DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HXH

BETA: Aesclapia

Chapter 28: A Good Night.

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Kuroro froze, astounded, as Kurapika's lips pressed against his.

His mind went blank the moment Kurapika leaned closer towards him; he could feel his nervousness as if it was his own. He could sense his tension, his muscles stiff as he tried so hard to remain calm at their proximity, and it was so obvious how much he was forcing himself to do this first move.

He was acting much like the same as before when he stripped his own clothes in front of Kuroro, but there was a small difference this time around. Kurapika was resolute now. Come what may, he knew Kurapika wouldn't run away with his tail between his legs. He might be still afraid and at a loss of how to pull this off, of how to keep calm and attempt to arouse Kuroro, but he was resolved to do this.

Kuroro didn't realize that he was spacing out until Kurapika backed away with a dejected expression on his face.

"I'm just forcing myself again, I guess," Kurapika repressed a sigh. "You don't look like you're in the mood as well. Should we—"

He cut off Kurapika's words by pulling him back and crushing their lips together. Kuroro didn't mean to be forceful, but Kurapika's eyes widened in surprise so he tried to gently nibble at his lips, slowing prying his mouth open to instigate a light yet deeper kiss.

Kuroro went on and languidly closed his eyes, wordlessly beckoning Kurapika to do the same. Moments later, he felt his tense shoulders relax, and Kurapika briefly broke the kiss to breath before brushing his lips back on Kuroro's.

Their kisses turned deeper and deeper as seconds went by, with Kurapika kissing him back, one of his hands cupping Kuroro's cheek. Kuroro held onto that wrist and let his palm slid down to his elbow all the way to the hem of Kurapika's shirt. He kept the kiss going despite that flinch Kurapika involuntarily made, and cautiously proceeded to remove his coat. Kurapika compliantly shrugged it off and let Kuroro pull it down from his arms.

Panting, Kurapika moved away and stared at him for a while. He was catching his breath and gathering courage so Kuroro fixed him a reassuring gaze and let him take his time.

Kuroro wasn't surprised at Kurapika's next move: he reached for the hem of Kuroro's top and pulled it up. Kuroro raised his arms to make it easier for the boy to remove it. Kurapika dropped it to a side then lunged for another kiss, this time free of hesitance, arms wrapped around his neck. Kuroro anticipated the kiss and angled his face for an easier access.

The Kuruta's nervousness seemed to be slowly fading away, his lips moving in eagerness to keep up with the scorching kiss. Kuroro slipped both of his hands under his shirt to caress the skin beneath it. Kurapika shuddered but that was all he did.

Tired and breathless from the sloppy kissing, they breathed deeply and looked at each other in the eyes, lips wet, reddening and slightly open.

Kuroro was relieved to see that the boy was now calmer and relaxed; slowing things down really did the trick to dispel Kurapika's nervousness. Those scarlet eyes were now focused, the pain and anxiety of earlier was somehow gone, and they looked straight at Kuroro. Ah, he really liked those eyes, especially when they were valiantly looking right at him.

As if he had all the time in the world, he lazily unbuttoned Kurapika's shirt, bit by bit exposing his skin, all the while watching out for his reactions. Kurapika was unmoving and silent even when Kuroro closed in and buried his face on the nook of his neck.

He nibbled at the exposed skin and snaked his arm around Kurapika for an embrace, feeling the warmth of his body and how he stiffened at the contact. He had figured this much; of course he still had a long way to go to make Kurapika comfortable with his touches, but he wouldn't do the same mistake twice and rush this like before. Now that he had Kurapika's formal consent, he would use it wisely and do his best to gain his trust and tolerance no matter how gruelingly long it would take.

He wasn't certain if it was due to alcohol, he was damn sure he was pretty sober but for some reason he lost his usual proficiency at exploring Kurapika's body. He had all the steps memorized in his head, yet he was at a loss of how to execute them. He couldn't follow the rule book nor go along his instinctive carnal drive for they wouldn't help him make Kurapika feel... safe in his arms. Yes, that was his objective tonight: he might not be able to overwrite the traumatic things he had done to him, but at least he could show Kurapika how sorry he was, and that he was willing to make up to him.

