A Doctor's Soulmate

by Skelakitty92

Leorio is a rich and successful doctor, who needs help around his fancy penthouse. What he didn't expect, was to fall deeply in love with said butler. Contains LeorioxKurapika, Yaoi, and possible Lemon!

9. Chapter 9

The sun was already rising—peaking brightly through the curtains when Kurapika began to stir. His small body was enveloped in a comfortable warmth, and he contemplated on whether or not he should even open his eyes. Although, his throat was very dry. It became more difficult to swallow the longer he laid there, with his arms wrapped around.. what was that exactly? It couldn't be a body pillow, because those do not produce the amount of heat this object was radiating. That and, those are much softer than what he was resting against. It wasn't to say that this was necessarily hard or anything, but rather, it just definitely wasn't the case here. There was no comparing the two. What was the scent he was inhaling through his nose? It sure did smell familiar.

Thump, thump, thump…

This sound continuously played in the blonde's ear over and over again. He slid his hand over to rest over the hard surface, and could feel it beating in rhythm to what he was hearing. The combination of everything made it feel like he was melting into a puddle. All was going well until a splitting headache hit him out of nowhere, and oh did it hurt like hell. This gave him all the more reason to just stay in bed, and deal with the consequences later on. Would anyone even be mad at him? It is not like he does this all the time. As a matter of fact, he gets up around the same time as Melody. He has trained himself to wake up so early on in the morning, so he didn't even need to set an alarm most of the time.

His eyes opened halfway, and all he saw was white. The fabric was wrinkled, and there were buttons lined down the middle of it. This made his mind go blank. 'What the heck?' His eyebrows scrunched together in confusion at this. It is difficult to process things when you're not even fully awake. He blinked a couple of times so that his vision would adjust to the surrounding light, and once things became more clear, he leaned back slightly. As his gaze traveled upward, his breathing came to a halt. This was not his bedroom for starters. The walls, the bed, the furniture—it was all completely different. Everything was falling into place at this realization. Why was he in here of all places, sleeping soundlessly in the doctor's arms?

Last night he had been carried home in those same arms.

Leaving the party was very embarrassing, but Leorio did his best to get him out of there as quickly as possible. You could see their questionable stares, and the whispers that followed with it. However this didn't slow him down. And when they finally made it outside, he still refused to let him go. The whole way home he was being cradled like some sort of baby, and it gave him mixed feelings. Deep down he was just grateful to be out of there, no matter the method that was being used. It also gave them the alone time that they both needed. At that point his sobs had quieted down to muffled cries. The tears refused to stop rolling down his cheeks, and he wondered if they ever would. Needless to say, he was a total wreck.

Kurapika watched as his chest rose and fell with each breathe he took. His hand softly caressed it from side-to-side. This was his only chance to touch him in such a way, and damn it he wasn't going to waste it! 'I don't remember being brought in here. Did I cry myself to sleep?' They were still in their suits, minus the blazers and ties of course. This was proof that nothing weird happened between them. Not that he suspected it in the first place, but still, it was nice to see. His fingers twitched as they glided over the top buttons. The urge to pop them open was growing greater, and he gulped. It would be oh so wrong of him to undress him while he is asleep. If someone were to do that to him, he would be downright furious.

But he wanted to touch his soft, bare chest.

"Leorio," he whispered. What does this make them? They can either stay being close friends, or strive for something more. Either way he needed to make a decision, and soon. So much was at risk here. If he doesn't choose wisely, then it could ruin everything. This made him feel anxious, and he snuggled closer into the doctor. 'I don't want to lose you!' Even if they don't go further in their relationship, he won't be able to hide his own feelings for too much longer. Won't it ultimately put a wedge between them? As much as he wanted to forget his past and live a happy life with him, that was easier said than done. There is so much hurt and anger in his heart from the loss of his family and best friend, that he can't just pretend they never existed.

Was that really expected of him though?

Perhaps Kurapika was just overthinking things, and coming up with stuff that was never even said in the first place. That would make a whole lot of sense actually. "Leorio", he repeated just as quietly as the last time. His body shuddered at all of the glorious warmth seeping into him. Their chests were touching, and he had his face buried into the crook of his neck. There was no way he could possibly get any closer than this. Their hearts were beating against one another, and it filled his stomach with those dreaded butterflies. Now that he thinks about it, there was no nightmare. There was no tossing and turning all night long, or laying awake for hours on end while staring up at the ceiling. For the first time in many years, he was able to sleep peacefully throughout the night.

It didn't take a genius to figure out why.

He shifted himself so that their faces were more level with each other's, and laid a gentle hand against Leorio's warm cheek. His thumb absentmindedly stroked over the soft skin. The bruise on his eye was considerably smaller compared to before, so it was healing nicely. In just a few days he won't even need any foundation. The cut on his lip was also just barely visible at this point. The people at his workplace just figured he had chapped lips, and that was that. No one has suspected that he got hit in the face by some jerk who felt entitled to something that wasn't his. They got lucky picking a fight with someone who is so kind, and forgiving. Had it been the blonde himself? Well, things would have gotten rather messy. The new jar of Scarlet Eyes were sitting alongside the other one, as they were both propped on top of his dresser. He will need to look into getting a special shelf for them.

Kurapika's heart jumped a little then. This man right here really was willing to do anything for him, even if that meant putting his own life at risk. 'I'm.. loved…' It was still a bizarre feeling for him—one that will take him a good while to get used to. That confession was the most unexpected thing to have ever happened to him, and he was still processing it. He still believes that the doctor can do so much better, but he also understands that you don't get to choose who you fall for. It just sort of happens, whether you like it or not. It's just that these type of feelings never mattered to him before. He always thought that it was something he could easily set aside to deal with for another time. Oh how wrong he was. If only he knew just how hard that really was.

He pressed his forehead against Leorio's, and closed his eyes. "I love you too." That was the response he should have said last night, but just couldn't bring himself around to actually spit it out. It also didn't help that he felt so incredibly overwhelmed with emotions. This made it nearly impossible to say much of anything, much less confess to something so deep. This was all so new to him, so he had no idea how to properly approach this. And now he was wondering if they really were meant to meet. Was there such a thing as fate—as a soulmate? It sounded absolutely ridiculous up until now. However, that was slowly changing.

"Just kiss me already."

The Kurta's eyes fluttered open when hearing that husky voice, and they were as wide as they could possibly be. They bore into luminous brown ones for a long moment, before he slapped a hand over his face to shove him away. "H-how long have you been awake for?!" He sputtered out. His cheeks felt like they were on fire.

This is a memory Leorio will cherish for years to come. He flinched when that small hand came into contact with his face, but he didn't get annoyed. Instead he just chuckled, and slipped his fingers through his to intertwine them together. "Well good morning to you too," he mused. Seeing his hair all disheveled like this was honestly so precious. This is something he never gets to see, and so he wanted to engrave it into his brain.

Kurapika sat up to put some space in between them. "Answer the question," he demanded. With his hand being held captive for the time being, all he could do was sit here and wait for a response. Sure he could have just yanked it away, but part of him was actually enjoying this. Holding hands just felt so right to him. 'You're going to give me a heart attack one of these days!' This is the second time that he has been spooked, and it hasn't even been twenty-four hours yet.

The doctor looked down at their joined hands, and let out a soft sigh. "Ya got me! I've been awake for a while now. Just didn't want us to separate…" It's not like he had anywhere to be right away. His shift doesn't start super early today, so he had some extra time to laze about. If he could, he would stay home just to be with him. Unfortunately that just wasn't an option here. His patients needed him. And he refused to let them down by calling in sick! That is reserved for when he has actually fallen ill. Because, you know, no doctor should be around others when they are contagious themselves. Their purpose is to heal people, and getting them sick just defeats that. What he can do is try to get off early again, but he couldn't guarantee anything.

He kissed the top of his hand, and then nuzzled it. "I'm so happy that my feelings have been reciprocated! Ahh, my cute little Pika..~" Hearing that confession literally sent him over the moon! It was also one of the reasons why he could no longer pretend to be asleep. How could he contain all of his excitement after that?

There was a brief silence as Kurapika stared down at him. He swallowed hard at the things that were being said. 'We love each other…' It just sounded so surreal to him. Was it normal to fall so head over heels for someone like this, when it has only been a little over a month? Perhaps love at first sight really does exist, huh? If he wasn't a believer of that before, he definitely was now. Being so lost in his own thoughts, he didn't even realize just how hard he was squeezing the doctor's hand. "Leorio, I-…." What do you say in a situation like this?

