Note: Requested by the J-girl. Sort of.
Beta-reader: Unbeta'ed, unedited.
Chapter summary: Closer still.
Chapter 68
They finished their dinner silently, Kuroro observing the younger man, who seemed to be thinking over their earlier conversation. He obviously needed his space, so Kuroro, feeling rather magnanimous, let him be. For now.
When they were done eating, they put the empty containers in the trash. Kuroro took a shower, then settled on the bed with a book while the blond took his shower. Kurapica took a long, long time in the bathroom. Kuroro had just finished the book he'd started reading on the dirigible when Kurapica finally walked back into the bedroom.
The blond stood uncertainly in the doorway. He looked at Kuroro, who waited to see what the younger man would do. After a long moment, it was clear to him that the boy simply did not know what to do. Intent on speeding things up a little for him, Kuroro patted the bed next to him and cocked his head in silent invitation.
Rather than help him along, his action seemed to make Kurapica's internal debate even worse. He wavered in place, obviously torn between going to him or fleeing the room entirely.
Kuroro extended his hand. “Come,” he murmured. “We don't have to do anything. Just sit next to me.”
The young Hunter swayed in place for another seemingly interminable minute, then finally made his way to the bed. There, he hesitated again. This time, Kuroro didn't push him either way, but simply looked at him, waiting to see what the blond would do. It turned out to be the proper decision because Kurapica finally sat at the edge of the mattress. Slowly, plainly unsure about what he was doing, he moved so that his back was against the headboard next to the Spider Head. He looked irresolute.
Kuroro observed him quietly for a short time, watched him start to get nervous. “Are you scared?” he asked him.
He expected Kurapica to huff and angrily deny it, but the blond said, “A little.”
“Why?” he wanted to know. “If I were to touch you now, it wouldn't be anything that we haven't done already.”
“I know,” the blond answered. “I know and I can't help it.”
“So what's got you so nervous?” the Spider Head asked him, surprisingly gentle even to his own ears.
Kurapica was silent for some time, brows furrowed in concentration. “That I might get used to it,” he finally admitted.
It was Kuroro's turn to think about what Kurapica had just told him. “Would it be such a bad thing if you did?”
The blond started with, “Yes,” then, “No,” and finally, “I don't know. Maybe.”
Kuroro nodded. “It's confusing and difficult for you. I can accept that. Do you need more time?”
“No,” Kurapica started saying, then he hesitated a moment, frowning thoughtfully. He tilted his head to the side, obviously hesitant. “No,” he repeated, firmer now. “No matter how long I think about it, it won't change what's happening.”
Kuroro was tempted to ask him what Kurapica thought was happening, but he refrained, not wanting the blond to skitter away yet again. “If I kiss you,” he asked instead, “will you stop me this time as well?”
Kurapica glanced sideways at him, then his gaze slid down to his hands, which were folded on his lap. “I don't know,” he answered.
“Can I try?” Kuroro wanted to know.
Kurapica glanced at him again, then hesitated before saying, “Yeah, okay.”
The Spider Head set down his book on top of the nightstand. Slowly, he reached out. He had the feeling that Kurapica needed a soft touch this time. He slid the back of his fingers down the blond's cheek before his hand slid into the golden hair. Kurapica turned his head to face him and met him halfway.
The kiss was light, hesitant on Kurapica's part. Kuroro didn't let it bother him. He couldn't understand what the bow was going through. He had never experienced the kind of hatred the the Kuruta had lived with for years, never felt the grief that Kurapica obviously felt. Of course, he had grieved over Ubogin and Pakunoda's deaths, but it hadn't filled him with rage. He did know that Kurapica needed time to come to terms with their current situation. He could bear it. He was a patient man.
Kurapica was immobile at first, but he slowly started responding. His lips nibbled at Kuroro's and he angled his head to make it easier. The older man could tell that Kurapica was hesitant still, and he let him set the pace for now. It turned out to be the right decision.
The blond got slightly bolder. His lips got a little greedier. He pulled away from him the time it took to take a breath, then delved back in. He moved his body so that he was facing the older man more fully. Kuroro imitated the movement and turned towards him. His hand slid from the blond hair, down the side of the boy's neck, all the way down his torso to finally settle on his hip. Kurapica hummed softly against his lips and something dark and hungry twisted inside of him, something that he hadn't thought he was able to feel. His hand tightened over Kurapica's hipbone and he resisted the urge to take control of the kiss, knowing that it might potentially scare the blond even more. Just when he was finally falling, too.
