Today marks a full week that Leorio has been stuck in the hospital. His wounds are in the process of healing, however, he still has quite a ways to go. The main issue are his broken ribs. They prevent him from moving about freely, which is a hinder for the most basic of tasks. Just walking to the restroom is a challenge, and even then, he ends up needing help getting both onto and off of the toilet. Never in his life has he felt so weak, embarrassed, and humiliated. Taking showers was no longer the same either—making sure not to get too much water and soap into the incision on his abdomen, and bending down or over was a huge no-no on his part. This meant someone else had to help scrub him down. At least he doesn't smell from laying in the bed twenty-four seven, right? That was one up side to all of this. Of course it was always done by another guy, as to make sure his boyfriend never felt uncomfortable.
Now he understands how his own patients feel about this matter.
There hasn't been a moment where he was left alone. Kurapika sleeps in the same bed every single night, and then spends the whole day by his side keeping him company. They watch television shows together, and even share meals that Melody prepares them. The hospital food wasn't terrible, but it also wasn't delicious—just sort of bland, and flavorless. That is to be expected, though. Most of the people here can't eat a lot of salt, or seasonings in general. This makes it easier on everyone. And whenever he does have to leave in order to take a shower at the penthouse, and change into some clean clothes, then Gon and Killua take over. As long as the doctor wasn't left alone, then that is all that truly mattered. With them taking turns in being with the doctor, things have gone rather smoothly for the most part.
There were no words to describe just how thankful Leorio was for all of this—how much he appreciated them being here, and caring so deeply for his well-being. If not for his friends and lover, he probably would have fallen into depression. It helps having their bright and positive energy lingering around every waking moment, to prevent his thoughts from wandering off to a dark place. They make him smile through all of the pain and suffering he is going through—sometimes to the point where he forgets about the condition he was in. Unfortunately that comes crashing down whenever he moves the wrong way, or lets a laugh slip out. Cheadle has been slowly weaning him off of the pain killers, so he was no longer enveloped in the blissful numbness like he was before. It wasn't good to stay on those for long periods of time, and he understood this fully.
The windowsill was adorned in various bouquets of flowers—ranging from different types and colors, cute teddy bears, balloons, and boxes of chocolates. Not only were his friends showering him with these gifts, but also the coworkers that he associated himself with. A lot of people were worried about him, especially for those first couple of days when he struggled the most. There was even a small stack of Get Well Soon cards to prove this. It was placed off to the side in a neat pile, to make sure that none of them got ruined. It came to no surprise that the patients under his care kept on asking about him, and his progress. Every single one of them missed him like crazy! Things just weren't the same, despite Cheadle doing her very best to take over in his place. These were two very different people, after all—leaving their complaints warranted.
No one could ever replace the great and amazing Dr. Paladiknight!
Some of the patients have went as far as to request visitation with their favorite doctor. Not wanting any of them to see the state he was currently in, he was forced into declining their offer as gently as possible. This was for the best, and nothing anyone says will change his mind. They deserve to only know him at his healthiest—not when he is bound to a bed with such severe injuries. And yes, a select few were still receiving the free treatment he has been providing. Cheadle may have taken over, but his program was still in place. Lives were still being saved, as he focused on all of the healing his body needed in order to get back to one-hundred percent.
After having gotten a taste of what it is like to be a patient here, he can now see why so many people hate it. The only thing keeping him sane, is the constant company of his loved ones. That is it. God he was just itching to get out of this damn bed, and get back to work! Not to mention his back was really starting to hurt from laying in one position for so long. It helps getting out once a day, to be wheeled around the hospital floors. Kurapika will even take him out into the courtyard for some fresh air, which he greatly appreciated. So far the weather has been nice enough for that. Plus this gives them some time to bond with each other, other than just sitting at his bedside and holding his hand. Of course he is often recognized, and it causes a small crowd around him at first—but they are quick to disperse after being told to give him some much needed space by a certain blonde himself.
So far he hasn't gotten any nasty infections, and his incision appeared to be doing very well. And what with his chest being so tightly bound with bandages, his broken ribs haven't punctured anything inside. As for the bruises on his back? Those were slowly fading away. That is also why it hurt to lay on it so much. Rolling over onto his side just wasn't an option for him right now. Not only could it cause more damage, but oh would it hurt that much more. His nose no longer required a big white bandage over it, but he still had to be careful as to not bump into anything. That wasn't fully healed yet either. This made trying to kiss his beautiful boyfriend a tad bit difficult. But who was he to complain? What matters is that he is alive, and doing better than before. He really did come face-to-face with death just a week ago, which is a very scary thing when you think about it.
Finally after being taken care of by the staff here, and feeling like one giant burden on them all, he was going home! Some tests were done, and he got the OK from Cheadle herself that it was safe enough to leave. This was, of course, good news for everyone. Since then he has been feeling antsy to sleep in the comfort of his own bed. Not only was it much bigger, but the mattress itself was softer. There won't be any interruptions by the nurses to check in and see how he is doing, or some loud patient nearby keeping him up at night. For someone who has been doing nothing but lay here all day long, he was still exhausted. His body just ached all over, and there were dark circles forming underneath his warm chocolate eyes. Even his hair was a mess, despite it already being styled in such a way where it never looked neat. But apparently his bedhead was "hot". How anyone could find him attractive in this state, was beyond him.
"You're not wearing my clothes this time," the brunette stated—gaze fixed on the Kurta as he entered the room with a box in his hands. His small legs had been squeezed into a pair of black skinny jeans, as he trotted on over to the bed with the same color army boots. They zipped at the sides, and had two buckles wrapping around the ankle area. And to keep himself warm on this breezy morning, he had on a dark red, long-sleeve plaid shirt. Soft blonde hair was pushed back with a pair of big, round sunglasses that were now propped on the top of his head. The sun was out shining brightly, so it is no wonder why he needed those in order to see properly.
With a smile gracing Kurapika's lips, he set the box down at the end of the bed. Upon arriving after gathering some clothes together for the doctor, he told Melody that it was alright to go back home. There was no point in her staying here any further, since he can handle the rest on his own. Besides, she was needed back at the penthouse for reasons he cannot disclose. "Does my outfit bother you?" He said in a teasing manner. For only being gone a short amount of time, he sure did miss seeing that handsome face of his. Sure his appearance was more on the rough side, but that didn't change his attraction for the man. It just meant that he needed a good night's rest, is all. And hopefully he will get just that later on tonight.
Snorting, Leorio motioned for his boyfriend to come closer. "Quite the opposite, actually." As nice as it was to see him wearing his over-sized sweaters, this was also a great view too. Everything just shaped his body so perfectly. Part of him misses the suits he wore during his butler days, but he couldn't help but drink in these new clothes he kept throwing on either. Was there anything this guy could not pull off? Every time he walks through that door with something different on, his heart nearly stops beating. How was it possible to fall even deeper in love, when he is already his world? This incident has definitely succeeded in bringing the two closer than ever.
"Is that so?" He responded with a chuckle, all the while pulling out the clothes he had picked out for the day. It was a pair of grey sweat pants, a plain white t-shirt, and your usual socks and boxer briefs. Wearing something so constricting might cause him some pain and discomfort, so that is why he chose these. After setting everything down onto the pull-out table, he reached out to capture the brunette's face within his hands, cradling it ever so gently. His face was scruffier than usual, but that is because he hasn't gotten the chance to properly shave in days. Still, he enjoyed the texture beneath his fingertips. 'So warm…' The living sure did feel amazing. It beat the cold corpses that continued to haunt his dreams on the nights he was left alone- that bed feeling bigger than it already is.
