Twilight sleep, the moment before you wake up when you're half aware of your surroundings. For Kuwabara, this was the best time of day. Before he had to worry about his studies, about demons, and about what he was doing or would be doing wrong.
Today, he was more comfortable than usual. With a content sigh, he clutched tighter to the ball of warmth that lay next to him. It responded with unintelligible muttering.
He felt a small stab in his side and, half asleep, reached down to smack at the uncomfortable feeling, expecting to feel Eikichi's furry paws. When he slapped at skin instead, his eyes shot open.
"Hiei?" He hissed, uncertain if the demon was awake.
Hiei sat up with a jolt when freed from the human's hold. "Care to explain?" He narrowed his eyes, easily spelling death.
"I…you…first… Good morning," Kuwabara grumbled finally, sliding out of bed.
Hiei watched Kuwabara gather his clothes and leave the room before he dropped back on the pillows. It had felt good, to be held by the object of his desires. But, somewhere in Kuwabara's grip, he'd started to panic. It was obvious he was still asleep. If Kuwabara came to his senses while he was blissfully nuzzling the human, there would be a lot of explaining to do. And Hiei had to admit, he wasn't much of a morning person when mornings meant explaining why you were happily awake in the arms of another male.
"…shower?" Kuwabara was leaning against the doorframe, wearing jeans and no shirt.
Hiei's eyes traveled his friend's body, taking in the toned muscles and pale skin. He was faintly aware that Kuwabara had asked a question.
"Is it something I should care about?" He asked curtly. He hadn't caught the question, or anything Kuwabara was saying. He forced his eyes away from the body, staring out the window on the opposite side of the room.
"I just… Right…" Kuwabara turned and left. A few minutes later, the shower could be heard.
Hiei blinked. Things were off to a terrible start today. He'd told Kurama this wouldn't work. Forcing Kuwabara to put up with him wasn't going to make the human have some sort of epiphany and decide he was madly in love with Hiei.
The fire demon snorted. Madly in love. He wasn't in love with Kuwabara. More like, in lust. He was so strong, so tall. He had a demanding presence and stormy eyes. And he was loyal.
Wait, loyalty wasn't a physical attribute. So, obviously, it wasn't one of the reasons Hiei found himself attracted to Kuwabara. It was simply a…an added bonus. It was a way to excuse himself from the shallow sidings of lust.
"Hiei, can we talk?" Kuwabara stood in the doorway, a towel in one hand.
Was the boy avoiding shirts for the day? Hiei wasn't complaining as his eyes traced the water patterns over his muscular chest, but it was distracting.
"Come on, I'll cook you breakfast if you'll at least pretend to listen to me."
"Hnh," Hiei finally slid out of bed, suddenly terribly aware of his lack of clothing. His boxers felt suddenly revealing under Kuwabara's gaze.
"Oh, uhm, I…" Kuwabara blushed a bright red, forcing his eyes from the deceivingly small body. "I'll just…" He turned around, jerkily leaving the room. "In the kitchen…" He called over his shoulder.
Hiei arched a brow. Maybe he was homophobic? Wasn't that what Sally accused John of in the last episode of the show Kurama was watching? He shrugged and tugged on his clothes. Homophobia wasn't going to help him complete the fox's plan.
"Are you hungry?" Kuwabara glanced at Hiei almost secretively, like he was half afraid the demon would be naked. "Of course you are," He continued nervously. "I'll make breakfast…"
"Did you want to talk about whether or not I was hungry?" Hiei asked calmly, settling into a chair.
"Uh, no, actually, I, uh…" Kuwabara busied himself in the cabinets, pulling out dishes. "I know you and I haven't always gotten along so well," He seemed to have found his composure among the cups. "But, I think it's in our best interest if-"
"Are you quoting something?" Hiei interrupted, hopping off the chair and opening the fridge.
"Actually, it's from a break up… But I thought it worked in our situation as well…"
Hiei stared thoughtfully at the orange juice before carefully pouring himself a glass. "Some?" He poured another glass for Kuwabara. "So," He returned the carton to the fridge. "You're breaking up with me?"
Kuwabara looked startled, a light blush covering his face. "N-No, I…I mean, I can't, we're not…" He turned back to the stove, the slow cooking food suddenly of demanding interest.
