AN/
Gon finally meets Killua, but in a very unexpected way. Killua catches the first glimpse of something else in Gon that they might just share in common. Thanks again for the support. I appreciate it, no matter how small or big it is. I'm glad Gon and Killua finally come together cause now I can start digging into their relationship muhahaha build it up and up and crash it down with angsty tears and bloody war and - I MEAN LOVEY DOVEY STUFF AND SEX HAHAHAHAAH. Yep. I'm gonna get shot. Enjoy
There's no need to justify Yourself
9
"Who's Killua?"
Gon had done it. He had asked. There was no turning back. Of course, the logical question would have been to ask where Kurapika and Leorio were; and he was still curious about that honestly. But he couldn't get this Killua out of his mind. He needed to know. And soon.
"Killua?" It took a minute for the second-in-command to respond, seemingly taken aback by the sudden mention of the other teenager, "Why would you want to know about him?"
"I'm curious." Gon didn't hesitate to say, eyes burning with the hunger to know. "I heard his name awhile ago and I really want to know who he is. Do you know him? Do you know where I can find him?"
"I-... Y-yeah, I do. I know who he is." Pokkle's voice was tiny, eyes darting side to side, like any moment and he would get in trouble for daring to mention that aforementioned name in public. He was evidently uncomfortable with the subject but Gon would take no lack of detail today.
"Where can I find him?" pressed Gon further, taking a step forward while the other stepped back.
"He's probably still in the office with Hanzo, our leader, right about now. I just finished my meeting with him and heard he had been called next. So he's probably-"
Pokkle didn't even get to finish the rest of his sentence before the wild-haired youth was already off and running, waving his thanks from afar with a skip in his step, leaving the turban-wearing man gaping in disbelief.
"He might have insane potential but he's pretty simple-minded and once he focuses in on something, he doesn't side-track until he's done with it."
The exact words Kurapika had told him. The blonde was right.
Gon Freecs would be a handful alright.
"Have you seen someone named Killua?"
The first time Gon asked that to some random passerby, the poor guy actually lunged backwards, flailed really quick and blubbered unintelligible noises that were three octaves too high for a male. He then took off running like a chicken with its head cut off and squawked all the way until he was out of sight.
"I'm looking for Killua. Do you know where I can find him?"
The second time got a better reaction. The woman who was double Gon's height had bent down to his level just to hear his own words and the moment he asked his question, she snapped back like a rubber band, back-flipped (wow she was flexible), and did a 180 degree turn in mid-air right after. As soon as her feet touched the ground she was gone in a flash.
"Killua."
Gon didn't even bother asking the tenth time he managed to get someone to at least look at him for that matter, because he knew the reaction the moment he even spoke the guy's name out loud what would happen. And this time was no different, the rather largely built soldier with muscles literally busting out his uniform, was trotting off with his knees reaching his chest, like he was running on hot coals, the split instant that name left Gon's lips.
Sulking, his cheeks puffed, the Freecs boy marched further across the grassy plain leading to the second building with his glare attempting to burn holes through the tips of his boots. Why did everyone avoid him whenever he said Killua's name? It was like some kind of infectious disease no one wanted to be jear of and the looks every single one of them gave him could only be described as disgust. Disapproval.
Hate.
It was really setting Gon on edge and he hardly even knew the guy, the innate desire to be defensive over something too hard to ignore. Gon had nothing now that was considered his; what was left of his surrogate family was gone from this lifetime and the only thing left for him to stay concerned over was an illusive father he'd probably never get to see with the war in progress. He couldn't protect them and now to hear people treating another person so harshly; even if he didn't know them, was ticking like a count down towards erupting. The unexplained need to pummel the words right out of their skulls was tempting, but Gon held himself back with what little self-control he possessed. He couldn't judge, Mito-san taught him never to judge a person's actions or words until you had viable proof they were correct.
But it still didn't curb his intense wanting to smash his fist into somebody's teeth for acting like another person was some kind of monster everyone had to avoid whenever the mere mention of their name was brought up.
What was wrong with him lately?
He would make sure to speak his mind when he met this Killua, get all his nagging questions answered and then some. Maybe then he could better understand the strange feelings he was getting whenever he heard that name. He would also make sure to-
"Gon?"
