[Gon frowns a little as Killua springs up, watching him diligently for an opening—which is during the graceful bend of his back as he stretches his arms over his head...
so that's when the back of Killua's head is pelted by his own pillow. the betrayal]
[ BETRAYED!! In his own home! (this is not his home)
It's a mark of how relaxed Killua is that he doesn't actually see it coming. But his reflexes are instinctive and the transportation here hasn't affected anything but his nen. He senses it, realizes it's not worth dodging, and just exclaims in mock offense when the pillow slaps into the back of his head, where he promptly reaches down behind himself to catch it. ]
Oh, you wanna fight?
[ Killua turns, grinning, and throws the pillow right back at Gon's face. ]
[Gon lets the pillow hit his face; similarly, his reflexes are much faster than all of that, but it's sometimes more fun to just dramatically flop backwards and let your legs fly in the air—Gon's roll backwards is so exaggerated, in fact, that he flips so that he ends up on his knees, clutching the pillow—
and he springboards for Killua, lunging at him with the pillow.]
[ Killua takes the pillow to the face-- but at the same time, while Gon is close, catches him by the arms to spin them both around (barely fitting in the small space, probably) and slam him back onto the bed with a loud thump.
it's still early. the students nearby are gonna start knocking on the wall...... not that Killua thinks of that.
He's laughing. It's almost enough to forget where they are. ]
What? And have you slobber on my leg again? No thanks!
[ It's said with completely casual good humor though. He's not mad. But he is actually thinking about what he has to do now that he is awake though, and all the time he's spent with Gon over the last 24 hours -- more than he has in months.
It feels almost... intoxicating. He wants to crawl back into bed with Gon, wrestle and talk and tease each other. He wants everything to be like this. Like normal.
But the realization is already starting to creep in again that, maybe, that's not such a smart mindset to have.
Killua reaches over, grabbing the pillow to yank it out of Gon's arms. ]
I said was, [Gon emphasizes brattishly, but he's still smiling.]
We probably should get up, so I decided to drop it...
[Gon blinks, still clutching the pillow as his expression becomes distracted and thoughtful.]
I wonder what I should do first, today...
[Gon feels so petulant; he doesn't want to do anything, but knows he should. he's grateful to have spent a day with Killua, but it's not like it's possible to tire of his company, either. all he wants to do is this, but then nothing would get done.
[Gon lurches forward from the last yank, serving him right for his absent-mindedness. he blinks his wide eyes on Killua, frowning.
—oh?? Killua wants to visit him later?
Gon's beaming again, and he's suddenly hopped to his feet.]
Oh!! Yeah! Our cell phones don't work here, so I guess that makes sense that I tell you that!
[Gon tells Killua the inn name, and what it looks like—then he scurries off to his bag, rummaging through it to find the map he had when they first ran into each other, because he can't remember any of the streets or anything. plus, if he did, it's not Killua's been here long enough for that to be useful...]
The lady there is really nice, you could probably leave messages for me with her if she doesn't let you slide stuff under my door!
[ Of course their cell phones don't work here. There was no way Killua was about to let Gon leave without knowing how to reach him and where to find him again. The fact Gon forgot makes him roll his eyes slightly, but Killua kindly doesn't scold him for it. He just watches, sliding his hands into his pockets, following Gon's movements while he bounces around the room explaining and showing him on the map and making sure Killua knows exactly how to reach him.
Killua wonders if he didn't think of it first because he expected Killua to just stick next to him the whole time. Like before.
[it's a fair assumption, but thankfully, the truth is actually simply that Gon is an idiot. hence feeling surprised in the first place he might get to see Killua again so soon.]
Alright!
[Gon straightens up, glancing at the map, then immediately feels—awkward. so what, then? it seems a bit unceremonious to just up and go... and he was still buzzing with the kind of bliss that comes from getting to sleep over with your best friend after having not seen him for a year.
he glances at Killua, rubbing the back of his neck.]
Breakfast real quick before I go?
[that'd make the actual splitting up a little less awkward feeling, Gon thinks...]
[ Killua only hesitates a moment, imperceptibly. He doesn't want Gon to leave either, but it's exactly that thought that starts making him feel uncertain again.
He hates that feeling. He hates the awkwardness, the way the distance seems to grow every time he remembers it.
[Gon springs back up again, grabbing his jacket and squirming into his boots. he then slings his bag over his shoulders after stuffing the map back into it, and wishes he knew why he suddenly felt so weird. was it because they both knew this was coming to a close? but... that didn't mean anything. it wasn't like it'd be a whole year before they could see each other again. it might even be later tonight.
so was it something else?
Gon appears deep in thought, but it also kind of looks like he's maybe making sure he has everything he needs. he does jump suddenly, scooping the books they'd borrowed from the Coven into his bag as well.
