*Shades of Red*

by: WhiteGloves

Chapter 4

"The Lovely Apartment story continues~"

Thank you for turning another chapter :)

*LeoPika Pairing/BL*

Mayu invited the group to her room for dinner after a few minutes of preparation. By then Kurapika had resolved to deal with the man if he ever got the chance. He knew there'd be no threat to him whatsoever, but Leorio's, there's definitely one.

It was to his surprise when Tristan found his way to chat with him as walked toward the sixth floor.

"Are you worried about what happened? Don't worry about it—it's cause the doctor's got a bad reputation. He may not ask for payment—but he does take advantage you know? Especially if the patients are women!"

"Oi,"Leorio grumbled behind the two with narrowed eyes. Tristan grinned at him.

"Anyway, we don't get much new faces in this town," the musician was saying conversationally with a light smile on his face, "that's why if you're new, people will remember you."

"I see," Kurapika nodded as he looked around and saw a neat and cozy room with flowery wall papers and tidy surrounding, "no wonder people around the market were particularly nice to me."

"Ah, but that's different," Tristan smiled as he leaned closely to the blonde boy with a nice smile, "it's because you're very pretty. Have someone told you that before?"

Kurapika felt the same twinge in his spine and felt his eyebrows twitch nervously.

"Ahh… I kinda figure that one on my own…"

"Oho? Interesting? So how about we hit if off together?"

"Eh?" Kurapika found Tristan grinning good naturedly.

There was a sudden swat of hand hitting a head and the next thing Tristan was clutching his head in pain. Kurapika found Leorio behind the musician and the doctor looked pissed.

"I told you to quit that," he muttered with veins pounding at the side of his head, "damn molester. Go back to your hole already."

Kurapika stared at Leorio with round eyes. Then suddenly, the musician pulled Kurapika into a close hug and rubbed his face on the blonde boy's head. The proximity of their distance rendered Kurapika speechless and Leorio outraged.

"Oi—what're you doing!?"

"Come now, doc! I'm giving the new kid a warm welcome! What's wrong with that?"

Kurapika could feel the man's unshaven chin rubbing on the side of his cheek and felt all the hair in his body stand up. Leorio was pulling Tristan away from him with much effort.

"Disgusting musician!" he was bellowing, "let go!"

Tristan pulled closer. Kurapika snapped at being held so closely and gritted his teeth. The next thing, he stoop on the musician's foot and elbowed him quite strongly.

"Get off!"

Tristan yowled in pain and staggered on the floor but nobody paid him any attention. Even Mayu was looking at him in disgust as she set the table for her guests.

Minutes later they were all seated around the table and eating. Tristan was never invited on the table but was on it anyway. Kurapika had watched the musician in amusement and didn't know what to say about him either. He seemed carefree enough to do what he wants in his life and satisfied with what he has. What Kurapika couldn't understand however was the man's interest on him. He knew Tristan was flirting… or maybe he was just playing around like usual. But even so, as Kurapika ate quietly, it was interesting to know that Leorio was at least looking after him. The blonde boy looked on his right where Leorio was seated. He noticed Leorio was not touching his food at all.

"What's wrong?" he asked. Leorio looked at him with levelled eyes and then looked away.

"Never mind," the doctor mumbled and stared at his food. Kurapika blinked.

"Is your hand hurting?"

"With little wounds like this? You've gotta be kidding."

"Then eat. You didn't eat lunch too."

Leorio glanced at Kurapika for a moment, and then turned to his food again and started eating. Kurapika stared at the man oddly while Mayu watched him.

"Kurapika," she said that caught his attention. Kurapika glanced at her and saw that she was smiling. "How long do you plan to stay here?"

Tristan looked up with interest too and Kurapika found their sudden attention surprising.

"Well… I haven't actually decided… I have nowhere to return to…"

Mayu and Tristan blinked. Kurapika hesitated to tell them the real reason.

