[ 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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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.]