Amber eyes shot up, wide and unfocused, with Leorio stepping back out of pure reflex, taken aback by the dark gleam he saw hiding, crouching like a predator ready to pounce. And right now it was directing itself at the only thing around; him.
"W-woah. Are you okay, Gon?" He slowly spoke, careful, cautious as to not step on boundaries he didn't want to get into, "You look like you're really mad. Did something happen?"
"No." Gon replied automatically, shaking his head and rubbing his eyes to clear his vision. Had it always been this hazy before? It must be a trick of the light. "I'm okay. You just surprised me, that's all." Smiling; because smiles always won people over and reassured them, Gon made eye contact with Leorio and beamed, "It's good to see you, Leorio! I've been looking all over for you guys."
"Really? Because we've been looking everywhere for you! You should see how frantic Kurapika was when he found out you weren't in your bed. Haha. He'll be glad to find out you're okay." The taller adult laughed, calming just a tad. But only just a tad.
Gon frowned when he noticed how tense Leorio was, worried he had disappointed someone again. Let someone down, again. His emotions really were playing a number on him today. "Did I really worry Leorio and Kurapika that much? I'm sorry."
"Don't sweat it. All that matters is we've found you now, so I have to let Kurapika know before he flips the entire building over in his search. Come on, let's go. I'll take you to him now; he's in the soldier's barracks as we speak."
"Wait." Gon said, not following Leorio when he started walking away. The older adult glanced over his shoulder, eye brows raised questionably.
"What is it, Gon?"
"Where's Killua?" The words left his lips faster then he could think. Gon's face changed from surprise at his own actions to a noteworthy calmness, settled into the idea that he wouldn't regret asking. Not again after many previous failures.
"Killua?" Leorio fully faced the tanner boy while pushing his glasses further up the bridge of his nose. Gon mentally sighed in relief at the fact that Leorio didn't seem the least bit bothered when Killua was mentioned. That was a good sign; someone who didn't view the name like a plague upon the earth for a change. It eased his raging feelings slightly. "How do you know about Killua?"
"I heard you three talking in my sleep and his name popped up. I can't remember much more then that, but I've been trying to find him since I woke up."
"Really?" The doctor looked perplexed, a little worried, "Why would you want to meet him?"
"I don't know. But I just do. Can you take me to see Killua?"
"..You are really serious about meeting him, aren't you?"
"Yeah." The look in Gon's eyes said he would take no for an answer. He wasn't going to give up until he had his way.
"He's one of those kinds of guys, isn't he. Those straight-forward, simple-minded ones who can only think about one thing at a time and that's it." Leorio mused, thinking as he surveyed the adolescent kid in front of him with a determined set of eyes firmly focused on one goal. A goal in which he intended to reach at any cost. The golden fire inside that hazelnut color spoke all he needed to know. Kurapika was right, again.
Damn, now he'd be down another fifty in the hole.
('I bet he's some super-happy horny brat who hugs everyone but is really getting off on it because JUST LOOK AT HIS SMILE. HE NEVER STOPS SMILING HE HAS TO BE GAY! Kurapika I think he's undressing me with his eyes! Look at how he's staring at us! Look, KURAPIKA-')
He really needed to stop gambling with Kurapika. His luck sucked. And so did the bruises that accompanied it.
"Do you know where Killua is right now?" Gon pushed a second time, not dropping eye contact with the glasses-wearing man.
"Yeah. I do." sighed Leorio, defeated, not wanting to fight a battle he might not win if this thick-headed kid was anything to go by, "He's in the mess hall eating, last Kurapika and I saw him that is. He should still be there now. He usually eats for twelve and starts slowing down around the fifth plate until he's done."
Gon was already walking off like he knew his exact destination and Leorio started swinging his arms wildly as if to stop him. "Hey, w-wait! Wait for me, Gon!"
"You're coming with me?" The teenager appeared surprised, like it was new information to him.
"Of course I will!" Leorio did his best to imitate Gon's 'super-focused' look and was probably failing miserably judging by the way the kid's face twisted up humorously in response. "I can't just let you roam around this place without supervision. Everyone is on edge as it is since we're leaving tomorrow. I can't-"
"Wait, we're leaving Whale Island?" Now the surprise on Gon's face was very much there, very much readable to anybody who saw it. His focus was caught and there was nothing anyone could do to change it. Gon stopped walking so he could face Leorio now and hear what he had to say, his curiosity nagging him to do so.
