Gon awoke laughing. Happy little giggles bubbled up from his throat, he couldn't stop them! Killua's hair was tickling his face!
"Hey, what's your problem?" the Valkyrie complained.
"Your hair is like a bunch of feathers!" Gon gasped, his belly starting to hurt. Killua leaned up to glare at him, and Gon sucked down air as he was spared any further assault. What had Killua even been doing anyways? He was sitting on Gon's waist and had been rubbing his hair all over the hybrid's cheek and jaw.
"Well that doesn't mean you have a conniption fit," Killua retorted. "Now hold still!" he commanded, pinning down Gon's shoulders and bending over to rub the edge of his jaw along Gon's cheekbone.
The hybrid giggled again, earning a disapproving glare.
"What are you doing, Killua?" Gon asked. He loved the attention, but he was confused as to why Killua was aggressively licking behind his ear?
"I'm scenting you," the assassin answered grumpily, as if he was annoyed at what he was doing. "Since we're gonna be mates, I need to make sure everyone knows that you're taken."
"Why do you sound so mad about it?" Gon asked, forcing his body to fall slack and leaning his head to the side so Killua could reach his neck better.
Killua sighed through his nose, his breath dusting the fine hairs at the nape of Gon's neck. "Well… I know it was just your mouth, but for some reason my stupid instincts are telling me that we're already mated and I need to mark my territory."
Gon cracked a laugh, "You sound so upset about it!"
"I am!" Killua complained. "You think I want to rub my face all over your body?!"
The hybrid gave a suggestive smirk, but before he could open his mouth Killua slapped his hand over it. "Don't answer that," he grumbled, cheeks flushing.
Gon laughed again, relaxing against the pillows and inhaling deeply. He loved Killua's smell, and the air was thick with it. He liked the idea that he'd smell like Killua from now on! Also, scent marks didn't last forever, so that meant that Killua would be all over him like this at least once a week! Yay!
The hybrid shut his eyes, and reached his hands up to rest them on Killua's shoulders. He couldn't wait for all this madness to be over. He couldn't wait to return to Whale Island with Killua and be able to consistently relax for the first time in… almost four years now. Being able to wake up like this with Killua every morning would be the most incredible thing.
The Valkyrie huffed, apparently pleased with his work. Gon sighed, knowing that Killua was about to get off and more than a little sad about it–
When Killua shocked him by leaning down and gently licking across each of his closed eyelids. Gon's breath hitched in his chest, and blood rushed to his cheeks.
How come I only get flustered when he does tiny adorable stuff like that?
"You had sleep in your eyes," Killua mumbled, before getting off Gon's waist and tucking himself against the hybrid's side.
Gon grinned, wrapping his arm around the assassin and reveling in his soft warmth. "You yell at me for swallowing weird stuff but then you lick the gunk out of my eyes in the morning?" the horned male teased.
"Shut up!" Killua shot back, poking Gon in the ribs. "Grooming is different than swallowing fucking jizz!"
"I didn't know Valkyries groomed each other," Gon mused, completely ignoring the point.
"We don't," Killua grumbled. "Or at least, not often. You only allow yourself to be vulnerable like that to people you really trust and care about. I used to brush Alluka's hair whenever I'd visit her, and she'd comb my wings for dead scales. When I was really little my mother used to take baths with me and make towers on my head with the bubbles… but those days are long gone."
Gon's eyebrows tilted up, and he turned over on his side to hug Killua with both arms. The runaway prince always sounded so sad when he recalled details from his childhood. Killua sighed against Gon's chest, and gently looped his arms around the hybrid's waist.
"So… I'll only ever do that type of stuff with Alluka. Consider yourself lucky," the Valkyrie mumbled.
Gon smiled, "I'm the luckiest guy in the world just for having you by my side. I'm glad you trust me that much."
"I love you that much," Killua corrected, though it was barely audible.
"Killua… Do you ever miss Alluka?"
"Never a day goes by when I don't."
