[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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no subject
Noticing the books, he suggests: ]
You should take those back to the library after breakfast.
no subject
[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?
no subject
[ 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!
no subject
[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.]