Author's Notes:

PAIRINGS: Leorio/Kurapika (Leopika); Killua/Gon (Killugon)

RATING: Mature

NOTE: This is an anniversary gift for applecidrdonut. Check the fully updated version on Archive of Our Own (AO3 username: lemonpika).

Chapter 2: Nothing face in the darkness of the cinema

Judging solely from its exterior, this is the swankiest bar Leorio has ever seen. He never strays far from the precious few watering holes in the clinic's vicinity, so he has no idea what to expect from a location as fancy as this. Will he be able to get in? The line beginning at the bar's door stretches around the block even though this is the dead center of the city's entertainment district.

Amidst all the laughter and chatter around him, a familiar voice reaches his spot in the line. "Leorio, I apologize for my tardiness."

He beams instantly at the sight of his date. "You're not late! I'm just freakishly early!"

Kurapika's wearing an impeccably-ironed shirt underneath their usual jacket, while beads of moisture glisten in their golden hair. Have they just emerged from the shower? That most likely means they reside somewhere nearby. The rental rates in this area must be astronomical!

"Come on," Kurapika mutters, "I direly need a drink."

Their gloved fingers close around Leorio's wrist to extract him from the line. Together, they march right up to the entrance. One look at Kurapika and the bouncer unhooks the chain barrier to let them both through.

Leorio lets himself be dragged along as Kurapika easily navigates through the crowd of careening, inebriated bodies on the dance floor. In a flash, they've reached the counter. Not even five seconds later, the occupants of the two nearest barstools mysteriously vanish. Leorio and Kurapika claim the only two available seats.

Without a word, the bartender slides a dirty martini toward Kurapika, who downs the drink in a single swallow. They signal for a refill, then turn toward Leorio.

"What are you having?" Kurapika asks.

"Ah, um, a whiskey on the rocks."

"That suits your personality to a tee. No fluff, no frills." Kurapika faces the bartender again. "Heard that?"

"Yes, Boss." The bartender pours their drinks and serves them. "On the house. Enjoy your night."

Before Leorio can express his gratitude, the bartender sidles away to attend to a couple of new arrivals.

Leorio takes a sip of whiskey to steady his nerves. This night hasn't gone the way he envisioned at all. As he was waiting in line, he imagined gallantly escorting Kurapika through the doorway. Warding off any errant elbows or stomping feet in the bar's interior. Screaming through the clamor by the counter to score Kurapika their preferred cocktail, complete with a tiny tropical umbrella.

Kurapika is lighting up a rose-colored cigarette with a matchstick. They ignite a second smoke and pass it to Leorio upon his request.

He's been curious for a while now about Kurapika's distinctive choice of cigarettes. Blended with the usual bitterness of tobacco is a pleasant floral fragrance. "So you're the boss, huh?" Leorio says between puffs. "Are you the owner of this establishment? That would explain the bouncer's behavior earlier."

"I'm not, but the owner's a longstanding associate of mine. This is simply one of my preferred places to close deals. There are private rooms on the second floor that are perfect for the purpose."

"You do deals upstairs? What kinda deals? If it's okay to ask."

"I'm not the kingpin of a top secret narcotics empire, if that's what you're wondering. I'm a —" Kurapika's gaze wanders over the array of bottles behind the counter as they search for the appropriate word. "A businessperson. Let's put it that way. My business primarily involves casinos."

"Oh. That's cool. I play pachinko sometimes."

"I've never gambled at all. Compulsive gamblers are nothing but slaves to the luck of the draw. I can't imagine living like that. There aren't many situations where I willingly surrender control."

Leorio nods. "I can see how you ended up as the boss, then. There's no one who can tell you what to do when you're at the top."

As Kurapika sucks on their cigarette, their other hand fiddles with the gem of their earring. Pink and prismic. "Aren't you the same way? You own and operate your own clinic, so you're your own boss."

"Eh, I mostly decided to open up a solo practice instead of working my whole life in a hospital so I could dictate my own hours. In other words, I'm lazy."

"That's the last word I'd use to describe you, Leorio. Even when you're officially off work, you're patching up every wounded creature you can find. You're not lazy — you're kind. Compassionate. Dedicated."

If Kurapika goes on rattling off every positive adjective in the dictionary, Leorio's brain will combust from the praise. He dabs out his cigarette and jabs his index finger toward Kurapika. Since he's using the hand that's grasping his glass, some whiskey slops down the counter. "Speaking of dedication, you're not overworking yourself at your business, are you? I mean, you literally dozed off in the middle of the road! What if I wasn't there that day? You could've killed yourself!"

