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"Here," the man hands a syringe over to the women. "Give him another shot." She pulls Killua's sleeve higher over his shoulder, rubbing a chosen spot gently before sticking the needle in. The strange liquid seeps into the boys skin slowly.
Killua curses softly, a tremble in his voice. He pushes his forearms against the dirty concrete his bodies been collapsed to. Although no use, the women pushes him back down effortlessly. His cheek resting against the ground. He needs to get up, Gon probably needs his help. Instead he's laying here like a worthless teammate. "How is he still alive?" She murmurs to the man. Honestly she feels bad for doing this to the kid, but they have a job to complete. A jobs a job.
"I'm not sure." He feels down the boys arm, pausing at his wrist to feel for his pulse. It's slow, but it shouldn't be beating at all. Killua looks up at him, his eyes heavy, he blinks slowly. "Hmm," the man hums, he caresses Killua's cheek. "Maybe a bad batch?"
"That wouldn't make any sense." She wipes away the beaded blood from the boys skin. "Maybe he's immune. He doesn't seem normal."
"That's impossible," he gives the women a look as if she's a total idiot. "Don't say such dumb conspiracies." She gaps at him.
"I was just guessing."
"Well don't, you sound like a dumb fuck." While they bicker, Killua bites his lip, twisting his body around to lay on his back. He may be immune, but he can still feel the poison flowing in his blood, attacking his nerves. It's a strange and painful sensation he's still not quite used too, despite the amount of poison he's consumed in his life.
"Get off." He pushes them away weakly, scooting back, he pushes his heels to the ground.
"Fuck sake we're going to waste our whole batch." The man stands, pushing Killua back and resting his foot on the small boys chest. Killua wraps his hand around his ankle, digging his nails in.
"We don't have to completely kill him, let's just leave him." The man hisses, yanking his foot back.
"I feel we should, although we don't have to use our shit to-" he's interrupted with sudden laughter. His gaze shifts from his partner to the boy, he glares. Killua sits up, his arms trembling underneath him.
"You're so fucked." He giggles, voice strained.
"What the hell are you on about?" He grabs Killua's shock of white hair, pulling the tresses and forcing the boy to look at him.
Killua winces, although barely noticeable and says. "Look behind you."
"Boss lo-" the man's head snaps to the side with a heavy clang. He falls to the ground, yelling in pain and griping the back of his bleeding head. The lady stands petrified, it's not her first job, but she's never encounter someone with such a strong aura. It pulses furiously, forcing her to body to tense and stiffen while the boy seems content, a little grin adoring his face upon his partners arrival. He must be familiar with the intensity of it.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Gon shouts, dropping the metal pipe he's used to hit the man.
"Grab the boy!" The man yells to the women, although her knees tremble. Shaking like a leaf in the wind, she's left frozen.
"I-" she stutters, stumbling back. She falls but quickly stands to her feet, scrambling over to her partner and helping him to his feet. "Let's just go." She pulls him up and he grips onto her, his vision dizzy they stumble away.
Gon's hands hover over Killua, who struggles to stay upright. "Gon," Kurapika arrives, his eyes widen seeing the pale boy. He crouches assessing the situation.
"Kurapika, can you go after them, “Gon vaguely tilts his head in the direction they ran off to. Quickly understanding Kurapika nods their head.
"Of course." He looks Killua once over, "Leorio is somewhere near." Him and Gon share a knowing glance, "take care of him." And with that he stands, jogging in the pointed direction.
"Killua. Hey." Gon lifts him slightly, scooting the boy to lay on his lap.
"Gon what are you doing?" He pushes the tanned arms away, "you should help Kurapika."
"No, no. You're not okay." Gon tightens his grip, "god you're trembling."
"No." He weakly grabs Gon's arm, trying to wiggle out of his grasp. "I'm fine. I'm fine."
"What did they do to you?" Gon stands, bringing Killua up with him. Holding under his knees and his back.
