#although i might be persuaded to welcome a different vessel

[found--family]

look. was it the greatest thing on television in recent years when jackles brought dean winchester back to life on his birthday bc he hated that spn ending as much as we do? undoubtedly. but i do believe such ecstatic joy will pale in comparison to the appearance of a certain gay angel in the prequel. 

[unlockthelore]

Natural

When Kurama falls ill, Hiei tries to take care of him but he's unprepared for the honesty that comes with an impaired youko.

Chapter 6 of 18 for the fic Sarayashiki Scramble on Ao3, for more updates follow the sarayashiki scramble and/or growing pains tags.

Hiei had little to complain about in terms of Kurama's capabilities. He was wise, well-versed in the ways of the Ningenkai and the Makai, formidable in battle, and highly resourceful. There were depths to him that Hiei could hardly imagine. Uncovering new mysteries and left with new questions almost every day.

In terms of Kurama's habits, Hiei had much to complain about. True, Kurama cared for his human vessel, taking great lengths to maintain his appearance and relationships with those around him.

But Kurama often neglected himself in small ways.

Forgetting to eat, working to the point of exhaustion, and analyzing his enemies long enough to give an opening to name a few.

Those infernal stomach wounds ruined one too many of Kurama's shirts and happened far too often for Hiei's comfort — a fact he made pointed references to while the fox healed. Yet there were other more internal ways Kurama neglected himself.

While in battle, Hiei could see the glimmers of the person Kurama once was. Delight rolling off him in waves with each victory. Disgust following soon after in cold dread. Kurama's youki, normally refreshing, becoming a solid wall between them when the fox lost himself to his thoughts.

Early on, Hiei allowed it.

There was no reason for him to go further than the boundaries they set. As long as Kurama was alive, Hiei counted himself as holding to the terms of their arrangement. Later on though, Hiei couldn’t help but feel it was necessary to intervene. The blame fell to Kurama’s effect on his life but logically, it made sense.

If he was meant to protect Kurama’s way of life, protecting him emotionally was part of it — wasn’t it?

The question chased him round and round with no hope of a solution — until today that is.

Kurama’s attention to detail in maintaining not only his personal relationships but his school record forced Hiei’s hand. He hardly imagined the fox would ever fall ill. Kurama's human form was durable especially from his soul’s influence. Although, as Kurama teased during the early morning’s preparation to leave — he wasn’t invincible.

Something about those words gripped Hiei’s heart. Attempts to persuade Kurama to stay were deflected word after word until Hiei was certain force would be the only thing to keep Kurama from going.

Even that was challenged. Kurama’s plants, unfurling from their hidden spots in the room to aid their master. A fine red brow arched at Hiei while green eyes watched him, far too knowing and clever for the form they belonged to. The gesture was normally distracting for Hiei when not on pallor skin and over a worn smile.

“I’m grateful for the concern, Hiei, but I’ll be fine.”

At least that is what Kurama reassured.

Yet as Hiei stood on the rooftop of Kurama’s junior high school, the Jagan glowing beneath his ward --- a refreshing breeze whipped through his hair at the same time a cold chill ravaged Kurama’s body. The fire demon scowled as he watched the other students leave the classroom.

The after school bell had already rung and while some of the students were headed home and others were taking to their responsibilities, Kurama sat in his desk almost motionless with his head resting upon folded arms.

Some talking amongst themselves about after-school plans, others shooting worried glances at Kurama's shivering form, sympathetically murmuring about how off he'd been. Many had come forward offering to bring him to the infirmary or give him something soothing to bate off the chill. Alas, Kurama in his ever-lasting bid for control, refused and deflected.

Accepting unknown drinks from those he wasn’t sure of, no matter how harmless, wasn’t something Kurama was keen of. Hiei understood but he almost wished the fox would drop his damned pride for once.

Though asking that was nearly impossible.

Hiei sighed. Sympathy for Kurama was laced with stubbornness. A wavering line between wanting the fox to admit he was right about his condition and a desire to care for him. Hiei’s eyes widened at that vein of thought, quickly bringing it to the forefront of his mind.

Care for him?

While it was true that he and Kurama were often doing for one another — could that really be considered care? Mending clothes, healing wounds, and a number of other tasks which seemed commonplace now. It was practical. Standard for those in an arrangement like theirs. Wasn’t it?

Would it be odd if he came to his side now?

Another question to turn over endlessly.