Gon buried his face into Killua's fluffy white hair. "I understand how that feels. I think about Mito and Abe every day and every night. So don't think that you're alone when feeling that way."
"Never," Killua murmured, a smile audible in his voice. "Hey… Gon."
"Hm?"
"I know I act like a jerk to you all the time… but I… I'm not actually mad at you or anything. I just don't know how to react sometimes when you're so nice to me, and before I can think it through there are bitchy things coming out of my mouth. I'm bad at expressing it… but I really do love you a lot."
Gon grinned, taking this ripe opportunity to squeeze the daylights out of Killua. "I know, Ki–llu-a. I know you don't mean it when you snap at me. It's just how you express yourself! You're sarcastic and never hesitate to say the first thing that comes to mind!"
"That's not a good thing, idiot," Killua mumbled.
"Yes it is! You're never afraid to say what you're feeling, no matter what anyone thinks! If you stopped snapping at me I think I'd get worried!"
Killua's tail smacked against the mattress in distaste. "Wonderful. I'm so glad that our relationship is built off of arguments and snide insults."
Gon giggled, "See? Just like that! Everything always feels so real with you, cause you're always there to speak your mind!"
"Maybe… I just wish I could be all cuddly like you are sometimes," Killua whispered.
"But you are," Gon cooed, rubbing his foot against Killua's leg. "You're being super sweet and affectionate right now. Last morning you got up and ran away."
"That was because you tried to have sex again when we were both crusty as fuck!"
Gon laughed, "Maybe so, but even from yesterday you've gotten a whole lot calmer and more expressive! You seem to have relaxed a little bit. Are you getting more used to us being together?"
"Yeah. I am, actually," Killua murmured.
"Yay! Sex brings people together!"
"Huh?! What are you talking about, weirdo?!" Killua exclaimed, scrambling on top of Gon and pinning his arms above his head. "That's not the only thing! I just had to get used to your stupid affectionate ass! You think the only reason we've grown together as a couple is because you sucked my dick?!"
Gon cackled, "No! I was just joking! Please! I atone for my wrongdoings!"
"You better watch that dirty mouth of yours Freecss," Killua ordered, leaning forward and blowing a mouthful of air into Gon's face. "Learn to read the room!"
"I will from now on! I promise!" Gon pleaded, though he was barely able to choke the words out.
"Somehow I don't believe you," Killua snarled playfully. Gon yipped when he leaned down and nipped the end of his nose. The Valkyrie then rolled swiftly off the bed and onto his feet.
"Awww, Killuaaaaaa? More snuggles pleaseeee?" Gon whined. "I really am sorry! I won't make any bad jokes this time!"
Killua gave Gon the side eye over his shoulder, "In case you've forgotten, we have to leave in 45 minutes. As much as I'd love to be suffocated under your fat ass all day, unfortunately we have to get packed up. If we don't Karen will have a seizure."
Gon stuck his bottom lip out, he was sad but Killua was right.
The Valkyrie stretched his arms high over his head, humming a little as he stretched his spine out all the way down the tip of his tail. Gon blinked, his eyes magnetized to Killua's bare skin. Yesterday morning Killua had dragged the quilt into the bathroom with him, but today he hadn't done that.
"I'm gonna go shower," Killua sighed, padding silently across the carpet.
Gon watched the sway of his tail and the movement of his hips, suddenly glued on the spot. Killua's really hot.
"Wait!" Gon gasped, suddenly jerking out of his stupor.
"What?" Killua asked, glancing over his shoulder but not turning around.
"Let's shower together!"
Killua's face immediately flushed a deep scarlet. "What?! W-why?"
"Because you said that Valkyries only bathe with people that mean a whole lot to them!" Gon declared, shooting to his feet. "You sounded really sad when you talked about brushing Alluka's hair and things. I can shower with you so you don't miss it anymore!"
Blue eyes blinked. "That's a very sweet sentiment… but are you sure that's the only reason you want to stand naked in an enclosed space with me?"
"I'm sure! Sex isn't the only thing in my head, you know! I wanna wash Killua's hair!"
