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Things hadn't been going well.
_____ had been weighed down by every little thing recently, and she was stressed to no end. It didn't help with everything going on in the world around her, all of the Chimera Ant issues, what she had to deal with at work... The stress weighed so heavily that she had fallen down quite deep, mentally and physically. She was not doing well. Even staying optimistic, she was not.
Last time Knuckle had spoken to her on the phone, he knew she wasn't well. He could obviously tell. It was worrying him.
Naturally, he asked her to join him for lunch soon, along with the other Hunters he was working with, having been a bit since they'd seen each other. To get away from everything, to ease her pain and nerves, at least for a moment.
The young red haired woman searched for her good friends through town, dressed up in a flowy, short sleeved, pale blue dress she changed into at last second. Her short cream colored heels clicked against the ground in a bit of an anxious rush. She couldn't even get ready without making herself worry so much over how she looked. Ridiculous, she thought, scolding herself for almost being late. Just because of her nerves and stress. _____ was actually pretty stressed about meeting the other members of the team, despite the casual hangout.
Until she spotted two young boys.
_____ knew there were a couple of younger Hunters, but it still didn't fail to surprise her.
Knuckle was the first to say hello, greeting her with a warm and welcoming hug. Followed were the introductions with the younger boys, the black haired one, Gon, being incredibly friendly compared to his white haired friend, Killua. Regardless, both were nice toward her.
Shoot watched, behind Knuckle, as the woman introduced herself to the boys, smiling to himself at the interactions. They were so nice towards her, and she seemed happy in the moment. It made his expression soft.
He notices the dress she had on, taking note of how well it looked on her. The softer blue complemented her fair complexion. And the way it fell against her smaller, curvier form nicely… His thoughts were threatening to trail, so he looks away from her to his own embarrassment.
Not for long though, as _____ approaches him when they head to the restaurant.
"Hi, Shoot!" she greeted softly, to not startle him by accident.
He turns his attention to her right away, a little surprised that she was now walking right beside him. Shoot felt bad. How he hadn't been speaking to her lately, and how he didn't greet her before she did now. The last time they hung out together and spoke...sadly didn't end so well between them. Shoot wanted to fix that, but…
"Hi." He smiles down at her, small, yet genuine, quite happy to see her again. It had been a while, and he missed it. Seeing her, talking to her again. Hopefully, she had been alright, despite what Knuckle had told her.
The thought of Knuckle hugging her played back in his mind, and he wishes he could hug her right now. Wouldn't be appropriate though, not at the moment.
An awkward silence falls between them. Shoot told himself he needed to speak up, staring down at her.
"You...look nice, _____."
_____ looks up at him quickly, face burning hot, especially at the tiny smile he was giving her. Taken back by him, all she could do was bashfully smile, averting her brown eyes from the man.
"T...thank you…"
Everyone stepped inside and was seated at one of the last available booths in the back of the building. It was a bit of a tight fit, but the five of them managed. If _____ sat beside or even between the younger boys, it would have been a better fit. Instead, Knuckle suddenly pulls her into his side of the booth. Shoot hesitates sitting down on the opposite side of her for a second.
"Are you sure about this, Knuckle?" Once Shoot took his seat beside her, it was definitely a tight fit. Not that the woman was against the idea, she was close friends with both of the men. It didn't bother her at all! She was just...unsure. Even though...sitting so close to Shoot… "I can sit beside Gon, so I won't make you and Shoot cramped."
"Nah, it's fine!" he assured her. "Don't worry!" His grin was infectious.
The taller man on her left side couldn't help but stare down at the woman, placing her bag on the opposite side between her and Knuckle in the booth. The smallest of actions, and it made Shoot tense at how close she was sitting to him.
Looking up, she notices how Shoot is staring down at her, feeling so small so suddenly.
Shyly, she stutters a quiet "I-I'm not too close to you, am I?"
Shoot quickly assures her that she isn't, rather nervously. They were almost touching elbows, she was so close to him. It was...nice, but a bit overwhelming, actually.
