Honestly, for someone who wore the same outfit all the time, Kurapika sure had good taste when it came to clothes. This was the thought going through Killua's mind as he carelessly flicked through hangers in the dressing room, trying to find something that caught his eye.

Ten minutes ago, Killua had complained profusely about how much he hated clothes shopping. In response to this, Kurapika had plucked about ten different outfits off of the hangers in the children's section without batting an eyelash. "You did agree to the plan, after all," Kurapika had said with a pleasant smile, shoving the ridiculous amount of hangers into the arms of a disgruntled Killua.

And now Killua stood before the dressing room mirror, wearing a light blue plaid shirt and gray jeans. It was only the second outfit he had tried on, as he'd spent most of the past ten minutes texting Gon. Evidently, the two of them couldn't handle being separated for too long, even though it had only been half an hour since the last time they had seen each other.

Killua nervously ran a hand through his hair and adjusted his collar before snapping a photo and sending it to Gon. "What do you think of this outfit?" Killua typed.

Mere seconds later, his phone dinged. "I like that one! It matches your eyes," read Gon's message.

Killua's heart began to race. He looked at himself in the mirror and fought down the smile that was beginning to tug at his lips, the smile that he shouldn't have dared to let slip.

And so he shut away his smile. But his deep blue eyes still shone brightly and his ivory skin was still tinged a pale pink.

A knock sounded at the door. "Killua? How's everything going?" asked Kurapika.

"I'm finished. I've decided which one I want."

And Killua studied his reflection one last time, thinking that maybe he would wear blue more often from now on.

…

As the two of them walked to the flower shop around the corner, Kurapika gave Killua a curious look.

Killua stuck his tongue out jokingly. "It's rude to stare, you know." He continued texting Gon, asking him how things were going with Zepile.

"You seem happy," Kurapika remarked.

Killua looked up from his phone and casually placed his hands in his pockets. "Why shouldn't I be in a good mood? I mean, you are the one paying for all my expenses today."

Kurapika nodded, opening the shop door. "That's true." But Killua could tell that Kurapika was still a bit suspicious.

Killua wandered around the flower shop, thinking about Kurapika's plan. It was a reasonable one – Kurapika would help him prepare for the date, and Killua would do his best to get to know Sierra so that he could take his mind off of Gon. And it was going to work – Killua would make sure of that.

He walked into aisle after aisle, losing sight of Kurapika as he did so. He looked around at daisies, daffodils, and sunflowers, forgetting exactly why Kurapika thought it was necessary to buy flowers for a first date that wasn't even likely to turn into anything.

Killua stopped in front of a vase of light pink roses. He examined them, placing a finger lightly on one of the stems. He had seen his fair share of roses last month, and yet somehow he hadn't tired of looking at them. They held the sort of beauty that tried to close itself off from the world, with their prickly thorns and petals that resembled layers upon layers of walls, guarding invisible hearts.

And then, before Killua's eyes, a petal on one of the roses began to wilt. A shiver ran up his spine, freezing him right where he stood. He didn't need to turn around to know whose aura he was in the presence of.

Nonetheless, he took a deep breath and turned to face his brother.

Illumi, with his dead, expressionless eyes that occasionally flickered with malice or misguided concern. Illumi, who had always towered over Killua, his long black hair framing the delicate angles of his face, making him seem more like a porcelain doll than an experienced assassin.

Killua's heartbeat thudded painfully in his chest. Every inch of him yearned to run far away, but he managed to stay right where he was out of sheer will. "What are you doing here?"

"Me? I am here for a job," Illumi said in his usual lifeless tone, his eyes piercing into Killua's own. "Do not sound so accusing, Kil. I would never go against Father's will and force you to come home, if that is what you were worried about. In any case, may I ask why you are shopping for flowers?"

Killua shrugged, breaking eye contact. "It's none of your business. Now, can you go or something –"

"Are they for a girl?"

Something about Illumi's tone made Killua look up. "They are, as a matter of fact. Why do you care?"

Illumi's eyes roamed over Killua's face carefully. "I've been worried about you for a while, Kil." Illumi then turned to examine a bouquet of purple orchids on the shelf next to him, picking it up and setting it down absentmindedly over and over again. "A future heir of the Zoldyck family must set his sights on marrying a fine young woman. But you? You seem a little too preoccupied with that boy, Gon, to be thinking about any of that."

Run, Killua thought. Run. But he couldn't run. He couldn't even breathe. All he could do was listen as Illumi's voice grew quieter, and yet more dangerous. "I am sure that Mother and Father also have their suspicions. After all, a normal boy doesn't simply forget his family in order to run away with another boy."

"You're out of your mind," Killua choked out. "You don't know what you're talking about!"