He suddenly didn't know where to touch first. His palms aimlessly caressed the boy's torso then rested on his sides. There were ideas that popped in his head, but he was hesitant to do them for they would be uncharacteristic behaviors from him, and he was worried that it may raise confusion from Kurapika. However, he was decisive to do one clear thing: he would make him feel really good the right way. He would try to lift that fear that he instilled in hopes to retrieve that sliver of understanding they somehow built. It wouldn't change the fact that they were still enemies, wouldn't erase the unforgivable things he had done, but at least he could make these exchanges easier to handle for the Kuruta. He might be a merciless monster, but he wouldn't mind practicing how to treat someone right, at least with Kurapika, for the good of both of them.

Ah, maybe he wasn't as sober as he was assuming to be, having this kind of thought in his mind like this.

He was pulled out of his musings when a gentle hand softly ruffled his hair. Kurapika's fingernails ran pleasantly against his scalp, sending chills down his spine.

Kuroro was always mindful of Kurapika's dislike of being marked, especially at somewhere visible, so he never focused on sucking at a particular spot and only left trails of warm kisses along his neck to the collarbone. As he moved closer to his chest, Kurapika briefly shifted.. and parted his legs to give way for him to get closer.

Kurapika was submitting himself with his head held high. He arched his back a bit with a shy yet resentful look in his eyes, but Kuroro could see that courageous willingness emanating from him. This was supposed to excite him so much, but he became conflicted even more with how he should help himself with the offered treat. One wrong move and he would ruin everything, thus he had to tread on carefully.

Weirdly enough, there wasn't an ounce of ferocious thirst in him to ravage and make an utter mess out of this boy tonight, and holding back was manageable. But the desire was certainly there, looming and pleasant but wasn't hasty or hungry.

He opted for a softer approach: he captured Kurapika's lips again for a sweet kiss and wrapped his arm at the small of his back. Kurapika held onto his shoulders and returned the kiss, and only when he relaxed did Kuroro carefully pulled him up, bringing him to his lap.

Kurapika cooperatively straddled on his lap and settled there, a calm and unwavering look glinted in his eyes. Kuroro then realized that this night was unlike the first sessions they had before. It was... special, for the lack of an exact term, with so much light touches, gazes and kisses they shared, and he supposed they shouldn't do this in the living room tonight.

Without warning, he sprawled his legs and got on his feet with Kurapika still in his arms. This had the boy cling to him with a retort.

"H-Hey, put me down. I can walk on my own."

"You'll fall if you keep squirming like that," he responded in a lighter voice than the usual. "Hold on; we'll be there shortly."

Kuroro expected more resistance but heard none; he was even caught off-guard when Kurapika draped his arms around his neck for a more secure hold, snuggling and seemingly hiding his face as he nuzzled to him.

Kurapika would never do such a thing normally, so he must be very drunk. Kuroro judged he really should make the most of it and stole a stealthy kiss from his forehead before burying his face on those blond locks.

Kuroro sauntered towards the bedroom, wondering why he was this inclined to act this affectionate to Kurapika. Kurapika might be wondering about the same thing but chose not to comment, letting things unfold on their own.

As they reached the door, Kuroro adjusted his hold to grab the knob when Kurapika beat him to it and opened the door for them. Kuroro stepped inside and was about to put Kurapika on the bed when he heard him mumble, "Let me close the door."

"Ah, yeah. I forgot," Kuroro didn't, just that he thought leaving it open or not wouldn't matter since they were all alone in the condo. But if that would make Kurapika a little less anxious, he would even gladly double lock it.

He padded to the door and pressed Kurapika's back against it, then Kuroro found it tempting to see Kurapika leaning on the door while in his arms, wearing such drunk yet adorable face. He was blushing, either from the alcohol or from the way Kuroro fondly gazed at him. He kind of looked dazed, but then he frowned when Kuroro's stare persisted.

