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Kurapika still lived in a York New Apartment, with just enough room for two bedrooms and a living space. He hadn’t been using the spare for much beforehand, but now it was happily occupied by Leorio’s blue mattress and comforter, laid out in the center of the floor.
Of course, he was working on getting the bed frame, but Med School kept him busy, and he usually ended up tangled in Kurapikas sheets anyway. He didn’t mind though, the opposite actually.
It was weird to think they had made it to this point- from friends, to more, to a weird unlabeled and unexplainable togetherness. Maybe it was the extreme circumstances they were always under, but something had pushed them together. Leorio personally credits it to his extreme pining for the Kurta.
Even though Leorio wasn’t exactly sure what they were to each other, he was still happy. Any time he spent with Kurapika gave him butterflies…but in the friend way. Is that a thing? Yeah…probably.
However, their last week together had been a little different, and he was starting to wish he invested in a more comfortable sleeping situation. Kurapika was going through something (though he always was, wasn’t he?) that didn’t quite create the most inviting atmosphere.
Kurapika hadn’t spoken much, aside from a rare hello when he passed Leorio in the hall. The door to his room remained closed, quiet, with no signs of life other than the insistent sunshine under the door frame.
Leorio hadn’t tried too hard to get close to him, warded off by the icy stare that was sent his way every time he tried. But enough was enough. Besides, he missed him.
Even if he had known Kurapika to leave him for months at a time without a word, he wasn’t exactly keen on it. In his opinion, this whole no contact thing was starting to get a little dramatic. And borderline concerning. So tonight, after what felt like an eternity, Leorio knocked.
Kurapika’s door was white, the only thing out of place being a sticker of a sleeping foxbear that Gon had stuck next to the doorframe. After a minute of hesitation, he knocked; There was a rustle of what sounded like sheets, then footsteps. Leorio gulped, already anxious for the (possibly nonexistent) conversation to come.
After a minute, Kurapika’s figure appeared through the sliver of the cracked doorway. He didn’t show even half his face, but Leorio noticed his earring, red and glittery in contrast to the darkened void around him.
“Hey.” Leorio smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck. “Hi.” Kurapika raised an eyebrow at him, looking him up and down. “Are you, uh, are you okay in there? I feel like I haven’t seen you…which is only a little weird, considering…” Leorio fumbled over his words, nervous from the cold stare Kurapika seemed to be targeting him with.
“I’m okay.” He stopped, as if waiting for a response, but when it never came, he sighed. “I don’t…are you okay? What do you want?” The blonde looked up at him, hopelessly blunt.
“…can I come in?” Leorio looked past the sliver of his face that he could see. Clothing was scattered across the floor, various cups and dishes on top of it all.
He carefully pushed against the door, to which Kurapika sighed and let him. He took a minute to glance over at his friend, his eyes glued to the ground. His hair was pulled back into what would barely qualify as a pony tail, and his under eyes were dark and sunken. Leorio wasn’t entirely sure, but he thought he’d seen him wearing the same thing a few days earlier.
From the excessive wrinkles in his pajama bottoms to the sort of nest like state of his bed, with laundry never to be folded scattered like patterned sheets; He wasn’t exactly flourishing. Leorio watched as Kurapika turned to move towards his bed, his mouth pressed in a thin line.
Kurapika sat down, facing Leorio as he inspected his surroundings with a whistle. “I always pegged you as the perfectionist type- You know, nagging me for every sock I leave behind.” Leorio offered with a sideways smile. Kurapika quickly glanced around before narrowing his eyes.
“This is not ideal for me.” He tugged at the loose sheet on the mattress, avoiding eye contact. “Do you want any help?” That caught him off guard. Kurapika quickly sat up straight, looking at Leorio with furrowed brows. “Help? Um…”
He shook his head after a moment. “No…I can’t remember, did you need something?”
Leorio crossed over to him, hands on his hips. “No, I just wanted to make sure you were okay…” The look on his face quickly told Kurapika he believed otherwise.
Kurapika interjected, stopping Leorio before he could speak again. “I think you should go.” Leorio paused. He’d be lying if he said that didn’t sting, but considering what he’d seen so far, he wasn’t sure Kurapika was exactly thinking straight.
“I…Are you sure? I mean-“ Kurapika rolled his eyes, “Leorio-“ Leorio couldn’t help the raise in his voice, but he certainly didn’t mean it. “Look around Pika, you can’t live like this.”
“Don’t call me that right now.” Kurapika seemed to recoil at the word, a nickname that had never posed a problem in the past. Leorio wasn’t exactly sure how to take that.
“I’m just saying-“
“Can you just go?! I don’t want to be around you right now.”
Kurapika glared at him, his temper long gone. Somewhere along the line he seemed to pick up on the hurt in Leorio’s expression, and looked down at his feet with shame.
“It’s just…It’s simpler without you. I don’t know how else to put it.” Kurapika leaned forward, resting his head in his hands.
