With a renewed sense of resolve, Kurapika had come to the swift conclusion that he was going to ask Leorio about all that he'd learned, true or not, and move on. With only three months left to live, he wanted to let this go. If there was even a small chance that Leorio genuinely liked him the way he liked him, then he wanted to know. If there was also a chance that he'd been... taken advantage of while under the influence, he wanted to know- wanted to ask why- and he hoped that whatever answer Leorio provided would ease him enough to truly let the matter go.
Because the truth was, had Leorio been open and honest with him from the start, maybe... he might have been willing to give it. Perhaps. And maybe he could have told him to wait- and knowing Leorio, he was sure that the man would have respected that.
Well... but he hadn't had the decency to wait for him to completely heal from life-threatening wounds...
Kurapika squeezed his eyes shut, and tried to banish the thoughts from his mind. He'd spent the rest of the day next to the sleeping man, chair pulled up nice and close to the hospital bed, no one in sight, clinging to that warm hand that he swore sometimes tightened in his hold. There was no shame in it- at least to him. He didn't have much to lose at that point- perhaps only a very good friend or a potential... or... or a... or someone more.
He wanted to talk to Leorio again the second he'd barged in here, but he knew better than to wake him. Only twice had hey been disturbed, once by a nurse to change out an IV bag for a fresh one, and another different nurse to re-wrap the wounds (which Kurapika realized were a lot higher than he'd first thought, and on the opposite side of where he'd slept next to him- thank God).
For the next three days Leorio was like this, sleeping, barely coherent and muttering in his sleep. Nothing that fell from his lips made any sense to him, no names no directions, just random slurs of words that didn't connect. Nurses came and went and so did he- but mostly to get food and use the restroom. He hadn't come across Biscuit or Mito again, or Killua for that matter. The man seemed completely disinterested in Leorio's recovery, and he wondered if it was because he stood by what he'd told him before- about no one wanting to be around him under the influence. He didn't think it was so bad- the man was mostly just unconscious the whole time.
When the fourth day finally rolled around, Kurapika had settled into a small, awkward sort of routine. Most of his time was spent next to Leorio, sometimes laying next to him when the nurses weren't looking, and sometimes he'd resumed holding onto Leorio's hand while sitting in the chair. It seemed much too domestic, but Kurapika couldn't bring himself to care. He woke up, usually, when the first nurse came in to check his wounds and scribble down on her little chart. No words were ever spoken between he and the nurses, but he wasn't bothered by it. Sometimes, he'd speak when they were away- perhaps to fill the silence, but mostly, he just hoped that his voice could rouse the man when he spoke of how well he was healing.
A small knock on the door came, and when Kurapika looked up, he found himself smiling warmly. His hand tightened in Leorio's grasp, fixing some black strands of hair away from his face.
"I brought you some food from the buffet table upstairs; I figured, since you seem so attached to him, I could bring the food to you."
Kurapika hummed a small laugh and shook his head. "I eat- and I do leave from time to time, but he still hasn't woken up yet. I want to be here when he does." He glanced up at the girl, who'd set the plate of food down on a nearby tray. Her arms crossed and her eyebrows raised. "Primping him are we? When I told you to come down here four days ago, I meant that you should talk to him or at least do something to help him- not stand by his side like a handmaiden at all hours of the day."
He rolled his eyes, "I'm not a handmaiden, Biscuit. I just want to make sure he's comfortable and warm and safe until he wakes up. It's the least I can do, considering he'd taken care of me when he didn't have to." He insisted.
The girl merely shrugged, smoothing down her black shirt and crossed her arms. "He's a doctor, I highly doubt that he'd let anyone suffer. I think he realized your wounds were treatable when you came to him the first time. I might not have been there, but it makes sense if Leorio took his work as seriously as he did when he left. You can't blame a man for doing his job."
"I'm not blaming him for anything- he could have left me there if he wanted to, or taken care of me just long enough until I was better and then kick me out, but he didn't. I owe him quite a bit, and the least I can do is stay by his side until he wakes up. The last thing he probably saw was the diner's storefront, and considering we were all attacked, I think it'd be good for him to wake up to a friendly face than panic and wonder where exactly he is."
Again, Biscuit shrugged. "You have a point- but you sure as hell don't need to be glued to his side like this."
"No... and I'm not forcing myself to, either." Kurapika let out a heavy sigh and turned his body towards the girl to give her his full attention. "It's nice to see you again, though. Thanks for stopping by."
Her blonde hair was pulled back and tamed up in a perfectly smooth, flawless yellow bun at the top of her head. Her salmon colored eyes merely sparkled, and for the age of sixteen, she was remarkably beautiful. But he also noted that her outfit seemed to express that this was more than just a visit. A black long-sleeved shirt adorned her small frame, and black cargo pants, too, tucked into black knee-high laced up boots. Contrary to what he'd seen the other day, it lacked in color and screamed a seriousness that he found himself frowning at.
