A/N: After a successful mission to acquire a pair of Scarlet Eyes without invoking potentially dangerous consequences, the time for a brief reprieve comes. It is then certain aspects are realized. When it's all said and done, Chrollo and Kurapika head towards their next destination, this time, with little information to go on.
Summary: Hello, dear readers. Before anything, unfortunately, this chapter took approximately a month for me to complete and load, which is uncanny for me considering my past loading habits. But due to the global situation we are all facing, it's been rather difficult. Since I work in medical, it's been hard for those of us who operate in hospitals and long-term care. Between workload, stress from the COVID-19 situation, and just the general chaos going on in the world, I have been physically and mentally taxed this last month, so writing had been an immense challenge.
With luck (one can only hope), this situation will begin to taper off, and soon. Until then, chapter release times could be longer than usual, so please bear with me.
That said, I hope everyone is well while in quarantine and enjoying the beauty of writing in the process. May this chapter update help relieve any boredom (or cabin fever) there may be. ;)
As always, a huge thank you to Sweets(s)Dreamer, who still managed to beta this chapter despite what is going on. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
It was a relatively cool morning, yet, the weather was temperate and pleasant enough to be comfortable. A mild breeze had accented the calm atmosphere, making the day seem even more serene.
A single lock of golden hair swayed forward with the gentle wind before a thin finger reached over to move it back. It had been so long since Kurapika had been able to enjoy a quiet moment.
While the reprieve was only temporary before they would have to be moving again, he took every possible chance to relish in what luxury he could. Even the city appeared vibrant and offered a bit of calm that he rarely saw, but savored it nonetheless.
The gentle symphony of clicks and voices filled the air, announcing the cafe which he and Chrollo had chosen to sit down and eat at was already busy. Gently, Kurapika rose the porcelain mug that was on the table in front of him to his lips before he graciously took a sip.
Sitting across from him was Chrollo. The older man was engrossed in his meal and seemed to mostly ignore all else. Earlier, he had gone into a monologue about how refined the cuisine was in Balor and that he had been itching to try it. Not surprising since Chrollo had a penchant for the finer things, and food was one of them.
Nevertheless, Kurapika had to admit, it was rather tranquil. Compared to everything they had been through thus far, merely enjoying a quiet meal was a nice change of pace.
Although he knew it was evanescent, any reprieve was better than nothing.
"I already have a lead on the next pair of eyes." Kurapika looked up from his mug to notice Chrollo watching him. Those grey eyes were soft, but there was a flash of earnest behind them as well.
He lowered the mug. "Oh? That was fast. Where?" Kurapika didn't think Chrollo would manage to locate their next target with the Scarlet Eyes so soon, especially after his lover made it clear that he needed rest.
Since they left Yorknew, he had been through a lot - which Chrollo was concerned about - as it had taken a toll on him. Kurapika was aware of this, but he wanted to press on regardless.
The sooner he retrieved the remainder of the eyes and took them back to Lusko, the better.
"I have," Chrollo responded as he stopped eating to focus on Kurapika. "While I still feel that you should spend a bit more time resting, I took the liberty to at least figure out where we should head next. Fortunately for us, it isn't too far from here."
He reached over to pick his own cup that still had some coffee left inside it. Chrollo took a hefty draw, which had inadvertently drained the remaining contents.
All the while, he kept his attention on the younger man across from him. The young Kurta looked so beautiful while bathed within the rays of the morning sun, his golden hair forming a halo about his head. Such a scene was breathtaking, and Chrollo was reminded of why he had fallen in love with Kurapika.
Though, it appeared that Kurapika had noticed his observation as the younger man's cheeks turned a rather bright shade of crimson. "Not complaining there," Kurapika responded, albeit bashfully, "as I am glad you took the initiative to locate the next pair of eyes." He paused, and a smile formed over his pale lips. "However, I won't refute you in regards to your suggestion that I take more time to rest."
Naturally, Kurapika wasn't entirely keen on the prospect of lingering, although he needed more time to recover, and relented at Chrollo's behest.
One thing that he had been entirely aware of was his lover's interminable concern. Chrollo had shown that he was compassionate, understanding, and expressed that he genuinely cared for his well-being.
Because of that, it not only enhanced the love Kurapika felt for Chrollo while bringing them closer together, but it made him amenable when it came to the older man's requests. Chrollo definitely wasn't the cold-hearted monster Kurapika initially believed him to be.
Not in his case, at least.
Or towards those you care about.
Once again, Kurapika heard those ubiquitous voices call to him, the very same he suspected for a long time were of his dead clan, and was unable to deny the truth. While Chrollo was the reason for his clan's demise, it was also his clan - along with his mother - who had sanctioned their relationship.
It was also Chrollo who had made it known that his friends were no less important than he was.
More and more it proved that he was indeed a human with a soul.
Almost immediately, a look of surprise wormed its way across Chrollo's face, his eyes almost going wider than they were capable of before his lips shaped into a rather pleased grin. He figured that Kurapika would put up a fight about sticking around instead of leaving instantly, but his blond lover had proven otherwise.
The last thing Chrollo wanted for Kurapika was for him to be neglectful in caring for himself.
He raised an eyebrow. "Really?" The Ryodan leader hummed. "I didn't think that you would be so inclined to the idea, but I am glad to hear that you feel differently," Chrollo responded, though a hint of amusement accented his words. "On that note, I figured we could remain here for a few days to recuperate while planning our next move."
Just then, their server returned, and Chrollo nodded to the man when he was questioned about getting his cup refilled. After that, he rose it up to conceal the distinct look of satisfaction on his face.
Kurapika snorted at the act, but he decided against giving the older man any flack over it. "Yes. I had figured that you were going to be insistent on taking a little break from our mission, so I am not about to argue." He stopped a moment to take a few bites of food before resuming. "Though I will say that I don't want to stay longer than necessary," Kurapika added more firmly.
While he knew that rest was essential, Kurapika didn't like the idea of them remaining around for longer than they had to. Not only did they have a mission to complete, but staying in one location for too long could prove to have negative consequences.
Even though he and Chrollo had managed to prevent a significant outcome from happening during their last operation, there was still a long list of people whose wrath they had incurred.
That alone made staying in any location for too long rather dangerous.