The Valkyrie turned to face the door once Gon started marching over towards him, notably not looking at the hybrid's lower half. "Okay, I guess it's fine."
"Yay!" Gon cheered, throwing his hands into the air as he followed Killua into the bathroom.
…
Anxiety. Something Shaiapouf had been all too familiar with as of late. Watching as the King had developed an acquaintanceship with his most recent Blood Bag - a meal - had been particularly concerning.
It had been as if Pouf's dear King had been developing into a different person entirely. He'd started playing with the woman, sitting across a game board and losing every single time. But rather than become angered and kill the creature as he should have… Meruem had been transfixed.
He'd been curious, curious about a being other than himself.
He'd wanted to know how, if he was allegedly the strongest being to ever exist, this frail, blind, Blood Bag managed to be so much better than him at playing gungi. The King had begun to think, he'd begun to question himself!
All over a stupid boardgame!
But that had been the mere beginning of Pouf's problems. Soon Meruem had ordered that the creature be referred to as her name - Komugi - rather than her title - Blood Bag. It was a sign of respect for another being! So nauseatingly unbecoming of him!
Pouf had been kept awake at night by his fears over what this woman was doing to his King. Meruem was destined to rule over all existence! And this weak, worthless little scrap of flesh was deterring him from his path!
Shaiapouf had to admit that he'd attempted to see to the woman's death many times over. He'd attempted to poison her food, "accidentally" leave the door open and let the soldiers in, trip her, lead her into dangerous objects, and even kill her by his own hand at one point.
Unfortunately, either the King or Neferpitou had deterred him each and every time.
Eventually, Meruem had confronted Pouf about it, and on that horrible day the blonde Guard had known that his days as a servant to the King were over.
For the King was renouncing his position, and choosing to do the unthinkable.
That day, Meruem had shared with Pouf a psychotic plan.
Meruem intended to crash his own coronation and start an enormous war. He would kill the Queen and throw the entire Moon of Chimera into chaos, then he'd escape and bring Komugi, the Guards, and any Ants who took his side along with him. They'd destroy the society threatening to take over the entire habitable universe, and they'd form a new, peaceful society on some random planet halfway across the galaxy.
Shaiapouf had no choice but to go along with his wild plans.
Of course, Meruem's first attempt to kill the Queen had been thwarted by her loyal Ants, and rather than escaping Meruem had been forced into a year long war trying to work his way back to the palace to kill the Queen.
Pouf had detested every moment of this ridiculous plan. He truly didn't understand why Meruem would choose peace and isolation over the violence and undisputed rule over all that Pouf knew he craved deep down inside.
He supposed he should be grateful for this latest mishap.
However… Pouf could never think to be grateful for this awful anxiety plaguing him as himself and Pitou approached the King's camp.
They passed tents and tents of Soldiers and Squadron Leaders alike, all of them either bandaging wounds, resting, eating, or drawing their last breaths. As Pouf observed the looks on these Ants' faces… he couldn't help but be taken aback.
All of them were more than happy to die for Nirvana's cause.
They were all doomed, but still managed to complete their assigned tasks. However Pouf and Pitou, who were secured safety due to their status, had failed the simple task of guarding a blind woman.
Pouf sensed Pitou stiffen when the King and Youpi came into view. They were perched on the crest of the hill, watching the burning of the Queen's army's campfires across the battlefield. The Main Palace lay in wait just behind their forces. They were truly so close. After a year of battling their way to this location, it was finally time to complete Meruem's wild plan.
The King pointed out across the field, likely discussing strategy with Youpi. Although Monthuthuyoupi was anything but an intellectual. He was more brawn, with little brains to match.
As Pouf and Pitou continued their shameful march back to the King's side, Pouf's anxiety increased by the second. For each second Meruem did not react, Pouf grew more concerned over his reaction. He knew Pouf and Pitou were both approaching him rather than only Pouf. He knew something was wrong… so why hadn't he killed the both of them for their failure?
Shaiapouf swallowed drily as himself and Neferpitou arrived at the King's side. The knelt in the grass behind him, shoulders tensed with stress and shame.
