A/N: Hi there! Once again thanks a lot for your reviews and your continued support! We appreciate that a lot. Like I said, we like to hear your thoughts and try to answer all of your questions.
So this goes out to our reviewer 'IntriguingHeart', I did answer your question both times, if you still didn't get a PM there is something wrong with your mailbox. The answer is that it is as you fear but I can't go into any more details here or I'd spoiler the other readers.
Also a special thanks goes out to our most loyal serial reviewer 'Mim's Lullaby' for always taking the time to give us her full reactions to each chapter! Hugs!
Here's chapter ten now. It's the aftermath of the drunken mishap ;D Also the weather turned for the better and the boys are going down to the beach. Lot's of naked skin and four gorgeous bodies makes for renewed sexual tension ;D We hope you'll have fun!
Chapter 10
When Killua woke up, sunlight was shining onto his face. Finding himself in his hotel bed with Gon's arms wrapped protectively around him, he stiffened in shock for a second before last night's events came rushing back to him, and his friend's words from last night rang in his ears.
"I won't let go of you any time soon."
A light blush dusted Killua's cheeks before he buried his face back into Gon's neck. Even though his situation was slightly embarrassing, he knew that this would never happen again. He couldn't afford to act so weak around his best friend anymore; he had to suck it up and move on. Gon was never going to feel more than friendship for him, and he just had to understand and cope.
But…until then…Killua was sure as hell going to enjoy the feeling of the other's arms around him, like he was the only thing that mattered.
With that thought in mind, Killua closed his eyes, breathed in Gon's musky, earthy scent, and dozed back into a light slumber, wishing for the other to not wake up any time soon.
Gon felt Killua stiffen in his arms and lift his head a bit. He wasn't too happy about this action. It felt very good to hold his friend like this, to feel his warm, subtle body against his own. The young enhancer had held his friend throughout the night, which had given him time to wonder a little about his new feelings, and try to understand them. He had tried to figure out his new feelings this morning, too, but continuously thinking about it only gave him a headache by this point.
The dark-haired teen had soon decided to stop thinking and just concentrate on the feeling of contentment he felt when he held his friend tightly against him, knowing that he was protecting the other from his fears. When Killua woke up then, Gon acted like he was still fast asleep. All he wanted was to enjoy holding his friend for a little longer. Keeping his arms wrapped tightly around his friend, Gon remained still and felt utterly happy when the other one lay his head back down on his shoulder.
Killua's warm breath soon ghosted over his skin again, and Gon enjoyed the shivers this action sent down his spine. He wasn't too sure what these new feelings meant, but they were good, so he just enjoyed them.
Only when he was sure his silver-haired friend had fallen asleep again did he softly stroke the other's silky tresses once more, letting his fingers slide through the thick mane. Gon loved this feeling, but he wasn't too sure Killua would appreciate him doing this if he were awake. That was why he used what little time he had left. Until his best friend would fully wake up and surely tell him to let go of him, Gon was intent on stroking the other's hair.
Killua purred in contentment as he slowly woke from his slumber. He kept his eyes closed, though, taking in the warmth surrounding him, and the gentle caresses against his scalp and hair. It felt so good, so right, that the former assassin never wanted it to end. When the soft stroking against his hair stopped, though, the young transmuter groggily opened his eyes, his sapphire irises shining with confusion.
"Why…did you stop?" He mumbled out sleepily before his eyes fell upon captivating hazel. It was then that Killua realized that he was still in Gon's arms, that his best friend had been the one combing his fingers through his hair, and that the other was fully awake and staring at him.
Killua could feel his entire face light up as he unconsciously pushed himself away from Gon as if he had just been burned. The silver-haired teen quickly sat up on the edge of the bed, his back facing his friend as he tried to calm his raging blush and erratic heart-beat. Why…had Gon been doing that? He must have thought he was asleep, right? So why would he…d-do that with his hair? Was this why Gon was so insistent that he didn't cut it? Because he loved the feeling of it? Killua seriously didn't know if he should be honored by the thought or appalled by it, because it definitely made him out to be feminine in some way in his best friend's eyes.
It was at that moment that Killua heard Gon trying to apologize to him. The former assassin was so frazzled by everything that had happened in the last few minutes that he could barely understand what the other was saying. All he knew was that he felt very confused under the circumstances, a little cold since Gon was no longer keeping him warm, and very awkward on how to try and get the atmosphere between him and his friend back to normal, especially with what had happened the night before.
"U-um…Gon…?" Killua stuttered out tentatively then, trying to find the right words to say. "Um…you don't have to apologize…You…you were still just trying to comfort me after last night…and it took me by surprise because I hadn't…expected it."
No matter what he did, Killua could still feel how hot his face was. It seemed like his blush really wasn't going away anytime soon.
"L-Listen, Gon, about last night…" The smaller teen started again, still refusing to look at his friend as he kept himself facing away from the other. "Um…I acted very pathetically, and I'm sorry that…that you had to see that. I must have made you feel awkward…Even…even though I know that I…I still want to thank you for all that you did yesterday…I promise that I won't react that way again…and that I will be a friend you can truly depend on from now on…alright?"
A soft purr made Gon's hand stop in its tracks. As much as he had liked the sound, he felt the light movement, the changing of the other's breathing pattern, and knew Killua was waking up. He felt like he had been caught red-handed doing something bad.
Confused, sleepy sapphire orbs looked into his hazel ones, and his friend asked why he had stopped. Gon's heart beat faster. Maybe Killua didn't resent the action? Maybe he even liked it and Gon could go on doing it from time to time? Just as hope was blossoming in his heart, his friend suddenly fled his arms before he turned away from him and sat up. The beast hunter was left to stare forlornly at the other's back. He shouldn't have done what he had. He had had an inkling Killua wouldn't like to get stroked like that under normal circumstances, but he had still exploited the situation, and had gone ahead and done it anyway.
"I'm sorry, Killua! I...shouldn't have done that! Really, I shouldn't have. You were sleeping and I...I didn't mean anything bad by it...it just sort of happened!" Gon rambled out his apologies, hoping his friend wouldn't be too mad at him.
Killua stopped him then and stuttered out his own explanation for his actions. The young enhancer bit his lower lip. He felt guilty, and having Killua avoid his gaze like that only made it worse. Obviously, he had made his friend feel pretty awkward, maybe even bad. He had been selfish; only thinking of his own feelings. What Killua had to say next, though, took Gon by surprise. His eyes went wide.
He was still staring at his best friend's back, but he understood now that maybe it wasn't because Killua was mad at him. Maybe he was just embarrassed, even though that was kind of a stupid reason? Whatever the reason was, though, Gon crawled over to his friend and sat down next to the other at the edge of the bed.
"I told you yesterday, I won't let you say bad things about yourself. Why do you think you acted pathetically? Just because you're a guy, you're not allowed to cry if you feel like it? That's just stupid. I'm a guy and you saw me cry often enough, didn't you?" Gon shrugged his shoulders indifferently. "I didn't feel awkward. I was just concerned. I'm your friend and I want to be there for you through thick and thin. Don't feel bad about yesterday. I want to be there for you, even when you feel bad like that. I'm glad that I could make you feel a little better at least."
Up until that moment, Gon had had been looking at the sun streaming in through the windows, but now he turned his head to look at the other one out of the corner of his eyes.
"I've always depended on you from the day we first met, and I've trusted you with my life more times than I can count. I told you yesterday and I'm telling you now, you are my friend, and nothing can change that."
Moving back a little, Gon nudged his shoulder into Killua's then, and grinned at him encouragingly.
