemingly forgotten in favor of bending forward for the kiss.

[jaganshi]

Hiei, of course, had argued that having his own wardrobe was unnecessary. How many times did he arrive in the human world for anything other than to stay with Kurama for a few days? To him, having anything like a couple choices for “fashion” seemed unnecessary when in his mind he was only there to see Kurama anyway. Particularly when the issue of finding something to fit him came around.

All of it is a subject for another time as Hiei finally effectively requests what he wants, and receives the kiss he’s wanted. Not before witnessing Kurama’s little sly smile of course, but he will forgive it for the moment.

Only a moment, though, as he takes a moment after they’ve separated again to grouse at the redhead lowly -

“Why do you look so smug?” The fire demon can’t help himself or that petulant little frown, tugging slightly on Kurama’s hair in retaliation. It isn’t a rough tug for once, not looking to ruin the mood between them over that smile just yet.

Rewiring The Garden

[sinningtree]

Kurama was typically the first to rise in the morning, and though he might not surface from his room right away when Hiei visited, this morning he had set upon a long overdue project. While the situation with the fire apparition had been gradually improving in a rather delinear fashion, he still held some tension just being around him.

Nature helped, the scent of the garden, the evidence of his work coming together - even if he'd still hesitated to do much more with it than the few seeds nurtured to life upon his initial return. Of course, there was more than the flora to worry about out here. It was probably a good thing he hadn't gotten too carried away with replanting as the day's work focused instead on digging up and clearing out what was already there. With the more hands-on approach he'd picked up while human.

The underground network of wires probably didn't need replacing, but it seemed wise to have the optimal connection as far away from civilization as they were, and it gave him a job to focus on that wasn't pestering their guest. A job that would help him in the long run, to work out how he was planning to fit into this new life he'd inadvertently signed up for.

At least, that's what he'd told himself before setting foot outside, but now that he was out there - tools and equipment at the ready nearby - the fox had put the work off, instead simply enjoying the tranquil quiet of the space that basically amounted to his sanctuary there. Thinking and observing, as he had a tendency of doing.

Which means it's much later than he anticipated being out there, when he's still pulling weeds and clearing the area before he can even think about the next part of the project. All of it had really been more about finding a distraction to occupy his time than anything else though, hadn't it?

[jaganshi]

Hiei's appearances at Genkai's old place had become more common, now that Kurama was back. Of course, the fire demon would never admit that it was partially because of his old partner's presence, even the lingering bits of his demon energy in the area are soothing to him. Their future is still uncertain, steps around one another still a measured, careful thing just as much as what he says or when. But uncertainty has never stopped him before, nor will it stop him now, padding his way out of 'his' room and down the outdoor walkway barefoot.

It is so much easier to relax, here, despite their closeness to the Demon World. Despite how much he had hated being here in the short period after Kurama's death when he had lingered to be with Yukina; a bitter reminder right in front of him and fresh every time he smelled the lingering, sticking smell of Kurama on something mundane; it had never lost its ability to calm the fire demon. At least enough that he had never been tempted to smash something with the sheer force of his feelings in their once-shared space.

This time it's Hiei who's come upon Kurama at work in his garden, head tipping slightly to the side as he tries to riddle out what, exactly, the redhead is up to. He's barefoot and seemingly barely awake by the sloppy job he's done dressing before wandering out to see who was up and about at this hour.

Thankfully, it seems that the children are still asleep.

"What are you doing?"

Kurama and Hiei accidentally hurt one another's feelings take 8 million

[jaganshi]

Hiei had arrived back at the compound nearly five days ago, intent on visiting his sister and nieces and nephews. He had also aspired to spend some time with Kurama maybe, since they had left off on a good foot, or at least he thought. The fire demon had arrived to sink, tired, into a cushion on the tatami, and offered a hot cup of tea for his weary bones, only to hear that Kurama had left a few days ago and had not returned.

Of course, there is no reason to think that Kurama had left intentionally to avoid him, there was no way that the fox had even known he was in the way. But it still makes him uneasy. The thought that they had left off on what he felt was a good foot, only to find the redhead gone without an explanation and with what little he had packed away. There is thankfully very little time to dwell on these things, though, with the children constantly tugging at his heels to do this or that with him.

