The seconds tick by as he waits for the call to connect. Crouched on a rooftop overlooking the streets, hidden in the shade with his back pressed to the wall, he sunk down until he felt the back of his head against the wall. His knees pulled in close and hand resting on his stomach, blearily staring up at the darkening sky and counting the number of stars that began to show from beyond the veil of clouds. Somewhere along the line, his eyes drifted shut and he let the sounds of the city wash over him. The rumbling of cars, the murmuring of voices, the sound of birdsong and insects chirping — a hazy fog bringing him deeper and deeper from the state of panic to one of calm.

And amidst the haze, a soft teasing voice spoke directly into his ear in a low purr, "Well, this is a surprise."

Hiei's eyes shot open and he sat up straight, looking around with wide eyes. The rooftop was empty save for himself and he couldn't feel anyone's energy encroaching on his position. A soft rustling sound close to his ears calming his racing heart as his gaze drifted to the phone held close to his ear in a vice grip.

"Hiei?"

The tension melted from his body and he slumped almost bonelessly to press his back against the floor, staring up at the heavens. Letting the sound of Kurama's voice and the questioning tone wash over him. His heart skipped a beat and his fingers curled into fists, nails digging into the palm of his hand. That sound was intoxicating, the way that he said his name was enthralling, and he wanted to hear it again. But there was a worrying tinge to the fox's voice and the pleasantness of hearing his name in that voice waned out of —

What did he want?

To lessen the worry and concern in Kurama's voice, yes.

To hear him say his name again, perhaps.

Hiei sighed, mumbling tiredly. "Your voice."

"What about it?" Kurama asked, and despite the lightheartedness of his words, there was a worry in his voice.

Hiei's mouth felt dry and there were so many words that made his tongue feel as if it was made of lead. Sorting through the fog in his mind, he curled his fingers in his shirt as he spoke. "I'm grateful hearing it…"

"Is that so?" Kurama asked, and Hiei could practically hear the smile in his voice. His own lips curling into a smile of his own, eyes drifting shut.

"Today's been exhausting."

"How so?" Kurama asked, a slight pitch to his words as he stifled a yawn. Hiei's ears picked up the muffled sigh and he frowned.

Of course, Kurama was tired because of the long day he must have had. With all they'd gotten up to earlier that morning, he must've stayed later than he expected. Hiei's nose wrinkled as he pulled his phone from his ear a bit and looked at the time. Now that the sky was a deep shade of blue, stars glittering and the street lights coming on, the light of his phone illuminated his face nearly blinding him. Yet, the numbers '10:26' were bold and dark. Grimacing, he brought it back to his ear.

"I can tell you later," he insisted, intent on ending the call and letting Kurama have a bit of solace before having to deal with whatever this was.

Turning onto his side and resting his arm beneath his head, Hiei frowned at nothing in particular. Just what was he doing? Calling Kurama already seemed ludicrous but now he was bothering him with feelings ? This was something that he could *at least* deal with himself rather than worrying the fox endlessly with his own ramblings. The more he berated himself, the deeper his heart sank. Pulling his phone away from his ear, his thumb poised over the red 'end call' button, his finger stilled when a soft voice came through the receiver.

"Hiei."

As if aware of what he was going to do, Kurama stopped him in his tracks and his thumb trembled from where it hovered. There were a number of things that the fox could have said. Predicting him was difficult, it was one of the reasons that he felt for him, and yet it caused Hiei nothing but anxiety right now. A heady pause gave way to Kurama's gentle admission.

"I always have time to listen to you."

Pulling his thumb away from the end call button, opening his mouth then closing it, Hiei pressed his lips together tightly then brought the phone back to his ear. Kurama said nothing for a moment and he closed his eyes, letting the quiet wash over him with the sounds of the world around them. Yet his attention was focused on one sound exactly, and he was soon rewarded with its presence.

"What happened?" Kurama coaxed gently, and with his voice so close to Hiei's ear, shivers ran down the fire demon's spine and a smile tugged at his lips unbidden from his current mood.

The effect that Kurama had on him was startling but he wouldn't trade it. This wave of calm cleared the fog in his mind but upon doing so, the limiters that he'd spent his entire life forging were also brought down. Before he could think to stop himself, he began speaking, his own voice distant to his ears.

"I've been feeling different and it seems as if everyone I've talked to has noticed and are behaving unusually."

Nothing felt right about today. Everyone seemed to know something that he didn't know and rather than dangling it in front of him, they asked him questions. Questions that he couldn't outright answer, statements that had double meanings that he couldn't pick apart, insistences that made his chest feel odd .

