Author's Note: That last chapter bored me a little bit but I had SO much fun writing this one. Like Hisoka why do you have to hit my soul in all the right fuckin places!?
Kasuyorai: Hisoka and Leorio bickering is always fun for me. Lol. Their dynamic is so interesting. I'm glad you like my style of writing since having a good style is really important to me. I wanted to skip time because this story has a lot of stuff that happens and I did not want it to be bunched together in a week. Hopefully it still flows okay! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Kasper The Friendly Ghost: I love how you didn't feel like logging on but you still felt like reading the entire chapter! Lol. I'm flattered. Hisoka/Leorio scenes are some of my favorites to write because it's fun having them play off each other's personalities so I'm glad you like them! I hope you did well for your calculus class! Poor Kasper doll having to deal with calculus shit. Lol.
JigokuShoujosRevenge: You envision right I assure you! Lol! My stories are always filled with bad futures! Lol. This chapter was fun to write so I really hope you like it!
Raywolf Shibelt: Well here it is! This chapter has a little more going on so I think you'll like it too! …Hopefully. Lol.
Chapter 10: Connected
Hisoka leaned back on the couch. He impatiently tapped his foot on the wooden coffee table as his golden eyes darted from the door to the clock.
"Calm down Hisoka, jeez. He's still coming. He's only fifteen minutes late." Leo didn't even bother looking up from his book. It's not like Hisoka was really listening to him anyway.
Hisoka responded with a glare then he went back to eyeing the clock.
"He's been coming every day for the past two months, do you really think he'd suddenly stop showing up?" Yes, it had been just over two months since Kurapika and Leorio had taken Hisoka as their patient and things were actually going pretty well. The three not only had a professional relationship but a personal one as well. They understood each other and they appreciated each other's companionship. And it was no secret that Leorio, Kurapika, and Hisoka were so close either. Their friendship was rare and it was something a lot of the other doctors and nurses liked to gossip about.
Of course, the real gossip lay in Kurapika and Hisoka's relationship. Everyone knew of the redhead's overly affectionate ways with the blonde. And to their surprise, Dr. Kurta never seemed to mind the extra attention. In fact, some believed he enjoyed it. Even Leorio could see that there was something sparking between the two.
Though, at one point this caused a bit of jealousy in the lanky man. He wondered why after years of getting nowhere with Kurapika, Hisoka was able to get close to him in just a few mere months.
However, that feeling never lasted long. After witnessing the relationship between the two, Leorio concluded that he really loved those guys. Hisoka and Kurapika were the closest friends he's had since the death of Pietro. He learned to appreciate whatever strange connection Hisoka and Kurapika had because if it wasn't for that, he would not have become friends with either one of them.
Leo sighed, completely unfazed by the glare. "You're such a baby pouting over fifteen minutes." Although it was a little odd that Kurapika was late. Every day for the past few months he always arrived right on time. "Why don't you do what I'm doing and read a book."
Hisoka took Leo's book and closed it for sole the purpose of losing the doctor's page. Then he oh-so-charmingly handed it back.
"Yeah." Leo rolled his eyes as he started searching for the page that he was on. "Way to show me you're not a baby."
Suddenly the door opened and Kurapika walked in holding a bag of food.
Hisoka was instantly at his side and he gave the little blonde a big hug.
Kurapika figured his tardiness would not go unnoticed by the redhead. Hisoka was a creature of desire and not having what he wanted when he wanted it usually made him pretty edgy. "Hisoka." Kurapika lightly shook the bags to indicate that the hug was about to make him drop the food.
Hisoka took the bags and placed them on the table. Kurapika looked so cute today. As cute as he did every day. He noticed that the blonde's hair was in a high ponytail instead of its usual braid. That, of course, only meant one thing.
Hisoka gently tugged at Kurapika's ponytail with a smile and a knowing look in his eye.
"Yeah." Kurapika sat down and started to pull out little boxes of rice, orange chicken, and noodles. "You're correct. I had a session with Youpi today." Ever since Youpi made the comment about liking Kurapika's braid, the blonde would always wear his hair in a ponytail during their appointments.
Leo's nose was in his book and he finally found the page he was on. He carefully placed a bookmark on that page before closing it and setting it on the table. "How can you understand what he means when he doesn't talk?" He asked, helping Kurapika pull out the paper plates and chopsticks. "I never know what he's saying with those looks of his."
Hisoka sat down next to Kurapika and started to make the blonde's plate. He knew Kurapika favored the noodles so he made sure to give him more of that than anything else. He hadn't actually spoken yet now that he thought about it. But sometimes he never had to with Kurapika around. Whether he spoke or not, the small doctor always knew exactly what he wanted to say before he even opened his mouth.
Kurapika shrugged as he took the plate Hisoka handed him. "I'm not sure. I just kind of… know." It was true. He didn't know how he was always able to tell. It was just something he quickly picked up on the first weekend they met.
Leo leaned back with his food. "Maybe I can read him too and I'm just not trying hard enough." He looked intensely at the redhead who was giving him an unimpressed stare.
"Hmm…." He pondered. "Oh yes, yes." Leo nodded as if he just discovered the secret to life. It made Kurapika and Hisoka exchange a look of amusement.
"You are thinking…" Leo tapped the end of his chopsticks on his plate. His face brightened in a large smile. "What a terrific doctor I am!"
Hisoka raised a brow. He reached over to Leo's book and pulled the bookmark out.
"Hey!" Leo sputtered. He turned to Kurapika who was laughing softly to himself. "Did you know he was going to do that?!"