"Yeah. We are headed to Padokia tomorrow. We were assigned to clear a few bases over there that are being overrun with some powerful Ants, but it's going to take a week or so just to get to the rendezvous point and we have to make several transportation transfers.."
"Is Killua going with you?"
"..well of course he is. He's a member of our squadron. So I wouldn't see any reason why he wouldn't not go.."
"Can I come with you, too?"
Leorio blinked, head cocked to the side. Gon was staring at him, expression hard but all in seriousness. He was dead certain. "U-uh. Well, that's not up to us, really. It's yours." He chuckled lightly, scratching the side of his cheek, "We actually decided to let you choose what you want to do at this point. Hanzo gave us permission to dictate what would become of you, but Kurapika and I agreed that we would rather have you pick your own path, you know? It wouldn't be fair letting two strangers you've hardly known for even a day, telling you what to do with your life."
"For strangers, you two are really cool." Gon piped up, smirking, "And really nice, too. If Leorio and Kurapika decided where I ended up, I wouldn't mind it."
"You're too honest, kid. That's going to come back to bite you in the ass someday, you know."
"I know."
Sighing a second time, Leorio did himself a favor and smiled too. The kid was so brutally honest it wasn't even funny. But Gon really had an addictive personality, so cheery and carefree that it was as if the atmosphere just became much more light because of it. He couldn't find a reason to stay negative too long around him. Whatever bad he felt was washed away with that positive attitude, flooding his senses like a tidal wave, all consuming. It was pleasant.
"Alright then! It's settled." The bespectacled adult resented, nodding, "You'll come with us to Padokia. From there, you can decide what you want to do after that."
"I'll help fight the Ants of course. I want to enlist." Gon said, matter-of-factually, his mind obviously made up a long time ago if his facial expression was anything to play off of.
"I know you said that before already, that even Hanzo was a little skeptical on whether or not you really meant that. But, you know you could at least think about it a little, bud. You don't have to jump right into the idea just because you want to 'help' us. Help your own self first."
"I am helping myself by helping you."
"What kind of logic brings you to that conclusion?"
"Mine?"
Leorio face palmed the side of his head so hard it actually echoed and left behind a ridiculous looking pink hand print on his cheek in all its humorous glory.
"You're really weird, kid. You know that right?"
Gon took about five seconds to process this information, his eyebrows furrowing this way and that, before he nodded and his grin threatened to swallow his face.
"Yep!"
"..let's just go find Killua already."
Leorio resented; dropping all further conversation before his brain self-destructed trying to understand this teenage Whale Islander's mental acuity, Gon whooping with glee, and together the pair resumed their walk towards the dining hall with haste.
If anything to hurry before Kurapika actually did flip a building in order to find Gon.
"This tastes awful."
That was what the only pure-white haired adolescent of Silver Squadron2 was thinking as he chewed his piece of rubbery food, trying to get it to shrink down enough to at least swallow but the thing remained as intact as the last shreds of his sanity.
Leftovers were the worst. When they were left cold from sitting too long and not even the microwave could save them, you might as well eat the lint off your uniform or the rocks in your combat boots.
Killua didn't know what was wrong with him today, really, but it started when he foolishly decided to stand in line just like the rest of the other hunters waiting to get their lunch, much to the wide-eyed scrutinizing stares and hot, disgusted whispers from those around him. The people he was even standing with allowed him a wide birth, giving him incredulous looks like he was the ugliest thing on the planet. It didn't really bother him though, everyone in their squad was intimidated by the Zoldyck.
Except for Leorio and Kurapika, it seemed. He didn't really group them in with the others.
But even their acceptance of his honest nature didn't change the truth of the matter. The blood of those he's slain was still festering under those nails of his, unable to be scrubbed off; completely in plain sight. It was like a visual scar to remind him of what he was born to be. Who he really was.
Just another murderer in everyone's eyes.
When Killua finally had his turn up in front of the cafeteria bar, he requested anything they had leftover in specific, nothing recently made. Nothing fresh. The look of sheer disbelief on the woman's face when he walked away with a pile of trays buried in miscellaneous food items all wrapped in saran wrap and foil, would have been picture-perfect priceless if he had even bothered to take a second to see it.
His stomach was really regretting that dumb move of his right about now.