This wasn't the first time they sat so close together, so there was nothing to be worried about.
The little lunch date was so much fun. Gon, the friendliest boy she had ever met, asked her many, many questions about herself over food. It was overwhelming, to be honest. _____ wasn't expecting him to be so naturally outgoing toward her. Though it was inviting. He had such a warm, welcoming aura. Killua, on the other hand, was more of the opposite. He wasn't as talkative, like Shoot in a way, only spoke a little bit. He listened to her when she answered all of the questions the other asked eagerly. The poor woman attempted to keep up in between bites of her food. Kind of difficult to answer having mouthfuls of her lunch.
"So, Ms. _____, are you a Nen user?"
"Nen user?" She had heard of the term before, barely in the context of her grandfather's stories, but had never seen it herself. Vaguely remembering what he was capable of as a Hunter himself, she herself believed that she couldn't produce it.
"Oh no, I'm not," she shook her head and laughed nervously. "I don't have any special talents like that."
Gon took that to heart, it seemed, as he told the woman matter-of-factly, "You don't have to use Nen to be talented!"
Shoot agreed to that in his head, but nodded beside her, adding in his thoughts how she shouldn't think or talk of herself that way.
"Don't say things like that about yourself!" Knuckle scolded.
Good to know Knuckle read Shoot's mind.
As Shoot listens to her chat with the others at the table, his eyes linger on her form. From her facial features, kind and sweet, to her dress below once again. He couldn't help it, deep in thought, watching his gaze flicker up to her laughing at something someone said. He wasn't paying attention to anyone other than her at the moment. _____ looked rather pretty today, like any other day he would have seen her. But there was...something about seeing her laugh and smile that made his chest warm up… His eyes dart down to the neckline of her dress, noticing a tantalizing hint of cleavage…that he took quite a liking to. His face flares up. Bad. Shoot goes for a drink of water, a bigger drink than he really needed, in embarrassment.
A soft call of his name grabs him suddenly, paired with a touch to his arm, making him faintly jump in surprise.
"Hm?"
"What's your favorite dessert, Shoot?" His bare eyebrow quirks just a bit at the unexpected question from the woman. She was amused, giggling out, "They're fighting over what the best dessert is, and I wanted to ask what yours would be."
"Hm…" Shoot thought about it, coming down to a plain answer for her. "Well...I don't mind the vanilla cake with strawberries."
"Really?" _____'s expression turns surprised. Giddy, even. "I love those! I love strawberries!"
"Is that your favorite?"
"Mm… It's hard…" It takes her a moment to think about it.
The woman proceeds to list off a few different things that she enjoyed, not even from the menu, politely listening to her explain how she made some at home. Shoot couldn't help but smile down at her. He wasn't a big sweets person, but… Maybe one day he could try some of these baked desserts she said she loved so much.
The group went through town after their meal, a different part of Dali _____ hadn't got to see yet, much to Gon's surprise. "You've never been? Even living this close to the city? You have to see it!!" He and Killua both lead her to a little store that sold candy and such that she just had to see for herself. Leading Knuckle and Shoot to act as the babysitters, watching them scuttle along the way together.
Shoot watched as _____ walked with the boys, Gon now holding her hand. He couldn't help but find it cute. Knuckle raises an eyebrow, peeking over at his friend beside him, definitely focused on something rather intently. Following his gaze, the man smirks to himself.
"Oi. Are you starin' at _____'s ass?"
A startled grunt escapes Shoot's throat.
Knuckle can't help to chuckle at the man's face, eyes wide and cheeks pink from embarrassment. Shoot's eyes are now closed, avoiding looking at the woman while Knuckle further teases him. Actually pouting, annoyed. Embarrassed.
_____ glances over her shoulder at the men, hearing her name again, trying to figure out what they were chatting about. A slight smile at the two before she forgets about it.