"S-stop. Nothing." Killua's world spins before him. Embarrassingly it takes him awhile to notice Gon's picked him up. Kinda like...like how you'd hold a girl, the very thought makes him burn red. "Just- just some poison that's all."
Abruptly Gon stops, snapping his head to the light boy in his arms. "What?!"
"No, it's fine. No I'm immune Gon." His fist crinkles in Gon's shirt.
"Clearly not." He gives Killua a pointed look, continuing his speed walking and muttering about how Killua should care for himself more. "Leorio!" He suddenly shouts, spotting the doctor.
Killua's eyes widen upon spotting Leorio. "Put me down." He pushes away from the muscly chest. "Gon this is embarrassing."
"Gon. What's happened?" Leorio turns away from patients he'd been speaking to, also setting down a clipboard. "Killua's been poisoned." Leorio eyes the white haired boy, he places a cold hand on the boys forehead. It's very odd for him to see Killua in such a vulnerable position. Killua who always flinches but forces himself to relax. It's unlike him.
"I'm poisoned not sick old man. But it doesn't matter, I'm fine, it doesn't affect me."
"Leorio he's shaking really badly." Gon pleads with his eyes. Killua furrows his brows, why does Gon care so much? So what he's shaking? It'll go away in a bit. Even though every aching part of him spews a different story.
"Just...follow me. We need to get it out of his system." Gon follows the doctor down a hallway too long for his opinion. They exit through a creaky wooden door, cold wind splashes their faces and Killua resist tucking his face into Gon's chest.
God stop being such a little wimp. Killua huffs as he's pulls into a black car. The things Illumi would do if he saw him acting like such a baby.
"Here." Gon spreads him out in the backseat, placing his fluffy head on his lap. Killua cringes, although this position is quite comfy.
"G-Gon," he looks up to the island male "really...this isn't necessary." He shifts his body to lay on his side, his palm resting under his head. Honestly he could fall asleep.
Gon smiles affectionately as him. That- that smile. Lately he's been seeing more of it, more directed at him than anything else. Gon never use to look at him like this, at least of what he'd been aware of. "Gosh Killua. You're shaking like a leaf and you say you're okay."
"I've been through worse you know that." He fiddles with Gon's shirt, "I can handle it." The boys slim fingers shake, he curls his hand. "I'm out of practice I guess." He laughs lightly, no joy actually there.
Gon frowns down at him, always truthful with his expressions. "Don't talk like you deserved any of that."
Maybe it's all the poison in his system, combined with not having consumed any for a bit, but he murmurs. "Maybe I did." Killua shyly glances to the golden eyes. Fast enough to see the initial shock, his eyes are always so honest. They widen like the sun has peaked over the horizon. "Maybe I do." A lump makes itself ever so present in his throat. He swallows: mouth uncomfortably dry. Since when has he became such a crybaby?
"Don't say that. I don't like it when you talk bad about my favorite person in the whole world." A hand plants itself in his messy white locks. Killua breaths in slowly and shakily, trying to force his throat open. "In no way have you ever deserved any terrible thing you've been given. I might have not known you for your whole life. But I accept and love you for everything that you are Killua, I love you.”
It feels as if his throat closes for good, so tight and restrained maybe he'll never talk again. He wants to say, to repeat back those words. How Gon deserved a better dad, how he should have a better friend than one who can't even take a bit of poison. How he loves him even through the selfishness, that despite the maturing is still always lurking.
But he doesn't, instead he turns his head, signaling the end of the conversation.
For the rest of the car ride an awkward aroma hangs in the air. Perhaps it's just Killua. It feels like the back of his head is being starred right through. Gon wants to say more, he knows so, he's obviously holding back as he knows Killua can only handle too much kind words in a period. The only words shared between them is Gon asking if he feels alright, he responds yes, of course he'll never say anything but.
