dumbshow | answer your god damn phone

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.

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.

[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.

[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.]

[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?

[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.

[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.]

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!

[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!

[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.]

[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]

[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.]

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.]

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.]

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!

[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!

[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!!

Tch...

[Okay, ten minutes, he is taking that literally. He brushes that hand away with a slow gesture, leaning back down to rest his head against the pillow.]

Fine, but you sit down somewhere too. [Having Leorio looming over his bed is a little uncomfortable. He can sit on it if he wants or go on a chair hunt, just stop being so tall...]

...This isn't good. [Finally, he admits it in a way, holding back a sigh he wants to let out.] If I'm sick, who knows how many others could have fallen ill by being in contact with me.

[He'd sit in a chair if a large part of him didn't think Kurapika will bolt for the door (somehow) if he turns his back for just a second, so- he nudges Kurapika's feet aside and takes a seat right there.]

When the rest of the supplies get here, I'll give you something. And no objections! [A painkiller to keep the fever down is all he can really offer at the moment, but as long as Kurapika doesn't overdo it marching around giving orders, that's fine- right?

He might have to talk to Nostrade through the door. But forget that guy. Leorio's still tense, but his shoulders slump after a moment and he looks at his hands in his lap. He keeps thinking of Melody, all but catatonic downstairs, and if that happens to Kurapika...]

Worry about everyone else when your minutes are up.

[He moves his feet easily enough, staring at the ceiling while Leorio goes on. Medicine... Fine. As long as it wouldn't impede his ability to work, but help him out, then he'd take whatever Leorio recommended.

So he sits in quiet agreement probably for a full minute. Normally it'd be longer, but he's still not sure if Leorio will even be able to find something to cure whatever this is. And if not, what then? Again, his fingers curl at his sides.]

I was trying to say that after my goal, I don't have anything else.

[But he speaks up out of nowhere, continuing the conversation from the hallway. He values his friendships, even if he views them as a weakness of his in this certain goal... Is that really the type of friend they deserve?]

After ignoring you all like this, who am I supposed to go back to? ...So it's different.

[Leorio looks up abruptly, twisting to stare at Kurapika in disbelief. He's honestly surprised by this, despite how much of Kurapika's behavior it explains... Leorio just wanted to believe he was being selfish, not- whatever this is.

The first thing he says is unfortunately,]

For a smart guy, you can be a real dumbass. [But he goes on quickly, before Kurapika can like, kick him in the head-] It's not different at all! It's...

[He frowns, trying to phrase what he really wants to say. Besides "don't be a dipshit," no, not today.]

You've been a real pain, but don't you dare say you have no one to go back to. Gon and Killua would never let you get away with that! Are you going to ignore them forever for some imaginary reason?!

[And also

he is sitting right here. A walking objection.]

[He actually pulls one of his knees back towards himself like he's getting ready to kick Leorio for that, too. But the continuation causes him to pause and relax, and he lets it slip back down and bump gently against his thigh.]

It's not that I don't think you all would accept me.

[He clarifies this, frowning as he turns to lay on his side.]

You've said it yourself. I have a lot to answer for. That means you think the lack of effort I've put into our friendship is unfair. [He's right, obviously.] I don't have any good answers. So are you going to give up?

[so his kick radar is working...]

[It's not that Kurapika isn't right to an extent—Leorio is furious with him for never answering his phone and leaving them all (mostly him, to be honest) wondering what he's doing and if he's even okay. That's hard to make up for.

But it's not impossible. He lifts both hands to rub his temples, annoyed. There's a lengthy pause while he collects his thoughts, then he hits the bed with his fist as he figures it out, the most eloquent answer ever given-]

Of course not, you moron!!

["Of course not"—like nothing else could be as obvious. Kurapika is, in fact, stuck with him.]

[His yelling is never a surprise, and usually the things he yells aren't all that surprising either, but somehow this... This is something he doesn't understand at all.

His reasoning is pretty selfish. He thinks they'd get in the way of his goal, in one way or another. He'd go back to them afterwards but that doesn't seem fair... And so why on earth was this guy putting up with it.

Kurapika tries to focus and blink his clear surprise off his face, but it's not that easy. Instead, he just looks a little clueless for a few seconds. He's no expert at expressing how he appreciates that out of Leorio, so instead, he says something a little more unfortunate, face turning more into his pillow.]

You're as hopeless as ever.

[It's something Leorio has asked himself before - why he puts up with Kurapika's bad friendship habits. Of course in all this time, there are have been moments he's wondered why he keeps calling, keeps trying, but he's never managed to actually stop. Doing it over and over again is maddening, make no mistake, but Leorio would do it for any of them and- and especially Kurapika. Gon and Killua have each other, but Kurapika has made it clear time and time again how thoroughly alone he is. He didn't ask Melody to look after him for no reason, after all—

But damn it, the guy is infuriating. Leorio scoffs loudly, nudging him with his knee... and then again. And again.]

Speak for yourself! I didn't come here here for me.

[Oh, that's embarrassing... his gaze slides off to look at the very interesting floor, after that.]

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