"The sun is out today. Let's get ready. I want to go to the beach!"
He knew that the best thing to do now was to get Killua into action. It would make the other forget these sad and stupid thoughts of his. Gon wanted his friend to be normal again!
It was a few moments later that he felt Gon sit next to him on the edge of the bed, causing Killua to feel even more self-conscious about himself. His beast hunting friend seemed to notice this, so instead of looking at him, he just looked out the glass doors to the balcony. When Gon spoke up the next moment, his words were thoughtful and reassuring, which put the silver-haired transmuter at ease.
An overwhelming warmth blossomed in Killua's chest the next moment as well when Gon reminded him of how much he needed him; how much he depended on him to be there. Killua was so touched that, when he finally turned towards Gon and realized the other was looking at him too, he wanted nothing more than to lean forward and kiss the other, to show him how much he appreciated his words and how much he meant to him as well, but, before he could lose himself to the moment, Gon nudged his shoulder in a friendly manner and proclaimed that he wanted to go to the beach.
Reminded yet again that there would be nothing more than friendship between him and his dark-haired companion, the young blacklist hunter tried his best to smile then. He really did appreciate Gon's words, but the things he was feeling now truly outweighed that of friendship for the other, so the loss he was feeling in that moment was just too great. The best he could muster was a slightly saddened, yet appreciative smile.
"That sounds like fun," Killua spoke softly then, his sapphire eyes shining affectionately into Gon's hazel albeit with a forlorn twinkle. "Maybe we should go grab a bite to eat first?"
Contrary to his words, Killua didn't look too happy when he answered him. Gon felt like hugging his friend to try and make him feel better, but after the hair-stroking incident, he really didn't think it would be much appreciated.
Unsure on how else to react to the first part of Killua's words, Gon decided to jump onto the second part. He grinned happily.
"Of course I wanna eat first. And we need to get dressed even before that, I guess!"
He laughed and jumped off the bed. Next, he tore open the balcony door and took a deep breath.
"Aaaah, just like I thought. The air is all fresh and clean. The next days will be warm and dry!"
The young beast hunter then walked up to his bag, rummaged around, and took out fresh clothes.
"I'll go first," he declared and vanished into the bathroom. Gon thought it best to give Killua a moment alone. Maybe that would help the other to come to terms with whatever was bothering him.
Gon took his time washing himself and changing into some beach clothes. He really hoped Killua would soon be back to normal. He was trying to think of ways to cheer the other up, but all he could think of was holding the other and stroking his beautiful, silky hair. The young beast hunter was pretty sure at the moment, that these actions would feel way better to him than to Killua, though.
As he looked at himself in the mirror, he sighed. There must be something he could do, right? Maybe...no. Maybe...no. All he could come up with was keeping Killua busy, and, in this way, diverting him from thinking his obviously moody thoughts.
Stepping out of the bathroom in a white tank top and some green swim trunks a few moments later, he smiled brightly for Killua's benefit.
"You're next!"
Gon was quick to agree with him, unsurprisingly, and when his taller friend jumped off the bed in excitement then and opened up the sliding door to the balcony, Killua really couldn't hold back the gentle smile that graced his lips. The sunlight hit Gon's skin just right, lighting up his whole face like the beacon of light he truly was, and when the other sent a huge, blinding smile his way, Killua found himself falling in love with the other all over again.
…Which was something he didn't want to do.
It was then that Gon walked back towards him, only to rummage through his bag for a change of clothes. His beast hunting friend then declared the bathroom was his first before actually claiming it, which left the silver-haired teen alone with his chaotic thoughts. Would…no, could he ever stop feeling this way towards his friend? It was almost to the point that his feelings were suffocating him, and Killua was certain he couldn't handle any more heartache. He couldn't afford to love Gon…not any more. To do so would be meaningless and, for once in his life, he wasn't sure if he could survive the pain if he continued. He had to find a way to let his feelings for the other go.
Killua was deep in thought over his next course of action when Gon finally exited the bathroom twenty minutes later. The former assassin just stared at the other forlornly as he stated that it was his turn to use the bathroom, like he was saying goodbye to the dazzling image of Gon before him. In a sense, he really was, because Killua knew that he could no longer afford to feel for the other the way he did. He had to stop seeing Gon as a potential lover.
Nodding his head silently then, Killua averted his eyes from his friend as he quickly made his way over to his bag and grabbed his swim trunks and a light purple tank top. With that done with, Killua pushed himself past a concerned Gon and closed the bathroom door behind him. He really had to get ahold of himself. It was wrong to make Gon worry about him, after all.
After meditating in a long, hot bath, Killua finally got dressed and towel dried his hair. There really was no point in drying it if it was just going to get wet again anyway. With his bathroom deeds done, the young transmuter took a deep breath before exiting the bathroom.
"Alright, I'm ready to go when you are," he said with the best smile he could muster as he looked at Gon and tried to ignore the stinging sensation of loss that he felt.
The time alone that Gon had granted Killua didn't seem to have helped at all. If anything his friend only looked even gloomier when he went into the bathroom. The other seemed to take forever in there; the time stretching for the beast hunter as he dwelt on his concern for his friend.
When Killua finally emerged, he at least made the effort to force a smile as he said he was ready to head out. Gon decided it really was the best to see to it that Killua would be kept busy so that he would forget about his sorrows, since he obviously didn't want to share them either.
"Let's first ask the others to join us."
A pain-filled groan left Leorio's lips as he slowly opened his eyes to morning daylight shining directly onto his face. The doctor moaned pitifully as he turned his head away from the light and blinked his eyes several times to try and wake up. His actions, though, caused a splitting headache, and he was sure one of his eyes wasn't cooperating very well for some reason.
Confusion now filling his mind, it was then that Leorio was finally able to at least open one of his eyes and notice that he was staring directly at the bottom of the bed….Well, that sure as hell explained why his back was aching now. What the hell had happened last night? Had he fallen out of bed of his own accord?
Hearing a slight groan above him, Leorio shakily brought himself into a sitting position, and leaned his upper half against the side of the bed, his arms and head resting just on the edge. It was there that the taller man noticed that Kurapika was just starting to wake up, the Kurta's body stretching amply in the morning light and causing a weird sensation in Leorio's lower half…
…Or maybe that was just his back acting up again.
"Kurapika? What happened last night?" The young doctor groaned out hoarsely, his throat feeling a little dry. Damn, maybe he shouldn't have drunk so much last night? He was sure that's where the splitting headache had come from…but why did one of his eyes feel weird, like it was swollen? Was the alcohol still in his system and making him feel weird or something? Just what had happened last night?
"Hmmmhm."
Kurapika stretched languorously in the big bed when he woke up. The sun was out again today, and was drenching the room in a warm, golden light. This was going to be a wonderful day. They would be able to go out again, and he would make sure they would head out to the beach, the Kurta thought.
When the bed dipped slightly to one side, Kurapika turned towards that direction and saw Leorio look over the side of the bed at him from the floor. No matter how justified he had felt last night, seeing the swollen, colorful black-eye the doctor sported right now was still making him feel kind of guilty. Maybe he shouldn't have been so forceful?
Leorio asked him then what had happened. Should he tell the other one the truth? It wasn't his fault that this had happened. It was the doctor's own perverted groping that had done it. Well, made him do it, really... Maybe telling Leorio would shock the doctor, and make the man believe that he really wasn't interested in the other at all, even though that was a blatant lie on Kurapika's part, of course. But at least, this way, Leorio would feel normal around him again. Kurapika hoped so anyway.
