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

[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.

[speeddial]

[Leorio arches an eyebrow at him so high it might retreat into his hair at any moment. Isn't that what he was saying? That's what it sounded like.

But then- ah. It's rare for people to actually say being a doctor suits him, probably because of his loud temper, but each time someone does it makes him feel... Well, like he's done something right, and isn't wasting his and everyone else's time with his dream.

So, naturally, he grumbles into his pancakes some more, hunching his shoulders a little. Mumble mumble shut up Kurapika... Ahem.]

Thanks.

[...]

I wouldn't've ruined it, at least give me that much-!

[dialtones]

[That sort of grumbling, sheepish reaction gets a smile out of Kurapika, as small as it is. He's endeared. As usual.]

It would be difficult to ruin it completely. [As for reassuring him, well... That's something? Maybe. It manages to come off even more offensive, doesn't it.

But fine, he'll relent a little, for his sake.]

I'd picture you quitting within a month. Two or three, if you were feeling exceptionally stubborn. That would certainly put a hold on things.

[speeddial]

[That's reassuring? Leorio quirks an eyebrow at him again, frowning. It's only half-genuine, though, after that sort-of-compliment... He's so easy to please.]

It'd definitely be three! [Very stubborn.] I bet I'd do better at it than you.

[dialtones]

What do you mean by that?

[Ah, now he's offended. That smile's gone so quickly... He's about 3/4 of the way through his pancakes, and it looks like that's his limit as he sets down his fork.]

Just where do you think I'd fall short?

[speeddial]

[He can dish it but he can't take it? Lame. Somehow, Leorio isn't deterred! He even laughs, waving his fork around some more.]

Come on, Kurapika. You're not much of a people person.

[dialtones]

[UM... Look, there's a difference here. He is capable.]

I don't have to be overly friendly to understand people. All of my co-workers trust me. [Go on, what else is he bad at!!]

[speeddial]

Sure, but it helps. Not everyone is like Melody, you know. [Or- himself?? But skipping that part-]

You'd have to take calls, too. And not blow people off whenever you felt like it!

[He may have a very idealized vision of what a Chairman should actually do, given how irresponsible and useless so many higher ups in the association are in reality. Oh well.]

[dialtones]

Have you noticed me ignore a call once while you've been here?

[That's a little harsh to point out, but he's never been great at deciding where to stop in those terms. He'd been ignoring Leorio for a reason, after all. He was too kind, too calming, too easy to get involved when he shouldn't be.

And look, here they are now, because he decided to reach out to him. Even if he was convinced not to force him away, that's not going to stop self-destructive tendencies and attempts at distancing himself when guilt, worry or plain selfishness set in.]

You haven't noticed, have you? [His position in things now.] That's fine. It's better that you don't. Are you done, by the way?

[speeddial]

That's not what I mean!!

[He'd have to answer all the calls he didn't want, is the point. He'd have to pick up the phone and if it happened to be Leorio or Gon or a complete stranger, that wouldn't matter!

One day, he might not be a little sour still about the phone thing. Just one call sure has been a whirlwind to deal with, but— well, whatever.

He blinks a few times then, clearly unaware of what he isn't noticing. Uh-?] Wait, what? Haven't noticed what? Kurapika-!

[dialtones]

[He'd thought about explaining it today, letting Leorio know the extent of what he's getting into... It would only be fair, but. It's not that simple.

And anyway, he's done with his pancakes, so since there's no hiding here--]

I'm going to use the restroom. [He'll just let Leorio stew over that with his pancakes while he wanders off for a bit. He doesn't feel like explaining himself, even if it's his fault for saying too much!! It's pancakes then the park.

So, he pushes his plate to the side and gets up to do just that.]

[speeddial]

Kurapika... [Don't leave him hanging! But he's not about to get up and chase him into the bathroom- he has that much self control, today. And he has a few pieces of fruit left, drowning in syrup, so he'll sit and sulk while he finishes those and waits.

There is a good deal of grumbling and repeated glancing toward the bathrooms in the meantime, make it quick.]

[dialtones]

[It's not Kurapika-may-have-been-killed-in-the-bathroom long but it's still longer than it should be. That's because he also used this as an excuse to call back and check on how things were. Working in the shadows.

That should be enough for today, though. And once he's done and washed his hands and everything seems fine, he'll head calmly back to the table, glancing to Leorio's plate as he sits down.]

