"I can't believe you beat me here." Kurapika was in shock, as he took a seat at the circular table. It was situated right next to the big, open windows. You could see people entering and exiting through the hospital's front doors when gazing through them. Things appeared to be dark and gloomy, as it has been raining on and off all morning long. They figured because of this, that it would be better to eat lunch inside this time. Their designated bench was out in the open, so there was nothing to shelter them in case the skies decide to open up on them. It was just overall dark and gloomy, and it put others in a not so great mood. Even when arriving here, the lady behind the front desk didn't greet him with her usual smile. Instead she seemed snippy, and all out of patience. However, he didn't take this personally. His mind had been elsewhere.
He set the bento boxes down, and opened his boss's first. "Melody prepared a feast for us, so I hope you're hungry." It was indeed a lot of food. There was fried rice, grilled salmon, Japanese spring onion pancakes, and steamed pork buns. It is unclear why she went all out like this again, but either way he appreciated it. By now he was practically starving, what with having eaten such an early breakfast. There was so much that needed to be done, and that is why he didn't get the chance to grab a snack in between meals. It honestly smelled so delicious, that he instantly felt his mouth water as soon as all the different aromas hit him at once.
For once he wasn't stuck in surgery, or had any last minute appointments. That is why he was finally able to make it in time for their lunch date. Leorio didn't realize how hungry he was until now, when the food was being displayed right in front of him. "I've been sittin' here for a good ten minutes! I could have texted you, buuuuut I wanted it to be a surprise," he replied with a wink. This depressing weather wasn't enough to bring someone like him down. In fact, he was still being his usual cheerful self.
"And I can see that. This kinda makes me want to take a picture, and post it online for others to appreciate. Man we're lucky!" He picked up his metal chopsticks, and stabbed at the grilled salmon, breaking off a big piece of it. Did it have some sort of glaze drizzled over the top? It sure was glossy looking. Well that question was answered as soon as he shoved it into his mouth. The taste was sweet, almost like honey. Was that what she used to flavor it? Whatever she used sure was excellent!
Kurapika unveiled his own next, but wasn't as quick to dig in. Actually, he was reaching into the pocket of his blazer first. "So you essentially want to start a blog to post Melody's dishes? That is something to consider. I'm sure she would be touched by that…" Some people might want the recipes to them, so maybe they can run it together as a joint account? This is something he will need to run by her. Her food really was photography-worthy. Would you really expect any less from a professional chef though? Of course everything looks perfect, and absolutely divine!
"Now, hold still." He leaned forward to slide a pair of glasses onto the doctor's face. They were the exact same design as his other pair, except for the frames now being a navy-blue color. And since it was only Saturday, that meant he still had to put makeup over his bruised eye. At least his lip was healing nicely. The cut was very tiny- barely noticeable, unless you lean in to really look at it. Looking at him like this, you can't even tell that he got socked in the face real good just a few days ago. This made him feel a little better. He is healing, and that is all that truly matters. He leaned back a bit in order to examine his face in all of its entirety, and then gave him a nod of approval.
"I ordered you two pairs of glasses. The other ones have a black frame, in case you wanted something more simple," he explained. The only reason why he was able to get them in such a short amount of time, is because he paid the company extra. Had he not done that, it would have been about seven to ten business days. And he knows how much the doctor already misses wearing them! Plus this way it will give him some variety. 'That color really does suit his eyes,' he thought. This is another reason why he chose to do this. Hey, no one else needed to know! What was the harm in it anyways?
Leorio blinked, and brought both of his hands up to touch the sides of them. It has been a strange couple of days for him without having these on his face. Some of his coworkers didn't even recognize who he was at the beginning. They had to do a double-take when approaching him. The quality was top notch, and they were a little heavier than before. These should last him longer, unless he somehow gets into another fist fight with someone. If they were alone, he would pull the blonde into a tight hug to show just how thankful he was. Instead he had to settle for playfully ruffling up his ultra soft hair. "I can't believe you got these so fast! Thank you so much, Kurapika! I love them!" He beamed happily.
He felt like himself again.
Perhaps these won't obstruct his facial features too much. Kurapika picked up one of the steamed pork buns, and brought it up to his mouth. When he bit down into it, he stared intensely through the window beside him. It has gotten harder for him to keep eye contact with his boss ever since their visit to the zoo. He just gets this weird fluttery feeling in his stomach every single time, and he wasn't sure what to make of it. "You are very welcome, Dr. Paladiknight. Try not to break these ones too." It wasn't his fault, but at the same time it kind of was. Had he not gotten himself involved in that auction, then he never would have gotten into that fight with those men.
That response put a pout on the doctor's face. "I was blind-sided! How was I supposed to know that they were waiting for me? Just thought I could buy what I came there for, and then go about my merry way," he mumbled. It's not like he goes to a lot of auctions. Now that he knows, he will be a lot more careful next time. If he sees the Scarlet Eyes being sold again, then he wasn't going to hesitate in buying them. There is no way he can turn his back on them. Well, not anymore that is. Things have changed between the two.
Kurapika glanced over at him then. "It will always be that way when it comes to those. That is why I keep telling you to stay out of it. You will only continue to get hurt, and I do not want that. Just let me handle it from here on out." He is lucky that neither of those men had a gun, or a knife. If so, then he probably wouldn't have walked away from that fight. It hurts to think about. Why won't he listen to his warnings? Must he be so damn stubborn?
Again, he just couldn't accept that.
As tempting as it was to snap back at him, he didn't. Leorio's nostrils flared, and he let out a frustrated huff, but other than that he didn't respond the way he wanted to. For now he chose to let it go, so that they can have a nice lunch together. "My boss is hosting a party tonight for his birthday," he randomly blurted out. A couple of weeks ago he received an invitation from him personally, but forgot because it was shoved in the back of his locker. When asked if he was going earlier, that is when he suddenly remembered. He unfolded the envelope that had been messily crammed in his pocket, and slid it over to his butler.
His eyes drifted down to the crumpled up piece of paper, where they proceeded to skim over the information. As soon as he read the part where it says a date is optional, Kurapika froze. What did this mean? Wait, is this why it was being brought up now of all times, when there was no one else around? He placed his hand over that part, and slid it back over to him. "I see. Well I hope you will enjoy yourself then. I plan on going to bed early tonight, but please do call me if you need anything," he said quietly. Maybe he should prepare a taxi for him anyways, since there will most likely be alcohol at said event. That is something he can arrange later on when it is closer to nighttime.
This confused him. Was there something wrong? Leorio tilted his head to the side as he spoke up. "I was hoping you would go with me. It's awkward attending these things alone, since I don't hang out with anyone outside of work. At least if you are there, then I will have someone to talk to. How about it? There'll be a huge spread of food, so Melody won't even need to prepare dinner tonight. We can stuff our faces, and get drunk!" The second part sounded more fun to him.
The blonde shifted uncomfortably in his seat, and he hung his head low to avoid his gaze again. "I don't know. Today just isn't good for me. I don't necessarily have plans, but…" How does he even begin to explain things? He wasn't sure if he wanted to in the first place. Not only that, but parties never interested him. It is hard for him to be around that amount of people- having to force yourself to smile, and be friendly with them. Just thinking about all of this made him feel anxious.
And then he felt both of his hands being grabbed.
Leorio held them in both of his own, squeezing them gently to get his full attention. "Please, Kurapika? Everyone here likes you, so it wouldn't be weird. They're always askin' about ya! Also, you're my closest friend. I always feel comfortable around you. If I have you by my side, then.. then…" He didn't mean to beg. It's just that he really didn't want to be stuck at some party drinking by himself, and awkwardly floating around the room like a loner.
