Sorry for the delay! Life has been extremely crazy and unpredictable and I was not in the proper headspace to write. Things are settling down now so hopefully, I can get back to posting more regularly!
Hiei dodged an oncoming punch as Botan continued to advance on him. She'd gotten better in terms of her balance, strength and precision; a far cry from the unstable, clumsy motions she displayed when they first started out. Determination shone in her narrowed eyes and sharpened her focused gaze. She was becoming increasingly desperate to win their little sparring match, so it was no surprise to Hiei when she extended her leg in a last ditch effort to trip him. He had already seen it coming, though, so he turned the tables with a quick sidestep and a swooping arc of his foot against her ankle. He never expected that she would grab two handfuls of his shirt and pull him down with her in a bout of petulant retaliation. His eyes went wide as the room spun and they both crashed towards the blue mat. It was only thanks to instinct that he managed to brace himself on his forearms and knees, hovering a few scant centimeters above the tricky bluette.
Crimson eyes narrowed as he glared down at Botan. He meant to scold her for pulling a move that could have simultaneously injured her and given the opponent the upper hand, but when she propped herself up on the back of her elbows and pushed them in closer proximity, the words became lodged somewhere in his throat. Botan's chest was heaving as she panted and he could practically feel her racing heart against his own. Tendrils of sky blue hair were falling out of her ponytail, cheeks dusted a rosy red and eyes shaded pink underneath the bright ceiling lights. Her flowery scent overpowered the rubbery, dusty smell of the room and the warmth of her body underneath his was quickly becoming headier than he was equipped to handle.
He swallowed thickly as his gaze dragged down from fluttering lashes to pink lips. They were slightly parted and relaxed. He never noticed the shape of her mouth before, or how her bottom lip was plump and perfect for biting—
Hiei froze when he realized exactly what he was thinking and killed the thought immediately. He pulled away in the next instant, keeping his expression neutral as he sat back on the mat and allowed Botan to do the same.
"I really thought I had you this time!" she complained through heavy breaths.
"You're still far too green for that," he replied, taking a stand. He extended his hand out towards her, their palms meeting with a dull slap as he pulled the woman to her feet. "But you are leagues better than when you first started."
"Really?" she asked, gripping his hand tighter with both of hers in all of her excitement.
Hiei meant to nod in return, but his traitorous mind chose to wander down unsavory avenues once more. Crimson eyes trailed down the slender, pale column of her neck, following the soft lines of her collarbones and taking great interest in the shape of her chest.
"Hiei?"
The sound of her voice, so trusting and warm, snapped him out of his trance. He pulled his hand out of her grip, nodded affirmatively and then turned away to hide his embarrassment. Every inch of his skin was searing, heat rising to his cheeks as his heart sped up. He could hear Botan moving to collect her things behind him, humming an upbeat tune and mercifully unaware of his inner struggle. The detective snatched his water bottle and chugged it with a single-minded determination.
He summoned all manner of nonsensical thoughts to the forefront of his mind:
Kuwabara's love sonnets.
Yusuke's tendency to lip-smack when he ate.
Kurama in a dress.
Haru's ridiculous cat videos.
He didn't care what it was, so long as it distracted him from Botan's attributes and the very pointed, very dangerous effect they had on his blood flow.
.
.
.
Hiei assumed the strange spell cast over him at the gym was merely a fluke; a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence that would never happen again.
But he sorely mistaken.
It wasn't long until they returned home and his body betrayed him once more.
Botan had just exited the bathroom in one of those thin robes she loved donning and Hiei once again found himself unable to function. The material ended mid-thigh, affording him the view of long, shapely legs. Her hair was still wet, light blue dyed cerulean, and cheeks tinged with warmth. A droplet of water slid down her throat and dipped between her cleavage.
Hiei tore his gaze away, dark brows knotting as he forced the afterimage out of his mind. This was the last thing he needed. He was finally getting used to the woman and her soft smiles and light touches. Now he was plagued by thoughts of her smooth skin and soft curves and—
He abruptly sliced that train of thought into ribbons.
