Maybe the only way to really end the countless bouts of embarrassment was to just come out with it already? That was certainly a thought running through his mind. But at the same time, Killua really wasn't that bold of a person. It was why he had to resort to little lies and sneaky tactics in order to get his fix. To be blunt about things, he felt his own actions were getting slightly weirder as the days went by.

He was taking his best friends worn clothes every now and then just to touch them and get a whiff of his scent. To do this, his only chance was to wait until late at night after everyone else had called it a day.

He would lay awake at night just staring…staring at his best friend sleeping. Thinking of touching him, just a little, but never actually doing it.

It may have been his imagination, but he could have sworn Bisky was looking at him a little differently. Gon didn't seem to notice any changes, which he was more than grateful for. As for Palm? Well, she was just…being Palm he guessed. Aside from making meals every now and then, they hardly ever saw the woman. She disappeared around her own house and had a terrible habit of popping up without anyone noticing.

She'd popped up, like some sort of unnatural ghost lady, when they were training their Ren. Spouting her little two cents of doubt about their ability to do it in the month they had before them.

Only a week had gone by and they were a bit closer to holding their Ren for two hours at best. Unfortunately, they still hadn't been able to figure out who Shoot was. It was a little frustrating; Killua had taken it upon himself to do searches on his own, on the Hunter website, blogs, anything…and couldn't find any information. Perhaps the man prepared before this whole thing started and purposely removed any information about himself? No…I'm sure they couldn't have been given that much of an advantage. Maybe information on him was just more classified since he was Morel's student and Morel himself had very close ties to the chairman? Still, he should have been able to find something! The goal was seemingly so simple; defeat Knuckle and Shoot and take the tokens.

A hand touched his shoulder and he jumped, turning with wide eyes to see who was interrupting his thoughts.

"I came up with an idea!"

He turned his head quickly, looking down to avert his eyes from Gon's, "What's that?" He's touching my shoulder…his hand feels nice…

"Why don't we try going back to the big bulletin board? They go to check that don't they?"

Killua raised his head, "We can try. But I'm not sure why they would check it a week after Netero's little game started."

"I thought about that," he tightened his grip on Killua's shoulder ever so slightly, "Maybe there's another message for us? You said before we can find out things about people from little things, so I thought maybe if one of them stuck by the bulletin board, we could scout the area and look for anyone suspicious. Since you saw Knuckle, Shoot would be more likely to be there. But I guess it's a long shot since they might be talking to each other, even though they don't know who we are yet."

Please stop touching me Gon…I might just…

Gon was in front of him, having both hands on either of the paler boy's shoulders, "It's worth a try isn't it?"

WHY!? Why is he doing this!? What's with him being so touchy all of the sudden!? Both of his hands are on my shoulders and he's so freaking close. This is torture...torture that even my family didn't prepare me for...

Gon was a little confused when his best friend retreated at an amazing speed and was standing in the doorway, not looking in his direction.

"It's worth a try Gon…"

"Okay!"

He couldn't bear to look back at the grin probably plastered on the enhancer's face.

"Hey Killua…?"

"Oh sorry, I gotta go to the bathroom", and with that, he walked out with his hands in his pockets.

Closing the bathroom door behind him and locking it, he leaned back on it and slowly sunk to the floor. He pulled his knees to his chest and hugged his legs, burying his face. This had to be the most unfair thing in the entire world. WHY ME!?

Gon usually did respect his personal space. For most of the time they spent together over the years, Gon seemed to take the hint that he wasn't a big fan of physical contact. Of course, this was just the byproduct of being tortured so many times. Words had a much heavier impact on his impressionable heart. Yeah sure, maybe they'd touch when rough housing. Just playing the childish role of being…well, children, after they'd met. Though physical contact between them diminished while participating in Heaven's Arena. Probably because both of them were getting used to the fact that the most physical contact they had with others was in the form of pain.

And was it just him? Or did Gon seem a little masochistic?

Like a faithful puppy always coming back for more, excitement in his eyes, Gon would just trudge right back into the line of fire like it was nothing.

