When Gon returns. The three of them talk about where they wanted to explore, mainly to see if there were any places, they had in common that wanted to visit.

Gon returned with a bright smile, with some news that would help ease the others stress. Sure, the boat was still rocking, but at least now, he'll be able to tell them that it won't be long before the water calms down "I spoke with the captain and a few crew members, we should be out of the eye of the storm in about… ten minutes."

The boy gestured to his nose, giving it a short, but firm pinch "Given the scent in the air and the rocking of the boat, I agree with them. The storm is moving towards the east, and we're travelling further North-West."

"That's good." Sakura let out a sigh of relief, "I shouldn't be stumbling all over the place anymore."

Gon took a seat on the bed, a hand now resting on his partner's thigh "So… what didn't I miss out…?" The boy gestured to the two still cuddling, a hint of jealousy contained within his eyes.

It wasn't so much jealousy from his partners cuddling with one another, it was that had yet to be invited to the cuddling session that his two partners were involved in. They were pressed tightly with one another, Sakura resting his head on Iason's chest, while the other used his arms as a brace to stop them from parting during the rocking of the boat.

Gon would love to be invited…

Iason rolled his eyes at his partner's expression "Gon, it was getting harder for us to maintain our balance from all this rocking. So, rather than stumble like a bunch of drunk sailors, it was better to stay in one spot and try not to move."

Gon's expression widened, "But that's not all you did…"

"We didn't have sex…" Iason countered, a frown now etched into his features "if that's what you're implying."

Gon pouted from the accusation, "I know…" he then pointed at his nose, "I would've been able to smell it, scented candles or not."

"Gon!" Sakura blushed madly, now knowing that Gon had committed to memory, the scent of what the room would smell like after they spent the night together. It's a strange thing their partner would choose to remember.

Gon shook his head, "No… Iason has this…" The boy waved his hand, trying to think of the best way to explain it. It wasn't a smell or look… it was a sensation lingering in the air. He couldn't assign the sensation to aura, because it's something he hadn't been able to use for months now "It's a positive, gut feeling. He looks more relaxed than usual…"

Iason gave a nod, "I am… I talked with Sakura. A little more about my past… my parents…" Sakura spoke up, relaying the things Iason had spoken about, to their boyfriend.

The boy had a twinkle in his eye as the boy continued to speak, Iason stepping in only to add finer details to the story.

"That's wonderful news…" Gon paused, "Well, more about opening than the story. I know you feel like it may be impossible, but is there a chance we'll be able to find something?"

"I don't know… they would've been brandished as a deserter. Normally, that would be a death sentence to not just yourself, your immediate family too… sometimes you're your extended family. But that isn't the only problem, the state would've tried to eradicate all information about them."

"Did you have any cousins…?"

"I don't believe so…" Iason shook his head, "They would've been killed, even if they didn't know about my parents trying to escape."

"Neighbours…?"

"Well…" Iason found himself falling silent, "There may be someone, but… I'm not exactly ready to talk about them."

Gon rubbed his leg affirmatively, accepting the situation for what it is… a dead end. But that's okay. When Iason is ready, he'll talk to one of them, if not both. He'll accept the situation because he wasn't about to press Iason for further details "Then you don't need to talk about it. Talk at your own pace…"

"That isn't the only problem…"

Gon's expression perked up, Sakura's hand now rubbing his partner's back gently.

"I don't know how to get in contact with them… it's been a while."

"You don't have to tell us now, but do you remember the last place you could get in contact with him?"

Iason shook his head "It's… It's been far too long."

Gon moved onto the bed, sliding behind Iason so his lover could be pressed between the two of his boyfriends, "It's fine. When you're ready to talk, maybe we'll know someone who'll be able to find them."

"I don't know… if I'll be ready to talk to them then."

"Then…" Gon stroked Iason's hair, gliding his fingers through every strand in a comforting manner, "We won't act till you're ready."

