It has been a long while since Kurapika was able to wear his clan's attire. As his fingertips trailed over the blue and yellow tabard, memories of his childhood came flooding in. This made his heart clench painfully. If only he could go back to those days when everything was so fun, and carefree! It made him wish that he had done more to be a better son with the short amount of time that he had with his parents—to fight harder for Pairo's eyesight to be fixed. But in reality there was nothing he could have done for him. He was just a kid himself! In no way did he have the funds for whatever treatment was needed for that type of medical condition. Talking about him last night was both hard and bittersweet. After so many years have passed by since the incident, he was slowly letting someone else in. Whether or not that was a good thing, he still had no idea. For now he just wanted to believe that the doctor won't stab him in the back.
These clothes were definitely more comfortable than a suit though! Underneath the long tabard was an all-white jumpsuit, and on his feet were a pair of blue Chinese flats. It sure beat having a tie wrapped around his neck, and a blazer that constricted his movements. He did a quick spin around in front of the mirror, enjoying how flowy the bottom part was. The longer he had this on, the more he began to realize just how much he missed it. He remembers making this one, and how much time and effort went into it. This one was by far his favorite one yet! It just shaped his body perfectly. Plus he also liked the colors. But as far as he can remember, he has always worn blue. It's just that you can match a lot with it.
After grabbing a dark red teardrop earring from his dresser, he clasped it into his left ear. This completed his look, and he was quite satisfied with what he saw. 'I feel like a true Kurta again,' he thought with a warm smile. When he noticed that in his reflection, he brought both of his hands up to touch his cheeks. Did he perhaps feel happy right now? He has unintentionally surrounded himself with people who have this effect on him. This isn't what he expected when applying for the job. Ever since coming here, he has not been alone. There is always someone to turn to, whether it be Melody or Leorio- and they would do literally anything for him. Just what can he do for them in return?
He didn't want to lose these special people.
Kurapika turned around, and walked over to where his bed was. It was made for the day—the pillows all placed perfectly on each side, and not a single wrinkle in the covers. On the edge sat a small red bag, zipped closed to keep its contents in. He grabbed a hold of the handle, and lifted it up. It never took much for him to get ready for the day, and this was no different. On the website it says that the zoo should be opening up in about thirty minutes, so they were in no rush here. The animals weren't going anywhere! Plus it is a weekday, so it shouldn't be too busy. He can't even imagine going on the weekend when most adults are off, and the kids don't have school. That would only complicate things for them. He wanted his boss to have the whole experience here, and he can't have that if it is too crowded.
When he made his way over to the door, he reached over to flip the light switch off. It was already bizarre not having to do his butler duties. This was his very first day off, and he didn't know how to feel about it. He had to fight off the urge to wipe something down, or to check on the doctor's future appointments. It was just for today anyways, so it shouldn't be that big of a deal. Sighing, he stepped out and closed it behind him. Maybe this was something he needed as well. Although, being able to unwind in order to have fun might be easier said than done. This must be why he also felt nervous. If he messes this up for his boss, then he will feel really bad about it.
Their rooms are so close to each other, that it only took him a few steps to end up in front of Leorio's door. As soon as he appeared in front of it, he used his free hand to knock loudly. He spread his fingers out while resting it flat against the smooth, painted wood, and leaned forward slightly. "Dr. Paladiknight! May I come in?" Barging in without any warning might not end so well, taking as how he loves to walk around in the nude. He wasn't mentally prepared for that this time. On the other hand, why wouldn't he have any clothes on by now? Having already taken a shower before breakfast, he should be fully dressed. What else would he have been doing these past twenty minutes?
Without even receiving a response first, the door suddenly opened. And what stood on the other side took the blonde's breath away. Leorio was leaned up against the frame, looking like a model who just got ready for his photoshoot! He wore a navy-blue button up shirt, that was tucked into dark black skinny jeans. Of course the first couple of buttons were undone, which came to no surprise. The long sleeves were rolled up halfway, exposing his strong arms and the expensive gold watch he had on his left wrist. Everything on him was just so tight. It made his heart pound against his ribcage. Did he do this on purpose to mess with him? "…."
His eyes were glued in place.
The same could be said for Leorio himself. As soon as he noticed what the blonde was wearing, his face grew exceptionally warm. Between the suits and pajamas, this was by far his most favorite! Not only that, but he also recognizes this as the Kurta clan's attire. When scrolling through those article the other day, he noticed that every single one of them were wearing similar outfits. It was just a matter of the colors, patterns, and lengths of their tabards. This one just suited him so beautifully. And was that an earring in his ear?! 'How can a guy be so pretty? It should be illegal, damn it!' He too, was speechless for the moment as they stared into each other's eyes. It was so easy to get lost in those silver orbs. "…."
Kurapika held up the red bag in his hand, and cleared his throat. Well one of them needed to start the conversation! They can't just gawk at each other all day. "I'm going to fix that black eye of yours. Go find something to sit down on," he instructed quietly. If they go to the zoo with him looking like that, then it will only attract unwanted attention. That, and it might scare whatever kids are there. It was for the best to avoid all of that by hiding it.
This seemed to snap him out of the trance he was in. His chocolate-brown eyes traveled down to what the other was holding, and blinked. What was in there? And what did he mean by fixing his black eye? Here he had just planned on wearing a pair of sunglasses with big lenses. That would have made it difficult for others to see. However, that didn't seem to be a good enough alternative. "Uhh, right! I'll just—" He looked around his room to see where the best spot would be. Finally he decided on the bed, since that was more comfortable and spacious. Once situating himself on the side he usually sleeps on, he clasped his hands together. They just saw each other during breakfast, but oh was he happy to see him again! Plus it was just the two of them now. As much as he likes Melody and her company, he preferred it this way at times.
That was actually a good place for the both of them in order to do this. It was brighter in the bathroom, but then he would have to sit on the toilet of all things. This really was the better option. Upon making his way over there as well, he set the bag down to unzip it. When he flipped the top back, revealing what was inside, he began to dig through it all. "I will need to do this for you until the black and blue bruising around your eye fades completely. No one at your workplace needs to know of this." This will also save him the embarrassment of having to walk around with a black eye in a hospital of all things!
Kurapika pulled out a black beauty sponge, and a bottle of foundation. This shade won't match with his skin tone completely, but it was better than nothing. They weren't too far off from one another. But because of this, he will have to blend things out just right, or else you will really be able to tell. He then took the cap off, and brought it over to the doctor's eye. From there he gave it two small pumps—one on top, and one on the bottom. 'I hate seeing his face like this. His features are very handsome, and this just hinders them. He really didn't need to go so far for me,' he thought.
