*Shades of Red*
by: WhiteGloves
Chapter 10
*LeoPika Pairing/BL*
Thank you for reading this till the end!
Till the next story!
Step One: Red Eyes
"Call me Leorio-SAN!" cried Leorio's angry voice.
"Leorio." The blonde boy with fierce eyes repeated unfazed.
And the two stared at each other with blades on their eyes. Both were so angry that it was mounting up the pressure of their atmosphere. Nobody wanted to back down. Both were determined to stand in the way of the other.
It was their first meeting.
It was the first time they acknowledged each other's existence.
And it was also their inevitable fate.
Flashes of memory since he met Leorio in the hunter's exam filled Kurapika's head as he ran head on toward the village in the empty street of the town.
He remembered their battle underground with the prisoners and how Leorio sacrificed their points just to touch that girl. The blonde boy suddenly felt sour. He didn't feel that way before but as he thought about it now—that Leorio's stupid action was not as insignificant to him as he thought. Then the exam in that broken ship which they needed to manipulate against the thunderstorm with the other hunters. And hearing Hanzo telling him there was no way to save Leorio under the sea…
Kurapika felt cold.
He didn't want to remember that terrifying night. But then—that wasn't the only time the man's life was placed in jeopardy. Wasn't Leorio also a victim to the poisonous snakes placed inside the cave during their manhunt?
Kurapika would have laughed. Killua would have if he was there. There had been plenty of threat to Leorio's life whose only weapon was his determination in the hunter's exam and his luck that brought him through everything. No ordinary person could go through that without losing their mind!
Surely this threat to his life will pass by like the others?
The blonde boy continued running.
He didn't realize how attached he had become to Leorio since the beginning of the exam by always coming to his aid. He didn't realize that by always coming to his side during those times would make him care. Wasn't he someone who was only after revenge?
But things were different with Leorio beside him.
I want to see him…
And Kurapika felt his longing grew even stronger.
Leorio…
Kurapika took his last step on the road that was leading downtown and stood there in the middle surveying everyone. The moment his shadow was seen and recognized, people around the village paused and pointed at him in aghast.
"It's that boy!"
"What's he doing here!?"
"Hide the children!"
"Call them! Hurry!"
"Don't let your guard down!"
Kurapika stared at the people. These were the same people that welcomed him in the village not so long ago. The people who smiled and greeted him warmly every morning… the nice folks who accepted him… suddenly turned into people with fear and doubt against him.
They were fine to know him… but not the whole him.
And Kurapika felt a tinge of ache in his heart as he closed his fists.
The outside world… is cruel…
"Oi!" shouted the meat vendor Kurapika had always been in good terms with before, "what are you still doing here in our town!? Leave immediately or we'll kill you!"
Kurapika's eyes widened in dismay as the man took a knife from his side. These innocent people were willing to do a severe action like killing someone because of him? They were turning into bottle humans because of him. The blonde boy felt himself shrunk a little and had to bit his lower lip.
"Please listen," Kurapika started as he looked up finally, "I'm not what you think I am… but I am not a demon…"
The people around looked at each other while murmurs went around. Kurapika continued with more determination.
"I am not your enemy," he started, feeling his stomach clenching, "and I am not here to hurt anyone so there's no need to fear me…that's why I'm asking everyone to listen…"
"What about your eyes then?" shouted a woman that the blonde boy recognized to be the woman always hanging clothes above the buildings, "deceiving us with that green…. But your eyes turn red in the evening!"
"Yeah!"
"Not a demon then!?"
"That's not it!" Kurapika cried with his mind racing. Should he tell them about his tribe? Should he tell them about the massacre of everyone in his family because of their red eyes? Truth be told, there were numerous times that he has blamed his cursed eyes of the accident. But somehow he couldn't completely get himself to get angry with his own eyes because for him it was still sacred—for him, his red eyes were the symbol of his life. So how can this people understand what he has been through outside this village when they know nothing about it?
"Oi!" shouted the meat vendor, "you say you're not a demon then what are you!? If those red eyes are not from the demon then just what the hell are you!? Speak!"
The blonde boy hid his eyes under his blonde hair.
It was not right.
He didn't want to tell them about it after all. His secret was sacred. His eyes were his.