"Thank you…"

Gon moved his hand after a few minutes of silence, now stroking Iason's tummy, "How about the Island we're going to? Is there anything you want to do, together or as a group? I'm pretty sure, not all of us will want to do things by ourselves, all the time…"

Sakura spoke up first, "Actually… I wanted to be able to explore the underwater forest as a group… at least once. But I don't think it's something you would enjoy, Iason…"

"I like hiking… well, this is more swimming. However, it's not an idea I'm opposed to…"

"That's great!" Sakura found himself smiling brightly, "It's just… when we were at the Rainbow-Prism Willow, you looked… bored I guess…" The boy felt guilty for admitting how he felt about his boyfriend's reaction to that date. But it's something he knew he should be saying to his partner… they had an open relationship between the three of them, so keeping secrets wasn't on his to-do list.

Iason's expression softened, "I enjoyed the excitement you oozed while exploring the area. The hike was nice, so I can't really, complain about that date. I would enjoy exploring the underwater forest. I find the idea of Scooba diving through the underwater forest to sound fun and exciting."

"I'm glad…" The boy found himself blushing, expression softening at the idea of the three of them exploring the forest together.

Iason added to the mix, "I wouldn't mind going to the sanctuary with the two of you." Let's just hope there aren't any Pink-Billed Platypus…

Gon's expression brightened, "I liked the Meerbears, they picked up on your feelings of attachment towards me…"

Iason found himself looking away, his mind trying to find a way to weasel out of the onslaught of embarrassment headed in his direction "I had, well… still have a crush on you." The boy pressed a palm against his face, "Well, it's not really, a crush now, anymore, then it was back then. We're in an all-hands-on-deck relationship. Both emotionally and physically… but I'm talking about the emotional side, for right now. I guess…"

The boy eventually sighed. Who was he even kidding at this point? No matter long he mumbles for, he'll never escape Gon's onslaught of affectionate words "Who am I even kidding… I was in love with you, as much as I am now… given the progression of our relationship. I'm more in love with you now than I was back then…" Now lay it on me… I'm not escaping your need to drown me in affectionate words.

Gon's expression softened at his partner's admittance. His boyfriend was trying to delay the situation, to give him time to prepare for what he was about to say. But in the end, his lover knew it was inevitable "I knew you had feelings towards Sakura and myself, we had been dating for a while at that point. Courting you, allowed me to invest my time towards giving you a wonderful date, to explore your likes and dislikes… I made mistakes… but I also found things you like. That moment, the moment the Meerbears knew something clicked between us… it made me happy. They knew we belonged together…"

As Iason found himself blushing madly from the affectionate words, Gon held up a finger to his chin, "I wonder if they'll pick up on the chemistry between the three of us?" Even though the boy spoke out loud, he wasn't expecting an answer.

Sakura voiced his opinion on the matter, "If they're really sensitive to the sensation of attraction, I don't see why not…" The boy found himself blushing, "I love the two of you… you're a part of my life as much as I am yours… Sure, we do get jealous at times, but that's to be given. There are different aspects of our relationship we align with each other than we do with the other…"

Gon's expression softened, opting to take his partner's hands within his own, "Sorry about that… I agree I get jealous when the two of you share something in common, or at least when you feel comfortable enough to share it, with each other, without me… but I will improve over time. I promise…"

Iason gave a nod, "We know… it's a balance we're still getting used to… it's something we may even, never get used to. But seeing as we're all aware of it, sometimes even picking up when we do it ourselves, I don't believe it's something that could break the relationship."

The two nodded in agreement, both smiling.

"There is another problem we have been overlooking within this relationship…" When the two looked at him in confusion, Iason raised a finger as he pointed it out "Our boundaries… we've accepted we each have boundaries, but we've never actually broken them."

When the confusion deepened, the boy sighed "Okay… let me explain it better. We all have certain boundaries, that we've all aware of. For instance, my boundary is my memories… You've never pushed for them, which I'm grateful for, but at the same time, when I start to let down some of my walls… Sakura, you tried to stop me."

Sakura's eyes widened, he understood what his boyfriend meant. He had tried to stop Iason from progressing. However, in his mind, he saw it as him wanting to make sure his boyfriend was ready to speak about his past and not pushing himself to do so because of a question he asked him previously.