Kurapika closed his silvery eyes, and slowly leaned in to press his lips against the other's—indulging himself in their wet softness. It was clear that the doctor had just finished a cup of coffee, because it was all he could taste during this shared kiss—bitter, yet somehow delicious in spite of that. His legs almost turned to butter when a strong hand came up to rest against his lower back, and he had to kneel against the mattress just to keep his balance. 'I can't get enough of you, Leorio. Without you, life is meaningless.' Perhaps it really was a good thing that he didn't know who his attacker was. This prevents him from going out and doing something stupid, all for the sake of revenge. However, the need to hurt that monster will always linger deep inside his heart.
There was no forgiving people like that.
Given all the hours of sleep Leorio has lost this past week, you really can't blame him for downing a bunch of coffee. Without it, he wouldn't be able to function like a normal human being. Besides, what else was he expected to drink while eating breakfast? 'I'm not going anywhere. When will you believe that?' Being on the fine line of life and death must have seriously messed with the blonde, because why else did he become so clingy? Not that he had a problem with it. Of course he was soaking up every second of their closeness! But he can't help but worry about his mental health through all of this. As their lips connected, his own eyes closed to lean into the kiss. On the contrary, his boyfriend tasted strongly of mint. Did he spit the toothpaste out of his mouth just as he was leaving the penthouse? The image this produced in his mind was funny.
His hand trailed up the Kurta's back, entwining strong fingers into damp, blonde locks that smelled like a refreshing day at the beach. Then, feeling rather daring, allowed his tongue to glide along the other's plump bottom lip. "Pika," he whispered into the kiss. No, this wasn't done to try and lick him like some sort of weirdo. It was about time that they take things a step further, and he could only hope that his lovely boyfriend here understood what he wanted—what he absolutely craved from him.
The sensation made Kurapika shiver, and he swallowed hard, parting his lips only slightly. Well he was inexperienced, not an idiot! Everything was coming along naturally—as if guiding him on what to do next. The urge to throw his arms around his boyfriend's neck was intense, but he managed to fight it off in fear of hurting him even more. "Hm?" He hummed quietly. Is this what complete and total bliss felt like? What he would give to mold their bodies together, or to even lay on top of him like before. He missed those nights where they could lay in bed, all wrapped up in each other's arms, and as they slept peacefully in their combined warmth.
His body tensed up at the foreign feeling of Leorio slipping through his lips—the gap that had been created for this specific reason alone. This was already so different compared to a simple peck. Before he would have viewed this as being "gross", since the mere thought of swapping saliva was not very appealing. The fact that this all belonged to the love of his life, however, changed everything. And to be honest, it left him wanting so much more. So he gave in. Every part of his being started to relax then. When you come to trust someone with your very life, that is it. As soon as the other's tongue wrapped itself around his own, all he could do was deepen the kiss by bringing their faces closer than they already were. "Mm..~"
That quiet moan just about sent Leorio over the edge. It is a sound he has never heard come out of his beloved boyfriend, and oh was it music to his ears! This also sent his mind to a dirty place, which only intensified his feelings tenfold. As his hand gripped a fistful of the sunshine-blonde hair, he began to hungrily kiss at his lips, all the while allowing their tongues to dance wonderfully in his mouth. It was moments like these, where he really appreciated everyone giving them some alone time with each other. Maybe that is why no one else came to see him off? That could very well be the case. 'You're so good at this, Kurapika,' he thought with such happiness.
It was hard to believe he has never done this before.
Who else would Kurapika kiss, and especially so passionately like this? It really was just him winging it, and hoping for the best. And from what he can tell, it was working in his favor. Unfortunately nothing lasts forever. The main issue here was air, which they were lacking the longer this continued. At some point they needed to stop in order to breathe—something the both of them were trying to prolong as much as possible. Eventually it just got to be too much, and it resulted in him being the first one to pull away with a loud gasp. His cheeks were flushed a beautiful red- eyes wide as they bore into the doctor's. All you could hear at first was the sound of their heavy breathing, as they tried to calm themselves. "Wow…"
Wow indeed. Leorio licked the access saliva from his lips, and then swiped his thumb over the blonde's chin. Things got just a tad messy during their make-out session, which is a given. "We just took a step further into our relationship. How does it feel?" He asked in a soft, quiet tone of voice. It didn't take a genius to figure out what comes after this, but he wasn't going to bring that up—not now when they were getting used to this. Not like they can be intimate anyways, what with him still healing from his injuries. Doing something so strenuous with some broken ribs really wasn't a good idea.
The Kurta caught his lover's hand, and pressed it against one of his reddened cheeks—heart continuing to thump rapidly in his chest. "It has left me wanting more of you. Leorio, I-… I don't feel afraid anymore. There is nothing to hide from someone whom I trust completely. Touch me, kiss me, hold me, whatever! It doesn't matter! I am yours, just like how you are mine. The whole soulmate thing was always an absurd thing when growing up, but not now—not when I have met my very own. You make me feel alive again! So please, hurry up and get better so that we can start our future together."
Tears pooled in the doctor's dark brown hues, blurring his vision as he stared intensely at the hand that was being held captive. "K-Kurapika, you really…" To be loved so unconditionally like this was something he yearned for his whole life. And for a while there he gave up on the idea of finding a partner to create that future with, because no one he met had caught his interest. That is, until this guy showed up at his doorstep. It was then, that his whole world changed drastically. There was no going back after that interview ended- like in some weird way, they were put on this earth just to find each other and be together. Their tragic pasts weren't all too different when you really think about it, which made them similar in more ways than you could ever imagine.
Carefully, he leaned in to press his forehead against Kurapika's. Their noses lightly brushed during this action, but not enough to inflict any pain. "Take good care of me, and I will get better in no time. Guess this means you're temporarily re-hired to be my butler again, huh? But you don't have to wear the suit. I'd be more than happy if you wore nothing at all instead," he teased with a devious smirk. Such a thing was not possible with Melody living under the same roof as them, but he could still fantasize about it nonetheless.
"You're such a pervert!" The Kurta replied, before bursting into a fit of giggles. They still needed to go about this one step at a time. So far he has only revealed his chest once, and that was when he wore a binder. Technically he hasn't exposed any part of his body to him yet, and so he definitely would not walk around in the nude of all things. Whether they had the penthouse to themselves or not, it really wouldn't change things. Again, he has struggled with his body for his entire life. Why would he want to show it off in such a way? Although he couldn't deny that the concept itself was kind of funny.
"But.. you're my pervert." With that he placed another kiss onto the brunette's lips, lingering in that exact position for a long few seconds, before pulling back very slowly. This was now his new favorite thing to do, as he found it to be so utterly addicting. It is also why he went in for another—repeatedly giving soft, and loving pecks to the man who stole his heart.
Leorio let out the tiniest chuckle that his broken ribs would allow- enjoying every second of this much needed, and well deserved affection. "Can we put a hold on this? I really wanna get out of here. We can pick up where we left off in the comfort of our own bed," he suggested. Staying here longer than necessary puts them at risk of being walked in on, and that was never any fun. At least back at their penthouse they won't have to worry about that happening. Melody has the common courtesy of knocking, in spite of already hearing everything that goes on behind closed doors.
