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Inhale
Exhale
Inhale
Exhale
With eyes closed and legs crossed, Gon sat in the tallest tree right atop the cliff overlooking the sea. In all the places Gon had been, he'd never found a place that felt like Whale Island.
If Gon could consider a physical place to be home, he'd definitely say this was it.
"Home is where the heart is Gon."
Mito-san's words rang clear in his ears.
Gon smiled, hundreds of memories of his heart and home coming to mind.
Inhale
Exhale
As if the universe could sense his longing, Gon could suddenly smell the distinct scent of aircraft fuel. Hearing the soft hum of a motor and propellers approaching over the roaring ocean and squawking birds.
As his smile grew bigger with each passing second, Gon finally opened his eyes. He saw the craft floating through the sky, approaching to land at the new regional airport of Whale Island.
He couldn't move fast enough.
With a racing heart and only one thought running through his mind, he hopped from the tree and made it down the mountain in record time.
Before he knew it, Gon was standing outside the airport with his hands in the pockets of his khaki pants, bubbling over with anxious excitement.
He smelt them before he saw them. His eyes closed and his face lit up with a smile, just taking it all in. And before he could reopen his eyes, his arms were full and his senses satiated with the distinct experience of
Killua .
He closed his arms and pulled the white-haired hunter into him. Trying to become one so he'd never have to feel his absence again.
Gon swore his face would crack if he smiled any harder.
"Killua is even shorter than before," he spoke softly with so much love into fluffy white hair.
Killua pulled back to look up but not enough to leave their embrace.
They met each other's eyes, just staring before Killua flicked his nose something fierce.
"Owww! Killua!" only one arm left Killua's back to hold his own nose in defense.
"I am not shorter, you just keep growing. I told you about that the last time I was here. How far are you going to take this Gon?"
"I'm not in control of it Killua!"
Killua did not look convinced.
" Are you really trying to test me? How do you expect me to believe that, huh?"
A half smirk set on Gon's face. He couldn't stay mad at Killua and his odd antics. A loud throat clearing could be heard beyond their nonsense.
"Move Killua!" Alluka came and pushed her unsuspecting older brother out of the way.
"You always forget that there are other people who exist and love Gon too, big brother."
Gon engulfed Alluka in a big hug. He had missed his surrogate sister.
"Hi, Alluka! How are you? I like the new haircut!"
Alluka had kept long two long tufts of hair up front which were garnished in beads and colored yarn with the rest in the back cut short, just above her shoulders. It was very fitting for her rebellious teenage years.
"Really! Thanks! Killua did it," pride in her brother shining through her voice.
Killua, who had still been standing to the side with a pout on his face replaced it quickly with his signature Cheshire grin.
"I'm not surprised, Killua used to do my hair too. He's always been good with his hands."
Gon knew exactly what he was doing when he said that which is why he wasn't the least bit shocked when a blushing Killua hit him upside the head. That didn't mean it didn't hurt.
"Ow! Can you be a little gentler! Have some sympathy for us regular folks Killua!"
"Please" eyes rolling dramatically, "you are anything but regular, Gon. Now! Let's get out of here. Mito-san said she has something special for me!"
Before Killua had even finished the sentence he was already walking quickly back in the direction of the house with all his bags left behind for Gon, naturally. Gon and Alluka both rolled their eyes but quickly followed behind.
They all knew it was candy.
----
"Candy!!! Aww!! There is so much of it! You even got the special whale blow pops! Thank you so much Mito-san! You are the best!"
Killua had Mito hovering above the ground trapped in a bear hug.
"It's no big deal, dear! Please put me down!"
She said this every time but, just like every time, she was laughing and smiling as she said it.
Gon loved having Killua around, and not just for himself. Though he did have a tendency to pull Killua away for their own adventures after his first day of hellos to everyone. Gon knew how much Aunt Mito loved having Killua around as well. With grandma no longer around and Gon often fending for himself, Killua and Alluka/Nanika being around gave her more people to cook for and dote on.
Killua finally put Mito-san down and immediately went to enjoy his candy. But before he could...
"Absolutely not sir! You know better. Bath, dinner, then sweets."
"But..." pout fully in place.
It was no matter.
"But nothing! Bath, dinner, sweets. Get to it!"
