This story is the result of a burst of energy from procrastinating before finals a few weeks ago, combined with not wanting to entirely let go of the concept that drove "Just A Boy." Rated for mature content and copious amounts of cursing, because you don't come to terms with your sexuality without throwing around more f-bombs than is probably necessary, especially when you're Yusuke. Sexual scenes have been edited out to meet FFN's requirements; the full version can be found on AO3. (Link to AO3 account is on my profile.)
"Love is friendship set on fire." -Jeremy Taylor
It had been Kurama's idea, surprisingly, to not only go out and pick a fight with the first group of ruffians they could find, but to do so with no youki or reiki behind their attacks, no weapons, no abilities of any kind. "You never know when an opponent might have something up his sleeve that could leave you powerless," he explained to Yusuke. "Neither of us have fought on physical strength and skill alone in quite some time."
Something about Kurama's behavior recently made Yusuke suspect that Kurama just had some frustrations of his own he wanted to work out, but it didn't matter; he was always up for a good old-fashioned brawl, and he said as much to the fox with his trademark cocky grin. Together they set out for Makai, and despite the relative peace that had settled over both worlds in recent years, it didn't take long to find a group of bandits exploiting a small village of apparitions whose power levels were so low they barely registered on either of their radars.
"Damn bullies," hissed Yusuke from where he was leaning over Kurama's shoulder as the two of them watched from a tree. One bandit towered over an elderly man who stood trembling in front of his shop, while another bandit leered over a young mother whose three children hid behind her skirts as he offered her an unwelcome ultimatum in exchange for the month's 'protection fee.'
"They all range from lower to mid A-class," murmured Kurama, his fingers already itching to reach for a rose but resisting the urge. "It will be a challenge to take them on without powers, but not impossible."
Yusuke's eyes narrowed. "That strong and they have to pull this extortion racket? What a bunch of FUCKING COWAAAAAAARDS!"
The last two words were screamed in the direction of the village as Yusuke jumped down from the tree and stomped over; efficient for getting everyone's attention to be sure, but unfortunate that they had to be yelled right in his ear, thought Kurama, rubbing the side of his head ruefully before following Yusuke.
The bandits looked up in confusion at the shout, gathering around their leader as Yusuke and Kurama approached. "Well well, what have we here?" said the reptilian leader, showing his sharp teeth in a grin and swishing his tail. "Coupla boys fancying themselves heroes, eh?"
Yusuke was glad Kurama had reminded him to keep his power dampened against others' senses; if these scum ran off in fear before he got the chance to pound their faces in he would have been sorely disappointed. "Not a hero, just don't like the sight of your ugly mug harassing these nice folks," he said. "So why don't you and your boys give them back their gold and goods and beat it?"
The bandits chuckled. "Should I kill 'em, boss?" asked one of them, revealing sharp claws while his various companions drew weapons or powered up their youki.
"Now where would the sport be in that?" chided the leader. "Why don't you two boys run off before we have to hurt those pretty faces?"
"I got a better idea," said Yusuke. "Us two against all of you, over there a ways," he said, pointing in a direction where he knew a clear area lay within the forest, not too far away to be tedious but far enough away to avoid damage to the village. "We win, you screw off and leave these people in peace."
The reptile threw his head back and laughed. "Fine, my boys have been needing some exercise," he howled. "Come on then, men. Drop what you've gathered so far; we'll go kill these two then come back and take twice our usual bounty!"
True to Kurama's prediction, the fight was a challenge, but it was clear from the start that the two of them were far superior in speed and strength even while holding themselves back as much as they were. Yusuke and Kurama spent most of the battle fighting back to back and letting the bandits rush at them, though occasionally they bounded away further into the trees to make certain they were keeping a distance from the village and their crops. Despite the initial plan to hold back their youki, somewhere in the excitement Kurama slipped into his Yoko form, and the last three bandits ran away screaming at the sight while the one Kurama was holding by the collar passed out from shock before the fox's punch ever connected.