Leorio used his free hand to help hoist himself up into a sitting position. After getting situated, he stroked it up and down the blonde's arm. It felt so tense! "Shhh. Don't push yourself, okay? I don't need to hear those words again so soon. What matters is that you did say them. You have been through enough as it is…" The tears may have stopped, but that didn't mean all of the pain from before was gone. It is still there deep within his heart.

This relaxed his death grip on him. The fact that Kurapika wasn't being pressured into anything was so unbelievably amazing. What he needed right now was patience, and he was giving him just that. His eyes softened just a little then. "They would have loved you too," he murmured. His parents would have looked past the fact that he wasn't a Kurta, knowing that their son was being so well taken care of by him. And the same goes for Pairo, too. If only he could have met them. It hurts knowing that this will never happen.

"K-Kurapika…" He was speechless. That is what the blonde truly believes? This filled him with so much more happiness. It really is a shame that he will never get the opportunity to meet his family, but knowing all of this was enough for him. And since he had no idea who his birth parents were, this meant that neither one of them had a family to introduce each other to. Every decision they make is on them, and no one else. It sure would be nice to have some help every once in a while, but oh well. It wasn't the end of the world. They have made it this far without them! Besides, they have created their own family with the friends they have both made. Won't their input count just as much, if not more?

A family.

And then it hit him.

It hit him like a ton of bricks.

He stared intensely into the blonde's eyes. They were bloodshot for two reasons: crying his heart out, and forgetting to take his contact lenses out. You really shouldn't sleep with them in, but just this once shouldn't hurt. "You can't restore your clan with me," he mumbled. This is something he probably hasn't thought of yet, since his mind was deadest on revenge and nothing else. But if they really do get together, then the Kurta will basically die with him. Is this something he was willing to accept? Was his love enough to keep him happy for the rest of his life? As much as he wants to be with him, maybe having him all to himself was selfish in a way? Or does he not want to bring the Kurta back, knowing how much they have suffered for so long?

Leorio gaze shifted to the side then. "I guess a surrogate is always an option. The kid wouldn't be mine by blood, but I'd still love it like my own. It would be a part of you, after all. This isn't the type of conversation I planned on having with you yet, especially since we're not officially together.. But you have a lot to think about. There are some things I can't give you, and that is something you need to realize," he pointed out. Despite having so much money, it still wasn't enough to give him that one special thing. He tucked some of the golden locks behind his ear, and sighed. A small smile had graced his lips by now while doing this.

"Just know that I will love you no matter what you decide to do." In no way did he want to overwhelm the poor guy. It's just that these were things he needed to seriously think about before making any commitments. As if he wanted him to have any more regrets. And he will wait as long as it takes. They are still so young, so there was no rush whatsoever.

Kurapika's eyes widened. Yes this conversation was indeed unexpected, but he can understand why it was brought up. It meant so much to him that he was willing to go so far for his happiness, even if that meant raising someone else's child. 'He never had a family…' The guy doesn't even know who his parents are! Yes he himself has lost his own, but at least he had twelve wonderful years with them. That was way better than growing up an orphan, who had no permanent home. And to top it all off, he even lost his only friend to a curable disease. So he was born with nothing, and continued to have just that until becoming a doctor. It is true that having kids has never crossed his mind, but maybe it should have. Does he really want his bloodline to live on? Or should he just put it to rest?

What would his clansmen want?

He never planned on having a bright future in the first place, so this was frustrating. All he ever wanted was to get rid of those damn spiders! But now he has formed new friendships, and even fell in love with his boss. It wasn't just his future to think about anymore. 'I can already tell that he would be the perfect father.' God he would love any child of theirs more than he can ever imagine, and that warmed his heart so much. And as much as he really didn't want to reveal his true identity, it had to be done. They have fallen for each other, so it is only fair that he come clean about it. This isn't how he planned on telling him. Actually, he never had a plan to begin with. He just thought this was something he could get away with for a long time. However, that just wasn't possible anymore. His walls have already been torn down anyways.

Shaking his head, he pulled his hand away from the doctor's grasp. "I'm not just going to mix the Kurta bloodline with some stranger. I have to actually choose someone worthy enough if I really do want children of my own.. Which I am unsure of. And I have my reasons for feeling that way…" He gripped the blanket that was still draped over his lap, and inhaled deeply. This reveal can go either way, and the uncertainty sort of scared him. With everything that has happened between them lately, he only hoped that this won't be the thing that sets him off. His own childhood best friend didn't even know this secret about him. No one but his parents knew, as a matter of fact.

"Unbutton my shirt," he blurted out.

Now Leorio is used to having the weirdest requests thrown at him from his patients, but to receive one from his best friend whom he was in love with? It was very different, and he didn't know how to respond at first. "Huh?! Wait, Kurapika—" Was this seriously happening? And right as they were in the middle of having such an important conversation? Of course he has fantasized about this day happening, but so soon? He was in no way prepared for this.

"You have to do it, because I don't have the courage to unbutton it myself!" Kurapika has never in his entire life stripped in front of anyone else before, and now that was about to change. It sent his nerves into chaos, and made his stomach ache.

Okay, so maybe this wasn't going in the direction he thought it was. Although now he just felt very, very confused. Leorio has never seen the blonde shirtless, and he often wondered if it was because he felt uncomfortable with how his body looked. Which by the way would be ridiculous, because damn is he adorable! "I can't believe you're asking me to take your clothes off," he joked lightly. This was to help him feel better about the situation. Whether it worked or not, he had absolutely no idea. Nothing else was said from him, and his eyes were hidden behind a curtain of blonde hair. 'Something isn't right here,' he thought while shifting closer a bit.

He gulped, and brought two shaky hands forward. Taking people's clothes off is what he does all the time. His patients aren't always able to do it themselves, and so it is up to him in order to do it. That was just part of the job. This on the other hand? It felt so different. His heart was thumping roughly against his ribcage, as his thumb and index finger pinched the first button. There was only a moments hesitation, before he proceeded to pluck them off one-by-one. The further he got, the deeper his blush became. And when he made it down to the very last one, he closed his eyes for a few seconds. 'Keep yourself calm. Don't do anything stupid,' he reminded himself. It was easy to lose himself when in his presence like this. Plus they were alone.

Just the two of them in this bed.

Leorio pulled his shirt open, and slid the sleeves down so that he could yank it off completely. Once tossing it aside, his breathing nearly stopped. His eyes were as wide as saucers as he stared at the blonde's chest. There was no doubt about it. "Is.. is that a binder?" It wasn't really a question. Being in the medical field, he has seen his fair share of both those and normal bras. There is a difference between the two, as they held different purposes.

Well, it was too late to go back on this now. Kurapika fought back the urge to cover himself, despite how uncomfortable this was making him feel. He did, however, throw his hands over his face. "As you can see, a surrogate wouldn't be necessary for us. You're probably the only person I could ever trust to carry on the Kurta bloodline with. But Leorio, do you even realize how dangerous it would be? They can't live a normal life like everyone else. There will always be someone out there hunting them down for their eyes. So I don't even know if I want to bring anymore into this world.. I don't want them to suffer like the rest of my clan did…" It just wouldn't be fair to them. Why put them through hell for their own selfish needs and wants?

"But then I remember that you never had a family, and would definitely want one of your own.. So who am I to deprive you of that? I really don't want to take that opportunity away from you, because I know that you would be an excellent father!" If only they didn't need to talk about this. Unfortunately they can't move on until this has been cleared. Going into a relationship wanting separate futures would result in failure. He just felt so horrible now.

This wasn't how he wanted him to feel. Leorio grabbed both of his hands, and gently removed them from his face. Then he brought them over to press against his chest. "We might not have the same body parts, but that doesn't make you any less of a man. The same goes for if you choose to carry our child in the near future. Nothing will ever take that away from you, okay?" He reassured in a soothing voice. So far there were no tears, and he wanted to keep it that way.

"Secondly.. do you really think I would let anything happen to him or her? Damn right I'd protect them with everything I have! And we would raise them to become a strong fighter.. just like you. There would be nothing to worry about with us as their parents! No matter what happens, I will always stay by your side Kurapika. I don't want to spend my life with anyone else, because.. you're already my family." The distance between them was increasing, but neither one of them tried to stop it. Instead they embraced it.