Killua didn't take any more time to argue. He knew it was useless and would only delay his sweets so, in the blink of an eye, he zoomed upstairs and everyone could hear the shower going.
"That boy is a mess!" Aunt Mito said with the adoring smile of a mother plastered on her face.
"He really is," equal fond detected in Alluka.
"Alluka! I have something for you too!"
Aunt Mito pulled out a box that had handcrafted earrings from the Sunday market.
Alluka's eyes lit up!
"Oh my goodness! They are beautiful! Thank you so much Aunt Mito-san!"
"Of course darling!"
Gon left them downstairs to continue their chat and headed to the bathroom where he could hear Killua's low humming.
He started to smile as he stealthily stripped out of his own clothes.
It had been far too long since Gon got to shower with Killua.
He highly doubted he would be able to sneak up on the other hunter but he slowly opened the bathroom door nonetheless.
If Killua noticed his presence, he didn't show it and only got louder in his singing, beginning to full out belt some song that Gon didn't recognize.
As soon as Gon's hands touched the shower curtain, he knew he had been busted by the slight and almost unnoticeable pause in Killua's singing.
He paused, but he did not stop.
Gon smiled. He and Killua had been playing this "game" since they were about 16.
It started off as a simple game of chicken. With Killua almost always losing because he was so delightfully shy and all it would take is a slight touch along his arms or his neck for Killua to be all blush and steaming ears and "this is a stupid game!" about it.
Until one day, after about a year of playing, Killua was determined to win by any means necessary. By the end, they had both found themselves with hands wrapped around each other's members stroking for dear life and lightheaded from all the panting -- the game almost completely forgotten. Gon did lose that day.
But they both got better over the next couple of years. They had both gone further since then but still had not gone all the way in Gon's mind.
Gon didn't want to rush but he didn't want to wait either.
Gon pulled the shower curtains back and slowly let his eyes roam up the soaking body of the love of his life.
Damn, I missed him so much.
Sinewy thighs lead up to a plump ass Gon would die and kill for. Toned torso muscles wrapped up in soft pale skin with a line of white hairs going up the center. Arms resting above his head, scrubbing at the white hair that was hanging long and loose and dripping wet.
Gon couldn't hold back his smirk.
"Hey Killua, do you want to play a game?"
Gon stepped into the running shower before he could answer, running his hands along Killua's wet arms because he just had to touch him now.
Killua was all blush and soft words as he spoke.
"Sure... but you're gonna lose."
Killua didn't sound all that convinced. Gon was for sure not.
"Yeah, Yeah Killua... whatever you say."
Gon let his hands roam around Killua's body until one rested on his ass and the other wrapped around his stiff, hot member.
"I mean it! You're gonna loseee..."
Killua trailed off and sunk into Gon's body as he went to work.
With a smirk on his face, all Gon could think was
You're definitely going to lose, Killua.
-----
Killua did lose.
And Gon took great pride in that as they walked back down the stairs towards the smell of fresh rice, smoked salmon, and seasoned root vegetables.
"What took you two so long! I was just about to yell up there. Alluka and I are starving!" Aunt Mito lectured with hands placed on her poked-out hips.
Gon's eyes slyly moved down to Killua who stood in front of him with a full blush and face looking down.
A huge smile spread across Gon's face as he looked back at Mito and answered, "I was catching up with Killua, Mito-san! I wanted to make sure he was comfortable."
Stated like a good samaritan, Killua was blown away and Gon could tell the white-haired young man was holding back the urge to punch him in his stupid face.
Aunt Mito was not convinced but the blush still faint on Killua's face made her not want to press the issue.
"Hmm... I guess. Come you two, sit down and eat."
They both shuffled towards the table before sitting down across from one another.
Right before digging in, practically in unison, they all stated their gratitude.
"Itadakimasu!"
Plating their food, they lovingly began conversations across the table. Alluka spoke to Gon about how she had been training with Killua, and Killua talked with Aunt Mito about how he was still managing to study while working for the Hunter's Association as he'd promised her.
They were a cute little family.
For a moment, Gon couldn't help but already begin to mourn the moment when Killua and Alluka would be gone again.
There was really nothing stopping Gon from going with Killua at this point. He had finished school and had just been working at a local bakery next to Aunt Mito's bar.
