"All right, let me get this straight," Leorio spoke loudly, one hand on the wheel while the other began to lower the loud Spanish music that had been playing in his car. The small group of three was on their way to the airport that was at the far edge of the large city they lived in. The traffic to get there was in full load, cars everywhere, but only moving so much in the minutes they had been stuck there. It was a good thing that Kurapika had insisted that they all leave early. The blond had known this would happen. It wasn't the first time, after all.
Honking the car horn and screaming some curse words in Spanish, Leorio glared angrily at the slow moving line. He had forgotten all about what he was going to say, but as luck would have it, he remembered. Soon a full on rant was leaving his lips, and directed at the spiky-haired teen that was sitting in the backseat. The teen looking out the window, unaware of what was to come, until Leorio's voice was booming once again.
"Where was I? Oh, right!" Leorio turned back and studied the teen that smiled at him and gave him his full attention now. The older man's eyes thinning as he went on, "You met this person online after they told you off. Somehow, by some miracle, while you both were telling each other off, you noticed their icon was from a show you like and asked them about it. That turned into a talk about said show, and before you knew it, both of you clicked and were talking every day. After some time, you fell in love with this said person online and asked them to marry you. So, now I'm driving you to the airport to pick up this stranger you met online because your car is in the shop and you both will be getting married tomorrow?!"
"Yup!" The teen answered, eyes looking right into Leorio's angry ones. Amber orbs were shining in a why the driver hadn't seen them sparkle in what felt like forever. It didn't help that the younger teen's face seemed to light up in a foreign glow. That glow not fading when the spiky-haired male chuckled nervously, a few more words leaving him, causing Leorio's jaw to drop, "More or less."
"GON, ARE YOU CRAZY?!" Leorio shouted, only to get cut off by a loud honk from the car behind. Turning around and eyes back to the road, Leorio noticed the car line had started to move once again. Yet, that didn't stop him from giving Gon a piece of his mind. Someone had to talk some sense into the young man, and it sure as heck wasn't going to be Kurapika who was busy texting on his phone. "You don't know how they look like! You've never heard their voice! You don't know their age, gender or name! You don't know anything about them! Are you really sure you want to get married to them?"
"I'm positive." Gon laughed sheepishly, right hand rubbing the back of his neck as he poked his tongue out. Gon didn't have to think twice about it. Yes, there was some truth to Leorio's words. However, at the same time, there was a lot that Leorio didn't know about the relationship that Gon had with this so-called 'stranger'. Things that Gon had been keeping to himself, for reasons he rather not dare think about.
Still, Leorio pressed on, like some worried father watching over their only child, "What if they lied to you?! What if it's some fat, drunk guy who just wants to do you up the butt?! Or worse a serial killer?" Leorio yelled before he was jabbed on the side by the blond on the passenger side, "OW!"
"Keep focus on the road." Kurapika glared at Leorio, the soon-to-be doctor starting angrily right back, only to break the contact and go back to watching the road. They didn't need to have an accident before Gon could meet his one and true love. Or however, the teenager had put it. They also didn't need to miss their exit now that they were finally racing down the freeway.
"I'm just saying that this person could be everything that Gon isn't looking for. What are you going to do if they are not what you pictured? Leave them at the airport and make a run for it?" Leorio asked while he rubbed at his abused side. Darn, did Kurapika have to jab him that hard? It felt like a knife had been stabbed into his poor, defenseless ribs, "Honestly, Gon, you should have just dated Retz. She's a nice girl, very beautiful, and she would have treated you right. Why the hell didn't you ever give it a try?!"
Gon shrugged, eyes still watching out the window and taking in all the cars that rushed by, each trying to get to one place or another in as little time as possible. He ignored the first questions that were asked. He didn't have the answers anyway. He would have to experience that event to know what he would or wouldn't do. For now, he simply began to answer the ones about Retz. A friend of his in a way— a girl he had gone to high school with, "She always asked me out when I was busy,"
That was only half the truth, and Leorio knew it. Which was why he screeched, eyes still on the road as he tried to get into the faster lane, "What?!" He shouted, gaze shifting from the road to the rearview mirror and staring intensely at Gon for an answer.