Kurapika's eyes burned. Why was this man so amazing? "I know you wouldn't," he whispered. Look how far he went just to buy him those Scarlet eyes. He can't even imagine what he would do if someone were to harm his own flesh and blood. There was a lot to think about, and he felt grateful for not having a deadline. Words can't even describe how happy this made him feel. He has a choice. And no matter what he chooses to do, he will not be alone in it.

So close…

Leorio examined the almost non-existent space between them, and took the initiate to get rid of it completely. He brushed his lips against the other's, and felt his heartbeat quicken instantly. "I just want you to be happy," he quietly said. Not only is he still healing from a traumatic past, but he is probably still set on that destructive goal he gave himself. No matter what it takes, he just can't allow him to continue going down that dark path. It will ultimately destroy him in the end. He has so much of his life left to live, and it would be sad if he were to waste it on something like revenge.

A shiver ran through Kurapika's body, and his eyes became half-lidded. "Is that so?" It is hard to imagine himself being completely and utterly happy. That is something he threw out the window long ago, and yet it was resurfacing all of these years later. And it was all this guy's fault. He is slowly changing him, and for the better. For this very moment he even forgot about the fact that he was shirtless. It just goes to show how comfortable he really is around him. But then again whatever happens in this room, stays in this room. His boss wasn't the type to go around blabbing his big mouth to everyone, and spreading rumors. It is safe to say that he won't speak a word about any of this to anyone. He trusts him fully, after all.

And that is usually a very hard thing to achieve when it comes to him.

Large, gentle hands made their way up to cup the Kurta's face, cradling it ever so carefully in their hold. "Mm..~" Leorio hummed, while crushing his lips against the other male's. It was everything he had ever imagined, and then some. There was no romantic scenery to gaze upon, but there were definitely fireworks being let off. What was there to look at anyways, when both of their eyes were shut during this sweet and much needed kiss? It felt like he was on cloud nine! 'You're mine, Kurapika. I won't let anyone else have you…' Perhaps that came off as a bit possessive, but can you blame him?

So were the fireworks normal then? Because Kurapika was experiencing the exact same thing as they shared this kiss. To be honest, this is how he preferred to do it. There was no one else around to gawk at them, thus making him feel slightly uncomfortable. Instead they were in the comfort of their own home. He wrapped his arms around his neck, and slid a hand through messy dark hair. Who knew this would feel so amazing? 'My body feels hot. I want more…' Whatever that was, he had no idea. But he just knew that he didn't want to pull away quite yet.

Leorio sighed softly against his lips, enjoying the feeling of those delicate fingers through his hair. Yeah, he didn't want this to end any time soon either. It is very unfortunate, but this sort of thing just can't last forever. He wound one of his arms around his slim waist, and pulled him as close as he possibly could—practically molding their bodies together at this point. It really wasn't enough. He wanted so much more! 'I want you entirely!' Despite having these desires, he could not act on them. It was too soon for such a thing. They needed to take things slowly here, which is never a bad thing. It is just hard when you crave someone so much like this.

It was Kurapika who decided to pull away first. Not because he wanted to, but rather, he just really needed some air. And curse his lungs for needing it now of all times! Even though he ended the kiss, he kept their faces mere inches apart from one another. His eyes were still closed as he focused on his breathing—a hand still tangled in the doctor's hair, as he lightly clutched it between his fingers. This was also to prevent him from moving any further from their current position. "Leorio, won't it.. be selfish of me to put my happiness before avenging my fallen clansmen? Are you really ready to deal with all of my baggage?"

Suppose breathing is important too. Leorio kissed the corner of his mouth, and then moved down to place a trail of them all along his jawline. "It is not selfish at all. They would want you to be happy. Also, no baggage is too heavy for me! Have you seen these arms?" His physical strength is incredible! But he was also mentally and emotionally strong, too. He can handle just about anything that is thrown at him.

Kurapika has never doubted his strength. However, he just wanted to make sure that he knew what he was signing himself up for. Not everyone can handle someone with a past like his. He laid his head on the doctor's shoulder, and hugged him tightly. "I can't be happy without you, Leorio." If that was too much to say, then so be it. That is how he felt, and he wanted him to understand the true meaning behind it.

In response to that, Leorio returned the hug just as tightly. The more he opened up to him, the better. It shows just how much he really trusts him, and that in itself was such a huge improvement in their relationship. "I'll give you so much happiness, that you won't know what to do with it all!" He declared.

"You are suck a dork," the blonde said with a chuckle. Still, he was willing to accept that challenge. And to be fair, he needed it the most out of everyone else. There was a huge smile on his face, as he ran his fingertips up and down Leorio's lower back. Damn he just loved touching this handsome man so much! Every part of him was just perfect.

The doctor barked out a laugh. "But you love this dork! You were caressing me all over with those small hands of yours, until finally whispering out a confession. Ahh, you're so cute! I just wanna eat you up!" He bent down to bite a chunk of his hair, and playfully tugged at it.

What in the world was he doing? Kurapika paused his gentle strokes, and blinked a couple of times. "Are you.. seriously chewing on my hair? What are you, a goat?" No matter how clean you are, it was just straight up bizarre to shove someone else's hair in your mouth like that. Actually now that he thinks about it, should he really be surprised by this?

Leorio spit the piece back out, and then used his hand to pat it down. "Nah! Just testing to see how tasty you are. But I don't think that was enough experimenting," he said with a wink. It was kind of hard not to be pervy while the blonde was just sitting there without a shirt on. The need to rip that binder off was strong, but he suppressed it. 'Does he even need to wear one? I'm sure his chest is pretty flat on its own…' Guess he can't ever understand, nor should he even try to. What lies underneath his clothes doesn't change the fact that he loves him- makes him love him that much more!

That last sentence made Kurapika blush deeply. And the fact that he winked at the end of it made his face resemble a tomato. "Well I'm going to go take a shower, so…" He can't go about his day with saliva in his hair. Besides, he just felt grimy in general. It will also help to take these damn contact lenses out of his eyes. They were really starting to bother him by now, and so they needed to go. After crawling out of the bed, he snatched his shirt back up to put on.

Oh that's right! They both need to get ready for the day. For a while there he forgot all about having to go into work. Leorio smirked as he watched the blonde button his shirt closed. "Awe! I need a shower too. Thought maybe we could take one together." It may have came out as a joke, but it wasn't how he felt. To share the shower with him was like a fantasy! He would love to scrub him all over. Just thinking about it excited him a little, and he felt grateful that the blanket was covering that part of him. It would be embarrassing if his feelings gave him away like that.

Kurapika's eyes widened in shock. Yeah, he could tell it wasn't entirely a joke. "J-just because I took my top off, doesn't mean I'm ready to reveal everything else!" He muttered. It's not like he even showed his bare chest. All you could see was his binder, and nothing else. To show more of his body was going to be a challenge for him. Again, he doesn't like how it looks. If he isn't comfortable in his own skin, then how can he so casually show it off to someone else? Even if that someone is Leorio, it is still going to be difficult.

With his gaze still fixated on him, Leorio leaned back to rest against the headboard. "I would never pressure you into doing anything, especially when I know how uncomfortable it makes you feel. But you can't blame me for appreciating your beauty in all of its worth." He waved his hand in the air when saying this. Maybe he sounded a tad bit too perverted just now. What can you expect from someone who is already feeling aroused, though?

Well he has a good point there. Kurapika knows that he would never do such a horrible thing. His patience is unreal, and that is one of the many things he loves about him. "My reveal didn't really shock you.. Unless you had your suspicions beforehand?" He wouldn't hold that against him, since his mannerisms were sort of feminine. That and, his facial features weren't manly in any way. Some have even said that he has a baby face. They aren't wrong with that one.

Leorio's gaze softened quite a bit. "That isn't it at all, Kurapika. I just don't care if you have a dick or not. You are still the one I fell in love with, regardless of what parts you possess. Also, I'm bisexual! So I guess in this case I get the best of both worlds," he replied. Gender has never been a big deal to him, and that wasn't about to change. He is attracted to the blonde, and that is that.

The blonde's eyebrow twitched. "D-did you need to word it like that?" He mumbled. It is official. This guy has absolutely no filter! But it was the meaning behind all of that, that truly mattered to him. In the end he is accepted regardless of what is underneath his clothes. 'I should have known he was bisexual. He has been flirting with me since day one, but it just went right over my head. Now I feel like the idiot…' Sure he has been hit on a few times in the past, but only by women. Oh if only they knew.

