Prompt: Endings are just beginnings in disguise.
The soft rustling of paper accompanied the steady, low hum of the air conditioning unit while the muffled mechanical rain filled the monotonous ambience of the room.
With another whisper of sheet and a resounding column of a soft sigh, Kurama closed one of the thick and lengthy file before placing it with the rest of the stack on his desk. Falling back on his cushioned seat, he proceeded to pinch the bridge of his nose and clamp his eyes shut, flexing his overused ocular muscles to relieve some stress from just half a days work. Resting his head against the back rest to relax for a moment, eyes involuntarily drooping towards the tempting pull of slumber before snapping open when the pending documents teased his dimming peripherals.
I need a cup...
He mused and with a little effort albeit slightly strained from sitting for hours straight, the former thief gracefully stood from his executive chair before sauntering towards the coffee maker, brandishing a cup from his drawer before setting the percolator in operation. In the moment when the mechanical, churning sound met his ears, along with the inviting aroma that arrested his weary mind, he was instantly shipped upon a rich brown earthen hues of forest ground to the sweetness of the sinful tint of post meridian sky.
Kurama breathed deeply when he was blinded by the greenery upon shutting his lids, visions of billion verdant wands that swayed in the arboreal air made his fingers tingle as it longs to glamourize the plants with his energy, releasing the dormant strength that yearns to break free. He could almost taste the serenity that flows as the forest eagerly flourished with a sleigh of magical dexterity while the roots and branches thrived in reception to his eternal soul.
A dazed slant lifted his visage while the fox spirit tilted his head upwards, feeling his hair tumble lower on his back as the persistent typing sounds gradually turned into birdsongs that comes in mellifluous lulls and bursts where, along with the refreshing sound of the fanciful streams of liquid, created an improvised melody that soothes his tired brain and tames his restless spirit.
"Could be because of a girlfriend, for all I know..."
His smile broadened as the more tangible, euphonious chirp rang in the environment, effectively breaking his reverie into a three-dimensional wonderland.
Pays to close the blinds, I guess... Kurama thought with a side glance towards the dividing window, briefly casting a cautious look on the locked door before turning towards the sight of the charming deity who floated on the opposite side.
"Perhaps..." He responded nonchalantly while turning off the coffee maker before approaching the aperture to slid it wider for her to enter, smirking knowingly upon perusing her slight discomfort. From his reply? He doesn't dwell on any further. "To what do I owe the pleasure, mi lady?" The fox demon asked to enforce a ludic mood while patiently waiting for her to collect herself, admiring her chosen garb when the trademark pink kimono melted into a white long-sleeved chiffon blouse, matched with a dainty pink pencil skirt and nude heels to complete the chic business attire.
"Yeah...Well, about that..."
He heard her say while keenly observing the tantalizing view of her womanly curves. Unapologetic green eyes visually caressed her slender legs, drifting towards the gentle curve of her hips before finding that her arms were hidden from view, heeding the waves of anxiety as the deity shifted from one heeled-foot to another.
"What do you have there?" Kurama gently inquired with a step towards her petite form, gesturing to what's she's keeping behind her.
In response to the confident stride, she reluctantly took a step back before standing her ground, darting a couple of bashful gaze to and from the handsome red-head who halted his advance. "Uhmm...Actually...I came by a little earlier and noticed that you were busy...and hadn't eaten so..." She paused before modestly showing the carefully packed bentos in her possession. "I made you lunch...or snack since it's way past lunch time but...If you don't feel hungry I could just - " Her heart thumped in surprise when Kurama instantaneously snatched the food containers in her hand, scrambling to catch on his swift movements as he settled the food on the center table, carefully opening the boxes lid by lid when removed from being stacked together. "Err... Please don't expect too much... It's been a while since I cooked..."
"You made these yourself?" Astonishment latent in his voice while shrugging off his coat, staring enthusiastically at the variety of mouthwatering meat, fish, vegetables, eggs, fruit and pickled plum.
"Uh - Yes... Just made what I had available... I hope it's to your liking..."
Upon hearing the lilt of apprehension in her voice, he proceeded to pronounce his gratitude, snapping apart the wooden utensils before helping himself of the presented sustenance.