This only caused Gon to shift nervously around in the backseat. He knew he shouldn't have lied. He had never been good at lying, in person especially. "What I mean is," Gon sighed, deciding to just explain himself the best he could, with as little lies as possible, "Whenever she had time for me, I was either at work or helping Mito out with errands. When I did have free time, she was out doing something with friends, her brother or studying. We couldn't find the time to meet up."
For the most part, it was true. Gon had been pretty busy in high school. As the years passed, he only became busier. It wasn't easy to juggle school and a part-time job all at the same time. He was lucky that Leorio and Kurapika had helped him so much with understanding his schoolwork. If it weren't for them, he wouldn't have passed his math classes or final exams. He had never been a good test taker to begin with.
"Sounds impossible since you were in high school, but I can see it. I still can't believe I met you cleaning hallways at the hospital I was volunteering at," Leorio muttered, causing Gon to laugh a little, the memories of his first job coming back to him. He would have worked there much longer, but the main doctor had discovered he was actually fourteen at the time, and not eighteen like his application had stated. The good thing had been that the doctor had liked him enough to suggest him to another job that wouldn't mind his age.
"If I wasn't at school, I was working or sleeping," Gon shrugged once again, not thinking to much about how his high school life was like. He and Mito struggled a lot to make ends meet, but it was only because they were too prideful to accept Ging or Kite's help at the time. Neither wanted to admit that they couldn't hold their own since moving to Yorknew. It didn't matter to Gon that he never had time to make friends when he was in or out of school. To him, helping his family came first, then everything around him.
"That is true," Kurapika spoke up, looking away from his phone, first reminding what turn Leorio would have to take in a bit, "Gon did work a lot ever since he entered high school, I'm surprised you found places to give you a job at such an age. However, I'm also grateful that my mother was willing to give you work at our cake shop after you were fired from the bookstore. Who would have thought you'd be so good at making sweets."
"Your mom is awesome! She taught me so much!" Gon gushed loudly and filled with excitement. Out of every job he had, working with Kurapika's mom at the cake shop had been the best. He wouldn't have left if it weren't for the fact that his apartment was on the other side of the town, and he didn't have a car at the time. Things weren't too bad, however. The nightclub he worked at currently paid more than well and wasn't too far from home. He also got to keep all the tips he was given. It was pretty amazing how much Gon could make in tips alone…
"Then, how the hell did you make this work with someone on the net?" The soon-to-be doctor asked loudly, a line of curse words leaving him soon after as they were cut off by someone. The stunt the other driver had pulled causing Leorio to suddenly break and throw them all forward before the ride became smooth and safe once again.
"Oh! They always messaged when I was on break, going back home and such. I did the same thing." Gon explained with a huge grin, Leorio finally turning into one of the freeway exits. Just a bit more and they would finally reach the airport, and Gon would see them for the first time, so close up.
Gon was excited, after a year of saving for this moment, it was finally happening. The plan at the time hadn't been to get married. He was only meant to help them escape the home they lived in, and once and for all live in a safe environment. Gon wasn't paying for everything, only half, because Gon wouldn't have it any other way. Even after his friend had insisted that they could pay their airfare and more, all they really needed was a place to stay until they could get their own home.
After a while, feelings began to change on Gon's end, only to discover that it was the same for his friend. Before Gon knew it, he was buying a simple silver engagement band and had mailed it to it's new owner's secret PO box with a letter asking; 'Will you marry me?'. It took over two weeks to get an answer, but the moment the packet was opened and the letter had been read, Gon got a call, a scream of 'Yes!' ringing in his hearing before he was asked when.
Soon after, both were setting up free time to plan their wedding and the runaway of Gon's lover. It was silly, so under planned, and truth be told, Gon hadn't even dated his friend for long. They had quickly jumped into marriage, and now the date was close by. All Gon could feel at that moment was fluttering butterflies as he got closer to the airport, the feeling leaving moments later when Leorio spoke up again.
"And you couldn't do that with Retz?!" Leorio questioned, the car coming to a stop. Kurapika checking his phone before letting Leorio know they needed to take a right and go straight for another five minutes or so, and then they would be at the airport's parking lots.
