Hiei is trying his best to ignore the more obvious solution that Kurama has already given - doing so would mean admitting his fond affection for the fox, and... Kurama's already told him how he feels about that. No need to get himself into something like that again if he did not really need to, obviously. No need to open himself up for the fox's let down a second time, which may not be quite so gracious as the first.
The fire demon is still engrossed in his puzzlement about why he still feels cold, which is partially why he doesn't react as quickly as he might have normally as Kurama leans in toward him. The reaction to Kurama's lips being on his own, for the second time that day no less, is instantaneous, though.
A bright blush rises to his cheeks and up to his ears in no time, forcing him to turn away if he had any hope at all about covering it, though of course, he hides his embarrassment in annoyance.
"What are you playing at, Kurama?" Come on, man! He'd just been convincing himself he was only allowed that first kiss because of the moment calling for it!!
Kurama isn't even thinking in terms of romantic affection. Acting out of concern for one another's well being had seemed to be enough. Of course, he isn't aware of the fire apparition's lingering thoughts regarding his little joke after the demon world tournament. He hardly thought beyond the initial amusement of making that encounter something that it obviously wasn't, a throw away line that he only expected to rile the other up with annoyance in the moment and then promptly forgot about the implications of. Focused as he was at the time on Hiei's true direction for their parting conversation: the matter of returning Yukina's tear gem.
If he'd thought that meeting actually had other intentions, he likely would have approached it much differently. Probably. It has been a few years.
Unfortunately, Kurama catches the blush as he straightens back up. He thought he'd made his point clear enough, but perhaps Hiei was too distracted to get it. The fox does sound genuinely confused by his reaction though, frowning slightly with the question, “Playing at..?”
He hadn't really expected it to be as big of a deal as it seems to be for the other demon, which is proving to be enough to throw them both off.
"It is one thing when it is a condition for our release - " Why is this becoming a prison-like scenario in his head? Kurama's guess is as good as anyone's really. Hiei would never, ever give the true reason why this small thing is keying him up so badly and turning his mood sour. His own confusion about what has been said before, his own feelings, Kurama's and the potential for this place simply having its own fun with them both only makes it worse.
As it stands, the fire demon is content to turn away, more effectively hiding his discordant thoughts about everything going on (and tied to) this.
"You've said your piece about this already - stop it. I don't wish to keep playing that game." It is unkind to him to begin with, and uncouth so far as the fire demon is concerned to continue to tease him as such. If he knew Kurama wasn't even considering that joke and had forgotten about it? He might approach differently, but, so far as he is concerned Kurama has already rebuffed him once and he is not about to attempt to be shot down again.
Hiei starts to explain and there's a moment where Kurama thinks he is following along. That it was fine earlier because they had to, it had been on Hiei's terms as well with how quickly he'd acted after the initial blatant hesitation. He'd only done it so that they could escape obviously, maybe this had pushed some boundary the fox wasn't even aware of, the fact of the matter was he just didn't see the big deal.
Still, the most puzzling aspect of the entire situation is that any of this bothers the fire apparition so much in the first place. They remain standing in the front hall, which only serves to make the whole ordeal even more awkward in a way. More importantly, what part of any of this felt like a game to him, exactly? In the confusion, he completely forgets to even ask about Hiei's arm, so distracted by where things have gone here.
“Hiei, I'm afraid that- ” He pauses, trying to think of something better than what comes next and falling short, tone a little helpless. “I don't... know what you're referring to.”
Hiei generally has no issue with Kurama and physical touch. Yes, he will wench and complain and bristle about basically everyone else, even if it's only for posterity's sake, but for the most part, Kurama is given carte blanche. It's his own memory of Kurama's joke that fuels him at the moment - and his confusion with the growing whatever it is between them stacked on top that fuels his confusion. Unfortunately for the both of them he is so out of touch with his own emotions to really know what the hell is going on - and now they are both suffering for it.
Of course, he is not exactly jumping at the possibility of reminding the fox about what he can't remember, either. Instead, he makes a dismissive motion with his hand, calling an end to that trail of thought already.
"Forget it. Clearly it wasn't that important." And no, he definitely isn't a little sore about it. Not at all. Why would he be? The good news is his arm is questionably fine, as he is no longer inspecting it at least, already eager to head for his tree to soothe his injured pride.
The fact that Hiei has always been more tolerant of his touch than anyone else in their group only serves to make this that much more confusing for him. It isn't entirely that he doesn't remember the conversation that Hiei is so hung up on at all, but that in his mind it had only been a joke. It meant nothing and was so long ago that he's hardly equating that moment to whatever was bothering the fire apparition at present. Not only is the joke not at the forefront of his memory after a number of years, but he's simply not thinking about it to even connect these very obvious points, so much time has passed for him between then and now.
He wouldn't expect Hiei to have remembered it so vividly either, all things considered. It wasn't as if he hadn't already clarified that it was said in jest at the time, either.