The pride in Kurapika's chest was making his lips sealed about his secret.
But then— this wasn't about him, right? This was not about his pride but about staying with that important person…
Kurapika thought about it very hard and then felt his fists loosening.
And just like that, the blonde boy remembered the reason why he was there. It was because of that person who was waiting for him back in the apartment. He needed to do something in order to stay close to him…
Even if it meant disclosing himself to others—for that person.
I want to see him, he thought biting his trembling lips, I want to see him again…
"I…" Kurapika started again, his eyes flickering, "I am…"
He hesitated.
"Leave!" shouted someone, throwing a stone in his direction and though he can avoid it, Kurapika decided not to.
Maybe the pain will wake me from my fear…
Then it happened in midair. The stone was blocked—but not by Kurapika. It was met by another stone thrown somewhere from behind the blind boy and it flew on the opposite direction with a loud 'tick'.
"What was that?" hissed someone and they all looked passed the blonde boy. Kurapika looked at them and then found the town's people all staring struck at the stone that hit the wall, and then at the person standing a few meters behind him.
Everybody gasped.
"Hey," said a deep voice so familiar to the blonde boy that made him froze for a second, "what are you guys doing ganging up on my friend like that?"
Kurapika felt his heart skipped a beat as his ears recognized the voice. But it can't be—his mind argued—that person was badly injured… it's impossible for him to just appear…
Slowly, Kurapika looked behind him.
A tall man with unruly spiky black hair, wearing his white polo shirt with its buttons open was standing in the middle of the street. He was standing there, erect, as if nothing was wrong with his body even though large strips of bandages around his muscular body. The man was catching and tossing a stone lightly on his right hand while his left was in his pants' pocket. He was surveying everyone with the look that told Kurapika he was not in good mood.
"L-Leorio…" the boy murmured, his body turning toward the man, "w-why are you…?"
Leorio looked at him straight in the eye and Kurapika felt his knees give away.
He's here… he thought with eyes glistening, he's alive!
Then automatically, his body turned toward the man into a fast run with his mind going slowly blank. In the next heartbeat, Kurapika had wrapped his arms around Leorio's body with a tight grip on his backside.
"H-hey…." He heard Leorio whisper uncertainly, his voice gentle, "are you alright?"
But Kurapika won't budge as he buried his face on the man's chest. He won't even loosen his grip on the doctor's back. Leorio stared at the blonde boy with a slight frown, before turning to the townspeople.
They were all staring at the two of them with gapes and mouths hanging open.
Behind Leorio, appeared Tristan and Mayu both looking out of breath.
"Damn that guy!" Tristan whispered with a painful side, "jumping out of bed and pulling out the cords… we thought he was done for…"
"He…he's so stubborn…" Mayu whispered back with wide eyes, "it's almost impossible to believe…"
"Was he really just patched up and immobile awhile ago?" the musician stood straight a little, "And what was that medicine he took just then…?"
Mayu swallowed hard with eyes flickering worriedly.
Leorio took the blonde boy in his arms and shot everyone a look.
"Stop torturing my friend," the doctor said so quietly with eyes so cold that kept the people staring, "I won't forgive you."
"B-But Leorio-san!" injected the meat vendor with a slight difference in his voice as he pointed a finger at Kurapika,"t-that demo—that boy!" Leorio's mood darkened even more and the vendor gulped before continuing, "you can't deny it to us, Leorio-san! That boy is not normal! His eyes turn red like a demon!"
Everybody noticed the increase of frown on Leorio's face but they were also aware that he was becoming pale. The others looked at one another worriedly, before shouting altogether again—
"Are you siding with him?"
"Maybe he's already under that boy's spell!"
"What do we do!?"
"Shut your trap!" the doctor shouted with gritted teeth, and Kurapika felt the man's body shake in anger. "He's been here for months and he treated you all nicely! Wasn't that enough for all of you!?"
"But he was deceiving us!" someone barked, "he's a demon!"
"Don't say—!" Leorio countered with eyes sparking—
Kurapika clenched his hands and then slowly pried his face away from Leorio's comfortable chest.
