"Beach day, beach day, beach day!" Gon chanted, dancing around the apartment like he always did on beach days. The guy really got too excited about a strip of sand and a salty swimming pool. Killua judged him from over the rim of his glass, Leorio sitting beside him and doing the same. They were sitting at the bar in the kitchen, and Kurapika was still asleep.
"If he doesn't get up soon we're just gonna have to leave him!" Leorio complained.
"Probably," Killua said around a mouthful of toast. "Gon!"
"Hm?" the hybrid exclaimed, jerking to attention and cocking his head to one side.
He's so cute.
"Be louder so Kurapika will wake up!"
Leorio slapped Killua upside the head. "Um, no! Gon! Ignore this jackass! Let Kurapika sleep!"
"I don't think that's gonna work, Leorio," Gon mused.
"What?! Of course it will! All we have to do is shut up and– KURAPIKA!"
Killua snickered into his hand. The Elf had just trudged out of his room, already dressed in his swim trunks with a nasty bed head still clinging in his hair. "Leorio, if you want to let me sleep by keeping Gon quiet then you should keep quiet yourself." He sounded half dead.
The Valkyrie frowned, and opened his mouth to ask if Kurapika was alright when Leorio took his chance. "Ah! I'm so sorry! It's just hard keeping these two in line, ya know?" the Goblin sputtered, scrambling over to Kurapika and slinging his arm around the shorter male's shoulders in an attempt to be smooth.
Killua shook his head.
Leorio seriously sucked at keeping his feelings hidden.
It was so painfully obvious.
Then again, Kurapika was just as dense as Gon when it came to realizing that people liked him (he was perfectly good at figuring out who liked who, but not when he himself was involved), so Leorio was in the clear as it seemed. Seriously. Everyone around Killua was an emotional disaster… himself included.
"Good Morning Kurapika!" Gon cheered, dancing up to the blonde. A smile crossed his previously dead face, and Killua was glad to see him feeling better. He must have just been zoned out or something. "We can go to the beach now that you're up!"
Gon danced in circles, dragging Kurapika around and around by his hands. The Kurta chuckled. "What about breakfast?"
"You can just eat it there! I packed breakfast and lunch and everything! Come on guys, we gotta hurry and get a good spot before someone else comes and takes it!" With that Gon grabbed the enormous beach bag from the table and dragged Kurapika to the door. "Killua! Come on!"
"What?! I'm not done with my coffee yet!" Leorio complained as Gon dragged a startled Kurapika out the door.
The Valkyrie downed the rest of his morning blood like a shot. "You heard the boss," he chirped, snatching Leorio's mug out of his hand and tossing it into the sink along with his own glass.
"Hey!" the Goblin complained as Killua pulled him out of the apartment by the collar of his shirt. The two of them ran to catch up with the other two, and once they made it to the elevators the doors were already closing!
"Wait up, Gon!" Killua scolded as he took a flying leap and dove through the closing doors. He slipped through the doors just in time, but they closed on his tail and he had to choke down a scream of pain. His tail held the door for Leorio though, so at least they wouldn't have to listen to a rant about being left behind.
"Oh no, Killua, is your tail alright?" Gon asked while picking it up to inspect it.
Killua blushed a little at his sudden touch, and snatched it from those prying hands. "No thanks to you," he snapped. Gon stuck his tongue out guiltily as Kurapika selected the bottom floor.
…What the fuck, me?!
We're supposed to be charming Gon, not yelling at him!
Killua mentally smacked himself in the face, and stood a little closer to Gon than necessary as an apology. His message reached the hybrid, for he bumped Killua's shoulder with his own. Being so incredibly close with Gon like this made Killua's stomach squirm… but it also made him so happy. He didn't know what he'd do with himself if he didn't have this anymore.
That's why he had to be extra careful to let Gon figure this out on his own. He was super dense so he'd need some help, but he needed to reach the consensus of his own accord.
Once they reached the ground floor, Gon was practically jumping up and down. He weasled through the doors as they were still opening, and shot out for the beach in a sprint. The other three followed along after him, apologizing to their neighbors that he had pushed in his excitement. They were used to Gon's Gonness by now, so they just smiled and waved.