Hiei huffed, forcing himself to relax as he gradually allowed his youki to seep from his body like water vapor from a kettle. The effect was instantaneous. Kurama’s shoulders tensing. His body primed for a fight.

Then slowly, he relaxed and Hiei’s heart fluttered. A strand of youki, warm and refreshing like the drizzle of rain, pooled in his chest. Clinging to the feeling with all his might, regret at not trying harder to coax the fox into staying in bed filled his mind.

“It isn’t your fault.”

Kurama’s voice was faint — miserable and laden with weariness — almost as if he’d been fighting some great battle and was at his wits end. Even more, he sounded apologetic. While Hiei hadn’t meant to let his feelings be known, they were there and there was no taking them back.

Even if he wanted to.

“Can you come to the roof?”

There was a slight hitch in Kurama’s breathing. His shoulders rising and holding before trembling with a shuddering sigh pressed to the crook of his elbow. Hiei’s brows furrowed, lips tugged into a sharp grimace.

“I’ll meet you halfway.”

Slowly, the Jagan turned from its initial target to the students in the hall. It took some doing but planting the idea in their minds that they should return home or go elsewhere for the time being was worth it. Without others seeing him and attempting to confirm that incessant rumor about the Boy In Black, he could get to Kurama.

Darting from the roof, the darkness of the stairwell was welcomed. Although the silence allowed Hiei’s mind to wander. The thought of Kurama attempting to climb it and only making himself feel worse spurring him to move faster. Regret and worry twisted his stomach into knots, following the thin trail of Kurama’s youki to the hallway outside of his classroom.

Sluggish movements aside, the fox looked terrible as he stepped out of the classroom. His skin was paler than it’d been that morning, a redness faint around his eyes and prominent at the tip of his nose, and his smile was nowhere to be seen.

The hallway was desolate.

No one to point out how quickly Hiei darted to Kurama’s side or the look on his face when Kurama didn’t notice him immediately. The fox himself seeming surprised to see him there so quickly. Hiei half-expected some quip about how this wasn’t halfway, and was rewarded with nothing but quizzical silence.

Idiot.

He yanked at the strap of Kurama’s school bag, pulling it from his arm and draping it over his own head. The lack of a fight only worrying him further.

“I’m fine,” Kurama rasped, his eyes never leaving Hiei’s face as if it were the only thing he could see.

Normally, Hiei questioned the staring but today he couldn’t find it in himself to care. How did Kurama let himself get this far?

“Save it for a fool who’d believe you,” Hiei snapped, carefully hooking one of his arms beneath Kurama’s legs and the other at his back.

The ease at sweeping the fox off his feet was surprisingly easy. Not that Kurama was heavy but he was normally fairly aware of movement around him. Forbidding of any touch he wasn’t aware of from anyone he didn’t want it from.

His illness must be taking a toll on him.

Even Kurama’s face was turning red. Although the shade was a welcomed splash of color in Hiei’s opinion.

“This isn’t necessary,” Kurama mumbled, clouded green eyes staring up into crimson ones.

Familiar irritation consumed the budding fondness in Hiei’s chest, and he sighed irritably, starting through the halls at a brisk pace. “What did I tell you?”

Whether Hiei was referencing his words form a second ago or the ones from the early morning was lost on him. Adjusting his hold for Kurama’s comfort, his mind set on keeping the fox out of anyone’s sight and the quickest route to return him home. Kurama’s stubborn sigh and the weak shove of his youki ignored as Hiei took the route beneath the shadow of the buildings facing the baseball field. From there, he hoped he could get Kurama home without jostling him too much.

As he crossed the short walkway, the distant sounds of students yelling and shouting encouragements drew his ear. Beneath the afternoon sun, scarlet and orange mixing in wisps of clouds, the world seemed to glisten in gold. Honey-colored sunrays catching on windows and bathing everything in light. Even Kurama seemed to glow despite his condition. A shift in weight brought Hiei’s attention back to the fox, his eyes widening at the sight of Kurama’s head resting on his shoulder.

Eyes closed, Kurama seemed peaceful and all too still for Hiei’s comfort.

The fire demon slowing in the shade of a tree, careful to keep them out of sight as he timed Kurama’s breathing, watching the rise and fall of his chest. What was normal for a human? Kurama told him once when they were lying in bed together. The fox’s heartbeat racing beneath his ear.

“Human hearts are different than a demon’s but they share some similarities,” the Kurama from his memories stated, his teacherly tone soothing to Hiei’s ears, keeping his attention in spite of the urge to fall asleep. “Such as emotion. Or when the body is sleeping, the beating may slow.”