The boy also knew that he has a boundary of his own. He was used to being asked if he was ready "I get what you're saying. I agree that's a problem on my end, that I'm only trying to make sure you're not forcing yourself to say anything…"

When Iason crossed his arms, Sakura spoke more clearly, "You want us, when we're pressed against a boundary to be allowed to open our own, gates without someone else questioning our actions."

"Yes…"

Sakura turned to Gon, "So be more like our partner who pushes us against the wall…"

"Well…"

Sakura turned back to Iason, stopping the boy from saying anything "While also being an aspect of myself as in open to listen and be understanding…"

The boy shut his mouth in surprise. Sakura was right. He was expecting Sakura to be more like Gon, and Gon to be more like Sakura, "You're right… now I feel bad for pointing it out now." The boy shifted his gaze between them. I spoke to Sakura because he listened first before asking questions. Yet, I was expecting him to be more like Gon, to push me into a situation where I speak…

"It's okay…" Sakura offered the boy a sincere smile, "Neither of us is going to be upset about the request. It's a good suggestion. Go more with the flow. If you decide to speak up, I'll listen without questioning if you, yourself are ready to… unless, it's a legitimate question or clarification… is that okay?"

"That's okay by me…"

Sakura offered a boundary reduction "Then when you two are… You know… having fun I'll join in when I'm comfortable, rather than expecting to ask me all the time."

Gon stuck up a hand, speaking bluntly on the matter "I promise not to expect to have sex all the time."

As Iason choked on air, not expecting Gon to say that at all. Sakura on the other hand whined as he blushed madly "GON, you can't just say that out of nowhere."

"I didn't… it's a boundary I've noticed with myself. Even if Iason gets enjoyment out of it." His boyfriend looked away, more shocked about having no way to counter or dismiss the argument. Gon, however, wasn't done "I also, know you Sakura, don't like it when I overwork our boyfriend as you might say. Mainly if he's limping, so I promise to hold back… even if it's a little."

Iason quickly changed the topic, wanting to get off the conversation they were currently on "Lets ah… go back to an old question. Gon, you were asking us places where we want to go, right?"

Gon frowned slightly. Although, he was secretly more amused at his blushing partner than his dismissal of the earlier topic "I did…"

"The sanctuary, I would like to go with the two of you. Meerbears or not. I think it'll be a fun experience to have."

Sakura nodded adamantly, "Yes! I agree! I'll come- GO with you to the Animal Sanctuary. While I'll agree I lean more towards the flora, it's not like a Zoo, so you could technically interact with the animals. Plus, I hear the Kruleabon Sharks aren't the only animals native to the area…"

Iason perked up, "What else is native there?"

"Pink-Billed Platypus…"

Iason looked mortified. The last time he played with one, they swarmed him like a pack of rabid-touch starved beasts. Oh no…

Gon cheered loudly "Yes! They're fun to play with. Right, Iason?"

"Being swarmed by a bunch of them, with zero warning about their tenacity to be jealous when one of them is being cuddled…? Yes, fun…"

Gon whined at his partner's response "I'm sowwy about that… I just found that moment adorable… You… being swarmed by animals that are expected to be cuddled with. It was their squeaking that brought the wave of the others to swarm you. Besides, I did help you." He stuck out his tongue at the other in a cheeky manner, "I got the attention of the others away from you."

"Before… or after I was begging for assistance? You technically spent more time roaring with laughter at my predicament, than helping me."

"I wasn't… Well, I was laughing, but for a different reason." As his partner frowned at the confession, Gon smiled as he thought about the memory. There was a moment Iason smiled, a smile that he'll always cherish "It was because of the look of mortification as ten of them suddenly charged at you. It's a good thing you were sitting down the next time you picked one up."

Iason crossed his arms, "Now you're being mean… But… you're right." The boy sighed in defeat, "When I was prepared for the next wave, it was kind of… endearing, to be able to cuddle with those animals." His attention focused back on the memory, the kiss he received afterwards from his lover, absent-mindedly bringing what happened afterwards "It wasn't completely bad. I enjoyed the k-"

"The k?" Gon asked out of confusion.

"Nothing, I was thinking out loud… I enjoyed the moment. Anyways, I'll happily do it again, provided I don't get swarmed by hundreds of them. Also, Sakura… you should sit before hugging one of them. Not only do I, but Gon not want you to get hurt. It's not they will attack you, it's that they'll swarm you unexpectedly."

