answer your god damn phone

[dialtones]

[How many calls had he missed from Leorio alone?

Honestly, he preferred not to look at the number. It was wrong, but this wasn't something he could pull any of them into. He'd been wrapped up in his own little world, paying attention to the news enough when it related to his work and his end goal, and while he could have gone to the elections or even to visit Gon (his comrades had, after all), he decided against it. Visiting would have just opened up a whole can of other problems.

Maybe it went against what he'd been thinking before, but he had matured a bit since then. With the Spider desperately working to repair itself, and plenty of its members still on the move, Kurapika had to consider how to handle them-- but he was also sitting right on top of the location of the eyes of his brethren. He had to work up to it, and well... That's what he'd done.

There were a large amount of them recovered (he had to deal with a lot of people to get this collection) and given funerals, but it wasn't enough until he had every last set. There were still leads to follow, and so he continued to climb and gain Nostrade's trust.

Trust, though, is what leads him to pulling his cell phone out now. A strange illness was breaking out in the Nostrade organization, and it was worrying Nostrade himself. A few of his workers had already died, and panic was growing. He demanded that Kurapika find him someone to find out what was going on, but to be sure it was someone they could 'trust', because this could very well be an attack on them.

A doctor that he could trust? His first thought was that there was none. But after just a moment's more hesitation, he gives in and speaks his understanding clearly to Nostrade, hitting the call button on his phone and stepping away. His opposite hand curls at his elbow as he waits. This is pulling him in, but if it's just Leorio... It'll be easier to keep him in the dark about a lot of what he's been doing.

He'll use that to justify this selfish decision.]

Leorio?

Comments

[speeddial]

I shouldn't leave you when you're like this!

[Ah— well, he's not taking that back. He hardly cares about the possibility that he'll be picked out as an ally - they don't even know if an attack is the real origin of what's happening here, after all - and besides. He's not going anywhere, end of story.]

Get someone else to do it. [they're not busy being the mafia] I didn't come all the way here to go shopping!

[What if he's trying on a jacket when Kurapika keels over unconscious and no one pays any attention and that's it, done? It's probably unlikely, but the fact that there's a chance—!]

[dialtones]

[Cue some awkward staring at that first line. Calm down, Leorio. By the time he's finished, Kurapika can only blink slowly and breathe out another sigh. By now, who knows if those are genuine sighs or attempts at getting more oxygen! Either way, he's pulling out his phone. This time, he types a message.]

Honestly...

[You are such a child, he thinks, sending some poor lackey on a mission to get tall suits that actually fit. Kurapika surprisingly doesn't have to ask Leorio for his size in anything.]

There. [Happy?? Better hope he didn't tell them to bring ridiculous PJs or anything. But okay. He wanted to talk... And he could easily sit here and silence and wait for the various attempts at conversation to come out of Leorio's mouth, but instead, he'll ask what's been at the back of his mind this whole time.]

How are Gon and Killua?

[speeddial]

[He's a grown up with grown up concerns, okay. He doesn't appear to be embarrassed by his outburst at all, seconds after getting embarrassed about something much less ridiculous. But he sits back, apparently satisfied, and not questioning Kurapika knowing his size because for all he knows, that message said "the tallest measurement you can find." Which, truthfully, is what he's told a few store clerks after they smiled uncertainly at him for long enough.

He'll wear stupid PJs, he'll wear stupid PJs and follow Kurapika around so he can suffer too. Buyer beware.]

Eh? [OH, the SONS why didn't you ask sooner] Better. Gon's out of the hospital— [Was that also on the internet? He's not used to being viral.] And Killua's acting like he's not over the damn moon about it.

[He rolls his eyes, but everything about it is very fond. Fond enough that he sounds more let down than angry when he adds,] You should've answered my calls when you heard about Gon.

[dialtones]

[He looks visibly relieved at that, relaxing further in his chair as his eyes close. The scolding (if it can even be called that, with that tone) is unsurprising, but it's not that Kurapika reacts without guilt. There's plenty of it there on his face as his eyes open again and he fidgets with his own hair.]