So that was it.

Kurama was sleeping?

But why out here? And in his arms no less.

Worry dissipated in soft sighs as Hiei pressed his hands to Kurama’s thigh and his side, hugging him closer. The fox’s cheek pressed against his shoulder, red hair draped over the shoulder of Hiei’s cloak and almost covering Kurama’s face from view. Hiei tilted his head, wanting to keep the fox’s closed eyes in sight.

If Kurama was having a nightmare, his brow would furrow and he’d close his eyes tighter.

When did it become common place for him to know things like this?

Hiei sighed. Even if he wanted him to lower his pride, Hiei didn’t like seeing him like this. There was something wrong when Kurama wasn’t smiling or awake to enjoy a lazy afternoon by his side. All he could do was reassure himself that Kurama would be back to normal soon. Starting off at a slower pace, he kept his eyes on Kurama.

Listening to the rise and fall of Kurama’s heart, wind whispering through leaves, distant sound of cars and chattering humans, and keeping his youki blanketing over the fox to give him comfort.

Thankfully, Shiori wasn’t home as Hiei carried Kurama through the front door. She would’ve worried to no end just as she had during the morning when the fox announced he’d be leaving. Sharing a side-long glance with Hiei as they saw him off.

Don’t you know how many care for you? Putting yourself at risk like this, for what?

Carrying him upstairs, Hiei’s mind raced.

Kurama wasn’t weak. But his physical state was compromised which could have left him open to attack.

Did he trust in Hiei’s ability enough to allow it — to protect him?

Kurama hardly was one to accept help if his arm wasn’t twisted into it and even then, it was usually part of some plan he’d concocted. Still, if his faith was in Hiei’s ability to watch over him and protect him from potential threats then —

Then nothing. It was still a risk and you’re an idiot and I—

Hiei stared down at Kurama as he laid him in bed. The fox groaning as he drew away from him, the slight stir in his youki felt at Hiei’s back as he turned to walk away. It was strange. Kurama reaching for him even unconsciously.

Laying the school bag on Kurama’s desk, he frowned at the cleaned desk and the neatly placed books. Everything was as it was to Kurama’s liking while he was the only thing out of the ordinary.

You can take care of your belongings but that same care doesn’t extend to yourself.

“Hiei,” Kurama mumbled, immediately having Hiei’s ear as the fire demon turned to look at him. Green eyes barely opened and staring at him from beneath dark eyelashes. “Could you get me the vial from this morning…”

Huffing a reply, Hiei nodded. In lieu of taking off his cloak, he knelt down and pulled open the lowest drawer of Kurama’s desk. Beneath the fox’s books and little trinkets, he brushed his fingers in a slow rectangle, his youki outlining his claws carefully tracing in the wood.

A sealed opening locked with their shared youki appeared in a silvery sheen. Hiei’s fingers brushing over it, tracing a series of letters shining in his reddened youki then gradually the drawer’s bottom shimmered and fell away.

Beneath it, a cool darkened space opened before him. Pushing aside the medical kit, Hiei reached for a pair of ampoules amidst a number of others neatly lined in the upper right corner next to a ornate box decorated with the fox’s signature.

One of the violet ampoules Hiei remembered from the morning. Kurama ingested half of it that morning but the light blue ones, faintly reminding Hiei of the color of a tear gem, remained untouched. He remembered the fox adamantly refusing to take it despite saying that it would yield greater results. Though he didn’t explain why.

“What does it do?” Hiei asked, closing the drawer with a sigh. The glass vial cool in his palm, the liquid shifting errantly within the container, darkening to a deep blue. As he returned it to Kurama, the fox eyed the color thoughtfully.

“It’ll target all of my symptoms,” he explained, holding it up as far as his arm would allow, the golden sun rays from the open window catching on the blue almost making it shine. “Taking it earlier in the day would’ve been dangerous because of its potency.”

“It’s that strong?”

Kurama nodded, seeming to find what he was looking for in the liquid’s color. Stealing a quick glance at Hiei with a pleased hum. His eyes warm despite their tiredness and waking the fire demon’s heart again. “Be aware that I’ll likely be out of it for a little while.”

“Out of it…?” Hiei repeated, taking off his cloak to avoid looking at Kurama while he stared at him like that.

“It’s effective, but there’s the side-effect of it putting me to sleep and inhibiting my mind.”

Hiei rolled his eyes, hanging up his cloak. “So you won’t think as much when you speak, what else is new?”