The store that the boys led to was nice, filled with candy and clothes and other home goods. Gon, and even Killua, were happy over the toy _____ received from the same chocolate they bought together. It wasn't a rare one, but still a good find all the same. A memento for the new friends she had made, and for the good times today brought for them.
As the moment of excitement cooled down, _____ got caught up inside of her head.
Everything felt great, until her depression hit her.
_____ ended up sitting away from the group on a bench in town. A sad, heavy feeling overcame her so suddenly, an aching pain inside her chest as she watched all of the boys make small talk nearby. Assuming they were having discussions over their current mission. She was fine with that. She had no business being a part of it anyway.
_____ wondered why Knuckle really wanted her around in the first place.
In the moment, she stares down at her lap, fidgeting with the new, small toy robot from her bag in her hand. Her thoughts were filled with sadness. Dread. She faintly heard the sound of footsteps, not realizing someone was approaching.
"Are you okay, Ms. _____?"
_____ jumps at the sound of Gon. Standing right in front of her.
"Why are you sitting by yourself?"
The boy takes a seat right beside her, hearing her quietly take deep breaths to herself.
"I...I'm not doing well, honestly." In most situations like this, she would lie and say the opposite. There was no point in lying to the poor boy. "But, I'll be okay," she added to try and assure him.
"What's wrong?" Gon seemed genuinely concerned, which made her more emotional than she already became.
There was a lot going on.
The whole Chimera Ant situation was terrifying, yet there was nothing the red haired woman could do. Other than keep going to her job everyday. The idea of safety up there was concerning...more so with the Hunters! Hunters were suddenly disappearing, or worse. She wanted to know if Shoot and Knuckle, along with all of the others, would be alright… _____ worried herself sick about them.
"I'm just...I-I'm having a hard time right now. I've been fighting with myself so much lately, with a lot of different things," she quietly explains. "I've...been so scared, and anxious, and worrying so much over everything! I just -- I just don't know what to do..."
_____'s brown eyes threatened to spill, blinking repeatedly at the tears filling her waterlines.
There was one thing she was stressing to death over. Something she wouldn't tell anyone.
The last time she hung out with Shoot… Whenever she had gathered up the courage to ask what was going on, he refused to give an answer.
"It's none of your business."
He had sounded so stern with her. Even if he wasn't meaning to. Her heart tightened painfully at his unnaturally harsh tone.
She thought she was going to ruin everything.
Gon spoke up when he noticed her eyes watering, stopping any tears from pouring.
"I'm not sure what has been making you so sad or worried, but... There's no need to worry yourself sick over it. Everything will work out, I'm sure of it!" When she turns to look over at him, he's wearing such a caring smile. It leaves her quiet.
One last thing he tells her is, "You're stronger than what you think," and it brings her to a quiet sob.
I am not strong. I can't bring myself to become so.
Why was falling for someone that makes her feel so happy and alive making her feel so weak and cowardly now?
Her cage felt like it was growing smaller around her.
She couldn't breathe.
_____'s depressing thoughts broke away by Gon's hand reaching out to her, a pinky sticking up from it.
He wants to make a promise.
_____ stares at him, hesitant, but slowly brings her pinky to his, curious as to why this happened suddenly. He is patient with the woman as he starts off with a song, made up from the top of his head to ease her unsettling nerves. Which it does, actually, once he finishes. She ends up laughing in a small, quiet breath at him, mentioning if they both didn't believe in one another that they would have to swallow a pound of needles. Silly boy.
Sincerely, he tells her that, "I do think everything will work out!" Gon smiles up at her, pinkies still locked tightly together. He could feel her energy radiating from her, falling into a more calmer state. He could feel the woman's pain. "If you ever need a friend to be with, you can talk to me, if I'm around. I know how tough things have been lately."
With something so small, it makes her tears continue to fall uncontrollably. She wipes her eyes with the back of her free hand, sniffling as she whispers, "...Thank you, Gon."
Finally, he sees her smile.