It wasn't easy separating himself from the handsome doctor, but he did it. The other option really was far better than this one. "You win this time." Kurapika slid both of his hands underneath the other, and began to pull him towards the edge of the bed. With Cheadle and the other male nurses around to help, he hasn't been able to do much of anything for his own boyfriend. So, it was his turn to finally do something. Putting clothes on another person didn't require professional help anyways. Once he got him sitting upright, he reached over to snatch the pair of boxer briefs he had picked out earlier. These did not have any goofy designs on them—just a solid black color.
After lowering himself down into a crouching position, he pushed each foot through the leg holes of the boxer briefs. "I suppose you should get used to wearing real clothes again." A hospital gown wasn't much, but just a thin material that didn't even cover your entire backside. Already his hands have come into contact with nothing but the smooth, warm skin of his boyfriend's bottom—nearly causing his poor heart to explode when realizing which area he was accidentally caressing over. 'Don't look up. Don't look up. Don't look up.' Everything was exposed at this angle, and he had to be careful where his wandering eyes traveled.
If it could go unnoticed, then he would definitely sneak a quick peak.
His stomach flopped as soon as he yanked them above the brunette's knees, and he gulped. It was one thing to see him naked at random, and another to be so close like this—where his hands were in reaching distance of knocking into something quite large, and sensitive to the touch. The last thing he needed, was to accidentally turn the guy on inside a hospital of all places! These walls are paper-thin as well, which really wouldn't help their case. "…"
With his gaze fixated on the blonde, Leorio tried to make things easier by sliding further down the bed, giving him more room to work with. The heat rose in his cheeks when realizing just how close that adorable face was to his nether regions, and he swallowed thickly. And as those delicate hands crept further up his legs, his own twitched while they rested in his lap. "Y-yeah. Can't walk outta here with my ass hangin' out," he chuckled nervously. Well he won't literally be doing any of that, since it is a struggle to so much as walk to the bathroom. If anything, he will be leaving the hospital in a wheelchair. Flashing everyone on his way out would be highly embarrassing.
"I'm sure some would appreciate the view," Kurapika muttered under his breath. Despite already being taken, that still didn't stop some of the workers from flirting with his overly attractive boyfriend. It honestly frustrated him to no end, but he tried not to complain about it. Instead he would just send them off with a cold glare, which usually worked in his favor. After pushing the thin blue material up and out of the way, he swiftly pulled the boxer briefs over where they needed to be. And then in one fluid movement, yanked the gown off completely. What his eyes were met with, sent his heart into an absolute frenzy. That is, until he noticed the large incision going across his abdomen—the bandages that were tightly wrapped around his chest to keep his broken ribs in place.
It was a painful sight to see.
Large silvery eyes became shadowed behind bright blonde hair, as he silently went over to grab the sweatpants. Crying over it won't solve anything. It won't make the doctor's injuries magically disappear. Besides, he has shed enough tears lately. "Do you have extra bandages for your chest?" Surely he can't keep using the same ones. That wouldn't be very hygienic. And do those stitches dissolve? Or will he need to come back here in order to take them out? There were so many questions that he wanted to ask, but didn't want to overwhelm the poor guy at the same time.
"Of course I do! What doctor doesn't keep extra medical supplies in their own home?" The brunette grinned, lifting himself up a bit so that the sweatpants could be pulled up more effortlessly. That look in Kurapika's eyes didn't go unnoticed, but he chose not to point it out. It all fairness, he couldn't blame him for feeling so torn over his appearance. It was a lot to take in. But there really wasn't anything that could be done about his injuries. They all just needed to be patient, and wait for them to heal on their own. Once he felt the elastic hem rest at his hips, he plopped back against the mattress, and let out a small sigh of relief. Holding himself up like that tugged at his chest, which was a very uncomfortable feeling. 'These are nice. I don't remember buying them though…' He thought with slight confusion.
"They need to go on tight like this. Do you wanna feel and see for yourself?" When asking this, he made sure to hold up one of his arms to grant more access. Trying to change out his bandages all on his own was not a good idea, and will only result in failure. For the time being his body can't twist and turn like that without causing an ache in his chest.
For a good minute or so, all Kurapika did was stare deeply into the other's warm gaze with an unreadable expression. And then continuing to remain silent, reached into the box to pull out a stick of deodorant. After popping the cap off, he jabbed it gently into his armpit. "Leorio, I used to bind my chest like this every single day. I like to think I'm more than suitable for this task," he explained. For most of his life he didn't understand just how unhealthy it was to be doing that sort of thing. Now that he is more knowledgeable on the subject, he sticks to just wearing binders. If only he had looked into things sooner, but oh well. Everyone learns from their mistakes.
"What the-… Ya could have warned me first!" Having something cold shoved into your armpit like that wasn't a pleasant feeling, and it caught him completely off guard. Perhaps it would make things weird between them if he started to smell. Pouting, he slowly raised his other arm. Why did he even need help with something like this in the first place? His arms were long enough to reach. Yet for some reason, he couldn't bring himself to deny his boyfriend of this. You can't fault someone for wanting to take care of you, no matter how silly it was.
"G-good. You better not be doing that anymore!" Leorio huffed out, being unable to suppress the blush that was spreading across his cheeks. Now he just has to make sure that his binder isn't being worn at night when going to bed. That is something he will simply not allow.
Moving over onto the other side, Kurapika's lips twitched into a faint smile. Maybe this was unnecessary, but he just wanted to make things easier on the man he loves. What was so wrong with that? It is about time that someone else took care of him for a change! "Keep both of your arms up," he instructed quietly. For someone who has so much money, his wardrobe sure was rather bare. It is probably because he spends most of his time at work, and doesn't see the need in owning so many clothes if they won't get worn. Grabbing the white t-shirt that had been neatly folded, he proceeded to lean up in order to reach properly.
"…" Seeing the blonde struggle was amusing. Even when sitting down like this, there was still an issue with their height difference. That, and his arms are just longer than your average person. Upon seeing something flesh-colored catching the corner of his eye, he blinked a couple of times, and trailed his gaze all the way down to his boyfriend's stomach. The flannel shirt was riding up his slim body, causing the very bottom of it to become exposed. Now he has seen him shirtless once before, but tried not to stare and make him feel uncomfortable. It was never hard to imagine what the rest looked like, though, as his mind tends to wander off to that very thought quite often.
It is one of the many fantasies he has involving him.
Almost hesitantly, he brought his hand down to touch the soft, pale skin—fingertips sweeping lightly across the surface in a sort of awe and fascination. 'It feels like a baby's bottom…' It would be so easy to keep going—to feel more of a body that is kept so well hidden beneath layers of clothing. Will that be overstepping some boundaries? Was it okay to touch him so intimately? They are dating, and even discussed how they will spend the rest of their lives together. "…-"
"Aahh—" On instinct, Kurapika flinched away from the gentle touch to his bare stomach. His cheeks were practically the same color of his shirt, as he quickly yanked it back down. It's not that he felt uncomfortable, or disliked it—rather it was just one of those things you never expect to happen. No one has ever touched him in such a way. If anything, he actually liked it. He is dating someone who is very talented with their hands after all. They are used to save lives! But they were also for carrying him in his arms, stroking through his hair, caressing his face oh so lovingly, etc…
"L-Leorio! I specifically told you to keep both of your arms up! How else am I going to get this shirt on you?" He was flustered, that much was clear. And those gorgeous rubies kept wandering about the room, as if trying to avoid the doctor's intense gaze—which was filled with nothing but pure love in response to this.