But Kurapica was kissing him again and moving closer, and the hunger he felt for this boy started worrying Kuroro a little. It hit him like a punch in his chest and pulled and twisted at something around the middle his his breastbone. He pulled away, surprising the blond who blinked at him in shock. That wouldn't do. He leaned closer, claiming Kurapica's lips again to cover for his sudden hesitation to continue with this. This kiss was somewhat rougher, a little more intense.
Kurapica made a soft, vulnerable sound in the back of his throat. A sound that hit Kuroro straight in the chest like a sledgehammer. He wrapped his arm around the back of Kurapica's waist and pulled him closer. Another soft sound and the younger man slid both hands in his hair. Things were heating up so fast, and Kuroro wasn't about to relinquish the mastery he had over himself. He needed Kurapica to lose control, not the other way around.
Eventually, he felt like he'd managed to master himself. He pulled away just far enough to look at Kurapica's eyed, to see the effect that his actions had on the young Hunter. His eyes were darker than usual. Perhaps brighter. It was hard to tell. Not the usual blue-green that he was used to, nor the smouldering red that craved to see, but somewhere in between.
“I want to touch you,” he murmured, because Kurapica was skittish yet again, and he wanted him to finally stop pulling on the brakes. Kurapica sucked in a sharp breath and froze for a moment. Kuroro could see his mind stumble all over itself. It seemed like he only needed a little push again, so he fave him a soft look, one that he knew had the best chance of getting him what he wanted, and asked, “Can't I?”
He knew that it would work, yet he couldn't help but feel somewhat relieved to see Kurapica's tense shoulders relax. A short hesitation, and the blond nodded. “Okay,” he whispered, then cleared his throat before repeating, “okay.”
That was more like it. Kuroro felt better about this, now that Kurapica was cooperating. He was still in control.
He kissed him again, keeping it light for now. His hand slowly slid down the side of his neck, then backwards into his hair to cup the base of his skull. Kurapica melted into him and Kuroro pulled him closer. He angled his head and flicked his tongue over the boy's lips and a silent request to be let in. With a gasp, Kurapica allowed him to deepen the kiss.
Kuroro started pushing against him, to lay him across the bed. He tried to get the pillows out of the way, but Kurapica pulled away. At the older man's questioning look, he placed another soft kiss onto his lips and started shuffling lower. When he was laid out, lat on his back, head on a pillow, he looked up at him and reached up. His hand slid into his hair and he pulled him into another kiss. Kuroro went along with it, nibbled at his lips and his hand landed on the blond's belly. He slid the fingers up under his shirt and Kurapica let out a shaky breath that washed over Kuroro's mouth.
Gods, but Kurapica knew how to arouse him. The next kiss stole his breath away. His hand slid higher, pulling the many layers of shirts and tank tops up along with it. He pulled higher and looked down at the beautiful blond laid out before him. Those eyes! They had triggered sometime during this last kiss. And those amazing, breathtaking eyes, shining eerily in the gloominess of the room, were probably the most magnificent things that the Spider Head had ever stolen. Because he had. They were his and his alone. That they were alive, where the pairs he'd taken from Lukso were dull, unappealing now. They were red, yes. Certainly peculiar. Nothing compared to Kurapica's however - and these belonged to him.
“You're staring at me again,” the blond told him. A light blush rose to his cheeks.
“You're beautiful,” Kuroro reminded him, because to him, that was the best reason in the world to gaze at something.
Kurapica's eyes - those mesmerizing, brilliant eyes - momentarily slid to the side, his blush intensifying. A soft, thoughtful frown made its way onto his features. A moment later, it had disappeared, leaving Kuroro wondering whether he'd seen it at all.
He lay down next to the blond, leaning on one elbow, his other hand still flat against Kurapica's stomach. He stroked him slowly, like one would pet a cat, looking down at him to watch him get more and more flustered. Because of him. Kuroro could never get enough of this.
Eventually, Kurapica apparently couldn't deal with the silent stares and pulled him down for yet another kiss. Kuroro slid his hand lower, into the blond's cotton pants. He stroke him slowly over the fabric of his underwear, kissing him slowly, thoroughly. Kurapica's hand buried into his hair once more and his fingers tightened in the dark, silky strands.