It was only natural, he reasoned stubbornly, fist clenched at his side. The woman was by no means unattractive. She took adequate care of herself, put effort into her appearance and somehow always smelled good. Even more, she had legs for days — something he had always been partial to.
But this really wasn't the time for such things. He was supposed to be protecting her, not lusting over her. It was a testament to his terrible luck that the universe decided that now was the perfect time to remind him that she was an appealing woman and he was a man with urges and needs. It had admittedly been a while since he spent the night with anyone. Perhaps he was just… horny.
Whatever the case, he would simply have to deal with it like he did everything else: with stubborn refusal and willful denial. Eventually, this attraction would fade and things would return to normal. He was sure of it. So, he avoided her gaze, pushed all thoughts of creamy skin and inviting eyes out of his mind and trudged into the bathroom.
He was due a long, cold shower.
Botan sat on the bed, completely engrossed in her journal as she spilled her thoughts to the page.
At first, journaling was simply a way for her to cope with the case. It was an outlet for the fears and doubts she didn't dare voice to anyone else and she found solace in the habitual routine of recounting each day. However, as time went on, she found herself writing more about Hiei and less about her worries concerning the future. Her affections resided within the stroke of each letter, highlighted in every word and contained neatly within the lines of each page. They were so obvious in retrospect that she felt a little foolish for not catching on sooner.
There was no point in dwelling on it, though, so Botan forgave herself for her past obliviousness and carried on with her journaling. It was quiet and still in lowlight of Hiei's bedroom, the sounds of the shower long since cut off as he shuffled around behind the closed door. She was nearly finished with tonight's entry when the door creaked open to reveal the shirtless detective. She immediately short-circuited upon seeing the sight, pencil tip snapping under the weight of her fingers. Her mouth ran dry, eyes transfixed on the expanse of tanned skin stretched over defined and taut muscles. She blinked slowly, curious eyes traveling over broad shoulders, sculpted pectorals and a set of impressive abdominal muscles. A pair of black sweats hung low on his hips and she felt her face flushing redder; she didn't dare allow her gaze to meander any lower. Hiei appeared to be none the wiser to her ogling as he turned towards his dresser in search of a shirt.
She soaked in the sight of his figure shamelessly. The power in those muscles and the control and precision she had seen him employ during their many training sessions always left her a little breathless. She thought back to just an hour earlier when he'd pinned her down on the mat. He was all business, of course, while she was too busy memorizing the warmth of him over her, the darkness of his messy locks, the intensity of red eyes burning into hers, and the line of his body just barely brushing against her form.
She wondered what it would feel like if she reached out to touch. She wondered if he would relax under her touch and if he would say her name in that low, sexy voice of his.
"Botan."
"Huh?" she snapped out of it instantly.
"Your phone."
Botan finally registered the upbeat jingle of her ringtone sounding off. Hiei must have been trying to get her attention for a while now because the tune was nearly about to loop back to the start. With a sheepish smile, she set her journal aside and reached towards the nightstand to grab the device.
"It was just spam," she announced, putting her phone on silent.
Hiei didn't say a word in reply, simply choosing to slide into his side of the bed. Much like her, he propped his pillows against the headboard, leaning back on them with his phone in hand. The sleeveless black top he wore afforded her a very generous view of his shoulders and arms. And, once again, her gaze wandered unashamedly.
"Woman."
"Huh?"
"You're staring at me."
"Oh, uh… it's just…" She felt her blush traveling down to her neck and over her ears as she searched for an easy out. "You always wear so little. Aren't you cold?"
"No," he replied. "The temperature doesn't affect me like it does with you."
Botan hummed thoughtfully, curiosity overtaking everything else as she considered his claims and found them to be true. He never seemed to be bothered as the seasons changed and he often wore as little as possible when he was home. It must've been nice to have such a natural resistance to the elements.
"Yukina's the same way, too," she mentioned, tapping a finger against her chin. "I suppose it must be a genetic thing."