Killua's mind swims, searching the depths of the ocean, and the rivers for answers to the questions in his head. Why has Gon said he loves him? Who could even love him? All the blood on his hands...
Everything currently makes his head pound, the water hitting his skull over and over again. His hands hurt and his toes tingle. He's a bit sleepy, but he knows it's best if he stays awake. Gon will throw a fit if he does drift, drift like stray wood along the water.
Killua tries occupying his mind with Gon's soothing fingers running through his tresses, his other hand tracing circles on his waist. It makes him very knowledgeable of his shirt slowly slipping up, revealing a peak of his wintery pale skin.
Gon's seems to notice it too, his thumb slips over the place and in response the snowy boys body leaps. Gon shushes him gently, settling his body back. He hesitates himself to continue his ministrations, and Killua cringes: annoyed at himself for being so weird, and making the other male uncomfortable.
Gon should have someone else, someone who doesn't make everything awkward and weird. A person that can be touched without staining his hands. He wants to say don't touch me, you'll be ruined.
Instead a warm sensation envelopes a tiny slip of his skin, it feels like that very touch alone could spread all throughout his body. Seeping through his skin and running through his blood, infecting him with its warmth even despite already being tarnished with poison.
It makes his eyebrows furrow, a crease forming between them on his silvery skin. "We're almost there." Gon speaks above him, his eyes gazing out the car window and scanning their surroundings.
Killua inhale shakily, he closes his eyes. Searching in his lids for a way out of this. For a way to make everyone just leave him alone. He's always taken care of himself, he doesn't need anyone to do it for him now. Even though it would have always been nice.
He sits up, forcing Gon's arms off of him, the car pulls to a stop beside the hospital. Its harder to move, all of his limbs aren't cooperating like he wants them too. "What are doing?" Gon grabs his arm.
"I'm leaving." Killua states, grabbing the door handle. He pulls it open, a bit embarrassingly hard for to even do that. But then it snaps shut in front of him, a warm chest to his back. He gets yanked backward his arms locked to his sides, and he finds that he can't get out of the grasp. "G-get off," he squirms, even kicking his feet slightly.
Gon tightens his hold, "Killua," he grunts. "You're getting help whether you like it or not!" The car door swings open, "I don't know why it's so damn hard for you to just accept it." Gon let's him go, grabbing his forearm instead and pulling him out of the vehicle.
Killua's legs stumble under him, jelly like. They get maybe three steps before he's met with the stinging concrete, his palms and knees scraped and probably bleeding. He doesn't get to check as Gon curses above him, pulling his body up and into his arms like before they got into the car. Killua immediately stiffens again, unsure what to do with his hands.
He opts to check them, and like expected they're bloody and scratched. Some pebbles digging into his skin, he pulls them out. He actually feels slightly bad for causing Gon such- such trouble. But he can't help it, everything feels wrong and unnecessary although everyone seems so serious about it. He really doesn't understand it, perhaps it's because of his upbringing never getting any real care in his childhood. It makes many emotions and situations so foreign to him.
It's not really a maybe situation, it's so obviously the cause of everything, but he can't change it. His childhood will forever be apart of him, and well...he can't do anything about it.
He can't change how he feels, but he can get experience, learn how to work around it.
It doesn't mean he won't make a mess of things along the way.
Gon pushes open the hospital door, it splashes his hair against his pale forehead, his bangs almost pocking his eyes out. They startle some onlookers, the people's gazes following Gon as darts around. Frantically searching for their doctor. His eye light up when Leorio runs in the door, making eye contact with Killua for a brief moment before leading Gon away to a room.
Killua can't quite decipher the look in their friends eyes. He can't really be entertaining Gon? Leorio should known him well enough to be assured that he's fine. He'll get over it in a bit. He just needs to be alone.
"Here." Leorio pulls the door open, "sit him down." He jogs to the table, pulling back the sheets and blankets to make space.