"I can't remember if you ever cornered me against a wall like this, so I understand if you find this sexy but we won't go anywhere if you just stare. J-Just help yourself. I don't want to hear you whining about missing this chance tomorrow."

"Understood," damn it, that talk was sexier than the position itself. He delved in excitedly and once again stole those lips for a fiery kiss with Kurapika's head against the door, all cornered and held captive in Kuroro's arms.

Kuroro's breath turned ragged, with occasional moans now and then, just like Kurapika's. Not that this set up wasn't enticing, but he just couldn't hold this back anymore. He wanted his hands all over Kurapika now, wanted more of those moans and grunts. He wanted to take all what he had missed, and he swore to please Kurapika into oblivion in return.

At the sight of the boy almost boneless and thoroughly aroused, Kuroro brought him to the bed and hovered above him, eyes roving all over Kurapika's disheveled features. Eyes puffy, cheeks so red, wet lips with hair fanned out, he just looked so delectable and ready. Those scarlet eyes with their color not so vivid yet but flickering with anticipation mixed with nervousness almost screaming 'do it' had Kuroro's knees buckle. How he badly wanted to obey them was driving him nuts, but he was resolute to take this safely slow.

He bent down for another kiss then aimed for one of his nipples. He missed that rough sensation against his tongue, so was Kurapika's gasps and protests of 'stop doing it'. He did hear the gasps, accompanied with moans, but the complains never came.

Kurapika squirmed when he pinched the other nipple with his fingers. He arched his back, which beckoned Kuroro to move both his fingers and tongue faster, until Kurapika was panting with the back of his hand covering his mouth.

He blindly reached for Kurapika's dress pants; the boy lifted his hips to help him. Kuroro hurriedly stripped his own pants and let them fall down the edge of the bed.

They were both already rock hard, and they barely started. He ran a hand along Kurapika's torso up to his chin and there, he brushed the back of his fingers as if wiping away the remaining dried tears.

He couldn't help but just admire Kurapika's looks. His face was really easy on the eyes and despite being androgynous, his demeanor and voice had a manly ring to it. He had a delicate frame of a young man, yet strong and tout personality. Kuroro wasn't really aware of his type, but Kurapika was giving him good ideas now.

He meant to retract his hand and move on with caressing some more skin when Kurapika hesitantly grabbed it. The way those fingers slid across his startled Kuroro, but he would admit that he wouldn't forget the shock he felt when Kurapika brought his hand close to his lips, and with eyes fluttering close, he kissed Kuroro's palm, licked his fingers then suckled at their tips.

Kuroro knew they set their contract anew, but that wasn't a sufficient cause for Kurapika to act this way on his own accord. He might if Kuroro commanded, or purposely shoved his finger into his mouth, but not voluntarily like this. Just how much the vodka and beer fusion did to Kurapika for him to be this willing?

Kurapika focused on his index finger, rolling his tongue against it with occasional suckling. Kuroro pushed it deeper in his mouth, and Kurapika cracked his eyes open a bit, perhaps taking in his reaction.

When he looked like he had his fill, Kuroro withdrew his hand and sealed their lips once more. More than getting seduced, Kurapika's act left him confused. Was he that drunk, or did something happen that changed him to be this forward?

When he pulled back, that dejected expression was back on Kurapika's face again.

"I... I am getting a feeling that you're not really in the mood. Should you be really excited, you should have been ramming against me by now. Maybe we are too drunk to do this? Should we just try again some other time?"

"No," he promptly declined. Damn it; his intention of taking things slow in consideration for Kurapika seemed to have backfired. Kuroro panicked a bit. He thought he dampened the building mood, but realized he could keep his cool if he would just be honest with himself. "I insist. I'd really like to make up to you... for that terrible night. May I..." he had been meaning to ask this from the start, just that he didn't know how to phrase it so that it wouldn't sound nasty or teasing. But perhaps he should just go along with his heart tonight. "May I make love to you tonight?"

As expected, Kurapika's eyes widened in shock at his phrasing. He even anticipated for sarcastic and annoyed replies such as 'You're just asking me now that you're already on top of me?' and 'Cut it out. Just do what you want, it's not like I have a choice,' but none came.