Leorio stopped short, taking a deep breath after an incredibly uncomfortable silence. “Fine.” Leorio made his way around the room, picking up what he could before heading towards the door.
Kurapika sighed, but he was quickly woken up again by Leorio. “This isn’t over- I’ll be right back.” Kurapika looked up quickly, confused and upset. “What are you-“
And how Leorio loved that pale white door in the moment, because he shut it firmly behind him as he made his way to the kitchen.
Kurapika looked around, noticing how parts of the mess seemed to leave with him. He fell back on to the bed with a groan, covering his face with his hands.
He wasn’t sure what he was doing, turning Leorio away when it was clear he wasn’t at his best. He was even more confused as to why Leorio helped him anyway.
Kurapika knew he was being an ass, but he couldn’t help it. He really was annoyed, but everything sort of annoyed him at the moment. He didn’t want his outbursts to get between their friendship, but Leorio really didn’t make it easy.
Everything really would be so much better if he just left him there. He’s been through these feelings before, he just needed to be alone. To stare at the emptiness of his walls until there was nothing left in the world but him and the pit in his stomach. Then he’d be okay. He’d get by.
There was a part of him that liked being able to count on someone, a part of him that thought Leorio was sweet and kind and sort of handsome…But there was a bigger part of him that was screaming at him to push him away and get the hell out of there.
Leorio interrupted his train of thought by bursting back in, a laundry basket in his hands. “Okay, hi.” Kurapika sat up quickly, looking at him like he lost his mind. “I’m going to pick this up while you take a shower. Just leave your clothes by the door so I can get those too.”
“Why are you doing this?” Kurapika asked, the words coming out colder than he had intended. Leorio didn’t answer his question, moving on. “We can talk when you’re done, okay? I kind of don’t want to get yelled at anymore, Thank you very much.”
Kurapika bit his tongue, frustrated. He agreed with him, but his pride was really fighting him on this one. “Leorio.” The man turned to him, the look on his face clear that he was expecting another protest. He seemed oddly ready for it, making Kurapika a little concerned that he’d bothered him enough already.
“I’m sorry.”
And with that, he left, pushing past Leorio to get to the bathroom before he could respond. He didn’t look in the mirror, He just shut the door abruptly and did what he was asked. Not because he was asked, he would’ve gotten to it eventually.
…Eventually.
Leorio sighed, staring where he once stood. They’d fought before, hell, they fought often- but something was different this time. He made quick work with his room, managing to make the place halfway decent before Kurapika returned.
Leorio couldn’t help the blush that took over him when he saw Kurapika re-enter. He had a towel wrapped around his waist and stood covering his chest with his hands. His blonde hair was still soaked, leaving droplets across his skin. Leorio, like the gentleman he is, turned away with a nervous cough.
Kurapika sighed and moved past him again. “You don’t have to do that…” Leorio slowly turned around, trying to gauge his reaction “It’s you.” Kurapika stated, like it made all the difference in the world. Leorio felt a shred of pride rise up in his chest at the comment, but he quickly shoved it back down. Kurapika stopped short on his way in, surprised to see all of his clothes put away, the bed made fairly well. He turned, glancing at Leorio, before searching and finding everything put away in its proper place.
“I got some clothes out for you.” Leorio tossed him a shirt and shorts, which Kurapika caught with ease. “You didn’t have to.” But he pressed the cotton close to his chest, feeling the heat from the dryer still radiating. “I wanted to. Even though you didn’t exactly deserve it.” Kurapika found his way to the bed again, falling on to his back to stare up at the ceiling.
Leorio stood awkwardly for a moment, watching his chest rise and fall. Then Kurapika patted the spot next to him. Leorio walked towards him, unsure of his every move. Though, When it came to Kurapika, God knows Leorio was never sure of anything.
“You’re right.” Kurapika offered. Leorio slowly eased on to the bed, propped up on his side. He wasn’t exactly happy with him right now, considering how he’d been acting, but his concern and confusion were enough to put it to rest. Besides, he did seem sorry. Guilty. Two sides of the same coin.
Not to mention the way he looked sprawled out on the bed like that; His hair flushed over the comforter, his eyes soft and warm for the first time in days. His lips were pink, indented from bites, but still strangely inviting. Leorio willed everything in him not to look down at them.
“Stop staring at me.” Kurapika scoffed, a soft smile coming out of nowhere. Leorio laughed nervously. “Sorry.” “No, I am.” Kurapika looked up towards ceiling, silent. Leorio moved closer, biting the inside of his cheek.
“You don’t have to say anything, but I’m here for you.” Kurapika turned to his side, meeting his gaze. It was so different, his eyes much kinder than he had seemed previously. The way he was curled up next to him, he looked so frail, especially for someone Leorio knew was quite the opposite . “You’ve made that abundantly clear, Leorio….And I really appreciate all you’re doing for me,”
He looked down, reaching a hand up to just barely touch the collar of Leorio’s shirt. Leorio leaned in, and he continued, messing with the buttons until they were undone one by one. “But I don’t want you to be.”