Gon pulls Killua away from his chest, gradually as if porcelain he sets the boy down and Killua almost wants to wrap his arms around the others neck. To say: don't put me down. The table is cold, but his body lays into it, joyed to be resting again despite the owner not quite happy.
One of his knees bend, hike up. He wants to get up, but it feels so nice to just...relax. Killua becomes frazzled, different parts of him arguing within, wanting something different.
He can see Gon's worried face above him and Leorio pacing around, rummaging through a bunch of shit. All of the sounds he's making- they're really annoying. "Sit him up, we need to get him to take this."
Killua voices a noise of complaint, he feels like he can't really see much but whatever that is. The liquid in Leorio hand, it looks absolutely disgusting. And Gon, despite hearing the complaints grabs Killua's forearms, forcing the boy to sit up on the pillows.
He groans again, really to delirious to care about the noises he's making. Rather deciding he'll be embarrassed later, he's too tired right now.
Suddenly the weird vile of Leorio's brownish liquid is shoved in his face, Leorio takes his hand placing the bottle in his palm. "Drink this, it'll make you sick but it'll get the poison out." What's the point of getting the poison out if he's going to be sick anyways?
Killua looks to Gon, hoping maybe his friend will protest and Leorio will think of something else. All he gets in return is a small reassuring grin: that isn't too reassuring.
His friends really are a pain.
Killua knocks back his head, downing the strange shit. It stings not only his taste buds, but his throat too, it tastes like he's swallowed someone's puke.
He puts his slightly closed fist to his mouth, willing himself not to throw it all up. He didn't just consume that for nothing.
Gon cringes, it looked absolutely disgusting to him and Killua is pretty picky when it comes to food. He rubs the boys shoulder comfortably, trying to soothe away the discomfort from it and generally just all the hurt he's felt. Not just today, the months, the years. If only that small gesture could fix everything.
Killua lays himself back in the pillows, willing his stomach to stop spasming and Leorio watches the clock. He turns to his side, wrapping an arm around his midsection.
"Is he okay?" Gon murmurs, his face set in a frown. He brushes Killua's bangs away from his sweaty forehead, an action much like a mother would do. Leorio opens his mouth to answer but is cut off as Killua suddenly jumps up, he rushes to the bathroom and Gon has to resist running after him. His own stomach twisted in worry.
"He's alright, let's give him some privacy." Leorio holds his shoulder, guiding him away from the bathroom door to sit on the chairs.
Gon's feet jump on the floor, anxious as the time passes.
Eventually Killua returns, his head down as if defeated. His bangs shield his face, hiding his expression and feelings from them. "I'm done." He states, climbing into the bed and throwing the blanket over his head. He closes his eyes, breathing slowly out of his noise to will his hands to stop trembling like leafs in the autumn breeze.
"Hey buddy," Leorio stands "let's go home, yeah?" He rubs the boys arm through the blanket. Why does everyone want to suddenly touch him?
There’s blood on his skin.
Begrudgingly Killua sits up, this time around much less urgently as his body begs him to settle down again. His bed calls him, but it’s so far away…so many miles.
“Here. I can carry you again, if you want.” Killua stretches his arms out, deciding once again he’ll be embarrassed about it later. His bangs still hide his eyes as Gon’s face spilts a grin.
Gon picks him up by the armpits and Killua immediately wraps his arms around the island males neck, and his legs around the others waist.
Much like a koala bear that is very fond of hugging.
A whole smile now adorns the carriers face, having Killua in his arms so contently just feels so right. He’s so thin but so cuddly, all fluffy and adorable. Gon has to use every fiber in his being not to run his hands through the boys fluffed up hair.
Ahh it’s so damn hard.
He doesn’t even feel embarrassed that Leorio gives him that look. That all knowing look that says I know exactly how you feel.
By the time they exist the hospital his heart is squeezing so painfully tight in his chest. Especially as Killua whimpers when the cold air attacks them. He wants to pet the boy like a kitten and say, “shhh it’s okay, I’ve got you.” His voice sounded so small and precious.