"Then I won't feel so lonely," he finished very quietly. This wasn't an easy thing for him to admit to, but damn it how else was he going to get him to understand how important this was? Sometimes you need to sacrifice your own feelings in order to get your point across.
It felt like someone had shot an arrow right through Kurapika's heart. He understands what it is like to have no one there for you more than anyone else. The sadness in his voice was enough to make him feel bad for rejecting the offer in the first place, and that is why he had to reconsider. As much as he wanted to be by himself on this day, he could no longer be so selfish. There are other people in his life to think about now, and honestly, they should come first. And they would be going as friends, so it shouldn't be that bad. 'I'm his closest friend, huh? I wonder when that became official…' Was it at the zoo the other day? Or did this happen before then? They don't have any other friends besides Melody, so it makes sense that this was the case for them both.
Well crap.
He urged a small smile, despite still feeling so unsure about this. "Well I don't want you being all depressed at your boss's birthday party. What time should I be ready by?" That would give people an excuse to feel sorry for him, and that is definitely something he didn't need. He wants him to be respected by his coworkers, after all. It is what he deserves for having worked his ass off to get where he is today! To settle for anything less was just unacceptable.
Now this is what Leorio wanted to hear! Whatever the blonde was dealing with, surely he can set it aside for the time being. Hopefully he wasn't asking for too much here. Had he straight out asked him to go as his date, then that would have been a different story. However he didn't. "The party starts at eight, but I'm gonna try and be home by seven! I need to shower, and get ready myself. Can't just wear my scrubs to a party, ya know?" The guests there will be dressed in nice clothes, and he didn't want to be the only one to stand out amongst them. Talk about drawing attention to yourself, and in an awkward way. If all goes according to plan, then he should be able to make it on time. But if something last minute pops up, then he might not get to go at all. How can he turn away a patient in need, just to attend some party? No, he couldn't do that.
Just how long were they going to be at this party anyways? This really wasn't his thing, and already dreaded it. "Got it. I will pick out something nice for you to wear, and set it on your bed." His boss mainly owns suits, so it shouldn't take him long to find something. Does he choose his favorite blue one? Or should he go for something different? Guess he will need to see what his options are, since he doesn't know them at the top of his head. 'The stuff I do for this man,' he thought. If only he had more time to mentally prepare himself.
After scoping out the cafeteria for a long few seconds, Leorio pulled out a thick wad of cash from his wallet. There he held it out to the blonde underneath the table. "Here. Go buy yourself a new suit, and some shoes to go along with it! Look at it as a raise, if you must. But no matter which way you take it, I'm treating ya to something you worked hard for! You did things I never asked for you to do, and for that I will forever be grateful. Also, you could use some more clothes." Why he doesn't own more was beyond him, but it probably wasn't any of his business.
As soon as Kurapika saw the amount in his hand, his eyes practically bugged out of his head. Was he insane? Why was he offering up so much? This just wasn't necessary. "D-Dr. Paladiknight! At least put half of that back. No one dishes out a raise that high," he pointed out in a whisper. It felt like he was trying to spoil him. Was their friendship getting in the way of work now? Is it affecting his decisions as a boss? This could go either way, and he honestly didn't want to find out the hard way.
Leorio forcefully placed it onto his lap, and quickly withdrew his hands before it could be given back to him. "The suit you're wearing right now is for work purposes. Kurapika, you're not going as my butler to this party.. You're going as my friend." There is a huge difference between the two, and he wanted him to understand this. And if it really is too much, then he can give him whatever is left over. But he just wanted him to have this chance to get whatever catches his eye.
Accepting gifts is a difficult thing for the blonde to do. It just makes him feel as though he owes that person back. That and, no one has given him anything in many years. This just seemed too generous. Yes this guy is loaded, but never did he want to leech off of him. "This is ridiculous," he muttered. His eyes were glued onto the cash that was now in his hand. Of course he made sure to keep it underneath the table in case anyone else saw. This whole situation just didn't sit well with him at all. He was barely able to afford this suit, and that is why he only owned the one. And yes he can buy one now that he has had enough paychecks since then, but still. To him that was just a waste. There were better things for him to put his hard earned money towards.
"It's not ridiculous to help out someone I care about! Up until you entered my life, I had no one to spend my money on. Now that is no longer the case. I just want to keep giving, rather than let it all rot in my bank account." A lot of his earnings go to his patients, but there is only so many people he can take in at a time. Not all of them need expensive surgeries, either. Some just need the right kind of treatment, or medications that are too expensive with or without health insurance. It is also a great feeling being able to give more to the people he considers to be his friends. They are the reason why he no longer feels alone—the reason why he loves coming home now, and waking up to a full kitchen.
"I'll take whatever money you don't want."
That voice.
No, it couldn't be. And yet when he turned around in his seat to see who it was, he gasped. His hands flailed in the air from the amount of excitement he currently felt, as well as jumping up and out of his chair. "Killua? Ah, Gon is with you too!" He got all teary-eyed when looking between the two. They had clearly gone through a growth spurt since their last encounter, taking as how they are much taller compared to before when they were just small kids. He pulled them both into a bone-crushing hug, not caring one bit about their protests. God he was just too happy to think clearly! He wasn't dreaming, right?
Killua grunted at being nearly squeezed to death, and patted him on the back. "C.. can't breathe.. old man…" He had a full head of fluffy white hair, and large ocean-blue eyes that resembled a cats. Even after doing some growing up himself, he still wasn't as tall as the doctor. The young teen had on a white tank top, and a pair of black shirts that went along with his black and white tennis shoes.
The other teenager, however, just giggled with delight at this. His hair was black, and stuck up in an angel. It was paired with large brown eyes, and an adorable smile. He had on a black t-shirt, a green jean jacket, and a pair of black jeans. They were tucked into ankle-high green and black boots. "But you can hold your breath for a very long time! This should be a piece of cake for you, Killua!" He giggled. The same can be said for himself, since he trained his butt off to practically become a fish under water. They like to hold competitions with each other to see who can hold their breath the longest whenever going to a public swimming pool. It really freaks the lifeguards out.
One of these days it will get them banned.
Even after two years have passed by, nothing seems to have changed between them. Leorio reluctantly let go, and took a step back to examine them further. It felt like just yesterday they were still under his care—two little shitheads getting into trouble left and right. Those sure were the days! Has it really been that long though? Where did the time go? So much has happened since then. "Being in your mid-twenties doesn't make you old, Killua! I am just more mature for my age, thank you very much!" He scoffed out. This is an issue he runs into every so often. People tend to mistake his age—making him out to be older than he actually is. The glasses probably don't help, but he just loves wearing them too much to give up.
Gon sweat-dropped. Some things really don't change after all. But he is happy that they are together again, because boy did he miss him! He was like the father he never had growing up. And they would have returned sooner to check up on the guy, had they not been so busy traveling the world. It was so easy to lose themselves in the culture of other countries. "I don't think you're old, Leorio!"
This made Killua roll his eyes. Of course he wasn't going to take his side. He shoved his hands into his pockets, and glanced over at the blonde who was just sitting there in silence at the exact same table. What did they walk in on? "Is this another one of your patients?" If that really was the case, then why is he dressed so nice? Who wears a suit to visit a doctor in a hospital of all places? Unless he plans on going somewhere afterward. That would make a lot of sense, since changing clothes can be such a drag. And were those white gloves sitting on the table in front of him? What purpose did they serve?
Leorio followed the teen's gaze, and immediately shook his head. "If he ever falls ill, or gets injured in any way, then I will definitely patch him up! But this right here is my best friend, Kurapika.. who mayyyyy also be my butler." There was no way he could keep that important piece of information from them. And he refused to lie to them as well. They were going to find out anyways, and he would hate for it to be by someone else.