"It never came to mind?" Gon laughed timidly, looking away from Leorio's displeased father-like stare and to the window again. He didn't want to be blunt and admit that Retz never caught his attention beyond that of a friend. Sure, she was really pretty, but she had nothing on them, "They were the ones who suggested learning my schedule so we could talk more. Plus, it was always easier to talk to them than it was talking to Retz."
That much was true, Gon didn't click with Retz like most seemed to think so. Mito had always believed that Gon would end up with her and live a happy life with the blonde at his side after high school. That wasn't the case. Although, they had a few things in common, it wasn't enough to spark something more than that of a friendship. Not the way that Gon had with his fiancé. No one could come close to the feelings he felt from the person he truly loved. It was just hard to make everyone around him understand that. Then again, he could see why or he tried to at least.
"Must have been because they were online. You don't have to hear them or see them in person." Grumbled Leorio, eyes looking for the entrance to the parking lots. Finally, after an hour and a half, they had reached the airport for the most part. If traffic hadn't been a bitch, they would have been there sooner, and more than likely already be inside the airport waiting for Gon's fiancé's airplane to arrive. He was just glad they still had time. It wouldn't be a good impression if Gon were late.
"We talked on the phone almost every morning," The answer came out quickly, Gon already on the other side of the car, staring out the window. Kurapika telling him to put his seatbelt back on. This time, Gon was looking at the packed parking lots. He hadn't expected it to be this full. Then again, summer vacation was coming to an end, causing many students and even working adults to make their way back to either work or their studies until the winter holidays came in full swing.
"Wait, how?!" Kurapika gave Leorio a look of disapproval. The blond was wondering when the older man was going to stop questioning Gon. It was pretty evident that Gon wasn't going to change his mind about the marriage. The eighteen-year-old was stubborn beyond what was humanly possible. Also, the way that he spoke made it clear that Gon knew this person very well, that they were not a stranger like both had thought when Gon first told them the news that morning.
Perking up, Gon noticed a car moving out of a lot. Sadly, the driver was only adjusting the vehicle so it would fit in the small, tight space. Letting out a huff, Gon almost missed what Leorio had shouted, "Oh, I would get up and ready early. It so happened that when I was getting ready they were on the bus going to school. It worked out most school days."
Leorio's eyes went wide at Gon's explanation, finding it unbelievable. "All that and you don't know their name?!" He couldn't believe it, there was no way Gon couldn't know their name. However, Gon hadn't used it at all. He hadn't even given them a clue about his fiancé's gender for God sakes! Nothing at all! This wasn't making any sense, unless…
"Heh, I know their name." The spiky haired teen chuckled, the expression on Leorio's face priceless as the man's jaw dropped. Although, Gon would never admit it aloud, some of the looks the older male made were hard not to laugh at. Gon was lucky he could keep it in most of the times, he only wished he was as good as Kurapika when it came to not laughing. It seemed to take a lot to make the blond crack and burst in laughter.
"Then why don't you tell us?!" The car came to a stop suddenly, but it wasn't at a parking space. They were simply at a stop sign waiting for their turn, other cars passing for it was theirs to do so. It still baffled all three males how crowded the airport happened to be. It wasn't even eleven am!
"It's a secret~" Gon teased, tongue poking out. A small giggle left Kurapika, who was busy messaging his mother. Gon was sure he was letting her know they were safe. She was a bit of a worrywart, but they all understood why. The woman had lost her husband in a car accident. Gon could still recall hearing about it on the news while watching TV with Mito and Ging one evening.
The accident had happened because of a drunk driver running a stop while being chased by the police. The car hit the truck Kurapika's father and his coworker had been driving while both males had been making their way to a business meeting. The truck hit an electrical pole, and went up in flames, killing both.
Gon hadn't known Kurapika at the time, but there was talk about it for days. The Kurta family was well known, a lot of the adults knowing Kurapika's father, and his family. However, right now Gon didn't want to think about that. Although, it was hard not too when he knew that the blond's mother feared that her son would fall victim of the same fate her husband had. Luckily, Leorio made Gon's thoughts vanish with more of his screaming.
"WHAT?!" Oh, Leorio wasn't going to have that. He had to wake up at the butt-crack of dawn (not really), to get Gon's ass there to met some internet fiancé, and the kid who was already an adult wasn't going to tell him the name of the person he loved? Hells no! Leorio was going to tickle it out of Gon if he had to once the car was stopped.