Hiei is thankful for their distraction at the very least, the constant tug of war for his attention an easy excuse to forget about his worries over Kurama’s absence. He had said he would be here, no matter what, and while Hiei knows that was sincere, he can’t help but feel some validation at his own leanings toward cynicism. Of course Kurama wouldn’t stay around after he had plainly asked if he didn’t want anything to do with him anymore.

It was fair, even, that the redhead wouldn’t bother to stick around knowing that possibility was on the table. He couldn’t say for sure that he would bother in that case, even with their past considered on top of it all.

Hiei is seated in the shade of a tree, accompanied by Hina as her siblings train or otherwise rough house in the field, their mother away on errands and leaving her brother to keep track of her brood. With the Jagan in play, this is easy enough even as he watches her examine his claws and hand, especially the imprint of the dragon on the back of his hand.

"Can I have a dragon too?" She asks, ever so innocent as large red eyes look up at him, genuinely wishing to have something that matches with her much-beloved uncle. Hiei, thankfully, will leave out the gorey detail that she would have to take it from him, humming in a moment of feigned thought.

"No, I don't think so. Though there may be an ice dragon I don't know about, if you wanted to train in a few years."

[sinningtree]

There was still so much catching up to do, fifty years was a long time in a world full of humans and technology seemed to only advance faster with each passing year. Nevermind how much he could learn - how much he needed to know - in order to keep a firm grasp on how he navigated things here, Kurama needed some time alone on occasion, himself. Especially now, time to think and absorb the recent turn of events in his progress with the fire demon. He does not control when the conferences are held any more than he can influence the timing of Hiei's visits, so in reality it should be unsurprising to find that they overlap at the most inconvenient time.

Kurama returns to the compound oblivious to the unease he left Hiei with in his absence, and unaware of what he's walking into. He sets his belongings down in his room before bothering to explore the commotion outside, thankfully aware of the fire apparition's presence there before he even sets eyes on him. That gives him time to prepare, at least.

Once outside, he crouches down to greet Hina with a smile first, speaking before lifting his gaze to Hiei with apparent amusement. “I see you're all keeping your uncle quite busy.”

Picnic

[sinningtree]

Kurama had prepared ahead of time, mostly to avoid questions. Hiei was occupied earlier, which afforded him the chance to slip out unnoticed and set up in a clearing near the dark forest, along a row of cherry blossom trees he'd added there previously. While he could do anything he pleased with them, the idea of leaving them on their own and having a private celebration of their natural bloom was just another small human tradition he'd grown quite fond of. It was after lunch on a beautiful day and he certainly didn't want to waste the opportunity. While it wasn't the first time he'd convinced the fire apparition to join him in a picnic, it was the first time since they'd become more public with everything, more comfortable together.

The Unspoken Thing between them, that the humans would no doubt call flirting, dating, courting, if they wanted to add a certain dramatic flare to that line of teasing. The fox didn't mind, but Hiei did get flustered so best to avoid making him uncomfortable by trying to put it into words. Into human terms he'd no doubt recoil from, with distaste, at that. They didn't have to put a label on it, they were demons, and he was content to simply let it be.

He had not only put out a blanket to sit on (an unnecessary step, considering they were demons), but arranged the plant life appropriately to allow for the most comfortable weather and a fair bit of color accent to the scenery. Things that no doubt matter far less to Hiei and might seem like unnecessary additional steps just for some dessert.

Kurama wouldn’t reveal the contents of the picnic basket before they'd left the temple, wanting as much of it to be a surprise as possible. It was a bit of personal enjoyment to come up with ideas for treats that Hiei may never have had before and see his reaction to them. Still, he made sure to include a few staples on the off chance he wasn't entirely impressed with the newest selections. Including some simple snacks, knowing that even though they'd eaten not too long ago, the fire apparition never turned down an opportunity for more food.

“Ah, here we are.” The smile is automatic as they approach the clearing, marked by the blanket he'd set down earlier. This particular spot was just enough distance away that most lower level demons didn't venture this far out, and even if they did, the presence of combined demon energy from both Hiei and Kurama would certainly keep them closer to the forest they called home, if they valued their lives.

