Killua tapped his foot as he sat impatiently at the fountain. It had been ten minutes since the time limit had run up, and Gon was still not back. Neko-Girls milled about, dancing amongst themselves, talking, eating, all around enjoying the party.

Killua wasn't really one for parties. When he had been younger, parties had always meant having a target to kill. He had come to hate them, knowing that every social gathering would be stained with blood. Cheery music played in the background, and passersby would smile and giggle behind feminine hands. Killua sighed, a little annoyed at all the attention. He swished his tail back and forth, wishing Gon would just hurry up.

He probably got caught talking to people.

As if summoned by the Valkyrie's thoughts, a familiar head of spiky black-green hair popped out from above the femine heads. A pair of amber eyes met Killua's sapphire ones, and a smile spread across his previously grumpy face.

"Killua!" Gon exclaimed as he skipped the rest of the way over, gathering several affectionate glances from the surrounding females. "Sorry I'm so late! I got sorta held up. I was trapped in a conversation with these two Neko-Girls that came to talk to me."

"It's alright I guess," Killua said, playing annoyed. He smirked a cat-like smirk, "So, how many courtesans did you talk to?" He already knew the answer, he just wanted to see the look on Gon's face.

Gon's cheeks pinkened a little, and he slipped his hand behind his head. "Uh… I only talked to Tubeppa…"

"HA! Loser! I talked to Kacho, Fugetsu, Momoze, AND Oito! I win!"

"Hey! I was GONNA talk to Momoze but I kept losing her and I kept being stopped by girls wanting to talk to me!"

"Excuses, excuses~~"

"Well what was I gonna say to them, No?" Gon whined.

"Yup. That's what I did, and look who won~~"

"Okay, I get it, I get it," Gon puffed out his cheeks, Killua flicked his tan nose.

"So what did you find out?" the hybrid asked with a glare in Killua's direction as he rubbed his nose.

The Valkyrie's playful smirk faded away, and he filled Gon in on the conversation with Oito.

"Wow," the amber eyed boy said. "She's a lot different than I expected her to be."

"Yeah, I know right? Oito is a whole lot more serious and down to earth than I thought. She's completely different from Camilla. It's a good thing."

Gon nodded with a little "hm" of agreement.

"So," Killua asked, "What do you think of staying for the coup?"

"I'm fine with it!"

"Really? You're not… mad that I made the decision without you there?"

Gon grinned at Killua, and slung his arm around the Valkyrie's shoulders. "Of course not! I trust you and your judgment, Killua! And you know me well enough that I would have been all for it!"

Killua blushed and hid his eyes behind his bangs. "You're so embarrassing… but…. I'm glad you're okay with it."

Gon gave Killua a little squeeze, shaking him a bit, "Yeah! Now, you wanna go get some food?"

"Sure," Killua answered simply, willing his blush to go away.

The next hour was spent eating and goofing off. The two boys raided the food table, and then explored the entire ballroom in detail. From there they had moved to play a little game of tag in which they were not allowed to touch any of the Neko-Girls in the room, this made things very hard, considering how crowded the room was and how interested they all were in touching the two of them.

Killua had won, of course. Gon was far too nice for his own good! He really was incapable of saying no to any of these girls! This fact was further asserted when the Valkyrie and the hybrid were sitting at one of the high legged tables around the edge of the room. They were snacking on ice cream and enjoying some people-watching.

The music suddenly took an upbeat turn, and the orchestra started playing a light hearted and energetic waltz. The Neko-Girls cheered and chattered excitedly, quickly clearing out a large space in the center of the room. The two boys watched as several girls paired up and began to dance.

"Hey Killua-"

"-No."

"You didn't even let me finish!"

"I already know what you're gonna ask. And the answer is no," the silver haired boy punctuated by taking a bite of his ice cream.

Gon pouted, "Come on! Let's go dance! Pleaseeeee."

"No. I don't dance."

"What, you don't know how?" Gon taunted, going right for Killua's ego like he knew always worked.

Every time but this time, at least.

"Oh, no," Killua said nonchalantly. "I'm the best dancer ever! I just don't like it."

Also the thought of dancing with you makes my stomach all tingly and warm…

Gon pouted some more, then spoke up once again, "Can we please dance Killua? Just once? One little dance!"

"No."

"Whyyyyy," Gon whined as he tugged on Killua's arm from across the table, preventing him from delivering another bite of chocolaty goodness to his mouth.