The smiling blonde bit into his food and shook his head 'no'. But in truth… he had a feeling.
Hisoka triumphantly waved the bookmark in the air and Leo growled as he snatched it away.
"You are so infuriating; you know that?" Leo put his plate down and started to search for the page he was on again. "I don't know how Pika deals with you."
"I'm a likable person." Hisoka said and he picked up his food.
"Likable." Leo scoffed.
Kurapika chuckled and pointed his chopsticks forward. "You guys are always bickering. It's almost like you enjoy it."
Leorio snorted and waved off the accusation. "I promise you, I do not bicker with this fool because I enjoy it. He drives me crazy." He finally found his page again and placed the bookmark back in.
Hisoka reached over and pulled it back out. "I disagree. I think I'm quite charming."
"Will you STOP that?!" Leo snatched the bookmark out the grinning man's hand.
Kurapika was laughing. "Maybe you should try to remember the page you're on in case that happens again. You know… so you're not searching aimlessly through the book."
Leo was in fact searching aimlessly. "You encourage him, you know."
Kurapika put a hand on his chest and pretended he was insulted. "I do not. You tease him. That encourages him."
To this Leo started to smile. He did like to purposely push Hisoka's buttons. He'd come to secretly like their childish bickering. "Only when it's deserved." He was smiling even harder as he placed his bookmark back on the right page.
"Now what kind of response is that for a doctor to make?" Kurapika joked lightly before he took another bite of his food.
Leo rolled his eyes. "You really want to talk about what's appropriate for a doctor?" He nodded forward towards the two. Hisoka was holding Kurapika in his lap as he casually ate his lunch.
The small blonde blushed as he wiggled out Hisoka's arms. He'd grown accustomed to the redhead's overly affectionate ways as the months had gone by. Now, to his shame, he hardly noticed.
"Touché" Kurapika admitted.
As they ate their meal the three sat together in comfortable silence. There's just something about having good company that did not always require someone to talk. It was nice being around each other as each man was lost in thought.
Hisoka particularly had a lot on his mind. He was tossing and turning all of last night with a terrible nightmare. It seemed so clear, as if he were watching a video instead of dreaming. It became apparent to him when he woke up that what he was seeing was not a dream, but a memory.
Hisoka grabbed Togari by the throat and pressed him against the wall. The curtain gently swayed as it closed behind them, shielding the struggle from outside view. He could hear his own blood rushing through his veins in excitement. He hoped the man would beg. He loved hearing them beg…
Kurapika and Leorio had been asking him about his memories for a long time now. And each time they asked he would tell them that he could never remember anything. But now for the first time, he did remember something. Granted this was a repressed memory from after the accident that caused his amnesia but it was still a memory nonetheless. And it was one that he would never tell Kurapika under any circumstances.
He closed his eyes and exhaled.
Trails of blood from where Togari clawed at his skin dripped from Hisoka's wrist. Seeing his own blood really excited Hisoka. His golden eyes were locked onto Togari's as he lowered his head and licked the wound until it was clean. A slow malicious smile tugged at the corners of his blood stained lips.
Ohh... this was really turning him on...
Because how could Kurapika ever care for a monster?
^.~
The room was completely silent except for the rhythmic tapping of fingers over the keyboard. Chrollo was typing up some notes and modifying his work schedule. He received a lot of updates this month about Baise's patient, Komugi, and it was almost time for the girl to be taken to the next level of her treatment. Her medications would have to be lessened and she'd get a pass to leave hospital property throughout the day. With an escort of course. The girl was still blind.
But he was primarily staying late tonight to get some things prepared for Hisoka. It had taken a while for them to hear anything about another shipment of the concentrated protein that made Hisoka the ruthless machine that he was. Over 2 months actually. It didn't bold well with Chrollo but at the same time… Hisoka did kill one of Kite's best men and then permanently blind the other. It took Kite a long time to find more people with a similar level of skills.
The mutated protein was the key ingredient to getting Hisoka back into his custody. It did things to the redhead. It made him lose himself in a blind wrathful bloodlust. The longer he was without it, the less muddled his mind would become. All those years of training, all the money and time spent, it would all be for nothing if Hisoka refused to kill anymore.
'When the shipment gets here, I can give it to him at night while he's unguarded.' Uvogin had told him a few weeks prior.
'Do you really think that's a good idea?' Machi answered on behalf of the boss. 'He's not even confined. What if he can't be controlled anymore? He'd go on a killing spree.' She held up her finger as if pointing out the obvious. 'Plus we have to give him multiple doses in order for his mind to go back to the way it was. He needs to be somewhere he can't run away.'
'Well.' Uvogin had very thoughtful look on his face. 'Where would we put him then?'
'Uvo…' Machi sighed.
'What?' He snapped. 'It's not like we can just stick him in a cage-' Then realization hit.
'Exactly.' She replied.
After listening to his subordinates exchange words, Chrollo spoke. 'You brought what I asked.'
Machi quietly put the box on his desk. 'You're not really thinking about using that are you? Not after all the trouble we went through making sure no one ever saw it.'
Chrollo glanced at the little box before answering. 'Dr. Kurta is already suspicious of my intentions with Hisoka. It's best that we do it this way.'
She didn't want to say anything against the boss but in this case she felt she had to. 'But Uvo and I-'
'I know.' Chrollo interrupted. 'I'll take care of that. You and Uvogin won't be exposed.'
^.~
"What are you reading?" Hisoka peered over Kurapika's book to look at him. The two were in the recreational room and Partisan was in the middle of teaching his last class. Not that the two were paying any attention. But after that first Monday night with the elevator incident, it had become a ritual for the pair to take Pariston's last class every Monday together.