The cold foundation caused Leorio to flinch a little. Well he didn't know what to expect. It's not like he was informed on the details of this procedure. Also, he has never worn makeup in his entire life. So to have this on his face felt kind of weird to him. A grin appeared on his face. "Does Melody know you went through her things? I'm sure she would have let you borrow some," he teased.
Despite being a butler, and having to go through certain stuff in order to clean and organize them, he has never stolen anything. He pushed the beauty sponge against the under part of his eye, and started blotting around the area to smear the foundation all around. "I would never take what is not mine, Dr. Paladiknight. These are products I bought with my own money," he explained.
That took him off guard. All of this makeup was his?! That just didn't make any sense. What use would he have for all of this? Leorio took in every detail of his silvery eyes, noticing just how long his eyelashes were. Being this close made it possible for him to see everything. There were no imperfections though. His skin care must be fantastic, because there were no scars, blemishes, or acne! "So.. you cross dress then?" He blurted out without thinking first. There was nothing wrong with that. Again, he just wanted to learn more about the guy! It does sort of look like he is wearing a dress.
There was absolutely no filter.
Kurapika huffed, continuing to blend the foundation around his eye. Most of his focus had to go in this specific area, since it wasn't easy covering up such a dark color. "You make it sound like I cross dress on a daily basis, when that isn't the case at all. There were situations where I had to disguise myself as a woman, but I didn't do it willingly. I hated every moment of it, in fact. It was part of the job at the time. I just never got rid of the stuff for it," he shrugged. It definitely messed with his body dysmorphia doing that crap. And that is the main reason why he left that profession. In the end, it just wasn't worth it.
Hearing all of this made Leorio feel curious. What did the he look like in a dress? With long blonde hair flowing down his back, and with lipstick on those perfectly soft lips? But even as he tried to imagine it, for some reason it felt wrong. Was it because in his eyes, he is already considered to be extremely attractive- that he didn't need anything else to enhance the features that are already perfect? That could very well be it. No one else compares to his beauty, and so he didn't need makeup to cover anything. "Oh. It's a good thing you never threw any of it away then, because if so, I would have to deal with looking at all of those cute animals with a black eye!" It would also give people a reason to stare and gossip.
That got him to smile slightly. Kurapika put a dollop of foundation on both of the doctor's cheeks, forehead, chin, and nose next. And using the beauty sponge in his hand, he used that to work it all over his face. It was coming together better than he expected, which made him feel much better about the situation. "Yes. It came in handy this time," he replied. Even if he didn't have the necessary items for this, he would have gotten up earlier to run to the store real quick. So either way it wouldn't have really mattered.
Leorio's gaze softened. 'He's not even on the job right now, and yet he is still doing everything in his power to take care of me.' This made him feel unbelievably happy. It just goes to show how strong their bond has gotten lately. Had he hired someone else to work under him as his butler, this never would have happened. They probably wouldn't have kept him this joyous and entertained. There is a good amount of unique people out there, but none were quite like the blonde. Okay, they weren't even close! To think that he almost lost the opportunity to get to know someone so amazing. He didn't even want to think about it. Maybe they really were meant to meet. Why else would he hire the very first person he interviewed?
"For today, can you.. call me by my first name?" That shouldn't be too much to ask for, right? Today they are leaving behind their titles as doctor and butler, in order to go to the zoo as friends. So he didn't want to be treated as his boss for the time being. Instead he wanted the blonde to feel completely comfortable around him, and not fear that the wrong words or actions will get him in trouble.
Kurapika pulled his hand back, and stared right into his eyes. That was a hefty request right there. He gently grabbed his chin, and tilted his head back just a tiny bit. This was to gain more access to his neck. "Hold still," he instructed. Since he isn't wearing a suit, the white gloves were not necessary. He started to dab the foundation all over his neck, making his way down to his chest. The amount that was currently exposed almost made him blush. Was this normal for him to do? Just gazing down at it made him feel all flustered. 'I guess if you have a nice body like this, you want to flaunt it around.' That is something he will never get to experience. No matter what he does, he never feels satisfied with his own body.
He hated it.
While blending the foundation all throughout the exposed skin of his chest, he playfully scoffed. "I wouldn't have to do this if your shirt was buttoned up more.. Leorio." The way his named rolled off of his tongue was just so pleasantly nice, and it made him want to say it over and over again. In that very moment he didn't feel like this man's butler, but rather, his friend—something he hasn't had in many years. 'He smells like tobacco and coffee.' It odd as it may sound, it was a delightful scent. The space between them was almost non-existent at this point, making it possible to notice these details.
"…!" Leorio had been enjoying the attention directed at his neck and chest so much, that his eyes became half-lidded. Never in his entire life has he been touched there, and oh did it feel great! If only he were using those petite hands of his instead, because then it would make this experience way more enjoyable. However as soon as he heard his name fly out of the blonde's mouth like that, his hand twitched. When he didn't receive an answer right away, he just thought that it was too much to ask for. That is why he didn't pester him on the matter. You should never try to force someone into doing something they don't wan to do. It's just that simple. Something inside of him stirred, and he swallowed hard. Why did this feel so different?
It should just be a name! So then what this feeling?
His gaze fell to the blonde's waist. There wasn't a whole lot he could look at, due to them being so close to one another. He playfully tugged at the top part of Kurapika's tabard then. "You look adorable in this. I wouldn't mind it if you ditched the suit once in a while to wear it," he murmured softly. Since he used to wear a lot of suits himself, he understands how uncomfortable they can be. The most frustrating part was the tie. Since he didn't have a father figure, or a friend to teach him how to properly put one on, he really struggled for the longest time. Now he can do it with his eyes closed! It is very easy once you get the hang of it.
Kurapika was in the process of digging through the red bag again, when he heard that statement just now. In the one hand he held a small jar of powder, all the while pulling out a thick, fluffy brush with the other. Hey, putting on makeup takes time! If he half-asses it, then all of this work will have been for nothing. If he is going to do this, then he is going to do it the correct way! "You look very nice yourself, Leorio." There it was again. He just couldn't help it. Now that he has been given permission to call him by his first name, it felt like their bond has gotten stronger. But it was only for today, and he couldn't forget that.
