breezydays | i turned off the music

It has. Once you learn certain tells, you can pick out specific behaviors and learn how to apply them to together people.

[ His chips are gone, so he grabs that and his empty sandwich wrapper. If Oria has anything finished, Kurapika grabs that too. ]

For example, you didn’t answer my question.

[ Tch... He thought he was being so smooth. Oria has pretty much finished everything, so Kurapika is free to take it all. ]

Why would you make me nervous? I thought that was obvious.

If you want my guess, it's that you can't easily answer that question, but you already revealed enough by saying you couldn't read me and so you didn't want to say more.

[ But that's just a guess! Kurapika isn't going to make an assumption one way or the other, and it seems like he's content to drop it there when he gathers their trash and goes to throw it away.

As he does, a few guys in suits walks into the shop and start talking to the man at the register in low voices.

If Oria is paying attention, he'll notice that Kurapika has stiffened, his posture just ever so slightly straighter than before. ]

[ Oria will continue to play dumb about his current situation: whose shop he's in, who those black suit people may be, and noticing the slight change in body language for Kurapika. He's dropped Kurapika dropped it, and now he'll just have to come up with a topic. ]

C'mon. Let's go put your stuff in the room so you can finally stop lugging it around.

[ He laughs. ]

[ His shoulders remain tense, but he seems to agree with the idea, nodding before doubling back to quickly grab his things.

...It's too bad that they don't escape notice, especially when one of the men seems to recognize Kurapika and his lips curl into a snarl. He seems a little older than the others, middle-aged, and his head is shaved bald. ]

Surprised to see you out spending time with someone that isn't the boss. Finally got tired of stealing all of his time?

[ Kurapika frowns at his duffle bag as he moves to pick it up, but schools his expression into something more neutral by the time he turns around. ]

Jealousy is unbecoming. [ He looks over at Oria. ] Come on.

[ Oria could always make the situation worse, since he's not the type to take things. However, this is Kurapika's thing, not his. Stinky adults. He takes Kurapika's hand and leaves the store with him, so that the men won't rrally have a chance to interject. Bye!!!!! ]

[ Oh.

He wasn't expecting Oria to quite literally lead him out of the situation, but here he is, following after him like this. His hand squeezes Oria's without him realizing it, out of relief and stress both, especially as that same man yells some kind of insult out the door—brat, twerp, piece of shit... whatever it is, it's lost on the wind. ]

...Thanks.

[ That situation was about to get nasty, especially if that man had a chance to strike back. ]

[ Oria sighs out of relief. ]

Oh, man. That was close. That guy was rattling you like a clingy and jealous S.O.! That type is nasty to deal with.

[ He doesn't mind holding hands, so he continues until Kurapika feels like letting go. It was a nerve wrecking situation, so really... it's fine. ]

He’s upset that the boss prefers me over him. It isn’t my fault that I’m more efficient at my job and better at counting cards.

[ His hand stays firmly in Oria’s grasp. The warmth around his fingers feels nice right now. ]

…Unfortunately, he’s spread some nasty rumors about me.

[ Damn, dude. Get fucking rekt. He listens to him and... huh. ]

Your boss isn't doing anything about it?

[ The look on his face is one that suggests he really doesn't want to tell Oria this, but— ]

I don't think... he minds the rumors, really.

[ ................

Oria just stares at Kurapika like. Bro. No........ ]

Really? You haven't even told me what the rumor is but now it sounds skeevy.

You're smart enough to take a guess, aren't you?

[ But he won't leave Oria to do that, since guessing something like that is torturous... especially while holding hands. ]

Many people think I'm sleeping with him and believe that's the reason why I've quickly gone up in the ranks, so to speak. Of course my boss doesn't mind something like that.

[ And maybe he even hopes that the rumors lead to something, but it's not like Kurapika will ever let that come to pass anyway. ]

It's irritating. I got where I am on my own merits.

Yeah, I get that, but—

[ Oria understands the matter of pride in these things. However, there seems to be a more pressing matter. ]

Why doesn't your boss mind that?? Hello??? Is this what all "families" are like now??

I'm young and good-looking. That he's sleeping with someone like me would probably make others jealous... or something like that.

[ He shrugs. ]

It looks like the rumors already got some lackeys jealous, so what's the point...

[ He sighs so deeply, suddenly worried for Kurapika. He works with people who want to bone him? And detested based on rumors?? ]

That sounds like such a shitty work environment. I guess you're only staying because of the pay.

[ It's pretty terrible, he won't lie. Though really, the biggest problem for him is the fact that he comes back to the dorms smelling like smoke. Everything else he can deal with easily enough. ]

I'm not in it for the pay. I'm in it for access to information I wouldn't receive otherwise.

[ He was going to tell Oria that much when they got back to the dorms anyway, and they're close enough to them by now. ]

[ Time for those nightly baking soda showers, Kurapika... ]

And that's the thing you must obtain no matter what?

[ This stuff is so dangerous, he thinks. Kurapika has a good head on his shoulders and he seems to be handling it fine...

... ]

Essentially. I need information to get what I must have.

[ That's all he's going to say about his motives and what he's doing. That he slips his hand out of Oria's only makes that sentiment all the more clear. ]

I'm aware that it's dangerous, but you don't need to worry about your own involvement. They know not to bother you.

Yeah? I hope one of the jealous lackeys won't go for me because of their personal feelings.

[ He tries to put it lighthearted when it should be treated seriously. Not that he's blowing Kurapika off. ]

But thanks, that you went out your way to do that for me.

[ The lightheartedness is nice, honestly. It means Kurapika's not holding onto the fob so tightly when he takes it out of his bag to let them into their dorm building. ]

I don't need extra trouble. It's better if they know your face and therefore to stay away from you in particular.

[ But really, he would prefer it if Oria were not hurt. ]

That prooobably doesn't help the favorable status you seem to have, but I'm grateful! Really.

[ He follows Kurapika inside. ]

Thanks for today, I sure learned a lot. Though, I want to ask one thing... they're not affiliated with terrorists or anything, are they?

[ He sets his duffle bag down on the ground. Finally, he can stop lugging it around.

Sitting down at his desk chair, he bends down to start untying his shoes. ]

No. Is that worse than being affiliated with the mafia?

I personally don't care.

[ Unless it actually gets personal. ]

But my family is strongly opposed to any form of terrorist group. It's actually... annoying at how obsessed they feel about it sometimes.

[ But it's mostly his mom. It's fine. Oria sits on his own chair and spins in it. ]

[ He watches as Oria spins around in his chair before kicking off his shoes and peeling off his socks. ]

Is there a reason? Obsessions usually have reasons behind them.

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