When they pulled apart, both of them were breathing heavily. Their eyes met and held, and there was that strange twist-pull in his chest again. A mere instant later, he was pushing him down into the mattress, kissing him roughly, his hand petting him heavily. When he raised his head to look down at his handiwork, he caught a quick glimpse of surprise and fear in to younger man's eyes.
Kuroro paused. He'd lost control for a moment there, and he didn't like it, didn't like it at all. But Kurapica's gaze turned quizzical then, and that wouldn't do. He couldn't let the blond see that he was affected in any way. Because he wasn't, not really.
The next kiss was softer, more gentle. His hand left the front of Kurapica's pants and settled on the blond's hip again. He pulled at it until the blond was on his side, facing him. Kuroro's arm wrapped around the back of his waist. He pressed against him, glad to feel the effect that he had on the boy. He licked at his lips and delved in when Kurapica's mouth fell open. The younger man melted into him and wrapped his arm around Kuroro's torso. One of his legs slipped between Kuroro's two and the older man's control started to slip again. That wouldn't do.
He pushed against him again, laying him flat on his back. He devoured his mouth and rocked slowly against him, the movement rather gentle, compared to their kiss. Hey were both fully clothed, but Kuroro was in no hurry. This was pleasant, too; somewhat erotic. Kurapica broke away and let out a shaky breath. Kuroro nipped at his jawline, then slid his lips down his throat. He focused his attention just above the shoulder, on the right side of his neck, and bit there, before sucking at the spot.
He'd hoped that Kurapica would make some sort of sound, but the blond only sucked in a breath and then panted softly. Kuroro slid a thigh between Kurapica's legs and he rocked against him again. There was just an edge of whimper on the blond's exhale. The Spider Head pulled away, looked down at the boy laid out before him. Amazing. Absolutely breathtaking. From the blood-red eyes, to kiss swollen lips and golden hair fanned all around his head, all of it was simply magnificent.
More. He wanted more.
He quickly removed his own top and slid between Kurapica's legs. He leaned forward and caught the blond's lips into a searing kiss. His fingers hooked over the hem of his cotton pants and he pulled them down, along with his underwear. He fixed his gaze on the younger man's, kept him prisoner with his eyes. He had to move out of the way to remove his sleepwear, but his gaze never wavered. Kurapica didn't looks away, though colour rose to his cheeks. Kuroro slipped in between his legs again, and since the blond seemed to get a little too nervous, he leaned down and kissed him again.
He wanted to see him completely naked. He pulled on Kurapica's arm a little, to indicated to him that he wanted him to sit up. After a short hesitation, the younger man sat up and Kuroro quickly divested him of his tops. Kurapica mad a soft sound of dismay, and he tried to cover his torso with his arms, but the Spider Head wouldn't let him. He caught his hands and pulled them aside and leaned in for a kiss, aiming to pacify the blond.
“Shh,” he murmured against his lips. “It's all right. I want to see you.”
“It's embarrassing,” Kurapica protested and tried to cover himself again.
“It isn't,” Kuroro assured him. “You are beautiful.”
“Why are you still dressed, then?” Kurapica challenged.
Kuroro chuckled. He couldn't help it. The Kuruta was always so straightforward. “Why indeed,” he laughed. He slipped out of his top, making sure that Kurapica's eyes were fixed on him. He looked food and he knew it. Contrary to Kurapica, he had no problem showing a bit of skin. He threw his shirt to the floor and smirked down at the blond. “Better?”
Kurapica pursed his lips. “You still have your pants on,” he pointed out.
With another chuckle, Kuroro promised, “Not for long.”
He leaned forward onto his hands and caught his lips again in a deep, breathtaking kiss. Putting all of his weight onto one of his hands, he ran the other down Kurapica's torso. The blond arched his back.
Delicious.
Kuroro sat back again and quickly undid his pants, feeling feverish in his urge to get completely undressed. He pushed his pants down and kicked them completely off, already going for Kurapica's lips again. He moulded his body onto the younger man's. The contact of their naked skin sliding together was electric. One of his hands slid down the length of the blond's torso once more, all the way to the outside of his thigh. His finders wrapped around the back of it and he pulled, rocking his hips forward into him at the same time. That earned him a soft groan.