He could practically feel the glare Kurama directed at his back.

“I may say and do things that are out of the ordinary for me,” Kurama corrected tersely, studying the liquid with an intense look as Hiei darted back to his side. His concentration unshaken by the fire demon’s sudden presence, hands steady as he measured what he needed then downed the liquid, closing the vial with a grunt and handing it back to Hiei.

The thought of sniffing it or asking what was in it could be done later. Returning it back to its place, Hiei was back to Kurama's side in an instant, cursing the fox mentally as he noticed Kurama trying to stand up.

"How long does it take?" Hiei asked, trying to hide the agitation and concern as Kurama started to change out of his uniform.

The act done much slower than it normally was, Kurama’s hands trembling a bit as he removed the hair clip from his pocket and set it on his nightstand.

"Around ten to fifteen minutes."

Hiei's frown deepened as he watched Kurama work at his buttons. Stepping closer to him and easing his hands away despite the fox’s slight protest. Hiei giving a pointed glare to silence him before he started undoing the buttons himself.

"Tell me what to do, and stop moving," Hiei demanded, punctuating the command with another pointed glare.

Kurama sighed, seeming to understand Hiei wouldn't concede on this or perhaps too tired to challenge him, his hands lowering to his sides. "I am still capable, Hiei."

Though he didn't sound upset, there was an undercurrent to his words giving Hiei pause. Of course he knew that Kurama was capable. He was just ---

"It has nothing to do with that," Hiei mumbled, helping Kurama out of his uniform jacket and shirt, going to put both away.

He was a blur throughout the room, returning with a blue pajama set for Kurama, soft and fresh from the wash. The fox, sitting on his bed, seemed much smaller and tired as he shuffled into the clothes. If not for his eyes, Hiei would've mistaken him to be just as his vessel appeared to be.

There was a slight urge to do a number of things to bring him comfort. Run his fingers through Kurama’s hair and push it back from his face as the fox loved for him to do when he dried his hair once they were out of the bath. Look into his eyes and reassure him he would be fine just as Kurama did for him when his fire was too harsh to contain. Dote on him as Kurama had done for him in the few moments he could remember from when he was ill.

Acting on any of those were difficult.

Even guiding him to lay down as the fox had done for him seemed like a taboo and Hiei cursed under his breath, agitated that his hand was stayed and he couldn't do anything.

Glancing at Kurama's alarm clock, his brows furrowed. The fox hadn't eaten lunch. Dinner was far off. And Hiei doubted he would be able to hold down more than just a snack.

"… You'll be fine on your own?" he asked, relieved once Kurama began to shuffle beneath the blankets.

"Are you going somewhere…?"

Hiei arched a brow at the words. With Kurama beneath the blanket pulled up to his chin, red hair splayed across his pillow and green eyes staring up at him almost anxiously, Hiei felt the need to say no. He would stay right here by Kurama's bedside until he was well.

But Kurama needed to eat.

Forcing himself to look away, Hiei nodded.

"Downstairs," he clarified, wanting to soothe that flicker of pain in Kurama's eyes even if he wasn't looking at him. "You should eat something even if it's small."

Glimpsing him from the corner of his eye, Kurama's smile was faint but noticeable. Slowly he shifted beneath the blanket, looking up at the ceiling. Relief radiating off him in waves. "I'll be fine for a little while…"

Hiei's heart stammered in its beating, alive for what seemed like the umpteenth time that day. Nodding, he stepped away from Kurama's bedside, pressing his youki against the fox’s own even as he left his presence.

Cooking had gotten easier once he knew what everything was for. His traditional style of making food, as Kurama explained to Shiori, was seasonless. What he left out was that it was over a flame usually of Hiei’s own creation, and quick. He didn't have the need or the time to measure rice, dice vegetables, or season food while in the Makai.

It didn't matter --- food was fuel.

Kurama and Shiori insisted otherwise, and more than one meal Kurama made for him was eaten with the ferocity of a starving man. The fox staring at him from the other side of the table with an amused smile. Offering him seconds unasked.

When he learned to cook himself, Hiei was somewhat proud. Most of his life had been spent destroying and laying waste to what was around him. He wasn't ashamed of it. It was expected of him but he decided to do so on his own terms. Though knowing that he could create, that he could help --- it was overwhelming.

Because that isn't what the Forbidden Child did.

It wasn't what he was created to do or chose to do.

But for Kurama ---

For Kurama, he would try.

