A/N:
So this is a fic I'm very excited about starting since it's been an on and off idea for a while now, but I'm taking the plunge. Kurapika is one of the most interesting characters in the series so I'm very much looking forward to exploring what he's been up to between Yorknew and when we see him next pretty much two years later. With the insertion of an OC, there will be some liberties and divergences from canon as you do when writing an OC fic and lots of gratuitous headcanons since we barely know anything about Kurapika's side of the story which is a shame but also good for these purposes.
Yes, this story will end up being OC/Kurapika so if that's a red flag for you don't stick around. OC is also male, so if that's something you don't care for then don't even look at me; I don't even want to hear what you have to say about m/m pairings. Though I will say romance isn't going to be a focal point of this story for a while because it's about the journey rather than the destination, and I'm very much into exploring characters and such. Expect a slow burn type of things is what I'm saying. It's very much a strangers to friends to friends with benefits (that's still up in the air actually who knows) to lovers or something maybe even more drawn out than that but hey! It'll be cool.
This fic is rated T for now while things are still mild, but since I anticipate it getting pretty nitty gritty at some point, it will be boosted to M in the future. I'll give out better specifics at the start of each chapter so y'all can tread carefully if you need to but for now just expect canon typical violence and coarse language and mostly implied things. We're starting pretty much immediately after the Phantom Troupe fiasco in Yorknew, so based on the HxH timeline I found on reddit, Kurapika is technically 18 and tired. A relatable mood.
. . .
chapter one
With waking comes a sharp feeling of regret in the form of a splitting headache and a faint taste of bile coating molars and the back of his throat. Orion flinches as he dares to crack open a single eye and gets assaulted by the sunlight streaming through the window instead. This, he realizes once he can think past a headache that's rendering his thoughts a mess, is odd. The hotel he's paying for during his short stay in Yorknew is the lesser kind; his view nothing but a dingy alleyway and the occasional homeless person that sleeps under the sparse protection of the buildings, so sunlight in his face and warming his skin shouldn't be happening.
Immediately, Orion finds himself alert as he's able to be in such a state, curling in on himself when his stomach gives an uncomfortable lurch at the sudden movements. This is when he realizes he's clad in just his underwear, pristine white sheets a pooling around his waist. Reflexive alarm gives into reflexive panic as he tries to piece together the events from last night but comes with vague images and a blank space between his time at the bar and now.
Though care is usually taken not to drink himself into blackout states such as these, last night was a night made for forgetting, for allowing his future self to deal with whatever could be dealt with in the morning. There was laughter, he remembers at least, a vaguely handsome face that kept him company for most of the night along with a glass that never seemed to be emptied and a number of sweet tasting drinks besides that.
He knew he should have called someone to pick him up; he's got a friend in the city that would have gladly made sure something like this wouldn't have happened, but she's been busy with something lately, Orion remembers, a job that seems to be more trouble than it's worth. The city's been rife with more trouble than usual from what he's heard.
A cursory glance around the room gives him the assumption that whoever put him there must be rich with money to spare. The hotel must be four-star at the very least, and Orion curses his luck. Rich people are harder to deal with at times, entitled and rude as they tend to be. It's harder to shake a man with gold basically lining his pockets than an average joe he can just punch in the face and not worry too much about the consequences.
There's also a glass of water on the nightstand next to the bedside; a note saying drink please in the neatest handwriting Orion has ever seen nestled next to it. He does if only for the fact that he's thirsty as hell and he wants to get the bitter taste of last night's regrets out of his mouth as soon as possible. His phone is also there but it's completely dead he realizes after trying to tap it awake and getting nothing but a glimpse of how much of a mess he actually looks in return. What isn't accounted for are his clothes and shoes and the knife he tends to keep on his person which means he'll have to face the music and confront whoever has him here.
It takes a few deep breaths to calm the heartbeat before Orion leaves the room, making sure to slam the door open at the cost of his still throbbing head as an intimidation tactic, to show that he isn't someone to be trifled with even if most of his clothes are gone.
"What the hell is going on here?" He shouts from the doorway, lets acute panic curl into anger, lets that anger curl into nen as if it's a snake coiled to strike if need be.
The reaction he gets isn't one of shouts of alarm or weapons pointed in his direction, just a wide-eyed look of surprise from someone sitting on the couch. It's a fairly pretty person with delicate features leaning towards androgynous and blonde hair, a book cradled between their fingers. Not who he was expecting, all things considered.
"Oh," says the person, voice just deep enough that Orion hedges on male and face young enough to be presumed around his age as well. "You're awake."
Suddenly self-conscious due to the lack of reaction, Orion crosses his arms over his chest, a latch ditch effort to save what little dignity he probably has.