"Yuusuke asked me if we were family."

The look on the former detective's face, the comment about picking Hiei to be his brother, the carefree smile he wore and the gentle prodding he gave before leaving him on his own. As if he knew what Hiei needed, as if he cared as if he —

Hiei let those thoughts wander but it brought him back to another person.

"Mukuro gave me this and made comments about things that were not her business."

Mukuro and her knowing look, the softness in her good eye when she regarded him, the way she wrapped her arm around his shoulders and patted his head when he was within reach. Not even minding when he threatened harm. Her smile brighter than any that he'd seen her wear before.

Where had it come from?

Why did he want to make her smile like that again?

"Even Yukina spoke to me about our relationship with unexpected boldness."

He felt a mixture of pride and uncertainty from the conversation between them. Although he was happy to have the change in their relationship, to know that his opinion meant that much to her, that he meant that much to her — being put on the spot like that was alarming. It wasn't as if she was giving him an ultimatum but she was giving him a choice. Telling him not what he wanted to hear but what he needed to hear. She was so much like him but her ability to lean into her emotions was easier to come across than his own. Even after all she'd been through, she could still smile even if there were shadows that lingered around her eyes.

"And you — "

Hiei's voice trailed off and he stared off into the shadows of the rooftop. His fingers uncurled by his head flexed one by one as he tried to think of what to say. Where would he begin with his confusion toward his feelings of Kurama's behavior?

When he woke in bed with the fox at his side?

The game Kurama played whilst on the phone, or that act in which he abandoned a call to roll in the sheets with Hiei lavishing him with kisses pressed to his skin?

Or was it their parting when he was reluctant to let go of Kurama and resigned to do so. The safety and comfort that came from having the fox's arms wrapped around him. Kissing him for what felt like the first time and feeling that tingle in his lips long after Kurama's had left them.

"Me?" Kurama repeated, curiosity lilting his tone and Hiei remembered to breathe.

"This morning, you insisted on laying with me."

Told him that he wanted him there. Made it feel as if it was alright to sleep with him in his arms for a few hours longer. It wasn't as if they hadn't done something like this before, walked the steps of this practiced dance, but it was different. Somehow, waking up with Kurama in his arms was different .

"We —" Hiei began, halting as he tried to think of the word for what they did. The call that Kurama had taken forgotten, the fox's fingers pressed to his skin as his back arched and warm breaths fanned across Hiei's shoulder. The sharp pain from Kurama's teeth sinking into the side of his neck, a mark would have formed and been hidden beneath his scarf, but he'd know from the pain that it was there. And yet it only made him kiss the fox more, slow his pace to draw out their pleasure bit by bit, wanting to keep that blissful and hazy expression on his partner's handsome face for just a bit longer.

And all the while, his own pleasure meant nothing in comparison to Kurama's. He wanted to see him smile, hear him call his name and hug him close, move with him until he was driven over the edge and Hiei could watch him fall to pieces. Only to pick him up as he did every time before when he found the fox beneath him rather than over him or sitting in his lap.

The bandits he'd grown up with often said that it was more work caring for their partner after the deed was done. Hiei disagreed. He'd care for Kurama no matter what, loving him even when they were trying to reach the climax, and after.

"We made love and you were late for work because of it," Hiei said, curling his fingers around the side of the phone. "Yet I didn't want to let you go, I knew I would see you later."

Lingering in the hall, watching him pull on his shoes, trying to slow the time down to savor this moment. Not wanting to say goodbye, turning his back so he didn't have to see him leave.

"I always do, I just…"

Telling himself that he was just being overdramatic. He would see him later. He was already late so he should have been gone by the morning light. He was stupid for staying. He wanted to stay. Conflicting thoughts that left him ill-prepared for Kurama's arms around him, the insistence muttered close to his ear that shattered the walls he'd tried to build up.

"Being able to kiss you and hold you close to me was all I wanted," he admitted, remembering the warmth of Kurama's hands despite the layers of clothing separating them. The gentle curve of his smile when they parted and soft nuzzling made him close his eyes, leaning into him in turn even if it was slight. "Even if it meant neglecting our responsibilities for a day, it didn't matter to me."

At the time, he thought that Kurama would have been the one to keep them locked in that moment for as long as he could. And yet, he found himself wanting to do the same.

Just to be close to him.

He wanted to grumble. To say that it was stupid. He could be without Kurama and he was just fine without him but being with him was nice as well. It made him feel light on the inside, happy , as if he had no cares in the world. As if all the things he'd done in the past were forgiven because Kurama looked at him as if he weren't the scum of the four realms. Hiei turned onto his back with a groan and covered his eyes with a hand.