"Perhaps."
"Maybe it's a trait you both inherited from your mother," she continued.
Hiei didn't appear to be all that enthused as he shrugged. "Who knows."
Botan frowned at his blasé response.
"Do you ever wonder about her?" she asked, turning to face him fully. "What she might have been like?"
"No."
"…"
"Don't look at me like that, woman," Hiei discouraged. "You already admitted to not giving your own parents much thought."
"That's because I had Miss Yumi," she stated. "But you… you had no one."
She thought of an aged-down Hiei, failed by the system and filled with more distrust than his little body could contain as he was handed off from foster home to foster home. Never having anyone on his side. Never knowing what it was like to be loved. It broke her heart into pieces. If he ended up at the same orphanage as her, maybe they could have been friends. Maybe she could have helped him somehow.
"I had the stone," Hiei said quietly, voice breaking through the silence.
His admission surprised her, blue brows rounded and obscured behind her bangs as she regarded him.
"Your mother's?" she asked.
He nodded, a distant look in his eyes as he stared ahead. "It provided me more comfort than a meaningless token should have."
"I see…" Botan nodded. She found solace in the fact he had something to remind him that he wasn't all alone in this world. "Well, thank goodness for that."
"…"
She smiled in an effort to lift the mood. "It's a shame you keep it hidden, though. The poor thing never sees the light of day."
"That's because I don't need it anymore."
"Because you found Yukina?"
He nodded.
"And all of your friends?" she added with a hopeful gleam in her eyes.
His mouth was flattened into a firm line, determined not to say anything at all.
"Come on, Hiei. It wouldn't kill you to admit that you actually care about us…"
"Hn. It just might."
"Well, I suppose that's confirmation enough in your own, Hiei-esque way," she teased.
"It wasn't."
"It totally was!"
He rolled his eyes. "You're a menace, woman."
"Maybe so, but this menace is your friend. And you're stuck with me for life, mister."
"Lucky me," he mocked.
Botan shook her head knowingly, before returning her attentions to her phone and ignoring the fluttering of her heart.
Hiei ignored the hustle and bustle of the first division as he stared down at the most recent new messages intended for Botan.
'I'll hold your beating chambers until they beat no more. You'll die like angels sing.'
'I'll bury you in the ocean floor, where they'll never hear a scream.'
They endeavored to do what they could: following all leads, turning in evidence to forensics, reviewing any and all available surveillance tapes, but even so, they continued to come up short. Usually, the lack of progression would have driven the detective mad. He would have become unswerving in his attempts to solve the case. He would have foregone everything else for the chance to solve the case. But things changed. He changed.
He no longer allowed his past tunnel vision to cloud his sight or actions. He remained grounded in the knowledge that he was in control of his own reactions. And the key to solving this case was keeping his head clear and alert. He couldn't afford to be hindered by feelings of frustration or uselessness. Not when Botan's life was at stake.
Haru sighed, rubbing his temples. "I feel like we've exhausted every possible lead and still... no sign of this guy."
"The bastard will have to show up sooner or later," Hiei decided. "Keeping Botan safe is what matters most right now."
"Of course."
Hiei intended to continue leafing through the notes and photographs, but he felt the distinct heaviness of Haru's gaze still resting on him. There was something akin to pride in his partner's green eyes and a hint of emotion that Hiei couldn't quite pinpoint.
"...What?" he bit out.
"It's just-" Haru cut himself off, looking towards the door as it opened. "Oh, hey B!"
Hiei shut the case file and returned to the report he had been working on earlier.
"Hello Haru," she returned with a grin. "Got any thrilling plans tonight?"
"Sure do! I've got a hot date with the television and some takeout."
"Ooh, spicy!"
"I know." Haru grinned. "What about you?"
"Well, a certain someone was supposed to go to the movies with me," she said pointedly.
Hiei ignored her.
"I wonder if he's already forgotten," she stated.
"…"
"And after he gave me his word, too."
"…"
"Come on, Hiei, you promised!" she exclaimed, shaking his chair.