"Your Majesty," Pitou said, calmly and collectively.
Thank the gods for Pitou. Pouf found that he was unable to utter a single word.
How useless am I? Pouf, insignificant Pouf! Here you kneel, having failed in the one job you were given! And yet you cannot even utter the words to atone for your mistakes?! What are you to the King other than scum?!
"Pouf. Pitou," Meruem responded, voice just as cool as Pitou's.
"Sire, I'm afraid that Komugi has been captured by the insurgents," Pitou said, not missing a beat. Their words sent chills up Pouf's spine. They'd cut right to the chase, he wouldn't have been able to accomplish such a feat.
Meruem did not react, did not even turn around.
Youpi, on the other hand, looked about ready to shit his nonexistent pants.
The three Royal Guards waited in terror for their King's reaction.
What would he do?! What would he say?!
His precious Komugi was currently in the hands of the enemy! He was at the greatest disadvantage imaginable! What were they to do now?!
"Oh?" Meruem said, voice completely and utterly emotionless. "And how did this slip under your noses?"
"They took her while Pouf and I were trading places," Pitou answered, their voice smooth but their body trembling in terror and guilt. "We both had our En lowered, and they took advantage of that."
"And why did you both have your En lowered?" Meruem inquired. "Why did you dally long enough to give our enemies a chance to steal Komugi?"
"We were tired," Pitou admitted, voice getting strained. "Pouf dropped his En early, and I left mine down when he did, because we placed our own exhaustion over the safety of Komugi."
Meruem was silent.
"Your Majesty," Pouf started, having to swallow his spit in an attempt to even out his voice. "We are unimaginably remorseful for our irresponsible actions. Allow us to take care of this for you. Please, we beg of you to allow us to correct this mistake."
What am I saying?
Why am I so concerned with regaining my lost face?
It's just the woman. I shouldn't be this bothered over her loss. I failed, yes, but she's nothing more than a Blood Bag. Her loss is inconsequential. I shouldn't be this concerned with getting her back.
What has changed?
Have I… has my mindset shifted to line up with the King's? Is that what this is?
Meruem took a deep breath, his tail completely stiffened.
He was clearly honing in an infinite fit of rage.
Pouf couldn't see his face… but he could tell from the stirring in the air around the King that he was unimaginably afraid. Afraid for Komugi, and for her safety. Not for his now threatened victory, but for the woman's well being.
"How long before the Zodiac's arrival?" Meruem asked, still the picture of nonchalance.
"We estimate that they will arrive at the rendezvous point within a matter of hours," Pitou responded.
"Good," Meruem nodded. "As it stands, I am unable to leave my post. If I were to leave this spot on the hill, Colt's armies would take that as a signal to storm our camp. We would lose all that we've worked for over these long twelve months of battle. Pouf. Pitou."
"Sire," the two Guards said in unison.
"The two of you will leave Chimera and join Ikalgo and the Zodiac at the rendezvous point. There shall be a change of plans…"
…
Honestly, how do I keep getting myself into these ridiculous situations?!
Killua felt like his soul was about to leave his body as he flipped the shower water on. Gon was loitering around behind him and bringing two towels into the bathroom rather than just one. And still, neither of them were wearing any clothing.
Seriously! This was so ridiculous!
Killua was doing all in his power not to look at Gon when he wasn't dressed… it just didn't feel right! He'd trained himself so hard to stop checking Gon out, and that training was hard to break, it seemed. Not to mention the fact that Killua would likely blow a fuse if he allowed himself to just gawk at Gon like that.
The Valkyrie stood with his hand under the shower water, wishing it would just hurry the hell up and get hot. That way the bathroom would fill with steam, and him and Gon wouldn't have to just stand around awkwardly waiting for the shower to be ready–
"Killua, remember when we used to shower together-not-together back in Yorknew City?" Gon asked all of a sudden, sounding way more cheerful and laid back than Killua was at the moment.
