Runaway | Kurapika x Reader

Chapter 30 - Bitter

It was 7:09 P.M. when I sat in front of my vanity, applying lipstick. When I had perfected it, I sat back and adjusted my hair, taking in my full appearance. I wore a full face of makeup, a floor-length black silk dress, and red-bottomed black pumps. I sprayed my favorite perfume and slid diamond earrings through my ears.

Kurapika was taking me to the 'fanciest restaurant in the city', so it was only right I looked the part. I stood up and walked down the hallway to see him standing at the end of the stairs in a suit, fidgeting with his hands. His brows shot up and he swallowed as soon as we locked eyes. I smiled and walked down the stairs, hand on the railing. He held his arm out and I locked my own around it. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you. You look handsome." Both of our smiles grew and we walked out of the door, getting in Kurapika's SUV. As soon as I closed the car door, I pulled out my phone and connected it to the aux cord. I searched up 'Cigarettes After Sex' and shuffled their discography, 'Keep On Loving You' being the first song to play.

I couldn't help but blush as the romantic lyrics reached my ears. I hid my face and looked out of the window for the most part, but I would occasionally look over to Kurapika and then quickly avert my gaze back to the window when he looked back.

We came to a stoplight, the car halting at the red gleam. Once it became green, the car drove forward. Another car suddenly shot out from the left, almost colliding with Kurapika's vehicle but stopping right before it could. I let out a gasp and Kurapika reflexively placed a hand on my thigh, stopping his car. I caught my breath and looked out the window to see a man in the other vehicle who was clearly drunk, holding a beer in his hand.

"What the hell?" Kurapika said under his breath. "You'd think it'd be common sense not to drink and drive."

I shook my head. "This city doesn't lack stupid people."

He chuckled and then looked down at his hand on my thigh, an awkward look on his face as he slowly retracted it and placed it back on the steering wheel. "Sorry."

"It's okay. I didn't mind it to be honest..."

Our gazes met and he attempted to hide his surprise. "Oh?"

I didn't know what to say, so I rubbed the back of my neck and looked back out of the window. The car began moving down the street once again and I heard police sirens getting closer, likely to arrest the drunk man. The streets were lined with the newly placed blue lanterns.

"The lanterns are so pretty," I commented. "I watched them get lit up with Aito and Priscilla on Saturday. That was right before Antonio showed up and started spouting nonsense as usual."

Kurapika hummed and then spoke up. "I meant to ask about that. Are you okay? He didn't try to hurt you, did he?"

"No, I hurt him actually," I said through a half-stifled laugh as I turned to him. "He was being cryptic and wouldn't answer any of my questions so I had to resort to harming him. Then he told me about the Nen curse that my parents put on him. Before I could get any more answers, one of my dad's guards walked in and they left together. He texted me after that saying he'll explain everything on the 31st."

He glanced over at me, then turned his gaze back to the road. "You're strong, (Y/n). You know that? I like the fact you can hold your own."

"I've never been complimented on that before," I pointed out, playing with the fabric of my dress. "I appreciate that."

His head moved into a nod and he pulled onto the side of the street, parking his car. Kurapika got out, opened my door for me, and paid the parking meter before walking towards the doors of the restaurant, me following close behind. A sophisticated man in a suit held the door open for us. As we entered the restaurant, we were instantly crowded with tons of people. I reached for Kurapika's hand without thinking, my heartbeat speeding up when he looked back at me and laced his fingers with mine.