Work Text:
RAINY DAY
"Need a hand?" The fickle drill of the rain thrashing against nylon material brought Hiei out of his stupor. The yokai wrentched his neck to see whom had dared to approach him. He grunted, realising the source of the voice had been Kurama. That tepid, coy smile of his only managed to irritate the demon as he straightened himself, tucking his fists into his pockets.
"'Need a hand' with what?" Hiei grumbled. He hadn't been carrying anything specifically, but had been caught off guard by the kind interpretation. Kurama chuckled.
"You're half drenched, Hiei. Why are you out here, anyway? You know you can always come back to-"
"-I just needed to get out." Hiei interrupted.
While it was very much like the imp to act on his own impulses, he was caught surprised by his comrade's sudden retaliation. Kurama smiled behind his cotton scarf.
"You could've at least come out with a raincoat, ne?" As Kurama cocked his head to the side a fraction, the other grumbled into his turtleneck, his cheeks overwhelmed with warmth over being practically mothered. Hiei was the type to jump back with a response, however this time he was deemed powerless against the redhead's argument. "Will a hot cocoa sate you, at least?"
Hiei perked, which earned a short bout of laughter from the taller of the two. Kurama shuffled into movement, Hiei chasing after him in attempt to keep under the umbrella.
The silence between them was adamant to its own cause. No real conversation caught on between them, as per usual. When Hiei had the time to think about it, he realised the way they talked to one another was different from when they talked with Yusuke and Kuwabara; the air was much more dense with just the two of them. You'd consider that with them having known each other a long time, their dynamic would be astounding. Though it always had to be more perplexed than that.
Upon turning the corner, Hiei flinched. The cafe. It was the fact that the lights had been turned off for the weekend; nobody was inside. Why would Kurama bother visiting a dead-space place instead of going straight home?
"I thought you weren't working today?" Hiei inquired. Sanguine hues carted up to glaze over Kurama's abundance of floaty, red hair, trailing to the porcelain skin beneath his bangs.
"I'm not," Kurama confirmed gently. "Ume gave me the keys to check up on the place once in a while. She's gone on holiday - I told you this last week, weren't you listening?" The yokai guiltily lowered his gaze the moment he felt the fox's eyes on him. I guess not.
The rattle of the key inserting into the lock sent an unpleasent shudder down Hiei's spine. He was glad when the door finally opened, the sweet chime of the bell sounding their self-invitation. He staggered in behind Kurama and followed suit as they each slid their shoes off at the porch dip, progressing into the cafe.
"Why not just go home?" Hiei continued to question. With a subtle tug, Kurama shed his coat, scarf, and necessities, hooking said items of clothing to the wall peg off to his right. He flicked on the light switch.
"Mother's having guests over today. I'd rather stay out of the way than get involved with book-loving grannies," a bead of sweat inched down his face. Just thinking about the predicament he would've been placed in had he not left gave the fox-demon goosebumps. He was thankful for actually finding Hiei at such a melodramatic time.
Kurama proceeded to fiddle and fondle with the cocoa machine that sat perched behind the cashier desk on another countertop; accompanied by cups of napkins, straws, powdered chocolate, and marshmallows. Emerald luminaries sauntered back to the fire demon who awkwardly fidgeted off to the side, finding his quiet demeanor amusing. He tossed back the keys he'd used to open the front door, grinning as Hiei latched onto them.
"Ume's apartment is upstairs. Get changed and have a shower, otherwise you'll have to deal with me if you happen to catch a cold."
Almost immediately, yet begrudgingly, Hiei took Kurama's word for it. Nothing else could be worse than have the fox pander him with attention. He didn't ride that way. Although Hiei wasn't one to take orders from somebody like Kurama, he didn't want to take the risk of dealing with him.
The apartment itself was snug; cozy. Certainly a woman's taste. Yellow pastel-coloured walls surrounded the demon when he shuffled through the draped see-through curtains - to which hung from the doorframe. His feet were met with wood to begin with, then a beige-drenched rug, rounded underneath a low coffee table. On either side of said table were two loveseats, also beige, the trims of the cushions lined with the ominous shade of black. To his right, from the doorway, stood the kitchen. Cream counters with wooden countertops aligned the wall, following the ninety-degree change in organisation before leading out from the wall itself. That part of the row acted as an island, few stools littered on the opposing side, closest to the living room.
Hiei peered behind through the curtains before he began stripping, peeling off one sodden article of clothing after the next. His tanned complexion was met with the subtle warmth that the apartment held. The warm palette used for the room had surely driven away any coldness from the outside. He felt odd and out of place standing half-naked in a stranger's living space, and felt the urge to dress himself again. He knew he'd never get past Kurama if he had the chance to escape. He had no choice in the matter, sadly.
Fingerpads grazed the dipped handle that lead to the bathroom. Hiei pushed the sliding door aside, however stopped as he heard the muffled sound of two cups being placed to the wooden countertops behind him. Kurama stifled a chuckle as Hiei quickly turned, alarmed by his immediate return.
"Here, I'll put them in the dryer whilst you shower," Kurama, with his hands free of responsibilities, swiped the demon's garments before he could give an ounce of agreement, then draped them over one arm. "We could be here for a while until they dry."
The hoarse whirr of the dryer blanked out Hiei's exit from the bathroom, the imp refreshed and dry, towel tucked round his waist and a second smaller towel hung from his shoulders. Hot-sun tinged flesh shone under the mingling light as the yokai trudged awkwardly to the kitchen counters. Kurama had been sitting on one of the island stools, one leg crossed over the other in a relaxed attitude. Hiei threw a mild counter-glare to the fox's sly smile, and took his mug of hot cocoa.
"How was the shower?" Kurama hummed as he slurped from his mug.
"Don't play coy with me, fox," Hiei snapped. "It was fine. Are they dry yet?"
Amused, the redhead flexed out his palm, four fingers and thumb, gesturing they'd be another five minutes. Another five more minutes with this cocky bastard and Hiei would be setting the place alight with his sourness. Sometimes he just couldn't cope with his comrade's presence, knowing he'd pull something suspicious and dare-say ambitious.
Suddenly, when Hiei had momentarily lost track of time and space, he found his body cornered by the intimidating shadow of the demon fox. He made a surprised grunt, forced to maintain eye-contact with Kurama. Wicked, emerald luminaries scoped the yokai's features, lips rolling into a sardonic grin. They carted down Hiei's face, down his splendid neck and across his collarbones, naturally following the course of Hiei's muscles as they rippled under his skin. A strawberry-coloured tongue danced across his slightly chapped lips.
When Hiei attempted to flee, he found his exits blocked by Kurama's arms, then well and truly backed against the counter. His chest hosted a snarl of distate, the sound rumbling like thunder.
"Bastard-!" Hiei's words were choked by the close proximity, finding it hard to breathe with Kurama so close, looming as if he were studying his prey with great intentions. In the heat of the moment, he'd been so distracted by being cornered that he'd only then realised the additional wetness dripping down his torso. Hot cocoa. Hiei hissed through gritted teeth.
Kurama weighed himself forward a little, crimson tresses glamorously flitting from his shoulders with his slow, agonising movement. The imp used one free hand to try and keep the distance from decreasing. Cold, alabaster lips brushed Hiei's ear, the quick flicker of his tongue striking out at the shell. Moments like these had happened too many a time, and despite his hardened personality, Hiei was weak against the thief. A hard shudder rolled across Hiei's body as Kurama blatantly released a flurry of hot breath down his neck, the appearance of Kurama's sultry tone making his face blossom with colour and frustration.
"Looks like I'll have to clean you up myself."