"I already agreed," he reminded her. "Now let me finish this in peace."
"But I want to arrive early so we can see the previews. Can't you work on it tomorrow?"
Hiei dragged his gaze away from the report to glare up at the impatient woman. She was already dressed in her thin jacket, foot tapping against the floor impatiently. One hand rested against her hip while the other clutched an empty bento box.
He frowned.
"Where's your bag?" he asked.
"Right here, silly," she said, lifting up her free hand mechanically. She blinked at the place her purse should have been and then let out a gasp. "Oh poo, I left it at my desk! The tickets are in there, too!"
Hiei watched her go, the barest hint of a smirk on his lips as she skittered out of sight. The woman could be so scatterbrained sometimes; a true airhead, really.
But for all of her forgetfulness, she was always incredibly unfailing and reliable when it mattered most. Intelligent and understanding in the ways that he wasn't. Constant and true.
She was... something else. Hiei just couldn't figure out what exactly that something was yet.
"Interesting," Haru observed, arms folded over his chest loosely and gaze discerning. The look in his eyes indicated that he was privy to something that Hiei had yet to catch onto and it infuriated the detective to no end. "Very interesting…"
"What is?" Hiei asked warily.
"The vibes coming from you."
"Vibes?"
"Yeah, I'm catching some major red string action," Haru said, wiggling his thumb at Hiei teasingly.
Hiei's features pinched in an expression of exasperation and annoyance. "You need to stop talking in riddles and get to the point."
Haru pouted. "You're never any fun!"
"So I'm told," he deadpanned in response. "Now, explain yourself."
"Alright, alright," Haru conceded. His gaze rolled to the left and then to the right, before he pinned Hiei with an imperative look. "Just between us guys... are you into Botan?"
"..."
"Romantically?" Haru emphasized with a lift of an orange brow. "'Cause I definitely feel like there's something brewing between you two."
Hiei eyed his partner critically for any signs of mental illness, before frowning. "How many cups of coffee have you had for the day?"
Green eyes glanced away shiftily. "…Five."
"Hn. That explains the caffeine induced delusion."
"I'm serious, man."
"And I'm telling you: you're insane."
"I dunno," Haru rubbed his chin. "I'm usually pretty good with this kind of thing."
As much as Hiei loathed admitting it, Haru was right. The lackadaisical man possessed the uncanny ability of perceiving and understanding the emotions of others. It was what made him such a good detective and just about the only reason Hiei kept him on as his partner. He made up for the gaps in Hiei's strengths. He saw the things that Hiei often overlooked.
But Haru was only human and he could make mistakes. He couldn't possibly be on the mark every time because Hiei knew how he felt better than anyone else.
He wasn't the type to develop any sort of romantic bond, perhaps as a result of his tumultuous past or the way his brain was wired. His past trysts never crossed over into amorous territory. He never wanted anyone in the same sappy way the others did. He never cared to fall in love.
And it suited him just fine.
He simply wasn't built for such things.
Which was exactly why he was certain that he wasn't falling for Botan. It was simply out of the question, a categorical impossibility. There was just no chance—
"Ready to go?"
Hiei brought his gaze up to meet smiling eyes and a warm expression and suddenly, it was as if the floor fell from right under his feet. His heart dropped down low into his stomach and then catapulted back up, flying past his rib cage and catching in his throat.
Fuck.
"Hiei?" Botan's amethyst eyes colored with concern as she stepped closer. "Are you okay?"
He cleared his throat and glanced away. "I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive," he lied.
He was far from all right, but he schooled his expression into one of neutrality and Botan relented. He went through the motions of closing up his work station mechanically: logging out of all applications, turning his computer off, depositing the files in a locked drawer. Despite his composure, his mind was racing. Spinning with the knowledge that he was into the bubbly, cheerful and lighthearted woman.
"Come on, slowpoke!" she urged, waving over at him from the threshold of the door.
He swallowed thickly as he pocketed his wallet, phone and keys. As he followed after Botan, he already knew that Haru was still staring at him with that all-knowing, shit-eating grin.
