Alluka posed a question, now the others want a reason.
The room was silent, Killua rerunning the words through his head, each time his sister's words sounding very different, to what she exactly said to them. What did Leo specifically say to his sister, that caused her to want to dress like a guy?
His immediate thought was to get angry, given that this was his sister he was thinking about…
For all he knew, his worst thoughts lead him to believe that Leo convinced Alluka to act and dress like a guy. But, given that Leo was being raised to be more accepting of themselves… there was no way they'll give, the complete opposite advice to someone still trying to figure themselves out.
However, since it was Alluka saying it and not Leo, there may be a reason for the madness. Alluka might have learned something, which made her believe, that trying on clothes made for the opposite gender she was currently presenting as… may help her figure out more stuff about herself.
Ashton was the first to address the conversation starter "I'm sorry, can you run that by me again…"
"It's a bad idea… isn't it…" Alluka looked at the floor, saddened that her idea may be a terrible one. The woman did mention that what worked for others, might not work for her.
"No… No…" The older woman shook her hands, waving off the worst thoughts of the situation, "You misunderstand me. I thought I heard you say you wanted to try on Male clothing… that's all."
"But I did…"
"Ah… so I haven't completely gone crazy and started mishearing things." The woman mused, now looking towards the girl's older brother, "Now before you say anything-"
"No, no…" Killua was forced to wave off the situation, "I just want to hear the reasoning. If Leo said it, different story." The boy looked at the older teen, "No offence…"
"None taken… In fact, she spoke highly of what an amazing older brother you are."
Killua felt shy from the words. His sister feels like he's an amazing brother. It's nice to know that she spoke so highly of him… unless Leo was sweet-talking him in a manner to get out of the firing range "I'm glad my little sis feels that way."
"Well… Leo says for him, at least… it made him uncomfortable wearing female clothing, so I wanted to do the same, only wearing male clothing."
"What works for Leo, might not-"
"Might not work for me… I know. But there was a time, I was in a position where I did wear male clothing… it was Daniel's old clothes."
"Ah…" Daniel's brain clicked, "When Nathaniel took her clothes shopping. My sister's clothes didn't fit her, because she was adopted when she was much older than Alluka is now… so, she, unfortunately, had to wear my old clothes, because hers were still drying…"
"Yes." Alluka gave a nod, "I did feel uncomfortable, but that might be because…"
Killua piped up, "You're wearing the old clothes of your brother's current partner?"
"Yes…"
"It's not the strangest reason, I heard…" Killua mused, a thumb pressing against his chin, "but it might further narrow your reasoning as to why you identify as a girl."
"Exactly…"
Daniel crossed his arms, "Did my old clothes just make you feel uncomfortable?"
"Well, there were also tight… so, there's that too."
"Well… they were my old clothes."
Ashton brought the conversation back to the main discussion, "So if you feel comfortable in male clothing that fits you, how would you take it?"
"One less avenue to figure out…" Alluka shrugged, "Clothes might not define me. But it's not something I shouldn't try at least once. Plus, Killua, as Daniel puts it… has style. He dresses for comfort. And if I don't care… I'll be dressing as a…" The young girl turned to Leo, "what did you call them?"
"A Tomboy…"
"Makes sense…" Ashton hummed at the thought process, "Alright, then I'll try to find something that can not only fit your frame but feel snug on you. Sung as in comfortable… not loose and oversized. Hmm…" The woman thought it over, mentally picturing each clothing she could recount in her head, "I may have a few things that could fit you that's in the boy's section. Let me look for it later… so, what else did you discuss? Anything else?"
"I spoke more about myself, but I learned a bit about Leo… like the fact the woman outside is Leo's mother."
"The old fart?"
Ashton raised an eyebrow at Killua, "You do realise she's in her late forties…"
"Oh…" Killua looked away, smiling cheekily, "I thought she was from the Ming Dynasty."
Leo choked in surprise, caught in between the need to laugh hysterically at the idea of someone calling his mother as old as time, and wanting to keep his expression professional. He wasn't expecting anyone to say such degrading things about his mother.
However, judging from the photo Ashton showed him, it did look like she aged a few years.
She looked so… decrepit now.
