A/N: Hi there! Once more we'd like to thank our serial reviewers very much for sticking with us and always taking the time to tell us their thoughts! And once again we'd like to encourage all of you who are reading this to do the same. It really means a lot to us. Thanks also to all of you who favorited us and want to follow us or the story.
Here's chapter eight and we bring you a hot game of Twister and an even hotter game of Truth or Dare. While the guys' minds might still fight it, their bodies already know what they want ;D Slowly, but surely we're getting to the 'good parts' XD Describing the game of Twister and the positions the guys get into wasn't too easy and we hope very much it makes sense in the end. With that being said, I'm gonna shut up and let you guys enjoy!
Chapter 8
When Leorio heard Kurapika's yearning moans, felt the other wrap his arms around him, and felt the other push his tongue gently against his, the young doctor couldn't stop his own moans of desire as he kissed the young Kurta feverishly then. The both of them kissed long and sensually, Kurapika's moans making Leorio's blood boil with a passion he'd never felt before as he gently explored the other's mouth. When the young doctor finally pulled away, him and Kurapika panting heavily from the exertion, his actions finally clicked in his brain; he had just kissed Kurapika.
He had just kissed Kurapika!
Complete and utter confusion consumed the taller man as he stared uncertainly into Kurapika's still red eyes. Why had he done that?! Had he just gotten carried away because he was so desperate to help the other?! Would Kurapika hate him for doing something so...personal and intimate with him? Why was Kurapika smiling like that?!
Leorio had never felt so many doubts consume him at once as he watched his smaller friend swallow before forcing another smile. Oh shit, was Kurapika angry with him now for what he had done?! Damn it, what was wrong with him?! Why had he kissed Kurapika?!
And, more importantly…why had he liked it?!
The confused doctor heard his blond friend's next words then, and quickly stood up and moved aside for the other to go to the bathroom. As he watched the other go, millions of worries hit the emission user at once. Was this it? Had he completely screwed up his and Kurapika's friendship? And why, why, why, had he enjoyed that whole ordeal? It made no sense!
Wait…actually…now that he thought about it…
Before Leorio could think any further on his current thought, Kurapika reappeared from the bathroom and was making his way over to him. The blond conjurer talked about breakfast and acted like nothing had happened between them. For some reason he couldn't understand, Leorio felt like he had just been stabbed in the gut. He felt hurt by the other's attitude.
Feeling even more confused than before, Leorio just muttered out a distracted, "Yeah," before he joined Kurapika at the table again and tried to eat breakfast. In all honesty, he had lost his appetite, but there was no way he was going to let the food he had paid for go to waste. Why was Kurapika acting like nothing had happened? Surely he should be angry? No, wait, he had smiled after their kiss! What did that mean then? Or had he just been seeing things? Damn it, he wanted to talk about that kiss!
Before Leorio could bring himself to speak about the said kiss, though, a sudden fear gripped him so strongly that he was rendered speechless. Why…why was he so afraid to speak up about it? Did…did a part of him not want to talk about it...?
Now that the young doctor thought about his situation a little more, he understood why a part of him feared figuring out what this whole situation between Kurapika and him meant. Kissing the other could have just been an accident caused by overwhelming emotions…but the fact that Leorio enjoyed it…
That same fear gripped him again as he tried to think further on his feelings. Leorio knew then that, even though a part of him wanted something from his blond-haired friend, another part of him was terrified of what that 'something' was and what it truly meant. Why did his friendship with Kurapika have to always be so difficult?
Leorio agreed with him and sat down, too. Kurapika could feel waves of insecurity and tension waft from the other man. He tried his best to ignore it and concentrate on the food. Of course, the oatmeal was cool by then, but it was still edible thanks to the fine cooks at the hotel.
The awkwardness and tension between him and Leorio made the air feel thick enough to cut with a knife. Kurapika tried to think of something to say, but felt unsure of what to mention. For Leorio, that seemed to be the same case, so they ate in silence, the only sounds being the soft clinking of their spoons hitting their bowls and the murmur of the T.V., with a backdrop of the rain still hitting the windows.
The Kurta kept his eyes on his bowl, and they only roamed the table when he had finished his oatmeal. He picked an orange and a banana from the fruit bowl then. Very fastidious, he peeled the orange, making sure none of the white skin clung to the slices anymore, before he ate.
Even though he tried to make the best of their breakfast, the tension in the room was getting to him. Kurapika finally made an attempt to get things back to normal.
"The bad weather is supposed to continue all day, isn't it? I wonder what we're going to do?" For the first time since they started their meal, Kurapika looked up at Leorio then.
Leorio felt the tension rise between him and Kurapika as they ate their breakfast in silence, the only noise in the room coming from the T. V. and their silverware as they ate. The young doctor ate his bowl of oatmeal slowly; a little uncomfortable that it was already a bit cold, but that didn't deter him since he wanted to get his money's worth. The rookie hunter was trying hard to not to think about his blond-haired friend, but it was practically impossible to do under their current situation. He was just so hyper aware of Kurapika then, and Leorio was terrified to even look at the other in fear that he'd see or realize something that would turn his world upside down. Leorio was completely on edge because of that. He could feel like something big was going to happen, something that would alter his life forever, and the taller man couldn't stop feeling worried over it. He had just wanted a relaxing vacation with his friends! Why did he have to be experiencing this now?! Couldn't he catch a break at all?!
Feeling utterly frustrated then, Leorio practically missed the fact that Kurapika had asked him a question. The young doctor stiffened at the other's voice for a second as he took the other's words in, deciphering them in his jumbled brain. When he finally figured out what his friend was saying to him, he tried his best to respond.
"Y-Yeah, the weather channel said that it was supposed to rain all day," Leorio stuttered out nervously then as he refused to make eye contact with the other, pretending that he was interested in getting the next spoonful of oatmeal into his mouth. "It's crazy to go outside in this weather, so it's best that we all stay inside today. I don't want anybody to catch a cold."
After swallowing another spoonful of his oatmeal, Leorio quickly stated, "I don't know what we can do today, but maybe we should check in with Gon and Killua first?"
Leorio refused to look up at him, but stared very intently at the oatmeal he tried to maneuver into his mouth. At least he answered, though. Kurapika stifled a sigh. The kiss had made things very, very awkward between them again. It never should have happened. Leorio obviously regretted his action once he fully realized that he had kissed a guy. Kurapika knew it was his own fault for acting like a weak woman and making the illusion perfect for a moment with the feminine looks he just happened to have.
He tried to keep the conversation going in hopes of somehow getting things back to normal again. "No, we wouldn't want that. It would ruin our vacation. There must be things we can do inside the hotel, too."
A moment later, Leorio reminded him of Gon and Killua. "Oh. Yes, you're right, of course. We should check with them. Maybe they'll have an idea. Do you think they're already up? Gon is an early riser, but I think Killua likes to sleep in if he gets the chance, like on a vacation, and with the weather the way it is, I couldn't blame him..." Kurapika managed to end with a little smile, although he didn't quite feel like it. He wanted Leorio to just forget about what had happened. He tried his best to make it easy for the other man, but the doctor still seemed to dwell on what had happened. Kurapika couldn't help but fear that Leorio wouldn't want to be around him anymore, for fear of something like this happening again. But if he had the power to 'turn' him gay, wouldn't this have happened long before? Hopefully, Leorio would realize that.
Kurapika didn't seem to notice his behavior, because he responded normally then as Leorio ate another spoonful of his breakfast.
"Yeah, I would assume that they'd be up already because of the storm, and because Gon tends to wake up really early as well," Leorio commented as he took an orange for himself from the fruit bowl then, still not bothering to look at Kurapika as he did so.
Just when the tension between them increased because of his attitude, a knock on the door to their bedroom surprised Leorio from his thoughts. Wanting to put some space between him and Kurapika as much as possible, Leorio offered to get it before rushing to the door. The young doctor was relieved to see his two youngest friends waiting on the other side.
"G-Gon, Killua, good morning!" The emission user stuttered out in slight surprise because of his nerves, courtesy of Kurapika's very presence.
"Morning," Killua said back as Gon echoed him with more enthusiasm. The former assassin's sapphire eyes stared up into Leorio's brown critically then, before he looked past him to see Kurapika eating breakfast on the other side of the room. "Oh," the silver-haired teen called out in slight surprise, "You ordered room service? What's the occasion?"
"I-It's nothing special!" Leorio quickly responded as a light blush covered his face. Just why was he acting this way? Killua was just asking a normal question! "Kurapika and I woke up a little early because of the storm, and we were too lazy to go downstairs to eat, so I decided to order room service."
"Oh, I see…" Killua stated in a way that had Leorio wondering if the smaller teen didn't completely believe what he had said. Damn it, was he really that bad of a liar?! He had only been speaking half-truths, too!
"We were wondering if you guys wanted to come down to breakfast with us," Gon spoke up then with a little disappointment in his voice, which kind of made Leorio feel bad, "but I guess there's no point if you're already eating."
"Sorry, Kurapika and I didn't think you guys would be up when we were…" Leorio half-lied again as he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"It's alright," Killua chimed in again in understanding. "Gon and I will just go and eat downstairs then. We were thinking about checking out some of the shops down there afterward if you guys would like to join us as soon as you're done."
Leorio only had to think for a second before he answered.
"Oh sure, I wouldn't mind, since there's nothing else to do anyways."
A twinge of nervousness traveled up the young doctor's spine then as he realized that Kurapika might be coming along with them too. Would he be able to handle the other's presence when his feelings about the other were so confusing?
Deciding that it would be rude to not at least ask the other if he wanted to come, Leorio finally turned around to face his blond friend for the first time since their kiss.
"D-Did you hear that, Kurapika? W-Would you like to go and see the shops once we're done with breakfast?" He asked uncertainly, wondering if the other was beginning to hate him for the way he was acting.
Leorio practically stormed for the door when they heard a knock. Obviously, the doctor didn't want to be around him, which hurt Kurapika like a stab to the gut. He knew the kiss had been kind of a mishap, no matter how good it had felt, and that something like it would never happen between them again, but at least he wanted to remain friends with the other man. Right now, though, he wasn't too sure Leorio felt the same.
"Good morning," the Kurta greeted their two younger friends when he heard Killua's voice and had turned to the door.
Curious as always, Killua immediately saw that they had gotten room service and asked about their reason for using this more expensive way for breakfast. Even though Leorio kept the true reason secret, his stuttering and blushing were obvious signs that he wasn't quite truthful about his answers. Of course, the observant Killua caught the signs, but he kept his thoughts on it to himself. Instead, he told them they had come to ask them to join them later.
Kurapika was half of a mind to join them right then, if only to escape the heavy tension between him and Leorio. He could just get a cup of coffee and sit with the boys while they ate. It might give Leorio a chance to cool off and get a grip on himself, but on the other hand, he might enjoy being rid of him and would want to keep it that way as much as possible... Kurapika didn't like that idea at all.
In the meantime, Leorio had eagerly agreed to join the boys for their tour of the shops downstairs. So, he really wanted to escape from him, huh? This was only made more obvious when the other one asked him if he wanted to join. The question was asked hesitantly and uncertainly. This actually decided it for Kurapika. Leorio's eagerness in being rid of him made him even surer that he shouldn't allow for that to happen. He needed to make the other man feel at ease around him again, and this could only happen if they stuck together.