With the increasing number of disputes and spats between them this new addition only gives him more factors to complicate things. More than anything, the fox is concerned. Hiei was very clearly upset, very clearly unwilling to elaborate or discuss it and Kurama has no idea what he might have done to cause the apparent conflict between them, but it was very obviously something he'd done - or, more accurately, had said.
“Clearly it is.” That doesn't change the fact that Hiei obviously doesn't wish to discuss it further. If he had the context for the other demon's discomfort, his response might be different, maybe teasing him for taking it so seriously even now, after all this time. Instead, he's treating the obvious upset at face value, frowning slightly.
“For whatever it- may be worth… I am sorry.” Not that he knows the real issue to be apologizing for, more that he's apologizing for having clearly upset Hiei in some way without realizing how. At this point he's inclined to back off and give Hiei some space but he does need to know if his efforts even worked first. The last thing he wants to do is leave him to deal with the fallout of this alone, especially now.
Kurama has no context for why Hiei may be more sensitive to some things, of course. He isn't exactly going around telling everyone about why he is so damn secretive or refuses to call any of them friends or any word that may make them seem close. It's his own damages that come to roost for the thousandth time now, doubly so when it comes veiled as even joking rejection.
The fire demon's eyes roll at the apology - he doesn't really know how to treat it otherwise, as unfamiliar with apologies or apologizing as he is, unsure of how the hell to proceed from here. His mood is edgy at best, ready to go and root himself in to the spot he knows he isn't easily visible in from most angles in the house and soothe his frayed nerves.
But then Kurama calls his attention back to his arm, and at the very least his glaring gaze is removed to his own arm again, presenting it for both of their inspection before turning it over.
He does, at least, have the context of the stubborn separation between Hiei and Yukina, some details are easily enough filled in from there, even if he doesn't have the full extent of the younger demon's damages to figure out the finer details. The joke just never seemed important, hardly something for Hiei to take to heart all this time later, especially after he'd clarified it being said in jest when it happened.
Yet, here they are, dealing with it even now.
Although, if he's being honest, any other reaction to that confused apology probably would have been even more concerning than this entire exchange already has been. The dismissiveness of the eye roll is at least, true to form for Hiei. Something that feels like it has been missing from the entire exchange ever since that little piece of paper interrupted their evening earlier.
So much for helping others.
It isn't cold anymore, Hiei says and the fox smiles automatically with that answer, despite whatever else is going on, at least that much is a silver lining. It worked.
“Then I suppose there are no more conditions for us to worry about.” In other words, Hiei doesn't have to worry about Kurama trying to kiss him again, any time soon.
Only in Aldrip can two demons go out for what they hope is a quiet walk in the evening, maybe spotting a local or two, or a new creature they've never seen before, and end up... like this. Hiei hadn't expected this ever to come up if he's honest, but extraordinary circumstances or something like that. Being stuck in a simulation that made them address so many things he would have been very comfortable leaving in the dust of his mind instead of addressing being brought to the fore was possibly the best way to make him mentally fatigued, annoyed and sour about just about anything.
.... And hence comes tonight's unusual reactions.
The fire demon tosses Kurama a look for his mention of conditions to worry about, though it isn't his customary acerbic stare. Instead, there's a hint of something else, a little downward cant of his mouth that seems almost disappointed as well as a little flush of embarrassment about the situation before he turns away.
"Hn. Let's not go on walks for a little while then."
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expiationlogs2024-12-09 08:17 am
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Hiei is trying his best to ignore the more obvious solution that Kurama has already given - doing so would mean admitting his fond affection for the fox, and... Kurama's already told him how he feels about that. No need to get himself into something like that again if he did not really need to, obviously. No need to open himself up for the fox's let down a second time, which may not be quite so gracious as the first.
The fire demon is still engrossed in his puzzlement about why he still feels cold, which is partially why he doesn't react as quickly as he might have normally as Kurama leans in toward him. The reaction to Kurama's lips being on his own, for the second time that day no less, is instantaneous, though.
A bright blush rises to his cheeks and up to his ears in no time, forcing him to turn away if he had any hope at all about covering it, though of course, he hides his embarrassment in annoyance.
"What are you playing at, Kurama?" Come on, man! He'd just been convincing himself he was only allowed that first kiss because of the moment calling for it!!
no subject
If he'd thought that meeting actually had other intentions, he likely would have approached it much differently. Probably. It has been a few years.
Unfortunately, Kurama catches the blush as he straightens back up. He thought he'd made his point clear enough, but perhaps Hiei was too distracted to get it. The fox does sound genuinely confused by his reaction though, frowning slightly with the question, “Playing at..?”
He hadn't really expected it to be as big of a deal as it seems to be for the other demon, which is proving to be enough to throw them both off.
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"It is one thing when it is a condition for our release - " Why is this becoming a prison-like scenario in his head? Kurama's guess is as good as anyone's really. Hiei would never, ever give the true reason why this small thing is keying him up so badly and turning his mood sour. His own confusion about what has been said before, his own feelings, Kurama's and the potential for this place simply having its own fun with them both only makes it worse.
As it stands, the fire demon is content to turn away, more effectively hiding his discordant thoughts about everything going on (and tied to) this.