"Was I not supposed to be awake? That seems pretty fucked up."
The stranger shakes his head, a movement that brings attention to a brief flash of red that stays hidden once everything settles and stills. "You were pretty out of it. I was just expecting you to stay asleep longer. It isn't even noon yet."
"Well, I'm awake. Where are my clothes?"
"In the bathroom that's in the room you came out of. I thought you would have wanted to shower after waking up, so I left them in there."
Orion raises an eyebrow, not sure what to think of the situation. It's going a lot easier than he originally assumed at any rate. He feels bad for judging harshly, then again, his memory is still pulling up blanks, so he doesn't let himself feel completely at ease yet.
"How about this," stranger continues after the silence stretches too long. "You're confused, I assume. Take a shower to help make you feel better, and I can explain things once you get out. How's that?"
"That's fine." he answers near automatically, quickly realizing that he might as well go along with the situation.
It feels a bit like he's being ordered around and held by the hand, but Orion doesn't mind yet—brain too foggy still and head still full of pain to properly deal with anything at the moment. A shower sounds lovely, so he steps back into the room and quickly makes his way into the bathroom where his clothes are folded neatly on the sink's counter.
The water's nice and hot and the soap smells faintly of oranges and the shampoo like apples. This place must be really nice if the complimentary items are pleasant rather than cheap and plain. Orion probably spends a bit longer than he actually needs to in the shower, but it's been a long time since he's been able to take one this hot with enough pressure to sooth away days old aches and pains. Besides, he wants to make sure the smell of last night's alcohol and the clinging scent of bad decisions doesn't follow him all day.
When he gets out, his clothes are in fact cleaned and smell like the good laundry detergent. His wallet is there too with nothing stolen out of it, not even his Hunter License, and his knife is there too. He brushes his teeth with a spare washcloth and runs his fingers through his hair to get some of the worst knots out since he doesn't have the proper items to do either of those things respectively.
He feels human again once he emerges from the room, headache dulled to faint throb and stomach settled but ultimately empty. The stranger is sitting on the couch still, the only thing different is the two steaming cups on the coffee table.
"I made you some tea." He says, glancing up from the book once Orion steps into the area proper. "It's the hotel's own selection, so I can't vouch for the taste, but it's not the worst I've had. That is if you even like tea. There's also some painkillers for your hangover."
Orion sits down at the other end of the couch, overwhelmed by a kindness he isn't accustomed to seeing in strangers. "I don't mind." There's a preference for coffee, but he won't complain even if the tea is bitter and obviously flavored with artificial sweeteners. He just needs it to take the pills anyway.
"I would have offered you something to eat as well, but the free breakfast ended over an hour ago and there are no groceries here. Plus I know nothing of your allergies."
"It's fine," Orion says, words muffled into the cup of tea as he takes another sip. "I'm hydrated and that's all that matters right now. I can worry about food later. Uhm, but thanks." It's not like many people offer him food after he wakes up; he's touched by the gesture, really.
He gets a nod instead of words this time, a brief and fairly awkward silence stretching between the two of them that's only broken by the clings of their cups being set on the coffee table.
Orion needs answers though, so he curls his legs under himself, back leaning against the arm of the couch, to better face the stranger, and asks. "So, can I get a name?"
"Kurapika," the other answers, posture shifting so he's more inclined towards Orion, legs crossed at the knees. "and you?"
"Orion." last name avoided because no last name was given in return. They reveal too much anyway, he's come to learn. "How did I get here then? We didn't—"
"No." Kurapika cuts off before the statement can be finished, "We didn't, rest assured. There were just extenuating circumstances that led you to waking up in a strange bed and me being here."
Wouldn't be the first time, he doesn't say because oversharing isn't something to do when names are just exchanged even if he tends to do so when nervous. Besides, that'd be exaggerating since it isn't like he sleeps with a man every time he goes drinking; it's just when the person is very attractive and boundaries are followed without complaint.
"That's cool," Orion nods, shifting still damp hair behind his shoulders. He really should start carrying hair ties at this rate; he's always preferred to keep his hair long anyway. "Can you fill me in because I'm blanking on most things."
"I was told that might happen," Kurapika sighs but straightens his posture before speaking again. "I went to the bar with a friend because he insisted, and we ended seated not too far from you. Honestly, it was impressive watching you down so many drinks, but your acquaintance that night certainly wasn't helping things."
The last part is added bitterly, and Orion feels like it might be for his sake. He's touched because of it, oddly so.
"He offered to pay, I'm pretty sure. That's probably in part what spurred it on. Still wasn't the best decision though."