With that in mind, the young Kurta sat up, and looked down at the usually taller man in a pretty cool fashion.
"In your intoxicated state you confused me with some big boobed hussy. Since you wouldn't take 'no' for an answer, I had to use more persuasive arguments."
At the blush that flooded Leorio's cheeks the next second when the hung-over doctor realized the full implications of what he had just been told, Kurapika felt a perverse kind of satisfaction. He had had a hard time falling asleep in his aroused state, because there had been nothing the Kurta could have done about it with the doctor right next to him on the floor. No matter how knocked-out the other one had been, even the idea of touching himself had been a no go. Although the doctor's eye looked pretty bad, Kurapika's guilty feelings were dissipating fast at this memory. Really, what Leorio had done to him was less than fair, no matter how drunk he had been. He bestowed a withering glance upon the doctor down his nose, before he lifted it and turned away from the other man.
The young doctor saw his friend sit up in the bed then before he bestowed a cold glare his way. What Kurapika said next actually caused Leorio to stare at the other in disbelief as a massive blush engulfed his face. Just the very thought that he…he had groped Kurapika…
Before Leorio could think too much on his current line of thought, his blond friend in question sent him a withering glare, before turning away from him. The rookie emission user really had no idea what to think then. It looked like Kurapika was really angry with him again (seriously, how many times had that happened so far during their vacation?!) so…that meant…
…He had sexually assaulted his best friend in his sleep because he was too drunk to realize what he was doing.
"Holy shit…" Leorio whispered out in horror as this realization finally hit him. "I'm…I'm so sorry, Kurapika…I…didn't know what I was doing…"
Just as Leorio said this and started to wonder if he really had screwed up their friendship for good this time, his headache came back in full force, and his eye began to sting. Damn it, he would definitely have to take some painkillers today!
"Um…Kurapika? By 'more persuasive arguments'…what did you mean exactly…?" Leorio choked out then in slight apprehension. If he really had done what Kurapika stated he had done, then he could only imagine how angry his Kurta friend was last night. In his anger, what had he done to him? It was probably more than just pushing him out of the bed, right? His…His eye definitely hurt…
"Why don't you go check the mirror in the bathroom and see for yourself?" Kurapika answered coldly and dismissively as he sent another glare his way.
Fearing the Kurta's wrath more than what he'd find in the mirror, Leorio slinked away from Kurapika in shame and apprehension as he entered the bathroom. Needless to say, what the young doctor saw upon looking at himself in the mirror was both expected and unexpected. Sure enough, his eye was swollen, but not only that, the skin around it was completely black and blue, like he had been hit with a raging force…
…Leorio thought he was going to be sick.
"Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit…" Leorio mumbled pitifully to himself in repetition as he hung his head in his hands. He really had…sexually assaulted Kurapika last night. The black eye and the other's anger definitely proved that. He was definitely never going to drink again!
As he thought this, another thought came to mind. How…how was he going to face Kurapika again? Would his apologies actually be accepted by the other? He had just violated every friend-code on the planet last night after all…Hell, wouldn't he be considered a potential rapist or something?! Holy shit, holy shit, holy shitholyshitholyshit….
A certain kind of satisfaction was filling the Kurta when Leorio apologized for his behavior. As well he should! But the good feeling was swept away the next instant as the doctor insisted he hadn't known what he was doing. That argument was exactly why Leorio had ended up with his black eye in the first place. It hurt Kurapika like nothing else. If the other had been sober last night and still touched him like that, knowing full well what he was doing, Kurapika would have submitted only too willingly. It hurt to hear Leorio take the easy way out like this, to tell him he would never have touched him if he had been of sound mind.
Very slowly, the doctor finally seemed to put two and two together, and quickly asked how exactly he had made him stop. Kurapika hoped he managed to hide the pain he felt when he coldly told Leorio to check out his handiwork in the bathroom mirror.
Kind of like a beaten dog, the other slunk into the bathroom. When the door closed, Kurapika fell back into the pillow, turned around, and buried his face in it. Too many feelings were raging around his body. No matter how hard he tried to fight it, he was still very much in love with Leorio, but the other one would never return these feelings. Yeah, it was bad that the doctor had drunk so much as to lose control over himself as badly as he had last night, but he had paid a high price for that already. Kurapika had no right to make the other suffer any more just because of his hurt feelings. Leorio had no idea what he had really done to him, and he could never know.
The blond hunter turned around again and rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands. He sat up and called room service, asking for an icepack as a peace offering. A few minutes later, there was a knocking at the door. This seemed to make Leorio curious. Carefully, the tall man peeked out from the bathroom.
Kurapika walked over to the table, setting down the tray he had gotten from room service.
"Come here, Leorio, and sit down," he ordered, not leaving any room for refusal.
When the doctor had followed his command with tentative steps and anxiety written all over his face, the Kurta took hold of his chin and guided the head back and to the left.
"Close your eyes," he demanded as he kept his hold on the chin while he waited for Leorio to follow his new command, before he put the ice cold pack onto the black eye.
A startled scream elicited a small smile from Kurapika then.
"It might be a little late to stop the swelling, but it should help against the pain," he explained a little less coldly when Leorio's left eye opened to look up at him questioningly.
Cold water splashed against his face repeatedly then as Leorio washed his face. The temperature of the water was definitely helping in waking him up and calming him down at the same time, although it did sting his eye a bit. He really didn't know what to do concerning Kurapika, though, which he realized had been a common theme throughout their entire vacation. Leorio really was beginning to wonder if having the Kurta as a friend was worth all this hassle…
…And seeing how his heart had just twisted painfully at that last thought, he guessed that Kurapika probably was worth all the chaos…somehow…
Before the rookie hunter could think on his line of thought even more, he heard a knock on their room door. Ever curious, he tentatively poked his head out of the bathroom, hoping that it was Gon and Killua at the door, because, not only would they be a welcome distraction, but their presence would definitely ease the tension between him and Kurapika. For some reason, though, it appeared to be room service at the door. Was Kurapika dining in for breakfast?
The young doctor got his answer as soon as his blond friend closed the door and turned around, the little tray in his hands only containing what looked to be a packet of ice. What…?
Before Leorio's hung-over mind could fathom what was going on, Kurapika was demanding him to sit down. Automatically, the taller man felt very apprehensive and unsure of the situation, but he slowly and cautiously made his way over to the bed and sat down as he was instructed to do.
Just as he sat down, he felt Kurapika's fingers gently grab hold of his chin, the light touch sending equally light shivers down his spine that he…didn't understand…or…did he…?
Not understanding why he was suddenly feeling very doubtful of his actual lack of understanding at the moment concerning his Kurta friend, Leorio was in for a surprise when his head was moved back and to the left, and the ice pack was placed directly against his swollen, black eye.
Needless to say, he screamed like a baby from the pain. Holy shit, so much for his eye looking worse than what it felt!
Through the haze of pain then, Leorio heard Kurapika spout out some very common medical logic as he turned to look at the other questioningly with his good eye. Just why was Kurapika doing this?
"I…don't understand…" Leorio muttered slowly then as he placed one of his hands against the ice pack to steady it as Kurapika drew his away. "I mean, I understand the ice for the pain of course but…why did you get this for me, Kurapika? Don't you…don't you hate me?"
With the question out in the open then, Leorio felt his self-consciousness get the better of him. He quickly looked away from Kurapika then, his whole body riddled with shame.