'Ahh-' Leorio felt his heart squeeze. Between hearing his name being said in that honeyed voice, and receiving a compliment from him, he was warm all over. He wiped the palms of his hands onto his legs, and licked his lips. It isn't often that he gets to wear anything other than scrubs, so he was excited throwing these clothes on. Any later, and they might have collected dust. "Heh! Ya really think so? I wanted to wear my favorite suit, but I didn't want to be a hypocrite." He told the blonde not to wear his, so it only seemed fair if he himself didn't wear one either.
After dipping the bristles into the fine powder, he knocked some of the access off of the edge of the container, and brought it up to the doctor's face. He then glided the brush along his right cheek first. "I wouldn't have minded. Mine is a uniform, whereas yours is not." It's not like he was wearing them to work. That would never be allowed, since the workers there have to wear scrubs. It was just more sanitary that way. Even he knew that!
Just how much was he going to put on his face? Not that he minded, but still. Makeup has always been a complicated thing to him. It can either make you look better, or worse. Overall it just depends on the person, the amount they are putting on, and how they are doing it. He snapped his fingers then. "You make a good point there, Kurapika!" At least this way they will blend in more.
Kurapika made his way over to the other side of his face, and then up to his forehead, making his way back down to his chin. This way if he sweats a little, the foundation won't rub off. It is supposed to be more on the warmer side today. 'You can't see the bruise at all. I'm glad…' It sure was nice not having that distraction on his face anymore, that only hid his handsome features. It was like he never got hurt in the first place. It is impressive how he was able to take on multiple guys at once, and walk away with only minor injuries. That is why no one should ever underestimate his strength! But he put himself in that position for the Scarlet eyes, knowing how important they were.
And he will cherish this act for the rest of his life.
Once coating the brush in some more of the powder, he began to work at his neck and chest. He was careful not to get any on his navy-blue shirt, which looked incredible on him, by the way! It really made his warm brown eyes stand out. "I am going to leave a package of wipes in here for you to use. Make sure you take all of this off before going to bed. Leaving it on will cause skin problems, specifically acne." For someone who doesn't go through the extra steps to take care of himself, his skin sure was nice.
Leorio smiled, staring deeply into the blonde's eyes. What he would give to see them Scarlet again! But he knew that he was wearing contact lenses. This was to help protect his true identity. As much as this disappointed him, he understood fully why this was so important. "I might need help with that," he quietly said. Any excuse for them to be together, right?
It felt like he was staring into his very soul! Kurapika fumbled while trying to screw the lid back onto the powder. There was nothing else that needed to be done here, so he just needed to pack everything away. "Are you asking me as my boss, or as a friend?" He mumbled, finding every excuse to avoid eye contact with him. It was making him feel all weird.
That was a good question. However, he didn't need to think much on his answer. Leorio pushed his index finger into the blonde's stomach, poking it a couple of times. Now that they were buddies for the day, it felt like he could get away with so much more. "I'm asking as your friend to help me out," he replied.
Small hands flew to his stomach when this happened, his cheeks all flushed. That was such a sensitive area for him to be touched in—so much so, that it left him feeling all shy and embarrassed. "I.. I guess if you really do need my help, then I can offer my assistance." All he needed to do was wipe the makeup off with those wipes, but he wasn't going to argue about it. Besides, it really was nice spending time with him.
Leorio inhaled sharply. 'God he's too cute! I want to kiss his soft lips, and to run my hands all over his curvy body—to hold him in my arms, and bury my face into his golden hair. I want to be there when he wakes up from a terrifying nightmare, and to comfort him back to sleep.'/ There was no ignoring these feelings any longer. But were they one-sided? Or would they be reciprocated? It is hard to tell, for he has never experienced anything like this before. How does one proceed after realizing something so huge? His mind was racing. Not only that, but now there was this uncomfortable feeling in his pants that won't just go away on its own. Great, why did this have to happen now of all times?!
He stood up abruptly, and turned to face away from the blonde. "I-I have to use the restroom before we go. Mind waiting for me downstairs?" For now he just needed to keep all of this to himself, until he is certain on what to do. He didn't want to rush into things, and risk ruining what he had with him.
Well that was a shift in mood right there. Kurapika blinked, taking in the doctor's posture. Why did he look so uncomfortable? He tilted his head to the side as he felt rather confused by all of this. Maybe he really had to pee, and that was making things intolerable for him. If so, then that was totally understandable. He nodded his head, and reached over to gather his things. "I will meet you in the living room."
Leorio didn't waste any time rushing into the bathroom. These pants were already sucking the life out of him as it is, so this only made things painful. Once making it over to the toilet, he yanked his pants down to his knees. He sighed in relief, and brought his hand over to grasp at his erect member. 'His voice is so angelic, and whenever he laughs, it fills my heart with warmth. I never knew what true happiness was until I met him. What will I do if he doesn't feel the same way about me? These feelings can't be for nothing, right?! There has to be a reason for them!' It was so incredibly frustrating falling for someone who works for you. It will only take one wrong move for everything to crumble—and then what?
He threw his head back as his fingers glided up and down the shaft, his teeth sinking into his bottom lip. A soft, quiet moan slipped right out of him at the pleasurable feeling. 'I bet this would feel even more amazing with his delicate hands.' His cheeks were officially a dark shade of red now. He leaned forward to rest his other hand on the back of the toilet, his knees beginning to tremble. It felt like his legs were about to give out. So many emotions were coursing through his body, and it was all so overwhelming. Why did things have to be so complicated? This isn't what he expected when hiring a butler, and yet here he was.
His heart was a complete mess.
"Whoaaaa! I can't believe I'm actually here!" After sitting through a quiet, ten-minute long car ride, they finally arrived at the zoo. It would have been hard to have a decent conversation while in a taxi anyways. The driver can't just tune them out, so he would have eavesdropped on everything that was being said. It wasn't that bad though. At least his most favorite person in the whole world was sitting next to him the entire time, so he couldn't complain too much. As they were approaching the entrance, he noticed just how large the sign was—painted a dark green color, and decorated in all types of animals. They were shaped in a way for them to appear more cute, and innocent. Obviously this was done to appease the younger visitors here. If he came here as a small boy, it probably would have excited him. Unfortunately he will never know for sure.
Would Pietro have liked it?
Leorio pulled out his wallet, which had been tucked away in his back pocket, and grabbed enough cash for two tickets. This was already beginning to feel like a date, but that wasn't it at all. They were here just as friends. Nothing more. Nothing less. "I'm so excited! I wonder if they will let you pet any of the animals. Wouldn't that be something, Kurapika?!" Obviously it would have to be of a smaller species—one that you can hold in your arms, and not be afraid of getting bitten or scratched. Anything else would really be pushing it. The atmosphere was just so bright, lively! Even the workers looked like they were enjoying themselves.
