After The Eyes ~ A Leopika Story

Chapter 13

Leorio slowly woke up the next morning to the sound of scribbling. He reached his arm out for Kurapika, but met empty sheets. He turned over to look for him, and found him on the other side of the room, filling out paperwork. 

He couldn't help but smile at how adorable he looked with his reading glasses, and how he furrowed his brow when he concentrated. He stood up, and walked over to him. 

Kurapika glanced at him, and tightened his grip on the pen he was holding. 

"Morning Sunshine~" Leorio sang, his voice raspy. 

"Uh, morning." Kurapika said, as he stood up before Leorio could sit down next to him. 

"Why'd you wake up so early?" Leorio asked, watching Kurapika walk to the closet. "Couldn't sleep." Kurapika answered briefly. 

Leorio found it odd for Kurapika to answer his questions so informally, and it was especially odd after everything that had happened the night before. He figured that maybe he was feeling shy, or just grumpy due to the lack of sleep. 

Leorio walked up behind him, and laced his arms under Kurapika's, pulling him close to his chest. Kurapika flinched, and attempted shrugging him off. Leorio could sense how uncomfortable he was, and let go. 

"Did I do something?" he asked. Kurapika shook his head, but didnt turn around to face him. He continued plucking the lint off of his jacket, silently praying that Leorio would go back to bed. That he'd forget about him, about their kiss, about everything. But that wasn't going to happen.

 "Kurapika?" Leorio muttered. "Hm?" Kurapika hummed casually, still refusing to look at him. "Kurapika look at me." Leorio said sternly. 

Kurapika dug his fingernails into one of his palms, in an attempt to calm his nerves. He turned around, and barely kept eye contact. 

"What's going on?" Leorio asked. 

Kurapika shrugged, directing his focus to the wall behind him. "Tired I guess." he mumbled. Leorio let out a relieved sigh, all though he didn't fully believe Kurapika's words, he really wanted to. 

"I see, I thought you were upset with me Sunshine." he said, wrapping his arms around Kurapika. He nestled his nose in Kurapika's hair, taking in the sweet scent of rosemary. It was a sophisticated and feminine scent, and it lingered in Leorio's past memories. 

Kurapika's shoulders tensed up, and he held his arms close to his sides. A memory of Pairo hugging him flashed in his mind, and the string finally snapped.

He gently pushed Leorio off of him, and took a step back. "I can't do this with you, sorry." he murmured. Leorio's eyes widened, "What are you talking about?" he asked quietly. 

Kurapika's nails dug deeper in his skin, this isn't what he wanted to say. This is the opposite of what he wanted to say. But he needed to remind himself, it was never about what he wanted. 

"I mean I regret last night, and everything that led up to it, let's move on." he said, as calmly as he could. 

"Why." Leorio asked, unconvinced that Kurapika was telling the truth. 

"It doesn't concern you." 

"Of course it does, why?" 

"Let's move on." 

"No, tell me why" 

Kurapika tried to glare up at him, he tried so hard. But the look he gave Leorio was a desperate plead rather than a glare. 

"Kurapika, talk to me." 

"I'm telling you it's really none of your concern." 

"And I'm telling you it really is. I'm growing impatient Kurapika." 

 Kurapika bit his bottom lip, he wasn't expecting such a protest. 

"I need to cut out distractions. I need to stay focused." 

"On the eyes?" 

"Yeah." 

Leorio furrowed his brow. 

"Now here's the million dollar question you've been avoiding, what happens after you find the eyes Kurapika?" 

A knock was heard from the door. 

"Coming!" "Go away!" they exclaimed in unison. 

Kurapika shook his head and started towards the door, but Leorio grabbed his arm. 

"Kurapika." 

"Let go." 

"Answer me." 

Kurapika looked at the door, and then back at Leorio. Back at Leorio's pleading eyes. 

"Leorio-" 

"Answer me" 

"I need your understanding." 

"I need you." Leorio blurted out. 

He looked down at Kurapika, who seemed completely unphased by any of Leorio's words. Emotionless. 

"Kurapika? I can come back later, I just-" "I'm coming right now sir." Kurapika answered the captain behind the door. 

Leorio's grip loosened, and his arm fell to his side. Kurapika walked to the door, leaving their conversation in an empty abyss.