"I…wouldn't be surprised if you hated me…because I…violated you…" The young doctor choked out then on shaking breath. "I…don't remember how drastic I was last night but…the thought that I hurt you in some way…that I probably made you feel frightened or insecure…frankly, I hate myself for losing control like that…I should have never tried to do something like that against your will… I'm so sorry…"
Leorio held onto the ice pack of his own accord then, and Kurapika took a step back from the other man. A very confused look was written all over the doctor's face as he asked why Kurapika was helping him out now. The next question, which was asked kind of fearfully, mellowed the Kurta irrevocably. Any anger he had felt vanished. Leorio was so remorseful that he wasn't even able to look at him anymore.
Kurapika was about to answer Leorio, but the doctor uttered his worst fears on shaky breath. On the one hand, seeing Leorio torn up like this over the fear that he might have hurt him, tugged at Kurapika's heartstrings. It sent a wave of warmth through the Kurta to know Leorio actually cared that much about him and his well-being. But, on the other hand, it amused the blond, too. He couldn't help but let a smile light up his face and let out a giggle of amusement. He ended up confusing the doctor even more, though, and, from the hurt look in his eyes, Kurpika knew he needed to explain or he would do some permanent damage to their already shaky relationship.
"You didn't violate me! At least not in the way you're obviously thinking. I stopped you way before anything like that could happen. You should know me better than to think I was frightened. Yes, you...groped me, and I told you to stop it, but when you didn't listen and kept going, I made short process. You lost control, you got your punishment, and you even apologized to me. Let's call it even and forget it ever happened, okay?"
Really, it wasn't Leorio's fault that his own feelings had run wild, and it was the best for the both of them to pretend it never happened. Their friendship was complicated enough as it was already. Still, there was one thing that was threatening this decision of his.
"Let's tell the boys you fell out of bed and hit the nightstand. They saw how drunk you were. I'm sure even Killua will believe it if we both stick to that story."
If his fellow blacklist hunter got even a whiff of what really happened, he would only feel fueled in his quest to bring the two of them together, which would never happen anyway and only complicate his relationship with Leorio even further. No, he would need to talk to Killua and tell him to stop his little games.
After his little confession, Leorio was afraid to hear Kurapika's reply. What if the other actually agreed with him? He didn't know what he'd do if his friend actually hated him after everything that had happened. When the doctor actually got the Kurta's response, though, it was in a completely unexpected way. Kurapika was…giggling…
Not expecting such a strange reaction to his heartfelt confession, Leorio regained his nerve, and actually looked at Kurapika again, his brown eyes shining with confusion and hurt. Just what was so funny about this situation?!
When Kurapika explained himself then, Leorio wasn't sure if he should feel relieved or not. It was obvious that Kurapika wasn't angry with him anymore, and that he wanted him to just forget everything that had happened because it wasn't as bad as he thought it was. It was hard for Leorio to forget, though. His conscience wouldn't let him be. He should have never tried to violate his friend to begin with.
Kurapika's voice broke through his thoughts again the next moment when he told him what they should tell the kids about his eye. In the end, the emission user agreed. It really was the best that the others never figured out what had transpired the night before.
"Yeah, I agree," Leorio sighed out in exhaustion then as he got up and went over to his suitcase to grab a bottle of pain killers. "The last thing we need is awkward questions. The story should be believable enough."
Just as the young doctor had placed his ice pack down so that he could open his bottle of painkillers, there was a knock on their door. Leorio watched on as Kurapika made his way over to answer it, the taller man's eyes falling onto his friend's backside for some reason as he walked. Averting his eyes away in surprise then, the young doctor quickly downed some pills before the Kurta answered the door and Gon's bright and a cheery voice answered back. Apparently the kids wanted to go to the beach, and they were going to catch a quick breakfast before then. They were asking if Kurapika and him wanted to come along.
Turning around to face his friends then, Leorio quickly agreed.
"Sure, that sounds like a good idea, right, Kurapika?" The young doctor tried to laugh out good-naturedly, although it was a bit hard under his circumstances, since he felt overly conscious of his swollen eye. It didn't help either that Gon was staring at him in utter shock and that Killua…well, actually, even though the teen looked surprise, his reaction was very subdued…in fact…Killua actually looked really tired…Was the other sick?
"Good morning," Gon piped up happily as he entered their friends' room, followed by Killua. "It's beautiful weather outside, so we wanted to grab a bite and head out to the beach. You want to join us?"
The beast hunter stopped in his tracks suddenly when Leorio turned around to face them. Wide-eyed, he looked at the taller man's face. His right eye was a really swollen and colorful mess.
"Waaaah! Leorio! What happened to your face?!" He shouted out in shock.
Kurapika rolled his eyes, looking a bit bored, and pointed his thumb over his shoulder at the doctor.
"Remember how drunk he was last night? He actually managed to fall out of bed and hit the corner of the nightstand as he went down. I guess that'll teach him to down two bottles of wine in one go," the Kurta explained coolly and ended with an indifferent shrug of his shoulders.
"Woah, that's some bad luck! Does it hurt badly? You should use some ice!"
Leorio held up his icepack to show that they had thought of that already.
"Maybe you two should go ahead of us and we'll join you in a moment for breakfast. I wanted to go to the beach today, as well. We only need a little more time to change."
"Okay! See you in a bit!"
Gon took Killua's hand then without thinking about it too much, and led the other one to the elevator to head down to the restaurant.
When Killua entered Kurapika's and Leorio's room, he never expected to see what he saw. Leorio had a very badly swollen eye. Even though the former assassin felt surprised, he analyzed the wound and the atmosphere surrounding his two older friends. Sure enough, he could pick out a slightly uncomfortable vibe again, but it was mainly coming from Leorio than anyone else. As for the validity of Kurapika's story for Leorio's bruised eye, Killua was sure it wasn't true. First of all, if someone wanted to hide something about an injury they got, their first excuse would be that they hit it on something or fell down the stairs. The next thing was that the degree of Leorio's black eye was quite high. It was very large for one, and that could only happen if the impact of the hit was really hard. Could Leorio actually cause such a powerful impact from falling off the bed when the nightstand was practically level with it? Killua quickly knew that wasn't the case. Maybe if Leorio was running around the room like a little kid on a sugar rush and he tripped and fell against the nightstand, but the level of bruising on his eye could not happen from having his body initially at rest and then falling onto a slightly lower area. Not only that, Leorio's bruise covered his entire eye. If he hit it against the nightstand, then, more than likely, only a part of his face would be bruised, and not the entire eye. That was due to the shape of the nightstand. A square object could not make a large, circular bruise in a large area on the face, especially if the impact was logically not that hard. So, in conclusion, Leorio's bruise was caused by another object; one with a more circular shape to it. Now what was in the room that was circular and could hit Leorio's eye with enough force to cause a large, swollen bruise?
Killua glanced around quickly then, completely ignoring his friends, and taking note of whatever could have caused the damage. He was only able to come up with one feasible option: a fist.
Just as the silver-haired teen came up with this solution, he was brought out of his thoughts by the feeling of Gon's hand in his. Killua blinked in confusion then as he was dragged out of Kurapika's and Leorio's room and down the hall. Why was Gon holding his hand? He had no idea, but Killua knew for a fact that his heart-rate was quickening and he really liked the feeling…
As if snapping out of a trance, the young transmuter dug his heels into the ground in order to make Gon stop, and he tore his hand away from the other's as soon as he felt the beast hunter's grip slack from the surprise. He couldn't afford this. If he just let Gon touch him whenever the hell he wanted, he would never be able to get over his feelings for the other!
"Don't do that!" Killua scolded then as he averted his gaze and quickly marched ahead of Gon towards the elevator. Immediately after he shouted, though, he felt bad for doing it. As Gon entered the elevator after him, he could tell that his scolding had made his friend feel bad. Shit! Why was he always doing this?!