It was generous of him to pay for them both, and Kurapika greatly appreciated it. The amount of pure joy and excitement in his voice made him smile. 'Just like a kid,' he thought. It was a real shame that he has never been to one of these before. Just how much has he missed out in life? "I believe on certain days of the week they hold classes where you can pet, and even hold different species of animals. It might say somewhere on the brochure what todays events are." He pointed at the stand that was handing them out. Inside was a map of the place in case you get lost, including a list of all the shops and restaurants.
After handing the worker his money, Leorio immediately went over to snatch himself one of those brochures. "Okay, let's see here. Today is Thursday," he mumbled while skimming through it. This is something he will have to hang onto. It has everything he needs to know, all written in small white font. It sure is a good thing that his glasses weren't prescription, because otherwise he would have a hard time reading all of this.
"Oh! The theme for today is reptiles. They'll be showcasing a bunch of snakes and lizards, if you want to see any of those! That actually sounds pretty badass…" He trailed off. None of them would be poisonous or venomous, right? It wouldn't be safe to let anyone else touch them if that were the case.
Kurapika blinked. So there were no cute, furry animals available for today? Oh well. It was still better than nothing. Besides, this isn't what he himself wanted. "I can't wait to see your reaction when standing in front of a snake bigger than you," he smirked. That was going to be priceless!
This made Leorio's eyes widen in slight horror. "B-bigger than me? But, how is that even safe? Surely something like that isn't allowed…" What if they try to eat someone? Would the zoo keeper even be able to do anything about it? This made him feel a bit uneasy. Maybe this wasn't as badass as he thought it was. It won't bother him if they somehow manage to skip this showing.
His response to that was funny, and so Kurapika tried to keep his chuckles muffled behind his hand. It is hard to imagine a snake being taller than the doctor, but they are definitely out there. "Just stay in the back until they bring out the lizards. Let those in the front get eaten first." Yes, even he can have a dark sense of humor.
That seemed to do the trick.
Leorio pretended to gasp when hearing that just now. Well two can play at that game. "Wow Kurapika! Would you really sacrifice so many innocent lives, just for emmy/em sake? How cruel of you." He placed the back of his hand onto his forehead, trying to act all devastated. They were off to the side at this point, so neither one of them were in the way of people coming and going.
There was just a brief moment of silence, before Kurapika responded to that—the expression on his face unintentionally becoming more serious. "I would kill for you, Leorio." The intensity in his eyes alone gave away that this was how he honestly felt. If he could, he would have gone back to take care of the people who hurt him.
The wide grin on Leorio's face vanished, and he looked more concerned over anything else. "W-what? Would.. you really?" That was so unbelievably unexpected, that he didn't know how to feel about it. No, he wouldn't do something like that. 'But what if I'm wrong?' He thought. His hands were gripping tightly onto the brochure that was still in his hold.
As soon as he realized what he had just said, Kurapika instantly felt regret. That isn't something you should blurt out so loud and casually. Okay, it might not be too late to fix this. He rolled his eyes, and yanked the brochure from his tight hold. "I thought we were joking around with each other, you dork." He flipped it over to see where all of the animals were located. They were close to some really good ones!
"Would you like to see some tigers? They're just up ahead if we keep going straight," he suggested. Anything to change the damn subject! Weren't they here to have fun? Well they can't have any of that if things stay awkward between them.
Perhaps it really was a joke after all. As if he wanted to be behind someone else's death! Leorio placed a gentle hand onto the blonde's back, and patted it. Yeah, he also didn't want the fun to be ruined. "I would love to look at some big kitties!" He beamed down at him, and slipped his arm through his, linking theirs together. It would have been better if they could hold hands, but he didn't want to make him feel weird. And just like that he started walking in that direction, not waiting for a response from the blonde. This way he won't lose him either. Not that there was a herd of people here, but still. As he pulled him along, he took in his surroundings. There was so much to look at! It is a good thing that they have all day to get everything in, or at least, most of it for that matter.
Even if Kurapika wanted to pull away, he wouldn't be able to. His hold on him was strong, but yet gentle at the same time. How was that even possible? If he had grabbed his hand instead, that would have just made him feel really embarrassed. People would think that they are dating then, and they weren't! Would that really be such a bad thing, though? Surely anyone would be lucky to date the tall, handsome doctor. His career alone would make the ladies swoon. But then they would just be after him for his money, and that was so wrong in every way. His personality was worth so much more than that! 'I won't let anyone else hurt you,' he thought with a soft look in his eyes.
When they made it to the tiger exhibit, Leorio was quick to lean over the ledge to try and get a better look at them. There was one lying on a giant rock, just lazily gazing up at the visitors. It let out a big yawn, and then brought its paw up to lick at. And then there was another one nearby that was rolling around in the grass on its back. "I can't believe how close they are! How fascinating…" His eyes sparkled with delight, and he had the biggest smile on his face.
"Their paws are huge! Ah, they look so cuddly," he gushed. Wrapping your arms around one of them might result in you becoming their dinner. The zoo keepers probably can't even do that, and they are with them on a daily basis. It was still cool to fantasize about, though.
Kurapika stood alongside him, and peered down at the two tigers. To be honest, they really did look cuddly. Their fur must be very soft and plush, and he would love to run his hands through it. "…?" He noticed that there was a small stand to the left of them, which held some information on the beautiful cats. Feeling a bit curious himself, he walked over to it. "It says here that you can hear a tiger's roar up to two miles away. Wow, that is impressive…"
Leorio glanced over at him. "Is that so? Man, I really wanna hear that!" But he doubts they will do that anytime soon. Both of them were just chilling, so there was no reason for them to be vocal. That was sort of disappointing.
The blonde nodded. "They are also powerful swimmers, and have been known to swim great distances in order to hunt, or cross through rivers. That explains the little pool they have in the corner over there," he mumbled. It would be neat to see them pounce in there. Who doesn't want to see a tiger having fun in the water?
"Tigers are also the largest cat species in the world," he added. This made him wonder how big the other cats were. 'Just how tall are they? If one stood on its hind legs, would it be taller than Leorio?' It didn't say anything about their height on this thing, but oh was he tall. Sometimes he has to tilt his head back just to talk to him. But that is one of the many appealing traits that he has. If he were any shorter, then it just wouldn't be the same.
