If you're looking for chapter 24, go back one. This chapter is an optional lemon chapter and can be skipped without really hurting the flow of plot. This chapter contains adult content.

Kurama began to turn away, and Yusuke didn't take the time to even think – as he had so many other times in his life, he did what his body told him was the right thing to do, and launched himself at his friend.

If he was ignoring his insecurities and his common sense, then he might as well ignore rules of personal boundaries, he decided somewhere in that idiotic, giddy part of his mind that controlled him when he was doing anything physical – fighting or, now, apparently, sex. Yusuke shoved his hands down Kurama's back pockets and indulged in the dirty urge he'd been wrestling with all morning – squeezing Kurama's ass, kneading his fingers greedily into that firm flesh, even as he lifted his head to feed hungrily at his fox's mouth.

For a moment, Kurama seemed startled by his enthusiastic action – and Yusuke felt a victorious little thrill. He may not yet know all the correct forms and movements, but he had passion , damn it, and in lovemaking, much as in fighting, there were times when purpose and need were far more important than skill .

"And I'm just gonna get better the more practice I get," he mumbled out loud.

Kurama raised an eyebrow at him. His hands were on Yusuke's arms, just above his elbows, holding him in place as the detective took liberty fondling his backside. His pretty face was so close, mere inches away, and his body close, but not close enough.

"Was that for me, or for you?" the fox asked, clearly amused.

"Didn't mean to say it out loud, actually," Yusuke grinned, and tried to use his hold on his ass to bring him even closer.

"You're going to bruise me if you aren't careful," Kurama warned lightly.

"Didn't you say you liked it if I left a mark?"

Kurama chuckled, eyes blazing that promising fire. Yusuke could feel the fox's mischievous smirk against his lips as they kissed again. Kurama took subtle control – sliding his hands up to cup the detective's face gently, encouraging him with a pleased little hum, guiding him patiently in his passion.

Yusuke, a much better student than any of his teachers ever gave him credit for, was more than willing to take his silent hints, responding to the lesson without hesitation. The kiss slowed, no less hungry or passionate, but much more a shared expression of need and Kurama, trusting that his guidance had, indeed, had its effect, slid his hands down Yusuke's neck and chest and under his shirt, fingertips playing lightly along his firm abdomen and sending pleased shivers through the detective's body.

He groaned against Kurama's mouth, breaking the kiss as he wondered how it was even possible for the fox to make something as small as a kiss so exciting.

Kurama chuckled as if he could hear his thoughts, and pulled Yusuke's shirt up, bending to trail his tongue and lips upwards from his navel as he slowly pulled Yusuke's shirt off over his head. Once it was out of the way, he pulled Kurama's lips back to his own, his hunger still far from sated.

The fox, however, had his own ideas, and he pulled away after only a moment to turn his attention to Yusuke's neck, his shoulders. His began to re-trace his path back down Yusuke's body.

"I wasn't done!" Yusuke growled, wrapping Kurama's ponytail around his hand and pulling, forcing him back up, crushing his mouth beneath his own.

Kurama permitted the kiss for a moment before again pulling away.

"Yusuke," he scolded, "I thought we had agreed? I'm trying to convince you of my need and affection for you, aren't I?"

"Then convince me with your mouth, damn it!"

He nipped wickedly at his lips. "That," he said, "Is exactly what I had in mind."

The mental image hit Yusuke like a physical blow, and he actually stumbled a little, the very idea nearly enough to make the proposed action pointless. Kurama steadied him, and when he laughed, it was that soft, confident, utterly dominant chuckle that Yusuke had never heard from him before they had begun their relationship – a sound that, to Yusuke's surprise, made him react every time with a heady, hot as hell mixture of anticipation and excitement, and even a little fear.

"I take it you approve?" Kurama asked.

Yusuke was nodding long before he could convince his voice to work.

"But…" he managed at last, almost losing his voice once more as Kurama, seemingly unconcerned with any need for further permission, unfastened his pants with a very efficient flicking motion and began to tug them down over Yusuke's hips.

"But?" he asked, emerald eyes positively wicked.

It was just so damned hard to think with Kurama tugging at his jeans. Yusuke actually groaned when the fox nuzzled his neck, his long, soft hair falling over Yusuke's shoulder.

"Are you sure…you want to?" he managed to ask at last.

Kurama grew still. He nibbled gently at Yusuke's neck – hard enough to make him shiver, but not enough to break the skin or leave any kind of lasting mark. One of his fingers lightly traced the path of one of Yusuke's hip bones as he thought.

"I suppose I have underestimated the amount of work I am going to have to do with you, haven't I?" he asked wryly.

"Work?"

"Convincing you…" Kurama licked absently at his collar bone. "I confess, I had not anticipated finding you quite so virginal."

"But I'm not anymore."

"All in the attitude, my dear," he sighed, and his breath tickled the whetted skin. "I confess, I thought that once we had crossed this particular barrier, I would have the brash, arrogant Yusuke I have come to know so well to contend with."

"I'm sorry."