"That sounds like a very good idea. I'll come along, too. There isn't much we can do in this weather anyway," Kurapika agreed with a smile. "See you in a bit?"
The blond hunter was pretty sure he felt waves of uneasiness emit from the doctor, but he ignored them. The boys agreed and were gone the next moment. Leorio returned to their table much slower than he had raced to the door moments prior. He seemed reluctant to be close to him again. It hurt the Kurta even more that Leorio made him feel like what had happened between them was his fault alone, and that it was such an evil thing, too. That wasn't fair. It wasn't fair at all.
Once more, the tension between them was tangible. Still, Kurapika tried to act relaxed. Getting a handful of berries from the fruit bowl then, he arranging them on his plate in groups of their different types, before he ate one of each in turns.
When both of them were done with their breakfast, they got their money, cells, and key cards, and left their room to meet up with the boys. They found them in the large dining hall, at the table they had used the day before. Of course, the boys were still eating, but once all of them sat together again and started to talk, the air between Leorio and him seemed to clear slowly. Gon's lively personality helped take their minds off things, and by the time they went to the gift shops, Leorio behaved much more like himself again. The doctor was even finally able to look at him normally again.
As they perused the gift shops, Gon took half an eternity to decide on the best postcard to send home, while Killua tried to buy the whole candy store within the vicinity, scowling at anyone who tried to bring up his mishap from the day before. Kurapika was more interested in the jewelery; looking especially interested at some earrings. As for Leorio, after checking out some aftershave, he spent most of the rest of the time muttering how all the prices in the stores were way too high, and told them how they could get all of their stuff cheaper elsewhere. Neither of the three heeded his warnings, though, since he insisted at the same time that no one should leave the hotel with the weather as bad as it still was.
Since Gon and Killua were the only ones to have bought things in the end, they decided to split up then. While Leorio and Kurapika went to the dining hall to secure them a table for lunch, the boys wanted to go up to their room to put away their treasures. As soon as they had separated, though, Gon followed Killua to the reception area, where his friend asked the attendant about the twister game. They were incredibly lucky; not only did the hotel actually have it, but it was the last copy, since the other three were already lent out to other guests.
"Wow, that was lucky! You were right, we should have asked for the game right when we went down to breakfast, but I was soooooo hungry. I'm glad it turned out alright," Gon mentioned in relief as they rode up to their floor in the elevator. It would have been so bad if Killua got mad at him again just because they didn't go to the reception area due to his hunger, and that caused them to miss out on renting their game. Feeling his head get warm at such a complicated thought, Gon shook his head to clear it.
After they dropped off their shopping and the game in their room, they rode the elevator down again to meet up with Leorio and Kurapika for lunch.
Once Gon was done gorging himself, and Killua was finished with his breakfast, too, the four of them went to go and check the shops within the main lobby. The young transmuter got reprimanded for trying to buy everything in the sweets store, so he decided on buying a postcard like Gon had, and a few toys for Alluka.
During all of this, Killua also couldn't help but notice the palpable tension between Leorio and Kurapika during the time they had met up with them, but, over time, it gradually dwindled until it was barely there. The observant, silver-haired teen wondered what really had happened to cause his friends to become nervous around each other again, but he decided not to dwell on it. It was obvious now that in order for those two to actually get together, he was going to have to help, because if they were left to their own devices, they'd just get more awkward around each other to the point they wouldn't even want to be around each other.
As soon as lunch rolled around, Killua made sure that Leorio and Kurapika made their way to the restaurant inside the hotel to procure them a table, while Gon and him went to go check for their game at the reception desk. He had wanted to ask about the game right when Gon and him had come down for breakfast, but Gon had been complaining about how hungry he was, so Killua had just conceded defeat and ate breakfast first to save him the headache Gon's whining would have caused him. Thankfully, though, the hotel had a copy of Twister, and they had gotten the last one! They really were lucky, as Gon put it, and Killua couldn't stop himself from continuously thinking this as they rode the elevator up to their room to hide their game. The silver-haired teen wasn't too upset with the other, since they got the game in the end anyway, so he just agreed in the end in order to save an argument between them. He really didn't want to make Gon feel bad again, because he was still so testy around him since that morning.
Once their game was safely put away, he and Gon headed back downstairs for lunch.
Leorio would be lying to say he wasn't apprehensive when Kurapika agreed to come along to check out the shops. Damn it, this was going to be so uncomfortable! Why did he have to go and kiss the other?! If he hadn't, he wouldn't be feeling all this tension and confusion right now!
Once the kids were gone, the young doctor made his way slowly back to the table to finish his breakfast. Kurapika was silent with him, which Leorio was slightly thankful for, because it gave him time to think. Sadly, though, since the other wasn't trying to talk to him anymore, Leorio had to wonder if Kurapika really was upset with him. How did he even begin to apologize?
When they were done eating, the two of them silently walked down to the buffet area and saw Gon stuffing his face full of food, while Killua finished off his breakfast in a more refined manner. As they spent the time talking to the two of them, Leorio found himself unwinding, and the tension between him and Kurapika decrease. Pushing the confusion he felt aside for the moment, Leorio just decided to enjoy his time with his friends and worry about his problems later.
With that, the four of them checked out the shops, and the young doctor found himself frustrated by the outrageous prices the said shops expected to pay for their wares. Nonetheless, the time he spent with his friends was enjoyable, up until the time Killua insisted that he and Gon should go and return the items they had just bought to their room, and that he and Kurapika should get them a table in the hotel restaurant for lunch. The thought of being alone with the Kurta made Leorio feel completely uncomfortable again, as his worries and his confused thoughts resurfaced to the forefront of his mind. Still, the emission user agreed, and headed off towards the restaurant with Kurapika beside him. He was sure his blond-haired friend could tell how uncomfortable he was, because he remained silent throughout the whole trip, but he didn't leave his side out of anger, which only surprised Leorio more. Surely the other was completely frustrated with his mood swings by this point, right? Hell, he was even getting annoyed with himself! The kiss had just been an accident and nothing more, so he should just stop dwelling on it or he'd hurt his friendship with Kurapika. After all, hadn't he been trying to strengthen it this whole time?
Sighing to himself, Leorio asked for a table for four as soon as they entered the restaurant. Thankfully, before he could figure out how to fill the silence between his blond friend and him, Gon and Killua made their way over to the table. The youngest hunters were like a buffer between him and Kurapika, and their presence helped Leorio to calm down again and talk normally with his friends.
The four of them then spent the next hour eating and talking amicably (Leorio eating the cheapest meal out of the four of them, because the prices for the restaurant were even more outrageous then the gift shops) before Killua suggested they should go up to his and Gon's room to watch a movie they could order from their T.V. Seeing as Gon and Killua were willing to pay for the expense, Leorio agreed, along with Kurapika.
With that, the young doctor found himself in Gon and Killua's room a few minutes later. The two youngest hunters were sitting at the edge of their bed before the T. V. on the wall, and Killua was searching through the menu for movies to order, and spouting off descriptions of ones that sounded good. Seeing as Leorio's options were to sit on the bed with the kids, or sit in one of the chairs off to the side, the young doctor chose to sit in the chairs in favor of giving Killua and Gon some space on the bed. Surely the two of them would want to sit alone, especially after that little scene he saw of them falling out of the bushes in the exotic garden last night.
Gon agreed happily to every movie the Killua read the description of. For one, he wanted what his friend wanted (whatever that was), and also, every one of the movies sounded interesting in their own way, so he actually was good with all of them. In the end, though, they decided on a funny action movie.
The decision was a good one. The action made the movie pretty thrilling and the funny moments had them laughing, which livened the mood some more for all of them. But even though the movie was pretty good, Gon found himself twitching and getting restless after two thirds of it. So, once it was finally over, he jumped off the bed just to move around.
"Waaah, I wish the rain would stop!" But it didn't, and it certainly didn't look like it would do so soon. "I'm all tensed up. I need to move and stretch somehow."
Gon stretched himself just to emphasize his words, and because he really felt like he needed it.
"I must agree with Gon," Kurapika said, standing up and following the spiky-haired teen's example.
This was when Killua conveniently came up with the game of Twister. He brought the game forward and explained the way it was played to Kurapika, who had never heard of it before, while Gon helped set it up.
As they were trying to choose their seats, the Kurta unwittingly had similar thoughts to Leorio, and decided to leave the two boys alone on the bed. Since the doctor chose one of the chairs to enjoy the movie in, Kurapika decided on the other. He pulled it away from the table and closer to the doctor.
The awkward tension between them was rising and falling, but it never quite went away. Still, the blacklist hunter was convinced that leaving Leorio to his own devices would be the worst he could do in this situation, so he kept close to the other man.
The movie they decided on was exciting and funny, and had all of them laughing, which was nice. Kurapika liked the joyous way Leorio laughed. He was kind of like a boy then, laughing from the heart without a care in the world about how he looked. It was also nice to see him free of the awkward tension that had kept a hold of him since their kiss.
When the movie was over, Gon jumped off the bed, obviously glad to be allowed to move again. Their young, hyperactive friend had been fidgeting and twitching for a while already, Kurapika had noticed. But, although he wasn't hyperactive like the teen, he still got up to stretch himself a little and agree with him, too.
"The darkness because of the rain makes it feel oppressive on top of the reality of being trapped inside," Kurapika tried to explain the slight stiffness he felt to himself, and anyone who was listening.
Killua proposed playing a game that Kurapika had never heard of then. When the other hunter explained how it worked, the Kurta thought it was the perfect game for this dreary day.
"I like how this sounds. Even though we can't go out, we can at least stretch our muscles with this, and it sounds like it could be fun."
Since the game mat wasn't too large, and they would most likely end up pretty tightly knotted together anyway, Kurapika decided to take off the tabard with his clan design, since it would only be in the way.
Killua wasn't too surprised when Gon jumped off of the bed and began to stretch after their movie. He was actually very thankful for his friend's words, because they helped lead into their game of Twister. Thankfully, after he suggested the game, and explained it to a confused Kurapika, both he and Leorio agreed to play the game for the sake of exercise.
As Gon laid out the tarp, Killua took the spinner and sat down, his back turned towards everyone as he hid the spinner with is body.
"Alright, guys, I forgot to mention this, but one of the rules is that the person designated as the spinner hides the spinner from the other players so that they can't see what they get. It's supposed to add a surprise element to the game," Killua explained as he sent a small smile over his shoulder. "Hopefully you guys don't mind me being the spinner. I just thought that you three would want to play first, since you're all going on about stretching your muscles."
The silver-haired teen was glad to hear choruses of consent from his friends then. Their agreement made everything easier, especially since Killua was going to sabotage the game for Leorio and Kurapika's sakes.
"Alright," Killua stated as he continued to look at his friends over his shoulder, his eyes scanning the tarp at the same time in order to memorize the various colored circles on it. "You three choose what side of the tarp you want to start on, and do a round of rock-paper-scissors to figure out who goes first."
The three hunters did as they were asked then. Unsurprisingly, Gon won the match between the three of them and went first. He barely beat Kurapika, who came in close second after several tied matches, and Leorio lost on the first round. Killua could tell the young doctor wasn't happy at all by the turn of events. It seemed he was still sore over the fact that he still wasn't good at rock-paper-scissors after all of these years.