Maybe it was from all the stress she put upon herself. The expectation of having a good daughter, when in reality, that daughter no longer wanted to exist. He doesn't want to go back to that life, so there's no point feeling sorry for a woman who refused to see that he's no longer her daughter.
"Alright, alright…" Ashton shooed the young little demon Cheshire cat off, not wanting him to give Leo any bad habits "No roasting the bigot. So, what do you three kids plan to do?"
Killua crossed his arms, "We were thinking of renting one of the nearby hotels… explore a little and maybe move on. Daniel did want to talk to you about something, but he said Alluka comes first."
"What did he want to talk about?"
"Well… you already answered my question indirectly. I was going to ask about how you met Vastorie and what he was like…"
"I guess I did… Well, in that case, I'll tell you any more I remember about your father… BUT, for the moment… I think I'll host you here. I have a couple of spare bedrooms, but no double beds, unfortunately."
Killua clicked his fingers, responding as though he was the most disappointed in the news. His partner would be the most disappointed, given that he has a desperate need to cuddle. He loves to cuddle when they're sleeping together.
Killua felt the same way, but he doesn't mind it for a couple of days. If it's weeks… that would be a different story. He can't go for weeks without it, it's something he would desperately be craving after missing out for so long.
"The question is, would all of you feel comfortable sharing the same room… or should I split you up?"
"Wait, what do you mean by sharing?" Killua asked out of curiosity.
"There are two bunk beds in each room. So, four people can stay in each room. Although, that depends on the three of you, and Leo, on whether both parties will feel comfortable sharing a room, together…"
Leo stuck up his hand, "I'd prefer to stay by myself for the moment… Not because I'll feel uncomfortable. No offence…"
Killua snorted at the excuse, especially when it was him, who Leo looked at when he said it. He could see it as humouring a little payback, more so in a cheeky way, rather than an insult "Touché…"
"To be honest, I just met you… so I'll rather get the know the three of you before we're forced into a room together…"
"That's understandable…" Killua agreed to the terms, "Although, given that you've gotten to know my sister better, than the two of us… would you be okay bunking with her?" When Alluka went to open her mouth, Killua was far quicker, "It's not about the drowning noises…"
"Drowning noises…?"
"I'm not, going to talk about it… but, since you've gotten closer in a talking manner, maybe you two might want to continue your conversation? I'm certain you've learnt a lot about my sister… I don't suppose you can continue to talk more about yourself to her. Maybe something else you experienced, or feelings you had, could resonate with my sister, helping her along with finding more about herself…"
"I guess I could…"
Daniel crossed his arms, now leaning in closer to his partner "You sure it isn't because you have ulterior motives."
Killua turned to his partner, pouting from the question. He did, but to think his boyfriend would want to point that out, rather than focus on his well-meaning intent… pretty much surmises how much of a perv his partner thinks he is.
He unquestionably needs to tone it down, if that's what Daniel thinks first…
But at the same time… he can't help it. Puberty has been a hell of a drug for him. From the random boners to the desperate need to feel a physical bond.
Does Daniel not get this?
Why is it just him that's experiencing it…?
They need to have a proper talk, to voice their concerns to each other. Maybe Daniel is misunderstanding him about his hidden desires, thinking he's horny all the time, for the sake of being libidinous, rather than his needs coming and going as randomly as his boners.
As much as he would love to waste time overanalysing the hidden intent, he needed to focus on his main point, "If the two of you feel comfortable to do so, maybe Daniel and myself can have a bit of time to address some of Ashton's concerns, as well as some being sparked by each other's thoughts… hmm?"
Ashton gave a nod, "I did raise some concerns they need to address…" I can see he's being genuine about the sentiment. But just in case he is hiding something more, perverted in nature… I warn him advanced about the walls not being thick enough to mask those kinds of sounds "well, it's up to the two of you."
The two looked at each other, Leo starting first, "I'm okay to speak a little more about it… but as roomies? I'm not so sure… up to you, I guess…"
Alluka looked at her brother, silently trying to read him. He was easily hiding an ulterior motive… it was a gut feeling she had now come to understand, given that her brother has been quite sneaky in the past… but if Ashton is also validating Killua's thoughts, maybe there was some sentiment to his concerns.
