I'd love to hear your thoughts as the story progresses.

Thank you for reading and happy late new year!

Neon Lights

"Ready to go?" Yusuke peaked inside the bathroom where Kurama was slipping on his blouse. He grimaced softly as the movement disrupted the skin on his back but was able to do most things by himself. Some things still hurt him and he had a hard time sleeping, his leg hadn't had the time to fully heal but at least he walked on it again. "Or would you rather stay home?" Yusuke shot him a concerned glare.

Turning towards his friend, Kurama just nodded. "I think I need a night out to get back to life after everything." Yusuke had stuck around and Kurama didn't mind, he felt safe with him around. The first night after returning to his trusted apartment, Yusuke had offered to sleep on the couch. He had given him some blankets and pillows to make himself comfortable but it felt weird not having him there while he had been by his side every night at the bug. He wondered what made Yusuke so protective towards him, it wasn't the first time he had been this protective. The dark tournament had given them many challenges and Yusuke always made sure he was safe, comfortable and alive. Hiei had told him both he and Yusuke were about to blow the stadium to bits when he was being berated by Bakken.

Why did Yusuke care about him so much? He'd done enough to repay him for the sword he caught when he first encountered Hiei, not to mention that that was years ago.

Was his break from Keiko a catalyst? Was he feeling lonely? Kurama hadn't noticed he had frozen while buttoning up his shirt.

"Are you sure?" Yusuke's voice snapped him back to reality and he finished buttoning up.

"Yes."

"Just tell me if it becomes too much, okay? We'll head home if you feel like going home." Yusuke assured him.

Kurama was glad he was being looked after with such fondness but then again he might only be repaying for the stuff that had happened. Did he still feel guilty? He was spooked when Yusuke's hand suddenly appeared in frame, traveling to rest on his forehead.

"Are you very sure you're okay? You've been zoning out." Yusuke hummed, ever so attentive. "Shall we go some other day? Do you need to rest some more?"

"No, no please lets just go, I was just deep in thought. Maybe a night out will get rid of them."

"Distraction might be good for you." Yusuke agreed. "Shall we?"

They exited the apartment and Yusuke allowed Kurama all the time he needed, he locked the door behind them and considering Kurama's apartment was near the city center, they were amongst the crowds in no time.

Approaching the pub Yusuke usually visited, they walked in, squeezing themselves through the crowd towards the bar. The bartender recognized Yusuke and gave him a familiar smile, Yusuke returned the gesture and stuck 2 fingers up towards the guy, ordering 2 drinks.

They were there for a small amount of time when two girls suddenly approached them, or rather Kurama. Yusuke eyed them carefully, trying not to look like a creep when all he did was make sure Kurama was still okay.

The girls were quite pawing towards him, touching him casually but often enough to be uncomfortable. Yusuke saw this in Kurama, he was nice enough to not turn them away, his casual conversation was easy flowing but the girls had obvious goals.

It had envied him, they practically fell over their own feet trying to get to him first, he was adored. He had a fanclub and Yusuke saw his chances drift away like a piece of paper in a hurricane. He missed Kurama at night, his scent as he laid besides him, the way his hair fell onto the pillow. He missed holding him whenever he seemed to be panicked while asleep, his breath would quicken and Yusuke would sooth him by gently stroking some hairs away from his face, holding him in the rare occasion he vocally expressed his fear. He couldn't get rid of the dreams for him, he couldn't chase away his fears but they seemed to be getting further and further away.

Alarm bells rung in his head as the girls tugged at his arm, trying to get him to come with them. Kurama was apologizing profusely, telling them he was here with Yusuke and that he was staying here.

"Can I help you with anything?" Yusuke moved to stand besides Kurama, addressing the girls with a stern voice.

"No I think we're good." One of the girls said. "Give me a call sometimes." She winked at Kurama before disappearing in the crowd with her friend.

"What the fuck was that?" Yusuke pulled Kurama back to the bar, where they stood.

Kurama lowered his eyes to his drink. "It's okay, this is normal for me."

"Like hell it is!" Yusuke denied. "Have you seen the slug trail they leave behind after seeing you?! They are all head over heals for you."

"It's my blessing though I rather see it as a curse." Kurama said with a soft chuckle.