Returning upstairs with a plate in hand, Hiei pushed open the door and peered inside at the red-headed lump shivering beneath the blanket. He flinched. Somewhere in his concentration on not ruining Kurama's snack, he must have forgotten to keep his youki condensed upstairs. Rectifying the mistake immediately, the relief he found in Kurama’s shivering slowing was jarring.

"Still awake?"

The blanket was pulled up to Kurama's forehead, his hair the only thing that was visible and Hiei tried to look beneath it without using the Jagan. Tugging lightly at the hem until Kurama's fingers curled at the top, gently pulling the blankets down.

Hiei’s eyes widened.

Kurama’s eyes were glassy and the redness to his face was almost gone. Color returning to his cheeks almost bringing a smile to Hiei’s face. But it was the way that Kurama looked at him which left the fire demon puzzled.

Excitement and adoration, his smile so bright in spite of his current state that Hiei almost had to look away.

"You came back…" Kurama sighed wistfully, his words so sincere and relieved Hiei would have thought he went to the Makai and hadn't been back for days if not for being downstairs or the plate in his hands.

"… I told you I would," Hiei reminded, sitting down on the small sliver of bed-space where Kurama wasn't curled. The plate resting in his lap and carefully balanced between his hands drew the fox's attention. At least he seemed to remember that he was supposed to eat.

"I know," Kurama sighed in answer, carefully pushing himself upright. "I was just worried you wouldn't…"

The sincerity in those words chilled Hiei to the bone. This might have been the medicine's effect but he couldn't detect any lie from Kurama.

His glazed-over eyes were still hauntingly honest, almost matching the warmth in his smile. It took everything for Hiei not to lean over and pull him into his arms, hear that soft little sigh Kurama gave as he nuzzled his face against Hiei’s shoulder.

Instead Hiei held the plate out to him once Kurama propped himself up against the wall, drawing his hand away, careful not to linger too long lest he do something idiotic.

The thought crossed Hiei’s mind to ask Kurama why he thought that he wouldn't come back. Although, there was no telling if Kurama would remember any of this or not. And taking advantage of his current state would only annoy him later.

"Thank you."

Hiei startled, turning sharply to look at him. Kurama's rosy cheeks and content smile almost hidden beneath the drape of his hair as he took a bite of the sandwich. It wasn't much in Hiei’s opinion — just a sandwich but the fox stared at it as if Hiei laid a treasure in his lap.

"You don't have to thank me for this."

"But I appreciate it."

Something Hiei would never understand about him. Even in the little things — helping patch him up after a fight, mending his clothes, making him meals, walking home with him from school. Kurama thanked him every time with a beautiful smile. One that inspired Hiei to continue day after day.

Propping his leg up with his heel pressed to the frame of the bed, Hiei rested his elbow on his knee and tucked his mouth against his hand. It felt easier like this. A bit of a divider between them when Kurama was getting too close to him emotionally.

"You've done much more for me," Hiei admitted, thinking back to how the fox healed him and fought beside him. Stubbornness aside, Kurama didn't have to do any of it. "This is the least I could do."

A featherlight touch so soft that he might have missed it brushed against his ear. His head whipped toward Kurama. The fox was a bit closer than before, his eyes crinkled at the corners with that infuriating understanding smile. His knuckle brushing against Hiei's ear, along the curve of his jaw and the fire demon trembled. How could he be like this even when he was ill?

"I enjoy doing things for you,” Kurama said in a soft voice, his fingertips brushing beneath Hiei’s chin when the fire demon averted his gaze, tipping his head up so their eyes met. “You don't need to repay me…"

Then like that, Kurama drew back from him. Taking the welcomed touch with him and leaving only confusion in his wake. Why would Kurama enjoy doing things for him? A sharp tinge of irritation surfaced.

He wasn't someone to be pitied but this didn't feel like that.

It was something softer. Raw. Refreshing. Frightening. And Hiei wanted it desperately.

He questioned himself deeply, thinking over whether he should or he shouldn't. But he had to know. If these were Kurama's honest feelings, even a glimmer of what he felt, he wanted to know.

"Why?"

Kurama glanced up at him, swallowing another bite of his sandwich before speaking without missing a beat. "Because you are one of the most important people in my life."

One of the most important people.

Hiei felt his face warming. His body temperature steadily rising and Kurama sighed. The heat might have been nice to him but for Hiei it was mortifying. Those words, his face, the way he looked --- it was too much. Averting his gaze, he remembered that he couldn't leave Kurama in this state but he also couldn't look at him. It was almost like he was trapped. In one of the nicer situations he'd ever been but trapped nonetheless.

