*Shades of Red*
by: WhiteGloves
Chapter 6
"Lovely apartment story continues its romance~"
*LeoPika Pairing/BL*
Leorio stumbled backward and almost lost his footing. His face was all flustered because of the sudden event that transpired between him and the blonde boy in front of him. He stared transfixed at Kurapika who was also gaping at him with big round eyes.
"O…oi…" Leorio breathed uncertainly with a sweat drop at the side of his face, "you… what did you just…?"
Kurapika opened his eyes to say something but no words came out of his mouth. He was much surprised by his own action—and much confused. He didn't know what came over him… but to suddenly do something as far as to kiss Leorio… Kurapika was lost for words.
"I—I'm sorry!" he blurted out, feeling his cheeks heating up, "t-that was—!"
The room door suddenly burst open and there came Mayu looking urgently at the doctor.
"Leorio!" she called, "Tobias is awake!"
Leorio turned to her as she disappeared from the doorway in a hurry. He then looked down at Kurapika who was still gaping at him, looking unsure.
Making up his mind, Leorio left in a hurry and closed the door after him, leaving Kurapika staring blankly at the closed door.
What the hell did I just do?
Kurapika felt his knees wobble and the next thing he fell down on his knees weakly. He stared at the floor for a few moments while reflecting on his action. He remembered how impulsively he kissed his roommate and felt his heart do a summersault.
Then the fact suddenly sunk in.
He kissed Leorio.
Kurapika swallowed hard and felt light headed.
He kissed Leorio!
The thought came rushing down his mind like an uncontrollable wave and the blonde boy had to raise a hand to his chest to clutch his heart. It felt like his heart was about to explode. He breathed shallowly and berated himself for his selfish action—yet, at the same time he couldn't help feeling relieved.
He kissed Leorio—that was all he could think of.
Then Kurapika's eyes widened again as he stared up at the door. How did Leorio feel about the kiss? He could remember the doctor gaping at him in disbelief… is it possible that he didn't like it?
And if he didn't like it… would it mean he, Kurapika, would have to leave his side?
Kurapika gazed at the door looking disheartened.
Meanwhile, the doctor was beside his patient and checking his heart beat using his stethoscope. Tobias was wide awake and was already sitting up while Leorio instruct him to breathe in and out. As he did this, he would scribble on his paper for reference and then would jab the stethoscope on another part of the old man's body.
After a few minutes he passed the paper to Mayu and removed the stethoscope on his ears. He then turned a visible frown on the old man and raised his eyebrows.
Tobias smiled at him sheepishly which irritated the doctor more.
"Now look here!" he said impatiently, "I've been telling you for a long time to quit skipping meals and drink coffee every hour of the day you've got! D'you really want to die that bad? You might not die of hypertension but I'm telling you you'll die on an empty stomach!"
"I understand already—don't be such a worrywart, young man—you'll get old!" Tobias chuckled with a good nature smile at Leorio who felt his nerves popping inside his brain.
"Why you little…" he muttered with eyebrows twitching and the next thing he was raising his hands to attack the old man who kept on laughing at him.
"Leorio! He's a patient—don't be mean!" Mayu entered the scene carrying a tray of glass and medicine beside it, "I brought you something to make you get better soon, Tobias,"
"Thank you, Mayu," Tobias shooed Leorio away as he entertained his nurse, "you're such a big help and very gentle too—unlike that old tall guy over there. No wonder he's such a grouch."
Mayu chuckled while Leorio walked toward the window with crossed arms.
"Old grouch, he says," he muttered to himself while rolling his eyes, "he looks a hell lot older than me but acts like a spoiled kid… geez…"
The doctor caught his own reflection on the window glass and saw darkness outside. He also noticed rain drops splattering the window continuously. That was when he remembered what happened between him and Kurapika which made him suddenly blink and turned brick red.
"Something the matter, Leorio?" Mayu called as she came near him moments later, "you suddenly became quiet?"
"Oh," Leorio mumbled, blinking again as he darted his eyes to her, then back to the window, "N-no… it's nothing… I just realized it's raining…"
Mayu looked over his shoulder towards the window.
"Yeah," she answered, "it's been raining for an hour now… by the way—did you see the medical kit? I think the bandages are there. Tristan cut himself this evening while trying to fix his guitar."
"Ah yeah, it's in my room…" Leorio stopped suddenly as he realized what he was saying. The nurse blinked at him and he had to press a forced smile, "I—I'll go take it."
Mayu blinked again as she watched the doctor walked slowly and hesitantly outside the clinic.
Leorio had to take a deep breath as he reached his room door. Inside it was Kurapika—his roommate, who suddenly kissed him in the spur of the moment. How the heck was he supposed to deal with that?
Leorio felt his knees wobble, but then he pulled himself together and stood straight. He had to deal with Kurapika's action sooner or later anyway—and had to give an appropriate answer.
