Author's Note: Omg this chapter. Just saying.

Miwaku: I don't own Hunter x Hunter.

CHAPTER 18

The video game was finally complete, although it was only the initial completion.

And Razor suggested that all of them go drink the night away.

Ging already got the gut feeling something was going to happen. He did not know if it was a good thing or a bad thing, but it was there, lurking in the shadows.

He was about to refuse when Gale suddenly pinched his side...with a touch of Nen so it hurt.

"That's a great idea!" Gale exclaimed with a grin. "Right, old man?"

"This is not my definition of fun." Ging grumbled out.

"Ah, don't worry, Ging." Razor had the audacity to ruffle Ging's hair. "We'll make sure you have fun. Right, Wdwune?"

"Yeah! Booze is great with companions!" Wdwune whooped and dragged poor List by the shoulders.

"And I'm going to stay sober for this." List muttered.

"Wait! We have underage people!" Ging pointed at Eeta and Elena who only blinked.

Ickshonpe wrote on the sketchbook, Then, they'll just drink juice. I'll keep an eye on my students.

Ging knew then and there that he was outnumbered, and so, he sighed tiredly. "Fine, fine."

There were cheers, laughs, and shouts of the time and place before they all separated.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"You know, I'm really glad you talked to me in getting the job. I was once a mindless murderer with all this rage, and now, I'm a game master of an awesome, never-before-seen video game. To Gale and Ging!"

"To Gale and Ging. They also contacted us to help in the game. We are grateful to use our abilities for this, right, Wdwune-san?"

"Yes! And we got to write the ending! The castle is so cool! To Gale and Ging!"

To Gale and Ging for helping me and my students get to know the digital world even more. Let's play a game sometime in the future, yes?

"To Ging and Gale. Enough said."

"Cheers!"

Ging's face was twitching and red at the end of the mini-speeches while Gale was laughing at his expense. He would never get used to compliments from anyone...ever. But he was happy. Just seeing the huge grins and the relaxed faces of his companions was enough for him to feel content about the whole thing. Who knew that other than restoring and researching, he could gain the same excitement from making a video game?

All of a sudden, a bottle of beer slid towards him. It was from Razor who was smirking. "Drinks on me."

Ging took it but only sipped a little. He was not a fan of alcohol, never was and never will be. He never understood how people would get a vice on drinking alcohol that tasted too strong in the throat.

"More, please!" Wdwune shouted and slammed the beer bottle down. "We're celebrating here, people!"

"Wdwune-san, please..." List sighed.

Ging turned away from the table so that he would look like he did not know them. Then, a familiar arm curled around his.

"They keep giving me beer." Gale muttered. Ging pulled her closer to him. "I don't even like alcohol."

"Same." Ging agreed and took a small sip from the beer. "It's why I didn't want to come here."

Gale snorted. "And look at them now, drinking to their hearts' content."

Ging glanced behind him and smiled wryly. Razor and Wdwune seemed to be having a drinking contest with List as a fed-up referee. Meanwhile, the three Hacker Hunters were constantly taking pictures while sipping on the juice they ordered. "Heh, they're idiots."

"And we're friends with those idiots." Gale pointed out.

"Sadly." Ging grouched out. Gale chuckled at that and leaned her head on his shoulder.

Ging would have tried putting a distance in between them because they were in public and they were not that couple that clung to each other like plastic wrap. However, he did not. He just let Gale curl up on his arm. It was probably the alcohol that was loosening him up.

"You really have nice muscles, Ging." Gale murmured.

Ging shivered when he felt the black-haired woman's fingers trace the skin of his arm. He opted to only wear a short-sleeved shirt since the night was humidly warm. He was now thinking if what he decided was a good or bad thing.

Then, to his shock, he sensed that his arm was in-between softer and fuller skin. 'What the hell? Is my arm touching her breasts?' He was more awkward than embarrassed. He had never touched anyone there before (not counting family, of course).

"Hey, Ging, Gale! How did you two meet?"

'Thank you for drunk Razor.' Ging felt Gale let go of his arm slowly, as if hesitating. Or maybe he was just overthinking. He turned to the table. "Why do you want to know?"

"Because no one in this table knows. Ickshonpe wrote that you two were already together when he and the twins met you."

"And Ging probably did not want anyone travelling with him so the childhood sweetheart trope is gone now." Wdwune rambled out with a laugh.

"Wdwune-san..." List shook his head.

"We met in a restoration of ruins." Gale was the one who answered. "We helped each other for that and I decided to come with him when the work was done."

There were sounds of realization and mutters of disappointment of how it was anticlimactic, much to Ging's annoyance. "What did you expect anyway?"

"You don't wanna know." Razor snickered and drank from his beer bottle. "By the way, drink up! Live a little, just for this night!"