Instead, his expression softened ever so slightly, and in a barely whisper, Kurapika answered with a hint of a tiny smile on his lips.

"Okay."

The invisible knot in his chest finally loosened, and Kuroro belatedly found how tense he was. A surge of relief washed over him. He couldn't understand how that simple, single word had such effect on him; he only knew it felt pleasant to his ears. His confidence returned, realizing that he didn't have to hold back at all.

Then it clicked.

Kurapika was doing his best right now, despite his difficulty, and it would be outright insulting not to do the same. He didn't deserve his half-ass concern, and Kuroro better pull off his performance tonight to match his pace.

He shook off his hesitance and greedily captured Kurapika's lips into a claiming, scorching kiss. Kurapika cupped his chin, fingers slipping up behind his ear in encouragement. When the kiss broke, Kuroro hoisted Kurapika's legs up, parting them and exposing his behind even more. Kurapika let out a startled 'ah!' but didn't raise any objection. His face practically parodied a tomato for how flustered he was, perhaps for feeling so exposed and open like that, but instead of covering it with his hands and recoiling... he brought his hands up and slipped them behind his knees, relieving Kuroro of his task to hold them to maintain the position.

It was official: they were both drunk and very out of it tonight.

This willingness of Kurapika was taking Kuroro into new heights, coaxing him not to disappoint the Kuruta so he wasted no time and stroked the hardened flesh before him. He remembered that bottle of lubricant he kept inside the drawer of the bedside table to be used in times like this, and reached backwards to open the said drawer, blindly rummaged inside it and pulled out the familiar bottle containing transparent liquid.

Kurapika watched as he worked on to lather some oil on his fingers and along Kurapika's length. Kurapika pursed his lips, but Kuroro still caught that repressed whimper when he started stroking, his other hand began to move too and intruded that ring of muscle. He slipped one finger in, Kurapika screwed his eyes shut and heaved a deep breath.

Building up his pace, Kuroro stroked the twitching member faster, stealthily inserting another finger as he did so. This had Kurapika's eyes and mouth open, his back arched, and he let go of his leg to cover the little scream that almost escaped his lips with his hand.

In spite of that, Kuroro could tell that Kurapika was letting himself get lost in the pleasure, his eyes were loosely closed with his head turned to a side, a sign that he was being passive, just feeling every touch Kuroro's hands and fingers did.

He simultaneously worked on loosening and fondling Kurapika's sensitive spots and watched as the boy pressed the back of his fingers against his lips, holding back the hitched breath and silent whimpers. As he heard the sounds grow, he heightened the strokes and saw him squirm in ecstasy, one hand gripping on the covers with his mouth a bit open to let out a raspy breath. It was such a view to behold; he wondered if Kurapika ever knew how sexy and cute he was despite being seen from such lewd angle. He didn't really get why but compared to when he put him on the very same position back then at Meniandro's, he wasn't as desirable as he was now.

No, that statement was incorrect.

He liked it better when Kurapika felt good despite all the ruckus and banters they had than when seeing him frozen in fear. He would rather have the name calling and vehement curses than see that despondent look in his eyes. He would choose a grumpy and short tempered, but gutsy and fearless Kurapika any day.

Some more of the deft touches of his hands and Kurapika finally came with a shuddered moan, panting at the wake of his climax. His thick seeds spurted forth and dripped down his stomach. Kuroro stared at him as he regained his senses, waiting for him to even out his breathing when he was caught off-guard again at Kurapika's sudden movement.

He pushed himself up and sat upright, and before Kuroro could think or do anything, Kurapika pressed forward and swiftly locked their lips together. He weighted down on him and Kuroro was forced to lie on his back, with Kurapika on top of him, between his parted legs.

Kurapika went on with the kissing; Kuroro noticed that he somewhat improved for there was lesser teeth and more of the tongue in action. One of his hands found its way to stroke his hair while the other grabbed Kuroro's hand. Kurapika brought that hand over his own head, and Kuroro didn't need any further instruction as to what Kurapika wanted him to do.