"Oh, I don't plan to remain around here for more than a day or two," Chrollo responded, his gaze lifting from his mug to land on Kurapika. "Any more than that, and we run the risk of possibly being found." He took another swig from it, the coffee warm and delightful. "This includes the Mafia, past encounters, or otherwise. I'd also like to avoid the Hunter's Association as I believe the Zodiacs aren't entirely out of the picture either."
Chrollo's comment brought an instant look of surprise to Kurapika's features, and he raised a brow inquisitively. "You really think the association will come after us again? I mean, they literally did say they would overlook our actions, including that of the Genei Ryodan in exchange for our assistance with those beasts. What makes you think differently?"
The notion of the Zodiacs continuing to track and monitor them seemed so absurd and farfetched that Kurapika had a difficult time accepting it. And yet, he had no reason to not trust Chrollo's intuition.
Silence fell between them as his lover's suspicion made Chrollo hum nonchalantly. Truthfully, he wasn't astonished by Kurapika's reaction, but he planned to explain his prenotion anyway. "For one, they already know we have been collecting the eyes, which hasn't been entirely done using legal methods," Chrollo stated, voice firm. "Also, it's not like my subordinates, and I have a great reputation with the association. All of us, aside from you, have Class A bounties on our heads. I just cannot see them letting that go regardless of what they said."
After the words left his mouth, Chrollo held his gaze with Kurapika's. He could tell there was inquisition in the young man's eyes, but also the struggle to find it true. Even for him, it seemed like total nonsense, especially after that man - Mizaistom - vowed to not pursue them. Still, the weight of the Zodiac's aura told him that something wasn't quite right. Miziastom's posture alone as he and his companion were leaving felt strangely ominous.
To a fault, Chrollo hoped that he was wrong, but there were times where his instincts were accurate.
He and Kurapika had gotten lucky so far.
A look of contemplation crossed over the younger man's features while he buried his nose into the mug he held. "I understand that part," Kurapika commented before taking a hefty drink, "considering the notoriety you've earned." While he didn't blame Chrollo for being cautious, Kurapika couldn't find a reason why the association would persist in tracking them. Didn't Mizaistom promise them amnesty? "However, I could have sworn that as part of our deal in aiding them with fighting off the beasts, they would no longer continue hunting us."
It was an event - while unprecedented - that Kurapika remembered vividly. He was sure that, despite Chrollo and the Spiders being wanted criminals, neither of them would be actively hunted after the creatures were disposed of.
Unless Mizaistom wasn't entirely honest with what he said?
"That definitely was part of the agreement," Chrollo said with sureness in his voice, "as I recall it was the price they were willing to pay for us lending them our assistance." He took another few bites of food then resumed. "In any regard, I still don't trust them to hold up their end of the bargain. I just get the feeling that we may end up running into them again at some point."
Kurapika set his mug down and exhaled. The situation seemed to continuously become convoluted. It wasn't to say that he didn't know the terms involved with searching for the Scarlet Eyes, but each step forward seemed to be worse than the last. "It's not like they have taken a sole interest in you only," Kurapika corrected, one finger raising in front of him. "From what I was able to tell from our meeting with Mizaistom, he seems to know about our relationship. Not that he said it outright, but it's just a gut feeling I have."
Listening to the younger man's speculation brought about a notion Chrollo had not expected. While he figured the Hunters might have taken an interest in him because of his criminal status, Chrollo didn't think that his involvement with Kurapika would have possibly put the other man on their radar as well.
Then again, his lover did have a connection to the Mafia, and it might be another reason the Zodiacs were tracking them.
"I did suspect there was more to it than what Mizaistom told us," Chrollo conferred, his head tilted slightly, "as it's extremely bizarre they sought us out because of our encounter with those creatures. While the city was decimated, I do believe a few people managed to escape before the siege." There was a pause as he took another draw from his mug. "Yet, I saw no indication of them trying to find other survivors, let alone question it." For a moment, Chrollo considered all the facts they had while attempting to piece everything together. Although he was still unsure, much about their encounter didn't make any sense.
As unbelievable the idea sounded, even for Kurapika, it was hard to ignore. From the beginning, he figured something wasn't right, especially from how sudden the encounter was, and the fact he and Chrollo were getting tracked.
There was also the fact that Mizaistom made it known he was aware of their relationship. If anything had tipped him off to the oddity of their situation, it was that.
For Kurapika, the entire thing didn't seem quite right.
His eyes turned towards the plate in front of him before deciding to resume his meal. "I noticed that as well," Kurapika stated, then took a few bites of his eggs, "which seemed awfully strange. Those creatures did kill a lot of people, but I noticed there were human footprints around Mirie once we got out." The image was vivid, almost like it happened yesterday. While the beasts still haunted him with their malignant voices, the memory of seeing those trails of footprints as they were escaping remained fresh in his mind. There was no way he imagined that. "So, it's possible some people managed to get away."
Chances that a few of Mirie's citizens had gotten lucky and evaded the beasts were slim, but judging from the evidence, it seemed unlikely. At least, in theory anyway.
Even Chrollo had a hard time concluding that since the trails led deep into the forest. Yet, it baffled him that the association didn't notice this.
Chrollo took another pull from his coffee. "That is something I have to agree with." He responded before setting his cup aside to focus on his plate again. The food in Balor really was divine. "It's what makes everything surrounding Mirie and the association rather strange."
The entire aspect seemed moot at the time, but now? It just gave them even more reason to be cautious. Chrollo knew they had many enemies - including what wrath he and his Spiders incurred - which only furthered his intent to scrutinize anyone he and Kurapika came across.
They could never be too careful.
Both of them spent the remainder of their meal talking about their upcoming travel plan to Idryia, and what to do afterward. The conversation at one point even shifted to their comrades and friends, which turned out to be a nice change.
It had been quite some time since either of them was able to engage in any light-hearted discussion, and it helped to - even if temporarily - relieve any tension they felt.
Eventually, moments like these were something that would, hopefully, after it was all said and done, become a common aspect in their life together.
Always balancing on the razor's edge generated its fair share of thrills and fun, but the longing for something more was still there.
It was an ever-present aspect that simply could not be ignored.