"It's no use," the blonde boy whispered as he put his palms on Leorio's chest, "let me tell them… Leorio…"
Leorio looked down at Kurapika and then closed his lips for a moment. The two eyed each other and Kurapika's eyes turned the shades of red once more. Leorio stared at him, and then closed his eyes.
"You idiot," he whispered, putting his hand at the back of the blonde boy's head and pulling him back to his chest as if to hide him from everyone, "you think I'll just let them into our little secret?"
Kurapika's eyes widened as his face was buried again.
Leorio?
"This is our secret, Kurapika," the doctor continued to whisper as he looked up, "I'm not willing to share this to anyone outside our world… let them misunderstand…"
"Leorio-san!" shouted another man from the crowd.
Leorio's face grew grim.
"If it's the red eyes you're wondering about… then…"
There were audible gasps of horror and astonishment.
"W-what!?"
"No way!"
"L-Leorio-san's eyes… turned bloody red!"
Kurapika nearly shot his eyes open as he heard this; he then pulled away from Leorio just in time to see the man's eyes purely turn the color of red. Kurapika gaped up at him with questions and confusion in his own eyes.
"Leorio?!" he hissed in disbelief.
"W-what's the meaning of this?" the townspeople were too dumbfounded as well.
"Leorio-san… that can't be true…"
"No… no way!"
Kurapika saw Leorio's jaw set and felt the man's body tense.
What?
"You guys really don't get it," the man said after awhile, "demon, my ass. Stop believing in those old myths when our world's already being ruled by science. Don't get fooled. The event of these eyes turning red is very common outside the world… you don't even need powers to turn them. You just need this—
And Leorio threw something on the floor from his pocket. A small bottle container rolled on the floor with red substance inside it. Everyone including Kurapika, whose eyes have turned green again, looked at it.
Leorio, with his face grim and his eyes red, continued to explain,
"This substance has many roles in medicine both good and bad. It is used as sterilizer at some and cure against the deadliest diseases in the world. It is also an ingredient to prohibited drugs that allows your body to boost itself in power physically but with great side effects if use inappropriately… a medicine so strong it can actually poison if taken too much… one dose can affect the functions of your system and it may even attack the weakest parts of the body… most especially the eyes…"
Leorio paused and Kurapika could feel it… the man was hiding something more. The people around stared at the bottle, and then up at the doctor who was glaring at them all with his usual steadiness. And Leorio's eyes sparked red again.
"The colors of our eyes may change depending on the dose of this medicine… if you don't believe me then try it on your own and see if I'm lying."
Kurapika listened well and with his own knowledge when it comes to medicine, what Leorio has said was just possible. But the blonde boy couldn't help feeling worried of that nagging feeling at the back of his mind.
"Leorio..." he said sounding angry, "what have you done?"
Leorio smiled down at him.
"It's alright, don't worry."
Kurapika was about to protest but Leorio hushed him.
Around them, the people showed hesitations to move.
"Medicine such as this…" muttered someone, "that's ridiculous…"
Leorio's eyes glinted.
"If you want to try it then go ahead, but as your doctor, it's not something I would prescribed to everyone."
Silence greeted his words as Leorio's eyes continued to redden even more. After awhile, the people around started looking at each other uncertainly and then at Kurapika and Leorio.
In this brief pause, Kurapika had looked up at the man again with a frown on his face. He tugged on Leorio's polo and the man looked down at him with a questioned look.
Both the red eyes met but Kurapika didn't like what he saw there.
"Leorio-san…" a whisper started at the crowd and the two looked up in time to see the villagers exchanging worried looks with each other.
Then apologies started to come.
Kurapika felt relief wash over his body, but just as he was about to feel that everything was back to normal, he felt the pressure of Leorio's hand on his shoulder. He looked at the man and saw that Leorio was sweating.
Leorio?
Step Two: Together
"Lie down," he ordered to the man firmly the moment they were safely back at the clinic with his emotions boiling, "running around like that in your condition… do you really have a death wish, you fool!? And you call yourself a doctor?"
"Now, now, Kurapika," Tristan said as he assisted on placing Leorio's feet on the bed, "he was just worried about you,"
"Worried about me?" the blonde boy replied heatedly, looking at Leorio's bandages and seeing that the wound has opened again with blood seeping out the white cloth, "I don't need his worry if he's like this! Really, bakka! And what was that medicine?"
