dumbshow | answer your god damn phone

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answer your god damn phone

[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?

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[He'd gone into this without thinking properly. He hadn't meant to turn this into some sort of confession scene, and yet somehow it'd happened? His heart feels like it's in his stomach, or his stomach is up in his chest-- he can't really tell which-- and he finds himself taking in a slow breath.

Leorio is so sincere. Up close like this, it feels like so much more of a heavy thing.]

Leorio, I-- [Just two words sound pretty emotional, and he has to cut himself off, probably to avoid saying something too unnecessarily corny. But he's already caught in this overly determined and serious moment of staring at one another and making promises to themselves.

His hands grip at Leorio's shoulders and then slide down his arms halfway, only to hold tight there again.]

I won't ignore you anymore. Please forgive me.

[It's weird, Leorio thinks idly, while he's still staring at Kurapika and - waiting. It's weird that his heart is pounding this hard and he's confessing and yet... it all feels ordinary. Maybe not ordinary—

Inevitable? He isn't sure, but it's something like that.]

For— [What? Again, he's thrown for a moment. There are so many things he's turned a blind eye to and excused, but so many on top of those that he's raked over the coals, and... He isn't sure which things he's forgiving, from ignoring his calls to hiding being the next boss and in between.

He doesn't want whatever he says in response to sound less than serious, is the thing... Part of him feels like he'd agree to anything right now (Kurapika loves him) without even a whisper of a second thought (loves him).

He forgets there's a bench between them as he moves to take a step forward, pitching forward with a swear and grabbing for Kurapika to stay mostly upright. Smooth.]

Kurapika— [yes he's doing this in this position] Don't worry about it.

[Even with this incredible display of clumsiness, he's overcome with complex feelings. His eyes are red behind his contacts again, but he doesn't care this time. This sort of feeling is one new to him, but it feels... natural. Maybe that's it. Natural.

He's happy, he thinks as Leorio practically falls again and has to grab him for stability. He's happy but an incredibly heavy sadness grips at his chest like it's been there for the past couple of years, and he steps as close as he possibly can to the bench without actually running into it.

Who cares if there's a bench between them, apparently. Kurapika lets his arms slip to wrap around Leorio's waist so he can press his face to his chest and forget about everything else for a second. How strange... he's abandoned pride for this moment.]

[Luckily, Leorio manages to right himself - mostly, he is more or less kneeling backwards on this bench, right now - after Kurapika lets go of his arms. His own he folds around Kurapika's shoulders in return, one hand braced gently against the back of his head, just to... hold him, like this. It's nice.

Even with the bench between them. But there's something else here that he's missing, he thinks, and has to focus on not letting the surge of good feelings in him right now get the better of him. He'd like to, but this is a lot less... bumbling and awkward than he imagined it would go.

Everything else they've done has been like that so far, after all-!! So once he's reached the point that he has to move a little (because he is kneeling on a bench like a moron), he says more quietly than he's been this whole time,] Kurapika?

[He'd gotten too wrapped up in feelings again, hadn't he? Reluctantly, he pulls away from Leorio just enough to let him escape this bench prison they seem to be revolving around. He's been such an idiot all this time. He rubs at his eyes just once, and then he looks up to Leorio with a small smile, fine aside from the faint red glow around his contacts.]

...I'm glad. [His hands meet his sides and they curl there naturally.] That things have ended up in this way. That's all.

[Hmm. Hmmmm.

He'll take it. He raises an eyebrow at Kurapika, definitely looking like he's sizing him up to make sure there's not something terrible and upsetting he's thinking about-!! But he's satisfied in another moment and finally gets off the bench and comes around to the other side in a few quick strides, reaching for Kurapika's hand as he does so.

Boldly!!]

Good! [He pauses, giving him one of those looks with too-soft eyes, but - mm. He'll be sappy later. Which means right now he's standing up straight, looking very Important...] You should be- I'm a real catch.

[It's easier for his fingers to curl right in place the second time, and so they do just that. Just in time for him to catch that look, and maybe even return it a little-- right until that comment.

He laughs outright, his free hand pressing to his face as he shakes his head. With a tug at Leorio's hand, he urges him along with him back to the normal path of the park. They can head to the exit.]

You've just bruised your legs, probably. [A real catch.]

[Ah, finally returning to civilization... No one will ever know about their super cliche confession in the secluded spot surrounded by flowers. It's like they followed a script, except they lost the script at the last minute and Leorio kept walking into stuff.

Speaking of-] They don't hurt yet.

[So there...]

Yet.

[But Leorio running into things aside, he wonders what the plans are now. What more can they do? They ate, they went somewhere nice, there were dramatic reveals and corny confessions... He's embarrassed thinking back on it all, really.