"You're probably half its size," Leorio teased with a smirk of his own. And now he was picturing him actually riding on top of the tiger. You probably can't do such a thing in general, but it was still fun to imagine. 'I would rather him ride me-' He quickly looked away when thinking this, and clenched his jaw. Now really wasn't the time to be having such thoughts! It is just so hard to control them at times.
The blonde's lips twitched. "Would you really want me to be as big as a tiger, Leorio?" He asked, going back over to him. That was just silly.
Now that they were close again, Leorio swung an arm around his shoulders. "Nah! I like that you're fun-sized- easy to carry, and extra adorable!" Not to mention probably delicious, but he wouldn't dare say that out loud. That would really make him feel uncomfortable.
When he was pulled into the other's much warmer body, Kurapika blushed. Not only was his face inches from his chest, but now all he could smell was his scent—which was making his head whirl. What the heck was going on with him? He shrugged out of his hold, and awkwardly cleared his throat. "L-let's go check out the gorillas," he mumbled. They were right next to that exhibit anyways. It's not that he wanted to get away from him. He just felt as though it was necessary. See, he wasn't as accepting of his feelings unlike a certain someone standing before him. This was all so new to him, and it freaked him out. He has already opened himself up way more than he intended to, and now this? It was a lot to take in.
But he trusts him completely, so what was holding him back?
Well that was a bit odd. However, Leorio decided to just brush it off as him being shy. He made sure to stay alongside him as they walked down the path. There were a couple of people already there, but thankfully they left enough space for them both to squeeze on in. Like before, they were able to look down onto the captivating beasts. There were three of them, each one evenly spaced out. The smaller gorilla was off to the side eating, which must have been what was left of their breakfast. Overall they seemed to be happy and healthy. Sometimes it can be sad seeing an animal being held in captivity, especially if the living conditions are horrendous. That however, was not the case for this place.
With his hands on the metal railing in front of him, he leaned over slightly to read up on them. He wanted to learn more on all of the animals they will be seeing. "Huh? It says here that we share ninety-eight percent of our DNA with gorillas. Isn't that wild?" He whistled. That was a high number right there. Were they really so human-like?
Kurapika let out a few chuckles. It was just so amusing watching his reaction to every little thing. "So that is what I can call you, since they're almost as tall as you are!" Plus he is strong like one, too. His arms are no joke! Even the sleeves on his shirt were being pushed to its limits. Just how tight was that on him, he wondered. Either way, it looked fantastic on him. You can tell he works very hard to look like that, and oh was it worth it!
That is one fine doctor right there.
Leorio lips slowly formed into a pout at that. "So you wanna call me a gorilla? I don't know if I just got insulted, or complimented…" He mumbled. Weren't they an aggressive animal? Well he was anything but that.
"Given the fight you got into last night, it's clear that you're as strong as one. So if I were you, I would take it as a compliment." Only an idiot would mess around with a gorilla, and the same can be said for Leorio. Sadly for those men, they made the mistake of thinking they could take him down. Bet they won't try that again.
Deep brown eyes widened. 'Did he just compare my strength to-….' That meant a lot to him. Of course he is very proud of his body, so hearing such things was always a huge ego boost for him. He gave the blonde such a warm and caring smile, as he reached out to ruffle his hair. The strands felt like silk against his fingertips, and smelled like the ocean. It appears they both take care of themselves in different ways. "If I'm a gorilla, then you're a pixie! Cause' you're like some sort of mythical creature, who can fit in my pocket."
Kurapika huffed, and swatted his hand away so that he could smooth his hair back down. "I'm surprised a phone can fit in your pocket, what with how tight your pants are," he shot right back at him. Being compared to a pixie made him feel like some sort of midget, and he definitely wasn't that short.
Leorio snorted, and slapped his hands against his ass. "Oh come on! You like these on me," he said with a wriggle of his eyebrows. At least his belongings won't be going anywhere. If anyone tried to dig through his pockets, he would feel it right away. Plus it would be more of a struggle trying to get them out anyways. They were in there pretty good.
"…." How does he even respond to something like that? If he says no, then that would make him out to be a liar. But if he says yes? God he didn't even know. He clicked his tongue, and moved over so that he was now standing in front of the information stand. 'I swear he wore those clothes on purpose,' he thought, biting down on his bottom lip. Now he was starting to feel flustered again. You can't exactly see everything in those scrubs of his. They are more loose-fitting on him, and thus didn't show off his fit body all too well.
"It says here that in the wild, gorillas can live up to forty years." That is a fairly long lifespan for an animal. So then how long did they live in captivity like this? Was it perhaps longer? It didn't say, even though he felt as though it should.
That subject change though.
In spite of that, it really was a cool fact. His gaze traveled back down to the gorillas then, taking in the size of their hands and feet, and then their heads. It wouldn't take much for them to kill a human being. They would squish you like it's nothing! Leorio ran a hand through his hair, keeping his hand at the back of his head. "Too bad there aren't any baby gorillas. Wouldn't that be something?" He sighed. Maybe next time.
Yes, that would indeed be an exciting thing to see! Baby animals are just so irresistible. If there are any, then they were in hiding. They can try looking again on their way out, but for now they shouldn't depend on it. There was still so much more to look at! "I'm taking you would hold a baby gorilla over a giant snake?"
Leorio scoffed at that question. "Uh, in a heartbeat! At least they're all tiny, fuzzy, and innocent at that age! A giant snake would just eat you." That made him shudder. The more he thought about it, the less appealing that reptile show became. They should just skip that altogether.
Well someone was sure passionate about it.
But it made sense though, and Kurapika felt the same way. So it wouldn't matter to him if they skipped the show completely. There was still plenty to do here. This place is pretty big, and there is a lot to explore yet. They were still near the entrance of the zoo, so they needed to delve deeper into it. 'Coming here was a nice choice. Now I remember why so many people love it here—why I loved it as a child. You get to learn so much about the animals, while having fun in the process. It is an unforgettable experience,' he thought with a small smile on his face.
"Can you see them better sweetie?" A lady next to them said. Judging by her appearance, she couldn't be older than her mid twenties—Long black hair that reached down to her waist, and piercing green eyes to go with full lips, and perfectly tanned skin. She was holding a little girl up so that her small feet were planted onto the ledge that hung over the gorilla exhibit. This made the toddler clap with joy at how close she was. Before she was having a hard time in seeing them properly, so this was so much better.
This is something Kurapika noticed, but he tried to mind his own business. When he was a small boy, his father had to put him up on his shoulders in order to see. So he can understand why she was doing it. Just as long as she is being careful about it, then there was nothing to worry about. He brought his attention back to the gorillas then. "I think those two are going to play with each other." They were eyeing each other up and down, and closing the space between them.
