Floor 1, Room 3

[jokey]

AKIRA

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[jokey]

[That's more like it. Akira can feel the difference when Kurapika no longer tenses against him, and though he can't see Akira's smile, he can surely hear it. Anyway, off they go! Westbound!]

I didn't say that.

[But he didn't not say that, so...]

Who knows? Maybe I'm only letting you get away with it because you're cute.

[revengier]

[ Akira is comfortable, and now that there’s an acknowledgment between them, it’s not so terrifying to hold him like this. It stirs up anticipation instead, a kind of giddy nervousness that scares him just a little.

But, hm. Akira didn’t say that, sure, but he didn’t deny it either. ]

I don’t think someone that always carries a gun on them qualifies as “cute”.

[ Thankfully broom travel is quick, because the sun is nearly past the horizon completely by now. Kurapika points north. ]

It should be that way. You’ll know it when you see it.

[jokey]

[Akira snorts, lifting a hand from his broom to squeeze Kurapika's hand.]

What's that got to do with anything? If you ask me, the gun makes you even cuter.

[Do not even try to comprehend the inner machinations of his mind, Kurapika. On Kurapika's mark, Akira veers north.]

[revengier]

I think you have weird taste above anything else.

[ He's been called cute by plenty of people in his life, but realistically? Kurapika thinks his entire personality counteracts whatever impression his looks give off.

It's not long before the observatory shows itself, a lone building sitting atop a cliff and nestled against the sky, no artificial light around to disrupt the beauty of the stars.

Kurapika tilts his head on Akira's shoulder. ]

That's it.

[jokey]

[The sun's begun to set such that the stars, barely visible in the orange sky, vaguely twinkle. Akira dismisses his broom and takes Kurapika's hand like it's second nature while they walk the rest of the way to the observatory.]

You really shouldn't call yourself weird, Kurapika. I got pretty lucky bagging a baddie like you.

[does kurapika even know that that means]

[revengier]

[ Akira's hand is warm and solid in his and the breeze that filters over the cliffside is chilly enough that he inadvertently tugs Akira's hand to bring him closer.

There are a few nice spots they could lay in the grass and look up at the sky, but the roof itself is flat enough in a few spots that they could easily lay up there too. ]

Bagging a baddie...?

[ Kurapika frowns, not sure how he feels about that. What the hell does that even mean? ]

[jokey]

[Oh, no need to tug! He's sidling up nice and close and Eskimo kissing Kurapika's nose before his lips come in to seal the deal. He opens the door to the observatory and steps inside.]

Mhmm. You're a real bad bitch.

[Kurapika probably won't understand that that's a compliment, but Akira's never been one to shy away from pissing the guy off. Explanation forthcoming, don't worry.]

[revengier]

[ Kissing him and then calling him a bitch? What the hell, Akira? He's just trying to piss him off at this point, so Kurapika gives him what he wants and lets go of his hand. ]

Then you won't mind if I go to the other side of the observatory, then.

[ Hmph!!

The observatory isn't particularly large, though, but it's stuffed full of academic journals and tomes, a scent permeating the air that only really ever belongs to old libraries. It's comforting and slightly sneeze-inducing. And of course, there's a telescope too, which is the central feature of this eerily empty observatory.

Kurapika, hwoever, immediately busies himself with an academic journal. ]

[jokey]

[That's what he figured. Akira lets go of his hand without a fuss, but he trots along beside Kurapika regardless. The academic journal gets a glance, sure, but Akira's eyes remain on his little blond prize.]

"Bad bitch" is a compliment where I'm from. Bad means good, and anyone with a sassy attitude is a bitch, but in a good way. That makes you the baddest of the bitches.

[revengier]

[ Kurapika nonchalantly flips to the next page, pretending to stay focused on this journal even though he can feel Akira's eyes boring holes through him. ]

So you're saying I have attitude problems.

[ That's what he's hearing. ]

[jokey]

[Akira leans in and blows of puff of air into Kurapika's ear.]

That's exactly what I'm saying.

[revengier]

[ That makes him jump and nearly drop the journal in his hands. ]

What is your problem?

[ And what is Kurapika's for liking this kind of behavior? It pisses him off! Which is why he rolls the journal up into a tube and baps Akira on the shoulder with it. ]

[jokey]

Owwie. Be nice.

[Bapping him like he's some kind of disobedient dog?

...

......

He kind of is, actually. Fair play. Grinning, he takes Kurapika by the hand and yanks him towards the observatory stairs. If they keep messing around, they'll miss the sunset!]