She noticed and remained still all the while.
"I wanted to say hello to you before I go," Biscuit answered, "I'm supposed to go on my mission in a few hours. Gon was debriefing me in his office only just a few minutes ago; I grabbed some food from the buffet and I grabbed some for you, too. A little birdie told me you were in here with him... I just wanted to say thank you, again, for believing me and giving me this chance to prove myself."
Kurapika ducked his head shyly, eyeing her boots to occupy himself. "You're... welcome. Just don't die, I think you might be the only other person I like outside of Leorio. Everyone else is... really mean."
Biscuit only laughed and shook her head. "I told you before that I'm your friend- glad you like me and all, but I'm sure that there will be others. Don't be so quick to rule people out the first time you meet them. Remember what I said about personalities and how people protect themselves with it? Give them a chance to know you, and once they lighten up a bit, I think you'll find that there's quite a lot of decent people around here."
"Decent or not- you also remember that bit about people avoiding me because Killua asked them to?" He bit out dryly.
"Remember that bit where I also said Killua is an ass?" She immediately responded. She approached him and pushed lightly on his shoulder, a teasing laugh leaving her. "You'll be fine, I promise. If I'm lucky, I'll only be gone a few days. If it takes longer, then it just takes longer. I promise that when I come back, we'll eat lots of pizza together. We can totally hog the master room and kick everyone out and play video games all day. Trust me, you have not LIVED unless you've seen me beat Killua's ass at Mario Kart."
"You... You beat Killua at Mario Kart?"
"Yeah- funniest thing ever. He was all 'OH LOOK AT ME KING I'M THE BEST, NO ONE CAN BEAT ME BLARGHAHAHA', and then I beat his ass and he cried so hard for like three days. Asked me for a rematch and still lost. Funniest. Shit. Ever." She beamed.
"No way!" Kurapika laughed, "Seriously? I mean, I've heard of the game but I've never played it. It's super competitive, I bet."
She snorted and waved him off. "No, I mean, Mario Kart? I guess so. Then again, every multiplayer video game probably is. Especially when I play, because no one can seem to beat me for some reason." She grinned.
Kurapika laughed, imagining Killua throwing his hands into the air in complete and utter disgust, only to cross his arms and pout like a child while Biscuit roared her victory.
"I'd like to see you crush him in person." He commented.
"You might. If he catches wind that we'll be playing, he might crow that he's been practicing and that he needs another shot."
Kurapika had to laugh at that. "Let me know when you do- I mean, do you really think he's that much of a child? Do you think he'd actually learn his lesson and take the loss? I mean, how much humiliation can one man take being repeatedly beat by a sixteen year old girl?"
...
"He's never learned his lesson, and he probably never will. Biscuit is a trooper for putting up with his dumb ass."
Kurapika's head snapped backward towards Leorio, his heart nearly jumping into his throat when he realized that deep, soul-resonating voice could only belong to one person.
Low and behold, shifting and stretching, arching into the waking world, Leorio pushed himself tentatively into a sitting position.
"L-Leorio! You're awake!" He exclaimed, running his fingers through his hair before rushing to his bedside. Biscuit seemed unaffected by his sudden withdrawal of attention, instead following after the blond to greet the drowsy doctor.
"So you're awake, Leorio. Welcome to the world of the living." She couldn't help but muse.
"How could I not be awake? Your voice is so... it's just loud." Leorio hummed.
Kurapika could hardly believe his eyes- those brown orbs rolling around, trying to focus. They focused on Biscuit instead of him, and he felt privileged as he realized he was able to blatantly stare without repercussion. Or, at least, he could stare as long as Leorio wasn't looking at him.
Honestly, the way Leorio blinked tiredly up at Biscuit, the way he laughed and spoke- in the end, he really did like him a lot, didn't he? After they had kissed, it seemed that was all the reassurance he needed to comprehend his attraction to the man. He was older, certainly attractive, and it bothered him to think that there was a chance that Leorio might not even be interested in him. But could he really blame himself for liking the man? How he wanted to be apart of his realm of existence, to be a contributing factor to the way he moved and spoke and laughed. He wanted those things- he wanted the be apart of his life.
His eyes were warm and full of life, and his hair, though saggy from his stay in the hospital, was pushed back and certainly as attractive as ever. The man practically oozed sex appeal- well, to him, anyway. This wild attraction he felt was something unique and out of this world, that was for sure. He never thought it was possible to be so crazy about one human being, or the way they looked and sounded, and the way they felt underneath his fingers...
His eyes trailed up that hot throat, past that sharp jawline that did crazy things to his inhibitions, and those eyebrows- which were now slanted in slight concern.
"Kurapika?"