Hisoka was leaning with his butt on Kurapika's desk and his arms folded over his chest. He nosily tried cocking his head at an angle that would give him leverage to see the book's title.
Kurapika hardly noticed. "The Secret Garden." He mumbled, his nose still in the book.
Hisoka watched him for a few silent seconds then spoke up again. "You should be doing your work." A hollow assertion. They never actually did any of the assignments from the art class whenever they visited. They kind of just sat in the back and did their own thing as the class worked. The only reason he was complaining now was because he was trying to persuade Kurapika to pay attention to him.
"Mmhm" The blonde brushed him off again.
Hisoka huffed, pouting a little bit. He was bored. And his mind always thought of impish things when he was bored. It was in everyone's best interest that he found something to do.
This wasn't the first time Kurapika would just sit and read in class, but it was the first time that he was so into what he was reading that he didn't talk to Hisoka. The redhead tried not to let it get to him, but watching his fair-haired cherub so beautifully engulfed in a book was so hypnotizing that Hisoka was instinctually pulled to him.
"Ahh…" Hisoka's tone was hushed, so not to disturb other patients. "Yes. I have one of those."
Kurapika's eyebrow twitched in interest but he didn't say anything. It didn't matter. Hisoka saw the reaction and knew he got a bite.
"A secret garden." He lowered himself so his lips were next to Kurapika's ear.
Kurapika rolled his eyes. "Oh?"
"Yes. I found it. It's hidden away behind an enchanted barrier. If not, then everyone would know where it was and it wouldn't be a secret anymore."
Kurapika slowly put his book down and eyed Hisoka inquiringly. "Does your garden have charmed saplings in it as well?" He was playing along, interested in where Hisoka was going with this 'secret garden' business.
Charmed saplings? Hisoka grinned. Kurapika was unusually wordy after reading that book of his. It was very adorable. "Of course."
Kurapika smiled at their game. He was starting to see what Hisoka was trying to do. "And you want to take me to it?"
"Naturally." Came the redhead's nonchalant reply. His voice was calm but Kurapika could see the excited flicker dancing around in Hisoka's golden eyes. He knew how unpredictable Hisoka could be when he was feeling playful. The last time he got excited by something they ended up here at their first art class.
Though Kurapika really did enjoy Hisoka's company, despite his need to please Kurapika to no ends. He loved how comfortable they were around each other. Hisoka made him feel safe and treasured, a missed sensation he hadn't experienced in a long time. "I can't wait."
"Good." Hisoka suddenly picked up the blonde and held him bridal style.
"Whoa!" Kurapika's book dropped to the ground. "Hisoka, honestly. I take that back. We can wait!" He shouted. A few patients in the class looked up but then quickly went back to their work. If they stopped working every time Hisoka interrupted class, they'd literally never get anything done.
Still carrying the doctor, Hisoka made his way to the back of the classroom where the door to the stairwell was.
"Why aren't we taking the elevator?" Kurapika asked as Hisoka closed the door behind them. His eyes darted around the dark and empty stairwell in curiosity. It was hard to see and the only source of light were the dim bulbs that were on the wall.
"It's a secret garden." Hisoka smiled down at the little blonde, though since Kurapika couldn't see in the dark like him, the smile was almost unseen. "If you could take an elevator to it then it wouldn't be a big secret now would it?"
Kurapika wiggled in a weak attempt to get down from the hold, but of course the mischievous redhead would not stop carrying him. "Hisoka, put-" his sentence was cut off. Suddenly Hisoka was running up the stairs holding Kurapika tightly against his chest.
The little blonde was shocked at how easily his large companion seemed to move. He was not only sprinting upstairs but also holding a person as he did so. Did he ever run out of stamina?
"Hisoka." Kurapika could barely see anything as the redhead ran. Everything just went by in an endless blur. How many flights had they climbed by now? 2? 3? The playful brute didn't even seem tired yet. If anything it seemed that the higher to the top they got, the faster and more excited Hisoka would become. The doctor closed his eyes. "Slow down." He mumbled against the redhead's shirt. He spoke so lowly he didn't expect Hisoka to hear him.
But he did. Hisoka smoothly slowed his fast pace until he was no longer running. He walked a steady calm stride and smiled when he felt Kurapika's heartbeat pounding wildly against his own. "We're almost there." Hisoka told him.
Kurapika's eyes were still shut.
"Why are your eyes closed?" Hisoka asked.
"Are they?" He said without opening them.
"Yes." Hisoka lowered his head and lightly pressed his lips to Kurapika's eyelids.
This made the blonde's mouth part in surprise. He opened his eyes and glared. "Hisoka…" His voice was a little strained like he was going to scold him. But instead he said, "We just passed the 6th floor." That was the highest floor in the building and yet they were still walking upstairs.
"Yes." Hisoka nodded. "That's correct."
"Hisoka, where are we going?"
"To the secret garden." Hisoka serenely answered.
Kurapika let out a frustrated sigh but continued to let himself be carried. He knew that Hisoka would never put him in danger but he wasn't comfortable being in an unfamiliar setting so suddenly. Especially at night.
"Hisoka what are you-"
"Shh..." He kissed Kurapika on the forehead. "Trust me." He whispered and he pushed open the very last door at the highest part of the stairwell.
Icy wind whipped around the couple as they looked up into the night sky. There were no clouds and the stars glistened as if welcoming the two with a sweet, hospitable 'hello'.
"Your secret garden is on the roof?"