"He's staying with me as long as he wants," Leorio's voice floated at them, "I asked him to stay anyways."

Kurapika gave Leorio a side glance while Tristan leaned suddenly on the table with his unshaven chin.

"Then—if you're only looking for a place to stay—why not ditch the doctor and come live with me?"

"What are you talking about?" Mayu raised an eyebrow at the musician, "you can hardly clean your room and look after yourself and you plan to ask this kid to live with you? You're embarrassing yourself!"

"Really? But I think Kurapika wouldn't mind—?" he flashed a smile at the blonde boy's direction who at that time has his own eyebrows twitching.

"I mind very much," he said straight to the point while Mayu scolded Tristan.

"Idiot," Kurapika heard Leorio say and just had to look at the man. Leorio had ceases to touch his food again but was watching Tristan with contracted eyebrows, "Like that was even an option."

Kurapika stared at Leorio who was looking at Tristan and Mayu. He watched them with flicker on his eyes. The blonde boy noticed it.

"Are you jealous?" Kurapika asked simply. Leorio chuckled.

"What are you talking about?"

Kurapika took a good look at Mayu and Tristan. She was telling him off for being a freeloader and for eating with abnormal speed. She was also lecturing him about proper hygiene. Tristan was grinning at her and was bowing his head many times for an apology.

Leorio sighed after a moment and that's when Kurapika understood.

"You liar," he said so quietly so that only Leorio could hear, "She's not really your girlfriend, is she?"

Leorio mumbled something incoherent without looking at the blonde boy. Kurapika found himself so curious all of a sudden. It does make sense. Leorio was always eating with him and Mayu didn't seem to mind… she has never asked Leorio to eat with her. There was also the fact that she went after Tristan back then when he dashed out of the room… and just now she didn't even notice that he wasn't eating his food… even then…

But why did he have that uncomfortable feeling whenever she was around?

Kurapika lowered his fork and stared at the doctor. Leorio was still watching Mayu and Tristan.

"You like her, don't you?" he asked suddenly that even made him wonder if he really wanted a straight answer. The way Leorio was watching them was too meaningful.

"Does it look that way?" Leorio muttered with levelled eyes, "I guess..."

Kurapika was all confused. If it's true that she wasn't Leorio's girlfriend but insisted that she was would only mean one thing. That Leorio's love was one sided… and the real person that Mayu likes was…

Tristan's face suddenly popped in front of Kurapika that nearly sent the blonde boy's instincts to defend to heighten. The musician smiled at him brightly.

"Say, Kurapika," he was saying, "would you want to visit my room? You're welcome any time. I have a lot of stuff in there, maybe you'll find them interesting."

"You mean your junk?" Mayu raised an eyebrow as she pulled the musician back to his chair looking exasperated, "If you want people to even come and visit, why don't you clean your garbage?"

As the two bickered and Leorio sulked, Kurapika suddenly found himself at lost.

Shifting on Leorio's bed, Kurapika pondered on his thoughts that night. Something like relief came to him when he realized Mayu was not Leorio's girlfriend. He could not deny he felt a bit happy, although berating himself why, he could not exactly point a reason. He decided it was because he, himself, was jealous of the nurse. He did not admit if it was any romantic feeling for his friend, but he just knew he was jealous. Probably because he wanted Leorio's attention as a friend.

But it was much worse, Kurapika sighed on his pillow quietly. Leorio liked Mayu… a feeling that must've developed during those times that he was in difficulty. Those times when he was not around.

Still, Kurapika told himself, it was good enough to be beside him. He shifted again on the bed and looked at where Leorio was sleeping on the floor. The man was breathing unevenly again and the absence of his snores confirmed Kurapika's notion. The man was not asleep.

Kurapika didn't know the time when he fell asleep. He had been preoccupied in trying to wait for Leorio to fall in deep slumber himself, but the next thing the blonde boy knew it was already morning. Even with his eyes closed he could feel the sunray hitting the walls and someone moving around.