As if on cue, the blonde stood up from his seat. And with a hand placed flat against his chest, he bowed before them. "It is a pleasure to meet you two." Any friend of the doctor's should be respected in such a way. It is also clear that these three are close with each other. 'I thought he didn't have any other friends. Or did he simply forget about them? I actually wouldn't doubt it if that were the case. As smart as he is, he sure can be an airhead at times…'
It took a moment for Killua to process this, and once he did, his eyes widened. "Ehh?! You have a butler? Since when?!" He sputtered out. When they last spoke, he didn't appear to be in need of any help. So then what changed? Was he feeling overwhelmed with work or something? He just didn't understand. And then to top it all off, they were even friends! How was that even possible?
The other teen's reaction was the complete opposite. There was a ear-to-ear grin on his face, and he had his hands clasped together in excitement. "Where did you two meet? How long have you known each other? Does this mean you guys live together? If so, then do you share a room?" He didn't mind spewing all of these questions out at once. There were so many he wanted to ask, and he really couldn't contain himself.
Kurapika slowly straightened his posture, and held his hands behind his back. That last question was embarrassing, but he didn't let it show. "I became Dr. Paladiknight's butler a little over a month ago. We held no other relationship before that. As time went by, we simply grew closer to one another. And I moved into the room across from his, so no we do not share one. That would be highly inappropriate," he replied. Just thinking about sleeping in the same bed made him want to blush. But such a thing just wasn't possible. You don't just casually share a bed with your male friend, especially when they are your boss of all things.
It may be inappropriate, but damn it Leorio wanted to snuggle up against the blonde in his sleep! Now those thoughts won't be leaving his mind. He cleared his throat, just awkwardly rubbing the back of his head as he stood there. This really wasn't the time to be imaging such a thing. "You don't need to act like my butler right now, you know." It will make things less weird for them all if he switches over to treating him like his friend, rather than his boss.
Killua took a seat at their table, and crossed one leg over the other to make himself more comfortable. "We were just passing by, when we saw your face on one of those billboards. Didn't think you would still be at the same hospital. You sure have gone far in your career since we were patients here," he said. Yes he has always been a wonderful doctor, but it still brought them by surprise to see how successful he has become in such a short amount of time. Nonetheless, they were very happy for him.
Sometimes even Leorio forgets that his face is plastered throughout the city. "Where else would I go? This is my home, and the people here are amazing! It helps that my own boss saw my potential from the very beginning. Without him, I wouldn't have climbed up the ladder as fast as I did!" He lowered himself back down onto his chair, and reached for his chopsticks. This was his only opportunity to eat, and so he needed to finish his food before break ends. Otherwise he will have to wait until that party later on tonight.
"I think it's so cool that Leorio is famous now!" Gon responded cheerfully. He hopped into the seat beside his friend, and swung an arm around his shoulders. They are inseparable at this point—going literally everywhere together. And it has been this way ever since they first met two years ago. Even on that very day when introducing themselves, there was an instant connection. It was like they were destined to meet, as silly as that sounds.
Being close like this in front of others has always been embarrassing for Killua, and that was proven by how red his cheeks turned. He shoved him away with his hand, but not too hard. "K-knock it off, Gon!" His head was turned to the side, as if he was trying to hide the look on his face when doing this. 'Being recognized by so many people might not be so cool to him,' he thought. If not now, then someday it might get to be too much for him to handle. Some just don't know how to respect your space.
Despite the change in height, their personalities sure were the same. Leorio snickered at the scene before him. He turned to the blonde before speaking up. "I had to take care of these two fresh into my career. Killua had three broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and a leg broken in multiple areas. He was placed in the same room as Gon, who was in for a ruptured spleen. Apparently this is how they met, and formed the friendship you're witnessing today," he explained.
"Well it's much more than just a friendship," Gon cut in. He snatched the other teen's hand from his lap, and held it up proudly. They haven't been official for very long, and were still getting used to the whole dating thing. Still, he was happy about it—happy to be with his first and closest friend in such a way.
Why must he go out of his way to be so embarrassing? Killua lowered his head to avoid everyone's stares, and yanked both of their hands down so that they were out of sight. It's not that he was ashamed of their relationship. If anything, he was just trying to get used to it himself. So to announce it loudly like that in front of others made him panic. "…."
Leorio lightly slammed his hands onto the table when he heard this news. "You're dating? Since when? I mean, I shouldn't be surprised.. You two have always been abnormally close with each other. I hope you both are being safe at least. I can grab some protection once I'm done eating here," he suggested. They are at that age where they will want to be experimenting. And to be honest, they didn't have a male figure in their life to learn about intimacy.
Killua just wanted to crawl underneath a rock, and die at this point. "Hahh?! Ew, no! We are not talking about this!" They may have been at that age, but were not interested in trying any of that quite yet. It hasn't even crossed their minds until now. This is something he should have expected, especially since this guy is a doctor and all. He must hand out condoms a lot, and sees no issue in doing so.
And now Gon's face was equally red. Well that sure caught him off guard. Their focus was on everything but that. The furthest they have ever gone was kiss each other, but it never escalated to anything past a peck on the lips. "T-thanks for the offer Leorio, but we're gonna have to pass on it." Once they do decide to take their relationship to the next level, they will make the necessary preparations.
Their reactions were priceless.
The doctor shrugged his shoulders. What was the big deal anyways? It is better to be safe than sorry, right? "Just tryin' to help. If one of you were a chick, I would send you off to have an exam, and then be prescribed a nice birth control. I'm just offering up my services in this type of situation." He wasn't doing any of this to humiliate them, and he wanted to make that very clear. Without realizing it, he was also acting fatherly toward the teens. This has always been a thing though. It is something he can't control, even if he tried to.
Regardless of age, this can be a tricky subject for anyone. Kurapika is also in his mid-twenties, and yet he would feel the same way if someone offered him condoms. Not that he can wear them himself, but still. "And that is very kind of you. You're looking out for their well-being as not only a doctor, but also their friend," he added. Fooling around without protection can ruin your life forever. It is so easy to catch something from your partner, that it just isn't worth it. But what would he know? He has never been with anyone like that before. At the rate he is going, he will probably never get to experience any of that. This didn't bother him though, for it was never on his mind to begin with.
He broke off a piece of his onion pancake, and picked it up with his chopsticks. "When did you two realize your feelings for one another?" Hopefully he didn't overstep in asking this, but he was curious to know. Their friendship had blossomed into a relationship, and they were not even adults yet.
It came to no one's surprise that Gon responded first. His eyes sparkled with excitement at the topic. This just gave him an excuse to gush over his love for the other teen. "I dunno when exactly my feelings for him developed.. I just know that I would get butterflies in my stomach whenever he got close to me. And uh.. my heart would beat really fast in my chest—almost like it was going to combust! Being away from him for a day would make me feel sad, and I'd miss him like crazy. During that time, he was the only one who filled my mind. I wondered where he was, and how he was doing- if he felt the same way toward me.. But Killua has never been good at expressing his feelings. He's the type to show them instead, which is fine with me! He's the best boyfriend I could ever ask for!" Confessing is very stressful, because you don't know what the other person's reaction will be.
"I swear you have no filter!" Killua grumbled, shaking his head. It wasn't necessary to go into full detail like that. A simple reply would have sufficed. But he definitely felt the same way. It is true that for him, he just can't get the right words out when trying to explain his feelings. So he is very lucky to be dating someone who is so patient, and understanding of this. No one else could put up with his crap like he can. Even after meeting his family, that wasn't enough to phase him in the slightest.