He turned the doorknob and pushed the door open. Upon the first creak, Leorio found himself gulping.
"U-uh…" he mumbled as he peered inside and trying to sound casual, "I'm here to get the medical kit on the table… no need to pass it to me—I can manage!"
As he pushed the door wide open, Leorio blinked inside the room for it was empty. There was no sign of Kurapika anywhere. Leorio frowned as he looked inside.
"Kurapika?" he turned to the bathroom but found it empty, "Hey! Kurapika!"
He called but no one came. With a crease on his eyebrow, Leorio looked around toward the window. It was still pouring hard outside… it was not logical for Kurapika to go outside, right?
Then he remembered their kiss and Leorio's eyes widened.
"Don't tell me that idiot's outside again!" he hissed to himself as he raced toward the lobby. Mayu was about to enter the room and the two nearly collided if Leorio did not turn to avoid her.
"Leorio?" she called as she saw him jump down the stairs two at a time, "where are you going!?"
"I'm gonna look for Kurapika!" he shouted, "look after Tobias for awhile!"
Mayu blinked as she leaned on the railing of the stairs with a confused look on her eyes.
"Kurapika?" she muttered to herself, and then shouted—"but it's raining outside!"
There was no response from Leorio.
Meanwhile, up on the 5th floor, Tristan was muttering to himself. He was sitting in the middle of his room surrounded by piles of music sheets, instruments, plates, pillows and clothes all lying around. He was busily putting new string on his guitar with deep concentration he was sure no one can interrupt.
Just then, there was a knock on his door. Tristan looked up and wondered if Mayu still needed anything from him. Or maybe she was there to give him some helpings of the dinner she made?
Feeling suddenly hungry, the musician got up and headed toward the door. It was then to his surprise to find the young blonde boy standing on his doorway and dripping wet from head to toe. Tristan had to blink twice to make sure he wasn't seeing things.
Few minutes later, Tristan was busy again, but this time for looking at clean cups on his cabinet. It took him awhile to find a dusty one and had to wash it once to make sure it was clean. Then he poured some hot water into it and added some tea he found next to his sugar bowl.
"Here," he offered as he sat opposite Kurapika who was now sitting on the pile of music sheets with a towel on top of his head. He was wearing Tristan's t-shirt—and though it might be a bit wrinkled, at least it was clean and dry. His own clothes were on a basket where the musician seemed to keep his crumpled paper.
Tristan stared at the silent blonde boy with curious eyes and then started, "So you're telling me you went up the rooftop and stayed there blankly staring into the sky while it was raining?"
Kurapika gave a short nod as he clutched on the hot mug he was holding. Tristan pressed his lips closed and then put a troubled hand on the top of his head.
"Did you have a fight with the doctor?"
Kurapika's head raised a little but he remained silent. Tristan took it as a yes.
"Well… I'm not really good at this," he admitted after awhile, "I mean—Leorio can be a grouch sometimes and he has a bad temper but I don't think chucking you out of the room was like him… and I don't think he'd ever do that to you either, you're best friends right?"
Kurapika, whose head was still bowed, shook his head.
Tristan pressed his lips again as he stared at the boy.
"You can stay here as much as you like," he said after while as he stood up and headed on the pile of rugs, which appeared to be his clothes, and then shoved them all down the floor. "but if you're staying—then I might as well entertain you."
Kurapika then heard the first note from a playing keyboard. He looked up in time to see Tristan sitting down in front of a piano which ceased to exist awhile ago because of all the mess. But as Tristan sat there and played his first note—Kurapika felt something different. Then Tristan started playing the piano with all his heart and Kurapika was moved. The melody was mellow but strong—it was captivating and at the same time heart melting. It was as if all the confused cluster in his heart was being put un their right positions. As he played on, Kurapika thought he could see a different person sitting and playing the keyboard… it felt surreal that the man there was Tristan—their messy neighbor. Instead it looked as if he was the king of the throne—throne of a pianist.
By the time Tristan hit his last note, Kurapika was already back to normal. The musician glanced at him and there was an eye contact between the two. Then the two of them broke into a smile.
"Music is something that heals the soul," Tristan winked at the blonde boy as he stood up from the chair and dropped himself in front of Kurapika, "I may not be able to heal physical wounds, but I can always heal souls… it's one of the reasons why Leorio wanted me to stay here and I wanted to stay here too… it's because he believes the same way as I do."
Kurapika's eyes flickered in understanding and seconds later, a light smile started to spread across his face.
"I understand," he said after awhile, "thank you."
Tristan smiled back and then started, "So then what's wrong with you and the doctor?"
Kurapika blinked at the musician but was unable to answer. Tristan, for his part, took a deeper understanding and the next thing he put both hands on Kurapika's shoulder and started pulling the blonde boy close.