At the same time, it's pretty nice. They're holding hands and that's... exciting in a way he'll never even hint at saying out loud. And now he's vaguely wondering if tonight was a 'study night' or not...]

This park isn't so bad, is it?

[Yet!!

They can go get Melody some takeout pancakes, maybe. He'll remember making that offhand comment in a bit, when he wonders again how transparent they're going to be when they get back and see her.

For now, he's focused on their joined hands, and every so often starts to break out in a grin that he keeps trying to mask with a cough or looking off in a different direction. This is embarrassing... He expected being happy, but this is a level beyond his initial thoughts!!

The park is not embarrassing, good call.]

It's... [His brow furrows as he genuinely tries to think of a nice thing to say about this park that isn't just "it's okay." Man, he really is too city for this. He's got it-] Well, I'm definitely going to remember it.

[Kurapika smiles at that, and there's even a small chuckle-- but that's cut off soon enough by the ringing of his phone. He reaches into his pocket with a free hand, glancing at the screen.]

It's Melody.

[That's as warning to Leorio so he can understand as he answers the phone, pressing it to his ear as they walk.] Melody? Yes?

[He goes quiet, and the next few seconds are telling. His eyes get more serious, his mouth presses into a line, and his hand squeezes Leorio's lightly. Ah. Back to work, it seems.]

How long has he been like this? [Another pause.] Right. Try to keep everyone calm. I'll be there shortly.

[Shutting his phone off, he takes a wider step, but at least he doesn't release Leorio's hand. He glances back to him instead.]

Something happened. Nostrade's locked himself in his room and won't explain what's going on, and he's extremely distressed.

[Leorio's reaction to Melody on the phone goes from "oh no she knows" to bland resignation to more work in record time. He keeps pace with Kurapika easily enough, although he doesn't particularly... care about the news, callous as that may be. Nostrade? Forget Nostrade. He's already a gibbering idiot, isn't he, so-!!

Well, Leorio still wouldn't pass up the chance to punch him into next week if it just happened to appear. He keeps up and only looks remotely interested for Kurapika's sake, and of course, it's not very subtle.]

You mean the same crap he was pulling when I got here? [This seems to be a pattern... He sighs, waving his free hand to mean that he'll shut up about how little he cares for Nostrade, this time.] I can drive faster.

From what Melody was saying, he's in an even worse state, going so far as to be destructive.

[He honestly doesn't mind Leorio's animosity towards Nostrade, considering everything, but in this case, he needs to make something clear.]

This could mean that I'll have to step up sooner than I had planned. [It was a good chance for it, probably, but it was shaky, too. He didn't like that, but what choice did he have?] I'll have to see him first. Could you come with me to his room?

[Hmmm. He can't tell if this is a bad thing or... well, good is pushing it, but a less bad thing. Maybe they can put Nostrade in a home and he'll never have to deal with him face to face.

Or-] What? He's not- [a frown; goddamn it, he can't help that small bit of reflexive concern] What the hell's he actually destroying?

[It's not a "no"... of course he'll go, even if he'd rather avoid the man entirely.]

His room, most likely.

[Kurapika looks embarrassed or troubled to say this, but there it is. With heavy shoulders, he gives one last look around the park he'd just been enjoying. It may be the last view.

And he's not sure what Leorio's lack of an answer means, but he's fine with waiting to see rather than pressing it. That doesn't mean he's not going to issue a general warning, though.]

He'll point his anger at me, but that's something I can handle rather easily. Try not to say anything to make him shift to you.

[Because that would be the real hassle, okay.] ...I apologize for having to return. I'll make it up to you later.

[He's a doctor, not a furniture repairman!!

Leorio has a few choice grumbles about where exactly Nostrade can point his anger, but look, if he gets all of them out now - he might not repeat them later. One can hope.

They're almost to the car now, and he waves a hand mock-carelessly as he tugs his other hand free of Kurapika's to move around to the driver's side. It's okay, he means, for a given value of "okay." It's tolerable. He gets it.]

Sure, sure. I'll hold you to that, you know. [This he says while jabbing a pointing finger at Kurapika... from over the car's roof, because he is tall enough to just stare over. Then he'll get in.]

And hey— he didn't see me when I tried to kick down his door. It should be okay.

[He nods silently at that, ducking into the car afterwards. The kicking down the door comment, though, gets a tired look before he buckles his seatbelt.]

You should be okay if you stay quiet. [NO COMMENTARY...

But okay, I assume this is a good point for a timeskip SO. By the time they get to the building, Kurapika is unbuckling his seatbelt before Leorio can even park the car. The car stops, and he pushes the door open to step out already, walking quickly towards the entrance.

Leorio can catch up with his long legs, anyway, and so when he does, Kurapika looks over to spot him.]

Remember what I said.

