ouch! what was that for?- said Leorio rubbing his head where Kurapika smacked him

-I told you, every time you get distracted I'll punish you. Now... zetsu!-

It was a training day. They ran across the largest park in the city while Kurapika lead Leorio to change his nen state when he ordered it. Leorio was slightly faster than him, so he caught up quickly, but every time he got distracted or didn't react on time, Kurapika hit him

-Gyo!-

This time Leorio did well, but 200 feet later he turned to a woman who passed by them, concentrating on her breasts coming up and down as she run. Leorio suddenly felt a large log in his forehead, and then fell to the ground. Kurapika had thrown him a trunk when he noticed where Lerio's eyes were stuck on. When he saw that Leorio wasn't standing up immediately, he covered his mouth with his hands thinking "oops, maybe I used too much strength".

An old couple passing by came near Leorio, staring at Kurapika

-is your friend alright?-

-yes... yes, he is perfectly fine! he always does that, hahaha- Kurapika answered as he helped Leorio up, who was still dizzy. The couple walked away

-that was completely unnecessary!- Leorio woke up quickly, throwing Kurapika a punch in the nape. Kurapika wasn't able to avoid it.

-of course not! it was part of the training- Kurapika punched him back

-ughhh! you... you are impossible! you are the most annoying teacher- Leorio acted like a child, crossing his arms against his chest

-well then go get a better one- Kurapika looked away with arrogance

-shut up. Let's get something to eat. Enough for today, I'm exhausted.

After lunch, they went back to the apartment. Kurapika looked like he was in a hurry. He hopped in the shower and got out of the bathroom after a minute, with the toothbrush in his mouth and his pants half way down.

-Leorio have you seen my red shirt?-

-don't ask me, I don't wear ladies clothes. My arms wouldn't fit- he joked

Kurapika rolled his eyes, ignoring him, and kept looking for it everywhere. Leorio observed him from the couch holding a newspaper, pretending to read it

-you seem like you are in a hurry...Are you going out or something?-

-I'm late, I need to be in downtown in 20 minutes- he answered, still looking into the wardrobe- here it is! I found it. see? I told you it was on your side-

-may I ask who are you going out with?-

-of course, it's no secret. I'm taking Neon to the theme park- he said as he finished buttoning his shirt

-oh...with Neon...again- Leorio stuck his eyes on the newspaper, even though he read nothing- another of those "dates" which aren't dates, but aren't work either?- he asked with sarcasm.

-no, this time we are going on a date. I invited her-

Leorio looked at him, surprised, as he did not expect that answer

-oh... I see. So you are being serious about... her. A girl. I thought you... you were...-

Kurapika gave him a threatening glare, raising an eyebrow- I was WHAT...?-

-I thought you were... you know...-

-what? gay?-

-well... I was going to say more like, "unpopular with women"?-

Kurapika stared at him in silence with a serious look in his face. Leorio felt his anger and tried to correct himself, but everything he said made it worse

-I mean... unpopular with women AND men. But it seems I was wrong. I guess you are very popular. With women... and men- Leorio fixed his sight in the newspaper once more

-you can really be an asshole sometimes, you know?- Kurapika turned his back with anger, and paused for a moment- and who knows, maybe I am serious about her-

-ha!- Leorio laughed with sarcasm- I always knew, I don't know why you denied it. Or is it that you are ashamed to be seen with such a spoiled and rude brat?-

Kurapika felt the heat in his blood increasing and taking over him, he couldn't stand being called a liar.

-Well at least she is nice and respectful, unlike someone I know!-

he was so loud that Leorio hid his face behind the newspaper, afraid to look at his friend's furious face. Kurapika stormed out

-don't wait for me or call me. And one more thing...the newspaper is upside down, idiot!- he slammed the door and disappeared behind it

-UGHHHHH!- Leorio crumpled up the newspaper into a tiny ball, and threw it with great strength and anger at the wall with nen, leaving a hole in it. Once he had calmed down, he thought: "why am I acting like a fool? I already convinced myself that I was leaving our relationship as friendship, and no more". Everything was going so well and normal the last few days...and even so, he couldn't help but feeling a pain in his chest, like someone was crushing his heart into pieces. Insecurity was driving him crazy. "I simply can't stop thinking about him...wondering what he will be doing with that girl..."

When he thought about this, he clenched his fists and closed his eyes trying hard to think of something else. He fell back on the couch, covering his face with his hands. He could feel the tears fighting to GET out. The was nothing else left to do, except to forget about him. But living with him was making it even harder. Seeing him every day, eating together, sleeping together. Laughing, even arguing, everything made their relationship so special. He couldn't take his friend's sweet smile out of his head. He couldn't stop wanting to touch his smooth skin, to feel his hair between his fingers. He couldn't stop WILLING to hold him when he is having a nightmare, or to finish what they started in the hotel room.

He Laid on the couch, silent, torn into pieces. He remained like that for a while, until the phone ringed. He couldn't find the strength to get up. His phone kept ringing and ringing for another five times before he picked it up. He checked the missing calls, it was his ex girlfriend...

Kurapika ran down the building stairs, wondering why Leorio was behaving like that. "He is always messing with me, but he never distrusts or hurts me. It's not like I'm cheating on him or something…he's not my boyfriend". He slowed down his pace:"maybe he is jealous". That sudden thought made him stop in the middle of the street "that's it! He should have said it sooner...but, what if it's just friendship jealousy? it's completely normal. After all, we are best friends." He sadly thought as he continued his way and took the bus.