"There was hardly any traffic then. I doubt that I was ever in any real danger."

"You were lucky that day, but you won't always be! I'm officially prescribing you with a better sleep schedule! At least eight hours per night! Don't even think about defying Doctor Paladiknight's orders!"

Kurapika's expression remains mild even as Leorio is ranting and raving at them. "If nothing else, that moment on the road was a sign. I'm realizing that I need to make certain changes, especially to the company I keep. Or lack thereof." They glance down at their second glass, which is almost empty. The alcohol must be diffusing through their system, painting their cheeks the pink of petals. "You're right — you essentially saved my life. I still need to repay you for that."

"You did thank me that day. More than once."

"So I did, but gratitude isn't repayment. Is there anything you want from me?"

Should he say it? Does he dare?

"A kiss," Leorio gruffly declares.

This response makes Kurapika smile. Shit, is this the first time Leorio has ever seen them smile? They're even more exquisite with their face lit up like this, if that's even humanly possible.

"I would've kissed you tonight, even without such an impetus," Kurapika murmurs.

Kurapika drains their glass, puts out their cigarette, then leans deliberately toward Leorio.

His heart jackhammers. They're going to kiss here? In full view of everyone within eyeshot? When their lips are only an inch apart, he yelps, "Wait! I've changed my mind!"

Kurapika backs off at once. "I've made you uncomfortable. I sincerely apologize."

"I wasn't stopping you 'cause I'm shy!" Leorio exclaims. "I just wanted to renegotiate!"

"Renegotiate? State your terms, then."

"Listen up. Your life's worth way more than a measly kiss. How can you call yourself a businessperson if you're underselling yourself like this? So I'm thinking two kisses would be commensurate. No, three. Or maybe te —"

Kurapika snatches Leorio by the necktie and crushes their lips together, shutting him up.

"You didn't even score their email address? Dude, you're a total booty call!"

Alluka's big brother, who's perched on top of the receptionist's desk in the waiting room, cackles cruelly at Leorio's plight.

"Shut up, Killua! It's not like that between me and Kurapika! If they only wanted me for my body, then we would've gone home together. But we didn't. We had a nice date. Nothing more, nothing less."

Killua digs into the box wedged between his thighs and tosses back a fistful of chocolate balls. "This is all strategy on their part. The longer they hide the goods from you, the better the payoff in the end. By the time you both fall into bed, you'll be so pent-up you'll promptly rearrange their guts."

"Gross!" Alluka interjects behind the desk. "You sound like Big Brother Milluki whenever he assumes he's alone talking to his figurines!"

Killua's tone goes abruptly gentle upon addressing his sister, as it always does. "As disgusting as it sounds, Alluka, this is all an essential part of life. Without the birds and the bees, we wouldn't even exist." Turning toward Leorio, he says, "Tell me this. Was it really a date?"

"Huh? How can it not be one? I asked Kurapika out on a date, and they accepted."

"They said that? They explicitly agreed to date you?" When Leorio can't answer this question affirmatively, Killua gives a knowing nod. "If they didn't give you a definitive yes, chances are they're keeping their options open." He jumps off the desk and tosses the empty box of chocolates toward the trash can next to the sofa. It whistles in — a perfect shot. "You just met up for drinks. You didn't even have dinner together."

Leorio crosses his arms over his chest. "So? Who cares about dinner?"

"So maybe don't get your hopes up that this will be anything more than a fling. But that wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, right? You haven't taken a girl home even once since you've been single. So just enjoy this for what it is."

Damn right Leorio's going to enjoy the sex if it happens. Last night's slumber was filled with fragmented imagery featuring that familiar blond. Frustratingly, every fantasy bled into the next just before the money shot. Because his dreams blue-balled him, he wanked himself to completion the moment he woke up. He then had to dump his soiled blankets and sheets into the washing machine. Just another depressing morning of the single life.

But is Killua right about this? Is sex really everything Leorio and Kurapika are meant for? Why can't they do more, be more?

When Leorio stays brooding in silence, Killua continues, "Look, I talk a load of bullshit, but I do care about you, you know? You're one of my best friends on earth. I don't like seeing you hurt. Or beating yourself up again for someone who just isn't worth it."

"Make that two of us," Alluka pipes up.

Leorio sighs. "Listen, I appreciate that the two of you are so concerned about me. But Kurapika's worth it. I've got a good feeling about them."

"Well, I hope you're right." Killua rubs his palms together to rid them of any crumbs. "I've got to run. I'm meeting Gon for dinner."

Alluka waves at her favorite brother. "Have fun on your dinner date."