"Wouldn't that be cool? Wait!" Leorio pulled his cellphone out, and opened up the camera option. Why didn't he think of this sooner? They will need to go back to the tiger exhibit so that he can snap a few photos of them as well. It would be nice to capture all of the animals they see today. He hit the record button, and aimed it right at those two.
That was a good idea, actually. Why didn't he think of that? "Either that, or they're going to fight." Hopefully that wasn't it, and they really did just want to play with each other. There was no reason for him to take his phone out. As long as one of them captures everything, then that is all that matters.
"Shhh! Don't say that. They're totally buds!" You could tell by the look in their eyes. If they were dead set on hurting one another, you would be able to tell. At least, that is what he chose to believe. He zoomed in on them to get a better shot, and waited for the action to happen. A fight between them would actually be scary. Obviously the bigger one would win.
You just never know, and that is why he remained skeptical on the matter. "Whatever you say, Leorio." Things felt so comfortable between them. It was easy to act more like himself—to let his walls down around him. Everything he said and did just came so naturally. It was as if they have been friends for a long time. There are moments when he feels embarrassed, or anxious, but he tries not to let those feelings get the better of him.
"AHHH!" Kurapika's head snapped over in the direction from where the screaming was coming from, and his heart sank to the bottom of his stomach. That lady from before was flailing her arms in front of her for whatever reason, which left the toddler teetering off of the edge. Children that age do not have very good balance at all. That, and they do not understand the dangers of heights, or of the animals below them. He could already see her wobbling back and forth. On instinct, he flung his hand out to grab a hold of her. Unfortunately he didn't make it in time, as she slipped and fell forward.
He missed by a mere inch!
There was literally no time to think of any other option. Chains appeared on his right hand, covering all five of his fingers—each one holding a different shaped charm at the ends. They clinked together loudly as he stretched his hand out again, this time shooting one of them out toward the falling toddler. Due to his quick reaction, he was able to wrap it around her body just before she hit the ground. Kurapika panted—his heart pounding roughly in his chest at how close this little girl came to dying. If he hadn't of been here, then things would have ended tragically for her. "Nnrghh!" He yanked back as hard as he could, sending her flying up into the air. This was probably a terrifying thing for the mother to witness. He can't even imagine how she is feeling right now. As angry as he wanted to be at her for being so irresponsible, that wouldn't do any good. No need to make her feel worse than she already does.
He took a couple of steps back to ready himself for the impact. When the little girl came crashing down into his arms, the force was enough to knock him off of his feet. This caused him to fall backwards with a thud, his head making contact with the concrete first. You could hear him grunt out in pain in that exact moment. Neither part of him moved, with his arms locked tightly around her. So much happened at once, and it left him feeling dazed. "…."
"Kurapika!" Leorio was at his side in an instant, and so was the mother of that little girl. He carefully slid a hand underneath his head, and slowly lifted it up a bit. This was to see if there was any blood underneath it. From what he could see and feel, there wasn't any wetness to his hair. That was a very good sign right there! He didn't hurt himself too badly in his fall. Still, he kept his hold on him as he sat there. 'He's not focusing on me.'
The mother ripped her daughter out of his arms, and held her closely against her chest. "Mommy's so sorry! I never meant to scare you like that!" She cried out. Had she known a bee would fly in and attack her face, she never would have put her up there in the first place. It was just a knee-jerk reaction. Most people react that way to them. When she looked down at the young man, she sniffled.
"Thank you so much! If it weren't for you, I would have lost my baby girl. I.. I never meant to.. to put her in danger!" More tears began to stream down her face, making it difficult for her to form a coherent sentence. People were crowding around them, and some of the things being said about her were just awful. It is so easy to judge another person.
Leorio put a hand up to silence her. "I don't think he can hear you right now. He hit his head pretty good in his fall. Once he comes to, I will let him know that you thanked him, okay? For now I need to make sure he is alright. And please, be more careful during the rest of your visit here. You might not be so lucky next time." Once getting back to his feet, he scooped the blonde up into his arms. Cradling him carefully, he went over to the nearest bench. As happy as he was to see that girl saved, he was more concerned over his beloved friend, who's head was resting against his chest. 'I'm certain that had him seeing stars,' he thought.
He lowered himself down onto the empty bench, and placed the blonde in his lap. "That was very heroic of you to do." His voice was so deep and soothing when saying this. Never has he felt so proud of someone before. Kurapika acted quickly, and was able to save another life because of it. He brought his hand around so that he could rub gentle circles onto the back of his head. 'I got one of my wishes. You're here, laying comfortably in my arms.' And oh did it feel so absolutely amazing! Taking care of people is what he does best, after all.
His fingers were like magic! It felt so good, that Kurapika couldn't even keep his eyes open. "Anyone.. would have done it…" He didn't want to be praised as some sort of hero. That isn't what he is at all. However, he couldn't just stand there and watch an innocent child fall to their death. 'I can feel his heart beating against the side of my face.' His entire being was slowly melting into a puddle at this point. He can't ever remember a time in his life where he felt this way.
Leorio's eyes immediately lit up. He got a response out of him! "But no one else could have done it. I sure as heck can't manipulate chains from my hand! It doesn't take a genius to figure out that you're a hunter.. Especially since I am one myself." You don't just go through that kind of training for nothing.
Kurapika's eyebrows furrowed. That was a part of himself he wasn't ready to reveal. It is very unfortunate that he couldn't have done this in a different way. What's done is done though. He clenched his right hand. "So, you're a hunter as well? I never would have known." He didn't seem like the type to enter that sort of thing. But he did, and ended up passing the test on top of it!
"Remember? I grew up poor. How else could I afford to go to medical school? It was my only option. It really sucked going through all of that just to get a hunter's license, but.. I managed. Obviously it all worked out in the end, because here I am—a successful doctor, who isn't drowning in debt like some are!" He didn't mean to brag or anything, but that was the honest truth. What was wrong with feeling proud of his accomplishments anyways?
The blonde looked up then, revealing two gorgeous silver eyes. Sometimes he forgets about the hardships that he has gone through for most of his life. It's not like ever shows that hurt or anger. "I would rather not get into why I became a hunter. Maybe on another day when we're not at a zoo," he mumbled. Also, how long were they going to stay like this? Now that he was coming to it, he was starting to feel embarrassed. And in moving his head like that, their faces were the closest they have ever been.