A short time later, they both filed back into the streets of Balor after paying the bill and headed towards the central shopping district to pick up supplies before returning to their hotel room. As the afternoon sun rose towards its peak in the sky, it generated a soothing warmth that made the atmosphere pleasant along with the slightly chilly breeze.
Chrollo had come to a stop outside of a clothing store after picking up a few rations and other necessities for their trip.
He figured it was probably high time the both of them got some new attire.
"Is there any reason why we're standing right here?" Kurapika questioned as the blond came up beside him. The way his lover's hair seemed to glow beneath the vibrant rays of the sun was nothing short of captivating. "I was under the impression that we were heading back to the hotel." He added factually.
There was a momentary pause while Chrollo formulated his response, but it didn't take long before he turned to face Kurapika, a grin spreading over his lips. "I think that we both could use some new clothes," Chrollo commented, and his attention went back towards the front of the store. "It's been a while since we've gotten better attire, and a lot of our clothes are starting to get old."
That predictable rise in Kurapika's eyebrow made it known as the younger man watched him curiously, but he merely continued to grin. Chrollo knew when it came down to it, his lover would go along with it regardless of opinion or stance. While he knew they required such an essential commodity, Chrollo was aware of the Kurta's frugal habits.
"Is this another one of your plans to coax me into letting you pick out my wardrobe for me?" Kurapika watched the older man intently, highly suspicious of his intent. One thing Kurapika hadn't forgotten was Chrollo's statement about getting to be the one to handpick what clothes he wore.
It seemed so long ago, but there was no denying the slight wariness he felt at letting his lover have that kind of control. The thought of Chrollo possibly buying outfits that were overly flashy, extravagant, or even scant, crossed his mind. Kurapika didn't put it past his lover to do something that extreme just to sate his own devilry.
Watching Chrollo's grin expand after his comment was all the proof Kurapika needed to validate his suspicions.
"Perhaps," Chrollo stated, the look in those tantalizing blue eyes instigating his raillery. "Although I do recall that you had agreed to grant me such a privilege, I don't plan to buy anything that you would be embarrassed to wear."
Well, now, that was unexpected. Again, Kurapika surveyed the older man curiously, the nature of his lover's demeanor making him more than speculative. "Why do I find that rather hard to believe?" He still had his suspicions, especially since Chrollo was the one who had pushed him into considering lingerie. While Kurapika had agreed to let his lover buy him new clothes, one thing that sat in the back of his mind was the prospect of Chrollo purchasing stuff that was over the top. The notion made him grunt. "After you were so intent on buying outfits for me, how do I know you won't try and pick something I may not approve of?"
There was a momentary pause between them as Kurapika observed the other man with heavy scrutiny. Many times before, Chrollo had pledged not to do anything extensive - like teasing him, or making him flustered - but then he would go and do it anyway. What made this any different?
It was a fact that Chrollo knew all too well. "While I did stress that I wanted to be the one to supply you with new clothes to wear, I did state my intentions on why." He stated before slipping his hands into the pockets of his coat. Chrollo never let his gaze waver from Kurapika's. "Besides, I mentioned several times back then that I wouldn't pick anything you would oppose, love."
To a point, he couldn't blame Kurapika for being cautious as he was aware of the times where he had overstepped his boundaries. Chrollo wanted to assuage his lover's concerns, however possible, but in truth, he just wanted the younger man to have something nice to wear.
Whether or not he was the one to select Kurapika's wardrobe, his lover deserved nothing less than the best.
"I suppose I can accept that," Kurapika cooly responded, though he was still a bit skeptical. "Just make sure to run all suggestions by me first. Be mindful of what you pick as I want nothing overly flashy or revealing."
Kurapika placed emphasis on the last of his words to reinforce what he said. Although Chrollo was adamant about not going out of his way to frustrate him, Kurapika still wanted to be sure. After Chrollo's past antics, he didn't put it past his lover to do something ridiculous.
While the smile on his lips remained even after Kurapika made his stipulations clear, Chrollo didn't want to further upset the young Kurta.
More often than not, his lover had made it widely known that his tolerance was low for certain aspects, yet, Chrollo knew just how far he could go. Despite that he would have enjoyed seeing Kurapika in something sexy or expensive, there was no reason to push the issue. He definitely didn't want to alienate Kurapika in any way.
"You have nothing to worry about," Chrollo added before leaning down close to Kurapika's ear, "as I promise to keep my word. If anything, I'll only choose something less appropriate so long as it's worn in private and around me alone." Then, Chrollo straightened while turning his attention back towards the front of the store again.
Out of his peripheral vision, he could see that Kurapika appeared flummoxed by his comment, but his grin merely expanded anyway. He never said that he wouldn't tease the younger man about it.
Chrollo's taunt made Kurapika snort. "That doesn't mean I will accept it." He replied and then moved up behind Chrollo. At that moment, he wanted to put a foot up the older man's ass but resisted. Kurapika settled for doing it later. "I still want to approve whatever it is that you pick, this includes anything more suited for private times."
The heat in his voice was no less strenuous than it was earlier, which again, Kurapika wanted to make sure that he was getting the point across.
It wasn't to say that he was against doing anything intimate as Kurapika relished in spending time alone with Chrollo. When it extended past the boundaries of remaining private, however, then he had to draw the line.
He had no gumption of changing that.
"Noted," Chrollo stated, and took a few steps towards the door. "I'll definitely keep that in mind." He paused before glancing over his shoulder at Kurapika. "C'mon. Let's go find ourselves some new attire before we make our trek to Idryia." Without another word, Chrollo strode inside, the sound of a bell chimed when he pushed open the door.
Despite his lover's somewhat sarcastic response, Kurapika huffed and followed him into the store.
All thought evaporated from his mind when his eyes landed on the many racks of clothes that lay inside. From what he was able to tell, the garments were not typical brands and looked expensive. Kurapika moved closer to one of the racks that held a variety of men's shirts, and carefully examined one.
Silk. The material was made of silk.
Gently, Kurapika ran his hand along the length of its sleeve. The surface was soft and pleasant to the touch. He pushed aside the other shirts that were nearby and took a moment to check the front of it. Right away, he noticed the shirt was a fancy button up top. Seeing it made Kurapika shake his head.
The next few minutes were spent sifting through the remaining shirts on the rack, and while they were excellent despite the price, it wasn't exactly suitable for someone who was traveling.