He snickered a little at the thought of puppy Gon.

Okay…focus! On what exactly!? The fact that Gon was brazen enough to just…touch me like that? The hell was with that!?

Now, after spending so much time not experiencing physical contact, that little moment was really coming out of the left field.

There were footsteps approaching and he could feel the ghastly aura of Palm. She seemed to just be wandering or something. He hoped she wasn't coming to the bathroom.

Rather, she walked by muttering to herself.

Killua was just a little curious and decided to eavesdrop from the other side of the door where she stopped.

Palm's hands were fists, "Notice me…!"

And with that, she kept walking.

Killua was frozen in place and didn't know whether to laugh or not. Was she referring to her sensei? She shamelessly admitted to being in love with that guy in front of them before. Either way, he had a hand over his mouth to stop any noise from slipping out.

If Gon noticed me…

He shivered at the thought. If Gon could look at him with even half the passion he did when diving into danger…or even a third of it. Hell, one tenth. If Gon would just look at him, really look at him for more than just the minutes when they would converse casually.

That's right…

He did look at me, just now anyway…

Those hazel eyes were deliberately focused on him for that moment when his hands were on his bare shoulders.

Killua blinked and realized his shoulders felt a little warmer, yet the little proof of contact was slowly going away. He took his hand from his mouth, touching his shoulder as if it were delicate glass. Unfortunately, all this thinking just got him excited all over again. It was only natural that he'd crave another release. This time he couldn't use the shower, rather, he eyed the box of nose tissues sitting on the little shelf next to the sink.

With Gon at his side, they just glared at the vast bulletin board for a moment before looking around at the people. No one seemed too focused on it no matter what direction they looked. It was a bust and at the same time, Killua thought that perhaps they'd exposed themselves a bit by doing this. That was when he realized that he should have shot this idea down if he wasn't so distracted by his thoughts on the boy next to him. Of course Shoot wouldn't be here, he was watching Knuckle and waiting for the moment to see who they were.

Even after leaving that area and going outside, walking along the sidewalk, Gon seemed to be walking just a bit too close for comfort.

There was a bit of a commotion going on.

Without realizing it, he'd gotten a bit closer with the intention of whispering to Gon to calm down and not bother. It wasn't out of the question that Gon would go to check it out. Gon motioned to take a step, just one step, and he reached and grabbed his hand to pull him back.

Gon turned to look at him, clearly surprised.

He gave his hand a squeeze and hissed, "Don't you even dare!"

Gon had lowered his voice, "Awww! But I'm curious about what's going on!"

Killua sighed and was perfectly calm, until he realized what he'd done. He slowly and carefully let go of Gon's hand; never in his life did he want to run as much as he did that very moment. This time, Gon was actually looking at him earnestly. His latest dream came to mind and he couldn't look Gon in the eye, "It doesn't matter…what does is that we need to focus on the goal…" I shouldn't be saying that…not me, who's forgotten the goal while daydreaming all the damn time…

Gon looked excited at the prospect of the challenge ahead of them. Their eyes connected. There was something in those hazel eyes that Killua couldn't quite pinpoint a meaning to. His body was being disobedient. I want to just...kiss him right now. He leaned a bit closer without thinking. So many thoughts ran through his head yet at the same time it felt like his mind was empty. Gon turned to look in another direction absent mindedly and Killua stopped slowly inching closer. Of course Gon was oblivious. He was innocent wasn't he? He seemed as pure as light and that was what made him all the more unreachable.

He almost lost it and kissed Gon...his best friend. His own mind would show him no mercy. He felt guilty for wanting the day to end. So he could dream and screw the enhancer senseless in the world of his own fantasies. Where Gon could take a hint and reciprocate every touch, kiss, lick…,"Let's go..."

"Yeah."

It was a decent break, but they were in for a surprise when they got back to the place they were all staying. They weren't aware of just what Bisky had in mind for them.

The application of Ren felt so much easier after the first hour. It was the second hour that was the worst, but they'd keep pushing forwards, determined to do their best. He was a little better at it than Gon was when he wasn't thinking about his dreams. For once, he'd been able to keep it out of his mind. It could have been because he didn't have one the previous night. Honestly, he missed it a little.