I couldn't. I was in the middle of something... [Which sounds cold and dismissive as usual, but he adds a bit more this time.] Besides, I saw that you were there.

I wouldn't have been any help.

[speeddial]

["In the middle of something"... fine. Leorio frowns, pointedly ignoring the fact that every time he hypes himself up to really give Kurapika a piece of his mind!! he - doesn't. He can't, almost, because it's Kurapika. Which probably has something to do with why he hasn't given up on calling.

But anyway.] You— you saw that video, huh? [He rubs his neck a little self-consciously; he didn't do anything in that election to get popularity, so it's strange. But it was a great punch and he'd do it again.]

Never mind- you should have visited! Gon would have appreciated it!

[dialtones]

Of course. Everyone has seen it. [Duh.] I was glad. If you hadn't have punched him, I would have.

[But that would have been a little difficult, not being there. So it worked out. He calms himself before his eyes want to change at the mere thought of Gon's father, instead focusing on his guilt.

How does he explain this... Of all people, Leorio should be the one to understand. They've both lost their closest friend. The difference was that while Leorio could fight in the face of nearly losing another, Kurapika wouldn't be so strong. He might have fallen apart. He had to distance himself. He's trained and grown stronger physically, but he's been struggling with his emotions for a while now. Rage is either hard to hold onto or hard to let go of, and everything else is just a mess.]

If I'm being honest... I couldn't stand to think of Gon in that state, let alone see him. I chose selfishly to focus on the eyes of my brethren, instead, and leave them to you.

[That came out easier than he would have thought, he thinks between a couple more coughs.] I recovered a handful.

[speeddial]

[Leorio chuckles at Kurapika's first comment, at least. That's what he figured- they could have both punched him at once! Next time, for sure.

He listens more somberly to the rest. Objectively, he still can't agree - but he can understand Kurapika's fear of losing Gon. But Kurapika is so focused, whereas Leorio always feels just a little too restless and idle if even the slightest thing is wrong.

Like right now. He fidgets, seemingly unable to decide whether he wants to lean on his elbow or tap his fingers on the arm of the chair. He'd never felt so useless in his life as when Gon was in trouble, and somehow that memory makes Kurapika's admission sit hollowly in his stomach. Leave them to him? And in the end, he yelled a bunch of strangers more than helping Gon, like he should have been doing—

Well, file that under more reasons he won't leave Kurapika alone now. The mention of eyes piques his interest and he waves off the subject of Gon with a small sigh, thank god they can kind of move on from that- Although now he's looking extra concerned about the new wave of coughing, go to bed!!]

Really? [is it in bad taste to ask "how many more," hmm] So— you're making progress.

[dialtones]

You could say that. There are a large amount left, but they're more centralized now.

[He feels so close to locating them. So close... So close that Leorio might catch his eyes turning red even beneath those grey contacts. They can only hide it so well, after all. One of his hands death grips the other and he sits up, leaning forward over his legs now.]

I meant it when I said I've been busy.

[speeddial]

Oh. [Oh. Leorio runs a hand through his hair and hums, unsure of what to say. He won't disagree with Kurapika's goals... but his methods could use some work, that's for sure. Revenge isn't something Leorio has a taste for on a deeper level than punching Ging for being a crappy dad, or something else like that. He's not even as good at staying dedicated to one thing and one thing only— the way he sees it, he'll be a doctor one day and if he has to drop everything for his friends a few times before then, that's fine.

Kurapika does the opposite and Leorio can see what it's doing to him, but who is he to ask for anything more than actually talking to him every now and then?]

Hey, stop that. [Freaking out. He can see the red from across the room.] You're already sick, don't make it worse. Just talk.

[dialtones]

It's not that simple!

[He has to close his eyes, irritation lingering as he focuses, tries to calm himself down. There's just a lot on his mind. Leorio being in the same room does actually help... And maybe that's another large reason he hasn't been calling him for any spider or eye related business. He has to hold onto his rage, you know?

Or maybe he's just making excuses. Before he can say anymore, his phone buzzes and he lifts it to take a look.]

