Reunited Part 2
Kurama was well aware of @ask-the-black-chimera's eyes on him as he moved around the kitchen. That dark gaze strayed briefly as he sliced the lemon, though, and Kurama wondered why. He nodded along as Kuronue informed him of Genkai's offer, one he was quite familiar with by now as she often opened up the temple to guests.
"Yes, that sounds like Master Genkai. She may be a little rough around the edges, but she is truly kind at her core." He smiled, his description of her reminding him of someone else he held very dear. A small laugh escaped him at Kuronue's inquiry, however. "No, I do not live here. I have a home of my own a bit of a distance from here. It's not terribly far, though. I like having quick access to Makai for growing my plants."
The kettle whistled behind him and Kurama turned to remove it from the heat. "Let's move to the table, shall we? I'll tray up the tea and bring it over." As he spoke, he was already pulling the tray and cups from the cupboards and laying it out.
Kuronue felt strangely nervous as they sat at the table. He folded his wings neatly behind himself in an effort to make himself a bit smaller. He felt strange being taller than Kurama now. And what could they talk about now? Where they've been? What they've done? Why he looks the way he does, why Kuronue is alive, all of that? It was probably best to fill int he missing pieces. Yet when Kurama got to the table to set the tea out, all Kuronue could say was;
"You look good. With the red hair. Did I say that before?" He chuckled nervously. It felt like he needed to justify his existence here. He had barged in on Kurama's new peaceful life in the human world. Was there even a place for him here? He looked down at the table, fidgeting with his pendant that he had placed back around his neck.
Kuronue's nervousness was nearly palpable. It shone even brighter when his old friend spoke, making him laugh gently as he sat. "No, you didn't. You said you liked my eyes, though." Kurama smiled teasingly as he propped his cheek in his hand. He let out a soft exhale, amused by how little Kuronue had changed in all this time. He supposed it was to be expected given the lifespan of demons. They did not often change, but when they did, it was slowly.
Unless forced by an outside source.
His smile melted into a frown and he lowered his hand to fiddle with his tea cup; a nervous gesture of his own. "Does this form unsettle you? Would you be more comfortable if I were to take my old one? Either way, I believe it would be prudent to discuss how I came to acquire this one." Kurama's mouth pressed into a firm line, his brow furrowing as he glanced at his tea before lifting his steady gaze to Kuronue's. "I also want to stress my reasons for keeping this form rather than my old one. While I don't mind transforming for you here right now, please understand that I will not do so going forward unless it is necessary."
A streak of gold shone through in his eyes, but just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone.
“Well both are true, the eyes and the hair. It’s a good combination. Reminds me of a rose.”
Kuronue blinked. “You can change back? Here and now? I…” he smiled and leaned forward. “Just for a moment. I know it’s you, even changed as you are, but if I could see your old face again…”
It’s not that he needed proof, as he said he knew it was Kurama. But it would be a closure of sorts to see Youko Kurama in the flesh once more.
A small dusting of pink colored Kurama's cheeks at the compliment, his gaze shifting away from Kuronue for once. "I can, but no. I don't like to if I can help it. The fluctuation in my energy has a tendency to attract unwanted attention." His eyes slid back to meet Kuronue's, the slightest of pouts turning out his lip.
It would have been imperceptible to those who didn't know him, but anyone familiar enough with his mannerisms would recognize his sudden disappointment. "It would seem I've misread your discomfort as you appear to have no issue whatsoever with how I look." With a slight huff, he picked up his tea cup and took a long drink, the pink in his cheeks deepening as he glanced away again.
Kuronue chuckled lightly, still leaning forward on the table. "Do you have an issue with how I look? Now imagine I suddenly arrived completely looking differently. You'd be curious, too. But I won't push it. If you prefer to stay in this pretty red-head form, I won't complain." He grinned at Kurama, and picked up his own tea cup to mirror him. "How did you end up here? I heard you were killed." His voice wavered a little at the word killed. It was still painful to imagine Kurama dying.
"Wha- Of course, I don't!" Kurama was rather bewildered. "Why would I? You haven't changed a bit since back then. Do you think I had an issue with your looks back then?" He let out a slight huff, using his cup to partially hide his face as he unwittingly brought up their past, thoughts drifting towards their more... animalistic behavior.
"Anyway, as for how I got here," he sipped from his cup and put it down, clearing his throat, "I very nearly was killed. Weakened into a state desperate enough to detach my soul and possess the unborn child of a human mother." His eyes glinted with something unreadable. "For a long time, I found my situation quite detestable, but at some point, I found that it wasn't actually so bad."
Kuronue laughed. "I'm teasing you!" He continued to laugh, his whole body shaking with it. It felt good to simply let go and enjoy the moment. It's been so long.... He looked back at Kurama with a soft smile and listened to him talk.
He listened intently then tilted his head. "You didn't find it so bad? Did you... get attached to the human? Not that there's anything wrong with it! But if you possessed a human child, did you have to go through diapers?" He laughed lightly.