A warm hand found it's way to his own, and he jumped a little. Apparently, which he ogled the poor, sick man, Biscuit and Leorio had finished their conversation.
"Ah-um, yeah? Sorry, god. I'm sorry," Kurapika stuttered, meeting those brown orbs once again. "Are you okay? Should you be sitting up right now? Do you hurt anywhere? Should I call a nurse?-"
"KURAPIKA, god, he's not DYING." Biscuit interrupted, shoving his shoulder roughly this time. He only winced, but it did force him closer to Leorio. Little did he realize that the elder had tightened his ever-present grip on him at the act.
She gave Kurapika an intense look, and he shuddered a little; he had to admit, he'd ever really seen her so serious, and truly he hated to think about what she'd look like when she was trying to intimidate him or hurt him, but he chose not to think about it at that moment.
"Look, I have to go- Leorio, I'm thrilled you've recovered, and Kurapika, talk to him, yeah? I'll be back in a couple of days- AND I WANT THE DETAILS."
Kurapika stuttered, pulling away from Leorio to hurry after her as she turned on her heel and hurried toward the door.
"Biscuit, you can't just-"
"I SAID it four days ago, and I'll say it again- TALK to him for god's sake." In a whisper of a hiss, she added "You wanted him to get better and he is- but now it's time to face what's bugging you and if you don't do it while I'm gone, I'm gonna kick your ass and then force you to take care of it myself."
Spluttering in disbelief, he struggled to reply, but only got a 'toodles' and a door in his face.
He only groaned in response after a lapse of silence, then turned back towards Leorio who seemed to be patiently waiting. And thought the doctor was still blinking tiredly, he couldn't get over how handsome he really was. God, he really did like him, didn't he? After they'd kissed, he felt that in his very soul.
Crinkling his nose, he made his way back over to the male and took a seat in the very chair he sat in for the last four days.
"I'm really okay, if that's what you're worried about." Leorio broke the silence, "I honestly didn't think I'd even make it here... so thank you."
Ah.
Leorio finally seemed calm and collect- nothing like the person he'd witnessed a few days prior, alive and bubbling. No, in fact, this Leorio seemed more calm. More tame. His voice was thick and raspy, groaning from time to time as it was evident he didn't really want to move around. Yes, this was the Leorio he knew- a Leorio that had come down from the high and had plunged into the quaking ferocity of reality.
"No- you shouldn't really be thanking me," He admitted lightly. "It was Killua who'd got you here and then Mito's team that saved you. I was just tagging along."
Leorio's eyebrows twitched, and a thoughtful hum resonated through the room. "I think you did more than just that," He admitted slowly, "You were the one that didn't give up on me. You could have left me there and gotten out like I told you to- it would have been your safest option."
"I couldn't do that, Leorio. After all you did for me, it didn't seem right." Kurapika objected. "Just feeling you slump over like that, it... it scared me."
Leorio's brows furrowed and the man reached for him. Kurapika watched, frowning when it appeared to be painful for him.
So he decided to scoot closer and take the man's hand in his and lower it to the side of the bed where he could comfortably stretch it.
"It would have been easier, though. I'm sure Killua would have grabbed me. I'm sure, somewhere in the back of your mind, you knew that."
Kurapika's only response was a purse of his lips, and a lowered gaze.
"Kurapika- really, is there something bugging you? I heard Biscuit. Talk to me."
Kurapika took a sudden interest in toying with Leorio's hand, not really wanting to talk about the subject at all. His palm was soft and much bigger than his. He slipped his hand against his, lining it up just right to measure how much of a difference there was between the two. There wasn't too much of a difference, but his hand certainly was larger than his. He also noticed that his fingers were calloused and warm, and the fact that Leorio remained silent to allow him to work up to speaking settled him quite a bit.
At least, he really had appreciated the silence while he had it. If he could have avoided talking about the subject all together, he would have. He didn't want things to get awkward, especially if Leorio still wasn't feeling too well. He didn't think it quite fair to throw this into his lap- that he knew of all the things he'd done... or could have done...
"Kurapika," Leorio's hand tightened around his.
The action earned a soft squeak and his immediate gaze.
The second worried stormy grey irises met warm brown ones was the second Kurapika realized that Leorio was insisting he tell him- and the fact that he was holding onto him securely told him that he wasn't going to be able to get out of this one.
"It... I'm really okay, it's just... Killua said something earlier that upset me. It's no big deal."
"It's obviously a big deal if Biscuit cornered you in here and made sure I heard that we needed to talk. If something is troubling you, Kurapika, I'm not going to take it lightly. I want you to feel safe here, and if we're indeed in the main house like I'm assuming we are, then I can understand why you'd feel intimidated by some of the people that wander the halls. Not everyone here is as -"
"No, Leorio, it's... it's not that." Kurapika cut him off.
