Behind Closed Doors

Shiori tapped on his door frame an hour later and Kurama was sitting at his desk, working his way through the homework Yusuke had brought him, though his mind was not focused on the work. “Shuichi, is everything okay?”

“Yes, Mother,” he answered, continuing to work on his papers.

She moved in the room and sat on the edge of his bed, running her hand over the smoothed blankets before she sat. “You’re feeling better.”

“Yes, Mother, I am.” He turned to face her after laying his pen down on his papers.

She looked at the floor, “What’s really going on, Shuichi? Why were you two really on the floor? You looked too surprised.”

Kurama looked past his mother through the window. He frowned when he saw Hiei in the tree, smirking at him. He sent out enough ki to shake the petite demon from the branches, earning himself a glare. He then looked back at his mother, “It’s not my story to tell, Mother.”

Shiori searched his eyes, “Okay. Is there anyway I can help?” She looked away, “I couldn’t help overhearing some of the things you and he said.

Kurama sighed, “He was in a bad relationship. I was there when he broke it off.”

“He broke it off?” Shiori asked, her eyes avidly on Kurama’s face.

“Yes. I was there.”

“And he’s stayed away from the other person?”

Kurama nodded, though the light in his mother’s eyes made him wonder, “What are you thinking, Mother?”

“Your friend has a lot of strength, but based off what I overheard and saw, he needs to work out some issues.”

Kurama felt his mouth twist into a sad smile, “He did agree to go to counseling if I found a name and asked if I’d go with him.”

Shiori nodded and took a deep breath, “Do you remember my friend Amaya?”

Kurama thought a moment and then nodded, “Yes, she moved away a while ago.”

“Yes. She had been in a bad relationship. She got out of it about two years before she moved away. Her counselor helped her a lot. I’ll go get the card,” Shiori stood from the bed.

Kurama reached out for her hand, “Thank you, Mother.”

Shiori gave him a sad smile and then hugged him to her stomach as he sat, “You’re my son, and I wish I could spare you the pain you two are going to go through.”

Kurama returned her hug, “Thank you, Mother.”

She ruffled his hair, “Don’t work too hard.”

“I won’t. I really do feel better now.”

“You probably have just been working too hard.” She ruffled his hair once more and then left. He knew she didn’t believe that, but he was grateful that she didn’t question him. He returned to his homework, his heart a little lighter with knowing that he didn’t have to search for a name.

About an hour later, Shiori returned with a card and a piece of paper with the next day’s date and a time on it. Kurama looked up when she placed it in front of him, “What is this, Mother?”

“I called already, to make sure he was still available. I didn’t want to give you the card and then you find out he’s not available anymore. While I was on the phone, his secretary offered the appointment, so I said okay.”

“What if he backs out on me?” Kurama looked into his mother’s eyes, worried.

“You can’t let him, Shuichi. I think he’ll go if you go, too. You said he agreed.”

“He did, yes. We’ll go, Mother.” The phone rang and Shiori rose to answer it. “Thank you for everything,” Kurama said as she left the room.

“I love you, my son,” she smiled at him as she left the room. She was back in a moment, “It’s for you,” she frowned when she handed him the phone.

“Hello?” he spoke into the receiver, waving his thanks as his mother left and closed the door behind her.

“Hey, Kurama,” Yusuke’s voice came through the receiver, sounding a little odd.

“Yusuke, is everything okay?” Kurama tried to keep the worry out of his voice. Yusuke had never called him before. He didn’t even know the brunet had his phone number.

“Yeah, I was just feeling really lonely. My mother was gone when I got home and you said…”

“I’m here for you, Yusuke. Did you want to talk or you can come back over or I can go over there? Whatever you need.”

“I just needed to talk to someone. I’m not comfortable on my own anymore,” Yusuke’s voice was small through the phone.

“I’ll come over if you want me to, Yusuke,” Kurama made the offer very softly.

“What about your homework?” Yusuke’s voice sounded like he desperately wanted company, but was afraid to ask for it.

“I can bring it with me.”

“Please,” was the soft reply, almost too soft to travel through the phone lines.

“I’ll be there in half an hour, Yusuke.”

“Thank you.” Yusuke cut the connection.