But...
The reason he hadn't really considered it is, honestly, because he was scared. He had slowly been regaining his nen over the years. The last time Killua was here they even practiced together a little bit before Gon got frustrated. He often did which just made him not want to do it.
It wasn't just that he was having to rebuild his strength that frustrated him, it was why.
He still remembers the pain, the unspeakable anger that he'd felt after Kite. He could not forget how it had consumed him.
How his lack of control almost led to him killing Killua.
That was not a risk he was willing to take. Ever.
It almost made him not even want to practice. But, when he'd alluded to that last time with Killua, the white-haired ex-assassin stated plainly.
"If you're not going to at least try then don't ever talk to me again."
Gon knew Killua was bluffing, he had to be, but that didn't change the heaviness that he felt in his heart when he'd said it.
And Gon understood where he was coming from.
If the roles were reversed it would be impossible to let Killua sit and sulk about a past that couldn't be changed rather than encouraging him to find the strength to become well... stronger.
That's what they'd always been and would always be to one another. A source of strength.
"...Gon?" Killua called out softly.
He looked up, realizing that he'd zoned out and Killua was staring at him.
Staring right back at Killua, Gon began to smile.
He is so cute.
Cheerfully, he stated, "Sorry, Killua! I kind of zoned out for a second. Were you asking me something?"
What were you thinking about?
Gon could see the question written all over his face but Killua didn't ask.
Instead, he sighed, mentally taking note to inquire later, and continued, "Mito-san said we should go to the market later and grab some lamb and spices for a dish she wants to try."
"Oh yeah! We can go tomorrow. They are having a small fair that Killua and Alluka might like!"
Alluka cheered in joy, Aunt Mito smiled, and Killua just kept staring at Gon.
The boy was way too good at reading Gon, especially considering they didn't spend every waking hour together anymore.
"Right," Killua started, still sounding suspicious, "Well, seeing as I have finished my dinner. I can dig into my candy! Right, Mito-san?!"
"Not yet, young man! Dishes?" she questioned with a raised brow.
Aunt Mito loved spoiling her surrogate children, but she didn't like doing dishes. And they were all old enough to help out around the house, so they most certainly would be doing just that if she had anything to say about it.
Without complaint and at record speed, Killua was out of his chair and in the kitchen scrubbing his dishes. Everyone stared in his direction in shock.
Rushing back into the room, "Okay! I'm finished. Candy?!"
Aunt Mito rolled her eyes but did begrudgingly mumble meek permission.
Killua was gone with the wind, dashing up the stairs, with Mito yelling after him.
"Don't eat it all! You'll rot your teeth!"
Alluka sat chuckling while Gon sat with closed eyes and a wide unmistakable smirk on his face.
He rose from his chair as well, though much slower.
"I am also gonna head up. Thanks so much, Mito-san! The meal was delicious," Gon said as he pecked his aunt and Alluka's cheeks before heading into the kitchen to wash his dishes.
After he'd finished the chore, he headed upstairs quietly to join Killua. Leaving behind a smirking and giggling Aunt Mito and Alluka.
If it wasn't for his racing mind, he probably would have bolted up the stairs. He really did want to spend more alone time with Killua.
He needed the young Zoldyck heir around more. It was palpable, the pain he knew he would feel when Killua and Alluka inevitably had to leave again.
He made his way upstairs and, before he entered, he could smell chocolate and hear the rumbling of candy wrappers coming from his room.
"Wow, Killua! How did you eat this much already!" Gon stared at Killua in shock as he entered the room and locked the door behind him.
Killua sat in bed, surrounded by dozens of candy wrappers with his belly protruding and the most satiated smile on his face.
"Where there is a will, there's a way young Gon"
"... I am older than you (:-3)"
Killua just stared blankly at Gon, clearly unbothered by the comment.
Gon crawled into bed and up next to Killua and just sat there for a moment, enjoying a comfortable silence. Well not completely, Killua was still unwrapping more candy.
Killua broke the silence with a random statement.
"I saw Ging recently. He told me to tell you Hi, and to stop lazing around."
Gon perked up at the news.
"You saw Ging?!"
Even after years of unveiling the mystery of his father, Gon always became a single-minded and over-enthusiastic child for the absent man.