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you," Killua apologized then before Gon could start his apologies. "I guess I'm just a little jumpy right now…"
The silver-haired teen left it at that, though, and let Gon say his apologies, even though they weren't needed. No, Killua was the only one that was causing problems. If he only had a handle on his feelings, he wouldn't end up hurting or confusing Gon, along with himself. This made his situation all the more paramount, though. He needed to find a way to get over the other and just be his friend without feeling awkward.
The air between him and Gon was relatively silent after that as they exited the elevator a few minutes later and waited for Leorio and Kurapika in the lobby. When the older hunters finally joined them, Killua had to refrain from rolling his eyes at Leorio's choice in clothing. His knee-length swim shorts were a nice, ocean blue color, but the shirt he chose to wear with them was just obnoxious. Who seriously wore a dark blue buttoned up shirt with large, orange and red hibiscus flowers covering it? The look worked for Leorio, obviously, but it was so…old man-like…Was this guy seriously in his mid-twenties?
When they met up with Gon and Killua down in the lobby, the two boys were very subdued. For Kurapika's fellow blacklist hunter, this might be more expected, but there was a sad look to Gon's face that was very unusual, and it really didn't fit with his bright and happy nature. Something seemed to be going on with his younger friends and that something wasn't good.
Still, when they went into the dining hall, the abundance of food seemed to lift everyone's spirits a bit. Killua loaded his plate with each and everything that was sugarcoated and sweet. For once, Gon did not try to slow his partner down or try to be the voice of reason, but rather followed suit, indulging in a sweet breakfast that made Kurapika's teeth ache just by looking at it.
The Kurta decided on a morning meal that was in stark contrast to the boys'. He chose different pieces of smoked fish, a bowl of cereal, and some fresh fruit. For once, Leorio picked the smoked fish, too, and some mixed pickles, bread, and a big cup of hot, strong coffee rounded up his hangover breakfast.
After their meal, Gon and Kurapika returned to their respective rooms to get towels for the beach. A few moments later, the four of them were on their way. Their hotel owned a private strip with sun loungers and a beach bar. They chose four of the loungers that were free. While the boys instantly tore off their shirts and ran for the ocean, Kurapika decided to lay down first and put on some suntan lotion.
"Do you want some, too?" the blond asked his companion. Leorio had stayed back with him for the moment. "I need to be a bit careful of the sun."
With his blond hair and fair skin, Kurapika easily got sunburn if he didn't take precautions. His taller friend declined the offer, claiming that his complexion didn't call for special care like that. Kurapika should have suspected as much. He shrugged his shoulders and rubbed some lotion onto his exposed lower legs.
When he looked out at the ocean, Killua and Gon were splashing water at each other. Whatever had been wrong between them seemed to be forgotten for the moment in face of the fun the ocean offered them. Kurapika smiled at first and laughed when Killua ducked Gon's head under the waves, only for the beast hunter to reappear and spurt water like a fountain gargoyle back at the other.
"That looks like fun. You're going to join, too?" Kurapika asked Leorio as he slipped off his yellow shirt.
Squirting some more lotion into his hand, he rubbed it across his chest and reached for his back as best he could. Asking Leorio to help him and have him rub lotion onto his body would be a very, very bad idea, so he refrained from it.
After Killua had shouted at him for walking with him hand in hand, Gon felt very insecure around his friend. For some reason, he really didn't understand why Killua didn't want to be touched by him anymore. Not at all. This was very difficult for the beast hunter. For one, he was used to being at ease around Killua and being able to touch him in many different ways. They had often held hands while they walked around. Why that was suddenly something bad, he had no idea. When he thought of their bath two days ago, though, Killua had said they were getting too old to bathe together, but Gon didn't feel the same way. He was used to it, and he liked it. But maybe Killua felt they were getting too old to hold hands, too?
After Leorio and Kurapika met up with them down in the lobby, the four of them traveled over to the buffet to eat breakfast. Killua chose lots of sweets, and Gon decided to refrain from admonishing the other. He didn't want to cause an even bigger rift between them. Instead, he chose the same things Killua did, hoping the other might see it as a sign of solidarity.
Gon didn't know whether it was the meal or something else, but once they reached the beach and the glittering, turquoise water called out to them, Killua's spirits seemed to lift. It was like the water called out to both of them, and its siren song drowned out the whispering and troubled voices in their heads.
"Race you!" Gon shouted out as he tore off his top and ran for the water.
"You're never going to win!" Killua shouted back in excitement.
Just like Killua promised, the two of them reached the water's edge at the same time. Hearing the other one squeal as the cool water hit his heated skin, made Gon feel incredibly happy. He was glad that his best friend had finally returned to normal. Moments later, they were laughing and splashing water at each other's faces and trying to duck each other under. At least in this way, touching seemed to still be allowed. Still, all he wanted to do was wrap his arms around Killua's laughing and carefree body, and hug him tight as they splashed at each other.
Needless to say, the time that it took Kurapika and him to get ready didn't take too long. The atmosphere was still a bit awkward between them after all, and Leorio personally couldn't wait to have the kids in their midst in hopes of alleviating that.
Once the four of them were together down in the lobby a few minutes later, breakfast was a rather short affair as well. Leorio grabbed some 'heavy' food and some strong coffee for his hangover (thankfully, the pills he took for his headache were starting to kick in as well), Kurapika grabbed some healthier food, and the kids…well…they grabbed the sweetest and most un-nutritional food Leorio had ever seen. He really wanted to comment on it, but seeing as Killua looked so out of it at the moment, the young doctor didn't bother. It was bad enough that his relationship with Kurapika was awkward, so he didn't need to aggravate Killua as well.
Once breakfast was done, and Gon and Kurapika had grabbed some beach towels for them to use, they all headed towards the hotel's private stretch of beach. The four of them walked past the large sea-shell structures in favor of borrowing the hotel-owned lounge chairs scattered along the sand. After picking four and laying their respective towels down, Gon and Killua were quick to shed their sandals and shirts and raced to the water. Leorio was thankful that the former assassin seemed to be in higher spirits then.
Not sure if he wanted to join the boys yet or not, Leorio just stood by Kurapika as he witnessed the other start to rub suntan lotion on his legs. For some reason, the sight actually caused a weird twinge in his abdominal area. Maybe he had eaten too much breakfast? Deciding to go with that train of thought, Leorio was brought back to reality as Kurapika asked him if he needed some lotion himself.
"Um…No, actually, I'm fine," the emission user almost stuttered out because of his previous distraction. "I grew up exposed to the sun all of my life, and I've never gotten sunburn. So my skin isn't in special need of it."
Kurapika accepted this fact easily as he started rubbing the lotion on his arms then. The Kurta's skin was so fair, Leorio wasn't surprised that the other needed some sort of blocker from the sun. It didn't help that Kurapika's eyes could turn red, either. Red eyes were a natural sign of albinism, along with fair skin. Huh…now that he thought about it, if the Kurta people were practically albinos, then that explained why they always wore pants and long-sleeved garments…
Feeling stupid for not realizing this bit of information before, Leorio wasn't prepared for what he saw next. As Kurapika asked him if he was going to join the kids in the ocean, he slipped off his yellow shirt to leave him in his light blue, knee length swim trunks that were decorated with realistic blue whalephins. Leorio unconsciously gawked at the sight as Kurapika paid him no mind and continued to lather himself up with lotion. The young doctor could feel his core body temperature rise, and fervently told himself that it was only happening because he was standing in the sun.
