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]

[Work isn't at the front of his mind today, either, it seems. Maybe he can get away with wasting time with Leorio. Maybe they could procrastinate further on making any official moves one way or another, despite this conversation... Maybe.

Whatever they did, though, it didn't really matter so long as Leorio stayed here. Kurapika knew enough to admit that to himself now.

His arms raise suddenly to wrap around Leorio's shoulders, leaning up into the kiss a little more with a hum. This is easier than he thought it would be, getting used to this. His hand curls into his hair, running through it, as short as it is, and sliding down to--

To...

He hesitates slightly in the kiss as his fingers run over an oddly smooth patch, and slowly, he stills even more. Oh. Oh no... Even he can't bring himself to point this out bluntly.]

[speeddial]

[He's not crying...! He thinks he has it under control when Kurapika pulls away, although yes, that reply is as embarrassing as he thought- is that what it's like to talk to him, only dialed back about ten times? It probably is.

Still, there's no denying the way it lifts a weight in his chest and makes him think this might all actually work out. He's even willing to put aside how much Kurapika should go back to bed- and he probably should too, sore as he is- just because of his suddenly great mood.

It's a very nice kiss, he thinks. No one's falling out of any chairs or stopping to scold in the middle, and if they spend the rest of the morning like this it would be more than okay. He doesn't notice Kurapika hesitating at first, and when he does, he simply breaks the kiss entirely to place a few smaller ones along his jaw.

Man, Kurapika, what gives...]

Kurapika? What- [Ah, hang on, something about Kurapika's fingers in his hair feels different. He huffs against his neck and reaches back to feel that spot himself, like maybe he's still got debris dust stuck in it, but-

What. Just- just give him a minute to sit here and rub at the back of his head in disbelief, before he sits upright abruptly. It takes him a second to connect his new bald spot with being on fire and then healed, and then-]

You didn't heal my hair!

[ah yes]

[dialtones]

How was I supposed to know about that? I wasn't worried about your hair, I was worried about you!

[But don't you dare quote that back at him, that was a slip just now. He pulls back to give Leorio the space, raising his right hand questioningly. There's no chains there right now, but--]

Should I try?

[As if he's not burning up from the last time his eyes went red. Theoretically, it could work... He hasn't thought of it. He's seriously contemplating a chain around Leorio's head to heal a bald spot, watch out.]

[speeddial]

[Aww, that's sweet. He'll remember that for the next time he wants to tease Kurapika about something (okay Leorio). Right now he's much more concerned about his hair-

And not having a chain around his head, thank you.]

No!! No, what if- what if it grows too long?!

[This is a real concern.]

[dialtones]

Then I'd cut it.

[He gives Leorio a long look for that question. Really... Shifting so that he sits on his knees, he reaches around Leorio, one hand resting on his shoulder for support as the other touches the back of his head. He's peering at it from here, it seems.

As best as he can, anyway, half-leaning over and around Leorio like this.]

It's not as bad as it could have been...

[speeddial]

[Can Kurapika be trusted with Leorio's very advanced stupid crew cut plus?? He has his doubts.]

It's burned off...

[Grumble grumble. He plunks his head on Kurapika's shoulder, now that he's sulking about this.]

Maybe Melody has an extra hat. [leorio]

[dialtones]

Probably...

[That's a little silly, though. It's in a spot where most hats wouldn't work. (This is the problem he finds of all of them, yes.) He decides not to say this, moving on his knees to wiggle behind Leorio's back. Yeah, it looks... Well, okay, it's not small.

Hm.]

I'm sorry about that. [He's hardly concerned about Leorio's hair in the end (aside from a thought that he looks even more like an old man now), but it's a grim reminder of what could have been. And so, wedged behind him, between Leorio's back and the wall that the bed is pushed up against, he wraps his arms around his middle. Leaning his cheek against his back, he considers staying out of view back here for a while.

No, he refuses to sleep this fever off, shut up. It turns out Kurapika can be physically affectionate-- just throw in a bunch of angst beforehand, there you go.]

Are you that worried about it?

[speeddial]

[He'll wear it around his neck like a farmer. Or a lady in a bonnet, whatever, okay maybe he hasn't thought this through. He hums, grumpily still, at the apology. At least no one pointed it out; he can pretend they didn't notice.

He drops his hands to his lap with a sigh, defeated. Fine, the hat is a stupid idea.]