Kurapika opened his eyes.

He saw Leorio walking around the room with a towel on his head. He was naked.

In a flash we saw a boy jumping out of bed and a man screaming in pain. The whole apartment seems to awaken.

Leorio massaged his back painfully and looked at Kurapika murderously. He was not on full clothing now while the boy stood behind him with his back at the man.

"You little…" Leorio cursed looking grumpy as he arched his back and felt his spine crack, "are you trying to kill me!?"

Kurapika has his eyes shut close with eyebrows twitching in annoyance.

"That's why you should not walk around the room in vulgarity!" he snapped, still feeling mad with his whole face flustered, "at least try to remember you're sharing a room with someone who doesn't like to be disturbed by appearance like that!"

"Geez!" Leorio muttered as he looked away, "you're the worse one thinking of weird things!"

Kurapika's eyebrow twitched even more. Leorio stood up from his chair and headed toward the doorway, still muttering curses.

"I'll really attack you next time… you'll see…"

He shut the door behind him and Kurapika sighed.

After breakfast, Leorio said he'll stay inside the clinic while Kurapika took his time reading his books. He had wanted to explore the town more but lacking of the doctor's acquaintance made it uninviting. So sitting near the window with crossed legs, the blonde boy read on.

Moments later, Leorio came in looking disgruntled. The two eyed each other and there was a clash. Then the doctor went in and took something from the near cabinet.

Kurapika sighed and closed his book. He walked straight behind the doctor and tugged on his elbow.

"What?" Leorio looked moody that made Kurapika's eyebrows twitch. He then pointed at the wall clock that read eleven past four and the two looked at each other again.

They found themselves yet again in the local restaurant for lunch.

By this time Kurapika was already acquainted with the waitress and had no problem ordering for himself and Leorio. Leorio was still muttering about how he can be taken as suspicious when he was just changing his clothes.

Kurapika pressed his lips closed and wondered if his actions were too much.

That was when he noticed eyes boring on him. Kurapika looked around and saw the people eating in the diner looking on his way. They smiled when he looked. Kurapika blinked curiously.

"Geez…why's everyone looking at you?" Leorio muttered after a moment, making Kurapika look up at him, "you'd think they don't have anything else better to do?"

"Why are you so grumpy?" Kurapika asked, "they're just looking anyway… don't mind them."

Leorio snorted, "Look at them all… are you really that good to look at?"

He glanced at Kurapika who blinked at him innocently. It took Leorio only one look before he averted his eyes from the blond boy looking uncertain himself. Kurapika was surprise by the sudden reaction.

"What's wrong?" he asked curiously, "is there something on my face?"

"You really need to worry about your face," Leorio mumbled and then stood up with hands on his pocket. Kurapika watched as the doctor walked away looking disgruntled.

"Hey," he called, not sure what just happened, "Leorio!"

Kurapika was about to follow, but then he found himself surrounded by a lot of people. The blonde boy blinked in surprise as everyone crowded round him.

"Ahh…" he blurted out, not knowing what to do next as they spoke all together—

"You're the new kid!"

"Nice to see you around!"

"Amazing—tell me how you take care of your skin!"

Kurapika felt himself getting hot in the cheeks for all the sudden attention. He looked from left to right but there seemed no escape so he sighed. But the next thing he knew, Leorio was already among the crowd with his disgruntled look.

"Come on!" he told them flatly and then grabbed Kurapika by the hand, "out of the way, go mind your business!"

Kurapika found himself being dragged by Leorio out of the diner. The doctor neglected the crowd's whispers but manhandled his friend. Kurapika didn't protest but just watched as Leorio walked ahead of him with firm grip on his hands.

"These people," Leorio was muttering looking pissed, "crowding around a new face—are they from the mountains or something? Geez…"

"Is that okay?" Kurapika found himself asking, "they might think badly of us…?"

"Hn?" Leorio glared at Kurapika then snapped, "who cares?"