“I’ll drive you,” Shiori offered, surprising Kurama that she was still there. He was sure he’d seen her leave.

“You’re not upset? You’re not going to remind me I’ve been sick?”

“No, I heard his voice when he asked for you. Get dressed, get your things together. I’ll drive you.”

Kurama hugged his mother when he handed her the phone. She left and he threw things into his school bag, adding his homework and, after a moment of thought, his uniform. He didn’t know how long Yusuke would need him, so he wanted to be prepared. He reached out very softly with his ki, feeling for the part that was connected to Yusuke, while he dressed in loose pants and a tee shirt that would serve dual purpose, if needed, and felt that something had scared Yusuke. The koorime’s presence and smirking in the tree gave him an inkling as to what it might have been. Angrily, he pulled the straps on his bag. He would hurt Hiei. He would come up with some way to hurt the koorime as much as he’d hurt Yusuke. And, gods help him, he’d enjoy it. But, first things first. Yusuke needed him. He made his way downstairs, keeping his connection with Yusuke open, letting the brunet feel him, trying to offer some support before he got there.

They drove silently and Shiori left him at the entrance to the building Yusuke lived in. Kurama searched for Hiei’s signature anywhere near, but he couldn’t sense the koorime. A tension between his shoulders eased and he made his way to Yusuke’s door.

As he was about to knock, the door opened and a hand reached out to pull him in. He found himself wrapped in a tight, almost stifling hug before the door closed behind him. His hands dropped his bag and wrapped around Yusuke, “I’m here, it’s okay.” They stood a long time in the door way, Yusuke clinging silently to Kurama and the redhead rubbing his back.

Yusuke relaxed in Kurama’s arms. “You came,” his voice soft with awe.

“You needed me, Yusuke, of course I came.”

“He said you wouldn’t. He said you wouldn’t come if I called for you.”

Kurama could feel the anger rising in him again, “What else did he say, Yusuke? What other lies did he tell you?”

Yusuke went limp in Kurama’s arms, “I don’t want to talk about it, Kurama. I just want to be with you for a while without thinking about him, or talking about him.”

Kurama pulled Yusuke closer to himself, “Okay, Yusuke.” Again, they stood holding each other silently, but there was less desperation in Yusuke’s body.

Yusuke lifted his head from Kurama’s shoulder, “Have you eaten?”

“No, I was working on my homework.”

Yusuke smiled a little. “Why don’t you sit at the table, then? You can work on your homework and I’ll fix something. I don’t think it’ll be much more than ramen…”

“I’d be delighted with anything as long as you’re happy, Yusuke.”

“You’re here, I feel better.”

Kurama smiled, “Thank you.” He caressed Yusuke’s cheek as the brunet moved away from him. Yusuke returned the smile, a flicker of genuine happiness in his eyes. Kurama’s heart lifted at that, something else he could treasure. He held these things close to his heart, knowing, and heeding his mother’s words, that they were in for a rough road. He slipped off his shoes and entered the apartment.

Yusuke cleared a spot on the cluttered table. “Sorry about the mess,” he apologized as he bustled around, trying to fix the disaster of alcohol bottles and empty ramen containers.

Kurama set his things on the cleared spot and began clearing the table. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll help.”

Yusuke stared at the redhead, “You want to?”

Kurama blinked, “Yes, why not?”

“You’re so different from…” Yusuke let his voice trail off. He shook his head, “Whatever makes you happy.”

Kurama didn’t press anymore and the two cleaned the kitchen in a fairly companionable silence. Something began bothering Kurama when they were tying the tops of three bags of alcohol bottles. “Yusuke, are these yours?”

Yusuke looked down and wrinkled his nose, “No. My mother’s.” His voice was completely disgusted. “I wouldn’t touch the stuff.”

Kurama nodded, knowing he’d never smelled alcohol on Yusuke. “I know, but I just wanted to check.” He looked at the bags, “I’m so sorry, Yusuke.”

Yusuke looked over at Kurama in surprise, “Why?”

Kurama wrapped an arm around Yusuke’s waist, “I knew you had it rough, but this…”

He felt Yusuke shrug, “It’s what it is.”

“You are really amazing, you know?”

Yusuke leaned his head on the redhead’s shoulder, “So you say, but I don’t think so.” Before Kurama could say anything, Yusuke hugged him around the waist, “I believe you think so. Is that enough for now?”