The doctor snorted out a small laugh. No, he didn't need to word it that way. It was just fun to make him blush, and get all embarrassed. "Hey, go on a date with me tonight. I will take you wherever your heart desires! How about it?" Eating lunch together at work every single day wasn't necessarily considered a real date, and he understood that perfectly well. It was just something he liked to joke about. However now they can go on a real one, and that excited him.

Wherever his heart desire? Well Kurapika doesn't eat out at fancy restaurants, so he has no idea what is even available here in this giant city. His diet before working for him consisted of cheap food—whatever he could get his hands on. So really, it shouldn't be his decision. "Surprise me." He gave him a warm smile, before turning around and walking over to the door. Once over there he flipped the light switch on.

He glanced back at him once more. "And get out of bed before you're late for work. I'm sure Melody has already started preparing breakfast for us." Knowing her, she probably heard everything that went on in this bedroom. There was no way to have a private conversation with her around, but that wasn't her fault. Besides, he trusts her as well. For now he just doesn't want anyone else knowing his biggest secret. Some people might view him differently if they were to find out, and he just wasn't ready for that yet.

Leorio gave him a thumbs-up, and grinned. "Yes sir!"

---

It was never established on what type of restaurant they would be going to, so Kurapika decided to wear something more comfortable. Doesn't he wear enough suits as it is? It was only fair that he get a break from it all. Not only did his job require one, but he needed to go out and buy a more expensive one for a party he didn't spend much time at. It's just that he wanted to fully enjoy himself at a lesser scale place, rather than having to focus on being proper and well-mannered inside somewhere all fancy. A lot of people out there want the most lavish things in life, but that wasn't really the case for him. He could care less about owning thirty cars, and having a house with ten bathrooms. It was the more simple things in life that excited him. It is what he was used to! And since it was up to him in the first place, this shouldn't be an issue.

Currently he is sporting an over-sized dark red sweater, that went down to his thighs. The sleeves were all baggy, and it left the one shoulder exposed. With it he wore a pair of pitch black skinny jeans. Shorts were just out of the question for him, since he didn't like to show off his legs like that. Actually, he prefers to keep himself covered up for the most part. It is just how he has always been, and that part of him will probably never change. The top half of his silky-smooth blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail. This was to spice things up a bit. It was also nice to have some of it off of his face. He pushed his small feet into a pair of dark brown boots, and bent down to tie the laces. It was nearing nine o'clock already, but he wasn't upset about it. He knew they were going to have a later dinner, and ended up having a snack not too long ago.

Once that was done and taken care of, he stood back up with a slight hop. These shoes haven't been worn yet, and so they needed to be broken into. They seem to fit him just fine at least. Melody was already upstairs getting ready to go to bed. Normally she would have stayed up to see them out, but at the same time she didn't want to intrude too much on their alone time. Whatever is going on between them is still so fresh, and nothing was really official quite yet. But she just knows that they will become a couple, especially after their dinner tonight. When two people love one another, it only makes sense that they get together. It helps that they already live under the same roof. Not only that, but they also shared a bed last night.

The ship has already sailed.

While this was happening, Leorio crept down the stairs as quietly as possible. Looks like they both had the same idea in mind, because his attire wasn't anything elaborate either. It took twenty frustratingly-long minutes to pick something out, but he feels satisfied with what he chose. That feeling intensified when his eyes landed on the blonde, and noticed that their color schemes were the same. His polo shirt was a dark red, and his dress pants were black. Even his dress shoes were dark brown! The fact that they are matching made his heart soar. The night sure is starting out great, isn't it? 'Working extra hard to get off early is already paying off,' he thought with a small smile. Had he not busted his ass off all day long, then he would still be at the hospital right now. As much as he loves working there, and being a doctor, he was antsy to get back home and take his lovely date out.

There was a smirk on his face as he approached him— hands extended, and fingers wriggling. 'Was that a hop just now? Damn it! I wanna rip those clothes off, and ravish every inch of his body!' His face was flushed at this thought, but he tried his best to keep it together. It really doesn't make things better that his hair was styled in such a cute manner. Was he doing this on purpose to turn him on? He has been known to play games with him too. They both like to go at each other for the heck of it. Well whatever his reason, he couldn't tear his gaze away. How did he manage to land this literal mini God? Well he certainly wasn't going to complain, that's for sure!

As soon as he got close enough, he threw his arms around Kurapika from behind, and yanked him back into an embrace. "Boo!" It just felt nice to hold him like this again. Ever since they parted ways earlier this morning, he has felt a sort of emptiness that would just not go away. He filled his thoughts, and even caught himself daydreaming about him a couple of times. It is a good thing that this didn't complicate things at work, or else that would have been very bad. But he really should learn to be more careful from here on out. No need to space out at the absolute worst time, and risk someone's life because of it!

This didn't spook him as bad as the other times, but it was still enough to make him gasp. Kurapika stumbled back into the doctor's hard chest, and was immediately enveloped in a marvelous warmth. How did he let his guard down again?! He tilted his head back to stare up at him, and blinked. "Do you know how to approach me normally?" He mumbled. It is astounding how he didn't even hear his footsteps. Just last night he broke a very expensive glass because he snuck up on him.

Leorio bent down just a tad, and placed a loving kiss on the bridge of his nose. "But it's fun to see your reaction! You get all jumpy, and stumble over your words." Okay so maybe not this time, but usually he does. And who cares about the broken glass? As long as it didn't hit anyone, then it shouldn't matter. His boss can afford to get more anyways. He probably hasn't even noticed that one was missing. Even so, there was no way to find out who did it.

Well he didn't expect to be kissed there of all places. It made the blonde's cheeks flush, and he pulled out of his hold. As nice as that was, they had somewhere to be. At this point he was beyond hungry, and needed to get something to eat! The snack he had earlier wasn't enough to tide him over this long. "I get that you're a doctor and all.. But it still won't be good if I have a heart attack." It won't be so fun then if such a thing like that really happens to him, because he could actually die from it! Not everyone can be saved from those. His fingertips lightly trailed along the bridge of his nose, as it still tingled from that kiss. And then he noticed it. Their clothes were the same colors! He looked down at himself while tugging at his sweater, and then back up at the doctor. Neither one of them knew what the other was going to wear, so this was purely coincidental.

Without uttering a single word, Leorio pressed a hand against his chest. It actually began to glow as it rested on that very spot, and there was a good minute or so of silence before he spoke up. "Your heart is perfectly healthy, so you don't need to worry about having a heart attack anytime soon," he reassured. Although he can understand where he was coming from with that.

To see someone's hand glow like that was truly amazing! And Kurapika knew that he wasn't trying to touch him inappropriately just now. "Guess I can't argue with that…" He trailed off. There went his main excuse—just right out the window! 'I'm impressed. There is so much he can do with that power of his. It must save a lot of lives,' he thought.

Oh it has definitely come in handy many times! Without it, he probably wouldn't have been able to save as many lives as he has. Leorio walked past him, and swung the front door open. "After you! Judging by our outfits, we're gonna go somewhere more comfy!" Given the long day he had, he preferred it this way.

Nodding, Kurapika stepped out of their penthouse. "I'm not in the mood for anything in particular. If there is a place you would like for me to try, then I will just follow the way." There are too many restaurants to pick from, and so he had no clue where to begin. As long as it has food, then he is in!

"Well I might have somethin' in mind!" This wasn't so hard for someone who basically lived off of take-out. They live in a big city with a lot of options to choose from, but he has eaten at a fair amount of them. And there was one he hasn't been to in a long while— one that he actually missed! As they got onto the elevator, he had his hands awkwardly stuffed into his pants pockets. Going to the zoo didn't make him feel this way. It's crazy how a simple date can really change things. 'We almost kissed that day. I'm glad we waited to have complete privacy.' He was smiling a little to himself while thinking this. Had someone been watching them, it would have made things awkward for the both of them. And then that would result in not being able to enjoy it as much. Who doesn't want their first kiss to be memorable?

It was a quiet trip as they descended to the bottom. And once it was stopped, and the doors slid open, he once again offered for the Kurta to leave first. "I have only been there like, once or twice, but damn is the food great!" It was also in walking distance too. A lot of restaurants close at around ten, but thankfully the one he has in mind doesn't stop serving until midnight. This will leave them with plenty of time to enjoy their meal, without having to feel rushed.