He let go of the garment and proceeded to slip further into the store. Each rack he went passed appeared no less extravagant than the last, and none of it was appropriate for a person always on the road.
Eventually, he found Chrollo at the back of the store looking at a line of cheaper garb and decided to join him. Much of what was on display near the front Kurapika found no interest in, but it pleased him to know the place had clothes that were more casual and less expensive.
When he got close enough, Kurapika was able to discern precisely what apparel Chrollo was looking at and realized that some of the articles were shamefully gaudy. Kurapika sighed.
Only his lover would find the most ridiculous attire when it came to fashion.
"Ah, I was starting to wonder where you had run off to, babe." Chrollo turned from the rack before him and faced Kurapika. He was able to tell that his lover had a slightly sour expression on his face. The reaction caused him to tilt his head inquisitively.
Though Kurapika was unfazed by the gesture. "I didn't think that I would find you back here." He commented and gave a quick glance towards the clothing rack that Chrollo was analyzing. "At least you're not perusing through the more expensive sections," Kurapika gave his lover a criticizing look, then proceeded to browse through the articles himself.
Nearly all of the outfits were gaudy except for a couple that he would have been comfortable with wearing. To a fault, he wondered what was going through the older man's head.
Chrollo wasn't shocked by his lover's blunt statement, but he feigned getting offended anyway. Kurapika definitely was easy to tease. "You really think I would have gone instantly for the most extravagant clothes in the store?" He questioned and placed his thumb and finger against his chin. "I thought you knew me better than that by now, angel."
It was hard to keep the mischievous smirk from appearing on his face, but nonetheless, he was amused by the blond's quick and hasty conclusion. Most of the time, Kurapika tended to be rational and sensible, but there were occasions when his lover would jump the gun and make foolish decisions.
He long since had attributed it to traits that Kurapika had probably acquired as a child that got amplified after the loss of his clan. Although it made some situations rather difficult to contend with, Chrollo had learned how to handle it with relative ease.
As it turned out, this was one of those times.
"I know you well enough that you don't always stick to your promises," Kurapika countered and crossed his arms, "as I do recall quite a few instances where you gave me your word, and then, later on, did it anyway."
Naturally, Kurapika wasn't about to let it go without driving home his lover's past infractions. For the most part, he had forgiven or let pass Chrollo's misbehavior, but mainly due to the older man's constant reassurance of creating no further issues.
Now, Kurapika's only objective was to ensure that Chrollo didn't try anything funny unless he conveniently forgot to refrain from any shenanigans.
Even if his lover had some crazy idea to try and tease him, Kurapika definitely wanted to curb the notion, and quickly.
Hearing the younger man's firm words became a thorough reminder of just how astute Kurapika was in his observations. Chrollo merely grinned at him, for nothing seemed to get past his lover.
Still, if Kurapika was under the impression that he planned to do something outlandish, he was wrong.
Chrollo stepped away from the clothing rack and peered straight into Kurapika's luscious blue eyes. "Oh, I won't deny that." He confessed before placing a finger beneath the Kurta's chin. "But, I assure you there will be no mischief on my part, love. While I do enjoy teasing you from time to time, right now, we have bigger concerns." Chrollo paused and silently planted a gentle kiss on his lover's cheek. Then, he held up a dark blue polo shirt with long sleeves and a collar. It sported a basic pattern but was made of a soft material. "I was looking at this and thought it would suit you." The grin on his face expanded.
The sudden act nearly caught him off guard as he was about to comment on Chrollo's public display of affection when the sight of the shirt had instantly silenced him. Kurapika eyed the garment critically, but thankfully, it appeared relatively normal.
For once, it seemed that Chrollo was taking things a little more seriously.
"I half expected you to choose something overly grandiose to spite me, but that's actually quite nice," Kurapika stated and reached over to feel the fabric with his fingers. The color and design were subtle, but what caught his attention the most was the style. It wasn't revealing in any way, and he liked that. "Good choice." Kurapika smiled and took the shirt from him. "Keep this up, and I just may believe you." He jested.
The entire time Chrollo watched him with intrigue. Kurapika's sarcasm, while rare, was another aspect that made the blond enjoyable to be around. While Chrollo had his penchant for making his lover flustered at times, seeing him relax, and actually unwind was a sight to behold.
It was far too often that Kurapika was stressed or overly agitated, which made the younger man constantly petulant. And not only that but the mental strain it put on him was worrisome.
Watching Kurapika now brought that puckish grin back to Chrollo's lips.
"Oh?" He replied and tilted his head slightly. "In that case," Chrollo turned back towards the clothing racks once more, "I'll take it as a sign to continue since I got a lot of work to do in proving myself." With that, he winked at Kurapika before deciding to resume probing through the remaining outfits. Chrollo could sense the younger man observing him, but the notion only made him grin even more.
Perhaps he was restricted from selecting certain types of attire that he would have preferred to see Kurapika wear, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to take the opportunity to the fullest extent.
If he played his cards right, then he just may be able to convince Kurapika to let him buy at least one questionable outfit for them to use in private.
Thinking about it made Chrollo practically excited despite that recently, neither of them had much time for intimacy. There was their romp in the shower a few days prior, but even then, the abilities to spend quality time together had been limited.
With their current situation, it wasn't surprising. Still, Chrollo looked toward the day when it would all be over, and the only worries they had were pilfering rare treasures or embezzling money.
Only then would he be able to keep Kurapika all to himself.
There was a brief pause between them as Kurapika became instantly suspicious that Chrollo had some kind of ulterior motive despite what he said. The flippant tone in his voice was enough to make him question it. Regardless, Chrollo was now picking out clothes for him - as he had promised long before - so the best he could do was to be sure that his lover didn't attempt to try and do anything funny.
At least he was acquiring new attire in the process. Kurapika was aware that much of their older clothing was worn down, or sporting signs of deterioration from constant use. He had to admit, it was near time for it to be replaced anyway. So, why not let Chrollo have his fun? All he had to do was ensure the older man didn't get too enthusiastic along the way.
Lest he wanted to end up with more than he bargained for.
Several hours had passed before Kurapika was able to step back out into the streets of Balor. Chrollo strode beside him, appearing triumphant, which only added to Kurapika's silent frustration, but he said nothing. Instead, the Kurta merely focused on the path ahead of him while carrying the bags containing their purchases.
