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The airship was cold and metallic, whirring as it soared over the dense forests and winding rivers. In any other moment, Killua would’ve liked to explore its narrow halls and marvel at the terrain below from the massive blue-tinted windows, losing himself in thought. But that wouldn’t be the case today. Instead, he slumped against the plain cabin wall; the dim shadows cast across the contours of his face. He gazed down at his lap and admired a different view.
Gon laid content on Killua’s thighs, his chest slowly rising and falling as he slumbered peacefully. His lips were slightly parted—perhaps mid-dream—in beautiful serenity. Killua smiled softly, without a need to mask his adoration. He had been absentmindedly petting the boy’s silken evergreen hair since he’d fallen asleep, with gentle strokes of his fingertips. Gon was strong, but he could be so delicate, like a gorgeously woven spiderweb. Killua tenderly pulled the blanket up over them, wrapping them up in a plush cocoon.
“Killua?” whispered Gon, hardly awake, eyes still closed.
He froze bashfully, only humming in response. He’d half expected Gon to sneer at the affection that he’d rarely ever shown him so blatantly and find a new place to nap.
“You’re cozy,” he murmured into the covers, snuggling up into it.
A relieved sigh, followed by a few moments of comfortable silence, filled only by the white buzz of the dingy heater. Moonlight snuck in through the slim window, barely brushing over the boys. Killua’s hand—despite his fear of vulnerability—moved to resume tussling in Gon’s hair.
“I love you.”
His words lit the match within the assassin’s thawed heart, sparking the fuse that incited a thousand sparkling fireworks to explode. The heat rose from his torso and found a home in his blossoming face, while half-lidded sapphire jewel eyes set aglow in fondness. Gon lazily wrapped his toned arms around Killua’s waist, his head resting against his lower stomach. No use playing coy now.
“I love you too, Gon.”
They both covertly wished that their destination would run further, only so they could embrace with intertwined auras for a little while longer. In mere hours, they’d be adventuring away on yet another mission, facing dangers only conquerable when together. But for now, they were safe. In no time, the tanner boy dozed back off, the other following shortly after in complete bliss. The airship was warm and tranquil.