"And they have drinks! You got kinda tipsy last night, so maybe stick to something non-alcoholic? I mean I could always carry you home again," he shrugged. There was no hiding the grin on his face though. Clearly he enjoyed whisking him away like that, and would do it all over again in a heartbeat. But it felt like he needed a good enough reason in order to do something like that. At least, while out in public like this.

Kurapika huffed at that response, and his cheeks turned a lighter shade of pink. Must he be reminded? It was hard to control himself when the champagne was so good! And to be fair, he didn't even get to finish his last glass. "I will stick to tea if they have any. If not, then juice will suffice." He was actually surprised that the doctor didn't drink more than he did. Maybe he just isn't a fan of the stuff? He has only ever seen him drink gin, or on rare occasions, beer. Yeah, he isn't a fan of those two himself. They taste pretty gross!

"Oh come on! It wasn't that bad!" Well, minus all of the crying that ended up soaking his shirt. It just wasn't a big deal to him, since he can just throw it into the washing machine. And even if it was ruined, he could just get a new one. There is no replacing this beautiful human being beside him. If he hasn't met anyone else like him yet, then he highly doubts that it will ever happen. Obviously they were meant to be. Slowly, he pulled both of his hands out of his pockets. While bringing one up to rub the back of his head, he reached over with the other to grab a hold of Kurapika's. They were out on the streets by now, and he really hoped that this was okay to do. This is something they have done multiple times before, and he just figured that he was used to it. Although, it was mainly done behind closed doors. But still…

The urge to touch him was too great.

"…?" Silvery eyes traveled down to joined hands, before making their way up to the doctor's face. Was he being shy? That doesn't happen very often. Sighing, Kurapika weaved his fingers through his in order to squeeze it. In no way does he feel embarrassed to be seen with him like this. As for kissing? That was a whole different story. You won't catch him sucking face with the guy in public. That was just a huge nope for him. 'I wonder if those same women tried to flirt with him today. And if so, how did he handle it? They have to know that he isn't interested in them…' Something like this never used to bother him, but now just the thought of it really irritated him. Maybe once they become official, it won't happen as often? So far the people at his workplace know him as a close friend, so they shouldn't feel shocked when finding out about their relationship.

"You're very warm, Leorio." It felt like he had one of those warming packets in his hand—the ones where you shake to activate. And if it were wintertime, he wouldn't even need to wear gloves when holding hands like this. This would be enough to prevent himself from getting frostbite.

That was quite the compliment just now. Leorio smiled bashfully, and let out a quiet chuckle. "Heh. Well you can always come to me whenever you're cold! I'll happily warm ya up!" He declared, while leaning in to nuzzle the side of his head. What brand of shampoo did he use for crying out loud? It made his hair super soft as well. He could literally play with it for hours on end, and never grow tired of it.

Kurapika's lips twitched. "Oh I know you will," he replied without any hesitation. Although it might not be so tolerable whenever the weather is hot. His body heat might actually make him sweat, if anything. But that is something he can get used to. 'Am I really seeing a bright future for myself?' This realization made his eyes widen slightly. When did he choose to be with Leorio over avenging his clan? Was it after that kiss? Or was it when he accepted to go on a date with him? It honestly could have been either one of those. If he sees a spider walking about the streets, he won't be able to contain himself. And if he sees more of the Scarlet Eyes a those auctions, then he will do everything in his power to get them back. So no he wasn't giving either of those up. It's just that he wasn't going to go out of his way to hunt them down is all. Hopefully for both of their sake, that will never happen.

But that might be wishful thinking.

For the time being he just wanted to focus on the happiness he has been deprived of for way too long. When he is with Leorio, he tends to forget about all of the bad things that has happened in his life. His literal presence cleanses his mind, and makes him feel so much better in every way possible. He snuck a quick glance up at him, and instantly felt his stomach fill with butterflies—so much so, that he pressed his free hand against it. That didn't get rid of them like he was hoping it would. Why he thought that would work, he had no idea. Guess he was just desperate to try it. He tore his gaze away to stare ahead of them, and cleared his throat. 'Red looks nice on him,' he thought as the heat rose in his face.

A few minutes later, Leorio was pulling him toward a smaller restaurant on the corner of the street that they were walking on. The outside was a soft blue color, and looking through the windows, you could see that it wasn't very busy. By now most people have already eaten dinner, and were at home with their families. This was perfect for them, since it meant more privacy so that they can enjoy their date a whole lot more. He wanted things to be comfortable and relaxing for his date, and this was just perfect! After entering through both doors, they stood by the front desk so that a server could see them. Only three out of the eight tables were actually full. The delicious aroma coming from the back kitchen was making his mouth water. He didn't get the chance to have a snack beforehand, but he tried to play it off like he wasn't that hungry. In reality, he was starving! Bottom of Form

He let go of Kurapika's hand, but only so that he could wrap it around his slim waist. His fingers brushed over his hip in a caressing manner. "You look extra adorable tonight, by the way!" What he would give to capture those lips in another sweet kiss. Guess he should have stolen one before leaving their penthouse, huh? It would have been the perfect opportunity, too!

The sensation made Kurapika bite down on his bottom lip. Was he trying to embarrass him? Or could he just not keep his hands to himself? To be touched in such an intimate way was making his heart pound. "And you look extra handsome," he said quietly. Of course he loved seeing the doctor wearing anything that exposed his thick arms. Plus it hugged his torso in all the right ways. And it was tucked into his pants, which really made his butt stick out that much more. Damn it, he just wanted to reach over and give it a good squeeze!

"Why hello there! Welcome! How many of you will there be tonight?" One of the waitresses said, as she began grabbing some of the menus that were in a pile on the desk. You could tell that she was exhausted, but still tried to keep a smile on her face while greeting customers. Needless to say, she was ready for this shift to be over with.

Leorio put on a friendly smile when she approached them. "Hello! It will just be the two of us." As much as he wanted to brag about the blonde being his date, he also didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable in any way. This was a first for them both, taking as how they haven't dated anyone else before.

After grabbing two dinner menus, as well as two drink menus, she motioned for them to follow her. "Appetizers are buy one get one free, and all burgers are half off." This was their happy hour, and it runs until eleven when they stop making anything. They need time to clean up before heading home, and no one likes staying late. It takes a good while to get everything spotless in a kitchen, after all. When they made it to a table at the far end of the restaurant, she stepped aside to let them sit down.

"And what would you like to drink?" She asked, looking between them. So was this a date or something? They were both incredibly attractive—one being short and cute, while the other tall and handsome. Judging by how close they were, that must be the case. It was a shame that they were already taken by each other.

Like before, Leorio was the first one to speak up. Well he is the more outgoing one in this relationship! "We will both have an iced tea. And can you put a lemon wedge in there?" They don't serve it hot here, so hopefully that was fine for his date. And they give you sugar on the side, since some like it unsweetened. As for the deals, he will have to look into that. They could split some appetizers to go with their burgers. Unless his date wants something else, then so be it. Price doesn't matter at all to him! Again, whatever his heart desires. His happiness means the world to him.

This got a small laugh out of the waitress, as she nodded her head. "Two iced teas with lemon wedges! I will be back with those shortly." She patted the table, and then turned around to head toward another one. A family of three were just finishing up with their meals, and needed some to-go containers.

Kurapika leaned back against his chair, and flipped open the dinner menu. There were thick, black cushions on the seats which felt incredible. "This is a nice little restaurant. I pass it all the time walking to and from the hospital, but I just never paid attention to it before." Mainly because they only eat lunches made by Melody. But one of these days he would like to stop somewhere, and grab something quick to try. As much as he loves her cooking, sometimes you just want to be more adventurous.

Or maybe they just need to go on more dates.

While Leorio opened up his own menu, he took a moment to take in their surroundings. This sure did beat coming here alone. It is always awkward going out to eat by yourself, because then people tend to feel sorry for you. "I knew you'd like it! I'm curious to see what you're gonna get. What is Kurapika craving today?" There is a wide variety of options to choose from. The couple of items he has tried were tasty, so he trusts that everything else was as well.