"AND TIME!"

They stopped, sweating, panting, and Killua stole a side glance to see Gon's white tank top was see through from how much he'd been sweating. Either way, his own black one was soaked. Both of their shorts were. All he wanted was a shower…possibly with Gon this time. Okay not like that brain…I mean like…we'd take turns or something…not take one together…

Gon's words accompanied heavy breaths, "We finally made three hours…"

They both willed for a shower, yet Bisky stopped them in their tracks.

"HAH!?"

"We're going out to see Knuckle!"

They both looked at the blonde woman like she was nuts.

"This is what you guys will do from now on. Here, you train Ren, then you go out there and challenge Knuckle."

Killua shook his head, "What if we lose!?"

Biscuit shook her head, "Winning or losing doesn't matter. Your goal is not to beat him, it's to take the tags. And so what? Challenge him again if you lose."

Sometimes, he didn't like that woman's brashness. They didn't know what they would be in for. Facing the unknown without any percentage of...anything really...was nuts. Killua looked at Gon and widened his eyes a bit. Of course Gon was excited about the challenge. Of course Gon would go headstrong like he always did.

Headstrong...like a dominant person...in bed. Oh dammit brain! Now is not the time!

From what he could size up of Knuckle, that guy looked tough. Okay, so thinking of his first impression of Knuckle was a pretty good distraction from where else his brain would try to go. It was a welcome thought. Until he thought that they were probably going to get their asses kicked. He was exhausted, Gon was excited but exhausted. He wanted to crawl to bed and welcome a wet dream. Gah! No. He had to think of something quick or else his shorts would not be hiding any sort of bulge. Why didn't he wear jeans today!? Think of something to kill a boner.

He was prepared to leave with Gon, thinking to himself.

That Knuckle guy and the beat down ahead of us. I wonder what kind of hatsu he has. Is he an enhancer? Will he be all brawn? Enhancer...like Gon. Gon...taking charge...nope, not going there. Okay think. Boner killer. Aniki...Illumi on the toilet. Ugh...that would do it. Toilet...bathroom...shower. I want to shower. When we get back I can hang in the bathroom while Gon showers...nope! Okay what else? Bisky's other form. He shuddered. Yep...that killed it...for the rest of the night and possibly eternity. I'll never have to worry about getting excited thinking of Gon kissing down my neck...and front...dammit!

Gon was quiet during their walk to the park where their opponent awaited.

Bisky's other form. If that's her true form...oh god no I don't want to think of any poor soul hooking up with that...ever.

"Killua..."

He snapped out of his thoughts, "Yeah Gon?"

"I want to see just how strong I've gotten. But since this is our first time coming face to face with one of Morel's students, stay by my side okay?"

You are killing me with your sweetness! Stop saying stuff like that! You are making this so much worse! "Yeah...sure. I wouldn't leave your side either way." That was so suggestive. Thank goodness Gon can't take a hint.

"Are you excited?"

Killua blinked, "W-what?"

Gon laughed a little, "We get to face a strong opponent so early in the month we were given. Maybe we can get the tag and go back sooner than we thought. We can get back to Kite."

Kite...

All desires were gone. He glared as Gon was walking ahead of him. He stuck his hands in his pockets and slowed his pace. I'm such an idiot. How can I be like this when he's thinking about that? Has it always been on your mind? Of course it has. That's why you don't look at me like you used to. Maybe that's why you touched my shoulders, you forgot I'm not big on touching. It all feels like a dream...being here...everything. While I'm focused on you, you're focused on something else entirely. The goal is to get back there to save Kite.

"Killua..."

"Mhm?"

"Let's show this guy what we're made of."

He chuckled, "Yeah."

They came to the clearing. Knuckle was hunched over and they heard a little bark.

The dog trotted away and he got up, turning around to face them.

A/N: NOTICE ME SENPAI! Dedicated to Stakstik! ;D PUPPY GON! Yes, yes I went there. xD