"Cause I don't want to! Also, isn't it a little weird for two dudes to dance together?"

Gon frowned. "Why would that be weird?"

Killua blushed, "I-I mean, I dunno.."

"The Neko-Girls are dancing together, and they're all girls. So why does it matter if two boys dance together?"

"Just looking for an excuse.." Killua trailed off, blush spreading down his neck.

Why am I blushing so much?!

Is it because Gon doesn't care at all about the idea of two guys dancing together?

Who am I kidding, that's definitely why.

Gon gave him a smirk, likely feeling pleased that Killua was so openly looking for stupid excuses. He adjusted his grip on Killua's arm, sliding his hand up his forearm to wrap comfortably around his wrist. A shiver went up Killua's spine at the sensation. "One dance? Just one?"

"No," Killua said, wishing, wishing that Gon would let go of his wrist.

My face is on FIRE, this is so embarrassing-

Killua tugged his wrist out of Gon's grip, needing to stop thinking about those warm, calloused hands being against his skin. "Just let me eat my ice cream in peace!" He protested, and shoved a bite into his mouth.

Gon was just about to continue bothering Killua - the Valkyrie knowing that very little more convincing would be needed to persuade him - when Alvara showed up unannounced at their table.

"Lord Gon!" She exclaimed, a light flush coloring her cheeks as she said his name.

"Oh! Hey Alvara!"

What's she doing here? Killua thought as he continued to eat his ice cream.

"Would you dance with me?" she asked forwardly with a shy smile, holding her hand out to Gon. Killua's jaw dropped, and he was lucky he had still had his hand on the spoon or else he would have lost it.

"Sure!" Gon answered with a smile, and took Alvara's hand. "I'll be right back, Killua!" He called over his shoulder as Alvara dragged him to the center of the dance floor. The silver haired boy watched, frozen, as Gon went off the dance with Alvara.

But I wanted to..

Jealousy twinged in Killua's stomach as Gon rested one hand on Alvara's waist and the other in her hand. The two of them stepped back and forth with the music of the waltz, smiles on their faces and the center of the crowd's attention. Gon led Alvara around with grace, much to Killua's surprise.

His friend had come across as the type to step all over your feet, to be enthusiastic about dancing but possess not one iota of rhythm.

Yet there he was, swaying gracefully back and forth, leading Alvara around the dancefloor in a tizzy of blushes and swaying black hair.

Sadness started to tint the edges of Killua's consciousness, and he found himself wishing more than anything that he was in Alvara's place. Why had he been so reluctant before? He should have just accepted Gon's request when he had the chance. Now Gon was off dancing with some girl who was clearly head-over-heels for him. Not that he had any idea of that, dense bastard.

"Hey loverboy."

Killua jumped with a start, hands slightly morphing into claws as he jerked his head to his left.

It was Wobble, with a lopsided smile on her face.

"Don't just sit there, come on," she said as she beckoned him forward with one black-nailed hand. She was dressed in a mess of black tool and fishnet, eyes sparkling behind a cape of black eyeliner. Her blonde hair was pinned back from her eyes for once with a glittering silver pin in the shape of a skull.

"Who are you calling 'loverboy'?" Killua grumbled, not taking her hand.

She "pfft"ed and shook her head, blonde hair swishing across her shoulders and an amused smile on her face. She ignored his question, "I'm not the type to be interested in dancing with males, but I'll give you a free pass just this one time. Now come on, don't just sit there looking all lonely. You know you wanna."

Killua glared at her.

She smirked deviously, "Ya know, you'll never be able to dance with him unless you get on that dance floor and start making your way over, you'll soon find that literally everyone in this room is waiting for a chance to dance with that living ray of sunshine~~"

Killua glared even more, and grumpily took Wobble's hand.

The twelve year old laughed, jarringly cunningly for someone of her age. Though Killua supposed that growing up in this monstrous court would age anyone up far past their years. The Princess led Killua onto the dance floor, hand wrapped around Killua's pale one.

The Valkyrie was two heads taller than her and 6 years her senior, but that didn't stop Wobble from taking the leading position once they made it to the dance floor. In fact it probably encouraged her.

Killua followed the Princess's lead, and they swirled around the dance floor. The silver haired boy felt the gazes of dozens of Neko-Girls against him, but there was one gaze that never looked his way.