Two trays in with four more to go and already the bile was hovering in the back of his throat, threatening to have words with his tongue. The guttural sounds of protest coming from his lower belly tried to win him over, convince him otherwise, and Killua stupidly continued to eat against his better wishes because why.
"Why the hell am I eating this garbage again?"
Low, deep-voiced laughs that hadn't stopped since he stepped into the dining hall not more then half an hour ago had the young assassin ready to polish his nails in a fresh coat of red if they didn't cease. Cerulean eyes landed on that mundane tub of fatty rolls packaged up in what could only be named Tonpa, who unfortunately picked today of all times to be in here with Killua not more then twenty feet away. Every now and again those highly trained senses picked up on more then one gaze directed towards him, snickering like Killua didn't have enough issues on his plate already.
Tonpa and the oh-so-joyous threesome of Amori brothers; his feet-licking lackeys, were targeting him and they thought they could be sneaky about it. On the contrary, they were dead wrong, but Killua was too disinterested to give them the upper hand.
"Tch."
Stuffing a huge piece of mystery gunk; it had to be a cross between hash browns, ground beef, corn, cheese, and maybe spinach, into his mouth, Killua chewed as fast as he could, the grinding of his teeth and constant chugging of water in effort to mask the flavor the only thing keeping him preoccupied.
If he didn't pick up the pace and wolf this trash down he would be dealing with additional trash to clean up. And that wasn't even what might come out of his mouth if he didn't focus on swallowing both this junk and his vomit down fast enough.
After what felt like forever trying to fight the to-eat-or-not-eat war inside of him; and stuff the next glob of strange glowing mashed potatoes he swore had been exposed to radiation gas by its evident transparency, he heard the faint creaking of the squeaky benches being freed from their immense weights and the sound of approaching footsteps headed his way. Killua's sense of dread set off the alarm bells in his mind. right off the bat.
"Here they come. Crap."
Guessing correctly, Killua didn't bother to look up at the multiple heavy breathes gathered around him. All four of them started laughing; loudly for the whole hall to hear, and all Killua could do was keep his face hidden underneath his bangs and away from view. He sucked in a breath, as quiet as the rest of those eating had likely become in witness to this unfortunate event. Killua narrowly avoided eye contact, idly pausing in his mechanical eating movements to poke and prod at some stray, pruned five-day old peas with a fork he wished he could pierce through certain assholes for a change. And here he was hoping against hope he hadn't made another bad decision like the earlier mishap with the fatso.
"Are you seriously trying to eat this shit?" Tonpa spoke first, grabbing the tray in front of Killua who didn't even budge or blink an eye when his necessary distraction was stolen. "It's all moldy and gross. Oh, wait." He turned the tray over and the squelchy sound of a cold splat let Killua know those radioactive mashed potatoes were now sticking to his hair and would take hours to scrub clean. "Never mind. I put the shit where it belongs. On top of more shit."
"Doesn't that make him a pile of shit now, brother?" a tiny voice squeaked out; Amori the youngest of the three. He was low-man on the totem pole; as a real pussy of a guy, and always asked if every little thought he had was okay, which didn't bother Killua much. At least the guy might have once considered his actions somewhere in the distant past, unlike the rest of those dumb bloats they called Hunters.
"Of course it does, dumb ass. He's a huge pile of shit now isn't he, Umori?" Killua recognized the next voice as Imori, second of the trio, talking to the biggest and broadest member of the brothers. He was knowledgeable and very perceptive, but his lack of brain capacity left little to be desired.
Umori sighed, his deep, gruff voice easiest to associate with that giant build of his that least had some semblance of muscle; unlike giant tubby Tonpa laughing his head off at the side. "Yes, brothers, he's the world's biggest pile of filth and shit. We went over this already or did you forget?"
"I remembered, bro! Mostly!" Amori butt in, trying to feign a wise-ass and failing miserably.
"Good thing the clean up crew is here today to take out the trash, boys." Tonpa guffawed, picking up another full tray and started to unwrap the things on it with the assistance of the other three. The irritating sound of wrappers being ripped open and the scratchy pulls of foil tearing was grating to the nerves, but Killua bit his tongue and lip, holding back. No way he would come unglued now. Not here. Not with everyone in sight. Though Tonpa's annoying voice was really tempting Killua to rip out his vocal cords and effectively silence him for all eternity. "I bet the lunch ladies will be so happy to have some help for a change. There's just some trash that is so hard to clean up some days. You just have to burn it real good and it'll stay as ash eventually."
