30 days together - Leopika Ft. Killua and Gon

Day 8 - Heartbeat

"Why did I agree to this?" Kurapika questioned himself.

"I can hear you." Melody sat back down at the bar next to him. She slide him a beer. Kurapika gave her a look.

"What is this for?"

"Nostrade says you have been distracted lately. He wants me to figure out what's wrong with you."

"There's more right?"

Melody sighed and drew her finger along the rime of her drink. "Because if you continue like this he'll fire you." She finished her sentence.

Kurapika snorted. "He's just talking. He needs someone to push his heavy work onto."

She looked over at him. "I'm concerned about you though. What's going on with you?"

He pushed the beer away. "I am sorry I worried you however my personal life is of no concern. I will stop bringing it into my work, I promise."

"Kurapika I'm your friend, not your boss."

"I am fine. Nothing is going on-" He had forgotten to turn his ringer off. His expression immediately dropped once he saw the message was from Leorio. It was a photo of the four of them back during the hunter exam. Kurapika shook his head and turned back to Melody. "Sorry, what were you saying?"

Melody sent him a confused look. "You were talking, not me."

"Oh." He paused for a moment trying to regain his trail of thoughts.

"Kurapika, are you sure you are okay?" Melody sent him a concerned look. "Keep in mind, I can hear your heart beat."

Kurapika rolled his eyes before he could stop himself. "I do not have anything to talk about."

"Okay." She said this softly and began to gather her things.

But a quiet more timid voice then usual interrupted her action. "But I don't want to go home."

-

"Let me get this straight, you don't want to be around Leorio because he makes you feel...
awkward?"

Kurapika looked away from her in uncomfortable shame. They had moved outside to get some air before Kurapika did his best to explain what he had been feeling. Which wasn't well since he isn't the most emotionally vulnerable person on earth.

"Kurapika, I don't think you understand your feelings at all."

He sent her a glare and she put her hands up defensively.

"Do you want me to be blunt?" He lowered his gaze and nodded, not trusting himself to speak. "You are a very closed off person. I think you suppress your feelings to protect yourself."

"Where are you going with this?" He side eyed her as he was growing a little annoyed.

"I will cut to the chase it then, you have a crush on Leorio."

"Excuse me?" He whipped his head around to face her. Then immediately turned away again once remembering how flustered he probably looked.

"You said every time he touches you, you freeze up and have trouble articulating."

"Him? No." He stopped for a second. "No, no, no, no."

"You're a very logical person- can you look at me? So I will try to explain this in the least emotional way possible." He was making eye contact with her now.

"Think about him."

Kurapika thought back to the hunter exam. It had only been a year, but it felt so long ago. So far away. The smiles and laughs they shared. Their stupid bickering that drove everyone crazy. When Leorio would shove his forehead against his, he would talk the opportunity to study every feature on his face. Out of curiosity, of course, just platonic interest. His heart picked up a pace and he couldn't help but let his mind wander.

Maybe Kurapika had thought about what might happen if he closed the gap between them when they were arguing. He always passed it off as intrusive thoughts or straight out ignored it. I mean, there is no way Kurapika had feelings for Leorio. Loud, annoying, insufferable, caring, sweet Leorio.

"You probably are aware of this-" Melody snapped him out of his thoughts. "But your heartbeats pace has increased. It's clear, loud, and rapid but in an excited fluttery way. The typical heartbeat, of someone who has a crush."

Kurapikas face was on fire. "Are you sure it is not an allergy? Or anything other then," He trailed off the muttered, "that."

"Yes, I am certain. The way you look at him is different then everyone else. You banter with him and laugh with him. Kurapika, you are constantly hiding your feelings and somehow he brings them out, every single time. You like him. I know you like him, and I think you do too."

Kurapika sighed. Is felt like his heart just dropped into his stomach. He didn't want to argue with logic, but there's no way he has a crush on his friend. Maybe even his best friend.
It almost felt like his feelings were haunting him. He wanted to ignore it, to deny everything she said. But that longing every time he was close to him was becoming nauseating.

His mind was racing, his throat felt itchy, and he wanted to throw up. Out of anything Melody could have said; he definitely did not want it to be that.

After a few dreadful minutes he finally spoke. "I have a lot to think about."

Kurapika said a quiet thank you and goodbye then finally decided to go back to the house. Go back to Leorio- to face Leorio. Of course, he didn't say anything once he had. He avoided him the whole night. A quick greeting to Killua, Gon, and Leorio, who he couldn't look in the eyes, and then he went to bed without explanation.

Notes: Hello. I swear it will get better, he's still somewhat in denial haha