Although most of the clothes inside them were outfits he had been quite pleased with, there was one in particular which Chrollo had been insistent on. Initially, he wasn't keen on the idea but relented after much deliberation and a lot of convincing. Kurapika's lips turned down into a slight frown. Who knew the store actually carried intimate apparel?
Kurapika snorted at the idea. Damn Chrollo.
"Don't look so upset, babe. I think you'll eventually see just how useful it will turn out to be."
He cast a sideways glance at Chrollo. Every part of him wanted to throttle the older man until his brains rattled around inside his skull. Kurapika snorted. "Only because you wanted to spice up our private time with something absolutely ridiculous and embarrassing." He cast his eyes forward again.
The accusation made Chrollo chuckle. "Oh?" He questioned and slid an arm around Kurapika's waist. He chuckled again when the younger man fidgeted because of it. "You're worrying too much, Kura. No one but me will see you with it on." Chrollo then pulled Kurapika to his side before tightening his grip protectively.
"That's the problem," Kurapika hissed, though he didn't attempt to pull away from his lover. Rather, he elbowed Chrollo in the side instead. A devious grin accented his lips when the man grunted. "I don't want you to see me wearing it either." His cheeks immediately flushed after that, and he turned quickly to conceal it.
Despite Kurapika's sudden outburst, Chrollo grinned at how adorable he appeared. It expanded nearly from ear to ear when Kurapika feebly attempted to conceal the blush forming on his cheeks.
Seeing him like that, so vulnerable, and so precious made Kurapika appear more alluring than ever.
Gently, Chrollo lifted Kurapika's chin so that his lover was able to see into his eyes. "There is nothing to be ashamed of," he muttered while looking down into them, "as I won't think any differently about you." Chrollo fell silent while he carefully searched Kurapika's face. From the way the blond's jaw sat to the perfect curves and dips in his cheeks, all of it made him appear divine. "No matter what you wear, my love, I'll always think that you're beautiful."
He barely had time to react as a fist came his way, but it barely scraped across his cheek as he ducked to the side. When he finally managed to recover, Chrollo noticed a very sullen Kurapika rubbing his knuckles with an intense blush staining the skin along his face. Such a sight left him amused.
"Don't be so presumptuous," Kurapika grumbled, his line of sight directed away from the older man. "It really isn't helping your case any." He expelled air through his teeth before slowly turning to face Chrollo. "Remember, I am doing this because I made a promise to you back a while back. Don't give me any reason to regret my decision."
At times, his lover's adulation had a way of driving him nuts, especially when it was done in sheer excess. On the other hand, though, Kurapika couldn't deny that he appreciated the compliments. It was further affirmation that Chrollo only had eyes for him and him alone.
While he didn't openly admit it, the thought of Chrollo drawing his attention towards anyone else made Kurapika exceedingly jealous. Not that he would go entirely off the rails at the notion, but he didn't like it either.
There was a time where he could have cared less about that. Now, it burned him to the core when Chrollo schmoozed up to anyone but him. Even if the man's intention was to tease him or not.
Sometimes Kurapika wondered if his lover was even privy to that aspect or not.
"Oh, I am well aware," Chrollo responded, and Kurapika was pulled from his wayward thoughts. He gazed at his lover. "Yet, I am merely speaking the truth. There isn't anyone else that I would do this with." Chrollo tightened his grip on Kurapika, but not enough to disrupt the rhythm of their stride. The gesture alone should be enough. "When I said there was no one else like you, babe, I meant it."
Chrollo then turned away to look straight ahead. Although they were having a discussion while walking, he still had to watch where they were going. He also wanted to give Kurapika time to process his words.
One thing Chrollo had been aware of was the doubt his lover had regarding certain aspects of their relationship. While trust overall wasn't an issue between them as Kurapika had since accepted him, there were still kinks that had to be worked out. Proving to his lover that he wanted no other was just one of those kinks.
There was the fact of his continued antics as well.
People swept by them while barely looking their way, yet, Chrollo ignored them anyway as his primary focus was reaching the hotel. Since their main reason for the outing was to gather supplies for their upcoming journey, there was no further need to remain out in public. Returning was the best option as he and Kurapika needed rest.
It also gave them more time to prepare.
Kurapika quickly glanced at Chrollo following his statement but said nothing. Instead, he merely nodded. The weight of his lover's words lingered in his mind, and while he could sense there was truth behind them, Kurapika felt a vein of ambivalence as well. It was hard to discern whether or not Chrollo's intentions were as straightforward as he said, but the fact that he agreed to use strict discretion was enough to convince him.
So long as the selected articles were only to be worn during their times alone, then Kurapika had no further reason to refute it.
Neither of them had said anything more, and the rest of the trip back had been made in silence. Once he and Chrollo got back to the hotel, Kurapika deposited the bags he had been carrying onto the single bed in their room and proceeded to kick off his shoes. "I think I am going to go take a shower." He announced before heading towards the small bathroom off in the back. Kurapika paused long enough to grab a change of clothes along with a towel.
Chrollo looked up from what he was doing to acknowledge the younger man. "Alright. I'll work on getting dinner for us then." He sat the bag down with a thud on the kitchen counter and began to remove the items from inside. The thought of having a nice meal afterward sounded good. "Take your time, babe. I'll shower after you finish."
With a nod, Kurapika straightened, then stepped through the door to the bathroom. "I won't be too long." He said and closed the door.
A short time had passed before Kurapika had finished and returned to the main room. He had positioned himself in one of the chairs to read while Chrollo took his shower, and once he came back out after changing and drying his hair, they were both sitting at the table while quietly eating the meal that was brought to them.
Occasionally they engaged in either discussion about their trek to Idryia or about life in general, but nothing strenuous, which was nice. Most topics had been centered around past events or the trials they faced, but to speak of the future in a more positive light made the atmosphere so much better. Just getting the chance to smile was an aspect rarely done.
Sharing moments like that, especially with Chrollo, was a welcomed change.
While it was uncertain how long the tranquility would last, Kurapika planned to take every opportunity possible to relax. It would be a few more days before they would resume traveling, and preparing for their next mission to acquire the Scarlet Eyes, so enjoying what time was left made the interlude worthwhile. Kurapika wasn't sure when the next time for reprieve would happen - if there would even be a next time - between now and completing their goal, but it was something he didn't care to think about. He was sure the same could be said for Chrollo.