"Why?" he said as he puckered his lips, "did you two do this?"
He tried to kiss Kurapika but the blonde boy's hand was quick as it smacked directly to his face.
"Stop kidding around," Kurapika muttered with twitching eyebrows. Tristan chuckled as he pulled away from the blonde boy with a red palm mark across his face.
"Hahaha… I was just kidding. Anyway—I can tell it's something too personal so I won't force you to tell me. Like I told you before, you can stay here as long as you want… but don't you think that would make a certain doctor worry about your whereabouts?"
Kurapika blinked.
Tristan grinned.
Minutes later, the two is seen walking together down the stairs toward fourth floor with Kurapika carrying his damp clothes on his arms.
"Are you sure it's okay for me to borrow your clothes?" Kurapika asked the musician as he looked up at him.
"Sure, it's no problem," Tristan smiled easily as they turned and walked on the fourth floor lobby, "besides, I want to see Leorio's face when he sees you're wearing my clothes haha~"
"Huh?" Kurapika blinked up at the musician.
Just then, the two saw Mayu walking toward them and carrying a medical kit. When she noticed them, she stopped abruptly and blinked at the blonde boy.
"Kurapika?" she said, sounding confuse, "you're with Tristan?"
"Why do you sound so surprise?" Tristan found himself asking as she walked near them. Kurapika found her staring down at him with a troubled look.
"I was from the rooftop," he explained quietly, "then got my clothes drenched from the rain so Tristan let me borrow his clothes."
"I see… but then…" she continued frowning and Kurapika suddenly felt that something was wrong.
"Why? Is there any problem?"
"Well, Leorio suddenly came rushing out of your room shouting something about looking for you."
Kurapika's eyes widened. Tristan blinked.
"I think that was half an hour ago and he still hasn't come back yet," Mayu finished looking concerned.
"He came out?" Tristan voiced out as Kurapika stared past Mayu toward the hallway, "but isn't it raining—hey! Kurapika! Where are you going!?"
For Kurapika had suddenly sprung into action and was already racing downstairs toward the rainy night. He went pass the counter and heard Ethan call his name—but before Kurapika could even take his first step into the puddle ground—he saw Leorio standing outside the hotel with the rain pouring down on him; he was dripping wet from head to foot and was breathing hard as if he ran a marathon.
Kurapika felt his heart clenched tightly at the sight.
"LEORIO!" he called as he ran toward him and grabbed his arm. The doctor looked up at him and then blinked as if surprised at the appearance.
"You're here?" he breathed heavily as he stared blankly at the blonde boy. Kurapika pulled him under the shelter of the hotel where Tristan, Mayu and Ethan were all waiting. Upon seeing the drenching doctor, Mayu immediately ran upstairs to get some blanket.
"Why did you go outside?" Kurapika found himself angrily asking, "you know it's raining!"
"You idiot, it's because you weren't in the room!" Leorio said back with mouth twitching, "where the hell have you been?"
"What's happening?" Ethan asked blankly as he stared from the doctor to the blonde boy, "why are you two fighting?"
"I was here in this building the whole time," Kurapika answered as Mayu returned and dropped the blanket on Leorio's shoulder. The doctor opened his mouth to speak but Tristan came in defence of Kurapika.
"Hey, chill out, doc! He was in my room this whole time so there was no need to worry."
Tristan may have intended for his words to be for the best but it seemed to result in a backfire as Leorio stared at Tristan and Kurapika with a frown. Then he seemed to notice Kurapika's clothes and the crease on his eyebrows deepened further.
"I see," Leorio muttered after awhile as he pulled the blanket closer to his shoulders and Kurapika was surprised at how cold his voice was, "you should have said so."
And Leorio went past Kurapika and started walking away from them toward the stairway. Kurapika stared at his leaving back, feeling a sudden knot form in his chest. Somehow he felt that the feeling he had right after he kissed Leorio was much better than the tight feeling he was having now… all of a sudden he felt worst.
That was when Kurapika realized he didn't like Leorio leaving him behind and automatically followed the doctor.
Tristan, Mayu and Ethan stared at them.
"I guess it was really a pretty bad fight that was why Kurapika was at the rooftop in the middle of the rain," Tristan muttered with hands deep in his pockets, "maybe I should help them reconcile!"
He tried to take a step forward but Mayu's hand was already holding his collar back.
"H-hey!" he complained.
"You've helped more than enough," Mayu muttered with narrowed eyes, "don't disturb them and let them solve this on their own, you nosy musician. Instead—why don't you help me look after Tobias? He can do a lot of help from your music."
And the two started walking back toward the stairs.
"Is your guitar fixed?"
"No, not yet. How about a violin?"
"Sounds great."