"No," and he laughed, pulling back to look at Yusuke, and his expression was one of light and joy and peace that he hadn't seen in far too long. "I'm surprised, but I find that I like it. I was dreading having to convince you not to judge me by my pretty looks alone. I've had lovers who have, you know. Assumed I was naturally…"

"I would never do that!" Yusuke interrupted. He'd fought at Kurama's side far too many times to see his beauty as an expression of weakness of some stupid shit like that, and told him so – his anger at the idea of anyone daring something like that nearly making him forget what they had been doing. "I'm the guy t' be in charge if we need a brick wall t' hit shit with," he said. "You're the guy who knows what he's doing! I don't mind letting you call the shots…I just want to be sure you're happy with me. That you don't…you know…wish you'd gone with someone more experienced."

"So vulnerable, Yusuke…I'm flattered to receive such sweetness."

Yusuke scowled at him. "I wasn't lying when I said I loved you, you know!" he glared.

Kurama smiled at him. "I wouldn't doubt you," he said warmly, running his hands slowly through Yusuke's hair. His smile became suggestive, even impish. "I did choose you, didn't I?"

"Well, yeah, but who wouldn't?" he grumbled, hoping to break the too-serious tone. That expression on Kurama's face held promise.

Kurama laughed, low and throaty.

"Close your eyes," he suggested. "I did promise to convince you of my affection, did I not?"

"Yeah…" Yusuke did as asked, body shaking from anticipation. Despite himself, he shivered at the feel of the feather light touch of Kurama's lips against his throat. "But are you sure ?" he pressed.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Kurama asked softly, and his breath tickled Yusuke's chest and abdomen.

Yusuke bit back a groan as he heard the rustle of dried leaves that told him his lover had kneeled before him. Though his eyes were closed, his mind was more than helpful in supplying him with the image of what the other demon was doing – and what he was about to do.

"Isn't it…" he stopped, nearly losing his train of thought at the feel of Kurama's lips brushing a teasing kiss just below his navel.

"Hm?" Kurama asked, tugging Yusuke's jeans down even farther.

He almost felt dizzy. He realized that if he didn't keep talking, didn't find some way to distract himself, he would lose control, and all of this would be over before it had even gotten started.

"Isn't is embarrassing?" he managed at last. He wanted more than anything to open his eyes and look at Kurama, see him kneeling there, ready to... "I mean," he swallowed hard, this throat having gone dry at the dangerous thought. "There are other things…"

"Hmm…" and Kurama's thoughtful pause was accompanied by the very strategic movement of a fingertip along the length of him, causing him to buck and gasp loudly. "Do you feel embarrassed, Yusuke?" he asked, and his breath was against him, so hot, so promising, so…"

"No," he groaned. "I'm not - !" and then Kurama's mouth covered him.

Somewhere far away in his shocked and desire-addled mind, somewhere distant, where he was still sane, Yusuke realized that the real problem with his relationship with Kurama, the thing that made him feel so insecure about his right to be there after so much time had passed after their first time without any reassurance of Kurama's feelings…the problem with their relationship was actually only Yusuke's problem, and trying to place the blame on the fox had been truly idiotic.

Kurama was simply too damned beautiful. Yusuke wanted to feel like he deserved him. He wanted to be cool and suave, to make Kurama go weak with desire, to lose all control and scream his name in pleasure. He wanted Kurama to see him the way he saw Kurama – as amazing and sexy and amazingly desirable. As the most important person in the world.

It hurt his pride that he had faltered that first time. Afraid of fumbling, afraid of making a fool of himself or of accidentally hurting his friend, he had relinquished control of Kurama. It didn't matter that, in the end, it had been him inside of Kurama , or that Yusuke, much to his own surprised, had thoroughly enjoyed letting Kurama guide him.

What mattered, what bothered him and made him try to pick a fight with his lover, was nothing more than confusion. Yusuke had spent his entire life fighting, and not only had he freely given control to Kurama, but he had enjoyed it.

And what did that mean?

But he couldn't think about any of that right now, and might even forget it later, and couldn't even bring himself to care, because Kurama – Kurama – was there, kneeling before him, teasing him with hands and lips and tongue, with his soft breath and his long hair against the most sensitive parts of his body.

And it was Kurama , beautiful and powerful and wise Kurama, who was his friend, who he loved, who he wanted to spend every moment of the rest of eternity standing beside.

Kurama, who he had almost lost far too many times.

The fox pulled back slowly, and Yusuke fought the urge to open his eyes, afraid that the sight that would greet him would push him over the edge – that he wouldn't be able to control himself if he looked at Kurama and saw how beautiful he was and thought about how much he meant to him.

"Yusuke…"

He heard the crackle of leaves and knew Kurama had risen, even before he felt his lips brush his own. He opened his eyes slowly, fighting his entire body with every last scrap of strength, and groaned aloud as he realized the fox was undressing.

"I hope you weren't expecting me to finish you," Kurama said in silken tones, pressing close after pulling off his shirt. "I have plans for you yet."

"Bastard," Yusuke whimpered, pulling him close and pressing himself needily against him. Kurama chuckled warmly against his lips.

"Do you love me?" the fox whispered.