For someone who had just scolded Gon about having his mind in the gutter while they showered together, Killua was the only one at war in his own mind. If he popped a boner he'd die on the spot. The embarrassment would be too much to bear.
"Yeah, I remember," Killua responded, very proud of himself for how casual his voice sounded.
"At first I was too impatient to wait my turn, and that's why I wanted to be in the bathroom with you while you showered," Gon admitted with a sheepish laugh. Killua could feel Gon's beckoning eyes against the back of his head, but he was too shy to turn around and face him from the front. He was kind of regretting not bringing the quilt with him like yesterday–
"But then," Gon continued, "I wanted to keep doing it that way because I always felt really close with you when we'd talk to one another in the bathroom. Looking back on it now, a part of me was drawn to you even then… and I was just too stupid to connect the dots." He chuckled, arranging and rearranging their toothbrushes.
Killua cleared his throat, his face already starting to burn without even having begun the admission. "I was really caught off guard by you wanting to sit in the bathroom while we each showered. I had already developed this awful crush on you back then, so I was at a constant war with myself not to do anything embarrassing."
The Valkyrie winced when he heard Gon whip around to face the back of his head, "Really?! You liked me that much when we first arrived in Yorknew City?!"
"Yes, idiot, I already told you this!" Killua complained.
"I remember that, but it hadn't occurred to me how you would have been feeling all those times we did super coupley things together!" Gon mused. The hairs along the back of Killua's neck rose up as Gon walked across the tile floor, coming closer and closer.
"We shared food, slept in the same bed, held hands, and everything!" Gon laughed, though he sounded bittersweet rather than fully amused. "It's almost as if we've been dating since the moment we met, just neither of us were brave enough to admit it!"
"Or smart enough to notice," Killua corrected, a jab at Gon.
The hybrid laughed, "Yeah, guilty."
Gon came up directly behind Killua, and embraced him from behind. Killua squeaked as Gon's bare chest pressed up against the skin of his back. His tail was twisting into itself at his side, hyperactive with all Killua's nervous and almost-horny energy.
"I loved how close we were back then, but I like how we are now so much better," Gon murmured directly into Killua's ear.
"What are you trying to pull, huh?" Killua asked in a high pitched voice, the picture of awkward nerves. He ducked out of Gon's embrace, still not quite facing him as he kept his hand under the slowly warming shower water.
The hybrid just laughed, "I'm not trying anything, I just like hugging you!"
"Right, even when we're completely naked?" Killua shot back, wishing his face would stop being so red when Gon was so composed and calm. How was he so shameless?! How?!
"Yeah! Of course! You're beautiful, Killua, but in both body and mind! I can admire more about you than just your looks and your skinny waist."
Killua blew his bangs out of his eyes, fireworks exploding in his chest when he found that the water was finally heated up to an acceptable temperature. "Who are you calling skinny?" the assassin retorted as he stepped into the shower. It was pretty small, clearly made for only a single person at a time (who would have guessed), but the shower head was unnecessarily wide, and both of them were able to stand under the downpour at the same time.
"You!" Gon chirped, following Killua in and shutting the magnetized glass door behind them. The door echoed with a decisive thud, and no sooner than they had closed themselves inside the glass fogged completely up. It was like Killua was standing with Gon in a tiny little box. The proximity was intoxicating.
And that was exactly why Killua's stupid hormones needed to calm the fuck down! This was just a shower! Nothing sexual at all! Gon's intentions were entirely innocent, Killua was the one making it weird!
"I'm not skinny!" Killua shot back, more than ready to have this argument for the millionth time. "I'm just aerodynamic!"
"And aerodynamics requires your waist to be small enough for me to wrap my hands all the way around?" Gon teased, though luckily he didn't demonstrate (this time at least).
"Yes," Killua declared haughtily, "And I'd rather be a beanpole than fat like you!"
"I'm not fat!" Gon whined. "I'm muscular!"
Killua grinned as he stood beneath the water. He still kept his back to Gon, but having the hot water pouring down over his head served to calm him down. His tail fell slack, pooling in the floor of the shower as he completely relaxed. He truly was at his most vulnerable like this.