"It's delicious..." Kurama stated with resolute after swallowing the anticipated first bite, eyeing how her anxiousness turned into fulfillment as her eyes lit with utter glee before resuming his endeavor.
Botan silently hummed in delight, satisfied that her effort was greatly appreciated, noting the unusual eagerness in consumption as Kurama ate. Upon seeing him feast heartily, she took this time to visually inspect the almost monochromatic environment, considering how the bland uniformity suited the humdrum routine of office work, save for a couple of indoor plants that she suspects were harmless hybrids from the demon realm.
"Here..."
His silent beckoning snapped her out of trance as she stared at the piece of meat offered to her by the former thief.
"Eh?" She titled her head in bewilderment while he foregrounded the succulent grub with a slight wiggle of the chopsticks.
"Eat with me or it will be too awkward if you just sit in there while I devour all of these alone..." He says straight from the shoulder, stretching his arm to gently tap the meat against her pinkish mouth, urging her to comply while repressing a shudder at the sight of sheer juices coating her lips.
"B-But..." She paused in uncertainty while eyeing the glistening tips of the utensils, flustered at the implication. Thoughtful as the beginnings of dissatisfaction flitted on his face before relenting, moving to stand as she hastily uttered. "I-I'll just get another set of chopsticks – "
"I insist." The fox demon interjected without missing a beat, ignoring her startled yelp as he pulled her down with his available hand, adjusting himself so that he could comfortably face her on the couch. Raising an expectant brow as he lifted the food towards her lips once again before letting out a satisfied smirk when she shyly accepted his persistent proffer with endearing stains on her cheeks, simpering.
They ate with random intervals as he fed her from time to time, the warmth of the afternoon sun stood as the sole witness of the intimate moment as the former thief took it upon himself to occasionally wipe the corners of her mouth with his thumb after every while that he intentionally gives her a piece bigger than what she could chew. Along with the deity, pouring him tea that he procured from his coffee station and plucking out a stray rice that stuck on his cheek on one case where she could have sworn the presence of heat that started from the tips of his ears as she proceeded to eat the stubborn grain. It was long moments before they finished the entire meal where they expressed tradition, helping one another to re-arrange the empty food boxes as Kurama put forth.
"Are you going to head back after this?" He asked while tying the knot of the sleeves keeping the bentos, tone modulated but hopeful evident in the edge of his usually smooth timbre.
"Yes, I guess... I was actually planning to work on some of my paperwork here and avoid any distractions from nosy ferry women, but since you've got your hands full, I could either barge in at Keiko-chan's or pay a visit to your former team at Genkai's..." She propounded with a finger on her lip, a habitual thinking pose that he was accustomed in seeing.
Kurama regarded her earnestly, studying her face as she animatedly thought of alternatives on how she could spend a productive day. Contemplating on the prospect of her being surrounded by hot-blooded male demons which did not sit well with him no matter how trustworthy his men were, and while the other option may pose as a more plausible solution and would put him more at ease, an inner craving compelled him to blurt out his following words. "My desk can accommodate the both of us and I can request for an extra seat..."
At this, cerulean tresses swished sideways as she whipped her head at his proposal, immediately back-pedaling even though the thought of spending an entire day with the former thief caused butterflies to flutter in her belly. "But you're busy with so many paperwork. I don't want to - " She clamped her mouth shut as soon as he held up hand to halt her nonsensical chary.
Gesturing towards the piles on his desk, the fox spirit regarded her with a dazzling smile on his lips before the beautiful slant turned to one of amusement as he proffered. "You will keep me sane from finishing all of those... I could even lend you a helping hand in avoiding the recurrence of unfortunate circumstances similar to that of Hinageshi, assuming that your dealing with tricky schedules, you think not?"
The deity blanched at the unwelcomed recollection of accidentally placing the junior deity in the line up for ferry girls to be deployed in demon world for field duty, resulting to her going astray and almost becoming somewhat of a dinner for a rogue demon if not for the fortunate stroke of serendipity of Hiei patrolling the area. "Mouuu... You really had to bring that up, don't you?" She said with a pout while covering her face in embarrassment upon hearing him chuckle, attempting to protest when larger hands nimbly pried her delicate appendage away from obscuring her sight.
"Well?"