[No commentary... How is he meant to go on like this? He grumbles on the way back, grumbles as he gets out of the car (mostly about Kurapika leaping out of the vehicle like Nostrade's going anywhere, come on), grumbles about catching up - and then, finally, it's out of his system.

He shoves his hands in his pockets and slouches. Going along with this is a drag. With an annoyed huff,]

I heard you! I'll mind my manners.

[So short... But it's not as if he can blame him in this case. Dealing with this sort of group of people was trying on patience. As much as Leorio seemed informed on things, even in this area, Kurapika wasn't so sure he could handle living it. And that was for the best, honestly.

The couple of members at the front as they enter don't say anything, but there's another one further in that notifies Kurapika that Nostrade is in fact in his office. That saves time.

So, he'll step into the elevator with Leorio and press the button, folding his arms and thinking as he waits.

Things don't become clear until they've made it all the way down the hall of the top floor and Melody is seen outside with both Linssen and Basho. After exchanging looks, Kurapika offers a couple of knocks at the door. No answer, and so he announces simply.]

Sir? I'm coming in. [With a courtesy wait of three seconds exactly, and no reply to tell him to stay out, he takes it as permission and enters, gesturing for Leorio to do the same.

The room is quite literally a mess. It's practically barren, with only a desk and a chair, and whatever paperwork had been stacked on the desk is now scattered across the room, some pieces crumpled, others stepped on, the rest untouched but completely mixed. Similarly, Nostrade is on his knees in the center of one of the piles, holding his head like he's about ready to pull his hair out.]

Sir--

[Immediately, Kurapika is interrupted.]

I don't need anything from you. [Again, Kurapika grows silent, simply watching the man from where he was. He's not about to patronize him with any overly comforting actions or concern. That would only make things worse.] My daughter... My poor baby, no matter what I do, she can't tell any fortunes at all!

[He's halfway to sobbing, at this point. It's pathetic to watch.] What am I supposed to do?! What can I...

[This is getting out of hand. He knows this song and dance by now, and so Kurapika speaks again, even with his feet planted firmly in place, just a few feet from the door.] If you're struggling, I can--

What the hell do you know?! [Snapped immediately, Nostrade finally raises his face to view the both of them.] You don't know anything about this! Stop acting like you know everything! You're not going to help, he's not going to-- [A pause, and he points at Leorio. It's not quite hopeful, more like demanding and a little crazy.] He's not going to help her, is he?!

[It's not possible. He knows that, after trying every expert that owed him favors, but still--]

You're going too far. [Kurapika speaks again, but this time, it's more stern. Warning. Spoken with a twinge of rudeness that gets Nostrade to look at him again.]

Your daughter's ability is gone. [Those words alone make something snap further (was that purposeful?) and Nostrade mutters under his breath, something like 'you bastard'. He's about to throw another fit.]

[Leorio has nothing to say on the way up to the office - he figures it will help him remember to keep his mouth shut later if he starts as soon as possible, honestly.

At least, he thinks it will help, until he follows Kurapika into the room and sees the state it (and Nostrade) is in. What grips him suddenly isn't pity for the man - he's not that much of a bleeding heart - but instantaneous frustration that this is the man leaving messes for Kurapika to clean up after. Part of Leorio still blames Nostrade for how far the incident with the poisoned nen progressed, the way he sat up here in his office and moped, apparently, with that much apparent disregard for the people who work under him.

As he stands just behind Kurapika and scowls down at the man on the floor, nothing Nostrade says changes his mind any which way. If he pities anyone now, it's this daughter everyone seems really concerned about— her father's a useless lump on the floor while she's in need of help. What's worse, the way Nostrade is talking about her...

Forget manners!! He steps to the side, just so Nostrade can look all the way up at him as Leorio jabs a finger at him, loudly unimpressed. He doesn't even spare Kurapika a "Hang on" or anything before he cuts in, oops.] Who's the bastard here, huh?! What kind of father talks about his daughter like that-!!

[Like she's not as important as her ability... What is it with all these shitty dads he keeps running into?]

You're sitting on your ass up here having a tantrum while half your men are dying and your kid's— [He cuts himself off before he really does deck this jackass, straightening from his angry stoop and taking a Deep Breath.] Where is she, anyway?

[don't tell him... don't tell him he'll be madder] Is she even here?

[Leorio steps around him before either he or Nostrade can speak any more, and Kurapika's stomach just about drops. Idiot! He opens his mouth to call out his name in protest, but that wouldn't look much better, and so he closes it again, shutting it tightly as he stands stiff in place.

It's just the three of them, right now, so it's easier than if there had been a crowd. Nostrade is quiet only for the brief moment it takes for him to shoot Leorio a crazed look that says he has no right-- and then he's pushing himself up from the ground.]