For now, all he wanted was to just live in the moment.
Later that night, Kurapika found himself lying in bed with Chrollo beside him as the older man kneaded the muscles along his bare shoulders and back.
Everything was still except for the occasional creak of the bed or the low grunting sounds he made when Chrollo hit a particularly tender area.
A gentle glow was cast over the room from the candles that were situated about, the flickering light cast shadows that seemed mesmerizing, even haunting despite the lulling sensation in the air. Even as the flames twitched, which made the darkness appear to dance, it was no less elusive. Kurapika closed his eyes as Chrollo's fingers seemed to glide over his pale skin, each sweep, every touch was another that brought him further into a pacified state.
It was comforting. Mollifying. Something about the way Chrollo moved over his body made him more than temperate.
At first, he had simply wanted to sleep as it was the only thing on his mind, but his lover had been insistent on ensuring that he was fully relaxed beforehand.
The older man had complained about the apparent tension that was still in his back alone, saying that unless it was released, he wouldn't get proper rest. Knowing that ultimately made him concede to it. Kurapika expelled a sigh.
Still, he couldn't deny that he liked how it felt. Chrollo had a way of calming him, even if his lover had coaxed him into it.
Kurapika could tell he was beginning to drift, the massage so inviting that it was growing increasingly difficult to remain awake. Just as Chrollo wanted. All of his muscles were starting to loosen, the stress and pain slowly melting away. Those fingers danced with purpose over the contours of his back like waves caressing the shore, and it was all Kurapika could do to keep from moaning.
The next thing he knew was the sensation of warm breath dusting over the shell of his ear. "You should probably sleep. I think you're relaxed enough now to do so."
He hummed in response, almost reluctant to move, but a firm pat over the surface of his ass made him think otherwise. Kurapika turned his head just enough to see Chrollo out from the corner of his eye. "Right as I am beginning to enjoy this." He grumbled and quickly turned over after receiving another solid pat, but this time, Chrollo made sure to grab the cheek firmly.
"Have to say I'm flattered by that," he purred before straightening himself enough to view Kurapika properly, "but getting rest is important also. Besides," and without warning, Chrollo leaned in close as one knee slid between the blond's legs, "I will be sure to give you massages more often." He grinned deviously at his lover, solidifying his promise, the front of his knee brushing against Kurapika's crotch before moving away.
There was no stopping the groan that soon followed, making Chrollo grin even more.
He loved how truly beautiful and sexy Kurapika looked when he laid bare while his skin was tinged with crimson. Aside from his cute, pink lips, the flash of scarlet he saw in Kurapika's eyes was enough to entrench him all over again. Chrollo took those supple mounds with his own.
Bursts of heat washed over him instantly as the sensual feel of his lover's body, along with the scent of lilac, seemed to pull him in without hesitation. Chrollo quickly deepened the kiss, and Kurapika reacted in kind, which didn't surprise him as the younger man had become less and less reluctant to partake in moments of affection. Those lips worked eagerly against his, almost in pure desperation, but the movement was slow, intent, with purpose, and Chrollo was able to tell that Kurapika needed the contact just as much as he did.
It was enough of a sign that compelled him to take it a step further, and he pushed his tongue inside. The fact that Kurapika accepted the gesture by letting it tangle with his own was a further testament of how much his lover had changed since their first encounter back in Ti'alma.
Back then, Kurapika was cold, immotile, and eremitic, with a strong and unwavering hatred. Everything about him screamed that he was a harbinger of death.
Then, over time, those walls slowly melted and crumbled, revealing a shy, lonely youth who only wanted the sanctity and comfort of his lost paradise.
Witnessing such pain in Kurapika's heart is what moved him in the end. While Chrollo knew there was no changing the past, he had to move forward into the future, and if that meant doing all he could to atone along the way, then so be it.
Making Kurapika happy was his priority. If they were going to be together - hopefully for the rest of their lives - Chrollo understood what he must do.
Kurapika was his world, and he would do anything to ensure that his lover would never again know sorrow. The weight of his vow shone through the kiss they shared.
He pressed a little closer to Kurapika as if he wanted to protect the younger man from everything around them, and in response, Chrollo felt his lover's slender arms wind around him, pulling them close. The simple yet tender act nearly broke him to tears. Kurapika really was something special.
They lingered a bit longer while enjoying their salacious kiss before Chrollo gently pulled away to brush his lips tenderly along the space between Kurapika's jaw and shoulder. In the process, he listened to the way his lover gasped, how the Kurta's breath hitched along with the sound of his rhythmically beating heart. All of it made Kurapika seem even more precious than before. When he finally lifted away to gaze into those stunning blue eyes, Chrollo was reminded again of exactly why he had fallen in love with the younger man in the first place.
In the past, Chrollo had never felt so strongly connected to anyone, even his Spiders. Every person he had encountered, friend, foe, even past lovers, didn't have any impact on him the way Kurapika did. He spent most of his life with a severe disconnect towards the world, but that had long since dissipated after he met Kurapika again. The emotional connection between them continued to grow stronger every day.
Chrollo automatically leaned into the younger man's hand when it came up to cup his cheek. "That is something I am going to hold you to as I am looking forward to it," Kurapika responded in a low tone while slowly swiping his thumb over the base of his lover's chin. Even to him, Chrollo looked just as gorgeous while bathed in the glow of the moon. "However, I do agree that we both need rest."
After that, Kurapika lifted himself up to carefully guide Chrollo back down against the bed. He then leaned over to playfully nip at the older man's ear just above his earring before coming to lay at his side. Kurapika then let his head come to rest on Chrollo's muscular chest. The sound of his lover's heartbeat was soothing, and like music to his ears. He closed his eyes the moment he felt fingers gliding through his hair.
"Then I'll be sure to make good on my word," Chrollo responded, and tightened his arm around Kurapika's lithe body. "Now, sleep, my angel." With his free hand, Chrollo pulled the blankets up around them before leaning down to kiss the top of his lover's blond mop.
Kurapika hummed in response, and let himself begin to drift off. Arguing with Chrollo would be futile. "I love you." He murmured before going entirely silent to let himself fall asleep.