With the order figured out, and after the three chose their sides of the board to start on, Killua did his best to make sure that Leorio and Kurapika wouldn't find out what he was doing as he secretly spun for them. He made sure Gon was given enough of a challenge to keep interested in the game, but also made sure he wasn't too close to Kurapika and Leorio. The former assassin even threw in several feints when it came to Leorio's and Kurapika's turns, having them go backwards in their feet and hand positions or slightly towards Gon in hopes they wouldn't catch onto the initial position he was hoping to get the two in.
After several turns, Killua turned around to see everyone's positions. He had been checking over his shoulder on occasion, but being able to see everything clearly and rememorize the circles would definitely help in his quest. To the silver-haired teen's pleasure, Gon was stretched out to his limits in the bottom corner of the tarp closest to him. Killua tried hard not to stare at the strained look on Gon's face as the other's muscles flexed from the workout he was getting by trying to keep himself upright in his completely stretched out position, but it was hard not to. Damn it, why did the other have to look so hot when he was serious?!
Turning his attention towards Leorio and Kurapika, Leorio was in a pretty comfortable looking position on his hands and feet parallel from Gon in the other bottom hand corner of the board. He was chastising Gon to just give up and fall, but his words only made Gon all the more determined to stay in the fight. Kurapika, on the other hand, was near the top of the board and in the center of the four columns of circles on the tarp. He was a little stretched out as well, looking like he was in a sprinter's starting position, but it wasn't totally uncomfortable like Gon's current position.
Taking note of what circles he needed his two oldest friends to get on in the next several rounds, along with possible feints he could throw in to cover his trail, Killua got back to work with his matchmaking scheme.
Leorio stiffened when he felt Kurapika move his chair over beside him and sit down. Why had the other insisted on sitting next to him? He'd thought that the other would want to avoid him more after the kiss than anything else!
Thankfully, before Leorio could fret over his circumstances for too much longer, a funny action film was decided on, and he was engrossed in the film too much to care about Kurapika's close proximity. The taller man enjoyed himself and laughed like a carefree child throughout the whole movie, and, once it was over, he, along with Gon and Kurapika, got up to stretch. It was here that Killua suggested playing the game of Twister, like he expected their muscles to all be sore in the first place.
Considering it as a coincidence, or the fact that Killua had probably gotten the board game for Gon specifically, since the other was all about moving around, Leorio agreed to play the game. He was a little uncertain, though, considering the fact he knew the game all too well, and the fact that it was used at parties with lots of alcohol in the hopes of men being able to fondle women without getting reprimanded for it, but seeing as it was just his friends he was playing with, it wouldn't be that uncomfortable, right? Unless he got close to Kurapika, that was…
The young doctor's heart beat a little faster at the thought, which only confused him more than he already was. Pushing his worries to the side in favor of getting some exercise and enjoying the game, Kurapika, Gon, and him played a game of rock-paper-scissors to choose their order after Killua explained to them that he had to hide the spinner from them. After losing spectacularly in the first round, Leorio just pouted until the other two were done, and chose a side of the board to start on.
Once the game finally got underway, Leorio forgot about his worries completely and focused on staying upright as Killua started spouting off positions for their hands and feet. About a few moves in, Gon looked about ready to fall over any moment because of his completely stretched out position, but Kurapika and him seemed to be very comfortable in comparison. Leorio even goaded Gon on to fall over, but the doctor wasn't all that surprised when Gon refused to give in and started growling in determination under the strain. The spiky-haired beast hunter obviously loved moments like this that challenged him, and he wasn't one to admit defeat ever, so Leorio wouldn't be surprised if Gon actually won in the end, despite his current unlucky position.
As the game progressed a little further, Leorio ended up traveling further up the side of the board, and a little diagonally, before backtracking once again to his previous corner, all the while trying to keep himself upright after having to stretch out almost as much as Gon, or having to crisscross his body parts. By the end of the tenth round, with everyone on the board still, Leorio was directly in the lower right-hand corner of the board in a comfortable position again, his hands and feet laid out evenly beside each other. Gon, on the other hand, was on the left hand side of the board closest to Killua, and he was laughing because he looked like he was in a camp tiger stalking pose. Then there was Kurapika, who was in the top right hand corner of the board in a position very similar to Leorio's and directly in front of the emission user. As the young doctor looked his blond friend's way, a colorful blush tinted his cheeks at the sight. His eyes had fallen directly onto Kurapika's butt, which was practically presented towards him. Was this some kind of joke?! Why was he reacting this way?!
Averting his gaze from the sight, Leorio instead tried to concentrate at the orders Killua was giving him to move. As the taller man moved his right hand towards a blue circle in front of him, he could only hope that he wouldn't get any closer to Kurapika for the sake of his sanity.
The game was pretty straight forward but that didn't make it easy in the least, the Kurta quickly found out. Gon and Killua had been right; this was a very good exercise to stretch and test your own flexibility and balance. The young beast hunter's flexibility was obviously very good because he was the first to get into a very precarious position. Leorio even goaded him to give up the game straight away, which only strengthened the resolve of the stubborn boy, of course.
Two moves later, Gon was in a comfortable position, but Kurapika's left leg was stretched pretty far back, so he had to watch his balance while the other two moved on the tarp. The game actually was a lot of fun, he had to admit as he laughed along with Gon as he growled, imitating a camp tiger on the prowl a few moves later. At the same time, Kurapika was on all fours, hands and feet evenly spaced out on the colored dots. It was only when Leorio's left hand moved forward and into his own space that he fully realized that the doctor was behind him, and in the perfect position to appreciate his backside. During his many lonesome nights, Kurapika had ended up having rather arousing fantasies that started out like this, but, right now, this was neither a fantasy nor erotic. It was embarrassing, and made the Kurta fear for the doctor's reaction, since it was sure to remind him again of their kiss.
Kurapika hoped against hope for a move that got him into an escape position, but, instead, he had to move his right foot way back and right underneath Leorio. Although it was part of the fun of the game to get its players hopelessly entangled with each other, Kurapika wasn't too sure Leorio would see the fun in it right now. He was glad to be able to draw his leg back on the next move, but as soon as the doctor was up again, his right hand had no other way but to move forward, making him hover above Kurapika in a kind of bridge. When the crouching Kurta looked up, he saw the strain the other man was going through to keep himself as high up as possible, so as not touch him in any way.
For Leorio's sake as much as his own, Kurapika hoped to get out from under him, but he could only move his left hand a little forward. As their cursed luck would have it, though, the doctor had to move his left foot in closer. When the Kurta looked up and behind him, he saw Leorio's face turn crimson from exertion as the taller man did his best to keep on his fingertips and toes so that he wouldn't touch him. To Kurapika, this situation soon became ludicrous. Part of him understood about the doctor's inhibitions, but this was just a stupid game, and it was not like he had a contagious disease or anything.
When he had to move his right hand forward, too, Kurapika could have tried to remain in a low position, but it would have put a lot of strain on his already slightly sore muscles. He decided against it then, and allowed his arms and back to stretch. Kurapika's back made contact with Leorio's chest then. Since his own position was actually pretty comfortable now, with all limbs spread out evenly again, he pushed upwards a little more. He forced the contact, but only to try to let Leorio take a little rest on the sturdy frame his body formed in his position. Of course, the goal of the game was to last longer in a balanced position without touching the tarp with anything but hands and feet, but if Leorio actually lost his strength and balance right then, he would fall on top of him and definitely take Kurapika out of the game along with him.
The Kurta never thought twice about his action, since he thought Leorio's behavior was just stupid, and he wanted it to stop. The next moment, though, the whole situation changed. Killua called the next move, which was Leorio's. He had to move his right foot now, bringing it in close to Kurapika, too. The Kurta suddenly blushed a deep crimson. He was on all fours, with Leorio in the same position right behind and above him. With the way he had pushed against the other man before, their contact was close enough that the movement of the doctor made his crotch press against Kurapika's butt. The Kurta had to suppress a gasp. He had dreamed of something like this, but they had been naked, and Leorio had wanted him in that dream. It was nothing like the awkward, embarrassing reality in which Leorio felt freaked out by him! Kurapika ducked down and strained his body forward as much as he could. This time, it was him who tried his best not to touch Leorio in any way.
When Leorio noticed that he was drawing closer to Kurapika, he began to worry. Why was his luck always so bad?! Why did he have to be drawing closer to Kurapika now, and damn it, what was up with the other's butt?! Why couldn't he stop staring at it?!
The young doctor averted his eyes away from the Kurta before him, that is, until he was practically on top of the other. With every move him and Kurapika got, Leorio would end up moving forward, and his blond friend would move backwards. It was a weird twist of fate that the emission user was sure he wasn't happy with. Seeing as he knew that Kurapika liked his personal space, and that Leorio already felt beyond awkward around the young Kurta as it was, being this physically close to him, and in an intimate position nonetheless, only heightened the young doctor's discomfort. Because of that, he balanced himself on the tips of his fingers and toes so as not to touch the other as he hovered over him.
As Leorio drew even closer to Kurapika, and vice versa, the taller man straining to keep himself upright and as far away from Kurapika as possible, he actually felt his smaller companion push his back up against his chest. The sudden touch made the young doctor stiffen, his breath hitching in his throat. He felt so aware of the other again, the Kurta's body heat moving through the barrier of their clothes to reach him.
Leorio tried to keep his heartbeat under control, but it was so hard, especially when his next move came. Because of his position on the board, he couldn't move his foot anywhere but forward, so he did…and his crotch brushed against Kurapika's backside.
The rookie hunter's face became completely enflamed from embarrassment as he felt Kurapika move himself as far away from him as possible; the complete opposite from a minute or two ago. Leorio didn't know why, but he almost whined from the lack of heat as his blond friend drew himself away. What was wrong with him?! Why would he feel a little sad at the lack of physical contact when he didn't want it in the first place?! Why had he liked his groin touching Kurapika's backside?! He was a freaking guy for crying out loud! Was he that sexually deprived that he actually didn't mind grinding against one of his friends?!
As Leorio was busy internally freaking out at himself, Gon's turn came next. He was actually closer to both Leorio and Kurapika by that point; almost beside them. When the beast hunter had to reach his right hand out diagonally from himself to try and reach a different colored circle, the stretch was just too much for the spiky-haired teen, because he fell forward and into Leorio and Kurapika. The three hunters fell down at the same time then, Gon a giggling mess as he lay across Leorio and Kurapika's stomachs. Leorio found himself laughing a little, too, as he lay there on his back beside Kurpika but his voice was filled to the brim with nerves, his mind still occupied by the feeling of Kurapika against him…and how he had liked it.
Unable to stay in the room any longer because the air around him was practically becoming suffocating then, Leorio muttered out a lame excuse of how he had to go to the bathroom before he disentangled himself from his friends and rushed over to Gon and Killua's bathroom. As he shut the door behind him, Leorio quickly went over to the sink and started to wash his face, his mind and body unable to calm down after what he had experienced. He felt more confused than ever, and he just didn't know how to handle what he was feeling anymore.
He definitely needed a drink.
Gon had been doing so well in the game but he suddenly got into a very bad position again. He strained to hold himself up, but then he had to reach out with his right hand. In his already precarious position, this strain was too much, his balance broke, and he tumbled over right into Leorio and Kurapika, taking the both of them along with him and ending up on top of them.