With a carefree grin on his face, Killua sprinted to catch up with Gon. He chased the other boy barefoot over the wooden bridge across the dunes, grabbing an umbrella from where they were kept on the way out. He knew Kurapika and Leorio would grab their chairs, but him and Gon didn't need them. They were always too busy horsing around to sit still.
The sun was bright, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The flags were green today, which was perfect for swimming! Gon would be a little grumpy, he only liked it when the flags were red. He thought that it was more fun when the current was stronger (by "strong" he meant "dangerous").
Killua watched as Gon ran and jumped high into the air as he crossed onto the sand. The hybrid laughed out loud and extended his arms out to the sun. He grinned and scented the air, skipping across the hot sand as he darted around to find the best place to sit. There were only a couple other groups out already, so hopefully Gon would hurry and find somewhere to set up. Taking a three mile loopty loop run on the beach first thing in the morning may have been Gon's thing, but it certainly wasn't any of the other three's.
Luckily, Gon ran in a straight line, sprinting directly for the rock formation on the far left side of the beach. The apartment complex they were staying in was right up next to a big hill in the city, so there was a cliff of sorts bordering the place. It made for some really fun beach-side rock climbing, but Kurapika liked to be a buzz-kill and tell Gon and Killua not to play on the rocks because they were "dangerous" or something stupid like that.
Gon picked a place right before rocks started interrupting the sand, and he jumped up and down and waved for the others to hurry up. Killua laughed and waved back, before picking up speed. He sprinted up to Gon, and then slid to a stop before him, spraying sand all over his face.
The hybrid cackled, holding up his arms to keep the stuff out of his eyes.
"Killua! Don't throw sand!" Kurapika scolded as himself and Leorio caught up.
"I wasn't throwing it~"
Leorio slapped him upside the head, "Listen to your mother!"
Killua stuck out his tongue, and then darted under Leorio's swiping arm to set up the umbrella. Once they had all the chairs, towels, and random assortment of crap set up, Gon and Killua made a run for the water– only to be stopped by a certain nagging blonde.
"Sunscreen!"
The two boys groaned in defeat.
"I don't need it though!" Gon complained as Kurapika pushed a bottle of sunscreen lotion into his hands.
"You always need sunscreen, it protects you from the sun's harmful rays and fends off skin cancer!" Kurapika lectured as he gave Killua his own bottle.
"But my skin's so dark it makes the light bounce off!" Gon shot back.
"Dark colors absorb light, ya idiot," Killua retorted, shoving Gon in the arm. "If anyone reflects light it's me." I'm so fucking pale… I wish I could be tan like Gon. There's nothing attractive about being able to see all of your veins at any given moment. I'm surprised you can't just see right through to my heart and lungs.
"Is that how it works?" Gon asked.
"Sure is! And the only one who really doesn't need sunscreen is ME!" Leorio bragged. "I have scales!"
Kurapika was clearly at war with himself not to throw a bottle of sunscreen into the Goblin's face, but it was true that he didn't need sunscreen. They had actually spent an entire day researching and proving that a few months ago. It had been pretty fucking funny… but also a waste of a perfectly good beach day spent on reading and arguing with Kurapika.
Gon whined dramatically as he opened his bottle and squirted some of that white filth onto his hands. Unfortunately, Kurapika had decided that spray sunscreen was not strong enough for the beach, especially when they spent all day outside on beach days. At least the Elf joined in on the torture… though he seemed to enjoy wearing sunscreen for some weird assed reason.
Killua rubbed the slimy stuff all over his chest and stomach, then took off his unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt to get his shoulders and arms. Gon had had a shirt off from the start… he looked even more muscular than before, thanks to all that training. Killua had made sure to let Gon catch him checking him out, but all the dumbass had done was smile and wave.
He had a better idea though.
The Valkyrie finished rubbing the sunscreen all over his face and ears, and then marched up to Gon, who was spinning in circles and trying to reach his back. "Okay, this is just sad to watch. Let me do it."
Gon gave him a blinding grin. "Really? Thanks, Killua!"
"Yeah yeah, now just give me your stupid sunscreen."
Shit! There I go again!