Of course, Kurapika, as if he could read what was on Leorio's mind, shot him a glare. His soft, yet stern voice filling the air, before Leorio could even voice out what was on his mind, "I'm pretty sure there's a lot more details Gon hasn't told us about this person. Which is fine," Kurapika looked over at Gon, the teen grinning bright while nodding his head, "Gon, isn't foolish enough to get married with someone he doesn't know or fails to feels a strong emotional connection to,"
"Why are you backing him up?!" Leorio called out, a vein popping out of his forehead. First, Gon didn't want to give away details of his online fiancé, and now Kurapika was defending him?! Was he the only one who wanted to know what exactly was going on with Gon's life? The only one watching out for him?!
"I'm not," The blond sighed, he was already getting fed up with being stuck in a car for too long. It wasn't either Leorio or Gon's fault. Kurapika just didn't enjoy long car rides or making his mother worry. "I simply don't believe we need to be nosy about something that is his business. Gon will tell us when he's ready. Which I am pretty sure it will be after we met this person."
Leorio looked skeptical after his blond passenger spoke. His brown eyes were wide, and looking right at Gon. A question leaving his lips in a shocked tone as if the idea or thought never ran through his mind, "Is that true?"
"Yeah," The young adult confessed, the inside of his belly doing flips and turns once again, mostly because they couldn't seem to find a parking space. Yet, another reason was because he was about to admit to something that had been slightly bugging him since he had been picked up from his home, "I was hoping we could all go out to lunch and get to know each other more personally. I know them pretty well, but I don't want to get into detail of who they are in case… Well, just in case they don't show up."
"Fuck! Why didn't I think of that?!" Leorio hit his head on the steering wheel while waiting for a car that was pulling out. It had taken longer than they hoped, but they successfully found a place to park. Yet, all on Leorio's mind was what Gon had said, "You're right, what if they don't show up at all? It's better I don't know a thing about them. If they don't show up, I'm going to beat their ass!" Leorio barked, he couldn't help but express his feelings on the subject.
"Don't worry Gon, I'm sure they will show up," The blond spoke and gave Gon a kind smile. The teen was already working his way out of the car, making sure the car door didn't hit the large truck that was parked next to them. The fit was really tight, but it was better than still driving around for another ten minutes or so.
Finally out, Gon didn't wait for Leorio and Kurapika. He couldn't wait, which was why he quickly ran to the entrance of the airport, even if he knew that his fiancé's plane wasn't going to be there for another twenty minutes. Gon was being impatient, more so than normal.
He really needed to see his lover face to face. To finally hold them and take them to their soon-to-be shared home. Most of all, he wanted to prove everyone and himself wrong. He wanted to prove that the other would show up and had made it safely out of their home. Not that they got caught and were now facing the consequences of trying to leave, like the voice in the back of his mind whispered about every now and then.
Gon and Kurapika waited by the luggage, the plane they were waiting for had landed not too long ago. Gon was bouncing lightly and impatiently. His amber eyes watching people come out of the gate, but he had yet to catch sight of the fluffy white hair he knew that his fiancé had. If it hadn't been for the times Gon had video calls with his lover when the other was staying with a friend or his parents were away, Gon was sure he would have no idea how his fiancé would have looked like.
"Do you know who you're looking for Gon?" Kurapika asked, looking around too, only to spot Leorio who was coming back with four drinks. Thanking the man, the blond took his small coffee and slowly began to drink it, the caffeine giving him the energy that he desperately needed.
"Yes, I know how he looks like," Gon glanced around, still searching for a white set of hair. Yet, not seeing it. This fact was causing his stomach to hurt in fright that the male he loved wouldn't show up. He was so nervous, he hadn't heard when Leorio spoke the line; 'So, they're a he…'
Then it happened, like a flash of lightning, Gon caught the sight of the face he had wanted to see beyond the screen for so long. There wasn't any possible way that he was wrong. He was sure no one else in the world had the same pale skin, white hair and blue eyes that he had.
Taking off in a run, ignoring as his friends called out to him, Gon was right before his lover in a second. The white-haired male taking a step back as he took in the teen before him that spoke, the tone questioning, "Killua?"
