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"Oh, I think it's going to rain..."
No sooner had the words left Gon's mouth than fat raindrops began to spatter onto the ground around them. With a yelp, the two boys ducked and ran for cover. Their one stroke of luck in this situation was the bus shelter they had passed a few minutes ago. It was dingy and dilapidated, leaning to one side; but it was still standing and would keep the rain away. The pair settled in, hugging their backpacks to their chests to fit. Huddling together due to the cramped space, arm pressed to arm, thigh pressed to thigh.
Their timing had been impeccable, as the rain picked up in intensity just seconds after they had safely settled in. "Wow, it's really coming down, huh?" Gon observed. "These summer thunderstorms can get pretty intense."
"Mmmm," Killua hummed in reply. "We don't get rainstorms like this in Padokea, so I wouldn't know. I'll take your word for it."
Gon didn't seem to have anything to say to that, so they watched the rain in silence. Shivering a little at the dropping temperature, they huddled together a little closer than before. Gon leaned his head against Killua's, exhaling slightly through his nose. Normally, Killua might have blushed and told him that he was too close, but something made him let it slide.
"Sorry, Killua," Gon said without preamble.
"Huh?" Killua frowned, wrinkling his nose. "What are you apologizing to me for?”
"We won't make it to the botanical park before it closes." Gon sniffed the air deeply, closing his eyes. "Another fifty minutes of rain, at least. Probably closer to seventy." He opened his eyes and looked at Killua with a sheepish expression. "If I hadn't taken so long earlier, we would have been there by now."
Killua rolled his eyes. "You mean helping that old lady? Gon, I told you! It's fine, you don't have to apologize for that."
"I know, but...I really wanted to show it to you," Gon said softly. "I think you would have really loved this place."
Dummy, Killua thought. I don't care about going to any old park. I wanted to go there because it was important to you. I want to see the things that you care the most about. But like hell he was going to say something so embarrassing.
"Now we'll be stuck here for a while," Gon mumbled.
Silently, the pair watched the silvery raindrops fall, drumming against the pavement and bouncing off the leaves on the trees. The murmur of the rain was low and soothing, and it finally clicked for Killua why so many people listened to rainfall sounds to help relax. He could feel the tension melt from his shoulders.
Nothing to see but the shimmering gray of the rain, and Gon's amber eyes. Nothing to hear but the raindrops falling, and Gon's even breathing. Nothing to smell but the particular scent of fresh water, and the sandalwood soap Gon used.
He was comfortable, almost drowsy. Vulnerable. Maybe that's why he felt like talking.
"I never really liked the rain," Killua said softly. "Couldn't go outside, so there was nothing to do. Except train." He snorted. "Enough said about that." Gon reached over to clasp his hand, and Killua squeezed it. "But I think...I like watching it here with you." He could feel his face heat, so he kept it facing out towards the falling rain, unable to look Gon in the eyes.
Gon squeezed his hand back. "I like watching it here with you, too."
It was like their own little world, nothing existing but the two of them. Gon and Killua and the endless rain surrounding them, a shimmering curtain shielding them from the noise and chaos of the outside world. It felt peaceful.
Maybe it was the rain? Or maybe it was being here, with this boy at his side. With his Gon at his side. Well, whatever it was, they had an hour to enjoy it. These precious moments, peaceful and perfect...Killua hoped they would have many more to come.