LeoPika short stories and one shots!

Rooftops

Kurapika sat quietly on the roof, watching as the city bustled and hustled on. It felt lightyears away from him.

"Thank fucking god I found you up here," Leorio stalked over to where the blond was sitting. "I have been searching this entire building for you."

Kurapika didn't say a word. He just stared at the cityscape far below, clutching his arms with tight hands.

Leorio put a hand on his shoulder. "Kurap-"

"Ah!" Kurapika jumped away, bring his hands up in a fighting stance. "You, what pa- Leorio?"

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." Leorio put his hands out to show he meant no harm. "I've been looking for you."

"What for?"

"To make sure you're alright. When was the last time you slept?"

Kurapika folded his arms and looked away. "It was recent."

Leorio sat down next to him. "You know that I can tell when you're lying to me, right?"

"Stop, Leorio." Kurapika felt nauseous by having to talk to his friend. "I don't want to do this right now. Please just leave me alone."

Leorio took a deep breath. "As your friend, I respect your wishes and I will leave you alone. As your doctor, I must insist that you come inside and get some god damn sleep."

"I am just fine, Leorio." Kurapika said angrily. "Now piss off."

"No, I don't think I will." Leorio went to grab his arm, but he evaded.

"I want to be alone!"

"You already are alone!" Leorio shouted. "You keep shutting us out! You never talk to me anymore, and I'm worried about you, Kurapika. Not just because I'm your doctor, but because I care, and I hate to see you do this to yourself."

Kurapika was curled into a ball now. A physical representation of closing himself off.

"This... this is self-harm, you know." Leorio said gently, voice almost carried away by the wind. "Refusing to eat, staying up for extended periods of time, not taking care of yourself- I've seen it before."

"Don't pretend that you understand." Kurapika whispered viciously.

"I don't, and I won't pretend. But I am doing my best to help."

Kurapika was silent. He didn't know what to say. Leorio knew him too well to be tricked. Not that he wanted to trick anyone, but Kurapika didn't like being confronted about his physical and mental health. It made his feel vulnerable, and he was always in trouble. He wanted to keep this a secret so badly, it was borderline desperation. He didn't want help. He didn't want to be better.

Kurapika was afraid. But he wasn't always like this. Back when he took the hunter's exam, and met his friends for the first time... he felt safe with them. It took a while for him to warm up to them and they bickered occasionally, but that's what families do. Family.

Kurapika scooted closer to Leorio, and the tall man wrapped his arms around him. He tucked his head under Leorio's chin, and the man pulled him up into his lap, caressing his back with a gentle touch.

Kurapika needed affection more than anything. He needed to feel like he was still worthy of being touched in a way that was loving. He didn't like being touched. Strangers were not allowed to touch him, and only friends could touch his hands and shoulders. Anything beyond that made him uncomfortable or uneasy.

Yet here he was; cuddled up and crying in Leorio's lap, surrounded by strong arms. It felt so nice.

"Leorio..." he whispered between cries. "Leorio, I love you."

"Whoa, hey where did that come from?" Leorio looked down at the crying man in his arms. Then he gave a long sigh. "I love you too, sunshine. Please let me help you. I don't want to see you suffer."

Suffering was all Kurapika knew. He suffered because of his clan, his body, his mission, even his nen. He was tortured by nightmares every time he slept, and tormented by memories every time he was awake. He'd stayed away from alcohol because he knew the danger. He wouldn't stand a chance against the elixir of peace.

It began to rain softly, little raindrops pattering against the roof around them. Leorio nudged Kurapika to stand, and they both went inside.

Now they were standing in the stairwell. Kurapika had dried his tears and straightened his posture. No amount of pretending could hide the sleep-deprivation in his eyes.

"Anyway, why were you looking for me?" Kurapika straightened his blazer.

"I already told you, you need rest." Leorio put a hand on his shoulder. "Doctor's orders."

"Meh meh meeeh doctors orders." Kurapika mimicked in a high voice. Despite lashing out, he went down the stairs obediently. "Look at me, I'm Leorio and I know eeeeverything."

"Ooh look at me, I'm Kurapika and I'm moody." Leorio shot right back, following him. "I don't need you to take care of me, I'm too busy brooding."

"I'm Leorio and I use my tallness to solve all my problems."

"Im Kurapika and I think being taller would solve all of my problems."

Kurapika narrowed his eyes at the doctor as he descended another flight of stairs. "I'm Leorio and I'm big and strong and mean and bossy."

"I'm Kurapika, and I can't even spell big mean and bossy."

Kurapika gasped in feign offense. "Your words wound me."

Leorio laughed. "You like it when I tease you, don't lie."

"What? I do not!"

"Mhm." Leorio nodded. "Otherwise we wouldn't still be friends, now would we?"

Kurapika sighed with a smile. "I guess you're right about that one."

Leorio walked him to his room, then bid him goodnight. Kurapika stopped him before he could leave.

"Thank you, for coming after me. And also talking with me, and caring for me... and all the other stuff."

Leorio smiled. "Of course. That's what I do best. Do you want me to get you some sleeping medicine? So you won't have any nightmares?"

Kurapika's eyes widened a bit. "That's very thoughtful of you. Yes, please."

"Okay, I'll be back."

And so Leorio gave Kurapika his medicine, tucked him in, and kissed him goodnight. The Kurtan man sure was a handful, but Leorio was convinced that's the reason he was born with two hands.