"Leorio," Kurapika said, his voice calm but cutting, his scarlet eyes glowing with an unsettling intensity. "You never cease to amaze me. Always diving headfirst into impossible situations."
Leorio, vision blurred by blood and pain, squinted. A raspy groan escaped his throat. "Kurapika…?" he mumbled, recognizing the voice despite his condition. He tried to sit up, but his arms gave out, leaving him slumped against a tree.
The twins instinctively stepped back. The one holding Celeste loosened his grip without realizing it. "Who's this guy?" he muttered to his brother, a bead of sweat rolling down his forehead.
Kurapika crouched beside Leorio, ignoring the twins for now. He studied his friend, his gaze sweeping over the bruises, blood, and shattered glasses. "You're a mess," he said, a faint, ironic smile on his lips. "Need a hand, or do you really think you can finish this solo?"
Leorio grunted, weakly pushing away Kurapika's offered hand. "I'm fine…" he muttered, voice barely audible. "Was just… about to kick their asses." He tried to stand again, but his body refused, and he slumped back heavily.
Celeste, still caught in the twin's grip, lost her patience. "Stop playing the fool, Leorio!" she yelled, struggling against her captor. She shot a desperate look at Kurapika. "You, his friend, do something! Help him, I'm begging you!"
Kurapika slowly turned his head toward her, his eyes piercing her with a stern glare. "His friend, huh?" he said, his voice cold but curious. He straightened slightly, his attention shifting from Celeste to Leorio. "Tell me, Leorio. This woman… is she your friend?"
Leorio, drained of strength, lifted his head. His pain-clouded eyes found Celeste's. A tired but genuine smile spread across his lips. "Yeah… she's my friend, but a real piece of work," he whispered before his eyes closed and his body slumped, unconscious.
Celeste's breath caught. 'His friend?'
She rushed to him, ignoring the twin who let her go.
"Idiot!" she cried, shaking his shoulder. "Wake up, you idiot! Come on, move!" Her voice trembled, torn between panic and an emotion she refused to acknowledge.
Kurapika placed a hand on her shoulder, his tone calm but firm. "He's just unconscious. Look after him." He stood, his scarlet eyes locking onto the twins, who seemed to hesitate. "I'll handle them."
Before he could take a step, the twin with the club saw an opening and charged Kurapika from behind, weapon raised for a vicious strike. "Die, blondie!" he roared.
"Watch out!" Celeste screamed, her cry tearing through the air. She reached out uselessly, heart pounding.
But Kurapika, with fluid grace, spun around. In a precise move, he caught the club mid-swing, his fingers clamping onto the wood like a vise. With a sharp twist, he snapped the weapon in two, splinters flying. Before the twin could react, Kurapika's fist slammed into his temple, dropping him like a sack, eyes rolled back.
The other twin, seeing his brother down, cursed and bolted for the bushes. "No way I'm getting taken out!" he shouted, voice shaking with fear.
Kurapika didn't move right away. He snapped his fingers calmly, eyes tracking the fleeing figure. "Good survival instinct," he murmured, almost amused. Then, in a flash, he sprang forward. His movements were so fast they blurred. In two strides, he caught the twin, grabbing his collar and slamming him to the ground. A precise strike to the neck, and the man collapsed, unconscious, his club rolling into the dirt.
Celeste, kneeling by Leorio, stared at Kurapika, mouth agape. "Who… are you?" she whispered.
Kurapika approached, crouching beside them again. He checked Leorio's pulse, his face expressionless. "He'll live," he said simply. "But he needs rest. And medical attention." He glanced at Celeste, his scarlet eyes studying her. "You don't owe him anything. Yet you stayed. Why?"
Celeste looked away, cheeks faintly flushing. "I don't know," she mumbled. "He… he called me his friend. That's all." She clenched her fists, her tough facade faltering. "Plus, he's too stubborn to die."
Kurapika gave a barely noticeable smile. "That's Leorio for you," he said, standing. He scanned the twins' tattoos. "We need to move." He looked at Celeste. "Can you walk on your own?"
Celeste lifted her chin, regaining some of her confidence. "I can."
Kurapika slid an arm under Leorio's shoulders, lifting him effortlessly. "Second time I've had to carry you," he murmured to Leorio's unconscious form, smiling faintly. "Don't get used to it."
He turned to Celeste, taking the lead. "Follow me. There's a stream nearby. We can clean his wounds."