Who the hell do you think you are? [To Leorio now, stumbling forward with his next step like he might start a fist fight. That's when Kurapika steps forward as well, not physically stepping between them (yet), but speaking up enough that it causes Nostrade to pause in place.]

Sir, you should sit down. You're getting--

[Nostrade interrupts him.] Neon is at home! I'm doing business here, trying to clean up this mess, and since her power hasn't returned, I sent her back. [It's like a Nostrade-Leorio-staredown right now. He's standing tall, trying to sound more pulled together.] What are you getting at?

[Come on Kurapika, he can punch out an old man!! Or is that the point... Leorio throws him a glance, somewhat impatient because he's already sick and tired of walking on eggshells around Nostrade (and he hasn't been, which speaks its own volumes).

Still, it's only a brief look at Kurapika before Nostrade has his attention again. Leorio stands even taller (not difficult), jabbing a finger at him again with his other hand balled in an angry fist at his side. Just one punch through the floor, that's all he needs...]

Don't give me that crap!! What's your business, knocking over furniture?! [He takes a step forward like he's ready to really take a swing at him, but stops short.] You should be at home with your daughter, you cold bastard!

[The look from Leorio actually helps to calm Kurapika. His plan was a more civil end to Nostrade's position, but this is leading into something that could both work out and form Leorio a nice place in the group. Whether he intends to or not.

Nostrade's face twists in his anger. He's being insulted. His pride is at stake. Kurapika has seen this before. Normally, someone else would throw the punch first, but he can recognize his moves going for it now. The tensing of the muscles in his arms, the balling of his fists, the step forward.]

You don't know anything about Neon!

[A balled fist shoots up and right for Leorio's face. With the ruckus, the mafia members who'd been outside enter through the door, but Kurapika has already stepped back and extends an arm to keep them back. With just one simple exchange of glances, they all understand, and relax.

At least no one will be prying Leorio away from the 'boss' and scolding him, now.]

[Leorio notices it too— this old man is actually going to punch him. Well, let him! Getting knocked in the head first will give him plenty of excuse to send him flying, right? Right. So—

He takes the blow to the head, but turns with it to lessen the impact. His glasses nearly fly off from the momentum, and he's shoving them back up the bridge of his nose even as he turns to swing a fist right back at the side of Nostrade's head. He had something that sounded cool planned to say in reply, in the split-second before he got whacked in the face - something about how Nostrade clearly doesn't know anything about her either, because he's crying on the floor like a pathetic bastard all the time!! But-

Instead-] Shut up already!!

[He doesn't seem to have noticed everyone else just showed up, no. Hm.]

[Melody is the only one who winces as Nostrade is pushed back, and that's thanks to the volume more than anything else. He hits the ground, probably with a bloody nose since you get those no matter where you're punched in anime. It's enough to have him covering his face as he glares back up. First, at Leorio, then over to the others.]

None of you... None of you understand anything! [The cool punch moment didn't actually help to shut him up, it turns out.] Do you think you can clean up this mess by yourselves?!

[Kurapika can only watch with cold distance as he continues. This is what he'd wanted from the start, after all. To take them out one by one after earning their trust and climbing to the top. Right now, even with Nostrade's faith faltering, he had the backing of the rest of them. And Leorio waiting for that punch to hit before throwing his own had been perfect, as well.

Nostrade was saying things without thinking, and it would all end in their favor.]

You think you know my own daughter better than I do? [He's more emotional now than he's ever been, Kurapika notes. The loss of his daughter's powers lead to this snapping point, but this was beyond that. He'd been a twisted man all along. Nostrade is getting back up to his feet now.]

Kurapika. [He calls out, and Kurapika responds with a 'Yes?' as usual.] I'm going back with Neon to find her a cure. I'll leave things in your care permanently this time.

[...That surprises him. Nostrade has stopped being aggressive at Leorio. Instead, he looks a resolved a little, wiping his face with the back of his palm. This isn't the direction he was expecting after that question at all. What's...]

I'm going back to Neon.

kill me

how can i when i am already dead

636 comments and I am dying I am dead

hold me now I'M SIX FEET FROM THE EDGE AND I'M THINKING

SIX FEET........ AIN'T SO FAR DOWN.......... CLUTCHES CHEST

leopika hell is real

it's real and I live it

all day all night dweeb living

It's true, a dumb song comes on at work and I'm in leopika hell again

why didn't you tell me what song

because I forgot also that's embarrassing

nuh uh

YA HUH

nuh uhhhh

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can this be replied to??? YOU KEEP SAYING I LEAVE THINGS TO REPLY TO BUT.......

well i am replying

point

ah it's been a whole like 300 comments since leorio yelled at the mafia

has it really, that's far too long

here, leorio levels up

dING DING DING level 9 nerd, also does some lame thing here I guess