The brunette covered his mouth to prevent himself from laughing. That reaction just now was beyond adorable, and it warmed his heart so much. In that very moment he had forgotten about his instructions—fully concentrating on that bit of skin he couldn't help but touch. How could one pass up such a grand opportunity? 'Touching you is fun. Do you know that, Kurapika?' He thought fondly, as a smile spread on his lips. Not only did he enjoy the softness of his boyfriend, but everything else that came with it—the way his eyes turned Scarlet from sheer embarrassment, his little gasp when pulling away, and the response that came out in a huff. It made going against his orders all the more worth it. Did he really need to wear a shirt anyways?
"Sorry mom. I couldn't resist the temptation." He made sure to lift that arm back up, but did so with the biggest smirk on his face. For now he will just have to try and not look down again. At least his boyfriend's features were nice to stare at.
Kurapika's eyebrow twitched, as he attempted one more time to get the shirt over his arms. Finally he managed to get each one into its designated area, and proceeded to yank the rest of it down and over his head. "Stop calling me that! It's just so weird. I'm not a mother…" He mumbled. This wasn't the first time he has been called this, and he didn't want it to become a regular thing. Once his head was fully sticking out, he brought the rest of it down his torso. Of course it was tight on him. His muscular arms barely fit—fabric already being stretched to its limits, while his abs were visible through it. Does he purposely buy them so small to show off his body?
Wait, he already knew the answer to that one.
For someone who worked very hard to achieve said body, you couldn't hold it against them for wanting to show it off. There was nothing wrong in feeling proud and confident in yourself. Also, he always wears these plain t-shirts underneath other shirts. So really, he isn't showing off as much as one would think. "Not yet.. But you did agree to have my babies." Leorio looked deeply into his eyes when saying that just now, pausing for what felt like minutes rather than seconds, and then chuckled quietly.
"You're not gonna be referred to as 'mom', so don't worry! I'm just tryin' to mess with ya! Things have been so tense lately…" Wrapping an arm around the Kurta's waist, he pulled him in much closer. From there he turned his head to the side, and pressed it against his chest. It was then, that he was able to hear his heartbeat. It has always been the other way around, so he never got to experience this until now. No wonder why his boyfriend enjoys it so much. Who would have thought that this would be so calming, and relaxing? It was like he could sit here all day in this same position, and never grow bored of it.
This action only added onto his already pounding heart. Yes he will be the one to carry the doctor's children, but in no way did he want to be called "mom". Pregnancy will already be taking a huge toll on him in every way possible. As if he wanted to be associated with something so feminine. No, he refused to be called anything other than "dad". And it sure was a good thing that they were both on the same page with that, because had he not corrected himself, then Kurapika would have felt rather offended. Had it been anyone else, he wouldn't have agreed to put himself through all of that just to create a family together. No one else was suitable enough to mix his Kurta bloodline with anyways. Any child between them will be intelligent, talented, strong, and beautiful. There was no doubt about it.
His eyes softened the longer they stayed like this, until eventually, leaning down a bit in order to place a gentle kiss on top of chestnut hair. The strands tickled his nose, but he continued to plant them all over. Due to his injuries, it was so hard to be close like this with each other. "You are such a dork! I thought you were in a hurry to get out of here," he whispered. Guess they can't keep their hands to themselves after all. 'How many does he expect me to give him? I hope not too many…' Not that there was a set limit, but still, he wasn't going to put his body through hell more than necessary.
Just imaging the one alone made him feel anxious.
With a heavy and defeated sigh, Leorio pulled away. "Well let's get out of here before you distract me some more," he replied with a crooked smile. Since the wheelchair was situated right at his bedside, he decided that it was close enough to chance it. Taking in a deep breath of air, he held it in while lifting himself up. If he can just do this one thing, then he won't feel like such a huge burden. As he began to straighten his posture out, he wobbled ever so slightly.
The panic immediately bubbled up inside of him then. "What are you doing?! You're going to fall—" Kurapika was in the middle of reaching out to him, when he was stopped by a hand being thrusted out. His eyes widened in shock at this. Has he lost his damn mind?
"I-I gotta do this! So please, let me…" Everyone has been doing far too much for him, and for once in the past week, he just wanted to feel like he can do something on his own. As grateful as he was for all of this help, it only made him feel useless in the long run. As he stood completely straight, he eyed the space again, before bringing his foot forward in a sliding motion. His legs felt so weak from laying in that bed for so long, and so it was a bit of a challenge to keep his balance. The socks he wore were slip-proof, making it so that he didn't have to worry about walking on the tiled flooring. They were a blue in which resembled the sky. Plus they were thick, to try and keep the patients here warm. Not that he needed them for that very reason, since he rarely gets cold. It really was only to prevent him from falling flat on his face.
But even with those on, a person can still fall.
Leorio only made it about halfway, before his legs started to give out. The second he found himself falling forward, was when he saw his life flashing before his eyes. There was nothing for him to even grab a hold of. But it was also in that same moment, that he collapsed into something warm and soft. There was something—no, someone holding him up! The pounding in his aching chest made his head spin. "W-what—"
Oh.
"You don't get to play the big tough guy with those injuries of yours! I get it Leorio. It's frustrating not being able to do anything for yourself. But being the highly successful doctor that you are, you should know better than to push yourself like this! What if I wasn't here to catch you? You could have been stuck laying here for who knows how long! And If I see you doing this again back at our place, then I am going to tie you to that bed! Got it?" His outburst was warranted. Trying to attempt this was just way too dangerous, and wasn't worth the risk—as proven by what had just happened. Making sure to be as careful and gentle as he could be, the blonde brought an arm down to hook underneath his legs, keeping the other at his waist. Afterward he lifted him up into both of his arms, and turned around to finish what was started.
The atmosphere between them grew tense, as the doctor was set down into the wheelchair. Those amazingly warm brown eyes now held a dullness, and he kept his head lowered in a sort of shame. Well now he just felt like the biggest idiot. 'I shouldn't have allowed my frustration to cloud my mind. What was I thinking? Fuck, I really hate this…' A fall like that could have put him back in the hospital, and he hasn't even left the first time! Can he just make it out of here in one piece? "Got it. I'm sorry, Pika." If he were in a better mood, he would have joked about being tied up in the bedroom. However, he really did feel bad for the trouble he has caused. No need to make people worry about him more than they already do.
"…" Staying mad at him really was impossible, huh? It was almost a sin, to hold anger toward someone with such a pure and honest soul. It also wasn't his fault for feeling this way, either. No one can understand what he is going through right now, and it would be for the best if everyone tried to be more understanding of the position he has been thrown into. Kurapika lifted his head up by grabbing his chin, and as soon as their gazes met, a smile instantly formed. This wasn't worth seeing him so down in the dumps. Yeah he messed up by making a dumb mistake, but that is what people do—they all make mistakes. And he wouldn't want to be with someone who was perfect. He loves this man, even the very few flaws that he has.
What those flaws were, he really couldn't recall.