Nobody answered him.
Kurapika set his jaw and looked at Leorio's form darkly. He couldn't help it. He was frustrated. After learning what happened from Mayu, he couldn't just help feeling frustrated. According to them the moment he, Kurapika, left the room to talk to the villagers, there was the resounding beep sound from the emergency room as if the life line of the doctor had ended. But when they opened the door they found the doctor pulling on the cords and looking at them with that demented expression. It seemed like his consciousness returned just as they were talking about Kurapika's plan… and so without further ado from the man who was just patched up—he quickly grabbed the newly arrived medicine box and helped himself with that red substance Mayu wouldn't tell even Kurapika the name.
This confused and angered Kurapika.
Leorio's breathing eased down the moment the oxygen mask was given to him. Then the boys left Mayu to patch up Leorio's bleeding side and waited patiently outside the room.
"He got everybody there," Tristan told the blonde boy as he stood near the window with hands on his pockets, "there's nothing impossible to the medicine world anymore…"
Kurapika nodded but continued frowning. Something was bothering him about Leorio's explanation. Then after a few moments, he looked up at Tristan who seemed to be lost in thought as he looked outside the window.
"Aren't you going to ask me?" he started finally after a long pause.
Tristan glanced at him and then blinked.
"Ask you?"
"About my real identity… about my eyes… I think you—"
"It's okay," Tristan scratched his hair looking untroubled, "I believe the doc, and I believe you two… if you feel like telling us the truth someday then I'll gladly listen… but there's no need to force yourself now, Kurapika."
The two exchanged looks and then exchanged warm smiles.
"Thank you."
Minutes later, the emergency room's door opened and Mayu came out pulling out the surgical mask on her face. Kurapika met her with a numb feeling as if there really was something wrong with how everything has went through.
But the nurse just gave him a smile.
"I think he's waiting for you."
Kurapika's eyes flickered and he entered the room at once, leaving Mayu with Tristan behind her.
"How's the doc?" Tristan asked, standing beside her.
Mayu gave a little frown.
"He's okay now… he's okay but…"
From inside her coat pocket, she pulled out the bottle Leorio had used a little while ago. Tristan stared at it uncertainly, and then up at the nurse.
"Mayu?" he started, sounding tentative.
Mayu's eyes reflected the bottle.
"This medicine is really strong," she whispered almost inaudibly, "and he took so much with his body like that…"
The nurse remembered Leorio's request just a moment ago, about not telling anyone of the real effects of the substance. At first, she disagreed, knowing that the medicine was really dangerous, but she had to give in when he saw that meaningful look Leorio had on his eyes.
Leorio was determined… and it seemed like he was also prepared for the consequence before he even took the medicine. Mayu gripped the bottle tightly in her hand.
Tristan looked at her in alarm but Mayu chose to shake her head after a moment. She then turned to the musician with an unconvincing smile.
"No, it's Leorio after all… I'm sure he'll be alright."
Inside the room, Kurapika held on Leorio's hand.
And Leorio held his hand firmly back.
Five days have passed since the incident and inside the apartment things were back to how normally they were before. On the ground floor near the reception area, an old man in his forties was reading a newspaper quietly. He had replaced the small boy that had so often occupied his seat in his absence.
While reading, the man heard somebody call his name.
"Dad! I'll be going then!"
The man with a kind face looked down at the boy.
"Off to school for your lecture, son?"
Ethan nodded and then grinned.
"I've finished most of my homework! I mean—with Kurapika helping me out things just go on smoothly in my mind!"
"Heh," the man, who was actually the manager of the building, laughed at his son, "you're gonna have to show your gratitude to that kind man later, got that? Now off you go."
"See you later!"
Up at the second floor, things were quiet for the old couple in there have gone through another one of their visits to relatives. The third floor was also quiet, except for the faint sound of brush touching its canvas. Tobias was busy with his next master piece that included one blonde boy—while taking tea. The fourth floor clinic was empty but the room on its opposite side was occupied by a certain couple.
Kurapika felt the sunray hit his eyes and knew it was morning. Shifting a little, he felt two strong arms pull his body closer and realized Leorio's arms were securely wrapped around his waist.