"Yuusuke's question was alarming but I couldn't disagree."

The former detective was an agreeable companion. He teased far too often and his jeering was often met with threats that he didn't even seem to take seriously. In fact, he seemed amused. Knowing, as if he understood the depths of Hiei's nature and went along with it. Even taking into account that he needed time to himself after the questions that he asked.

"I didn't throw away this device when Mukuro gave it to me or change the name in it."

How could he?

She was right in a sense.

The feelings laced into the tear gem that she gave him were that of a mother's. And the way that she behaved towards him reminded him so much of Shiori and Kurama. He tried to tell himself that it was wishful thinking.

"And Yukina —"

Dragging his hand down the side of his face, Hiei realized belatedly that he could barely hear anything on the other end. Kurama made no sound to stop him, to inquire further of what he meant and he felt a weight drop into the pit of his stomach.

"Kurama."

Without hesitation, Kurama replied, "I'm here, Hiei."

Hiei sighed, his eyes closing and he squeezed his empty hand into a fist. It would be better to just ask outright than to beat around the bush. He's come this far and true to his word, the fox heard him out every step of the way.

"The name that your number was listed under," Hiei said. "You're aware of it."

"I am."

"You didn't elect for it to be changed."

There's a slight pause and it's worrying but Kurama's voice is even when he speaks again. "Is it not within your liking? If not, you can change it to one you prefer."

While he would never dare to call Kurama that, something Yusuke told him sticks. Partner is the same as hubby . And while Hiei would never say to himself nor anyone else that Kurama was the latter, the former was reserved for him and only him.

"Is it within your liking?" Hiei asked, turning the fox's words onto him. "Do you wish that I would refer to you like that?"

Kurama chuckles and Hiei could practically see the smile on his face. He sighs at the sound of his voice as he speaks, "Perhaps not in that specific term of endearment but it has grown on me."

The smile in his voice is accompanied by a teasing tone and Hiei knows what's coming next. With the amount of ammunition he'd given Kurama, he should have known that teasing would have come when he was at his most vulnerable. Covering his eyes with his arm, he couldn't help the smile tugging at his lips.

"This morning," Kurama says, the soft purr of his voice doing things to Hiei's heart that he was certain had to be illegal. "Making love you say?"

Hiei huffed, "I've fucked before, fox." Not often as it took a considerable degree of vulnerability but he had laid with others before. Not enough to trust them to straddle his hips as he did Kurama, or pull him into an embrace. Or stay long enough to know their name, their history, and whether they lived to see the next sunrise.

"I don't have any intention of fucking and leaving you," Hiei said, pulling his hand away from his eyes. "Every touch, everything I did, was meant to.."

His voice trails off and he brings his hand to his lips, covering his mouth with the back of his hand. What had he meant to do? He knows the answer. He wanted to make love to Kurama, but the question is why.

He knows there's an obvious answer. One that he's been dancing around not only today but possibly for most of the time they've been together .

Kurama is the one to start speaking, his voice tender and reassuring, "Make love to me?"

"Yes," Hiei sighs, relief stealing his breath and caving his chest, closing his eyes as if he could hide from the vulnerability of it all.

"Why?"

The question leaves him speechless. Without thinking, he mutters confusedly, "I was going to ask you that."

He's been known for his quick-thinking and his speed in battle but the pace at which his lips move, forming the words that spill out as if the flood gates holding everything back that he'd been experiencing throughout the day — would have put everything else to shame.

"This isn't the first time we've had sex, it isn't the first time that I made love to you, it isn't the first time that I kissed you or we've slept in the same bed."

And if there were any Gods that he would pray to, he would hope that it would never be the last. He wasn't sure how he would feel if he could no longer hold the fox in his arms. The very thought made his stomach turn, the mark on his arm burned and he held his breath for a second before continuing.

"And yet when I opened my eyes and I saw you laying there as if you belonged , I just…"

He trailed off. Lost in the memory of Kurama's head lying on his chest, the glow of the early morning sunrays haloing him, the look in his eyes. His heart skipped a bit and he startled at the sound of Kurama's voice.

"Hiei?"

He couldn't bring himself to reply but he made a noise. Unsure of whether he could form a coherent sentence with this feeling in his chest. His heart skipping a beat, quickening its pace, his skin felt warmer than usual and there was this need to smile .

"Do you believe that I belonged there? Sleeping at your side?"

