Floor 1, Room 3

[jokey]

AKIRA

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[jokey]

[Ah. Packing up their food without even waiting for a reply is pretty decisive, isn't it? Akira troubles his lips, but he's up on his feet and heading back towards the manor without a second thought.]

Because I felt like it. It was nothing as deep as thinking about whether you were a good person or not.

[I just like you.]

Honestly, I thought you hated me after what happened last time.

[revengier]

[ Oh.

He doesn't like that answer. It twists something deep in his gut, leaving him feeling like he's been knocked off balance. But he can't really blame Akira for that, can he? People kiss others all the time just because they feel like it.

He snaps the lid on the bento shut with more force than necessary before standing to follow Akira. ]

Why would I? I was as much a part of what happened as you were.

[jokey]

[Good thing he's walking away and not able to witness Kurapika taking his words the wrong way and getting offended! He does, at least, hold the manor door open like a proper gentleman. M'pika?]

Yeah, but... it ended kind of awkwardly.

[...]

I ended it awkwardly. You have every right to hold that against me.

[revengier]

[ And he'll walk right through that open door without saying thanks! ]

I would have been content to just talk afterwards, you know.

[ Just throwing that out there, to rub salt in the wound. ]

But you're not exactly smooth, so I suppose it's to be expected.

[jokey]

[He'd smack Kurapika's ass for that if he didn't believe it'd score him a broken wrist. Rude ass Kurapika..............]

I know. Sorry.

[If Kurapika expects an explanation from Akira, he won't be getting one. This is a problem for him to untangle and not Kurapika. The past belongs firmly in the past.]

What did you expect? Did you want me to sweep you off your feet and schmooze you? Only someone who wanted to smash and run would act like that.

[Akira has actual feelings for you, Kurapika. Do you get it now?]

[revengier]

[ Hell no, he does not! ]

I don't like romantic types like that.

[ He never has. It's always those that tend to fumble the bag, so to speak, that draw him in.

They're at Akira's room now, and he adjusts the bento boxes in his arms as he waits by the door. ]

So if you didn't want that, then what is it that you do want?

[jokey]

[Akira unlocks the door and waves Kurapika in. No need to thank him this time either, asshat. It's a good thing he's used to these sorts of verbal sparring matches, isn't it? Kurapika is relentless.]

I got carried away, Kurapika.

[But it was more than just that. If he doesn't explain himself, Kurapika's just going to get angry again, so— alright. Listen well.]

I don't know. I carried away in everything we were talking about. I thought "wow, this guy's beautiful when he gets swept up in the moment." I couldn't think straight after that. All I wanted to do was kiss you.

[revengier]

[ He sets down the bento boxes wherever he can, suddenly feeling nervous. "Beautiful" is certainly not the word he would use to describe himself, and he doesn't think many would either. Kurapika doesn't lack self confidence, but... ah.

He feels nervous. ]

I still think there's something wrong with you. Kissing someone in the middle of an argument is the riskiest thing you could do, you know. Especially after I told you about my eyes.

[jokey]

[The nerves are mutual. Akira presses the bedroom door shut with his back, turning the lock with a sharp click. It's fine. Maybe Kurapika didn't hear that.

Akira pads over to his bed and sits on the edge. Kurapika is... free to join him, of course.]

Maybe I like taking risks.

[Maybe he likes staring death in the face. Kissing it too.]

What were you going to do, anyway? Kill me mid-kiss? That doesn't sound like you.

[revengier]

[ He definitely hears it, and his heart beats so loud that he can practically hear it. Is this what people their age do? Hang out in a locked bedroom with the prospect of kissing hanging over their heads?

After a moment's hesitation, he joins Akira on the edge of the bed, sitting about a foot away. God. He should have risked getting caught and kissed him outside. This wouldn't be so painfully awkward otherwise. ]

I could have subdued you. Or held you at gunpoint. I always have a gun on me, you know.

[ Well. He was in his pajamas, so it was on his desk. But the point still stands. ]

[jokey]

[This is exactly what people their age do. Welcome to the normal life of a teenager, Kurapika.

This distance is pretty far from the ideal kissing distance, but it's... it's fine. Akira, being the taller one, will lean over to fill in the space.

You know. When they're ready for that. Right now, the tension is thick enough to cut with a knife. Akira's fingers loop into the comforter and hold on tight.]

That's... [God. Oh God.] You shouldn't threaten me with a good time. I might take you up on the offer.