It was a little weird standing up to the man like this- and especially hard to ask this perfect gentleman if he'd indeed... done that without his permission. He didn't want to take it lightly, but he definitely didn't want Leorio to think that it was acceptable or that he was letting him off easy for it.
"Then what is it? If you want me to kick Killua's ass I can do that right now."
"Not right now- are you dumb? You're in a hospital bed!" Kurapika exclaimed. "Besides, if anyone is kicking Killua's ass, it's gonna be me. And before you argue about skill, I'll learn to do it right and I'll knock him flat on his ass before he can open his stupid, useless mouth."
"Woah now, that's some serious rage." Leorio mused, cracking a small smile. "Dare I ask what you've been doing while I was under? Hopefully not spending all your free time with Killua and Biscuit, but with that attitude, I can't tell."
Kurapika pawed the man's hand and groaned. "Nghh, stop it."
"Stop...? Stop what?" Leorio smiled.
"Being like that! Come on, I'm trying to be serious here. I'm mad at you and you can't joke your way out of it." Kurapika huffed, retracting to cross his arms and lean back in the hospital chair.
"Mad? At me? Whatever for?" Leorio inquired, trying to keep himself together despite the smile that still lingered on his face. "As I recall, I've been unconscious. Whatever could I have done?"
Kurapika groaned and raised a hand to briefly rub his temple. This was no use... Leorio seemed to be in such a good mood... did he really want to bring something so serious up right now?
"God... just let me be upset with you and we'll call it even for now."
Leorio shifted in the bed, drawing his attention. He frowned a little when he saw the doctor try to rearrange himself to get a better view of him in the chair. But he didn't say anything- at this point, any pain he felt was at his own expense.
"Okay, alright- let's be serious, then. You're upset with me and tell me why. Is it something I did? Something I said? Though... considering it's something Killua said, It could be both..." a small groan of protest left the elder, and a hand wandered out to tap his knee.
Kurapika, not expecting the change and certainly wishing he had that goofy Leorio back just to hide behind, shifted uncomfortably in his seat. The touch to his knee was warm, and he wondered if it was meant to be comforting or reassuring. It really was neither, but the heat rising to his cheeks might prove to the elder otherwise.
"Ugh, it's... it's something you could have done. The way Killua put it made it sound like you'd actually done it, but I didn't want to assume unless I asked you directly, though... from some accounts it might be possible..." Kurapika rubbed his temple again and groaned. "I honestly don't really want to think about it or talk about it, but if it's done then it's done and I can't do anything about it... I guess, over the course of the past few days I've tried to come to terms with it. Since I only have a few months left to myself, it's a bit dumb to hang onto it. I just want to enjoy what I can when I can."
Leorio raised a brow; Kurapika knew his own words were cryptic, but with Leorio's silence it seemed the phrase 'I dont really want to talk about it' meant nothing to him. That, or he really was insistent on finding out what exactly was said. Though... if anybody had talked bad about Kurapika behind his back, of course he'd want to know about it...
With a frown, he leaned his elbow against the chair and braced his chin against his palm. He averted his gaze to the floor, his free hand pinching and tugging at his pants to provide some distraction as he uttered, in a voice much too low for Leorio to hear, the truth behind his words.
"Speak up, Kurapika... You know I can't hear you when you mutter."
Kurapika's eyes flicked upward, and he squirmed around in the chair when those intense brown orbs locked right onto him. His entire body had shifted onto its side, staring him down with eyebrows cinched up as if anticipating and hanging on to his every word. It was almost unnerving- with the way he was poised in the bed, he looked like he was ready to hop out of it and pick a fight.
"It's just- you know... Killua said there was a chance that you might have... or that it was just like you to... take advantage of me while I was in your care... recovering- and, and the morphine? I'm not sure. I did find it odd you kept me on it for so long, and I'm hard pressed to admit it, but you don't have to use a whole lot to knock me out, so it's just a bit..."
"You think I took advantage of you?" Leorio asked, as if the notion itself was utterly ridiculous.
He squashed down the hope that stirred in his chest at the reaction, and merely swallowed thickly and broke their eye contact.
"In what way- do you think I touched you? Kurapika, you must know that I'd-"
"Killua said you did. He said to ask you- so I'm... I'm asking you. He said you fucked me-"
A blur of sheets had his head snapping up, and he stood immediately and cried out in protest when he saw Leorio roll off the bed in a flurry. Those eyes had darkened, had grown eerily dangerous. Those lips had thinned and tightened in a flat line, and Kurapika took a step back, for a moment worried that Leorio was going to attack him or hurt him for such accusations. To dig his fingernails into his shoulders and shake him and yell at him- the reflection of his anger rocking him to his core and his stomach churned uncomfortably because of it.
He squeezed his eyes shut and braced for the worst, but he shook himself instead and forced himself to open his eyes.