"Yes," Yusuke groaned, knowing that that begging would only encourage Kurama to continue tormenting him. As with the last time, he found himself beyond caring what happened, so long as it was with his fox. "You know I do."

"Say it."

Kurama's eyes were so dark and warm and deep. Yusuke didn't hesitate.

"I love you," he said. "You know I love you."

Kurama smiled and pulled away, managing, as he did so, to elegantly free himself of every last scrap of clothing. He reached for Yusuke, arms encircling his neck like twining vines, pulling him with him as he leaned backwards against a tree which Yusuke vaguely suspected had not been there a moment ago.

"And you want me?" Kurama whispered.

Yusuke nodded, and tried to press himself close, kiss him, and remove what remained of his own clothes, all at once.

"Say it."

"I want you," Yusuke swore. "Kurama …"

He cursed when he realized he was going to have to give up on multitasking, pulling back to claw at the remaining articles of clothing as if they were smothering him.

Kurama laughed at him, and Yusuke made the mistake of looking up.

He froze, caught up in awe as he finally received the full, unobstructed view of the fox's nude body that he'd been craving for days. Sure, he'd seen the show before, but his memory wasn't nearly as good as the real thing, and no amount of imagination could have adequately depicted the effect of the light falling through the canopy of leaves above them shining off all that alabaster skin.

Yusuke made some sort of helpless, eager sound as Kurama, wicked, shifted. Playing to Yusuke's attention, the fox leaned even more deeply against the tree, taunting his lover with each and every lithe muscle, sharp angle, and pale plane of his lovely frame. He trailed one hand against himself, long fingers trailing lightly against his own skin. However patient he acted, Kurama's own body made it abundantly clear that that he was every bit as eager as Yusuke was.

And then, eyes watching Yusuke, always watching, his hand moved lower.

Yusuke moved. Everything else in the world was suddenly burned away by the consuming fire, the aching desire, which consumed his body. He was kissing Kurama, and Kurama was responding with just as much heat and passion, and he was shoving himself up against Kurama, wanting Kurama to feel him, wanting to feel Kurama .

And he was far past understanding language when Kurama whispered something to him, but he knew what that tone of voice meant, if not the words themselves, and it wasn't so much thought as raw instinct, or maybe that was just need , that guided him when he grabbed the fox under his thighs and lifted, slamming him back against the tree, and positioning himself, and then –

They both cried out when he entered him, but Yusuke barely heard either of them because Kurama had an arm around his neck, was pushing against him, meeting his thrust, more impossibly amazing than Yusuke could even remember. And for just a moment it occurred to him that he had forgotten something, something important had been left out, but then Kurama was kissing him, encouraging him with muffled moans and breathy sighs.

Kurama broke the kiss suddenly, throwing back his head with a loud gasp.

"There ," he panted. "Perfect…"

Yusuke carefully repeated whatever movement it was it had just done, and Kurama's hand tightened in his hair.

"Nh…Yusuke - !"

He was impossibly beautiful – his eyes closed, his bottom lip caught in his teeth, those crimson curls spilling over his pale, muscular shoulders. He pulled Yusuke to him, kissed him, moved his lips to his ear.

"Say it," he whispered.

"What?" he asked, and repeated the thrust a third time, and again his lover gave that delightful gasp of pleasure. Yusuke pulled back enough to give him a wild grin, pleased with himself as, more confident now, he fell into the new rythem.

"You know!" Kurama insisted breathlessly, clutching at him as he met each thrust. "I want…I need to hear it…one more time…"

He buried his face against the soft, fragrant column of Kurama's neck, and felt his power, sharp and electric, spark between them as control began to fray.

This was what he wanted – Kurama, with him, impossibly close. Kurama, clutching at him, whispering his name, forgetting all of his plans and his pain and the people in his life because, if only for a moment, Yusuke was just as important to him as Kurama was to Yusuke.

"Yusuke…"

He shifted his hold on Kurama to pull him even closer, and the fox cried out. The scent of roses filled the air as the redhead's control began to fray.

"Yusuke…please ! I need…"

"I love you," Yuske said, his doubts far away.

"Again!"

"I love you."

And Kurama's control broke at last, his power crashing over Yusuke in waves of earth and fur, or claws and teeth, of the growls of a predator in the dark of the night. Musk and moonlight and soil. Life and energy and light and power. All that was Kurama spilled over Yusuke.

Later, the detective would think about what it meant for Kurama to at last give himself so completely. He would understand, later, how important – earth-shatteringly amazing, really – it was for Kurama to let himself be so honest and helpless. Later, much later, Yusuke would realize that their relationship was every bit as important – no, perhaps more important – to Kurama as it was to him. How much Kurama needed his love.

But, for the present, as Yusuke held Kurama in his arms, spurred by the fox's passion into his own world-stopping release, there was nothing else in the world but him, and Kurama, and their bodies. Kurama's lips and his breath, against his neck, and his heartbeat fluttering against his own, and his hair against his shoulder, and his soft, whispered, heartfelt "thank you."

tbc

Yusuke did forget something. If you noticed it, don't review me about it complaining – because I'm aware of it already. If you didn't notice it, then don't worry about it.