Come on, Killua! You can do this! Just be… nice and stuff. Flirty?
Dammit, I keep getting flustered and turning snappy.
Killua swallowed drily as he squirted Gon's sunscreen onto his hands. The hybrid was facing away from Killua, patiently waiting for him to get his back for him. This really shouldn't have been such a big deal… but something about rubbing whitish liquid all over Gon's muscular back sounded kind of erotic in Killua's stupid dirty brain–
With a shake of his head, the silver haired boy just went for it and rubbed in circles along the center of Gon's back. His skin was warm, and Killua could feel the corded muscle beneath that tan skin. Gon's muscle structure was so interesting… it was a more humanoid structure, and deviated from the base human form. Killua's did the same, but that was because he had wings and needed to compensate for the extra appendages. Gon had a different muscle structure because he was built to be strong.
It made Killua's stomach get all bubbly, thinking about how superior Gon's blood was. His body was made to tower over his opponents, and even though he was a hybrid he was still so powerful and commanding of respect. His aura was incredible… and his Magic even more so.
Not to mention his body.
Killua was blushing like crazy, and he was sorry to admit that his blood was running to his face as well as his groin. This was reminding him of that damned dream, when he'd felt all over Gon and Gon had done the same thing. Killua licked his lips, and had to focus half his brain power to keep his tail from doing that stupid horny-swishing thing.
Get your head out of your ass and focus on the task at hand!
I really could have worded that better… fuck me.
Dammit!
I just need to shut up.
Killua bit his tongue, and got some more sunscreen. He put on too much on purpose, it was part of his plan. "Whoops, that's a little too much," he commented, voice a flawless mask of innocence. "Lemme just rub it in."
"Okay!" Gon chirped.
The Valkyrie focused his stupid brain, and put all of his attention on what his hands were doing. He stopped spreading sunscreen across Gon's back and started rubbing and rolling his hands over the planes of his shoulders. He moved his hands slowly, and pushed a little harder than necessary. He slid his hands up to Gon's shoulders, and rubbed at the meaty part. He then slid his palms down Gon's shoulders and slipped them under his arms to rub down his sides all the way to his hips.
He then changed the direction of his hands, and rubbed along the small of his back, slipping his thumbs just barely under the waistband of Gon's swim trunks just for good measure. Killua's sharp eyes picked up the hairs standing up on the back of Gon's neck, and he watched his flesh rise up as he got chills.
Holy fuck it was working.
Killua blushed harder. He knew he was sitting here and feeling Gon up to try and get him to snap out of his stupidity, but now that he realized that it was working he was suddenly getting all skittish. The Valkyrie quickly rubbed the rest of the excess sunscreen into Gon's skin, and stepped back.
"There," he mumbled, turning away to get his own back.
But Gon followed him. He stepped up behind Killua, and looped his arms under and around Killua's sides to reach his hands from behind. Gon was right at his back, and his head was right by Killua's. He took the sunscreen from Killua's hands. "Here, I'll do you too so we're even," he said directly against Killua's ear.
The assassin was frozen on the spot, and quickly wrapped his tail around his leg to keep it from acting up.
What the–
Hold on–
What was happening here–
All of a sudden the only thing Killua was aware of was Gon's hands on his back. His calloused palms scratched against Killua's bare skin, and his hands slid over his skin so smooth and easily. But Gon wasn't just doing sunscreen–
No, he was doing exactly what Killua had been doing but better–
Gon's hands were slow and seductive on Killua's skin, his fingers tracing the line of his spine, just like from that fucking dream. He rubbed all the way down to the small of Killua's back, slipping his fingers around the side's of Killua's waist and across his hips. He then moved back up again, rubbing between Killua's shoulder blades and branching back out to cover the tops of his shoulders.
The Valkyrie's breath was ragged and he could feel his dick coming to life in his pants. Why the fuck was Gon doing this– Why the fuck was this happening– Holy fucking shit, fuck Killua, he'd done the sunscreen like that to Gon, so knowing Gon he'd decided that he needed to to the exact thing back or else he wouldn't be being fair to Killua and now his cheeks were all hot and his head was getting all hot and–
"There! All done!" Gon chirped.