The young beast hunter couldn't help but laugh from the bottom of his heart at this turn of events. That game had been so much fun!
"Hahahaha, I'm sorry! That blue dot was just too far away..."
Rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, Gon got off the other two. They laughed along with him; Kurapika a little more than Leorio. It was then that the said doctor declared that he needed to go to the bathroom, and was off the next second.
"That seemed to be urgent," the spiky-haired teen mentioned as he stared after the other, who had already vanished into the other room.
Shrugging his shoulders, he smiled lopsidedly at Kurapika.
"I guess I lost, but what about you?" He turned around to his silver-haired friend. "Killua? Who won? Or did they lose, too?"
Killua only took a few seconds to deliberate before he told him that they all had lost.
"I want a rematch!" Gon shouted out immediately in response. There was no way he was going to let them end their game like this.
Kurapika felt flustered and confused as he tried to keep away from Leorio, but, suddenly, their youngest companion fell over and crashed into them. They all fell down; Kurapika doing his best not to end up underneath the doctor. It was Gon who ended up on top of him instead, with Leorio lying next to him.
The young beast hunter laughed out happily as he got off of them. Even though his awkward moment with the taller man was still very much present in his mind, Gon's laughter was addictive. It helped release some of the tension that held Kurapika in its grip. Even though he was hesitant at first, he laughed wholeheartedly a moment later. Their game really had ended on an amusing note.
…That was until the moment Leorio excused himself, shot up, and practically ran for the bathroom. Kurapika's laughter died pretty quickly as he watched the other man run off.
Why was it so bad for Leorio to touch him? Even if the other one put the full blame for that kiss on him, which really wasn't too fair since they had both participated, he was a doctor; he knew full well that homosexuality wasn't contagious. He couldn't 'catch it' by being around him or touching him. This game, this position, it hadn't been his fault! And as soon as they had touched in that awkward way, he had ducked to make it bearable for the doctor, hadn't he? Why was Leorio behaving like...like such an ass?! It hurt Kurapika more than he wanted to admit, even to himself.
As he thought this, Gon was trying to find out who had won then, and shouted for another match the next moment. The blond Kurta just shook his head.
"I need a break, Gon," he said as he got up.
Kurapika looked to the balcony then. It wasn't quite as dark out at the moment. Though the rain was still falling, it wasn't pelting. He went to the glass door, looked again, and decided that it wasn't too bad outside. Some fresh air was what he really needed.
The young Kurta stepped out onto the balcony then. Taking deep breaths, he tasted the moist, fresh air. The heavy rain had cleaned the overheated and dusty air from the previous day, and it was actually kind of nice outside, although the rain was still falling and slowly getting him wet.
Feeling more than aggravated about the confusion that kept bombarding him, Leorio took some deep, calming breaths before he exited the bathroom. He quickly came to notice that Gon and Killua were sitting on their bed discussing something, and that Kurapika was nowhere in sight.
A sudden stab of guilt hit the young doctor full force then as he took in the Kurta's absence. Had Kurapika left because of him? Did the other actually hate him now?
"Where's Kurapika?" The taller man asked tentatively, his brown eyes filling with slight worry, despite his confusing feelings towards his blond-haired friend.
"He went outside to get some fresh air," Gon answered with ease.
Leorio's eyes widened at this news, before he turned his attention towards the balcony. Even though it was a bit dark outside because of the storm clouds overhead, he could see Kurapika standing out there and slowly becoming wet. Was he insane?! Sure, the rain had slowed a bit, but that didn't mean the other couldn't get sick!
The taller man almost rushed over to the balcony then and there, but he stopped himself just in time, remembering all of the confusing feelings he felt for Kurapika at that moment. Sighing to himself and rubbing his temples out of slight irritation, the rookie doctor turned his attention towards Gon and Killua again.
"Hey, Gon, you should go and tell Kurapika to not stay outside too long or else he'll catch a cold," Leorio suggested then as he walked over and sat at the head of the bed near the phone. Gon looked a little confused by his words, but he nodded and jumped off the bed before heading towards the balcony.
While Gon was walking away, Killua turned his gaze onto him, his sapphire gaze calculating. "Gon wants to play another round of Twister," he explained almost hesitantly. "Do you want to play?"
Leorio just rubbed at his temples, feeling a headache coming on. If there was one thing he didn't want to do at that point, it was playing another round of Twister. There was a chance that he'd end up…rubbing up against Kurapika again or something just as awkward. Yeah, Leorio definitely didn't want to play another round, but he also didn't want to disappoint his friends either. If Gon still wanted to play, but Leorio didn't, he'd be bummed out and wonder why. Leorio wasn't sure if he'd be able to even answer that question if it came up, because he had no idea himself.
"Fine," the young doctor growled out as he pinched the bridge of his nose so that he wouldn't take all of his frustration out on Killua, who hadn't done anything wrong. "I will, but I'm the spinner this time!"
As the taller man glared at his silver-haired friend, Killua slightly scowled at him in turn. It was obvious that he wasn't too happy with a switch in roles.
"Either I'm the spinner, or I'm not playing, Killua," Leorio stated stubbornly, unwilling to budge just because Killua didn't want to play directly himself. Maybe he was just as self-conscious of being close to Gon in that way like he had been with Kurapika? But hadn't Gon and Killua kissed or something in the bushes the other day?
Not knowing what to think about his transmuter friend's stubborn attitude, Leorio didn't care a second later when Killua admitted defeat and told him that he could spin.
"Good," the young doctor said without a hint of remorse for his crabby attitude, before he grabbed the phone and dialed room service.
"What are you doing?" Killua asked then in curiosity.
"Ordering alcohol," Leorio replied easily, unashamed of what he was doing. "Something tells me I'm really going to need it."
As soon as Leorio and Kurapika were in separate areas, Killua abandoned his spinner, before beckoning Gon over to sit on the bed. They had to discuss some things before they made their next move.
"Alright, Gon, it's obvious that Leorio and Kurapika are affected by what happened, but I didn't think it would be this serious," Killua stated with slight annoyance as he remembered the way both of his oldest friends had left the room. They were definitely not happy at the moment. "Because of that," the transmuter continued, "I think that we should go another round of Twister like you wanted, but this time, I'll spin honestly. Hopefully that will brighten Leorio's and Kurapika's moods so that they'll agree to play Truth or Dare afterward."
Gon had just nodded his head in agreement when Leorio came out of the bathroom, looking a little restless. As soon as the doctor realized that Kurapika wasn't there, he asked where he was, which was something that Killua hadn't expected. Judging by the other's attitude, and the uncomfortable air emanating from him, he would have expected Leorio to just go off and do his own thing just to escape Kurapika's presence, but there the doctor was, worrying about the friend that he had just 'accidentally' bumped uglies with. If that didn't prove Leorio's feelings, then Killua didn't know what did.
Since the former assassin was too preoccupied with his thoughts, Gon had answered for him, telling Leorio that Kurapika was getting some air. Leorio looked absolutely worried about the fact that their Kurta friend was outside in the rain, and looked about ready to rush over there, but, instead, he just sighed and sat down at the head of their bed and basically asked Gon to go and tell Kurapika to come inside. Gon didn't question, and just left Killua there with the obviously cranky doctor to go and fetch Kurapika. Killua hoped for Gon's sake that their blond friend was in a better mood than Leorio.
Seeing as he was alone with the emission user now, Killua tried to suggest another round of Twister, but Leorio looked more than ready to say no. To the silver-haired teen's surprise, though, Leorio actually said that he would play another round…as long as he was the spinner. Killua glowered at that, not liking the stipulation at all. For one, he was apprehensive on getting onto the board with Gon and having the same fate befall him as he had done to his oldest friends. Another part was that, once he was in the game as well, Gon would become more competitive, which was just horrible for Killua, because his spiky-haired friend was one of the sexiest men alive when he became competitive…
Seeing as Leorio would probably go away and do his own thing if Killua didn't agree, though, the former assassin conceded defeat and gave up his position as the spinner for the sake of his plans. It was annoying, and he knew that he'd have to be extra tolerant of Gon, but it would be worth it if Leorio and Kurapika were in a better mood because of the role switch. Speaking of Leorio, the doctor was actually using his and Gon's room phone…
"What are you doing?" The former assassin asked out of curiosity. The answer he got, though, almost made him groan. Leorio was so nervous and aggravated that he was buying alcohol!
Trying to tell himself that he could take advantage of the situation if Leorio got drunk so that he wouldn't get angry with his plans going even more awry, Killua watched on as Leorio ordered two bottles of the hotel's most potent wine, hoping that the bill wouldn't be his, since Leorio had called on his and Gon's room phone.
As Kurapika looked out at the dark and brooding ocean, it looked almost in as much turmoil as he felt inside. He was hurt by Leorio's behavior, even though it was kind of what he had expected would happen if he ever came out to his friend and told him about his true feeling, but he hadn't even done anything like that! All he had done was reciprocate the kiss Leorio had started!
The kiss. That kiss... Kurapika felt hot just thinking about it, but he knew for sure now that nothing could ever come of it. Leorio felt freaked out by having kissed a guy, or most likely even creeped out by the way he was acting now. And why had this game turned out the way it did? It had only made matters so much worse for both of them. Their luck had just been the worst...or...or had it?
Kurapika thought about the set up. Since he had never played the game before, he had just taken anything Killua told them about the setup at face value. But, if he thought about it, why was the spinner hidden, really? Killua said it was for the added surprise effect, but really, they were surprised anyway, since the spinner made the required action random. All in all, there was only one reason why anyone would want to hide the spinner from view, and that was to cheat.
As he thought back on what had happened the last two days, and how Gon and Killua had behaved around them, Kurapika suddenly came to a conclusion. For some incredible reason, the two boys had been trying to get them into situations where Leorio and him were alone together. And if he didn't know any better, he would even call those situations 'romantic'. But why on earth would they do something like that?
While Kurapika contemplated his new realization, Gon came out onto the balcony to join him.
"Hmm, the air smells much better now! It's gonna be a beautiful, sunny day tomorrow. We should definitely go to the beach then," the beast hunter decided after sampling the air.
Gon took a sidelong glance at him then and Kurapika turned to him, examining him closely.
"Is there something you want to tell me?" The blond asked pointedly.
The raven-haired teen looked at him quizzically, obviously not quite understanding the hint, but, suddenly, his face lit up.
"Leorio said you shouldn't stay outside too long or you'll catch a cold!"
Gon seemed to be pretty satisfied with himself for remembering his mission if the enthusiastic way he shouted out his words was any indication. Kurapika actually felt stumped at the message. He felt his wet clothes and knew he should go inside and dry himself off a bit, but if Leorio was so creeped out by him, why did he care at all? Was it just his duty as a doctor, or did he actually still care?
"Yeah, I guess he's right. Let's go back inside," he finally said after a moment's contemplation.
The Kurta had looked over his shoulder and saw that Leorio was back from the bathroom and still in the room. The doctor hadn't run away, so maybe there was still a chance to save their friendship somehow?
Kurapika went inside and went to the bathroom himself then to towel his hair and pat away some of the rain from his clothes. When he returned, room service was delivering something Leorio accepted. The Kurta didn't know what to think when he saw the two bottles of wine the man had ordered. Since Killua and Gon were still under age, they could only be meant for the doctor himself.