Lighten up, will you? You're such a fussy guy.

[revengier]

[ Owwie? Seriously? Kurapika is about to bap him again before he's suddenly pulled towards the stairs, dropping that journal along the way. ]

Maybe if you weren't so obnoxious, I would.

[ Buuuut he's smiling anyway, easily letting himself be tugged along and up the stairs. It's a few flights, but before long they're at the door to the rooftop. ]

[jokey]

[Akira all but runs up the stairs, catching glimpses of the hanging sun out of tall yawning windows and finding himself motivated to beat the clock. Kurapika can keep pace, can't he?]

I think you like me this way.

[revengier]

[ He sure can. After all, he wouldn't be a Hunter if he couldn't, right? In fact, he's barely broken a sweat despite the winding staircase, his breathing nice and even.

For just a moment, he contemplates batting back a contradictory statement, but... he'll be honest, actually. ]

I do. It's one of my favorite things about you.

[jokey]

[...Oh... Please ignore the way Akira nearly trips over his own feet. He's still in the early stages of accepting that Kurapika likes the downright goofiest parts of himself. His chest feels so warm and fuzzy... but maybe that's just the late evening sun greeting them at the top of the observatory?]

Well, just so you know, I like your bad attitude. I think it's charming.

[revengier]

[ It must be, as Kurapika's chest feels warm, as if his heart has been constricted by more than just the condition he's set on it. ]

Charming? I think you should take a better look at what you consider charming. I'm worried for your taste.

[ But he's smiling anyway as they walk out onto the roof, letting go of Akira's hand so he can take off his jacket and lay it down over the singles for a bit of cushion. Hopefully the weather up here stays relatively warm, as all he has on is a tank top underneath, but that's a problem for future Kurapika anyway. ]

[jokey]

Worry all you want, but it's true.

[Akira settles beside Kurapika on crossed legs. If he gets cold, no biggie. He's got his thoughtful date right beside him to keep him nice and warm.

Actually... while they're at it? He loops an arm loosely around Kurapika's waist, hugging him to his side.]

There's a lot about you that I like. You really don't give yourself enough credit.

[revengier]

I think I give myself plenty of credit.

[ If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be where he is now.

With a sigh, he allows himself to relax against Akira’s side, the arm around his waist pleasantly warm. ]

I can be charming, but I certainly haven’t been that way with you.

[ But would Akira even want him to turn up the charm if it’s only a front? Probably not… and so he won’t. Instead, Kurapika will rest his head on Akira’s shoulder. ]

[jokey]

Mm. This is an "eye of the beholder" situation, I think.

[Call him blind all you want, but Akira likes what he sees.]

You're no one but yourself and I really like that about you. I wouldn't have been so enamored with you if you were the kind of person to put on airs.

[revengier]

You like straightforward, don’t you?

[ It makes sense, what with the kind of person Akira is. Kurapika isn’t always forthcoming with everything about himself, but for the most part, what you see is what you get with him. He’s never been the sort to pretend to be something he’s not.

Heaving out a sigh, he allows himself to scoot a little bit closer to Akira. It’s all in the name of warmth… or something. ]

It’s a bit funny, since you’re the opposite, at least in a sense. You shy away from others seeing the real you, and you dodge opportunities where they might catch a glimpse. But what I’ve seen of that part of you is what I like the most.

[ His kindness and sincerity beyond that flirtatious exterior. ]

[jokey]

The real me, huh?

[So many people have called him out for that very habit here, but back home, the only one to call him out was Akechi. All of his friends have their strengths and weaknesses, but not everyone is as sharp-eyed as the likes of Akechi or even Kurapika.

Akira squeezes Kurapika's side. All in the name of warmth, of course.]

It's not exactly by choice. Back home, my friends relied on me to be the cool, calm, confident leader. It's a habit now.

[revengier]

Then you can make a choice and break that habit right here.

[ With me.

It never is that simple, even as Kurapika lays it out as if it’s an easy choice Akira has to select in order to change everything. But he thinks it’s doable, something Akira can work on bit by bit. ]

[jokey]

[...See, he does love how straightforward Kurapika is, but that straightforwardness is also what catches him off guard time and time again.

The surprise is written on his face, slowly sifting into a smile, a gaze that briefly flits from Kurapika's eyes to his lips and back again.]

Oh? You're gonna be the one to break me of my bad habit? I'd like to see you try.