"…." Kurapika wasn't saying anything. His eyes were glazed over- lips parted slightly, as he stared ahead at nothing in particular. How could he have been so incredibly stupid? These were all things that he has experienced with the doctor himself, but he never knew why up until now. That fluttery feeling he gets in his stomach was in fact butterflies, and his heart goes nuts when around him because of his feelings. He subconsciously clutched at it with both of his hands. 'I'm.. falling for him? How could I let this happen? This wasn't part of the plan at all! I was just supposed to work for him.. So why?' If they really did kiss during that little moment at the zoo, would he have been able to push him away? Can he just up and reject him like that?
This uncertainty scared him, and he began to panic.
It was all coming together way too quickly for him to process. 'Leorio deserves someone so much better than me. I can't give him what he wants. And being around me too much might hurt him even more. I lost everyone I loved years ago, and it could very well happen again.' Today was already stressing him out, and now he had to deal with this. Nothing could have prepared him for this. His gorgeous, silver-colored eyes drifted over to the doctor. In that instant their gazes locked, and he couldn't hold back the gasp that slipped right out of him. "…!"
From day one he has felt attracted to him. During their interview, he couldn't get over how insanely handsome and charming he was. Even when on his first day, he had a hard time keeping his eyes off of his body. Before he didn't realize just how beautiful the color brown was, and that is why he finds himself lost in his stare a lot of the time. This is also why he hates it whenever those glasses hinders any part of his face. To him, it should be a crime to hide something so magnificent. But he still looks incredible with them on, so either way it was a win-win situation for the blonde.
Leorio moved so that he was now sitting in the chair next to him, and brushed aside his bangs. With the back of his hand now firmly placed onto his forehead, he became more serious. "You don't look so good. Do you need to lie down in one of the empty rooms?" His voice was just dripping with concern when asking this. It shouldn't be an issue, unless they get a bunch of patients in at once. And yes, that happens all the time. Accidents are bound to happen in a large city like this, and it results in many people getting hurt, or worse, dying. 'He doesn't feel warm. Does he have a stomach ache? Or maybe his head hurts? Hmm, it can't be the food. I'm eating the same thing he is,' he thought.
Now Kurapika usually isn't a violent person. In order to drive him to that point, you have to seriously hurt him either mentally, or physically. So when he smacked the doctor's hand away from his forehead, it shocked even himself. The whole table fell silent, and all eyes were on him. His eyebrows scrunched together, as he glared hatefully at his own hand. So many emotions were racing through him at the moment, and he just didn't know how to cope with it all. Is that why he snapped? God he felt like a monster! Hasn't he already been hurt enough as it is? It wasn't his fault that he felt so conflicted. But at the same time, pushing people away is what he did for so long. How can he fix something like that? It was easier said than done.
Burying himself under a mountain of blankets did sound nice right about now.
"I.. I'm so sorry, Leorio. Please forgive my behavior," he said quietly. The shame he felt was unreal, and he just knew that the other two were judging him based off of his actions just now. He didn't want to look up, and see the disappointing expression on their faces—the disgust for hitting their dear friend. Being touched made him feel all nervous now. If only he hadn't of discovered his true feelings! It would be nice to rewind time a little, and go back to when he was completely oblivious to everything. But it was too late for that.
Leorio has absolutely no idea what is going on, but what he does know, is that there must be a good reason behind the blonde's bizarre behavior. He has never struck him before, so why now of all times? Guess he should keep his hands to himself. Besides, he can see how remorseful he was over it. That alone was good enough for his forgiveness. He sighed, and put on a very warm and loving smile. "It's okay. I just wanted to see if you were running a fever, which you're not. Your skin got kinda pale, and you had this look in your eyes…" He couldn't put a word on it. How would he even describe it?
Being so forgiving is going to bite him in the ass one of these days. Kurapika should have at least gotten scolded! But no. Instead he received the most breathtakingly beautiful smile one could muster up, and it made his heart melt. This also added onto the guilt he already felt. "I didn't sleep well last night," he said. This was actually true. All night long he was left tossing and turning in his bed, unable to get comfortable enough in order to doze off.
Gon snapped his fingers. "I think you should go home, and take a much needed nap! We can always come over to help tidy things up for you while you take the time to rest up, too!" It would also be nice to see where their friend lives. His place must be really nice if he can afford the extra help. No he didn't grow up poor, but his aunt wasn't rich either. They leaned more towards middle-class.
As much as he hates to clean, it would be pretty cool to check out his place. Killua nodded his head then. "Just give us some money for chocolate," he smirked. That is the one thing he wanted right now. His sweet tooth was really kicking in right now, and he just had to have some sugary goodness to shove into his mouth.
"Killua, you already ate like ten chocolate bars for breakfast! You're going to become diabetic if you don't slow down. How about we use that money for actual food?" Gon worries about his boyfriend's health quite often, what with the amount of sugar he consumes on a daily basis. It just wasn't normal, and surely he will pay the price for it once he gets older.
Apparently their appetites were also the same. Leorio really didn't want to contribute to the young teen's poor diet, but that is the deal he was making here. "Is that the secret behind your growth spurt—to eat a bunch of chocolate every single day?" He teased with a chuckle of his own.
This confused the blonde. His gaze darted between them all, noticing that they were back to their usual selves. It was as if nothing had even happened in the first place- like before, when they were joking around with each other. 'I don't need a babysitter. But would it really be alright for me to decline their offer? At this point it feels like I shouldn't. I have already messed up once in front of them.' He just wanted to go back to the penthouse, and be by himself for a little while. Was that really too much to ask for? There is no way he can any of that with two teenage boys over. On the other hand, Melody will be there to help entertain them. And knowing her, she will probably enjoy their company.
Speaking of which-
He held his hand up to the doctor so that he wouldn't grab his wallet, and cleared his throat. "Leorio's personal chef, Melody, can bake you something chocolatey to eat instead. Would you like a cake? Or perhaps cookies?" He suggested. Well he needed to go to a clothing store anyways to pick up a new suit. There are plenty of markets around here to go to, where he can buy the necessary ingredients for said bakery goods.
This got their attention.
Killua perked up at the mention of freshly-made desserts. "You have someone cooking your meals now? That explains the bento boxes," he mumbled. It made him wonder if there was anyone else they should know about. A lot has changed in the last two years, and it felt like they had so much to catch up on. They didn't mean to be away for so long. It just sort of happened, as they lost track of time during their adventures. Better now than never, right?
Leorio grinned proudly. "Sure do! And boy is she great. You guys are gonna love her! So if I hear you guys gave her a hard time-" He stood up to get in between the two, and then proceeded to give them both a noogie. This won't be something he will seriously be worried about. He trusts everyone to get along just fine. It would be nice if he could be there with them all, but it was impossible to leave work this early. It might even be a struggle getting off at seven! At least if he is late, then his boss will be very understanding of it. But he wanted to try and avoid that. No one likes showing up last to an event.
Having his head being rubbed in such a rough manner made Gon wince slightly, but he still giggled nonetheless. "Well she won't bake us tasty treats if we're mean to her," he stated. It amazed him how their friend has all of this help now. Guess he needs it more than anything, what with him being such a successful doctor and all. He must not get very much time to take care of things back at his place, or rather, himself.
Kurapika's eyes softened. They sure do have a beautiful friendship going on here. 'Maybe.. if I keep my feelings to myself, then Leorio and I can remain being friends.' It sure beat going back to having no one in his life. What he has going on right now was enough for him to continue being happy. As long as he is able to stay by his boss's side, then he will no longer feel lonely. This is the only solution he can think of for the time being. And it certainly is a good thing that he hasn't confessed any of this yet. His appetite was sort of ruined because of this, and so that is why he closed up his bento box. A decent amount of the food got eaten anyways. If anything, he can eat the rest later on to save Melody's feelings. Not that she would be visibly upset, but still.