"Like ash and soot indeed." Imori was picking his teeth and Killua could feel those bits and pieces landing in his hair; twitching beyond irritation, "The perfect stuff they use to bury those icky, disgusting Chimera Ant corpses under. Because, you know, shit belongs with shit."
"Haha! Nice one bro. Shit must stay together! Just like we three brothers stick together-"
Thwack.
Umori smacked Amori upside the head, his shrill girly cry truly annoying once you've heard it once. "Idiot, that's a terrible comparison. Don't group us up with that riffraff! We're no where near that low ass level."
"Yeah, dumb ass! Don't clump us with this thing or we'll dump you alongside him!"
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Whaaa! Don't dump me, please!" Amori whined, flailing wildly and one his hands actually had the audacity to hit Killua in the back of his skull, sending the teenager lurching forward against the table edge in shock. He couldn't contain the immense quivering in his arms, trembling in their need to slice up something, anything. His claws were already out, hidden in his lap, and he fought back every urge to rip open their throats and make them eat their own words until the blood and bile drowned those four plagues upon the Earth to Hell.
Miserable excuses for human beings. That's what they were. Killua was glad he would never sink to their league.
"Dump you say?" Tonpa snickered after a long pause between opening wrappers and the sudden loud clang of the metal tray in his hands smashing down on top of Killua's head rang throughout the entire hall, effectively rendering the room silent. The squelching splat of unwrapped food squishing into white locks, staining them in rancid colors and odors that would definitely take days to clean now, had Killua's nails scraping against the steel under table. Some people were wincing or flinching away at the familiar ring because they all knew too well where that noise would lead to. The tray slowly slid down the front of his face, crashing off the table top and onto the floor below with a sound as loud as its predecessor. But it was nowhere near as grating as that fat man's voice. "Well, now the foods dumped in the trash, Amori brothers. Let's celebrate because the filth has finally been cleansed."
Tonpa started to clap his hands, brushing off imaginary dirt from his pudgy fat fingers, and all four males joined in unison to laugh and laugh nonstop. Their voices carried all over the heads of those with bulging, fearful eyes and looks of disgust and contempt. Every one of them was condensing of the situation but abstained for their own safety. Even if anybody had a shred of pity for the lone teenager; no one had the guts to do or say anything. Between the vicious bully Tonpa and his colleagues or facing the heartless, blood-thirsty killer; it was an obvious decision to avoid both and save yourself instead while you had the optional escape route.
As they went on and on; seemingly endless, their obnoxious laughter infected Killua's mind similar to a virus, eating away at every last inch of his resolve. His blood felt boiling hot and he blamed the dawning flush on his face because of it. There was a gathering cold sweat on his brow and he didn't dare wipe it away and reveal the hungry fangs concealed under the table, starving for flesh. Their flesh. He was digging his nails into splintered metal, grinding his sharp indestructible claws through what was once an indestructible substance, rendering it torn. Bloody droplets glistened on his lips and teeth gnashed for more.
But none of that mattered right now because he was going to tear our their ass holes and suffocate them with it if they didn't stop with the cat-call nicknames and insane laughter.
"Haha! Faggot!"
"Slut!"
"Dumb Ass!"
"Hahahaha!"
"Piece of shit!"
"Pathetic little wimp!"
"Garbage! Trash!"
"Hahahahahaha!"
"Weak-"
And then, in that instant, Killua saw red.
"Stop."
A voice; confident and strong, broke through his subconsciousness and the crimson color from his vision blurred back into reality; Killua already on his feet and one clawed hand just millimeters from impaling themselves in a shocked man with a flabby neck. If it hadn't been for that powerful grip from a deep bronzed colored hand stopping him, he would be painting his nails in Tonpa's crusty, impure blood. Automatically, on trained habit whenever someone has you in a dangerous position, Killua yanked himself free from the offending lock hold so hard his wrist dislocated with a loud pop.