"U-Um…" Leorio stuttered out in answer then, realizing that his throat had gone dry for some reason. "…Maybe in a little bit?" Just as he said this, he noticed how Kurapika was trying in vain to get lotion completely on his back. Should he…help the other? "D-Do you need help with that, Kurapika?" The taller man asked tentatively then, unsure if he should be asking or not. After all, he wouldn't be surprised if Kurapika refused his offer after what happened last night.
Unsurprisingly, Kurapika seemed very unsure about the idea, and maybe a little resistant. Leorio didn't know why he felt hurt by the other's refusal, but, at the same time, he also didn't understand why he felt like he needed to help the other either. Maybe it was his doctor intuition getting in the way? After all, he didn't like the idea of Kurapika getting sunburned…
"W-Well, if I don't help you, you'll probably get sunburn on your back or something," Leorio quickly admonished, although he felt a little flustered in doing so. "Not only that, but with someone with fair skin, you're at a higher chance of getting skin cancer from UV rays if you don't wear adequate protection!"
His stubbornness not allowing 'no' for an answer then, Leorio sat down on the neighboring lounge chair and quickly grabbed the suntan lotion out of his blond friend's hands.
"Alright, turn onto your stomach. I'll make this quick and painless," he ordered then.
After Kurapika hesitantly lay down on his stomach, his head buried into the chair and resting against his arms, Leorio squirted a copious amount of the suntan lotion into his hand and got to work. He spread the lotion across the contours of the blond's shoulder blades and down until he reached the hem of his swim trunks. From there, the doctor started working the lotion into the other's skin, the sensation causing weird vibrations throughout the taller man's body. He felt so utterly aware of Kurapika then; the softness of the other's skin, the smooth texture of the lotion as he melded it into the other's body, the slight twitches from nervousness or anxiety that Kurapika was giving off with each touch…
"Your muscles are very stiff," Leorio commented softly then, gently, as he started massaging Kurapika's shoulders after he was done rubbing the lotion in, concern evident in his voice. "Have they been this way for a while? I wouldn't be surprised with all the stress you go through on a daily basis. I recommend that you try and get a massage between your missions or else you're going to suffer from constant joint pain and migraines…"
It was so much easier to ramble off medical treatments then trying to understand what he was feeling then, which is probably why Leorio started listing off some helpful tips for relaxation like an idiot instead of acknowledging how warm Kurapika's skin was and how he was…getting some weird visuals inside of his head. Warm skin, blond hair, skin on skin, a small, mysterious figure drawing lower and lower…Whoa! Holy shit! Holy shit!
Leorio stood up abruptly then as some weird memories began to form in his mind; memories about the night before. He had no idea if he really wanted to face those memories or not (or even acknowledge them) at the moment, so he just laughed out a nervous, "U-Um, you're good now, Kurapika, so I'm going to go into the water." And, with that, Leorio practically tore off his buttoned-up shirt and powerwalked his way to the ocean in hopes of forgetting what he had just mentally seen.
As soon as the four of them went to go and get breakfast, Killua made sure to grab as many sweet things as he could get his hands on. He wasn't all that surprised when Gon didn't chastise him for it, since he was being unnaturally silent to begin with, but he was surprised at the fact that his best friend had gotten the same types of food that he did. It wasn't like Gon to eat so many sweets…
Feeling worried that he really had hurt Gon's feelings again after the little incident in the hallway, Killua gave himself a little, mental pep-talk throughout breakfast so that, when they were ready to hit the beach, he'd be able to interact with Gon normally. He really couldn't afford to lose his friendship with the other because of his own insecurities at the moment.
Thankfully, his little pep-talk had seemed to work, because, as soon as they were settled down at the beach, Gon was challenging him to a race to the ocean. Smiling competitively back, Killua threw off his tank top and chased after Gon, telling him that he wouldn't beat him. With their race ending in a tie, the two of them began playing in the water like they were twelve again. Killua tried harder than ever to not think about Gon touching him as they tackled each other in the water and rough-housed like unruly little boys, and, instead, told himself that it was only friendly play and nothing more. This selective thinking also, thankfully, worked out for the former assassin as he played along with his friend. Killua was so distracted by Gon, though, that he hadn't noticed Leorio's predicament until the older man was in the water and swimming up to them. He looked…really flustered.
"What happened to you?" The silver-haired teen asked the young doctor then as he elbowed Gon in the stomach at the same time, because the beast hunter had jumped him from behind.
"Uh…hit my face on the nightstand?" The taller man answered stupidly in turn.
"No! Not your eye, you idiot! I mean…" Killua shouted out angrily until he looked back onto the beach and saw a very embarrassed and frazzled Kurapika sitting in one of the lounge chairs they had procured. Ah…something had happened again…and Leorio was really starting to doubt what he was feeling probably.
"W-Why are you looking at Kurapika…?" Leorio asked hesitantly then…almost fearfully. Ohhh, he was sooo right, wasn't he? It seemed like his matchmaking plans were really starting to take effect now.
"Oh, nothing in particular…" The silver-haired teen responded with a sly smile as he glanced Gon's way. "Hey, Gon, it doesn't feel right for the three of us to be out here and for Kurapika to be by himself. How about you go and ask him to join us? Maybe borrow a beach ball or something, too, if the hotel has any?"
Kurapika's attempts at rubbing the lotion discreetly onto his own back were neither going as smoothly as he had hoped (no matter how flexible he was) nor did they go unnoticed by the good doctor. Of course, Leorio asked if he needed help then, and even though that was actually pretty obviously the case, Kurapika felt inclined to deny nonetheless.
"U-uhm, no, I do this by myself all the time...but thanks."
Kurapika strained to reach a higher spot then, to show it really was working somehow, but of course the good doctor would have none of this. He used the Kurta's own fair skin against him, told him he might end up with skin cancer if the sun screen didn't cover every centimeter of his body, and, the next thing he knew, Leorio had sat down on the lounger next to him and took the bottle right out of his hand.
A furious blush started even before the taller man had touched his body. Leorio's demand that he should lie down on his stomach only made things worse in some regards as Kurapika's internal fantasy began to run wild then. Quickly, he followed the command but hid his treacherous face between his arms and the chair, and made sure to keep his legs as tightly closed as possible.
Why, oh why was he reacting so intensely to everything the other man did? Memories of the night before haunted him then, as Leorio's hands spread the lotion onto his skin. Even though the nature of the touch was completely different in purpose from last night, it was no less determined, and once Leorio's hands went lower, close to his waistband, Kurapika couldn't help the fantasies that overcame him; of how the other would pull down his trunks and use some lotion with a very different purpose from the current one.
Damn! Damn! Damn! Kurapika was trying his best to fight a hard-on as Leorio's smooth, low voice uttered concern about his stiff back. How could practically every part of him be anything but stiff right now?!
"I-I d-don't think so...but I will...p-pay more attention to it," he stuttered out in answer.
As long, subtle, dexterous fingers worked on his stiff shoulders, Leorio rambled on about relaxation, but neither his handiwork nor his voice (that could hold a funeral service and still sound damn sexy to Kurapika) had any chance of relaxing the Kurta right now. Much to the contrary, shivers ran down his spine, and all too soon, lying on his stomach became pure torture.
When the other's hands suddenly left him, and Leorio declared he was done and heading into the water, Kurapika didn't know whether to groan from the loss or cry in relief. He could feel the doctor's presence recede momentarily, and only turned around very carefully when he was sure the other was far enough away.
