-1Chapter Two: Curiosity
A/N: This story is going to hop around a bit; I want to show how Hiei and Kurama got together and broke up before returning to the Dark Tournament. So this chapter takes place not too long after they met. I do promise to return to the Tournament eventually.
Hiei crouched outside in the rain, staring into a certain window, uncertain whether to go in or not. Things had been... odd... lately.
He wasn't sure, but he got the impression the fox-boy had been flirting with him.
It felt odd not to be sure about something like that, but not quite as odd as being flirted with in the first place. In his short life no one had, to his knowledge, ever viewed him as a possible romance. He wasn't at all certain he wanted to be viewed that way. Too many complications, too much loyalty involved. Not good, not for a solitary life of vengeance such as his.
If all that's true, a small voice made itself heard in his head, then why are you here?
Because I hate the rain, Hiei snarled back at himself. And to prove that was the only reason, he leapt to the windowsill and tapped lightly.
He had to tap again, harder, before Kurama woke up. The redhead sat up with his hair, recently begun to grow out, in such a mess that Hiei had to bite his lip to keep from laughing. Kurama smoothed it down as he padded over to unlock the window. "Shoes off," he instructed as Hiei leapt in.
Hiei grunted, but kicked his shoes off before removing his sodden cloak. "What brings you here?" Kurama continued.
Hiei gestured out the window. "Would you want to sleep in that?"
"Ah... so you just need a place to sleep for the night."
"Do you object?"
"Not at all." Kurama shuffled back over to his bed and turned down the covers. "Hop in, then."
This was the part Hiei'd been uncertain about. Pretending utter nonchalance, he climbed into warm cave the covers made, turning his back to Kurama.
"Hiei, you're freezing. I didn't realize it was so cold out there." And then the next thing he knew, Hiei had a fox wrapped around him.
Hiei froze. Kurama was curled up around him from behind, pressing his chest to Hiei's back and wrapping his arms around the smaller demon's chest. "What--are you doing?"
"Warming you up." When he spoke, Kurama's breath tickled Hiei's ear.
"Hn." He was, indeed, surprisingly warm against Hiei's back. Hiei wasn't sure if he'd ever touched this much of one person before. His life hadn't lent itself to touch. It was nice, in a way.
After a moment, Kurama shifted his hands in a way Hiei wasn't entirely sure wasn't deliberate, as the sensation of his hands dragging across Hiei's skin sent shivers up his spine. He didn't comment, and another minute went by. One hand left Hiei's chest and began playing with his hair.
"Fox, what are you doing?" Hiei asked again.
There was a pause before Kurama answered. "I'm touching your hair."
"Why?"
"Because I want to." Hiei turned his head back to glance at the other boy, and Kurama smiled gently. "Don't make me stop, Hiei."
"Why shouldn't I?"
"It feels nice." Kurama stroked the back of his hand across Hiei's cheek. "It's harmless, Hiei. Really."
"Romance, harmless?" Hiei scowled at him. "You must be joking."
"So you do know what I'm getting at," Kurama said with a small smile. "Why don't you give me a chance?"
"Because I don't want to," Hiei said bluntly.
"...Oh." Kurama looked taken aback, and disappointed. "Then-- I'll stop bothering you." He turned away from Hiei and lay down on the other side of the bed. But he held his body stiffly, and Hiei knew he wasn't sleeping.
Congratulations, the small voice piped up in Hiei's head. You've effectively managed to isolate and deny yourself yet again.
What would I want a romance for? Hiei countered.
Why wouldn't you?
Hiei could come up with answers, but none of them were very good. He had seen alliances fall apart because of a failed romance before, true enough, but he had also seen them strengthened immeasurably by a good one. And Hiei wanted an alliance with Kurama. He was a talented fighter, brilliant mind, and compassionate healer, all things Hiei could definitely stand to have on his side.
Hiei had never really felt a desire for a romantic partner before. It didn't seem a luxury he could afford. And yet--the surprising warmth of Kurama against his back--
Hiei cautiously slid a hand over to rest on Kurama's shoulder. Green eyes opened and regarded him curiously. "No games, fox," Hiei said. "Why are you doing this? You hardly know me."
"Well, I'd like to change that," Kurama replied. "You intrigue me. I thought it would be worth trying."
"Worth trying?"
"It's not like I'm asking you to sign a contract or anything. Just to try it. It could be fun."
Hiei cocked his head, trying to find a fault in Kurama's logic and failing. "Alright, fox. We can try."
"Thank you ever so kindly," Kurama said, with a dryness in his tone that let Hiei know he had come off as condescending. But Kurama chose not to pursue insult or injury; he did sigh, but he rolled onto his side, allowing Hiei to slip his arm around his shoulder, and rested his head on Hiei's shoulder. "I should have known you would be difficult about it," Kurama muttered.
"But I'm trying," Hiei pointed out.
Kurama lifted his head and smiled brilliantly at him. "Yes. You are."
And he lifted his head, and pressed his lips against Hiei's.
That was all he did, and then he lay down again and was soon asleep. But Hiei couldn't sleep for that kiss. He lay in a half-doze, wondering at times what he had gotten himself into, what was to come. But at other times he simply stared at the fighter, the brilliant, compassionate fighter that he had found--who had kissed him, who had chosen him, who lay sleeping in his arms.