"Probably not," Kurapika agrees, though not unkindly. "but he took advantage of your inebriated state, so all the blame can't fall on you. Anyway, I believe you turned around for a brief second at some point and something was slipped into your drink. I probably wouldn't have caught it if I didn't happen to glance over at the same time. My friend and I kept a close eye on you after that, and when it looked like the man was trying to take you out of the bar, we intervened. Said we were old friends from high school, and you went along with it fairly well for someone so close to passing out."
Orion stares for a few seconds longer than he should, more than a little dumbfounded that something like that happened to him and that complete strangers were willing to step in for someone they didn't even know. The one time he can't drink with someone he knows, something like this happens.
"Thank you," He says, voice soft as a whisper. This is a debt to be repaid in full somehow. A simple thanks seems inadequate. "The guy I was with though, what happened to him?"
Kurapika spares a small smile then, serene in a way that's a bit chilling. "My friend punched him so hard he passed out, and we both haggled the nearest authorities until he was taken into custody."
"Oh," Orion breaths, words tapering off into soft laughter. "Thank you, again."
"Don't thank me. It was the right thing to do. We ended up taking you to the hospital, and they said you were somehow fine and that you just needed to be watched and stay hydrated. We got you to drink a glass and a half of water before you threw up and then passed out."
"You didn't have to take care of me." There is no real reason for people to go so far. "Could have just left me at the hospital or a bench somewhere."
"True," Kurapika shrugs, a movement that reveals another faint glimmer of red. "But the friend I keep telling you about wants to be a doctor, so he ends up being very diligent and attached to those who need help. A very in-the-moment person."
"Where is he now then?"
"Back at his own place, had some important business to take care of. Though he wouldn't have left if he wasn't completely positive that you'd be fine. He hovered nearly the entire night."
Orion flushes despite himself, hides the reddening of his cheeks behind his cup until he feels his composure regained. There's something warm and nice about having people care, makes him giddy with expectations too much like an affection-starved child for his liking.
"Please thank him for me." It's useless, this simple gratitude, but it's all he has to offer.
Kurapika takes it gracefully though, a small nod given. Another silence stretches again, less awkward than the first but awkward still because isn't it always in the presence of strangers? Even more so because of the fact that said stranger has heard Orion's drunken rambling and put up with him for an entire night. It's not a state he likes people to see him in. He feels vulnerable in a way he probably shouldn't, too much to owe with an imbalance of information.
He should go.
He needs to go.
Orion stands abruptly then, heaving himself off the couch with a single push. "I should leave and get out your hair. I have a few things to do today."
Kurapika stands with him, expression appearing to not be quite convinced before settling in a polite neutrality he's had in place during the entire short conversation. "Of course if you're sure you're well. I could call a taxi for you."
Orion shakes his head and bites back a frown, "No thanks. I know my way around the city fairly well and the fresh air will do me some good." He doesn't want money spent on him is the thing, doesn't want to end up indebted because niceties always come with a catch sooner or later, and he rather they never show up.
However, out of some odd sense of duty perhaps, Kurapika at least walks Orion to the door, hovers patiently while Orion stuffs his feet back into his shoes. He even opens the door for him; the type of boy you'd take home to the parents at this rate. A little too good to be true in a city like this.
They part ways with stilted half waves and Kurapika even tacks on a stay safe to which Orion nearly visibly bristles at, but he's gotten better at hiding most physical cues and tamping down instinctive urges. It's a nice sentiment, but it feels wasted on him all the same.
Oh well, it isn't like he'll ever see Kurapika again after this because the world is too large and people meet once and never meet again all the time. It's an intrinsic part of life after all. One that Orion accepts.
He won't lie, however, it was nice, having at least one person care for him at the right moment. It's a memory he'd treasure always if he could, but he won't ever recall the night they first met.
That's just the nature of things.
. . .
chapter one
"Regret nothing until it is too late. Then, regret everything."
-Welcome to Night Vale
A/N:
That's a wrap for the first chapter. Sorry if the ending seemed awkward and jumbled but Orion was literally like "I gotta leave right now immediately" so he'll be better in the next chapter. It might seem a bit slow for the first few chapters as we ease into things, but I hope y'all will enjoy it because like I said before, I'm very excited about this fic.
Orion (his nen abilities and a bit of his backstory actually) was an OC that was going to feature in Sunlight in an Hourglass, but here he is with a name change and everything. I love him a lot and I expect to have fun with. He's doing his best I think.
So, please tell me what you think and leave a review if you have time because I'd really appreciate it so much. And if you have questions about things, ask them too, and I'll answer in the author's note of the next chapter!
See you next time!