It's his medicine. He's not thinking clearly. But if it's how he feels. If there's a chance —

No. No. No.

"Finish eating," Hiei demanded, burying his mouth against his palm, his leg bouncing as he tried to center himself.

If Kurama thought anything of it he didn't say. The next few minutes passing by achingly slow. Amiable silence between them charged on one end. Hiei's mind an endless volley of thoughts which always came back to him.

Kurama couldn't have meant that but if he did —

So what if he did?

Somehow, Hiei felt as if he were going insane just thinking about it.

A glimpse of white in the corner of his eye. The outline of an empty plate and Kurama's hand on one end garnering his attention. Pushing the thoughts aside, he told himself he'd be able to think clearly with some distance between them. A quick trip to the kitchen would do the trick. Taking the plate, Hiei stood up and started to make his way back to the door when a hard tug to his wrist and a tight grip anchored him in place.

His instincts told him it was a flagrant violation of his personal space. An act which could only be committed by a very small number of people. And as he slowly turned, he was both pleased and embarrassed. It was someone he’d allow to touch him. Nevertheless, Kurama’s timing couldn’t have been worse. The fox held his wrist in a tight grip. Easily breakable with his current state and even in his clouded state of mind, he seemed to know not to touch Hiei for long.

But it was his eyes ---

His damned eyes.

A pleading green, glazed over and shining, trained on Hiei with an intensity mirrored in the hold on his wrist.

"Stay."

Hiei blinked slowly, unsure if he heard him right. The plate in his hand trembling with the force of his grip. "… It's just downstairs, Kurama,” he said, a weak protest but he felt he needed to do something. Put up a guard even though they were all crumbling the longer he stared at him.

Kurama’s eyes softened, eyelids falling and Hiei's heart twisted as the fox stared up at him from beneath dark eyelashes. "Please?"

The equivalent of a knife stabbing him in the chest and twisting was all Hiei could equate to this. Kurama never said please unless he was absolutely pressed to. What was he supposed to do when Kurama was staring at him like that? Saying things like that?

Glancing down at the plate, the hairline cracks in its surface would definitely be a topic later.

"Alright…"

The demure expression was gone almost in an instant. Hiei realizing belatedly that he might have been played even in Kurama’s sickened state. Anger attempted to spark in his chest doused by awe in how quickly Kurama made space for him.

Setting the plate on his bedside, Hiei measured the space thoughtfully then laid down. Intent to give Kurama enough room to rest comfortably. That is until Kurama shifted close to him, melding to his side, the warm solid press of his body against Hiei's own giving the fire demon pause.

Kurama's name a dying sound on Hiei's lips. Everything moving faster than Hiei expected. The fox's arm winding around his middle, keeping him locked in place, and his face pressing against the side of Hiei's head, practically hidden in his hair. A happy sigh sending shivers down Hiei's spine as he forced himself to stay stone still trying to understand if this was happening or not.

Kurama was hugging him, practically nuzzling his hair and seemed so comfortable.

Stealing glances at him as best as he could, Hiei growled low in his throat and folded his arms across his chest. He'd allow Kurama to leech off his warmth and have this closeness just this once. Closing his eyes and timing the fox's breathing, he sighed as it began to even out and Kurama started to drift to sleep.

Likely the medicine's effect just like everything else, Hiei reminded himself.

Once he was sure that Kurama was falling asleep, Hiei started to shift away from him, pulling up the blanket to make it easier for him to sneak away. A soft noise, almost like a whimper, freezing him in place. Despite his instincts and his insistence that he hadn't heard that, Hiei turned and looked at Kurama surprised.

"Don't leave…" Kurama whispered, tightening his hold, green eyes cracked open — compelling even now.

"I… e—…” Words seemed to fail Hiei completely, his face warming and he glanced toward the door or the window before looking back to Kurama.

Carefully lying down beside him again, the blanket tugged up to cover them both, he tucked his arms around him. His startled youki evening out and that happy sigh left the fox’s lips. The warmth of his breath tingling across Hiei’s skin.

"Sleep."

Kurama held onto him tighter, burying his face against his hair. It didn't take long for him to doze off, his breath evening out and the color was steadily returning to his face. Once Hiei was absolutely sure Kurama was asleep, he leant away from him and drew back a hand, cupping Kurama's cheek and brushed his thumb along his cheekbone admiringly.

For now, he'd hold him as close as he wanted —

Because Kurama was important to him too.