The last thing he remembered was the sensation of Chrollo's fingers caressing over his neck and shoulder, along with the sound of his beating heart.
A smile crossed over Chrollo's countenance after hearing his lover's confession. "I love you too, Kura." He responded, but was quite sure the younger man had already drifted off and didn't hear him.
Gently, Chrollo moved just enough so that he could lean over and blow out the candles closest to him. Fortunately, the others had burned out shortly before. Once he settled back down again, Chrollo followed suit and let himself succumb to sleep as well.
It was slightly cool the morning they left Balor, the sun only just rising in the east and was slowly blanketing the land in its majestic glow. A gentle wind blew from the south, upon its currents was the sweet scent of gardenia and honeysuckle, the aroma pleasant while refreshing.
A better part of their trip was spent on foot, much to Kurapika's dismay as he was hoping for a faster method of travel, but Chrollo insisted that it was best to avoid the main roads for the time being. Crossing the terrain towards Idryia would take longer, but at least they were preventing the possibility of getting seen or recognized.
While they had been lucky and not run into anyone who may be searching for them, who knew if that could potentially change. One wrong move at any time could spell complete disaster.
Still, there was no disputing Chrollo's decree. The raven-head had been through what appeared to be a lifetime of experiences, so it was evident that he knew best.
Dirt and grass crunched beneath his shoes as they made their way across a lush plain. Flowers of all types and colors dotted the landscape while swaying in the breeze.
Even a few animals skittered about - one Kurapika noticed was a red-tailed deer - while birds chirped as they soared the skies. He raised a hand to shield his eyes as he peered into the distance.
At a time like this is where a horse would have come in handy. Kurapika's thoughts briefly drifted back to the mare, and he found himself wondering about the animal. Hopefully, she was well.
"How are you holding up?" He heard the question which prompted Kurapika to look up at the older man beside him. For someone who was used to continually staying on the run, he didn't appear haggard in any way.
Kurapika gazed forward again. A line of trees started coming into view, and he was sure there was a small forest ahead or a partially wooded area. It would be the next thing they would have to pass through. "I am managing just fine," Kurapika commented and adjusted the small duffle bag he carried on his shoulder. The satchel he wore at his waist swayed with his movements.
"Alright," Chrollo kept looking onward, though he was able to see Kurapika out from the corner of his eye. If his lover was feeling worn down, he certainly did not show it. "That's good." He added. "I believe we are coming up on a stretch of woods soon. We can rest there if need be."
It didn't take long to reach the trees where Chrollo had suggested they should take a break. Kurapika used the opportunity to drink some water as he had been feeling a bit dry, and not consuming much else aside from coffee wasn't cutting it. After he drained the remaining contents of the bottle he was holding, Kurapika stowed it back in their supply bag before facing Chrollo, who was sipping on wine from a small, plastic cup. How vain.
Even in these types of situations, his lover tended to be extravagant. "Don't you ever drink anything else?" Kurapika questioned, one eyebrow raised.
Chrollo paused and let his gaze fall on the younger man beside him. There was a slight upturn to the corner of his lips. "Aside from coffee, you mean?" He responded slightly, amused. Kurapika really looked cute with his analytical expression.
"Seriously, Chrollo," Kurapika quipped and rolled his eyes. "You really are impossible." He frowned as he cast a quick glance towards the cup in his lover's hands. From what he could tell, there wasn't much of it left. "But yes. It does make me wonder."
For a moment, Chrollo mused over Kurapika's comment. Naturally, he was a habitual coffee drinker with a penchant for fine wine, so instances where he would partake in something else, was limited.
At times, he wanted a beer or specific alcohol such as ale and gin, but the spectrum of fluid he liked to drink was relatively small.
There were exceptions, however.
He smiled faintly. "As always, you know me so well," Chrollo chuckled and reached over to brush the hair out of Kurapika's face. "To answer your question, yes, I will drink water or something else on occasion. It's not a preference of mine, but wine and coffee are not the only things I consume."
The notion was odd, to say the least, and he was surprised that Kurapika would inquire about such a thing. Then again, his lover had a curious nature about him. It was another aspect of the young blond man that he loved.
"Shocking," Kurapika commented before taking a few bites of the Spider Eagle egg that he had procured from their supply bag, and he looked out at the landscape before them. It was good and reminded him of that time during the Hunter Exam, where the examinees had to obtain one. "I honestly didn't think that you would." He replied sarcastically.
His lover's mirthful reply left Chrollo amused. Kurapika had a sharp tongue when needed, but his brusque nature was something else entirely. He knew that Kurapika didn't always hold back. "You'd be amazed by the many things you wouldn't think I'd do, babe."
Chrollo reached into the supply pack himself, and also retrieved an egg. Since they lacked sufficient time for breakfast, he figured it was best to eat. Though he secretly watched his lover in the process.
"Will I?" Kurapika finished off the remainder of his food before brushing his hands against one another. "That remains to be seen." He gave Chrollo a small grin then proceeded to lean back.
The weather was lovely despite the minor chill in the air, and he breathed out slowly. Although they ended up getting stuck walking, he was grateful it wasn't excessively cold or brutally hot.
He remembered a few instances where the elements weren't so merciful.
Chrollo raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" He replied, the smirk on his face expanding slowly. "I am sure you will eventually have a difference in opinion." After a few bites, Chrollo was done with his meal and flicked the crumbs from his fingers. He then rose. "We should probably get moving."
Everything Chrollo said reiterated through his mind even well after the older man finished speaking, but Kurapika merely let the weight of it sink in anyway. He nodded before standing and proceeded to clean up what little mess there was. In truth, it was hard to discredit what Chrollo had stated as his lover had been genuinely honest, even though he was a criminal. One thing Chrollo had never done was lie to him.
Perhaps this would be no different.
Removing any sign of their presence took no time at all, and they had resumed their trek towards Idryia. The sun had just reached the mid-morning peak as they were crossing the border into the Satchco province, where Idryia resided. A small bridge led in one direction over a long, quiet river that moved along beneath.
Even the trees that lined its bank were overflowing with colorful blossoms in a varying array of bright colors. Kurapika took in the beautiful sight, although he was weary and tired from traveling as the entire way was filled with magnificent blooms and plants of all kinds. Filtering about were a multitude of birds, their songs melodious and soothing.