There was nothing that he craved in particular. To be honest, everything sounded good right about now. However, there was one thing that seemed to really stick out to the Kurta. "The cilantro lime chicken sounds interesting. It comes with jasmine rice, and roasted vegetables." If he can avoid eating anything heavy and greasy, then that will be great. As if he wanted to share a bed with someone when his stomach is all upset. 'Ah, I'm expecting us to sleep together again tonight. I never asked if it was alright.. But I can't imagine him saying no.' And if he goes without having any nightmares for the second night in a row, then that will show just how important it was for them to be together as they sleep.

Was it even possible for them to sleep in separate beds now? Leorio may not be wracked with so many horrible nightmares, but he does struggle get a proper nights rest sometimes. There was just something about having the blonde in his arms that made everything so much better. "That sounds like a very light, and healthy meal! Hmm let's see here.." His eyes skimmed through the next page, as he tried to figure out what to get. There was just so much to choose from. He scratched the side of his head, almost pouting at this point. That is, until he found something that sounded especially delicious.

"A garlic butter steak and potatoes skillet, huh? That sounds fantastic!" He mumbled. There was an option to add in some peppers and onions, and he just might have to do that. When he saw a tall glass of ice-cold tea being set down in front of him, his eyes lit up. There was a lemon wedge placed on the rim, along with some mint leaves on the top. Next to it was a little dish of those packets of sugar.

"Do you need some more time to look at the menu?" The waitress asked, as she got out her notepad and pen. Since it wasn't that busy, they are able to get everything out quickly. Not that they were back there brewing fresh tea. It was already in a pitcher, waiting to be served per order. And whipping it together didn't take long at all.

Upon taking a huge swig of the crisp tea, Leorio wiped at his mouth with the back of his hand before responding. "Nah we're ready! This wonderful guy right here will have your cilantro lime chicken, and throw in some extra roasted vegetables. He loves those! As for me, I will have the butter steak skillet. I'd like that with everything in it please."

Once she was done writing their orders down, she leaned in to grab all of the menus. "I will give this to the chef. If there is anything else you guys need, then please flag me down," she explained with another smile. Every once in a while she will need to check on their drinks to see if they need a refill, but other than that she tries not to bother the customers too much. They are obviously on a date, and would probably like as much alone time as possible. She tucked her pen back into her pocket, and headed off in the direction of the kitchen.

As soon as the coast was clear, Kurapika reached out to slide his glass of tea closer to him. Then he grabbed a couple of sugar packets, and dumped them into the liquid. "What if I had changed my mind, and wanted something else? Now you just ordered me something without even knowing for sure," he pointed out.

Oh crap. Is that what he did just now? With wide eyes, Leorio looked around to see if he could find their server. "Do I need to bring her back? I don't think they have started making it yet—" There might have been something else that stood out for the blonde, and he went and gave their orders without even thinking first.

That reaction was priceless.

Trying to hold back his laughter, Kurapika held a hand up to stop him. "I don't seriously want something else, Leorio. And I appreciate you adding in the extra roasted vegetables. I was just saying.. Maybe next time make sure first?" It was just a suggestion to keep in mind.

A huge smile spread on the doctor's face then. There was one piece of that statement that really stuck out to him. "Next time? So you already wanna go on a second date with me? I'm flattered!" He grabbed a strand of his date's soft blonde hair, and ran his fingers through it. And then, slowly, he grazed the palm of his hand over his bare shoulder. The strap of his binder was in the way, but not by a whole lot. There was enough skin there for him to enjoy touching.

"I think it is safe to assume we will be going on many dates, taking as how we both confessed our love for each other and all," Kurapika shrugged. Besides, he didn't want to be with anyone else. They won't understand him like this guy does—won't accept him for who he is, as well as his traumatic past. He literally got attacked for buying him something very precious, and thought nothing of it. Plus they have already discussed their future, especially earlier when they were in bed. If soulmates are a real thing, then he was his. No question about it. 'Touch me again…' He enjoys his gentle strokes, and the way he plays with his hair.

That was rather blunt of him to say.

Leorio chuckled at what was said, and adjusted his glasses. "Ah yes, our love is just that powerful! We're gonna be together forever and ever…~" He said while grabbing his face, and squishing his cheeks together. This made him look like one of those puffer fish, and boy was it ever cute! But this just made him want to kiss those soft lips even more.

This isn't what the Kurta had in mind when wanting to be touched again. It didn't give him goosebumps, nor made his heart flutter. Instead he just imagined himself looking like a total idiot in front of these people. "Or maybe I spoke too soon," he mumbled as his stare became more blank.

"Is someone becoming hangry?" The doctor teased. Although, it would be justified for either of them to get grouchy over something like that. They haven't eaten a full meal since lunchtime, and that was earlier in the afternoon. He squished his cheeks once more, and then placed his hand onto the table. It was both fun and cute, but he didn't want to push it.

His stomach growled almost instantly, and he cursed under his breath. Perhaps the hunger really was getting to him after all. Kurapika sipped at his tea in hopes that would help curb it for the time being. He plucked the lemon off of the rim, and squeezed the juice into it. And then he used his straw to push down some of the mint leaves in order to flavor the liquid some more. He prefers for it to be hot, but this was still good. "So.. where does this leave us then? Am I your boyfriend? Or.. are we just.. I don't know…" He didn't know how to put it into words.

Seeing him fidget like that was so precious! Leorio rested his chin in his hand, as he propped his elbow onto the table. His eyes held such a warm look in them, as he stared directly into the blonde's silver ones. They sparkled beautifully against the dim lighting. "I was going to see how our first date went, but you're already talkin' about going on many more. I think that alone answers your question."

A blush slowly spread onto Kurapika's cheeks, and he looked to the side. "But I still work for you. What should I call you while on the clock? Also, what about the people you work with? Do I continue pretending to be just your friend? Or will you tell them that we are something more?" These were things he had to know before proceeding onward.

Leorio sighed, but kept that smile on his face as he responded to that. "Would you get mad at me for firing you? I just don't see the point of you continuing to work under me, if we're going out. Shouldn't my money be our money? I don't want you to refer to me as your boss, or as 'Dr. Paladiknight' anymore. We are past that now. So no more wearing those suits, even though they're sexy as hell on you. And if you still want to tidy the place up, then so be it. I won't stop you. But it will no longer be your duty to get those things done. I don't know, I just.. don't want my own boyfriend to serve me. It will feel kinda weird." That isn't the type of relationship he wanted to have with him. They should be equals!

As much as that all made perfect sense, it still wasn't something Kurapika expected to hear. A lot was changing in such a short amount of time. He silently set his glass down, and shifted in his seat. "So I.. will just be living in your house, jobless, as I free-load onto you? How fair is that?" He asked, scrunching his eyebrows together.

"What?! Kurapika, no! Hasn't it already been established that it is our home? So what if you're jobless? If anything, you deserve to take a fricken break from everything! Take this time to relax, and take it easy! And you most certainly will not be a free-loader in any way! Whatever you want, it's yours. I know you won't spend the money on stupid crap. Even if you did, I wouldn't care. That type of stuff just doesn't matter to me. I just really want to see you smile more, and to hear your sweet laughter. That is all I ask of you…" His voice became softer at the last sentence there.

That wasn't a crazy request at all. In fact, it made Kurapika's heart swell the more he thought about it. His eyes became shadowed by his bangs. "It sounds like you're trying to spoil me," he said almost too quietly for anyone to hear. No one has ever treated him like this before. The love from his parents, and from Pairo were different than the one he is now experiencing.

Leorio brushed his fingertips along his forehead, in which caused his bangs to part a bit. "Of course I'm gonna spoil the heck outta ya! That shouldn't even come as a surprise!" He huffed out. Also, he was going to do his very best to help him get back the eyes of his people. Going to those auctions is indeed very dangerous, but they weren't enough to scare him away. These people have absolutely no right to own those Scarlet Eyes!

It really shouldn't come as a surprise. That doesn't make it any easier to accept, or get used to though. Kurapika fixed his bangs, and straightened his posture to sit more upright in the chair. "Just give me some spending money, and if I need any more than that, then I will let you know. I don't feel comfortable having access to your bank account," he mumbled. They weren't married. Well, at least not yet. Who knows what the future has in store for them. But he likes to imagine that they can make this work, despite the kind of life he has had, and continued to live up until recently. On the other hand, he has yet to see him at his worst. How will he react once that day comes? Will he still be there to comfort him? Or will it become too much for him to handle? He really didn't even want to think about any of that right now.