.
.
.
Despite Botan's badgering, they made it to the theater with time to spare. They settled into their assigned seats and he found himself laden with more snacks than he had any business eating.
Hiei had never been much of a moviegoer. He hated overcrowded spaces as much as he disliked the overwhelming scents of butter, greasy foods and sugary concoctions. But Botan pestered him until she wore him down. And he was once again at the mercy of her whims.
He didn't pay much attention to the previews as they played. And when the movie started, he was already too withdrawn in his own head to register the large screen and deafening sound effects.
He wasn't sure when he started to feel this unorthodox way about the woman seated beside him. Duty tied them together at the start of their cohabitation and he merely thought of her as another victim who needed justice. Over time, things began to change. They grew closer, forming a genuine bond of friendship. He didn't know when it warped into something else. He couldn't say how it distorted and twisted into what it was today.
Botan suddenly clung onto his arm, burying her face against him. He glanced down at the woman, her form blanketed in darkness and the faint light that was intermittently afforded by the screen.
"Why did you even bother choosing this one?" he berated. "You hate horror."
"I did it for you!" she whispered into his shoulder, still unwilling to return her attentions to the movie. "You and Yukina are just about the only ones I know that like these creepy, demented films."
Hiei frowned. She was always doing that. Taking his wants, needs and preferences into consideration. Choosing to do something that suited him instead of her. Worrying for his sake, rather than her own. She didn't need to go that far - not for him.
"You're impossible, woman," he muttered lowly, expression softening a fraction.
Botan pulled away. "I didn't think you'd want to watch a nice, wholesome rom-com."
"You were right about that."
"And because I'm such a stellar friend, I've resigned myself to suffering in silence."
"You aren't exactly quiet."
She sent him a withering look, although it lost most of its effectiveness when she flinched at the sudden flurry of noise that erupted from the speakers. He could see the hesitance in her gaze as she returned it to the movie. He could practically feel how stiff she was beside him as she fought the natural urge to scream or hide or flee. If she was doing this much for his benefit, then he supposed he ought to swallow his pride and do something for her in return.
He opened up his fist, holding his hand out to her with his palm upturned.
Botan blinked down at his hand twice and then glanced up at him. He forced his eyes on the screen, unsurprised when she slid her hand into his a few short moments later. Her skin was smooth and cool to the touch as she closed her hand around his tightly. It was strange how easily he was able to ground her when he had never been the comforting or soothing type. She squeezed every time something startled her, lips pressed together as she bit back a squeal. He made the decision to close his hand around hers, just firm enough for her know that he was there.
He didn't do this sort of thing for anyone. In fact, the thought wouldn't have even crossed his mind a month ago.
He should have realized sooner just how many exceptions he was making for the bluette. He should have noticed all the concessions given to her without a second thought.
Perhaps if he were more in tune with his emotions, more experienced, more in touch with his feelings, he would have realized exactly when and how he started drifting into such dangerous territory. As it stood, he couldn't even begin to hazard a guess as to when it all started. The days seemed to blend together; the memories dyed in sentiments he didn't know how to classify or wade through.
Botan used to mean nothing to him.
And now…
His life wouldn't feel quite right if she wasn't in it.
Midweek found Botan nearly at her wit's end as her crush on Hiei began to snowball into something uncontrollable. Every glance, every unguarded expression, every accidental touch did something irrevocable to her. Last night's trip to the movies didn't help, either.
He just had to be a gentleman and offer his hand in her time of need. She could still feel the warmth of his palm against hers, strong and comforting. When they were together like that, it made her long for the things she could never have. She began to wonder what it would be like if she confessed her feelings to him and he returned her affections in full. She began to wonder if there was a chance that he might care for her in the same vein that she cared for him. It was a likely impossibility. She knew that much. And yet, she continued to yearn and hope for the things that might never come to pass.
"Botan."
"Hm?"
"You spaced out again," he said.
She returned back to reality, surprised to find that they were already at the precinct and it was time to part ways.
