dumbshow | answer your god damn phone

[There are certain things it's unfair to spring on a man while he's literally being restrained by his own jacket, and this is probably one of them. Leorio all but boggles at Kurapika, in concern and confusion about which thing he fumbled this time (being half asleep is annoying?? excuse him).

Then a hand on his face and lips on his, and just as he overcomes his surprise Kurapika is pulling away. He must look the part of the clumsy buffoon even more than usual right now, arms stuck in his jacket while he stares at Kurapika with his mouth slightly open in dull surprise.

Ah, but-] Kurapika— [By all accounts, he should get up and follow. He's suddenly keenly aware of being red to the ears and swears under his breath as he practically throws his jacket the rest of the way off, finally, and by all accounts he should get up and go after Kurapika.

But he doesn't. He comes close, even stands and takes a step forward, but at the last moment he hesitates. He steps back, sitting heavily as the edge of the bed hits the back of his legs, and he just sits there. Later, he thinks, later he'll go and when he's not so tired he's sure to do- whatever he has to do- properly. Probably. He needs time to think, for once, by himself.

Honestly, he'll still manage it as sloppily as possible, but having the sense to stop and think wins him a point, right? Earlier he wanted to know all of the pieces before he decided what to do - he thinks he has them all now. So he sits there and thinks about what he wants and what he's willing to- to- to commit to, and what he should do next.

It's much less thinking than he anticipated in the end, and he totally gets a decent-length nap out of his free time. Nice.

Later, he doesn't stomp around trying to find Kurapika immediately upon waking up. He could but there are still sick people he has to help, and he thinks it's probably more aligned to various doctoring oaths to do that before he deals with his—personal life. So he doesn't go looking for Kurapika at once and definitely does not stop in to see Melody (she'd know), and whether it's because the remaining "patients" have less complicated nen than the two of them to deal with or because he's thoroughly on edge about what's going to happen next, he doesn't feel a powerful need to go knock out for another nap.

Now if he knew what Kurapika's schedule actually was today, that'd be great.]

[ kurapika can't bring himself to turn around and face leorio after that. Thankfully, he's not followed, and so he uses that time to think. Think and work. He can't seem to decide if he regrets it or not, revealing it so suddenly. The time was awkward, the place was wrong, and leorio wasn't in the right state-- but it fit, somehow. His honesty always shone in his tendency for emotional outbursts. And... That had definitely been some outburst.

Throughout the day, his thoughts wander back to the kiss and distract him. He's so clearly off that his comrades are talking about it in the halls, wondering idly if he's got more on his mind than this illness but also noting it's not his usual distracted behavior. There's no real anger behind it.

Nostrade had been informed of things, too. The building was opened back up from any 'quarantine' and certain members were sent to find who did this. Kurapika, for once, sent the others on this excursion without him so he could 'oversee the healing to the end'. Of course.

Leorio could find Kurapika giving out the last of the orders to someone over the phone, his back against the hallway wall as he speaks. Something about another mafia family and the casino, no violence yet and only information gathering. He spots Leorio approaching towards the end of a sentence and falters, straightening himself and cutting the phone call short. ]

I'm confident you can manage, but call me if there are any complications. [ and click, he hangs up, left staring at leorio with a sort of forced confidence. how rare to see it any less than full. ]

Leorio... [ hi ]

[Catching the tail end of that phone call, Leorio can't help but feel a sense of bitter satisfaction. True, he still doesn't agree with the Nostrade family's operations in general, but in this incident they're plainly the victims. Someone's going to go down for this, and he's not sorry about that.

He puts that thought out of his mind as he comes up next to Kurapika and leans against the wall as well. He looks less tense than he feels; this is hard. There's an end goal he has in mind, but figuring out what happens in between is not his forte. That's to say nothing of the complications that still hang over them, but he doesn't want to tackle those alone.]

Kurapika... [he says like he's breathing out a sigh, and chances a glance sideways at him. Well. Okay, first, for formality's sake:] Everyone's gonna be fine now.

[And then he lapses into silence, searching for words. He has it, really, he knows where this is going, but the bits and pieces keep getting away from him. The tension is still there but something about it is also comfortable, paradoxically, like the space between them is alive and humming and waiting for him to do something already.

He shifts his weight and in doing so closes the gap between them, and when his arm presses against Kurapika's, he doesn't draw away.]

You can't kiss and run. Who does that?

Thank goodness... Thank you. You did a good job.