Sakura looked at the other, pouting as he crossed his arms, "Did you make sure Iason had no way of getting hurt?"

"Yup! Soft dirt, nothing hard for him to crack his skull on. He also was able to use Nen, so he was in no immediate danger."

"You worry too much…" Iason pointed out, "Remember, Gon would dare think of putting us in danger."

"I know, but I'm always going to be in over-worried mama bear…" Sakura's expression immediately softened, arms uncrossing at the news "But, it's still good to hear. I'm glad everything turned out okay for you. Even though I know you had moments during that date you didn't enjoy, I know that you did get closer to Gon, so it was worth it."

"Almost too close…"

"What?" The two asked in confusion, causing Iason to sigh. The boy spoke openly about that moment "I got in Gon's lap… I nearly… introduced Gon to, you know."

"Right…" Sakura quickly dismissed, not wanting to bring up the topic of sex once more. They have already gone over it, Gon unashamedly bringing it up over their request to be more open with their boundaries.

Iason coughed, quickly bringing up another thing he wouldn't mind sharing, this time with Gon "Speaking of which. We should figure out things we want to do alone… so that we can pair up and do something together. I wouldn't mind going on a hike around the island."

"That sounds like fun!" Gon cheered loudly with excitement, "It'll be like that time I explored Whale Island with Daniel and Killua. Oh, and when I showed Sakura the Foxbear habitat. Mainly, Kon's family…"

"Foxbear…? Kon…?" Iason was now confused, "You named an aggressive Foxbear, Kon…?"

Gon gave a nod before going on to explain the situation.

Iason listened to the story intently, only asking a question after Gon had finished, "So, let me get this straight… you adopted the Foxbear after you got his parents killed. Kite, your mentor told you off for your mistake… and instead of allowing him to take Kon's life, that's why you… and us, by extension, have a pet child Foxbear, named Kon…"

"Yup…"

Iason looked mortified, "I just found out I have a child Foxbear and I've never even met them."

Gon burst into laughter, finding the absurd cute and endearing "It's okay… The next time We visit Whale Island, I'm going to show off my boyfriend-"

"Our boyfriend…" Sakura corrected.

Gon gave an affirmative nod, "You're right. Aunt Mito would get confused if I introduce Iason as my boyfriend while you're still there. She'll be really, happy to meet you. She'll fall in love with you immediately…"

Iason found himself smiling at the absurdity of the situation. A mother figure he has never met, openly welcoming a second, hopefully, son-in-law into the fold. He hopes he could meet her standards.

"She'll love you…" Sakura reaffirmed.

Iason's expression melted further.

Gon nudged Sakura, gesturing to their boyfriend's softening gaze, the one that made him look angelic in Gon's eyes.

Sakura gave a silent nod, agreeing with the gesture. It was a smile he'd agree, made Iason look peaceful with the situation, but it was a gaze that perfectly represented the boy's beauty in his eyes.

"I want to explore the cave system with Gon…" Sakura eventually added.

Iason snapped out of his trance, "Then I want to go to the jacuzzi with Sakura, it's something I think we'll both enjoy. Relaxing in a hot tub together."

"Agreed…"

"That leaves me…" Gon hummed out loud, wondering if there was anything specific, he wanted to do with his partner. They each picked something they wanted to do with him, so as the master of organising dates in the trio relationship, he should organise something for them "I'll have to plan something special for each of you…" The boy then held up a finger, "but I guess I'll have time to follow through with the stipulation to getting the tickets."

"Stipulation…?" The two asked in confusion, now looking at each other in concern.

"It won't be too difficult… I promise. I'm good at tracking. There might be a poacher nearby harming the sharks. So, they asked me and a few other Beast Hunters they hired into looking into it. I'll report my findings to the Beast Hunters and they can deal with it…"

Iason spoke up, "Be careful if that's the case… You don't have access to Nen and neither of us would want you to get hurt."

Gon looked lovingly into his partners' eyes, "I'll be careful… I promise…"

I would like to say have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
See you on the first Monday of January, which is… the 3rd.