Thank FUCK he didn't put too much sunscreen like I did cause if he'd kept going I probably would have made a weird noise–
Killua swallowed hard, feeling Leorio and Kurapika watching him and laughing. Stupid old men. If they were gonna root for him then the least they could do is not sit there and laugh at his expense!
"Thanks or whatever," Killua grumbled… going back to being mean again.
He really was hopeless.
What was communicating his emotions?
What was it?
Nothing. Killua did not have that ability unlocked, apparently.
The Valkyrie glanced down at his swim trunks, just to be sure. Okay… so it wasn't that bad. It wasn't really noticeable unless you were seriously looking and trying to see it. It would go away so long as Gon didn't do anything borderline sexual like that again.
Killua really should have considered the consequences of his actions–
"Race you to the water!" Killua declared, turning quickly to hide the front of his shorts from Gon. He really didn't want to take any chances. The faster he got in the water the better. He sprinted into the waves, Gon laughing and crashing after him.
Dammit. The sunscreen thing hadn't worked!
He'd just have to keep trying.
But nothing like that anymore.
Cause apparently Gon would just copy whatever Killua did without considering the implications. The Valkyrie kept going until he made it up to his chest, awkwardly traversing the rocking of the waves until he got to that perfect spot where you could still touch the bottom, but the waves still brought you off your feet a little with every crest. It was right behind the wave break, so the water was rocking and calm. Killua really liked green flag days. It was always so peaceful, with no worrying about a dangerous undertow.
Gon caught up to him with ease, cutting through the water like a damned fish. Killua loved seeing Gon in his natural element. The ocean just fit him, and he clearly loved it more than anything. He giggled as he kicked off the bottom to ride on his stomach over each wave, getting his face and hair completely soaked with salty water but not caring at all.
Killua was content just to watch Gon catch the rocking of the waves. His tan skin sparkled wet in the sun, and his hair was getting all adorable and floppy. Wet hair Gon was back, and Killua couldn't be happier. His stupid boner went away pretty easily, which he was grateful for. He would have been pretty ticked off by having his entire day of flirting chances ruined by stressing over something like that.
Though he supposed flirting was an overstatement.
Killua didn't know the first thing about flirting.
He supposed he'd just have to practice on Gon until it started working.
There was absolutely no way he was going to Leorio for help, Leorio was an idiot.
The two boys floated over the waves for a little while, chattering about whatever came to mind, just glad to have time to themselves again. This was the first time they could relax and have a day off after all that training. It felt really good to be back in their own swing of things again. Of course they'd still have to work on their Ten and Ren and everything on a regular basis, they needed to stay in Magic-shape as Wing called it. But being able to do this again was just so wonderful.
Killua allowed himself to outright and watch Gon's face. He didn't try to hide his staring like he usually did. This made for more eye contact, and Gon never chastised him about it for a second. That was kinda annoying, but it also made Killua happy. They were so comfortable around each other that they could literally just sit and stare at each other without it being weird.
It made for a real challenge though.
"Hey, Gon, you wanna swim out to where the sand rises back up again?"
The hybrid chuckled, "You mean the sandbar?"
Killua flopped his hand dismissively, "Whatever."
"Come on! Let's go then!" Gon cheered, before jumping and diving under the next wave. Killua scrambled to follow him, a good swimmer but not nearly as good as Gon. The hybrid slipped under and over the waves as if it were nothing, while Killua was struggling to swim against them. Swimming in a pool or even a river was one thing, but the ocean? The ocean did its own shit, and it didn't care about you or your personal ideas about where you were going.
Killua flopped in and out of the waves, hissing and spitting the salt water out of his eyes. Dammit! Why was Gon going so fucking fast?! Why had he even suggested this, like seriously. Just because the flag was green didn't mean the ocean wasn't still a fucking ocean, like for gods' sake.
All of a sudden a tan head popped out of the water before Killua, the Valkyrie gasped and lost his concentration, sinking under the next wave by accident. He resurfaced to Gon's musical laughter.
"What was that for, huh?!" Killua demanded, splashing Gon in the face as he treaded feet upon feet deep water. Holy shit, Killua always underestimated how fucking DEEP the ocean was.