...They've already bought you some things. [Suit-things, that is. Sadly medical supplies were not close enough. His eyes now, though, are grey again.] Come with me and I'll give you a brief tour. They should be back by then and you can get things put away before we come back down here.

[Was that fair? He pushes himself up, ignoring the strange way the heat seems to drop from his face to his toes.]

We'll wake Melody at this rate.

[speeddial]

[It really shouldn't be too complicated to calm down rage-murder feelings when the only people present are Leorio and Melody, okay- that's the definition of simple! Mercifully he's cut off by Kurapika's phone before he can find a way to articulate... that thought, and blinks in surprise. Where the hell are these guys, just waiting in the city to shop?]

Kurapika— [But so help him, he will get an entire conversation out of Kurapika eventually. He doesn't want a tour. That's the last thing on his mind, but he stands up again anyway, casting one last concerned look at Melody. If it's just going upstairs, she should be fine here.

And maybe he should stop making a scene in her room every three minutes, huh.]

Alright, alright. I get it! [but then pointing at him very seriously!!] You're not off the hook.

[dialtones]

[He stands and follows, giving Leorio a pointed look right back at that pointing. In fact, he shoves that hand to the side as he brushes past.]

If there's something urgent you want to talk about, you haven't brought it up.

[So what's the problem?? They have been talking. Give him a break. He'll lead Leorio in a circle of this floor, entirely rooms with his new 'patients', and names them off before they head for the elevator.

By then, that heat that fell from his face earlier is back in full force. Is this the fever? He doesn't raise a hand to indicate he's feeling it because he doesn't want to deal with another hour lecture from the guy, but it's a little harder to focus.]

[speeddial]

[They've been talking a bunch of things Leorio doesn't approve of, so-?? Obviously that's the problem. But what he says as he follows Kurapika out of the room is,] You keep blowing me off!!

[Fortunately, he remembers to keep his voice down out in the hall, and his side complaints taper off as he takes in the names and sickly faces of the other people whose lives he's semi-responsible for now.

No pressure. By the time they reach the elevator, the reminder that this sickness extends farther than the confines of Melody's room has mellowed him out a bit. He still has some kind of cure to think about...

How many floors is he supposed to know about, again?? He was mad during that part.]

What's upstairs?

[dialtones]

[Again, no comment on blowing him off. But he does think about it as they walk. Okay, yes, he has been... But.]

Directly upstairs is an empty floor, right now. You can use it if you end up needing the space for some reason. It's the floor above that that has the offices that we turned into makeshift bedrooms.

[The elevator door closes and they skip the immediate floor up to head to that room floor. But, with that elevator door being closed--]

If you think I blew you off, talk about it in the room and at a normal volume.

[speeddial]

[No buts, it's the truth. And please, if he needs the space it will be because everyone else gets sick too, let's not assume the absolute worst... yet.

They'll need more supply runners, for a start.]

It's not "think"—! Don't make me sound like the one with things to answer for, Kurapika!

[That's close to normal volume.]

[dialtones]

You're already yelling again!

[He yells right back. It's a good thing this 'room' floor is specifically for those in contact with the newly designated sick bay. It's just them and some lower lackeys.]

What do I have to answer for?! [The elevator door opens, and he steps out, assuming Leorio will follow.] I've been working at my goal!

[speeddial]

[Nah, he's just going to go back downstairs and not engage in a shouting match.

That is to say, he all but pushes Kurapika out of the elevator. If Kurapika weren't sick...]

What do you think I was doing when you called me here? [snoring, but] What do you think Gon's been doing all this time?!

[He sympathizes - he does, genuinely, but there's a line between having goals and being a neglectful friend.]

You're the only one acting like he doesn't have friends who worry about him!

[dialtones]

[He raises a hand to pinch at the bridge of his nose, both annoyed and off at this point. Leorio raises good points. He knows that, but he still feels justified in his own actions! It must just be that he can't find a firm argument with how hot it is in here right now.]

It's different! You all... your goals were made with the idea of continuing on afterwards! I...