"This won't last forever. In the meantime, just let me take care of you. That is all I want. Enjoy this break you're getting from work, and catch up on some much needed rest. Cheadle is doing a fantastic job in taking care of your patients, so for once, focus on yourself. Everyone will be waiting for your return.. Dr. Paladiknight," he murmured with such a fondness in his voice. Boy has it been a while since he last called him that, and it sure did give him a bizarre feeling.
Leorio inhaled sharply when being called that. It brought back some really nice memories of when his boyfriend was still a butler. They had been dancing around their true feelings for one another, until finally confessing. It wasn't even that long ago. He removed that hand from his face, only to interlace their fingers. The size difference continues to amaze him. "Okay. Anything for you. I.. will cooperate." The sooner his injuries heal, the better. 'At least we get to spend more time together. That alone will feel like a vacation.' This realization warmed his heart tremendously. Yeah, he was going to enjoy this part of recovery the most.
All of the doctor's gifts had been packed away into that same box, and left at the hospital to be picked up at a later time. Given how Kurapika only has two arms, there was no way he would be able to maneuver them both safely. Guess he should have planned things out a whole lot better beforehand, huh? For now it is going to be kept on a table in the break room, as the rest of the staff knew better than to touch it. The wheelchair was also left behind, since it won't be needed around the penthouse. Not only will it be pointless with there being stairs, but he will also be in bed for the most part. At some point they will need to work on strengthening those leg muscles, but not today. Moving him from one place to another was already strenuous enough as it is. What he needed was a hot, relaxing bath! And if it weren't for the incision on his abdomen, he could have had just that. But because of this very reason, that was impossible. Fully submerging it underneath water would be, well, bad.
What really made him struggle, was trying to get through the front door. Melody was supposed to leave it unlocked, and then Gon and Killua were supposed to help them out as soon as they arrived. However even after knocking on it for a solid five minutes, there was no response. Just complete silence. This of course was very odd, and concerning. Did something happen while he was away? It took having to set his injured boyfriend down in order to get the keys out of his pocket—a protective hold around his body to hold him up, as he fumbled to find the correct one. After managing that, and pushing his way through the entryway, he let his gaze wander—taking in their surroundings. There was no one sitting on the couches in the spacious living room, nor were they hanging out in the kitchen.
Did those three go somewhere without shooting a message his way? The volume on his phone was turned all the way up, and not once has it gone off. "Let's get you upstairs," Kurapika mumbled. The fact that neither of their friends decided to show up for this was kind of upsetting. Where were the decorations? The cake that was being whipped together this morning? The gifts that are supposed to be sitting on the dinner table? It was like everything they discussed three days ago went right out the window without his knowledge, and he wanted answers. Someone should have informed him of these last minute changes. Instead he had been left in the dark.
And where was his gift located?!
"Something botherin' ya?" Leorio blurted out. It wasn't intentional, but he braced himself once hitting the winding staircase. There was still a part of him that felt nervous about being held by someone smaller, despite having such impressive strength. And he felt guilty for having his doubts as the blonde took each cautious step. This was just one of those things will never, in any circumstance, leave his mind. Hurting the guy he loves like that would be soul-crushing. The emptiness wasn't an issue, for he hasn't noticed it yet. All of his focus was on other matters—like how close their faces were, and how he couldn't get his fingers to stop playing with the blonde locks that rested beautifully against his neck. This also acted as a nice distraction, from the fear of being dropped.
Was his frustration really that noticeable? A sigh slipped through his lips then. "Just, you know.. wondering where Melody went." Not knowing any of their whereabouts only made matters worse. A lot of the food around here had been used to make everyone those boxed meals this past week, so maybe a grocery haul was needed? If that really were the case, then wouldn't she have done that a lot sooner, especially knowing what day it was today? Just this morning he thought that they were on the same page. Clearly they were not.
It took a moment for that to fully sink in, and once it did, the brunette snapped his fingers. "So that is why it feels so different! I'm sure she will be back soon. Until then, why don't we enjoy having the place to ourselves?" He asked with a wriggle of his thin eyebrows. A smirk was now plastered on his perfectly-structured face, with his gaze locked onto the other's.
Yup. The man he fell in love with was in fact crazy. Kurapika playfully rolled his eyes in response to that. Relief immediately struck him as soon as they reached the top of the stairs—no accidents having been made on their way up. What a good sign this was! 'You can relax now.' It was very obvious by how tensed up his entire body was, that he was worried about being dropped. As if he would allow such a thing to happen. "Whatever is going on in that dirty mind of yours, it isn't happening. I shouldn't have to explain why." Thankfully the door to his room was already open. This was just one less thing to deal with.
Leorio snorted, and quite loudly at that. "There are many ways to work around these injuries, Pi-ka!" He drew out the nickname in a deep, husky tone of voice. Yes he can't do anything physical with the blonde, but his own needs can still be taken care of. 'I'm just messin' with him! But, if he were to try any of that on me, I would happily accept…' His gaze shifted over to the bed, in which not a single wrinkle was visible in the gorgeous navy-blue covers. Was it always so big? Or has he just gotten so used to the one back at the hospital?
There was a brief pause in the blonde's steps, and his eyes grew wide. Perhaps he really can make his boyfriend feel good after all! This does not give him the courage, nor the confidence in order to do so, though. Instead it just made him feel more anxious thinking about it. How can someone so inexperienced such as himself, pleasure a guy who is way more knowledgeable on sex? He knew absolutely nothing—couldn't even take his own clothes off in front of him! So how can he take that next step with intimacy, when still struggling with his own insecurities? After setting him down onto the bed, and carefully pulling the blanket out from beneath him, he sighed heavily. This wasn't how he wanted to remember their first time. And surely Melody will give them some more alone time, right?
No way was she going to stick around for any of that.
The horror of knowing her poor ears would hear everything gave him the chills.
"Leorio, I'm afraid to so much as hug you right now. Take the time to think about that, while I go get you some water." He patted him on the cheek, before turning around and walking off. What with him finally gaining control over his care, he will make sure that the doctor's coffee consumption will be cut at least in half. It is important that he focuses on getting a lot of sleep, before returning to work. It was still undecided when that will be. In a week they have to go back for a checkup, and see how his injuries are healing. If his progress is good enough, then he might be able to return for the easier cases. That also means starting out with shorter shifts at first, but it was still better than nothing. He has to work his way back up to what he was used to, before this incident happened.
Once he made it back downstairs, he took the sunglasses off of his head, and set them down onto a small table that was situated against the wall—fingers raking through his hair to smooth it out. "That dork needs to use that brain of his more often," he mumbled. But even as those words spilled so softly out of his mouth, they didn't match the expression on his face, or the weird tingly feeling in his chest. 'If he wasn't so hurt, then…' Then what? He would go for it? Whenever those big, comforting hands touch any part of his body, he is left wanting more. It is just that he worries about ruining their first time together. Can he really satisfy him? What if things won't be as magical as he had envisioned, and winds up giving him nothing but disappointment?
There was only one way to find out—a way that shouldn't be stressed over quite yet.
Just as the flustered Kurta was approaching the fridge, that is when he saw the two bento boxes stacked neatly on the countertop beside it. There was also a tray of what looked like strawberry cupcakes—each one beautifully decorated in a pink frosting that was just a shade lighter than the cake part itself. They appeared to be very soft, and moist. "…" So this is what Melody was baking earlier. His gaze flickered down to a note that was written beautifully in clean cursive, and he slowly peeled it off to get a better look.