"You've said your piece about this already - stop it. I don't wish to keep playing that game." It is unkind to him to begin with, and uncouth so far as the fire demon is concerned to continue to tease him as such. If he knew Kurama wasn't even considering that joke and had forgotten about it? He might approach differently, but, so far as he is concerned Kurama has already rebuffed him once and he is not about to attempt to be shot down again.
no subject
Still, the most puzzling aspect of the entire situation is that any of this bothers the fire apparition so much in the first place. They remain standing in the front hall, which only serves to make the whole ordeal even more awkward in a way. More importantly, what part of any of this felt like a game to him, exactly? In the confusion, he completely forgets to even ask about Hiei's arm, so distracted by where things have gone here.
“Hiei, I'm afraid that- ” He pauses, trying to think of something better than what comes next and falling short, tone a little helpless. “I don't... know what you're referring to.”
no subject
Hiei generally has no issue with Kurama and physical touch. Yes, he will wench and complain and bristle about basically everyone else, even if it's only for posterity's sake, but for the most part, Kurama is given carte blanche. It's his own memory of Kurama's joke that fuels him at the moment - and his confusion with the growing whatever it is between them stacked on top that fuels his confusion. Unfortunately for the both of them he is so out of touch with his own emotions to really know what the hell is going on - and now they are both suffering for it.
Of course, he is not exactly jumping at the possibility of reminding the fox about what he can't remember, either. Instead, he makes a dismissive motion with his hand, calling an end to that trail of thought already.
"Forget it. Clearly it wasn't that important." And no, he definitely isn't a little sore about it. Not at all. Why would he be? The good news is his arm is questionably fine, as he is no longer inspecting it at least, already eager to head for his tree to soothe his injured pride.
no subject
He wouldn't expect Hiei to have remembered it so vividly either, all things considered. It wasn't as if he hadn't already clarified that it was said in jest at the time, either.
With the increasing number of disputes and spats between them this new addition only gives him more factors to complicate things. More than anything, the fox is concerned. Hiei was very clearly upset, very clearly unwilling to elaborate or discuss it and Kurama has no idea what he might have done to cause the apparent conflict between them, but it was very obviously something he'd done - or, more accurately, had said.
“Clearly it is.” That doesn't change the fact that Hiei obviously doesn't wish to discuss it further. If he had the context for the other demon's discomfort, his response might be different, maybe teasing him for taking it so seriously even now, after all this time. Instead, he's treating the obvious upset at face value, frowning slightly.
“For whatever it- may be worth… I am sorry.” Not that he knows the real issue to be apologizing for, more that he's apologizing for having clearly upset Hiei in some way without realizing how. At this point he's inclined to back off and give Hiei some space but he does need to know if his efforts even worked first. The last thing he wants to do is leave him to deal with the fallout of this alone, especially now.
“How is your arm?”
no subject
Kurama has no context for why Hiei may be more sensitive to some things, of course. He isn't exactly going around telling everyone about why he is so damn secretive or refuses to call any of them friends or any word that may make them seem close. It's his own damages that come to roost for the thousandth time now, doubly so when it comes veiled as even joking rejection.
The fire demon's eyes roll at the apology - he doesn't really know how to treat it otherwise, as unfamiliar with apologies or apologizing as he is, unsure of how the hell to proceed from here. His mood is edgy at best, ready to go and root himself in to the spot he knows he isn't easily visible in from most angles in the house and soothe his frayed nerves.
But then Kurama calls his attention back to his arm, and at the very least his glaring gaze is removed to his own arm again, presenting it for both of their inspection before turning it over.
"It isn't cold anymore."
no subject
Yet, here they are, dealing with it even now.
Although, if he's being honest, any other reaction to that confused apology probably would have been even more concerning than this entire exchange already has been. The dismissiveness of the eye roll is at least, true to form for Hiei. Something that feels like it has been missing from the entire exchange ever since that little piece of paper interrupted their evening earlier.
So much for helping others.
It isn't cold anymore, Hiei says and the fox smiles automatically with that answer, despite whatever else is going on, at least that much is a silver lining. It worked.
“Then I suppose there are no more conditions for us to worry about.” In other words, Hiei doesn't have to worry about Kurama trying to kiss him again, any time soon.
no subject
Only in Aldrip can two demons go out for what they hope is a quiet walk in the evening, maybe spotting a local or two, or a new creature they've never seen before, and end up... like this. Hiei hadn't expected this ever to come up if he's honest, but extraordinary circumstances or something like that. Being stuck in a simulation that made them address so many things he would have been very comfortable leaving in the dust of his mind instead of addressing being brought to the fore was possibly the best way to make him mentally fatigued, annoyed and sour about just about anything.
.... And hence comes tonight's unusual reactions.
The fire demon tosses Kurama a look for his mention of conditions to worry about, though it isn't his customary acerbic stare. Instead, there's a hint of something else, a little downward cant of his mouth that seems almost disappointed as well as a little flush of embarrassment about the situation before he turns away.
"Hn. Let's not go on walks for a little while then."