"I was just coming back to check on you!" the hybrid giggled, shielding his eyes with a hand. "You were going so slow I had to make sure you hadn't drowned~"
"I don't need your sympathy! I'm a perfectly fine swimmer all on my own!" Killua gloated, knowing full well that this was not true. The ocean was Gon's backyard, not his.
"Whatever you say~" Gon sang, before diving backwards and slipping back underneath the waves. Killua huffed, and then smirked a cat-like smirk. He had an amazing idea. The Valkyrie quickly dove after Gon, too fast a pace for him to uphold against the ocean's currents, but just fast enough to reach out and latch onto a tan foot–
"Hey, Killua?" Gon laughed, pausing in the water.
"Yes?" the silver haired boy asked innocently, climbing up Gon's legs to latch onto his waist.
"This is how people drown, you know."
"Oh, so you're not strong enough to swim both of us over there? Sorry, I had just assumed–"
Gon stuck out his tongue, and was that a slight flush to his cheeks? Killua decided yes. "I am too strong enough! You better hold on, though, cause I won't slow down." With that, the hybrid dove under the next wave, Killua squealed as he was tugged underwater, and was suddenly on what may as well have been a roller coaster.
Gon slipped beneath the surface, kicking his legs like a frog to propel himself. Killua kept his hands latched around that muscular waist, using his hip bones as grips. If Gon was flustered by the closeness of Killua's touch, he didn't show it. That had been the assassin's plan, but it clearly wasn't working.
In fact, he was the one who had ended up flustered.
Gon was incredible in the water. He weaved the two of them in and out of the waves with such ease, and watching the muscles strain and pull in his arms and back was enough to have Killua drooling. Well… not literally drooling, but his stomach was certainly getting that squirmy feeling whenever he was about to get horny.
Why did his plans keep backfiring?
Like seriously?
Was Gon really that spectacularly hot that all of Killua's attempts to fluster him would bounce right off his flawless body and smack him with double the amount of force?
Yes, apparently.
And the density of Gon's skull was certainly a factor in that.
This was beginning to look like a lost cause, but Killua would not give up. He'd find some way to fluster Gon. He was dead certain that Gon was starting to get in his feelings about him, and he HAD to exploit this.
Killua hugged Gon's waist, and then climbed up to cling to his shoulders. He was lying against his back in the water. Prime way to drown the both of them, true, but Gon was strong enough to keep both of their weights above the waves when necessary. Once they reached the waist deep water of the sandbank, Gon grinned and did a dolphin jump thing in the water to get on top of it.
The Valkyrie held on, determined to stay latched onto Gon for as long as he could manage. Unless he was just completely used to having people all over him, this would definitely get him a little fuzzy inside!
"The train has arrived at Sandbar Station!" Gon declared goofily, squatting in the water and glancing back at Killua.
"I like the train, I think I'll stay on till the next station," Killua said playfully, wrapping his arms around Gon's neck for good measure. It felt so good to finally have an excuse to touch Gon like this. Killua's chest was fuzzy and warm with affection, and he just wanted to nuzzle his face against Gon's soaked and floppy hair.
That would be too far, though. Unfortunately.
Gon snickered and jumped backwards off the sandbar, slamming the both of them into the water. Shit, he was gonna try to pry Killua off. Dammit, Gon! This was not a wrestling match! Couldn't he see what Killua was trying to do here?! Did he seriously not realize yet?!
The Valkyrie spitefully clung tighter, and Gon propelled them back upwards, twisting about in the water as he rose back to the surface. He took an enormous breath, and Killua followed suit. The hybrid then dove down, following the slope of the sandbar under the water.
Killua clung to Gon's neck, eyes squeezed shut tight. He was tugged deeper and deeper, and while Killua could hold his breath for a long assed time, he was a little concerned about if he'd be able to make it through whatever Gon had in mind–
The hybrid tapped on Killua's arm, and he cracked his eyes open. Gon was gazing at him, grinning under the water. Gutsy, Killua would never open his mouth like that. The Valkyrie frowned at him, quirking an eyebrow. Gon's smile widened, and he a few bubbles from his nose as he turned and pointed out into the ocean.