The Kurta was very thankful for the baggy style of his swim trunks, but the evidence of his reaction to Leorio's touch was still obvious enough if anyone cared to scrutinize. He needed a moment to calm down, because once his swim trunks would get wet, they would cling to every contour of his body, and he definitely couldn't have that at the moment!
Of course, he wasn't offered any respite it seemed, because a moment later, Gon was approaching him.
"Kurapika! You need to come join us! The water is just perfect and we wanna play a game! I'll try asking if they got a beach ball."
It was really hard to deny Gon anything when he was enthusiastic like that. Well, if he kept the water at midriff height, he'd be safe, right? Maybe by the time his younger friend got the ball his body would have calmed down by itself?
"Y-yes, I was just about to join you guys anyway," Kurapika half lied and got up.
He tried to walk as inconspicuously as he could as he followed Gon to the beach bar to ask the bartender for a beach ball. To his misfortune, it was a matter of seconds before the enhancer was given the ball and they were on their way out to the other two.
Gon held up the ball high to show it off to Killua and Leorio still in the water. Once they walked into the ocean, Kurapika made sure to submerge himself fully as soon as the water level reached the hem of his shorts. The water was cool compared to the air, and the drop in temperature did help a little with his problem. Now all he needed was the distraction from the game and soon his erection would calm down on its own, at least that was what he hoped for.
"I've got it!" Gon shouted out triumphantly to Killua once they had all joined up, even though it had already been obvious from the way he had showed it off before.
Kurapika acknowledged the silver-haired transmuter as he arrived, but avoided looking at Leorio. Even one look at the wet and naked chest of the doctor was sure to cause only more problems at the moment.
"What kind of game did you guys have in mind?" Kurapika asked then.
"…Just what the heck are you planning…?" Killua heard Leorio growl out suspiciously then, which only made the silver-haired teen's smirk grow all the more. Oh this was definitely going to be fun. Judging by the way Kurapika was walking with Gon then, it was obvious that the Kurta was trying to hide something below the belt.
"I told you, nothing," the former assassin scoffed in a teasing fashion in order to get his taller friend even more aggravated with him. His next plan revolved fully on the fact of Leorio becoming competitive.
"Like hell it's nothing! I'm not stupid, you know!" Leorio shouted back angrily and looking completely on edge. Hopefully the riled up doctor would forget his worries once Killua enacted his plan.
"Oh, just chill, Old Man," the transmuter admonished as he watched Gon and Kurapika walk into the ocean; Kurapika diving in immediately, which only affirmed Killua's earlier suspicions, and Gon wading through the waves while waving the beach ball in the air like an overexcited idiot. Killua tried not to think of the action as cute.
"Thanks for the ball, Gon," Killua said gratefully as he took the ball from his friend's hands once he and Kurapika reached them. It was at this time that he heard the Kurta ask what game they were going to play.
"Oh, nothing too difficult," the youngest blacklist hunter explained with an air of innocence before he threw the ball with all of his might directly into Leorio's face. A cry of surprise left the doctor as the light ball smacked him and ricocheted back to Killua's hands. "I like to think of this game as a mixture of dodge ball and keep away," the silver-haired teen continued with a cat like smirk before he took the ball in his hands and chucked it at Gon's unsuspecting head next.
Like before, Gon let out a cry of surprise as the ball flew back into Killua's hands but, this time, the former assassin started running away as best as he could through the water. It was difficult to do, since he was waist deep in it, but it wasn't his objective to keep the ball anyway…
"You little brat!" Leorio shouted out in rage as Killua heard the taller man chase after him through the water. He heard Gon shout out a slightly irritable battle cry, too, before chasing after him as well. Gon never liked to be taken advantage of like that, since he thought moments like that unfair, but Killua didn't particularly care at the moment. All he had to do was make sure Kurapika joined the game and that Leorio got the ball eventually. Once the doctor got hold of the ball, no one would practically be able to get it away from him since he was taller than everyone else, and he was 'physically' the strongest without Nen.
Lost in his thoughts, Killua let out a cry of surprise as he felt a taller body tackle him into the water, which caused him to loosen his hold on the ball. The ball left his hands underwater and popped up a small distance away. Killua came back up for air at the next second with his attacker still holding onto him.
"Dang! You don't have the ball!" He heard Gon's voice cry out in dismay next to his ears, which unconsciously made Killua blush. Gon had basically tackled him underwater and frisked him for the ball…his back was against the other's muscled chest…
Killua was thankfully brought out of his wondering thoughts upon Leorio's cry of victory. The young doctor was currently a ways away from him and holding up the beach ball triumphantly in one of his hands.
"Looks like I got it now!" The older man proclaimed as he wound his hand up and threw the ball directly into Killua's face.
"Ouch!" The former assassin cried out more in surprise than actual pain before he heard another cry behind him. It seemed like Leorio went for a quick double whammy, since Gon was still holding onto him.
With a triumphant laugh then, Leorio rushed past them with the ball in his hands and started heading back towards Kurapika, who looked like he was very wary of joining in the game. Killua took note of this as Gon and him chased after Leorio. The both of them quickly found out, though, that, since the older man had longer legs, he was able to rush through the water way faster than they ever could. Dang it, in order to catch up, they'd actually have to swim!
"What the heck are you doing, Kurapika? Too chicken to play?" Leorio called out in good spirits then. Killua could only suspect that the doctor wasn't as angry after getting the ball and attacking him out of revenge.
Kurapika quickly stated that he wasn't afraid as Killua and Gon closed in on Leorio and started double teaming for the ball; the two of them practically climbing up the taller man's body to get to it. Killua watched on then as the doctor did the only thing he could do in that circumstance; toss the ball to Kurapika.
"Dang it!" He heard Gon shout out grumpily then as Kurapika caught the ball and then took in the fact that all of his friends were basically standing before him close together. With a wicked smirk, the Kurta threw his ball…directly into Killua's face.
"Hey!" The silver-haired teen called out indignantly as he fell butt-first into the water. Kurapika caught the ball again and threw it at Gon then, who had decided to let go of Leorio to charge him. The shock was too much for Gon, who got hit in the face and went underwater. Killua saw Kurapika laugh good-naturedly as he picked up the ball again and chugged it at Leorio next.
To Killua's and Kurapika's amazement, the doctor barely caught the slippery ball before it made contact with his chest.
"…Well that sucks for you," Leorio teased out before he chucked the ball and hit Kurapika squarely in the face, the impact causing the blond to go under water like Gon.
Leorio just laughed hysterically, and Killua joined in as well as both Gon and Kurapika rose out of the water, looking more than frustrated at the turn of events.
"Hahaha, you guys are kind of bad at this game. I've hit the most people so far!" Leorio teased then before he stuck his tongue out and started running away, an enraged Gon and Kurapika chasing after him.
Killua saw his chance then.
Letting Kurapika pass him (the Kurta too focused on Leorio and the game to notice that he wasn't giving chase), he quickly grabbed onto Gon, who ran past him next. The taller teen squirmed in his arms, though, his eyes solely focused on the beach ball in Leorio's hands.
"Calm down, Gon, I have a plan," Killua whispered cunningly into beast hunter's ear, which, surprisingly, made the taller teen calm down quicker than Killua had expected. "I just need you to push Kurapika into Leorio when I say so, okay? That will leave the both of them distracted enough so that you can get the ball."
Killua assumed that Gon had figured out that his motives weren't really on the game at all, but on getting Leorio and Kurapika into another awkward situation by the understanding look the enhancer gave him then. Smiling mischievously in return, Killua just nodded his head and he and Gon swam off after their two oldest friends. It seemed that, in the time that they had stopped to talk, Leorio had hit Kurapika with the ball a few more times, and the Kurta was chasing after the other in vain, trying to get the ball out of his hold.