When Gon asked again about a second round, Killua told him that, this time, he would play too, and that Leorio would take over the spinner. Kurapika couldn't believe the amount of relief he felt at this news. There would be no fear for awkward moments of intimate touch this time. Maybe Leorio could calm himself and get a grip again and things would return to normal between them somehow? There was still hope, right?
As he thought this, Leorio made himself comfortable with his wine and the spinner. The three of them got ready at their places at the sides of the tarp and they started into a pretty intense game of Twister. Even though Kurapika was pretty flexible, he had to give up against Gon's sheer determination to beat Killua at some point. When he finally lost balance and fell, Kurapika couldn't help but laugh. Without the sexual tension making things awkward, this round had been a lot of fun.
"Killua, give it your best! You almost got it," the Kurta cheered for his fellow blacklist hunter just to egg on Gon a little more, whose competitiveness was pretty funny to observe.
"Ha! Never! I can stay in this position forever!" Gon shouted out in a strained way, since he was stretched out to the limit, teetering with the tips of his fingers on the edge of the farthest spot.
Kurapika laughed then, standing up and leaving the tarp to sit on the bed to watch how the game played out. As he looked over to Leorio, he saw the doctor had gone through his first bottle of wine already and was starting on the second. The game had lasted a while already, but the speed at which the other man was drinking was still kind of impressive and worrying at the same time.
Leorio had never been more thankful when he heard the knock on the door for room service. He had just seen Kurapika walk into Gon and Killua's bathroom to towel himself off, and the sight of the wet Kurta brought up similar images from the day before. Needless to say, Leorio started feeling even more uncomfortable, so the alcohol he just received from room service was more than appreciated.
After messing with the corks on his bottles, the young doctor settled down on the floor by the spinner. He took his first swig then as he didn't bother to follow Killua's example and hide the spinner from everybody else. It had been a stupid rule anyway.
As the game started, the young doctor noticed how lively his friends were, especially Gon. Now that Killua was in the game, the competitive streak in the young beast hunter had doubled, which was always entertaining to see. What was not entertaining, though, was the fact that he had to watch Kurapika stretch and go into several different poses throughout the game, causing the taller man's gut to clench strangely, and his breath to hitch. Every time it was Kurapika's turn to move, Leorio made sure to down another large swig of wine, just in hopes of forgetting what he was feeling. The young doctor was more than happy when Kurapika actually lost so that he wouldn't have to notice the subtle way the other's muscles moved when he stretched, or take note of how flexible the Kurta was.
With one person out of the game then, there was only Gon and Killua left. Leorio felt like this game would go on for quite a bit longer because of that, but he really didn't mind. He was actually starting to feel pretty happy and a little more amused then, but he wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or the fact that Kurapika wasn't even in his line of sight anymore because he had decided to sit on the bed.
"Gon," Leorio demanded then as he clumsily spun the spinner (the damn thing was so slippery, and it was getting even more slippery with every turn…maybe it was because his palms were sweating or something?), "lefffft hand on yella…"
He heard Gon snicker for some reason, but Leorio didn't care as he started on his second bottle of wine. Instead of taking a large swig, though, he just took a sip of the alcoholic beverage, finding no need to drink so much when he only had a bottle left. He had to make the alcohol last because that was the proper protocol. Alcohol was like a pretty woman; as much as you wanted to take her down fast, it was better to appreciate her first.
Completely ignoring the fact that he had downed a bottle of wine beforehand, and therefore just made himself sound like a hypocrite, Leorio finally noticed the predicament his two friends were in before him. The taller man laughed as he saw Killua glaring at him and demanding that he spin the spinner already instead of day dreaming. The former assassin was currently holding himself up backwards, his face turned up towards the ceiling as his arms and legs were evenly placed on the board below him. Because of this, Killua looked like he was forming a bridge, the silver-haired teen's back arching even more with the fact that Gon, who was actually right behind Killua, had just placed his left hand right below Killua's butt.
Finding the situation hilarious, Leorio just laughed a bit more, effectively pissing off Killua, before he spun for the flustered teen. Too bad for the young transmuter, though, because his next move only required that he moved his left leg out further to the side, which made it look like he was spreading his legs for the beast hunter.
Killua's face was beyond red by the time several turns had past; Gon had steadily crawled forward along the board, and Killua had steadily crawled down. It was now to the point that Gon was on top of Killua, their legs were entangled, and Leorio was pretty sure that their groins would be touching if Killua wasn't trying to shrink into the tarp without falling over.
"Y-You're doing this on purpose, are you!" The silver-haired teen shouted towards him in accusation, and Leorio just laughed harder.
"Nope, nope!" The older man chuckled giddily like a little child. "Faaate's just'a bitch!"
Killua let out a completely flustered expletive then, which practically had Leorio rolling. It was so rare to see the ex-assassin so flustered.
"Damn it!" The younger blacklist hunter shouted out in frustration before he finally had the courage to glare up at Gon (he had been avoiding eye contact the whole time). "You win, Gon! You win! Now get the hell off of me!"
Gon looked a little confused and hurt as he told Killua that he didn't want to win by default, but Killua heard none of it as he slinked out from beneath Gon and scurried away like a freaked out cat that had just gotten its tail trodden on.
"Okay, no more Twister," Killua breathed out heavily, a blush still dusting his cheeks as he tried to calm down and put on a strong air again, like he hadn't been affected by what had happened at all.
"How about we play another game?"
"What do you suggest?" Leorio heard Kurapika ask then over the unhappy whines of Gon, who just wanted to win a proper match of Twister. Just the sound of the Kurta's voice was enough for the young doctor to take another swig of wine. Why the hell did the other's voice sound so melodic and soothing?!
Before Leorio could think too much more on this, though, Killua answered Kurapika's question with a mischievous smirk.
"How about Truth or Dare?"
Leorio's eyes widened as the words met his ears. He let out a low whistle then when his brain finally seemed to understand what he had heard. Killua looked to be out to make some trouble, going by the look on his face.
"Hehehe, I'mm guessin' tha' look you're givin' issss fo me," Leorio glared challengingly back at the silver-haired teen. If it was a fight he wanted, it was a fight Killua was going to get. He wasn't one to back down. "Truth 'r Dare sounds pre'tty fun."
With Killua in the game, Gon was even more competitive than before, and he realized it himself. He knew only too well that he wasn't the smartest, so it was important to beat his friend in other categories as much as possible to stay useful to him. That was why the enhancer was so determined to win this game.
Kurapika and Killua were both worthy opponents, which made this round of Twister last pretty long, but, finally, the Kurta slipped and had to drop out. This only made Gon more determined than ever to win over his best friend. He needed to show Killua that he was still a worthy partner to him, even if he sometimes was a little slow to understand things or had to be told repeatedly.
When Leorio told him the next move, his command was pretty slurred. The young beast hunter giggled at the funny way the drunk doctor spoke. Had he sounded the same way yesterday when he had been tipsy? Wondering whether to ask Killua about it, he reached out his left hand, placing it under his friend who was in a pretty uncomfortable looking backwards bridge.
Now, Gon felt pretty good about this whole situation. With the position Killua was in, the beast hunter thought he had very good chances of beating him. As flexible as the former assassin was, the game had been going on pretty long already, and it was sapping his strength, Gon had to admit. With the taxing position the blacklist hunter had gotten himself into, this effect only worsened.
The next moves were in his favor then. While he was able to stay in a relatively comfortable position and only moved forward a bit, Killua had no chance to get out of his backwards bend. Instead, the other had no other way to move but underneath him. Even though their legs got entangled, his friend tried to keep the rest of them apart by staying low, which only put even more strain on his already taxing position.
Killua shouted at Leorio in a pretty flustered way, suddenly. Well, he really had some bad luck with his spins, Gon had to agree. At least the accusation seemed to give the doctor a good laugh. Gon looked wide-eyed at Killua the next second, though, when his friend got pretty expressive. It was very rare to hear his silver-haired friend use such words. But while Gon was a bit shocked and worried, Leorio was laughing giddily and rolling on the floor, which definitely had to be a side-effect of the alcohol.
For some reason Gon couldn't fathom for the life of him, Killua suddenly glared up at him, fuming and shouting that he had won, and demanding to get free. But, since his friend still held his position, he hadn't lost. So, why did Killua give up? Gon felt absolutely stumped.
"But...but you're still holding up! I want to win rightfully because I was the best. I don't want to win just because you gave up for no reason!" He whined, feeling robbed of his win and not really understanding why this was happening.
Killua never answered him, but scurried out from under him, and seemed to try to get as much distance between them as possible for the moment. This only confused the poor beast hunter more. He understood that he must have done something bad, but he had no idea what that might have been. He hadn't farted or anything! The beast hunter looked at the red-faced, panting transmuter and tried to understand what had happened. All he could come up with was that the position really had been too strenuous but that Killua didn't want the humiliation of actually falling on his butt, and had given up before his strength finally would have given out. Was that it? He looked pretty exhausted, at least.
As Gon pondered this, Killua declared that this was it for Twister. Another whine escaped the enhancer, but no one seemed to care. Even though he had outlasted both of his friends, it still didn't feel like a true victory, and he had wanted to win the game fair and square!
Kurapika asked what game Killua wanted to play next then. Of course his best friend brought up the Truth or Dare they had planned on a few seconds later. Gon wasn't too happy with the way that last round had turned out, but he kind of did understand that they had to start that game soon, or Leorio might be too drunk to really participate. Said doctor agreed easily, or as easy as his current state allowed. This was different for their Kurta friend, though.
"I think I'm gonna sit that one out. You already know my secrets," Kurapika said a little uneasy and waved his hand dismissively.
Gon just shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't have any secrets either, so I usually just choose 'Dare'," he told the blond hunter easily.
Killua was trying his hardest to keep himself together, but he could still remember the way Gon looked hovering over him, the way his legs had tangled with his. Just the very idea that Gon had been above him in such an intimate position was enough to have the silver-haired teen flustered for months, but Killua knew that he had to remain strong or else he'd never make it through the next few days and be able to help his two oldest friends with their love problems.
When he mentioned the Truth or Dare game then, and glared at Leorio mischievously, his drunken friend easily took the bait. Knowing that Gon would play the game regardless of the fit he was having over Twister, that meant that everyone was for playing the game except for Kurapika. It was up to the Kurta if they played the game or not.
To his misfortune, though, Kurapika didn't seem interested in playing, and said that he'd sit it out in an uneasy voice. Damn it, had his mischievous look from earlier scared Kurapika away from the game?!
Gon tried to convince their blond friend to just play the game and choose 'dare', but Kurapika seemed even more uncomfortable at the thought. Just what could they do now to make this thing work? He was certain that after he made Kurapika and Leorio kiss that those two would definitely have a better understanding for their own feelings, so it was paramount that they made this game happen!
Before Killua could get too worried, though, Leorio decided to speak up.
"What'ssss up wit' that, Kura…pika?" Leorio scoffed as he tried really hard to say the Kurta's name correctly. Apparently it was too long for his drunk brain to handle. "It'sss no' like you to-be scared."
The young doctor shakily stood up then and ambled his way over to the bed to sit down next to Kurapika and wrap his arm around the blond's shoulders in a friendly manner.
"You're theee bravest person I know," Leorio declared then as he shook the wine bottle in his hand for emphasis before he looked directly into the Kurta's eyes. "Come'on, the game isn't f'n if ya don't play wit' us."