Killua grumpily followed his gesture, not liking to have his eyes open in this murky fish pee lookin ass water–
Then he just about drowned himself, and was barely able to contain his gasp.
It was incredible, they weren't all the way at the bottom, but long towers of seaweed and kelp rose up from the ocean floor. Sunlight sparkled downwards from the surface, reflecting off the scales of so many fish. There was even a turtle!
Killua was gawking, he knew, and he could feel Gon's chest shake as he laughed.
The Valkyrie smacked him.
Don't laugh while we're under water! You'll make me laugh, and then I'll drown!
Gon looked up at Killua, a glint in those amber eyes.
You won't drown, not on my watch.
Killua now knew that he was capable of blushing while under water.
That sounded so–
That sounded like something a boyfriend would say, like holy shit–
Gon giggled some more, and then pointed forward in the water, Killua followed his gaze and then just about screamed. There was a fucking shark! Just right fucking THERE! WHAT THE FUCKING HELL WERE THEY JUST DOING SITTING THERE—
Killua scrambled about, wrapping his legs around Gon's waist from behind. He smacked his friend's arms, squirming and making frantic noises through his sealed lips. Gon shook his head, continuing to watch the shark weave about in the water.
It's okay! Isn't he cool?
Killua slapped Gon upside the head.
No he is not cool! We need to get out of here before he eats us for breakfast!
Gon waved his arms a little, floating about and craning his neck to look up and back at where Killua was perched behind him.
Come on, we could take a shark!
Killua glared, and bared his teeth in a snarl. Salty water flooded his mouth, and he did NOT like that, but he needed to get his fucking point across!
We are not fighting a shark, bring me back up right this instant! I'm not dying today!
Gon just laughed again, and then started swimming upwards. Which was a really good thing because Killua's lungs were starting to scream at him to breathe. Gon kicked his legs, carrying them upwards. Killua clung to his neck, forcing himself not to breathe and knowing that Gon would carry him back up–
They broke the surface and Killua spat out his mouthful of ocean water and then gasped down air. He still clung onto Gon, straddling his back and using him as a mini-island as Gon treaded water.
Little jerk, he was just casually breathing out of his nose! No gasping for him! No post almost-drowning sighing! Killua smacked him on the head. "You're a bitch!"
"What for?" he said, barking out a laugh.
"You wanted to fight a fucking shark, speaking of which, hurry back to the sand thing before he eats us!"
Gon giggled, and listened. He swam with Killua clinging to his back, and soon they were standing in the waist deep water of the sandbar. "He won't eat us, he's hunting fish! We're the least of his concerns at the moment."
"As if he wouldn't drop all those scrawny fish for a bite of us? Stu~pid!"
"Oh, I'm sure you taste way better than a fish, Killua," Gon said with a laugh.
The Valkyrie scoffed. "Is that supposed to be reassuring?"
"Yup, I won't let him have you! If I was a shark I would be the only one allowed to eat Killua!" Gon chirped as he hopped, adjusting Killua who was riding piggyback. He looped his arms under Killua's knees, and strided gracefully through the shallow water.
"The fuck?" Killua asked. "What the hell goes through your brain?"
"You," Gon mused.
Uh–
"What's that supposed to mean?" Killua mumbled, face heating up.
"You go through my brain. You're always with me, so my thoughts are always about you."
Killua pouted and wrapped his arms tighter around Gon's neck, resting his chin on his head. "Well.. maybe you're in my brain too."
He felt Gon's smile, and a little skip entered his step.
…
Gon sighed as they laid on the beach watching the sunset. Today had been so amazing. He'd spent hours upon hours swimming around with Killua, and he'd even gotten him on a surfboard! They'd eaten lunch on the beach, and the Killua buried him in the sand up to his neck and teased him about burying him entirely.
Killua had been so playful today! He was always shooting clever remarks Gon's way and challenging him in various ways. He was also being really touchy. He'd clung to Gon for hours in the water, and even on land he was still sitting really close.
He'd tackled Gon to the sand when they were supposed to be racing, and he'd stood behind him with his chin on his shoulder when they were listening to Kurapika lecture them about how they needed to wait an hour before swimming after lunch.