His lips formed into a small smile. "Melody would still bake you something nice. But don't think I will still allow you guys to mistreat her in any way. It may not be my place, but I do work there regardless." In other words, he will kick them out of they can't show her the respect she deserves. That is something he will not tolerate.
Upon hearing those words come out of his mouth, Leorio pouted. "What do you mean it isn't your place? You've been livin' there since day one! It's just as much yours as it is mine," he corrected while jabbing a finger right at him. Where else was he staying? That's right, nowhere. The same can be said for Melody as well. They are all staying under the same roof.
It has always been difficult for Kurapika to call one specific place his home, and this was no different. This is because he has traveled a lot—going from city to city to try and find the Phantom Troupe, and avenge his fallen clansmen. He slipped the white gloves back onto his hands, and flexed his fingers a bit. "I guess…" The expression on his face was neutral, so you couldn't tell how he was feeling, or what he was thinking.
"Gon, before you mentioned something about wanting food.. Are you hungry? Have you two not eaten lunch yet?" They didn't show up with anything to eat. And from what it sounds like, they are no longer living with their parents. It wouldn't surprise him if they barely had any money to spend.
The young teen blinked, and flashed him a bright smile. "Nope! We spent most of our money on the one-bedroom hotel we're currently staying at. But they offer free breakfast there, so it isn't that bad." One meal is better than none, after all. They just needed to find a way to earn some money during their stay here.
Well that was just wrong. How can he smile like that when they are starving? The blonde opened up his own wallet, and took out some of the cash that had just been given to him. "I need to pick up a new suit for an event later on tonight. While I am doing that, go grab something to eat at one of the nearby restaurants." He would rather go shopping by himself anyways. That way he won't have anyone looming over him, and making him feel rushed.
Seeing this made Leorio feel very happy. These three will have no problem getting along with each other. Since he was finished with his own meal, he closed up his bento box as well. "I get to take Kurapika to my boss's birthday party! Last time I had to go alone, and that was super awkward.. But now I'll have my best bud with me!" And oh was he going to show him off to everyone.
Were they really just friends? Killua got the feeling that there was something more going on between them. 'More like you will be bringing a date,' he thought with an amused smirk. He leaned forward in his seat, and folded his arms across his chest. "So.. what did you get your boss?" Now that he earns more money, he should be able to afford a nice enough gift. Personally, gift-giving just wasn't his thing. Probably because he never really received any growing up, so the whole exchange was just awkward for him.
Leorio's jaw dropped. How can he show up to a birthday party without a gift? What does his boss even like? Even if he knew, that still doesn't change the fact that he has absolutely no time to go shopping after work. "Ahh, well you see…" He chuckled nervously, and resorted to looking around the cafeteria as he tried to think of a better response.
Well that answered his question. Killua stared at him with a blank look in those icy-blue eyes of his. "How lame! You can't show up without a gift! Everyone's gonna make fun of you..." He smacked the palm of his hand against his forehead, and shook his head. 'How awkward!' Just imagining how the scene will unfold made him cringe.
The doctor huffed in frustration. Was it really necessary to make him feel worse than he already does? As if he wants to be the laughing stock at his boss's party. "You don't need to remind me! Nnrghh, what am I going to do?" He pulled at his hair, but not hard enough to rip it out of his scalp.
Kurapika stood up from his seat, and began stuffing both of the bento boxes into the bag he carried them in. "I will pick something up at one of these shops, so calm down." It was his duty as his butler, after all. That and, he really didn't want him to be humiliated by his coworkers for showing up empty-handed. Since he was already given too much money to spend on a single suit, he can just use the rest of it towards a gift. There, problem solved.
That was all Leorio needed to hear in order to make him feel better. "God you're such a life saver! What would I do without you?" If he could, he would shed tears of joy. This was just one less thing for him to worry about. 'I bet he is really good at picking out gifts,' he thought. Maybe this really was the best way to go, because boy was he horrible at it.
More like, what would they do without each other?
And there goes his heart. Kurapika fumbled with the bag's strap on his shoulder, and then looked down to check the time on his watch. His hand trembled slightly. 'Don't think about it,' he scolded in his mind. If he doesn't acknowledge his feelings for the doctor, then maybe they will go away. "We should get going. I will send you a photo of the gift before I wrap it up." That way he will at least know what it is, and what it looks like.
Why was he avoiding his gaze again? This is something he couldn't help but notice, and it only seemed to be happening more often. Leorio reached out to touch his shoulder, but froze halfway through. That's right. Last time he laid a hand on him, it resulted in being smacked. It might be too soon to try that again. "I will see you tonight, Kurapika. Until then please take care of yourself," he said in a velvety-deep voice. With his friends coming over to help out, he should have enough time to rest up before then.
Kurapika didn't need to look in the mirror to see that he was blushing—his whole face becoming incredibly warm. What the heck was that just now? Did he do that on purpose to incite a reaction out of him? Well it worked if that is what he was truly aiming for. He cracked a small smile, and nodded his head. "Mm. You do the same, Leorio," he murmured.
Gon grabbed the blonde's hand, and pulled him along as he made his way out of the cafeteria. "The sooner you get into bed, the better!" Who knows how long their shopping excursion will be. On the other hand, he was excited to spend this time with him, and hopefully form a friendship.
"So he's just a friend, huh? You're not fooling me with that crap." Killua scoffed at the doctor, before brushing past him. He had a rather smug look on his face when doing this. However, he was in no hurry to actually catch up with the other two. For now he didn't mind staying back a bit to keep to himself. His boyfriend was completely oblivious to what was going on, but that is fine. A lot of stuff tends to go right over that large head of his.
Leorio was left standing there speechless. "…."
The decorations were stunning! From the streamers to balloons—to birthday-shaped confetti and the tableware, it was all colored in silver and black. There was a huge spread of appetizers that were handmade by a hired chef, as well as champagne poured into cups made out of imperial glass. The guests all mingled underneath dimmed lighting, while they conversed with soft jazz music playing in the background. With a couple of couches and chairs displayed in the main room, it gave some the opportunity to sit down and relax as they enjoyed their stay. The women wore gorgeous dresses, accompanied by jewels that sparkled—the men having thrown on their best suits.
On the wall behind the four-tier cake were two numbers that read "40" on it, indicating the age that the doctor had just turned. A group of women were standing in front of it to take selfies—giving the camera peace signs, or sticking their tongues out in a goofy manner. Of course everyone wanted to talk to the birthday guy himself, but he was only one person. He can only do so much what with being pulled in all directions. The place was crowded, so that meant groups were made. They still managed to keep things at a decent level despite this. If they were to be too loud, then the neighbors would surely complain. And no one wanted to deal with that, especially on a night like this.
The cake itself was white, with black lace going around the edges of each layer- the inside being marble, since picking just one flavor was too hard to do. Some like chocolate, while others like vanilla. This way people can just pick around the side they don't like. It was apparently delicious, since a couple of pieces have already been cut out. It was there for people to serve themselves, since it wasn't necessary to throw candles onto it, and then sing happy birthday. It felt as though he was too old for such a thing. This unsurprisingly disappointed some of the guests, but not enough for them to make any complaints. A day like this wasn't about anyone else.