And all Killua knew was that the world was spinning, and that the only things he could focus on were the orchids next to Illumi, which were wilting rapidly and being drained of their color, turning a dull and sickly gray.

He was brought back to reality only when he heard Kurapika's voice.

"What's going on here?" Air came rushing back to Killua's lungs when he felt Kurapika's protective hand on his shoulder.

"There is nothing to worry about. I was just saying hi to my brother, is all." Illumi attempted to make eye contact, and Killua focused his attention on the cracked floor, immense shame welling up inside of him. "But I'm afraid it is time for me to leave, as I am very busy. Hopefully, you'll keep in touch, Killua. Mother misses you."

With that, Illumi left the aisle, and they heard the bell on the shop door ring, signaling his exit.

Kurapika's face was flooded with concern. "I heard everything. Are you okay?"

Killua nodded, knowing that Kurapika didn't believe him for one second. "I think I want to get Sierra roses."

Kurapika blinked surprisedly at the abrupt change in conversation.

And Killua set off down the aisle, in search of roses that had not withered away from Illumi's aura, telling himself the lie that roses didn't remind him of Gon.

…

During the entire walk back to the hotel, Killua could sense the tension between him and Kurapika. Killua did his best to sound carefree and happy, knowing all the while that Kurapika could see right through his act.

The minute they stepped into the living room of their hotel suite, they were both engulfed in a massive hug that crushed Killua's lungs and disheveled Kurapika's hair.

"There you two are!" Leorio stepped back, and Killua took the opportunity to breathe again. Leorio looked the same as ever, with his dark suit and short black hair, his green eyes blazing with excitement.

"How was your trip home, Leorio?" Kurapika asked. "Is your family doing well?"

"They're doing great, but I think I'm the one who should be asking the questions here." Leorio pushed his glasses up on his nose and peered closely at the shopping bags in Kurapika's arms. "Looks like a lot has happened since I went away. First things first, what is this Gon has been texting me about a date? You know, I happen to be very knowledgeable about these things and could offer you some advice if you'd like, Killua." Leorio's eyes then lit up as though he were recalling some very fond memories from his past.

Killua groaned. Great. This was just what he needed. "Thanks for the offer and all, but I don't really think that'll be necessary –"

"That would actually be very helpful, Leorio," said Kurapika, handing Killua the shopping bags. "I need to leave for work now, but I'll be back later tonight. You can tell me all about your date then, Killua."

"Fine," Killua grumbled.

"Just be yourself around Sierra, and everything will be fine. Okay?" Kurapika's smile was kind, but worried, as he opened the front door.

"Okay." Despite the earlier tension between him and Kurapika, he hated to see Kurapika so concerned over him. Not that Killua would ever actually admit that out loud or anything.

The minute that Kurapika exited the room, Leorio began to interrogate Killua.

"So, who exactly is this girl? Who asked who out? And –"

"Leorio, calm down! Sheesh." Killua tossed the bags onto the couch, where he flopped down, crossing his elbows behind his head, one leg hanging off of the armrest. "I'll only explain everything once, so listen closely."

Killua recounted all the relevant information, feeling somewhat amused as Leorio hung onto his every word. Seriously, Leorio could be just as nosy as Kurapika at times.

"So, what's this advice you wanted to give me?" Killua tried not to sound too eager, even though he was dying to know.

"Well, do what Kurapika said. Be yourself. And, other than that, I only have one other piece of advice."

Killua raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? And what would that be?"

"Compliment her appearance. That always works." Leorio said contentedly as he leaned back in his wooden chair, his arms crossed loosely and a self-satisfied expression upon his face.

"Hmm, alright. Sounds simple enough." Killua thought about Gon's text from earlier that day. Maybe Leorio was on to something. "But that's really all the advice you have? I thought you said you were an expert on this stuff."

Leorio smirked. "Giving you too much information will only overwhelm a beginner like you."

Killua matched Leorio's smirk as he looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah….Either that or you don't actually know as much about romance as you claim to."

Laughing, Killua dodged the pillow that Leorio threw at him.

At that precise moment, the front door opened. Gon entered, bright-eyed as usual, his head tilted to the side as he surveyed the scene before him with interest.

Killua immediately sat upright and combed his fingers through his hair. "Hey, Gon." He ignored the pleasant jolt in his stomach, almost feeling sickened by it.

Killua sensed Leorio's suspicious gaze, but quickly shrugged it off once Gon started up a lively conversation about Leorio's trip. Killua talked and laughed more than he had in a few days, feeling elated at being in the presence of his two upbeat friends.

Friends….Gon was his friend, and nothing more. That was what Killua told himself the entire hour that he was with Gon and Leorio, before finally heading upstairs in order to get ready for his date.