"A curse? You know every living creature would DIE to have as much game as you do, right?" Yusuke's eyes were wide as he spoke, he wasn't exaggerating but he might as well be. Kurama had indeed a ridiculous amount of game when it came to woman.

Kurama laughed, a genuine one. It warmed Yusuke's heart, nearly melting it's core, this was his favorite sound. "I suppose so."

"It's a miracle that you haven't taken any of them home. Or at least none you've confessed." Yusuke teased.

"Well I did have dates with a few…" Kurama started. Yusuke was surprised by this, he had never heard Kurama speak openly about his romantic life, maybe the alcohol had a hand in loosening him up. "But none of them actually had genuine interests for me, they dated me so they could brag about it to their friends. They kinda used me to validate themselves as being 'pretty enough to date Shuichi Minamino' and honestly, after that happened a little too often, I just stopped."

Yusuke didn't believe what he just heard. He didn't believe people would ask him out only to brag about it after he actually accepted. How could no-one care about him outside of looks and smarts? Had they ever really seen him? Had they ever really spoken to him? Had they ever really tried?

He remembered Kurama telling him about his past, how he was called gorgeous but how those words meant nothing in the end. How nobody tried to get to know him for who he is. Yusuke felt an overwhelming feeling of sadness wash over him. It seemingly showed as Kurama suddenly placed his hand on Yusuke's arm. "Don't think about it too much." Kurama frowned. "It won't change a thing."

Yusuke nodded but he couldn't understand why they acted the way they acted. If Yusuke had Kurama he would listen to everything he had to say, if he had Kurama he would make sure he felt heard and understood, if he had Kurama he would respect him with every inch of him… If he had Kurama…

A sudden yelp forced Yusuke's attention back. A tall black haired guy had invaded Kurama's personal space, forcing him against the wall next to the tail end of the bar, where they had moved to gain a bit more peace and space.

"You've got quite the magnetic field to have my girl staring at you." The tall man said with a low underlaying growl.

Kurama hissed as his back connected with the heavily textured wall, the guy had one hand firmly on his shoulder as the other trapped him by resting on the bricks next to his head. "I suggest you keep an eye on 'your girl' then." He said, clearly not having any of the man's intimidation.

Jumping into action, Yusuke pulled the guy's hand off of Kurama. "What do you think you're doing?"

"You friend here is hitting on my girl." The guy said without an ounce of hesitation. "That doesn't go unpunished."

"He didn't even look at anyone! He was speaking with me!" Yusuke wiggled himself in between them, shielding Kurama from the angered stare of the assailant. "I think you have to go back to your girl before someone else takes off with her." He spat.

"You want to take this outside?" The guy got in Yusuke's face, close enough to touch foreheads. "I will put you back in your place."

"I dare you." Yusuke scoffed.

The guy was about to make a move but stopped as the supposed girlfriend intervened by pulling his shirt.

As the guy was distracted, Yusuke looked back to try and check on Kurama but found only a brick wall behind him. Looking around, he saw the door to the toilets sway, someone had entered them and Yusuke had a feeling it was Kurama trying to get away from it all.

He snuck away from them and entered the toilets, luckily unseen.

He let out a sigh of relief when he saw Kurama at the sink, he looked a bit paler and was visibly in pain. "Hey, are you hurt?" He approached slowly.

"It's nothing, my back's still a bit sore, that's all." Kurama waved him off.

Checking the room, there seemed to be one person in one of the stalls. It wasn't long before the toilet flushed, the person exited, washed their hands and left without a word. "Do you want me to take you home?"

Kurama smiled softly and faced him. "It's okay, I don't want to ruin your night."

Eyes widening, Yusuke scoffed. "It's impossible for you to ruin my night."

"Alright then." Kurama looked at him with a careful eye. Yusuke's heart was beating at a rate he'd never felt it go before, though he couldn't determine if it was due to adrenaline or because Kurama looked absolutely otherworldly in the neon lights of the club's bathroom. If anyone would come up to him to tell him he was hallucinating, he'd believe it.

Kurama was looking at him, still, did he notice? Was he caught staring too long red handed? Was Kurama suspicious of him or was there just something on his face that intrigued him. "W-what?" Yusuke murmured as the silence became unbearable. Some guys went in and out of the bathroom to do their business but Yusuke just stood there.

"We should probably get out of here." Kurama looked uncomfortable all of a sudden.