Gon then goes on to explain how, where he comes from, he "seals the promise with a kiss", much to her amusement. Of course, _____ does the action with him, pressing her thumb against his softly, making the kiss noise almost as loudly as Gon. She can't help the happy giggles that escape her trying to do it with him.
"What are you two doing?" Killua asks them, eyebrows raised as he, Knuckle, and Shoot approach them at the bench.
The black haired boy looks over blankly at his best friend, hand still to her own. "Making a promise to _____ to cheer her up!"
Gon did cheer her up a little bit.
Maybe she shouldn't worry too much. She had such an awful habit of that anyway.
Shoot noticed quietly the woman's aura was...different than it was earlier. Her brown eyes were soft, yet watery. Worry hangs in the back of his mind, but he smiles to himself over the interaction. The others seemed to not notice anything.
The boys suggested, after the small black haired one made sure the red haired woman was feeling fine, to grab a treat together. At least do one last thing together before the Hunters are needed at their mission once more.
Considering the mission and what all was going on in the world right now...it was a pleasant distraction for all of them.
The group all sat beside one another on the wall along a garden. A more convenient place for five to relax. Gon leans over to thank the woman on the other side of Shoot for paying for the boys' treats. She didn't mind offering in the first place, though Knuckle stubbornly refused to let her pay for his or Shoot's...not even her own.
Lost in her thoughts, taking some of her treat into her mouth with a spoon, she fails to notice Shoot's eyes on her.
Suddenly, she jumps slightly at the sound of him calling her name. It was so soft, she was surprised she heard it.
"Is something wrong?" Shoot asks, concerned.
_____ took a moment to look up into his soft blue eyes. Shoot looked...worried. Though it was cute, she couldn't help to think, like he always did. There was something comforting about his gaze, even if she grew small from it most of the time.
...Oh, he asked her if something was wrong. She zoned out there.
"Oh, I'm okay." This time, she lies about how she's feeling. "Nothing's wrong."
"...Are you sure?"
Her eyes blink up at him, feeling her cheeks warm. Shoot was quite considerate of her feelings. Yet, she just wasn't feeling the best, even after Gon spoke to her. It was hard to explain, tough to understand for herself really. All she can muster is a small smile. Not that genuine.
"Yeah." Her eyelids flutter, nervous about the tension still lingering between them, emotions failing her. "...Thank you, Shoot." The last thing she spots before going back to her treat was Shoot's slightly scrunched eyebrows.
Shoot wasn't staring at _____ eating, much to her worry. He caught his eyes lingering further down her form again, even if he was lost in his concern for her. The dress she wore covered her respectfully, though the skirt of it ended right above her knees, falling from her onto the stone wall they sat on. Her big thighs...they looked so soft… Shoot scolded himself, holding an extra hand from appearing and slapping him in the face. Bad! He brings his cold tea up to his lips to distract himself. Why did his mind torture him so much? Whenever he couldn't bring himself to speak to her, all he could do was stare...and apparently it was dangerously distracting.
He dares to peek down at her again, but this time, he watches when she tries to lick her lips as politely as she can. The slight spot of cream still under her bottom lip. Shoot couldn't help but laugh warmly.
"_____."
Her attention goes to him. "Hm?" He's smiling down at her, his expression so tender that it makes her smile in return. "...What is it, Shoot?"
Before she could register what was happening, Shoot's thumb swiped softly against her bottom lip, catching the cream that dripped underneath. The action left her breathless, feeling how delicately he touched her… It was incredibly intimate. Her cheeks felt like they were on fire. _____ froze, looking up at him, heartbeat pounding in her chest.
He is so casual whenever he pulls his hand away. Yet...his cheeks had a hint of color to them. She failed to see it.
"You...had some on your face," he explained, an almost silent laugh leaving him shyly.
"O-Oh! ...Thank you," she replies, forcing herself to face her front, avoiding his eyes.
Shoot sadly took that the wrong way. "I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't hav--"
Her eyes shot back up, wide, worried. "No, no, it's okay!" A nervous laugh escapes her, trying to reassure him. "I don't mind!"