"Yeah. It's kind of annoying actually. He's always sending me random text messages."
"What?! Why?"
Killua shrugged his shoulders as if he wasn't going to say anything. Then he looked and saw the pleading look in his Gon's eyes and closed his own with a sigh.
"I think he likes to secretly keep an eye on you by keeping an eye on me. You know Ging. He's a damn weirdo."
Killua peaked one of his eyes open to feel out his response on Gon. The young man had a soft smile aimed down.
"Yeah. I haven't seen him in a while...but the last thing I got from him was a postcard."
"A postcard! Why is he so old!?" Killua rolled his eyes in shock at the man's antics.
"Yeah. It just said, 'Don't follow me' with a winky face drawing. It was from a small town, Himawari..." Gon paused, but Killua knew he wasn't done. Killua also tensed up because he knew exactly what Himawari was.
"It's the last town before you cross over ... to the Dark Continent," Gon continued, trailing off with the statement.
They both stayed silent.
"Do you want to go?"
"Do you want to go?"
They both stared at each other, letting the question linger in the air.
Killua spoke first.
"Not necessarily, Illumi and Hisoka are there. Enjoying, as Hisoka called it, their Honeymoon of Homicides," Killua rolled his eyes at the memory.
Gon sat silent and a bit in shock.
"What!? Hisoka and Illumi got married?!"
"Yeah... What's the big deal? You didn't know? They've been on and off fuck buddies since before the Hunter Exam."
Gon wasn't necessarily shocked. He wasn't that dumb, in fact, he was considered to be quite observant. And there had been too many times where Gon would be around Hisoka and notice the scent of Illumi, grass, dirt, and metal, all over him. It was also in the way they just fit one another.
Gon remembers being at the Hunter Exam and thinking that Gittarackur and Hisoka somehow fit really well together. That became amplified when Illumi was fully revealed and they stood side by side. They were like two sides of the same coin. They didn't need to speak to understand one another and, more than anyone else, it was apparent that they savored each other's company.
So, no, Gon wasn't really shocked.
The thing is, it had never outright been stated. Sort of like him and Killua. He expected it to stay an unspoken reality. They would maybe become "roommates" but not husbands.
Gon's mind had successfully been taken off the Dark Continent. It was now fixated on something entirely separate but equally important.
"Yeah... I guess I'm not that shocked..."
"I mean honestly, it's about time. Who else could fall for and MARRY Hisoka but my maniac of a brother?" Killua spoke as if he was upset and taken aback but Gon could tell he was resigned to the whole thing. That's generally how Killua felt about Illumi these days.
It is what it is.
"I'm more shocked that Silva allowed it. But I guess that's not
that shocking either. Silva and Hisoka have a love/hate relationship."
"What do you mean?"
"They both want to kill each other, and respect that the other one probably could do it. It's the challenge of it all I guess. Hisoka's also the only one outside of you, Leorio, and Kurapika who could make it to the mansion without an invitation. I remember one time on his way out he almost killed Mike just for fun. Fucking Demon clown."
Killua rolled his eyes and feigned annoyance at the thought but Gon could still hear that speck of reverence he had for Hisoka that had rang true all throughout their childhood.
"Besides, Illumi could never keep any of his assigned brides happy. Either he was too busy with work or there was the last time where the girl literally walked in on Illumi in a dress riding a tied-up Hisoka. That was funny."
While Killua sat smirking at the memory, Gon tried desperately to rid himself of imagining what the girl saw.
"I didn't ever need to know that. Ew!" The thought was leaving a bad taste in Gon's mouth.
"And anyway I meant, what do you mean by Silva allowing it?"
"Well, all sons of a Zoldyck heir have to produce heirs. To ensure there is a high chance of producing a suitable and stronger heir, marriages are often arranged in the Zoldyck family."
Killua continued, "my mom and dad loved each other. So it wasn't a big deal for them to be married. And I guess, I shouldn't be that surprised that Illumi managed to get away with it. Last I spoke with Milluki, he told me Illumi agreed to have an heir. Probably in exchange for marrying Hisoka. But Milluki is a damn liar so who knows."
Killua kind of shrugged off the entire thing, stating it simply as fact as he so often did when it came to his family's practices.
On the other hand, Gon's mind was racing.
