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]

Are you being serious?

[He can't tell... But either way, for that amused look and how Leorio is being right now, he'll kick his leg lightly from under the table.]

You could try talking about something, for one. [He's been trying really hard here, for once!! Ask him something!! Is this a date, or is Leorio really just craving pancakes... He can't tell. This is so frustrating.]

[speeddial]

[Does he look like a man who can set a table? He can put stuff on a table, and have it look organized (somewhat), but why would he ever need that skill...

He makes a face, slouching just enough that his knees bump Kurapika's under the table, because he's so tall. Don't kick!]

You have something in mind? [He's not saying that out of laziness, rather... it's nice just getting to spend time together without crisis or other drama hanging over their heads, for once.

But that's too dopey for a man who has not had his pancakes yet. He thinks about this... talking about things, hrm.] That shirt looks good on you.

[dialtones]

No, it's just... [He trails off there because he's not really certain how to end it. Their knees are bumping now, and that's half annoying and half not-so-bad, as most things with Leorio were, but he can't help but think of how they haven't spoken about themselves in so long.

And how that's entirely his own fault.

His thoughts are interrupted by that question, though, that gets an intense stare in response. His shirt?? He glances down, and then back up, and honestly he's not sure how to react. It's flattering, but it's embarrassing, and there are so many things to think too much about here.

His intense stare is less than open and welcoming.]

...Thanks. [Ah, yes, look at him helping this conversation along.]

[speeddial]

[Whoa, okay, don't look at him like that. Leorio blinks at him a few times before looking off to the side, like the colorful kitschy decorations in this place are very engaging. So that was... the wrong thing to say?? What does Kurapika want him to talk about, exactly?]

I was just- it's just a compliment.

[dialtones]

[Oh. His gaze weakens in intensity when he realizes that he'd been a little too curt, and he leans over the table ever so slightly. His hand extends a bit too pausing, just slightly past his place-mat setup.]

No, I understand! [Formal, again. He hesitates, withdrawing back to himself and slouching in his seat.]

I'm sorry. It's just that-- [Again, he cuts himself off, though this time it's accompanied with him reaching up to hold his head a bit. He'll just stare at his little setup of silverware and napkin here like it can help.]

I'm not very good at this sort of thing.

[Whoa, big shocker, news at 11.]

[speeddial]

[Kurapika... Leorio just looks at him at first - he is not exactly a triple-star dating guy, himself, but he's not this bad!

Which he thinks in the fondest way possible, really. He shrugs after that pause, awkwardly but trying to make it look less so. This is going great.]

I— [don't say "I know that"] Don't worry about it-?

[Yes, don't worry, that's good. He knocks the side of his leg against Kurapika's knee again, for emphasis.] It's just us here!

[dialtones]

[The gentle knock of their legs is enough to get him to raise his head and drop his hand, and he does smile, at least. It's... it's a smile. 'Don't worry about it'... Leorio is so carefree.

But really, it's completely understandable in this case. So why is he freaking out over here? Maybe it's that even over pancakes on a day that's essentially a vacation, he can't get the sight of Leorio burnt and on the ground and worrying about him out of his mind.]

Yes... You're right.

[Luckily, the pancakes arrive right about then. Kurapika admires his own plate for a quiet moment before turning to stare at the mess of ice cream and fruit that is Leorio's. He's kind of amazed, honestly...]

That's breakfast?

[speeddial]

[There's not enough time to say another dopey thing about how he doesn't have to worry, it's just Leorio, relax (which he definitely had prepared) as the food arrives just then. Leorio all but beams at his ice cream pancake tower, reaching over to grab the extra syrup each table comes with to really douse these suckers in pure sugar.]

Of course it's breakfast! It's pancakes— pancakes are a breakfast food!

[He says this very matter-of-factly, nods once, and upends the syrup bottle over his plate.]

[dialtones]

[Well, this works wonders at distracting his despair-focused mind. All that syrup, on top of everything else? He can't hold back the look of shock and disgust as he slowly pulls up his own fork.]

That's terrible for you! Shouldn't you know better?! [AREN'T YOU GOING TO BE A DOCTOR...]

[speeddial]

[In response, Leorio moves the bottle around in a lazy circle as it continues to pour. Maybe he'll draw a face.]

It's just for today! Have you seen me eat anything like this since you asked me to come? Huh?

[No, that's right!!!]

[dialtones]

That's enough sugar to ruin a whole month of eating healthy!

[DON'T GIVE HIM THAT... He stares for a few seconds longer before deciding that he needs to look away to keep his appetite. Back to his own pancakes, which look delicious and simple, he picks up his fork and knife and cuts out a little triangle from the stack, trying the top one first. No syrup yet, he's tasting!!

Oh. That is nice. And the horror melts away from his face enough to reflect it. He'll take the syrup to try when Leorio is done hogging it, thanks.]