"…I'll try to finish on time today," he said, averting his gaze.
The way her heart flipped over that simple gesture was downright embarrassing. As much as she wanted to spend more time with the detective, she also recognized just how in over her head she truly was when it came to him. She needed help; some guidance and sound advice. The girls never led her astray and maybe, if she spilled her secret out to them, she wouldn't feel so constricted by her feelings anymore.
"A-actually, I'm supposed to meet up with the girls after work," she lied, waving a dismissive hand at him as she kept her tone casual and light. "So, there's no need to worry about little old me tonight."
Hiei eyed her silently for a few moments, dark brows furrowed slightly under the weight of his suspicion. The bluette tried not to cave under the weight of his piercing gaze. She knew she was a terrible fibber, but she hoped he wouldn't see through her this one time.
"There's no need to worry," she added. "Shizuru will meet me here and then we'll head out together."
Crimson eyes fell away from hers and she felt as though she could breathe again.
"Don't forget to check in," he instructed, pushing his hands in his pockets.
"I won't!"
And then he nodded and set off for the first division. She felt a little bad about lying to his face like that, but it was for the best. Perhaps some distance and perspective from the girls would be enough to calm her turbulent emotions.
Pulling her phone out, she sent a quick text to Shizuru, Keiko and Yukina: 'SOS - bar tonight, ladies?'
.
.
.
The bar was unusually packed, patrons seated or standing from wall to wall. Despite that, Shizuru managed to weasel three seats directly at the bar from a trio of businessmen. The sounds of music, laughter and heated discussions rang in the air around them as they claimed their seats.
"It's a shame Yukina couldn't make it," Keiko mentioned, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"That's alright," Botan replied, pausing to nod gratefully at Chuu as he slid their usual drinks over to them in succession. "I hardly gave you girls any advance notice and I would've hated it if she cancelled a date night on my account."
"Why did you call this emergency meeting anyway?" Shizuru asked, brown eyes fixed on Botan intently. "Is everything okay?"
"Well… it's just…" Botan hesitated. Once she spoke the truth out loud, there was no taking it back. It would be given life, free to subsist no matter how much she wished she could lock her feelings away and pretend they didn't exist. Her gaze dithered between her two friends as she traced a pattern into the condensation on her glass. Keiko and Shizuru were both staring back at her patiently, their expressions mixed with care and concern. There wasn't anything she couldn't tell them, so she inhaled deeply and took the proverbial dive. "The truth is… you were right. I do like Hiei… as more than friends."
"That a girl," Shizuru congratulated, patting her back. "We knew you'd get there eventually."
Blue brows rose above wide eyes. "Was I that obvious?"
Keiko nodded.
A horror-stricken look crossed over Botan's features as anxiety struck her heart. "Do you think Hiei knows?"
"He's a man," Keiko reasoned with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Of course he doesn't."
"An emotionally repressed one at that," Shizuru added. Her expression softened under the honey colored lights as she regarded Botan. "But we're glad you finally caught on."
Botan smiled sheepishly. "W-well, it just took me some time to come to terms with it, is all…"
"So, tell us," Keiko probed, large brown eyes gleaming with interest as she leaned in closer. "What do you like about him?"
"Well... it's... a combination of things, really," the bluette replied, cheeks stained pink.
Keiko and Shizuru exchanged amused glances.
"He's just so..." Botan trailed off, trying to find the right words. "…Hot!"
"I can't argue with you there," Shizuru agreed, clinking her glass against Keiko's as the latter giggled.
"Living with him is pure torture. The amount of times I've seen him without a shirt is practically criminal," Botan complained, burying her burning face in her hands. "And his smirk… it's awful and wonderful all at once." She sighed. "But what gets the most is the moments where he lets down his guard. His eyes become so unguarded and he'll wear the faintest hint of a smile. It melts my heart every time."
"Aw, you're so far gone," Keiko gushed, placing a hand on her shoulder comfortingly.