He gently patted him on the head then cradled it; this was the first time he ever did something as sweet as this, and Kuroro made a mental note at the back of his mind to do it again next time, or maybe whenever he had a chance. His other hand rubbed at Kurapika's back and it rested just an inch closer to his rear.

This... was the first time Kuroro got so breathless, drowned in back-to-back deep kisses like this. They never did something so overwhelmingly wild yet fervent like this before. It was strange. Kuroro was damn sure he wasn't new to this kind of proximity, certainly not with Kurapika, but he felt so... close to him. So close that he became a bit conscious of his own nakedness. Questions abruptly flooded his mind. Was he kissing him right? Were his hands on awkward places? Did he want to hug this smaller frame in his arms? Should he? Was he allowed? How much of the exposed skin could he explore?

Finally, before Kuroro completely lost control, Kurapika pulled away.

"Hey..." Kuroro called out, eyeing the boy as he sat again, still between his legs. Kurapika's hands ran along his torso and stopped right above his stomach. He peered at his crotch, unmistakably at his throbbing and hard manhood, then heavily sighed.

"I'm going to mess this up, for sure."

Kurapika's plan instantaneously dawned to Kuroro, but before he could stop him, the boy held his length, ran his fingers along it... and lowered his head to put it in his mouth.

Kuroro froze, paralyzed and shocked beyond compare as the heavenly warmth of Kurapika's mouth registered. His face was hidden by the curtain of his hair, but Kuroro could glimpse how the tip of his length went in and out of his lips, his hands pumped its shaft in synch to bring in pleasure.

He was... doing a bad job. His teeth scraped from time to time, and he choked a bit when he attempted to push it deeper into his throat, but Kuroro didn't care.

Kurapika could mess up this whole night all he wanted— no complains.

"Kurapika," he lightly pronounced his name. At that, Kurapika straightened up and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He seemed to know that he sucked at it and was embarrassed.

"Give me some slack— this is my first time... whoa!" Kurapika yelped in surprise when Kuroro got up and switched their position, him hovering above Kurapika again.

"Let me take it from here," Kuroro declared. "You've had your turn, so just sit back now."

"... It'll be easier to just admit that I'm terrible at this, you know," Kurapika rasped out, squirming underneath him.

"That may be, but I ought to admit that I like it better when you're at my mercy like this," Kurapika eyed him incredulously, face beet red at his choice of words, then Kuroro took the chance to guide his length and intrude the puckered hole, his hips doing a careful thrust.

"Hngh!" Kurapika let out a groan and moaned through gritted teeth. He didn't look away and met Kuroro eye to eye. With an audible breath, Kuroro took his time to get used with the tightness and slowly swayed his hips one more time, earning another throaty groan from the boy.

Kurapika winced in pain as he sped a little, breathing in through his mouth then exhaling slowly to keep his voice at bay. He would freely let out a moan for Kuroro to hear now and then. He loosely looped his arms around Kuroro, arched his back at some deep, penetrating thrusts, and did nothing to hide how much he was enjoying the act.

Kuroro milked every moment of it, and before he knew it, he was getting carried away, too. Their bodies tangled so close, huffs of breath mixing together, the tight and hot feeling inside Kurapika almost brought him to climax. The wave of pleasure from the friction of their skins rubbing each other, how Kurapika's inside moulded around him felt just right. He wanted more; wanted more of the heat and Kurapika's absent-minded touches. He sped up a bit more and it warranted louder moans from Kurapika.

"Does it hurt?" Kuroro asked in the heat of their passion, his remaining reason identifying that small difference between luscious moans and whines of pain Kurapika created.

"N-No..." Kurapika denied, eyes unfocused and voice quivering. "It... It feels good. Just keep it up."

Kuroro was astounded beyond words. This was the very, very first time Kurapika openly praised his work, openly granted him consent albeit in a drunken, silent voice, without the usual retort, without reading his concern as an insult. The words played in repeat in his mind, with the way Kurapika delivered it in a shy whisper. At one point Kuroro thought he might just be faking it as to abide to their contract's revision, but he could feel that what Kurapika said was true. He knew, he could see and feel it, that he was really pleased at the moment, and compared to his pleas to stop, cries of pain and teary eyes from hurt and humiliation from before, this was much, much more rewarding.