"Yes," is his abrupt reply as soon as the last question leaves Kurama's lips.

"Why?"

There's a wistfulness to the question. Warmth, yes, but the fox is searching for something and Hiei is unsure of what it is exactly. He doesn't feel the need to hide anything from Kurama. Coming this far, laying himself bare both literally and figuratively, what else could he do but let him know.

He had everything to lose, but the thought that he could gain something from this was intoxicating. If this was the result of his greed then he'd take the punishment gladly. Only praying that by the end of it, the fox would still be at his side.

Hiei muttered, "What are you asking me, Kurama?"

"Why do you believe that I belong there?"

Because there was nowhere else he would rather him be.

"Why do you insist on making love to me when you could easily have a quick fuck then leave?"

Why would he want to go anywhere else when Kurama was right there .

"Why do you go on outings with me despite your dislike for human clothing and most crowded spaces?"

It's tolerable now, it is tolerable because he is there. Didn't he know that?

"Why do you stay and sleep beside me, eat meals with me and help me around our —"

Kurama stopped abruptly and Hiei's eyes were wide, searching the heavens for what the fox was going to say but he knows. He knows and he wishes he could hear it in his voice. His heartbeat is fast and he knows that if he tries to breathe, it'll hitch and he'll be found out.

"Why, Hiei?"

The questions leave the fox's lips in succession and though they're said in an even tone of voice, the rapidness of them only serves to fill Hiei with a sense of anticipation . For what, he's unsure but he feels something is coming. They're falling into something together and Kurama is reaching for him, trying to come to his side and Hiei would have tugged him towards him. Caging a fox was unwise though and instead, he'd rather hold his arms out to Kurama. Allow him to walk into them with his eyes open and movements unhindered.

"I'm devoted to you."

"You've told me that before."

Ah, yes. He remembered that day.

Kurama had been volunteering at a flower shop and Hiei's trip to the Makai had taken him away longer than he'd wanted. When they saw one another again, there was a tension in the air that steadily melted the closer they got to one another. Kurama, in his infinite patience, held in everything that he wanted to say or do. It took Hiei climbing onto the counter, pressing their foreheads together and ranting for the fox's guard to fall. It was the first time that they'd kissed, Kurama muttering 'forgive me' before he pressed their lips together.

He worried that Hiei would reject him then and Hiei thought he was an idiot. For someone to reject Kurama, they were nothing short of a fool. How could someone look at him and not want everything ?

Hiei would never have to deliberate it because Kurama was his and Hiei was Kurama's. Never before had he been comfortable with belonging to someone. Devotion ran deep within him and to hear Kurama felt the same had left them embracing, exchanging heated kisses until afternoon faded to night and they were breathless.

The memory warmed him and he muttered, "And you told me that you were devoted to me as well."

Kurama's voice is deep, laden with emotion, wistful but happy . "There is no one else I would devote myself to as I have you."

His heart skipped a beat and he groaned, covering his face with a hand.

"That," Hiei muttered almost breathlessly.

"That?"

Sitting up, Hiei glared at nothing in particular but his gaze could've bore a hole in the wall opposite of him. "When you say things like that, it makes it happen again."

This beating. This feeling of warmth. This giddiness . Hiei rolled onto his knees then stood up, walking to the edge of the building and looking down at the street. The lights cast shadows on his face as he looked down at them, wondering if he traveled high enough, could he catch a glimpse of Kurama somewhere?

See just what was on the fox's mind?

Why did this matter so much?

"You're doing something to me and I'm not sure if you are aware of it or not."

"I was going to say the same thing."

Hiei huffed and turned on his heel, walking along the building's edge before he leapt to the adjacent one and then the next.

"It seems we're at an impasse," Kurama hummed thoughtfully. "Whatever shall we do?"

Leave it to the fox to be coy at a time like this. But the shift in mood was welcomed. Following the familiar trail across the rooftops, the cool winds telling of the seasons change, his shadow hidden amongst the many cast by lights and buildings which hid him from view. It was nostalgic, he thought as he landed on the branch of a tree. Pressing his hand to the bark and looking up at the sky, the small park that he'd found himself in reminding him of a familiar scene.

"Do you recall when we first met?"

"As if it were yesterday."

Hiei smiled at the answer, turning to rest his back against the tree.

"You cared for me," he said, closing his eyes as his mind summoned the memory of a short red-haired teenager. "You saved my life when others would have left me to die."

His brow furrowed.

"Even when I harmed you, even when I was cruel, even when I was careless, you stood beside me."