Turning back to Leo, she spoke "Maybe a night or two… Then, I might have something I can express with my brother, who can help me understand some feelings I may get stuck on. Otherwise, I'd go to Ashton…"
Ashton gave a nod, "It's understandable… you'd feel more comfortable talking to a sibling you're close to, rather than an old woman you just met for the first time. I'll lead you to the rooms, then speak to you individually before I let you go your separate ways. I'll also see if I can get some food ordered in for the night, can't be a terrible host for the four of you…"
Killua gave a thumbs up, "Great! Lead the way… we'll follow."
"~"
The woman led them to the rooms, Leo already aware of the location, as he had been living there for a few weeks now. When the older woman stopped in the hallway, Leo pointed at one door, "That's the room I'm currently bunking in right now."
Daniel held Alluka's bag out for her "You happy to unpack on your own, or would you rather your older brother helps you? Maybe even myself…"
"Maybe to help me unzip it…"
"Alright, I can help with that… hopefully the clothes don't explode all over me…"
This made Ashton raise an eyebrow, "I'm sorry…what?"
"We overpacked my bag…"
"I have plenty of travel bags in one of the rooms… I can give you one if you'd like. Before you ask… my job requires me to sometimes travel around a lot. If I get caught with the same bag twice, no matter how conveniently good it is, people start to whisper things about me… it's a thing, especially in my line of work. Anyways, I'll even let you pick, Alluka…"
Alluka looked at Killua, eyes gleaming brightly, "Please…"
Killua felt like he had gotten stabbed in the heart with cuteness. That must absolutely, be a skill she's picked up from Daniel. He never acts like that… okay, maybe once… or twice… a few times. But he's never done that in front of Alluka, he was certain of that… so it couldn't be him she learnt it from.
The young teen recollected himself, "Sure… since Ashton said she'll give you one, you can grab one from her selection." He ruffled his sister's hair, "But only one…" the boy raised a finger, stressing the point with a single-digit "if you need another, we'll buy it for you. Generosity should be treated with a give and take mindset. Since she's given us a lot… we should thank her for her generosity and not take too much from her."
"Okay…" Alluka smiled at the situation.
Ashton grew rather fond of the three. Even though Killua can have some bad habits, his good habits tend to outshine them by a mile. He must have amazing role models in his life.
Not just someone like Nathaniel, but others she hasn't met… "Alright, while you three unpack, Leo… I'll borrow you first. Then Daniel… Killua… Alluka, in that order, seeing as the bags won't be that difficult to find, I rather assist her there, while talking to her."
Leo gave a nod, "I'll talk to you a little later, I guess…"
When the two left to talk on their own, Daniel helped Alluka set up her side of the room. Since Leo's stuff was on the left side, rather than having Alluka oppose the boy's boundary on day one, he moved her stuff to the right side. Plus, Alluka will be able to have the top bunk bed.
"What do you think Ashton will have to talk to us about…"
"Possibly respecting boundaries… do and don'ts, the basic things…" Daniel moved the bag onto the bottom bunk bed, smiling once the bag was set up in an easy to access manner for Alluka, "Now, if I don't say it… your brother will. If you are uncomfortable in this room, for any reason… even if it's a feeling of homesickness, don't hesitate to come into our room."
"I will…" Alluka gave a nod.
Daniel pressed a kiss to the girl's forehead, "Good girl… we'll be right in the next room."
When the boy got back into their room, Aston was already approaching him with Leo. It looks like the older woman works quickly "Just a moment."
"Sure…" Daniel left with the older woman, spotting Leo entering the room he had just left from.
"So, what do you need to talk about?"
"Just some small stuff… Mainly, like the walls having no soundproofing. So, you should keep the noise to a minimum."
"We're not loud…"
"It's more about… the other thing."
