Collison and Improvisation
By SMYGO4EVA
"We need to talk."
Kurapika heard those words loud and clear from Leorio, and he couldn't ignore him any longer. Even as the Black Whale was on its way to the Dark Continent, this felt much more urgent.
Kurapika made a beeline for Leorio, through the hallways, past the whispers and murmurs of onlookers, and at the end of the corridor, he stopped just short of the beleaguered doctor.
Seeing each other, under the fluorescent lights above, was like sunlight into a dark cave, and a sign of things to come. No one else was around, but they could never be too careful.
"Leorio, can we talk in private?" Kurapika asked. Leorio nodded wordlessly, and they both went into one of the nearest rooms, shutting the door behind them.
"Whatever it is that you think you're accomplishing, stop, before you get yourself in more trouble." Leorio replied, a severity in his voice Kurapika had only heard once before, but never thought he would hear again.
"You don't need to protect me, I'm handling things just fine on my own." Kurapika replied, bitterly, looking away from Leorio's cold, piercing stare. "I'm going to do what I have to, this is the only way."
"It's not the only way, Kurapika, and you know that." Leorio retorted, his hands clenching at his sides. "You're doing what you think is right, and this will only hurt you ion the long run. I can't let you destroy yourself, I just can't."
"I told you, I have to do this." said Kurapika.
"Why?"
"You know why, Leorio."
"The Phantom Troupe, that's right, and now one of the princes has the remaining Scarlet Eyes."
"Yes, I cannot let them go unpunished."
"It doesn't mean you have to push everyone away. We're only trying to help you, hell, I'm trying to help you, you idiot!"
Kurapika raised his head to meet Leorio's, his eyes burning red, his whole form shaking. "I know that. I can feel that, but if I don't do this, I'll never live with myself! Don't you get that, Leorio?!"
Leorio bristled, and then placed his hands on Kurapika's shoulders, pulling him in so that their eyes would meet. "I get that, but I can't let you destroy yourself, and you want to know why?"
"Then tell me why!?"
"Because I care about you, okay?!" Leorio yelled out, and then he fell silent.
Kurapika stilled.
A hush fell over them, the only sounds the ocean waves crashing outside the ship.
Kurapika blinked, and his eyes stopped burning. He looked down, with Leorio's hands still on his shoulders, but he looked back up again.
"You do?" He replied, his voice wavering, almost as if he was too afraid to speak up.
Too afraid of the truth.
Leorio took a deep breath and his gaze softened. "I do."
A breath…
Kurapika then took one of Leorio's hands from his shoulder, and he entwined their fingers together.
If only for this very moment, there was nothing needed to be said.