[jaganshi]

Hiei is still getting used to this "dating" thing. Of course, he likes having Kurama's attention, even moreso his affection... but sometimes Kurama throws him off kilter with his affectionate gestures. And then Yusuke and Kuwabara make it ten times worse with all of their teasing the moment they catch them doing anything at all soft or affectionate. Hell, the last time they'd been together at Yusuke's ramen stand, Kurama had swiped some broth off of his cheek and he still hadn't heard the end of it.

But he was getting used to it.. little by little, just as he had with Kurama's presence and, eventually, the fox's affection for him in the first place. He still doesn't quite understand what makes Kurama so attracted to his presence, him in general, but he accepts it for what it is. For however long the fox would have him.

Hiei is hesitant to think that Kurama's fascination will last for very long, that he won't eventually get tired of him and his prickly nature... but for now, he's simply enjoying it.

Following along after the fox, Hiei looks around at the place he's set up for them. It's.. nice. Very nice, actually. Classically Kurama in the setting under the trees but at the very least in this little space it was only them and the snacks that his partner had brought along. Red eyes linger on the cherry blossoms, thinking back to how many times he's watched humans stroll under the trees when the seasons had changed. He'd been more exposed than ever amongst all the pink blooms, but -

"This is very you, Kurama." And all the more memorable for it, he thinks, expression softening a little at the thought.

"What did you bring for food?" Of course that is the next thing Hiei would focus on.

Domestic Fluff - Tug

[sinningtree]

[ TUG ] trying to get ready for the day, pulled back into bed

Light filtering through the window was the first indication that morning had come. Before the alarm went off, before any signs of life from Hiei - stretched out on the mattress between him and said window. The older he got, the harder it became to fake that full 8 hours that humans were expected to sleep a night. Not that he'd ever been particularly good at it, even as a child, but demon power made human life a challenge in many ways. The fire apparition seemed to sleep enough for both of them, largely due to the sacrifices he's made in the name of his own power over the years. Kurama was not complaining, the fact he undoubtedly required that sleep left Hiei more prone to relaxing with company that was inclined to wake at the slightest disturbance, after all, so it worked in his favor.

It was - ultimately - how Kurama had convinced him to start sleeping with him in the first place, no doubt. Actually sleeping, despite what their other teammates might choose to believe. Affection had been his first priority in this, finding ways to establish those things that the fire demon had been missing for so long, demonstrating that he was wanted and loved. Building up trust before even attempting anything else, it wasn't as if sex was ever a high priority of his, even now.

Green eyes closed again as he settled back down against the bed, intent on resting until his alarm did go off to start the day, or Hiei roused him, whichever came first. Of course, it wasn't long before the former won out, the fox twisting to shut it off at the first sound without extracting himself entirely from the entanglement of fire demon and sheets.

[jaganshi]

At first, Hiei had fully taken sleeping next to (or in the general proximity of) Kurama as an excuse to actually sleep deeply. It hadn't occurred to him that this was a way of Kurama getting him used to his presence, a slow progression to the little demon being sprawled across Kurama's mattress, sleeping deeply and peacefully for once. He's found with time that he barely even dreams when he sleeps in the human world on this familiar mattress that smells of the two of them versus his quarters at Mukuro's compound.

In his usual way Hiei doesn't think much or deeply about that fact, he just knows that there are annoying things like work and alarm clocks where Kurama is concerned.

Human life where he couldn't even sleep in when he wanted? Perish the thought.

The fire demon predictably growls lowly as the alarm goes off, squinting against the peek of sunlight in the youko's windows as he too rolls over. From sprawled between Kurama and the windows to quickly curling against the redhead's back, little, sword-roughed hands splaying against Kurama's skin as he exerts a little force to keep him in place. Hiei's forehead meets Kurama's back, Jagan closed and ward done away with before sleep as he mumbles out a request.

" 'Rama... Stay here."

Nursed Back to Health II

[sinningtree]

[From here.]

Hiei turns, and Kurama fully expects to be shut out with this new revelation. That had been why he'd held off admitting it up until now, that had been why he wouldn't just sit back and let the fire apparition deflect his ire onto Koenma. Maybe he did stick up for him too much, but in this instance he was not wrong and Kurama wanted to make that clear.

“So it would seem.” With those words he's already getting to his feet, well aware the conversation was over and needing some time to digest, himself. By the time he comes back to set up his own futon across the room, Hiei is evidently asleep.