Daniel found himself crossing his arms. Even though he raised the concern with Killua, it was more as a joke for him, than him being legitimate about the concern, "One-hundred per cent, Killua and I won't do any of that while on these premises. We'll respect your boundaries and-"
Ashton raised a hand to silence the boy, "Your young teens, and as an adult, who was once a teen themselves… I'm just telling you, to only keep the noise to a minimum, and if you need anything, that isn't on the weird side… I'll be happy to provide it. I pitch in, to a select few schools that accept my assistance with trying to promote healthy sex education… they're gonna do it, so might as well give them a proper education, rather than leave them to search for the information on their own…"
The woman shook her head at the thought of some of what is talked about in classes these days, despising how they treat those who they're supposed to be leading an example for "Let me tell you… if I had a nickel every time someone told me they had to learn about identity or their attraction through either whisper on the playground or the internet… I could've funded several of these schools twice over. Girls… are not pieces of chewing gum. Telling them they going to die, or have their butthole turned into a portable flamethrower… if they even have premarital sex even once… is not the way to go."
The woman found herself frowning "It's not good for the teens, nor is it good for anyone else who's stuck in an unfortunate position where they're unable to seek out proper advice from proper channels, it could leave them only able to seek out the advice from someone who could abuse the situation. I don't want that… I don't want anyone else to experience what I've gone through. The more people who are given proper healthy relationship advice… or experience, the better off they'll not only be as teens exploring themselves, but when they grow up as adults, they won't be in this absolute state of confusion on how to have sex, what a healthy relationship looks like… or grow up to believe kissing a girl will get them knocked up. That's my two Jenny, on this abysmal state of a system we have in place is…"
"Then…" Daniel uncrossed his arms, one hand now resting on his hip, while the other hanged loosely at his side, "Do you believe what Killua and myself went through, would be considered healthy."
"I honestly can't say… it's neither good nor bad. Strictly speaking, from what I've heard, the two of you have a healthy attitude in your relationship, an explorative one… to boot. Have the two of you done some bad things, or hurt the other by accident… probably, everyone is going to make a mistake at some point. It happens… but as long as the two of you are happy, I see nothing bad coming out of it."
"Understandable… You should tell the same to Killua. Sometimes, he needs to hear it from someone other than myself. The fact you see that we're in a healthy explorative environment… is good, because I'm trying to make it that way for him. Let me tell you… for someone who was given advice that left him more confused on whether he was falling in love with someone, or lusting after them… and the other who learnt about the subject, probably through porn… we're kinda doing a good job."
The woman raised an eyebrow, "Now you're making me more concerned about the two of you."
Daniel dismissed the thought, "While Killua may have gotten his lessons from… adult films. Please, DO NOT, judge him for that… his family is very controlling of what he can and can't do, right up to the age of twelve. Him looking at that stuff, probably felt like he was breaking a rule… one he could get away with. He only started to become independent after age twelve. Anyways, Vastorie's advice… was to teach me about lust and love, without ever stating the difference. Killua made me get butterflies in my chest… I wanted to do things with him… never knowing what those things were. My first time was very stressful with Killua… I honestly thought I… peed in his mouth. Don't worry, he told me what happened, but that was after what happened. But before that point… he was very accommodating, going super slow to the point I felt comfortable in the situation. He may have used advice from adult films, but given what we've done so far… I wouldn't change history. We've learned from our mistakes… and that's all that should matter."
The woman gave a nod, "I understand… not so much about him constantly looking at stuff that's not age-appropriate… but then again, I'm hardly Miss's perfect. I've had my fair share of male sports magazines hidden away when I was a teen. Although, knowing that the two of you made mistakes, but have had more positive experiences since then… I can't fault you for your mistakes."
"Yes… don't tell Killua I told you that. He'll be super embarrassed. Maybe even a little angry…"
"Angry…? That doesn't sound too good."
"I'm talking 'angry' in a sense, we would usually approach each other first, before talking about our private lives…"
"Ah… that makes a little more sense."
"But the reason I told you, is because I see it as a positive attribute, used to shine a light on him. I love Killua… I'm not lusting after him… or want him only sexually. I want to continue being in a relationship with him. If that means I must be a bit forthcoming with our history, so I can learn to be a better boyfriend for him… so be it."
"Will he do that same for you, though…" When Daniel frowned, the woman clarified, "I don't mean it with a negative connotation. I'm more asking, is this something Killua would also do for you?"
"Yes… he would. He might not say everything as I do… but with actions, he expresses his intent."
"I will speak to him next, but I'll be discreet when talking about this touchy subject with him. My intentions are only to look out for the both of you…"
"I know… and he'll understand too."