Yusuke however, didn't respond immediately. His heart was heavy and it's weight was becoming unbearable. He knew Kurama found him suspicious, he knew Kurama might want to avoid him were he to confess how he feels. A small portion in his mind fabricated the thought that Kurama might break all contact with him. He had a fanclub of girls, guys were jealous of him, he'd be as straight as a fucking chopstick. But then again, it took Yusuke far into his early twenties to figure out Keiko wasn't his match after all. He thought he was as straight as a chopstick but Kurama changed all of that. Suddenly he wasn't so sure of himself anymore.

"Yusuke?" Kurama sounded worried. "Is something on your mind?"

He looked up at emeralds, enhanced by the shifting neon lights. He took a breath, waited for the room to empty itself of people and spoke. "Remember when I told you I like someone…"

"Is she here?!" Kurama exclaimed in hushed tone. 'She' Yusuke could only swallow thickly, Kurama believed his crush to be a woman, he wouldn't blame him, he had dated Keiko for most of his life and only went after woman. If only Kurama knew…

"My crush is indeed here." Yusuke confessed.

"Then what are you waiting for?"

Yusuke was shocked, he sounded excited but Yusuke's worries hadn't left him, he could play this game. "I don't know… What if I'm rejected and we break contact and everything becomes awkward."

For a moment, Kurama merely looked at him with those calculating eyes. "I think that if someone breaks contact because of that, they have no regards for your feelings. Rejection doesn't mean you can't be friends anymore, you know…" He sighed. "Unless you decide to erase yourself from her mind, then it is for the best… But other than that, no I don't think you'll be rejected."

His heart started racing faster, again. "Why?"

"Because you're awesome." Kurama said bluntly. "You're sweet, caring, protective and have a great sense of humor. Why wouldn't want that?"

Yusuke could feel his cheeks heating up and thanked the neon lights for making everything monochrome in color. "So you think I should just, do it… Do what I think is right."

"Yes." Kurama said. "And whatever method that might be, it will be the right one, as long as it's sincere."

There was no time to hesitate. Yusuke waited for the room to empty out again before turning back to face Kurama, it was now or never. "Promise me you won't get mad."

"Promise? Why would I get mad at y-"

Yusuke took the shot before Kurama could finish his sentence and pulled him into a kiss. One he had been dreading but also one he was craving with every atom in his entire being. It wasn't a deep one and he pulled back as soon as he started it.

"I'm just… I didn't know how I'd… I just hope you're not mad or disappointed." Yusuke stammered as he saw Kurama's blank expression, a small hint of shock left on his features. Was he mad? Yusuke was at a loss as Kurama kept from replying. "Kurama?" Yusuke felt fear creep up his spine.

In an instant, Kurama took his wrist and pulled him out of the bathroom and out into the street. They walked and Yusuke feared the worse, was he going to lecture him? Was he going to beat some sense into him? Was he mad and did he want him out of his life despite his statement in that bathroom?

They reached the apartment rather quickly with the pace Kurama was keeping. They walked fast and his heart felt like it was about to explode when his apartment door came into view. He feared the worse.

Opening the door, Kurama pushed Yusuke inside, closing the door behind him as he took his shoes off.

"I'm sorry if you're mad, I just couldn't keep it a secret anymore." Yusuke started to defend himself, Kurama's poker face was terrifying.

"I had no intention to make you angry, it was eating at me from the inside out and I couldn't stand it anymore." He took a few involuntary steps back as Kurama walked towards him.

"I understand if you never want to see me again, I couldn't live another day without getting rid of this feeling." By now, Yusuke was basically cornered, he crossed his arms in defense and in an attempt to get rid of this discomfort he was experiencing. He was left guessing what Kurama was thinking and his mind went to the negative side by default.

"What feeling?" Kurama asked, he sounded out of breath due to the fast pace he'd been keeping though it might as well be the lingering pain of his back and leg.

Yusuke stammered as the fox got closer, his aura had a pattern Yusuke couldn't decipher. He was scaring him.

"What feeling?" Kurama repeated his question, his voice stern as he stopped his approach.

Controlling his stammer, Yusuke decided he'd gone too far to go back now. He had to own up to it, suck it up and speak. "That I love you."

A hand reached out and Yusuke closed his eyes by instinct, expecting to get hit. But instead, he was pulled into an unexpected kiss. This one as deep and sincere as Kurama himself.