"G-Gon?" Killua spoke, eyes wide while traveling up and down the person before him. It was Gon. It couldn't be anyone but Gon. Only Gon had those shimmering amber eyes and spiky hair that stood up and defied God's nature. However, all Killua could think about was just how much more charming Gon was up close. How pictures, and cell phone screens couldn't, and would never do justice to the real thing.
Without knowing, Gon was thinking along the same lines as he screamed, the whole airport and then some hearing the single word that left the excited spiky-haired teen, "KILLUA!"
"GON!" Killua yelled just as loudly, and with as much excitement. In spite of this, a loud and high pitch squeal soon left him as a pair of strong arms picked him up.
"KILLUA!" Gon shouted again, squeezing Killua tightly, only seconds after spinning around with the white-haired male in his arms. Not once hearing the mutters from the other people around them or taking note at the way that Leorio was gaping. He didn't even notice as Kurapika held out his hand, and told Leorio to cough up the cash on their bet. After all, Killua happened to be really pretty like the blond had guessed, and not some fat, drunk man Leorio had betted he would look like.
Watching the world spin, Killua tried to hold a laugh back as he shouted at Gon to put him down. He was getting a bit dizzy from the spinning, and lack of sleep, "Ah! I-Idiot put me down! I still need to get my bag."
Killua's laughter was rich, nicer than hearing it from the speakers of his headphones. Gon didn't want to let him go, not so soon. Nonetheless, he did so, knowing well that he would have the chance to hold Killua all he wanted and then some. Killua was now at his side, away from the reasons Gon wanted him there in the first place. It had taken awhile, much longer than Gon had wanted, but he was there, and that was all that mattered.
"I'm glad you're finally here," Gon whispered, Killua's hand linking with his. The feeling of those pale fingers against his tanned ones feeling unreal but perfect, just like he had dreamed. No, this was better than any dream Gon had experienced.
"Same," Gon looked up, eyes going wide as he took the way Killua began to angrily wipe at his eyes with the sleeve of his thin sweater that he wore. A sniff still being heard a little after, even when Killua tried to hold it back. It was enough to let Gon know what was going on.
"Are you crying?!" Gon asked in a not so hushed tone, Killua casting him an evil glare. The look Killua gave him causing a nice shiver to go down Gon's spine. That gaze was one thousand times more dangerous seen up close. He now knew what Killua's friend meant when he warned him that the glares Killua could give could slice through titanium. However, Gon liked them and wanted to see more.
"S-shut up, you're crying too!" Killua yelled while his hand gripped tighter to Gon's as they walked. It was true, however, tears Gon hadn't even felt were falling down his amber orbs. Laughing, Gon gently bumped into Killua, the younger teen repeating the motion as well until it turned into a mini fight. Gon quickly forgetting that Leorio and Kurapika were there at the airport as well.
Neither Kurapika nor Leorio cared, both were really happy for Gon. The dark-haired teen hadn't been with Killua long, but both could already see the change in the two teens. It seemed like Gon shined much brighter around Killua. As for Killua, well the blond didn't know him well, but it had seemed that before he spotted Gon, there was a sad emotion in his gaze, one that faded to almost nothing.
"It's nice, isn't it?" Leorio spoke up, watching Gon and Killua mess around. The white-haired male was chasing after his luggage, getting the small black suitcase quickly. It made Leorio wonder just how much the other had packed and what was the real situation that surrounded the white-haired teen.
All the years of studying to be a doctor helped him pick up on things he sometimes wished he couldn't. And the way Killua's stare was like; was enough to let the soon-to-be doctor know something wasn't right. It was a look that reminded him of when Gon was younger— so much more angry, and reckless. Yet, Leorio didn't bring it up. He didn't know anything about the pale teen, only his first name, and that he was to be married to Gon soon.
"It is, I'm glad that he showed up. Gon would have been very concerned if that hadn't been the case." Kurapika said, taking a drink of his coffee right after. His eyes watching Gon pick up Killua, and attempt to carry him over to where they were, Killua once again struggling and shouting to be put down.
"Ah, kids," Leorio sighed before shouting out, "Hey kids! Stop messing around! Your hot chocolate is going to get cold, and I'm getting hungry!"