"Will you have to get married, Killua?"
Gon attributed it to becoming a hunter so young but he very rarely found reason to hold his tongue. Especially in regards to Killua. Killua is his best friend and he needed to know, so he asked. Simple as that.
Even so, Killua tensed a little bit at the question before playing it off.
"I mean, I'm expected to. And I am sure they will try but they can't really force me. They know there is no way they'll beat me and Nanika."
It was slight, so very slight, but Gon could detect the small traces of uncertainty in his voice. Killua was smart enough to know that there was more than just physical violence his family could yield against him. If he wasn't being pushed right now it's simply because, at the moment, it wasn't a priority. But, as every birthday passed, it was only a matter of time.
Gon knew it too. But still...
"Do you want to get married?"
Again, Gon needed to know.
"Hell no!" the answer came quick, defensively.
"Women are an absolute nuisance! Alluka and Bisky are bad enough, I can't imagine being stuck with another one!"
Definitely offended.
Gon smiled and chuckled at Killua's offense. As the room went quiet, his body went soft and his lids lowered, daydreaming.
"I want to be married," it felt strong in Gon's chest but came out in a whisper. Almost like a prayer.
"What?"
Looking up and into Killua's eyes, Gon repeated.
" I want to be married."
Killua's face went through stages.
Shock.Confusion. Frustration. Sadness.
"Oh."
Killua clearly misunderstood.
That's okay. Flustering Killua was Gon's favorite pass time. He'd feed into it, only a little.
"I guess that makes sense. You've never had a problem attracting women. Weird, insane, pretty fucking ugly women but women nonetheless" Killua continued in a huff, turning away from Gon on the bed with his feet on the floor. Fighting the urge to flee. Very Killua.
"Mmmm", Gon followed Killua and scooted over, not allowing him to completely close off the space.
"I bet your lothario ass already has someone in mind. Am I right?" nose up in the opposite direction in defiance but Killua's eyes slanted back towards Gon, anxiously awaiting a response.
"I do actually" Gon answered honestly.
Deflated and defeated. Gon could practically taste the suppressed emotions wafting off of Killua.
His head hung low and with a monotone voice he only stated,
"Oh..."
The silence was almost too much to bear. Gon was about to break when Killua spoke first.
"What's her name? What's she like?"
Gon smiled. Perfect lead-in.
"Well... she's really pretty. Like, the prettiest person I think I've ever met. She has a major sweet tooth and loves to travel..."
Gon shifted closer behind Killua, feeling his warmth.
"She speaks a couple different languages, she's super smart like that. She takes really good care of her younger sibling. She has an incredible fashion sense and likes to try to kick me off my bed in the middle of the night so I have to hold her tight, to make sure we can both get some sleep..."
Killua knew. It was obvious at this point but Killua still didn't turn towards Gon.
His shoulders were no longer sagging, instead, they were tensed, making it clear that Killua was hanging on to Gon's words like a lifeline. That affirmed Gon to continue.
"We're at a distance right now but I know she's the one. Every time she comes, I feel like I can do anything and be anyone. Every time she leaves, I feel stuck and uninspired. And just... not me. She's my best friend. Always has been."
They both sat in the heaviness of this moment in silence. Until once again, Killua broke the silence.
"She seems pretty damn awesome," it came out like a whimper.
"She is."
"What was her name again?"
Gon allowed himself to push in even closer to Killua, pressing his chest to the other man's back.
He could feel Killua's breath, his nen pulsating around Gon. Almost begging him to get impossibly closer.
Killua's life force always seemed to blend with his own and it left them both with a familiar feeling of completeness that they'd only ever found in one another.
They both drowned in it for a moment. For just a second, forgetting what they were even talking about.
"Killua...?" Gon whispered softly against the shell of the other man's ear, leaving Killua struggling for breath.
One of Gon's hands wrapped around Killua's torso, pulling him closer to his own chest. Allowing the other hand slowly snake up Killua's neck before landing on his chin, Gon pulled his chin up so Killua was left staring up into his eyes with no way to escape.
There was no need for that, the thought of escape hadn't crossed Killua's mind.
"Killua...no matter what happens... no matter what we need to do... Someday..."
The second of a pause seemed to stretch on forever.
And in that forever, they saw one another.
"Will you marry me?"