Kurapika, I do hope that you are not too upset with us when reading this! We understand that a welcome home party was planned for today, and when you entered through that door, there was no such thing. Leorio should be surrounded by his close friends during a time like this! But that is also why the three of us decided to cancel it, all in exchange for you guys to spend some quality time alone. Please enjoy the food I have prepared, and the movie I picked out. Oh! And the gift you bought is in your room. You can yell at me all you want during dinner time, okay? Until then do enjoy yourselves.
Love Melody
"You guys…" It all made sense now. There is no way either one of them would have forgotten about today's events—just like how they wouldn't have ditched at the last minute. This was just so unexpected, which is why it never crossed his mind to begin with. Their friends are truly amazing people. What would they do without them? All of the frustration and irritation that he was feeling before, was now fading away—being replaced with nothing but pure joy, and happiness. Having private conversations with Leorio is an impossible thing, when your roommate can hear literally everything that is being said. For the most part it wasn't an issue, since they both trust her enough with whatever information is spilled. Besides, she wasn't the type of person to run around gossiping to others.
A wide smile spread on Kurapika's lips, as he folded the note and tucked it into his back pocket. Then he bent down to open one of the cupboards, and pulled out a long wooden tray. It had metal handlebars at each side, that were comfortable to grip. 'How am I ever going to repay them for this kind gesture?' He shook his head, and began throwing everything together. No, their friends didn't do this expecting anything in return. It just wasn't like them at all. They too, have hearts made out of gold. What did he do in life to deserve such amazing people, who he can always count on?
Oh he will definitely be treasuring this alone time with the doctor.
After stacking the tray with their bento boxes, cupcakes, and some water bottles, he stepped into the other room to find that movie Melody mentioned. It was situated on the big glass table, and still had the plastic wrapped around its case. Immediately his gaze scanned over the two men, who seemed to take up the entire front cover. The distance between them was none-existent, as their foreheads touched in a heated stare. In bold lettering, the name "PROMARE" was spelled out at the very bottom. Not only did the cool character designs catch his interest, but so did the unique title. 'Guess this was a lucky guess on her part. I might actually enjoy this…' That pink and blue flame looked especially fun, and it made him feel curious to find out what role it will play in this.
He tossed it onto the tray along with all the other stuff, and started to make his way back up the stairs. This was going to be their first time actually watching a movie together, and it honestly excited him more than he could have ever imagined. It will just be the two of them laying in that giant bed—all snuggled up into each other, as they enjoy their delicious food for hours on end. Yeah, he couldn't think of a better way to spend the day. And by the time he made it to the door, his heart was just racing away. How long has he desired this? At the hospital they had their moments of privacy, but were always interrupted by the nurses' set schedule to check up on Leorio. Every patient goes through that.
As soon as he stepped into the brunette's room, a dazzling smile appeared on his gorgeous face. It was always a breath of fresh hair when looking at someone so insanely handsome. "I hope you weren't too lonely without me! Melody made us some lunch, before leaving for the day. Don't worry though! She will be here to make dinner. I guess she had some shopping to do." What else would she be doing with the other two for so long?
Maybe their dinner will be running late today.
A deep chuckle could be heard from the doctor himself, as he took in the array of items on the tray. Were those homemade cupcakes? They looked fantastic! He couldn't recall the last time he had one of those. It isn't often that he eats sweets. And it didn't surprise him to see water instead of coffee, either. That was unfortunate. "You gave me the task of thinking before leaving, and I did just that! It wasn't so lonely getting lost in my own thoughts," he winked. The quiet was kind of nice, despite missing his boyfriend a bit. It is always nice having him around, even if they are not talking. His very presence fills him with so much happiness. Now that he has returned, the room itself has brightened considerably.
"See? No need to worry over Melody's absence!" Once the tray slid over to the left of him, he reached out to snatch one of the water bottles. Already he was missing the hot, tasty bitterness of the dark liquid. After flicking the cap off, he took a big swig, enjoying how the coldness felt in his throat. This was also hitting the spot. 'It was nice of her to give us some alone time. I bet it was done on purpose, knowing her sweet and kind nature,' he thought. Why else would she not be here for his return? His gaze roamed over to the movie that had been picked out, and he blinked a couple of times.
"Promare..?" He whispered to himself. If you take a good look at his collection in the living room, you will see DVD's ranging from all sorts of genres. It isn't very often that he stumbles across one that he dislikes. This is one that he has never heard of before, for some odd reason.
Nodding, Kurapika picked it up to take the plastic wrapping off. "She thought we would like it, so…" He responded with a shrug of his shoulders. When he did manage to get it all the way off, he opened the case to peer inside. The disks were just as colorful as he had imagined they would be. As he took one of them out, he turned to the DVD player to put it in. The television in here was ginormous, and hardly gets used. And turning it on at night would only be a distraction, thus keeping them up. Usually he just watches the news on the downstairs one, so that both him and Melody can get caught up on the weather and whatnot.
"Hmm.. I'm liking the outfit that blonde-haired dude is wearing! I think it would suit you nicely." He eyed his boyfriend up and down when saying that, and proceeded to lick at his lips. Oh that would be a glorious sight to see alright—covered in leather and buckles all the way around.
The Kurta's cheeks grew red at his wandering gaze, and then at the comment he just made. "W-well what little clothes the other guy is wearing, would look nice on you too." It would be a great way to show off those perfectly sculpted muscles. But they weren't going to seriously dress like them. That would just be absurd, and somewhat embarrassing.
Leorio instantly smirked. "Heh. Well he is pretty ripped! I'd totally walk around shirtless if I could, too." His reasoning for wearing a lot of expensive suits, is because he grew up wearing nothing but dirt-covered, tattered clothes. So now whenever he looks his best, he definitely feels his best. This is also why his wardrobe didn't contain much. Although the outfit he currently had on was comfortable—just right for lazing about in bed all day long.
"Oh I know you would. I just have one more thing to grab, and then we can start eating!" All he had left to do, was gather his gift that was in the other room. After throwing another smile in his direction, Kurapika hurried on out to go across the hallway. From there he swung his door open, and closed it behind him. It was a real shame that the others won't be here to see the doctor's reaction. It would be easy to record everything on his cellphone, but at the same time, he really just wanted to live in the moment. And to be honest, there was nothing wrong with that! What truly matters here, is his happiness. 'Please take a liking to Leorio. He will spoil you rotten with treats, and affection.'
There sleeping peacefully on his bed, all curled up into a ball, was a chubby black cat. His food dishes sat on the floor, along with a litter box, and some toys that were strewn about all over the place. This was only a temporary set-up, taking as how he had to be locked up in here for a little while. As he crossed the room, a head popped up from being startled into awake mode. He was then met with a pair of big, striking orange eyes, and he about melted into a puddle right then and there. For someone who was never a cat person before, he sure did find this specific one to be stunningly beautiful. Trying to pick one out at the animal shelter wasn't easy, because it made you want to buy all of them! However, this was the one that practically threw itself at him.
Cats really do choose their owners after all.
"Come on baby," he murmured. This earned the blonde a cute little meow in response, as he scooped him up into his arms—cradling the furry chunk as if he were an actual baby. As he remained in this position, he brought a hand up to rub his tummy. Not once did he get scratched. Instead all he got were soft, loud purrs. There was a navy-blue collar wrapped around his neck that had a bow, and a tiny bell hanging in the front. It probably won't be practical to keep it on all the time. Although, it sure was adorable to look at! What other color would he choose, knowing that this was a gift for Leorio? It seems to be his favorite. Also that and, it was either this or a pink one.