Hisoka smiled. "No. That would be silly." He carefully put the little blonde down and beckoned for him to follow.
Another breeze blew and it made Kurapika rub his arms for warmth. He kind of wished his was still being carried so he could steal Hisoka's body heat. "Hisoka. It's cold." He tried to see where the redhead had disappeared off to.
He heard Hisoka's footsteps and then some shuffling behind a stack of large crates and the blonde moved to peek around the boxes. He watched as Hisoka moved the worn looking crates out the way, then fold back a stained tarp that was thrown lazily over the ground. There, to his surprise, was a trap door. It was small and painted the same color as the rest of the roof.
Hisoka pulled open the door and slowly started to descend, leaving the soft command of, "Come on." floating in the crisp night air.
Kurapika hesitantly followed, weary of the creaking ladder that he guessed was many years old. It didn't help that everything was so dark that he couldn't even see the steps. But he could tell he was nearing the bottom because he could hear Hisoka shuffling some more under him. Before his feet made contact with the floor, two strong arms wrapped around his waist and pulled him in a tight hug from behind.
He felt Hisoka's warm breath on his ear as the redhead breathed in Kurapika's scent. The sensation of being held so intimately made his heart do flips he didn't know it could do. "H-Hisoka." He exhaled, allowing his body to relax under the embrace. "Where are we?"
Hisoka tensed with excitement and let go of Kurapika, careful that the blonde had his footing on the ground before doing so.
Suddenly, dim lights flickered, struggling to turn on, then they came to life and washed over the small room in a faint orange light.
Kurapika blinked, adjusting to the new view. He furrowed his brows in confusion. There was nothing here. Unless you count broken furniture and scattered papers, something. He saw Hisoka standing beside a transparent tattered red sheet that hung from the ceiling like a curtain. "Hisoka," Kurapika tried to squint to see through that suspiciously placed sheet. "Where's… the garden?" He felt silly saying that last part because they both knew there wasn't really a garden.
Hisoka's chuckle filled the room and danced around Kurapika. "I told you." He pulled back the veil and watched Kurapika's expression change. "Behind the enchanted barrier."
And Kurapika couldn't believe his eyes. Right in front of him was the most beautiful garden he'd ever seen in his life.
Books. So many books. And not just any books, no. These were all ancient classics! Books that would take someone years to get their hands on, and here he was standing in a room full of them.
Kurapika rushed to them, quickly scanning them all with his eyes as he brushed is fingertips over their hard, slightly dusty, spines. They all sat neatly on four large bookshelves and an old soft sofa was pushed against the wall facing the wooden treasures.
"I promised you saplings." Hisoka said as he pulled out a large brown book from its place and opened it as if picking up where he previously left off.
Kurapika ran to Hisoka and wrapped his arms around the man's waist. Hisoka barely kept himself from falling and he let out a soft "Oof."
Realizing what he'd done, the golden haired lovely pulled away, a blush staining his cheeks. "H-how did you find this place?" He asked.
Hisoka kissed Kurapika's forehead. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately. "I stumbled across it during my first week in the hospital." He closed the book he was holding.
"Stumbled across it? How does one stumble across a place like this?"
Hisoka grinned. "I'm an adventurous man."
This made the blonde smile. "More like sneaky." A pause, then, "Wait you said during your first week here?"
"Yes."
Kurapika's eyes widened. Had he really kept this a secret for over 2 months then? That was kind of impressive. He looked towards all the books in admiration. "They must cost a fortune."
Hisoka laughed as he gently plopped on the sofa, putting his book to the side. "I can imagine. Most of these are decades old." He pulled Kurapika to sit in his lap and he wrapped his arms around the blonde's waist. "It's odd this is here though." He thought out loud. "What was this building before it became a hospital?"
"A real-estate company."
"Hm…" That didn't sound like the type business to build a secret room. "And before that."
"I'm unsure." Kurapika admitted. "But I'm sure it was owned by someone wealthy at some point. Someone who could afford an isolated chamber built for their collection."
Hisoka was fiddling with the bottom of Kurapika's braid. "They never came back for their treasures." They obviously spent a lot of time putting this together. And yet this place looked so abandoned, most likely not visited for many years before Hisoka discovered it.
"Yeah." Kurapika said almost sadly. "I can't imagine anyone leaving these," He beckoned to the books in front of them. "willingly. They must have died before they could come back to get them." It was a little dark assuming that the previous owner died but… Kurapika had a dark mind. Death was eminent. He leaned back against Hisoka's chest and closed his eyes as he felt his braid becoming undone. "Don't tangle it." He warned under his breath. He felt Hisoka's chest rumble in soft laughter.
"I would never." He promised.
Kurapika leaned down and picked up the book that Hisoka left negligently on the floor. He stared down at the worn object in his hands and carefully touched the cover.
"The Book of Fairytales." Hisoka looked over Kurapika's shoulder. His arms reached around the small blonde so he could touch the cover as well. "I think you'd really like this."
"Did you finish it?"
"Most of it" Hisoka opened the book and skimmed over a few pages until he found the story he was looking for. "This one." He pointed to the title of the short story. "Is my favorite."
Kurapika frowned. "The Goose That Lay the Golden Eggs?" Of all the stories, he did not think that this would be the one that stood out to Hisoka.
"Yes. It's very relatable." The redhead nodded.
Kurapika looked back at Hisoka then looked to the book. The Goose That Lay the Golden Eggs was a classic. It was about a farming couple who owned a goose who… well… laid golden eggs. It would lay one egg a day. But the couple got greedy and assumed that the goose was filled with eggs so they chopped it open in the hopes that they could harvest all the eggs at once. In doing so, they realized that the goose had insides like any other goose. No gold was inside and the farming couple was forever without their golden egg laying goose.