Killua's tail was another thing, it was swishing about all happy like. But there was sort of a carefree lilt to it that wasn't usually there. It swished around almost slowly, and Gon interpreted it as Killua just being really, really happy. When his tail wasn't dancing around like that, it was wrapped around Gon's waist or his leg.
The Valkyrie really was all over him today. Even now. They were sitting back on a beach towel in between Kurapika and Leorio's chairs. Gon was sitting with his knees up and spread apart, his hands braced behind him. Killua was sitting in between his legs, leaning back against Gon's chest, almost in his lap. His tail was twisting and untwisting lazily around Gon's left ankle, and he was eating a box of chocorobos.
Occasionally Killua would lean back, reaching up to give one to Gon. That was seriously a big sign from Killua, because he NEVER shared his chocolate. Yet here he was, yet again, craning his neck and holding a piece up for Gon. The hybrid opened his mouth, and Killua tossed it up with a snicker. He missed on purpose, and Gon had to snap his teeth to get it like a shark.
His soft white hair tickled against Gon's chest, and it remained laid there. Killua was so relaxed, and he was being so nice. It was like he was some sort of cat, constantly laying on Gon or bothering him for attention.
Gon still couldn't get over the fact that Killua was sharing his chocolate with him!
What was with Killua today? Usually he was so standoffish, never one to get close or speak so playfully. Today that had all changed, though. Gon could vividly remember every single touch, from the feeling of Killua's hands rubbing against his back to his arms gripping around Gon for balance on the surfboard.
This wasn't a very Killua way to act… but then again, it was. It was like… when they'd used to sleep in the same bed. Every morning Gon would wake up with Killua wrapped around him, squeezing him tight and never letting go. Gon had thought it was really cute, and had been pretty sad when they'd stopped sleeping together every night.
He'd almost forgotten - had forgotten - what it was like when Killua acted like that. But this entire day he was as cuddly as he was in his sleep. And Gon liked it. He really liked it, actually. Today Killua's eyes had felt like they were on fire when they looked at him, and Gon had been so hyper-aware of everything his friend was doing.
The touch of that pale skin on his own was so gentle and warm, and every playful shove made Gon's heart dance with a million little fireflies. Being this close with Killua was new, but oh, was it welcomed. Gon had thought he was close with Killua before, but this was a whole entirely different level.
Was it because of how many times they'd merged their minds while training their Ren?
Was it because Killua had just missed his company that much?
Gon didn't know and honestly didn't care. He'd accept anything Killua did cause it was Killua. He was being super affectionate and touchy, and Gon was all for it. He hoped Killua stayed this way, he hoped he continued the playful words and frequent brushes of skin. He hoped Killua kept draping himself dramatically from Gon's shoulders whenever he was grumpy at something, and he hoped he rested his chin on his shoulder for every second of time in eternity.
Killua being so close like this… it made Gon so happy. It made him want to grin and giggle all day long, and it made his chest feel all fluffy. Gon wanted to chase this feeling, this odd warmth that encased him whenever Killua got particularly close or just looked over at him while smiling, for no good reason but to look at him. It made his head feel light and threw the entire world into bright and joyful colors. Gon wanted to be as close to Killua as he could possibly be. Now that he'd gotten him, he'd never let him go.
The sun dipped beneath the ocean, and Killua slackened against Gon's chest. The hybrid blinked in surprise, and then smiled softly. The Valkyrie was asleep. Killua's chest rose and fell gently, and his tail fell slack with sleep.
Following a sudden wave of affection, Gon looped his arms around Killua's chest and leaned forward to hug him from behind. He buried his face in that fluffy white hair, and just breathed Killua in.
He smelt like Killua, like sharp snow and lavender. But he also smelled like the sun and the ocean. He smelled vaguely like Whale Island did, and something about his favorite person and his favorite place being blending up like that made Gon's chest lurch. He just wanted to squeeze Killua to death.
But he couldn't do that, it would wake Killua up.
So he just settled for smiling and watching the stars with his arms wrapped gently around his friend. When Leorio snorted himself awake from his now hours long nap, Kurapika chuckled and decided that it was time to go back to the apartment for some sleep.