Killua's proposal to play Truth or Dare was met with apprehension on the Kurta's side. If he was right, and the two boys were out to get Leorio and himself together, this game was dangerous. By the teasing way the silver-haired hunter got the doctor to join, Kurapika was even more convinced his suspicions were well founded.
No, this game really was too dangerous. Killua would surely try to ask him things that would make him confess to his feelings! Of course he could try to lie, but would he be able to be convincing enough before his friends? And what would happen if they demanded something...intimate for a dare? With the way Leorio had been acting, this game only spelled disaster. Kurapika decided he would wiggle his way out of this one and declined to play along.
Gon wasn't too happy with this, as was to be expected. His argument, though, was pretty unexpected, and definitely no solution for his own problem. Kurapika still felt very uneasy about the whole game and tried to counter the beast hunter's recommendation.
"But that defeats the purpose of the game, Gon. It's meant for your friends to find out things about you that you'd never tell them otherwise..."
Before the spiky-haired teen could answer to this revelation, Leorio drunkenly spoke up to scold him for trying to bail out. Didn't the idiot see the trap the two of them were being drawn into?! Obviously not. The drunken doctor staggered over to sit down next to him on the bed. Before Kurapika could find a way to get out off of it without being too suspicious about it, Leorio even put his arm around him. What was up with that? Not too long ago, Leorio seemed repulsed by being close to him, and now he was hugging him of his own accord?!
Next, Leorio declared him to be the bravest person he knew, which was surprising for him to say in front of Killua and even Gon. In this absurd situation, Kurapika wondered idly if Gon would whine that he wanted to be the bravest person. But any such thoughts just stopped as Leorio looked deep into his eyes to declare the game would just not be fun without him. Kurapika couldn't help the blush that dusted his cheeks then, and the faster pace his heart beat at.
It had to be the alcohol. Leorio surely wasn't himself at the moment, and didn't really mean what he was saying. Still, Kurapika looked into the slightly dilated chocolate-brown eyes and was lost. With the look the other man gave him, and the sweet words he offered in that warm voice, he just couldn't deny him.
"W-we can't have that, now, can we," he answered lamely as he was all too aware of the heat the taller man's body radiated, which he had to try keep himself from leaning against. "O-okay, I'll play, then."
Leorio's words seemed to have encouraged Kurapika, because the next thing Killua knew, the young Kurta was finally agreeing to play with them. The former assassin smiled triumphantly at that before he asked Gon to put away the Twister board so that they had room to sit down and play. His beast hunting friend whined some more, so Killua went over to help him fold up the tarp. It only took a few minutes but, when they were done, the silver-haired teen noticed how Leorio was still holding on to Kurapika, and was leaning against the other subconsciously as a means of drunken support while he sipped from his wine bottle. A blush was slowly starting to spread across the conjurer's cheeks.
"Alright you two, how about you come over here where we had the Twister board and sit in a circle with us…you know, unless you really want to cuddle or something?" Killua asked then, his voice slightly teasing.
Kurapika huffed at his choice of words, while Leorio just laughed good-naturedly as they both got up and came over to where Gon and him were standing. As soon as the four of them were together again, Killua sat down on the floor and motioned for the rest of his friends to sit down in a circle around him. Gon was sitting to his right, Kurapika to his left, and Leorio was directly across from him.
"Okay, guys, before we start, let me lay down the ground rules," Killua stated as he leaned back on his hands to get himself comfortable. "First off, anything goes. By this, I mean that we can make anybody do any sort of dare or tell any truth…but only as long as it's in the realm of our moral standards. For instance, we can't dare something extreme like killing someone or making someone have sex with a random passerby; crazy things like that, you know? The dares and the questions we ask have to be short and sweet and not break any of society's laws, alright?"
As the former assassin looked around at his friends to see if they understood, he got small, understanding nods from Gon and Kurapika, but Leorio was nodding his head enthusiastically before he took another swig of his wine. Killua had to wonder if the doctor had even listened to him.
"Alright," Killua continued then. "Besides that, here is the last rule I'm going to stipulate. If you choose one of the options, but decide to back out of it, you'll be forced to partake in the other option. For instance, if I picked 'dare' and Gon dared me to do something I thought was too embarrassing, I can choose to back out of the dare, but then I'd be forced to tell a truth instead. If I decide to back out of the truth as well, then there will be a heavy penalty…How about we make it a monetary penalty? A thousand Jennies for backing out twice."
"Arrre you insane?!" Leorio cried out angrily as he pointed a finger accusingly at the silver-haired teen. "Do ya' think we'rrre all made of mon'ay here?!"
"Well, then don't back out twice," Killua replied simply with a smirk as Leorio huffed in indignation, before he hiccuped and sipped at his wine once again. "Alright, as it looks like everyone's in favor of the rules, how about Kurapika starts out?" Killua suggested then after taking a quick glance at his friends for confirmation; his eyes settling on the Kurta last. "You seemed hesitant to play at first, so we'll give you a break and make you the one who starts. If you don't know the rules, just pick a random person and ask them 'truth' or 'dare', and then either ask them a question for 'truth' or dare them to do something for 'dare'. A round is completed once everyone has been asked a 'truth' or 'dare', so if you picked Gon first, then Gon has to either pick you, Leorio, or me. From there, if he chooses me, then I can only pick between you or Leorio, understand? We keep going until everyone's had a turn, and then we are free to choose whoever once again."
Even after Kurapika had agreed to play along, Leorio still held onto him. Not only that, but the doctor actually leaned against him as he sipped at his wine. Being this close to the other man made the Kurta feel all hot. He knew the sudden need to be close was just alcohol related, and Leorio would never act the same way sober, but that kind of only made it worse. On the one hand, though, this might be the only time Kurapika could be so close to the emitter, and, on the other hand, reprimanding the doctor for his shamelessly intimate behavior was stupid and uselessly when anyone could see he was drunk and just needed some support. All of this knowledge still couldn't keep the blush on the blond hunter's cheeks from turning darker in shade with every passing minute, though. Killua's little jibe about them cuddling didn't help matters much, either. Still, it served as a good reason to finally stand up and get away from drunk Leorio, at least a little. He didn't deem the younger blacklist hunter's teasing worth an answer except for a miffed huff. Actually, he wouldn't even know how to answer, and whether his voice would be as cool and firm as he wished if he tried. This was the better way by far.
The four of them sat down on the ground then, where the tarp for the twister game had been before. Even though he had hoped for a little more distance to the drunk doctor, said doctor ended up sitting down to his left. Kurapika took a deep breath and held it, trying to calm his mind. Nothing had changed. Even if Leorio's behavior had changed under the influence of the wine, it didn't change the reasons why this could never work out between them. Besides, falling for the drunk familiarity of the doctor would only break his heart once the other was sober.
Although Kurapika kind of knew the game, he still was taken aback when Killua explained the rules they would set for themselves. The examples his fellow blacklist hunter gave were so extreme, he never would have thought of them, but this only meant that anything below those extremes was possible. The Kurta already had his misgivings about letting Leorio sweet talk him into joining, but now he had more. The one redeeming quality going for this game, though, was the possibility to back out of one of the options. He should be able to get out if Killua tried to make him confess to having feelings for Leorio. Kurapika never suspected Gon of trying anything like that. He might have been going along with the schemes to get Leorio and him into these...situations, but he surely wasn't the mastermind behind the plans.
The stipulated penalty for backing out twice in a row was harsh, but actually not really something that could deter Kurapika if push came to shove. Money wasn't worth too much to him, and he didn't use too much of his own anyway. Still, choosing that option might be as obvious a declaration of his feelings as doing or saying whatever was asked of him.
That aside, though, Leorio obviously didn't react too well to the high price of the penalty, but Kurapika had to agree with Killua.
"You would only have to pay it if you backed out on both accounts, Leorio. I never knew you backing away from any dare before, so I'm pretty sure you should be safe."
Sometimes the doctor had very little pride and seemed embarrassed about next to nothing. Unbidden, a memory of their hunter exam came back to him where Leorio had to play the betting game against Leroute, and his shameless and extensive examination of her body under the pretense of determining whether she was male or female cost them the match. Kurapika's eyes flashed darkly at the recollection, and he huffed to himself. Over his brooding thoughts, he almost missed Killua naming him to be the first to start.
"Hm, alright," he answered with an affirmative nod after the other one explained the basic game play once more to make sure everyone knew.
It seemed like a nice gesture to let him start, but Kurapika had no idea what to ask or dare. There were quite a few things running through his head, but he had to pick very carefully. A wrong question would only make it easier for Killua to come out and try to ask or dare him things he definitely didn't want. Kurapika tried to go for the safe bet and chose Gon.
"Okay, truth or dare?" He asked.
To no one's surprise, Gon chose dare. Of course, a dare had to be embarrassing or kind of dangerous, and was best when it was fun for the rest. Since Kurapika knew Gon was a child of nature and not shy about his body, he knew what to choose so it wasn't too bad for the beast hunter, but still set a high enough bar for the first round of the game.
"I dare you to show all of us your bare butt," Kurapika commanded with a mischievous grin.
For a second, Gon was a little taken aback it seemed, but then he jumped to his feet.
"If that's what you want," he said easily and turned around.
A moment later his bare butt wiggled for everyone to see, causing fits of giggles in Leorio and Kurapika, too.
"Hahaha, it's a good thing I even bathed this morning! Hahahaha," Gon laughed and rubbed the back of his head, before he pulled up his underwear and shorts again.
Kurapika laughed, too then, "I don't think that was too much of a dare for you."
Gon shrugged his shoulders as he sat back down.
"Usually, Killua's dares are more physically trying, like chasing the prey from a predatory animal or something, but this was fun, too."
Only Gon's mentioning of the silver-haired teen made Kurapika look at Killua. Even though the younger blacklist hunter's eyes were hidden behind a curtain of bangs, there was still a soft blush on his cheeks. The Kurta was pretty surprised at this. After the boys had fallen from the bushes last night, he had thought they were together, but maybe things were not what they seemed.
"Killua! Truth or dare?" Gon shouted out excited then.
The flustered blacklist hunter quickly chose 'truth' in answer.
"Hmmm." The enhancer didn't seem too sure on what to ask and took a moment. "Killua? Have you ever been on a date and kissed a girl?"
Kurapika looked between the two boys. While Killua's eyes were still hidden behind his bangs, Gon still looked intensely at the other teen. Maybe the boys were not as far in their relationship as he had thought, but it was obvious there was something going on between the two, the Kurta thought.
Killua watched on as the game finally started. Kurapika had easily accepted the option of going first, and had decided on Gon as the first victim. Unsurprisingly, his spiky-haired friend chose 'dare'.
The silver-haired teen watched Kurapika then as the Kurta thought for a while on what to dare Gon. Killua was beyond surprised, and even a little bit startled, when his blond-friend dared Gon to show them his butt. What kind of dare was that?!
Unsurprisingly, again, Gon had no qualms in dropping his shorts and wiggling his butt for everyone to see. Killua couldn't make himself look away in time, so he got a very good show before he turned his eyes away in embarrassment; Leorio and Kurapika giggling in the background to Gon's antics. As the former assassin hid his eyes behind his bangs, a little sliver of anger and jealousy bubbled up inside him then. He was the only one who should see Gon like that…
Lost in his thoughts, Killua almost missed the fact that Gon had slipped his boxers and shorts back on and had chosen him to go next. Still feeling a bit flustered from all that had happened, Killua quickly stuttered out a 'T-Truth'. He didn't feel up to a dare at the moment.