The moral of the story was basically not to be greedy. Had they not tried to get more out of the goose, then they would still be receiving golden eggs.
"You're not very greedy." Kurapika pointed out. Hisoka actually seemed to have no interest in money or material things at all. Even during their first weekend together at the store Kurapika noticed this. When he offered to buy Hisoka new clothes he seemed completely uninterested at the idea. "I fail to see how you can relate to this."
And to that, Hisoka chuckled. Oh but he could relate all too well. Every day Kurapika gave Hisoka the golden egg that was his familiarity. But sometimes Hisoka would feel greedy and want more. The one egg was beginning to become not enough. He wanted more than what his goose would give him. And for that, Hisoka knew that he was selfish. He knew that it was selfish and undeserved of him to want more. And yet… he didn't care.
It was quiet in the room for a while as Kurapika read the story to himself. As he read along he could feel Hisoka's fingers gently running through his golden hair. He liked this feeling. It was nice being away from the world in this hidden chamber. However, at the same time he was still slightly unsettled with Hisoka's comment. As he carefully read over the story, Kurapika took in every word and every gesture. He longed to see how Hisoka related to the story because he longed to see how Hisoka saw himself.
Only a few minutes passed until he finished reading and then carefully, he closed the old book. He was quiet and he knew that Hisoka was patiently waiting for him to say something.
"I'm not a goose." He said softly.
Hisoka was still running his fingers through Kurapika's golden locks. "I know."
"And you're not the farmer."
His hands were hesitant for a moment before Hisoka said, "I know." And continued his soft caresses.
"And I don't like you relating to such greedy people." Kurapika continued. "You're a lot of things." Like, pushy, arrogant, annoying, stubborn, mischievous… "but you've never been greedy."
"Mmhm." Hisoka lowered his head and pressed his lips intimately on blonde's skin.
"D-don't try to distract me." Kurapika breathed out.
"I'm not." He kissed another spot on the blonde's neck.
"Liar." Kurapika instinctively titled his head, subtly baring his neck to him.
The older male's tongue flicked out and brushed against a really sensitive part of the doctor's throat and Kurapika felt a warm sensation stirring in the pit of his stomach.
"H-Hisoka." He whispered the name, barely audible. Hisoka's hot tongue was still drawing over him, sending shivers throughout his body. He arched his back and leaned closer. He could feel his body quiver in unexpected arousal.
Hisoka rubbed his thumb over Kurapika's hip bone and softly nipped at the blonde's shoulder.
Kurapika's eyes rolled back and he almost moaned in ecstasy. "Hisoka…" Hisoka's bites carefully trailed from his shoulder to his Adam's apple. He did groan this time as the air left his lungs. He ached for the redhead to do more. And there lie the problem.
"Hisoka." He said louder as he roughly pushed against the man in frustration. "We shouldn't."
He could feel that Kurapika longed for him. And the doctor's carnal desire was so powerful that it made Hisoka crazy with lust. "Why?"
Kurapika was blushing fiercely, unsure how to answer. He should have said, 'Because I'm your doctor and this is completely inappropriate.' But instead he said, "I don't know..." He didn't want to look at the handsome man who was staring down at him so intently. He turned away, only to feel the warm hand of his companion on his cheek.
"Kurapika…" Hisoka's voice held so much emotion, so much affection and adoration that Kurapika felt his heart skip a beat.
"It's just… I" He stumbled over his words, trying to piece together what he wanted to say. "You're my patient." But even as he said it, they both knew that wasn't the reason why he was so hesitant.
"What are you afraid of?" Hisoka's voice was a low whisper.
"I'm not afraid of anything."
"Liar."
And just as Kurapika was about to answer that he wasn't lying, Hisoka leaned down and kissed him.
The doctor's eyes widened. He was unsure what to do since he'd never been kissed on his lips before. Not like this anyway. So he just closed his eyes and allowed it to happen. He allowed himself to, for once, be lost in a moment of blissful happiness.
Hisoka smelled so enticing. Like pine trees mixed in with the wildest of flowers. Being enveloped in all this affection made Kurapika experience something he hadn't in a long time. Pure, untainted, serenity. The demon in his heart quieted down, and the darkness he'd lived through all these years was beginning to fade as it was replaced by a shining gold light.
What was this feeling? This feeling he didn't recognize.
It frightened him. It made him feel like he was completely unguarded and exposed. He wasn't allowed to be happy. He wasn't supposed to feel less pain.
But here, with Hisoka... he did.
And not only did he like it. He needed it.
Unexpected tears rolled down Kurapika's cheeks. He was unsure why he was crying. Perhaps they were happy tears? Had he ever had those before?
He deepened the kiss and pressed himself closer into the caring embrace the redhead had him in. He felt Hisoka's hand gently wipe away his tears and the gesture itself broke Kurapika's heart in all the right places.
"Hisoka…" He was breathless as the older male pulled away. The kiss seemed to end too soon and Kurapika's lips tingled in longing as he spoke. "Please don't." Please don't hurt me.
Hisoka lightly pressed his forehead against Kurapika's. He brushed his thumb over the blonde's trembling lips before carefully wiping away a few stray tears that still stained his cheeks. "Okay." His voice was a husky whisper. "I promise."
Kurapika exhaled. He didn't understand. "You… promise?"