Killua glanced over at Gon, who was still dancing with Alvara. His chest constricted, and he felt a forlorn expression cross his face. To his horror, Wobble followed his gaze. In a last ditch effort to keep her from seeing who he was looking at, Killua averted his gaze.

Unfortunately, Wobble was just as perceptive as her mother. She smirked, "I see. You swing like me then."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Killua retorted.

The Princess chuckled, "Ah, nothing. Just dance, you idiot."

Gon's right, she really is a lot like me.

Killua danced with the Neko-Princess until the song changed. When Wobble suddenly shoved him in Gon's direction with a smile. The Valkyrie gave her a look of utter betrayal, and it was only thanks to his Dragonite grace that he didn't fall. He turned around to approach Gon, only to be disappointed when he saw that Alvara was still with him. She was hanging off his shoulders, and gazing deeply into his eyes.

For some reason, Killua did not like the idea of her looking into Gon's eyes.

Under any other circumstance, he would have marched over and dragged Gon away. However, the tight feeling in his chest kept him glued to the spot. It seemed that he had lost his ability to take action.

The next song was starting up, and Killua was concerned that he would get stuck with some random lady. He was saved, though, by Circe.

"May I have this dance?" she asked with a sarcastic tone and a playful smile.

"Smiling, that's a first," Killua taunted, glad to take anything to get his mind off this feeling in his chest. He took Circe's hand and together they gilded across the dance floor in step with the music. Rather than being led around by Wobble, while dancing with Circe they were both in the dominant position. They took turns leading, in an intricate exchange of steps and spins. It was fun, and felt almost like an exchange of wills.

Soon Killua felt himself smiling, and Circe was smiling back.

I think I've made another friend. It's such a nice thought to have.

Gon's breath caught in his throat, and he retracted his outstretched hand.

During his dance with Alvara (he had accepted it to be polite… it wasn't that he hated her, he just didn't like her the same way she liked him and it felt weird whenever they were together because of it) he had watched Wobble drag Killua onto the dance floor out the corner of his eye. It had been his chance! He really wanted to dance with Killua! It would be so fun! So he had separated himself from Alvara before the next song could start so he could go take his friend's second dance.

What he had not expected, however, was for Circe to beat him to it.

The hybrid slipped back into the crowd, not wanting Killua to notice and then make it awkward. He made his way to the fountain, and sat down on the ledge to watch his friend dance with the Neko-Girl. Luckily, he wasn't stopped for any conversations.

Gon was sad that he hadn't been able to get to Killua, but something about it being Circe made it hurt a whole lot more. He was feeling… jealous. Gon really didn't like to be upset with people, but he had to admit that he was jealous of Circe right now.

Circe was dancing with Killua, Killua who Gon had wanted to dance with.

The Valkyrie was his best friend, and he had wanted to dance with him. Gon had been to all kinds of parties like this before, but none with Killua with him. He had danced with all kinds of people over the years of him out exploring, but he knew that dancing with Killua would make it so much more fun. The silver haired boy always made things more fun. For almost two months Gon had had Killua all to himself, and now that he was sharing him with so many girls, it was a little hard.

Gon watched Circe twirl Killua around in a wide loop, and several Neko-Girls cheered.

Scratch that, it was a lot hard.

Gon watched his friend's face. He was smiling at Circe and Circe was smiling at him. They looked like they were having fun. I keep noticing: Killua and Circe are really similar. They get along really well together… and they're both smart and always talk so easily. Circe likes Killua a lot more than she likes me… I think she might even like Killua as a best friend.

They look so… happy together.

Gon's chest tightened with a green emotion.

I should be happy for Killua but I can't help but want to keep him all to myself.

But would… Killua be happier with Circe? Would he enjoy staying with Circe more than traveling around with me?

Gon was not sure where this thought had come from… if anything, it had probably come from the insecurities built up from being bullied and left out for all his childhood. Killua was his first real friend, and he didn't want to lose him no matter what. He wanted to keep his friend glued to his side, and he wanted to go drag Killua away from Circe.

But…

He couldn't just do that.

He had to respect Killua's wishes.

Killua's my best friend though, he couldn't possibly like Circe more than me! Right?

I know I'm being stupid and jealous, but still. I can't stop thinking about it.

Gon sighed and slapped his cheeks, jolting himself out of his thoughts.

Stop thinking like that! Killua is your best friend! He said he'd stick with you! But… if he really does like Circe better… no! Quit! Ya know what? For the next dance I'm gonna go dance with Killua! He's my best friend, and I wanna have fun at this party with him!