Kurama nodded, “Yes.” He kissed the top of Yusuke’s head where it was on his shoulder, “I found a counselor. We have an appointment tomorrow.”

Yusuke tensed, “Okay.”

“I’m sorry, you agreed, so I went ahead and set an appointment. I hope I didn’t overstep myself.”

“No, you didn’t,” Yusuke stood up from Kurama’s embrace. “I just wasn’t expecting so fast. I’ll go. I said I would.”

Kurama let him go, “Thank you, Yusuke.”

“Go work on your homework, I’ll fix some food, okay.” Kurama turned to leave when Yusuke said, “Hey, thanks.” The look in his eyes was open, genuine, a smile on his lips.

Kurama smiled in return, “You’re welcome.” His heart felt lighter as he sat and worked on his homework.

Yusuke set bowls on the table, “When do you have to go back?” There was a tenseness to his frame.

“I can stay as long as you want me to, Yusuke. I can leave whenever you want me to, also.”

Yusuke sat, worrying the edge of the table after he placed bowls in front of both their seats, “There’s not a spare room and I don’t know when my mom’ll get home, so the couch isn’t good, but if you could stay with me tonight, I’d really appreciate it.”

“I’ll stay with you, Yusuke,” Kurama’s voice was soft.

“There’s only my bed, but if you think…” he continued on as if he hadn’t heard.

“I’ll stay, Yusuke,” Kurama repeated a little louder.

“…you don’t…You will?” Yusuke’s eyes were wide as he looked at Kurama.

“Yes, I will if you want me to.”

“There’s only one bed. It’s big, but we’d have to share. Are you okay with that?”

“Yes, I’m okay with that. I brought my uniform with me.”

“You did?” Yusuke’s eyes went wide.

“I wasn’t sure how long you’d need me, so I came prepared, Yusuke.”

Yusuke’s eyes remained wide, “You said you didn’t…”

“I am not here for sex, Yusuke. I am here because you need me. If you want me to stay the night, I will. If you want me to leave, I will.”

The brunet’s voice was soft, quiet, “If I need to be held?”

Kurama reached over and took Yusuke’s hand, “Then I’ll hold you.”

Yusuke smile was watery, but it reached his eyes, softening them. Kurama returned it with a gentle squeeze. “Eat,” Yusuke said, squeezing his hand back and letting it go.

“Thank you for cooking.”

Yusuke shrugged, picked up his chopsticks and began pulling the long noodles out of their broth. Kurama followed suit. The two ate in silence, but Yusuke slid his foot over to rest against Kurama’s and the redhead smiled encouragingly at him. When they finished eating, Kurama moved to help Yusuke clear the table and the brunet stopped him, “Finish your homework. I know you have a lot to do. I’ll work on some of mine when I’m finished here.”

“Thank you for dinner, Yusuke.”

The brunet shrugged, but smiled as well. The two spent the rest of the night in relative quiet, Yusuke occasionally asking questions about his homework and Kurama answering. The brunet kept some kind of contact with the redhead while they worked in tandem, either his foot or his hand when he asked a question would be touching Kurama. Kurama returned these touches in kind, but didn’t push any, didn’t touch Yusuke more than Yusuke touched him.

Yusuke yawned for the fourth time in a row when Kurama looked up at the clock. “Why don’t we go to bed, then?”

“You’re not finished yet,” Yusuke protested as Kurama began putting his papers away.

“I don’t have to have this all done in the morning, Yusuke. You’re tired and it seems that you’re not going to bed until I do, so let’s go to bed.” Kurama stretched and his back popped, “I need a break from this anyways.”

Yusuke smiled, though the expression was uncertain, “Okay.” He stood and led Kurama to his room, a much cleaner room than the rest of the apartment.

“Which side do you want me on?” Kurama asked when the paused just inside the door.

“The wall?”

Kurama looked over and saw that Yusuke’s body was tense, his shoulders riding up. “Yusuke,” he said softly. When the brunet looked at him, he continued, “If you’re not comfortable with me being here, I can leave. It’s up to you. Or I’ll even sleep on the floor.” He made no move to touch Yusuke and watched as the brunet visibly relaxed.