Hisoka nodded and leaned down to lightly kiss Kurapika once more. "I promise." He promised to never break him. He promised to never steal his heart and then leave him lonely and heartless. He promised to need him. He promised to want him. He promised to be the hand that picked him up when he fell. He promised to be the voice that guided him through his nightmares. He promised to be the arms that carried him away from his worries and fears. He promised to be the smile that made everything okay.
He promised.
Kurapika smiled and cupped his hand over Hisoka's cheek. "You promise." He repeated. He dragged his hand upwards and ran his fingers through the larger male's hair. Then he kissed him.
It was a kiss unlike their first. It wasn't filled with lust or desire, no. It was a kiss of tender devotion and affection. It was them piecing their broken souls together and connecting in a way that they had never connected with anyone before. It was a kiss that was only meant for each other.
When they pulled away, Kurapika laid his head on Hisoka's chest. The unnatural connection that they shared was becoming stronger, and already Kurapika could feel their auras shifting as they mingled together in harmony.
Hisoka leaned back until he was laying down and Kurapika was resting comfortably on top of him. His large arm was protectively draped over the blonde's smaller frame and he used his other hand to stroke his long golden hair.
They laid in each other's arms, peaceful and still.
In their secret garden.
^.~
"You won't be late?" Hisoka had one hand on the small of Kurapika's back and the other titling up the blonde's chin.
Kurapika rolled his eyes. "Yes. You've asked me that every day for the past few weeks and my answer is always the same. I will be on time. I'm always on time."
"You were late before." Hisoka pointed out. "The day you brought orange chicken and noodles for lunch."
Kurapika pulled away and shot the man a bewildered look. "That was three weeks ago! And it was only that one time!" Jeez, Hisoka never let anything go!
"I haven't let it go." He smiled, purposely mirroring Kurapika's thoughts. Ever since their kiss in the 'secret garden' the two had become much closer. And not by choice.
It was as if their souls were merged now. They felt what the other felt and they knew what the other was thinking. Sometimes it almost seemed as if they could read each other's minds. It was… exciting. But worrying.
There was something strange going on with them. Something that they couldn't explain. At first it felt like nothing. During his first weekend with Hisoka before the man ever talked, Kurapika always had a faint feeling of what the redhead wanted or desired. And as they grew closer, this feeling of knowing grew more powerful. They even mimicked each other's mannerisms, which explained how Kurapika was able to easily shuffle through Hisoka's cards despite never being able to do so before.
However, now it had gotten far past simply having a feeling of what the other wanted. Now they were practically on the same wavelength. More than ever, neither one of them had to say what they were thinking in order for it to be heard.
Hisoka seemed to enjoy this unexplained perk of their relationship. But it freaked Kurapika out as much as it thrilled him. Which is why he wanted it to be kept a secret. Including from their dear friend Leorio.
Hisoka lightly brushed away a few stray hairs from the blonde's face. Of course he would keep it a secret.
And Kurapika smiled.
"Don't forget, Pika." Leo happily pat Kurapika on the back, interrupting the two's quiet exchange of affection. "We have an early morning meeting with the boss tomorrow."
"Oh?" Hisoka raised a brow. He was surprised he didn't know about this.
"Yeah, it's not that big of a deal." The little blonde waved off the idea.
Leorio shook his head. "No it's definitely a big deal. It's a mandatory meeting for all the doctors."
"All of them?" Hisoka tried to sound interested but all he really wanted to do was take Kurapika, pin him against the wall and-
"Yes." Kurapika hissed through angry teeth. A small blush tinted his cheeks from Hisoka's lustful aura. "All of them."
"I can assure you, this will be a pretty big deal." Leorio explained, unaware of Hisoka's naughty thoughts. "We've only ever had one mandatory full staffed meeting before."
"Really?" Now Hisoka was interested. "When?"
"When we were introduced to the three most dangerous criminals in the country." Leorio had just packed up his suitcase and was opening the door for them all to leave. "The King Siblings."
Hisoka led Kurapika out the examination room and watched as Leo began to lock up. "Kurapika's patients." He almost always forgot that the same sweet little fireball that he felt so much for was also a calculating psychoanalyst. "So you think tomorrow Kurapika will get new patients? People more dangerous than them?" That's hard to imagine. The King siblings, from what he's heard, were ruthless. Separated they were strong, but together they were unstoppable.
"Maybe." Leorio said. They were standing outside the door now and soon the three would all part ways for the night.
"Or." Kurapika suggested. "It could be a sexual harassment seminar." Though he doubted it. For some reason they never had one of these before. Most likely because none of the doctors here needed it. One time, one of the doctors grabbed Baise's shoulder to get her attention and she responded by punching him in the face. But in her defense it was dark and she does work with battered women and children. She hears a lot of bad stories.
"Whatever it is, don't be late." Leo lightly nudged the blonde.
"Yeah coming from the man who stood his boss up during his last meeting." Kurapika responded back. He paused, then. "I won't be late, Leorio."
And the next morning, Kurapika was late.
He didn't mean to be. He missed the subway this morning. He really needed to think about getting himself another car. And another cellphone.
He jogged to the conference room and was a little stunned to see all the doctors had already made it before him. He knew he was late but he didn't think he was this late.
"Dr. Kurta." Chrollo said from his seat at the head of the long rectangular table. "Please, sit. We've been waiting for you."
Kurapika felt a little embarrassed as he moved to his chair that was right beside Leorio's. He didn't say anything as he quietly sat down and waited for the meeting to start.
Dr. Machi suddenly stood from her place next to the boss and walked over to the television stand against the wall.