"I'm teasing again, if it wasn't clear."
Kurama narrowed his eyes at his old friend, not at all amused by the jab about diapers. There was certainly no way he was confirming or denying that inquiry. His features softened, however, as he considered the former question.
"It was my human mother that I grew attached to, I'm afraid. She became very special to me." He let out a small, amused huff. "Imagine that. Youko Kurama, soft for a human mother." A fond smile curled his lips as he stared into his teacup, "I soon grew attached to other humans, as well, curious creatures that they are." There was something behind that statement that he didn't quite allude to, but it was there nonetheless.
Kuronue listened quietly, a soft smile on his lips. "I always knew there was more to your heart than the cruelty you projected. Hidden somewhere deep within was potential for unconditional love." He leaned back in his chair and sipped at his tea.
He wondered if Youko Kurama ever loved him. But he didn't voice his question. He smiled at Kurama instead. "I'm glad I found you. I'm glad you've been good all this time. I'm even glad you have your human mother. Going through life alone hurts too much, I know that now."
Kuronue's words struck Kurama to his core, mouth dropping in shock. "Of course there was. You're the one who taught me how." His brow furrowed, confused as to how Kuro didn't already know this. Slowly, he reached across the table and tightly grasped Kuronue's hand in his own. Looking up into his eyes, Kurama let down every wall he'd ever built, giving the man in front of him every single one of his vulnerabilities.
His lip wobbled and tears welled within his eyes. "You were the best thing to ever happen to me and I loved you more than any puzzle I could have solved or any treasure I could have stolen. When I lost you...," Kurama swallowed thickly, doing his best to hold back his tears, "I lost myself, too." He dropped his gaze, brow still furrowed as a tear escaped and tracked down his cheek. His voice dropped just below a whisper, "I'm glad you found me, too."
He hadn’t known. How could he not know? He always assumed he was just… a toy. The great Youko Kurama, he didn’t fall in love. He didn’t fall for people like Kuronue. Definitely not. How could Kurama love an idiot like him? Someone who risked his life for a stupid necklace?
Kuronue gripped Kurama’s hands, swallowing thickly. He didn’t know what else to say.
He stood instead, walking around the table. He leaned down to brush the tear away from Kurama’s face.
Then he gently grasped Kurama’s chin, raising his face to meet eye to eye. Kuronue looked at those green eyes, so different, yet so familiar. Then he leaned in closer, wordlessly pressing his lips to Kurama’s.
Kurama inhaled sharply as Kuronue kissed him, overcome with emotion. He kissed back, pressing into him as he lifted a hand to cup Kuronue's cheek. He never imagined that he'd ever be able kiss, or even touch, his first love ever again. His hand slipped into Kuronue's hair, grasping and pulling him in closer.
The kiss deepened and Kurama opened his mouth in invitation. Their hands still grasped together tightly and he can't help but use the connection as further leverage to draw Kuronue even closer. His body shifted in the chair so that he could guide Kuro into his lap, wanting as much contact between them as he could. Gods above, how he had missed this. How he had missed Kuro.
Kuronue groaned softly into the kiss and pressed deeper against Kurama, almost tipping the chair over as he placed his knee on the seat. He wanted to touch more, to explore every inch of this new body, to show his old lover how much he still burned for him.
Kuronue removed his hand from Kurama’s, and used both arms to circle around Kurama’s waist and pull him out of the chair. He was lighter than Youko Kurama. Breaking the kiss, Kuronue hoisted Kurama up and placed him atop the empty side of the table, only partially mindful of their teacups.
He descended onto Kurama again, his dark hair cascading around them, his wings engulfing them, too, until they were kissing in a dark cocoon of warmth.
Kurama clung to Kuronue as their kiss deepened and his chair tipped back. A sharp gasp escaped him as he suddenly found himself manhandled onto the tabletop. His back hit wood and he found Kuronue enveloping him with his wings. Never had he felt so small before.
They used to be the same height, but now Kurama almost felt smothered. It's not a bad feeling, but still.... He basked in the warmth that surrounded him, enjoying their kiss for a moment longer until he grew impatient with their position. With one lithe movement, Kurama snaked a leg around Kuronue's, then hooked onto him to use their connection as leverage to maneuver them until he was on top instead. His gaze glittered with mischief as he gazed down at Kuronue for only a moment before reconnecting their mouths.
Kuronue huffed in surprise as they switched positions, his back hitting the table. He grinned up at Kurama, his hands coming up to grip at his hips. Their kissing continued, and Kuronue thought that he could completely fall apart with Kurama here, on this stupid kitchen table, in this old woman's house, if only Kurama continued to kiss him like that.
Sunlight was pouring in through the window, and Kuronue shielded them from it with one wing, chuckling against Kurama's lips.
"You always liked to be in control," he muttered. "It was sometimes terrifying then," he said, his eyes glinting up at Kurama. "But now it's sort of... cute. You seem so much smaller."