Yusuke laughed and fell backward into the grass with limbs splayed out. Kurama smiled at the joy radiating from his companion, laying down as well in the opposite direction, their heads next to each other. "Man that felt good," breathed Yusuke. "We should do this more often." He turned his head towards Kurama, his vision full of silver hair and Kurama's thoughtful, skyward gaze. "So, do you feel better?"
"Hm?" questioned Kurama, turning to look at Yusuke as well.
"Do you feel better?" repeated Yusuke. "From whatever it is that's been on your mind."
Kurama smiled, looking at the sky again. "Nothing has been on my mind," he said pleasantly, but slid his golden gaze back at Yusuke when his companion snorted in disbelief. "Nothing out the ordinary," he amended; Yusuke had once commented that the day Kurama had absolutely nothing on his mind was the day the fox would be dead for real.
"Fine, don't tell me," grinned Yusuke. His chest was still heaving from the exertion of the fight, as was Kurama's, and Kurama was suddenly aware of their breaths mingling and just how close Yusuke's face was to his, and he had no idea which of them moved first but the feel of Yusuke's teeth on his bottom lip and fist in his hair was somehow more electric than any youki he had ever felt.
Yusuke was surprised by the growl that came out of his own throat, but as he kissed Kurama again even harder he found himself on his hands and knees for better leverage until Kurama sat up too and pushed back, knocking the Mazoku to the ground and sitting on him, moving the kisses and bites that getting more and more frantic to Yusuke's neck. Kurama's clothing had gotten ripped during the fight, and Yusuke took advantage of the tears to push the fabric off Kurama's shoulder and run his hands down the fox's chiseled chest. He wrapped his arms around Kurama's neck, pulling Kurama back for more kisses before flipping their positions.
They stared at each other for a moment, completely still except for their panting. "Can't say I ever had a fight end like that before," said Yusuke breathlessly.
"Never?" murmured Kurama with a gleam in his eyes that sent a shiver down Yusuke's back. "You should fight alongside friends more often, then," he said, winding his arms around Yusuke's neck and brushing his fingers into the back of Yusuke's hair.
"Alongside friends, or alongside you?" said Yusuke with a smirk. "Because if this is a habit of yours, then by all means - " He didn't get a chance to finish his sentence before Kurama was kissing and biting at him again, taking advantage of Yusuke's distraction to wrap his legs around his waist and flip him, pinning him underneath him yet again. Yusuke's laughter was musical, and Kurama was almost disappointed when the laughter turned into a surprised gasp at the lovebites Kurama trailed down his chest while his hands worked at the clasp of Yusuke's jeans.
Yusuke flopped beside Kurama, and Kurama snuggled himself into the Mazoku's embrace with an arm over Yusuke's chest and let himself fade back into his redheaded form.
"Not that I'm complaining, but somehow I never took you for the cuddly type," teased Yusuke, twining the fingers of his free hand with Kurama's, the other arm wrapped firmly around Kurama's shoulders.
"Is that so?" Kurama said with a smile, not offering any explanation, not about to puff up Yusuke's ego by letting him know that he was an exception. "Maybe I'm not. This is the only time we've ever had sex, after all. Hardly enough evidence for a solid conclusion." Somewhat reluctantly, he disentangled himself from Yusuke's arms and sat up. "We still aren't that far from the village. We should dress ourselves before any of them work up the bravery to confirm we defeated the bandits."
Yusuke followed his lead, and together they returned to the human world. Once they were back inside city limits they took the most secluded routes they could find back to Yusuke's apartment to avoid frightening anyone with their disheveled appearances, though fortunately night had already fallen. "Good night, Yusuke," said Kurama in front of the building, walking away as Yusuke reached for his key.
"Night, Kurama," responded Yusuke, taking a moment to watch the retreating form before going inside. He got into the shower, and as he stood under the water the last of his high from fighting and sex left him, and the full gravity of the day settled over him. He had just had spontaneous sex with one of his closest friends, and he had no idea what that meant for the future. They hadn't said a word on their walk back until their goodnights, and Kurama had walked away as if nothing had happened. An odd heaviness settled into his throat at the thought of Kurama preferring to leave it forever unspoken, leading him to an uncomfortable realization.
If his heart were still human it would be pounding right about now. He groaned internally. I'm so fucked. And not in the fun way.