And they all left, leaving Ethan staring at them all with round eyes. When everyone was gone, the boy narrowed his eyes, sighed and then shrugged his shoulder as he muttered to himself scathingly—
"Adults."
Kurapika waited outside the bathroom door as he listened to the shower. Leorio has been washing himself off for almost a quarter of a minute with the water showering him nonstop.
He was cold, Kurapika decided, completely the opposite of how they left each other just a couple of hours ago. He wondered if the doctor's actions had something to do with the fact that he went all around town in the middle of the rain just to look for him—or maybe it has something to do with going on Tristan's room. Whatever it was, Kurapika couldn't be sure. All he knows was that Leorio was avoiding any eye contact with him.
He didn't like that.
Moments later, the bathroom door opened and Leorio came out only wearing his pants on with a towel on top of his head. Kurapika frowned at the sight but instantly change his mind when he felt Leorio avoided his gaze. Instead, the doctor turned and went toward the table and rubbed his head to dry.
Silence fell between the two. Kurapika sighed quietly.
"I'm sorry I left the room without saying anything…" he started earnestly.
Leorio continued to dry his head as he muttered, "There's no need to explain…but yeah, even if you wanted to meet Tristan that badly you should have at least left a note… and here I was thinking you just suddenly ran away again…"
Kurapika raised his head up. "That's why I said sorry already."
Leorio grunted and dried his head quite roughly. Kurapika frowned at the man and then walked near him. He then tapped the doctor's arm and took the towel from him.
"Here," he offered as he gestured for Leorio to sit down. The doctor blinked, but then followed all the same. Kurapika sighed and started drying out Leorio's hair with a crease on his eyebrows.
"You shouldn't get out without an umbrella if it's raining. You'll catch a cold."
Leorio grunted again, "Like I can think of an umbrella when I was looking for reckless guy like you. If I had known you were with Tristan I wouldn't have bothered."
Kurapika's temper rose as he rubbed on Leorio's head quite hard.
"O-oww! Hey!"
The two glared at each other with their foreheads almost knocking each other.
"I said I'm sorry!" Kurapika raged on, "but will you stop being a child and stop putting Tristan's name in our conversation? You know there's nothing between us—if you're gonna be jealous about it why don't you just say so?"
"Who said I was jealous!?" Leorio stood up indignantly and towered over Kurapika, "To think I was even worried for you—!"
"—worried?"
The two eyed each other with a sudden pause.
"That's right—I was worried," Leorio found himself saying as he looked away, "you disappeared right you… I mean you accidentally kissed me—so I don't know what was running on your mind! Who knows if you suddenly want leave the island because you can't show your face to me?"
Kurapika blinked. Leorio scratched his head and cleared his throat with whole face reddening, "Anyway—it's not like I was thinking it was bad—all I'm saying is I still want you to stay here. I won't mock you or anything about the k-kiss… yeah."
He shot Kurapika a frown and continued, "So next time don't go running to Tristan! And that was right after you kissed me—how do you think would I feel?"
"What did you feel?" Kurapika went on slowly with a firm look in his eyes. Leorio stopped abruptly and stared at his friend, lost for words.
"T-that's none of your business! I don't mind the accidental kiss already so quit running to Tristan if you have any problem—I'm your roommate dammit!"
And the two continued glowering at each other.
"Fine," Kurapika said feeling rather fed up with all the emotions wanting to burst out of his heart. He was tired and weary from all of it circling and bothering his heart for the whole day and just then—he didn't mind letting them all out.
Leorio kept calling it accidental kiss—? Kurapika suddenly realized this man was an idiot who would not understand him no matter what he did—only brutal words would make the doctor pay attention to him alright, "just because you're an idiot I need to make myself plain so listen up—!"
Kurapika hesitated as he licked his lips and tried to find the power to confess. He had realized his own emotion when he was listening to Tristan playing the piano. Unlike hours ago, he wasn't so confused so he was sure of his feelings right then—the feelings he was about to tell his roommate.
Leorio's eyes rounded at the sudden attitude. Kurapika was looking too hard at him. The doctor continued blinking at him as if he had no idea of what was going on the blonde boy's mind and Kurapika was suddenly defeated. How can he express his feelings to this idiot?
"Leorio!" he stammered, "I… I—"
Leorio's eyes rounded. Kurapika swallowed.
He was actually about to confess—?
Kurapika turned scarlet at the idea and had to give up.
He wouldn't understand!
"F—forget it!" he snapped with clutched fists and whirled around to leave— but then—Kurapika felt Leorio's hand grabbed his wrist that made him look back at the doctor. He found Leorio looking at him fixedly and quite closely.
There was a sudden hint of seriousness in his eyes that made Kurapika stop.
"Oi," the doctor said quietly and with full attention, "what do you want to say?"
Kurapika's cornered~!
The Ending is Near~
*To Be Continued*
Thanks for Reading!