They ventured deeper into the forest.
Kurapika moved through the ferns, Leorio limp over his shoulder, his steps silent despite the weight. Leaves brushed his ankles, and the damp forest scent filled the air. Celeste trailed behind, stealing glances at Leorio's slack form, her fingers twitching now and then.
Kurapika slowed, scanning the surroundings. He stopped abruptly, turning his head slightly. "You don't have to follow us," he said. "Nothing's keeping you here."
Celeste froze, lips parting. "You think I'm sticking around out of obligation?" Her voice wavered, but she squared her shoulders. "I'm here because I choose to be. And frankly, blondie, allies like you don't grow on trees."
Kurapika raised an eyebrow, his icy gaze piercing her. "Did I say I was okay with you staying?"
Celeste blinked, her mouth opening and closing. Her cheeks flushed, and she crossed her arms, looking away. "Wait… what?" Her voice rose, panicked. "Your friend here…" She pointed a trembling finger at Leorio, still out cold. "He made me a promise, you know! He called me his friend!"
Kurapika stopped fully. He turned slowly, his stare pinning her in place. "I don't trust you," he said, each word deliberate, cold. "But for Leorio…" He glanced at the limp figure on his shoulder, his expression softening for a split second. "I'll let you follow. One wrong move, and you're done."
Celeste swallowed, her eyes flicking from Kurapika to Leorio. Her fingers twitched again, and she lowered her head, hair falling over her face. 'What's wrong with me?' she thought, heart pounding too hard. Leorio's bloodied, unyielding image flashed in her mind. 'Why am I clinging to an idiot like him?' She gritted her teeth, fists shaking at her sides.
Kurapika resumed walking, Leorio bouncing slightly on his back. Celeste hesitated. She stared at Leorio's form, his broken glasses dangling, dried blood crusting his forehead. She shook her head, then followed, her boots sinking into the mud.
The murmur of a river grew clearer as they advanced. The trees parted, revealing a shimmering ribbon of water under filtered sunlight. Kurapika stopped by the bank, eyes scanning the area. He knelt, gently laying Leorio on a bed of leaves. He adjusted his friend's arms, checking his pulse with a quick motion.
He stood, brushing off his hands. "I'm going for firewood." He turned to Celeste, who stood stiffly, arms crossed. "You stay and keep watch."
Celeste raised her eyebrows, lips parting. "You're leaving us alone? Just like that?"
Kurapika gave a faint, almost imperceptible smile, his scarlet eyes glinting. "Don't worry," he said, his tone laced with irony. "I'll be back soon." Without another word, he walked off, his figure vanishing among the trees.
Celeste stood frozen for a moment, eyes following where Kurapika had gone. She let out a sigh, shoulders slumping. Then she looked down at Leorio. She sat beside him, tucking her legs under her. Her gaze lingered on his face—the purple bruises, dried blood, cracked glasses. Her fingers hovered, hesitant to touch his forehead.
'Why'd you say that?' Her thoughts drifted back to the clearing, to his broken but resolute voice.
'"You won't have to wear that mask."'
She shook her head, hair brushing her cheeks. "You're such a moron," she muttered, her voice shaky, almost tender.
She pulled her knees to her chest, arms wrapping around them. Her eyes stayed on Leorio, tracking the faint rise and fall of his chest.
'Why am I staying?' she thought, brows furrowing. 'I could leave. Right now. Blondie doesn't trust me, and he's right. I'm a criminal. Always have been.' Her fingers dug into her arms, nails biting her skin. 'But you… you called me your friend.'
A rustle in the bushes made her jump. She straightened, eyes scanning the trees, hand instinctively groping for a rock. Nothing. Just the wind. She exhaled, shoulders relaxing.
Her attention returned to Leorio, her fingers finally brushing his forehead, pushing aside a blood-matted strand of hair. "You better wake up," she murmured, her voice softer than she meant. "Because if you die, I'll kill you myself." She pulled her hand back, cheeks faintly flushing.
'What's happening to me?'
She shook her head, as if to dispel a foolish thought.
The river's murmur filled the air, steady and soothing. Celeste closed her eyes for a moment, letting the sound wash over her.
Leorio's image—standing despite his wounds, refusing to give up—flashed again.
'Why are you doing this?' Her fists clenched, nails digging into her palms. 'Why are you making me believe I could be something else?'
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