That sounds fair. The doctor's gaze softened then. "Why don't you, Gon, and Killua all go shopping again tomorrow? I'm sure they would love to spend some more time with you! And Melody can make a really nice meal for our guests. I probably won't be there for dinner, but who says you guys can't enjoy yourselves while I am away? If they want to wait up for me, then there is a guest room upstairs for them to sleep in. I trust them to not do anything weird behind closed doors…" It has already been confirmed that they weren't doing any of that anyways. Even if they were, he doubts that either one of them would have the courage to do such a thing in someone else's home. Talk about making things super awkward and uncomfortable for everyone else.

Kurapika almost snorted at that last part. His thoughts went back to that awkward talk just the other day, when they were all sitting in the cafeteria at the hospital. He hasn't spent much time with those two, but he would like to get to know them better. This time he won't be locked up in his bedroom, while trying to get some sleep. Where was he going to take them shopping though? What are their interests? Their hobbies? Suppose they will have to lead the way, even though they don't live here. "That sounds nice. I'll send them a text message in the morning." He has no idea when they go to bed, and would rather not wake them up.

"This time we can all enjoy lunch together," he added. The other two didn't bring anything to eat, and he felt bad because of it. Not like he ate much of his food to begin with, but still! It is rude to basically shove your food in front of someone else's face, knowing that they are hungry.

This made Leorio's smile grow even wider. "If you guys stop by to eat with me, then come earlier than usual. I have a surgery scheduled at twelve. I'm already pushing it further than I should be, but it can't be helped. I have other patients that also need my care. Sometimes my job can get a bit.. overwhelming. Don't get me wrong, I love being a doctor! But I am only one person, ya know?" People try to pull him in all sorts of directions, even though he is busy with different tasks.

There was no issue in eating an earlier lunch. It sure beat having to wait longer, and then dealing with said hunger while you're out and about. Kurapika wanted to suggest him taking a much needed vacation, but that probably wasn't possible right now, or even in the near future. Way too many people depend on him. And again, he still loves his job regardless of how stressful it can be. "If we don't stop by, then you're most definitely going to skip out on lunch. Expect us at around eleven."

Just as Leorio was opening his mouth to respond, their server returned with a plate in each hand. They were steaming pretty good, and smelled absolutely divine! His mouth started to actually salivate as soon as his was placed in front of him. The steak already looked to be perfectly cooked without even having to cut into it, and the potatoes appeared to be soft and well-seasoned. The peppers were grilled just right, and the onions having been cooked to a caramelization. "Whoaaa!"

The waitress grabbed their empty glasses, all the while taking in their reactions. "I will get you both some more tea. Again just let me know if you need anything else. Now, excuse me for a moment—" She hurried away and disappeared into the back.

Kurapika picked up his fork and knife, and cut into the chicken breast that was laid over a bed of rice. "So, are you friends with any other patients?" He asked, shoving a small piece into his mouth. The flavors all mingled together wonderfully, and he scooped into the rice. There was a light sauce drizzled over the top that he absolutely loved!

At first Leorio got lost in watching the blonde eat his food, and that is why he didn't answer right away. But after shaking his head, he too dug into his own. He sliced off a good portion of his steak, and brought it up to his mouth. "Not really. I get closer to some, but not enough to form an actual friendship with them. It's just that I spent a lot of time with Gon and Killua back when I was an intern. I treated them to their first meal after being released from the hospital, as well as a large box of chocolate bars for a certain someone. I probably shouldn't have fed into his addiction, but it felt like it was well deserved." No one likes being stuck at the hospital, even more so when it is for a longer period of time. After taking in that bite of steak, he forked a potato and crammed that in as well.

"I see. Well you don't need a lot of friends anyways. I believe the smaller your group is, the better. And you have surrounded yourself with amazing people, Leorio. Those boys especially care deeply about you," the blonde explained. Their bond is very sweet, and he needed to hang onto it for as long as possible.

Leorio forked another potato halve, and held it out toward the blonde. There was a smirk on his face while doing so. "You're so smart Kurapika! Here, try one of these. They're so buttery..~" The tone of his voice grew deeper when making that suggestion, and he stared intensely into his eyes.

What the heck was this? Is he seriously trying to feed him like a baby? Kurapika immediately blushed as soon as this hit him, and he leaned back a bit. There wasn't anyone staring at them, but it was still an awkward position to be thrown into. "L-Leorio! I am an adult. You do not need to spoon-feed me," he mumbled.

Don't couples do this to each other? Or did he get that part wrong? The expression on his face fell, and he slowly withdrew his hand. 'How was I supposed to know? Hmph…' His lip jutted out at the amount of embarrassment he now felt. "I know you're an adult. Was just trying to be romantic. I'm not really good at this sort of thing, so I apologize for offending ya!" He said with a nervous smile.

So that was it? His intentions were good, and Kurapika stomped all over them. Well this just made him feel really bad. Initiating anything romantic wasn't always an easy thing to do. There is the fear of rejection, and even humiliation looming over you as you take that risk. And judging by the look on his face, he was a little hurt by his response. He sighed heavily, and scrubbed his hands over his face. "Okay, okay! I would like to try one of your.. buttery potatoes…" He sounded ridiculous just saying it out loud like that. 'I don't want his feelings to be hurt over something so harmless like this. It just isn't worth it.'

That sure was a quick change of heart right there. Although, Leorio couldn't help but snort out a chuckle at the way he worded his response. He pushed his fork through another one, this time actually pressing it against the blonde's lips. "Open up, my cute Pika!" He murmured, leaning over the table to get much closer.

Was it really necessary to add all of that in there? Kurapika tried to ignore the way his heart jumped just now, as he parted his lips. There was only a moments hesitation, before opening his mouth just enough to take in the potato halve. It was hot, but not enough to where it was going to burn his tongue. The taste was, however, excellent! It honestly didn't need anything else for it to be amazing. No wonder why they are paired with such a juicy steak. After swallowing the remnants, he licked the access salt from his lips. "Delicious," he said quietly.

His entire body tensed up when two fresh glasses of tea were placed in front of them.

"S-sorry to intrude! I was just dropping these off real quick—" The waitress was waving both of her hands out in front of her, hoping that she didn't upset them in any way. What was she supposed to do in this situation? The type of stuff she has to put up with on a daily basis was something else.

Leorio let out one long whistle. "Whoops! I didn't know she was standin' there." Probably because he was lost in his own little world with the blonde, feeling absolutely fascinated by the way he took that potato off of his fork. Besides, they probably won't see her again. And even if they do, surely she will forget about it by then. That or, she will just be over it by then. This just wasn't something to stress yourself over.

The table looked very tempting to bash his head against. This is exactly what he was afraid of. They don't have any privacy inside this restaurant. There is always someone watching. He squeezed his temples hard, and then wrapped his fingers around the tall, cold glass of fresh tea. "Let's just enjoy our food in peace, shall we? And she's getting a nice tip for that," he muttered. It was the least they could do for her. 'He didn't need to get that close to me. She probably thought we were going to kiss…' Not everyone is comfortable with watching couples make out, regardless of their gender. This is something they will need to be more careful with, since there will be more dates to come in the future.

You learn from your mistakes though.

---

The rest of their dinner date went great! And by the time they were finished eating, there was no one else left in the restaurant besides themselves and the workers—which were very friendly, by the way. The server turned out to be a pretty chill girl, who couldn't help but strike up a conversation at the end. Needless to say, Leorio left her a fat tip. Taking as how she is juggling both work and college, the money was going to help her out a lot. Having been a student himself not too long ago, he understands how expensive schooling can be. He just got lucky in being a licensed hunter and all. The walk home after that was also nice. The streets were still busy, but not like before when everyone was getting off of work. Now it was filled with the night owls, and those who were essentially bar-hopping. You see a lot of crazy stuff in this city, and it only intensifies once midnight strikes. It was in your best interest to just keep walking, and mind your own business. Not that either one of them were scared. They can easily take an attacker on!

But why cause trouble for themselves, when all they wanted was to go home?

Choosing somewhere so close by really did pay off, because they were able to make it back to their penthouse in no time. Good thing too, since boy were they ever tired. By the time they made it to the elevator, their feet were dragging. Looks like all of that food made them feel extra tired. As the doctor stood in the middle of his room, he contemplated on what to wear to bed. Going completely nude was out of the question, especially in this stage of their relationship. And what about just wearing his boxers? Would that also be too much? This really shouldn't be such a hard decision to make, and yet he was making it out to be that way. Last night they fell asleep in their suits, so that doesn't really count. It's not like they choose to wear something like that in the first place.