Gon watched as Killua dipped Circe, and her dark face flushed.

Also… I don't like seeing Killua with Circe like that. I know that it's wrong and selfish, but if I can help it I wanna keep him for myself.

Determined as ever, as soon as the second the song ended Gon stood up and marched through the crowd towards Killua. He watched as Killua and Circe talked while he approached, they still stood in a dancing position: Killua's hand in Circe's and the other on her waist, her other hand on his shoulder. Killua's tail swished behind him happily. Gon puffed out his cheeks, his possessive side taking the reins and shoving his insecure side out of the picture.

Gon crept up behind Killua, knowing that there wasn't much time left until the next song would start, and that he needed to grab Killua now before he got caught in another dance with Circe. A happy grin crossed his ruddy-tan face as he got close enough to smell Killua's scent through the chaotic mass of perfumes that choked the air.

He smells like lavender and sharp, fresh snow…

"Killua!" Gon exclaimed, announcing his presence as he wrapped his arms around his friend from behind and practically climbed onto his back.

The Valkyrie startled a little bit, and quickly adjusted his stance to accommodate Gon's added weight. "Gon? What the heck?" he said with a snicker. Gon ignored the disappointment on Circe's face, and suppressed the urge to stick his tongue out at her.

"Killua! Dance with me?" he asked directly into the Valkyrie's ear, which turned a little pink at the question.

"Okay," Killua said, a little quicker and more enthusiastic than usual. Gon grinned, Killua was just as excited for dancing as he was! He couldn't wait to show off his skills!

"Yay!" Gon cheered, and climbed off the Valkyrie's back. He grabbed Killua's hand and started to drag him to the center of the dance floor.

"I'll see you around, Circe!" Killua yelled to the Neko-Girl apologetically. Gon blocked out whatever her response was, feeling triumphant at having gotten Killua back. He led his friend to the dead center of the dance floor, and turned on his heel to face Killua. Gon fixed the other boy with a winning grin, and settled into a dancing position as the first few chords of the next song began.

Gon slipped one hand into Killua's, and placed the other on his slender waist.

"Ah, wait, why-" Killua sputtered, hiding his face behind his bangs.

Gon snickered as he placed himself in the leading position, and as the other pairs around them started to dance he leaned off to the side to begin the next waltz. He stepped forward and back with Killua in hand, he swirled and leaned in and out. His feet moved flawlessly to the rhythm, and Killua watched him step for step.

"Isn't this fun?" Gon asked Killua, who had been quiet the whole time. "Don't you love dancing? I sure do!"

"I already said that I hated it," Killua grumbled.

Gon laughed cheerfully, "I can tell you're lying~~"

"I am not!" Killua declared, finally revealing his eyes from where they had been hidden behind those silver bangs. The Valkyrie's face was a deep shade of pink, and his tail swished behind him in a state of discomfort. Gon smiled softly, Killua got embarrassed so easily!

"Why are you so embarrassed?" Gon asked in a warm tone.

Killua grumbled and looked off to the side, "Well we're dancing."

"So?"

Surprised sapphire eyes snapped back to Gon's amber ones. "We're best friends! We can dance together! And don't worry, Killua! You're really good at dancing! There's nothing to be embarrassed about!"

"You and saying these things…" silver lashes lowered, and then Killua's eyes burned with a playful new light, blush fading away. "And I already know I'm a good dancer! I'm way better than you."

Gon gave a wicked grin, "You sure about that?"

The two boys stared each other down, teeth bared in white crescents.

With a smirk, Killua took the lead, switching the positions of their hands. He then twirled them around and flung Gon outwards, only to pull him back in with a graceful flourish. Gon buzzed with excitement, yes! This had been what he had been most looking forward to at this party! Showing Killua how good he was at dancing! Killua always beat him with speed and agility, but he could turn the tables when it came to strength and ALSO dancing!

Gon switched their hands once again, and began twirling the two of them around the floor in an intricate series of steps and leans. Killua kept up like it was nothing, tail swishing behind him in glee at the competition. The Valkyrie returned the favor with a complicated series of moves himself, and before Gon knew it the rest of the dancers had cleared off the floor and the music had changed to something more upbeat. Taking his cue at the increase in speed, Gon whipped Killua around him, twirling the other male around in an agile arc. With a breathless laugh, the Valkyrie twirled out of Gon's spin to take the lead once more, and tugged Gon along after him.