A light blush dusted Leorio's cheeks when he realized this. 'I can feel his breath hitting my face…' He gulped, staring down at his lips. It would be so easy to lean in ever so slightly, and capture them in a kiss. His heart was telling him to go for it, but his mind was telling him no. Why did he have to feel so damn conflicted on this matter?! "Understandable," he whispered. There were too many people around anyways. It was for the best if they discuss this in private.
Kurapika held his closed fist against his chest, noticing the way his own heart was beating. It was going faster than it should be—a sort of tingly feeling spreading deep in his stomach. What was this? Why were they looking at each other in such a way? It was like the rest of the world around them was on pause, and that they were the only ones who really mattered. "Leorio..?" He said just as quietly.
No, he couldn't do this here. There was no romantic scenery to make this moment really spark—no privacy from the onlookers who were already gawking at them because of what had just happened. This isn't how he envisioned his first kiss. Leorio shoved the blonde's head into his chest, and wrapped both of his arms around his body, pulling him into a loving embrace. He just needed a minute of not looking at his cute face, and he should be fine. "I'm so glad you're okay, Kurapika." Had he split his head open in that fall, he would have had to take him to the hospital. Again, he won't let anyone else work on him.
"…!" It is one thing to rest your head against someone's chest, and another for your face to be entirely buried in it. Not only that, but his shirt was still missing the first couple of buttons. Kurapika was met with nothing but warm skin. The cologne he always wears was strong, as it filled his nostrils. His hands grasped at the navy-blue shirt, feeling unsure of what to do in this position. The last person to hug him was Pairo, and that was many years ago. And even so, it wasn't anything like this. 'Why can't I push him away? Where did all of my strength go?' All he could do was sit here in his arms and say nothing.
"I will always be here to heal you whenever you get hurt. No matter how small the injury may be, always come to me for it. Even if it is just a paper cut! I will clean it out real good for ya, and wrap it up!" You can still get an infection from a wound that small. So to be on the safe side, Leorio wanted to take care of all his cuts, scrapes, and whatever injuries he may get. He will gladly take him as his patient. This means he better call him whenever something bad happens.
Kurapika's eyes softened. You can hear the concern in his voice when explaining all of this. Did his fall really scare him that much? He slid his arms around the doctor's waist then, returning the hug. This just felt so right to him for some reason. Maybe this is what he needed for a long time now—to be held in someone else's arms in such a comforting way. "Thank you for caring so much, Leorio." He cared when no one else did, and that meant the world to him. This man right here knows he is a Kurta, and the dangers that follow it—yet that doesn't bother him in the slightest. It was truly an amazing thing.
His hold on the doctor tightened.
This put a smile on Leorio's face. At least his advances didn't get rejected. "We sorta look out for each other, don't we? You have done so much for me, and not just as my butler. I can tell that you honestly care. You have a big heart, Kurapika." Whatever happened to him in his past didn't seem to affect him too terribly. He is still able to act like a normal person.
Did he really though? Kurapika has done things he is not proud of—things that might disappoint the doctor. And his goals? The reason why he sought to become a butler in the first place? Once he finds out about all of that, it is going to upset him. That is another reason why he didn't want to talk about it here of all places. He pulled back to look at him, his hands firmly placed onto his chest as he sat there. "Yeah, so no more auctions for you! Next time you might get more than just a black eye," he scolded. His lip still looked like it hurt, but at least it wasn't all bloody like before. Hopefully the lip balm he gave him was actually doing something for it. At least he didn't need any stitches for it. Now that would have been awful!
He slid off of his lap, and readjusted himself so that he was sitting beside him. As comfortable as it was to be holding onto each other like that, they couldn't remain in that position forever. "I hope this didn't ruin your visit here. Shall we continue?"
Leorio wanted to frown when he felt him leave his arms. If possible, he really would have held him like that forever. He loved the closeness between them, and the bonding experience. Sadly nothing really does last that long, though. When he heard that question just now, he put on a small smile for him. "Nothing was ruined for me. As long as you are feeling up to it, then we can continue. How is your head? Does it hurt?"
Kurapika lightly touched the back of his head. It was a little sore when you press on it, but other than that it wasn't too bad. "Just a dull ache. I'll be fine though…" Basically what he is saying, is that it wasn't worth worrying over. People fall and hit their heads all the time, or smack it against something hard when standing up.
Hearing that was a huge relief. As long as it wasn't hurting too badly. Leorio rose back up to his feet, and clapped his hands together ."Alright! I'm gonna get you some water first. You just sit here and look pretty, okay?" He winked, before taking off to find the nearest shop. They needed to stay hydrated on a day like today anyways. Plus he just wanted to give him some more time to take it easy.
Did he seriously just tell him to sit here and look pretty? Such a strange thing for someone to say to another guy. Kurapika was shaking his head at this, but he never left his spot. Instead he did as he was told, and stayed right where he was. He brought his hand back up to touch the back of his head, and closed his eyes. 'That massage almost put me to sleep. I.. didn't want it to end. And the way he hugged me in those big, strong arms of his…' It was different than a hug from one of your parents, or a close friend. This left him wanting another one. Was this a normal feeling? Do you crave to be touched, and held by your own boss?
Okay, that didn't sound right at all.
But they were much more than that, right? Leorio has been calling him his friend lately, so did that mean they have officially formed a friendship? 'I guess in the end.. I failed in pushing everyone away.' Not only has he formed this type of bond with him, but he also enjoyed Melody's company. These very people prevent him from feeling lonely, which has been an issue for him ever since he lost his family. However, what if he can have a new one? These people are not related to him by blood, but who said they had to be? If he accepts this, then he will become way more protective of them both.
Kurapika flinched when he felt something slide onto the top of his head. His hands instantly flew up to see what it was. The texture was soft and furry. He swiftly yanked it off to examine the object, and when he saw what it was, he blinked. "Cat ears?" They had a tiger print on them. He glanced up to see the doctor looming over him with a huge grin on his face.
"Why'd ya take it off?" Leorio held a bottle of cold water out to him. It had condensation on it, and was dripping wet from being kept in a bucket of ice. Just looking at it made him feel ten times thirstier. When you have been living off of mainly coffee for these past few days, it will have that effect on you. How else was he supposed to stay awake at work though? Water just doesn't do the trick when it comes to that.
And oh was coffee ever so delicious!