It was hard to believe that such an extravagant place like this was actually somebody's home. As a matter of fact, it made Kurapika wonder if he was even dressed appropriately for this party. Just stepping through the front door blew him away! His hands immediately went to the suit he had bought earlier this afternoon, gliding them over his chest and down his legs. The pants and blazer were black, with the button-up shirt underneath being white, as he wore a dark red tie around his neck. His medium-length blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail using a black ribbon, just to keep it out of his face in a more organized way. The shoes on his feet were also brand new, and they shined oh so perfectly. And no, it didn't cost him all of the money given to him.
His nerves started to kick in.
"You look exquisite, so stop fidgeting." Leorio had to lean down in order to whisper this in his ear. There were a few choice words he wanted to use instead that fit the blonde's description better, but figured it would embarrass him greatly. Although, he would give anything to see him blush like that right about now. That tiny nub of a ponytail was absolutely adorable, and he so desperately wanted to play around with it. As for himself? This time he wasn't allowed to wear his most favorite navy-blue suit. Not only was it a little worn out from being so old, but it also wasn't as nice as all the other ones in his closet. To be honest, some of them haven't even been touched! The price tags were still on them, which meant they had been bought, only to rot on a hanger for who knows how long.
A dark gray suit had been laid out for him instead, which was paired with a black tie, and a white button-up shirt. His glasses were also swapped out for the ones with the black frames. They just matched a whole lot better with his attire, unlike the other set. The quality was the same, and damn did they look sharp on him! In the one hand was a shiny gold bag, which held the birthday present inside. It was covered in white and gold tissue paper, with a tag hanging on the outside which read "From Dr. Paladiknight" in cursive handwriting. It was done so elegantly, that he wondered if it had been printed out. But then he remembered all those times he watched him sign paperwork, so that wasn't the case here.
How can he not worry about his appearance? This wasn't something Kurapika can simply get used to. He is surrounded by those who probably don't know what it is like to have nothing in life. The chandeliers alone cost more than anything he has ever owned! So yes, he didn't view himself as being worthy enough to attend this party. But he just needed to suck it up for his boss's sake. This was important to him, after all. His lips twitched. "Look at you using big words," he teased under his breath. In all seriousness though, that was something he needed to hear. It was like he could sense the doubt beginning to emerge.
It was truly impressive on his part.
At this point they had just squeezed through a larger group of people, and were making their way over to the gift table. Already it was piled high with boxes varying in different of sizes, with the bags having to be set on the floor because of there not being enough space. "I know plenty of big words," Leorio retorted. He set his own down onto the hardwood floor, making sure to be careful so that it wouldn't break in doing so.
"Now, let's grab some of that tasty-looking food!" He spun around to grab onto the blonde's arm, and then guided him over to the other table. By now he was starving, and couldn't wait to dig in. The last thing he ate was that bento box during lunch time. His hunger didn't truly kick in until he got home, and ever since then his stomach kept growling annoyingly loud. Don't even get him started on the uncomfortably silent car ride here. He swears he heard the taxi driver let out a few chuckles.
Kurapika watched as his boss started cramming food into his mouth, and sweat-dropped. Where were his manners? Did he have no shame? He grabbed a small disposable plate, and held it out for him to take. "Don't act like a pig in front of your coworkers," he scolded lightly. They have probably seen him eat like this at work before, but this was a special occasion. No one else was inhaling their food.
The doctor smiled sheepishly at him. As hungry as he was, that really didn't excuse his gross behavior. After taking the offered plate, he went down the table to pile more food onto it. There was just so much to try! And when he felt as though that was enough, he snatched a glass of champagne that had been calling his name. "Sorry about that! I'll try to act like a good boy," he winked.
"…." Alrighty then. Without even acknowledging his response, Kurapika worked on piling his own plate with a few desired appetizers. And when he made it over to the line of champagne-filled glasses, he hesitated. Alcoholic beverages have never been his thing. It tastes funny, and makes you act like a complete idiot when consuming too much. But this was a high-end party, where everyone else had one in their hand. They all casually sipped at the sparkling liquid, while laughing and having a good old time. Won't it look wrong if he chooses not to partake in the drinking? He really didn't want to draw any unnecessary attention to himself here of all places. As if he already didn't feel awkward enough.
Sighing heavily, he finally grasped one of the glasses in his hand, and lifted it up off of the table. 'I just want to go home,' he thought. When him and the other two got done with their mini shopping spree earlier, they sent him straight to bed—going on and on about how exhausted he looked. Little do they know, this was actually quite normal. It is rare for him to get a full nights rest for various reasons. Other than that it was nice having them around. Not only did he get to relax in his comfortable bed, but also, he was able to take that time to think more clearly about what has been going on recently. Basically he appreciated being left alone. Also, they were very respectful in being quiet. Whether Melody played a part in that, he had no idea.
But oh did she love them.
As he brought the glass up to his lips, he took a small sip of the champagne. The taste was better than he expected it to be. It was cold, and somewhat refreshing? The bubbles tingled pleasantly on his tongue, and it made him go in for another. It wasn't overly sweet like a lot of the other alcoholic beverages are. He didn't even realize how much he drank until it was all gone, and was left feeling thoroughly disappointed. Without a moments hesitation, he went in for a second. A warming sensation was slowly spreading throughout his body, but he simply ignored it. Even when his cheeks started to turn pink, he did not care in the slightest. All of the stress he had been feeling before was melting away—being replaced by a whole new feeling.
This did not go unnoticed by Leorio. And when he saw the blonde reach for a third glass, he couldn't help but chuckle with pure amusement. This was certainly new. "At this rate I'm gonna have to carry you home." Not that he would mind. On the other hand they just got here. Shouldn't they stay longer than ten minutes before dipping? It would be rude of them to leave so soon.
"You made it! And what's this? You brought Kurapika along?" It was the birthday guy himself, and the excitement in his voice just now was so precious. He had on one of those sashes that was full of silver glitter, and even a top hat that rested on the side of his head. It was being held up with a thin piece of string, and was equally glittery. You could see it all up in his thick, greying hair.
Having a little bit of champagne wasn't going to send him over the edge. But before Kurapika could respond to that statement, their conversation was interrupted. Right, there were other people here. He set his small plate of untouched appetizers onto the top of his glass, and waved. "Nice to see you too, Dr. Wynter," he greeted with a smile. This man has always been kind to him, and deserved to be treated the exact same way.
"And happy birthday," he added. Up until now he had no idea how old he was. Actually, he just assumed that he was younger than forty. If it weren't for his hair turning gray, he would feel even more shocked. That is what happens when you take such good care of yourself. It is very obvious that he lives off of a strict diet, and works out regularly.
Just like a certain someone he knows.
Leorio playfully elbowed his boss in the side. "Well I can't hog him all to myself ya know! Also, happy birthday gramps!" He snorted when calling him that, and burst into a fit of chuckles. This caused the champagne in his glass to slosh up the sides, and almost spill over.
The older male swung an arm around to pull him into a headlock. "What did you just call me, you beanstalk?" He asked with a frightening smile. The birthday wishes were very much appreciated, and so far he was having a great time! What with most of them working at the same hospital, he didn't expect for so many people to show up. It made him wonder who was stuck picking up the slack for everyone being here. And well, it made him feel slightly guilty.
"Ha! You're just jealous that I can reach things you can't." His boss wasn't necessarily short, but he wasn't tall either. The best way to describe his height, is that he is more on the average side. Leorio just towers over most people, and so they usually go to him for help. Being the helpful person that he is, he never minds it one bit. Although, they will never understand what it is like to hit your head on so many doorways. It's amazing how he hasn't suffered a concussion yet.
He pulled away to snatch a pulled pork puff pastry from the table, and plopped it into his mouth. "Maybe I am, but not for that reason. Most women prefer taller men like yourself. I'm just below six feet, and that still isn't good enough. They won't even look at me when you're around." In no way did he sound bitter when saying this. He was just stating facts here.