"Thank you everyone for being here." Chrollo's voice sounded strained, like he was stressed about something, but to Kurapika he felt like the tone was fake. "I'm just going to jump right to it. We have recently discovered some shocking news about one of our patients."
Really? Kurapika wanted to roll his eyes. They needed a staff meeting for this? Chrollo could have just pulled the patient's doctor to the side and talked to them privately.
"Normally I wouldn't do this." Chrollo said, looking into Kurapika's stony eyes. "But seeing as how this particular patient has met most of you, and even some of your own patients, I thought it was necessary." He never stopped looking at Kurapika. "For your protection."
Kurapika shuddered, then the lights were turned off and the TV clicked on.
The room was silent.
The screen flickered a little and then a dim picture appeared on the screen. Slowly the lighting brightened and everything became less blurry as the video began to play. The camera was aimed down a dark alley and at first it looked to be empty. But suddenly two men stepped into view. The way the angle was positioned made Kurapika think it must have been a footage from a security camera.
For a while the men just stood there, having a silent conversation with someone who wasn't seen. And although the video played no sound, it was easy to tell that the two men were becoming angry.
Then someone else stepped into view.
"Hisoka." Kurapika breathed. There was no mistaking it. That man was in fact Hisoka. He was even wearing the same tattered clothing that the redhead wore the night Kurapika found him.
Hisoka stood in front of them for a moment. He body was completely still like he wasn't even all there, and his head was lowered. He looked so empty.
Kurapika's eyes widened as the redhead swiftly moved in-between the men. His lips parted in horror and he could hear a few gasps in the room as the video showed Hisoka's fist slam down over one man's skull. The blood from the impact coated his fist.
It was unreal. Was that type of strength possible? Hisoka crushed a human skull under his bare hand.
It was… frightening.
The man wearing glasses shot Hisoka twice but the redhead seemed not to care. He reached in the shooter's mouth and ripped out his teeth. Then the video flickered a little, as if a few seconds were cut out, then it picked up with Hisoka holding the shooter close to him with his fingers over his eyes.
The conference room was filled with sharp intakes of breaths and some people had to look away. They could see the white eyeballs squish around his fingers as the redhead plunged them into the shooter's eye sockets.
Kurapika felt sick to his stomach. He didn't want to see any more. He wanted to leave the room to throw up.
The video stopped, pausing on Hisoka staring down at his blooded hand surrounded by the bodies of his victims.
The room was quiet… then it exploded with panic. Everyone was talking over the other and a few doctors were started to freak out about the dangerous killer sleeping next door to their patients.
But Kurapika didn't hear any of this. All the shouting faded into the background as his eyes stayed locked on the screen.
That was Hisoka. The same Hisoka who snuck kisses from Kurapika when he thought the blonde wasn't looking. The same Hisoka whose eyes brightened at the thought of doing something silly. The same Hisoka who warmly chuckled as he playfully teased Leorio. The same Hisoka who grinned like a child as he shuffled through his cards.
It was the same Hisoka
His eyes were glued to the cold blooded murderer on the screen before him.
That was Hisoka. The same Hisoka who bruised a woman's wrist for trying to touch his hair. The same Hisoka who cut his hand breaking a coffee table. The same Hisoka who always acted unpredictable and brash. The same Hisoka who killed two men in the middle of a dark alley.
It was the same Hisoka.
Kurapika felt a hand on his shoulder and a muffled voice tried to reach his ears. Someone was speaking to him.
"What?" Kurapika shook his head and forced himself to divert his eyes from the television. "What did you say?"
"I asked," Chrollo repeated, managing to look genuinely concerned, "If Hisoka had ever expressed any violent behaviors since you've been working with him?" The boss was now standing behind the two doctors who had been seeing the redhead in question.
Kurapika opened to his mouth say 'no' but Leo spoke up first.
"He has. But nothing that would lead us to believe that he was capable of something like… this." The lanky doctor had an unreadable expression on his face. He was concerned but he tried not to let it show. Not concerned for Hisoka, but more for Kurapika. Granted, although he had truly begun to care about Hisoka, Leorio could not turn a blind eye to this. His main concern was keeping everyone safe. Even if it meant from his dear friend.
Kurapika bit the inside of his cheek and the room was buzzing with noise again. What the hell was Leorio trying to do?
"I've spent my entire career focused on the dangerously mentally ill." Kurapika stood up from his chair. "I've learned their mannerisms, their patterns, their lifestyle…" He paused only for a second before continuing. "I've spent almost three months working very closely with Hisoka. It's my professional opinion that he is not a danger to himself or anyone else." What the hell was he saying? He saw the same video everyone else did. Why was he defending him?
It was Leorio who spoke up first and a gentle hand was placed the blonde's arm. "Maybe that's the problem…" Leo said softly. "Maybe you're too close to him."
Kurapika wanted to scream. He wanted to call Leo a traitor for even thinking such a thing. But he didn't. "Hisoka isn't dangerous." He bit off his words with so much venom he could almost taste it.
"How do you explain the video?" Beans was the next to talk. His voice was so soft it was almost unheard. "He killed someone, Dr. Kurta."
Kurapika looked to the floor. He couldn't explain the video. He couldn't even explain how he felt. It's just that something inside of him told him that there was an important piece to the story that was missing.
"Dr. Kurta." Chrollo walked to the front of the room and lightly tapped the screen, forcing Kurapika to face at the bloodied version of the man he'd grown attached to. "There is nothing to explain." He said softly. "He murdered one and mutilated the other."
He knew that what Chrollo said was true.
