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Kurono was used to turf wars by now. He had certainly seen plenty in his lifetime. Hell, he’d even participated in several when he was more bloodthirsty and had far much more energy to give a damn. He glanced at his pocket watch before slipping it into his pocket, pulling back a curtain to check the sky. It was dusk, the last tendrils of light fading away, a relieved sigh escaping him as he let the cloth fall back into place. The hardwood creaked beneath his weight, turning to find Nemoto standing in the doorway. With a nod, he walked past the other, their steps falling in time as they headed towards the study where their young master tucked himself away.
It was rather difficult, balancing their lifestyles along with securing a corner of the market in this ever-changing era. They had done it before, and they could certainly do it again. However, revitalizing their efforts meant arranging some... agreements. There was bad blood between Chisaki and Shigaraki, tensions always high because of centuries old squabbles. Hence why Kurono was going instead. He knocked on the large wooden doors, giving it a rather firm push as it creaked. Chisaki hardly looked up, simply sliding a letter addressed to Shigaraki across the desk.
“I take it this has everything I’m supposed to negotiate tonight?”
“Yes. There are also counter negotiations in case that fool declines our offers. I’d rather not have to form a partnership if necessary, but it might be inevitable. We will use him as a stepping stone in that case.” Chisaki replied curtly, giving him a sharp glance before dipping his pen back into his inkwell. “While you’re out, pick up some more vitamins. We don’t want our guest getting sick.”
He nodded, sliding the envelope inside of his jacket, rounding the desk to press an incredibly indulgent kiss to Chisaki’s cheek. “I’ll be back before dawn. Don’t work yourself too hard while I’m gone.” His voice was quiet, these words meant for only the two of them, an annoyed grunt escaping Chisaki as he swatted him away, rubbing at his cheek with distaste.
“Your mouth better have been clean.”
His remark was met with an airy chuckle, the door closing heavy behind Kurono as he left. He had an appointment to attend to after all.
The drive there was quiet, no words exchanged between him and Nemoto, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. They’d known each other more intimately than any one living soul could ever imagine. He was always there for him when Chisaki couldn’t be. He appreciated it more than he could express. They slowed, approaching a rather abandoned looking warehouse, another car already parked behind some brush. He could only assume it was Shigaraki’s intermediary. However, nothing in his long, long lifespan could ever have prepared him for the sheer existence that was Dabi.
He had eyes like steel and unruly black hair, scars that seemed brutally earned but proudly displayed. And he was incredibly ill-mannered. Kurono was met with a very curt “sup, let’s get this shit over with”, his eyes meeting Nemoto’s briefly before holding up a hand.
“Very well, let’s move this inside, shall we?” He was formal and stiff, moving towards the warehouse as Nemoto leaned back against the car, lighting a cigarette under the moonlight. Should anything go wrong, at least he could report back to Chisaki. Kurono could handle himself, especially given how… Green. Shigaraki’s chosen representative appeared.
Inside, the door opened with a clang, several sleeping birds hurrying off with a startled exit. It was just as quiet, though maybe dustier than outside as Kurono’s shoes clicked across the concrete.
“I presume Shigaraki gave you a list of… Demands?” Was that too harsh of a way to phrase it? It’s definitely how he would describe Chisaki’s list.
“Yeah, I’ve got his list.”
With absolutely no flourish at all, he pulled out a crumpled piece of paper with what appeared to be handwriting much like a child’s. Kurono had to stifle a laugh, removing the envelope from his pocket, putting on display Chisaki’s elegant scripture. He was terribly old fashioned.
“So, these are the terms to which we are comfortable working jointly with you and Shigaraki’s lot. You provide the platform and we’ll supply the research.” Kurono handed the paper over, watching the other squint and then hand it back.
“I don’t know how you read that shit. Can I get a translated version?” Kurono snorted, biting back a very thin smile, folding it up once more.
“It goes into a lot of detail about percentages and whatnot. Was he not taught how to read scripture?” He asked, gesturing to the note that Dabi held onto.