A pause hangs between them.
_____'s head was spinning with her thoughts. Sure, she was closer to Shoot, and she was usually the one who was naturally touchy feely with close friends...but Shoot doing something like that was unexpected. Very unexpected. Such a tender action, as well… _____ really liked it. Now all she could think about was Shoot rubbing her bottom lip with his thumb. Leading to Shoot cupping her left cheek. And other things. Her thoughts ran so wild, she swore that she could pass out.
_____ jumps at the sudden sound of Knuckle's voice.
"Oi, Shoot. Morel just texted me," emphasizing that with the same hand his phone was in. "We need to head back soon. He wants to talk to us about something."
Did all of this have to end so soon? _____ couldn't help feeling sad. Gon expressed that sadness for her out loud. They knew they would have to get back to work sooner or later.
When _____ tells the young Hunters goodbye, letting them know how nice it was to finally meet them both, Knuckle and Shoot are off to the side for a moment, until the delinquent leaves without his partner. Much to _____'s confusion. The boys follow him as she waves them off. Shoot approaches her.
"Aren't you leaving with Knuckle?"
"I was going to ask if you needed to be walked home."
Her eyes widened slightly. It would be out of his way, and she asked if he really wanted to do that, if it was okay. Shoot just smiles.
"Not at all. Morel wouldn't mind."
The walk back to her home was relaxing, every now and then making small talk with the taller man beside her. Despite the temperature falling a bit, the cooler air was welcoming. _____ couldn't help but to shiver.
"Are you cold?"
"A little," she chuckles softly, "but I'll be fine."
"I would offer you a jacket...if I had one." Shoot lifts his right arm for emphasis, making the woman chuckle harder.
There was a pleasant silence that fell, watching Shoot tuck his arm into the fold of his robe. His presence was comforting...yet their last interactions hung in the back of her mind. Regardless of the tension leaving during the day. Thoughts of Knuckle and Shoot gossiping behind her earlier came back. Shoot continuing to ask her if she was okay earlier, lingering. Even though there was no point bringing anything up, Shoot was a sweet, quiet man. Her nerves were getting the best of her again.
"...Can I talk to you about something?"
Shoot gives her full attention, noticing how her tone shifted. "Of course."
"...You're...You're not mad at me, are you?"
"What? No. Not at all."
"I know that...we haven't been talking lately, and I know that you tend to keep to yourself. Which is okay! I do the same thing myself. Maybe I need to...do that more often…"
Shoot was very much confused, but he continued to listen to her intently.
"...What I'm trying to say is… I am so sorry for everything lately. For today, even!" Shoot ends up raising an eyebrow at that, repeating the last question, trying to understand what she had done. "I haven't been doing well. I was so nervous meeting Gon and Killua, nervous with seeing you and Knuckle after so long. Well, not that long…"
He noticed how her hand fidgeted with her dress, still shivering from the chill in the air. "...I-I know I'm freaking out over nothing, but--" She shakes her head. "I was too nervous to even get dressed today! I haven't worn this before, a-and I love it, it's comfortable and pretty! I just get too self-conscious, I was constantly overthinking everything today… Then I kept hearing you and Knuckle talking and laughing by yourselves, Knuckle kept saying my name, and--" _____ stopped herself from rambling further, feeling how worked up she was getting. Now she was embarrassed. Before she can apologize for it, Shoot speaks up and stops her.
"Did...did you really think Knuckle and I were talking about you behind your back?" He asked it in such a concerned, yet hurt tone, it made _____'s heart sink. All she could do was hang her head, giving him a sad nod. "Of course not! Not in that way. Knuckle makes fun of me and laughs at me, yeah, but-- We would never do that to you, _____."
"...I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to apologize for!" Shoot couldn't help being a bit frustrated, yet...he understood that was just the way she was. She apologized so much, and he wanted her to know she didn't need to. Not with him. "Knuckle was saying your name because--"
He had to stop himself, or else he would have to explain how he was being made fun of for staring at her. That would be awkward.