Enough playing around. He sat up and reached to his back to get the small bottle of lubricant that he kept in there. He took his time preparing the younger man, listening intently to every breath, every gasp falling from his lips.
Finally, it was time. He caught Kurapica''s eyes before leaning in. This kiss was soft, as he wanted the blond to feel less tense. He felt him relax minutely and Kuroro decided that this was food enough. He lined himself up and slowly, slowly pushed in. Kurapica's breath hissed between his teeth. Kuroro paused, let him get used to the intrusion. When the blond's face smoothed over, he pulled nearly completely out, before pushing in again. He looked down at the younger man, drinking in the sight.
Kurapica's eyes, which he'd closed when Kuroro had first pushed in, parted open, a thin sliver of red showing from underneath heavy eyelids. Fixing his gaze on those fiery irises, Kuroro rocked into him again. Kurapica's lips parted and he let out a soft whimper. The next thrust was a little rougher. Surprising him, the blond suddenly wrapped his arms around the back of his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. He indulged him, deepening it right away. His hand slid to the blond's hipbone and he thrust in again. Kurapica gasped against his mouth. The sounds the boy made were intoxicating. He started rocking into him repeatedly, pulling at his hip with every thrust. Kurapica let go of the kiss and started panting softly. Kuroro nipped at his jawline again just as he thrust in. He heard Kurapica's breath catch in his throat and it was amazing, simply amazing. He started a faster rhythm and sucked at his throat as the blond clung to him and panted.
He wanted to hear him moan, wanted to hear him cry out in ecstasy, but still Kurapica held back, gasping and panting but still keeping his voice in. Kuroro kissed him again, pumping his hips faster. When he pulled away, he was rewarded for his effort with a soft, breathy moan. He rolled his hips and Kurapica moved against him, picking up the rhythm. Their lips a mere inch apart, breaths mingling, Kuroro's hand raked up the boy's torso, his thumb twirled over a nipped, then down the hand went, back to Kurapica's hip, urging him to cant them a little differently. When he rocked into him, Kurapica let out a muffled exclamation.
Kuroro thrust in harder, faster, but kept close to the blond. Sitting up would give it more power, but it would be less intimate and this felt better, hotter. He didn't analyze it, just went along with his desires. Kurapica's fingers dug into his shoulders and he moved against hims till. Everything was hot, so very hot. Kuroro kissed him again and he wrapped his hand around him, trying to bring him so much pleasure that Kurapica would be completely addicted to him. Kisses succeeded to kisses and they both panted and gasped in between. Finally, Kuroro felt the blond tense up and he knew Kurapica was close. He thrust in faster, his hand moving in synch, until he felt Kurapica suddenly let go and shake with the strength of his orgasm. Kuroro wasn't far behind. He went over the edge, pumping into Kurapica sill, and he didn't stop moving until both of them were spent.
When he finally slowed to a stop, he leaned his forehead against the pillow next the blond head and tried to catch his breath. He expected Kurapica to ask him to move off of him, but instead, he felt two delicate hands landing on his shoulder blades and just rest there. Kuroro stayed there until they had both caught their breath. He the rolled off of him and lay on his back. He felt the mattress shift and glanced hack at the the younger man. Kurapica was on his side, watching him with large eyes that had gone back to blue.
He suddenly found his hand cupping Kurapica's cheek. He didn't know how it had ended up there, but the blond nuzzled at it and Kuroro felt his eyebrows arch up. Then, just like that, it was over. Kurapica pulled away and sat up.
“Let me wash up before you take your shower,” he said. He picked up his clothes, slipped his pants back on. He carried the rest of his clothes in his hands and disappeared in the bathroom. When he stepped into the bedroom again, he was fully dressed. Kuroro caught his hand when the blond walked past him on his way to his bag. Their eyes caught and held. Kurapica wavered a moment, then he leaned in and placed a quick kiss at the corner of Kuroro's lips. When he pulled away, he was blushing.
“I'm going to sleep,” he told the older man, his voice soft. “I really need it.”
Kuroro nodded and let go of his hand. He got up and went to his bag to get his own sleepwear. A short shower later, he climbed into bed. Kurapica was tense and very much awake, but was pretending to sleep, so Kuroro let him believe his deception worked. Flat on his back, he waited for sleep.