"Listen, Oaf, just get on with the talking." Hiei glared at his orange juice. He knew Kurama would be disappointed if he could see him. Scaring Kuwabara isn't going to win him over, Hiei. You need to be nice. "I don't mind if you quote it."
"Oh, uh, I was just going to say… I know we're not the best of friends… I'm not even sure you consider us friends." Kuwabara shot Hiei a glance, as if waiting for him to answer the unasked question. When the fire demon failed to submit information, Kuwabara continued. "I think that we should at least try to get along."
"Am I trying not to?" Hiei asked defensively.
"Well, earlier…"
"I was…not a morning person."
"Then I'm sorry for bothering you." Kuwabara set a plate in front of Hiei. "I know you don't want to be here, an-"
"Who said that?" Hiei snapped. Calm down, Hiei. He'll think you're angry. "I mean…I practically live here and all…" He grumbled.
"Oh, yes, with Kurama… Well, I guess then, you don't want to be here with me…"
Hiei opened his mouth to object, but shut it quickly. How did he respond to that without making Kuwabara run for the door?
"That's okay, Hiei. You don't have to lie for my feelings." Kuwabara smiled at him almost…sympathetically. "I can't say I'm excited about house sitting, either."
Hiei snorted. Unexcited was an understatement. Kuwabara had looked outright horrified when Kurama suggested it.
"Do you have anything you want to do today?"
Hiei shook his head, still trying to comprehend the conversation.
"I need to study some more, but I was thinking we could catch a movie or something," Kuwabara rushed on hurriedly. "Friends sometimes do that, you know. Humans, I mean,"
Hiei arched a brow. "If you turn it on,"
Kuwabara stared at him for a moment. "Uh, no, I meant, at the theater. But, if you'd rather stay here, that's fine."
"It's gross there. People talking and the screen is awful from any seat. I hate when Kurama drags me-" Hiei! "Later today?"
"Huh? You'll go?" Kuwabara hadn't actually expected the demon to say yes.
"Did you invite me for me to reject it, Idiot?"
Kuwabara shook his head. "Of course not, Shrimp! I just don't see you as the date type of person."
"Date?" Hiei looked bemused.
"N-Not…You know, a friend…outing… With…" Kuwabara trailed off, staring dejectedly at the floor. Now the fire demon had every reason to reject the offer. And he had been so close to a date-non-date with Hiei. So close…
"What time?" Hiei interrupted his silent brooding.
"Huh?"
"The clock…tells time… What will it say when we leave?" Hiei spoke slowly.
"Oh, uhm, seven?"
"Fine." Hiei stood. Before the Kurama-like voice in his head could scold him for manners, Hiei paused. "Thank you for breakfast."
Kuwabara smiled. "Yes, of course. After your shower we can watch TV or something."
Hiei wanted to object, explain that he wasn't here to be babysat, and that he would watch TV before his shower if it pleased him, but he found the argument would be fruitless, so he avoided it all together, trooping upstairs towards the bathroom.
Kuwabara cleaned the kitchen and went upstairs. He was in the process of making the bed when Hiei entered the room.
His hair was wet and sticking to his skin, large red eyes staring at him somewhat innocently. Water ran down his chest in small rivers, outlining sharp muscles under tanned skin. The white towel hung from his body, threatening to fall at any moment.
"I…you were downstairs…" Hiei mumbled, his eyes drifting to his clothes on the chair.
Kuwabara tore his eyes from Hiei's body, forcing them back to his face. "I was just cleaning," He waved a hand at the room. "I'll just go back downstairs…" He started to move towards the door.
Hiei took three steps into the room, clearing away from the doorframe as Kuwabara slid past him. He wondered if the human could hear how loud his heart was beating.
Kuwabara hurried to the living room. Great, great, great. Now, Hiei thought he was some lurking pervert who crept into rooms and waited for him to appear looking like a sex God. And not just that, but he was a lurking pervert who didn't look anything like a sex god himself! If only he was more feminine like Kurama, or slight like Yusuke. He didn't have a chance in the world with Hiei, even if the demon suddenly decided he was interested in guys. And humans. This was hopeless.