Leorio had jumped up- had gone for the door, not him. He was physically hurt, he was angry... and not at him.
He pressed a palm to his chest, swallowing the fear that had lumped itself in his throat, and he forced his legs to move. But all the instance in time had done was prove to him how little he knew about Leorio- and the fact that he'd expected the worst seemed to only prove that point. He felt shame wash over him, but regret was a familiar friend as he found himself hurrying after Leorio, whom now had yanked open his hospital room door and stalked into the hall.
He was wearing only the hospital gown, and his face flushed upon hurrying after him when he realized that the older had not a shred of clothing on underneath it. He tried to avert his gaze as Leorio drew a crowd- not with his appearance, no... but with his voice.
Kurapika's gaze met the smooth, toned backside of Leorio the second a shrill "KILLUA!" echoed through the halls.
"Please, God, you'll hurt yourself! Get back in your bed!" Kurapika cried out, having regained his composure.
"Not until this SON OF A BITCH explains himself!"
God, he was like a wild animal. Kurapika had never seen him this way before, all riled up and upset. He looked like he was out for blood- and maybe he was. Was he? Wait- did this mean that it wasn't true? He'd hoped beyond all hope that it wasn't, but he didn't want to get his hopes up. Killua had never lied to him before, but neither had Leorio. And he really had no reason to ever doubt the man with all his kindness... and Killua was a shrewd piece of shit who thought to order everyone around.
He was in a well-organized, somewhat famous he'd come to believe, group of people in the underworld. Certainly he had some sort of reputation to maintain- and from the sound and ferocity of Leorio's anger, it didn't seem like Killua did it often, if at all.
But now that he'd come to that conclusion, was it possible that it was true? Was Leorio simply just angry that Killua had told him?
Argh, this was still irritating! All Kurapika wanted to know was if it had happened or not. He wanted to either come to terms with it or sigh in relief that Killua had told him a lie, and Leorio didn't seem very keen on jumping to his own defense to dispute the accusation. Instead, he was calling out Killua, who was God knows where, standing in the middle of the hospital wing hallway with only a hospital gown on, backside exposed to the world like he just didn't give a shit.
He was almost embarrassed for him, except, having learned what he had from Biscuit he didn't think too much of it as he was passed by nurses and staff without so much as a batted eye. They all seemed to ignore him entirely, as if the act was suspected or anticipated... as if it had been a normal occurrence. Perhaps it was- Leorio was a doctor, after all, and he could have been stationed in this wing quite a bit.
One more shrill, obnoxious cry of Killua's name later and a short white puffball came stomping over, fists clenched and looking all aggravated.
"WHAT do you want!" Was the reply.
"What the FUCK did you tell Kurapika?!"
"WHAT?"
"WHATS THIS I HEAR ABOUT YOU TELLING HIM SHIT ABOUT ME?"
Killua raised a brow, looking like he didn't have the slightest clue as to what he could possibly be talking about. A chance glance at Kurapika's shy face told him nothing either.
"I don't know what you mean - I didn't say shit."
"BULLSHIT"
"Lower your voice, you impudent twat waffle. Lest you forget we're in the middle of a hospital wing."
"DID YOU JUST CALL ME A -"
"Listen, what did I just say?"
"KILLUA-"
Instead of further aggravating the worked up beast, Killua was pushing onto the tips of his toes to cover his foaming mouth.
"Honestly, I don't even remember what I had for dinner yesterday and you expect me to remember every single little thing I've ever said about you?"
Killua jerked his hand back, a soft hiss leaving him, and Leorio, in all of his six-foot-four glory, seemed to tower in obvious triumph.
"You little BITCH you fucking bit me!"
"Serves you right! You deserve it! What in your ever LOVING right mind possessed you to give the idea that I'd rape someone?"
Killua fell silent, seeming to instantly recollect the moment. Kurapika couldn't help but creep up to stand beside the elder, focused more on what Killua's answer was going to be. Besides, Leorio didn't seem to be bothered with the way he was dressed- and neither did the hospital staff.
But he had to tug on Leorio's gown, voice lowered as he conveyed his concern over his wounds.
"Listen, I might have... exaggerated a bit, but come on! Really? It's not my fault for all the shit that he interprets! Besides, when I walked in and saw the two of you making out like fucking rabbits what was I SUPPOSED TO THINK?"
"Exaggerated, huh." Leorio hissed, "It's a pretty fucking big exaggeration if you ask me. I know we don't necessarily get along that well, Killua, but that's way too low even for you. I wonder what Gon would have to say about what you said." Leorio said this evenly, ignoring what just fell from Killua's mouth like it was background noise.
Nonetheless it had Kurapika blushing right up to his ears like a tomato.
Killua's gaze dropped to the floor, tensing right up and gritting his teeth. "What the FUCK ever, I'm out of here."