Gon seemed a little unsure on what to ask him, but when he finally figured something out, it took the young transmuter by surprise again.
"Are you kidding me, Gon? I thought we went over this before," Killua mumbled out softly then, refusing to look at his friend, even though he felt the intense stare the other was giving him. In all truth, it was making him shiver a bit in excitement. "I've never had time to take a girl out on a date, or kiss one for that matter. I was trained as an assassin all of my childhood, and then, as soon as I left, I was either constantly around you, or I was traveling with Alluka. That was kind of a waste of a question."
Killua ignored whatever Gon commented on then in favor of looking straight ahead of him, directly onto a peaceful looking Leorio.
"Okay, Leorio, you're next," the silver-haired blacklist hunter proclaimed before he asked the doctor, "Truth or dare?"
The taller man seemed to think over the option for a little longer than necessary before he settled on 'Dare'. Right then, Killua knew that he had the opportunity to make the doctor kiss Kurapika, but he decided against it. There was a possibility that Kurapika would be freaked out after the kiss and leave the game, and Killua couldn't afford that when they had only just started. So, instead, he opted for a very easy dare for Leorio that would amuse everyone in the process.
"Alright, I dare you to stand up and dance!"
Leorio's eyes widened in slight surprise then before he laughed and struggled to his feet.
"That'sss eashy!" The doctor proclaimed as he finally got to his feet and wobbled in place for a bit before he shamelessly started to 'dance'. Everyone in the room started laughing hard as Leorio drunkenly danced for them, the emission user's motions completely ridiculous and uncoordinated.
"You even dance like an old man!" Killua laughed out hard then as he wrapped one of his arms around his stomach and pointed his free hand at the uncaring doctor, his earlier anger completely forgotten. He really wished he had brought something to record the moment with, because it definitely would have been good blackmail material.
Leorio laughed good-naturedly then, completely nonplussed by his friends' laughter as he sat back down and took another drink of his wine. Killua noticed that he was reaching the end of his bottle by that point. Only a quarter of the inebriating beverage remained.
"Alright, Leorio, you're next to pick," the former assassin reminded his drunk friend, as he seemed to completely forget in the next few moments that he was supposed to continue the game.
"…Oh!" The rookie hunter said in slight surprise as he glanced between his friends until his eyes fell on Kurapika. "You're de only one…I can pick…right?" He asked the Kurta slowly then, like he had to think a while before he could correctly form the right words.
Kurapika just nodded silently in return, his body noticeably stiffening in slight apprehension as Leorio continued to stare hard into his eyes. Killua noticed how the doctor's brows crinkled in deep thought before he asked, "Truthsss or dare," and the former assassin had to bite his tongue from laughing at the other's slur.
Surprisingly, even though Kurapika seemed to be in the same boat as Gon and more willing to choose 'Dare' over anything else, for Leorio, he actually chose 'Truth'.
Leorio's eyes never wavered from Kurapika's brown then as the doctor processed the answer and started thinking hard on what to ask their Kurta friend. Killua watched on as a look of slight confusion came onto the emission user's face then, before he cocked his head to the side in a quizzical fashion, his eyes narrowing in slight scrutiny as he continued to stare at Kurapika.
"Hey…h've you'ever…masturbated before?" Leorio asked then in complete seriousness, causing everyone in the room to stare at him in complete shock.
Gon had been a little stumped by Kurapika's dare, because he only ever played with Killua, and there had never been anything about nakedness. He wasn't shy about his body and had no qualms about showing off his naked butt, so the dare was still easy to fulfill despite the surprise.
When it was his turn to pick the next player, he settled on Killua, naturally. His friend chose truth, which kind of surprised Gon. He had no idea what to ask his best friend, since they shared so much that it felt like he knew all there was to know about him. But, suddenly, he thought of the Ferris Wheel and their kiss. He knew it was only a demonstration and all that, but something bothered him about it, although he wasn't quite too sure why that was so. For some reason, his friend had seemed to know what he was doing pretty well. Too well, in a way.
They had talked about it once before, but since then, there had been a short time when they had been apart. Had something changed for Killua in that time? For some reason, he couldn't quite fathom himself, Gon just had to know for sure. He asked Killua if he had been on a date and had kissed a girl. Somehow, this was important, although he had no idea why. Gon stared intently at his friend as he waited for the answer on bated breath.
Killua didn't look up as he responded, but his voice was soft and honest as he answered that he neither had dated nor kissed a girl; ever. Although the other told him the truth was wasted, Gon didn't feel the same way and said so. He actually felt very relieved. He had no idea why this was so, but it was good to know that his own first kiss was Killua's, too. Maybe that was just because he liked to share experiences with his friend, Gon tried to reason his feelings before himself.
He was torn from his thoughts in the funniest way then. Killua dared Leorio to dance for them. The tall and lanky doctor wasn't the most coordinated person he knew on a good day, but in his drunken state, the jerky, un-rhythmic movements were just hilarious. Gon had a good laugh along with his fellow onlookers.
Kurapika was the only one left then for the first round, so Leorio had to pick him. Unlike his advice, though, his blond friend actually chose Truth. It took the drunk doctor a while to think of a question to ask. When he did, though, Gon looked at Leorio wide-eyed.
It was interesting to see how relieved Gon seemed when Killua answered his question. Kurapika looked down to hide a small smile. Maybe his friends hadn't quite worked out everything between them yet, but they seemed to be on the right track.
A few moments later, a drunk Leorio was getting up from his place on the floor to try and dance. Whatever the doctor did, it looked nothing like dancing, but it was funny as hell to watch. Just like the rest of his friends, he laughed at the taller man's antics. Leorio's obliviousness to their reaction kind of made the situation even funnier.
When he sat back down, he just took another swig from his wine bottle, but didn't react until Killua prompted him to keep playing. Kurapika knew that he was up now. At least it was Leorio who had to choose him and not Killua. So, when his friend asked him, he answered with 'Truth'. Why he did that, he didn't quite know himself, but he was pretty sure Leorio wouldn't ask him about his feelings for him.
What the doctor did ask, though, was absolutely unexpected, for one, and kind of even more intimate! Kurapika looked absolutely shocked at the other man.
"W-what kind of question is that?!" He shouted out in a flustered way with a dark blush rushing to his cheeks.
Kurapika just couldn't believe the other had asked him something like that! How could he? His embarrassment was starting to grow to epic proportions when an innocent voice suddenly piped up.
"Hey...what's 'masturbate'?" Gon asked with a quizzical look.
It was the young beast hunter's innocent inquiry that calmed Kurapika down. The questions were supposed to be embarrassing, and the players were supposed to tell things about themselves they would never admit to under normal circumstances. On top of that, Leorio was drunk and his inhibitions were most likely down to zero, as was his judgment. He was too drunk to have some hidden agenda in asking such a personal question. These new thoughts helped calm the Kurta down some more. He looked at Gon then.
"It means to touch yourself to gain sexual gratification," he explained before he was aided by an absolutely exasperated Killua.
"It means jerking off!"
As calm as possible, Kurapika answered Leorio's question then.
"Yes, I have. Just like any other guy on this planet."
The Kurta kind of congratulated himself on his cool answer.
When it was Leorio's turn to ask the question for Kurapika's 'Truth', the young doctor found difficulty in figuring out what he wanted to ask. Dozens of half-formed questions flitted around his mind's eye then, the taller man wanting nothing more than to ask every one of them because he felt they were important, even though he didn't quite know the entirety of the questions he wanted to ask. With Kurapika, any answer he could get out of the Kurta was more important than anything else, and Leorio had never felt something like that before. There were many things he knew of his blond friend, but there were just as many things that he didn't know, and he yearned to learn them.
As the doctor stared intently at the black-list hunter, though, one question out of all the rest fully formed then. Leorio was staring at Kurapika, and his culturally significant clothes. Kurapika was always so refined, and had a majestic air about him, even when he was infuriated and ready to tear your throat out. This bit of information had always…intrigued Leorio. He always wondered if there was a different side to his friend. Sure, he had seen Kurapika in his vengeful state, but…there was something more that he wanted to see…Every man on the earth was universally the same when it came to a certain part of their characters, and Leorio actually wanted to know if Kurapika was similar to him in that respect, too.
So, with that thought in mind, Leorio asked Kurapika if he masturbated. It seemed like a really good question to ask, and the answer was something he really wanted to know for some unfathomable reason he couldn't quite understand at the moment. Kurapika, along with Gon and Killua, were surprised by his question, though, which threw Leorio off a bit. What were they so shocked about? He thought that he had asked a very sound question.
The confused emission user continued to stare at his blond friend then, ignoring his surprised friends in favor of taking in the round, feminine features of Kurapika's face, his beautiful brown eyes, his soft, delicate looking lips…
Leorio broke himself from his trance the next moment when Kurapika seemed to relax then, his eyes shining determinedly. The rookie hunter didn't understand how his Kurta friend had calmed down so easily, because he hadn't been paying attention, but he was glad all the same, because he finally got his answer.
The young doctor let out a light chuckle then as the Kurta's words met his ears, before he took another drink from his bottle of wine.
"That'sss good ta'know," Leorio slurred out then in slight relief. "Ya' seem so…ref'ned ya'know? I w'ndered if ya did normal thhhings…from time ta time. It'sss good ta know ya're normal 'n healthy."
It really was good to know that Kurapika was a normal young man underneath all of his anger and self-loathing…although it was hard to imagine the delicate looking Kurta actually enacting sexual pleasure onto his self…
…Actually, no it wasn't…
Leorio felt his face overheat then as an image of Kurapika touching himself came to mind. Not knowing what to do with himself then, the taller man chugged the rest of his wine. When he was done and gasping for breath, Killua decided to continue on with the game.
"Okay, now that the crazy old man over there is done trying to drown himself, how about we go on to round two?" The silver-haired hunter asked as his eyes rested on Kurapika again. "Lucky you, Kurapika, you get to start off another round for us."
After he had blurted out his question, Gon knew he had asked something stupid. There was a moment of silence and it felt like time was suspended somehow. For some reason, Kurapika's embarrassed self-consciousness subsided after his question. At least that was something good, right? The way he looked now was much more like his usual contained self, Gon decided.
Kurapika answered his question then, but with big words that didn't make things too clear for him. Maybe he should get a dictionary and learn every word in it? But that didn't help him in this moment in the least. It was Killua who blurted out the meaning in easy words he understood, then, and once he did understand, he looked at Leorio scandalized. That was a kind of question you really, really shouldn't ask!
Still, Kurapika answered. Gon was kind of intrigued by that. He had never thought about it too much. To him it felt natural to sometimes touch himself, but he also knew that it was something very private that you didn't talk about. Gon had never asked himself if others did it, too, but Kurapika's answer made sense in a way. If he felt the need, why shouldn't others? He wondered, though, why Kurapika made it a guy thing. Were girls different that way, then? Well, it didn't really matter anyway, since they were all guys here, and he was pretty sure that he shouldn't go and ask Biscuit about it. You really shouldn't ask someone a question like that, and he had a feeling Biscuit would react in a pretty painful way if anyone did nonetheless. Maybe, just maybe, he might ask Mito about it, when he went home again sometime.