No. [yes. Also go the fuck to sleep, Kurapika. This is cute and he lifts a hand after a moment to cover Kurapika's, but go to sleep!!]

I'll just stay right here until it grows back!

this is your fault linking me cute shit

[dialtones]

It might happen more quickly than you think.

[At least, his hair sure grew fast, from what he could tell. It seemed to be longer every time he checked. After a burn though...

He closes his eyes, humming thoughtfully (or at least halfway between thoughtful and tired). He drums his fingers where they are over Leorio's stomach, a subtle attempt at trying to be just as comfortable with the contact as Leorio always seems to be.

It's been a long time, he thinks, since they've been able to sit and just talk to each other. This is largely his own fault, he knows, but now that he's here, now they they've both decided this... Maybe that much could change.]

How have you been doing with medical school? [Don't you dare criticize that question in any way, Leorio, unless you want to fly across the room.]

hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehenehehehehehehehehe

[speeddial]

[What if it never grows back, Kurapika?? What if he has to shave his whole head to compensate? He'll look like Hanzo!

All this he thinks very briefly, before Kurapika distracts him with a subject change. How has...? Uh-]

It's boring! [Thanks Leorio.] Do you know how many exams I've taken about the same anatomy facts? They're not going to change! If it were up to me I'd be out of there already!

[A beat; hm, isn't that kind of... this wasn't what he had in mind, but. Anyway.]

It's going okay.

sMACKS

[dialtones]

[Let's not talk about bald Leorio.]

It sounds like it's going about as expected.

[He doesn't mean that as rude as it comes out. Oh well. He smiles, since it can't be seen, moving his face so his forehead is resting against Leorio's back instead now. His fingers stop drumming but he leaves his hands there.]

It will be worth it once you've finished all of it and have the qualifications to do what you want. [It's admirable, too... Unlike his own goal.]

unkind

[speeddial]

[grumble mumble school is a drag]

I know... [It's just too bad it takes so long, he thinks. Sitting in his room falling asleep on textbooks every night isn't a great, productive feeling. All of it makes him restless, but then again, when isn't he?

Right now, though, he's a little more distracted by whatever Kurapika is doing vanishing behind him like this. It's sweet, but what does he do? Twiddle his thumbs and talk to the wall?? Apparently, yes.]

Well— uh. In the meantime, you can help me study. [Ah, he was going to say something sappy about the future... too embarrassing.]

like YOU

[dialtones]

[Yes. He can stare at the wall and Kurapika can enjoy hiding where he can't be stared at or judged for every slight shift in his expression. It's comfortable right now, anyway, and it feels so awkward when he tries to hug him from the front or behind and doesn't know where to look, and then he's nervous and sometimes he gets flustered...

No. Too much, right now. He'll blame this on his fever.]

I'll be busy myself, you know. [He's so rude, but he says that a little teasingly, letting it sit in the air a few seconds more he adds more.] But I'll help where I can.

[He takes in a slow breath, squeezing a little tighter without meaning to. He's just resting his eyes, but maybe if he can just stay here a little longer...]

We can designate a time for it every night.

no i'm very kind

[speeddial]

[The walls aren't nearly as interesting as staring at Kurapika until he gets flustered and throws things, though. He means that affectionately!

And don't shut down his happy studying dreams so easily... "Happy" he thinks, nerd.]

But what about— [Wait, he agreed.] Oh. Okay.

[He's smiling at the wall now; he can't help it, this is all so peaceful and normal it's almost as if they're just ordinary people with ordinary lives. What a thought.]

I don't think I want to study every night.

[But he's not giving up his crucial Kurapika time slot!! However will they fill that time. Let the record show he's real pleased with himself for this super smooth implication.]

you torture me with pictures and songs

[dialtones]

If you don't study, nothing else is going to happen that night.

[Did he just coldly shut down his smooth implication? Yes. He did, in fact, for fun, because Leorio thought he sounded so cool and it was laughable, really. He's... endearing. And Kurapika is never quite sure how to handle it, but right now, it seems even more so. It's excessive, and all too close.

His hands relax, pulling back towards himself most of the way so that they just rest at Leorio's hips mostly by chance.

He's thinking about it, now. What they did, what they might do again-- how embarrassing. But he's still smiling just a little, since it's all to himself back here.]

There's no time to slack off.

i have only done one of those things today, look at this icon haha god

[speeddial]

Wh— hey. [He did sound cool, thanks much. Until Kurapika stomped all over it and reduced him back to a sulking dummy...] That's bribery!