“No, it’s okay. By the wall. I prefer to be able to get up if I need to.”

“Okay,” Kurama nodded as he crawled across the full size bed and slid under the covers on the far side.

Yusuke sat on the edge of the bed and picked up the clock, “What time do you need to be up?”

“I usually wake up at six,” he answered, squirming a bit to get comfortable.

“You’re going to sleep in your clothes?”

“I didn’t have room in my bag to pack more, so I wore things I could sleep in.”

Yusuke’s eyes were somewhere between skeptical and awed as he looked over his shoulder, “You’re really not going to try anything?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Even if I make a move on you?”

“I’ll push you away, Yusuke. I’m not going to take advantage of you.”

Cynicism colored Yusuke’s expression as he turned to face Kurama, “How long is this going to last?”

“Am I treating you any different than I have in the past?”

This gave Yusuke pause, “No, not even when we’re alone.”

“That’s not going to change, Yusuke. I respect you, and that means I care about your well being more than getting off. I am secure in my own power, so I don’t need to prove to myself or anyone that I’m stronger than anyone else. I have nothing to gain and much to lose by playing stupid games. I’m not stupid, Yusuke. I don’t play stupid games.”

“And what has Hiei lost?” Yusuke’s voice was bitter.

Kurama propped himself up on his elbow, “He has gained an enemy, Yusuke.” There was gold in his green eyes.

“You’ll really do it? You’ll get him?” Kurama nodded silently, his eyes golden, a shadow of his other self over his body. “What will you do?”

“I don’t know yet, Yusuke, but he’ll regret hurting you. He’ll regret it for a very very long time.”

“And if I ask you not to?”

Kurama’s eyebrow flicked at Yusuke, “Why shouldn’t I?”

Yusuke shrugged and looked away, “I…I still love him, Kurama.”

Kurama relaxed, letting his anger dissipate, “I know, Yusuke. I don’t understand, but I know.”

Yusuke looked at the wall, “If I asked you, would you hold me?”

“I will hold you,” Kurama replied softly. He watched as Yusuke stood silently and began pulling pajamas out of drawers. Kurama looked away when Yusuke began changing in the room, giving the brunet what privacy he could while he changed.

“You’re not going to look?” Yusuke asked, his voice hollow.

“Not right now, no.”

“Ever?”

“I don’t know. It depends on how things go. If I ever have that privilege, I’ll take full advantage of it, but right now, it’s not one I have.”

Yusuke laughed as he crawled into bed, “Crazy kitsune.”

“Maybe,” Kurama conceded, smiling at the brunet, relieved that he’d put on pajamas instead of testing him.

Yusuke reached up and turned off the light before worming closer to Kurama. The redhead rolled onto his back and Yusuke slid himself under Kurama’s arm, resting his head on the redhead’s chest. Kurama wrapped his arms around Yusuke and held him loosely. “Good night,” the brunet sighed as his breathing slowed.

“Good night,” Kurama returned, kissing the top of Yusuke’s head. His mind struggled with some way to help Yusuke for a while before he finally fully agreed with himself that going to the counselor tomorrow would be the best option.


A/N So, I call people ingrates and get reviews...wow. Okay, whatever works *grins* Not sure what else to say, and I want to get back to writing stuff since I'm short on time with work and stuff, so...

ZeldaFitz: Yeah, I felt bad about making Hiei such a bad guy...really...and I felt badly for Yusuke and Kurama, too, but the story demands words.

kit-kit: Welcomes :D

nette: I like Hiei, too...I like all the boys, really...but they all have the potential to be uber stupid/evil.

mhmartini: I like realism in so far as fiction is real (and in the happy yaoi land world). I've not been reading a lot (lack of time) and I miss some updates too...

Devious Lil Devil: I was grouchy when I wrote the A/N...a little...and teasing...

Eye of Ra: Yeah, I know the bored thing...

what'scommonsense: To answer your nic...I have no clue ;) To the review: Yeah, usually I go for the fox torture angle...It's time to spread the love around.

Anon: Glad you're enjoying.

jess: Oh...so...you want...what was it...Kissing? hmmm...halfway there in this chapter *grins* Enjoy

More cookies make happy authors *grins* (translation: Remember to click the review button and leave a few words!!!!)