The Elf and the Goblin cleaned up their chairs and umbrella and beach stuff, and Gon adjusted his grip on Killua. He held him under the legs and against his chest, and stood up. He cradled Killua against his chest like a baby, and used his foot to fling the towel over his head.
Kurapika looked over at Gon with a sweet smile on his face, and Gon grinned back.
"Isn't he cute?!" the grin screamed. Gon just wanted to run around and show everyone what he had right now. It was a sleeping Killua! It was such an amazing thing. Huh. That was new. But he'd always liked Killua, he'd always wanted to show his friend off like a shiny new toy. This was probably normal. Gon shrugged and followed Kurapika and Leorio to the apartment. They were silent all the way, making sure not to wake the silent assassin.
When they made it back to the apartment, Gon carried Killua to his room, not noticing Kurapika and Leorio having a bit of an excited fit behind him.
He pushed Killua's door open with his foot, and walked him over to the bed. He laid him down in that nest of pillows and blankets and closed the blinds because Killua liked to sleep in pitch darkness. Gon tucked the blankets up under Killua's chin, and rested his fluffy white crown against his favorite pillow: the one he'd stolen from Gon.
Gon just stood and watched Killua sleep for a moment. He looked so incredibly peaceful. His face was serene, and his pale lashes dusted his cheeks like a sprinkling of fresh snow. Killua really was beautiful. He had always been beautiful, Gon had always thought that. But something felt different in observing that.
Gon wanted to…
He reached his hand out, and rested the back of his hand gently on Killua's cheek.
I wanna curl up next to him, and sleep by his side.
They hadn't done that in forever, and the urge was sudden and all consuming.
But as much as Gon wanted to, he shouldn't do that. He needed to let Killua sleep and just leave him alone for the night. They'd been wrapped up in each other's presence all day. Gon reluctantly stepped away from the bed and the sleeping Killua, gently removing his knuckles from that pale cheek. He walked backwards out of the room, his eyes not wanting to leave Killua's relaxed face. Gon slowly stepped out of the room, and silently shut the door.
"Goodnight, Killua," he whispered with his forehead leaned against the closed door.
He then walked down to the end of the hallway to his own room, and hopped into bed. He was exhausted, that had been one of the most fun days of his entire life. Actually… a million little memories of Killua's closeness and intoxicating touch danced across the backs of Gon's eyes… yeah, this was his new favorite day of all time. Replacing the day they'd left the Neko-Village and Killua promised to stay with him no matter what.
Gon drifted off with a smile on his face.
Everything was so perfect. All four of them were together, and all of them were having fun and reaching their goals. He couldn't believe he'd been worried about things going back to normal after training ended! Everything was even better now. Training had only brought the four of them closer, and Killua was suddenly more glued to Gon's side than he ever had been.
Nothing could ruin this, Gon hoped this amazing heaven never changed ever.
…
Kurapika closed his bedroom door behind him, and leaned against it. Tears rose hot in his eyes, and his chest ached knowing what he was about to do.
You don't deserve this, he reminded himself. They're better off without you.
Besides.
You have something more important to do.
Will renewed, and that dark cloud falling back over his vision, Kurapika stepped forward. He changed out of his bathing suit and into his usual under layer and tabard. It was a new tabard, this one with a thicker skirt section and higher collar. It was glistening in blue and gold, the colors of the Kurta.
He slipped the scarlet red earring into his ear.
He'd bought it on the way back to the apartment last night.
It represented what he had to do. It was the color of the Scarlet Eyes, and was there to remind him not to get off track again. This - this peace, this beautiful, incredible life he was leading right now… - it wasn't important. He didn't need this, and nor did he deserve it. He had a clan to avenge.
Kurapika scribbled a note onto a piece of paper, made his bed, and slung his satchel over his shoulder. He'd return when all of this was said and done. They'd just get in his way. And he didn't want to force them to be involved anyways.
Kurapika slipped out his bedroom window, and descended into the night.
He drew the curtains of that eternal darkness of his soul.
He would not emerge until his goals were met.
AN: aw, this fic has been so happy and carefree so far. it's about time I ruined that
