Killua and Daniel have a mini-training session, navigating their weapons limitations.

It had been a day since Killua and Daniel had their talk. After their discussion, their bond evolved ever so slightly. Neither one could place their fingers on it, the reason for the change. But they know it's there… hiding. It was an ever-changing presence, a bond that shifted ever so slightly after every interaction… every emotional bonding session.

If they continue this path, surely, even Victor will have difficulty splitting them apart…

There was no way that man would be able to delve deep into their nightmares, to attempt to forcibly change an ingrained memory… to erase the connection one another refuses to give up on.

However, they won't know the full scope of their bond… not until they're forced into that position.

Another benefit to their bond… is the improvements.

Daniel shifted his footwork, bringing up his hand to block an incoming attack. His sparring partner shifted at the last second, changing direction, going for a hook shot to his ribs. The boy hit his partner's hand, blocking the attack at the last second, one hand reaching to grab his boyfriend by his collar.

The boy lunged forward, narrowly avoiding the grapple, using what he assumed would be a blind spot. But either his partner had set him up, or his ability to foresee certain possibilities has gotten better, he was smacked across the face with one of Daniel's shadowy hands.

Killua out of revenge elbowed his partner in the back before grabbing his arm. He used it as a brace, shoving the boy into the dirt.

He beat his partner once again, but his boyfriend has been vastly improving "That makes it two, zero…" The boy mocked but in an endearing way. While he was winning, it wasn't a complete win. These weren't perfect wins, there were small losses along the way… losses he was proud to have under his belt "again?"

Daniel spat out the dirt "Again…"

The two continued like this, Daniel never quite getting that last shot in. There was an edge to his tactics, finding ways and methods to predict and deflect, to protect himself. He's still lacking in experience; in chaining those strikes one after another.

But Killua knows what Daniel lacks in hand-to-hand combat, he has him beat with weapon skills. The only problem with the weapons he has, is they're not designed for training. Maybe he can ask Ashton, or Mikkel if there's a way to get something like those wooden swords, something robust… ones that wouldn't snap from a misjudged act of defence.

Eventually, the two had enough… practising for far longer than their body could handle. They took a moment to rest and relax on the grass.

The two looked up at the sky, the gentle breeze felt nice against their skin, a relaxing touch against their bruised and battered bodies.

Daniel held out his hand, reaching out as if wanting to touch the sky "I honestly don't feel as though I'm making any improvement…"

"I do…" Killua shifted his attention, facing his partner. The two were able to relax, to feel normal, even with what lingers in the shadows. The boy placed both arms on his chest as if crossing them, but they were relaxed, gently tapping himself as he thought about how to describe the situation…

Daniel needed to merely look ahead, to see the improvements as they came… not focus on the losses "Well, I was thinking… since neither of our weapons is designed for practice… why not invest in the wooden training kind? Will, we break it…? Most likely. But at least, I feel like you'll get to a more comfortable standard… rather than always getting your ass handed to you by me."

"Ha… Ha… way to go for the low blow."

"No… I'm being serious." Killua turned, facing his partner, "I think you're just lacking in that department. I think if we challenge each other with our best foot forward, we'll be able to match each other win for win."

"You think so…" Daniel hummed in acknowledgement, eyes still focused on the sky "I feel like it'll be different, hand against weapon combat. It's not about hurting you… You have a higher chance of snapping them in half than I do, of hurting you with one… it's just… what if I'm still not good enough or at worse… rusty?"

"Practice makes perfect… isn't that what you and everyone else says?" Killua jokingly remarked a smirk etched across his face, "Is that now a lie…?"

"Well… if you keep handing my ass to me, certainly."

Killua chuckled at the self-jab, "There's only one type of ass beating I want to do… but you and I know what that is, hmm?"

"Did someone not get enough of me yesterday? There are some bushes over there…."

Killua looked at his partner in shock, not expecting him to be so ready to launch a counter flirt. Wasn't this something he wanted… to be freer to talk or approach these kinds of conversations?

Was this too part of their ever-changing bond, an evolution where Daniel was starting to unravel, becoming more comfortable with the possibility of sexual encounters.