Leorio and Kurapika both stood, watching Killua spit furiously at the both of them before turning tail and fleeing. Kurapika hadn't seen Killua ever act like that before - it certainly was a first for him. But when he looked up at the elder who stood beside him, he swallowed a lump in his throat.
Silence settled over them despite the hustle and bustle around them. Nurses pushed past them, as they were still standing in the middle of the hallway, and Kurapika only decided to step away towards the opposite wall and out of the way when a bigger throng of hospital staff tried to get by. Leorio followed him over, facing him as if trying to gauge what to say next.
But Kurapika beat him to it, hoping to avoid the fact that Killua just admitted out loud that they'd... been intimate.
"I hope you know you're flashing everyone in this hallway."
Leorio hissed immediately and pressed his back against the wall. "Shit- really? Oh god."
Kurapika only huffed, bemused by the fact that Leorio was just realizing that- and that he'd assumed Leorio had already been aware of it.
"You should probably get back to your bed- you're still recovering."
Leorio shrugged, "Nah, I feel a lot better. It's tolerable at this point - I think I might change and prepare to leave again. I don't benefit a thing by staying, and I can always change the bandages when we get home."
Kurapika looked over at the man in surprise, not by the fact that Leorio didn't care to stay, but because he'd included Kurapika in their departure.
Leorio seemed to pick up on that, and the doctor looked around with an exasperated sigh. "Look- okay, this way."
"What?"
Leorio grasped his wrist and tugged him down the hall a ways before opening a narrow door. Without much of a thought, Leorio was pushing him into the dark room and closed the door behind himself. The room was pitch black, and he blinked rapidly when Leorio yanked on a small chain that hung from above: a ceiling light.
This looked like a closet... a janitor's closet maybe? It had cleaning supplies, random bags and boxes of this and that...
Kurapika turned to Leorio in question, unsure as to what prompted the action, but only found the man running his fingers through his hair nervously.
"What?" Kurapika repeated softly.
"Look- Listen, I'm sorry you had to go through that. Killua's normally not one to stretch the truth like that... he must have been in some mood when he was talking to you last. You didn't... You didn't really believe him, did you?"
An answer lodged itself in Kurapika's throat, not wanting to quite give the impression that he'd believed it, but not entirely wanting to say that he'd kept an open mind either...
"You did...?" Leorio asked hoarsely, eyebrows drawing together.
"N-No, I... I mean, Killua hadn't ever lied to me before, I didn't think that... and then Mito's reaction just kind of... I wasn't really sure what to think..." Kurapika awkwardly explained, stuttering out bits and pieces of his thoughts. All were true. Mito really did give him the impression that it were possible, and Biscuit wasn't really any help either- except, she was the one who told him to talk to Leorio about it...
Which I guess was the correct course of action. Because this was just one big, giant misunderstanding... right? But something nagged at him- there was something about the way Killua had explained himself that didn't quite settle right with him. Because Killua never said that he lied- no, just that he'd exaggerated.
But exaggerated what? Did Leorio actually do something?
"But," Kurapika found himself whispering, unable to meet Leorio's gaze. "Did... something actually happen? I'm glad to know that you didn't do anything, but..."
Leorio shifted from foot to foot, and his lips thinned. And, much to Kurapika's dismay, changed the subject.
"So... Did Killua actually catch us kissing? Was that - did that happen?"
"UM-wh, hah, um," Kurapika stuttered, looking around the room- anywhere but at Leorio. God this was embarrassing! Why did Killua have to say that?
"If it did, think of it like... payback, I guess..." Leorio added swiftly, earning Kurapika's immediate attention and stormy grey gaze.
"...What?"
Leorio shrugged and let out a low sigh. His palm ran over his face, tugging at his eyes before he continued.
"I was probably drugged out when we were kissing - I don't even remember it or anything I could have said... or done... oh god-" He squeezed his eyes shut, "That's embarrassing, I'm so sorry."
Kurapika only waited for him to continue.
"But... If you kissed me while I was on morphine, all loopy and crap... I guess you could say that I'd... you know..." Leorio rolled his fingers in the air, as if trying to allude to his action.
"... you kissed me when you were trying to save my life? Is that what you're trying to say?" Kurapika asked.
"N- after! I... after I'd taken care of you properly, I just... the way you seemed to grab for me, it messed me up." Leorio approached him then, making Kurapika step back and hit the shelf. He swallowed thickly, unsure what to say or do as Leorio practically caged him in against the shelf.
"I swear it was innocent," Leorio added softly, "I felt bad, actually, but I couldn't get you out of my head after that. And I felt even worse giving you more morphine after that. Normally I'd let my patients come to in order to heal... but not only did it seem to help with the nightmares you were having, it also provided me with, you know, more time to figure out how I'd act after what I did."