….

For the umpteenth time that day, Killua looked himself over in the mirror. Maybe he was getting vain or something. He nervously tugged at the cuffs of his shirt and blew his bangs out of his face, wondering if he should have gone to get a haircut earlier. Ugh, he was starting to act like Milluki did whenever someone told him Amane would be coming inside to sweep up the living room.

Then, Killua heard the soft patter of footsteps just before his door opened.

"Are you ready, Killua? Leorio says you should leave in a few minutes if you want to be on time," Gon said cheerily.

"Right." Killua looked at Gon for a moment. "How do you feel about all of this?"

"What? About you going out with Sierra? Silly, I already told you that I don't care. My feelings aren't hurt at all, I promise." Gon walked over to Killua's bed and plopped down, resting his elbows behind his head in the same way that Killua had done earlier.

Killua carefully laid down on his back next to Gon, turning his head slightly toward him as he spoke. "No, that isn't what I mean. What I mean is – Do you think she'll like me?" Killua knew that what he was doing was wrong. But he couldn't stop himself from asking the question, from hoping to hear Gon compliment him out loud.

A hot summer breeze drifted in through the open windows, rustling Gon's dark hair as he turned his face toward Killua's. "Why wouldn't she like you, Killua?" Gon asked, saying Killua's name in that melodic way of his, the syllables drifting up, then down, and then up again.

"Maybe she won't like my personality. My sense of humor. Or my looks." Killua spoke the last three words quietly, his body tensing with anticipation.

Gon sighed, shaking his head. "You don't need to worry about any of that, Killua. I'm sure she'll like you just the way you are."

Killua bit his lip in an effort to stop himself from continuing to fish for compliments. "Thanks, Gon. I hope she does." Killua had spoken a lie, he knew.

For Sierra was the last thing on his mind right now. Why think about her when Gon was so close that the ends of his hair tickled Killua's shoulder, when the air was filled with nothing but the scent of roses and summer and citrus?

Suddenly, Killua heard the sound of someone clearing his throat at the door.

Killua practically jumped off of the bed. Gon, on the other hand, stayed right where he was, not seeming bothered at all by Leorio's presence.

Leorio focused his gaze on Killua, his eyes narrowed slightly. "You're running late, Killua. Didn't you say that you would be there ten minutes from now?"

Killua glanced at his watch and frowned. "Ah, that's right. Well, I'll see you guys later, then."

"Good luck, Killua," Gon said, the sweet lilt of his words bringing a faint smile to Killua's lips.

As Killua left his room and made his way downstairs, he did his best to stop wishing that he were still right beside Gon, basking in his lighthearted presence.

…

Killua felt uncomfortable, to say the least. After all, the only thing Sierra had said so far had been "Hello," and she had said it shyly, at that. She hadn't even been able to muster up the courage to say thank you to him after he'd given her her bouquet of sunny yellow roses.

They had visited the dolphins first, where Killua had asked her if she went to the aquarium often. She had bitten her lip, looking away while shaking her head no.

Then, they had walked over to the next tank in the aquarium, where Killua had pointed out a baby turtle that had suddenly swum into view. She had simply nodded, refusing to meet Killua's eyes.

And now they were in front of the penguins, watching them waddle around, their black and white fur looking particularly fluffy at the moment.

"I think these penguins are my favorite animal here," Killua said.

Just as he'd expected, she gave another stiff nod and remained silent, her face beginning to turn as red as her hair.

Killua nearly sighed. Come on, he was Killua Zoldyck, the Killua Zoldyck. He could withstand electrical shocks and beat up three grown men in less than five minutes. Surely he could get a shy girl to open up to him before the night was over?

His eyes lingered on her face for a moment, her blush only darkening as he did so. "You know," he said, "you're honestly the prettiest girl that I've ever seen." He stepped closer to her, so close that he could smell her strawberry perfume.

Her head immediately turned towards him, her eyes wide with an innocent sort of wonder that almost reminded him of Gon. "Really?" she said.

Yes! Leorio's advice had worked. Killua made a mental note to thank him later.

"Of course." It was true. Killua didn't mind fibbing every now and then, but he would never lie about something like this.

She giggled, her laugh making her sapphire eyes sparkle in the dim light. "You've stared at me long enough, Killua. Maybe we should be paying some more attention to these penguins!"

Killua laughed too, turning his attention to the baby penguin that was currently looking at him and Sierra. It put its tiny fin up against the glass, as though reaching out for them.

"Aw! This is so cute," Sierra said, pressing her small hand up against the glass, too.

