Of You, Me, and Us
Summary: "I like you." When those words left her lips, Botan had expected to hear him utter words of apology. After all, she didn't think he felt the same way about her. She didn't expect Kurama looking at her straight in the eyes before leaning closer to kiss her. And although he didn't say anything, one glance at the expression on his face was enough to tell her: she was his now.
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.
Chapter 29: Foreign
Kurama knew.
He knew that Botan had a thing for foreigners. Particularly, British foreigners.
There was something about their pure English accent that Botan was really and completely drawn to, something that made her squeal and go into her fangirl mode everytime she'd see a British actor on the television screen. Many of his female peers were attracted to British men- especially ones who were gifted with good looks to add to their charms- and Botan was not excluded. Apparently, even Death lacked the capability to resist the beguiling way British accent sounded- elegant and soft, and sometimes could make you come off as a rich person, even when you weren't.
And though he was consumed with jealousy at times whenever she gushed or giggled girlishly over a male actor he would rather see being burned into ashes in the pits of Hell, he rather liked hearing and mouth-practicing the words he could pronounce in British. He loved conquering new things and British accent were a piece of cake for him. It was one of his recent addition to the many other abilities on his 'I-Can-Do-This' list.
Plus, it swelled his heart with joy and male pride everytime Botan's high-pitched, fangirl-ish squeal resonated when the beautiful-sounded words escaped from his lips. It was a big boost to his self-esteem- not that he needed it, but still- and also a fact that made him confident would result to Botan's adoration and love towards him to intensify even more. Not that it could intensify anymore seeing as she would practically throw her life away in exchange for his, but he was greedy- he used to be a thief, after all, and thieves had notoriously never-ending greed. It was like second nature to him to just simply want and ache for more. And Botan willingly gave him more with each excited scream she let out- a fact that made him bear with the pain of having to talk in a foreign language and dressed up like the Mad Hatter all day just to satisfy his girlfriend's needs and fantasy.
Yes. No more going gaga over British actors. He thought as Botan took no notice to the blonde, boyish-seeming actor displayed on the TV screen.
"Would you like some more tea?" he asked in a rich voice, mouth curling upwards into the charming smile he knew would make girls swoon and tongue rolling in ways that could permit the words into being released as they should. British and hot- or at least that was how Botan put it. He just wished he could see her clathed in the blue and white attire that would make her look like Alice. That would make the whole situation easier to handle.
"Yes, thank you. You're a dear," Botan responded with the adding of a giggle- she had been giggling a lot today- as she lifted the cup in mid-air for the fox to slip in another sugar cube into the tea she was drinking. She was dressed in her usual pink kimono, hair kept neatly together in that high ponytail and body in her spirit form. She had declined Kurama's request of Botan putting on a costume as well as she had work to do after tea time.
"When do you suppose is the time you must go back to your ferry duties?" he spoke in the way he knew she liked. Almost instantly, a pink flush tinted her cheeks, her pools of amethyst turning wide in glee and admiration. Oh, gosh.
"Um… in about five more minutes?" she answered absent-mindedly as she continued to stare at him with that bright grin on her soft features, cheeks touching palms as her elbows were placed flat on the round, white table.
"Then you must hurry. The lord will be crossed if you were to be tardy to work… again," he told her, before clearing his throat to hide his discomfort and inward cringe at the talking method he was forced to use. Oh, well. Anything for the sake of love.
Blue brows creased for a moment at his remark, before the wrinkle on Botan's forehead faded into thin air as her lower lip jutted out in a cute pout. Disappointment washed over her mug, and it was pretty clear that she had no desire to leave just by looking at the way she sat back in her chair and crossed her arms in a stubborn manner. Despite her displeasure at not being able to indulge herself in Kurama's British accent anymore, the ferry girl was aware of the rightness in his words.
She heaved a heavy, defeated sigh before slowly getting up from the chair. "Alright, fine," she huffed, before a smile then pulled at her lips again as Kurama stood up as well and leaned in to peck her cheek.
He held her hand in his, and tucked a tendril of her blue hair behind the shell of her ear as he looked straight into her eyes and uttered, "Would you like me to see you to the door?"
Botan's heart halted their thumping, did a flip and restarted again at the attention he was showering her with. In spite of liking the image of Kurama walking her to the exit of his apartment, she decided against it as she figured that her boyfriend had enough pretending to be a combination of Mad Hatter and a British noble for the day. Her smile broadened and she shook her head.
"No thanks. There's no need for that. Besides, I'm more used the window," she replied before pulling her hand away just in time for him to release his hold on the appendage. Materializing her oar, Botan then hopped on her only means of flying transportation as Kurama sauntered towards the windowsill and slid it open for her to leave. She flew right to his side and gave him a chaste kiss on the lips before saying, "Can I ask just one more thing before I go?"
Kurama arched his eyebrow. "Anything. What is it?" he asked, not bothering to proceed with his British persona as Botan seemed to no longer care enough about it.
Or so it seemed.
"Can you just keep this up for a month or something?" Botan slowly asked, eyeing the slight fracture in her boyfriend's usual composure, clarified simply by the look on his face. A sheepish grin tugged at the corners of her lips. "It's just I can't get enough of your voice speaking in British."
Kurama considered this for a moment. A day? Sure, he could do that. A week? Tough, but okay. A month? Hell no.
He frowned, visibly. "I'm afraid that's not possible," came his blatant response. Another pout was what he earned in return.
"Aw, come on. I'll dress up with you next time if that's what you want," she offered.
A flash of Alice's blue dress, and the bright red color of a devil-themed costume. All tightly hugging the curves of Botan's body. He grinned.
This time, there was not even a pause or a hint of hesitation as his answer came as instantly as the sentence left her lips. "Okay."