Groaning, he walked over to his dresser and yanked open the top drawer. Up until now he never saw the need to wear pajamas when it was just himself. It is because of this very reason that he doesn't own any. He did, however, managed to find a pair of light gray sweat pants that should work just fine as a substitute. After stripping of the clothes he was currently wearing, he tossed them all into the laundry bin. 'This isn't about your comfort, so just suck it up!' Sometimes sacrifices need to be made in a relationship, and this was something he fully accepted. Besides, this really wasn't nothing compared to other things. Even as he felt toasty after putting them on, that didn't change how he felt.

Leorio tied the string to make sure that they won't slide down. "There we go! I shouldn't need to wear a shirt," he mumbled. Now that would really make him sweat. Maybe he can kick the blankets off later on without his boyfriend noticing. Now that he was done changing into something much more comfortable, he made his way over to the large windows. From there he slid them open all the way. A gust of wind blew right through him, and he sighed in relief. 'A lot sure has happened today. It almost makes me wonder if any of it is even real. Can so many good things happen to one person like this?' But the pounding in his chest made him think otherwise. No, this was in fact reality. This meant that all of the events that took place today were real.

The door to his room opened with a quiet squeak.

"May I come in?" Kurapika asked in a soft tone of voice. His head was poking in, but he had his gaze glued onto the floor. He has learned from past experiences to not look right away. Well he would have knocked if Melody wasn't next to theirs trying to sleep. What with her supersonic hearing, he can only imagine how much of a light-sleeper she really is. Since he always sleeps with clothes on, it wasn't difficult at all to find something to wear. As a matter of fact, he owns all kinds of pajamas—at least one for each season.

Not wasting a second, the doctor whirled around on his heels to face him. What he saw made him smile a bit. "Come in Kurapika. I don't bite!" The light radiating from the moon should be enough to pave the way for him. He waited patiently with his hands on his hips. They were only apart for a mere ten minutes, but it sure did feel like the longest ten minutes of his life!

Has he become his new addiction?

Nodding, the Kurta stepped in and quietly closed the door behind him, allowing it to click before letting go. And then after letting out a deep exhale, he forced his legs to bring him over to the open windows. The breeze didn't feel as pleasant to him, as a shiver ripped right through his small body. However he simply ignored it, and kept on going. When he finally made it over to the other side, and was standing before the taller male, he tugged nervously at his baggy black t-shirt. Underneath that was a pair of blue shorts, but you wouldn't know just looking at him. "You're actually wearing something," he teased.

"…." Leorio was speechless. He had to actually do a double-take, just to make sure that what he saw was really there. His chocolate-brown eyes were locked onto smooth, pale legs. 'He shaves?! Oh god…' And here he expected him to be fully clothed like always. What he would give to glide his fingers up and down his slender legs. He can only imagine what his inner thighs feel like! They must feel like silk. He gulped hard, and stepped forward. His gaze was intense as he looked back up at that dollish face. They examined every detail—from his thin eyebrows, to his sparkling silver eyes, and then down to his small nose. His pale skin seemed to glisten in the natural lighting. It is kind of hard to believe that this beautiful human being was all his now. Seriously though, what did he do to deserve this?

He snaked an arm around his boyfriend's waist, and pulled him in so that their chests were now pressed against each other's. "So you're my dessert?" With one single swipe, he pulled the rubber band from his hair, allowing it all to fall back into place. There was a small kink where the ponytail was being held, and so he used his fingers to comb through the soft locks ever so gently.

Kurapika blushed an incredible shade of red. "I-I thought you were too full," he stammered out. To be honest, they both couldn't cram anything else down their throats. It didn't help having an extra helping of roasted vegetables, either. 'I can't think straight with our hearts beating in sync like this, and his hand in my hair…' He was so focused on trying to fight the right set of pajamas, that he forgot to fix it up.

Just to be an even bigger tease, Leorio licked at his own lips. "I always have room for my favorite," he smirked. And then without any warning, he scooped the blonde into his arms like the other night. It was so easy to do what with him not weight a whole lot. You could even say he is as light as a feather! As much as he wanted to stand here and hold him in his arms, they really did need to get some sleep. Speaking of that, he made long strides toward the bed. Once there he lightly tossed him on top of it. He couldn't help but snicker as he bounced off of the mattress a bit.

"Ahh—Wait, Leorio! What are you doing?" His eyes flashed Scarlet all of a sudden, as he stared up at the doctor from where he lay—which happened to be smack dab in the middle. It felt like his body was sinking, even though nothing was even happening. Right. He forgot how unbelievably soft this bed was. This will take some time getting used to, along with many other things.

You could just see the panic written all over his face, and Leorio didn't want him to feel that way at all. He slowly knelt down onto the mattress, and smiled lovingly. "There they are! I missed those beautiful rubies," he murmured. If they didn't hold so much pain and sadness, he would ask to see them more often. And since they always have to be hidden behind contact lenses, he never gets the opportunity to witness the shift in colors whenever his emotions flare up. He fell back against the pillows, and stretched his legs out.

"Can you.. maybe lay on top of me? If you don't like it, then you're free to get off." He patted his chest when saying this. His head was turned in his direction, since he really couldn't get enough of those glowing red eyes. They truly are more beautiful in the dark like this.

Kurapika blinked a couple of times. 'I thought-… Oh.' Now he felt stupid for assuming things were going in that direction. Given the type of person his newly-formed boyfriend is, he should have known. It has already been decided that they should take things slow, and see where their relationship goes from there. Why he forgot that in this very moment, he had absolutely no idea. The request he made instead was way more innocent. How can he say no to something like that? Even he was naturally curious to know what it felt like—to use someone else as a literal pillow. "Sure." He said just barely above a whisper.

That was.. easy.

But then again, why was he expecting a rejection out of him? Leorio watched as the blonde got up in a sitting position, and then proceed to crawl on over. At first it seemed like there was uncertainty in those Scarlet Eyes, but that was quick to fade away. He felt his heart flop as soon as their bodies met once more—his much smaller one molding perfectly into his own. "Ya might wanna cover up your legs with a blanket at least," he suggested quietly. The window is open, and it might get too cold for his liking. Both of his hands were now placed flat against his back, as if to hold him in place.

What an incredible feeling this was! Kurapika nuzzled his chest, and shifted to get a little more comfortable. Once he found the right position, he let out a soft sigh. "Mm. You're plenty warm," he whispered. And that was the honest truth! The heat pouring off of his body was amazing, so there was no need for a blanket in this case. This is all he needs.

Just when Leorio thought he couldn't get any cuter! "I think.. I'm falling deeper in love with you, Kurapika." He slid a hand underneath the Kurta's baggy t-shirt, and trailed his fingertips along his spine. Just how in the world does he get his skin to be so insanely soft like this?!

The way he caressed at his back made Kurapika shiver, and he tilted his head up to stare right into his eyes. Without saying a word, he reached out to snatch the glasses from his face, and carefully tossed them onto the bedside table. "It is impressive that I haven't scared you off yet," he chuckled. Obviously he wasn't being serious when saying that just now. It was just fun to mess with him is all.

And thankfully Leorio took it that way, because he rolled his eyes in response to that. "Pffft! You're not scary at all!" He said this with great confidence. It will be nearly impossible to get rid of him, and he wanted to make that known—that no matter what happens, he will stay by his side.

Kurapika's eyes softened when hearing that. Well he didn't necessarily want to scare him of all people! However when it comes to those damn Spiders, that was a different story. He leaned in to press his lips against the other's, allowing his hand to trail over his sideburns. 'I understand where you're coming from, Leorio. I think that.. you are having the same exact effect on me. But it is hard for me to say it out loud, so I hope you can tell through my actions alone…'

Who would have thought how wonderful it felt to have your face touched in such a way? No matter the area, he just couldn't get enough of it. Leorio's happily kissed the blonde back—a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips while doing so. 'I know. You don't need to say anything else. What you're giving me is enough…' He already felt like the luckiest guy on this planet, so why would he expect anything else? What they have going on in this very moment was precious. And well, he could lay here and kiss him forever if it were up to him. What more could he possibly want?

They are in love, and that feeling was only growing stronger.

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