Kurapika turned his cheek into the shelf, his heart beginning to beat faster as Leorio continued to speak. All of this was new to him- since when did he have nightmares? And did Leorio really agonize over how to act? Wait - was the whole agreement with Killua to prolong his life just some form of dumb apology to try to make it up to him?
"Listen-" Leorio pulled back, only to brush his fingers through blond hair.
Kurapika flinched, but let Leorio push his hair behind his ear.
"Is this the part where we admit we have feelings for each other and move on? I feel bad for what I did, and I kissed you before I really thought about what I was doing... and I'm not sure what exactly happened when I was in the hospital room - you'd have to tell me - but I really would like to move on from this. I'd like to go home, and I'd like for you to come with me. I don't want you staying here by yourself."
Shock gripped Kurapika's body like a vice, and for several seconds he was unable to respond or move.
Leorio appeared to be so cool, so collect, and so well put together. He would have never in a thousand years have ever guessed that the doctor could have possibly harbored feelings for him. Especially since the beginning - he was the first? He thought he was crazy. He thought he was just... super worked up with the way he noticed every single little thing about Leorio. The way he moved, where he touched him, the way he spoke...
Was he really not crazy?
He tilted his head back against the shelf, looking up at Leorio through lidded eyes, cheeks ablaze, like that was the best possible thing he could have heard right at this moment. And it was.
"You have feelings for me?" He couldn't help but croak out. It was really too surreal for him- someone he liked, someone he was interested in... liked him back?
Leorio exhaled a soft, audible breath, and with care the elder cupped his face in both his hands, those brown orbs meeting his own without so much as a batted eye. "More than you'll ever know - and trust me, it's weird for me to admit that out loud right now. The first time I ever met you, you were running some gig with your father. I wasn't entirely sure what he was presenting, but I was helping with the set up. I remembered you following him around and taking notes in earnest - and your dad didn't even spare me a glance when I tried to get his attention. At the time I just wanted to know where I could be of some use, but you noticed his brush off. You tried to make it easier and answered for him - you even apologized for him and made sure I had everything I needed before wandering off to find him again."
Kurapika looked on in surprise, his stomach knotting right up. How could he possibly forget that? How could he possibly still not remember meeting Leorio before? He thought his name had rung a bell the first time, but he really had no idea... But, then again, his father had kept him busy and there was little room for error when he was learning the ropes. If they had met on one of those outings, there was no way he'd remember anything but what he'd been taught... but the way Leorio was describing him definitely sounded like something he'd do.
"You noticed me then?" Kurapika asked softly, trying to hide his surprise.
"No, I took an interest in you then. There's a difference." Leorio corrected gently.
Kurapika's eyebrows furrowed, his hands wandering up to cup Leorio's because they were so warm against his face. And honestly, with Leorio touching him like this he didn't think he'd be able to stand it. His stomach was already churning so much as it was, and though it would be convenient to have the necessary supplies to clean up vomit right next to them, he didn't really feel like doing that either. Especially not now.
He closed his eyes, trying to take a breath. "I had no idea..."
Leorio only hummed and his thumb traced the corner of Kurapika's mouth; because of that, Kurapika opened his eyes again to take a good look at the man that stood before him. Even though he was dressed in only a hospital gown, he towered over him like a giant. He didn't seem at all like the injured person he was, but the way he was looking down at him made him shudder in remembered delight at the way they'd embraced nearly a week ago before Killua had ruined it.
And before he knew it, Leorio was bending down and sealing his mouth over his own.
It took him a second to process it, and a squeaked 'ngh' left him. It was gentle at first, but when Kurapika finally realized what was happening, he was all too delighted to kiss him back. His arms lifted to wind around Leorio's neck, and those broad, warm arms yanked his small body against his. It was glorious, and it made his body tingle and his head get dizzy.
Leorio's tongue prodded against the seam of his lips, and he completely surrendered to the kiss. The elder seemed unable to help himself nor stop himself as he tilted that small jaw up to angle just right.
Their first kiss- both sane, both off antibiotics, and both as ready as ever to accept one another.
When Leorio finally broke the kiss, he tucked himself into the crook of Kurapika's neck, arms wound tightly around his frame and a long sigh of content floated around them. And Kurapika found himself humming with the widest smile on his face, fingers digging into the hair at the nape of Leorio's neck because he could hardly believe this was happening.
He'd been kissed again - and this time, Leorio had his wits about him. He knew exactly what he was doing and where he was, and the fact that he'd expressed that they both had feelings for one another had him feeling dizzy and light headed. This had to be a dream for certain.
But he knew it couldn't have been, the way Leorio pulled back and interlaced their fingers, their foreheads connecting with the utmost sincerity.
"What do you say we head home? I'll try to take it easy and recover fully... but maybe I can introduce you to my movie collection. I want to know what you've seen and what you haven't - and hopefully while everything settles down, I'd like to know even more about you than I already do."