"Let's go meet papa!" Opening a door with a cat in his arms was a lot easier, compared to carrying an entire human being that was twice your size. It only took a mere couple of seconds to go from one room to another, but in that short amount of time it felt like his heart was about to burst from all of the excitement. And as he entered the doctor's bedroom, he couldn't stop the smile that was spreading across his face. Oh the pride that filled him was astounding. Giving to others really was one of the best feelings out there!
Blinking, Leorio casually glanced over when hearing light footsteps draw closer. The remote, which he had been tossing into the air, slipped out of his grasp and landed softly onto the mattress. For a second there he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. "I-is.. is that a cat in your arms?!" It may have been a dumb question to ask, but he was just in so much shock at what he was seeing. Where did it come from? And why did he have it here of all places? Last he checked, they didn't own any pets.
Perhaps his reaction really would have been worth recording after all.
Kurapika chuckled, as he lowered himself down onto the edge of the bed. "Well he's not a dog." Wouldn't that be something? Some of those smaller breeds could probably pass as one, now that he thinks about it. What will something of that size protect you from? They seemed more like an accessory over anything else.
"But-…." Now that they were seated alongside each other, he was able to get a closer look. Growing up in such a poor neighborhood, Leorio has seen his fair share of stray animals. And despite not having much himself, he still tried to help some of them out in his own ways. However, never in all of his life has he seen one quite like this. He didn't even know that cats could have orange eyes! They were so huge and glossy. And what was with those ears, that sat flat against the top of its head? God he had the urge to rub them between his fingers.
Oh his heart. It has been stolen once again.
"I wanted to do something special for you. And I.. remember that one time you mentioned wanting a cat over a dog. It just sort of stuck with me, I guess. Leorio, you are always giving to everyone else—so much so, that you forget about yourself in the process. You deserve to be showered with nice things too! That is why I went to the animal shelter, and picked out a little friend for you to enjoy. It is now your turn to be taken care of, and to be put first! So I do not want to hear any complaining coming out of that mouth of yours," he huffed out gently.
The doctor's deep brown eyes closed for a brief moment, taking in everything that was being said. Being spoiled like this will take some time getting used to, but he was willing to give it a shot. Maybe it won't be so bad after all. When they opened back up, the warm hues held a great softness in them. Cautiously, he scratched underneath the cat's chin. His pitch-black fur was as soft as it appeared to be. "Can I hold him? I'll keep most of his weight off of the bad side of my chest," he quietly asked. That bow was absolutely precious. Hopefully it won't be taken off any time soon.
There was some hesitation on the blonde's part, but only because he still views his injuries as being worse than they actually are. It shouldn't hurt to hold a cat while sitting in bed like this. "I suppose. But you let me know if it starts hurting you! I mean it Leorio." Leaning forward a bit, he carefully placed him into his boyfriend's awaiting arms. Thankfully this chunk wasn't too heavy for there to be any issues.
Leorio's entire face lit up when peering down at the cat in his hold—brown meeting orange in what seemed like a staring match. Right off the bat he could feel his small body vibrating from the loud purrs. "How is he so calm?" Here he was, just laying completely still in his arms without a care in the world. It was rather impressive. 'Wait, he doesn't have a name yet. I'm not good with those…' It can't be anything boring, that much was clear. A rare beauty such as himself deserves to have a cool name. But what should it be?
"He's a lap cat. I have some toys in my bedroom that he was playing with the other day, so he isn't totally lazy. For now I just got the essentials, since I figured you would want to pick out the other stuff. We can go to the pet store once you are able to walk around," Kurapika explained as he took out his phone. It was too late to record his reaction, but the least he could do was get a picture of them bonding. He stood up from the bed, and took a few steps back. When he got the angle just right, he quickly snapped the photo.
His gaze trailed up to see what was going on. It didn't bother him in the slightest that his picture was just taken. Not to brag or anything, but Leorio is quite the photogenic guy! It is one of the many things that he prides himself in. "I can't believe you bought me a cat of all things! You're the best, Pika!" With that he brought him in closer, to kiss one of those fuzzy cheeks. No other gift could top this! This was going to be very different than trying to feed a bunch of starving stray cats, who are afraid of any human contact. As he pulled away slightly, a paw came up to rest against his chin. It was then, that he lightly tapped that exact same area a few times.
Before a high-pitched meow could be heard suddenly.
He trapped the cat's paw within his large hand, and grinned. "What do you want, huh? You got my full attention!" Leorio used his thumb to rub at the tiny pink toe beans, which were a nice contrast against the black fur.
"..." There was just something about this scene that made the Kurta's stomach feel all fluttery. Was it how the cat was being held? Or how a loving kiss was placed onto his cheek? Could it be a combination of the two? Whatever it was, he couldn't peel his silvery gaze away from them. He gulped, hands gripping softly at the flannel shirt. 'I knew it. Leorio is going to make an excellent father after all.' The way he will treat a real baby won't be that much different. They are both small, cute, and dependent on you for basically everything. It also didn't help that he referred to him as "papa" earlier. It just came out without any hesitation—like it was meant to be. If any of their friends were here, they wouldn't see anything wrong with it. Even they notice his fatherly tendencies. It is seen a lot whenever Gon and Killua are around.
Which by the way, is beyond heartwarming.
Those two need a proper father in their lives.
"Shadow! That shall be his name!" Leorio blurted out, his loud voice slicing through the silence. Wasn't it fitting to stick with something more on the spooky side, given how his colors were black and orange—a theme that belonged to Halloween itself? Plus it will be extra cute once he starts acting like one, as he follows behind you around the penthouse. It'll be like your own personal shadow.
Well that forced Kurapika out of his deep thoughts. Since this cat was found wandering the streets, it is unknown what his real name was. But he was also way too friendly to be a stray. At some point he either ran away, or his previous owners dumped him somewhere. One can only hope it wasn't that last option. That was such a cruel, and unfair thing of someone to do. 'Your smile is bewitching, Leorio. This is the happiest I have seen you since the incident occurred. I'm glad that you are starting to feel more like yourself again.' Perhaps hospitals really are soul-sucking. Even before giving him his gift, his mood appeared to have improved quite a bit. "I like it," he replied softly. That sure was fast though! And here he thought it would take some time in finding the right name, since this was sprung onto him so unexpectedly.
"Is it alright if I move Shadow so that he is laying in your lap? That way we can enjoy our lunch together." If they wait too much longer, then the food will get cold. And who knows when this was even made. It won't be surprising if it is already barely warm at this point.
As if on cue, a loud growling sound could be heard coming from the brunette himself. There was only one explanation for it, and boy was it embarrassing. His lips twitched then, and he awkwardly shifted his gaze to the side. "Y-yes. That would be great..." His hunger definitely outweighed wanting to cuddle Shadow closely against his chest.
Kurapika clenched his jaw to prevent himself from laughing. 'I wish he wasn't looking away...' Those red cheeks always looked wonderful against soothing, chocolate-brown eyes. After sliding his hands underneath Shadow, he brought him over to set on top of his boyfriend's legs. "There you go! Now don't be afraid to steal some of his body heat. He has plenty to spare," he said while rubbing the top of his head affectionately.