[He can't help but feel tense beside him now. Even those honestly relieved words come out awkward, and as the silence falls he seems to get even worse. He tries to fall back to leaning against the wall, but it ends up feeling more like he's forced against it. Honestly, he's tempted to 'run' again. What a frustrating feeling.

Leorio's comment, of course, doesn't help. Color rises to his cheeks, and while he doesn't have the will to shove him like he gets the strong desire to, he does press back into that lean with an irritated huff.]

If you hadn't stopped me, I could have waited like I originally intended. [Half intended. He might have chickened out, but details.] Who comments on it like that!

[Hell yeah, he did a good job. He doesn't stop himself from chuckling at that - after all of this, he needs that.

But that aside, is this really happening... Does Kurapika really want to argue about kissing him... How embarrassing!!]

Like you intended? [what a nerd] You had a plan?

[Is it possible for him to tense any further?? Well, he bristles, at least.]

Don't think it was something long coming! [Ah, he's so friendly.] I was working it out in my head at the last minute. You were tired, so I thought...

[That words weren't going to get through enough. That they hadn't been. So...! Gosh, his cheeks are about as red as his eyes, now, thanks.

After trailing off and deciding not to finish that aloud, he finally asks, a little quieter.]

Why? Did it bother you?

[Oh, flattery. That's nice. Leorio narrows his eyes suspiciously - what about him being tired, huh? Huh?? His brain doesn't stop working just because he's sleepy, Kurapika.

It may seem that way but it's not true. He sighs, shrugging still without leaning away. Abruptly, this back-and-forth stepping around the issue bothers him, and Kurapika is better at words but he's better at unabashed feeling, so— It's all up to him, isn't it?]

I thought about it after you ran out on me. [great, keep this up] You'll have to help me figure out- uh- the details, but I meant it when I said I don't want to leave you again.

[He frowns then, mostly to himself. Is that-? Is that good, or is that still not getting to the point. At last he comes up with:]

Damn it, no, I'm not bothered, you can do it whenever you want!

[Oh. Oh... Somehow, at all of that, he feels happy. It bubbles up and tries to make him smile, but he's resisting for pride's sake, even if that, too, shows. Leorio is... both clumsy and smooth. It was why he was such a welcoming presence, Kurapika thinks.]

I'll keep that in mind.

[What an ominous thing to say. The almost-smile even comes through in his tone, damn it. But maybe that's okay. He allows a short laugh that's more like an exhale if anything, looking down at the floor. Bringing a hand up to brush his hair away, he leaves it there in brief contemplation.]

With your Hunter's License, arrangements could probably be made with your school...

[He's not a peanut butter type... Leorio gives Kurapika a look for that super ominous comment, like he's not sure if Kurapika's going to get kind of strange about it, or... something.

The mention of the license brings the gravity of what they're mutually suggesting to the forefront and for a moment, Leorio wonders. Yet again he's throwing his all into this, and he's not having second thoughts but, wow, does this qualify as moving... fast?

A moment later he knows, as clearly as he did when Kurapika called him for help, that he's already agreed before saying anything.]

Someone else will have to write that request for me... [Seriously, how does he compellingly word "don't kick me out, but I'm running off to probably get more kisses while ditching seminar"? Help.]

[Ah... At that, Kurapika actually looks genuinely surprised. He was expecting some yelling or something, but--]

You're serious?

[All these times Leorio dropped everything to come to him and it made sense, but this was a little different, wasn't it?]

[oh my god

Well, he'll be getting his yelling shortly.]

Y— Aren't you serious? What else am I supposed to- [He cuts himself off with an irritated noise, taking a half step away to frown down at Kurapika with his hands raised like he's considering grabbing and shaking him...

Instead he goes for Kurapika's left hand, grabbing it and holding both their hands up in Kurapika's face. Should he be more obvious??]

This is what I want, Kurapika!!

[whOA. He blinks in his surprise, caught off guard for just a moment before he brings up his right hand to clutch over the top of the others. Is this a competition?? Maybe not, but he's acting like it.]

I'm always serious!

[Always.

They're nerds clutching hands in a hallway now, he realizes, but he doesn't want to let go.]

I'll handle it personally.

[Ah, thank goodness Kurapika can be relied on to be a superserious killjoy... Leorio squeezes his hand when the other one comes down on top, to underline his point. (And also to win, he's winning.)]

Good!

[There's a beat before he literally looks both ways to make sure no one is coming their way, then stoops - considerably - to kiss Kurapika here in the middle of the hall.