Halfway back to their apartment, Leorio stopped and Kurapika pulled his hand back. Leorio rolled his eyes at the blonde boy as if blaming him for not having a proper breakfast again.

"That's why I told you to worry about your face!" he told the blonde boy flatly.

"It's not like I can get rid of my face," Kurapika found himself arguing back. "I can't help looking good."

"There we go again with the confidence!"

"You just want to argue with me, don't you?"

Leorio raised his eyebrows in heaven and the two eyed each other. There was a sudden flicker on Leorio's eyes that made him grunt and then swore loudly. Then Kurapika watched as the man turned his back at him and walked away.

Kurapika sighed feeling tired. He didn't know what was going on Leorio's mind, but his constant charge at him was making the blond boy uncomfortable. That was when Kurapika felt somebody was watching him.

The blonde boy straightened up and felt his surroundings. Then his eyes narrowed as he confirmed it.

Somebody was watching his back. Kurapika just stood there, waiting.

"Leorio!" Kurapika suddenly heard someone calling from above. The blonde boy looked up and saw from their apartment building on the fourth floor, Mayu was waving for the attention of the doctor who was already near the entrance. "Come up quick!"

Kurapika watched as Leorio dash away quickly. There must be a patient, Kurapika thought. With eyes on his side to the shadow that was lingering behind him, Kurapika decided to follow Leorio.

He had just reached the entrance when he noticed Ethan fumbling on some papers in front of the counter. The boy looked in a hurry.

"What's the matter?" he asked, stopping by to check on the boy. Ethan looked up briefly and then went back on the papers at hand.

"It's Tobias-san," the boy answered, "he's having a seizure again."

"Seizure?" Kurapika looked up to the ceiling to the second floor. Tobias was the name of the painter that lives up there. "What's wrong with him?"

"His heart is weak," Ethan said nervously, "I'm checking his records to contact his family, the doctor said so."

Kurapika's eyes widened and wondered if the painter, whom he has never actually met was already fading. Deciding to check the clinic, Kurapika started to move, but then saw Mayu dashing from the opposite direction in a hurry.

"Mayu-nee!" Ethan called as Mayu ran pass them. She glanced at them briefly and shouted—

"I need to get the medicine on the port! It arrives today—"

And then she was gone. Then seconds later, Tristan appeared running from the stairs too.

"Did Mayu—?" he asked them with a short pause.

"Yeah, she's heading for the port," Kurapika supplied, finding his appearance suddenly surprising. Tristan nodded and then ran after the nurse without another word.

"He's gotta look after her," Ethan said meaningfully that caught Kurapika's attention.

"Why?"

"Because Kai's out there."

Kurapika's eyes rounded.

"What do you mean?"

The boy looked at Kurapika with a troubled look, and then turned to the papers in his hand.

"It's because Anchan died. His girlfriend… I think that was last year. And then he went berserk and attacked the doc. That was a scary night."

Kurapika stared at Ethan who continued while turning the pages of the papers, "He swore he'll get even with the doc… then there was a rumor that Mayu-nee was the doc's girlfriend. I really think she was. Then Kai attacked Mayu-nee too… it's like he's trying to get even with the doc by harming his girlfriend… that's why I heard people say the doc and Mayu-nee broke up… because doc felt guilty and didn't want to bring her in any more danger…I think that's why the doc never had a girlfriend."

A trickle of sweat slid down the side of Kurapika's face.

He remembered only too well how Leorio was watching Mayu and Tristan… his eyes were meaningful. Was it because something like that had happened? Kurapika found himself lost for words again.

He climbed up the fourth floor after the conversation with Ethan and headed for the clinic. The room was quiet. Kurapika feared the worse.