The two entered a complicated dance of wills, a tug of war between who led the steps. Before he knew it, Gon was breaking a sweat and pulling from the most intricate of dance styles he knew of. Killua, however, was a tough opponent to beat. And to win, Gon would have to indefinitely take the lead in the dance.

The music dipped into a vigorous reprieve, and Gon found the perfect opening. Feet moving to the command of the deep cellos and humming clarinets, he tugged Killua about as fast as he could. Taking a series of steps so quick and intricate that all of the other boy's focus went to keeping up and not tripping over his own feet.

Gon spun Killua around and around, unable to contain his joyous grin. His hands were feather light against Killua's as he threaded the boy in and out of his arms in quick succession, twirling him about like a top. The Valkyrie was just beginning to adapt to the pattern of being ducked under the loop of Gon's arms, and the hybrid quickly changed to the next move before Killua could find his opening. He changed his grip on the silver haired boy's hands, and flipped him up and over his back.

He was giddy with excitement when he heard Killua gasp, he had not been expecting that move! He didn't relent, and continued on through the movement and lowering Killua down into a dip just as the music trickled off into its final chord.

With one hand holding Killua's hand up and out, the other was placed on his lower back to support him. Gon held the Valkyrie mere inches above the ground, his arms the only thing keeping Killua from crashing to the ground on his back. The hybrid grinned and gave a laugh, "I won!" He declared victoriously down at his friend.

Killua's heart was in his throat, Gon was above him and those amber eyes were dripping thick honey into Killua's ocean-blue depths. The grin on his tan face was practically devious, but it sent Killua's heart into a tizzy all the same. Gon's hand was strong against his back, and all his bravado from during the dance melted away as he gazed up at Gon, trapped in those brilliant eyes.

His tail was instinctively wrapped around Gon's thigh, and his other hand - the one not held out in Gon's free one - was slung up and over his head in a delicate flourish, led there by the other boy's movement.

Blood was rushing to Killua's face, coloring the pale skin a rosy pink. He could barely catch his breath, and his heart was beating like mad. He was drowning in this foreign feeling, but Gon's presence was intoxicating.

He couldn't stop thinking about Gon's strong hand supporting his back or those incredible eyes. He had undisputedly lost, but any spiteful comment ripe with bad sportsmanship was caught in his throat.

Killua floundered in the moment, and before it could drag into several seconds and make the pause pregnant and awkward, the surrounding crowd erupted into cheers. Gon's eyes left his, and turned to the gathering of Neko-Girls. The hybrid lifted the Valkyrie back up to his feet, and removed his hand from his back.

Killua couldn't help but feel a little cold with the absence of Gon's tan skin against his own. He had to force himself to unwind his tail from around Gon's leg, though it pained him.

What is wrong with me?!

Why am I so obsessed with touching Gon all of a sudden?

It was just a dance! You were just dancing! There's no reason to be reacting this way!

Gon grinned happily and bowed in a dramatic flourish, pulling Killua down alongside him by his hand. Gon's hand felt warm in his own, and the Valkyrie's cheeks flushed once again. Why, why why why. We touch all the time why can't I handle it all of a sudden-

Another song started up, this one happy and upbeat. Neko-Girls flooded onto the dance floor, and Killua felt himself being pulled into Gon's arms once again. "I know it's rude to only dance with one person the whole time," the hybrid said innocently, "But I'd rather dance with you than with any of them!"

Killua hid his face behind his silver bangs, cheeks burning. He struggled to compose himself. That's right. It's always like this, we always have fun together. We always mess around like this. Gon's your friend, of course he would want to dance with you! Now just relax, all of this is normal.

The silver haired boy shoved the annoying feelings down deep inside and focused on the moment. He focused on Gon's eyes and his radiant smile. Gon was his best friend, and he wouldn't let any of these foreign emotions stop him from having fun.

Hours passed, and the hybrid and the Valkyrie danced long hours into the night. Camilla watched them from the raised dais in the ballroom, a look of disdain on her face. She would do all in her power to make sure the village stayed in her grasp, these two outsiders would under no circumstance break the delicate balance she had worked so hard to create.

The High Priestess slipped her hand into her pocket, and squeezed the trinket tight.

As long as I have you, she thought, those meddling Warriors will be unable to ruin my kingdom.