Like every other place he and Chrollo had visited before, there always seemed to be something extraordinary to behold. The path to Idryia was no different. Every aspect of it was undeniably breathtaking.
Situations like this made the journey worthwhile.
"Almost there," Chrollo called back to him as he had begun to trail behind, and without hesitating any longer, Kurapika caught up to his lover as the gap between them closed fully. While the sights were nothing short of alluring, there would be time for sightseeing later on.
Right now, he needed a break and a decent meal. Not to mention, a shower after all that walking. "Great," Kurapika took in the sights around him as they began to pass small houses on their approach to the city's limits. The flora was impressive, even as he and Chrollo got near. "Any clue where to go from here?" He wondered.
Steadily, the structures grew denser, more abundant the closer they got, and soon, quiet subdivisions bled into streets filled with various shops and businesses. The people who traversed the area appeared to be average, as seen in other small cities. Which wasn't too surprising.
Idryia was, oddly enough, one place Chrollo hadn't visited before now. "Partially," he responded while trying to get familiar with the city's layout, "but locating a hotel to stay at would be ideal." Fortunately, he had a general understanding of where things were and where to go, thanks to Shalnark. The tech geek had been most helpful.
"Wonderful," Kurapika groused. He had gotten so used to Chrollo being preemptive, and having everything figured out before traveling, that Kurapika almost thought his lover had no clue where they were going. The possibility made him snort. "I hope we don't end up lost or worse."
The lack of faith the young Kurta had in him left Chrollo somewhat surprised. After what they had gone through over the last seven months, he presumed that Kurapika knew him by now. The doubt was unusual. "I am not that spontaneous, love. While I may not be familiar with Idryia, I do have a basic concept of where certain things are located. In a general sense. Shalnark had already looked into that before we even left."
Both of them rounded another bend that led down another seemingly busy road, which from his understanding, would eventually lead downtown where most major businesses were centralized. Including hotels. It would only take a little longer of traveling before they would reach that point.
Kurapika had a habit of becoming irritable when anything took too long. His lover really was adorable when he got flustered.
"Well, that is surprising to hear." He commented back in snark then sighed. At least they wouldn't spend copious hours wandering around a strange city with no direction. "Lead the way then."
It was just past noon when Chrollo managed to settle on a hotel with decent accommodations. Luckily enough, the place wasn't overly grandiose or lavish. That aspect was something Kurapika worried about when it came down to staying at any location that had lodgings. At times, his lover liked to be superfluous.
Soon, they stepped through the unadorned glass doors, and into a modest lobby where two clerks were standing behind computers while working. One of them looked up as they approached.
Thankfully, neither of them were women. Kurapika determined he would have to strangle Chrollo if he got too friendly with any more female workers.
Even thinking about it made him click his tongue in exasperation.
Neither of them spoke after they got checked in and made their way towards their room. Though once inside, Chrollo's voice brought him back from his brief reverie. "Why don't you go clean up while I get us something to eat? After all the walking we did, I'm sure that you're ready to rest and get a decent meal."
Kurapika entered the room behind the older man and swiftly deposited his duffle bag on the large bed that sat in the center. It looked comfortable with its many pillows and downy sheets. While there was only one present, Kurapika had grown quite used to that aspect. He rather enjoyed sharing a bed with Chrollo.
"You must have read my mind." He teased and started to dig through the duffle to retrieve one of the outfits Chrollo had gotten for him recently. Most of his belongings were still inside Fun Fun cloth, including his suitcase - which was at Chrollo's behest - but the duffle was the one thing he kept out since it contained his new clothes. "I definitely could use a hot shower." Kurapika gathered up what he needed and headed towards the bathroom. "I'll let you know when I am finished."
Chrollo looked away from pamphlets he had picked up about the local sights on their way to the room to see Kurapika's back towards him. A sly grin crossed his face. "Alright, babe. Don't feel the need to rush."
He could detect the hint of sarcasm in Chrollo's words but ignored it nonetheless. Kurapika entered the bathroom instead. "Will do." He replied and closed the door behind him.
It was nearly evening by the time they had both finished bathing and sat down to eat their meal. The flavor of the Chicken Florentine lingered on the tip of his tongue, and Kurapika had to admit that his lover had a pretty good choice in food when it came down to it. The dish had managed to sate his nagging hunger, and he was able to focus on the discussion about their upcoming mission and target.
Chrollo had revealed the person they were seeking was an ex-con that lived locally in Idryia. From what information they had, the man was relatively well known despite his background and was rumored to own a pair of Scarlet Eyes. How many the man possessed was still unknown.
Considering how far they had trekked - aside from working out the minor details of their plan - Chrollo decided that it was best they relaxed for the rest of the day and continued their preparations the next morning. Kurapika wasn't exactly pleased with the suggestion, but his lover had reassured him that regardless of how long it took, the mission would occur as scheduled.
Getting delayed wasn't something Kurapika looked forward to.
So, he relented at Chrollo's request and spent the rest of the evening catching up on reading. The tome helped to keep him occupied. When it came time to sleep, and Kurapika laid down next to Chrollo, the only thing to permeate his mind was the details of how they were going to handle their target, the Scarlet Eyes and his goal.
Both of them had come so far, and after so many trials, it seemed more and more that he would get to achieve the one thing he had dedicated his life to fulfilling. Finally, it was all coming together.
It wouldn't be much longer, and when it was all said and done, he then would be able to rest at last.
The life he had dreamed of for so long was beginning to come true, and nothing was going to stop him.
Not now, not ever.
After Thoughts: In light of everything happening, this chapter is more pacified then previous ones. Considering how stressful everything has been since early April, I felt something a little more laid back was needed. Who doesn't like a little bit of fluff and tenderness along the way?
That isn't to say the situation won't rev up into something with more action later on. For now, a brief interlude with some buildup felt more appropriate. :O
It also allowed me to focus a little more on Chrollo and Kurapika's relationship. Giving them bonding time is good as they continue to grow closer while figuring each other out and working through differences. I also slipped in a little comic relief to help the situation along. :P
I hope everyone is well and staying safe as we face an uncertain future. Please take care of yourselves, and regardless of what is happening, I still appreciate everyone's continued support no matter how it's given. ❤️