He's definitely winning.]

[Holy shit this is daring. It stuns Kurapika for a good few seconds before he responds, pressing up with a fierce energy that says he still wants to win (enough to the point that he gets on his tiptoes). Even in the middle of this hallway... For now.

He's never actually kissed anyone before. And he's afraid that it shows, but determined for it not to, because who knows how many times Leorio has before... He might not know what to do, but he knows what he's feeling, and he lets that lead him for now.

If they're competing, this isn't going to be a short one this time!! Don't one up him!!]

[Don't think too hard about Leorio's kissing history, the internet already knows...

That aside, he doesn't particularly care about Kurapika's experience or lack thereof, because he's actually responding and not shoving Leorio across the hall and yelling at him about- being in the hall.

Whatever, he's not going to back down that easily!! He lets go of Kurapika's hand and wiggles his own out of that weird grip, sliding it past Kurapika's jaw (and gay ear) to grip the not-quite back of his head.

This is less chaste than before, but hell if he's going to follow up his embarrassing declaration of what he wants!! with butterfly kisses. With hands out of the way he can lean into the kiss somewhat more easily, which is good, because even with them both trying to meet halfway this is kind of murder on his- whole self.

Kurapika's hair is really soft, he thinks dimly, and when he needs to take a breath pulls back only enough to be able to speak. Because that's what's important right now...]

You haven't yelled at me yet.

[There's a hand at the back of his head now and he's not sure what to do with his own. It's a predicament that lasts a few seconds thanks to his attention being drawn by this kiss. It's-- he's not sure what he was expecting, but this was different. It pulled him in and put his mind on halt, and eventually his hands move just because he needs to stabilize himself before he falls into Leorio from losing balance on his toes. So, he grips at the front of his suit.

It seems like right when he's adjusted to the feel of it and ready to get lost in it even more, Leorio pulls back. Right... Breathing. Kurapika only realizes he needs that too when they separate and he's left taking in a sharp gasp. Ah... embarrassing.

And that comment from Leorio doesn't help. Red cheeks, red eyes glowing behind contacts, and now he raises one of his hands that was curled into Leorio's shirt to grip tightly at his collar instead.]

That could still change. [SO SHUT UP NERD... God... God. Someone was going to find them here. He didn't want to lose, but he also didn't want to get caught by co-workers macking it in the hall. So. He's just going to shove Leorio back and sloppily guide him towards an elevator, don't mind him. He'll be a little forward if it means adjusting things his way and making it less embarrassing and more rewarding in the end.]

[Oh—eyes. It takes Leorio a second to notice both because of how preoccupied he is with Kurapika's mouth and because he's being pulled on now, what, what did he do- but that does have him pausing for a couple seconds.

Before he can say something incredibly stupid, fortunately, Kurapika shoves him and he steps back quickly so he doesn't fall over himself.]

Hey— [aND PUSHING??] I'm going, I'm going!

[A beat, once he's been safely shoved into the elevator.] There wasn't even anyone there.

[Once the elevator door closes, Kurapika lets out a heavy sigh and slumps back against one of the walls. Notably not one of the ones near Leorio, because he's worried they might start kissing in public again, and please think of these things...]

Not yet, but would you like to explain to Nostrade what we were doing? [A pause.] Nevermind. [He might want to and he doesn't want to invite this, so he waves it off with a hand, pointedly looking away.]

And anyway, I'm doing this for your sake. [But he's not saying how yet.]

[He looked both ways! There was actual foresight there and he wants credit where credit is due. And yes, the look on his face for a brief moment suggests that he wouldn't mind at all parading around in front of Nostrade. Self preservation decreases as mood increases, maybe...]

What? [tell him] You just shoved me down the hall, if you missed that part!

Would you just be patient for five minutes?

[No!!! Two floors up, and the door opens, so Kurapika moves to exit, assuming Leorio will follow him now that he's made it clear they're moving somewhere. Well, that should be obvious by now, seeing as they're on the floor with the bedrooms.

Which actually, could look a lot more forward than what he's meaning here. He's walking ahead stubbornly in the meantime, trying to straighten the thoughts in his head so that when they get inside he can continue this without any hangups, but each second that passes adds a sort of nervousness or excitement. He's not sure which. Both?

Is he really going to set aside time for kissing? ...Okay, yes.

He pushes open his own door, holding it open for Leorio.]

I am patient!

[He's never been patient in his life and they both know it, and they also both know that he's contrary, so- so just endure that. He does follow, of course, with only one sigh that morphs into a distinctly impatient grumble as they head down the hall.