"I… wasn't expecting that."

"To do it in the bushes, even though the two of us, get no pleasure out of doing it in nature… or was it the fact I suggested it?"

"A little of both… if I'm being honest."

"I…" Daniel hesitated for a moment, shifting his attention to his partner before speaking on the matter, "I feel comfortable when it's us two, like this. I feel like… yesterday was a wake-up call for me, the conversation part… at least. It doesn't help that I…" The boy brought his hand up in front of his face, looking at the back of his palm "I feel different… like our bond has changed ever so slightly…"

Killua shifted his posture, sitting down in the grass. Hunched over, he pondered over his partner's words. Why would that make Daniel feel different? The bond is something they share… it doesn't directly control either of them, at least from what he could tell. But there was a little truth to his partner's words… Daniel is a little different.

It's not like he's a completely different person from yesterday… Daniel still has his charm, kindness… his need to completely question his abilities; that constant self-awareness of his capabilities "You don't feel… much less, aren't any different. You sound the same… you act the same… but more importantly, you are the same person as you were yesterday. You just have new perks…"

Daniel faced his partner, eyes focused on his boyfriend's back "Perks…?"

"Well for one, you offered to do the nasty in the bushes."

"I'm serious Killua…"

"So am I…" The boy shifted his posture, sitting up straight, hands behind his back, bracing against the grass as he relaxed "Your differences… I see them more as pros, than oh, I'm dating somebody new now… So, in my eyes, you are no different."

"But I feel different…"

"I'm not denying that… You can feel that way, it's just… I'm just saying, you…" The boy shifted his attention, looking back at his partner, "Are still you. No matter how much you change, you'll always still be fundamentally you. Unless, you become a complete and utter asshole to me… then different story."

Daniel touched his partner's hand, "The day I become a complete asshole to you… you have my direct permission, to dump me."

"I'd dump you regardless of your permission…" Killua's expression softened, "but it's good to know you'd accept the outcome. At least, accept it… in a: you reap what you sow, kind of outcome…"

"Well, I trust you to make the right call so far… I'd trust you to put your happiness, over whatever we become after the bond has improved. I just hope… we can still be independent of each other."

"Independent?" Killua shifted uncomfortably. What did Daniel mean by that?

"Oh, I don't mean it negatively… I just mean, we can still be who we are to our core. We don't completely synchronise with each other."

"Oh, like same skills and abilities, just different looks."

"Yeah…"

"Then the word you were looking for is co independent. There will always be…" Killua rolled his wrist, trying to think of the best way to describe the main issue, or in his words, required dependency on the bond working properly. But that shouldn't infringe on their personal beliefs and talents "I guess a require dependency on the bond… at least, for it to work to our required standards. But I do not believe it'll hold our skills and personality hostage since we're developing it with a form of self-reliance… as in, we're both putting our best foot forward… not stepping in sync."

"But it will require a form of synchrony…"

"I suppose…" Killua hummed in agreement, "a semblance of agreement. Well, to be there for each other… but that's as far as it will go. Not with each step… each breath… but rather agreement to be there for each other."

Daniel smiled, "I agree… so what's your earlier preposition? I train against you… with wooden training weapons, while you're unarmed?"

Killua rolled his eyes, "I'm not going to be some damsel in distress… if that's what you're thinking. Oh Daniel, come rescue me with your big, muscular, rippling abs…"

"Says the boy whose chiselled abs can carve diamonds…"

"Hey…" Killua slapped his stomach with a smirk, "I worked hard on these diamond chisellers. Not my fault you still have some baby fat."

"I may not be ripped… but at least I'm flexible." Daniel chuckled, a wide smirk following.

"Flexible…? There's hardly any difference between you and me."

"Oh yeah…?" Daniel got up, flopping his weight right onto his partner. He curved his back up, head in line with his partner's face. Kissing his partner, he gave his partner a quick wink "even with my height advantage…"

"A measly six inches…"

"What is it you say… size matters?"

"Not in height, but length… sure."

"Neither of us are of that length…"

"I dunno… I'm pretty, long."

