Floor 1, Room 3

[jokey]

AKIRA

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Comments

[revengier]

You have a point. You should consider the fact that I want to go on a date with you at all a miracle.

[ Akira was pretty rude to him, after all. The fact that Kurapika is doing this at all should speak for itself, really.

He shoves his free hand into his jacket pocket. ]

So, do you want to go or not?

[jokey]

A miracle's putting it lightly. This must be the afterlife.

[And his angel of vengeance, glorious and bright, props up his halo with a set of needly horns. This still doesn't feel real.]

I do, if you'll forgive your date for running late. Mind if I change into something more appropriate?

[revengier]

Go right ahead, though I think you look fine.

[ But Akira will probably insist on changing anyway.

So, he'll just... stand here awkwardly until Akira returns. ]

[jokey]

[Nah, none of that man standing bullshit. Akira takes Kurapika's hand and sets off for the manor.]

Come with me. It'll be quicker.

[revengier]

[ Oh. His hand... he can't help the fact that his hand is a bit stiff in Akira's, though it only lasts for a second or two before he squeezes his fingers around his hand. ]

I hope you have an outfit in mind already.

[jokey]

Of course. I'll be ready before you know it.

[Unlocking his door and ushering Kurapika in, he leaves him to his man standing while he rifles through his drawers for just the right outfit, disappearing into the bathroom to put it on and style his hair. Exiting into the main room, he does a little 360 twirl and holds his hand out with a flourish.]

Shall we go?

[revengier]

[ While Akira is in the bathroom, Kurapika does a little bit of snooping around because why the hell not, and he looks up from whatever he's picked up from Akira's desk to examine. ]

Hmm, you're right. This is a lot better.

[ He's a lot less reluctant in taking Akira's hand this time, even being so bold as to thread their fingers together. ]

Have you decided where you want to go? The decision really is yours.

[jokey]

[What Kurapika picks up is a little hand-whittled wooden figurine of Shinjiro complete with beanie and bulky red coat. The base of the model is similar to that of a chess piece.

Akira trusts Kurapika will put that back when he's done fiddling with it (it's a surprise!) and... ah. They're really holding hands now. Akira's heart flutters in his chest, some sudden feeling of inexplicable joy tugging his lips wide. He hasn't felt this happy in a while.]

The City of Glory sounds cool. Why don't we head there first and then hit up the observatory?

[revengier]

[ He pockets it—

No, Kurapika sets it back right where he found it. He can't pay much mind to a little figurine when he's busy focusing on holding hands. This is different from holding hands with his friends, the warmth of their palms radiating up into the rest of his body and making his pulse quicken. ]

Sure. I've heard that they have an impressive collection of academic literature.

[ Not that he'll be focused on that... probably. ]

As for the city... there are a few cafes and antique stores that I like. We could look around those?

[ What does one even do on dates, he has no idea. ]

Of course, I'll defer to what you want to do. You have more experience.

[jokey]

Good. We can stock up on some books while we're there.

[Isn't Kurapika glad his crush is a fellow nerd? Akira slides the door closed behind them and makes a beeline for the elevator. He's been lacking energy these last several days, but he's clearly feeling much better now. Wonder why?]

We can grab a bite to eat while we're there. I'll see how their coffee stands up against mine.

[Akira's already jotting down a mental itinerary. Kurapika might not know what to do on a proper date, but thankfully, his beau does.]

You act like I've been on a million dates before. What do you think I am, some kind of philanderer?

[revengier]

[ He thinks he'll like Akira's coffee better, simply because there's something about someone making it specifically for you. That's too embarrassing to admit right this moment, however, so he keeps his mouth zipped as he tugs Akira into the elevator once the doors open.

He wastes no time in pushing the button for their destination. ]

Aren't you, though? You kissed me because you got caught up in the moment, after all. Who knows how many women and men you've kissed?

[ Could be hundreds, even. And even though he's giving Akira shit over this, he doesn't really care. What matters is the here and now. ]

[jokey]

[Pfft. There he goes again hurling baseless accusations! Akira smirks.]

But you acknowledged it was kinda clumsy, right? It's like I said before: if I were that kind of guy, I wouldn't have been even a little nervous kissing you.

[revengier]

[ He just barely suppresses the urge to roll his eyes, but the fact that he keeps his hand firmly planted in Akira's is enough evidence that he isn't that bothered. ]

You were nervous? Give me a break.

[jokey]

You don't believe me? Seriously?

[He snorts a laugh.]

You couldn't feel how hard my heart was pounding? What about my sweaty palms? Guess I'm a better actor than I thought.

[revengier]

I was a little distracted.

[ He was angry and it was his first kiss. There was a lot going on!

The elevator dings and they're met with the bustle of the city. Without waiting, Kurapika tugs on Akira's hand to bring them out into the middle of it. ]

You were quick to flirt with me, you know. You can't blame me for thinking everything else would be easy for you too.

[jokey]

This is where we got our wires crossed before. You know why I made a move on you?

[He can buy Kurapika never having had a crush or anything similar before, but like... he's a well-read guy. Hasn't he at least read a young adult novel or a romance before??]

[revengier]

[ No. :)

He stops, fixing Akira with a look and ignoring the throngs of people pushing past them. ]

All I know is that you told me that you simply felt like kissing me.

[ And that? That could mean anything. ]

[jokey]

You're getting warmer.

[He's not handing you this one, Kurapika.]

Why do you think someone would want to kiss you? You've already used "because he kisses everyone" and you were wrong. Out of the kindness of my heart, I'll give you another guess.

[revengier]

[ He frowns, but it's closer to a pout over anything else. God, he's so annoying. Why does he have to be into annoying guys? ]

You were caught up in the moment. You said it wasn't deep, Akira. What was I supposed to think?

[jokey]

There's something else I said that you're completely glossing over.

[revengier]

That you wanted to be good friends?

[ Hmph. But he knows that isn’t what Akira is talking about.

With a soft sigh, he gives Akira a serious look, though it lacks his usual severity. ]

What you said about feeling a connection, right?

[jokey]

Something along those lines...

[this bitch denser than a brick..................]

I like you. That's why.

[revengier]

[ He sure is! But that's part of his charm, isn't it?

Though, at least Akira's directness gets through to him. It surprises him just a bit too, but Kurapika recovers quickly enough to squeeze his hand before long. ]

I like you too. [ Direct and without any hesitation. ] I care about you, which is why I waited until you woke up, and why I offered to help you prevent what happened on the mission in the future. You thought I would offer to do that for anyone, but that isn't true. I offered because I would do it for you.

[ His heart is beating fast admitting all of this now, but he's determined to be fully honest here. ]

I wanted to do what you told me to do, which is to spend time with someone I care about.

[jokey]

[O-oh. Being direct and to the point is part of Kurapika's charm, but good god does this guy not pull his punches. Akira's fingers twitch and his cheeks tingle, a sure sign that they've taken on a dusting of color.]

You should've told me all this in the first place. When I told you I liked you before, you completely blew me off. What was that about?

[revengier]

[ That embarrassment is contagious, because it feels like the tips of his ears are starting to burn. ]

...I didn't realize how I felt.

[ He may, in fact, be stupid. ]

I didn't realize you were confessing your feelings for me either.