[Technically, he thinks. And technically he's not above briberty, but studying is a mood-killer. He twists a little now that Kurapika's not wrapped around him, managing to look over his shoulder at Kurapika's shoulder. That'll do. He knows he's probably toeing the line between Kurapika staying casual and hitting him with a pillow again, but maybe if that happened Leorio could just yank him back around to his lap- the wall just isn't that engaging!!

Unfortunately, the real point is this: he'll haggle about literally anything.]

How about every other night?

LEORIO....... also you're always one step away shush

[dialtones]

[It sure is bribery. He thought it would work perfectly on someone like Leorio. And so at that accusation, there's the smallest proud noise from behind him.

It doesn't last that long, though, since that question pops up and Kurapika nearly splutters over it.]

This isn't up for bargain! [Oh my god, don't try to get the better of him! It's true, he is close to grabbing something to whack Leorio with. For now, his hands pull back completely, and he places them against his back, sitting up, like he might shove him.]

Studying every night will keep the knowledge fresh in your mind!

don't tempt me or i'll bring out the sleazy club music again

[speeddial]

[No way, Kurapika, this is very up for bargain. Leorio twists around a little more, to point at him and grin. He's accepted his inevitable beaned-with-a-pillow fate, obviously.]

Then quiz me! [Not, like, during- don't entertain that thought.] Hunching over a book every night's going to make me crazy, Kurapika!

[He shall overcome, just watch- watch right now, as he holds up two fingers and looks very solemn. This is how Leorio has fun...]

Every two nights.

god damn it

[dialtones]

[What... He's still trying?! He actually did entertain the thought of quizzing him during it, for a brief moment, and though that's all him making himself flustered, he gets angry about it. So he'll swat that pointing hand away and reach over to grab a pillow.

Destiny. He chucks it at his face.]

Every night except weekends! [There, he gave in a little, but that's it!]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrBr_v7ZLT8

[speeddial]

[There it is, fate. Leorio leans back- awkwardly, half-turned around like this, then pitches forward again aiming to squish Kurapika thoroughly with this pillow.

This is where Kurapika has laid his affections, this pillowy monster waving arms at him blindly.]

You're so damn stingy. [come here and be smothered] Three days, at least!

i'M NOT CLICKING THdamn it I clicked it why

[dialtones]

Hey!

[That's the last word he gets out before this pillow attack has him slumping against the wall and uselessly shoving at Leorio.]

And you're so stubborn! I'm trying to help your education! You're-- [Ah, there's a lot more pillow and a lot more Leorio to deal with than he thought. His feet are tucked under himself which is not very helpful, by the way, but he'll move his knees apart to try and slide down and out from this.]

That's barely under half! Only the weekends off!

RED HOT RED HOT RED HOT HOT

[speeddial]

[Leorio laughs very much into his side of the pillow, ignoring Kurapika's protests while he makes an effort to get his arms around pillow and Kurapika both. Stop trying to wiggle away from him, he will collapse bodily on him if he has to-!]

But it still is under half! I deserve an extra day off.

[Just because... he doesn't have to earn it. How silly.]

Besides, I'd spend it with you. Are you trying to tell me that's not persuasive enough?

sounds like kurapika's song lyrics tbh

[dialtones]

[Really, how is someone so small supposed to succeed at this? No, he's not small, Leorio is just huge. He's caught with those arms (really, it's not a bad feeling) and smooshed even more with the pillow, grunting in annoyance.

He tries to slip his feet out from under him, but all that accomplishes is him slipping a little further down the wall. Darn it.

Just for all this:] I can't think of anything persuasive about that...

now he has to pop that body

[speeddial]

[This is one of few things Leorio's awkward height is good for. Let him have this. He does at least realize he's crushing Kurapika against the wall and turns a little, to flop them both down on the actual bed.

He's winning. Apart from Kurapika's rudeness, that is...]

That's because you've got a fever. Think about it again tomorrow!

ah........... he never had to do this in the forest

[dialtones]

[He nearly laughs at that, but he manages to hold back. Think about it tomorrow... What a defense. Now that he's on his side, he can straighten out his legs, reaching around the pillow to pinch at Leorio's cheeks and tug a little. He'll feel for it.]

What? I have to think of what's persuasive myself? You can't even persuade me? [He's sensing a weakness in this argument, here.]