Floor 1, Room 3

[jokey]

AKIRA

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[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.

[jokey]

Kurapika...

[There was more to that statement, but it all falls by the wayside in favor of sudden, belly-aching laughter.]

[revengier]

[ God. God!!! This is why he can't stand Akira! This is a serious moment, not one to laugh about the middle of the street.

People are staring— ]

You're so loud! And obnoxious!

[jokey]

[So they are. Akira doesn't like drawing attention to himself in public any more than Kurapika does, so the only cure for that is to take his hand and run!]

[revengier]

[ Turns out running in the middle of the city like this only draws more stares, but for once, Kurapika doesn't mind it much. He lets Akira tug him along, his hand gripping the other boy's tight. Letting go simply isn't an option, after all. ]

I hope you're planning to go somewhere quiet.

[jokey]

[No, letting go isn't an option, but Kurapika might want to grab onto something more substantial than his hand when Akira manifests a magical hook from his free hand and hurls it skyward, latching on the high corner of a building. They take off into the air so quickly that the shock and awe of the onlookers aground quickly fades into the whooshing wind.]

Of course. We're on a date, aren't we? We deserve a little alone time.

[revengier]

[ This is like the broom all over again, Akira going to lengths to show him a neat little trick that forces Kurapika to wrap his arms around his waist so he doesn't go flying. That's exactly what he does too, though he doesn't mind the physical contact nearly as much this time around. ]

By attracting the attention of the entire city.

[ His tone is perfectly flat, but he'll gladly let Akira lead him wherever he wants to go. ]

[jokey]

[Akira's laughter is swallowed up by the winds, hooking from roof to roof, the skyline rapidly shifting and swaying.]

They're focused more on the act than the actors. If we land in a back alley and casually blend into the crowd, no one will give us a second look.

[Akira would know. He's highly skilled at doing that very thing.]

You don't seem panicked at all. Are you frequently being flung from building to building?

[revengier]

Is it not obvious that I trust you?

[ Please. Even if he's hanging on tight, he doesn't think Akira will drop him, much less do something like this if he wasn't confident in his own ability to. ]

Besides, I'd find a way to land safely if you dropped me.

[ Because, naturally, the fact that he trusts his own abilities too helps. ]