Gon then figures he should maybe study...........]
[well, Gon, predictably, did not put up resistance to that one. THERE WERE OTHER WAYS TO LEARN. and he'd get his dumb little hands all over them. Gon adjusts his straps, then rolls onto the balls of his feet a couple of times once he meets Killua at the door.]
Where should we go? Did you mention they feed you, here?
Yeah, there's some food for the students. I'm sure no one will notice if you come too. The people around here are pretty into the so-called Mirrorbound. That's us. Some of them are downright nerds about the whole 'phenomenon' so it's not hard getting stuff.
[ Killua leads him out, chatting about what he's learned of the Coven and the Looking-Glass House so far, and how they showed up in a way no other batch of other folks had done. The chatter turns to what kind of food is available soon enough though, and they grab something simple that's easy to eat outside, sitting in the courtyard in the shade.
Eventually, though, there's no putting it off any longer without being weird. Killua stands, turning toward Gon with a slightly awkward wave. ]
All right. I should get going. But I'll come find you at the inn!
[that was better than angry torch waving... it was kind of nice, really. Gon wondered if the local monsters felt the same way about Mirrorbound monster people; if so, maybe it'd be easier to get familiar with their culture...
Gon chats exuberantly with Killua as they go, practically bouncing. they're more quiet through their meal, but it's companionable silence that's as enjoyable as their rough-housing and everything else.
when Killua stands to gave him a wave, Gon blinks, and smiles—he stands too, but the quality of his smile wobbles a little in a watery falter, and he suddenly moves forward. his forehead, dimpled in waves by the backward slanting of his eyebrows, is tucked between Killua's collarbone and shoulder, arms pulling Killua in close and firm. his fingers pull in a clutch against the billowy, thick fabric of Killua's shirt from the tenseness of his arms, and as Killua's scent fills his head, Gon tries to let his exhale be inaudible. his arms close a little tighter, chest to chest with his friend, and Gon knows it's weird.
but he hadn't done this, last time. and he'd really regretted it, especially on top of everything else. not hugging Killua goodbye when he wasn't sure if he'd ever get to see him again certainly lead Gon into a lot of agonizing clarity about a lot of things, and even if he did see Killua later tonight—
this was for when things weren't like that. Gon's remorse, his yearning, his happiness, his relief and his hurt. he knows it's awkward, and he knows he's making things weirder before they split ways (exactly what Gon was trying to avoid!!), but it's not like he'll ever be totally selfless, not with all the hard work in the world.
he can't bring himself to say he missed Killua, yet... but this will have to do.
sunlight dapples them in spotty illumination through the shade of the tree they stand beneath, and Gon is hidden from it.]
[ Killua catches the look, and it makes his heart ache. But before he can say anything else, Gon is moving forward.
Gon's arms are wrapping around him. Holding on tight. Squeezing as though he's afraid that, when he lets go, Killua might have vanished again.
He knows.
And, as much as it hurts, he understands.
Slowly, Killua raises his own arms, wrapping them around Gon in turn. His palms press against Gon's back and shoulder. And then, his eyes close, head leaning forward slightly, face tucked against Gon's dark hair.
In the silence between them, birds trill in the tree above, leaves rustling, the wash of muffled voices like waves crashing on a far-off beach. And Killua's heart beats fast, thundering in his ears.
He squeezes too.
Then, slowly, surprisingly gently, he begins to pull back. As his arms fall away from Gon, the touch lingers, fingertips gliding down his shoulders to the backs of his upper arms, brushing his elbows as Killua takes a small step back.
He offers a faint smile. He doesn't ask, doesn't scold Gon, doesn't try to bring up what just happened or what it meant. That's something to unpack, at length, later in the silence of his own thoughts by himself. ]
I'll see you later, okay?
[ Despite everything, it's a promise he means whole-heartedly. ]
[Gon feels his heartbeat unexpectedly spike from the reciprocation of the hug—and then in his mind, he holds a scolding finger to himself. did he not trust Killua, or something? why was he surprised that they still got along? why was he surprised Killua wanted to see him later? why is he surprised his best friend is hugging him back?
Gon thinks it's all probably more from his own guilt and a lack of trust in his own ability to be delicate, his own terror for his bad actions, but he finds himself annoyed at his own reactions. which is maybe a step in the right direction, frankly. Gon's hands cease their clutching, and instead smooth out with fingers splayed, the wide flat of his palms against Killua's scapula as his muscles untense.
and as if on cue, there is still a little burble of anxiety as Killua slides back—he doesn't resist, or even mind, but once their contact is severed—
oh. their plans are...still on. and Killua somehow doesn't seem annoyed, or embarrassed beyond belief, or upset in some deeper, more difficult way Gon probably wouldn't have the grace to handle. Gon's shoulders slack with a little sigh, and he mirrors the light, sort of lopsided smile.]
