About Time

It had been quite some time since the blonde Kurta had been hired as a guard for the Nostrade family, or more specifically the young heiress Neon. And after the time spent with him, Neon had found she rather liked his company. Any chance she had she called for Kurapika, even over something small, just to have him in company. The more time spent with the head guard had Neon trying more and more to break down the barriers he had surrounded himself with, and she could say with pride, not that she really would, that she had been rather successful. Instead of him brushing her off and being business like, he had grown fonder of the fortune teller, more open and expressive while around her.

As for Kurapika, he too found he liked the company of his charge. From time to time, when he thought no one was paying attention, he would pass by her room and peek in on her, making sure everything was alright. Or he always made sure to follow her, even if she decided on a different guard to escort her, just to be close by if something were to happen (or that was his justification anyway). If he were to be honest, he didn't know why he felt he should be near the young Nostrade at all times.

It took one, bold action on Neon's part for Kurapika to even begin to realize what it was that drew him to her so.

One particular gloomy day, with the heavens pouring rain upon the grounds, Neon had summoned her favorite bodyguard to her room in hopes of curing her boredom. And for his company. As usual, the blonde arrived promptly, bowing slightly as he normally did when greeting the fortune teller.

"Neon-sama, you called?"

"Yes! Kurapika play with me! It's so boring here when the weather is like this."

Even if he had grown comfortable with the girl, and was more willing to submit to her whims, he still had some duties to take care of, especially since one included information on a pair of Kurta eyes. "Neon-sama, can it wait? I was actually rather busy-"

"Noooooo…! Kurapika I want to play right now!"

"But, Neon-"

"Stop right there!" Pouting in mock anger, Neon placed her hands on her hips. "Kurapika, I told you! Stop being so formal! You'd think after all this time you'd drop the 'sama'."

"I apologize… However, I cannot. It could be seen as disrespectful."

"To who? It's just us right now."

"Ah- Well-"

She sighed, cutting him off for the second time. "Well whatever, but hurry up and pick a game to play!"

Blinking in surprise at the sudden change, his lips curled into a slight frown. "Um, Neon-sama…I don't know many games, and I would think tag too dangerous to be played indoors…"

Puffing her cheeks out in a childish huff, Neon strode around the room, tapping a finger against her chin as she thought of what they could do. When an idea popped into mind, her eyes lit up in excitement. "Oh, I know!"

Rushing over to the poor, unsuspecting boy, she practically threw her arms around him in a tackle hug, throwing him completely off balance. Stumbling back, his calves hit the edge of her bed, sending him sprawling back on the mattress with her atop him. "N-Neon-sama..!" He could feel his heart rate rising, both from the unexpected action and the fact she was so close to him..

Giggling, she propped herself up on her hands, leaning over her head guard.

"Why not play dress up?! I have a ton of clothes for the both of us to wear! I bet the dresses would look really cute on you!" She squealed, her thoughts already on which ones to pick out and force him to try on.

"Ah, wait…Neon-sama…! I really do have some things to do-"

"Whaaaaat?! Just what do you have to do that stops you from playing with me? Don't forget you were hired to protect me aaaaaaand make sure I stay entertained!"

Because she was unaware of his true reasons, he was not about to tell her that he was on a hunt for his brethren's eyes. Caught up in silence, his gaze averted away from her expectant one. And since Kurapika was never so unnaturally quiet, Neon's expression slightly fell, wondering what it was that turned him away from her.

It bothered her, actually. The fact that he was trying to get away, and wouldn't talk to her about himself. Here she was nearly begging for his attention, always grabbing his sleeve or touching him in some way to get him to look at her, only for him to still retain some distance. Was he too stupid and dense to notice the affection she held for him?

"Kurapika, why won't you play with me like before?"

"I'm sorry Neon-sama… But I told you, I have some things to take care of. Why not ask one of the others to play with you?"

"Stupiiid, I don't want to play with anyone else! I want it to be you!"

"But why…? I'm sure someone else would-"

Having had enough of his refusal, she decided it was high time for him to learn the exact reason why it had to be him, even if she didn't fully comprehend the feelings she held for him. For the third time she cut him off, but not in her usual childish way of talking over him. Instead, she leaned in close, pressing a soft, shy kiss to the corner of his mouth.