"Tch." he flinched, cradling his lax hand for a moment to assess the damage. It took him ten seconds to pop it back into place with a bit of effort and the gruesome snap and crackle of the bones returning to their respected positions was stomach-churning. As he nursed the growing bruise around his wrist with care, Killua sneaked a peek at what would-be Tonpa's savior with a glare that could kill; because he really wouldn't regret spilling the asshole's guts and whomever had just spared him would so pay for interrupting.
To his surprise, it was none other then Gon Freecs.
But this Gon didn't have his eyes. His eyes were something of a different story. A completely different person standing right before them.
It was Gon Freecs and yet it wasn't.
"Gon-?"
"Gon! What do you think you are you doing!" Leorio interrupted Killua's words in a heart beat, the tall suited man came barreling over, shoving the gathering crowd away so he can reach them. Apparently people had been expecting either a fight or a grisly death because they had all willed themselves to get closer; even at the risk of being caught in the fray. Natural human instinct. An insatiable curiosity to watch others battle it out over with their pride at stake.
Human beings were truthfully pathetic.
"Who the hell are you?" Tonpa glowered since the Freecs boy was unresponsive, his empty and icy stare aimed his way. Leorio's gaze fell upon Killua, as if trying to question the situation with just his eyes alone, but the albino's sapphire orbs were zeroed in on Gon, just like everyone else waiting around them with bated breaths. Unlike Tonpa; who hadn't budged an inch in the face of danger, the Amori brothers had taken an instinctual step back, almost sensing the threatening waves roll off the sun-kissed teenager. He was looking at them with such a detached emotionless expression it was almost terrifyingly similar to the way Killua would look when he killed. They all knew.
Somehow, Killua; too, recognized his own facial expression when he saw it right in front of him, tattooed on another person's face, and as badly as he wanted to retreat, he moved forward instead. He could see the dead look in those merciless pupils, ones that would kill if provoked."What are you doing, idiot?" He hissed, not caring if it was flying over the dude's head, just as long as he got through before he did something worth regretting over. "Are you trying to get yourself killed? I could have tore you to pieces with that stunt you just pulled! You really-"
"My name is Gon Freecs." His tone was absent, unreadable.
"Are you seriously telling the fatso your name-"
"Gon Fucktard Feces." Tonpa interjected, chuckling madly, "Hahaha! Don't tell me you came to save this shitty faggot?" His large hands gestured at Killua, bristling the snowy boy even further. "Because if you are, you are so-"
Gon whipped his fingers out so fast that Killua suspected he may had been the only one to actually witness the second those digits clasped themselves around Tonpa's neck and had him hoisted high in the air. The gasps around them went unheard as the heavy set man let out an inhumanely girlish screech of disapproval, flailing his limbs wildly to break free, but Gon's strength was obvious, even for a youngster. He wouldn't be budging from that grip unless he sacrificed the extremities needed to escape. That selfish bastard wouldn't be so foolish to behead himself, life or death scenario.
"Gon! Stop! Don't do this!" shouted Leorio, reaching forward to grab hold of the teen's shoulder but his hand was instantly smacked away by Gon's free one, his eyes wider then saucer plates and stepped back, appearing burnt by the gesture.
"L-let me g-go!" Tonpa barely choked out, nails dragging thick red lines down that dark skin, hardly showing in the contrasting colors, "F-fucking ass wipe! What are you d-doing? Are you i-insane?! Let m-me go!"
Gon's soulless eyes were unblinking, honed in on its target, and he didn't move an inch, keeping Tonpa dangling a few feet from the floor with just his one hand and not the least bit winded. "Why were you calling him names?"
"Like I'll ever f-fucking tell you shit! Let me go, freak!"
"Then apologize."
"FUCK YOU!"
"Gon, let him go! " Killua, too, demanded, snatching Gon's hand the second it flew out to beat his own away, and he held the boy in his own vice grip, not giving him release. He squeezed hard in a silent signal to let him know he was dead serious about this. He better listen. "This has nothing to do with you so cut the crap and drop his fat ass already. You're just wasting your time, he isn't going to say shit. So, let him go."
"No. I won't. Not until he says he's sorry. I'll make him apologize."
Stunned. The Zoldyck was stunned for a change. This guy made bullheadedness look like child's play compared to how steeled his ego was. And to find someone who actually resisted Killua's threats (Gon probably had the balls to even throw down Killua's death threats judging by his character) was a shock to his system.
Gon would be the death of Killua and they hadn't even begun training in Nen yet.