For some reason Gon couldn't quite fathom, he found his gaze settling on Killua then. He only realized this fully when his eyes met with the shining sapphire orbs of his best friend. Surprise flashed in them before they hid again behind their damned shield of silver hair the next second. Gon really, really wished those bangs would be gone. He felt like he might have discovered something important if he had been able to look into those eyes just a little longer, but once again, those bangs interfered!
Killua told Kurapika that he was up then, and the Kurta didn't seem too happy about that. He took a long moment, looking at each of them, before he finally settled on Killua. When he asked him which he chose, truth or dare, his best friend chose the dare this time. Gon grinned, wondering what the other would get to do. He never expected the dare Kurapika uttered then.
"I dare you to cut off that ponytail of yours."
When the words were out, the young beast hunter looked shocked. He felt like he was responsible for what had happened. He had just wished Killua's hair to be gone (granted, the bangs only, mind you!), and now Kurapika dared him to cut it!
Wide eyed, Gon looked at Killua, holding his breath as he waited on his best friend's reaction. With the heat in this tropical climate, and after Killua had told him that he thought of cutting it anyway, the teen feared the worst. Even though his friend had said he would keep his hair long, this was the golden opportunity to go back on his word. The dare was a solid reason to do so, after all.
Gon felt the worst for wishing Killua's hair gone, and, if his friend decided to agree, he felt it was his own fault for putting his wish out there for the universe to answer it. Still, he couldn't help but beg his best friend with his biggest puppy-dog-eyes ever to back out of the dare and keep his beautiful hair!
Killua had been more than surprised by Leorio's question, but, at the same time, he was glad for it. He wasn't quite sure what the doctor's subconscious was trying to get through with his drunken actions, but there definitely was a possibility that the other was starting to accept his attraction to Kurapika. It was hard to tell for certain, though, because if the doctor was truly blushing out of embarrassment from his question or perverted thoughts, Killua would have to try to discern it through the drunken blush the taller man already had on his cheeks.
Before the former assassin could try and see if there was a difference concerning the blush on Leorio's face, though, Gon had to go and ask what masturbation was. Killua could feel his hairs stand on end as the word in itself left the beast hunter's lips. Just having Gon say the word was arousing…
Kurapika tried to explain to Gon then what the action was, but it only confused the spiky-haired teen more. Out of exasperation then, Killua just shouted out that it meant jerking off, and Gon was able to understand it just fine. A small blush of his own embarrassment dusted the silver-haired teen's cheeks then as Gon stared at Leorio in a scandalized fashion, undoubtedly disturbed the doctor actually asked the private question to begin with.
Killua didn't realize he was staring at his best friend then until Gon's eyes met his. In surprise, the young transmuter turned his gaze away and hid his eyes beneath his bangs. His heart was hammering in his chest from just having the split second look at Gon's honest, hazel depths. Damn it, he was acting like a school girl with a crush! Not only that, but he was starting to fantasize about Gon touching himself!
Trying to distract himself from everything else at that moment, Killua decided to continue on with the game then, so he asked Kurapika to start the second round. There was a long moment of silence then as the Kurta took in each of their faces, before his brown eyes settled onto him and the other asked him to pick 'Truth' or 'Dare'.
Killua felt the hairs on the back of his neck raise in apprehension as his blond friend stared at him with a calculating look. Not really sure what to expect, the former assassin chose 'Dare' since he found the option was the easiest route to take.
The silver-haired teen's eyes widened in shock the next second, though, when Kurapika asked him to cut off his ponytail. Under normal circumstances, Killua wouldn't have batted an eye at the dare, and would have gone through with it easily, but now, after he knew how much Gon liked his hair long, he wasn't sure if he could go through with the action.
Feeling Gon's gaze then, Killua chanced a glance over his friend's way to see the other staring at him with the biggest puppy-dog eyes he had ever managed. The former assassin quickly looked away from the sight, but the damage had already been dealt. Now there really was no way for him to go through with the dare.
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to go with truth instead," Killua mumbled out then as a light blush covered his cheeks, and he bowed his head to hide his eyes beneath his bangs again. Just knowing that Gon liked the way he looked was enough to push whatever doubts he had towards his hair away. Sure it was annoying to keep it long, especially during hot weather, but he'd deal with it if Gon liked it.
"Alright," Killua heard Kurapika utter then, his voice turning slightly suspicious as he asked his question instead, "was Gon actually sick two days ago during the night at the restaurant?"
Killua felt his heart leap into his throat from shock as the question registered in his ears. The former assassin's eyes had widened as well, but now they were narrowed into frustrated slits as he came to realize that Kurapika was on to him and Gon's actions. In all honesty, Killua had assumed that Kurapika would eventually catch onto their plans, but just knowing that the other actually was, was still very annoying! Not only that, but the young transmuter felt like he had just got outsmarted in a game of chess. He only had two options to choose in this scenario; admit to Gon not being sick that night and confirming Kurapika's suspicions, or back out of the question to keep the Kurta still guessing and face the wrath of Gon for spending so much of their money that he was keeping safe. Then again, though, if he still backed out of the question, that might raise Kurapika's suspicions even more as well…
Seeing as he didn't want to hear Gon bitch at him for something like that (he already got enough of that whenever he tried to buy sweets after a mission), and knowing that he couldn't avoid what was to come no matter what he decided to to, Killua admitted defeat and ground out an angry, "No" for the awaiting Kurta. The silver-haired teen saw understanding dawn in his blond friend's eyes then, which only infuriated Killua more. He hated being outsmarted like that…
…But there definitely was a way he could get back at the Kurta.
A devious smile lit up Killua's face then as he stared determinedly at Kurapika. Seeing as Leorio had already asked their conjuring friend such an intimate question, why not him? Of course, he was hoping more for an intimate gesture, but those two options were definitely enough to make Kurapika feel uncomfortable, and for Killua to get his justified payback.
"Alright, Kurapika, Truth or Dare?" Killua asked in a sickeningly sweet fashion. This was going to be soooo good!
It took a while for Kurapika to answer, but when he did, he chose 'Dare' in an apprehensive fashion.
"I dare you to kiss Leorio," Killua demanded with ease then, his devious smile widening when he saw Kurapika stare at him in complete shock. Out of the corners of his eyes, Killua could see Gon looking unfazed by the question, and Leorio, besides looking drunk, actually looked intrigued by the proposition. Oh yes, this was definitely going to be good! The younger black-list hunter could see that his senior counterpart looked about ready to turn down his dare, though, and Killua just couldn't have that. It looked like he'd have to scare and poke at Kurapika's pride in order to make sure that things went his way.
"I would suggest not backing out of the dare, Kurapika," Killua stated in a teasing, knowing fashion then. "If you do, you'll have a question waiting for you that's ten times more embarrassing to deal with. And if you decide to back out of both of the options, then you're just a chicken. I answered your question even though I didn't want to, so now you should show the same courtesy, or be a coward. It's your choice."
Kurapika's dare for Killua turned out to be much more informative than he ever could have guessed. He only had decided on it, because the other's long hair was an outstanding feature, and differed the most from the old Killua. The Kurta had banked on the teen taking the dare, it was just hair after all, and would grow back if he actually liked it more the way it was now.
What happened though was that Gon was the most shocked by the dare and seemed to beg Killua to back out of it. The fact that the former assassin did just that was proof to Kurapika that there was something more going on between the two boys than they liked to admit.
This left Kurapika with a truth to ask the younger hunter. It was time to put his suspicions to the test. Was he correct in his assumptions that Killua and Gon tried to get him together with Leorio? The conjurer thought it best to keep this suspicion from Leorio for the moment, though. The doctor might get the wrong ideas if he found out. That was why Kurapika picked a roundabout way to find out, and only asked whether Gon really was sick at the restaurant two days ago. In his intoxicated state, Leorio wasn't too likely to think through the implications of Killua's answer.
Even before he heard the silver-haired boy say the word, Kurapika had his answer. It was the plain frustration painted over the former assassin's face that spoke volumes. So, Killua actually tried to play matchmaker. But why? How did he come up with such an idea? Kurapika knew about Killua's intelligence, his observatory skills, and his inquisitive, fast mind, so it might very well be that the boy found out about his feelings for Leorio, but it was obvious that the doctor didn't...swing the same way. Didn't Killua understand that? If the other one didn't, then he needed to talk to him and explain, no matter how hard and embarrassing this would be for him.
What Kurapika had forgotten about in all his assumptions and schemes was Killua's immediate chance for retaliation, though. He felt very apprehensive when he saw the devious smile on the younger one's lips as he asked for 'Truth' or 'Dare'. The young Kurta knew that he had set his own trap, in a way. There were just too many possibilities for Killua to choose either way, but he had to pick his choice. No matter what he tried to think up and expect, he would have to wait and see how Killua chose to take his revenge. In the end, Kurapika decided on 'Dare', hoping to pick the lesser evil. He was wrong.
Pure and utter shock was written on the usually cool face of the Kurta. The other's revenge was worse than anything he could have suspected...or was it? A part of Kurapika actually felt excitement. Their first kiss had been pretty amazing, while it had lasted, but how would Leorio react to this? Kurapika turned to stare in new apprehension at the doctor. Either the other had not understood that the dare actually involved him, or he didn't care. Kurapika wasn't too sure which. As he tried to decide to rather chance a decision of truth, Killua made it pretty clear that this option wasn't an option at all.
The Kurta's eyes threw daggers at the transmuter then. The trap was pretty much perfect, and even backing out would be as good a confession as just pulling through. It was the only way to go, really, to just take the dare and play it as cool as humanly possible.
"Well, I...I'd say this dare isn't only up to me to take. If Leorio isn't adverse to the idea...?"
His words were barely out when the doctor shook his head and answered with a very happy, "Nnnnope!"
Kurapika's heart pounded so hard in his chest, that he felt like the other hunters must hear it. With Leorio's negative yet affirmative answer, there was no other way to get out of the situation without making it any worse. He knew only too well that Killua wouldn't allow for a fast, short peck on the lips to count. If he had to go through with this then he should better make the best of it, and try to enjoy it. It would be his last chance at kissing Leorio anyway.
Moving a little closer at first, he leaned into the other man. His hand moved for Leorio's neck, pulling the taller man down a bit. When his lips touched their counterparts, heat rushed through the Kurta's veins. His slightly parted lips moved softly against Leorio's. Before Kurapika could lose himself to the feeling and forget about the dare and the two boys watching them, he decided to end the kiss. Before he could, though, Leorio's strong hands pulled him back in, his tongue once more entering the Kurta's mouth.
There was a helpless groan that just too easily turned into a moan as the doctor's tongue roamed his mouth, filling it with the taste of the wine and Leorio himself. Kurapika felt himself lose grip on the reality of the situation. No matter how much he wanted this kiss, Leorio didn't know what he was doing, and there were two people watching them! This kiss was just wrong! With an immense effort, he pulled his last bit of strength of will together and pushed the doctor back.
The Kurta's eyes were slightly glazed over and he was panting as he licked a little stray saliva from his lips.
"I...I guess that should...satisfy your dare..." Kurapika panted, his voice unsteady.
The blond Kurta had no idea that there was a shining red rim surrounding his hazel eyes.