Botan nibbled on her lip while meeting his expectant gape, subduing the appreciative gleam from spilling on her visage as she drank in his prepossessing sight for the first time that day, noting how the formal business attire suited his commanding yet graceful bearing. Clearing her throat in an effort to curb the rising heat that threatened to manifest on her skin upon realizing that the former thief has yet to release her hand, regaining perspective as she uttered. "Hmm... Only if you promise to take me out for dinner... That way I can make certain that you eat before retiring for the night... I vowed to Shiori that I will look after you and heaven forbid me from facing your mother's wrath if I let you die from deprivation..." She says with a glint of austerity in her doe eyes, slightly pulling on their hands for emphasis, breath hitching when he briefly tightened his grip in return while regarding her with a mysterious and unreadable expression.
"Consider it done..."
Kurama smiled triumphantly upon finishing the last paragraph of his reply, printing the document before appending the piece of paper in the last folder on his desk, throwing an inquisitive look towards the clock afterwards. "I think I am done for the day, Botan... How about going to Yusuke's for dinner?" He propounded before turning on his swivel chair to regard the noiseless reply, blinking in wonder after a soft snore permeated his senses.
Without standing, he silently trudged towards the unmoving deity, feet pushing against the floor to bring him around the desk until he reached her side, eyes softening upon gazing at her sleeping face.
Adorable.
He thought as he went over her child-like innocence, view traveling from the delicate flush on the tip of her nose which pointed at the unfinished table of attendance before drifting towards the extraneous scribbles that partly came into view between the gaps of her slender fingers. The former thief tilted his head when his eyes burned with curiosity upon recognizing the characters of his name, gently removing the notebook from her clutch before an impish look took over his visage as he perused the endearing effort.
Flames?
A lighthearted laugh was stifled by his hand as he fell back on his seat, reading the 'statistics' from the trivial compatibility test while briefly admiring her doodle and cursive penmanship.
FLAMES
Youko Kurama Shuichi Minamino - 17 remaining letters
Botan - 2 remaining letters
Total - 19 FRIENDS (TT_TT)
Crimson locks swayed in time with his head as Kurama pursed his smiling lips in an attempt to contain the exhilarating warmth that unfurled from his chest, flicking a furtive glance towards the deity before leveling a pensive stare at the notebook. Lifting a hand to pick up her discarded pen and inscribe an alternative and more acceptable outcome afterwards, humoring her frivolous pursuit.
Kurama - 4 remaining letters
Botan - 4 remaining letters
Total - 8 LOVERS
The cheeky grin never fell from his lips as he propped his head on his hand after setting aside the note pad, becoming addicted to her captivating artless glow while brushing a few cerulean fringes from her veiled eyes. His fingers nimbly traced the soft flesh of her flushed cheek until his thumb hovered at her slightly parted lips. Before Kurama knew it, he found himself leaning closer as the soft puffs of breath fanned his face while her vision engulfed his sight, stopping just a fraction from scoring a kiss with the sleeping deity.
Until when are you going to act like you don't know?
Darkened pools of emerald tendered with adulation upon hearing a soft mumble of his name while Botan sought for the warmth he emitted, shifting to close the minuscule gap between them as the wheels of the office chair rolled silently against the wooden floorboards. This time, he allowed himself to place an affectionate buss on her hairline as he joined her on the table, burying his nose in her mane to indulge himself of the immaculate scent that resembles the calming fragrance of lavender and rejuvenating notes of fresh air before pulling back to silently regard her unguarded countenance. Making himself comfortable by resting his head against his forearm while securing the other on her lower back. Silently watching as she ventured deeper into the land of nod.
At some point, Kurama realized that he was uncertain how much time had passed as he stayed unmoving from his spot for he could care less. All he minded was the gratification of having the beautiful bundle resting comfortably against his chest, the woman who brought back sparkles to the tedious routine of his mortal existence by ingenuously bringing a homemade lunch that he was certain she doesn't have the faintest idea of the intimate undertones.
Just then, when she burrowed deeper in his embrace before stirring awake, a sudden jolt of unadulterated contentment and pleasure coursed through his veins when their eyes met in a sense which made the fox spirit surmise that while being human is slowly becoming dull and repetitious...
Life becomes lustered with unpredictability and wonder with you by my side.
A/N:
Too much fluff???? XD
Xoxo