"Stop cock blocking, old man!" Killua yelled back, a smirk on his face. In seconds Gon was putting him down and grabbing their cups from Kurapika's hands. Afterward, placing a cup of hot chocolate in Killua's hands, whispering to be nice to Leorio.
Drinking from his cup, Killua felt himself relax a little, only to get tense again when the older male yelled back at him, the smirk that was once on Killua's face growing. "Old man?! The name is Leorio! And I have you know that I am still in my twenties!"
"All right, let's head back to the car! I'm getting hungry myself," Gon place his hand over Killua's month before he could say anything else to anger Leorio. Killua gave him a glare before licking his hand, in no time Gon letting go with a screech of disgust. "EW, KILLUA! THAT'S SO GROSS!"
"That's your fault!" Killua stuck his tongue out, taking off right after Kurapika, who had already started to make his way out of the airport and to the car. The blond was shaking his head, but a small fit of hushed laughter left him. Killua was soon at his side and giving him a small, kind smile.
"Gah, he's such a brat!" Leorio huffed, taking the last drink from his coffee before throwing it in the trash bin. With the way Gon's lover was acting, Leorio felt he was going to need at least five more cups. It didn't help that he was soon going to be stuck in a car with the pale teen, "Are you sure you want to get married to that thing?!"
A loud laugh came from Gon, and if Leorio didn't know any better, he would have sworn it could make flowers bloom, "Yup! I love Killua for who he is," Gon answered before taking off in a run, chasing after Killua who was now at the entrance, shouting to hurry up because he was getting hungry and he hadn't eaten a thing since he escaped the house.
Leorio wasn't sure what that meant, but he didn't ask questions. He simply followed the two teenagers, and the blond who walked before them as if leading the way. He might not really enjoy Killua's little attitude, but he could visibly see the joy in each and every action that went on between him, and Gon. If he hadn't known the definition of love, he would have answered that it was the simple display of affection the two teens had been showing each other in the short time they had with one another since they had finally met off the internet.
The group of four reached the car, Leorio taking out the keys and unlocking it, before opening the trunk. Gon helped Killua put his small suitcase in the back, making it fit within all the junk that Leorio had in the trunk. Meanwhile, Kurapika and Leorio got into the car, the older of the two starting the car while the blond began to look up places they could eat at and were nearby on his phone.
Once Killua and Gon were in the backseat and buckled up, Leorio carefully pulled out. Kurapika listing off the few fast food joints he had found, "There's a McDonald's, Burger King, Jack in the Box, and a Sonic not too far from here. Which would you like to go?"
"Jack!"
"Sonic!"
Both Killua and Gon shouted at the same time. Before either of the two in the front knew it, Gon's head was under Killua's arm, pale knuckles rubbing into Gon's spiky hair, "We're not going to Jack! Those assholes got rid of the cheese sticks! They are a disgrace to all fast food joints! I will throw you in the trash if we go there!"
"Ah! Killua, stop!" Gon struggled, his tone mixed with a laugh. Leorio was glaring at them through the rearview mirror, the vein on his forehead throbbing. Kurapika, on the other hand, was chuckling into the back of his hand, feeling light from how lively the car felt. His small family was growing, and he was sure it had been for the better, even as Gon called out loudly for Killua to put an end to his torture. "All right, we won't go! Please let me go, you're going to kill me, Killua!"
"You two shut up already!" Leorio barked as he pulled out of the airport and began to make his way down the road. A headache in full bloom and the older man had a feeling the car ride home was going to be a handful. Taking this into consideration, he used his dad voice to hush up the lovebirds in the back, "We're not going to either! We're going to Burger King! Whoever doesn't like it can be dropped off at the side of the road, and you'll have to find your own way home! Got it?!"
"Got it!" Both teens answered loudly. Killua letting go of Gon's head, only for Gon to lean against the other's shoulder. Gon's hand took one of Killua's and in no time was playing with Killua's thin fingers. Amber eyes taking in each crease and fingerprint, as well as how clean Killua's medium lengthened fingernails were.
Killua was here, nearby, and Gon couldn't wait to see what their new life was going to be like now that their were finally together.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I do hope you enjoyed. Please let me know what you think.