"...Knuckle had been worried about you lately. He told me how you'd been depressed, and...I was worried, too. Seeing you sad and crying…" Now, _____ stayed quiet. "...I know. It feels like no one else understands, but it is common. You're not alone."
"...You...were worried about me?" she asked quietly.
When she looked up, her watery eyes met with his. "Of course I am."
There was a long pause, staring at each other in silence. Standing in the middle of the sidewalk, nothing but the sound of the cold wind in the air gently passing through the trees nearby.
"...I...I'm so--"
Shoot's right arm wraps around her form, the long sleeve of his robe draped over any exposed skin on her. The action leaves her gasping against his chest. He was holding her...so lovingly… She was speechless. When she dares to look up at him, his face is hidden from her view. Lucky for him. He was failing to be calm over his actions. _____ noticed just how warm he really was.
"...It's alright, _____." His whisper was barely audible. "...You're going to get sick from being out here without a jacket."
The two start walking once more, a little slower as Shoot keeps his arm around her. _____ holds her left arm to herself, pressing her face gently against the side of him. She couldn't help feeling cozy… He was quite warm. It was a wonderful feeling.
"I'm sorry, for being so harsh with you," he apologizes, voice barely above a whisper. "I...I have a hard time...opening up to anyone, talking about work…" She feels him breathe deeply. "...I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. I just don't want...to put anyone in danger. Put you in danger."
_____ tries to look back up at Shoot, but she can barely see his facial features. He keeps his attention to the sidewalk and its surroundings, despite him trying to speak up and clear the quiet pause between them. His mind goes to her insecurities she mentioned, frowning at the thought.
"A-and...about earlier…"
"Hm?"
"...I...meant what I said. When I told you how you looked. You are...a very pretty woman." His chest shook whenever he finished expressing his thoughts out loud. "I-I know it's hard...but you shouldn't feel the way that you do, about yourself."
Her face felt warmer in an instant. She hadn't heard him speak so personally like that before, let alone that much to her, opening himself up ever so slightly. He...was trying. Like she was with him. Shoot said nothing else after that, and she didn't either, for the rest of the walk.
However, their walk was already finished, as they finally reached _____'s building. It was heartbreaking how she had to pull her body away from Shoot's side, now shivering uncontrollably, feeling much more cooler than she was originally. She noticed Shoot's face was a bit pink, but figured it was just the wind. And to her knowledge, Shoot isn't that much of a close contact kind of person. Holding her close must have felt awkward to him. Regardless, she missed the feeling immediately.
"Thank you for walking me home, Shoot." She gives him a smile, genuinely happy from being with him today for so long, despite her emotions getting the best of her throughout it.
Shoot smiles down at her.
Before he could reply, she throws her arms around his neck as best she could, shaking a bit when she thanks him again, for other reasons. He wraps his right arm around her slowly, hand resting on her back, enjoying her warmth once more. She was so soft and warm… Smelled so good… Shoot could actually feel her smile widen against his clothes, much to his relief. He closes his eyes as his grin widens as well.
Both of them could stay like this forever, if it were possible. Even if the hug barely lasted a minute.
Shoot allows her to let go first whenever she is ready, and watches her leave with a small goodbye.
"...Goodnight, Shoot," she wishes, the bravery disappearing when she looks him in the eyes. Her eyelids flutter shut as she turns to the front door. He repeats the same to her, and she retreats into her apartment.
The man sadly feels lonely on his walk back to his own destination, but his chest is warm and light, heart beating fast inside of his chest. Before he tucks his right arm into his robe, he follows the outline of the imprint into his palm he has formed earlier. Shoot was wanting to give her something he bought her, something she had eyed curiously at one of the stores in town they all passed by earlier in the day. The pendant and the chain left an interesting box in his hand that it was packed in, which he'll have to keep secret for a little longer. Until a more appropriate time.
Shoot was happy he got to see _____ again.