[speeddial]

[WHATEVER, NERD!! Leorio finally finishes pouring syrup with a little pool of it on the plate, in case he wants to dip some more. Then he'll plunk the bottle down between them and set to work on this utter disaster of a breakfast.

How does he put away this much food, no one knows.]

Mmm-mm! Now this is what I call a good breakfast! [AGREE WITH HIM]

[dialtones]

[Ignoring how Leorio is being so loud that multiple people are turning their way, Kurapika takes the syrup and puts some on himself. Just enough. He's not going crazy like some people.

With a forkful of that, though, he's sold on pancakes. They're really good...!

That's not what he says after he finishes the bite though. With a small smile, he offers:]

Not bad.

[speeddial]

[What, hasn't anyone seen a guy really enjoy his breakfast before? Leorio is going to finish this whole plate in record time, it seems, judging by the way he's finished off a whole pancake and a good half of that ice cream scoop already... Stop this man.

He has the sense not to talk with his mouth full, at least.]

See, you've been missing out! [He wiggles his fork at Kurapika for emphasis.] Skipping breakfast is bad for you.

[Remember, he's a doctor!!]

[dialtones]

Yes. Though if we're on the topic of 'bad for you' again...

[He gives a pointed stare at Leorio's plate as he continues eating from his own.] Don't lecture me when you're having dessert for breakfast.

[Just saying. This is good, though, and so he'll take the time to enjoy it without being outright slow.]

[speeddial]

[Give it a rest or he'll order more. Don't test him!! He responds by taking a massive bite, a little more than half of a pancake at once, very seriously.]

Do as I say, not as I do. [Yes, this argument is perfect.] You're lucky I didn't order the deluxe meal!

['Deluxe' here meaning it has chocolate chips and a second ice cream scoop and a disclaimer about how many calories it is and might even come with a cardboard crown. He considered it.]

[dialtones]

[Leorio, don't start with the dad arguments. God. At the mention of a deluxe meal, Kurapika can only sigh like his patience is being tested or something. Please... refrain.]

Even after all this time, you haven't changed a bit, Leorio.

[speeddial]

[Whoa, what is that supposed to mean!]

What? Yes I have! I definitely have— [A split-second pause as he tries to think of a good, irrefutable way he's changed, other than being marginally more used to crazy people and near-death experiences.] You- can't you tell?!

[Ah.]

[dialtones]

Really? [His tone makes it clear he's not really asking since he's already sure he hasn't changed one bit. Is that a compliment?? An insult? It's so unclear.]

What's so different?

[speeddial]

[This right here is the core of Leorio's suffering. Sass that he isn't sure is actually sass.]

Well— [shit] I was almost Chairman, you know!

[Skipping all of the literal "rookie contender" stuff said about him during that... Listen, he's so capable now?? Of stuff?]

Maybe you just missed so much you can't tell now! [leorio]

[dialtones]

Wasn't that out of recklessness and dumb luck? I haven't missed as much as you think.

[He watches the news, please. He's just been... preoccupied. He doesn't crack a smile despite the mild enjoyment this brings him, instead focusing on eating his pancakes between sentences.]

The only thing that has changed is your age. By the way, what were you thinking, exactly, that you'd do if you managed to get elected? [It's true he didn't have the time to sit down and watch the whole election-- there was a reason he never showed up. But still, he'd caught enough of a glimpse. The punch, the stories of his ratings soaring... He'd gathered enough from that.]

[speeddial]

[That earns an indignant sputter, even though he didn't want to run for Chairman at all and thought it was a big waste of time he could be using for important things-!! Calling him out like that is still rude.

As for the question, plainly:] I would've saved Gon, obviously!

[A beat.]

I didn't think any further than that. ["It didn't seem all that important."]

[dialtones]

So it's as I thought.

[Leorio might be sputtering over his pancakes and wondering why Kurapika is so rude, but honestly, this is him relaxed. Maybe a day off was all he needed, after all.

He's just thinking... Leorio's a kind heart, after all. That's never going to change. It's a nice change for someone whose view of the world is darkened every day.]

You weren't thinking about the mess you'd make at all. It's for the best. Gon was saved, and you were spared the position.

[speeddial]

No it isn't-!

[He has to get in one last defense of his- whatever he's defending. Capability? Growth?? Whatever, the point is that he has whichever thing they're talking about now.

He grumbles briefly into his drink before shoving half a pancake into his mouth again and grumbling over that as well. The annoying thing is he agrees—he didn't want to be Chairman at all! Gon was saved! Everything worked out in the end, but come on!!]

You're making it sound like I'd have collapsed the whole association. Gimme a little credit!

[dialtones]

That's not quite what I was saying. [Sure, he does think Leorio would make a mess-- would he get any work done? He'd only care about his friends, he'd get roped easily into charities and other things of that nature. He wouldn't know how to handle any of the dirtier work...

But.]

You're much more fitting as a doctor.