[revengier]

[ He can feel the tension, his eyes flitting towards Akira's fingers on the comforter before looking at... something, anything else in the room. ]

That's not how a threat works, Akira.

[jokey]

[Stop! Stop!! That was so sexy and Kurapika doesn't even realize it. Can't he just, you know, throw him a bone here?]

Keep threatening me. You're even prettier when you do.

[ACCEPT HIM AS HE IS OR RETHINK YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW, KURAPIKA. YOUR CHOICE.]

[revengier]

[ Don't call him pretty!!!! That's just embarrassing!!!

aaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA ]

You're so weird.

[jokey]

And you're amazing.

[Don't mind him stealing a brief kiss— a teasing, fleeting peck. Hehehe.]

I knew I liked you from the start. I've got killer intuition.

[revengier]

[ Even a little peck surprises him, and he takes a second or two to get his brain started again, his lips still tingling. ]

Lines don't work on me.

[jokey]

What line? I'm being honest.

[Kurapika accused him of having no rizz and he was right, so why lie?]

It's not like I'm waxing poetic about your scintillant rouge orbs. If you can't handle the truth, that's your own problem.

[revengier]

[ Oh. It's not a line.

Hm. He doesn't know how to feel about that, nervousness settling in his stomach again. ]

Then I don't get it. What could you possibly have intuition about? We still haven't known one another long.

[jokey]

I think you need to take a few classes in social skills.

[But being emotionally inept is part of Kurapika's charm, so don't take that suggestion too seriously. Akira inches closer, just a little, and rests his hand on top of Kurapika's. Nice and slow. No need to be nervous.]

We clicked right away. I felt something between us. You do know how that feels, don't you?

[revengier]

...

[ He does.

To say that he hasn't felt a connection with one or two people in his life would be an outright lie, even if Kurapika has done everything in his power to keep them at that small little spark, that little something that he refuses to evolve into more.

His hand stays still, ever so still, underneath Akira's. ]

Maybe.

[jokey]

Then you get it. You're not dense after all.

[But Akira knew Kurapika wasn't. There's no way he could be, smart man that he is, and any attempt to appear ignorant of the bonds he shares with others is only a result of trying desperately to keep them at bay. Akira doesn't need a psychic to know that much. He's been here before.]

Close your eyes.

[Physical affection's a little less daunting that way, no?]

[revengier]

[ His heart hammers in his chest. Sure, he knows about connections, but this? This is uncharted territory, and he knows that Akira has the upper hand when it comes to this.

And that... that makes him all the more nervous.

But he acquiesces anyway, closing his eyes as his hand tenses in anticipation underneath Akira's. ]

[jokey]

[Poor thing. He'll be gentle, alright? Gentle and slow in all the ways someone like Kurapika could stand to be more often.

The bed creaks beneath Akira's weight, a gradual shift that brings them closer, head tipped to one side so their lips puzzle together unimpeded. It's a ghost of a kiss, lingering but weightless, drawn out just long enough that their breaths intermingle and fan out across their cheeks. Just long enough to get a taste for one another.

Akira leans back, beseeching Kurapika in a whisper.]

Your turn.

[Yeah. Did Kurapika think Akira would do all the work?]

[revengier]

[ Even this, even the barest brush of their lips together is enough to make his head spin. The warmth of Akira's breath is all he can feel in this moment, the pressure of his lips almost nonexistent yet more than enough all at the same time. Is this what it's like to chase that connection?

Just this little bit is something he can get lost in, he thinks.

It's why he feels a sudden chill the moment Akira shifts back, and his eyes flutter open, his mind working overtime to catch up and understand what he's saying. ]

You're so annoying.

[ But it isn't as if Kurapika is going to disobey his request, shifting slightly on the mattress, its springs practically guiding him forward as he places a hand on the back of Akira's neck and pulls him closer. It's a simple press of their lips together, but it's a meaningful one all the same, soft and sweet in many of the ways Kurapika refuses to show. ]

[jokey]

[Annoying... Yeah, guess he is. Akira's been called worse, so he takes that one with a heavy pinch of salt. If he were truly so annoying, Kurapika wouldn't be kissing him, tugging him back into close proximity with enough gusto that Akira sharply inhales.

...Still, this is surprisingly gentle for Kurapika. A great deal more intimate than Akira was expecting. He doesn't pull back, but remains in the kiss and lets Kurapika take the lead in a different sort of dance. Tangle, intertwine, pause for breath. It's all pretty simple, and as smart as Kurapika is, Akira trusts he can stumble his way through every step.]