Author's Notes:

RELATIONSHIP: Kurapika/Leorio Paladiknight

RATING: Teen and Up Audiences

NOTE: This chapter contains spoilers for The Godfather (1972).


Chapter 3: Michael Corleone

During a screening of The Godfather at their local theater, they sit side by side with their fingers intertwined atop the armrest.

Toward the end of the movie, Kurapika slides off his seat to perch on Leorio's lap. Heart thundering in anticipation of a kiss, Leorio brushes both his thumbs over the delicate softness of his husband's cheeks.

Even in the darkness of the theater, the ravenous glimmer of Kurapika's gaze is unmistakable. It's the garnet of greed rather than the ruby of wrath.

It's a good thing they had the foresight to select the back row. This is Leorio's last languid thought before Kurapika leans in and wipes his mind blank. Their mouths meet, again and again, in a feverish rush until the credits roll.

Their fingers are tangled together once more when they exit the theater. However, as they're strolling past a line of posters to see if any other old favorites might be playing soon, Kurapika releases Leorio's hand to jab at his chest with an accusatory finger.

By this point, their lively discussion about the film they just watched has escalated into a heated debate.

"I'm saying you just don't get it!" Kurapika snarls. "Why Michael did what he did! Are you suggesting he should've turned the other cheek after McCluskey practically bashed in the left side of his face?"

Leorio throws up his arms in frustration. "What happened to an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth? I'm not saying a police captain should've clocked a civilian without reason, but Mike's revenge went way beyond punches! He murdered McCluskey! Shot him right in the forehead!"

"Michael's father had just been shot as part of a looming gang war! That's what sparked his revenge mission against Sollozzo and everyone else responsible for hurting his family!"

Kurapika's eyes are flashing a vicious vermilion. Stoplight red.

This should be a warning to back off, but Leorio only forges on. "So what are you trying to say? Mike's tragic backstory justified his decision to order hit after hit once he succeeded Vito as boss of the Corleone family? Including the assassination of his own brother-in-law? Are you saying gunning down a police captain is okay?"

"That cop was corrupt! He served drug dealers and other big shots within the Tattaglia family! He was as dirty as any of the pigs terrorizing Yorknew City!"

"I don't want to argue over this anymore! It's just a movie!"

"This isn't just about a movie!" Kurapika retorts.

Leorio smacks a palm against his own forehead. He groans as if the weight of the world is on his shoulders. "Look, I asked you out on this date to rekindle the romance between us, not to suffer through another of your pointless tirades."

"This isn't pointless! This is important to me, and you just don't get it! Besides, if you didn't want to argue, then why did you start this fight?"

The unfairness of this accusation fires up Leorio's cylinders again. "You started it!"

"You're the one who started yelling at me!"

"I'M NOT YELLING! YOU'RE YELLING!"

They carry on with this circuitous bickering all the way home.