But still… something wasn't right…
"Why were they meeting in an alley?" Kurapika asked. His tone wasn't facetious or rude. It was genuinely asked out of pure curiosity.
He thought he saw something cross over Chrollo's face for a split second but he didn't have time to think about it before Leorio spoke again.
"It doesn't matter, Pika." He said gently. It hurt his heart to see his dear friend so distressed. But Kurapika needed to stop making excuses and accept this. As much as Leorio wished it wasn't true, it was. "Hisoka is a murderer. He's dangerous."
And the soulless look Kurapika gave Leorio for that comment almost knocked the air out his lungs.
"Hisoka will be moved immediately." Chrollo said. "He's no longer considered low-risk." He nodded to Machi, who took it upon herself to buzz security.
^.~
Kurapika angrily burst through the door, throwing it open so violently that it banged loudly against the wall. He glared at Leo, who was sitting behind the desk of his personal office.
"What the FUCK, Leorio!?" He yelled.
Leo calmly put his pen down and silently watched his fuming colleague.
"So you're just going to sit on your ass while they move Hisoka downstairs?! You're not going to say something to stop them?!" Kurapika's fists were clenched and shaking at his sides. He wanted to hit something.
Leo's voice was composed. "What could I say?"
And Kurapika threw his hands in the air. "Oh I don't know! That Hisoka isn't a FUCKIN' psychopath! That he doesn't deserve to be caged up like some wild animal! That he actually cares about people other than himself!" He slammed his fist down on the brunette's desk, knocking over a few things. "You didn't even try! Instead you attacked him like just like everyone else did!"
The lanky doctor quietly stood up and moved beside the blonde. "Kurapika…" He felt his heart break for his friend.
Angry tears threatened to form but Kurapika shook his head and forced them away. "He is your fuckin friend!" He cried. "How can you sit with him every day for three months and not feel anything!"
Kurapika slammed his fist down once more. "How can you share, laugh, and cry with someone and then act like it never happened?!"
Leo said nothing. He didn't need to.
"What the hell is wrong with you!?" This time he was unsure if he was talking to Leorio, Hisoka, or himself. "What's wrong with you?!"
"Kurapika…"
But the blonde wasn't listening. His eyes darted around the room as if the answer to his problem was hiding here somewhere. "Maybe it wasn't him." He tried to desperately think of excuses. "Maybe it was someone who looked like him."
Leo stayed silent as he watched Kurapika's mind work.
No. It was him. Kurapika knew it was him. He'd recognize Hisoka anywhere.
The young doctor covered his face in anguish and groaned. He felt dizzy. He was miserable and angry. He was angry at Chrollo for finding the video, he was angry and Leorio for just standing there and letting it happen, he was angry at the other doctors for all their judgments, he was angry at Hisoka for doing what he did! But most of all… he was angry at himself for being so stupid!
What the fuck happened to cold and calculating?! How did he become this emotional sack of shit that suddenly started to care for people?! What the fuck was wrong with him!?
Leo reached out to touch Kurapika but the blonde pulled away.
Gone was the laughter. Gone was the friendship. Gone was the need to connect and be happy with his new companions.
This was all his fault. He should have never allowed it to get this far. He should have never allowed himself to be so weak and exposed around another person.
He was impersonal, just as he was before he ever saw Hisoka's lifeless body lying in the road. This was who he was. This was who he was supposed to be.
"I'm sorry." Kurapika's voice was dull as he withdrew from his once friend. His broken heart ached in his chest but he didn't care. He thrived on pain. It's how he was meant to live. In constant, unyielding agony. "I shouldn't have barged in here like this." He moved to the door.
"Kurapika…" Leorio took a step forward. He wanted to offer some comforting words. He wanted to make everything go back to the way it used to be. He wanted to. But he knew it wasn't that easy.
"I have to go." Kurapika mumbled as he stepped out the door. "I have a new patient I need to prepare for."
And then he was gone.
"Goodbye, Kurapika…" Leo sighed as he sat back in his chair.
Gone was the laughter.
Gone was the joy.
Gone was Kurapika…
Kurapika got the call a few hours later that his new patient was ready for him. He slipped on his white lab coat and grabbed his clipboard.
As the young blonde made his way downstairs, he looked over Hisoka's file although he didn't need to. All the information was already tucked away in his mind.
Name: Hisoka
Age: Estimated somewhere in his mid to late 20s
Sex: Male
Diagnoses: Retrograde amnesia- inability to recall anything before a certain date. Usually the date of the accident or trauma.
Notes: 'Subject has been established as dangerous. His strength has been measured to be above average so it is required that he stay locked in maximum security until further notice.
He is extremely unpredictable. Proceed with caution.'
Kurapika stood in front of the bulletproof glass barrier that caged the redhead. He noticed that unlike his other patients, Hisoka's wrists were clasped in thick iron chains. Most likely because of his strength. He was too dangerous to be unbound.
The doctor knew Hisoka could sense him nearby. He could feel the redhead's confusion and anger even through these thick walls.
"Kurapika." Hisoka breathed out the name without looking up. He had a small bruise on his cheek.
Kurapika sat down and pulled out his pen. "Good afternoon Hisoka." His voice was light and smooth, as it was with all his patients. "As you know, my name is Kurapika Kurta. I'll be your doctor today."
Author's Note: I was going to stop after the 'secret garden' scene but I just really wanted write the whole thing with Chrollo before the chapter ended. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS CHAPTER SINCE HISOKA'S FIRST DAY AT THE HOSPTIAL! Lol. The next few chapters are some of my FAVORITES so I hope you guys like them too!
Until next time!