[Well, it was different, right? Once he kills the Spiders and gets those eyes back, returns them to his clan and gives them a proper funeral... Then what? It's hard to think straight on it right now. He keeps pushing it off. Friends, no friends, how can he focus when he's so emotionally invested in something!

A coughing fit cuts off his words, and a couple of steps later, his legs give out beneath him and his head feels heavy. Reflexively, he reaches out to Leorio in his fall, stumbling to find footing again. It's harder than it has any right to be.]

[speeddial]

[Leorio wants to shout at him more, demand to know what he plans to do afterwards once his goal is complete because from here all he sees is Kurapika on a fast track to a bad ending, even if he gets the eyes—]

That's not the— huh? [Not the point, not the point at all he wants to say, but the fire goes out of him all at once when Kurapika starts to fall. He moves without thinking, closing the space between them in a swift motion and wrapping an arm around Kurapika's shoulders as he falls against Leorio's chest.] Kurapika— Hey!

[There's always something that interrupts this conversation, isn't there - but now his only concern is Kurapika, burning up under his hand. Shit. Shit shit shit, they should have stayed downstairs, is Kurapika even still conscious-] Which room?

[before he just starts kicking them down, honestly]

[dialtones]

[Somehow, he's managed to stay conscious. That becomes clearer when his fingers curl tighter into the cloth of Leorio's suit, his whole body tensing as he tries to force himself to stand back up. Everything just shutting down out of nowhere-- how far down along the line was he? Damn it!]

There. [He has to nod more than gesture, but the offices are spaced out enough where it should be apparent which one he means.] I'm fine.

[He feels like he needs to clarify that quickly. Of course he's not fine, but he's fine, so don't freak out.]

[speeddial]

You're not fine, damn it!! [No... it's too late. Collapsing in front of him is decidedly not fine on any level, which is why he doesn't let go of Kurapika even a little as he straightens up to eyeball the distance between here and the correct room.

Ah—with the way Kurapika can barely stand, it's not going to happen. He takes a deep breath and looks down at Kurapika.]

Don't bother getting mad at me for this. [And without any ceremony he stoops to hook his other arm under Kurapika's knees and lift him fully into his arms. He realizes upon getting to the door that he doesn't have a free hand left, oops, and has to sort of fumble with a doorknob he can't see with Kurapika's legs in the way and he definitely swears half a dozen times, but—

The door is opened in the end, and he's ready to carry Kurapika over the threshold.]

[dialtones]

Don't both--

[He was trying to question what Leorio was talking about when suddenly gravity was less of an issue. His eyes widen and he lets out a startled yell as his arms death grip Leorio's shoulder. There's the most offended look on his face right now, coupled with embarrassment, but he has to hide his face with his hand and Leorio's shirt to get over a second coughing fit.

His legs might be fidgeting a little bit during all of this, so, not helping with the door.]

What the hell are you doing?! Put me down! [He yells when he can finally breathe again. As if 'don't bother getting mad at this' was going to help, okay. If he wasn't clinging to his shoulder and arm like he's terrified of falling off a mountain, he'd probably be gripping at his collar and shaking him a bit.]

[speeddial]

Shut up! You're not going anywhere!

[Look, he gave some warning. And he's not going to drop Kurapika, so trying to squeeze death into his arm is not super appreciated right now. He stomps across to the makeshift bed, at which point he throws Kurapika like a shotput— no, even worse, he lays him down surprisingly gently.

He also stands over him with disapproval all over his face, but you know, the trip was gentle and not yelling.]

Rest!

[dialtones]

[Oh my god... How does he react... to this?? He's surprised and lays there for a split second before he pushes at the bed to sit up, frowning in annoyance at Leorio.]

And if Nostrade needs an update on the situation? I need to be aware of everything that's going on! I'm not at Melody's point yet!

[So stop this fretting!] How can you expect me to just sleep here!

[speeddial]

[Is he expecting to sit up directly into Leorio's hand on his shoulder, ready to push him back down if he needs to? No? Surprise!!]

You just collapsed out of nowhere, you idiot! You can shut up and sit back for ten minutes!!