Work Text:
Kurapika sighs as he enters his room. It’s been a long day. He just wants to go to sleep, but his mind won't stop. He slumps onto his bed. He hasn't slept in days focused on retrieving a pair of eyes, but it turns out the client was lying, so he went on some wild goose chase just to be left empty-handed, angry, and cold. Yet again, he tosses and turns as the voices of his family taunt him in his sleep-deprived state. He thinks he can see Pairo. The voice of his friend pours into his mind. “ t's your fault, Kurapika. You failed us again! Maybe if you hadn't left, I would still be her, but you can't even avenge me properly. What's wrong with you! Do you hate me? Are you glad I die-" His sentence is cut off by a blaring ringtone. Kurapika flinches as he quickly wipes away his tears and looks at his nearly dead phone. He groans as he sees Leorio's name on the screen and quickly declines the call.
He can’t deal with that right now before he has the chance to leave and change his phone. rings again He sighs. What if someone is in danger again? He’ll never forgive himself for not going to see Go. With that in mind, he answers the phone. “hello?” He says, trying to conceal any remaining hint of emotion, “ Kurapika YOU ANSWERED, I CAN’T BELIEVE IT IS THE SKY GREEN CAN PIGS FLY ?!” Kurapika sighs and pulls the phone away, cringing at his friend's loud voice. “Nice to talk to you as well, Leorio." Is there something you need, or can I go back to work now?” “ No way! This is the first time you've answered in months, man. I missed you,” Kurapika gasps slightly. He hadn't thought that Leorio would have actually missed him. It's hard to wrap his head around. “I’ve missed you too. I apologize. I’ve been on a mission. It was unsuccessful." He was not sure why, but he felt the need to apologize to Leorio.
He could feel guilt seeping into his mind. No. He can't think like his mission comes first. He was brought out of his thoughts by Leorio sighing, “ Well, I’m sorry to hear that, Kurapika. I wish I knew how to help you. know i would do anything for you sunshine." And something about that sentence—something about that nickname—breaks him. He can't hide it anymore. He's upset. She's lonely. He wants his friends back. He wishes he knew how to say it, but he can't. “Thank you, Leorio, but I work better alone.” “ Kurapika,...Kurapika are you okay?" No, no, no, don't ask that. Why did he have to ask that? Kurapika takes a deep breath. “I’m fine, Leorio. There is no reason to be concerned." " You think I believe that? Not a chance. Listen, we may not have talked in awhile, but I know you. When was the last time you slept?” Why now? Why tonight? “I told you i’m fine” “ Sunshine…talk to me whats wrong." And just like that, Kurapika breaks down. He lets out a choked sob and cries for the first time in probably a year. He lets go. “Leorio I… I’m so tired, I haven't slept in days,” he stops letting out another wail “ Kurapika . It's alright, I'm here, I'm right here, just listen to my voice, take a deep breath for me, pika'' Kurapika listens and takes a few deep breaths before trying again. “I’m scared that I won't complete my mission. What if I fail them, my clan, my family? Pairo…”
He hears Leorio sigh, and for a moment he's afraid of his reaction, but then “ Sunshine… I might not have ever met your family or your friend, but I have met you. And I know that you are not a failure; you are one of the most determined men I know, and if I had to place a bet, I think they would be proud of how determined you are." Kurapika is speechless; he doesn't know what to say. He can still feel the guilt and the weight of his goal, and he can still hear hallucinations. Pairo is yelling at him, but listening to Leorio makes it all feel lighter, like maybe he's right and maybe Kurapika can breathe even for just a moment. Leorio feels like the first ray of sunlight after a long night; he feels like a deep breath after being held under water. “Thank you,” he's still crying, but it's not as scary now. “Would you... Would you mind staying on the phone with me? I don't want to be alone tonight; I don't think I can handle it.” He holds his breath. It's been a long time since the two have just enjoyed each other's presence, and it does not feel awkward. “ Oh sunshine, of course I will not be going anywhere. Why don't you get some rest? I'll be here when you wake up.” And that just breaks him more. After everything, Leorio still cares for whatever reason he cares about Kurapika. “Thank you so much." “ Anytime Pika” And with that, Kurapika plugs in his phone and gets into bed, not bothering to change; he's so exhausted. " Goodnight, sunshine, ” and finally, Kurapika smiles. "Goodnight, Leorio.”