[speeddial]

[It's Leorio-getting-bored-waiting-here-at-the-table long, at the very least. He's finished everything on his plate (even the syrup, maybe don't hold his hand quite yet) and is just about to finish chugging his drink when Kurapika returns.]

I'm done now. [Ah, right after he sat down... thanks Leorio.]

[dialtones]

[He could easily ignore that annoyance. Move on without saying a word, head to the car without paying-- but instead, he places a hand on his knee under the table. There's use in those huge legs, after all.]

Then are we heading out? [He's not smiling outright, but his eyes seem to be just enough, and his hand pulls back after a bit of hesitation. The waiter seemed to hear their commentary, at least, heading over with the check that Kurapika takes without a beat of hesitation.

He'll leave a good chunk of cash to cover the meal and any tip, looking to Leorio expectantly as he sets it down.]

[speeddial]

[Hmmmmm— what was he so annoyed about, again? He's half genuinely past it, because this isn't a day to sulk! - and half placated by the silent acknowledgement. Embarrassing...

That aside, he has no complaints whatsoever about Kurapika paying for the meal, shrugging as he slides out of his seat. There's maybe a fraction of a sip left in this drink that he pulls through the straw, obnoxious air-slurping noise and all, and then he's finally satisfied.]

Let's go.

[dialtones]

[As long as he doesn't get too used to it. One expensive dinner or something later, Kurapika will blatantly look at Leorio for payment, it'll be great. For now, though, he stands up and heads out with him to the car again.

They just spent a majority of their time eating pancakes arguing, and he can't even look back at it negatively. God, he's becoming aware of how gross this is. What's wrong with him, why is this happening, how does he stop it.

Well, it's too late now. He'll just pull out his Hunter Google Maps and look for the next destination.]

[speeddial]

[Oh, leave him to foot the bill when it's more than 20 bucks, he sees how it is.

For his part, Leorio is more or less content with how breakfast went. And now they're going to a park, right? This is so... well, it's about as typical first date material as it can be. Truth be told, he's still a little anxious about that, especially given that no one actually used the word date, but— He's getting back in the car like nothing is wrong! So. Everything's cool!]

You said the park's not far from here, right? [casual DATE TALK]

[dialtones]

No more than five minutes.

[This is definitely a date, but do either of them know for certain? Apparently not. Kurapika thinks it is, but then doubt settles in. It wasn't ever actually said, so does it really count? And the more he thinks of it as one, the more stiff he gets.

So he's trying not to think about it right now. (It's proving difficult.)]

Just take this main street for two lights, turn right and follow it down. It should be on the left.

[speeddial]

[This is the most uncertain date ever taken... Leorio hums and takes them back out onto the street, heading down... one light, two- He's quiet for once, because now he's really thinking about the date thing. He suggested it, so should he be the one to say something?

But Kurapika might get weird about it the way he did about the shirt compliment. But if he doesn't say something, is this just not going to be a date?? Is it just - going to the park for no reason?

No reason better than the one he had earlier in the morning, anyway. This is very frustrating and he makes it until the park is in view up ahead before he just goes for it. Suddenly, without preamble:]

This is a date, right? I mean, this- [he gestures between them again, like he did before when asking about Melody Knowing Everything] is us, dating.

[dialtones]

[The question gets him to look over in his surprise, eyes a little wider. Mostly, he's surprised that Leorio was brave enough to ask such a question. So he was looking for confirmation? It was good to know he wasn't the only one nervous and confused here.

On one side, it was relieving to hear that Leorio was considering it such, or at least wanting to. On the other, the decision for what felt like a large commitment was just placed in his lap. Friendship felt heavy enough, but this...

Was it the selfish answer to go with him not wanting to say no? Or was it selfish to push him away? He's overthinking even this.]

I-- [But after that hesitation, he looks away, not wanting Leorio to see his face as he decides which way to go.] I would say so. Wouldn't you?

[speeddial]

["I would say so." Kurapika... Leorio wonders if he'll ever talk about this stuff without being so... stiff. Still, an uptight yes is a yes, and he's relieved by that much. 'Dating' almost feels lackluster compared to the agreement to stay together they'd come to the other day, but-

It's good to put words to things, for sure. He's happy, as the uncertainty ebbs away. It's good.

They've reached the park by this point, but Leorio doesn't immediately leap out of the car this time after parking.]

Yeah, 'course I would. [Ah. Is that too casual. He's serious about this-!] I mean, yes— that's why I asked.

[save him from himself]