"Leorio," he murmured, shielding his eyes from the sun, "it's morning… wake up."
Leorio breathed behind him and then muttered something the blonde boy could not understand.
Disregarding the grunt, Kurapika picked himself up from the bed and freed himself from the man's clutches. He then grabbed the nearest polo shirt and put it on before walking around the room toward the bathroom where he washed his face.
When he came out, Leorio was already by the kitchen sink, brushing his teeth. The blonde boy picked up his clothes and changed, before joining the man at the kitchen. So far Leorio was in good health despite everything. Kurapika was sure of that.
The two prepared their meal almost with synchronize action as if they know their place in the kitchen so as not to get in the way.
The moment the toast and coffee was prepared, the two sat opposite each other.
"Gon wrote," the blonde boy started, looking at the doctor who was yawning opposite him, "he said something about going back to Yorknew."
"Hm?" Leorio frowned as he bit his toast, "what's he gonna do there, that boy?"
"Something about retrieving a piece of gadget required by his dad."
"Huh? I don't get it… but at least he was still on tracks. He's going there with Killua, right?"
Kurapika nodded and the two ate silently for a moment.
"Hey," the blonde boy started after a few moments, "don't you want to… go and see those two? Even for a short while?"
Leorio looked up at him with round eyes. Kurapika found this odd and had to inquire.
"What's the matter? Don't you want to see them?"
"Of course I do,"
"Then what's with that reaction?"
"No big deal," the man replied airily, swallowing all the toast in one gulp and taking another, "just made me think how we're gonna tell them we're together now."
"They need not know that."
"What? Why not?"
"Because they're kids."
"As if! Or you just don't wanna tell them how you've fallen for me?"
"You think they'll believe you when you tell them?"
"Wha—? Oi!"
Kurapika chuckled, making Leorio roll his eyes. After awhile, the man grinned meaningfulluy.
"Then how about we just show em' it's real?"
"Eh? Show?" Kurapika stared at the man in surprise and saw that Leorio was wearing that triumphant grin. What was the meaning of that? "A-anyways, my point is—do you wanna see them or not?"
"I want to," Leorio answered looking away, "but give me some time, okay?"
Kurapika paused, and then stared at his toast. It was true, he couldn't blame Leorio. The moment the doctor was back on his feet he has been working himself more than ever. He didn't know what was driving Leorio right after his own accident but Leorio had been mostly inside the clinic. Truth be told, Kurapika felt as if being a doctor was more than to Leorio than him. The only time they were together was between meals and then at night where—well, at least he wasn't dissatisfied there with the man's full attention.
But that was something Kurapika had always been afraid of because deep inside him he only wanted Leorio to look at him. But that would be selfishness, wouldn't it?
"Do you want another toast?" he asked after a moment when their plate was empty.
"Nah," Leorio replied, blinking up and shaking his head gently. Kurapika frowned.
"Is your head still aching?" he asked worriedly.
"A little," the doctor muttered, "but it's not a big deal…"
Kurapika saw Leorio pause for a second, blink and then rubbed his eyes.
"Leorio?" the blonde boy called sounding anxious as he stood up and rounded toward the man, "are you alright?"
The man touched his eyes with a frown. This has been happening for a week already, Kurapika thought, as he reached for the doctor's shoulder but then— Leorio reached for his hand instead.
It happened so quickly and the next thing, Kurapika found himself sitting on Leorio's lap.
"H-hey!" he cried in surprise, feeling Leorio's hands wrapping around his back and gently pulling him close, "L-Leorio?"
"Why don't we stay like this?" the doctor murmured on his ears that made the blonde boy to sit still, "I want to stay with you more."
"I-idiot…" Kurapika whispered, feeling his face growing hot as the man's breathing continued to drew closer to him, "stop this and go do your job… no... maybe you should rest after all."
Despite that, Kurapika willingly wrapped his arms around the man's neck.
"I'm doing it," Leorio teased, making Kurapika's body go rigid. The blonde boy bit his lip and then looked at Leorio whose eyes were on him. He could see his reflection on Leorio's eyes.
How glad he was that they were the man's normal color. Kurapika felt himself melt in those gaze.