Seemingly, out of nowhere, Killua became acutely aware over the sudden onslaught of an adrenaline rush hitting him. It was pounding fresh in his veins as it accelerated at break neck speed, heart thundering strongly against his rib cage. There was sweat beading his neckline and not just in his hair, sticking his loosely fitted uniform tee to his skin, scratchy and itchy and extremely annoying. He was panting as quietly as he could but the longer this was going on, the harder it was to keep quiet. It felt like he was running a marathon at a standstill, his limbs heavy as lead and his brain becoming mush. There was an unknown stirring in his stomach, a low rumble, and the onset of queasiness was beginning to seep in. But it was bearable, so he would deal.
Or so he thought.
"Gon-"
What happened next transpired so fast that Killua barely had time to process the blur of the world before him or how long it took to get from point A to point B, clutching to the edges of a nearby trash bin and reeling over its side as he vomited out the contents of his earlier attempt-at-lunch. Whoever had braved being so close to the confrontation before had now cleared the way for them, several yards back and out of harms way. The loud retching was almost as painful to hear as it probably was for Killua to force out those gruesome gut-wrenching noises from his throat. Leorio paused in his verge of running over to console the teenager if it hadn't been for Gon's amazing turn around that stopped him in his tracks.
"Oh crap!" Gon's honeyed eyes snapped back to their usual color in a blink of an eye when he saw the white blur move past to the garbage can. He dropped Tonpa roughly in his haste to rush over to the other, not caring how hard the bigger man came crashing down to the floor in a broken heap. Even the Amori brothers didn't dare get closer to assist their supposed 'leader', too scared shitless to move a muscle less they be caught in something terrible like Gon's wrath.
Carefully and with caution, Gon reached forward and pulled up Killua's messy silver locks still lathered in gross, non-edible substances, and held it back while the other wordlessly continued to hurl. "Hey, are you okay?" He asked worriedly, the slime on his hands doing nothing to deter his efforts to keep the hair from Killua's trajectory of spewing his guts. He even went as far as to start rubbing the guy's back soothingly in small, smooth circles; something Mito-san did for him when he was sick. He figured it was the least he could do to ease the strain.
Leorio sighed begrudgingly in the background, lowering the hand he had left hanging in the air a moment ago like it might have done something to stop all that had transpired. It lay defeated at his side when he glanced at their surroundings; the entire dining hall full of people were utterly speechless, unwavering, all except for Tonpa who still hadn't gotten the message clear through his rock-filled skull. "You." Leorio flatly said, looking down on Tonpa's crumpled, hurting form. The bully was rubbing frantically at his neck like it may be broken, but all there was, was some noticeable bruising and red marks. Gon really had used quite a bit of his strength in that last move, obviously, but the man was lucky Gon hadn't broken anything or Tonpa wouldn't had risen from the floor when he was dropped.
"What?" Tonpa wheezed, returning to glare at Leorio, "What the hell are you looking at me for?"
"I suggest you leave if you know what's good for you, Tonpa." The doctor retorted, glancing between Gon busying himself in tending to the sick Killua and at the idiot of an adult who refused to back down even when his ass is handed to him on a silver platter. "Or do I need to call Hanzo up and let him deal with your little transgression today?"
"Whatever." Tonpa actually spat at the lead medic's feet, pushing himself up to stand with shaky hands, "But this isn't the last you'll hear from me, that's fucking sure. This isn't over." His hot stare narrowed in the triplet brother's direction, causing them all to jump in place, before he marched himself away and out of the building with them soundlessly trailing behind, languid footsteps barely touching the floor in their haste to get out and away from them.
"Sheesh. Some people never learn." Leorio finally allowed himself to sigh, smiling helplessly at the pair next to him, head shaking in defeat.
"There, there." Gon was patting Killua's back lightly, the assassin starting to cough up the last bits of his stomach contents. But the look on his beet red face at the affectionate gesture Gon was giving him throughout the ordeal was clearly written all over his rosy pink cheeks. It was too cute, even in this messed up situation of theirs.
But Leorio kept on smiling, just because he couldn't help but be swayed by the two of them. For some reason, he just couldn't help himself.
"You guys really are going to drive me insane, aren't you?"
He'd blame it on old age if he was old, but he wasn't, so he just blamed it on Kurapika's sappiness rubbing off on him instead.