Author's Notes:

RELATIONSHIPS: Kurapika/Leorio Paladiknight, Gon Freecs/Killua Zoldyck

RATING: Mature

NOTE: This was written for the Greed Island Game Master Server's 2023 Summer Exchange. Part of the title is taken from "Liquid Dreams," a song by Desire that I was listening to on repeat while writing this story.

Chapter 1: Destination, or where the scenery is infinitely blue

Over the reverberating rhythm of a vaporwave track on a mixtape he burned for the occasion, Killua asks, "How much farther till we get there?"

"We're pretty close to the resort," Kurapika replies. "About 20 miles more."

Killua is driving the convertible he got himself as a treat for his 21st birthday. Icy blue, it purrs like a dream when he steps on it. Sure, he can travel the speed of divinities with his own two feet. But so what? His new ride looks cool, and that's what matters to a guy his age. Besides, he has three passengers at present to worry about.

On the passenger's seat, Kurapika pushes his circular sunglasses up the bridge of his nose and gazes at the road map he spreads over the dashboard. Every so often, he pipes up instructions on where to turn or when to expect the next landmark.

To Killua's eyes, though, the true purpose Kurapika serves for this summer vacation is not to aid his navigation, but to spur the aggravation of Leorio, who's seated behind Killua. For, with every Chocorobo Kurapika pops into Killua's mouth at the latter's request, Leorio's knees amp up the pressure against the seat in front of him.

Leorio might be built like a daddy longlegs, but his thighs aren't so interminable that he can't adjust the way he's sitting to refrain from bruising Killua's back. He's tormenting Killua on purpose.

Similarly, Killua knows exactly what he's doing whenever he playfully nibbles and licks at the melting chocolate on the tips of Kurapika's fingers. Killua can't resist taking advantage of Leorio's predictable emotional volatility in his mission to infect every molecule of air within the vehicle with the misery that's been festering inside him.

No, not every molecule.

To Leorio's right is Gon, who's staring serenely beyond the window as if he can't hear a word of the occurrences around him — from Kurapika's unsolicited soliloquies about the flora and fauna of their seaside destination based on his extensive research, to Killua's frequently flirtatious interjections, to Leorio's occasional hissing of expletives.

Gon only appears to snap back into the reality of his surroundings when Kurapika inquires about Alluka's whereabouts.

"Unfortunately, she has no plans of joining us at any point," Killua informs him. "She's been whining to me nonstop about how much she wishes her summer schedule wasn't so jam-packed. Her university's Archery Club is really gunning for that championship title. She'll get in trouble if she misses even a couple of training sessions. But I promised her I'd take lots of pictures."

Kurapika nods. "That way, she can enjoy the beach vicariously through your photographs once you get back."

"That's the idea. Still, it's too bad my sister couldn't come along, huh? With all the testosterone packing this vehicle, things are bound to go sideways, sooner or later."

For a split-second, Gon meets Killua's eyes through the rearview mirror — golden brown and forget-me-not blue colliding for the first time in over a month, though that interval has felt closer to forever from Killua's perspective.

Almost by instinct, Killua snatches Kurapika's hand and interlaces their fingers. Killua keeps his eyes steady on the asphalt ahead, which will soon give way to the famously cerulean sands of the resort where they'll be spending the next week.

When Kurapika tries to pull away, Killua only tightens his grip.

Minutes later, when Killua glances up at the rearview mirror again, he sees that Gon has resumed staring at the scenery blitzing along. Why bother appreciating Killua's eyes when the sand and sea to their right are infinitely bluer, after all?

Just then, Leorio's knees give their harshest shove yet against Killua's seat. Killua relishes the dull ache diffusing over his back. If nothing else, it distracts him from the agony searing, glass-like, in his chest.

Smirking now, Killua maintains his viselike grip on Kurapika's hand. He holds on as if it's his birthright to do so. It's only after they've arrived — once it's time to alight — that he lets go.

At the hotel, Leorio leaves the other three to loiter around the lobby while he approaches the front desk.

"Good afternoon," he greets. "I reserved rooms for four guests two weeks ago."

"Under what name?" the receptionist asks.

"Mine. So that would be Dr. Leorio Paladiknight."

Leorio notes the flicker of interest on the receptionist's face. It's for this very reason he never misses the opportunity to insert that title before his name whenever he can. He knows perfectly well he doesn't look the part of a medical professional. That may be truer than ever lately, given all the hours he's spent bulking up at the gym closest to the hospital where he works as a resident.

After tapping away on her keyboard for a while, the receptionist says, "Two rooms with double beds. Is that right, Dr. Paladiknight?"

Leorio glances over his shoulder. His three friends are examining an abstract painting on the far side of the lobby. Leorio turns back and nods. "That's correct."

As Leorio is filling out a form, the receptionist repeats under her breath, "A double bed." Is that regret coloring her tone? It looks like her interest in him isn't solely confined to the prestige of his profession.

Leorio takes the keys, as well as a couple of brochures from a display by the front desk, before returning to his friends. When Leorio clears his throat, Killua and Gon look at him at once. But Leorio waits until Kurapika's gaze leaves the painting and drifts over to his general direction before he commences speaking.

"Bad news, guys," he tells them. "There was a mix-up in the booking. I meant to get four single rooms, but the system went haywire and registered our group for two double rooms instead. Since the receptionist sounded extremely apologetic, I couldn't bring myself to give her hell, even if this means we've all got to share double beds. Thinking logically here, it only makes sense if the best friends pair up. That means Killua and Gon —"

Before Leorio can finish reciting the lines he practiced the night before in front of his bathroom mirror, Killua snatches two matching keys from his hand.

"Kurapika and I are taking this room," Killua declares. "After such a long drive, I want to unwind and most importantly test out the springiness of our double bed. See you two losers in an hour or so."

Leorio parts his mouth to protest, but Killua is already dragging Kurapika away by the hand. Within seconds, Leorio and Gon are left standing alone in the lobby.

With a small smile on his face, Gon shrugs at Leorio. "I'll say it first — that was weird. Anyway, shall we take our luggage to our room?"

"Is it just me, or has this trip been a disaster so far?" Leorio grumbles.

"It's not just you. It's been years since we've gotten together like this, just the four of us. I guess it's understandable if we've grown apart since then. We all want different things now. We have different friends, different interests."

Leorio groans. "Gon! You're the last person I expected to say something so depressing! We need your sunny disposition to help us salvage this vacation!"

Grinning, Gon jabs his thumb against his own chest. "Roger that! I'll do my best to bring out the sun if only for your sake, Leorio!"

"That's the spirit!"

They pick up their bags and walk toward their room. On the way there, Gon says, "If there's one thing Killua mentioned that I agree with, it's that this trip would've gone a lot more smoothly if Alluka had tagged along."

"You're probably right. Killua's always ten times more tolerable when his sister's around to mellow him out. He's really grinding my gears today, and I don't know why."

This is a lie, of course. Leorio does know why Killua has been getting on his nerves lately. Leorio may not be able to admit the reason to Gon — in fact, it's a challenge to acknowledge the truth even to himself — but deep down he understands.