And the two shared another morning kiss.
Step Three: Final Sight
Everything was back to normal.
Kurapika had accomplished a lot of things that day including helping Mayu clean Tristan's room in the musician's horror, acquire the painting Tobias had promised him two days before, buy grocery items from the town without trouble and most specially, teach the enthusiastic Ethan his lesson once he returned from school after half a day.
It was already by sunset when the blonde boy found himself in the kitchen table and stretching his muscles with satisfaction. Then he heard the room door open and close. Looking behind him, Kurapika saw Leorio enter the room.
"Leorio," he called, standing up and carrying the painting Tobias had given him, "look at this! Isn't this great? Tobias did it."
For a second, Leorio stared at the painting with a little crease on his eyebrow. Kurapika saw the man inch from the doorway looking hesitant with one hand on the wall as if to support his weight.
Alarmed, the blonde boy strode toward the doctor.
"Leorio?" Kurapika whispered softly, "what's wrong?"
Leorio then slowly looked at the blonde boy—then there was the sound of the painting falling down the floor with a thud as the man pulled Kurapika closer to him.
"Eh?"
Leorio's grip on the blonde boy's shoulder tightened, "You're there…"
"What?"
"Stay close to me…don't disappear…"
Kurapika was even more confused at this as he gently touched Leorio under the arm.
"I'm not gonna disappear," he told the man firmly as he tried to control his panic stricken voice, "what are you saying, Leorio!?"
Leorio just stared at him with his eyes as wide as coin. Kurapika couldn't felt being alarmed by this so he firmly grasped on the man's arms too. He didn't know what was happening but it was making him afraid.
Leorio being afraid… was making him even more frightened.
Then Leorio suddenly reached for his chin and pulled him close into a kiss.
Kurapika was a little surprise, but he answered his lover in a heartbeat.
As their lips drew apart, Kurapika sensed something was wrong as Leorio closely looked at him as if afraid he might actually disappear— then Leorio's lips trembled.
What..?
"Hey…" Kurapika seized the man's shoulder and shook him, "What's wrong?"
"Kurapika..." his voice died away.
Kurapika felt his feet go cold as Leorio said this in such a manner.
"Hey… what are you saying?" he muttered, almost in an angry tone as he stared at Leorio. Then the doctor cried in pain and clutched on his face and knelt on the ground.
Kurapika's heart raced as he immediately knelt beside the doctor.
"Leorio—what's wrong? Hey—Leorio! Don't scare me, dammit!"
The man continued clutching on his face while panting as if he was undergoing an extreme physical pain. Kurapika wanted to help him stand but the ma won't move. As seconds passed by, the blonde boy saw the doctor's body tremble and then stop.
Silence filled the room.
"L-Leorio?" Kurapika called, sounding timid.
The man slowly raised his eyes and looked at his hand. There was a moan from Leorio – and then the doctor slowly looked up silently.
"Kurapika?" Leorio called with fear in his voice, "I can't…"
Leorio reached a hand toward the other direction which left the blonde boy staring—for the man was clawing toward the space where he was not standing as if he couldn't see him.
"I can't… " the doctor said in a dejected tone, "see you..."
Kurapika felt his mind go numb.
Leorio… Leorio's… eyes… no…
The blonde boy's eyes widened. Was it because of that time…?
"Kurapika?" Leorio whispered again, still trying to reach blindly with his hands. And then Leorio's expression changed and his hand slowly fell down—
But Kurapika took his hand at that moment and held it firmly.
Kurapika didn't let him go as he reached out and embraced the man tightly in his arms, his body shaking.
Leorio's eyes… he couldn't stop thinking. His peaceful life with Leorio, the one he tried so hard to attain and keep suddenly changing... and for the man to fall in such despair... Kurapika felt his heart would burst for the man's predicament.
As he cried on, he felt Leorio's arms went around him too.
"I'm sorry… about this…" the man gently said through his own shaking voice, holding Kurapika closer in his broad shoulders.
And Kurapika answered with his cries.
*Thanks for Reading and supporting!*
Shades of Red is dedicated to this wonderful pair!
And now let us await-
The Epilogue pt.1!
What future lies await for them?