Mm! See you later!
[Gon nods, and it seems like he's genuinely recovered a bit. he gives Killua a too-exuberant wave, then turns on his heel to dash off, carrying a new vigor.]
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so that's when the back of Killua's head is pelted by his own pillow. the betrayal]
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It's a mark of how relaxed Killua is that he doesn't actually see it coming. But his reflexes are instinctive and the transportation here hasn't affected anything but his nen. He senses it, realizes it's not worth dodging, and just exclaims in mock offense when the pillow slaps into the back of his head, where he promptly reaches down behind himself to catch it. ]
Oh, you wanna fight?
[ Killua turns, grinning, and throws the pillow right back at Gon's face. ]
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[Gon lets the pillow hit his face; similarly, his reflexes are much faster than all of that, but it's sometimes more fun to just dramatically flop backwards and let your legs fly in the air—Gon's roll backwards is so exaggerated, in fact, that he flips so that he ends up on his knees, clutching the pillow—
and he springboards for Killua, lunging at him with the pillow.]
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it's still early. the students nearby are gonna start knocking on the wall...... not that Killua thinks of that.
He's laughing. It's almost enough to forget where they are. ]
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his giggles clear a little, and he lifts his head.]
Killua, you should come back here.
[he means the bed, of course; Gon's arms enclose around the pillow to hide his grin, peeking at Killua from over it.]
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[ It's said with completely casual good humor though. He's not mad. But he is actually thinking about what he has to do now that he is awake though, and all the time he's spent with Gon over the last 24 hours -- more than he has in months.
It feels almost... intoxicating. He wants to crawl back into bed with Gon, wrestle and talk and tease each other. He wants everything to be like this. Like normal.
But the realization is already starting to creep in again that, maybe, that's not such a smart mindset to have.
Killua reaches over, grabbing the pillow to yank it out of Gon's arms. ]
Come on, you lazy idiot. No going back to sleep!
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I wasn't gonna go back to sleep; I'm not lazy!
[he laughs kind of stupidly.]
I was gonna attack you!
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Well, now I'm definitely not falling for it! You're terrible at this.
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We probably should get up, so I decided to drop it...
[Gon blinks, still clutching the pillow as his expression becomes distracted and thoughtful.]
I wonder what I should do first, today...
[Gon feels so petulant; he doesn't want to do anything, but knows he should. he's grateful to have spent a day with Killua, but it's not like it's possible to tire of his company, either. all he wants to do is this, but then nothing would get done.
plus... you know.
there's still trouble.]
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[ Killua can tell he's not, but he also sees Gon's mood shift visibly. His face is always an open book.
(Almost always. And when it's not--)
Killua suddenly gives the pillow a sharper tug, meaning to yank Gon up along with it. ]
Dunno about you, but I have some classes I want to check out here at the Coven. After that... who knows?
What's the inn you're staying at, again? I'll come find you. I wanna try their food.
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[Gon lurches forward from the last yank, serving him right for his absent-mindedness. he blinks his wide eyes on Killua, frowning.
—oh?? Killua wants to visit him later?
Gon's beaming again, and he's suddenly hopped to his feet.]
Oh!! Yeah! Our cell phones don't work here, so I guess that makes sense that I tell you that!
[Gon tells Killua the inn name, and what it looks like—then he scurries off to his bag, rummaging through it to find the map he had when they first ran into each other, because he can't remember any of the streets or anything. plus, if he did, it's not Killua's been here long enough for that to be useful...]
The lady there is really nice, you could probably leave messages for me with her if she doesn't let you slide stuff under my door!
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Killua wonders if he didn't think of it first because he expected Killua to just stick next to him the whole time. Like before.
He doesn't ask. ]
Cool. I'll talk to her if I can't find you there.
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Alright!
[Gon straightens up, glancing at the map, then immediately feels—awkward. so what, then? it seems a bit unceremonious to just up and go... and he was still buzzing with the kind of bliss that comes from getting to sleep over with your best friend after having not seen him for a year.
he glances at Killua, rubbing the back of his neck.]
Breakfast real quick before I go?
[that'd make the actual splitting up a little less awkward feeling, Gon thinks...]
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[ Killua only hesitates a moment, imperceptibly. He doesn't want Gon to leave either, but it's exactly that thought that starts making him feel uncertain again.
He hates that feeling. He hates the awkwardness, the way the distance seems to grow every time he remembers it.
Breakfast sounds nice. ]
Let's go see what they have.
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[Gon springs back up again, grabbing his jacket and squirming into his boots. he then slings his bag over his shoulders after stuffing the map back into it, and wishes he knew why he suddenly felt so weird. was it because they both knew this was coming to a close? but... that didn't mean anything. it wasn't like it'd be a whole year before they could see each other again. it might even be later tonight.
so was it something else?