When he arrived at the theme park Neon was already there, waiting for him and holding two tickets

-Neon why didn't you wait for me to buy the tickets?- Kurapika asked while she took his arm and dragged him to the entrance

-there's no need, silly! my dad has free tickets-

-your...your father. Is your father around?- He said as he looked everywhere. He didn't want to find out what his boss would think of him going on date with his daughter.

-of course not, he just took me here. I told him I was going out with you so he let me come-

Kurapika took a deep breath and sighed in relief

-huh? why are you afraid of my dad? he trusts you more than me. I'm sure he'd rather have you as his son.. or at least his son-in-law- she looked away and crossed her arms against her chest, so she didn't notice Kurapika blushed a little

-such things you say Neon... come on, it's our turn to go in. What would you like to do first?-

-that one!- she pointed at the biggest roller coaster-

-hahaha great...but, don't you think that one look better to start with?- he pointed at an attraction which looked less dangerous, without having any idea of what a haunted house was like. It was his first time at a theme park and felt a little scared.

Neon looked at the attraction, not very convinced at first, but then she noticed a lot of couples came out of it, and thought she could take advantage of the situation to stay close to Kurapika

-sure! great idea-

They got into a small and slow cart with no seatbelts, which circled around the "house" while different ghosts and monsters appeared by their side. Kurapika was bored to death, thinking that attraction was really pointless, and trying to calm Neon who was screaming like crazy and jumping in the seat. She had the intention of kissing him in the middle of that darkness, but she didn't count on being so frightened. She pulled him towards her harder and harder until she ended up on his lap, and with her breasts in his face.

-Ne-Neon! I can't...breathe...!-

-I'm so scared!-

They got off, and the staff stared at them, imagining another situation. Kurapika completely embarrassed, came out covering his face with his hand, with Neon smiling cheerfully by his side, pointing at the next attraction.

After a while Kurapika had got used to it and lost all fear. He was even having a good time. They ate a lot and participated in some contests. After lunch, they wanted to rest before the next attraction. They walked through a road which lead to a huge pond, covered with purple waterlilys, floating in the reflection of a red sunset. They sat in a bench and thought Neon could be really nice sometimes. So nice, that he never noticed how attractive she was. Suddenly Neon was silent, staring at the floor.

-Kurapika... ummm. Do you like being with me?-

Kurapika looked at her and smiled gently

-sure! we had a great time today, and other days too-

-I wish it could be like this everyday- she still didn't look him in the eyes

-I know, it would be great to work like this all the time, but your dad wouldn't pay me- he joked

Neon frowned at him- I wasn't talking about work! I mean that I want to... be with you- her cheeks turned red

Kurapika could understand what she meant, and took some time to process it. He never noticed that Neon saw him that way before. They looked at each other, their faces DISTANCED only by a few inches, and then both looked away at the same time, embarrassed. Kurapika didn't know what to say, he had never thought of her in that way. He thought she looked really cute in that innocent but mature attitude, and he didn't want to hurt her feelings. Besides, it was the first time that someone confessed to him directly, and he couldn't help feeling a little confused.

Neon acted first, and got courage to take his hand, coming closer to him. Kurapika just turned his face at her, and stayed still with his eyes wide opened. She raised her face and closed her eyes slowly. Kurapika realized the situation. Countless thoughts came across his mind "she is a good girl. Spoiled, but nice, sweet and beautiful...and yet...why doesn't my heart beat fast and strong when I'm with her?". Suddenly, a memory of Leorio came to his mind, and he could almost feel the touch of his lips all over his body, feeling the butterflies just like that one time they kissed. In that moment he realized he couldn't feel for anyone else what he felt for him, no matter what.

Neon's lips where so close to his that they nearly touched. Kurapika gently turned his face just before their lips touched, resting his chin in her shoulder, and hugging her. "She is a nice girl, I can't play with her feelings. It's really painful when someone plays with your feelings...".

But he didn't know how to reject her without hurting her either. Neon opened her eyes to think for a few seconds, before she answered the hug. She started talking

-don't worry, I understand. I know you have other things in your mind right now. And other priorities-

They separated and looked at each other. She smiled, and he hesitated a moment, whether to say something else or not. Then he patted her head, and just said "thank you" with a gentle smile

He took her home and then went back to the apartment. On his way there, he couldn't stop thinking about his decision of not being sincere about his feeling for Leorio. Neon's decision had made him doubt if it was the correct thing to do, and inspired him to take courage and talk to his friend. Even so, the whole idea of it made his hand sweat and turned his stomach. He thought it would be better to wait until the next day...or the next one, or next week. Maybe next month? well, eventually he had to find a way to do it.

He was thinking about this when he came through the apartment door...

Leorio was lying on the couch, with a beautiful woman on top of him. Leorio remained still, with his eyes lost in some corner of the room, while she touched him and kissed him. When the woman realized Kurapika entered the room, she stared at him with deep blue eyes, without separating from Leorio, who didn't notice his friend was there. Kurapika stared at the scene in shock, feeling hurt, and somehow betrayed.

-YOU ARE AN IDIOT, I HATE YOU!- Kurapika's voice seemed about to break. Only then Leorio reacted and realized the situation.

-Kurapika...- he said in a sad and low voice, and stretched his hand trying to reach him, but the woman still didn't move away from him. Before his eyes reached his friend's, Kurapika had already run out of the apartment.