Tears slowly built in Killua's eyes, with a single one daring to drop. He stared, speechless, unable to take his eyes off Gon.
Gon hated being conceited but with Killua staring at him as if he were the brightest star in his galaxy, how could he not be just a little?
If Gon didn't know it before, which he did, it was abundantly clear now.
For Killua, the sun rose and set with Gon.
They would always belong to one another. The promise of a marriage license to affirm it was just that, a beautiful affirmation of the fact.
When Killua finally choked out his words, they were about what Gon expected.
"Why would you say something so embarrassing?!"
The blushing younger man tried to simultaneously turn away and hit Gon be he wouldn't allow it so Killua settled for averting his eyes as much as possible.
"What do you mean!? It's a simple question with a simple answer, Killua!" he practically whined back, lowering his face over Killua's shoulder to reconnect with icy blue, glazed-over eyes.
Gon could feel the tremors running throughout Killua.
So much energy
To Gon, Killua had always been electric.
They stared into each other until Killua seemed to be unable to hold back a whimpered, "yes".
That wasn't enough for Gon, even though his wide smile might suggest otherwise.
"What was that Killua? I didn't quite hear you..." he brought their faces closer.
A brief pause before, "Yes ... Gon. I promise."
Honestly, he assumed Killua would put up more of a fight. His lack thereof only showed Gon that the boy was emotionally spent and resigned.
That was perfect. And Gon had the perfect reward for all of Killua's emotional labor.
Gon closed his eyes in satisfaction, pulling Killua in and lowering his head to the crux of the other man's next and breathing in with a delighted hum.
"Thank you, Killua."
He just held him there for a moment, fully taking a moment for gratitude. For he was truly grateful.
His best friend, one of his first idols, his Killua would someday be his husband.
This indeed called for celebration.
With that, Gon pulled back from Killua slightly and looked down at him, overjoyed.
"I am so excited! We'll always be together now."
Gon hummed and used his hand still on Killua's face to tilt the man's chin up towards him.
Taking a brief moment to breathe in the moment, Gon pressed their lips together.
His other hand slipped down and wrapped around Killua's waist to pull him closer and onto his own lap sitting chest to back.
The tiniest breathy moan escaped Killua which gave Gon the perfect opportunity to deepen the kiss and tangle their tongues.
Gon decided to turn Killua around to better access his mouth, leaving the white-haired man to straddle his lap and sag his body into Gon.
Panting and holding each other so close, Gon could feel himself losing control.
It was really sinking in.
Killua would someday be his husband. No words could describe his elation.
And even if there were, Gon is a man of action.
He would much rather show Killua.
"Killua…" he said as he reluctantly pulled away.
He needed to know.
He needed to get permission before he became unstoppable.
What was he talking about, he was already unstoppable.
But still...
"Hurry up, Gon..." the boy breathed into him. He didn't even allow
Gon to 'hurry up' before he was pressing their lips back together and stripping Gon of his clothes.
He tried again in between wanton kisses, "Killua... how far do you want to take this?"
That stopped the young man in his tracks. He was frozen atop Gon and, once again, a blushing mess.
He lowered his head while speaking softly.
"I mean... we've already done a lot and ... if we are going to be married someday..."
Pausing to be the dramatic rich boy that he was before looking up and trapping Gon with his electric gaze.
"I don't see any need to wait anymore."
Killua had the cutest most innocent look on his face which so strongly contrasted his statement it left Gon awestruck.
Who the fuck was this kid? How had Gon messed around and fallen in love with such a dangerous and hellish angel?
You know what? Who cared. Gon had many more important things to think about.
He took no time before reconnecting their lips and flipping them over to lay Killua flat on his back under him.
While Gon was letting his hands roam Killua's body, Killua wrapped his legs around Gon's back, pulling him in.
With no more space between them for Gon to explore, he decided to take Killua's hands into his own and pin them above their heads.
Their tongues danced around one another, eliciting consistent moans from both of them.
This was fun, but Killua was clearly starting to get frustrated as he shifted his body to grind against Gon like a cat in heat.
"Gon.. what are you waiting for? I told you I was ready," the boy panted out in between kisses.
It's actually funny.
"You know... I feel like I've waited so long for this and I am so excited. I don't even know where to start," he said, a little embarrassed to admit it.