Wearing nothing at all, tail on the ground, not facing the other person, and not to mention overcome with a bout of nerves and shyness.
Gon was the only one Killua would ever allow to see him like this… and he really loved that, no matter how embarrassed he was about this whole showering together business. He had to admit that he'd always dreamed of just this happening on all those nights when Gon had sat on the toilet seat and chattered as Killua had taken his turn under the hot water. Though he hadn't accounted for how easily he got embarrassed in those fantasies…
All too aware of Gon's sexy body standing behind him and covered in water (quite the mental image, if you ask Killua), the Valkyrie decisively reached out for his bottle of body wash. It was vanilla lavender scented, and Killua had come to terms with the fact that he'd be addicted to that damned smell for the rest of his life.
He quickly picked up his pink loofah, determined to get out of this situation as fast as possible. That way he'd be less likely to get flustered or excited. On another note, Ryder had introduced Killua to the concept of loofahs, and his life would never be the same again. So much better than a washcloth! Killua snapped open the bottle of sweet-smelling product–
"Wait," Gon protested, leaning against Killua's back and reaching around to stop his hands. The assassin gasped as Gon's warm, wet skin slid against his. Being hugged from behind always made Killua feel so hot inside.
"I wanna do it," Gon said softly, gently taking the bottle and floppy pink thing out of Killua's hands. "Can I wash your body for you, Killua?"
The silver haired male attempted to swallow his nerves, "Uh, sure."
He could practically smell Gon's angelic smile.
"Yay! I wanna take care of you," the hybrid admitted, "Thanks for letting me."
"Yeah," Killua mumbled, not sure what to say.
Color crawled down Killua's neck as he listened to Gon lather up the loofah and set the plastic bottle back on its shower shelf.
"I want you to be more comfortable around me, Killua," Gon spoke softly as he stepped closer. "I can tell you're still really embarrassed about a lot of intimate stuff. I wanna prove that you can trust me like this."
"I already do trust you," Killua protested.
"That's a different type of trust," Gon pointed out, and rightfully so. "I wanna build this relationship with you. We've been close forever now, and I want to be able to take this next step with you."
"Gon," Killua whispered. He was always quick to get flustered when this stupid idiot was being so sentimental and cuddly…
The hybrid gently placed his hand on Killua's shoulder, and drew him closer. He scrubbed softly and methodically up and down Killua's back. The bubbles felt soft and clean, and Gon's added touch made them feel infinitely more caring.
Killua kept his eyes squeezed shut at first, but slowly opened them back up. It was becoming harder and harder to stay embarrassed when Gon was acting so loving and kind. He washed Killua's shoulders, the back of his neck, and then down the sides of his arms.
Without needing to be beckoned, Killua steeled himself and slowly turned to face Gon so he could continue his work. The assassin refused to look at Gon's body, settling instead for the fogged up glass of the door.
Gon continued his affections, and slowly washed Killua's chest, stomach, and then moved to each arm. He took Killua's hands in his one by one, and even went so far as to clean in between his fingers.
Killua felt so stupid just standing here while Gon washed him all over. It was making him feel very vulnerable, like he wasn't serving any sort of purpose. He flicked his eyes towards Gon to say something - anything - to try and break the silence, but the look in Gon's eyes hushed him up.
Gon didn't seem to be bothered by any of this at all. He was cleaning Killua with this soft look on his face… it wasn't exactly a smile, but his joy was obvious. He really did just wanna take care of Killua, huh…
It seemed that Killua had the cuddliest boyfriend of all time. Either that or the clingiest.
When Gon got to Killua's legs, he sat down on the floor of the shower before him and washed across the front and reached around to the back of his legs. Killua bit his lip and looked anywhere but Gon's lap, and forced his brain to focus on his scent markings that were wafting off of Gon in the steam of the shower. Yeah, brain! See?! Aren't you proud of yourself for commanding Killua to do that?! Think about that instead of dirty things!