It may have been the Sword of Darkness that corrupted his mind, made him see Kurama as his enemy, but it was his hand that drove it into his flesh. It was him who wasn't strong enough to reject the sword's influence.

"You accepted me for what I am and never asked me to change," Hiei sighed, listening to the sound of Kurama's minutely movements on the other end of the line before he continued. "And yet I slowly changed on my own and as a result of being with you."

While his achievements were his own, he knew that a good majority of the changes of heart he experienced were because of Kurama's influence and his presence in his life. He was capable of making his own decisions. Did so often when they were apart but there was something about Kurama that made him want to be better . That made him like being who he was and want to improve not for the fox's sake but for his own.

"You've cared for me in ways that I couldn't put into words and there is no one else that I could —"

He stops and listens to the sounds on the other end of the line. Kurama must be moving as the sound of wind muffles the receiver and he sighs. As long as the call is connected, he can tell himself that perhaps the fox is listening. That all of this isn't in vain. Reminding himself for the umpteenth time that he came this far. That Kurama wouldn't judge him for being honest . It was what they assured one another of when they became partners.

Honesty.

Even if their paths diverged, they would always be on one another's sides.

No matter what.

Hiei leapt from his perch and began to walk. He knew where Kurama's home was, knew how far he had, but he wanted to take his time. Sort out these thoughts as he walked and tried to gain some sort of perspective.

The street lamps lit his path, walking through neighborhoods that were either darkened by their occupants being asleep or not home, on streets emptied with the occasional stray watching him with curious eyes. It was peaceful. Insects buzzing and nature filling the silence. Hiei looked down at his shadow and wondered what it would be like to walk like this with Kurama.

"Even when we fought on differing sides, I didn't want to fight you," Hiei confessed, his voice soft. "I didn't want to hurt you."

Even if the fox had forgiven him for the incident with the Artifacts of Darkness, he would never forgive himself. He'd never rid himself of that memory of betraying the one person who'd been with him through it all.

"If I could go back and destroy everyone who dared to raise a finger to you, I would," he muttered, looking down at his hand. "Even if it was me because it pains me to see you hurt."

If he had the power that he did now, the ability to go back in time, he would've obliterated them all if it would have made Kurama feel better. If he could spare him any measure of pain. It was a juvenile thought. A soul without scars was shallow, but he wanted him to be happy .

"Even though you've done the unspeakable, I still —"

A familiar presence, youki pressing against his own and wrapping around it as if trying to pull him closer. Slowly, he lifts his gaze and finds that he has found his way but not to Kurama's apartment but to the demon himself. Kurama stands a few strides away from him, his own phone to his ear and his smile soft. Hiei's not sure what to say or do, his lips parted and then closed. The quickening pace of his heart making the blood rush to his ears and he's sure the pounding is so loud that Kurama can hear it.

"You still?" Kurama coaxes, his voice soft and in Hiei's ear, but the fire demon's gaze is centered on his being rather than anything else.

Hiei's lips tremble and the warmth in his chest, this feeling of being wanted , noticed, heard , it breaks something within him.

"I know you at your worst and I welcome it," Hiei said, hearing Kurama's breath hitch spurs him to continue. "I've seen you at your best and I accept it."

The same man that smiled when he trapped a man in an endless nightmare-ish delusion. The one that was once known for his cruelty and his thievery. The one all knew to fear but Hiei couldn't help but adore. He'd told himself that if Kurama had decided to go back to his thieving ways, once his own goal of finding Yukina was complete, he'd gladly go with him. His sister could always be seen with the Jagan Eye but Kurama —

He wanted to be at his side.

"I'm selfish," Hiei admits, walking forward to close the distance between them. "I accept your past, I want to be with you in the present, and be part of your future."

The closer he got, the clear Kurama's expression. His smile was warm, his eyes kind and bright, green meeting crimson as they stood in front of one another. It felt ridiculous to be on the phone while standing in front of one another but there was a point to it. A candidness that brought them this far.

And they'd go the rest of the way together.

Hiei huffed, arching a brow and tilting his head. "And if that look on your face says anything, you were expecting this."

"Yes," Kurama chuckled, smiling down at him. There's a flash of gold in his eyes and Hiei's eyes widen. "I've been waiting."

"Sorry…" Hiei muttered, glancing down.

Kurama's fingers graze his cheek, running down to his jaw and he looks up as Kurama leans down.

"You don't have to apologize," Kurama smiled, brushing their lips together. "You're worth waiting for."

Hiei lowered his hand to his side. "This feeling…" He muttered, pressing the end button on the call. "Isn't it love?"