Kurapika smiled, feeling the burst of courage within him to press a light, innocent kiss to unsuspecting lips and hum his agreement.
"I'm pretty sure I told you this already, but I haven't really watched any movies at all. Books were more my thing..."
Leorio grinned, swaying against him. "Lucky me; my library is bigger, but you knew that," He mused. "Perhaps we can compare book titles later- shall we?"
He tugged at their attachment, guiding him back out into the throng of nurses and hospital staff.
and Leorio pursed his lips in question- and Kurapika couldn't tell if it was because Leorio was half exposed or...
"Hey, Leorio... is it just me or did the hospital wing get busier?"
"It's not you. It did get busier."
Kurapika's lips twisted, but he pushed at Leorio from behind. "Okay - come on. Now's our chance to get to the room before anyone else notices you're out of bed."
Leorio let himself be pushed through the throng with little protest, and said little when he properly dressed himself and stripped the bed.
"We should get moving. They might need this room."
"You think so?"
"Anything is possible; I'd hate to take any chances. Either the hustle and bustle is because we've got wounded, or there's just a commotion because something interesting is happening."
there was a pause, and Leorio let out a soft grunt.
"They have wounded."
Kurapika slipped his arm around his, pressing against him to offer some form of comfort. What could he say to that? Leorio had been removed from his duties at the hospital- that much he knew was true. Removed from his position, practically kicked out from this nice... home.
Kurapika's hand rubbed his arm in earnest, and tugged him towards the door. "It's alright - let's just... let's head home."
A small hum left the doctor, and with ease they were pushing out into the throng again.
"I'm curious as to what's going on, though," Leorio murmured quietly, his hand reaching to clasp lightly over Kurapika's.
"Me too... I hope nobody is hurt."
"This way."
Leorio steered them, weaving around nurses and patients alike, less concerned with nurses who didn't seem rushed, and more concerned with nurses headed in the same direction. Obviously there was some commotion.
Kurapika tried to stand taller as they walked, trying to see over heads. He was largely unsuccessful, but he knew it must not have been good if Leorio was tensing right up.
And before he could ask what was wrong, Leorio was pulling Kurapika back.
Now he really couldn't see - not with Leorio's body in the way.
Instead, he heard Leorio hiss out "Dumbass".
And because he was too curious to let Leorio narrate, he squeezed past and looked on.
Instead of being concerned or worried, Kurapika was torn between laughing and asking Leorio if he could high-five whoever did it.
Because it certainly was a sight to see; Killua sprawled on his ass in the middle of the hall, wiping at blood at the corner of his mouth and nursing welts on his cheek.
But as he pressed closer, he noticed another party. He seemed in similar condition, but a stir of recognition filled him. This person looked familiar, but he couldn't quite put his finger on where he'd met him before...
There was definitely something different - perhaps it was the fact that his face looked familiar but his hair didn't? It was straw like, almost a faded orange, as if it had been dyed one too many times. And his eyes, narrowed and dangerous-like.
His skin prickled, and when those beady eyes met his own, there was this familiar swirl of danger and mistrust. Instantly, he recognized him.
"Pokkle," Kurapika whispered.
"Indeed... it appears as if Killua and Pokkle got into a fight- though, they largely agree on most things... it's rather odd." Leorio explained.
"I'm not sure I like him," Kurapika whispered softly, "He seems mean."
"He's just grumpy, don't mind him. There are other people that you should worry about."
Kurapika opened his mouth to ask who he should worry about, but when Killua lunged at Pokkle one more time, but he shut right up.
Pokkle let out a cry - but it sounded more like a battle cry than it did a yelp, and before Kurapika registered, Leorio was lunging forward.
"Leorio!"
Leorio dove right in, while all the nurses seemed to spectate the fight, Leorio wasn't one to want to watch. Instead, he used all of his strength to pry the two off one another, raising his voice.
All three broke into a flurry, an argument, yelling and screaming - Leorio trying to de-escalate the situation but only seeming to make it worse. Killua yelled over Leorio, grabbing at Pokkle while Pokkle yelled right back.
Kurapika had no idea what he could possibly do. He didn't want to watch like these nurses appeared to, and he wanted to pull Leorio out - but he didn't want to get mixed up in the chaos. Leorio was still hurt, and he didn't want to man to suffer unnecessarily.
He stepped forward, gritting his teeth, reaching for Leorio- but froze when a loud, booming voice echoed through the hall.
Everyone froze with him, mouths clamming shut and all eyes turning towards the entrance of the hospital wing.
The double doors, having swung open, gave light to a man of average height, caramel eyes swirling and hardening at the scene. Both hands clenched at his sides, and though he was properly dressed in a suit, he seemed frustrated and slightly shaggy, as if he'd been frantically running around.
"What the HELL is going on here?"