Leorio groans. "Just when I was feeling fondness for you two jokers, you have to go and rub that in."

Hand on the doorknob, Killua swivels around. "Oh, I almost forgot. Are we still hitting the pub Saturday night? My boyfriend isn't much of a drinker, but I can ask him if he cares to tag along."

"Raincheck on that," Leorio replies. "That's when I'm meeting Kurapika again. But I'm down to third-wheel over lunch. How's Sunday for you?"

"Sounds good. Do try to weasel an email address out of your crush this time, Doctor Paladiknight."

Alluka flashes a sneaky smile. "Don't forget their phone number. Or, if nothing else, a last name to aid your futile efforts to stalk them online."

Killua's raucous laughter echoes around the clinic even as the door swings shut behind him.

Argh! Why did Alluka have to air out that Leorio got absolutely no information from Kurapika, save for the time and the place of their next rendezvous? He shoots a death glare at his traitorous assistant, but she's already hiding her face behind the logbook.

The first walk-in patient of the day then makes an entrance, effectively forcing Leorio to relegate all non-work-related matters to the back of his mind, at least until closing time.

When Saturday night arrives, Leorio steers Kurapika away from the intended location and straight toward the nearest restaurant.

"You haven't eaten yet, Leorio? It's already half past nine."

With a loud crack, Leorio yanks apart his wooden chopsticks. "Never too late in the day for a hearty bowl of noodles, I always say!"

"Hmm." Kurapika scans the menu. "I might just get a glass or two of plum wine. I don't have much of an appetite at night."

Kurapika says this, but right after the delayed dinner is over, they invite Leorio into the alleyway behind the restaurant. Back pressed against the wall and arms roped around his neck, Kurapika draws Leorio in for a long and languid kiss. They stay entangled there for many minutes, doing nothing except indulging in their appetites for one another.

"What is this?" Leorio murmurs against Kurapika's throat. "What are we doing?"

Kurapika pries Leorio's lips away from the hickeys he's left — like rosebuds lining the delicate skin of their neck — and pulls him in for the deepest kiss they've shared yet. A hazy part of Leorio's brain worries that he still tastes strongly of noodles. But Kurapika doesn't seem to care. They're sucking eagerly on his bone-broth-flavored tongue, sending blood straight toward his groin.

Reflexively, Leorio's fist bashes against the wall above Kurapika's head. His other hand hitches one of Kurapika's legs against his hip. Perhaps it's the tangible evidence of Leorio's building desire — how can they ignore the hardness jutting between their thighs? — that makes Kurapika decide to pump the brakes.

Kurapika unhooks their arms around Leorio's neck and pushes him away by the chest. "I had such a wonderful time with you tonight. I've got a meeting first thing tomorrow morning, so —"

"Really now, Kurapika? You're gonna use the same excuse as last time? It's Sunday tomorrow! What kinda workaholic, so early on a weekend morning —" Realizing that he's being a total asshole, Leorio cuts himself short. He takes deep breaths to calm down both his heads before speaking again. "Sorry, I'm way outta line. Just 'cause you gave me a few kisses, that doesn't mean I'm entitled to more."

"I do wish I could give you more, Leorio. Believe me, it's torture for me too — ending things prematurely tonight when I've been dying to go all the way with you since the first day we met."

"Are you serious?"

"I'm always serious." Kurapika's voice is soft as their gloved hands pat down the creases they left on Leorio's shirt as they were making out.

Leorio snatches Kurapika's right hand. For a brief moment, there's a bit of resistance, as if Kurapika plans to yank it back. But they don't. They permit Leorio to rub their hand with both of his.

After a few seconds of this, Kurapika wraps both their arms around Leorio's waist and pushes their face against his chest. They remain there, not speaking or doing anything else.

Leorio eventually breaks the silence. "Can I please see you tomorrow? After your meeting and the rest of your responsibilities have wrapped up, of course."

Their voice is muffled against Leorio's shirt. "Yes. Tomorrow. I promise to ring you up as soon as my business is done."

"Kurapika, I know you have all my contact details 'cause I gave you my card, but I don't have your phone number. Or your email address."

They release his body to meet his eyes. "Hand me your phone, and we can change that right now."

The next evening, they meet at the cinema. The theater has half a dozen people at most, so when they both head straight toward the back row, they know without discussing it that they have the same thing in mind.

They haven't even gotten past the previews when Kurapika slides off their seat to settle between Leorio's long legs.

NOTE: The full second chapter is posted on AO3 under the same username. The third and final chapter is exclusively available on AO3.