"Get close to Kurapika and pretend to try and get the ball from Leorio, alright? I'll take care of the rest," Killua ordered Gon then before he separated from his friend and dove under water. He didn't particularly like what he was just about to subject himself to, but with quick timing, it probably wouldn't scar him too much.
Leaving everything to Gon then, Killua opened his eyes under water and swam towards Leorio, the transmuter's eyes falling directly onto the young doctor's swim shorts. With quick reflexes he could only get from his assassin training, Killua reached his hands out, closed his eyes, and pulled Leorio's swim trunks off before swimming away with them. He surfaced a meter or two away then.
"Now, Gon!" He shouted out as he turned to watch the scene unfold before him. Like he had predicted in his mind, Leorio had stopped dead in his tracks upon feeling his trunks being stolen, which had caused Kurapika to unconsciously close in to get the ball (which was held high above the doctor's head). After Killua had called out, this signaled Gon to give Kurapika an extra push towards the doctor, which caused the Kurta to smack his chest (and undoubtedly lower body) into Leorio's. There was a collective gasp from his two oldest friends then as Leorio unconsciously let go of the ball so that his hands could grab onto Kurapika as the smaller teen made contact with him. With the ball now out of his hands, Gon quickly scooped it up and cried out in triumph.
Killua, for once, wasn't interested in Gon, though; he was more than interested in Leorio and Kurapika's reactions. The two of them seemed to be stiff from shock as they stared into each other's eyes, and they had giant blushes covering their faces. Since Leorio was naked now, and Kurapika might still have his little problem below the belt, Killua was certain that the two of them would figure out their feelings from such close contact. There was no way this could not work!
When the game began, Kurapika was still wrapped up in trying to calm his little problem. Still, he looked up in concern as Leorio caught the ball straight in the face. The doctor shouted out in surprise and most likely pain, since his face was sore anyway. Judging by his facial expression, it was obvious that he was more furious than in pain though, which was a relief to the blond. But once Kurapika dropped his gaze to look away again, he discovered something unexpected.
It had been a long time since Kurapika had seen Leorio shirtless. Something had changed since then. His chest was still well defined, maybe the muscles even were a little bit more pronounced than before, but the major change was that it wasn't silky smooth anymore. A fine, dark shadow spread between his nipples. When he felt a new blush coming on, Kurapika understood that he was staring at Leorio's chest hair in fascination, and embarrassedly tore his gaze away.
He was lucky the others were already caught up in the game and didn't seem to have noticed his odd behavior. The Kurta chastised himself for it. Not only was his behavior inappropriate, but it actually worsened his state below the waistline once more!
Furiously, he tried to think of things that were the opposite of the excitement he felt, but whenever he tried to come up with boring stuff, all he could think about was how he wanted to touch the hair on Leorio's chest, feel it against his skin. Was it coarse? Would it scratch like beard stubble? Or was it soft and would tickle him?
Damn! Kurapika shook his head and tried to clear it. He was just contemplating about ducking under in hopes the water might cool his heated head when Leorio suddenly rushed over and called him a chicken.
"I most certainly am not!" The Kurta fired back.
He decided to join the game wholeheartedly then, and hoped the distraction would finally help take care of his current problem, which was still trying to occupy his thoughts, especially with Gon and Killua trying to climb up Leorio's fine body with fascinating chest hair... DAMN!
In that next moment, the ball flew at him, and Kurapika took hold of it. Baffled, he looked at the round object in his hands before he looked up again and found his three friends standing perfectly lined up for him. Oh! This was a nice way to vent his sexual frustrations! With a wicked smirk lighting up his face, he threw the ball right into Killua's face and caught it again easily when it rebounded. Oh yeah, that felt very good!
Next up was Gon, who chose the worst moment to let go of Leorio and come after him, because the ball totally made him lose balance then, and he went under. The sight made the Kurta laugh out, yet his reflexes were still fast enough to take hold of the ball once more. One target remained. The one that was the most guilty of his current situation, and at the same time, the most innocent. Still, the game allowed for retaliation, and that was what Kurapika had in mind, but when he aimed at the other's body and threw, Leorio caught the ball easily.
A second later, the ball impacted his own face, making Kurapika go under. Now that wasn't how things were supposed to go, now was it?! The conjurer came up again, glaring at Leorio's gloating face. The doctor even had the audacity to stick out his tongue at him. This was definitely too much. That man needed a lesson!
As fast as the waist deep water allowed, Kurapika chased after the doctor, leaving Gon behind him, and even passing by Killua. No one would get in the way of his revenge! The Kurta almost had caught up to Leorio when 'wham' he got the ball square in his face. This time, though, he managed to stay upright, but when he got hit a second time, he went under again.
"Aah! I'll get you!" Kurapika shouted out enraged when he came up again, only to be hit a third time.
It really wasn't fair that Leorio was so much taller than the rest of them! The doctor was only too well aware of said advantage, and teased him by moving the ball down and up again out of reach. Suddenly, though, for some reason the teasing stopped, and the ball remained in one place. It was high up, but with a little spurt and a Nen burst, Kurapika knew he would be able to jump high enough. He was just closing in on Leorio when, suddenly, Gon slammed into him. The force of the impact drove him right into the innate doctor.
Kurapika gasped out as his still hard flesh was pressed into Leorio's thigh. At the same time, he was only too well aware of the impressive bulge of the other's crotch against his stomach. This awareness was only heightened when the doctor's arms wrapped around him, holding him tight, presumably so the two of them wouldn't fall over.
A thousand thoughts and feelings seemed to try to overwhelm the Kurta then. He felt a lot more skin from Leorio than he should, considering the other man had worn swim trunks, but there was still some slick fabric covering the bulge that occupied his thoughts the most. He was flushed crimson, because of his own hard bulge being presented all too obviously to his friend. His face had come into contact with the chest hair he had been wondering about also, and it was soft and it tickled in a way he was most certain to never forget. Wide-eyed and shocked stiff, he looked up into chocolate-brown eyes that held the same look.
To say that Leorio was having fun with the game was an understatement. Okay, sure, he was really annoyed with the game at first since he wanted to get revenge on Killua for hitting him in the face, but once he got the ball and his revenge, there really was no stopping him. His body type was just absolutely perfect for the game! He was so much taller than everybody else, and that was all the advantage he needed to best his friends. It was a really nice feeling to be better than the others at something for once when, usually, he could hardly measure up.
Needless to say, Leorio definitely had his fun, and he even enjoyed teasing Kurapika, who was the smallest out of their whole group. Kurapika was just so cute when he—He did not just think that!
Before Leorio could effectively distract himself from his thoughts, though, someone else decided to help him out…by removing his swim trunks.
The young doctor stiffened at the feeling as he started looking around for who had done it, but, before he could, something even more distracting happened. Kurapika rammed directly into him.
Completely startled and a little overwhelmed by then, Leorio automatically let go of the ball in favor of catching and steadying Kurapika before they'd both fall over into the ocean. At the feeling of the other's warm, bare skin pressed flush against his chest, the taller man stared down at the other breathlessly. Kurapika's brown eyes stared up into his then, surprise and slight embarrassment dancing behind the other's orbs as the cutest blush practically encompassed his whole face…
It was then that Leorio realized what he had just thought, and it was then that he also noticed the hard bulge he felt against his thigh. An overwhelming blush that mirrored Kurapika's soon spread across Leorio's face as he realized what was going on. His best friend was flush against his practically naked body and the other was…hard…