Gon appears deep in thought, but it also kind of looks like he's maybe making sure he has everything he needs. he does jump suddenly, scooping the books they'd borrowed from the Coven into his bag as well.
Gon then figures he should maybe study...........]
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Noticing the books, he suggests: ]
You should take those back to the library after breakfast.
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[well, Gon, predictably, did not put up resistance to that one. THERE WERE OTHER WAYS TO LEARN. and he'd get his dumb little hands all over them. Gon adjusts his straps, then rolls onto the balls of his feet a couple of times once he meets Killua at the door.]
Where should we go? Did you mention they feed you, here?
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[ Killua leads him out, chatting about what he's learned of the Coven and the Looking-Glass House so far, and how they showed up in a way no other batch of other folks had done. The chatter turns to what kind of food is available soon enough though, and they grab something simple that's easy to eat outside, sitting in the courtyard in the shade.
Eventually, though, there's no putting it off any longer without being weird. Killua stands, turning toward Gon with a slightly awkward wave. ]
All right. I should get going. But I'll come find you at the inn!
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[that was better than angry torch waving... it was kind of nice, really. Gon wondered if the local monsters felt the same way about Mirrorbound monster people; if so, maybe it'd be easier to get familiar with their culture...
Gon chats exuberantly with Killua as they go, practically bouncing. they're more quiet through their meal, but it's companionable silence that's as enjoyable as their rough-housing and everything else.
when Killua stands to gave him a wave, Gon blinks, and smiles—he stands too, but the quality of his smile wobbles a little in a watery falter, and he suddenly moves forward. his forehead, dimpled in waves by the backward slanting of his eyebrows, is tucked between Killua's collarbone and shoulder, arms pulling Killua in close and firm. his fingers pull in a clutch against the billowy, thick fabric of Killua's shirt from the tenseness of his arms, and as Killua's scent fills his head, Gon tries to let his exhale be inaudible. his arms close a little tighter, chest to chest with his friend, and Gon knows it's weird.
but he hadn't done this, last time. and he'd really regretted it, especially on top of everything else. not hugging Killua goodbye when he wasn't sure if he'd ever get to see him again certainly lead Gon into a lot of agonizing clarity about a lot of things, and even if he did see Killua later tonight—
this was for when things weren't like that. Gon's remorse, his yearning, his happiness, his relief and his hurt. he knows it's awkward, and he knows he's making things weirder before they split ways (exactly what Gon was trying to avoid!!), but it's not like he'll ever be totally selfless, not with all the hard work in the world.
he can't bring himself to say he missed Killua, yet... but this will have to do.
sunlight dapples them in spotty illumination through the shade of the tree they stand beneath, and Gon is hidden from it.]
no subject
Gon's arms are wrapping around him. Holding on tight. Squeezing as though he's afraid that, when he lets go, Killua might have vanished again.
He knows.
And, as much as it hurts, he understands.
Slowly, Killua raises his own arms, wrapping them around Gon in turn. His palms press against Gon's back and shoulder. And then, his eyes close, head leaning forward slightly, face tucked against Gon's dark hair.
In the silence between them, birds trill in the tree above, leaves rustling, the wash of muffled voices like waves crashing on a far-off beach. And Killua's heart beats fast, thundering in his ears.
He squeezes too.
Then, slowly, surprisingly gently, he begins to pull back. As his arms fall away from Gon, the touch lingers, fingertips gliding down his shoulders to the backs of his upper arms, brushing his elbows as Killua takes a small step back.
He offers a faint smile. He doesn't ask, doesn't scold Gon, doesn't try to bring up what just happened or what it meant. That's something to unpack, at length, later in the silence of his own thoughts by himself. ]
I'll see you later, okay?
[ Despite everything, it's a promise he means whole-heartedly. ]
no subject
Gon thinks it's all probably more from his own guilt and a lack of trust in his own ability to be delicate, his own terror for his bad actions, but he finds himself annoyed at his own reactions. which is maybe a step in the right direction, frankly. Gon's hands cease their clutching, and instead smooth out with fingers splayed, the wide flat of his palms against Killua's scapula as his muscles untense.
and as if on cue, there is still a little burble of anxiety as Killua slides back—he doesn't resist, or even mind, but once their contact is severed—
oh. their plans are...still on. and Killua somehow doesn't seem annoyed, or embarrassed beyond belief, or upset in some deeper, more difficult way Gon probably wouldn't have the grace to handle. Gon's shoulders slack with a little sigh, and he mirrors the light, sort of lopsided smile.]
Mm! See you later!
[Gon nods, and it seems like he's genuinely recovered a bit. he gives Killua a too-exuberant wave, then turns on his heel to dash off, carrying a new vigor.]