Ging had let go of his bottle to the table when he turned around so he took it again. But before he could drink it, his nose twitched at the too pungent smell of alcohol. 'This is definitely not beer anymore.'

He glanced at his side, at Gale who was about to drink from her own bottle. He pressed his knee to pause her actions, which she did. In subtle motions, he gestured for the bottle and she gave it to him. He then smelled it and knew it was the same as the one in his bottle.

"What is it?" Gale questioned.

"A stronger alcoholic drink because this is definitely not beer." Ging smirked a bit. "Probably Razor and Wdwune. Look at the idiots." The two were not-so-subtle in eying them and giggling...actual giggling.

Gale hummed then also smirked. "Why don't we have some fun then? Give me the bottles."

Ging gave them to her and watched in amusement as she went towards Razor and Wdwune and tipped over the bottles, making the alcohol flow out to their heads.

"Trying to get us drunk, huh?" Gale said in a threatening voice. Ging shuddered when he felt the black aura of anger. The woman was pissed off, but not so pissed off that her Nen would show the black tendrils of aura that signify the beast inside her.

"Sorry!" Razor and Wdwune shouted and bowed their heads.

Rolling his eyes, Ging stood up. "This is the first and last time I drink with you lot. We're going."

"Aw, so fast? At least keep us company." Razor drawled out.

"Nah, Razor. It's night after all." Wdwune waved a hand and grinned widely. "They're gonna be 'having fun'."

"Wdwune-san! I'm so sorry about them, they're drunk and all. Ickshonpe-san, help me with this! Wait, is that a Wija board? That's creepy!"

"Right, we're off then." Ging ignored the boisterous shouts of his companions and walked out of the pub, Gale walking beside him. "Sheesh, they're too energetic."

"And you're too lethargic, old man." Gale wrapped an arm around his waist. "But I'm glad we're out of there."

"Yeah." Ging just pulled her closer, almost an unconscious move. He was getting used to this affection.

They talked about nothing in particular while walking towards the inn they were currently staying at. Ging felt his body relax. His senses and aura would always be on guard for anything suspicious, but now that he was alone with Gale, he could let himself not worry. He was not alone.

"You know, you're really dense, Ging."

"Huh?" Ging had not noticed that they were already in front of the inn.

"I've been touching you constantly tonight and even complimenting you." Gale sighed. "Are you really that asexual?"

'Wait...' Ging's jaw dropped in realization. "So earlier, that was no accident? When you put my arm between your breasts?"

"So when I'm not the straightforward one, you're gonna be that?"

Ging was so confused and at the same time, his mind was already processing what was really happening. "Were you seducing me?"

"Yes, I was!" Gale exclaimed. "Thank you for finally recognizing that!"

"You know that I don't even think about that stuff." Ging scratched the back of his head, feeling a bit bad that he did not notice it. "Sorry?"

"Yeah, I know. And I'm sorry, too. I should've just done this." And all of a sudden, Ging was pulled into a heated kiss by the collar of his shirt. When Gale pulled back, she whispered hotly, "Make love to me, Ging Freecss."

Ging's face reddened and his body filled with overwhelming heat and pleasure. This was the first time he felt like this...and it excited him. It was definitely a different excitement from the discoveries and other work-related activities. This was much more intimate, personal, like a secret between him and Gale.

And so, he just muttered, "Assertive woman...", kissed Gale back, and took her to his room.

He knew that they would not be stopping anytime soon...and somehow, he cursed Razor and Wdwune for predicting this that he did not even think about.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Good morning, Ging!" Razor cheered out, despite the croaky voice from the vomiting he did earlier.

"Good morning, Gale!" Wdwune added with a laugh and groan since it hurt his head.

"Good morning, Ging-san, Gale-san." List smiled, not even hungover.

"Good morning." Eeta and Elena said simultaneously.

Good morning. Were the only words on Ickshonpe's sketchbook.

What was common with all of the mention above were the various sizes of smirks on their faces.

"Morning." Ging grumbled out, a blush on his cheeks, and did not bother to look at the others. Some friends he has...

"Good morning." Gale greeted back with a flush on her cheeks.

"Quite." Razor waggled his eyebrows.

"Yeah, whatever." Ging grouched. When he felt Gale's hand hold his, he pressed it softly, almost reassured with it.

He was glad that they did that last night. It made him feel closer than ever to Gale. They were truly lovers, even though they have not said the words to each other. But he could feel it. It was what they wanted, what they needed, what they desired.

And the hand-purple hickeys on both of their necks were enough proof of that.

TO BE CONTINUED

Author's Note: Damn. Wow.

Expect in the next chapter: Testing, Cliff, Window

See you next time!