Pushing the door open slowly, he looked around the room. He found Leorio seated next to the bed, where a man was lying with a cover on his face. Kurapika tried not to gasp at the sight. Leorio was quiet on his chair. Kurapika bit his lip and braced himself as he slowly walked toward the doctor…

"Leorio…" he said softly as he stood behind the man. Leorio's shoulders were down and he didn't answer. Then, before Kurapika knew what he was doing, he had slid both his arms around the doctor's neck and was embracing him from behind.

"Kurapika…?" Leorio whispered in surprise.

Kurapika didn't know how to feel by then but he knew Leorio was sad. He didn't want him to feel sad alone so with all his might, he pulled him close.

"Leorio…" he whispered with lips trembling. The doctor blinked at the boy and then tried to peer on his face. Then he asked a question that threw the boy off.

"Oi, what are you doing?" the doctor asked sounding stumped. Kurapika blinked at his tone and then immediately pulled himself away. It was to his utter shock when the doctor turned at him with round eyes. "Kurapika?"

"B-but…" the blonde boy stammered as he pointed at the dead man lying on the bed. That was when he noticed the slight movement of the cover on the face. It was the movement of the man's breath. Kurapika froze as he realized the man was breathing.

"What the hell… he's not dead?" he muttered as Leorio looked at where he was looking and then laughed.

"Oh, you mean this? I only put it on this jerk's face to see what he would look like once he's finished. I kept telling him to stop drinking coffee but he wouldn't listen so I'm kinda preparing myself—but don't worry, he's still alive."

And Kurapika watched as Leorio took the cover out of the man's face. The man slept on like a dead man anyway but Kurapika didn't find it humorous.

"Are you out of your mind!?" he shot at the doctor as he shook in anger, "how could you put that cover on his face you idiot!?"

Leorio smiled airily, "Now now, I was just playing haha… but then…"

Kurapika saw Leorio look at him with a meaningful glee behind his eyes. He then grinned with eyebrows raised. Kurapika found Leorio's grin unnerving as he took a few steps backwards.

"What you just did then…" Leorio continued with a smirk, "you were particularly very sympathetic…"

Kurapika gulped as Leorio eyed him creepily. Yes, he was beginning to feel the creeps. Leorio stepped toward him and he stepped back. That was when his back hit the window.

The door of the clinic room suddenly opened and in came Mayu and Tristan carrying a bag. Leorio turned to them abruptly and then checked the bag's contents. Kurapika found himself sighing in relief.

"How is he?" he heard Mayu's concerned voice.

"He's fine, just knocked out," Leorio answered as he read the labels, "that idiot's gonna kill himself if he doesn't start paying attention."

Kurapika suddenly blinked and looked at the window. He saw the same man standing there and watching him. Kurapika found it bothersome.

"Hey, Kurapika?" Tristan went over to him and peered at him closely, "you okay? You look pale?"

"I- I'm fine," Kurapika blurted and then headed out of the room. He recognized that man just then… and he was going to put a stop to him. He looked back at Leorio when he reached the door to find the man busy with the medicines. Eyeing Leorio, Kurapika left without a word.

He immediately descended the stair case and went pass Ethan without looking. He ran outside and looked at the spot where Kai had been. The guy was nowhere now. Straightening up and walking slowly around, Kurapika tried to feel any of the man's presence.

Sure enough he felt him. Kurapika stood still as he felt the man approaching him from behind. Feigning ignorance, Kurapika waited. That was when he felt a point of a blade on his side. Kurapika's eyes glinted.

"Don't make any move," the man behind him whispered as he pressed the knife on his back, "now follow what I'm gonna tell you…"

Kurapika calmly followed the man's orders with one idea in mind. It was better to deal with a wild man like him somewhere where not many people would see them. That was his plan all along.

So pretending to follow, he allowed the man to stir him.

"Kurapika?" Ethan blinked as he saw Kurapika on the street with a man. Then the boy's eyes rounded as he recognized the person behind the blonde boy. "Ahh!"

In a flash, the panicking Ethan was on his way upstairs.

*Leorio looks like he's having fun, huh?*

*To Be Continued*

Thanks for Reading!