"I know!" Botan lamented. "I never thought I would like someone like Hiei. He can be so terribly difficult at times. And so horribly rude! He loves to make fun of me and mock me, but then he'll turn around and say or do something considerate. Oh, what's a girl to do?"
"Fall hopelessly, I guess," Shizuru answered.
"There's no other option, really," Keiko agreed.
Botan let out a deep, hopeless sigh. "I suppose so."
"I feel for you, blue. It can't be easy living with the guy day in and day out when you're lusting after him all the time," Shizuru mentioned.
She nodded. "And it's not just the physical. He's got such a good heart, too!"
"Really?" Keiko prodded.
Botan couldn't blame her friend for the note of disbelief in her tone. If she never lived with Hiei, she wouldn't have known just how deep his kindness truly ran. "Even when we weren't on great terms, he still opened his apartment to me without a second thought and he even gave me the bed. We're sharing it now, but he always remains mindful of boundaries and personal space, like at true gentleman."
"Wait a minute," Keiko interrupted, eyes growing wide as her voice pitched higher. "You guys are sleeping together?"
"Only literally," Botan clarified.
"And what's that like?" Shizuru asked with an arch of a brow.
"Oh, it's wonderful. He runs warmer than most people, so it's always very comfortable."
"Yusuke snores," Keiko disclosed. "And he moves around a lot. Want to trade?"
Botan giggled. "You wouldn't trade Yusuke for the world and you know it."
Keiko smiled. "Sounds like you feel the same about Hiei."
The bluette's expression sobered up as Keiko's words sunk in.
"I've never felt this way about anyone before," she admitted quietly. "He means so much to me that it's a little scary. Everything he says, everything he does… it stays with me." Her thoughts drifted to a warm body next to hers at night, piercing red eyes, teasing smirks and honest words. Her heart bloomed with warmth and her expression softened in turn. "He just… he feels like home…"
"Oh Botan," Keiko breathed out.
"So, what do you intend to do about this fatal attraction?" Shizuru asked lightly.
Botan paused to consider the question. She didn't have a plan at all. "…I don't know. Do you think I should make a move?"
"I don't see why you shouldn't," Shizuru encouraged.
"Shizuru!" Keiko admonished.
Botan pulled her strawberry daiquiri through her straw, sensing the signs of an infamous Yukimura versus Kuwabara volley brewing.
"What?" The older woman shrugged. "No risk, no reward."
"There is such a thing as too much risk," Keiko countered. "Maybe we should encourage her to practice a little caution in this situation?"
"There's no harm in going after what you want."
"But this is Hiei we're talking about…"
"You saw them at the cabin."
"I know, but he's still so unpredictable."
"So she shouldn't do anything at all?"
"I'm saying she shouldn't rush into anything."
"It's been more than a month, Yukimura."
"That's hardly a long time in the grand scheme of things, Kuwabara."
"Ladies," Botan interjected, hands raised sheepishly. "While you both make great points, I say we drop it for now and enjoy our girls' night!"
The two glanced at each other and smiled, all traces of dissension vanishing from their features.
"To all the men who drive us crazy," Shizuru toasted, raising her glass.
"And the friends who carry us through," Keiko finished.
"Cheers to that!" Botan exclaimed as the trio clinked their glasses together.
Hiei stepped into the loud and lively bar with a scowl. It was one of those nights where everyone let loose, booming voices and high-pitched exclamations mixing into one general sound of discord. Crimson eyes scanned the crowd, Botan's blue hair a beacon amongst the sea of brown and black. He approached the three women at the bar silently, careful to avoid cramped bodies, flailing limbs and precariously held drinks.
"Hiei!" Botan exclaimed, upon spotting him. Without any preamble, the crazy woman threw herself at him. He pulled his hands out of his pockets and caught her by her waist. She managed to remain precariously balanced on the stool as she wrapped her arms around him and held on tight. The detective stiffened as she nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck, breath ghosting against his skin as she continued, "I missed you."
He regained his composure quickly enough, expression morphing back into one of stoicism. "It's only been a few hours."