The next morning, when he wakes up, the smaller demon has yet to show any signs of movement. Kurama slips out of the room as quietly as possible, intent on getting himself a coffee to start the day while the main part of the temple remains empty.

He returnins shortly after only to find Hiei up and heading out through the other door. “Leaving without even saying goodbye?”

He doesn't expect one for himself but Yukina at least deserved a notice. Not that he's going to say as much outright and have it thrown back in his face as a means of weaponizing her against her brother, the way Hiei liked to claim he did. While not always untrue, there were times the fox really just thought he could be more considerate of her feelings, and the callout certainly seemed warranted this time.

[jaganshi]

It's only thanks to Kurama's tea that Hiei sleeps at all, or even manages to rest at all. Had this been normal circumstances he would've been tossing and turning, mulling over the fox's words a bit too much for anyone's health, or would have foregone rest to go out into the woods and take out his frustrations on a few trees as he worked through all of the emotions associated with everything that had come to light this evening.

Thankfully the herbs he's been given prevent anything like that, instead relegating Hiei to the quiet void of sleep where he can no longer hurl verbal jabs in to Kurama's obvious soft spots. ... Or can't for a few hours, at least. Waking up even takes a little longer than it usually does, red eyes blinking slowly as he finally comes back to consciousness, and a little longer to finally sit himself up and try to make sense of how long he's been asleep.

In the end, he slowly pulls himself up to standing, rubbing at his eyes with a low groan as the same aching body pain and headache makes itself known. Instead of laying here and attempting to ignore it, or perhaps having another one of those difficult conversations with the fox, who, he notices, made himself a little nest across the room after he had decided it was time to sleep. What reason he has to stay so close is beyond him, particularly after their latest discussion, but Hiei knows better than to try to fuss and make him leave.

Instead, he opts to head to their garden, wanting the escape of laying among the flowers and... maybe.. they could provide some relief for his head, too. He's almost out the door as Kurama returns, weary red eyes turning to his former partner with a sigh. His feet are still bare, which he indicates with a little downward cant of his chin.

"I am just going to the garden."

hiei muddying the waters take 8000

[jaganshi]

... Never had he thought that, one day, he'd sense a demon at the edge of the woods that he knew.

It wasn't as though over fifty years of time without Kurama he hasn't had suitors, though he thought the better term to be something like desperate for most. More often than not he shrugged off anyone too bold to offer themselves a little too desperately, but from time to time he had decided to say fuck it and do what he wanted. It wasn't as though he had ever expected Kurama to suddenly reappear as he had, after all. Occasionally taking a different lover to work off his frustrations had been beneficial for them both, though his rules when it came to these liasons had been very different to how much he had allowed with the fox.

His long absence had been noted, apparently, with an intentional amount of whining about being left to their own devices, and how it was unfair of him to be away for so long without any warning or, possibly, an invitation. Hiei conveniently does not mention that he would never think to bring anyone else around his family - no one he spends time around who may be plotting something on him needs to know Yukina and the children's connections to him from the horse's mouth - but he does roll over the thought in his mind at the next offer. He is a red-blooded apparition, after all, having a very blatant offer of sex before the other party heads back gets at least a moment's consideration before Hiei realizes a very inconvenient truth :

Yes, he'd like to, but with someone who was not the demon offering.

The thought.. well. It pisses him off more than what is probably necessary. Hiei leaves a very confused demon in his wake as he roughly tells him to fuck off, heading back toward the house as though he's been greatly insulted in the aftermath.

He returns back to the compound in a fury, pace quick, angry at himself about the fact that he's so emotional about this in the first place. He's spent so much time lately twisted up about this in some form or another, and to add yet another knot feels like a gut punch of sorts.

[sinningtree]

Kurama was in his room while Hiei is off meeting the demon that had been bold enough to arrive at the compound in search of him. A possible death wish, if not in the fire apparition's good graces, but that was not the fox's business.

That is, until Hiei returns to the temple radiating enough anger to draw attention even before he enters the building. Kurama, at least, can sense his energy some distance away and steps out of his room curiously as the other demon approaches, assuming he will not want to be caught by the children in whatever mood this was.

“Is something the matter, Hiei?”

Asking the obvious.