Once taking the bottle from him, Kurapika unscrewed the lid to take a couple of big swigs. This was really hitting the spot right now. When he was finished, he wiped at his mouth. "I didn't know what it was. And why exactly did you buy these? You don't expect for me to actually wear them.. right?" He asked. You don't see adults walking around with cat ears on their heads. They were made more for kids, if anything.
"Aww! Come on Kurapika. Don't be such a party-pooper! I mean—" Leorio reached behind him, and pulled out another pair of tiger-printed cat ears. He had one of the ends tucked into his pocket so that it couldn't be seen until now. Why would he only put the blonde through that kind of embarrassment? This way they can look like weirdos together.
"Wouldn't it be fun for us to match?" He pointed right at them as he said this, a proud smile now on his handsome face. When it came down to it, he was really just trying to lighten the mood here. He wanted them both to have as much fun as they possibly can.
That threw him off guard. Kurapika didn't think there was a second pair. And here he thought that he would be made to suffer through this all by himself. em'We would be matching…'/em He twirled the cat ears in his hands, while trying to make a decision. The brown color from the tiger print was a nice contrast against the doctor's darker brown eyes. It made them pop! It might not be so bad if they were walking around with these things on their heads together. Besides, he has never cared what others thought of him in the first place. If they have something not so nice to say, then so be it. That is on them. They weren't here to please anyone else.
Sighing in defeat, he slipped them back on. If he is going to feel ridiculous, then might as well do it with an even bigger dork at his side. "Okay! Let's get going." He slowly stood back up, since he didn't want to freak Leorio out. If he pushes himself in any way, then he might make him sit down again. That is just how he is. Even when off the job, he still acts like a doctor in many ways.
This made Leorio feel happy. He placed a hand against the blonde's back, urging him to move forward. "It's so cool how you saved a little girl's life though. Like, these badass chains shot out from your hand! You always leave me feeling so amazed."
Kurapika smiled slightly. Seeing him in such awe over it was a nice feeling. "What about you? Don't you have any cool abilities to brag about? You're a hunter, after all. Surely you can amaze me too." He was naturally curious about this.
As they made their way to the next exhibit, Leorio bashfully rubbed the back of his head. It isn't often that he talks about himself. "Eheh. Well, I can hit a desired object from far away. Aaaand I can detect organisms within a person's body—like if someone has cancer, or a woman is bearing a child. Sometimes ultrasounds just can't catch everything, you know? Without this ability of mine, I probably would have lost more lives than I already have." And some were even jealous of it. But, he never let that get to him. What was he supposed to do about it?
That was actually very fascinating. Does he realize just how strong and powerful this makes him? He isn't just some successful doctor. If he really wanted to, he could kick some serious ass. Kurapika's smile grew. "You really are something else, Leorio. This whole time you have talked about being amazed at the things I do, when in fact the feeling has been mutual on my part. When applying for this job, I never expected you to be this type of person. I just thought that you would be another one of those rich jerks, who views themselves as above everyone else.. But you're the complete opposite of that. You're always putting others before yourself, no matter who they are. And you say I have a big heart, but.. yours is a lot bigger than mine."
Leorio blushed deeply. They had just made it to the wolf exhibit, but his attention was fully on the blonde as they walked up to it. The only other time anyone ever praises him, is if he has had a successful surgery, or has cured someone of their illness. This wasn't just some patient of his though. This is someone he has shared his home with for the past month, and has gotten very close to. "Is that why you were so cautious and hesitant with me at first?" He asked.
His walls haven't been fully knocked down yet. And there are still some things that Kurapika didn't feel like sharing. "That is part of the reason why. I haven't had good.. experiences with those who have money. So I apologize for putting that type of label on you. You are nothing like them," he murmured.
There was a brief silence after that, and when Leorio did finally respond, he had a goofy grin plastered on his face. "I was never mad at you! Even if you did something to really tick me off, I could never hold a grudge against you. It's true that a lot of the rich people out there are evil. I encounter them all the time working at one of the highest-rated hospitals. They go there because they have the money to afford any treatment for their loved one. But because of that, they act very entitled, and demand a lot out of ya. I've almost been sued a couple of times because of people like them. What they don't realize, is that I can afford a good lawyer myself." He chuckled when saying that.
Kurapika frowned. What was so funny about that? Thankfully no one was ever able to sue him, because that is a serious matter. He gazed down at the wolves then, taking in each their beautiful coats of fur. "Your patience is astounding." If someone threatened to sue him, he would not be a happy camper.
Sometimes you don't realize just how big a wolf is, until you are standing right in front of them. Leorio thought they were all simply gorgeous! He got his phone out again to snap some more pictures. "After a while you just get used to it. Man look at those ears!"
The blonde sighed, but still smiled a little. Give it to him to be so easily distracted like that. He leaned against the railing, with his chin resting in his hand. "I'm guessing you're more of a dog person? I can totally see it." He himself didn't have any pets growing up, so wasn't sure which one he preferred. For some reason his mother wouldn't allow it, even though he asked her many times.
Leorio shrugged his shoulders. "Dogs are great, but.. I think I would rather own a cat. They're less maintenance. Plus you don't have to walk them every day. Not only that, but they also poop in boxes! All you gotta do is scoop out the clumps, and voila! All clean." That sounded pretty easy to him.
It actually surprised Kurapika that the doctor didn't have any pets. Is it because of his busy work schedule? But now that he has a butler and a chef living in his penthouse, that should no longer be an issue. There is always someone there, unlike before when he was the only one there. "You mean a litter box? But yes, you are correct on that. Cats also clean themselves, whereas with dogs you have to take in to get washed.. Unless you attempt to do it yourself." That didn't sound very fun, especially if said dog doesn't like baths, or getting wet in general.
You don't have to own a particular animal in order to love them. Like with the wolves that they were looking at. Sure they are gorgeous, but would he ever want to take care of one? Exactly. Leorio lightly slapped a hand onto his shoulder, as he turned around to face the other way. "Come on! We've gotta get everything in before the sun sets!"
Yes, they really shouldn't waste too much time with each exhibit. Things for them have already been set back a bit. Kurapika removed his hand from his shoulder, but not because he didn't want to be touched. No, he did this so that he could link his arm through his. It was just like before when they entered the zoo. It felt so much better being close like this. "You're so impatient," he teased. In ways he still acts like a child, and he thought that was so precious. There was not a single mean bone in his body, and he loved that. He pulled him in closer as they began to walk, a rather proud smile on his face as they made their way to the next one. There were people looking, but he honestly didn't care in the slightest. They were probably jealous, and he knew why.
Anyone would feel lucky to be with the doctor, including himself.