“Probably not. His pops wasn’t as uptight on that old fashion bullshit.” It came out half grumbled under his breath, a hand running through his unruly hair before skimming over the note. “It literally says don’t let them rip us off. You’re not going to make away with anything are you?” There was a sly grin attached to the end of that sentence, inching closer into Kurono’s space.
“Money maybe but trust me, we aren’t exactly eager about this proposition. We’re only doing it because we have to.” Maybe that was too blunt, but it was where they stood on the matter. A low hum escaped Dabi, steely eyes glancing him over. He was completely oblivious.
“Can I make away with you?” Dabi asked, catching Kurono off guard.
“I’m sorry, come again?”
“I mean if that’s what you’re into, I can make it happen.” He winked, stuffing the crumpled note into his pocket, extending a hand. “Dabi, but you can call me just about anything you like. I won’t complain.”
Kurono took his hand, a flush creeping up his face. “Kurono Hari. I’m sorry but that sounds incredibly unprofessional. Aren’t we supposed to be negotiating an agreement?”
“Only if we can come to an agreement that you’re incredibly beautiful in the moonlight.” That one was a little cheesy, tugging a flustered laugh from Kurono’s chest. “Seriously, let’s forget the stuffy formal shit. I don’t think anything on either of our lists could make a compromise.”
He had a point. Kurono glanced at his letter again, imagining what Chisaki and Shigaraki’s terms would be like. Probably not great. Even the backup list was incredibly long. The chances of them matching were terribly slim. Besides, what else were they supposed to do if they couldn’t negotiate some sort of terms? They were just intermediaries. And Kurono definitely wouldn’t feel comfortable making those sorts of decision without Chisaki’s approval first.
“Alright. What do you suggest?”
“How about you tell me more about yourself Starlight?” Dabi gently held the ends of Kurono’s silver tipped hair, flashing him a sultry smile. He felt like he was drowning in his gaze, Kurono would almost describe it as hungry. He’d encountered those sorts of looks before, many times between him and Nemoto and a handful of other humans. But standing there in the quiet, serene warehouse, having a rather intimate moment made his heart flutter in a way that it hadn’t in several centuries.
As it turned out, telling Dabi “more about himself” was a slippery slope that lead to them pressed against a dusty couch covered with a sheet, their hands roaming each other, mapping out their bodies as they exchanged rather heated kisses. There was a brief moment of embarrassment for Nemoto, who had to awkwardly stand guard outside and potentially overhear the two of them, but it passed as Dabi swept Kurono further and further into the moment and out of his own head. He managed to find all the little ways to make him melt, fangs dragging so lightly over his skin that if he had a pulse, it would have jumped right out of his own skin. Dabi’s hands traced over his skin, so warm and yet so cold, leaving Kurono wanting more, and more, and more until he couldn’t take it.
He didn’t know how it had escalated so much, but Dabi seemed to have a knack for keeping them incredibly off topic. It wasn’t much more than an hour later that Kurono sheepishly walked out of the warehouse, trying to subtly fix his hair, Dabi looking as smug and relaxed as ever. He leaned into Kurono’s space, tucking his hair behind his ear and handed him a slip of paper.
“Hope to hear from you again soon Starlight...” He tacked on a wink, making his way to his own vehicle, leaving Kurono to flusteredly unfold the slip of paper, a string of digits written on it. Huh. A very large part of him wouldn’t mind seeing him again despite the fact their two affiliated covens despised each other with intense fervor.
He slipped into the backseat of the car, Nemoto having moved to sit inside with it on presumably to escape the embarrassment of hearing his long-time partner getting intimate with someone else. His gaze was reflected in the rear-view mirror, disappointment and amusement clearly evident.
“I can’t believe you two. Did you even talk about what Chisaki asked you to?”
Kurono sheepishly ducked his head, buckling in as he tucked the little slip of paper in his breast pocket, close to his heart. “We did some talking yes. Was it entirely on topic? Not exactly.”
Nemoto chuckled, starting the car, leaving Kurono to his thoughts. “Well, I can tell it had a positive result. Now then, if I recall, Eri asked for tangerines when we went shopping, did she not?”