Okay maybe he’s being too big of a simp, but it’s Killua.
Killua: the center of his universe. The reason for all his being. He’s so amazing and doesn’t even know.
Leorio opens the car door; Gon climbs in and he follows.
In the car, Gon has to breathe in deeply and slowly as Killua sits on his lap. Much too close to-
Killua shifts, stuffing his face closer to Gon’s neck. His breath hitches, he can feel the boys warm breath on his skin. He has to refrain himself from peaking down at their legs to admire Killua’s milky soft thighs on either side.
He busies himself with the window, watching the scenery idly zoom by. Trees, buildings, sidewalk, sun, warmth, breathe, skin. No- snap out of it.
He feels bad, Killua is clearly out of it, it’s like he’s taking advantage of him.
“You okay?”
“Mm.” His voice low and soft.
“You sure?” Killua pulls back, his forget me not eyes wide and on full display. He looks down, suddenly very aware of their position.
“Is this…weird?” Gon swallows, man’s greatest challenge, faced with Killua’s blue eyes. “You’re uncomfortable.” Hurt swims in his oceans. He drops his arms, insecurity obvious in his expression. “Sorry,” he mumbles, shifting to move off Gon’s lap.
“No!” Gon leaps, grabbing the boys waist so quickly it startles him. “I uh-“ he pauses, not really sure about his sudden outburst. Why did he do that? He’s…not really uncomfortable or anything like that. It’s just, he has so much pent up energy because he wants to do things that Killua probably wouldn’t like. Like touch his hair, his thighs, to cup his face and guide his fingers up his chest.
That would make Killua uncomfortable.
He doesn’t want to do that.
“You’re fine. This is comfortable.” He says awkwardly, Leorio side eyes him, getting second hand embarrassment.
“If you’re sure.” The white haired boy mumbles, settling down and wrapping his arms back around Gon’s neck.
Gon encircles the boys waist: holding him close.
The rest of the car ride goes by smoothly. Except for the occasional bump and hard stop that has Gon gritting his teeth, despite that..they arrive pleasantly.
“Finally.” Leorio mutters, fed up with being in a car with two dumb lovebirds that make everything way too confusing.
Gon exits, not really giving Killua a chance to walk inside. They’re met with Kurapika, apparently having wrapped things up and made it back sooner than them. He mumbles a faint question to Leorio as Gon hikes up the stairs. “Is Killua okay?” He hears a response but they’re too far away it’s muffled by the walls.
He heads into Killua’s room, flipping on the light and hesitating to sit the boy down. “Here.” He leans over the bed, unwrapping Killua’s arms. He even stays to tuck him in, “do you feel okay?” Gon settles the blanket up to his chin.
“M’ fine.” Killua blinks lazily up at him, they dart to the side.
“Sure?”
“You really like to double confirm things huh?” Gon grins, feeling Killua’s forehead.
“Just to make sure. Can’t have you dying on my watch.”
“Oh yeah, because that would be such a tragedy.” Gon frowns.
“Don’t talk like that.”
“M’ just joking.”
“Well I don’t think it’s funny.” He huffs, “positive you don’t need anything?”
Killua rolls his eyes, “yes Gon.”
He turns to leave and maybe gets four steps before, “wait.”
“Hmm?”
“Do you think you could…mm I don’t know stay..?” Gon smiles warmly.
“I knew you wanted something.” He pulls back the covers, settling down beside his Killua. “So are we going to cuddle or what?”
Killua chuckles “don’t you think we’ve done enough today?”
“Never. Actually I think you need more.” Warm fingertips brush along the white haired boys torso, Gon grabs him: pulling him to lay on top. Killua really is the best person to cuddle. He’s so fluffy and soft.
“Good night Gon.”
“Good night Killua, I’m happy you let us help you today.”