A/N: My birthday is today. Kurapika's birthday is the 4th. We're both unstable Aries. Yay us. No pairings unless you think of it like that. I was going for friendship.
This was written before the end of the year long hiatus, so the truth about the shrine wasn't revealed yet.
Happy Birthday Kurapika
Red eyes gleamed in the dark shrine as Kurapika gazed back at several matching pair. They bobbed up and down ever slightly in the clear containers keeping them preserved for years to come. Kurapika still had a ways to go, but he was doing well enough. Keeping the Nostrade family together by a hair had lost what little, if any, charm it had long ago. Now he barely bothered with being polite to anyone. He felt blank, empty, and his hatred to the Spider never faded. His phone began to buzz and he forced himself to look down.
Melody's name scrolled across the screen slowly and he considered not picking up. However, he still had work to do. With a final glance back, Kurapika stood and picked up once outside the shrine.
"Yes." He answered, voice devoid of any enthusiasm.
"Kurapika? Where are you right now?" Melody's sweet voice asked on the other line.
Unlike Kurapika, the small woman still had the ability to smile carelessly. It suited her, and everyone who remained with the broken mob family appreciated it.
"I'm…" Kurapika took a quick breath. "At the shrine. Why?"
"I see. Kurapika, could you come back to the mansion then? Just head to the second study."
The blonde resisted an outright refusal and reluctantly answered. "Yeah. I'll be back in a moment."
They both hung up, yet Kurapika still took an extended time to close his eyes and mutter a quiet prayer.
Kurapika paused as he approached the usually quiet and barely used study. A familiar tune being played on a flute traveled from behind the door. Taking his time, he let his mind wander until it struck him. It was a birthday song. As he entered room, he blinked in surprise. Only Melody stood inside, flute at hand, finishing the song.
"Melody?" he said while closing the door behind him.
The short woman looked up and smiled gently. Before Kurapika could register it, small hands had gathered his own.
"Happy birthday, Kurapika."
Said youth looked down and blinked.
"Birthday?"
Melody nodded.
"Yes. You seem to have forgotten all about it. You've been working yourself ragged, and I actually care about you. I know finding those eyes means the world to you, but, you need to remember to live and why you're alive."
Kurapika wasn't exactly sure what to say or how to react entirely. The cool metal being placed in his hand brought him back to reality and he looked down. It was a harmonica, brand new, and had a blue bow wrapped around it.
"I felt that this would be a suitable gift. Harmonicas have a nice sound to them that really can relax the mind when stressed. Try playing it some time when you need to take a break. The music will be like a warm blanket on your heart." Melody paused to close Kurapika's hand around the gift. "Again, happy birthday."
"I…" Kurapika let his lips form into a smile as he kneeled down and embraced Melody. She responded with an equal hug. "Thank you, Melody."
"Mhmm." She hummed, listening to his heartbeat which was, for once, finally calmed.
At that moment, Neon's wailing, Light's rambling and the guards grumbling didn't matter; nor did the worries of tomorrow or yesterday.
To Kurapika, all he needed was his friend and the comfortable silence that enveloped them.