Now You've Done It

Once again, Kurapika finds himself in a certain spoiled brat's room. The one who seems to be always looking for his company, if only to have him do something embarrassing or to entertain her. And yet again he is perched on the edge of her mattress, with her behind him. Of course, her fingers with threading through his blonde locks. Again.

Though honestly he didn't mind that. The motions of her fingers was rather soothing, especially since he never really got the chance to experience such affectionate gestures as a child. But the familiar tugs she gave had him thinking she was doing more to it than just playing with it. In fact, it was as if she were making all those braids again…

"Aaaaaand I'm done! What do you think Kurapika?"

"Eh..? What do you mean by 'done' Neon-sama…?" He already had his suspicions, but if it was those flowers again…

"Here, take this and look!" Shoving a girly hand-held mirror into his hands, the self-centered girl clapped her hands in glee. Her eyes shown with excitement and anticipation as Kurapika slowly grasped the mirror's handle, and brought the object up so he could see what she had done. For a long, silent moment, he stared at his reflection, eyes wide as he took in his appearance. "N-Neon-sama-"

"Isn't it just adorable? You look soooo cute! You look like a cute girl with all the ribbons!"

He didn't' mind her playing with his hair. Oh no. But braiding without asking? Especially with the ribbons twined in each one? Not only was he annoyed, but he found it quite embarrassing. What pushed him over the edge, however, was that last comment. He was insulted.

Head snapping up, his composure was broken as he glared at Neon, not amused in the least. "Neon-sama, that's enough! I've had it with your ignorance! Your father may allow you to do as you please, but I'm not him. You can't just do this to someone without their say so, especially with insulting them. No more. Next time, ask someone else to be your plaything."

Puffing out a sigh, he stands, pulling out the ribbons from his hair and letting the braids undo themselves naturally.

"But…Kurapika…"

Neon attempted to reach out a hand to stop him, only to retract it when he glares at her over his shoulder a second time. "Not this time, Neon-sama."

She was rather taken aback by the whole thing. All she was doing was making his hair more pretty, and to her she was complimenting him. But never did she think he would snap at her for it, and because he did her hands fall limply into her lap, gaze averted to the ground.

Kurapika had had enough, and was making his way to the door when he heard her soft "Kurapika…"

It was enough to make him stop, and turn back to face her. On the inside, he felt a twinge of guilt when catching her expression. Instead of her cheery, or angry pouting face, it was more…crestfallen. Her eyes seemed to waiver, as if tears remained unshed, and her posture was slightly slumped instead of the usual upright posture a girl of her stature learned growing up. "Kurapika wait…please?"

His determination to just leave the room was wavering at her plea, for rarely did she ever ask him anything, especially with a 'please'. It didn't help that he's never seen her with such a sad expression, and it only furthered the guilty feeling in his chest. Standing there, contemplating his options, he chose right off to give in when he heard the soft whisper of her voice, with words he never thought he'd hear. "I'm sorry…"

Instead of leaving, he turned back around and immediately returned to her side. "Neon-sama…" Her expression brightened, and her lips curled into a warm smile, though not nearly as brilliant as her usual smile. Seeing it made him feel worse, and he bowed to her. "Neon-sama, I apologize…I never should have snapped at you…But you'll have to learn that you just can't do as you please with those around you…" More than likely she won't, and she'll continue to have people entertain her on a whim, but he hoped that she might be slightly considerate in the future..

Nodding her head, though not really listening, she reaches out, fingertips just barely tousling the strands of a braid that still remained slightly intact. "Whatever you say, Kurapika."

Taking note of the twined hairs, an idea comes to mind, and he returns to sitting beside her.

"Neon-sama, how about a compromise…? I don't usually prefer having my hair done up, but maybe every so often, you can put a braid in..? I'll even wear it the rest of the day if it'll make you feel better."

Though she pouted at the fact he didn't want her to really do his hair, occasionally trying to get a word in edge-wise on how unfair he was being, she did accept the offer, perking up immediately.

"Really?! Then hold still Kurapika!"

Her usual bright smile back in place, her fingers went back through his hair, redoing the one braid near his bangs that had remained after he unwound all the others, and finished it by tying a red ribbon at the end.

"There! All finished! And no taking it out, you hear me?"

With one small, soft smile, he nods. "Yes, Neon-sama…"

It was then that a look of shock took over her features, as she stared at the blonde with wide eyes.

"You…Kurapika you're smiling! And I didn't have to force you!"

Letting loose a soft chuckle, he tries to muffle it by covering his mouth with a hand. "Though I don't show it, I can smile Neon-sama."

Blinking in surprise, her smile only widened at the sight. "Well smile more often! You look rather cute when you do!"

"We'll see Neon-sama…"

"We sure will! I'll personally make you smile!"

Shaking his head, his expression returns to the dull look everyone has come to expect from him, and gets to his feet. "Now, I do have to return to my duties. I am responsible for your safety, after all. Please excuse me." With a formal bow, he takes his leave, but a ghost of a smile still remained on his face, much like the bright smile remained on hers as Neon watched him leave, braid still in his hair. What entertained her the most was that when she saw him at dinner with the rest, he still had the braid, just as he promised. Who knows? Maybe she can get him to do other things too without complaining.