Kurapika’s tone was softer now, cautious. Leorio shook his head. “That’s not yours to decide.” Kurapika narrowed his eyes, letting his hand fall flat against the mattress. “Leorio…I don’t want to do this again.”
Kurapika looked up at him, guilty. “Maybe this wasn’t the best idea, No, maybe it isn’t…” Leorio moved his hand to tuck a piece of his hair behind his ear. “If this is about me moving in, I can give you space, despite popular belief. Or I can find
another-“
“No.” Kurapika shut his eyes tight, “God Leorio-“ He cut himself off, laughing hopelessly. “I don’t trust myself to talk to you right now.” Leorio smiled softly. “Kurapika, we’re friends, even when you don’t want me around.” Kurapika found his eyes again, a welcoming hazel that he fell head over heels for. “Yeah, you’re stubborn like that.”
Leorio took his hand in his, moving it back up to rest on his chest again. “Come on, try me.” Kurapika stopped for a minute before shrugging. “This is just part of me now, I don’t want to drag you into it…And don’t go all doctor on me, I already know what it is.” Leorio nodded “I won’t.” Kurapika slid his hand down until it was back on the mattress again. He traced the pattern of the comforter absentmindedly.
“But you know…I can handle it.”
Leorio looked away with a laugh. “Okay, sure. But I’m not going anywhere. If you ever need anything, whether that’s me here or far, far way from you…I’m in this with you.”
Kurapika paused, letting the words sink in.
Leorio started to sit up, his shirt falling from his shoulder after Kurapika’s handiwork. “I’m here for you, okay? I-“ Leorio’s eyes widened as Kurapika grabbed his arm, pulling him back down. He paused, their faces only inches apart. Kurapika slid his hand down his forearm, staring not so discreetly at his mouth.
Leorio gulped, feeling the heat rise to his face. Kurapika slowly moved up to cup his face, resting his thumb over his lips carefully. Leorio didn’t move, which was answer enough for Kurapika as he leaned in and pressed his lips against Leorio’s.
Leorio stood frozen, trying to commit the feeling of Kurapika’s plush lips to memory. Kurapika pulled away slowly after a moment, searching Leorio’s face for any kind of reciprocation.
Leorio, however, was so shaken that his face could have appeared next to the word in the dictionary. Kurapika retracted his hand, waiting. “I’m sorry, I didn’t want you to leave.”
Leorio furrowed his brow. “I-“ Kurapika interrupted. “If you don’t feel the same, it’s fine. We don’t have to make it awkward.” Kurapika was quick to save himself, but the look in his eyes told Leorio he already knew otherwise.
Leorio stopped him, all of his previous resentment long gone and tossed away. “Okay but…Friends don’t…Friends can’t make out with each other.” Kurapika rolled his eyes. “Can I kiss you as your friend?” Leorio shook his head and Kurapika nodded.
“I don’t want to be friends anymore.” Kurapika leaned in again and Leorio quickly met him half way, both of them pressed up against each other with a hunger. It was like every inch they closed between them was cutting a tension that had been building for years. Neither of them ever seemed ready to let go.
Kurapika swiped his tounge against Leorio’s bottom lip, making him part just enough for Kurapika to take over. Leorio involuntarily moaned, the sound lost in the other’s mouth. Kurapika reached his hands up to rest on his neck, making Leorio melt against his touch. He reluctantly pulled away to catch his breath, leaving both of them sort of desperate.
Kurapika hummed, looking away as Leorio composed himself. He touched a hand to his lips, like he couldn’t believe what had just happened. “Yeah…friends don’t do that.” Kurapika moved towards the edge of the bed, properly sitting next to him. “I’m Sorry.”
Leorio smiled. “Now feels like a poor time for me to ask you out.” Kurapika nodded. “But you want to?” He questioned, intentionally moving his hand towards Leorio. He intertwined their fingers.
“Of course I do.” “After everything?” “I meant what I said. I’m not just here for the pretty parts.” Leorio kissed the back of his hand; considering how Kurapika had dove at him just a minute ago, he figured it was worth the risk. “Yeah, okay.” He glanced over at the clock. It was getting late. “Well, you made the bed, so you should probably sleep in it.” Kurapika let him go, moving to undo the covers.
“That was abrupt.” Kurapika nodded. “I know, I just…” he couldn’t bring himself to say anything of real importance. “If you’re going to stay, come make yourself useful.” He pulled the covers next to him off and away, allowing Leorio to climb in.
Leorio couldn’t wipe the smile from his face, or the blush that followed. He immediately obliged, wrapping his arms around Kurapika’s waist and pulling him into him. “Okay.” Kurapika sighed, placing his head against his shoulder and closing his eyes. Leorio couldn’t help himself from pressing a kiss to the crown of his head.