As expected, Yusuke and the other reikai tantei returned in a week, more or less intact. Hiei and Kurama suffered a few minor acid burns, which healed quickly and ceased to bother them. Yusuke and Kuwabara, who had walked right into the acid trap that the former thieves, Hiei and Kurama, had just barely avoided, were less fortunate. Acid has been spilt over much of their bodies, luckily their clothes kept some off for a moment, which meant a little more time to react before the burns were too bad. Their hands and arms were badly burned; their legs, chest and face had more minor burns. Yukina was able to heal most of their burns as well, though both felt uncomfortably warm much of the time, and their hands still bothered them both for a few months, making more dexterous activities difficult. For instance, guitar lessons were effectively halted, and Touya got a little more time to practice then they had anticipated.
Touya was glad to see them back, though disturbed by their burns, even if most were healed. As Ice Demons, both he and Yukina felt deeply for the burned tantei, even though none of them would make too big a deal about it.
Since Atsuko-san was out drinking, and Yusuke's hands still tingled from the after affects of healing and throbbed gently from the burns, Touya cooked dinner. Atsuko-san had actually taught him to cook a few things, including pizza ((-)), while Yusuke was gone. Mostly just how to work the oven and cook frozen goods, although that was better than nothing. She also showed him a few different 'dinner in a box' type meals for which he had to memorize the ingredients and measurements since he still hadn't learned to read. Touya threw frozen lasagna in the oven, which he held in high respect and not some small degree of fear for its fierce heat, and then sat next to Yusuke. ((A/N LOL that was so much fun to write! About Touya's respect for the oven that is.))
Yusuke had pulled his shirt off, hoping it would help ease the burn heat. "Let me see your hands," said Touya, blushing slightly. He was hoping to see how bad the burns were, maybe there was something he could do. He did know a little bit about herbs and healing, he often had to help heal the others and himself after a difficult battle. As Touya took one of Yusuke's hands in is own, Yusuke sighed relief. The penetrating heat that existed only to him and his burnt flesh, lifted, as Touya's coolness flowed into him. Yusuke now readily gave his other hand to Touya, and found the affects even more soothing. Touya glanced up at Yusuke when he sighed, and saw a feeling of calmness and ease in Yusuke's face that he had not seen in some time. Touya's mouth twinged slightly in what would have been a smile if he could get his face to open up any further. Touya took the other offered hand, glad to help in any small way.
"Come here," said Yusuke, tugging Touya's still pitifully light body into his lap. Touya let himself relax against Yusuke's body, and Yusuke wrapped his arms around Touya. So comfortable were they both now, they fell asleep; Yusuke holding Touya almost protectively, and Touya turned sideways, pressing his cheek to Yusuke's, his arms gently wrapped around Yusuke's neck, and Yusuke was quick to note that it caused a much greater comfort. Apparently Touya's coolness was being carried around in Yusuke's blood, entering the bloodstream by way of his jugular. Whatever, Yusuke wasn't complaining, it felt so much better! Even Touya's slight weight against burned, scarred skin was negated by the cool waves he sent off.
Keiko fished the key out of her purse, deciding she would surprise Yusuke and apologize for how mean she'd been after he hadn't told her -again!- that he was going on a mission. Okay, maybe she wouldn't apologize, but how could he apologize when she hadn't yet given him an opening?
Having found the key, Keiko opened the door and walked into the kitchen. "Yusuke!" she shouted, seeing the way he held Touya, and stormed off. Touya and Yusuke shook awake just in time to see Keiko slam the door shut.
"Uh-oh," was all Yusuke could say.
"I... it's my fault, I should explain to her for you," said Touya slowly.
"No, no, it's my fault, I'll deal with her. But first she needs time to cool off a little," was Yusuke's quick, almost dismissive reply. Touya bowed his head in apology, and couldn't help noticing how beautiful Yusuke's chest was, and he quickly looked back up to Yusuke's face and those big, wonderful chocolate eyes.
Just then, the oven bleeped ((yes, bleeped!)) and Touya scrambled up, pulled on the oven mitts and pulled out the lasagna, grateful in a way that it had happened before he did something he would regret. Standing up with the tray in his hands, the heat from the oven, and his opressive thought, and all that had happened...it blanketed him... Touya blanked out, and then blacked out.
((Hmmm, I had not originally thought to have Touya black out.... Now what? LOL, don't worry; it'll come to me. This will be fun. - hears inspiration knocking brb I got to get that!))