Gon craned his neck to look up at Killua, and the Valkyrie had no choice but to glance down at him. "Come down here?" the hybrid asked with a smile, patting the shower floor with one hand and reaching up for Killua's shampoo with the other.
With a huff, Killua turned back around and sat on the floor of the shower in front of Gon. He was out of the shower water, with Gon directly underneath and getting completely drenched. His hair was floppy and hanging around his shoulders, some of it dangling into his eyes. He had always loved the water, and seemed all too happy to be soaking wet.
Gon gave a happy hum, and poured a handful of sweet smelling shampoo into his palm.
"That's a lot, don't waste it!" Killua scolded.
"I wanna make you extra bubbly!" Gon chirped in response, taking his soapy hands to Killua's hair and rubbing them all around. The Valkyrie closed his eyes and sighed as Gon washed his hair. He found himself leaning into the touch, and his tail started wagging lazily when Gon massaged his fingers into his scalp.
"I really love your hair, Killua," Gon sighed, gently tilting the assassin's head back to rinse the bubbles out.
"That makes one of us," the Valkyrie sighed, eyes still shut relaxedly as Gon sifted his fingers through his hair to get all the soap out.
"Why don't you like your hair?" Gon complained. He grabbed the conditioner and began lathering Killua's hair to make it dry silky and soft.
"It's completely insane," Killua grumbled. "It never does what I want it to do, and always manages to be a wild rat's nest."
"It's not a rat's nest," Gon cooed, "It's like a bunch of fluffy clouds!"
"I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree," Killua snorted. "Not turn around, it's your turn."
Killua turned around, and rolled his eyes when he found Gon wriggling about like a puppy as he turned with him. The Valkyrie reached out for his shampoo bottle, and then took a handful of Gon's hair and tugged him backwards and out of the shower spray.
The hybrid yelped at Killua's violent pull, and the Valkyrie snickered to himself as he doled out a normal amount of shampoo. "You're so mean!" Gon pouted jovially, his joy still more than apparent.
"I'm picking up your slack," Killua declared as he plunged his slicked up fingers through Gon's thick hair. Even soaked like this it felt like a bunch of peanut butter. "You're too nice, so I'm mean in your place. You're lucky I'm so good at being an asshole, otherwise I wouldn't be able to use the mean-energy you waste."
"What's mean-energy?" Gon laughed.
"The amount of time you're supposed to be mean every day!" Killua responded as he scrubbed Gon's hair. "You get an even amount of energy every day for every mood, and you're supposed to use all of it or else it's being wasted! You waste your mean energy, so I'm forced to use it for you!"
Gon giggled, "That doesn't make any sense!"
"It's satire, idiot, it's not supposed to make since," Killua snorted.
"You're really smart, Killua," Gon sighed, leaning into the Valkyrie's touch with a purr rising up in his throat.
"Thanks for noticing," Killua purred as he pushed Gon's head under the water, "You're really stupid~"
"We're a matched pair!"
The assassin rolled his eyes, "Yeah, we are."
Once Killua rinsed all the shampoo out of Gon's hair, he slicked it up with conditioner. After that he instructed Gon to keep his head out of the water, he needed to let the conditioner sit in his hair for a couple of minutes if he wanted it to get soft.
Cleaning Gon's hair like this… Killua found that it truly was everything he'd been missing so much. He hadn't realized just how much of a hole doing something so simple as brushing Alluka's hair had left. Being able to care for someone like this felt like it was healing all of Killua's pain. He felt the warm knot in his chest growing and increasing in strength as he worked his fingers through Gon's hair, dragging purrs from his throat and putting that happy smile onto his face.
At first he'd only ever dreamt of showing his love for Gon through passion and offering up his body. He'd thought that they already did enough mushy stuff when they were just friends, so what else could there possibly be? It had made him a little nervous getting into all this intimate nonsense… thinking that this was the only way he could show Gon how much he loved him, and fearing that he wouldn't be able to do any of it right.