Stunned into utter shock, Kurapika froze, any words left to say died on his lips. She really just….kissed him. He could have sworn his heart had jumped. Even now his heart was beating in a fast, uneven pace, sparked by the light touch of her lips. All he could do at the moment was stare at her, until he found the will to get his mouth moving. "N…Neon-s-sama…?"

"Bakaaaaaa, that's why…."

Even she was acting unusual. Normally confident, her head was slightly turned to the side in a bashful manner, hand covering her mouth as if not believing herself she had kissed him, and he could see the light pink blush dusting her cheeks. It was then that a memory overtook his thoughts, one that occurred a few days prior.

*FLASHBACK*

While tucked away in his room, Kurapika scanned through a sheaf of paper in his hand, most regarding daily reports of the compound and from the other guards. His attention was interrupted by a soft knock on his door, where he sat the papers down on his desk and stood up. Casually approaching the door, he unlocked it only to find Melody standing on the other side.

"This is unexpected… Something I can do for you, Melody?"

"Actually yes… But it may be better talked about inside." Was her soft reply. He was rather curious now, seeing as his friend rarely sought him out, and stepped aside, allowing entry. When Melody was inside, he closed the door behind her, returning to his seat at the desk.

"Alright, what is it?"

"Kurapika… It's about Neon."

At the mere mention of her name had his heart rate increase slightly. It was hardly noticed by him, for his thoughts took carried him away from the real world, but it was evident enough to Melody's acute sense of hearing. "As I thought…"

Brought out of his sudden reverie, Kurapika looked up at the cursed female, brows knitted together. "What do you mean…?"

"I can hear your heart beat, Kurapika. Anytime you are around Neon, its calm song changes. Even now, with just the mention of her name has the song playing off tempo. I've noticed it happening for a little while now. Is something going on?"

Was something going on? True, whenever around his charge Kurapika began to notice how…affected he was in her presence, but simply dismissed it. As he thought more on it, his brows furrowed, but from time to time his gaze would soften.

"I'm… not quite sure. It is rather unusual… for me to feel so… off, I suppose? But off in a good way. Almost as if I can't divert my attention anywhere else when I'm with her. And lately? I'm even more protective over her."

Bracing his elbows on his knees, his hands fold together as if in prayer. "I'm have no idea why…"

The entire time Melody watched him, observing his facial expressions and body language, as well as gauging his heartbeat. "Kurapika, do you think you might care for Neon?"

His gaze settling on hers, his lips curl into a slight frown. "Of course I care for Neon-sama."

Shaking her head, Melody gave a knowing look. "No Kurapika, I know you care. But do you think those feelings you have…that you might be…"

*END FLASHBACK*

'Could it be… That I love Neon-sama…?' the boy wondered, refocusing his gaze on the girl in question. Well, whether he did or not could be determined over time. For now, it was clear he held feelings for her, and it made him happy that he could share such a moment with her. And to prove her efforts weren't completely lost on him, his arms encircle her torso, pulling her into an unexpected hug.

"Neon-sama… maybe this once, my duties can wait…"

Shocked at first, Neon could only turn her head up to gaze at him with wide eyes. He was actually hugging her, without her having to initiate such an action first. But when his words registered in her mind, she was overjoyed, yet again throwing herself on him. Only this time she placed several light, shy kisses on him, from the corner of his mouth to his cheek, and everywhere in between. She was just so happy, and judging by the way Kurapika was growing flustered, and how he laughed while trying to get her to stop, she could tell he was too.

"N-Neon-sama, please…!"

"You're the best bodyguard ever!" She giggled, stopping her kiss attack to nuzzle into his neck. She didn't remain there long before she shot up, bouncing in excitement.

"Now will you play dress up with me?"

"Wait, Neon-sama-"

"You said you would! Now get up! We have a lot of clothes to go through!" Giggling more, the girl took hold of his hand, basically dragging him off the bed and towards her closet.

"Ah, but Neon-sama…! I never said-"

"Too late! Now change into this before I do it for you!"