It took a few seconds for Leorio to fully process that. He blinked, took a sip of his champagne, and then blinked again. "Wait, what do you mean by that? Everyone's crazy about you! I hear nothing but great things from the staff. And look how many of them showed up to your party!" He gestured at the groups of people before them, who were heavily made up of women.
The doctor just sighed at this. "Do you see Ami over there in the violet dress? Yeah, there is a reason why she buys you coffee all the time. And her best friend Misumi in the floor-length yellow dress? Every single day she goes out of her way just to say hi to you.. But you have been painfully oblivious to both of their advances. And that isn't even all of them. You really have no idea, Dr. Paladiknight." It was funny in a way. How can you not notice so many women hitting on you? Unless he didn't want them. In which case he would have to wonder why. If not them, then who suited his interests?
This was news to him. How come he never noticed before? Hopefully he didn't come off as being rude toward their advances. Leorio blushed deeply when looking at the two. Anyone with eyes can see how beautiful they were. It was a little hard to recognize them outside of their work scrubs, but that was definitely them alright. "I didn't think anyone was interested in me. Heh, guess I'm not very good at this sorta thing!" He chuckled nervously.
His boss scoffed out a small laugh, and then patted him on the back. "Well I can help you with that! Come on, let's go talk to them. Maybe you'll even get lucky tonight." He grinned when saying this, and pushed the young doctor forward so that they could make their way through another group of people. 'Maybe I can take one for myself,' he thought.
"…." Kurapika watched as those two approached the beautiful women. In his eyes they could have been super models, had they not already invested themselves in the medical field. He just knew that his boss had some admirers in the workplace, and this only proved that. Although, he wasn't exactly happy about it. There was no doubt that what he felt in this very moment, was jealousy. Weren't they supposed to stick together? Instead he got left behind, and for what? So that he can bring another woman home? This did not sit well with him at all. 'Stop it. He's not yours.' He has already accepted the fact that they cannot be together. Both of them walk separate paths, and so it would never work out. As much as he wanted him all to himself, that just wasn't possible.
It was greedy, and selfish.
He polished off the rest of the champagne in his current glass, and then reached for a fourth. By now he just did not care anymore. Once again he has been left behind, and in such an unfamiliar place nonetheless. There was no one else for him to talk to—to mingle with. These weren't his coworkers, nor his friends. They were all Leorio's. 'Do they even understand your corny jokes? Those women are laughing, but it doesn't seem real…' His gaze fell to the food on his plate that still hasn't been touched, realizing that his appetite was long gone. He simply tossed it into he trash bin after making sure no one else was watching. There was no way he would be able to stomach any of it.
And then he headed for the balcony—weaving in between people in order to get to the other side of the room. Once he finally made it there, he stepped out and closed the doors behind him. Maybe that will give others the hint to leave him be. He inhaled deeply, taking in the fresh air. "…" Quiet. You could no longer hear the music playing inside, but instead the sounds of cars driving by. There was a lot of traffic below, both in the streets and on the sidewalks. While leaning over the railing, he squished the liquid inside of his glass a bit. 'This probably costs more than my suit,' he thought with a sigh. It wasn't even bought with his own money. Why was he even here in the first place? It would be easy for him to just hop off of this ledge, and go back home. But then he would have to deal with all of the questions from both Leorio and Melody.
The last thing he wanted to do, was worry either of them.
Kurapika brought his hand up to rest against the back of his head, and a small smile formed on his lips. That massage he received at the zoo the other day felt incredible. The way his boss's fingers caressed his scalp, while the other arm held him carefully against his body—it was so relaxing. This made smacking it against the concrete floor all the more worth it, as messed up as that sounds. 'His touch was so gentle…' He folded his arms as they rested on the railing, and buried his face into them. His glass was resting to the side, and he could care less if it fell and broke. Why should he? It's not like anyone would notice it missing. Even so, he can afford to buy a new set. There was only one thing that consumed his thoughts right now. Anything else did not seem to matter.
He gripped tightly at the sleeve of his blazer. Can he really continue being Leorio's butler after this? As much as he wanted to quit, the other part of him wanted to stick around, even if it meant seeing him with someone else. This wasn't just about money anymore. They have formed a close friendship now, and he couldn't just throw that away. Cutting ties with someone is painful, and should only be a last resort. 'As long as he is happy.' Even if that means sacrificing his own happiness, he is willing to do it in order to keep that smile on his face. It was his duty anyways. And here he wanted to try and forget about these feelings. Looks like that was harder than expected. If only he had someone to warn him about this. Instead he had to find out for himself.
"There you are! I thought you left!" It was Leorio. He was in the middle of closing the balcony doors with his foot, because his hands were full with two slices of cake. When he looked back and saw that the blonde was missing, he panicked a little. Yes he could have gone to the restroom, but he went before they left. It was also hard to lose him in a room filled with people, where the majority were taller than him. Thankfully his search came to an end, when he saw that pretty blonde head of his standing outside. It makes sense that he is out here, now that he thinks about it. He never meant to actually ditch him back there. But on the other hand, how could he go against his own boss? It was also his party, and he didn't want to offend him in any way.
Well that was completely and utterly unexpected.
Kurapika's reaction to his sudden entrance was not so great. He responded by flinching, and throwing his arms outward. This caused his glass to fly right off the ledge, and shatter onto the pavement below them. No one was hurt, luckily. However there were a few people staring up to see where it came from, and he quickly took a step back to avoid being yelled at. He whirled around to face the doctor, a hand now against his chest as his heart threatened to explode right through it. Was he trying to scare the crap out of him? He didn't think anyone would come out here to bother him. Not that he was being bothered, but still. "L-Leorio?! What are you doing out here?" He croaked.
No, he wouldn't intentionally scare him like that. How else was he supposed to approach him? Leorio held up the two plates, and grinned widely. "Thought you'd want some cake! The lace on here is edible! How cool is that?" Give it to him to find something like edible lace interesting. And because he doesn't tell anyone his birthday, no one has ever made or bought him a cake before. He has never liked celebrating it, and that feeling only intensified as he got older. Who in the world likes to age? Definitely not this guy.
What was even going on right now? Kurapika felt very confused, and just stared at him with a strange look in his eyes. "Shouldn't you be offering one of those girls a slice of cake? I thought you were trying to hook up with one of them…" He glanced through the glass doors, and saw one of them still lingering with Dr. Wynter. The other one was off talking to a different group of people.
"Eh? Did you really think I was going to-… Ahaha! Wow Kurapika, that's funny!" The doctor burst out laughing. Neither of them were even his type. Besides, he wouldn't just sleep with anyone like that. What did he take him for? As much as he gets along and respects those ladies, they can't give him the long-term relationship that he desires. There was no spark when talking to them. Just.. nothing. So why waste his time?
Kurapika looked to the side, and slid his hands into his pockets. "You're going to wind up alone if you keep being picky like that," he mumbled. It was safe to assume that he has never had a girlfriend before. Does he enjoy being single? Or does he have such high standards for his future partner? He honestly couldn't tell.
Was that the issue here? There was a small table situated in the middle of the balcony, where Leorio set both of their plates onto. It was starting to get annoying not having any free hands. He pushed his index finger up the bridge of his nose to adjust his glasses then. "But what if I'm already interested in someone else?" That wouldn't be fair to either one of them. Why date someone, when you hold feelings for another person?