The boy shook at his partner's response "You can't deny my flexibility though."

"I haven't completely tested it… maybe next time I'll curve you… all…" Killua punctuated his words with a small poke, "the way…" a finger was now pressed against his partner's chest "back."

"Well next time…" The boy fell forward, flopping right onto his partner "I want to be holding you." The two giggled in response, Daniel comfortably holding his partner's hand in his, "I don't want this to change…"

"It won't…" Killua played with the back of his partner's hand, "It'll still be us at the end of the day." He shifted slightly, allowing Daniel to get a little comfortable on his chest, "I believe that it won't change that much."

"I'm glad…"

"Good. Flexible or not, we'll invest a little in wooden training weapons… basic variations of your weapons… except the whips, that would be painful… not gonna get leather ones either… as much as I would love to test that out, I've been whipped enough to know, it's not fun."

"Is it even possible to get a material for a soft whip?"

"Probably not… grab a quarterstaff and axe, we'll train those. For me I'm lucky… I've got the same weapons, so I'll just have to get used to the catching aspect of them. You, on the other hand… I guess I can get you used to toy yo-yos… to dodge them. You just must remember, the original build up strength with speed… whereas I, will have to get used to not blocking the blade, or getting hit by the blade."

"Yeah… I wouldn't want to lop off your head."

"Ha…" Killua mocked with a sarcastic tone, "as though that would ever happen. You'd have a higher chance of losing a hand or arm than I do."

"I'll give you that… Shall we get back to practice? We've done a lot of talking and snuggling for a short rest."

"Right…" Killua found himself smiling, "Five minutes and we'll get used to swinging our weapons."

"Alright… no contact. Until I get those wooden weapons."

"Exactly."

"~"

Gon got used to being directed by his partner, the slow movements, the small adjustments as they went deeper into the water. Iason was being cautious with him… but he didn't mind. At least he got to hold his partner's hand… at least the two of them got to explore the underwater sea culture along the way.

Sakura decided to go his own, way, to explore the island forest. It wasn't massive… he had no way of getting lost in that forest, or losing track of where he was.

It's just that… Gon was hoping he'd be there with them.

Iason tapped his shoulder; the boy was forced to look at his boyfriend.

Iason gestured to his watch.

Gon looked at it, reading the depth level first. He made a gesture, motioning about the depth height first before putting up his fingers to motion that they were now at one twenty-five meters.

Iason read the fingers one-two-five. The boy gave a nod, gesturing to his partner about the time.

Gon looked once at the watch, once more gesturing that it was the time he was talking about, even though that was what his partner was asking about.

Three-Three-two.

Iason looked up, the sky still a little bright, although barely given its depth. He motioned to his partner they'll continue to go lower, before motioning back in the direction of the island, stating he planned to make them go lower, but not further out.

Gon agreed, understanding the gestures. He switched hands with Iason, the two swimming back towards the island.

Even though it was meant to be training, he still got lost in what the sea had to offer, the way the sharks played with each other… the way they approached humans with a sense of playfulness.

One even went far enough to try to split them apart.

But Gon kept his promise, refusing to let go of his partner's hand during the situation. He still played with the shark; he just didn't let go. Once the shark had its fun, swimming away to re-join its friend, the two continued to explore.

Gon weaved his fingertips through the coral reefs, making sure to not disturb any fish that have made their home in them. It was mesmerising watching them sway, moved by the slightest motion of his hand.

Iason then led them through a miniature coral forest, swarms of multi-coloured fish moving past them, going on about their business without any care for the two diving in their territory.

Did his partner do the same for Sakura, or were they just stumbling across this as they practice?

He prodded his partner, gaining the attention of his boyfriend. Iason tilted his head, a little confused. Gon gestured to the area, trying to 'motion' to his partner a question. But it was very hard trying to point out if he had done this with their other partner.

Eventually, Iason shook his head, letting Gon know he had no idea what he was trying to ask about.

Gon pointed up at the surface.

Iason nodded, leading them on this long process to surface correctly.

Once they breached the surface, Gon gushed about the sights before his partner even had a chance to take off his snorkel. He went into great, detail about the sights he saw… the habitats discovered, the colourful fish and the playful sharks.