It seems that now that the words are out of the way, he's much less nervous than before. It's still there, but it's a prickling under his skin rather than a whole on-edge experience.

Still, despite himself, the nerves amp up a bit when Kurapika opens his door. Context is starting to be really important, where this room is concerned. Leorio quirks an eyebrow at him, but walks into the room before he gets sassed again.]

[Even if they're both huffing and puffing and complaining here, Kurapika is actually having a lot of fun. Looking back on it, he'd always realized how much fun it was with all of them. But the boys were the boys, and Leorio was... Leorio. It was something different, both by age and something else.

Shutting the door, he moves forward and takes one of Leorio's hands this time. Still, it's hard to just look at him like this, so he stays focused on the target. This time? A chair like you'd find in any office, leftover from the transition into a bedroom and placed next to the bed and the desk nearby.]

I don't know how you can do anything bent over like before. [Finally, he clarifies, letting their fingers slip apart and instead gesturing at the chair expectantly. Sit down so he doesn't have to say it.

He may have just walked them up two floors just so they could continue kissing with Leorio sitting now, but. That's acceptable and normal.]

[Leorio stands more or less in the middle of the room, waiting for Kurapika to get to whatever he's doing. He can look at Kurapika, but his gaze flicks to follow Kurapika's and-

And they're going to make out in an office chair? Huh.]

My neck's already gonna be sore for days. [He feels like he's just responding on automatic, looking back and forth between Kurapika and the chair once or twice before he goes, taking a seat and... now feeling kind of awkward. Waiting for Kurapika is awkward, but maybe he doesn't... know that...]

You should have thought about that.

[And maybe he should have thought about telling Kurapika he could kiss him whenever he wanted? If he's going to be this orderly about it. But really, it's because he doesn't know what to do. He may be better at words, but that's not true in the case of his emotions. People could look at him and see composure in most cases, but anyone closer to him in more emotional moments would have caught that he's constantly about to break at the seams. Feelings like this are a difficult thing to contain.]

To be honest, I don't really know what I'm doing. [Words can still come through, though. Now that it's for certain just them (he sure did lock that door), and now that they'd established this much. Leorio was really willing to drop everything for him, and he still wasn't sure how to take it.

But he wasn't good enough to refrain from accepting it for now.]

Let alone what I'm thinking... [Finally, he seems to be done fidgeting there. For someone so uncertain, he really is bold, removing the blue parts of his clothing for comfort's sake and tossing them aside. Essentially, he's making a speech here while Leorio sits and watches him dress down. His chains fade from existence on his right hand, and he steps closer, placing a hand on Leorio's shoulder first.]

Do you have any idea how bad of an idea this is? [It's dangerous. It's risky. It's foolish and shaky and heated-- He places a knee down on the chair between Leorio's legs. (Does he really not know what he's doing here??) Just like that, he leans in and kisses him again.]

You're just short. [Thanks, Leorio. He has nothing to add after that and takes to alternating between squeezing the armrest of this chair and drumming his fingers on it, waiting. For someone who kicked him out of the room so readily less than a day ago, Kurapika sure isn't holding back from taking his clothes off and making Leorio sit and wait for him.

It's been a long day, he thinks, and when Kurapika's hand hits his shoulder both of his own come up, debating where to rest and then settling on his waist. Someone has to support this, after all-]

You're going to tip the chair over, Kurapika. [That's what's a bad idea, right?? Going at it in a chair? But really, he knows— and for now, he's choosing to ignore it. Dropping everything for Kurapika seems so much simpler from his point of view, somehow, and if he's being entirely honest right now, he'd rather focus on something more enjoyable.

So, kissing, obviously. He tilts his head to avoid poking Kurapika in the eye with the frames of his glasses (they will never come off), and after a moment sort of- tugs on him, around his waist. This new arrangement is easier on his height, sure, but it doesn't actually seem comfortable from the other side. And it feels like Kurapika is still holding back, so, c'mon.

Just tip the chair over, already.]

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i'm using this icon, memorialize this moment

leORIO NO...

leorio maybe???

not with that face shoves it into dirt

um rude, sticks it on kurapika's hair

lFMDSLGD

height rule

LOOK.... SOME PEOPLE ARE PERFECT SIZED AND SOME PEOPLE ARE GIANTS

i can't dispute this

good victory is mine. up next: kurapika makes kissing way too serious

can't wait to ruin it