Oh. That is an option he didn't think of. If this is true, then who has stolen his heart? It must be someone he works with. But if they were at this party, then wouldn't he be talking to them? Unless they couldn't make it. Kurapika turned back around to face the city. He didn't know what to say to that. Should he press him on the matter? Or was it none of his business? He couldn't help but feel curious. "I'm not hungry," he finally said. Just looking at that cake made him feel nauseous. The gesture was still nice, and he felt bad for denying it. But he physically couldn't shove it down his throat, no matter how hard he tried to.
Leorio frowned deeply at this. First lunch time, and now this? What has gotten him in such a sour mood? The atmosphere around them felt so tense! This isn't how he wanted things to be between them. He got alongside the blonde, and reached over to flick his tiny ponytail. "You've been acting kind of.. off all day. Do you wanna talk about it?" The doors were closed, so no one else could hear their conversation. He understands how important privacy is to him, and he respected that wholeheartedly.
Privacy was indeed very important to the blonde. That is why he felt so grateful for those sound-proof doors. He let out a long and heavy sigh, with his gaze fixated on his hands. They slowly curled into fists. As much as he didn't want to talk about it, this was someone he trusted. And who knows, maybe letting it all out might help him feel better. "I lost my parents and Pairo when I was twelve-years-old.. Today marks the day they were brutally murdered." You could hear all of the pain and sadness in his voice when saying this. Even though he is now twenty-four, it is still so fresh in his mind. He will never be able to get the images of their bloody, dismembered bodies out of his head. It is going to haunt him for the rest of his life.
The doctor felt a pang in his chest. He had always known that Kurapika lost his parents, but never knew when, or how for that matter. It was just something he didn't feel comfortable asking—like he was trying to be nosy, when in reality he was just worried about him. For twelve years he has had to deal with their deaths with no one to comfort him—no one to tell him that everything will be okay, and that things will get better. He brought his hand up to rest against his back, and rubbed small circles onto it. "I'm really sorry, Kurapika. I should have never begged for you to come to this stupid party with me. I now understand why you wanted to stay home," he murmured.
Kurapika practically melted at the soothing back rub. Again, he was being so gentle with him. He inhaled sharply. "It wasn't your fault. You had no idea what I was going through. I chose not to say anything, because it isn't an easy thing for me to talk about. And I really don't want to get anyone else involved in my personal matters. But, there are things I can no longer keep from you," he said quietly.
"Leorio, I didn't sign up to be a butler because it was something I dreamed of becoming. I just figured it would give me the income I needed in order to accomplish my goals. See, I know exactly who killed my clansmen. It is not one person, but many, and they go by a group called The Phantom Troupe. They make a living off of selling items in the black market—hence why they murdered the Kurta for their Scarlet eyes. The only reason why I managed to escape the same fate, was because I left to grab something at the market for Pairo and I. It was just quicker that I go by myself." His hands were shaking, but he tried to ignore it. He was in the middle of spilling everything to his boss, and didn't want to stop.
"When I got back, that is when I found them. Everything was covered in blood—the walls, the floor, the ceiling! Their body parts had been strewn about throughout the house, and when the police finally pieced them all together, they were missing their eyes. My nightmares consist of living through that day over and over again, and it drives me to the point where I want to end it all, just so that I can be with them again. But then I remember that someone has to avenge their deaths! If I die, then who will make those spiders pay for what they have done? That is why I have devoted myself to finding them, and in doing so I need money. I put my paychecks into a savings, so that someday I can work on tracking them down."
To say that Leorio is horrified was an understatement. No child should ever have to go through something so traumatic like that! That isn't the only reason why he felt sad. "My god Kurapika. You should have never experienced such an awful thing. I get that you want these people to pay, but at what cost? It sounds like you are still sacrificing your life in a way, because you're not allowing yourself to be happy until they have been what, caught? Killed? I believe that they should rot in a prison cell, but can't you let the system take care of that? Your life is so precious, and I would hate for you to throw it away on those scumbags…"
Kurapika clenched his jaw. "The system won't do anything. Why should I wait on them, when I can take care of it myself? Even if I die in the process, at least I will be doing it for the sake of my clan. They deserve their justice." His eyes turned into a cold glare, but it wasn't directed at anything in particular.
That is something he refuses to accept. Leorio grabbed onto the blonde's shoulders, and turned his body so that they were facing each other. He gave him a very serious stare, as he held onto him tightly. "If I could, I would smack the shit outta ya for saying something so stupid! You want to die for your fallen clansmen?! Is that something they would even want?! I'm pretty sure that your mother and father would want you to live on, and to be happy! And what about Pairo? What would he think?" He was angry, which doesn't happen very often. It usually takes a lot to push him this far, but damn it this was too much for him to handle.
He shook him a little. "What about Melody? About me? Do we really mean nothing to you? You have the chance to start over in life with us, and yet you would throw all of that away for people who are no longer a part of this world? I get that they were your family, but aren't we your family too?" He pressed.
The blonde winced at how strong of a hold Leorio had on him. Never has he heard him raise his voice in such a way before. He didn't even think he could get so upset, and yet here he was, yelling right in his face. "Stop it! As if you could ever understand what I have been through! Sticking around me will only get you guys killed anyways! I have lost everything once already, so it is bound to happen again!" He snapped back at him. His eyes were welling up with tears at this point, but he fought hard to keep them from spilling over.
That's it.
Leorio shoved the blonde forward so that their bodies clashed, and wound his arms around his much smaller one. "You're right, I don't understand what it is like.. But you are highly mistaken if I'm gonna let anything happen to you! Just because you have been alone these past twelve years, doesn't mean things have to stay that way. There is no getting rid of us. Even if you decide to leave, I'll hunt you down and drag your ass back here where you belong! I will pay to have those guys put behind bars as well, so don't worry about it. You are now stuck with us, so deal with it! Melody loves you…" He fell silent for a moment, and when he spoke up again, his voice shook.
"I love you."
Was that a confession just now? Those words kept repeating themselves in the blonde's mind, and each time it made his heart beat faster and faster. It got to the point where he actually grunted. It was such an uncomfortable feeling. His bottom lip quivered, and he grasped at the doctor's shirt for dear life. "Y-you can't love me! I'm not right for you! I can't.. give you the life you deserve…"
He ducked his head to place a kiss on the top of his head. This was something he really enjoyed doing. "Too late. You are the person I am interested in. And what is it that I deserve? Because imagining a life without you is too painful for me to bear. That is why you just have to live, Kurapika! Live with me, and Melody.. as well as with Gon and Killua, because I am certain that they will love you too. We will do whatever it takes to help you out, so please.. let us in." This wasn't how he had planned on confessing his love for the guy, but hey it works.
It wasn't that simple. At least, it shouldn't be.
The only response Kurapika could give him were tears. They were hot as they streamed down his face. There was no controlling them anymore. This was the result of holding everything in for twelve painstakingly long years. The doctor's shirt was becoming soaked in them, but that still wasn't enough to get him to stop. In fact he only cried harder—gasping as each sob ripped right through him. Was it really okay for him to be happy? To allow these people in so that he can feel loved, and cherished? He won't be able to handle going through another huge loss like before. It will literally crush him. What should he do?
It pained Leorio to see him like this, but he had to remain strong for his sake. He tightened his hold on him ever so gently, and continued to rub at his back. "Let it all out. It's okay, you're no longer alone. I'm here for you," he whispered. This person is so unbelievably broken, that he was willing to do whatever it takes to mend him back together. Even if it takes having to hold him all night long, he will happily do it. Until then he will not let go. Nothing about the blonde is scary. And if being with him is so dangerous, then he will just become a better fighter. That simple. He can already hold his own quite nicely. 'He shouldn't be here,' he thought while looking around. There were too many people around.
Without further a do, he lifted Kurapika up into his arms. "Let's go home."