Everything was amazing to him and the fact Iason lead him on this trip, he couldn't have been more grateful for having an amazing partner that would do this for him.

Iason took off his headgear, soaking in the beauty of his partner's gaze, the smile that was being directed at him. It felt awkward because usually, he and Sakura were in this position, Gon being the one taking them on an amazing trip… a mini adventure with multiple sights to remember.

"Gon, you need to slow down…" Iason muttered a sincere smile directed at his lover "I can only take in so much before feeling bombarded."

"But I'm being honest, Teddy."

There it was again, the nickname Gon invented, the one he and Sakura used when they were being extra affectionate towards him, "I understand…" The boy's expression softened, "But, I can only hear so much before it becomes a garbled mess of words."

Gon moved a little closer, brushing a few strands of wet hair that covered the beauty of his partner's face. He let the touch linger, cupping the boy's cheek, neither one speaking on the matter.

Iason keened into the touch, smiling at the attention.

"Did you show Sakura this?"

Iason gave a nod, before realising, he hadn't shown everything. Some of the things were stumbled across by luck, not by prediction "Some, not all… actually. Some of it was by blind luck, not intentional. Like the fish swarming us… that was… unpredictable."

"Aww… I wish Sakura got to see that. He would've loved that."

"He would…"

"So, why did you want to come up?"

"Oh, it was about what I asked… I was wondering if Sakura saw everything. I think he'll appreciate the sights."

"I'll see how we go for time… But Gon, are you going to be, okay?"

"Hmm…? I got the fundamentals fine. Plus, I think Steffelor's ability will allow us to have conversations with each other."

Iason pouted, mainly from the fact that Steffelor's ability made it much easier to hold conversations, but his main issue was the one Gon was completely glossing over "Gon, I mean… are you sure, you're going to be okay down there. It's not a matter of will this guy backstab you if shit hits the fan… you don't know Nen… you don't know what this creature looks like. To make matters worse, it has a toxin that rots you from the inside out."

"I don't think it rots, but rather paralyses you…"

Iason put his hands on his hips, even though Gon couldn't exactly see it. The deep blue made it difficult to see his action "That's worse… it means it can eat you alive. Don't you dare use the I sampled plants on whale island, therefore, I can survive this toxin argument…"

Gon chuckled, "I don't think that world work anyways. But, listen… I promise…" Gon scooted closer, arms pulling his partner in for a hug, "I promise I'll be okay." He kissed his boyfriend on the cheek, "I WILL be okay… I won't take unnecessary risks."

"Unnecessary…?"

"As in ones, that will make sure I increase my survival chance. If I must punch the thing to make sure we're able to get away… I'm going to punch it."

"And if that punch is what leads you to get yourself killed…" Iason asked, a single eyebrow being raised, curious at how Gon planned to get out of this trap.

"Well… I wouldn't try to punch it if that's the case."

Iason snorted, more out of disbelief, rather than the humour of the deadly situation.

"I'm being honest…"

Iason sighed, "I know… You did good and I believe you'll have no issues while exploring with the man. What I can't help, however… Is, I'm starting to believe Sakura's worrying thoughts. It's not just the matter of you dying while down there and us never getting to see you… it's the fact of what if you're swimming into a trap…"

"I have a keen sense of smell…"

"Gon, you're underwater… you won't be able to smell it."

"Uh… I should be able to if I have a good enough filter on my mask."

"Those are very expensive Gon…"

"But Steffelor might have one I can borrow."

"Alright, I can't argue with that… be safe, that's all we can really, ask for at this point."

Gon kissed his partner on the lips, tasting the salty water "Thank you! I love you… I love the two of you, for worrying about me. I won't make a dangerous mistake…"

"We're going to hold that against you." Iason felt Gon's hug tighten around his waist. He couldn't be mad… was he still slightly worried, certainly. Sakura has made him worried. But more importantly, the things they learned about this creature… has made him worried.

Kite hasn't called Gon back…

Hopefully, that person can learn about something that could help their partner survive… no matter how minuscule the information they provide, is.