However, Gon was once again teaching Killua that the world wasn't so black and white. He could show his love in so many, more meaningful ways. Killua's heart swelled in his chest as himself and Gon stood back up. He held Gon in place with a hand to his shoulder, and picked Gon's washcloth up off the shelf in the shower wall.
His chest buzzing with a strong urge to spoil Gon like a baby kitten, Killua understood why Gon was so shameless about stuff like this. Why should he feel shy about expressing his emotions when they were so kind and true? He wanted nothing more than to make Killua happy, and he wanted Killua to be able to see every part of him without holding anything back.
Killua understood now… and he felt like he'd finally gotten a glimpse of what this relationship would look like in the long run.
The Valkyrie took Gon's shoulders and turned him around. He gently washed across his shoulders and chest. His cheeks flushed as his slicked fingers ran across dark skin and toned muscles, but he ignored it. And on top of that, he wasn't getting hot inside or flustered in any way. Killua had to admit he was proud of himself for his erection control, but he also knew that there was more about this moment than making a point of their relationship not being all about sex and playful companionship.
This felt domestic, and Killua's heart ached with a desperate want for this feeling right here to encompass his every second till his dying breath. He wanted to live out his life with Gon, just like this. He wanted to be at peace just to love Gon and share his life with him.
Killua had left Kukuroo Mountain just over two and a half years ago. He'd left because he hadn't felt like he'd belonged, and he'd felt like the life he was pursuing was not one that his heart was in. When Killua had met Gon, he'd discovered the thrill of adventuring and getting into loads of trouble with a best friend at his side. He'd loved those adrenaline packed years with all of his heart and all of his soul. It was insane to think that almost two entire years had passed by now.
Gon had truly shown Killua what it was like to live, but also what it was like to love. And now, Killua saw that he'd finally found the life he'd been so dying to discover during those lonely nights in his castle on icy mountain peaks.
Killua now saw what he wanted his life to be, and he saw that he no longer approached the future with skepticism over what he might lose or what he might fail to experience. He was perfectly content with what he had right here, and he wanted nothing more than to settle down for a while and just appreciate what he'd come to claim as his own.
Gon shut his eyes, tilting his head back as Killua gently scrubbed the bridge of his nose and the arches of his cheekbones. The Valkyrie's eyes were wide and choked with an awestruck light. His heart felt like it was about to burst, because this really was all he'd ever need.
And this time, he was telling the complete and utter truth.
Not Gon's friendship, and not even his love, not really. But simply his companionship in and of itself, and the knowledge that no matter what the two of them would always be right there for one another. Obviously they still had some settling in to do, and there were still corners and uncomfortable squeezes that they hadn't yet explored in this newfound togetherness, but that was inconsequential. They'd cross those bridges when they came, and they'd figure this out all the way, because they had the rest of their lives ahead of them.
Together. No longer alone.
Killua cupped Gon's face in his hands, and gently pulled him forward and into the hot downpour. He stood with Gon beneath the shower head, gently rubbing his thumbs over Gon's cheeks as he rinsed all the suds off his face and made sure that none got into his eyes.
Once his task was completed, Killua gently and shyly pulled Gon closer. He stepped up to him, and leaned down to place a tender kiss against his lips. Gon smiled against his touch, and locked his arms around Killua's shoulders with a contented sigh.
The assassin returned the embrace, and settled just to stand beneath the scalding water with Gon for a few minutes. They didn't need to do anything, they didn't even need to talk. They just needed to be together, and share the silent agreement that this is what they had waiting for them at the end of their wild journey.
They'd have to leave the shower soon, and from there they'd have a serious challenge ahead of them. The mission to come was dangerous, and the information they were seeking from Ging was possibly world shattering.
Not to mention doing the impossible, and breaking not just Killua's ties, but Alluka's as well with the Zoldyck family and Kukuroo Mountain as a whole.
Yes, there were still quite a few loose ends to tie up.
But for now, Killua rested his head on Gon's shoulder and quietly listened to his heartbeat. For no matter what troubles they still had to face in the dark, the light at the end of the tunnel was the brightest imaginable.