And Killua made his next decision in a split second. He walked up to Sierra and gently placed his hand over hers. Her shoulders tensed up before relaxing again, and she met his eyes with her own.

He expected her to let go. But she continued to hold his hand for the next half hour as they strolled through the rest of the aquarium, joking around and sharing fun stories.

She reminded Killua of himself whenever he was around Gon. The way that she blushed profusely, the way that she couldn't stop laughing in his presence, the way that she sometimes got lost in his eyes without meaning to.

But why didn't Killua feel the same way? She was beautiful, and she was funny. But he didn't feel any butterflies like he did whenever he was around Gon.

"A normal boy doesn't simply forget his family in order to run away with another boy," his brother had said. His stomach squirmed uncomfortably as he remembered the words.

Illumi was wrong. Killua was a normal boy. And he would prove it.

Killua looked around. They were alone in this part of the aquarium, surrounded by what seemed like millions upon millions of fish in every color – gold and scarlet and emerald and magenta. In the darkness, Killua gently pried his hand away from Sierra's and instead reached up to tuck a strand of her deep red hair behind her ear.

"Is it okay if…." Killua began. He took a deep breath and started over. "Is it okay if I kiss you?"

She blinked in surprise and nodded, looking at him expectantly.

He lightly traced his finger down her cheekbone and along her jawline. As though responding to his touch, her eyelids fluttered shut.

He inched closer and closer, delicately resting his hands on either side of her face before finally closing his eyes.

Killua's lips brushed against hers. He reveled in the softness of her mouth and the rich flavor of cherries, her panting breaths mingling with his slower, calmer ones.

And then Killua pulled away smoothly, meeting her eyes.

Her skin was flushed a deep pink, her lips still parted slightly, as though she wished that the kiss had been longer than a mere few seconds.

But Killua couldn't bear to look at her anymore. "I'm sorry, Sierra, but I – I have to go home now."

He quickly thanked her for the nice time and left the aquarium, keeping his head down in deep thought as he rushed back to the hotel.

…

He went straight to bed, only giving vague answers to the questions that Gon and Leorio threw at him.

Killua curled up on his side, burying his face in the covers, struggling not to cry. But a few tears still managed to slip down his face.

He didn't know how much time passed before he heard his door creak open. "Killua?" It was Kurapika. "Are you awake?"

Killua didn't answer. He squeezed his eyes shut, his shoulders trembling as more tears fell.

He listened to Kurapika's footsteps come closer. Before he knew it, Kurapika's hand was on his shoulder, trying to comfort him. "What's wrong, Killua?" His words were soft, nurturing, understanding. The kind of tone that people rarely ever spoke to him in.

Killua sat up, a hand covering his damp eyes. "I kissed her."

There was a slight pause. "Okay," Kurapika said curiously. "And then what happened?"

Killua managed to pull his hands away from his face to meet Kurapika's dark gray eyes. "I liked the kiss. But I didn't feel…."

Kurapika waited patiently, not saying a word.

"I didn't feel the way that I feel when I usually like someone. It was like just kissing a friend."

"Okay," Kurapika said thoughtfully, quietly. "And how do you usually feel when you like someone?"

The words came readily to his lips. "Like I'm dreaming all the time."

"Like you're dreaming all the time," Kurapika repeated curiously.

Killua elaborated. "No matter what I do, I can't stop thinking about them. And when I'm with them, I'm so happy that it feels like it isn't real – like it's a dream."

Kurapika nodded slowly. "Is that it?"

Killua thought some more, studying the gold stitches in his midnight blue covers. "I would do anything for them, if it meant that they would be happy."

There was a very long silence before Kurapika finally responded. "Killua. You're in love with him."

Killua's ears were flooded with Illumi's sinister words again. "A normal boy doesn't…run away with another boy…."

Killua brought his knees up to his chest and began to sob into his arms. "I," he coughed, "can't be. I shouldn't be."

Kurapika rubbed his back gently, moving his hand in smooth circles the way that his butlers used to do when he was a small child. "It's alright, Killua. I'm right here."

Killua wasn't sure how much time passed as he sat there with his head buried in his arms. But when the worst of it passed, he looked up at Kurapika, his shame overtaking his embarrassment.

"Illumi is wrong," Kurapika said immediately, as though he could read Killua's mind. "You don't need to feel like this –"

"Something's wrong with me."

"Listen to me." Killua was shocked into silence by the fierce look in Kurapika's eyes. "There is nothing wrong with you, and I'm going to make you understand that."

Despite himself, Killua chuckled. "You'll make me understand? How will you do that, exactly?"

The moonlight filtering in through the curtains reflected off of Kurapika's beige skin as the corners of his lips turned up ever so slightly. "Let's just say that I have another plan up my sleeve."