"A few hours too many!"
Hiei pinned the reaming two women with an accusing frown. "She's worse than you let on."
They only shrugged in unison, the slight flush on their faces indicating that they were too buzzed to care.
"What happened?" he pressed. "Why did she drink so much?"
"We're not liable to say," Keiko responded, biting back a smile as she stood up.
The knowing look on her face only served to deepen his glare.
"Just make sure you take good care of her," Shizuru warned, throwing some bills on the bar.
Hiei guided Botan off of the stool, holding onto her arms until he was sure she could balance on her own. She was completely out of it, limbs loose and uncoordinated, eyes glassy and lips pulled into a lazy smile. He grabbed her purse off of the bar, pausing to ensure that her phone was inside before pushing it into her hands.
"You shouldn't have overdone it," Hiei reproached as he guided her towards the door. "You're going to regret it in the morning."
"Lucky for me the night is still young!" she cheered loudly.
He winced. "It's over for you. We're going home."
"But Hiei-"
"No buts."
He loaded her into the taxi that was waiting for them at the curb and climbed in next to her. The driver already knew where they were going, so he took off without any prompting or small talk. Botan sat behind the passenger's seat, purse clutched in her lap and gaze fixed out the window. She was bathed in moonlight, pale and beautiful and seemingly subdued. He thought she might behave for the entire ride, but it wasn't long until she seemed to remember that he was right beside her. Amethyst eyes glided over towards him, sparkling as if she knew something he didn't. Her smile curved warmly, holding secrets and sentiments and words untold. That peculiar expression made him feel more unsettled than he cared to admit.
"What is it, woman?"
"Hm?" She tilted her head.
"Why do you keep staring at me like that?"
"Because I like you silly," she said, as if it was the most obvious fact known to man. She leaned closer to him, her flowery perfume breaching his senses. "I like everything about you."
"Botan," he warned lowly, unsure of what she was attempting to do.
When she was this close, he didn't trust himself to win the battle against his warring instincts. She made him weaker than he cared to admit and if she deigned to cross the invisible boundaries between them, he would let her have her way with him. Fortunately, Botan in her inebriated state had more sense than he did while sober because she simply smiled at him and proceeded to rest her head on his shoulder. She leaned her weight against him, as if this intimacy was commonplace between them. As if it was something they were allowed to do. She let out a contented sigh a few moments later, her breathing evening out and slowing down.
She was falling asleep.
And burrowing deeper inside his heart.
Hiei glanced down at Botan and everything else faded away. He paid no mind to the radio or the gentle hum of the car's engine. He hardly noticed the whirling scenery and city lights through the barely cracked window. Suddenly, his world was reduced to just the two of them.
He could deal with the physical pulls and desires. They weren't impossible to resist, considering he wasn't an animal who needed to give into baser urges. But this abounding flood of warmth in his chest was just as new as the wellspring of bewildering emotions plaguing his mind.
He didn't know how to face his growing attraction, much less how to stop it.
He didn't know how to deal with any of this.
Botan suddenly shifted into a more comfortable position, pulling the detective out of his thoughts and back to the present. There were sirens going off in the distance, the streets filled with commotion as a couple of police cars zoomed past their taxi.
This world was a dangerous place. Evil lived and breathed among them every day, corrupting souls and darkening hearts. It festered and flourished, driving the depraved to commit vile, unspeakable acts. Worst of all: the ones who usually suffered the most were innocents like Botan. Hiei witnessed it over and over again; he knew these facts better than anyone else. It was for these reasons and more that he knew he didn't have the luxury of dwelling on quixotic notions of attraction or romance, especially not when Botan was facing a threat that required all of his attention and focus.
He tore his gaze away from the sleeping bluette, fixing it on the rolling scenery beyond the window instead. If these confusing sentiments still dwelled within him when the case was all over, then he would resolve to face them then. For now, keeping Botan safe ranked priority above everything else.
He made a promise to protect her and he wouldn't allow anything to jeopardize it.
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! See you next time! :)