Killua rolled his eyes. A flash of lightning was all Gon saw before he was laid under a smirking Killua. Gon's mouth was wide open.
"Let me handle this."
He handled it. It was very well handled all night long.
-----------------------
Scent.
It was always an inescapable factor for Gon.
How things smelled was a key indicator of whether something was safe, and pleasant and should definitely be pursued or best avoided. Avoidance wasn't the issue now though.
At this moment, he was having a harder time deciding which smell he couldn't resist rather than which to avoid.
Choosing between the sweet smell of bacon wafting from downstairs and the homey vanilla-chocolate scent of a cozy, content, and cocooned sleeping Killua would surely, eventually, drive him mad.
As if hearing Gon's internal conflict, Killua began to stir in his arms.
Those electric blue eyes blinked open and landed right on Gon.
All of last night's events came back to them with clarity and depth.
That was their first time.
And they were both already feigning to do it again.
Gon couldn't help voicing this with a teasing smile on his face.
"So Killua, when do you want to get married?"
Before Gon could fully appreciate the bright red coloring of Killua's pale cheeks, he suddenly found himself face flat on the ground.
"Oww Killua! Why did you do that?!" Gon sat rubbing his cheek, only a little bit upset. Just upset enough to remember the offense for their inevitable escapades later.
Killua didn't bother to answer, he just began gathering himself to make his way off the bed.
But before he could get too far, a sharp and unexpected pain ran through his lower back. The suddenness caused him to hiss and fall back into the warm sheets.
"Fuck!"
"Killua! Are you okay?!" Gon rushed over to dote over Killua who stopped him clear in his tracks with his classic cold glare.
"No Gon. I'm not."
Chills raked up Gon's back.
"It seems that being impaled by your monster dick for hours does have less than satisfying consequences."
Gon could only hmm in acknowledgment to try to hide his sadistic amusement.
"I guess it's the price of doing business."
Gon couldn't help it, and Killua couldn't help forcefully throwing the pillow that hit Gon smack in the face.
"Oww Killua! This domestic violence has got to stop!"
"Go bring me up some bacon you sadistic dork!"
The brown-eyed man didn't argue. Instead, he grabbed both of Killua's wrists in his hands and leaned down to meet the other man's lips in a soft but long kiss.
When he pulled back, he stared deeply into Killua's eyes.
Just taking it all in.
"Okay."
Gon eventually unhands Killua's wrist and grabs some pants off the ground and heads towards the door.
"Gon!"
The man freezes with his hand on the entrance handle and turns around to see the most vulnerable-looking Killua. Wrapped in blankets and looking at Gon with complete surrender. As if he were afraid of what he wanted to say but needed to say it. More accurately, he needed Gon's response.
"Why do you want to marry me?" Killua finally spoke.
Gon had to pause.
His eyes seemed to close as the words just came to him.
"Hmmm... I guess... because I can't see a life without Killua."
It was the truth.
"That's not a life worth living," he continued.
He didn't know what more to say but, as he opened his eyes and looked at Killua's which desperately held back tears, he was sure he didn't need to say anything else.
"Now you! Why do you want to marry me, Killua?" Gon said with a smirk as he took his hand off the doorknob and leans confidently against the door with his arms crossed.
Killua seemed caught off guard by the question being thrown back at him.
He mumbled but Gon heard him clearly.
"the same. I... I don't want to... I can't... I just can't."
Any other time, Gon would have happily pushed Killua for more but today he would decide to show a bit of mercy to his favorite hunter.
Instead, he pushed off the door and slowly walked to a contemplative and embarrassed Killua. He pulled the young man into a tight hug and buried his face in his neck. Killua didn't return the hug but he didn't fight it either -- he let his own head rest upon Gon's shoulder and made space for the green and black-haired hunter to further burrow into his skin.
As if Gon hadn't already made a permanent home in the deepest part of Killua's heart.
"If life is a journey Killua, I want to do it forever with you."
Killua just smiled and sighed.
"Okay."
They eventually left their solitude and made it to the market with Alluka. Killua tasted all kinds of cake and Gon kept his eyes peeled for the perfect ring. He didn't find it that day but he knew he eventually would. It was all a part of the journey and they had a lot of time.