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

[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!!

[dialtones]

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.

[speeddial]

[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.

[dialtones]

[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.

[speeddial]

[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.]

[dialtones]

[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?

[speeddial]

[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.]

[dialtones]

[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.

[speeddial]

[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.]

[dialtones]

[All this time apart from them convincing himself that it was better, more efficient, safer, stronger-- but he wouldn't trade this dumb moment for the world. The first small smile in ages slides onto his expression after that comment, despite those nudges... And soon enough he's flipping over slowly onto his back again.]

I know. [He jabs at Leorio's leg with his foot, and even if he's been coughing between things with a possible deadly cough, he's able to manage a small laugh. He hasn't felt this at ease in so long... How was it that Leorio managed to bring that?

To detract from his feelings, though, he's just going to tease a little.]

You're pretty predictable.

[speeddial]

[It's been months since he's seen Kurapika wearing any expression besides rage or cold indifference, but Leorio doesn't miss a beat. The mature response here is to reach down and push Kurapika's foot away with a hmph, and that's exactly what he does.]

At least make it "reliable"...

[dialtones]

[That earns a continued chuckle and a persistent push of his foot right back into that hand. It's a nice moment for a good few seconds before Kurapika's phone rings.

His smile fades that quickly. Sitting up, he answers, and it's as official as always. It lasts a short twenty seconds before he pulls it away and hangs up, looking to Leorio.]

Everything managed to show up at once. They'll cart the supplies down from the roof, and they'll be taking your clothes to your room. That's the one right across from here.

[speeddial]

[For that quiet moment, it's almost as if they're somewhere else entirely; no mafia, no sickness. When Kurapika's phone call interrupts, Leorio's more disappointed than he expected.

Thanks a lot, mafia cronies. He scratches his cheek, not sure if he's actually being dismissed this time, hmm.]

Right. [beat] I know you're going to do it anyway, but you can walk by yourself now, right?

[dialtones]

Yes, of course.

[Of course, he says, as if he hadn't just fallen into him down the hallway. He shifts, his feet dangling off the side first before he steps down and stands. A little wobbly at first, but he straightens out.]

I'll have to be careful. When we first started noticing the more serious symptoms, it began with things failing out of nowhere like this. I'll have to make sure if it happens again, it's not too noticeable.

[How the hell. Is he going to manage that. We just don't know.]

The ten minutes are up. [He adds, noting that disappointed look as he watches Leorio.] Are you going to head back down?

[speeddial]

[Leorio sighs, getting to his feet and rolling his shoulders like this has all been an ordinary sidetrack. He has to pretend Kurapika isn't sick once they leave the room, doesn't he, so he'll have to put a stopper on his concern now.

This part of the plan is still bullshit, for the record. The look he gives Kurapika makes it pretty clear what he thinks, again...]

Melody still needs that IV drip. [so, yeah, but also] If something happens again, tell me first! Then you can do whatever you want!

[WITHIN REASON he's got his eye on you]

[dialtones]

[He knows it must be hard. Leorio has a kind heart. And while he thinks his words aren't really enough, he's doubting his own solid thoughts from before now that Leorio is in the picture again. All that effort from one side... It's not fair, and if he's going to be bothering him anyway, it's the least he can do.

And so, he raises a hand and places it softly against Leorio's arm, letting it linger there as he gives him an appreciative look.]

Thank you, Leorio. It means a lot.

[So he had time for it after all. His hand lasts there a second too long, and then it brushes away as he heads for the door. At least his steps seem to be fine, for now. His face just looks no better, and he's trying his best to stifle the coughs.]

Let's use the stairs so they can manage the elevators.