"Hey! My warmth is not infinite! I'm gonna start charging ya if you keep this up!" Leorio pretended to look annoyed, as he raked a hand through his hair. It was actually a major compliment to be used in such a way. Who doesn't like having cats laying on their laps, or gorgeous blondes snuggled up against them? Yeah, this was the best way to spend the rest of his recovery.
"Is that so? Then—" As he took a seat at his side once more, he reached over to snatch one of the strawberry cupcakes. Just looking at it made him smirk wickedly. Being careful as to not go anywhere near his nose, he mashed it into his mouth. There was now pink frosting painted all over his chin and cheeks, and the mere sight of it all caused him to burst into a fit of giggles. Somehow a little bit of it got onto the very tip of his nose, but hopefully that didn't bring him any pain.
"Mmff-...!" The doctor frantically tried to catch every crumb, before falling onto the bed and making a complete mess of things—all while trying to chew at the cupcake that had been shoved into his mouth. The frosting oozed out a little at the sides of his mouth, and he used his fingers to wipe some of it away. Despite all of this, it sure did taste superb! Props to Melody for baking something so utterly scrumptious for them! Not very many desserts get consumed around here, but oh was it a real treat whenever they did. Going to a bakery wasn't necessary with her around, and he was going to make sure to tell her that later on. If anyone deserves the praise, it was her! 'You think you're so sneaky, huh?'
Oh he messed with the wrong person.
But before he could act on his revenge, that is when he felt his hand being grabbed and pulled forward. It was the one covered in gobs of bright pink frosting. "What are you doing—" His words died off as soon as it was brought closer to his mouth—heart thumping hard in his chest. He gulped as a pair of full lips parted, and a tongue slipped out to run along his index finger. This was done slowly, as their gazes locked onto each other. It was like his mind had turned to mush, and he couldn't utter a single word. All he could do was just sit there, and watch as each and every one of them were licked and sucked off in a seductive manner. Was he trying to turn him on? And if so, was he going to take care of it himself? Or will he leave him here to suffer in this bed?
"Your entire being is mine. So who exactly will you be charging, Leorio? Hm?" Kurapika pushed his lips against the brunette's then, as he pulled him into a sweet kiss. The taste of artificial strawberry danced wonderfully on his tastebuds. God what a beautiful man his boyfriend was! Never would he have expected to become so possessive over someone like this, but now he really couldn't help it. 'Out of all those women who flirted with you, and tried to steal you away, you still chose me...' Not to get all sappy, but damn it did he feel like one lucky guy! For once in so long he felt important, wanted, and unbelievably loved.
If possible, he wanted to give him everything.
Fine. He wins this round. The kiss was just way too irresistible to deny. Leorio pressed a small hand against his chest, as he relaxed into complete bliss. 'Do you feel that? This is the effect you have on me. There is no controlling it.' Beneath those delicate fingers, sat his heart in which beat erratically. Neither of those women who tried to get with him, have ever made him feel this way. They were merely coworkers. Nothing more. Nothing less. Even the ones that got upset over his newly formed relationship, he didn't hold it against them. Eventually they will get over it and move on. There is someone out there for everyone. It is just a matter of when you will meet them, and how. Thankfully his own search has come to an end. Not that he was looking very hard, but still. It was nice to have him sort of fall into his life the way he did.
Kurapika broke off the kiss and glanced down at their hands, as they were joined together over the doctor's chest—focusing on the rhythm of his heartbeat. "I love you too, Leorio," he murmured. No words were needed to convey their feelings, especially in this very moment. He then got up, and grabbed a box of tissues that had been sitting on the bedside table. From there he used them to clean up the mess that he had created, gently wiping away the frosting that was all over the other's face. 'Well the cupcakes taste great at least...' You didn't need to eat them normally in order to figure that out for yourself, that's for sure!
Once that was done and taken care of, he simply tossed the pink-covered tissues into the trash bin. Afterward he crawled into the bed, and situated himself on the other side of the tray. "Let's save the rest of our dessert for last. Here—" He handed him the first bento box, along with a fork. The bottom to it still felt nice and warm, which meant their food wasn't spoiled yet. If anything, they could have just ordered something real quick! But then they would have to deal with explaining that to Melody, and they really didn't want to hurt her feelings.
"Thanks!" Immediately Leorio took the lid off, and set it aside. The contents within made his mouth water—both from the smell and appetizing presentation. Today's lunch consisted of ravioli in a creamy alfredo sauce, and green beans covered in crispy bits of bacon. Once again he was blown away by their friend's amazing cooking skills! This had to of been made not too long ago. Plus these bento boxes were insulated pretty good, which played a big part in keeping everything warm. At times it really did feel as though they were eating like kings. And to think he used to buy so much take-out before meeting these two. His diet has improved drastically ever since then, and he couldn't feel more grateful for it.
"Man this is gonna put me in a food coma for sure!" It was no surprise that he dug into the ravioli first—stabbing one with his fork, and shoving the whole thing into his mouth. And it was nice of her to make the green beans edible by adding in some delicious bacon. It makes everything taste so much better! This was definitely a great way to get him to eat his vegetables, which he has always been bad at. Also, Shadow looked very comfy laying in his lap. 'He's like a mini space heater though...' This will be great on rare occasions when he does get cold.
"Well this is our movie date that you promised, so please don't pass out on me. And you'll just have to make a dinner some other time." Of course he didn't forget about the date that had been postponed, due to his boyfriend getting brutally attacked during work, and almost losing his life because of it. It is something he was really looking forward to. He pressed start on the main screen, and set the remote back down to pick up his fork. Unlike a certain someone who dislikes vegetables, he went in for the green beans first. What an interesting way to make them...
Leorio's gaze softened, and he smiled ever so lovingly at the blonde in response to that. This really was their movie date, huh? It is a real shame that he couldn't prepare a meal for him quite yet. This will, however, give him something to look forward to as he heals. "I'm gonna make you a feast once I'm all better!" Until then, he has plenty of time to figure out what to prepare. There were so many options to choose from. Hopefully Melody won't mind giving up the kitchen for a few hours. That might be a day where he has to send her off somewhere—maybe a nice hotel? Yeah, she would like that. Even she needs a break once in a while.
After getting past the beginning credits, Kurapika moved the tray so that it was sitting on the other side of him. Then he scooted closer to the brunette, closing the annoying space between them as he laid his head against his shoulder. Yeah, this was much better. He let out a sigh of content while nuzzling it a bit. "I can't wait. Leorio, let's plan many.. many more dates together. I want to explore so much with you..." He said this in a quiet, gentle tone of voice. When you almost lose the love of your life, it really changes your perspective on things. No more wasting precious time being afraid to move forward.
Now that they were so close to each other, Leorio took it upon himself to carefully bury his nose into the soft blonde locks. His scent really was relaxing. "Mm. I like the sound of that, Pika," he responded just as quietly. It brought him great joy to hear all of this coming from someone who, not too long ago, talked about sacrificing himself for the sake of avenging his fallen clansmen. That dark path he used to walk on has now vanished entirely, and he couldn't be happier for it. They both hold a new purpose in life, and that is to spend forever at each other's side. Being thrown onto the verge of death like that has made him realize things he hadn't before—things he will no longer take for granted.
And was going to start by giving Kurapika all of the love that had been ripped away from him.