Kuroro completely got rid every tension and hesitation in him and let the desire take over. This time, he was sure Kurapika wouldn't break even if he went all out, not with that tough heart of his.

But his heart sank, he instantly stopped moving when he heard a silent sob and saw red tears brimming in Kurapika's eyes, threatening to drip down should he blink. His face wasn't contorted in pain or agony; he just peered meaningfully at Kuroro, let his gaze linger about him as if assessing the man in front of him.

Kuroro meant to ask him what was wrong... but his body did an entirely different response.

He hovered atop of the boy, took his hand then pressed his lips against his knuckles. He expected Kurapika to take his hand back, creeped out by this weird, gentleman behavior, but it surprised the hell out of him when Kurapika brought that hand closer to his face. He swiped a bead of sweat on the side of his eye, then tucked a stray strand of hair behind Kuroro's ear.

Kuroro idly thought that while he was the one at fault for Kurapika hurting this much, it was him who was getting rewards. He wished Kurapika would just give him the cold shoulder like usual, but at the same time he was relieved that despite being engaged in this act that he truly despised, Kurapika wasn't pushing him away.

He then questioned himself, doubted if this was okay, him violating Kurapika again now that he was weak and vulnerable. He would care less about these stuffs on a regular basis. Perhaps the vodka and beer fusion was a bad mix, after all.

He bended down to Kurapika and kissed him, so smooth and natural, then moved his hips again. He hoped this would reassure the boy that this wasn't like that night. It wasn't forced, wasn't empty and cruel. That Kuroro learned his lesson, too. That he was really, really sorry, and he swore he wouldn't do it ever again.

Heh. Kuroro knew Kurapika couldn't possible fathom that that was what he wanted to say, and the words were considerably easy to convey, but Kuroro couldn't bring himself to open his mouth. He couldn't speak the magic words to tame the Kuruta, because he felt the magic would work better if he let his body do the talking.

And shortly enough, in spite of the lack of force due to their bodies closely tangled together, Kuroro came and grunted, spilling his plentiful release inside Kurapika, hips still moving in the wake of his climax.

Catching his breath after his series of moans and heavy panting as Kuroro rammed faster against him, Kurapika tiredly slumped on the bed, Kuroro even felt as his legs loosely fell on his sides. Kurapika went still for a while, dazed and mind seemingly occupied.

Kuroro removed himself from the boy and pulled out his spent length, giving Kurapika some space to collect himself. But he didn't move away; he just laid down on the bed, next to him, staring at the ceiling.

"That was..." Kurapika murmured some moments later.

"... Good." Kuroro supplied, knowing how stubborn Kurapika was and that he would never voice out such thing.

"Mmm."

"Maybe you're right. We're too drunk for this. Already exhausted from that one round."

"Told you."

"... Go on, catch some sleep. You're dozing off already."

"Fine," Kurapika curled up... towards him. Kuroro couldn't see his face and Kurapika didn't actually cuddled up with him, but he was facing his way. He gave a contented sigh then sleepily mumbled. "Let's go for another one later, if we can."

And with that, Kurapika drifted to sleep, without even putting any cover on his half-naked body. Kuroro was left there, wide awake, amused and disbelieving his ears. Kurapika requesting for another go? Kuroro must have unconsciously gone to sleep if he was having this kind of elusive dream.

Dream or not, he decided to just tug at the folded blanket at the foot of the bed, covered their nakedness and reached for the light on the bedside table to turn it off, one hand playfully rested right above Kurapika's side as he deeply fell asleep, too.

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P.S.: ... What? You don't expect me to hold back after abstaining from writing proper smut for these two, do you? And ugh, it was hard to write a heartfelt bed scene from a 'heartless' person's POV, even when using the 'drunk' element, but I insisted on it because 'it is necessary and don't run away and slack off just because the writing style and atmosphere is different from the usual stuff you write, bitch.'